My First Quilt!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on a quilt for Caroline's first birthday, and I DID finish it in time for her party!  For those of you who know me well, you understand what a major accomplishment that is  I love all things crafty, but a quilt has never been at the top of my to-do list.  I just thought it was something way out of my league.  A couple of months ago, I signed up to help with a quilting ministry at LaCroix which sparked my interest.  Due to their meeting times and my busy children, I haven't had a chance to make a meeting and actually help out, but it has been on my brain.  I am sure that everyone there could give me PLENTY of pointers.  I found a DIY blog post (at the fickle pickle) with some simple instructions.  I followed them for about half of the project, then decided to just skip the rest and just do my own thing.

Since Caroline had a John Deere theme for her first birthday party, I decided to put those John Deere scraps to good use.  My mom had them in her crafting closet (and seriously, y'all.. They have been there since I was in elementary school) so they didn't cost me a penny.  I spent less than $15 on the other supplies, since I used a 40% off coupon on the batting and the backing and trim fabric.  

This is what the squares looked like once they were sewn together. 

(Nothing fancy, but once again, FREE.)

Since Caroline had a John Deere theme for her first birthday party, I decided to put those John Deere scraps to good use.  My mom had them in her crafting closet (and seriously, y'all.. They have been there since I was in elementary school) so they didn't cost me a penny.  I spent less than $15 on the other supplies, since I used a 40% off coupon on the batting and the backing and trim fabric.  I sewed all the squares together, then  sandwiched the batting between the quilt front and backing.  For the backing, I chose a light yellow polka dot fabric.  Once that was ironed together to hold in place, I pinned and sewed on the diagonal to make it an official "quilt".  I trimmed it with some green fabric with white polka dots, and put some finishing touches on.  This is what the end result looked like:

It is NOT perfect by any means, but I doubt that Caroline will be complaining any time soon.  I think for the first quilting project, it turned out pretty okay.  It has been in our living room floor since Saturday serving as a  playmat.  I just had to share!  

Love, Maegan

End of Summer Changes

There are MANY changes going on in our household lately.  I think both kids are trying to prepare me for the lack of sleep that goes along with having a newborn in the house, because no one has been sleeping past 6 a.m.  I'm taking the opportunity to use this to get us on an earlier schedule.  Earlier bedtimes, earlier wake times, earlier nap times!  Gavin (our nephew) starts kindergarten this year and we will be picking him up from school, so this schedule will fit our needs for the year.  I am looking forward to having a school-age kid in the house.  I just love seeing all those papers and notes from teachers!  That is definitely something we would be missing if we decided to homeschool during the elementary years but we do have Gavin to share those things with us.  Last week, we signed Olivia up for a few classes with the SEMO Homeschoolers.  It is a co-op that offers elective classes for children who are being primarily homeschooled.  Obviously, she is just in the Pre-K phase of this but I think joining for the year will give us an idea if this is something that our family wants to pursue.  As of right now, she is signed up for Fun Fitness, Reading Alive, and Colors and Shapes.  It was VERY affordable, so that's a bonus.  It is a volunteer-based program, so we will see how volunteering with two babies will go!  Classes start the end of August, so hopefully that will give us a little time to settle into a routine before baby #3 arrives.  I am really looking forward to seeing Olivia grow as a student.  We have been off of our preschool routine the last few weeks, but started back this morning.  She amazes me at how well she retains information!  I think she will be reading by next summer.

Olivia and her friend, Ethan at the Osage Center

Another new change that is definitely worth noting is that Caroline has been walking on her own this morning!  She has been taking a few steps here and there, but today is the first day I have seen her really take off on her own.  She definitely isn't afraid of anything.  She has been jumping off of furniture and climbing onto things for months.  She is a wild child!  She has several fading bumps and bruises on her forehead from the new hardwood floors.  She also still likes to explore under the kitchen table, but she hasn't quite figured out she's too tall!  In the last several weeks, both kids have had doctor visits and Caroline is 19lbs and Olivia is 37 lbs.  It is hard to believe that they are so big!  All of Caroline's growing must have worn her out, because she has had a hard time staying awake at the table :)

Such a sleepy girl!

