She's Sunshine and Sweetness

I could spend all day squeezing her...oh, wait, I do....
those cheeks are just too irresistible.

And, that smile!

It's like falling in love.  I just can't get enough.

Happy (almost) 3 months, sweet Sophia!

Full of Thanks

Looking back at last week's photos makes me thankful

for my husband and my best friend...

for being a witness to this growing bond...

for a wonderful uncle....

for a big hearted Mimi...

for my parents...

I love watching them become grandparents...

and, for a doting aunt...

I feel blessed beyond words to have such a wonderful family.  To love and be loved so much makes for a very full heart.  I'm a lucky mama.

What are you feeling blessed by today?

He Wore It

...

Possibly Off My Rocker

I spent the better part of an hour on this (an hour that I coulda shoulda been sleeping through).  All last minutey there will probably be a staunch refusal to wear it.  But, I really just had to...not sure why...maybe one of those inexplicable postpartum things that I'll look back on and go "What on earth was wrong with me?!!"

Anywho, if you feel the need to lose an hour's sleep over a turkey shirt, here's a nice tute.  I wanted a boyish shirt, so I drew my own pattern and changed up the colors.  Stephan is so going to laugh at this.  I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm crazy...especially about my last-minute-oh-my-stars-I-have-to crafting, but he puts up with me just the same.

Off The Sticks

It was just me and Sophia this weekend, so I spent Saturday morning knitting this hat (sans pompoms and ear flaps).  Well, at least, I tried to knit that hat.  Apparently, when I knit while nursing I get distracted...a lot.  So, I missed whole rows and just might have switched around the garter and stockinette rows.  It still turned out pretty cute.

Saturday afternoon we ventured out to The Knit Studio.  Oh. My. Stars.  Can I go live there?  Really.  The yarn...the shop owner...the whole place...so beautiful...and soft.

Weekend Loves

A few cool links...

: :  This artist.

: : This party.

: : This drink.

: : This knock off.

: : This hat.

: : This lens.

Need more inspiration? Look here.

Happy Sunday.

Sophia and I are lucky gals to have such kind and handsome fellas to wander around with...

We took to the woods on one of Stephan's recent days off.  It made me wish that all days were that perfect mixture of cool warmth...and that Stephan could join us for more of them.

A Good Kind Of Messy

Two and a half months ago we were three...

Now we are four...

There's a lot more laundry...a whole lot more.
But, there's also a lot more love and joy...totally worth the mess.

A Little Facelift

I've been doing some updating around here.  Maybe it's the change in seasons, but the place seemed to need some dusting off.  There are still a few things that need to be tweaked, but mostly it's done.  

Check out the new links on my left sidebar.  I've started two tumblr blogs.  I can't believe I haven't done that before.  They're such fun...and just a little bit addictive. One is for filing away inspiration, and the other is for reminding myself of all that I have to be grateful for.  Since writing about my need for an attitude adjustment, I've thought long and hard about contentment and happiness.  I'm most content when I take the time for gratitude, so I'm doing just that.

Hope y'all are having a wonderful week.  Is it really halfway over already?  And, THANKSGIVING!!!  It's around the corner...literally.  Oh. my.   

Three!!!

This morning Levi turned 3. My baby has officially been replaced by a devilishly handsome and sweet little boy.  It won't be new news to y'all that I think this whole growing up thing is bittersweet, but really I wouldn't change it for the world.  I love seeing my little ones become who they were made to be.  It's good...so very good.  

Saturday we had a party.

And, it was perfect.

Well, at least, if you ignore the halfway peeled off wallpaper.  But, really, we've lived with it so long now that we're beginning to think it's normal.

We decorated.
We cooked.
We made birthday cards for the birthday boy. 

And opened presents.

He has a glove/mitten obsession, but he also has a habit of losing them.  I've learned to buy the cheap ones...and no handmade ones for this fella.  Not yet, at least.

I've been MIA from blogland for awhile now...up to my eyeballs in a felt fishing pond.  (inspired by this one)  Apparently, if you hand stitch the entire thing (while trying to keep a baby entertained and fed) it does indeed turn into a monstrously time consuming project.

But, I think he liked it.  :)

I'm still devising proper payback for my sister over this one.  We now have a shark, and it is seemingly permanently lodged in our living room.  Also, it must be in need of some dental work.

I told you he was sweet...

the day was topped off by a cake for a slightly Lego crazy little boy.

