Back of Apron&Skort

Back of Apron&Skort

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

The outfit fits nicely! The apron could use a touch more ease, but looks spot on for RTW size 6m (It's a sewing pattern size NB). She'll probably be able to continue wearing the skort through 9 or 12 months of age.

Apron Done!

Must sleep soon.. fatigue... apron.. finished..


I finished Cow's first apron. Now each of the girls has a monkey apron. This is one of my favorite apron patterns!

Pattern: Butterick 3540
Size: NB (on a 4mo, we'll see the fit tomorrow)
Alterations: left off most of the rickrack because I didn't have enough. Altered the ties by shortening one and leaving off the other, then sewed in a buttonhole and matching button. Cow will be pleased to roll comfortably instead of lying on a knot.

Snack N Sandwich Ideas

Silly Apple Cozy

Tea Bags

Tea Bag

Wrap-N-Mat

Sandwich Wrapper shown in different stages of open

Old-Fashioned Oil Cloth

"iPlay Duffy Bags" (drawstring flat-bottomed bags)

What’s an EC baby to wear?

Miss C's new skort

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

What to do in an afternoon? Make a skort!

Cow has dresses and shirts, and a few pairs of pants, but with summer coming up, I wanted something else for her to wear. I had this pattern out (from checking where to put the buttonholes), so I went ahead and cut out the skort in XXS.

Now, I'm going to see if there's enough scraps left to make her an apron top to match!

Pattern: Simplicity 5534
View: C skort
Size: XXS (on my 4 month old), skirt only lengthened to L
Alterations: took in the waist elastic, added elastic to legs

Baby Shirt

Baby Shirt

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

"Mommy, put buttons on this so I can put it on the boy doll."

AJ had found the shirt I'd started making in OK when Mrs. H-- was pregnant with their 5th baby. I worked carefully to line up the planets so they would overlap and look nice, but when I sewed it they repeated! I set it in a box. We've since moved and the intended is much too big for it now, and they've since had a girl, too. I looked at the shirt, set it on my desk, and a few days later the girls ran off with it. That was before Cow was born, maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas time.

When I was sewing buttonholes on my green dress, this shirt came to mind. I went to the toy box and found it. That night, I applied the buttons and holes, put it n 'boy doll' and slipped him back into the toy box. Today, Cow is modeling it to show how well it fits on a real baby.

Pattern: Simplicity 5534
Size: S
Fit: comfortably loose, but not baggy
Alterations: none, but I may make future ones longer in the sleeves, hem to fit my slender babies.

My Pockie!

I saw this neat bag while blog-hopping. It's such a fun, simple idea. I'm working on making one myself. Only, I would like it to have a square or rectangular base and be able to hold more, so I'm thinking a button closure or some such. I'll have the ties just be ribbon or crochet from the base (not sewn to the bag, like I think hers are).. And, maybe button the bag to the base so they come apart for easy washing.

So, last night I began crocheting the base. I finished it about lunchtime today. This afternoon, I've been working on the bag. I had just gotten the basic bag together - the lining was just stitched into the bottom - when BB came in and said, "My pockie!"

She snatched that thing so fast and ran off to play with, "My pockie!" I snapped this picture of her having her "lunch" from the bag.

Crab Stitch

I Finally learned how to do the crab stitch (AKA Reverse Crochet, I hate sending you to about.com because of their popups!!! so, I'll link directly to the images for the helpful part)

First put the hook through the next st opposite your working direction (if you're going right to left, as usual, then insert through the next st to the right)

Then, pull the loop through under the working loop! I actually twist my hook to get them to 'switch places'! This is where the twist comes from! This image was the ~AH HA~ that I needed!

Then just yo and pull through as usual. So now I have the crab st in my st vocabulary to use on the lunchbag pattern (a la twelve 22) I'm making!!

Lunchbag

I've only begun mine, so hang in there while I finish with the basic plan.
I saw this idea on twelve 22 and thought it was nice. Personally, a more square or rectangular bag would be more useful -possibly fit more items inside, certainly take less shelf space side-to-side. As a homeschooler, these lunch bags would be wonderful for our field trips!

Materials:
yarn and hook or needles (I used Aunt Lydia's Denim and a G hook for a dense material)
measuring tape
fabric
sewing machine or needles (this is pretty quick to sew) and thread
large button

My version is crocheted, but a knit version would be easy to make.
Note: this is written in American crochet.


