From the Workshop

Since it seems to be a tradition for me to NOT take photos of all the Christmas gifts I make (umm...Aunt B? and the other Aunt B? And Aunt Lolo? Could you send photos? Thanks :) here are some photos of a bridal jewelry set I've been working on. I'm sending these to work with Wonder Daddy for the bride and groom-to-be to mull over and send back with suggestions. The bridal party girls will be wearing peridot green jewelry- gorgeous color for the crystals, but I'm just not set on the design yet.

And...if there's any wish for a tutorial, I'll see what I can do. Jewelry making is so much fun!

Family Pictures

What fun! My in-laws had a family friend come over and take some portraits and pictures. She did a great job- here are a few that she's sent over.

We re-took a few photos today, and we had to wake Ernie up for the shoot. Bobby J kept up a steady stream of "You can have a piece of chocolate when you're done. What color do you want? You get a piece of chocolate! Smile! Here it is right here!" The photographer couldn't resist this "after" shot.

Possibly one of my favorite family shots of all-time for my little clan. No, this is my favorite. This is the one we had to wake Ernie up for, and Mimi had just barely opened her eyes. My shirt is fresh out of the washing machine (not dryer), because these were taken the NEXT day, and Mimi had done all kinds of bad things to this shirt the day before. As 3-month-olds will. :o)


I can't tell if this is a yawn or a yell (that lid was COLD!), but this is my adorable, almost-three-week niece, Nora. Isn't this a sweet shot?

Merry Christmas, Everyone

Recently Heard

Ernie's first drawing- this is me. Or Emma. Or Daddy. Or Ernie. But probably Emma, my brother's girlfriend and one of Ernie's favorite people (Emma dances with her, and teaches her to draw, and lets Ernie wear her pretty necklaces)

Following in the footsteps of my friend over at Little Adventures, here are some of the things we've been hearing.
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Walking out of church, Ernie tries to open the heavy glass and metal door. She finally turns and tries to *puuush* it open with her backside. Above her head, Daddy reaches past and helps her, which results in a tumble to the floor. Crying ensues.

Mommy "Are you hurt?"

Ernie "Yesssss!"

Mommy "What hurts?"

Ernie *clutching her battered posterior* "Mine BUNNY!"

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Walking in to her bathroom during her weekly bath, I smell soap, and see a foamy white child, from shoulders to water-line.

"I clean, Mommy!"

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Coming in to check on her as she washes her hands after a potty stop, I find a sink full of soapy water, an empty baby bath bottle (which was new), and 2 rubber duckies floating in the sink, smooching under her command. Oh yeah, and she's buck naked.

"See Mommy? A kiss!"

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At lunchtime, before her nap, we promised her something that she LOVES. I heard her waking up, and went in to greet her. She opened her eyes and said...

Ernie: "A do-nut."

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And finally, today's installments. We leave tomorrow for Nana and Grandpa's house- we'll ride in Mom-Mom's car, in an airplane, on a people-mover...any ONE of these things would send her into a tizzy, and we're doing all three! Right now, she's been trying to go to sleep for 2 hours.

Mommy "Head on pillow and go to sleep!"
Ernie "That's a bad idea."

later

Daddy "Go to sleep!"
Ernie "Why not sun up?"

later

Daddy goes in for one final tuck-in, after she has managed to pull the curtain tension rod out of her windowsill, checking to see if the sun is up one too many times. It will stay down for the rest of the night, so she doesn't have to get out of bed to check for daylight!

She's Here!

After much waiting and waiting and WAITING (9 months, actually) Little Nora is here! 7 pounds 12 ounces, 19 inches long. Daughter to Wonder Daddy's brother and his gorgeous little wife, we can't wait to meet her! (Or see pictures but no rush guys, no rush. Kind of.)

Playing Catch Up

'twas the week before Christmas...wait...no?

Sure feels like it!

First off, may I offer my heartiest congratulations to our newest LoLo! Baby Boy (Ernie's name for him...she's quite adamant) arrived this afternoon. He weighed a decent 7 pounds 14 ounces, and measured in a 21 inches. He's cute as a button, and I am SO JEALOUS that the rest of my family is spending Christmas with him! We'll be on the opposite corner of the country...we're so excited to spend Christmas with Nana and Grandpa though. There are just TOO MANY good things in this world, and I want all of them. Now. Thank you. (Especially when it comes to seeing family.)

Are they not the cutest pair? (And what kind of sick woman wears shiny dangling earrings to the hospital? And calls her twin in between contractions to say she's bored? Ah, epidurals. How you have changed things.)

