He's ONE!!!

As I was walking down the stairs today leaving work, I was thinking how thankful I am to not feel the way that I did one year ago.  At that time I was in labor.  In fact, I had been in labor pretty much all day at work.  My classes were reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and I remember planting myself in a chair and reading Atticus's closing argument aloud to them while feeling increasingly regular twinges.  The kids were on to me and were worried I was going to have the baby right there!  I assured them this was not the case.

I headed to the doctor's office as soon as I got out of school and found out I was 6 cm dilated.  Great, I thought... less work for me to do in active labor.  This was no easy delivery, however.  (It would turn out to be only the second most challenging one for me, actually.)   Long story short, Ryan Matthew (over 22" long and nearly 9 lb.s) joined us hours later and has changed our lives for the better with his charming personality, sweet smile and bright blue eyes.  We cannot get enough of this little guy!

Jonathan's Birthday!

I really cannot believe that my first born has turned 11.  If I close my eyes I can smell the hospital and feel the warmth of holding his little swaddled body shortly after he was born.  It had been one hell of a delivery.  (I didn't know it at the time, but it would take three subsequent v-bacs before I would fully understand why I needed this c-section... that is another story.)

After he was born his eyes were wide open - very alert and ready to take in the world around him.  He still has those wide eyes, but my little boy is growing up fast.  Here are some sweet memories from today.

Emily's Gift - Tween Skirt & Tank

Making cute little outfits for toddlers and girls is rather fun for me, but trying to make clothes for slightly older tweens is a bit more daunting. Not wanting to back down from a creative challenge, however, I kept looking for a cute skirt pattern to make for the older girls I know. This one is really cute, I think. I hope that Emily likes it.

Serious Nesting & Lined Twirly Skirt

May is going to be a very busy month, so I am trying to get as many things done before this baby arrives as possible. There is serious nesting going on today, and my little sewing studio has seen a great deal of spring cleaning. Look for upcoming sales on etsy and at my web site very soon.

Another project that I have at least partially taken care of is one of my niece's birthday presents. She loves twirly skirts, and this one fits the bill - I hope! It is the first lined skirt that ever made, and I am hooked. They are just so full and cute. I think a little breezy, gauze peasant top in ivory would be precious with this... Hmmmm....