More projects!!

I am so loving my sewing/embroidery machine! Kristin came over again last night, and we played until around 1 am. But we were very productive! And it wouldn't have taken so long if we hadn't been trying to figure out how to put names under an applique (big thanks to Candice who told us what software we needed!). I just wanted to brag a little and show off our super cute projects for Caroline, Mason, Jace, and Gracelyn (Kristin's niece). Have a look! I'm sure we'll be getting our business of the ground any day now--ha ha!

These are for our trip to the zoo. :-)


Our final projects of the night:

15 Months Old!

One of Caroline's teachers told me the other day "you don't have a little baby anymore, you have a little lady". It is so true. She is just growing up so fast, developing that spunky personality, and getting smarter everyday! I am so lucky to be her mommy. Here are her monthly facts:

* She weighs 21-22 pounds (depending on how still she stands on the scale--40% percentile), is 30 3/4 inches tall (60% percentile), and her head is 17.75 inches (25% percentile).

*She is saying more and more words everyday: outside (her new favorite!), down, shake, eye, diaper (it's not clear but I know what she's saying), more, shoe, shirt, and sock. I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of right now.

*She now has 12 teeth--2 of her bottom molars have peeked through.

*She can show you her belly, nose, eyes, and head.

*This girl loves shoes!! I think my big battles in the future will be over which shoes she can wear, not clothes.

*She is a climber! I've caught her standing on the seat of her wagon, on top of the big box of Megablocks, and on the 3rd stair of our dog stairs for our bed.

*Sometimes when I sing "Old MacDonald", she will sing along with her version of "EIEIO".

*Still no running, but she can walk really fast. Especially if her daddy has some animal crackers in his hand!

*She will be getting tubes put in tomorrow morning. I'm not nervous...at least not right now. I'm mostly excited, especially since she came down with another ear infection last Monday. We also went for more blood work and will be seeing the pediatric rheumatologist on Tuesday. I'm really hoping and praying that the weird stuff in her blood work is from all the ear infections and antiobiotics, like the ENT thinks it might be. I'll keep you updated!

Linky Party #2...I'm on a roll!

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?
Caring. I like to think they're right. I chose my profession (speech therapist) based solely on the fact that I wanted to help people.

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?
TIM TEBOW. I am totally obsessed with him. Not just because he is sooooo good looking and an awesome football player but because he is a fantastic person who lives to serve God.


Who is your favorite blogger? Why?
My friend from college, McCall. I love getting to know her even better through her blog. Plus, she is a funny, creative, pretty awesome person who inspires me. Check her out!


What is your comfort food/drink?
Gas station French vanilla cappuccino and warm chocolate chip cookies. :-) My favorite road trip food/drink are Funyuns and Diet Mountain Dew (if I'm being honest, I drink one of them everyday).

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.
Only one thing? I'm sure I have a ton of weird random stuff if I think hard enough. I cannot stand chalk. I hate to touch it. I think chalkboard paint is one of the worst things ever invented.

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?
Skydive and visit Australia and Africa.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?
I like a little bit of everything, just depends on the mood I'm in. I do love a good chick flick (The Notebook, My Best Friend's Wedding, Fever Pitch) but really love comic book boy movies too (Spiderman was mine and my hubby's 1st date). We just saw The Fighter, and it was great. Hope I make it to The King's Speech before it's out of the theaters.

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?
I definitely only read Non-fiction more than anything. I love "chick lit" and crime/lawyer books, especially the ones that are a series (like James Patterson's Alex Cross). I am a sucker for Nicholas Sparks. That man sure knows how to write a man that every woman wants! Ok, and I admit that I'm totally a Twi-mom.

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?
I'm in a country mood these days. I love the old stuff and new stuff. I like a little mixture of everything though. I'm going to see Sugarland next Saturday and am super excited about going to my first concert in forever!


If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?
Buy a Speech Easy device for a patient I evaluated. It's a device made to help people who stutter become more fluent when they speak. She's a sweet, cute junior high school student who stutters so much. I really the device would help her, but they're really expensive and not covered by insurance.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
Girl Scout cookies, Samoas in particular


If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
Hawaii. Perfect weather all the time and surrounded by the beach? Sign me up!

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?
I can't think of anything. Guess I'm boring. :-(

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
I think I'm a good mom. I know I have my moments, but my husband made me so happy when he told me that this is what I was born to do.

