Hoarders 2032

"On the next episode of "Hoarders", season 26, episode3:
Meet T, young, bright, talented, and beautiful.  But her secret is going to bury her alive..."


My current, irrational fear for my daughter's future - hoarding.  She has been very attached to a few items recently and there are others that she rotates in and out, but wherever she goes, she is burdened with all the things she feels compelled to carry with her.  The regular items include Mimi&Binky (when we let her, trying to keep these for bedtime only), drumsticks, and Teddy.  Other items have included DVD cases, purses, new Mimi, Baby Doll, and a weird play mobile attachment part that resembles a question mark two feet long that T calls her "umbrella".  She even insists on sleeping with these items, as uncomfortable as they may be.

I've tried to suggest that she has too many things to carry and offer to help.  This is met with responses like "No, that's mines," or "I had it first".  Apparently, she is already prepared to her younger sister to start stealing her clothes.

"Where my DVD case?" says K.

In this picture, I really wanted to get a cute shot of my coordinating girls and tried to pry away the DVD case, Teddy, and High School Musical purse (filled with an assortment of items), but she refused. At least I got the smile!

So, I don't know if this is normal 2.5 year old behavior (I'm sure it is).  I'm watching closely though.  I've had first hand experience with cleaning up after a hoarder and it was horrifying.  Excuse me now, as I purge four trash bags full of clothes to donate...

On a side note, the other day, T said, "Look Mummy, there are three many birds!"  Puzzled, I asker her to repeat what she said, and again she stated "three many birds."  It took me a couple of minutes to figure out she hears me say "too many" (as in she is carrying too many things) and assumes I say "two many".  Thus, the logical toddler interpretation for even more of something would be "three many".  I need to figure out how to clarify that for her, right after I explain one snowman, two snowmen.  :)

Zombiemom

Friends of ours from T's and K's daycare just had a baby boy, their second child.  After 63 grueling hours of labor, he entered the world at 7lbs7oz.  A beautiful bundle of joy that I won't be visiting anytime soon.

Its not that I don't want to see the adorable little newborn and the beaming happy parents.  But, I have two very good reasons for not visiting in the near future.

1: I'm sick with a cough.  Enough said.  No one should ever go visit a newborn if they are sick.

2: I don't want to burst their bubble.

Let me clarify #2 a little bit.

I'm exhausted.  I haven't slept for more than 4 hours in a night for a long, long time.  Too often, 4am is when I start my day.  Even if I can get K to have a good sleeping night, something else fills the void.  Door bells being rung at midnight, T coming into our room asking where her binky is, our dog barking at something outside or just being creepy (seriously, why does he stand between us at night and just stare??!!).

Sure our new parents-of-2 friends are also tired.  Their first is just about 3 years old, and after 3 days of labor, I know they are wiped out.  But that's a different kind of tired.  You have a whole lot of adrenaline going, you're excited about your growing family, you've been able to store up some reserves for the sleep drain that's coming.  Nearly 8 months after K's arrival, I am plain worn out.  I don't have anything left.  There's no adrenaline, no reserves.  I'm running on empty.  I can't remember where I park my car anymore, and I can barely make a full sentence.

So, even if I weren't sick, I still wouldn't be visiting our friends right away.  Just the sight of me might send them into tailspins regarding the adventure they are now on and fill them with questions and doubt.  They deserve to be able to go into this era blindly, blissfully, ignorantly happy with thoughts of "I know we can, I know we can" chanting in their heads.  They'll figure it out soon enough.  By that point, hopefully, we're in a different phase ourselves where the little people in our home are sleeping soundly through the night and I can look back and say, "Oh, yeah.  That was rough, but you'll get through it," with some element of confidence.

So, Congrats M, K, and big sister A!  I hope you didn't actually read this and lose all hope!  Get whatever rest you can!  I'll be bringing you dinner soon, even if I only leave it at the doorstep and run!


yep, that looks about right.

All night long

Although I was a little young at the time, I consider myself a child of the 80's.  I can sing most of the musical repertoire from the era from memory, watched every family sitcom, and was quite the fashionista (insert mental image of paint splattered T shirt, tied at the waist, over spandex with my Punky Brewster sneakers.  One of my favorites was Lionel Richie.  Dancing on the Ceiling was a big hit for me and I loved watching the music video (remember those?), pretending I was up on my ceiling. I had no idea what half of those songs actually meant.

