Big boy.
And a pic. He was more interested in the christams balls than the camera.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Liam's 4 month check up
Wow! A whopping 18 and half pounds and 27 and half inches long.
Big boy.
And a pic. He was more interested in the christams balls than the camera.
Big boy.
And a pic. He was more interested in the christams balls than the camera.
Monday, November 26, 2007
I elfed my kids
This is hilarious. It takes a little while to load but it is so funny!
And Here are the other three with Liam.
And Here are the other three with Liam.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Maybe a Christmas card
I think I might have a Christmas card for this year but I haven't decided for sure. My drawback is that Liam is only 2 months old right now and he will be 4 months old at Christmas. There is a big differance in 2 months and 4 months. I wonder if I should use a more up-to-date picture of him. But then I don't know if I want to wait that long to design the card.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Photoshoot for Christmas card
I don't know yet what I want my Christmas card to look like this year but I have started on the pictures. Here are a few I have taken of Gennifer and Heather.
And here is one I just love because of the look on liam's face.
And here is one I just love because of the look on liam's face.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
A couple more pics
All of the kids together.(Gonna have to get used to not saying "all of the girls")
Liam's photo catch up
One week old. Looking at momma.
Two weeks old showing off with Heather.
Three weeks old.Just after a bath. Wait haven't we seen that outfit before.(actually I didn't realized I liked that outfit so much until I started looking for pictures to post and realized he has so many pictures taken in that outfit.)
One month. Chill'n out. Of course chill'n was no longer the mood after ump-teen pictures and a few outfit changes so we will just go with the chill'n picture.
Two weeks old showing off with Heather.
Three weeks old.Just after a bath. Wait haven't we seen that outfit before.(actually I didn't realized I liked that outfit so much until I started looking for pictures to post and realized he has so many pictures taken in that outfit.)
One month. Chill'n out. Of course chill'n was no longer the mood after ump-teen pictures and a few outfit changes so we will just go with the chill'n picture.
Liam's six week check up
I took liam for his six week check up today. He weighs a whopping 14 pounds! I couldn't believe he weighed so much.
Actually to be more percise he weighed 13 pounds 15.6 ounces. If he hadn't have spit up that last time before they weighed him, he would have topped the scale at 14 pounds. hee hee. He is 26 inches long.
I didn't think of taking his picture today until just now so I took this one of his sister spoiling him rotten. What a good big sister!
Actually to be more percise he weighed 13 pounds 15.6 ounces. If he hadn't have spit up that last time before they weighed him, he would have topped the scale at 14 pounds. hee hee. He is 26 inches long.
I didn't think of taking his picture today until just now so I took this one of his sister spoiling him rotten. What a good big sister!
Circus pictures
Here they are! Blogger finally let me post them.
Don't know if you can tell but Liam is in the sling. He was loving it so much he just snoozed the whole night.
Aren't I a mean momma??? He still didn't wake up after all of the torture I put him through to get a cute picture. What sweet boy.
Don't know if you can tell but Liam is in the sling. He was loving it so much he just snoozed the whole night.
Aren't I a mean momma??? He still didn't wake up after all of the torture I put him through to get a cute picture. What sweet boy.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
the circus came to town
...and we had free tickets so we went. By the time we got home, the girls had a whole circus planned out. Truth be told, the could put on a circus almost as big as the one we saw tonight.
This circus had 4 cats, 3 dogs, and 4 tigers. It also had a clown, a hoola hop girl, and a juggler. That was pretty much it. The girls still had a great time.
Liam slept through the whole thing while being tucked away all cozy in his sling. That made it super easy for me. I didn't relish the thought of trying to breastfeed a fussy baby on a hard, wooden bleacher seat with nothing to lean back on while being surrounded by 10's of screaming kids (I doubt the crowd made it to the 100's). Thankfully sweet Liam decided to be nice to me and sleep soundly. I love the sling!!!!
pics of us with our souvenirs
grrr. blogger won't let me post pics right now. Page can not be displayed. will try again tomorrow.
This circus had 4 cats, 3 dogs, and 4 tigers. It also had a clown, a hoola hop girl, and a juggler. That was pretty much it. The girls still had a great time.
