Works in progress

Not sure if you're aware of this, but I have been quilting for the past two years in some way, shape, or form.


It started with the T-Shirt Quilt that I have almost finished. See this post for a reminder. Since then, I've been working on more quilts. I still have yet to finish one of them. Yikes, I hope this isn't a pattern.


Anyway, the picture below is a close-up of the fabric in a quilt that I'm making for Raleigh. I only have the top and bottom borders to attach and then I need to find some backing for the quilt.



And here is a larger picture of it.

And this quilt, pictured below is a quilt that I have been working on for almost a whole year now. Just last night, at Chelsea's, and with her help, I've finished piecing the top of the quilt together. Now, I need to purchase some batting and I need to take it in to get quilted. To understand how big this quilt is...the bed underneath it is a queen size bed.

Below is a picture of some of the pieces of the quilt yesterday before I went to Chelsea's.

She sleeps in pose

Seriously, this is how she was just sleeping. Her hands were up in the air like this for like a ton of minutes. (Sorry for the Valley-Girl talk)

What a fun weekend!

We had a great visit from my parents last weekend. The photos in this post showcase the weekend. My best friend, Jamie, was visiting also, but I didn't get any pictures with her. Don't worry, we'll have plenty of pics with her when she moves up her this June/July.

Raleigh and Leah enjoying quality quiet time with Grandpa Dave. Grandpa Dave was holding Leah.... and Raleigh piled up all of these blankets and pillows on top of him and then climbed up to join Leah.

Raleigh enjoyed laying down with Grandpa on the couch.

And of course, a close-up of Leah.

We were glad that Copper got to visit with us also. I'm so happy that she is such a good dog for my parents. She is also extremely photogenic, so... I obvioiusly took advantage.

Below is a close-up picture of Leah sleeping on her Grandma Wanda's chest. She spent so much time sleeping on people this weekend, that she didn't really want to sleep in her crib much on Saturday night. I think I got 2 1/2 hours of sleep.

Last week, Josh and I purchased 4 light fixtures so that my dad could install them this weekend. He did and they look great! I'll show you pictures of before and after in a later post.

Raleigh (below) is admiring his Grandpa working on the light fixture in his bedroom. (Funny side story... I asked Dad if he needed to flip off the breakers for the rooms that he would be working in, he said, "nope, we'll just ensure that the light switch is off and be sure nobody turns it on while I'm working on the light." .... Well, my dad was working on the light in my and Josh's room when it was almost too dark out to work on it, and Raleigh thought that his Grandpa needed some light to work in, so he brought his small blue chair into my room and flipped the switch on and ultimately shocked his Grandpa. We all laughed about it later. Dad says it was nothing, but we're glad he was OK.

Raleigh (below) was having fun putting my Uggs on. He looks so cute clunking around the house wearing my Uggs. BTW, this wouldn't have been possible without Grandma Jan gifting me these Uggs because they didn't fit her...Thanks Grandma Jan!

Before that, he was wearing Josh's shoes but he was having a harder time walking in Josh's size 13 shoes.

Laundry is so different now. I have to sort in sets of blue and pink basically. :)

Leah after a bath

Raleigh's interest in my camera

Twice, in the last few days, Raleigh has found my camera within his grasp and he has picked it up. It scared the heck out of me both times. Here is this expensive piece of equipment in my toddler son's hands as he's saying "Take Raleigh picture, take picture?" Of course, with the camera in his face his entire life (for evidence refer to all my previous blog posts for the past two years), I figured that he would eventually have a love for the camera...I just thought it would be later.

Luckily, he listens to me and brings me the camera immediately. I had to resort to pleading because both times, I was in the middle of breastfeeding Leah. I felt utterly helpless, and I imagined what my life would be like without my camera. Would I have to buy a cheap-o camera just to fill in the void? Or, even in this economy, would I dip into savings to purchase another (slightly better, of course) camera that will fulfill my photographic needs? I hope I never have to wonder about that again.

Good things did come out of Raleigh picking up the camera and asking for his picture today though. Witness the goodness of the pictures below for evidence :)

Bunny outfit

Sweater from my coworker Tammy.

Another cute red outfit

Before I fed her and when she's missing one sock after waking from a nap.

After I fed her and with both socks on.

Just look at that cutie pie and her new outfit from Grandma Wanda.

Kinda like my own little Valentine...Just Perfect!

Cute little outfit

Last Thursday night, my coworkers threw a baby shower for Leah and me. I had such a wonderful time and Leah received some quite adorable clothes. It turns out that women really enjoy shopping for baby girl clothes...go figure :).

Most of all, I enjoyed the company of my coworkers. I love maternity leave, but I do miss having adult conversations with people other than my husband. I also pumped milk before hand so that I could enjoy a glass of wine. It was a fabulous night. Leah slept most of it and I barely got to hold her as there were many open arms waiting for her when we arrived.

Below is a picture of an outfit given to Leah by my coworkers and friends in Denmark. I just love the hat. I'll get a better picture of her in the outfit without a bib when she's less prone to spit up. And I'll post pictures of her in the many other outfits that she received.

Leah also received her first books from my coworker, Connie. So I look forward to reading her the Little House books when she is a bit older.

Above: Leah and I were napping on the couch and Raleigh wanted to join us. So, I prompted Josh to get the camera. Josh is not learned on the different settings of my camera so the quality is a bit different than the pictures that I usually take. I think I like the effect anyway, it looks more artistic.

Her first cloth diapers

Goodbye disposable diapers...

Hello cloth diapers!

And to add to the cuteness factor for today...Raleigh wanted to lay down next to Leah and have his picture taken too.

A pic of Mom and Daughter

How many times will Raleigh ask to hold Leah?

I hope it never ends. Otherwise, how else will I get such cute pictures of the two of them?