Another favorite LR song of mine will forever be changed.  As I sang along to it quite loudly in lab (I was solo this morning), I realized that it must be K's theme song.  I've never heard of a baby being quite so happy to be awake in the middle of the night.  Through her BAs, DAs, AHs, grunts, and squeals, I can actually hear her sing:

We're going to Party, Kalamu, Fiesta, forever
Come on and sing my song!

All night long (all night), All night, (all night)
All night long (all night), All night, (all night)
All night long (all night), All night, (all night)
All night long (all night)

Oh baby girl.  If I didn't miss you so much during the day, I might be a little more annoyed.  But I can't help it, you are so darn cute when you babble like that!  So, I will listen to you sing, (all night long), and smile and try to sleep.  So now, my favorite LR song is a favorite for another reason.  It will forever remind me of this short span of time when you were so happy just to be awake at 1:00am.

Monday Blues

I'm missing the girls something fierce today.

With B working this past weekend, we had a lot of mummy-daughters time.  A lot.  You'd think I'd need a break.  I just want to get back to them and hug them and kiss them.  I feel like Elmira from Tiny Toons!



Mondays are hard on us mums, but they seem to be hard on the kiddos too.  On Mondays, T is clingier than usual when we get to daycare.  Before that, she's a bear to get  ready, doesn't want to get dressed, won't give up her Mimi-Binky.  K is still a little oblivious, until its feeding time at daycare and then she wants mummy a little more than the rest of the week.

We had a great weekend though.  I am savoring every moment I get with my girls.  How can I not love it when I get to enjoy moments like these?

Hang on a sec...

So, the other day, I was sitting in a cafe and you'll never believe who walked in-

What T? You're hungry? Ok. Hang on.

Where was I? Right. So they sat down at the table right next to me and asked me-

Oh wait. K is up.

Ok, I'm back. So then we just started talking about-

Sigh. Yes T? You pooped? It was big? Great. Ok, let me clean you up.

Sorry. I'm bac- T! Get off the dog! He is not a pony!

Any wonder why I can't have have an adult conversation lately? Between wiping bums, nursing, putting the girls down for naps, and tubby time, I'm lucky if I can spell my name. But, I can sing 3 different versions of ABCs.

Can't complain though. I have two beautiful, healthy, well adjusted little girls. I'm a lucky mummy! I have the best life- CRASH!

Um, got to run...

The Copper Year

I am a very lucky woman.  I have a husband who loves me, understands me, protects me, and appreciates me.  I have been so incredibly blessed to spend the last 14 years of my life with him, 7 of those years married.  Together, we have achieved great things (two doctorate degrees), weathered through challenges (being away from family), suffered great sorrow (losing Andrew), and celebrated the greatest of joys (the births of our beautiful daughters).  I can't imagine anyone else being so incredibly suited for me, who complements me perfectly, and loves me so much.

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life, the person that I would choose every day to be my partner, the one I hope to spend many, many more years with!

Love you Bryan!

Our mini vacation in Vegas this weekend



Proof that we can still let loose
and rock out to Journey!



My beautiful family

An amazing Daddy



My husband, best friend, partner in crime, and fellow doctor!



Sleepless night, Happy Momma

9/25/2012

Seriously, that title isn't a typo.  As I lay on my daughter's floor this morning snuggling my sweet, sweet 2 year old, I realized that I am a very happy Momma.

It's probably safe to say that none of us have been getting the sleep we need lately.  T is exploring her freedom and independence now that she's in her toddler bed.  K likes to stay up late at night and sleep all morning.  I'm back to work and have to get up before dawn to get out the door at a reasonable time, and B needs to get up earlier now to help me.  We're all exhausted.

But, when K wakes up in the middle of the night, it's an extra half hour that I get to snuggle and love on her now that I don't get to do it all day long.  And, when T creeps in (like a ninja!) an hour later asking where her baby doll's hat is (at 3:55am), I get to spend some quality time with my little girl who is growing up way too fast.

As I slowly peeled myself off T's floor this morning, groaning, I wasn't frustrated about the sleepless night.  I was thankful for the little moments that I get to be a mom to my girls and show them how much I love them.

______________________________________________________

9/26/2012

Did T and K somehow read this entry before I even posted it?  OK, girls.  Yes, I love you.  Yes, I love snuggling you.  However, multiple times a night, each?!  And somehow, you two coordinated wake ups so that K was up every half hour until 12:30am and then T woke up twice in the early morning hours?  Is this just the beginning of the two of you ganging up on your poor Daddy and I?  I love you, but right now, I love the sight of a sleeping you even more.  
Sigh, where's the coffee...???