Liam slept through the whole thing while being tucked away all cozy in his sling. That made it super easy for me. I didn't relish the thought of trying to breastfeed a fussy baby on a hard, wooden bleacher seat with nothing to lean back on while being surrounded by 10's of screaming kids (I doubt the crowd made it to the 100's). Thankfully sweet Liam decided to be nice to me and sleep soundly. I love the sling!!!!
pics of us with our souvenirs
grrr. blogger won't let me post pics right now. Page can not be displayed. will try again tomorrow.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
More pics
He was raising up on his elbows and looking around within 2 hours of his birth. This picture was taken when he was 2 days old.
Pics of Baby Liam
I will post a birth story when I have the time but for now here are some pics to enjoy from the day he was born.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Cloth diaper sew along
I was requested to post a cloth diaper sew along so that people could see. But because I am very pregnant and lazy ...er I mean busy, yea thats it busy, I am going to post the sew along I made 3 years ago. This is a sew along to show you how to make cloth diapers out of t-shirts. Also all I had at the time is a terrible digicam so the pics are awful. When I get a chance, I will create a new sew along that has good pics and more updated detail. I have changed a few things in the way I make my own diapers since then. Anyway, here it is:
Diaper from t-shirts Sew-along:
Pick your pattern and t-shirts. You can either pick two coordinating shirts where one will be the inside of the dipe and one will be the outside of the dipe by putting the shirts right sides together like this.
Or you can use the same shirt for the inside and outside of the dipe by turning that shirt inside out. Make sure they are smooth with no wrinkles and lay pattern on top. Often times, the tabs of my pattern extend over a seem to the sleeves
like this . That is OK and will not be a problem. Pin it if necessary. I never pin mine anymore. Now mark around the pattern (I used a marker) and then remove pattern. DO NOT CUT IT OUT. I don't cut it until after I have sewn it. It is just so much easier that way because of the stretch of the t-shirts. Now you will start sewing where indicated by the dot and sew around the pattern line. Stop where indicated by other dot. After that, cut it out leaving seem allowance.
Elastic.
I use lastin that I got from one stop diaper shop. However, the dipes I made with cheap walmart elastic are still going strong after 15mths. I don't know how well regular cheap elastic will hold up going through many children but when you are only paying less than a buck per diaper, who cares if the elastic only lasts 2 or 3 years? I just use a zig-zag stitch and sew elastic on across the top and down the sides. (elastic placement is indicated by the black lines above pic) I used to sew elastic all the way across the back but it tends to leave elastic marks on baby when dipe is snug. So now I only sew it on the part that is directly in back. You can do whatever works best for you.
After sewing elastic, I turn and topstich all the way around. When you are topstitching at the elastic, keep the elastic stretched and come away from the edge far enough that you do not catch the elastic in the stitching like this.
Fasteners
Now that I have the dipe sewn, I add touch tape or velcro just do not get the kind that comes with the self stick stuff on the back. It will gunk up your machine before you get through the first piece of velcro. Ask me how I know. :) Touch tape can be ordered on line and tends to be cheaper than velcro(it is basically the same stuff) When you buy touch tape, it comes in hook or loop seperately. Generally you use 3 times as much loop as you do hook so that way, you only have to buy a 3rd the amount of hook. I always add laundry tabs to keep everything from sticking together in the wash. That basically means when I sew the hook on, I also sew some loop on the tab so I can stick the tab to itself when not in use. It helps prevent having a long continuous chain of diapers all stuck together in the washing matching. I do that on both tabs, then I sew a strip of loop touch tape across the front of the diaper. At this point, I also add one extra piece of loop on the outside of one of the tabs like this. It only takes a minute and it makes the diaper so much more adjustable for whatever size you need.
~ 2pics here (I can not find the pics from 3 years ago for this. I hope that doesn't ruin it for anyone. Don't know how in the world I could have "lost" pics of diapers from 3 years ago)
Doubler
For those of you that don't know, a doubler is basically a square of extra soak ability in your dipes. Ok now get your scraps or sleeves if you used a long sleeve shirt, or whatever fabric you want to make the doubler from. I usually make the longest doubler I can with the scraps I have left, which could be anywhere from 14-20 inches long and 5-6inches wide(this is for my 15mth old a smaller baby would need less). I make this doubler by stacking the right sides of the two of the scraps together and then add two more layers. So the doubler will be 4 layers thick. The doubler is extra long because it gets folded in half so it seems more like 2 doublers.