I was a little nervous that he might notice that his party wasn't quite like some of the others he's been to lately.  It was just family...with no extra "entertainment"...and just a few good gifts...and plenty of good food.
I had nothing to worry about.
He was thrilled.
Like really, really thrilled.
He spent the whole day grinning ear to ear.
It was one of those days that even I wanted to last forever.

And, those few presents...oh, my.  I'm still trying to work out where to put them.

She Laughed!!!

Tonight she laughed...a full on, sweet laugh. 

I love being a mama.

. . .

Now back to crafting.  I've got rather a large project going for Levi's birthday.  We're having a little family party on Saturday.  I so hope I finish in time.  Wish me luck!

Weekend Loves

: : First, read this.  Smacksy posted it to her Sunday links this morning, and it's so worth reading.

: :  If you're into holiday crafting or even if you just like to look at pretty things click here and explore.  Seriously.  You will not regret it.  Promise.

: :  I want, want, want this pattern.  And speaking of wants, did you know they make chalk cloth?  I have a million uses for this stuff running through my head.

: :  Yes, please.

: :  These snowflakes are on my December list.  I guarantee that I will be more excited about these than Levi.

: : Since we haven't yet made it to December, you might be interested in a few Thanksgivingish things.  Like this super cute take on the classic handprint turkey.  Or this shirt.  I'm making Levi one...except in boy colors.  He's already expressing wardrobe opinions, so this may be my last chance ever to get him into a mama made turkey shirt.  Why that seems important, I have no idea.  But, it does.

: : Looking for a ridiculously over the top holiday dessert?  Here you go.  Kinda makes you go "ewww", huh?

: : I've realized that I never knit anything for myself anymore...unless dishcloths count.  Unbelievably, I almost never even bookmark patterns for myself.  I'm making steps to correct this...especially since happening across this pretty hat and this beautiful cardigan.  Now if I could just find a little more time...and some better knitting skills.

: :  Of course, what I'm more likely to do in my spare time is make munchkin things...like this and these.

What's on your holiday crafting/buying/wish list?

When A Mess Just Seems Like Too Much

Sometimes messes are fun, but that's usually when you have the time and energy to clean them up.  This wasn't one of those days.  Don't get me wrong.  It was a wonderful day full of goodness...very full.  So, when Levi wanted to make something, we opted to go for a walk instead of pulling out the usual paints, glue, or play dough.

We collected lots of leaves.

And, I pulled out a stash of contact paper that I keep on hand for just such occasions.  Talk about a mess free way to make a collage.

Then we stuck his creations on the back door window, so they double as pretty, fall decorations.

While we're on the topic of kid's art/decor, have you seen these and these?

P.S. I got this idea from First Art.  It's a very cool book full of fun art experiences for wee ones.  And, of course, I didn't get paid to say that. :)

An Attitude Adjustment

Sometimes this whole mommy business is hard...oh...wait...I should rephrase that.  Sometimes this whole life business is hard.  Unfortunately, there's no gettin' around it.  The past few weeks have been less than ideal...mostly due to me.  Funny how so much of the ick in our lives can be traced back to our own attitudes. I've definitely been off kilter lately.  I could blame it on postpartum crud, living in a never ending renovation zone, a grumpy almost 3 year old, and a husband whose work schedule is CRAZY....but, really, it's me.  I've felt a little too sorry for myself and let myself get a little too grumpy and out of sorts.  Earlier in the week, Leigh posted this film trailer on her blog.  The optimism made me cringe...in a good way...because my life is good.  Incredibly good.  Why do I forget that??? 

Once upon a time, I made it a daily practice to think about the things I was grateful for.  I'm not sure when I dropped that, but I'm taking it back.  Gratitude is a powerful thing.

Today, I'm grateful for a patient, kind, and loving husband.
...for his new and improved, less crazy job schedule (even though it won't start until December)!
...for a bathroom that is so close to finally being finished
...for a little boy who wants to be just like his "Daddy Stephan"

...for a little girl who purses her lips ALL the time (just like her mama used to do)

...for a beautiful autumn day
...for parents who brought over dinner (Thank you!)
...for the grin on Levi's face when he opened a piece of mail just for him (a birthday card)
...for moments that make me laugh

...and, for love.

What are you grateful for?

Halloween

We made a weekend of it.  Saturday
the Elephant went trick or treating...

With a Ladybug...

Of course, there were more treats waiting for us when we got home...

On Sunday we headed out for a fall festival where Levi bobbed for apples...

And played games...

But, this was his favorite part of the whole evening...

Sophia's favorite part?  Well, I'd have to guess nursing and sleeping.  That's pretty much the extent of her current repertoire....

Hope y'all had a delightful Halloween weekend!