Late Night....

Most nights is when I get the time to start any craft project. As you have noticed I have been diving head first into learning how to sew. Nights seem to be the best time for me to start any sewing project because Virginia is sound asleep. I don't have to worry about her climbing in my lap or pulling my fabric off the table as I am cutting it. At night I can just enjoy the peace and quiet. I can focus all my attention to the youtube instructional video or the pattern directions that I am trying to figure out. I have really enjoyed these nights so far.

Tonight I decided to finally sit down and do the draw string bag project from The Crafty Gemini's youtube video. For the most part it was pretty easy. I have started to get better with keeping my seams straight. I have slowed down on the pedal. What can I say I have a lead foot. The end product turned out great. The video is clear and very easy to follow. I have really enjoyed looking at all her videos. Videos so far have been the best instructional path for me. I like to actually see someone going though the steps. I tend to get lost and confused when I am just reading instructions and looking at a pattern. But I know eventually I will have to conquer that fear. Since I have brought two pattern packages and they are both very cute projects. Now I have a envelope pillow cover, toddler skirt, and draw string bag under my belt. I believe my next challenge will be a purse.

One of those days...

Just one of those days! This day was just one of those days that if something was going to go wrong it did. Started off pretty well with my sister Susan and niece Samantha deciding to come up and visit for the afternoon. But with that said it meant that I had to go into a whirlwind cleaning spree. So I quickly rushed and cleaned the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

About halfway though the crazy cleaning I decided it was Virginia's nap time. Bring in the suspense music. Virginia did not like the idea of taking a nap. She pitched a fit, cried and ran away. This went on for about 30 minutes it seemed. Finally Virginia just shut herself in her room and read her books. This may be our compromise for during the day. If she doesn't want to nap she has to stay in her room quiet for at least an hour. But needless to say my nerves were shot by the time Susan and Samantha got here.

Then things get better. The kids play for awhile and then we head out the door to go to the Village Park Splash Pad. I called ahead and got a voice mail saying the splash pad was open from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Great, so we all hop in the van and head out. First mistake by me is assuming Susan has a GPS. She doesn't so I had to try to remember my way and the directions were a little fuzzy in my head. Finally we manage to get there with some help from Uncle Joe. Then the grey cloud above my head gets darker when I see the splash pad is closed and only open on the weekend. Yeah and the playgrounds are too big for both Virginia and Samantha. So just imagine hauling two 2 year olds back into a van screaming. That was the scene that was before me.

We head back down the road to Dorton Park to play on their toddler playground. The heat was unbearable. We stayed for maybe 20 minutes or so. It felt like an eternity. The kids got to play and they were happy. But the heat was just too much so we packed up and headed back to the apartment. Again, both kids were not happy with this decision. Once back to the apartment, Susan and Samantha packed up and headed home. Virginia and myself crashed on the couch and watched Dora the Explorer.

So my day was not as nice as I had wished. But it was nice getting to see Susan and Samantha. Hopefully next visit things will be open and the skies will be cool with a nice breeze. At least I got a few nice pictures of Samantha, Virginia, and even Susan.

Strike a Pose

This shirt wass not my first choice for this skirt. Maybe

my next project will be to sew a red shirt to go along with the skirt! 

Over the weekend, while I was down in Gastonia, I made a stop at Mary Jo's. I wanted to get a new pattern and some fabric for my next sewing project. First, going to Mary Jo's is an experience. It wasn't my first time there, but I guess it was my first time there actually on a mission. I managed to find a dress pattern, no real help from the lady that was in charge of that area. I then ventured out into the wild land of fabrics to decide what fabrics I wanted.

My head was spinning with all the choices. I couldn't find the fabric that was on the pattern picture. But I did choose some fabrics that I thought would go nicely together. Once I managed to find all the other items that the pattern called for I was on my way to my parents. Once I got inside and looked at the package and pattern, I knew I may have gotten in over my head. But, hey, it gives me something to shoot for.

Luckily today when I was looking at a few sewing sites, I came across a lesson for a 20 minute skirt. So I decided to give it a try. It took me about an hour and my seams are not perfectly straight. But the skirt did fit Virginia so I mark that up as a success. I am loving this sewing machine. I just have to pace myself and not try to do a project every week. My next project I want to do is a purse. Almost forgot to mention that I got the 20 minute skirt lesson from Whipstitch, a pretty great blog you got to check out.

This is Virginia's action shot!

Virginia Grows Up

I have been thinking for a while to convert Virginia's crib into a toddler bed. I just wasn't sure when I wanted to do it and when she would be ready for it. One weekend I decided to go for it, but sadly I was missing some of the main bolts.

After calling the company and requesting replacement bolts, I was told it would take a week or so. I have been stalking the mail lady ever since then. I should have been stalking the UPS guy. This past week we had been busy going to different play groups. One day, when we got home, I saw a note from the UPS guy saying we missed him and it was a package from Summer Infant. It was not connecting that Summer Infant was the company sending me the bolts. I missed the UPS guy two times and finally caught him on the final attempt. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was the crib bolts. Good thing I stayed at home that last day.

