Happy Thirteenth Month Georgia!

This is the doll I made for Georgia for her first birthday. I finally finished it on March 27... only one whole month late. Not too bad I guess. Even though I started her in January. I swear, I am the slowest knitter of all time. But, I am ridiculously in love with this doll. I got the idea from this beautiful blog... then bought the pattern from this fabulous Etsy seller. Too cool, huh? ;-) I want to make more of these beautiful dolls, now that I've got this one done. This is the first project I've ever had to seam my knitting. I did horribly, and I need more practice. I think an army of these lovely dolls, would be the perfect way to do it. Or maybe, I'll get brave and finally try my hand at a sweater.

Speaking of sweaters. This one of Georgia's was my FAVORITE article of her clothing. I am so devastatingly sad that it doesn't fit her any longer. I had been squeezing her into it for some time. I don't think she was entirely comfortable the last few times I made her wear it. It has had to be officially washed and put away for our next daughter. I miss it already.

This is the last time she wore it comfortably. Doesn't it look cute with her little mama-made leg warmers? Anyway, putting this sweater away was like boxing up the last of Georgie's babyhood. Every second that ticks by she becomes more and more a toddler. This week she has mastered the word "no." She walks around telling everyone "No no no!" It's like she's thirteen months going on thirteen years.

Not enough hours...

A reoccurring theme in my life (and the lives of billions of mothers everywhere) is: there are not enough hours in the day. And I'm sad to say the first thing to go is updating my blog. A close second it seems would be nutritious cooking. I thought about taking a picture of the mac and cheese with hot dogs I served for dinner a couple nights after my last post. I wouldn't want to mislead you good people. As much as I'd like it to be otherwise, it's not all spinach salads and homemade soup over here. Though, I did crank out a couple of loves of fresh whole wheat bread this afternoon. Thank God too, because after a week of left over pizza, chicken nuggets, and cheesy-rice I have to get back on to the eatin'-right express.

We've had two delightful weeks of company, with back-to-back visits from Smoochy's dad and step-mom (two weeks go) and my dear friend from Omaha with her hilarious and sweet nearly two year-old son (last week).

Since, my window for blogging is small, I'm just going to throw up a few recent pictures and... well that will just have to do. I would love to chronicle all our recent adventures, as there have been many. However, the kids are bouncing off the walls, and I'm not sure how long I've got until they discover I am distracted with something and they start damaging the property.

"My Mom butchered my bangs and I'm so mad!"

Inspired

I have been feeling so inspired lately. I am in love with my life and my job. Motherhood. It is just such a wonderful gig. There is so much room for creativity and freedom. And of course I love all the people I work with. This feeling of fulfillment has made me notice so much beauty in the simplicity of my domesticity. I see art in the neat stacks of our freshly washed clothes and noticing the divine in my babes' smiles... and toes...



OK, so laundry might not art, but it can surely be contentment and satisfaction.

I have felt compelled to crate, to cook, to turn of the TV and play with my kids.

This is a soup all of my own design, and it was amazing: Roasted peppers, sweet potato, carrot, corn, garlic, curry, crushed red pepper, and cayenne. OMG.

I baked bread to go with it. I found the recipe here, and it worked out beautifully. There is very little in this world as satisfying as fresh baked bread. Bread made from grain ground in my kitchen; dough kneaded with my hands till it was beautifully smooth and elastic; NOT burning it this time like I have so many other attempts. Then, there is the pure joy of tearing off a hunk if it with your hand and plunking it into a steamy bowl of soup... bliss. I'd show you the bread, but I can't find my camera cord. :-(

I've even been stealing some time for some very lite pleasure reading.

The kids have been coloring more and watching Thomas and Friends less...

It seems every place I look in this cozy little house, I find another little reason to feel grateful, blessed, and content. Right now the kids are both asleep, the windows are open for the first time since I've lived here, and LIFE IS GOOD.

I've got to brag: The next couple of pictures are of Normy eating spinach and cucumber salad. Don't I get some kind of mommy-award for that? In case any of you are curious as to how this monumental feat was accomplished, let me say I have been laying the ground work for months. I have a spinach salad nearly every day of my life. This is less because spinach is a super-food and more because it acts a a vehicle for my feta, pine nuts, and TEXAS TOAST (sea salt and black pepper) croutons. (Oh my god, these croutons are AMAZING.) So, every day I say to Norm, "Do you want to eat a leaf?" While holding up a pretty piece of spinach by it's stem. For months he turned me down cold, and I didn't press the issue. Then one day, to my surprise, he said yes. And he ate the "leaf" up to its stem. Then he had an other and an other until there was a little pile of stems on his plate! So cool!

Well, yesterday he found a cucumber in the fridge and started walking around with it in his mouth, like a dog with a bone. So, I ran with it, as it was nearly lunch time. I set us up at the table and he helped me peal it. Then I cut it while he watched, and we mixed in the sour cream, salt pepper, and dill together. He loves to shake out seasonings! I let him stir it all up and put as much as he wanted on his own little bed of "leaves". Before you know it he was eating the stuff like it was his job! I swear he'll eat anything as long as he helps to make it.



In other news, Georgia is learning to use a spoon. More like, she is demanding to learn how to use a spoon. I pretty much can't get her to eat table food unless she gets to participate like every one else at the table, with proper utensils. You can see how that's going below:

Mmm Yogurt!

Post Bath

Happy Monday.
I hope this makes it less "blue" for you.

Normy's First Ink

Totally Obsessed

Girl Toys

It's no surprise that Georgia usually plays with trains, cars, and whatever else Normy has. Well, since she had a birthday and received a few toys of her own, the tables have turned. This is BOTH kids favorite new game!

Normy calls this a "Tea Ot." It's pretty stinkin' cute!