Little Miss Cady

I've been posting a lot about Baby Boy lately, but only because I want to try to document early things for him like I did Little Bit 1.0. Chad says he won't care since he's a boy, but I like to think he'll want to know we made plans and prepared for his arrival too :-)

HOWEVER, there is, as always, much to say about our dear daughter. In the last couple of months we've begun the joy of reading chapter books with her. She inherited some from a colleague's daughter and thinks herself quite the big girl that she has books that must be read over a couple of days instead of all in one sitting. I admit that Chad has been reading most of the chapter books with her, but I've read a few Flat Stanley adventures myself.

This is the first chapter book we read together: (I didn't claim we were enjoying literary masterpieces or anything!)

And, this is where I found her later that night when she was supposed to be in bed..."reading" by nightlight.
I'll admit that it brought back good memories. I remember many a night that I stayed up late to finish a book. In fact, I don't have to think back too far (um, Hunger Games, anyone?) And so, I confess that I was mostly proud and not angry. I smiled all the way back up to the front of the house where I informed Chad of her latest shenanigans. I smiled as I thought about how even though I claim the child is "just like her father" there is so much of me there too (and not just the stuff I didn't want to pass on, thankfully!). I'm so very happy that C enjoys books so much. I hope her love of books and words and stories continues to grow as she learns to read for herself. And, I hope she'll never tire of being read to. I adore the special time we share reading and telling stories and I hope her little brother will love it too!

On a less sappy note (I am 38+ weeks pregnant, remember), do any of my teacher friends (or moms, aunts, etc.) have suggestions for chapter books that might be age appropriate for an almost 4 year old? I tried to start one of the Little House books with her, but she's not quite ready for that yet. Is there something else out there that might be fun? Something with a bit more substance than silly girl cliques or potty jokes?

More homemade goodies!

Here are a few more pictures of Baby Boy's fun prizes.

Gorgeous blankets and hats made by some precious women in our lives. The one of the far left was made by my Grandma. Cady has one in a different pattern.

Hat made by Stacey (I think this one's going to the hospital :-))

Burp cloths made by Kelly (also have one of these in SDE's hospital bag)

Another of Chad's favorites - Little D's onesie by Kelly

Fun stuff! Now, to get the rest of "his" things out of his floor and in place waiting to be used :-)

A few baby gifts

So since all of you have been pampering me with so many wonderful gifts, I decided to share the love with a few friends who have had, or are about to have, new little ones in their lives. I still have a few things on my "to make for other folks list," but I did take a break on Saturday to make a pillow cover for SDE's room (with Jennifer's help, of course!) so I'm not neglecting him too much :-)

Here's a peak at a few things I made (you will note that many of these tutorials are ones you guys pointed me to on pinterest):

Diaper Strap
I made two of these. They were super easy and I think they turned out pretty cute. I hope they are useful and not just another unnecessary baby item. I can see how they might be more helpful with a slightly older infant than with a newborn. It might also be nice to include a little diaper changing pad that could strap under the wipes case.

Taggie Blanket
I made two of these as well, but one of them is in the Goodwill box. I just didn't like how the first one turned out...too many little imperfections so I didn't want to gift it to anyone. I will say that I made the second one a little larger than the tutorial called for (I think I cut it 11x11, but could be remembering incorrectly) and I was more pleased with the size. If I make more, I think I'll cut it 12x12 and see how that works.

Appliqued flower onesie (pay no attention to my terrible stitching efforts; concentrate instead on the cuteness of the fabric ;-))

Supersoft washcloths


I made three of these and really, really liked them. I didn't make them 10x10 though. I think I cut mine more like 9x9 and they were still a nice size...especially for a baby washcloth. This project was my first time using the walking foot and the free motion quilting foot. Many thanks to Christy for her help via the interwebz as I tried to figure it out. Otherwise these bad boys still wouldn't be quilted!

I joked with colleagues that this latest phase of craftiness is pregnancy-induced, but who knows? Maybe I'll stick with this newest hobby. I certainly hope so!

So many handmade goodies!

SDE is quite the lucky guy and I'm quite the lucky gal to have amazing friends like all of you. Check out some of the awesome handmade stuff this little guy's going to get to enjoy (these pictures can't do the real things justice! Look for more pics of these adorable items when I post the nursery pics):

Bunting made by Christy:


Quilt made by Jennifer (picture stolen from Jennifer's blog because I don't have a good one of the whole thing):


Diaper wreath made by Melissa (all I have to do is add his name to the center and PRESTO - beautiful hospital wreath I didn't have to make :-)):


Valances made by my mom:


Minky blankey from Rita:


I've also gotten some amazing crocheted blankets, hats, and a cocoon, but I don't have pictures of all of them. Trust me when I say they are beautiful! Thank you all for making this time so very, very special!

SDE's nursery: Cady's contributions

Handprint Giraffe

Footprint Alligator

Handprint Elephant

Now, a view of all three hanging over the crib with Christy's amazing bunting framing them perfectly!