From a Crib to a Nap Sack

Although I do not always recognize that my baby girl is growing up there are always situations or people who always seem to point it out for you.  Example while shopping at Target I relized I seem to head to the same section, I then relized that none of the clothes I was looking at would even fit her.  I had to move up to the over 12 month section...I have a toddler, no way.  Two weeks ago I was informed Gracie was ready to start transitioning into the next class.  I had not even noticed that half her friends had been missing and had already made the moved on to the other class.   This new class also means her naps will be taken on a cot instead of in a crib and each child has his or her own nap sack.  Gracie's teacher raddled off a couple of places to obtain a nap sack; the daycare can order one for me, target or even some mom's have made them.  I was hooked.  A new craft to try to conquer and it was for Gracie, even better.  Just a great reason to buy fabric.

I found a great tutorial on line from the Moda Bake Shop, although I did not follow it very much at all it did give me the basic tools I needed to get the job done.  The tutorial's sack ends up being close to the size of a twin and the cots are much smaller.  I also was not up for making a quilt, I wanted something much easier, so I just did 2 fabrics, it far less complicated that way.  I did make a couple of short cuts to make it easier, but it seems the first time making anything always takes much longer so it did not seem all that short but if I had to make it again it would go much smoother. 

Enjoy the pictures!

Nap Sack inside & out

I was going for something girly & funny

an aerial view

All rolled up and looking pretty

Sunday Playtime

After church on Sunday's we like to come home, have lunch and then get a good playtime in before we settle in for naps.  This is just a gallery of what our last Sunday playtime looked like.

gracie has finally conquered sitting on the ball

her "say cheese" face

gracie & her daddy

running from the camera

letting me have 1 second to hold her

gracie's mouth is full of goldfish

even though it is out of focus, I love this one

teaching cabby how to sit on the chair

flying in the air

sitting on daddy's arms still holding tight to her snack

Meet Sawyer

Our first nephew and Gracie's first cousin of 2010.  The little K-Schenk family have been staying with us while they are in the process of buying a house.  This has allowed us to get some great time with Sawyer and some free babysitting which has been a blessing.  Enjoy the cute pictures.

me & sawyer

gracie & sawyer

troy & sawyer

Compare & Contrast

Below are two sets of pictures.  They were both taken sitting in the same chair, only Gracie was about 5 months in the first set and 17 months in the second.  How crazy, she has changed to much.

barely holding herself up

listening to the birds

ready to play with 

bubbles

this is her excited face, very funny

Breakfast at Gracie's

On Saturday mornings I try to make something yummy for Gracie. It can be scrambled eggs, oatmeal or pancakes. On this particular morning I choose pancakes. As I was stirring, Gracie seemed to really want be a part of all the action so I sat her up on the counter, gave her control of the whisk and I went for my camera. I looked down at my camera to change settings and as I looked up Gracie was testing the batter. At that point I figured I might as well get a couple of great shots out of the moment. I hope you enjoy the pictures of my little baker.

Gracie figuring things out

what a cutie with her hair all a mess

The first taste

going back for more

& more!

Easter Fun

This is the first Easter Gracie can actually get the idea of picking up eggs.  We put a couple of eggs in the yard and off she went.  She seemed to enjoy the game of find them and putting them into her basket.  We had lunch at the DiSandro's on of the new coaches and of course the K-Schenk's.  It was a lot of fun and Gracie enjoyed the company of all the boys.  Enjoy!

Sawyer & Gracie with the Easter Bunny.  I was greatful she did

not cry at the sight of the bunny she was very serious for her

picture, a ctually they both were.  Very funny!

Gracie laughing at Ben who was playing chase with her.

