Sundress

So I pulled out the trusty ol' sewing machine tonight and dusted 'er off. It's been too long since I've worked on many projects! Just took a little oiling, and fine-tuning, and sweet-talking to bring the ole girl up to her working order--she's been feeling sorely neglected since I've become a mommy and then also a second-time-expectant mommy developing a close and personal relationship with the couch in the last few morning-sickness filled months--and we were best friends again in only a small number of minutes...

Ok, ok, my trusty White machine didn't need that much oiling and sweet-talking, but it has in fact been far too long since I've sewn, but I digress.

So now I just have to brag about the cute little sundress I made for Anna tonight! I stopped at Hancock fabric the other day in the middle of their Half-Off sale and stocked up on some fabric and .99 patterns for some cute clothes and blankets for Anna and the new baby. They had this adorable pucker-smocked print--I don't remember the technical name of the fabric, so that will have to do--for a really good price, and I made this dress for Anna for under $5! Whoohoo! I think it's adorable too, if I do say so myself. And I do...

Here's the dress

And my little reluctant model--she's still cute, albeit minus some appreciative smiles. I think she'll appreciate it more when we're out playing in the hot sun and she's nice and cool. Or at least I'll appreciate that she's nice and cool!

A Hodge-Podge of Anna

I've been cleaning off the memory card for our digital camera today, finally, so I thought I'd share some more of my Anna-girl. So this is Anna--the queen toddler of accessorizing. She loves to wear hats, necklaces, my shoes, purses, anything fun like that. It's so cute to watch her find new things to carry around. She makes my days!
Here's one of the many accessorized looks of Anna.

And another one, this time sporting the stocking cap I knit for her back at Christmas time which is too small for her now, her much loved BYU t-shirt from Auntie Jane Anne, and mommy's tall sandals.


We had a rainstorm a couple days ago and Anna was very intrigued by/worried about the loud thunder as we stood outside on the patio watching the storm.


Here's the lovely view of our rainy world. I'm not a huge fan of the humidity here, but I do love the big thunderstorms and rain we get here! I love how green it makes everything!


Here is one of Anna's favorite games. It was a glorious day for her when she discovered that her magnets stick to the front door as well as the fridge! I have mixed feelings about this one, though, since I now have bright letter and number magnets trailed all across the apartment. Dan finds himself lucky many days also when Anna sends a nice little gift with him to work in his briefcase, when unbeknownst to either of us, she drops magnets in it while she's playing. Hey, work must be boring so Daddy needs some toys too!

Caught in the middle of her playing...

Swimming!

Anna absolutely adores going swimming! We usually end up going a couple times a week at least--it's the only way to get through the humid summer. Here's a few pics and videos of our little fishie!
All dressed and ready to go

Nothing could make this little floatie girl sink!

And a couple videos of our little splash baby

A Few of my Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with string....

I have a few favorite things lately for which I am very grateful. Life has a way of throwing curve balls sometimes, so it's great to focus on the small and not-so-small blessings in life.

*Anna's Hugs! Anna has the world's best hugs. She will come up to me, climb up on my lap, and give me a huge bear hug around the neck. I absolutely love feeling her small arms showing her unconditional childlike love. I've had lots of yucky days over the last couple of months fighting morning sickness, and Anna has a way of knowing the right moment to give me a hug and ask, "Mommy, ok?" with a sweet look in her eyes. Being a mother is wonderful!

*Zofran--Along those lines of fighting morning sickness, thank heavens for zofran!! I'm 15 weeks along in this pregnancy, but the nausea hit hard right at 6 weeks and has stuck around. I am grateful for zofran saving me from having an extended relationship with the bathroom! On the good days, I actually can get up and get some cleaning and other things done.

*101 Dalmations (aka the "Goggy Movie" and "Mommy's Secret Weapon")

This is Anna's favorite movie, and also mine because it provides me with wonderfully appreciated nap times on the couch! I'm beginning to see an under-lying theme to these favorites of mine...

*A husband who, while he doesn't always understand fully why, as he's not female and never will have the privilige/burden of being pregnant, is very kind and caring and helpful to me when I am not able to handle it all. Dan has willingly, mostly unbegrudgingly..., taken on most of the cooking for me for the last couple months, washed dishes, cleaned bathrooms, and taken Anna out for bonding time letting me rest. So safe to say, he's my favorite!
Oh, and he brings me chocolate, which alone earns huge points! But shh, don't tell him that because I like the extra attention/help. ;)

*Job interviews--no, not for me, but for Dan. We're both frustrated lately with the stinky situation he has at work--dang outsourcing!--and live day to day wondering where the paycheck will be coming from at the end of the summer. So when Dan gets calls and emails requesting interviews, I get very excited! Dan had one interview today after a bit of a dry spell over the last few weeks, and we're really crossing our fingers--wish us luck for good news!

So, some of my thoughts for a rainy day. Or a rainy evening. Or actually a balmy, humid, 81-degree evening with no rain. Mine is the latter, but take your pick!

Jumping In

So I am jumping on the bandwagon and joining the blogging world! Maybe I will be better about journaling if I do it here. So here we are!