Sewing Endeavors & In Need of a Name

Now, that we've got monogramming down, I figured I'd try a little sewing for Allie. Here are my first two sewing endeavors!

The classic, and VERY easy pillowcase dress! This may have taken 1 1/2 - 2 hrs total, but most of that time was spent figuring out what needed to be done, since we weren't really working from a pattern. While next time, I'll probably make it a tad longer and bit fuller, I'm VERY pleased with the results:

And, here was a fun idea I found online! A hooded beach towel for the summer! I couldn't get my model to hold still long enough to take her pic wearing it, but trust me, it's cute! If you want one of these for your little one, let me know!

Also, Ashley and I are in desperate need of a name for our monogramming business. If there are any creative minds out there that can help, we'd love any suggestions! In fact, if you suggest a name that we end up picking, we'll give you a bib and burp of your choice for free! So, be creative and suggest as many as you can think of!

MPM: Show Me the Bargains!

Well, you know that I LOVE me some bargains. I mean, who doesn't?! Here are a few of my recent loves:

1. GROUPON! I know you may be a little sick of me posting here and on facebook, but let me share a little secret with you... whenever one of you clicks on that link, signs up, and becomes a first time groupon buyer, I get CREDIT! So far, I've received $60 in Groupon credit, since that first post about Smoothie King. All I have to say is, thank you, readers, and thank you, groupon! We all win! What do I do with this credit? Well, right now I have $30 stored up, waiting for a great Groupon deal (remember, they email you a different one each day monday-friday), and the other $30, I used to buy $60 worth of Abuelo's gift certificates FOR FREE! We used one of the $30 certificates the other day with another couple. We each ate, hate an appetizer and 3 out of the 4 ordered sweet tea, and our bill was only $1.44!! =) You simply can't beat that! So, if you haven't checked out Groupon yet, do it! There really are some great deals out there, and if you refer people, you get FREE stuff! Can't really think of a better bargain than that!

2. Nations Photo Lab I recently had Allie's pics taken, but instead of ordering prints, I bought several of the images to be able to print myself, and BOY am I glad I did! My sister told me about how cheap this place was, but little did she know that for me, it would be REALLY cheap. I wanted to order a few 5X7's ($.60 each), 8X10's ($1.60 each), and a large one. I ended up choosing a 12X16, since I have a nice, matted frame sitting around that I wasn't using anymore. I forget the exact price on that one, but it was less that $7. Then, the charge $7 to ship your entire order. Well, I was gathering my mom's, mother-in-law's, and several other people's orders, and by this time, I had been registered with the site for a week or two but hadn't placed an order yet. They sent me an email basically saying thanks for the business, but what's taking so long to order?! Here's a free $25 code to help you out! Now, my code has already expired, but I'd be willing to bet that you could go to the site, create an account and wait a few weeks, and see if they don't send you that same code! Basically, I got 4 or 5 5X7's, 3 8X10's, the large one, and shipping FOR FREE!!! If you're in need of some enlargements, try it!

If bargains are great, then FREE is AMAZING! So, good luck, and I hope you can, too, say you've benefited from some of these freebies soon!

Dream On

For those of you who have been pregnant before.... did you have INSANELY real dreams the whole time? I remember this from last time, but seriously, it's getting ridiculous!

For those who haven't been pregnant (and plan to one day), here's what you have to look forward to:

Waking your husband up SCREAMING, because there are LITERALLY spiders crawling on you. Then, when he tries to tell you that you're dreaming, you get totally frustrated and want him to go turn the light on, because you know that can't be the case; they really are there. (this dream has actually happened on two occasions this time around - I think hubby thinks I'm losing my mind)

Reliving terrible tragedies that have happened in your life, and going through the emotions of it all over again, and upon waking up, it takes a while to figure out it was just a dream.

Then, of course, there's just dreaming totally crazy things. These usually aren't as annoying as the ones that seem SO real.

Then, there are the ones that just disappoint you when you realize the dream is over. Last night's was particularly disappointing... I dreamed that we moved like 10 minutes away from Disney World! Now, don't get me wrong, I'd never want to move away from our families, but the dream may have almost convinced me that it'd be worth it! haha! j/k

Last pregnancy, the only recurring dream that I can remember now is that I would constantly dream that the ultrasound was wrong, and we really were having a boy. Having a closet full of pink, and a room, lovingly, polka dotted in pink and green, this truly was a nightmare!

As Dr. Oz would say, is this normal or not normal? What do you think? For those who have gone through the insanely body altering enigma that is called pregnancy, would you say I'm normal or not?? Keep in mind that other than when I'm pregnant, I never have any recollection whatsoever of my dreams.

Thanks!

Well, despite my doing a horrible job of faithful blog posting these past few weeks.... two different girls have awarded me this:



It really is such a great thing to know that not only can I log on here and write whatever I want and whatever is on my mind, but that there are actually lovely people out there who want to check in and read it! =) I love blogging, and I love reading your blogs, as well! Thanks for brightening my day, Erica and Jennie!

These are the rules:
1. Post the logo within your blog or post.
2. Pass the award on to several other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person whom you have received this award from.