In other news, I won a blog giveaway! Always a little thrill- Lera, over at The Sky is Pink, made up these sweet candy-cane striped leg warmers, and even put on a fluffy cuff at the top. Miss E adores them (although she's convinced they're for her teenaged aunt, so she won't wear them.)

Is the packaging not adorable? She used candy-cane striped string...and even sent along an extra paddle! I'm very serious when I say that I've been looking for this string in all the stores for a few months and couldn't find it. I love it!

Thursday was my first piano recital. Out of my 11 students only 3 could participate (I mean, 5 of them are primer students who started in October- I haven't even got them reading the staff yet!) but we invited everyone to come and listen even if they weren't performing. I think they're all excited for the Spring recital now- a few of them have already started picking out songs.

Friday was our annual caroling party- it's a "win some lose some" gathering every year, and this year we kind of lost. We had POURING rain and HOWLING wind all day long, and in the end it was just myself, Wonder Daddy, Aunt Bert, and my dear high school friend (who has not missed a caroling party in 11 years!) trudging door to door with golf umbrellas while my parents stayed home with the girls. We had a blast, and got a few houses done before we started getting reports of snow farther out, and my friend had to skedaddle home if she wanted to GET home that night.

Ernie enjoyed the leftover cookies though!

Monday night was our Family Night- I think this is my favorite night of the week...well, except date night every Friday (thanks Mom and Dad!!). We went and saw the lights at the local botanical gardens- they make amazing flower and animal displays every year out of Christmas lights- it's always gorgeous. It was so fun to watch Ernie light up just like the lights- I think this is the first year she's gotten really excited about it.





And finally, today SANTA CLAUS came to visit our church this morning! I know, amazing right? We're so lucky! Ernie adored meeting him, and actually spoke to him. We had a lovely ward breakfast, and I was able to sing with the Relief Society choir and accompany a very talented mezzo. My friend took pictures of Ernie with Santa, so I'll share those when she sends them over.

And Mom and Dad- THANK YOU for watching the girls tonight so Wonder Daddy and I could go on a date together. I'm so glad they were good for you- you both have the stamina of line backers :) (I think Mom carried Mimi around for at least an hour, and I'm pretty sure Ernie never stopped talking to Grandpa for the entire evening.)

Whew! So that was our week...I have 2 presents to finish before we exchange presents on Monday with my family, so I better get hopping!

What's on your agenda for this week?

I'm still laughing

Wonder Daddy has always wanted to do a triathlon, and started training this year. Apparently, this entails much Need For Gear. (I think this is a common ailment among men? Anyway, I digress. Good thing MY hobbies don't require special gear *cough*cough*)

ahem

He's been especially drooly over bike trainers recently, and knows all about them. He doesn't want the wind tunnel kind, or the "log rolling for bikes" variety. (He can laugh at my terminology later- I listen, but don't always understand, okay?) Magnetic resistance would be great...and so on. He's put a lot of thought into this, and a lot of hours looking through Craigslist ads.

This morning, he posted a "wanted" ad on Freecycle...and he got a response! He was so excited, he kept trying to hide the phosphorescent grin that wanted to break out when he told me he'd go look at it after dinner.

"What kind is it?"

"The lady didn't know. She bought it last year, and hasn't used it."

OK, that's odd. These things are expensive, and she doesn't remember what kind it is? Address in hand, he drove away to go look at her bike trainer.

He came back an hour later with a bike trailer. Oh what a difference one little letter makes.

My To-Do List

What's on YOUR list today?

It's SANTA!

We live in the coolest neighborhood. Santa Claus came to visit on Saturday, and sat for pictures in the park. Isn't the lake pretty in the background?

I call Mimi my little Martha. She's not upset. Just concerned. Y'all are so good at naming movies (LoLo) can you name that scripture?



Help! Where's Santa's face?? I had hoped to use these for our Christmas cards- what do you think? Ernie picked out her own outfit. Maybe if I cropped...

Wonder Daddy and Mimi
Mmm....snacks! Think we should have remembered to feed her lunch? (And GOSH her eyes are big! Grandmas were lining my little family up, trying to figure out where her eyes came from.)

Easy to Please

Does anyone remember the movie "Phenomenon"? With the guy who sold chairs for a girl at his store, and she was SO THRILLED that they kept selling, and she kept making them...and then visited his house and found every. single. chair. she'd made stacked up on his porch. Yes, he loved her so much, he bought her chairs. Awww...