Signed,
A weary, but still happy Momma

p.s. I'm still thankful for those extra snuggles. :)

http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2011/05/tired-mom.jpg

ISTJ reform

If you've worked in the corporate world at all, you're probably familiar with Meyers-Briggs. Companies love to give these personality tests so their employees can understand how to work together better. I've taken it a few times now and the results are always the same - ISTJ.

Now, these traits are on a sliding scale but the two that were strongest for me were introvert and thinker. Well, I probably didn't need a fancy shmancy test to tell you that. In 6th, starting at a new school, I put my head down on my desk and cried because I was so nervous about meeting new people!

Shy as a kid, I've learned to push myself in new situations but it is exhausting. I still don't enjoy meeting new people. However, having been a stay at home mom for 6 months might have adjusted my scale from pegged to a more moderate introvert.  Having only one-sided conversations all day long, mostly consisting of "say Mama, ssssaaayyy Mmmaaammmaaa!", I've found myself making acquaintances with people at the grocery store.  I know the "regular" cashier by name (its Alexis), and we will have a 10 minute conversation each time I'm there.  On my "last-hurrah", I found myself blabbing to the saleswoman ringing up my purchase at Loft about how I'm ~6-months post-baby and have no idea what size clothing I wear.Who is this person?  I have even been chatting up the other owners at the dog park.

Apparently, I've been starved for conversation and adult interaction.  And, while I miss my snuggle bunny tremendously, being back at work now for over a week, I'm loving that I get to see and talk to people everyday.  Although, it's still hard for me to get over my shyness and make new friends.  So, I guess I'm not a reformed introvert afterall.  Perhaps, even introverts need their small circle of people they let in.

First Day

I may not be normal, but when I was a kid, I looked forward to the first day of school.  I know, total nerd.  I always had at least one new outfit that I couldn't wait to wear and planned it out weeks in advance.  I looked forward to meeting my teacher, and usually a new group of kids since we always seemed to move mid-summer.  I love the excitement and anticipation of the school year with all the promises of new experiences and lessons to be learned.

Turns out, as an adult, I'm still that same little girl.  I've had my outfit for today planned for weeks, as well as the girls.  Yep, we all coordinated, with pillowcase dresses for the girls make by moi.  I've been packing bags for K and making lists all week.  When the carbon monoxide detector started beeping at 11:00 pm last night, it didn't matter because I was wide awake.  The alarm was set for 6:00am, but I was up at 5:15am.

The morning didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked.  I didn't get the group picture of us girls that I was hoping for and we got out the door late.  I think I pulled an eye muscle trying not to cry as I left T and K at daycare (did you know you could even do that??!!).  But, I was determined not to let that dictate the rest of my day.

Hey, at least I'm smiling...

My day was filled with paperwork and running from one office to another.  The academic world is not quite as efficient as the corporate world!  I had blisters on my feet and tired legs by the time I left to go get the girls, but it felt great to be working again.  I've got a lot to learn, a lot of literature to catch up on, and so many people and places to see.  I'm a bit overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the reputation of this institution, but I'm determined to show that I belong here and I'm going to make it a better place by having been here!  And, if nothing else, I get to come home everyday to the best husband and two amazing little girls that I love and cherish!

I got to snuggle this little girl at the end of a very long first day!

Ribbon edged tutu tutorial

This year, T decided she wanted to be a "Princess Ballerina" for Halloween.  Who knew 2-year olds could be so opinionated!?  I've made the no-sew tutus before, but I thought the ribbon edged ones looked just a bit more "princessy". I purchased yellow, pink, and purple tulle, but in the end, just made a purple tutu. 

Materials needed:

1-2 yards of tulle (depending on size and how many layers you want)

1-2 spools of coordinating 1/2 inch satin ribbon

3/4 inch elastic for waistband

thread

scissors/rotary cutting materials

sewing machine (serger not necessary)

First, I took her measurements and figured out what size to cut the tulle. 

Length (waist to knee) 8".

Waist 20"

I planned to fold over the tulle to create a casing for the elastic, with this in mind, I doubled the length measurement and added 2 inches for the casing.

To get a full skirt, you generally double the waist measurement.  I wanted to get the most out of my tulle, and since I bought a yard, I used the 36" as my width.

So, I cut three layers at 18" x 36". Then, cut the ribbon to the width measurement, here 36".

You will be attaching ribbon to both long edges of the tulle such that, when folded in half, the right sides are facing the same way.  Placing the ribbon down first, I sewed the tulle using a straight stitch down the middle of the ribbon.

