New mystery

C has woken the last two mornings screaming well before his normal wake time.  Mon: 5:15 and today 6:00.  He won't let me put him down when I go get him, and he wants SERIOUS cuddling.  While this is very sweet since he isn't all that cuddly normally I do not want to encourage this new habit.  This is hard when you have other people to be considerate of other than yourself.  I might just let him cry at home--I don't really know what I'd do--I can't stand crying in the middle of the night.  This is why I hated life until C slept through the night continuously--around 6-7 months.  I need sleep.  I mean NEED sleep.  10 hours is preferable, but this rarely, if never, happens.  I feel perpetually tired.  I can't even imagine how moms with more than one small child cope, let alone moms of multiples.  But back to my self-pity and complaining--b/c complaining in some small way makes me feel a teensy bit better.  I hope I get to sleep to a more normal time.  I can't believe I ever got up at 5:15 every morning to get to my job at my St. Louis teaching job.  I guess that's why I used to fall asleep Friday nights at 6:30 pm. 

The best gift I could get--a really looooong night's sleep.  To all you other sleep deprived mothers out there--and there are tons--I sympathize, and I hope we all get a good night's sleep tonight.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas (belated, albeit) to everyone.  We had a good one, but many of the family are feeling or were feeling under the weather.  Our Christmas spirit was dampened by the prolonged sickness and death of Scott's uncle.  We are rejoicing that he is no longer suffering, but he will be greatly missed by his family. 

On a much lighter note, C had a blast xmas morning.  He absolutely loved, loved, loved his first two gifts he opened, and really couldn't be torn away from them to open any more gifts.  I don't think he barely looked at the other gifts, but will enjoy them all in the near future.  What are these favorite gifts?  Auntie La-la and Uncle Dave gave him a Melissa and Doug stir fry kit (you can cut the meat, toss the veggies, and stir, and use chopsticks).  They also gave him a bag of fruit and veggies that peel and slice and velcro back together.  I think I'll reintroduce him to the other new toys each week.  He got so much--thanks to everyone in the family, and we still have another Christmas in about 10 days. 

Here is the final gift project revealed--wine charms.

Laura really wanted blue and brown wine charms which were impossible to find, so I decided to make them myself.  Earring hoops serve as the ring, and I got five different types of beads and a different charm for each one--thank you, Hobby Lobby.

The Grinch Doesn't Scare this Girl

Well, as you can tell by this post, I am still alive.  I survived my Craigslist purchased, where the dude tried to sell me various other toys, tricycles, etc.  The slide looks good though.  When I pulled in front of his house, I texted Scott the address and general location.  I said if I didn't text back in 10 min. send help.  I texted I was safe, and he said I would make a good spy, but seriously it's kind of scary to go to a complete stranger's house alone.  Though when he was giving me directions, he said he had a blow up grinch in his yard, thus alleviating any real fear I had.  His lawn also had a blow-up Bart Simpson peeking out of a present--hardly frightening.  I know he could have still been an axe murderer, but I wasn't feeling overly paranoid walking into a home with tacky yard decor.  Fear it might rub off on me...maybe...but not fear for my personal safety. 

The slide looks good, but it unfortunately doesn't fold up...but it is only $10.

First time for Craigslist

So I'm about to buy my first thing, and I'm feeling a bit apprehensive.  It's a folding slide for C--$10.  Quite a steal in my opinion.  I'm kind of nervous about going to get it.  Should I take someone w/me?  It was a man that answered the phone, so that was surprising.  I think I probably should have support.  Now I have to get cash, too.  I never have cash b/c if I have it, it's only for a mili-second b/c I spend it before it warms my wallet.  Sure I might have a $1 or $2 from time to time, but it usually disappears before I can say Nantahala National Forest (a great vacation spot by the way). 

I'll let you know how it goes.

Already wishing Christmas would slow down

I'm already thinking about how little I'm going to enjoy my Christmas decorations.  It's already almost time to take them down, and it seems I've just put them up.  I know it's still like 2 weeks away until I HAVE to de-Christmas, but it makes me sad.  Every year it makes me sad.  It's especially disappointing this time b/c I will be gone for so long, so I just don't get to enjoy it as much as I'd like.  Sniff, sniff.

Part of Christmas Projects Revealed

For all of you who've been waiting for the big reveal (chuckle), here they are.  I made some of my Columbia girlfriends aprons.  For their little girls I made barrettes that coordinated with their mommy's apron.  Sorry for all the pictures.  I'm very proud of my handiwork.  It's not perfect, but it was a lot of fun. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

With a little help from my friend HL (to non users--this is Hobby Lobby) me, my Singer, and my trusty glue gun got really crafty this holiday season. I still can't say too much about my projects, but some have been given already, so I'm not ruining any surprises.  Some are purposely cryptic b/c they haven't been gifted yet. 

On the first Day of Christmas I crafted happily---a crafty picture frame
On the second Day of Christmas I created sleepily --two calendars
On the third Day of Christmas I collaged away ---three pictures

On the fourth Day of Christmas I crafted happilyy--four ornaments

On the fifth Day of Christmas I sewed endlessly---five pretty things
On the sixth Day of Christmas I wrapped cheerilyy---six small group presents
On the seventh Day of Christmas I hung outside--seven strand
s of lights (and garland)

On the eighth Day of Christmas I crafted quickly--eight silver trinkets (I'll let you know about this after Christmas

On the ninth Day of Christmas I crafted and sewed--nine barrettes/(slash) pins
On the tenth Day of Christmas I traveled between---ten annoying stores (not crafty--not fun)

On the eleventh Day of Christmas I crafted tiredly--eleven grueling hours

On the twelfth Day of Chrismtas I thought up this long blog -12 goofy entries

This is all true*, but not in the correct order. 
 