So on Saturday I decided to go ahead ask Reiggin to convert the crib into the toddler bed while Virginia and I went to visit the grandparents down in Gastonia. I figured it might be a good idea that she didn't see Daddy taking apart her bed. But I had been telling Virginia the past couple of days that she was getting a big girl bed. We spent all afternoon and night playing with Grandma and Grandpa. Virginia was worn out and sound asleep the whole way home.

I don't think she even realized when I laid her down that her crib was a little different. She went sound to sleep once I found her pacifier. I was worried the whole night. I was thinking she would fall out even though she does have rails on the bed. Or that she would climb out in the middle of the night and get into trouble. Or that she would climb out during the night and come into our bedroom and I would be scared and end up accidental hitting her in my sleep. I have been known to do crazy things in my sleep and not know it.

But all went well. She did have some weird sleep positions.  Like always, I had to check on her before I went to bed. She woke up one time at 5:30 a.m. crying. I went in and she went right back to sleep. Then at 7:00am she came walking into our bedroom to say good morning. It was cute seeing her standing in our door way all sweet. She had this look like, "Hey, I got myself out of bed, can I come in?"

I woke up and went with her into the living room to watch our morning cartoons. We sat on the couch for a second until she took me by the hand into her bedroom. Now was when she realized how cool her bed is. She climbed in and out like a monkey. She is super excited. Today will be the true test to see if she will sleep in her big girl bed without climbing in and out the whole night.

Foot in Mouth

Reiggin arrived home late from work because of a meeting. I was already pretty hungry and I knew he was picking up CookOut for dinner. When he came though the door all I wanted to do was grab the food and start eating. The first thing he says is I need to go downstairs and get everything out of the trunk. Since he said he almost didn't have enough room for all the things he needed to take for the meeting. I was not happy and said, " can't I just sit down and eat." I can get the items out of the car later. He insisted I go get it now and that it would only take a second.

So I stump back to the bedroom to put on shorts and shoes. The whole way I am calling Reiggin a butt head, dork, and other choice words in my head. I stump out the door and down the stairs. I open the trunk and to my surprise there is a brand new Janome sewing machine just for me! Reiggin surprised me and got me a new sewing machine for my belated birthday present. I have been asking to get one for awhile. I knew I had to go back upstairs and say sorry for being so mean, not that he knew I called him a butt head. I am hoping to learn how to sew. My goal is to learn how to sew clothes for Virginia and maybe some new purses for myself.

As you all know I tend to get super excited fast and go full force into projects, I don't like to wait. So at 10:30pm at night I made a run to Walmart to get all the tools and materials for my first project. Once back home I set up everything on the kitchen table. I only said a few choice words as I got the bobbin ready and finished the project. By 1:30am I had a complete envelope pillow cover. For my first project I believe it turned out great. I just need to work on cutting the fabric and sewing in a straight line. Oh and I am hoping my iron is in the trunk of my car with all the other items I still need to bring up.

Here is the youtube video I used to teach me how to sew the envelope pillow case. The woman in the video is super detailed. I found it very easy to follow along. Next up I am going to try to follow her video on how to make a draw string bag.

Back to School Bash

No worries, Virginia isn't heading off to school just yet. The Central Piedmont Mommies threw a Back to School Bash at Dorton Park in Concord on Monday. I hadn't planned on going since a) Virginia is not going back to school and b) Reiggin was at work so I couldn't get the car. 

But that wild hair of mine got the best of me again. I decided last second to email Brandy, one of the mommies on the site that I have met a few times now. I emailed and asked her if she had room and didn't mind if she would give Virginia and myself a ride. I figured I could be a helping hand and set up. Also I knew it was at a park so I figured Virginia could go play and stay out of the way of any of the games meant for the big kids. Luckily, Brandy is awesome and agreed to come pick us up. Now the kicker was that she would be at our apartment within 15 minutes. So I had 15 minutes to take a shower, get dressed, and get Virginia ready. I don't think Virginia and myself have ever gotten ready so fast in my life. I managed to take a shower, blow dry my hair a little and throw it up in a pony tail, throw clothes on Virginia, and then fill her diaper bag full to rush down the stairs with the extra car seat to keep an eye out for Brandy. 

Once I got the car seat in Brandy's van and jumped in the front seat, we were on the road to the party. I am sure Virginia was quite confused at what was going on. Since one minute she is watching Dora the Explorer and the next minute, Mom is running around like a crazy woman and dragging her out the door to jump in a van full of little boys. But I do know Virginia was fascinated by the fact Brandy had TV's in her van. The kids watched Alvin and the Chipmunks as we headed to the park. Virginia will be so disappointed when she gets back in our Mazda and doesn't have a TV to watch on the road.