 Then, making sure when folded in half, the right sides face the same way, attach ribbon to the other long side of the tulle.

With right sides of the ribbon facing in, fold the tulle into a tube (with ribbon at the top and bottom edge) and sew up the side.  I used a serger here (mostly because I love using it and try to find ways to incorporate it any way I can, but don't be like me, use a coordinating thread if you do this), but a straight stitch is perfectly fine since tulle won't unravel.

 (I just love when the trimmed edges collect from my serger.  See, I'm obsessed with it!)

Repeat with all your layers, whether of the same or different colors.  Take all your tubes and insert one into another.  From here, find the middle of the tube and mark the center.  I used pins here, feel free to use those fancy fading markers.  However, tulle loves to shift on you and I found I had to pin like crazy (I hate pinning!), so I definitely recommend pinning the tulle.

 I found that if I rolled up the edges in toward that center, the tulle shifted less and was easier to manage.

 Sew through all layers along that center line, being careful to keep the tube of tulle open.

 Use that sewn center line as a guide and fold the tube into itself so that the right sides of the ribbon are now facing out.  Create a casing by sewing 3/8" from the center sew line all around, and then 1" from that stitched line, leaving a one inch opening to insert your waistband.  This makes a little ruffle around the top of the waistband as an additional detail, very cute over a leotard.

Cut your elastic waistband 2 inches smaller than the waist measurement.  Using a safety pin, feed it through the casing, and using a boxed-X pattern, sew the two ends together.

And you're done!  The proof that my daughter loves it?  She wore it all night (even to sleep), and then the next day!  I'd love to show it to you on her, but that is another post in our Halloween costume wrap-up!

Wet Bags

I've been checking projects and errands off of my "To-Do-Before-Going-Back-to-Work" list like crazy.  One of those things was to make wet bags for K's dirty diapers at daycare.  These bags are made from polyurethane laminate, or PUL, and are great for anything that gets wet or dirty, gym clothes, bathing suits, diapers, etc.  When I saw this on a recent shopping trip, I knew I had to make some wet bags for the girls!  From one yard (at 14.99/yd), I made 5 wet bags bags:

Cut fabric to 36"x 12"

Sew over 1/4 inch along each of the long sides

Fold over the top 1/4 inch, then 3/4 inches and sew with a 1/8" seam allowance to create casing

Sew sides together using 1/8" seam allowance, leaving casing open

Thread 30" of ribbon through the casing and tie knot

That's it!  Really quick and easy for some really useful and versatile bags.  I have to admit, I've never been so excited to put a dirty diaper in something I just made!

Mummy's Last Hurrah

If you've been following along, you know that I go back to work next week and have been nesting like crazy getting ready for this major transition: two working parents and two kids.  Oy!  I've been plugging away at the new projects on my desk and I actually have it all cleared off again!  I've had some other non-sewing related things to take care of as well.  We are upgrading to a family miniv- Ha!  Ya right!  We are actually getting an SUV and to make sure we are getting the best possible trade in value, I recently took our car to get detailed.  The process takes 4 hours and, as a courtesy, you are given a two-seater Smart Car.  Carseats don't work well in two-seaters, though, so K spent a morning at daycare with T. This caused two things to happen.  1. Some of my anxiety about K starting daycare was relieved, and 2. I got to spend several hours A-L-O-N-E!!!!!  I kept a little photo diary about my day...

 Driving this guy took some getting used to!  It felt like it was going to explode right before it would shift!  I'll probably never own one, but I felt very European driving it!

First stop, breakfast - ALONE!  Have I mentioned the gloriousness of being alone yet?  Breakfast didn't last very long though.  Since becoming a parent, I've learned to eat very quickly, regardless of whether or not my food it so hot that it is scalding my tongue!

 Second stop, the mall!  I don't even remember the last time I was in a mall by myself, perhaps greater than two years ago?  I needed to find a dress for a wedding this weekend.  Unfortunately, since breakfast was so quick, I got here before the stores opened.  It was okay, it gave me some time to walk around and window shop.  However, instead of window shopping for me, I kept gravitating towards Carter's, Gymboree, Baby Gap.  Cue the tears.  I actually had to sit down for a moment to collect myself.  I think I'm going to miss being home with K more than I thought I would...

First store, Ann Taylor Loft and total SCORE!  I ended up buying the second dress I tried on.  And, I got to go down a size, double bonus!

