My cool new shoes

I collect Converse All-Stars & love Dr. Seuss, so someone sent me these in a swap - hand-painted Dr. Seuss Converse All-Stars. Doesn't get much cooler than that.

Welcome home!!

My brother Adam was deployed to Afghanistan this fall; he got to meet Dexter a couple days after he was born & then he had to leave. We originally thought he'd be gone 'til this fall, but things changed & he's back now!! He called today to say he's in the U.S. & we should be able to see him in a week (or less)!!

I drank the kool-aid

My mom hosted a "crafty weekend" for my family (well, the girls in the family) a few weeks ago & I didn't take any pictures at all, but you can see my mom's blog post, my cousin Karen's blog post, & my aunt Colleen's blog post for some pictures & details. Karen even made us some goodie bags, including "Creative Juice" (bottled water). Thanks Karen! Anyway, I think being around those quilters (my mom & Karen) got to me 'cause I'm planning to make a quilt now. I'd like to make a fun kid's quilt with lots of textures & fun fabrics. I've asked for creative quilt blocks in some of my swaps on Craftster & this is what I got:

If I ever get the time I'll be making a few of my own & I'm going to keep asking for them in swaps 'cause it's fun seeing what other people come up with.

Oh Spring, I've missed you so...

Welcome back Spring! I love you & I've missed you!
We visited Lake Catherine today for their St. Patrick's Day waterfall dyeing with the "nursing moms" (the moms I met at my breastfeeding group) for the second year in a row (see last year here). Since most of us had a second child this year, we had twice as many kids with us this year. Yikes. The babies spent most of their time in strollers or being worn by their mommies, but next year they'll all be walking so look out.

Cooper "smiling" for the camera

Then Cooper, Dexter, & I had a picnic.

Dexter did this to himself. I moved it off his face & he did it again. And smiled. Weirdo.

My little angel

Look at my little angel! Another swap from Craftster... someone made me these awesome angel wings that are attached to my Moby wrap carrier with velcro. Even though John's official stance is that they are girly & silly, I'm pretty sure even he thinks they're cute. Now I'm trying to think of other things I can attach since I have the velcro there anyway. Hmm... maybe a superhero cape? Or a big superhero emblem for his chest when he's facing forward?

Christmas crafts

I had lots & lots of crafting to do for Christmas so I had to put Cooper to work. He painted birdhouses for Grandpa & Papa, & frame mats for both Grandma's & Daddy (and we framed a picture of Dexter & Cooper of course).




I made cloth doll diapers for my friend Joslyn's daughter (so she'd stop stealing her sister's disposable diapers),


a towel wrap for my dad,


a laptop case for John's sister's laptop,


a t-shirt for Pat (our future brother-in-law), who loves his van,


and a family tree wall hanging for my mom.


And since I know you've been holding your breath to see what this was (or you've completely forgotten about it), I made a card table felt playhouse for Cooper. There's felt mail for the mailbox & the fruit, vegetables, & birds are all attached with velcro so they can be moved around. (It's a really impressive idea that I completely stole from here.)

Dexter's big day

Yesterday Dexter 3 months old and had his first modeling job! It was actually his first acting job too because he played a girl. The job was for Personal Creations catalog & he had to lay on a pink personalized quilt on a bed & smile & look cute. (The link to the quilt is on the right under "Dexter's modeling jobs".) He did a fabulous job & Cooper came along & was an angel; I couldn't have asked for better behavior from either of them.

You would think that would be a full enough day, but no. Before bath time, Dexter was laying the bed on his back & he leaned... leaned... leaned... and rolled over onto his belly. (Side note: John witnessed it & I missed it. Again. I'm with my babies 24 hours a day 7 days a week & both of them have rolled over for the first time when John was watching & I wasn't. I'm not really complaining - I love that John gets to witness these firsts.) As John & I talked about how surprised we were, Dexter pushed with his feet, stuck his butt in the air, leaned... and rolled over onto his back. Woo hoo Dexter! Of course, now mommy can't leave him alone for a second on the couch & we're discontinuing his swaddle. I can't believe he's such a big boy already!