You can use a pattern for your doubler if you like. When I first started, I used a pattern for doublers but I no longer need one. So I sew around my square (rectangle really) and then I turn and topstitch. Your doubler should look something like this.
Ok, now you can fold this doubler in half and lay in the diaper when using the diaper but I always sew mine in to keep them from getting lost. When I sew it in, it looks like this.
Now I have 12 layers in my wet zone, yet it dries as fast as a 4 layer diaper.
Notes:
This is not an AIO(all in one) and does require a cover to keep clothes dry, however, this diaper is so thick and absorbent that when at home, I never use a cover. I only use a cover if my daughter will be in the diaper a longer amount of time while we are out and about.
You can make this diaper an AIO(all in one that doesn't need a cover) simply by adding a layer of pul(polyurethane laminate) or fleece right side toward the best coordinating shirt, in the first step. I prefer fitteds instead of AIO because, like I said, they don't really require a cover at home and they dry much faster than AIOs.
Sometimes, I will use a remnant of fabric that I like for the outer print by placing it right side toward the best coordinating shirt in the first step. It doesn't matter what it is made of so long as it isn't bulky since I only add this for looks.
**Pattern NOTE**You can find free patterns online, or use something you already have to start with. Then tweak it to make it just right for your baby. I had to do a lot of "tweaking" to get the pattern that I like and works well for my baby.
Diaper from t-shirts Sew-along:
Pick your pattern and t-shirts. You can either pick two coordinating shirts where one will be the inside of the dipe and one will be the outside of the dipe by putting the shirts right sides together like this.
Or you can use the same shirt for the inside and outside of the dipe by turning that shirt inside out. Make sure they are smooth with no wrinkles and lay pattern on top. Often times, the tabs of my pattern extend over a seem to the sleeves
like this . That is OK and will not be a problem. Pin it if necessary. I never pin mine anymore. Now mark around the pattern (I used a marker) and then remove pattern. DO NOT CUT IT OUT. I don't cut it until after I have sewn it. It is just so much easier that way because of the stretch of the t-shirts. Now you will start sewing where indicated by the dot and sew around the pattern line. Stop where indicated by other dot. After that, cut it out leaving seem allowance.
Elastic.
I use lastin that I got from one stop diaper shop. However, the dipes I made with cheap walmart elastic are still going strong after 15mths. I don't know how well regular cheap elastic will hold up going through many children but when you are only paying less than a buck per diaper, who cares if the elastic only lasts 2 or 3 years? I just use a zig-zag stitch and sew elastic on across the top and down the sides. (elastic placement is indicated by the black lines above pic) I used to sew elastic all the way across the back but it tends to leave elastic marks on baby when dipe is snug. So now I only sew it on the part that is directly in back. You can do whatever works best for you.
After sewing elastic, I turn and topstich all the way around. When you are topstitching at the elastic, keep the elastic stretched and come away from the edge far enough that you do not catch the elastic in the stitching like this.
Fasteners
Now that I have the dipe sewn, I add touch tape or velcro just do not get the kind that comes with the self stick stuff on the back. It will gunk up your machine before you get through the first piece of velcro. Ask me how I know. :) Touch tape can be ordered on line and tends to be cheaper than velcro(it is basically the same stuff) When you buy touch tape, it comes in hook or loop seperately. Generally you use 3 times as much loop as you do hook so that way, you only have to buy a 3rd the amount of hook. I always add laundry tabs to keep everything from sticking together in the wash. That basically means when I sew the hook on, I also sew some loop on the tab so I can stick the tab to itself when not in use. It helps prevent having a long continuous chain of diapers all stuck together in the washing matching. I do that on both tabs, then I sew a strip of loop touch tape across the front of the diaper. At this point, I also add one extra piece of loop on the outside of one of the tabs like this. It only takes a minute and it makes the diaper so much more adjustable for whatever size you need.
