My children never cease to amaze me.
A while ago we decided to move the trashcan out of N's room (and to keep it in the hall instead) to make it easier when it was time to take the trash out each week. This way we didn't have to worry about emptying the trashcan before N went to sleep.
Anyway, the other night I changed N's wet diaper, balled it up, and tossed it toward his bedroom door so I could take it out to the trashcan after I put him to sleep. I ended up putting him down on the floor for a minute during the bedtime routine. He immediately crawled over to his dirty diaper, picked it up, crawled out to the trashcan in the hallway, stood up and put the diaper in the trashcan. I don't know if this was planned out or just a fluke, but I sat there dumbfounded and then yelled to B, "Did you see that? N just threw away his own dirty diaper!"
Two days later I'm still amazed.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mr. Complement
J is really into giving complements right now. It's really cute. Anyway, he started off complementing B and me: "Mommy, I like your shirt." "Daddy, I like your new toothbrush."
Then last week, J told me, "Mommy, I like Madeline's shirt." Madeline is a girl in J's class. I asked him if he had told Madeline that he liked her shirt and he said that he did, but that she didn't say anything. We talked about how she probably didn't know what to say, but the polite thing to say after someone gives you a complement is "thank you."
So then he got into giving and receiving complements so he could say thank you.
"Mommy, I like your shirt."
"Thank you, J. I like your shirt too."
"Thank you, Mommy. I like your table and chairs."
"My table and chairs? Thanks, J."
Anyway, yesterday I was in the kitchen cleaning up and I heard J say to our dog Zoe, "Zoe, I like your fur." Unfortunately, Zoe doesn't know how to say thank you.
Then last week, J told me, "Mommy, I like Madeline's shirt." Madeline is a girl in J's class. I asked him if he had told Madeline that he liked her shirt and he said that he did, but that she didn't say anything. We talked about how she probably didn't know what to say, but the polite thing to say after someone gives you a complement is "thank you."
So then he got into giving and receiving complements so he could say thank you.
"Mommy, I like your shirt."
"Thank you, J. I like your shirt too."
"Thank you, Mommy. I like your table and chairs."
"My table and chairs? Thanks, J."
Anyway, yesterday I was in the kitchen cleaning up and I heard J say to our dog Zoe, "Zoe, I like your fur." Unfortunately, Zoe doesn't know how to say thank you.
Mommy and Me "I Love You" Tea
Yesterday I was went to a "Mommy and Me 'I Love You' Tea" at J's school. I got my invitation (a flower J had made at school out of painted coffee filters) last week and I eagerly anticipated the big event. 
Yesterday morning, I woke up and pondered what to wear. I wanted to look nice for the tea party. I felt like I was getting ready for a date. Silly, but true. I dressed up complete with real shoes (no tennis shoes for a tea party) and a real shirt (no t-shirts either). Anyway, the tea party was really nice. The table was beautifully decorated with more flowers the children had helped to make. 
J's class had also made us pigs-in-a-blanket and cookie flowers. After the tea party, J gave me my Mother's Day gift--a canvas bag decorated with handprint flowers and fingerprint bees, ladybugs and bluebonnets. 
Isn't it really cute? Anyway, the whole event was really fun and made me feel very special.
Yesterday morning, I woke up and pondered what to wear. I wanted to look nice for the tea party. I felt like I was getting ready for a date. Silly, but true. I dressed up complete with real shoes (no tennis shoes for a tea party) and a real shirt (no t-shirts either). Anyway, the tea party was really nice. The table was beautifully decorated with more flowers the children had helped to make. 
J's class had also made us pigs-in-a-blanket and cookie flowers. After the tea party, J gave me my Mother's Day gift--a canvas bag decorated with handprint flowers and fingerprint bees, ladybugs and bluebonnets. 
Isn't it really cute? Anyway, the whole event was really fun and made me feel very special.
Anatomy According to a Three Year-Old
That space above your eyes and below your hairline. I made the mistake of calling J's a "forehead." He told me that is was not a forehead. It's a "three-head."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Unfortunately, Haley...
1. Unfortunately Haley and I get separated, and I have to watch her death at the hands of monsters.
2. Unfortunately Haley was voted off of American Idol but please continue to support her and any ...
3. Unfortunately, Haley's story is not unique.
4. Unfortunately, Haley is not able to be a part of our breeding program.
5. Unfortunately, Haley threw an absolute fit when she saw him and could not stop shaking or crying in my arms.
6. Unfortunately, Haley doesn't have Parcells track record.
7. Unfortunately, Haley is not around to share the applause.
8. Unfortunately, Haley is severely affected, having the above-mentioned symptoms accompanied with mental retardation and developmental delays.