 

Sawyer, Gracie & Ben

Gracie with her Easter Basket

On the hunt for eggs

She found one

I love this picture

Another Baby Shower

Another Baby Shower under my belt.  I threw a work shower for my friend Christina who has exactly 31 days to go.  With the theme being Cravings the shower was all about the food.  Who wouldn't love a good excuse to indulge in there Sweet & Salty favorites for the day.  A "comfort food buffet" featuring a chocolate fountain with all the must haves, pretzels, strawberries, marshmallows, peeps, pineapple and wafers.  The food table includes such items as ice cream with an array of toppings, chips & dip, sweet and dill pickle, mini deli sandwiches and sugar cookies cut into "M" for the baby's name.  The guest had a blast with the chocolate items, one even tried the idea of chocolate covered pickles which she then advised no one to follow in.  It was a great time.

The Baby Shower Sign

"M" sugar cookies

Mimosa's for the guests

the food table

Christina & baby Matthew

Gracie spent the day chasing the cats

March Madness

March was a big month for our family. On the 13th we welcomed some guests, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kyle & Kristen and there son Sawyer, my mother-in-law, and Kristen's mom. We enjoyed there company for about a week and off the mom’s went back home. Kyle, Kristen and Sawyer are our welcomed house guests for a little while, as they look for a house. It has been nice having roommates, although they are anxious to find there own place it has been fun soaking up the time with them and getting much needed time with baby Sawyer. Plus it has been fun watching Gracie with a little one and trying to teach her the meaning of gentle.

On the 20th we celebrate my B-I-G 30. Kudos to Troy for all the hard work he did and the tricks he pulled. On Saturday Morning I got up and spent the morning with Kristen getting pedicures and then a message. My friend Christina then picked me up and we headed to lunch and then a 3D movie of Alice in Wonderland. From there I headed home for a short amount of time and then Troy wanted to do dinner before the guest arrived for cake. By this time I was tired, ready to nap and not at all hungry but he had plans and was on a mission. I was not about to spoil all his hard work. Now although Troy has never been good at surprises, he is not very sneaky, which is good, he was up to something. On the way to dinner he texted someone, I assumed to let them know we were leaving so I probed him which is not very nice but I could not help myself. Who was coming, I knew there was no way it was any of my friends they all lived to far and from earlier events in the week, I knew there was no way, so who was left maybe my parents, ok that was all I had to guess and that I did. I guessed my parents and Troy told me I ruined the surprise. We arrive back home where we celebrated with cake, with our family and friends. I had a great time mingling with everyone. Then the door bell, I was in the dinning room and I turned around and Troy was video taping me like I was 12 or something, I kept waving him to the side thinking he is so weird. As, I came around the corner to greet what I thought would be my parents to my very surprise stood my 2 besties from college, Julie and Lily. I was so excited and surprised I cried. We try to see each other once a year but it does not always happen with distance and families but we try. I was so excited! They had made the long haul from Illinois to Ohio that afternoon. I spent the rest of the evening chatting away with the guests and talking with the girls it was so nice. Troy did a fabulous job.

Troy had really pulled out all the stops and had done a fabulous job surprising me. Then last Friday, we were getting ready for bible study, Gracie was being cranky and I was tired from the week and was asking Troy, oh so nicely if he just wanted to stay home. Put Gracie down early and we could watch a movie and go to bed, nope we are not missing bible study, Gracie will be fine once we get there. So, we headed to bible study, the location had been changed and we were lost, great, last ones there how embarrassing. We pulled up and walked into the barn and everyone yelled surprise. I was so confused at first, I thought it was a joke like they had been hiding from us but again Troy and our Flock pulled another surprise which I had no idea was coming. Normally, I notice all the whispers and that something weird is a muck but nothing I was oblivious to EVERYTHING. What an outstanding Birthday, Troy did such a great job.

Birthday dinner at TGIF with the Schenk's

My beautiful by Troy

The cute Birthday sign made by Kristen

l

Gracie & Mama

Gracie showing off her cool shades

Stevie & Me

My college roomie Julie

Gracie loving her self

The kids playing a lovely game of magnets

Compare

Me and my sweet girl on my 29th

Me and my favorite girl on my 30th