~ 2pics here (I can not find the pics from 3 years ago for this. I hope that doesn't ruin it for anyone. Don't know how in the world I could have "lost" pics of diapers from 3 years ago)
Doubler
For those of you that don't know, a doubler is basically a square of extra soak ability in your dipes. Ok now get your scraps or sleeves if you used a long sleeve shirt, or whatever fabric you want to make the doubler from. I usually make the longest doubler I can with the scraps I have left, which could be anywhere from 14-20 inches long and 5-6inches wide(this is for my 15mth old a smaller baby would need less). I make this doubler by stacking the right sides of the two of the scraps together and then add two more layers. So the doubler will be 4 layers thick. The doubler is extra long because it gets folded in half so it seems more like 2 doublers.
You can use a pattern for your doubler if you like. When I first started, I used a pattern for doublers but I no longer need one. So I sew around my square (rectangle really) and then I turn and topstitch. Your doubler should look something like this.
Ok, now you can fold this doubler in half and lay in the diaper when using the diaper but I always sew mine in to keep them from getting lost. When I sew it in, it looks like this.
Now I have 12 layers in my wet zone, yet it dries as fast as a 4 layer diaper.
Notes:
This is not an AIO(all in one) and does require a cover to keep clothes dry, however, this diaper is so thick and absorbent that when at home, I never use a cover. I only use a cover if my daughter will be in the diaper a longer amount of time while we are out and about.
You can make this diaper an AIO(all in one that doesn't need a cover) simply by adding a layer of pul(polyurethane laminate) or fleece right side toward the best coordinating shirt, in the first step. I prefer fitteds instead of AIO because, like I said, they don't really require a cover at home and they dry much faster than AIOs.
Sometimes, I will use a remnant of fabric that I like for the outer print by placing it right side toward the best coordinating shirt in the first step. It doesn't matter what it is made of so long as it isn't bulky since I only add this for looks.
**Pattern NOTE**You can find free patterns online, or use something you already have to start with. Then tweak it to make it just right for your baby. I had to do a lot of "tweaking" to get the pattern that I like and works well for my baby.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Sew and show
So what is an expecting momma to do with no internet? Sew for new baby of course!
Here are our latest diapers. None of them have snaps yet. Still waiting and hoping for a snap press from the one stop diaper shop.
And here is the new set of bumper pads and dust ruffle we made. Heather, 13yodd, made the bumper pads. She was so excited they turned out so well! We are going with the whole cars theme (David's idea). I bought enough cars fabric for the bumpers pads, a sling, a diaper bag, and a diaper stacker. We also got the cars baby quilt panel to make the quilt but it isn't finished yet. Maybe on Monday.
Here are our latest diapers. None of them have snaps yet. Still waiting and hoping for a snap press from the one stop diaper shop.
And here is the new set of bumper pads and dust ruffle we made. Heather, 13yodd, made the bumper pads. She was so excited they turned out so well! We are going with the whole cars theme (David's idea). I bought enough cars fabric for the bumpers pads, a sling, a diaper bag, and a diaper stacker. We also got the cars baby quilt panel to make the quilt but it isn't finished yet. Maybe on Monday.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
long, rambling, probably nonsensical update
I am back online after what seems like an extremely long time. We finally got our wires fixed on our wireless Internet which seems extremely weird but whatever. the power box needs power. Go figure.
Anyway, Midwife appointment/baby update. According to the midwife,last Saturday, I was 33 weeks along rather than 32. She has my due date on August 10 rather than August 17th like the sono showed. Perhaps that is because she will not be the one bothered by the numerous calls from numerous people wanting to know why I haven't had my baby yet even though I am "due". Whatever "due" means since it is all just a guess and no one can be certain when I actually got pregnant. Having the experience of being first 3 weeks "over-due" and then 2 weeks "over-due" with previous babies, I would rather not be so anxious as to under-guess my gestation rather than over-guess it. I would be happy to continue to tell people I'm due in "August, sometime" with a polite smile, while hoping that I won't still be pregnant in Sept. Having had a baby due May 18 and not be born until June 21, I want to prepare myself for that long wait just in case. I know I can handle that much better with the right mindset. Three weeks of telling myself "surely it will be today" really wore hard on my mind. Then again I have had a baby 2 weeks early too, so that is just something else I need to be prepared for, just in case.
I am rambling now, I know. That is what comes from being offline so long I guess.
Anyway, the baby is fine and growing like he's supposed to be. Not that I am certain it is a "he" even though that is what the sono guy said. I just still have a hard time wrapping my brain around it. For now, we pretend it is a boy and therefore are collecting boy stuff but if the baby turns out to be a girl, I will by no means be taken by surprise.