So my best customer is my Dad. So far I've sold him 2 eyeglass chains, 4 wash cloths, and 4 embroidered kitchen towels. He keeps saying they're for "all the ladies outside my office or "the girl you used to babysit."

But I never hear a word from these people.

Suspicious???

This morning I got another e-mail: "Breein is having a baby shower! You sell baby stuff, and we need baby stuff. Make something!"

Yes, my dad is the kind of person that goes to a Chinese restaraunt and says to the waitress "Order whatever YOU like. Please." And funny thing, he always gets the most amazing meals!

Heehee...anyway, here's your latest order, Mom and Dad! Hope Breein likes it! (And thanks for spreading the word...) One flannel receiving blanket, one diaper envelope, and 1 minky washcloth/drool cloth/throw in your purse and wipe up whatever comes out of your baby cloth.

Craft Fair Alert!

For anyone in the Pacific Northwest, there is a FANTASTIC craft fair this weekend.

December 6th and 7th, 10-5, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, is URBAN CRAFT UPRISING. Seattle goody-blogger Cakespy is part of the line up, and Alicia Paulson, from Posie Gets Cozy, will be signing her new book A Stitch in Time! This is Seattle's largest indie craft/designer fair.

The fourth annual Urban Craft Uprising Holiday show is right around the corner! That's right folks; this year will knock your socks off! We have some of the BEST indie crafters coming to Seattle to strike your fancy for all your holiday needs. Over 100 vendors under one roof for one stop holiday shopping that will make you feel good about the holidays. Support local and independent designers! Shop outside the box!

Date: Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th
Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Admission: Free!

What is Urban Craft Uprising?
- A craft sale by indie designers and crafters throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m.
- Swag bags will be handed out to the first 100 visitors each day with samplings from vendors and sponsors - so be sure to arrive early! Last year a line started before our vendors arrived!
- DIY wrapping station- recycled materials to make your wrapping unique and green
- Free giveaways every hour

DIY Wrapping Station
The Creation Station will be sponsoring our first ever, wrapping station. Make all your holiday presents fun and festive with your own wrap job. Creation Station is an innovative crafts store and art studio located in Lynnwood, Wash. For the past 15 years, they have supplied surplus and recycled materials to teachers, students, artists, inventors, scientists, engineers and all those who love to create and dream and now to Urban Craft Uprising shoppers! For the low cost of $3.00, get all your presents ready for under the tree, stocking, menorah, you name it!

For a preview of whom you might see at this year's UCU please visit us online at www.urbancraftuprising.com.

Mother of the Year? Not so much.

I was WARNED that my oldest might "regress" after the birth of the baby. I watched..and everything seemed cool. Until this week.

No nap Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

Three accidents, in front of the toilet (2 just today.)

One accident on the toilet. Yes, she's talented. No, nothing landed IN the large bowl she was sitting on top of.

All four accidents were met with an "Oh no, Mommy!" And then she grinned and asked for a bath. While she stomped around in her puddle.

I've tried saying "I'm disappointed." I've tried ignoring, and just cleaning. I've tried blowing up- I'm sorry, but I did. I haven't had much sleep and well...yeah. I'm sorry. I gave myself a timeout afterward.

Today, I tried something new: no bath or shower, just wet wipes. No more underwear, just pull ups. No big girl vitamin at lunch, just baby Tri-Vi-Sol (she was SHOCKED that anything could taste so bad.) No food for lunch, just a glass of milk. No songs at nap time, babies don't get songs. And finally, a baby lock on the inside of her door.

She happily went to bed- being a baby is fun! Pull ups are great! And princesses on the front! Hooray, milk in a sippy cup and attention from Mom! Then she got out of bed...put underwear and a skirt on...and tried to come show me. Oh dear. The screaming and sobbing. "I a E Mommy! A E!" (Translated: I'm Ernie/a big girl.) "A HEWP ME MOMMY! MOMMMYYYYY!!!" I finished nursing the baby, and went in to give her a tissue and a hug...and tuck her back in bed. She could sleep, she could sing, but she must stay in there until I come get her (5 minutes later, she was asleep.)

Now both my babies are asleep. Am I doing this right? Is it fair that we only get to do each day, each moment once? Am I rising to each occasion appropriately, or am I somehow stunting her progress? She's like a pendulum- one moment INSISTING on helping carry the groceries in. The next, sitting on the toilet for 10 minutes while I nurse, calling for me to come help her put her underwear on.

I know what I pray for each night and morning: Patience. What do you pray for?