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?
Honeysuckle--reminds me of my childhood.

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?
Depends on if there was alcohol involved--lol! I tend to be pretty quiet around big groups of people. But if I've had a few glasses of wine, I can easily become Chatty Cathy...


If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
Tiffany (mostly just bc that little blue box by itself makes me so happy!), Pottery Barn, Coach, Banana Republic, Barnes and Nobles, Kelly's Kids (insert plug here--I just became a rep for them--let me know if you want to buy something!)


What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
My greatest fear is failing as a mother.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Hands down.

What are your favorite animals?
I love monkeys and giraffes and owls (not really real owls, but cute owls on party favors, clothes, hats, and such...).

Are you a hopeless romantic?
I used to be. Not so much anymore.

What movie or book character can you most relate to?
Carmen from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants


Happy Thursday (aka my Friday!!)!!!

A linky paty: If we were neighbors...

If we were neighbors, you would know that I don't drink coffee but I would (sheepishly) tell you that you're more than welcome to make a pot in my coffee maker since I have no idea how. Then I'd mix up a mug of instant French vanilla cappuccino for myself. We'd kick off our flip flops and get comfy on the couch while our little ones played nicely with the toys that cover my living room floor and cause my house to resemble a daycare.



I'd tell you that we can't talk about The Help just yet. I'm pecking away at it a little at a time and wish I had one of those pre-baby Saturdays where I could lay in bed all day and finish an entire book. We would catch up on all the mindless TV that we watch: who do you think The Bachelor will pick (I really hope it's Emily because she's had a hard life and deserves to be happy), who did you like on American Idol last night (love Paul's unusual voice and geeky, cool Casey), and what did you think about Teen Mom 2 (my heart breaks for Leah--I can't imagine dealing with a baby who has something wrong with her and they can't figure out what's going on). We would both laugh that we are probably killing our brain cells with all of the reality TV but are so thankful for DVR so we don't miss any of it!



Then I would tell you about all of the exciting things I've got going on right now. I'd start off by showing you the best Valentine's Day present I've ever gotten:



I would tell you how excited and intimidated I was when John bought if for me. And I would tell you that I'm so glad I have friend (Kristin) with some sewing experience who came to play with me because I would probably still be trying to thread my bobbin if I was trying to figure it out alone. I would also show you what we made after about 6 1/2 hours of playing:



I'd explain that we didn't just make one, we made 4 of these plus a burp cloth. Yea us! And I'd ask if you wanted one for your girls since we have orders for 3 more already! I'd also tell that I'm totally addicted and ask if you wanted to come play with us next time.

You'd ask me how my new business was going because you would know that I just finished my training to sell Kelly's Kids clothes. I would tell you that my brain is completely full after the 2 hours of webinar training and that I only have a couple of days to get parties booked or they won't send me my clothing kit. Then I'd ask if you wanted to host a party and try to entice you by telling you that you earn free clothes if you do! I'd also thank you ahead of time for making a button for me to advertise on your blog as soon as I can get my picture to you.



I'd take a minute to brag because I just found out today that Caroline was chosen to be a model for Luv-Me-Knot Boutique! That means we get to take a trip to Tampa for a photo shoot--fun times! She also gets to keep whatever super cute outfit she wears. I am so excited!!



And before I let you finally talk since I've been rambling on and on, I'd ask if you thought Caroline's pigtails are as cute as I think they are...



Join the party!

The Zoo!!

I really love going to the zoo. I mean, I could go just about every week and stare at the animals. The Jacksonville Zoo is fantastic! Want to know the best part?? You can be eye to eye with giraffes and FEED THEM! I think that is so cool! They also have a pretty stinkin' cool gorilla. On our very first trip there (pre-Caroline), that gorilla was mad about something. He would look up at us, then start to beat his chest and grunt, and then would kick the door he was standing in front of really hard. I could have watched him all day. They also have really cute otters (that I have somehow missed every time until this past weekend).
I decided that we needed some outside family time, so we loaded up on Saturday and drove a short 20 minutes to the zoo, where we became members so that Caroline and I can go back all the time. Woo hoo! We got a friend membership, so come visit and you can tag along with us! Here are some great pictures from our family fun day!

Daddy kisses in the Africa loop

Feeding the giraffes with Mama

Snack time while bird watching

Not so sure about this goat...