Crochet in multiple of 8+1 to desired length.. (I worked 25ch)

turn, sc in second ch from hook and each across, ch1 turn.

*sc in each sc, ch 1 turn. Repeat from * until 2 less than a multiple of 8. (22 rows on my bag)

sc across, do not turn.

First Round:
sc in edge st of each row,
sc across bottom of beginning ch,
sc in each st of remaining edge.
sc across top of sc to beginning of round, join with sl st, ch 1.
(this will put 2 sts in the corner sts, because there is one from the 'edge' and one from the loops at top or bottom which gave me 24 st on each side..). You should end up with (or fiddle slightly as you stitch) a multiple of 8 on each edge (mine had 24 per side, 96 sts total)

You can measure the size of the base now (if your tape measure is handy) or when you've finished the basket.

In back loops only (this round only): hdc in each st around, join w/sl st, ch1.
Basketweave pattern:
first 2 rounds of pattern: (fpdc around next 4 sts, bpdc around next 4 sts) around, join w/sl st, ch1.
next 2 rows of pattern: ( bpdc around next 4 sts, fpdc around next 4 sts) around, join w/sl st, ch1.

Repeat all 4 rows of basketweave pattern to desired height (I repeated twice).

Final Round (work in both loops except center 4 sts on each side, )
Crab st in last 10 sts of previous round. *Crab st in Front Loop Only next 4 sts, crab sts in next 20 sts. Repeat from * twice, Crab st in remaining 10 sts. Fasten off, weave in ends.

How tall do you want the lunchbag? Measure how tall the side of the basket is at this point. The last crochet part is to make handles from the unused loops on the last round. The 2 options are:

A) Work the strips long enough to go over the top of the bag and connect on the opposite or adjoining side. I'm thinking a buttonhole in the center of 1 strap and the button centered on the other.

B) Work a strip up from each side and make a buttonhole on each to connect to the bag or buttonholes n 3 and conect the button to the fourth.

If you haven't yet, measure your base. I measured across both ways between the unused loops at the edges of the base. (I alo double checked that by measuring around the inside top of the basket. The length twice plus the width twice equaled the perimeter of the bag.)

Now to cut fabric! Press seams as you sew for the best looking finished bag.

Cut 2 squares or rectangles equal to bottom measurements of crocheted basket plus 1 inch.

Cut fabric perimeter of crocheted basket by:
twice as tall as you want the bag plus 1 inch for a self lining bag.
cut 2 pieces of fabric the height desired for finished bag plus an inch for a lined bag. (Sew the upper edge of the lining to the upper edge of the outer fabric Right Sides Together, then continue)

Fold fabric in half width wise (so the side edges touch) and sew a 1/2 inch seam, leaving first and last 1/2 inch unsewn.

Fold bag in half the other way (so the top and bottom edges touch -these will both be bottom edges from here out)











Stay tuned for next installment!

Hybrid Nursing Dress

MissB, Mom & MissA

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

Stitching blog? Oh, actual stitching? YES!

Our friends were over yesterday and we had a lovely time! Their boys are just younger than TJ, and the three get along pretty well. They and the 2 girls hit the pool while Mrs. A and I took the babies in the dungeon to freshen it. It's been too long since I saw the craft room floor, and yesterday she and I were able to vacuum half of it!

Last night, I fixed a minor mistake on the skirt and finished the center front closure and hem. (If you want to add the nursing access a la CS#446B, I suggest not lengthening the bodice to meet the skirt if the skirt is "1 inch below waistline" because doing that causes the skirt front to have issues. Keep it closer to the natural "true" waist so that the fabric hugs there and doesn't try to droop under your belly...) I think adding a waistband, like they have, would also help keep the skirt front more even.

Nursing Access

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

I haven't had a 'blousy' top in a long time! Feels very feminine. This style is easy to nurse in (I can keep the top 3-4 buttons closed and still easily feed her and feel covered!) This was fun and pretty simple to make, and will be nice and cool for summer.



Pattern(s): New Look 6678 and Vogue 7280

Fabric: Quilting Cotton (No, I don't iron much, I try to go straight to hangers from the drier.