Aside from getting ready for the new baby, we have also been getting ready for Caroline's first birthday!  I am just so excited about this.  My husband would tell you I get way too excited over birthdays and holidays. I am already thinking about Halloween and Christmas, but we won't get into that now.  Caroline is having a John Deere themed birthday party!  We are having it outside, EVEN though it will be a million degrees.  Olivia's birthday is in January so this is the first outdoor party I have ever got to plan, so we're taking advantage of it.  Of course, if there is bad weather or a heat advisory we will have to move it indoors.  My parents have such a nice, shady yard so we are having it at their house.  My friend, Jessica made our invitations and banners with her Cricut. She recently opened an etsy store to sell her fabulous creations, so if you are in need of some birthday pretties, check it out here!  She also has pictures of Caroline's banners posted, so you can get an idea of what the decor will be like.  Here is a sneak peek at Caroline's invites:  

They are even cuter in person, if you can imagine that!

I have been working on a few projects for her birthday.  Since it is her first birthday, it is so sentimental (for her momma, at least).  I really wanted to make her something that she would have for years to come.  My mom had some extra John Deere fabric, so I decided to make Caroline a quilt!  Okay, ya'll...  I don't know how to quilt but it doesn't LOOK hard.  I mean, you sew a bunch of squares together, add a little backing, and voila!  A quilt!  Okay, it was a few more steps than that, and ACTUALLY it still isn't finished.  The finishing steps will take all of about 5 minutes but I just haven't got around to doing it yet.  I will post a picture  as soon as it's finished!!!  

We have a busy week ahead of us.  On Thursday, I am hosting a Thirty-One party!  I am so excited.. Really, really excited!  I have been considering becoming a consultant for this company, and when the time is right, it is definitely something I will do.  Thirty-One is a faith-based company that sells totes, and bags, and so many adorable things!  Best of all, they monogram!  If you know me very well, you know how I feel about monogrammed bags...  Probably my favorite thing. Ever.  The girls both got monogrammed overnight bags for Christmas and I just LOVE them.  Anyway, back to the party... If you would like to place an order for this party, you can go here, then click "My Parties" and find my name.  I am so excited about the possibility of joining Thirty-One's team!  It would be a great opportunity to bring in a little extra income, and get out of the house and meet new people at the same time.  At this time, my number one priority is being at home with my family.  I feel like God has led us to this point in our lives and my children need me at home full-time.  However, if I could keep my full-time mommy job and do parties on the side, that would be the best scenario.  I am so thankful that Nathan's job provides us enough so that I can stay at home with the kids.  While it is very much a tiring, never-ending job, it is also a privilege, a blessing, and the most rewarding job.  I am so blessed to be the one watching my children meet every milestone.  Thanks for reading!  

Love, Maegan

Beginning Our Blog

Today is day one of our new blog and I am beyond excited!  I have so many things to share.  For starters, I want to catch everyone up on what is new with us, which really seems like a lot!

Caroline is 10 months and into EVERYTHING!  She will be walking any day!  She has been cruising around the furniture for several weeks and has just started letting go and taking a step, before falling on her bottom, of course.  She is so different from Olivia, it is truly amazing how strong their personalities are, even as infants.  Caroline is such a happy girl and is always smiling and giggling.  She is content no matter where we are, as long as someone familiar is in sight.  She says "Mama", "Dada", and shakes her head no when she is doing something she shouldn't!  Following around after her big sister is her favorite thing to do, and when we call Olivia's name, she has started to mimic the syllables.  She will make a great big sister one day.  For now, we are content with keeping her a baby!  :)

Caroline swinging at Euan's 2nd Birthday Party

As for the 3 year old in our life...  Where can I begin?  Olivia is gaining so much independence.  She has always played well alone, but lately she has an imagination bigger than life itself.  She is frequently another character by hour.  It is so entertaining but EXHAUSTING!  I am not complaining, though.  She is very intelligent and her ability to express that in different ways is impressive.  Speaking of impressive, that is one of her new quotes.  She likes to say, "I'm so impressed!".  I have no idea where she picked that one up! :)

Olivia, jumping in puddles at the park

 This past Saturday, she went to work with her dad for the morning.  I think that mostly consisted of eating cookies and conversing with his coworkers.  She came home and we got ready for the afternoon, which was a line-up of not one, but TWO birthday parties.  Everyone had plenty of cake, some of us had more than plenty.  We made the cutest gift bags for the party gifts!  They were strawberry shortcake gift bags, filled with everything a girl needs for a movie night; A new DVD, comfy nightgowns, popcorn, popcorn holders, Mike and Ike candies, and Raisinets!  So adorable.  I wish I had a better picture, but you get the idea.

