More Big Butt Pants

This pattern is just so quick and easy that I've managed to whip up 3 more pairs. I just have so much respect for this pattern because it really meets the needs of a cloth diapered baby. I can see more of these pants in my future.

Baby Bonnet

When I saw this pattern I knew there was no way I couldn't not make this for April. Because embroidery is not really my thing I decided to do a practice run. And I have to say it isn't half bad. (You can click on the picture to see the bonnet in better detail).

The pattern calls for wool for the outer layer but I used a left over piece of corduroy instead. I have a beautiful piece of grey wool waiting for this project but I wanted to make sure I could pull it off before using it.
Turns out the embroidery wasn't may issue. Somehow I did something to the lining so it didn't line up quite how it should. It is still wearable and once it's on, you can't even tell there is something wrong with the inside.
It's a great quick little pattern. I did the embroidery one evening and put the whole bonnet together the next evening.

I think April looks pretty darn cute in her little bonnet. I can't wait to make the next one (maybe in the next size up).

Getting Chatty

April has been so chatty lately. I love hearing her babble in the other room while I do laundry or clean the floors. She especially loves talking to her new teething toys. Once this girl learns to talk there will be no stopping her!

Upcycled T-shirt Bags

This was a craft from the Martha Stewart website. Now that my clothing needs have changed (everything must have easy boob access these days), I decided to clean out my closet. I had a couple t-shirts that I loved but just didn't wear anymore so I decided to make them into bags.

 

The basic instructions are: turn the t-shirt inside-out and sew the bottom shut. Turn right side-out and lay flat. Use a large bowl to trace a half circle at the neck then cut. Finally, cut off the sleeves and your bag is done.
I love these bags. These particular t-shirts were quite stretchy so they aren't great for carrying heavy things but they are perfect for taking a towel and a book to the beach or getting a few veggies from the store. They scrunch up into a pretty small ball so it's easy to just toss one in your purse. I might end up making all my old t-shirts into bags!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there. Lets take this day to remember what an amazing, exhausting and rewarding job this is. Love yourself today; a happy, relaxed mama is the best kind there is.
And let's not forget to love our mamas too. They carried us and brought us into this world. We would not be who we are today with out them.

3 Months

April is a quarter of the way through her first year. Wow, does time ever fly. When they are this age it really shows you how much time changes us. The things you forget as you grow older.

She is still growing beautifully. Her cheeks are perfectly kissable and she is starting to get a hint of red fuzzy under her dark brown hair. She is getting stronger too. She could probably crawl soon if she could just figure out how to keep her arms under her when she's on her belly. Right now she's got the legs going so she just pushes herself around, dragging her chin along the ground. She'll get it eventually.

She is also working on grasping. She tends to close her hand prematurely when grabbing things so I have to help her but once she's got it she tends to hang on. I've added grasping mobiles to her room. Right now the bell mobile hangs above her change table. She likes to start at but recently started taking swats at it. Soon I will hang a ring mobile to help develop her hand-eye coordination further.

She occasionally sleeps through the night now. She will sometimes sleep uninterrupted for 6-7 hours. It's lovely. However, she has started to teeth so a lot of nights she is really fussy and refuses to sleep. She's been chewing on everything and drooling like mad. She's also been getting rashes on her face from all the moisture. I try to wipe her face as much as possible but I can't always win.

For the most part she is a really happy, smiley baby. I feel really blessed. Her interests at this age still include being read to, listening to music, massages, baths and Mama (more specifically Mama's boobs). She's just so much fun, she's more alert and engaging. Lots of love for this baby!

A Dress for April

I'm still on my sewing kick so yesterday I whipped up this little dress for April.

It is inspired by the Itty Bitty Baby Dress that Rae posted. Unfortunately her pattern was way too small for April, so I made up my own pattern and used Rae's basic instructions to put it together.
I love the fabric, it's actually a scrap piece from a top I made for myself last year. I'm glad I had enough to make the dress. And I'm even happier about having matching piping on hand (going to the fabric store is a trap!).

 So cute!