Size: mine :)

Alterations: exchanged the flounce on sleeve D for the binding on sleeve A (kept shorter sleeves, though). Shortened blouse to attach to skirt as a dress. Made front shirttails shaped to tuck more easily. Added button opening and waistband to skirt front.

Outcome: I Like. It's a keeper.

Hair Today.. Dress Tomorrow!

This amuses me. I'm already down to once a week or so, but that was during winter. My mad plan is to shower each day (usually I do every other, or my skin's too dry) and massage my scalp without the 'poo and using soap only where necessary.. Humor me this summer and I'll tell you how it goes.
(Ben, I hope you're not trembling in horror)

On a less greasy note: I've been working on my Franken-dress. I took New Look 6678 for the bodice (view D, except that I bound the sleeves -like v. A- instead of adding flounce), and Vogue 7280 (view C, just the outer skirt because it has the center front seam to add a closure to) -this skirt is lined, so one could easily use either the 8-gore skirt or the A-line lining as a dress-skirt.


(note: I'm showing the pencil line marked across the pattern, not the math book binding that shows through the tissue paper)

Basically, I marked a waist seam on the blouse pattern 5/8 inch below where the waist was marked on the pattern plus 1 inch to meet skirt. I used the largest size in my skirt pattern (only one size bigger than the blouse in this instance because the skirt is made to sit "1 inch lower than natural waist") in order to have a better match for amount of ease in the waist. A skirt could be tighter to hold it at the right place, but a dress needs a little ease for comfort if the wearer wants to move.

Here's where the back of the blouse is attached to the back of the skirt. I didn't bother to match up the gore seams to the darts, but it could be done. Someone more couture or pickier than I could easily do it.

I took inspiration from Common Sense Patterns #446B to make this shirt dress have easy nursing access via tuckable shirttails on the front and a facing on the skirt front. I've finished the blouse part, just need to finish the skirt and add buttons. It looks so nice, I can hardly wait to start wearing it!

Decisions

How hard is it for you to decide where the ears go?

Boopy

Boopy

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

Last night, Ben and I stayed up past 1AM to chat and finish this Sock Monkey.

A couple weeks ago, I got my latest order of socks, but wasn't entirely happy! For some reason, maybe a new supplier since last time I ordered, the socks have humongous feet! I don't mind if the legs slouch a bit, but we're talking ankles that are so baggy they go around the arch of the feet here. Then last night, shortly before Ben came home from work, BB had asked me for a monkey. Well. I have a load of perfect socks!

(note: do you see how fat this sock monkey is? Is there really a person these socks are comfy on?)

Staying Home

We were planning an outing today. The children and I were going over to Fremont to visit the S---- family. I got up and had TJ do his math. I fed Cow and BB. I went in to wake AJ, and she started vomiting. It wasn't much, and she got up excited for the day, so I gave her the benefit if the doubt. Maybe it's from the weather change -I've been snuffly lately.

We piled in the van. It smelled a bit -Ben had cleaned the carpet this weekend and it hadn't dried all the way before being closed up. And we didn't go any where yesterday.. That smell could set me off if I were already not right. I left the windows open, the van smelled better quick, we drove 2 blocks and picked up breakfast. Turned and had just passed our street on the way to the freeway and she started. I turned around and came home.

No way am I taking a sick child to visit a new baby! Allergies, fine. Repetitive loss of cookies, no.

Anyone need me, I'll be knitting/sewing or cleaning floors.

Six Socks

I've decide to join the Six Sox Knit-along. I'm really excited because some of the socks look really interesting. Right now, they have a neat lightning-lace going on. I won't be making these ones because I read what the name means:

"A Horcrux is defined by Rowling as a "receptacle in which a Dark wizard has hidden a fragment of his soul for the purposes of attaining immortality.
A Horcrux can be made from any normal object: Lord Voldemort used a diary, a ring, and other objects as Horcruxes. Horcruxes may be concealed for security, but if discovered are vulnerable to destruction..."

It took me weeks, but I had actually started a pair. But I'm feeling rather convicted now that I read that. I don't support the whole Harry Potter thing, the Bible teaches not to have dealings with magic. So, I won't make these socks (even though, one might argue, they're just socks) because they represent magical items.

If you'd like to join SixSox, a new pattern should be out in just a couple weeks. Plus, many of the older patterns are on file at the group.