*Ten is an exaggeration for one day--I did't do 10 stores in one day--eight has been my record followed by  another day of 7 stores--and I'm a speedy shopper)
 
Christmas just wouldn't be the same this year w/out a glue gun.  Maybe I should ask for a really cool one next year--or I could just bedazzle my old ones w/scrapbook letters, buttons, wrapping paper, ribbon, fabric, pictures, beads, raffia (my stand bys), and whatever else I find calling my name in Hobby Lobby.  I promise I haven't put all of these things into one project.  I swear!
 
Dear Crafter's Anonymous--please help me admit I have a problem if I start painting Christmas figurines and Christmas themed sweatshirts (flashback to the early 90s thank you very much!)  A little craftiness might go a long way.  Ya think? 
 

First haircut

So I took the plunge and decided to get C's haircut.  It was so cute, but he was starting to work a rat tail, so it was time.  On Tuesdays you can get a haircut for $3, so I decided to try (since it's not my hair).

Getting the weird thing they put around his neck in the above picture.  He tried to promptly remove it. 

Before the cut-but ready!

With wet hair, and the back being cut.  He was SOOOOOO good.  He stayed still up in the seat. The only time he moved was when she would talk from behind him.  He would look back like--Hey what are you doing sneaking around back there?  He was a gem.  This is hard to believe b/c he hardly sits still, but he's getting better.  He will sit still for part of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie, so he's learning. 

Enjoying the dum dum he was given by the stylist.  They finished so quickly I didn't get a good "after" picture.  I'll take one tomorrow.  He has really short bangs--looks like he got a haircut.  Oh well, what a deal!

Cute story

Last night we went to Barnes and Noble to see a friend's little girl's preschool carol.  It was fun for C to play w/ other kids around the train play area.  He didn't even hit any other kids.  I think this is b/c he was the smallest one there.  He did the cutest thing though.  We were sitting down for story time w/the preschool teacher, and the little girl in front of us had a Santa Claus hair clip.  C saw it, and went right over to her and started pointing at it, saying, "Ho, ho, ho."  Super cute.  It's pretty much quiet except for C's little voice repeating, "Ho, ho, ho."  I say yes it is Santa Claus, and pull him on my lap.  Then he sees her little girl white tights have Santa all over them.  More ho hoing ensues.  He lasted through one story-flitting b/w my lap, little girl's hair and legs, and back over to Carla (my friend--also C's old sitter).  Pretty cute stuff.  All in all he did well.

Amazon is lightning fast...and not in a good way

So I'm laying in bed--sleepless.  Why?  I'm pondering the order total of my recent Amazon purchase at 5:50pm today.  I'd had trouble w/my purchase and canceled my first order to get a better deal. I was trying to watch C and Scott arrived home w/Mexican, so I was very distracted.  I thought my total was high, but didn't pay much attention the second time around.  So I must have know it was wrong subconsciously but pushed it to the recesses of the mine--thus sleeplessnes.  I get online at 11:30 to amend/cancel my order just 6 hours later, and I can't do it.  It's preparing to ship, so it can't be changed.  How can they prepare to ship on a weekend night.  So irritating, so now I'll have to pay to ship something back I don't want (I ordered 2 of something I only wanted one of--I don't know how--so don't ask). 

So frustrating.  My hands/fingers are aching from marathon sewing over the last couple of days.  Can't say too much--don't know who all reads my blog, and I'm working on gifts.  I've backed myself into a corner b/c I need to finish a lot of projects by this week.  I'm so over ambitious for a novice.

Christmas prepping

At the tree farm selecting the perfect tree.

Enjoying the tree farm's store

 

Back at the grands'

Hanging an ornament on his tree.  C loves Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the song and movie.  He also loves Santa Claus, and he says Ho, ho, ho.  It's really cute.

"But I can't put my arms down."

They say the camera adds 10 pounds.  This snow suit makes C look about 15 lbs bigger than normal.  He's a little fella, but you wouldn't know it in this.  I cracked up when we tried it on him and had to snap a picture.  I just need a really long scarf, mittens, and hat to make a good Randy.  Has anyone else wondered why the mom in A Christmas Story bundles up Randy, but just sends Ralphie in a coat, gloves, and ear muffs?

Things I once loved, but now hate!

I used to LOVE wrapping gifts.  Now--it's a major chore.  Once I became a mom it just seems an annoyance.  My skills have been dwindling over the last 4 years anyway, but the last couple years have been terrible.  2007--TERRIBLE morning sickness; 2008-- tired from a 5 months old; 2009--more tired from a 16.5 month old all by myself most of the time.  It's sad to lose something I once loved, but I don't think I'll really like it ever again.  Now I know why my mom was always excited when I wanted to wrap gifts in high school.  I need a daughter to do this and about 16 years or so to pass by, so whe would be old enough.  That's a lot more Christmas wrapping in the meantime. 

Cooking.  This has not been so much fun w/ little C running around and mostly demanding my attention the entire time he is awake.  He hates for me to be engaged in anything except himself.  I think I will regain this one though if Scott and I ever live together again (Side note--still no lookers for our house--not even one showing in 2 months).

Too tired to think of other things right now.