Here are some lovely blogs that I check up on often!

my sis
katie (when she updates)
karlye

thanks, again, girls!

Birthdays on the Brain

The Month of May is a very wonderful time of the year! Not only does pool season and Summer begin in May, but my birthday, and now, Allie's birthday is in May, too! Here is what our May weekends look like:

1st weekend - dedicated to b-day activities for me!

2nd weekend - mother's day (which will be my first REAL mother's day, since last one, I was just preg... hmm who knew this year I would be, too?) AND adrienne, my adorable niece's, bday!

3rd weekend - angie's birthday

4th weekend - allie's 1st birthday

5th weekend - heading to the beach!

Wow, I couldn't think of anything more exciting that a month full of fun activities to look forward to and plan for! I decided to get an early start on things, so I don't get bogged down, and boy have my creative juices been at work! In fact, so much so, that I'm starting to wonder if I've got too much creativeness in here, and if I should pass it around. I mean, seriously, it is a 1st birthday, which is a big deal, but Allie won't remember any of it, so I'm trying to be very frugal, and if I want cuteness to just do it myself.

So, what have I been cooking up you might ask? Well, today naptime was consumed with making handmade birthday invites (not a necessity, I realize, but since I only spent like $3 on scrapbook paper, I feel like it's not too over the top.) I also started on a birthday banner which I'm hoping turns out something like this:


My wonderful paper cutting machine that Grammy gave me for Christmas is assisting me with the banner and invites.

And, with the addition of my new embroidery machine, how could I not make a birthday outfit and matching hat for her?!

I know I need to reign myself in a bit, but I'm hoping the finished product turns out cute!

Any ideas or suggestions?

Open for Business!

Ashley and I are officially open for business! We are taking orders for bibs, burp cloths, and other personalized items!

Our prices are as follows:

Burp Cloths: $10 (all burp cloths include applique and personalization OR ribbon sewn at the bottom and personalization)
Bibs: $8

OR

Buy a Bib and Burp Cloth combo for $15
Buy a Bib and 2 Burp Cloth combo for $25
Personalization only on any item: $5

Call me at 831-6686 or email me for more info!

MPM: It's trivial

ANSWERS: B, A, D, B



It's time to test your knowledge with some random trivia. To stick with the recent theme of the blog, I decided to do trivia - pregnancy style.

1. On average, how many diapers will a child go through from birth to being potty trained?

a. 20,000
b. 7,000-9,000
c. 12,000 - 15,000

2. During pregnancy, how much larger does a woman's uterus stretch?

a. 500 times normal size
b. 200 times normal size
c. 40 times normal size
d. 100 times normal size

3. A baby recognizes its mother's voice at birth. How long does it take to recognize its father's?
a. 30 min
b. 7 days
c. 24 hours
d. 14 days
e. 1 month

4. What can a baby do up until 7 months that an adult cannot?
a. cross its eyes while sticking out its tongue
b. breathe and swallow at the same time
c. curl up in a ball and suck its thumb


How much of a baby expert are you? Can you get them all right??

Happy Easter

My prayer is that among the Easter eggs,



The preparations for Sunday morning,


(can't forget the toes, too)


And the precious family fun on Easter,

That we would all remember the Reason we have to celebrate!

He is Risen!

Five things Friday

1. I'm trying to decide if I should buy an Easter dress or not. Most of my dresses are just not very Eastery. Even if they have springish colors, they also have quite a bit of black mixed in. My next dilemma is, if I do buy a dress, should I buy maternity or normal? It'd be nice to add another maternity dress to my summer collection, but so far, I haven't really seen cute ones in the stores. What a dilemma! Perhaps I'll just wear black. We'll see...

Also, should I give Allie a mani/pedi to go with her cute Easter attire? Maybe if I could find some INSTANT dry polish? Again, we'll see...

2. Speaking of Easter, I made some delicious and adorable easter egg cake pops for Eric's family's early easter dinner last week...




I was so proud of myself... remembering to take these step by step shots, to show them off to you. The downside, I failed to take the "after" picture. They were cute, trust me. There was even an easter basket and some hot pink grass and polka dots involved. Good news, though. I'm also making these for my family's easter gathering, so I will REALLY try to remember to get that AFTER picture for you. Stayed tuned.

3. I DID have an excuse for forgetting the shot. I've been sick now for nearly two weeks. The day I made those was especially bad. Let's just say congestion/sinus headaches do not go so well with nausea. THAT day I was just lucky that my car stayed clear of any vomit. That surely gives me a good enough excuse for why getting the AFTER pic was not a top priority.

4. Tuesday was Hubby's birthday. I always love getting him surprise gifts when I can, but many times I fail at this. He acts happy, but doesn't end up using them.... because, well, I've tried so hard to find a gift he wouldn't be expecting, that it is just weird. This birthday was different. I got him a much needed pair of bball shoes, a new pair of jeans (yes, he was happy about those), and a Wii game that he had been eyeing. It's great to give surprises that are appreciated! =)

Allie had fun helping open the gifts.

5. I am LOVING this weather. I mean, with outfits like this to choose from each morning, wouldn't you?! Hmm.. I wonder what cute outfit we'll pull out today!