I found the Regia Bamboo sock that I'd been working on and hope to have a pair of those made in time for the next pattern. Or better, get those and a pair from one of the older sixsox patterns done!

2007 Fourth Birth

(entry from blog)

Our newest addition was born Saturday evening at 5:21PM PT. She weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz and was just 21 about inches long.

After my previous post, the contractions stayed mostly mild and semi-irregular, slowly growing closer. It seemed each time I was in the birthtub, they edged closer. Ben took the older children out to get lunch while I tried to get BB down for a nap -failed because I had a contraction as I put her to bed and she just stayed up and played. When Ben came home, I stayed in the birthtub mostly or the bathroom. In the bathroom, I passed most contractions by standing/squatting with my hands on my knees rocking. In the tub, I was leaning on the step stool rocking.

Around 3:30PM, they started edging close and about 4PM Ben asked if we should call the midwife. Yes. I warned her on the phone that we were having some heavier rains close to us and she appreciated having the time to drive carefully. She packed up the supplies that she doesn’t keep in the car and was over by about 10 till 5.

I still wasn’t sure how much longer I would be. The water hadn’t broken, but the contractions were about 2 minutes apart. I had started puking mildly while she was on her way (Ben floated a bowl in the pool and rinsed it when the contraction/heaving ended). It wasn’t bad, just through every other contraction for a few minutes. Then, while sitting on the toilet, I heaved and the waterbag exploded under me! I had been thinking that there should be some relief, but the baby must have been pushed right in place.

As I was hobbling/contracting toward the birth tub, the waters suddenly leaked past the head (”I thought she was housebroken,” Ben teased). Then, I got down on my hands and knees and felt ‘heavy’ (like needing to BM…) and decided to push a bit. It felt alright, just tight like my last baby, so I continued. I raised up on one knee and felt to make sure the head was there and to give support, and pushed. I asked Ben to help me stretch and pushed again and her head popped out. I called out, “Kids!” because they wanted to see the birth, the girls both came running in. I decided there was no way I could catch on my own because she felt big and leaned forward and told Ben to catch and she burst out and wailed! I could only see her bits from my view at first and announced that we have a girl. TJ popped in for a look and went back to his game on the computer.

Our midwife had told us of an experiment in self-attachment that we thought we’d go ahead and try out. Basically, the baby is placed on Mother’s belly and allowed to find his/her own way to the nipple. This seemed somewhat fascinating and perhaps a good stimulant for nursing and for baby’s brain. Apparently, there’s something about a woman’s unwashed areola that smell similar to the amniotic fluid. The baby sucks/smells its own hands and heads for the similar smell.

So, when I was uncomfortable on the bathroom floor and sure the children had begun welcoming sister -and ran off on their merry way- I moved over to the bed and put Clarice on my belly. She pushed with her feet (massaging my shrinking belly, maybe it’s good for me, too!) and lolled/rolled side to side pushing herself up towards my chest and backwards towards my arm. She got her head right on my right breast and slowly turned from her hands and attached herself with a great latch! She nursed like a champ right from the beginning, wailing if I moved too much and latching back on for more.

Around 7:30PM, I decided it was time for the newborn measures and the midwife and her assistant did those right on my bed next to me. I watched to know the numbers and then went for my first bathroom break. When I came back, I sat and nursed her more. She fell asleep around 8PM. I made a few phone calls and Ben brought me food.

A little later, I handed her over to Ben. BB was exhausted and I usually get her ready for bed, so we tried. My dinner was ready -I’d really wanted stew- and when she saw me eating, she wanted to go and eat, too. That was fine, Clarice was fussing and I took her back. She nursed a long time. When we were tired, the midwife took our vitals and let us get to bed. I still haven’t gotten to sleep. Listening to a new baby for breath seems to keep me preoccupied for a while. I’m heading to sleep now.

New Toys!

New Toys!

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

My son ran in from the backyard carrying a package clearly marked JoAnn Fabrics. The delivery man apparently tried the front and when we didn't answer went around to set it on the side yard (they usually just dump them in the bushes next to the front door). In the time it took him to go from front to side, I went from backyard indoors.

The children were utterly fascinated with the new setup. This is the only unwound yarn that I had, so I tried the swift out. Almost all my handwound balls have been rewound with the ballwinder.

