Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Lest ye be dissapointed.....

The weather looks to be cooperating so Operation Home Visit is still a go. A few images to tide you over till we return (again, these are OOC...some day I'll edit my stuff):

Stacker toy from Gram Sue
Pilfering in Dad's bag


Add a sweatshirt and she suddenly looks like a kid, not a baby =(

Workers repairing the blown-down fence next door. She waved and waved and waved to them. They never looked up. She was happy just seeing them, though

S's hand was right out of the frame, she was safe the whole time

The CD shelf used to be off limits. Now she empties it every few hours and I'm finding disks in the weirdest places

Rough housing (and getting in a workout)

Everything has to have a hat on (except H; she hates them on her). Here Ellie has been allowed out of the crib for playtime with the other toys


Other happenings from the week:
-A slight homework break as nothing major due next week.
-Catching up on Downton Abbey. Bummed I got suckered in and even more bummed I have to wait for next season to air!
-Putting in way too much work for a class that started with the teacher saying "You all have full credit just for being here". Argh
-Enjoying H developing a sense of humor
-Reading, reading, reading. Generally the very few books I can't stand. I dread H being able to chose her own music. She'll probably like organ
-Amazed it actually snowed. Along with the fact it hasn't all season, the weathermen were finally right for a change!
-Sorta optimistic about an offer kinda verbally asked for/accepted...but we've been down this road before.
-Packing everything but the kitchen sink for a very short visit. We'll be prepared to extend it for a few months if necessary, though =D

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sweater Revamp

Once upon a time I had a lovely purple wool sweater. It draped nicely (read: covered my stomach), had neck detailing and sleeves I couldn't decide if I liked or not. Regardless, it was well worn and loved. Then one sad day it went into the washing machine with an unidentified sharp object and when it emerged...purple sweater had given up the ghost. But it would be a travesty to waste all that gorgeous wool so I decided to create for Henri. Sewing is not my forte, sewing machines terrify me and I can't cut a straight line (two of those are directly my mother's fault, btw) but I figured the shirt was kaput anyway, so I started the hacking.  (Oh, apologies for the state of these picts. I uploaded then realized I hadn't edited them and just don't have the energy to do it. Sorry)

First, hack the arms off. Also the back of the sweater.

Attempt to measure an inseam while your daughter rips out the measuring tape and hides all your pens

A few steps didn't get photographed. That's because my hands were too sweaty with fear to hold the camera. Basically, borrow a very kind neighbor's machine, ask her to watch the baby, sew up 2 seams and then roll the waistband and add elastic. Also jump and experience extremely elevated heart rate when the baby escapes and sits on the treadle.

Fun detailing. The ribbing reaches to her knee and then puffs pantaloon-style

Little stinker refused to stand and pose

Too big. Argh. Will fit this fall, though. Anticipating growth! I meant to do that, really

Not quite drooping right

Back of the sweater including the hem. Also contrasting material. Note the hem is now the waistband. Tricky, eh?

Ta-da!!!

Didn't even try to get a photo of her in it as the antipathy towards posing has progressed since this morning and involves flopping and screaming. But it fits!

So there you have it.While they won't win any awards, it makes me happy that Henri has 2 new items. Especially since it was made from material I had laying around (material, I might add, that I'd originally gotten from Sister Thrift so this is like recycling the recycling). Stay tuned for some more sewing attempts; I did a quick internet browse last night and found some fabulous ideas to remake last year's summer stuff for this year for H. Yay!

Friday, February 24, 2012

A few highlights of the week


Weekend treat; Aunt Allie to visit!


Picnic lunch in Lexington

The hill S pushed the stroller down

Desert!

So clearly (no pun intended) I need to work on my focal points, but a glimpse of the calories

H's food basket, a favorite seat

A nap! Her only one on Tuesday...

Her Ikea puppy; this doesn't show the love, but it's the only one not a blurry mess as she swung him squealing with joy then shoved him in my face to pet. She really has a thing for dogs

Her new glasses! Sippy cups are a joke to her, she'll only drink out of our glasses, so I got her a set of her own

Yes, Mom, they are real glass (she asked) but so far no shatters. And as you can see, H knows how to use them

Pretty happy with her water
Other happenings of the week:
Exams (common theme)
Good Lebanese meal with friends old and new
Sushi! Haven't been in months. Spicy yellow tail, I'm still thinking about it
A very nice waitress who brought H a complementary bowl of miso soup; she inhaled the tofu
S having Monday off so I got to do homework
Homework...if you have any questions about breastfeeding, especially nipple pain, I'd be happy to fill you in
No playgroup =(
So we walked around Porter. And got 6 free bags of cough drops and 2 nail polishes and a cinnamon roll
Also free this week were 2 reams of paper, package of pens, shipping labels, Kleenex and photo paper
Offer on a house rejected.
Bone crushing exhaustion. I think 9 months of no sleep, plus the pregnancy no sleep has finally caught up.
Drinking lots of coffee, water and eating super grains to combat the above
Some pretty fantastic hand-drawn coloring pages that the 2+3's didn't seem to appreciate but made me proud =D

Well, there are plans to be be in VT this time next week (cue the cheering section) so this might be the end of my weekly streak. Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Week 5; semi-wordless

A photo recap of the week with a few words:

Newest (wooden) IKEA toy; a crane! All kids should have some trucks

Another IKEA purchase; toy chest/baby bookshelf/tv stand


Last purchase; wonderful bibs that actually keep her clean....specially now that she wants to feed herself everything

Helping Dad rebuild a computer
Inspecting the parts prior to placement



Still loves to play peek-a-boo chase around the house


Her most annoying toy ever broke and she's very sad about it. So, late night major surgery

The glue gun did not work. We managed to hotwire the thing but a soddering kit is on tap to be the next house purchase


Hand-knits

Not feeling so good. 1st real illness. Last one turned out to be just teething

As always, Lillebaby saved the day

The rest of the week:
-H behaving well in nursery for both services
-Late-night cramming for a big paper
-Unexpectedly good grade on late-night paper
-Lots of walks in beautiful weather
-Too many of those walks ending at Kick*ss for them to do me much good
-No playgroup as H came down with a cold
-Saving lots of money at CVS with coupons and such
-Easter candy hitting the shelves, so good-bye to my temporary healthy eating binge

Another busy week coming up with lots of exams, big projects to complete (and start, actually...) and Aunt Allie coming for a visit. See you next Friday =D

Monday, February 13, 2012

Eating cheerios

A few photos from a typical cheerio-eating experience. H gets very excited when she sees the yellow box and goes through a fair number every day.


What do you have in your hand? Could it be????
 

I will put them in my mouth!


Practicing to hold one


All MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


At this point she was just screeching and munching. Major choke hazard


What you don't hear is the excited panting she's doing. Cheerios are just that good.



Her fangs are starting to show


Hoping for some more from Dad


Can't believe there are no more on her tray