Open wide. No. Wider!

Sorry for the nice open closet shot. And the linens on the rocker. And the footlocker in the middle of the floor. And the blurry photo in general. But just try to imagine what her face looked like in response to "Elayna! Show Mama your teeth!"

Cute of Cutes

Apparently squeezing Daddy's head helps her stay on.

Noodle-oodle-oo

(Ryan thinks he's hidden, but Noodle's a good nark.) I don't know what we're gonna do when our EV's old enough to ask for a horse... Probably send her to one of the grandparents.

Ride a Little Pony

...except Fancy's not so little... or a pony.

Happy 75th Grandaddy!

Love love LOVE to sew!

Here's a sneak peek at what I have planned for a few baby shower gifts and Christmas. If you want to know what it is or want to see the finished project, send me an email.

Exhibit B

Need. Help. Please.

Okay, so this is the birthday cake I'm hoping we can have at Elayna's party.  Not the exact same, but similar enough.

However, these are the cookie cutters I'm trying to find.

But the only place I seem to find them is in the UK and it could take a month for them to make their way to Melber.  Of course Elayna's birthday party is only a few weeks away.  I've googled, amazon-ed, and ebay-ed my brains out.  If you have spare time and would love to help a mama out, please help me find these cookie cutters.  

Everybody likes a cranberry.

Daddy, Mama, Mooma, Elayna... baby dolls...

I find food in the mouths of her toys all the time. What a good sharer! (And THIS would be why she's not sitting next to Cora in the vehicles.)

Husqvarna Viking Serger Giveaway

Against my selfish-judgment, I'm letting you all in on a little giveaway secret. Actually, it's not little and would be my crafty dream come true. I LUH-OVE my husqvarna viking sewing machine. It's never failed me and I'm able to sew just about everything I've set my mind to. If I had a serging machine like this, I would be able to make anything AND everything I wanted. Right now, I have to "rig" patterns and tutorials to allow for a french seam so that my projects stay nice and tidy.  This is important since I want my projects to actually stay together once put through the wash multiple times.  (Especially since I have a toddler and another daughter on the way.  Things are bound to get dirty.)  Anyway, a serger would eliminate all the hours and headache of manipulating instructions and then testing theories.
In short, I NEED this serger.

(You have until the 31st of this month to enter the contest.  

Although, as my competition, I'd really like it if you didn't enter at all!  **sorry** But if you do, and especially if you win, you should know that my birthday is November 5th.  I will be turning 28 and this would be the perfect birthday present and I will love you forever.)

I'm a teenage girl...

haha!  These commercials crack me up!

At the truck & tractor pull

Udder Covers

So if you're looking for a free nursing cover, head on over to www.uddercovers.com where their covers are normally $32 (without s/h) but with the code "cute2" you get them for the shipping price of $9.95.  When I googled their product, the consensus appears to be that the covers are not worth full price but if you can snag one with the code then go for it.  I've already made my own nursing covers and will probably make myself another for Cora, but I thought for $10 I'd like to see what another's product looks like.  You only have 6 options to choose from and they're backordered until mid-September-- my guess is from all the freebies they're handing out.  Supposedly the code expired yesterday, but I got on just now and ordered mine... in Laila.

Aw, Sisters.

No comments about stretch marks, whales, hippos or ghosts.

Popsicle Stick Puzzle

Thirty minutes ago I sent Ryan a text saying I was finally heading to bed.  And yet I just can't quite get there.  Nesting has taken hold, I think.  At least in my I-want-no-NEED-to-craft-as-much-as-possible-before-I'm-sawed-in-half-and-can't-do-anything way.  Here's something oober-easy and crafty and kid-aimed.

Popsicle Stick Puzzle!

Petite-est Pianist

ALASKA. MAYBE COLORADO.

Now for Melber, KY (42069)

Temp: 99F
Feels like: 110F
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 42%
Wind: SW at 10 mph
Updated: 8/12/10 1:45 PM CDT

For more weather information, visit www.weather.com from your PC or mobile device.

What a smart girl

What was once a shelf too high to reach has become easily accessible with a toy box step. She is constantly figuring things out like this. (Please excuse the mess. She'd been playing in this corner all morning.) And while I want to scold her for gettin into a box she's not supposed to be in, the girl's gotta have props for finding a way to even get to it.

Home(made) Decor

I know you've seen these before-- the pens people wrap flowers around and place in goldfish bowls filled with rice or coffee beans. You usually see them at schools, doctors' offices, or the post office. Here's my rendition for the dinner table. I don't know what possessed me to put coffee beans inside since I hate that smell but I'm sure Ryan will like it. I wanted something simple, easy to make, and useful. I would show you the entire table but it's still messy from my ME time. Anyone have other similar ideas? (Hopefully something under $15.) I'm in a crafty mood.

Weather Conditions from The Weather Channel

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS IF RYAN EVER HOPES FOR ME TO BE PREGGO AGAIN, HE BETTER STATION US IN ALASKA.

Now for Melber, KY (42069)

Temp: 96F
Feels like: 106F
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 49%
Wind: WSW at 4 mph
Updated: 8/11/10 1:25 PM CDT

For more weather information, visit www.weather.com from your PC or mobile device.

Wanna see something gross?

I had a mole removed from my shoulder last week. One I've always had but it made people constantly tell me I should have it looked at. (When I tanned the area immediately around it would stay white as winter. Wish I had a "before" photo to show you what I'm talking about.) So it's finally been taken care of and sent off to be tested. I'll keep you posted.

Another medical-related issue is I fell. FLAT on my booty. Seems history is repeating itself since I did the same thing about this time while I was preggers with Elayna. Except that time I think I tripped myself. This time I slipped in the kitchen. Of course I had to go in for observation and everything was good.

Also! Ryan & I are planning for EV's party in Kentucky. Absolutely no details other than we're finally starting to talk about it. Watch for an invite in the mail. Hopefully soon!

Stinky Pinkies

Before she was born I bought 2 security blankets for Elayna on the off chance she might be a blanket baby. She was. And those two blankets we dubbed "pinkies" have served her well ...and also accumulated years of nastiness. They're washed on an almost daily basis and aren't so "pink" anymore. But she loves them anyway. I've been on the search for new pinkies for quite awhile and am proud to say I found a good deal and ordered five, delivered today. See the difference between the old and new pinkies? Gross. When I handed her one to give it a "test drive" she immediately stuck in her mouth and gave me the look of "We'll see about this. You might be tricking me." (That's how she does her pinky: shove it in her mouth, pull it out, and then rub her nose with it while sucking her thumb.) New pinky passed the test so they're all in the wash and a new one will be pulled out each day so they don't get as disgusting as the old pinkies, which we still plan to use.

Elayna the Hulk

Wish I could get clearer pics on my iPhone. Just imagine the strenuous look on her face, Mati wondering what in the world is going on, and good 'ol Juju just rolling with it all. (As I type this, she's attempting to put a [hair] "tie" on him.). He's such a good feral kitty.

Slumber Party

Well this is what I find when Elayna is supposed to be down for bed. She's wide awake and Juju's relaxing all cool.

When you give an Elayna an apple,

Play Ballet

Is This Cute or What?