One!

My little miss Stella turned one yesterday! At this moment, she loves putting on shoes, being outdoors, baby dolls, and hugs and kisses. She is such a little girl.

It's amazing to sit and think about this last year and all of the challenges we faced. There were little rocky times when I questioned my ability to be a good mother and there were moments of guilt when I realized that Jeremy and I can't do this all on our own. And there were tears. Oh my, lots and lots of tears. But, the year was also filled with moments of pure love and joy and little pockets of time that I would've loved to lock away and replay again and again, whenever I wanted. There were moments when I wished the girls would just stop growing and stay little forever, and moments of absolute happiness and even a few moments of calm. Watching them laugh and grow together just makes all those challenges so worth it. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am, how happy and how in love I am with these girls. If you are a parent - you get it.

We celebrated Stella's day with a picnic at the spray park. It was hard to get a picture of Odessa standing still. I think she was running the entire time.

Stella is getting quite brave now. Before she would just sit by my side and be content watching things happening around her. Now that she is walking, she wants to be right in there.

Jeremy and I, along with the help of family and friends, purchased this beautiful, wooden kitchen for Stella's first birthday. It was important to me to have something made of wood, as opposed to plastic, and something that would spark a lot of imaginative play. Of course, it is for both of them to use, and, so far, it has been a huge hit.

I made them each their own matching apron and oven mitt to go along with it.

Happy Birthday my little one!

Easter

We had an awesome Easter/celebration of Spring. The wonderful company helped a lot, as did the beautiful weather. Odessa enjoyed her first Easter egg hunt and Stella was right in there too. She almost had her first taste of chocolate. We found her with a suspicious look on her face and a little foil egg in her mouth. Although we are still in that awkward phase of spring; the closet full of both winter jackets and sweaters, winter boots and sandals, I am so grateful for the longer days. It is so nice to be able to go for a walk after supper, to open the windows, and not have to worry about where the scarves and hats and mittens are (we are constantly misplacing all those little mittens). Love this time of year!

I made the girls these little bunnies that I found here. So simple. So cute. I used an organic cotton bed sheet we weren't using for the head and legs and the rest of the bed sheet for the stuffing. The bodies are just from the scrap basket.

My sister and I tell my mom she HAS to make this Easter bread every year.

It's tradition.

Love Easter lilies

This picture was taken just before Odessa yanked the basket away and said "No Stella, you'll choke!!"

First Giveaway!

I am very excited to announce my first (and second) giveaways to celebrate Valentine's Day! All you need to do is leave a comment in this post by Sunday, February 14 at 10pm. I will randomly pick two winners (one for each item) and announce them on Monday morning. Say anything you want and/or leave a link to your blog. Easy!

The first item is a handmade Amy Butler Birdie Sling. I used fabric from both her Midwest Modern line as well as the Daisy Chain line. I really like this bag - it reminds me of spring time and farmer's markets. Two things I am looking forward to so very much...

The second item is the Red Velvet quilt pattern from Thimble Blossoms. Lots more patterns from Thimble Blossoms available in the store!

Christmas Presents

This Christmas was probably one of my all time favourite. I think it is because I now have a toddler that is so excited about...well, everything. It really inspired me to make the holidays as bright as I could. I tried to make all our Christmas gifts this year, as many that time would allow, and included Odessa in the making process where I could. Stella was there helping too, although, I think she will get more out of it next year.

Instead of her toys, Odessa played with breakable Christmas ornaments. I would hang them up high, and she would figure out how to get them down. I can't tell you how many times I said the words "put it back" and how many times she responded "no, mommy".

Stella really does like Christmas - just not hats.

So, so much icing was consumed in this gingerbread making session.

I started gathering Christmas recipes this year, something I have never done before. I am pleased to tell you that this will be made every year from now on.

I made this for my mom - I call it a "knitting needle roll-up". Great for storing all her knitting needles and crochet hooks.

This bag was sewn for my sister. It is an Amy Butler pattern which I love. I'm thinking about making one for myself as well.

lots and lots of chopped ginger to make...

lots and lots of this!

Small loaves of gingerbread were given to family and friends.

Good Day

Since I have tried on numerous occasions to knit a pair of baby booties for Stella, and failed miserably, I decided to turn to the internet. I really wanted a pair for her before she gets too big for booties, and handmade is preferable, so I came across Mama Rosa's Knits. Mama Rosa uses all natural fiber blends and has lots of really adorable things to choose from. She also takes custom orders. Exactly what I was looking for!

They arrived yesterday and are perfect! I love the colors.

 

We recently switched Odessa from the crib to a toddler bed. To make the transition a little easier, her baby now sleeps in a bed as well. So, of course, she needs a quilt! I had been wanting to make one for that little bed for a while now, and finally got around to it yesterday. Great project for using up scraps. Odessa was even able to help - by help, I mean picking up all the little scraps and stuffing them into the pillow. 

It was a good day.

Good Idea

I found these on the internet and thought it was such a good idea, so I made some up today while the kids were napping. They're great for little ones who can't seem to stop eating Cheerios. I do buy the little plastic sandwich bags for dry snacks in the car and on the go, and although I do reuse them, I thought this would be a better option. They are washable, cute and better for the environment. What more could a mom ask for?

(If any moms out there want me to make up a couple for them, just let me know!)