Sewing Frenzy!!!!

Oh my goodness gracious! I have found a new hobby! I just can't wait for Dani's nap time now as I immerse myself in my new (old) sewing machine! I'm not sure where it came from, but I had a strong desire to start sewing STuFF. I didn't know what, exactly, I just knew I wanted to make some STUFF. SO, I borrowed an older, but very nice, machine from a family friend, Karen. Karen is the sewing guru. 

Well. When she gave me her machine to use, I thought, "How hard can this possibly be?" Ha. It will get easier. I took Dani to Hobby lobby where I poured through patterns until I found one i THOUGHT i could handle. I picked out some super cute material and  went happily humming out of the store, while everyone gawked at my adorable daughter. 

SSSSSSSSSSSSSigh.... 

I got the pieces cut out, pinned up and went at it! Little did I know how much I was missing til I hopped on the phone to ask my mom what I thought was a simple question. Basting? Facing? Zigzag? Folds? What? I'm not so good at reading directions. I like to skim. 

So, anywho. I decided to do it my own way! It didn't turn out so good. The outfit WOULD be cute if ... 

1) the legs on the pants were the same size

2) the waistband went in one continuous circle

3) the cuffs I made for the pants were on the outside 

4) I could figure out how to make the neckline in the back look decent

5) I didn't use black thread on brown pants and a mauve paisley shirt. 

Just a few of the my way errors. Ah well, lesson learned. You can't be perfect, right? So heres the deal ... I took the pictures when I had the outfit layed out the way I wanted it to look ... and then I posted them! Guess what? It didn't turn out that way. I think I can salvage the shirt, but were gonna have another attempt at the pants. Maybe she'll just continue to wiggle around in a long shirt and a diaper. 

Take a look at my original outfit I dreamed of making on my first sewing attempt :

A LONG time!

Wow! Sorry people! I'm a bit behind, eh??? Life has kinda gotten crazy around here. I never, ever could have imagined the gusto I would need to keep up with my little girl. She's a mover and a shaker! Little D turns TEN MONTHS OLD in about a week or so- again- beyond me how time flies. She no longer can fit on my shoulder curled up, doesn't play with her feet anymore, changing time is no longer fun but rather a battle and usually she wins. Unless were going somewhere, she usually goes without pants because it's just not worth the effort. I think I can get away with that for a few more months! 

I am so ready for fall. A few days in the last week there has been a high of 75 and it was just perfect. San Diego type weather, ya know? PERFECT. I could sit out on the balcony and drink a cup of green tea without it instantly evaporating in the sweltering heat. I call fall "The Season of Norah". I just love a drive through the colored mountains, windows down, the smell of autumn flowing through the car, and a gentle Norah Jones tune dancing in my head. My, I'm quite poetic, aren't I? It's hard to get in a tizzy in fall ... everything in Colorado is just ... chill. Of course, my favorite part of fall was once MY birthday but now it's my girls - I can't believe I'm starting to plan her party! Ridiculous!

Speaking of parties ... we went to a fabulous dalmation party for one awesome 4 year old girl. It was so nice to be around adults. Aaaaah, adults. Dani hung by us, as normal, but we had a chance to get in some real people conversation not necessarily centered around Dani. it was a nice change! AND! Dani got to ride in her first JeeP! Actually, I wouldn't let her "go"- she just got to sit, which was good enough for Nate. 

Nate's work is going well - as there is in every office, politics run the roost. Its a big change of pace going from progressive IT to conservative higher education, but he's enjoying it! He' working hard on his 4th masters class now- can't WAIT for that to be done ! I'm really proud of him for working so hard for us. 

I'm officially the owner of a business. I never thought I'd truly leave teaching but I'm glad I did. I loved it, most of it, but it was a good time for a break. It wasn't fun anymore, and kids deserve fun. I deserve fun, darnit! I work hard for those goobs, I better be able to laugh during the day, too! 

I love doula-ing ... the hours when I'm with a mom in labor aren't bad- its' the catching up on sleep the next day that's a bit rough. But, I'm thankful for the friends we have available to watch her for me. 

I'll be blogging about my thoughts on childbirth soon. I have to tame them down before I publicize them - I've learned how to keep my mouth form getting me in trouble. For the next little while i'll be doulaing as my primary childbirther role- I'd really like to establish myself as a childbirth educator so I can have a more set schedule, and then have the ability to be picky about who I take on as clients. I already have one hospital I will never set foot in again, so long as I have a choice about it. 

Coming soon ... a day in the life of Ari and Danika ; Sea water nasal sprays ; childbirth challenges

well - my pictures wont post- try again tomorrow!