Still, we have to at least discuss circumcision so we can be prepared with a decision. We haven't yet discussed it, I don't think. At least not that I can remember. I know I have brought it up. Did we discuss it? ahhh what a joy it is to have a pregnant brain with limited functionality.
Anyway, Midwife appointment/baby update. According to the midwife,last Saturday, I was 33 weeks along rather than 32. She has my due date on August 10 rather than August 17th like the sono showed. Perhaps that is because she will not be the one bothered by the numerous calls from numerous people wanting to know why I haven't had my baby yet even though I am "due". Whatever "due" means since it is all just a guess and no one can be certain when I actually got pregnant. Having the experience of being first 3 weeks "over-due" and then 2 weeks "over-due" with previous babies, I would rather not be so anxious as to under-guess my gestation rather than over-guess it. I would be happy to continue to tell people I'm due in "August, sometime" with a polite smile, while hoping that I won't still be pregnant in Sept. Having had a baby due May 18 and not be born until June 21, I want to prepare myself for that long wait just in case. I know I can handle that much better with the right mindset. Three weeks of telling myself "surely it will be today" really wore hard on my mind. Then again I have had a baby 2 weeks early too, so that is just something else I need to be prepared for, just in case.
I am rambling now, I know. That is what comes from being offline so long I guess.
Anyway, the baby is fine and growing like he's supposed to be. Not that I am certain it is a "he" even though that is what the sono guy said. I just still have a hard time wrapping my brain around it. For now, we pretend it is a boy and therefore are collecting boy stuff but if the baby turns out to be a girl, I will by no means be taken by surprise.
Still, we have to at least discuss circumcision so we can be prepared with a decision. We haven't yet discussed it, I don't think. At least not that I can remember. I know I have brought it up. Did we discuss it? ahhh what a joy it is to have a pregnant brain with limited functionality.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Date night
For mother's day, Gennifer had given me $20 and a coupon for babysitting the girls so David and I could go to the movies. Thanks Gennifer!!
Anyway, We went out to eat at springcreek barbecue. Barbecue was my choice because I smelled it cooking last week and have wanted it ever since. David called dinner mediocre. I enjoyed it. Wasn't as good as momma used to make but it wasn't bad either. Mostly I enjoyed the atmosphere. Then we were off to the movies. We didn't want to watch shrek or spiderman or pirates (by we I mean me since I know David would have loved seeing either spiderman or pirates but he kept telling me it was a mother's day gift so I got to pick the movie) So I picked Delta Farce thinking we would both enjoy mindless entertainment. However it didn't start for another hour and a half so we went to Hobby Lobby to kill time.
I, of course had to check out their flannel selection for boy prints & I found some!! I found hotwheels and matchbox prints on clearance for $2/yd. It only takes half a yard to make a dipe. I get all giddy when I get to buy fabric!! I love it!
While the lady was cutting my flannel, David was discussing our children and homeschooling and what not and she turned to me and seriously asked "Is he pulling my leg?"
Absolutely not ma'am. :)
So then, just like every other stranger on earth, she has to relate to us her story about dealing with homeschoolers. Fortunately, her experience with homeschoolers was a good one and she seemed to like us.
I began browsing other clearance fabric and came across some great school fabric. One looked like a blackboard and had addition problems done on it in chalk print, the other was black and had ABC's printed on it with little pictures of things that start with each of the letters. So cute. The best part is, the lady who seemed to like us after having to be convinced we were serious about our children and homeschooling, marked the clearance fabric down even further! WOOHOO!!!!!
Then we went to see the movie which was mildly funny and disappointing. I should have picked shrek or pirates over delta farce. At least, I didn't expect much out them therefore would not have been disappointed. but whatever. Still fun.
All in all, I enjoyed the whole evening and am still on my fabric high as I am sewing diapers today!
***Side note*** as I check my spelling with the spell check, I realize that homeschoolers is not a word and homeschool is also not a word but homeschooling is a word, now how can that be?