Before I knew it, our car was ready.  I enjoyed a few more moments of freedom right here before real life settled in again and I headed to the grocery store.  The best part of my day?  Picking up K and getting a good report.  She actually ate (a little), slept fine, and was smiling and laughing.  She had a great morning too!  I was so relieved and a lot of my anxieties about her eating were eased.  The transition next week may be rough, but we can do it and we will all survive.

Nesting

I have one week left until K starts daycare and I go back to work.  There's so much that needs to be done, and yet, I can't start doing any of it yet!  In desperation, I made coordinating dresses for the girls for K's first day at daycare, just so I could be doing something in preparation.  I know, I have a problem.  That's when I realized that nesting isn't just for pregnant women about to bust.  No, no.  Nesting can take over your life any time there is about to be a big change or transition phase.  Right now, me going back to work is going to be a huge transition for the entire family.  Hence, nesting.

For example, I went to Joann Fabrics the other day. I've been meaning to make more "mimis" or "lovies" for T since hers is starting to get a little love worn and I needed material.  Here's what I came home with:

Yeah, a lot more than I planned on getting originally.  Here's my new nesting project breakdown.

 Yellow minky and multicolored dot super soft fleece with satin blanket binding for T's new mimis.

 Enough PUL to make 5 wet/dirty diaper bags for K at daycare, one for each day.

 Tulle for T's Halloween costume (of course I forgot the ribbon!).

And, I just decided that I had to make T a traveling sleeping mat with sleepy owl jersey knit and hot pink fleece.

What's hilarious is that I just recently finished and cleared every project off my sewing desk and now I have a whole pile again!  Oh well, the good news is I have plenty of projects for more posts and at least I'll feel like I'm doing something to get ready for going back to work.

Halloween 2012

I love Halloween.  It's my favorite holiday, as evidenced by last year's posts here and here.  While the only thing scary in my life right now are car and student loan payments, I like the idea of being spooked by something that I know is just pretend.  I also love an excuse as an adult to dress up.  I figured, T being 2, I had one last year to decide what we would be and I had a great one planned, a whole family group costume.  We were going to be the Mario Bros.!  Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach (T) and Toad (K).

Sigh.  Unfortunately, T is 2 going on 12 and she definitely has an opinion of her own.  She told me last week that she wanted to be a ballerina princess.  While I could squeeze this into my orginal plan, I had promised a long time ago that once she could choose for herself, she would decide her Halloween costume. And, side note, she wants her costume to be yellow, pink, and purple.  Ok, darling, whatever you want.

So, I searched the web, looking for inspiration, from none other than my favorite idea website, Pinterest.  (p.s. Are you following me there yet? It's http://pinterest.com/melissa_w_hayes)

Here's some ideas I found:

Source: zulily.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: nancytoussaint.org via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: 50.28.10.151 via Anna on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Christie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

I really like the ribbon edged tutu look, but I didn't find any "how-to's", so I think I should get to work and make my own, don't you?  Well, I've got less than two months so I best get to work!

K's Bedding

Hey there.  Remember when I used to make stuff?  Remember all the grand plans I had for my little workshop this summer?  Well, school started today, so I guess summer is unofficially over.  I have been busy here and there, though, a couple of sunsuits and dresses, some hair bows, and I've made a few skirts for me!  I've also been working on K's new bedding: a quilt and a bed skirt.

For months, I agonized over fabric choices.  The girls will share a room and I originally wanted their bedding to coordinate: pinks, greens, and brown.  Not having any luck, I was finally inspired to do something completely different.  I would honor their Uncle Andrew with K's bedding by doing a more feminine orange and blue.  Andrew has a huge Syracuse basketball fan and going to a game each year is a tradition that my husband and his family keep up every year.  While Syracuse's colors might not fit for a baby girl, I thought a tropical orange and turquoise combo, with some pink of course, would be perfect!

I also didn't want to do a traditional block quilt for K.  I found some inspiration through none other than Pinterest:

Source: aquiltisnice.blogspot.com via candace on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Shane on Pinterest

So, I came up with this plan using trusty old Excel:

I would cut all strips the same width and then do two in a row for the doubles.  I also tried a new stipple quilting technique on the white strips, which is basically free motion quilting in squiggly lines.  It definitely takes some practice!  I used fleece for the backing and no batting.  I wanted something light enough that she could push away from her face but still provide warmth this winter.


So, all summer, I've been working on it a little here, a little there, and with a little tweaking...
it's finally done!

K took it out for a little spin.  I think she likes it!  And, her adorable little jammies match perfectly!  Have I mentioned that my now 5-month old child is just beginning to wear 3-6 month clothes?!  Peanut!