How It Feels

Mastitis. It's almost a dirty word in the lactating community. What is it? An inflamation of the breast, maybe an infection.

The last few days, I've been busier than usual. Tuesday, we had friends come to swim - had a blast, didn't get a nap. Wednesday and Thursday, I would up driving to the store, and Thursday night is 'small group' Bible study. Usually, I'm at home all day, with maybe 2-3 times a week making a quick errand (ie. walking to the local grocer).

At some point yesterday, my hands felt achy. I thought perhaps it was caused by knitting too much -I've only just picked it up again from before Cow was born. But, last night I started getting the telltale tender spot as I was readying for bed. BB had only had one side that morning and the other before bed.. She tries to usually nurse 2-4 times a day, both sides. And Cow was exhausted from staying awake through Bible study and wanted me to put her straight to bed without nursing more! Believe me, I tried to change her mind! I told Ben that it seemed like I was coming down with mastitis and I'll be resting tomorrow.

This morning, I awoke and picked up Cow to pee her, and my lower back twinged. Perhaps it was bad posture? She nursed fine from the sore side, though. Then BB also helped relieve the pressure.

At 'naptime', Cow was super fussy again! So, in the ABC she went. I sat at the sewing machine and worked on swimwear. Suddenly my spine began to feel like it was heating up. I thought first that maybe Cow has a fever coming on. She was in a good place, though, if she were getting sick. She can rest there and when she wakes feed and then I could determine what's wrong.'

AJ needed help next. I stood up and suddenly my I had tingles and numbness where I sit. Again, I attributed it to something else; I could have pinched a nerve... The next time I stood up, it happened again. I began to put the pieces together. The heat in my spine is *mine* not from her. The weird numbing is because of that. I took her off my back. peed her, and lay down in bed.

The ache is in my shoulders and back and feet. It's mild mostly, the fever is slowly gaining, and another nap should help. Cow just fell asleep again. If I can put her in bed and let BB have at, we should make it fine until Ben comes home.

If it happens to you, rest and nurse. Until all aches are gone and there's no more soreness: rest and nurse. If you have a busy schedule, apologize for the inconvenience, but go to bed and take the baby with you (s/he's much more efficient than a pump).

Honey, if you're reading this, I'm not cooking tonight. Would you bring home pizza?

Yarn Hungry Vacuum

Yarn Hungry Vacuum

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

I had it in the pocket of the chair.. I thought it was safe! The needles peered over the edge as I did my chore. I didn't see them jump and take the sock to meet the vacuum!

There was a sound.

A terrible awful sound.

The needles dug into the carpet to hide from the unexpected ferocity of the great vacuum beast. They clung to their precious sock!

Somehow, the needles managed to keep hold of the sock as they dug into the carpet. The vacuum ate about a yard of the wool-bamboo yarn and was appeased.

The needles were given a stern talking to.


Knitting has once more commenced.

The vacuum had it's yarn removed.

Naughty vacuum.

Mother’s Day Card

Mother's Day Card

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

Saturday, Ben took me out to lunch and we looked around for a dresser (bureau) because we've been without one since .. um.. yeah.. He'd like to get me one for Mother's Day, so we had a good jump on the holiday. So good, in fact, because we both thought it *was* Mother's Day last week.

TJ and AJ made me a Mother's Day card this morning. They traced their hands on the outside of it. And, inside, AJ drew me an ocean.

Not Quite..

Not Quite..

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

It's one of those days, I think.

I've got another 2-3 inches to go before I reach the proper length for my Schottische Kilt Hose. I just ripped out the heel and reseated the needles.. Now I can't find my working needle!



Better news, though: the children love No-Bake cookies!
(adapted from Betty Crocker Cookie Book)

1 cup (6 oz) chips: semisweet chocolate or peanut butter chips
1/4 cup liquid sweet: light or dark corn syrup, or maple syrup, or honey
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp Vanilla
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup nuts (they call for peanuts, we used pecans)

In a saucepan, heat all ingredients -except oats and nuts- until smooth, stirring to keep from burning. Remove from heat, add oats and nuts, and stir until well coated. Place onto wax paper (on a cookie sheet or in a container) by rounded spoonfuls. Refrigerate until cooled (if you can resist- this lets the moist ingredients soak into the oats), and enjoy!

