happy birthday with a tomato on top!

Three years ago today Emily was born.  My best friend's daughter (she has 3 girls too), I love her like one of my own.

Although you would never know it now, Emily's little life got off to a pretty rough start.  Three days after she was born she suddenly stopped breathing.  Thankfully my friend lives a half block away from the fire station where they were able to resuscitate her.  After some tests it was discovered that baby Emily was having frequent seizures. Emily's birth was a bit rough.  My friend was induced and they had some trouble with baby's heart rate towards the end.  The best explanation they had for the seizures was that poor Emily may have been oxygen deprived (damn pitocin!)  Two long weeks later she was sent home with no real diagnosis, but the seizures had stopped.

Thankfully, she is as normal as any cute little 3 year old, and we couldn't imagine life without her!  So, to celebrate her birthday...I made her a little gift.

Emily is known as "the tomato girl".  Whenever she is here she raids my plants in the garden.  The girl can put them away!  Lots of lycopene I guess.  Inside that red box (with a tomato- not a cherry on top) is this:

   

a roll-up crayon holder thingy.  I know that I am the last person on the planet to make one...but here is the tutorial just in case I'm not. Super easy...and pretty cute if I do say so myself. 

It is also my brother-in-law's and my grandma's birthday today.  I called my Grannie and asked her to love me in spite of the fact that her gift will be late (still being worked on.)  Pics to come soon!

And, just to add to the already celebratory mood, I would like to make a gift for you too!  This is my thirtieth post!!  Leave a comment and I will draw a random name on Monday. Birthday or not, the winner will receive a present made by me!  Dad, you are exempt!

gifts

Everyone knows how much I love the whole process of growing a baby, giving birth to it, and caring for it.  So, imagine my excitement when I learned that my cousin was having twins!!  This weekend we are traveling to her baby shower, and I wanted to make her something extra special. Practical but fun.  If I were to name my number one "can't live without" baby gear item, it would be a baby carrier.  Its a wonderful thing to be able to snuggle your baby up and at the same time have your hands free.  This is especially important when you are a mama to more than one! So, I asked Jessica, "would you wear a sling?"  She said she would.  Then the question arose, "would your husband wear one?"  Because you can't fit two babies in one sling...and you can't wear two slings at once!  Thankfully, he was totally excited and said he would too.

I finished one sling, and the other is awaiting rings (which were not included in my order, grrrrrr.)

I wanted them to coordinate but not be identical. They have the same middle and different borders.

I also made her some bibs and two outfits for next summer. (I know she will get a bazillion 0-3 months clothes)

I had plans to do so much more...but time didn't allow.  There are so many cute baby patterns out there right now.  The babies won't come until November/December- so I do still have time. 

Anyways, we are off for a little weekend getaway- terrible timing with the start of school being just a week and a half ago.  It may be a bit crazy come the beginning of next week.  "Ten random things about me" will automatically post tomorrow.  Have a great weekend!

bag lady

As I was waiting for my sheets to dry last night (I had good intentions earlier in the day...but realized that I forgot about them in the washer as I was getting ready to collapse into my bed.) I got a little burst of energy and made a new bag. 

I was off to my own little class today and needed something to carry all my things in. (Like I didn't have any other bags...but you know- new routines demand new bags.)  I personally believe that One never actually needs an excuse for a new bag.  I had ordered the polka dot fabric by mistake.  I thought it would match some coordinating fabric for a baby sling that I am working on- but not so much.  So what to do?  I couldn't just leave it sitting there.  I pieced it together with a vintage pillowcase (yellow flowers) and some blue shirting.  I know it is a bit summery- but just allow me some time to complete my letting go process.  No pattern, a complete original (can you tell that I am a total novice?  I mean how hard is it to sew a square with handles?)  I was quite impressed with my accurate measurements.  If you know me you will also be impressed because I am not really a "details" kind of girl.  Huh, for once late night sewing was productive!