Anyway, We went out to eat at springcreek barbecue. Barbecue was my choice because I smelled it cooking last week and have wanted it ever since. David called dinner mediocre. I enjoyed it. Wasn't as good as momma used to make but it wasn't bad either. Mostly I enjoyed the atmosphere. Then we were off to the movies. We didn't want to watch shrek or spiderman or pirates (by we I mean me since I know David would have loved seeing either spiderman or pirates but he kept telling me it was a mother's day gift so I got to pick the movie) So I picked Delta Farce thinking we would both enjoy mindless entertainment. However it didn't start for another hour and a half so we went to Hobby Lobby to kill time.
I, of course had to check out their flannel selection for boy prints & I found some!! I found hotwheels and matchbox prints on clearance for $2/yd. It only takes half a yard to make a dipe. I get all giddy when I get to buy fabric!! I love it!
While the lady was cutting my flannel, David was discussing our children and homeschooling and what not and she turned to me and seriously asked "Is he pulling my leg?"
Absolutely not ma'am. :)
So then, just like every other stranger on earth, she has to relate to us her story about dealing with homeschoolers. Fortunately, her experience with homeschoolers was a good one and she seemed to like us.
I began browsing other clearance fabric and came across some great school fabric. One looked like a blackboard and had addition problems done on it in chalk print, the other was black and had ABC's printed on it with little pictures of things that start with each of the letters. So cute. The best part is, the lady who seemed to like us after having to be convinced we were serious about our children and homeschooling, marked the clearance fabric down even further! WOOHOO!!!!!
Then we went to see the movie which was mildly funny and disappointing. I should have picked shrek or pirates over delta farce. At least, I didn't expect much out them therefore would not have been disappointed. but whatever. Still fun.
All in all, I enjoyed the whole evening and am still on my fabric high as I am sewing diapers today!
***Side note*** as I check my spelling with the spell check, I realize that homeschoolers is not a word and homeschool is also not a word but homeschooling is a word, now how can that be?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Yea! thrift Store Score!!!
I have been making cloth diapers for "baby on the way".
To make the diapers, I sandwich cotton t-shirt fabric (usually four layers) between cute flannel(which is not easy to find when looking for boy prints) and then, I put elastic at the legs and back and make a doubler to match so that each diaper actually has 12 layers of fabric counting the doubler but only 6 layers when it goes through the wash so it cleans and dries so much easier.
So anyway, I went to the thrift store and asked if they ever bundle old/worn out/holey t-shirts to sell for rags. The nice lady told me that they did not sell them but she would give them to me. She went to the back and brought out huge garbage bag full of t-shirts!!!! WOOHOO!!! She then apologized because that was "all they had" right now but said if I come back in a week or two, she would have a lot more!!
To make the diapers, I sandwich cotton t-shirt fabric (usually four layers) between cute flannel(which is not easy to find when looking for boy prints) and then, I put elastic at the legs and back and make a doubler to match so that each diaper actually has 12 layers of fabric counting the doubler but only 6 layers when it goes through the wash so it cleans and dries so much easier.
So anyway, I went to the thrift store and asked if they ever bundle old/worn out/holey t-shirts to sell for rags. The nice lady told me that they did not sell them but she would give them to me. She went to the back and brought out huge garbage bag full of t-shirts!!!! WOOHOO!!! She then apologized because that was "all they had" right now but said if I come back in a week or two, she would have a lot more!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Our swimsuit treck
ugh... Way too many hours spent looking and looking and looking and trying on and trying on and trying on....
We spent all day Saturday searching for swimsuits.
For the younger Sonja(4) and DJ(6) we got dance leotards with short sleeves and a net skirt. very cute and protective from much sun exposure because there is no open back or shoulders which, from our experiences proves to be impossible to achieve with real swimsuits. As matter of fact I am convinced that many of those toddler swimsuits had to have been designed by all but the most vile pedophiles. Why do so many people think it is ok to dress toddlers in a "sexy" manner? ugh!
For Sharla(9) we actually found a real one piece swimsuit that comes down into shorts at the bottom and has tank type sleeves. Not really sleeves but not just straps either. It has a little hole in the back that will probably be covered by her hair most of the time.
Alizabeth(12) got a swimsuit for her b-day last week so we did have to buy her one. Hers is a one piece. We bought a lycra sports bra to wear under it because the back is very open and we bought some swim shorts to wear over it because it has high cut legs.