9. There are rather expensive swinging gate child gates that are for the top of stairs and such, but they aren't well made and unfortunately Haley being rather...
10. Unfortunately, Haley obviously fictionalizes the African life.
Becky (otherwise known as Sophanne) did this and I couldn't resist trying it myself. You google "Unfortunately, " and your name. Those were my first ten results. Here are three more that I thought were pretty funny.
Unfortunately, Haley does not ship one with Authority!
Unfortunately Haley wasn't the image of a rock star.
Unfortunately, Haley committed a serious crime and took photos while we were eating.
2. Unfortunately Haley was voted off of American Idol but please continue to support her and any ...
3. Unfortunately, Haley's story is not unique.
4. Unfortunately, Haley is not able to be a part of our breeding program.
5. Unfortunately, Haley threw an absolute fit when she saw him and could not stop shaking or crying in my arms.
6. Unfortunately, Haley doesn't have Parcells track record.
7. Unfortunately, Haley is not around to share the applause.
8. Unfortunately, Haley is severely affected, having the above-mentioned symptoms accompanied with mental retardation and developmental delays.
9. There are rather expensive swinging gate child gates that are for the top of stairs and such, but they aren't well made and unfortunately Haley being rather...
10. Unfortunately, Haley obviously fictionalizes the African life.
Becky (otherwise known as Sophanne) did this and I couldn't resist trying it myself. You google "Unfortunately, " and your name. Those were my first ten results. Here are three more that I thought were pretty funny.
Unfortunately, Haley does not ship one with Authority!
Unfortunately Haley wasn't the image of a rock star.
Unfortunately, Haley committed a serious crime and took photos while we were eating.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
My Boys: LOTS of Recent Photos
I've been taking lots of pictures of my boys (shocking, I know), but have been so busy working on baby presents that I haven't gotten a chance to share my pics. Here's lots of pictures and some mini-updates on life with my boys.
N with one of his many "walkers."
N and J looking out the window in N's room.
Pepper stopping N from climbing the stairs. He's quick these days and will make it to the top before you turn around. Luckily, Pepper likes to lie on the stairs and chew her bone--so she stops him for me. She takes her job very seriously. It's pretty adorable.
J and N in the car cart at Lowe's. This was N's first time "driving" and he LOVED it!
J helping N walk from the patio to the grass in the backyard. N is doing a lot of walking these days. He usually takes anywhere between 4 and 12 steps before he reaches his destination or falls and crawls.
N watching Pepper in the backyard. If you look closely, you can see his little curl of hair sticking out at the bottom of the back of his head.
After she was done running around, Pepper brought N her toy so they could play. She loves to play with N. I love the look Zoe is giving the two of them.
J told me, "Mom, take a picture of my hands." So I did.
B doing "Daddy duty" as we headed up to get the boys ready for bed.
J playing in the backyard.
J and N playing with the rainwater that had collected in the cupholders of the sand and water table. I love it when they play so nicely together.
N loves to splash in water--I have to keep a close eye on the dogs' water bowl.
N relaxing after a good meal. Silly boy! He's still a good eater and makes me happy because he LOVES peas. I've been fixing mixed veggies. N eats all the peas and some carrots. J eats one kernel of corn. It's better than nothing. I'll take it.
We went to the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art as an early birthday present for B. Not really the best thing for a one year old and a three year old, but we still had fun. When J was asked to tell his grandma what he saw he told her, "Water, blue things, and a movie." So that about sums it up!
N with one of his many "walkers."
N and J looking out the window in N's room.
Pepper stopping N from climbing the stairs. He's quick these days and will make it to the top before you turn around. Luckily, Pepper likes to lie on the stairs and chew her bone--so she stops him for me. She takes her job very seriously. It's pretty adorable.
J and N in the car cart at Lowe's. This was N's first time "driving" and he LOVED it!
J helping N walk from the patio to the grass in the backyard. N is doing a lot of walking these days. He usually takes anywhere between 4 and 12 steps before he reaches his destination or falls and crawls.
N watching Pepper in the backyard. If you look closely, you can see his little curl of hair sticking out at the bottom of the back of his head.
After she was done running around, Pepper brought N her toy so they could play. She loves to play with N. I love the look Zoe is giving the two of them.
J told me, "Mom, take a picture of my hands." So I did.
B doing "Daddy duty" as we headed up to get the boys ready for bed.
J playing in the backyard.
J and N playing with the rainwater that had collected in the cupholders of the sand and water table. I love it when they play so nicely together.
N loves to splash in water--I have to keep a close eye on the dogs' water bowl.