The party was a blast and I got to meet some more moms. Virginia had tons of fun playing on the playground, hula hooping, coloring, and eating popsicles. But I couldn't help but laughing at a pattern I am noticing. At every play group or outing, I notice that there is always one little kid that attaches on to Virginia. I believe they think she is just one big baby doll. This party was no different; there was one little girl and boy that were having so much fun playing with Virginia. They tried so hard to give Virginia hugs and hold her hand, but Virginia was having none of it. Virginia would run, cry, and hide behind my leg each time the girl and boy would come and try to play or help her up the playground equipment. I just couldn't help but laugh and feel bad for the boy and girl. But they didn't mind and just kept on playing. 

After the party, Virginia and myself played a little longer as we waited for Reiggin to get off work and come pick us up. This park was great; it had so many playgrounds and swings. I believe Virginia would have stayed all day and night if I allowed her. But I was happy to see Reiggin, because two and a half hours at the park is long enough for me. 

We headed back home to recover from our busy day and have dinner. Then off to bed we went. Tomorrow, I get to head down to Gastonia to meet up with my good friends Katie and Susan! I can't wait and I am sure I will have tons of photos to share with you guys tomorrow.

Gray Hair and One Year Older

I am not the only one with a little extra gray!

Reiggin's dog, Sadie.

Birthday cake, tacos, and monkeys is what my weekend consisted of. I know that creates a lovely image in all your heads. Let me explain a little further. Saturday, Reiggin was so kind as to let me sleep in since it was my birthday. I slept til about 10:00am and then a small child woke me help with a big smile and a birthday card in hand. It was super sweet, even if she did eat all the pancakes that Reiggin made for breakfast.

We lounged around the house for most of the morning. After Virginia's nap, we got our showers and headed up to Statesville to see Reiggin's parents. His mom offered to babysit while we went up to Hickory to do a little shopping and drop off some clothes at the Once Upon a Child shop. To my surprise, Renee had made me a birthday cake and I got two beautiful Christmas ornaments and some cash to go shopping. So with birthday money from my Mom and Renee, I was one happy girl.

Once we got up to Hickory, we made our first stop at Once Upon a Child. The store was packed out. We only had one clothes basket full of clothes. Usually they are pretty quick about checking items and telling you your quote. Not today; we walked around for about 30 minutes and picked up a few items for Virginia. I was happy to score some 50 cent books for Virginia. Then we went to check if our clothes had been checked. The lady told us they had been checked and just had to be entered into the computer and that would take another 30 minutes. I wasn't too happy by this point, but decided to go over to Toys 'R Us and kill time. So we spent 30 minutes over there and then went back to the store just to be told it would be another 30 minutes. I think steam was blowing out of Reiggin's ears by this point. We headed out again to Chick-fil-A for some lunch. It is so nice to enjoy a meal without Virginia. I love the girl but lately she has not been the best meal buddy.

After finally getting the money from the consignment shop, we headed to Michael's for me to spend some of my birthday money. I decided to buy a How to Crochet book and some yarn. My goal is to eventually do a blanket for Virginia. Hopefully I can get it finished before she is grown and has kids of her own.

We hit the road back to Reiggin's parents house for some yummy tacos. Oh, and Renee made some mac and cheese for Virginia. So I got tacos and mac n cheese, two of my favorite foods. After stuffing myself and still saving room for dessert, we all crashed around the TV and just relaxed. One super cute moment at the Hilderbrands' was when Virginia dragged Reiggin's dad into the other room and got him to sit down and watch Wonder Pets with her. I walked in and saw them both just chilling on the couch watching her cartoon.

My birthday was great and I had tons of fun getting out of the house. I had planned for Sunday to just be a relaxing day and not really do anything but I got a wild hare and decided to take Virginia to Monkey Joe's. Don't ask me what I was thinking. This is another example of my high expectations for a childhood moment with Virginia coming up short. We got there and got our socks on and headed out to explore. Virginia was super pumped and excited to see all the blow ups and kids. Just not so excited to actually get in the blow up slides and play. I did manage to get her to go down a few slides, but I don't believe she liked how it felt to walk on the blow ups. Some of the big slides that I was crazy enough to try to climb in with her and climb to the top were like climbing Mt. Everest. I thought I was going to die by the time we got to the top. Virginia enjoyed walking around the whole play area and really enjoyed the small arcade area the most. So after about an hour and a half we decided to pack it in.

We ended our night with going out to eat with our good friends Donnie and Meredith at this Mexican place near Concord Mills. The food was amazing but the two year old dinner partner was not as enjoyable. Luckily, we were out on the porch area and there were only two other tables out there with us. She started off great and was behaving for the most part. Then she decided she would rather walk around the porch and check out what was going on. From that point, everything went down hill. I was trying not to be that parent that lets their child run all over the place but it wasn't looking good. Finally, after I ate and the check hit the table, I took her outside and waited there for Reiggin to pay and get out. I believe we will be just enjoying short lunches with Virginia from now on.

So my weekend was packed with lot of fun and my week ahead looks like it is going to be just as busy. Other then having a sore back and a few extra gray hairs, my first few days of being 28 are looking good.