Movie Night Gift Bags

After the Saturday chaos, it was nice to spend a relaxing Sunday at home, and what better way to celebrate Father's Day?!  We got up early and fixed breakfast while Nathan got to sleep in a little later, which doesn't happen often enough in our household.  Olivia had made him a keepsake booklet a few days before and she was very excited to give it to him.  We used a printable format (found here), super easy and very meaningful.  It is always the things like that you cherish.  She even wrote her own name in his card!  That preschool curriculum has been paying off!

Father's Day Book

After breakfast, we got ready and went to church.  They had a very nice Father's Day sermon.  I was glad we were there to hear that message!  When we got back home for lunch, Olivia got her gifts ready for her dad.  She was so proud to show him what she picked out!  I always try to let Olivia choose a gift that comes from her.  Nathan ended up with a digital meat thermometer for grilling (okay, I helped with that one), a set of corn cob holders that are shaped like cows (definitely Olivia's pick), and a chocolate cake.  I think he was happy!  We are very thankful for him.  I seriously have the best husband.  He is pretty great! 

Daddy with his girls before church on Father's Day

The Father's Day haul

I know the exciting part is the news about the kids, but I wanted to share a few things that have been going on in my world aside from diapers and laundry.  I recently joined a bible study group at Cape Bible Chapel and I am SO loving the fellowship.  It is nice to have that time each week to unwind and get closer to God.  I am so grateful that I stumbled upon this group of ladies!  It has been a great outlet.  I have also been meeting more and more local moms interested in homeschooling, which is something I am very interested in learning more about.  I feel such a strong pull towards homeschooling for many reasons (which I won't get into right now) and it brings me peace of mind to know that there are so many women in the area who are on a similar journey in life.  Over the last couple of months, I have been working with Olivia on a preschool curriculum that I have formed from several different resources.  She has improved in many areas and I think we will begin in the fall working on getting her prepared to read.  I have been working on turning our basement into a child-friendly learning area and I am FINALLY happy with how it is set up!  We had to purchase two bookshelves to store all of the things we have accumulated.  I received TONS of free materials from a retired teacher (FREE materials, I said!) that will be useful now and for years to come.  Little things like that reassure me that we are on the right path with the girls.  That was definitely a blessing.  My dad picked up the table and chairs for us, so Olivia has a place to do her work and art without little sister "helping".  All of Caroline's toys are now within her reach and they both are enjoying their kitchen set from Santa!  It is such a joy to see them playing together and forming that close sister relationship.  We are so blessed, I cannot say that enough.

Progress of our Learning Area downstairs

A few weeks ago, my dad started working on a water table project for the girls.  This is something I have been wanting for a while, but I just couldn't justify spending $40 on a plastic Little Tykes version.  The wooden ones I found online were VERY pricey, and that wasn't an option for us.  He  "sort of" volunteered to make one for us, and it turned out GREAT!  The tubs are completely removable so it is easy to fill with different things like sand, water, shaving cream, and other fun sensory items!  Each side has a lid that matches.  I was so impressed that he color coordinated for us!  Caroline can reach it with some help.  Usually I sit beside the table and she stands in my lap to splash in the water.  This was just what we needed for summer fun!  I think during the winter we will bring it downstairs (water removed, of course) and use it for an indoor sensory table.  

Olivia giving her dinosaurs a bath in the water table

Last on the list of things to update everyone on is our FINAL pregnancy!  I am so happy to announce that I am 27 weeks and on the downhill slide!  I can see the end in sight.  This pregnancy has been very smooth thus far.  We saw a healthy baby on the ultrasound at 20 weeks, but we opted not to find out the gender of this little one.  We have two precious daughters already, and a third child is a blessing from God, no matter if it is a boy or girl.  I think that element of surprise will add to the excitement of the third child joining our family.  Even though this pregnancy has been healthy so far, I am tiring more easily.  I think we are planning to slow down our outings and spend more time at home over the next several weeks, especially since we have such a great area downstairs to play in!  Back to the baby, we have the nursery all ready and only a few key items left on our to-do list before he or she arrives.  It will be an exciting time!  

These moments let us know we are doing something right

I think I have rambled on long enough for the first post.  Hopefully, next time I will have ballet pictures to share!  Thanks for stopping by to check out our new blog!  

-Maegan