N relaxing after a good meal. Silly boy! He's still a good eater and makes me happy because he LOVES peas. I've been fixing mixed veggies. N eats all the peas and some carrots. J eats one kernel of corn. It's better than nothing. I'll take it.
We went to the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art as an early birthday present for B. Not really the best thing for a one year old and a three year old, but we still had fun. When J was asked to tell his grandma what he saw he told her, "Water, blue things, and a movie." So that about sums it up!Hope you all are having a good week. In other family news, my cousin Christie is doing her last rounds of chemo this week and next week. So that has us all thrilled! Please keep her in your prayers that she's not in too much pain as these last few doses of chemo are going to be extra strong to make sure the cancer's butt is thoroughly kicked to kingdom come. Despite the pain, Christie is so happy to be almost done and can't wait to return to work. She's an amazing person and I am so proud of the way she and her husband have handled this whole ordeal.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sweet Treats: Free Baby Blanket Pattern
My newest niece is due to born sometime in the next few weeks and I am SO excited. I know she's going to be a little sweetie. I've been busy making her presents.
The first is this blanket I knit.
It's my own pattern (sort of--see notes below) and I love how it turned out. I wanted to use colors that were girly, but not too babyish. I originally thought I would do pink, cream and brown (inspired by Neapolitan ice cream), but ended up doing three different pinks (pale pink, medium pink, and raspberry pink) and a chocolate brown after finding this lovely yarn at my local yarn shop.
The yarn is Berroco Comfort Chunky. I loved how soft it was and that it was both machine washable and machine dryable. I couldn't resist the lovely colors. My only disappointment is that it is less soft after washing.
The stitch pattern is from The Stolen Moments Wrap by Amy M. Swenson. I made this wrap for my cousin Christie and really enjoyed it. At the time, I thought of adapting it to make a scarf for myself. I ended up adapting it to make a blanket instead.
I wanted to use two different colors at one time to have a more subtle mixing of colors and so I could use nice big needles. I did "subtle stripes" by using two colors at a time for four rows and then changing one of the colors for the next four rows. I altered the order of colors after the first 8 repeats and then altered them again after 8 repeats of the new order. I just didn't want the blanket to look "too stripey." See pattern below for more details.
Pattern: Sweet Treat Baby Blanket by me (Using the stitch pattern from The Stolen Moments Wrap (pdf) by Amy M. Swenson--Thank you, Amy!)
Yarn: Berroco Comfort Chunky (50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic/100g/3.5oz/150yds/138m)--one skein each of four different colors (A=medium pink, B=pale pink, C=brown, D=raspberry pink)
Needles: Size 15 circulars
Finished size (after washing): 30" wide (cast-on edge) x 23" long.
Abbreviation Guide:
K = Knit
YO = Yarn Over
SK2P = Slip 1 stitch, Knit next 2 stitches together, Pass slipped stitch over knitted together stitches
Instructions:
Cast on 63 stitches using two strands of yarn held together (1 strand each of 2 different colors--A &B).
Rows 1 & 2: Knit all stitches.
Row 3: K4, YO, SK2P, [YO, K1, YO, SK2P] 13 times , YO, K4.
Row 4: K2, Purl until there are two stitches remaining, K2.
Drop A and add C, do Rows 5-8 with colors B & C.
Row 5: K2, YO, SK2P, [YO, K1, YO, SK2P] 14 times, YO, K2.
Row 6: K2, Purl until there are two stitches remaining, K2.
Row 7: K4, YO, SK2P, [YO, K1, YO, SK2P] 13 times , YO, K4.
Row 8: K2, Purl until there are two stitches remaining, K2.
Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & D.
Rows 13-16: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 17-20: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & B.
Rows 21-24: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & C.
Rows 25-28: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & D.
Rows 29-32: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 33-36: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & C.
Rows 37-40: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & B.
Rows 41-44: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & D.
Rows 45-48: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 49-52: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & C.
Rows 53-56: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & B.
Rows 57-60: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & D.
Rows 61-64: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 65-68: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & B.
Rows 69-72: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & C.
Rows 73-76: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & D.
Rows 77-78 : Repeat Rows 5-6 with colors D & A.
Rows 79-80: Knit all stitches with colors D & A.
Bind off all stitches.
The order of color combinations reflects the order I used for my blanket. Please feel free to do your blanket in whatever order that appeals to you.
I stopped after twenty repeats because I was almost out of yarn. You can make your blanket as large as you desire by doing more or less repeats. Also, if you want a wider blanket, simply cast on more stitches. If you want a more narrow blanket, cast on less stitches. Just keep in mind that for this stitch pattern, you must cast on a number of stitches equal to a multiple of four plus 7. For example, 4 x 14 = 56 + 7 = 63.
