Elaina has made tremendous progress when it comes to getting around. Yesterday she decided that she enjoyed standing up without looking for something to hold on to. I have seen her practice standing from a sitting position as well as bending down to pick something up and then returning to her upright starting point. She is also spending a lot more time bear crawling. It is so much fun to watch this progression. She has also began to take a couple of steps towards her desired destination before returning to a crawling position. (She is no dumby...there is no question what mode of transportation is fastest!) Walking certainly has captured her interest, though. In true Lainy fashion, she will do nothing on command. I managed to capture only a single step on video so far, but I will get a better one soon!!!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Birthday Outfit
Birthday parties are my thing. Anyone who knows me well could tell you that. I have been going all out since Elyssa's first party 5 years ago. I think it all started back when I was in high school and flipped through my first oriental trading post. Just the thought of putting together a "lavish" party put a smile on my face :) Elaina is now on the receiving end of this royal treatment. Although after I try and coherce her into being still enough to get a good portrait tomorrow, she may feel more like a royal trying to evade the papparazzi!!!
Now, even though I go all out for parties, it is always done on a tight budget. Finding good deals is half of the fun! When searching on line for birthday outfit ideas, I found some things that I just adored, but was not willing to purchase. I understand that handmade outfits take a lot of time and hard work, which is why they are so expensive, but if they can do it, so can I! And if I can't do it, then I know someone (love you, mom) who can. First I found the skirt and sweater on clearance at gymboree for a total of $31. That store was a treasure trove this time around. I also picked up a pair of leggings and a shirt that are pink and brown and covered with sweets for her to wear to play in the day of her party. The theme, by the way, is Our SWEET Girl! (Picture pink and brown with lots of chocolate and other tasty treats.) After searching for the ideal hat, I finally gave up and decided to complete the picture outfit myself. I bought a felt hat at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 that was pink and purple with polka dots (which I preceded to tear apart and recover at home). Found a ribbon topper for $.99 that was intended to go on top of a present. Bought some pink, brown, and off white felt for about $1.oo including one piece that was peel and stick and a few extra squares for decorations. The trim was also peel and stick and only cost $1.99. Last but not least was the ribbon that was on sale for $.50. I took back a onesie to Children's Place that she had never worn and traded it for the off white one, so that didn't cost a thing. WooHoo!
So...for a total of $37.50 + tax, I made this adorable outfit. The ones I found on line were a lot pricier and didn't come with a sweater. The final product came out better than I had imagined, regardless of the fact that I can't make straight even stitches to save my life!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
One Word
I was reading a blog just moments ago and came across an idea of a single word that becomes your mantra for the year.
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
Something about this concept really struck home with me. I immediately began pondering what MY word would be if I had one. My initial thought was freedom, but that wasn't quite right. Letting go was closer, but it isn't one word (and anyone who knows me knows how I am about rules...), so that evolved into release, then surrender, then back to release. The definition for release one me over.
re-lease
verb
1. to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go
2. to free from anything that restrains
4. to give up, relinquish, or surrender
-noun
5. a freeing or releasing from confinement, obligation, pain, emotional strain, etc.
6.liberation from anything that restrains or fastens.
7.some device or agency for effecting such liberation. (umm...like GOD)
12.Law.
a. the surrender of a right or the like to another.
14.Machinery.
a. a control mechanism for starting or stopping a machine, esp. by removing some restrictive apparatus.
b. the opening of an exhaust port or valve at or near the working stroke of an engine so that the working fluid can be exhausted on the return stroke.
c. the point in the stroke of an engine at which the exhaust port or valve is opened.
I have certainly hit that point of exhaustion in my life where it is time to release some of the pressure before everything just bursts. This is certainly not an easy thing for me, though. Maybe I should go back and choose a much less challenging word like LOVE :) Anyway...
Release... my worries back into God's hands
release... my little girl spend some time away from mommy
release... my both my girls to try new things without me fretting so much
release... my husband to step out and be the leader
release... myself... to let go of the strong front that all is well and allow myself to work through all the things that have led me back into a life of constant nail biting
release... the shutter on my camera more for fun as well as profit :)
So, now that it is out there for all the world to see, let's see how I do with my follow through!!!
Oh, I forgot to add one more thing I would like to release... a few of those extra pounds that I am still holding on to!!!!
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
Something about this concept really struck home with me. I immediately began pondering what MY word would be if I had one. My initial thought was freedom, but that wasn't quite right. Letting go was closer, but it isn't one word (and anyone who knows me knows how I am about rules...), so that evolved into release, then surrender, then back to release. The definition for release one me over.
re-lease
verb
1. to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go
2. to free from anything that restrains
4. to give up, relinquish, or surrender
-noun
5. a freeing or releasing from confinement, obligation, pain, emotional strain, etc.
6.liberation from anything that restrains or fastens.
7.some device or agency for effecting such liberation. (umm...like GOD)
12.Law.
a. the surrender of a right or the like to another.
14.Machinery.
a. a control mechanism for starting or stopping a machine, esp. by removing some restrictive apparatus.
b. the opening of an exhaust port or valve at or near the working stroke of an engine so that the working fluid can be exhausted on the return stroke.
c. the point in the stroke of an engine at which the exhaust port or valve is opened.
I have certainly hit that point of exhaustion in my life where it is time to release some of the pressure before everything just bursts. This is certainly not an easy thing for me, though. Maybe I should go back and choose a much less challenging word like LOVE :) Anyway...
Release... my worries back into God's hands
release... my little girl spend some time away from mommy
release... my both my girls to try new things without me fretting so much
release... my husband to step out and be the leader
release... myself... to let go of the strong front that all is well and allow myself to work through all the things that have led me back into a life of constant nail biting
release... the shutter on my camera more for fun as well as profit :)
So, now that it is out there for all the world to see, let's see how I do with my follow through!!!
Oh, I forgot to add one more thing I would like to release... a few of those extra pounds that I am still holding on to!!!!
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