For Heather(13) we had to settle. We found a summer top that comes down far enough to cover her shorts with room to spare but it has a racer back on it so the shoulders are exposed. Not crazy about that more for the sun exposure than for the modesty thing because it doesn't look too bad. The shorts are tight biker-type shorts that have about a 3 inch leg.
Don't even get me started on how seemingly impossible it find Gennifer(15) something to swim in. We finally settled for something Sunday evening after 2 days of looking. The swim suit we settled on is a one piece that looks good on the bottom with s skirt to cover things and gathers so that it is not too tight but the top is way too flattering for her. I will have to do something to alter it.
Pics to follow.
We spent all day Saturday searching for swimsuits.
For the younger Sonja(4) and DJ(6) we got dance leotards with short sleeves and a net skirt. very cute and protective from much sun exposure because there is no open back or shoulders which, from our experiences proves to be impossible to achieve with real swimsuits. As matter of fact I am convinced that many of those toddler swimsuits had to have been designed by all but the most vile pedophiles. Why do so many people think it is ok to dress toddlers in a "sexy" manner? ugh!
For Sharla(9) we actually found a real one piece swimsuit that comes down into shorts at the bottom and has tank type sleeves. Not really sleeves but not just straps either. It has a little hole in the back that will probably be covered by her hair most of the time.
Alizabeth(12) got a swimsuit for her b-day last week so we did have to buy her one. Hers is a one piece. We bought a lycra sports bra to wear under it because the back is very open and we bought some swim shorts to wear over it because it has high cut legs.
For Heather(13) we had to settle. We found a summer top that comes down far enough to cover her shorts with room to spare but it has a racer back on it so the shoulders are exposed. Not crazy about that more for the sun exposure than for the modesty thing because it doesn't look too bad. The shorts are tight biker-type shorts that have about a 3 inch leg.
Don't even get me started on how seemingly impossible it find Gennifer(15) something to swim in. We finally settled for something Sunday evening after 2 days of looking. The swim suit we settled on is a one piece that looks good on the bottom with s skirt to cover things and gathers so that it is not too tight but the top is way too flattering for her. I will have to do something to alter it.
Pics to follow.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Swimwear, Health, and Modesty
Well, it is time to buy new swimsuits for my girls.
Modesty has always been an issue but never as much as it is now that the girls are getting older and have more, umm, parts that need covering.
My sister has melanoma and that brings up so many more cosiderations. It really hits home now. Never thought that would be a concern in my family cuz, you know, that is something that happens to other people.
I want my kids to feel comfortable in what they swim in. I don't want it to be bulky and cumbersome.
I also want them to be safe from cancer. I just read a statistic that said 1 out of 7 children get skin cancer from sun exposure. That is a big number. Sun screen is a big factor, I know, but even when I am dilligent slathering the stuff on, my children tend to get some sun burn when we spend the whole day in pool. Usually it doesn't even show up until a couple of hours after the event.
When we were in Florida, we had a really hard time finding swim suits for my then 12 and 13 yodds. We wound up using semi-modest-looking exercise tanktops with sports bras under them and skirted swimsuit bottoms.
I can't afford $100/suit but I know what I am looking for will probably be more pricey than the $15 suits at wal-mart.
I like something like this for my younger ones. Good price too. I will proabably order some of the these but it is my older girls I am having a hard time outfitting with swimwear.
Modesty has always been an issue but never as much as it is now that the girls are getting older and have more, umm, parts that need covering.
My sister has melanoma and that brings up so many more cosiderations. It really hits home now. Never thought that would be a concern in my family cuz, you know, that is something that happens to other people.
I want my kids to feel comfortable in what they swim in. I don't want it to be bulky and cumbersome.
I also want them to be safe from cancer. I just read a statistic that said 1 out of 7 children get skin cancer from sun exposure. That is a big number. Sun screen is a big factor, I know, but even when I am dilligent slathering the stuff on, my children tend to get some sun burn when we spend the whole day in pool. Usually it doesn't even show up until a couple of hours after the event.
When we were in Florida, we had a really hard time finding swim suits for my then 12 and 13 yodds. We wound up using semi-modest-looking exercise tanktops with sports bras under them and skirted swimsuit bottoms.
I can't afford $100/suit but I know what I am looking for will probably be more pricey than the $15 suits at wal-mart.