*I am still a novice pattern writer, so please let me know if you have any questions or concerns related to this pattern. Again, the stitch pattern is not my creation, but is found in Amy Swenson's free pattern, the Stolen Moments Wrap.
The second present for my niece is a variation on a lovey. I had bought some fun fabric to make a lovey, but then I saw this great book in the library and decided to adapt one of the patterns to make a lovey doll. Here she is:
Isn't she adorable? Another sweet treat for my sweet new niece. I hope she will like her goodies!
The first is this blanket I knit.
It's my own pattern (sort of--see notes below) and I love how it turned out. I wanted to use colors that were girly, but not too babyish. I originally thought I would do pink, cream and brown (inspired by Neapolitan ice cream), but ended up doing three different pinks (pale pink, medium pink, and raspberry pink) and a chocolate brown after finding this lovely yarn at my local yarn shop.
The yarn is Berroco Comfort Chunky. I loved how soft it was and that it was both machine washable and machine dryable. I couldn't resist the lovely colors. My only disappointment is that it is less soft after washing.
The stitch pattern is from The Stolen Moments Wrap by Amy M. Swenson. I made this wrap for my cousin Christie and really enjoyed it. At the time, I thought of adapting it to make a scarf for myself. I ended up adapting it to make a blanket instead.
I wanted to use two different colors at one time to have a more subtle mixing of colors and so I could use nice big needles. I did "subtle stripes" by using two colors at a time for four rows and then changing one of the colors for the next four rows. I altered the order of colors after the first 8 repeats and then altered them again after 8 repeats of the new order. I just didn't want the blanket to look "too stripey." See pattern below for more details.
Pattern: Sweet Treat Baby Blanket by me (Using the stitch pattern from The Stolen Moments Wrap (pdf) by Amy M. Swenson--Thank you, Amy!)
Yarn: Berroco Comfort Chunky (50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic/100g/3.5oz/150yds/138m)--one skein each of four different colors (A=medium pink, B=pale pink, C=brown, D=raspberry pink)
Needles: Size 15 circulars
Finished size (after washing): 30" wide (cast-on edge) x 23" long.
Abbreviation Guide:
K = Knit
YO = Yarn Over
SK2P = Slip 1 stitch, Knit next 2 stitches together, Pass slipped stitch over knitted together stitches
Instructions:
Cast on 63 stitches using two strands of yarn held together (1 strand each of 2 different colors--A &B).
Rows 1 & 2: Knit all stitches.
Row 3: K4, YO, SK2P, [YO, K1, YO, SK2P] 13 times , YO, K4.
Row 4: K2, Purl until there are two stitches remaining, K2.
Drop A and add C, do Rows 5-8 with colors B & C.
Row 5: K2, YO, SK2P, [YO, K1, YO, SK2P] 14 times, YO, K2.
Row 6: K2, Purl until there are two stitches remaining, K2.
Row 7: K4, YO, SK2P, [YO, K1, YO, SK2P] 13 times , YO, K4.
Row 8: K2, Purl until there are two stitches remaining, K2.
Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & D.
Rows 13-16: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 17-20: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & B.
Rows 21-24: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & C.
Rows 25-28: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & D.
Rows 29-32: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 33-36: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & C.
Rows 37-40: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & B.
Rows 41-44: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & D.
Rows 45-48: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 49-52: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & C.
Rows 53-56: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & B.
Rows 57-60: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & D.
Rows 61-64: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors D & A.
Rows 65-68: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors A & B.
Rows 69-72: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors B & C.
Rows 73-76: Repeat Rows 5-8 with colors C & D.
Rows 77-78 : Repeat Rows 5-6 with colors D & A.
Rows 79-80: Knit all stitches with colors D & A.
Bind off all stitches.
The order of color combinations reflects the order I used for my blanket. Please feel free to do your blanket in whatever order that appeals to you.
I stopped after twenty repeats because I was almost out of yarn. You can make your blanket as large as you desire by doing more or less repeats. Also, if you want a wider blanket, simply cast on more stitches. If you want a more narrow blanket, cast on less stitches. Just keep in mind that for this stitch pattern, you must cast on a number of stitches equal to a multiple of four plus 7. For example, 4 x 14 = 56 + 7 = 63.
*I am still a novice pattern writer, so please let me know if you have any questions or concerns related to this pattern. Again, the stitch pattern is not my creation, but is found in Amy Swenson's free pattern, the Stolen Moments Wrap.
The second present for my niece is a variation on a lovey. I had bought some fun fabric to make a lovey, but then I saw this great book in the library and decided to adapt one of the patterns to make a lovey doll. Here she is:
Isn't she adorable? Another sweet treat for my sweet new niece. I hope she will like her goodies!
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