First Socks of 2007

First Socks of 2007

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

Too close to the work. Do you get that feeling? Stitching away muttering to yourself, "What was I thinking?" or "I must really hate myself..." But, you persist. Finally, you get to the end and, bracing yourself, put the work where it belongs..

And, it looks good.

These socks fit me! This is the first pair that I've made for me that fit me! And, they're toe-up! And, from this distance, I like the stripes.

(I had to brighten the picture, this was taken in the dawn's early light. Some flecks of red in the dark stripes can be seen.)


Pattern: Widdershins from knitty.com
Yarn: Lion Brand Magic Stripes - Lumberjack
Size: 54 sts
Needles: US1 dpn

“What’s Wrong With This Place?”

BB's got a cold. It started a week ago Thursday with a fever, so we're not taking her to church. Last week, I stayed home with her and Cow and we slept most of the morning. This week, Ben stayed home with BB. He took her to the game store and, when they came back, the neighbor across the cul-de-sac was out. He hasn't seen Ben or his car in a while and was afraid that I'd kicked him out. Um...

It seems to be a theme here. The next door neighbor had been afraid that Ben had left me during my pregnancy!

Hello!? People! He's just got a deadline to make and bugs to fix when they have a new software release!

When I came home from church, Ben told me and asked me, "What's wrong with this place?"

I could make such a long list, but the main problem: Jesus Christ has been asked to leave. Let's invite the Son of God again. Let's make marriages work by living according to the ways the Risen One has shown us. Let's be servants to one another. Oi, do I ever struggle with that one. Thankfully, Jesus came to save us sinners and teach us how to be like Him.

dufus

dufus

Originally uploaded by fullofstitches.

I finally decided that I could knit again. The baby is 3 months old, she has somewhat regular times that she enjoys being down with the children, and she naps well (especially in the sling or ABC). So, yesterday I pulled out the green socks to finish the legs and maybe finish the socks.

So, I knit a couple inches. Then I looked closely and, lo and behold, I had repeated the first half of the pattern 1&1/2 repeats back. So, I thought I'd ladder down.

Seemed alright. Took a while, though, and i have 7 repeats around to fix. I fixed 2 or 3 last night. This morning, I went for the next and it didn't look so good, everything seemed pulled and one side wasnt opening the YOs as much.. I started the next and just decided to rip back. What's 12 rounds? 20-30 minutes? And, it'll look better.

I managed to get to the end of that first leg without further ado and picked up the second. I had to join the yarn because I've used this yarn for other socks. Then we went out to lunch, and I just picked them up and made the same mistake! Only, thankfully, I caught it when I got to the next YO round. Can you hear that frog? rrrriiippp-it!

Help?

Does anyone have Butterick 6043 (Reversible Bags, copyright 2001)? I'm missing the page 3/4 instuctions and have bag D cut out (mini-backpack style bag).

Just drop me a comment if you can help, please!

Grandma’s Apron

Barb is an avid quilter. While I was making aprons last summer, she mentioned she had worn hers out and was in need of a new one. I had hoped to make her one for Christmas, but life happened. And, it was good. So, TJ and I decided to make her one for her birthday. This is also TJ's first quilt. He did all sewing together of the pieced top

Making Faces

The dolls I made this weekend all have flannel faces. I wanted the children's input on how to make up the faces, so I cut out a few pieces and let them make their own. I haven't yet sewn any on, I may even make more pieces and let them make a face for the day for a while.

A Gift From Grandma

My MIL, Barb, went to England and Germany for a week. FIL was working there and she was able to go. SIL, Cindy, and neice B went and stayed with BIL (he's 14) to get him to and from school and make sure he ate and slept a little. When Barb came back, she and Cindy went shopping. They picked up some adorable things and sent these dresses and shirt (which were purchased in England) to my children:

TJ said his shirt looks like an adult size. Yes, dear, you're growing.

AJ's immediate reaction was, "A new apron!"

Postage

With the cost of gasoline being around $40-50 a tank I'm happy we can just walk to a local Fedex/UPS drop. Yesterday, TJ and I finished the surprise and mailed it off. Grandma knows it's coming, and may have an inkling of the basic color scheme (she's a reader here -Hi Barb! Feel free to leave comments once in a while), but she has no idea what the finished gift is! Muhahaha!

I sent it Priority because overnighting it would cost more than a tank of gas.