I like something like this for my younger ones. Good price too. I will proabably order some of the these but it is my older girls I am having a hard time outfitting with swimwear.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
My sister
This was a really tough photo shoot. My 18yo sister wanted me to take pictures of her before she starts chemo and loses her hair. I want her to know how much I care about her. She doesn't want to talk about things. She doesn't want people to be upset. She doesn't want things to be different. She doesn't want to be a reason that people are sad. So I will just say......
Isn't she lovely in the pictures.
Now I am crying. I am sorry Valerie. I know you don't want people to be sad or treat you different. Where you have love, you will have emmotions. Even sad ones. at times. If you were honest with yourself, you would have to admit, that people having no feelings at all would be worse than have bad ones. sad ones. I love you.
Isn't she lovely in the pictures.
Now I am crying. I am sorry Valerie. I know you don't want people to be sad or treat you different. Where you have love, you will have emmotions. Even sad ones. at times. If you were honest with yourself, you would have to admit, that people having no feelings at all would be worse than have bad ones. sad ones. I love you.
Friday, April 27, 2007
First Harvest
We have been neglecting our garden lately and haven't even weeded it. It is good thing it has rained a lot or we might not have even had a garden left.
So, I drag my big bottom and my children to my neglected garden this morning. We spent about an hour and half weeding it. That's about how long it took baby to say "that is enough of that!" (or maybe it was just my worn out stomache mucles protesting but I would rather blame it on the baby ;) )
And then we spent about 15 minutes harvesting sweet green peas. The kids were chanting "One for me, one for the bag". It is just a good thing our garden is organinc so they weren't eating pesticides :D.
Sonja wanted to eat everyone she picked. She has always been a big veggie eater.
So now as a reward because it must be a law, when you are done working in the garden you are suppose to play in the water.
It is only 72 degrees with a slight breeze and it is well water straight out of the ground but they don't care. After all, it is the first time to play in the water all year.
So, I drag my big bottom and my children to my neglected garden this morning. We spent about an hour and half weeding it. That's about how long it took baby to say "that is enough of that!" (or maybe it was just my worn out stomache mucles protesting but I would rather blame it on the baby ;) )
And then we spent about 15 minutes harvesting sweet green peas. The kids were chanting "One for me, one for the bag". It is just a good thing our garden is organinc so they weren't eating pesticides :D.
Sonja wanted to eat everyone she picked. She has always been a big veggie eater.
So now as a reward because it must be a law, when you are done working in the garden you are suppose to play in the water.
It is only 72 degrees with a slight breeze and it is well water straight out of the ground but they don't care. After all, it is the first time to play in the water all year.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Being realistic about reality
An interesting article found here.
Here is an excerpt:
I think we have a problem in our culture not with "realistic weapons" but with being realistic about reality. After all, we already "fear guns," at least in the hands of NRA members. Otherwise, why would we ban them from so many areas of life? Virginia Tech, remember, was a "gun-free zone," formally and proudly designated as such by the college administration. Yet the killer kept his guns and ammo on the campus. It was a "gun-free zone" except for those belonging to the guy who wanted to kill everybody. Had the Second Amendment not been in effect repealed by VT, someone might have been able to do as two students did five years ago at the Appalachian Law School: When a would-be mass murderer showed up, they rushed for their vehicles, grabbed their guns and pinned him down until the cops arrived.
But you can't do that at Virginia Tech. Instead, the administration has created a "Gun-Free School Zone." Or, to be more accurate, they've created a sign that says "Gun-Free School Zone." And, like a loopy medieval sultan, they thought that simply declaring it to be so would make it so. The "gun-free zone" turned out to be a fraud -- not just because there were at least two guns on the campus last Monday, but in the more important sense that the college was promoting to its students a profoundly deluded view of the world.
Here is an excerpt:
I think we have a problem in our culture not with "realistic weapons" but with being realistic about reality. After all, we already "fear guns," at least in the hands of NRA members. Otherwise, why would we ban them from so many areas of life? Virginia Tech, remember, was a "gun-free zone," formally and proudly designated as such by the college administration. Yet the killer kept his guns and ammo on the campus. It was a "gun-free zone" except for those belonging to the guy who wanted to kill everybody. Had the Second Amendment not been in effect repealed by VT, someone might have been able to do as two students did five years ago at the Appalachian Law School: When a would-be mass murderer showed up, they rushed for their vehicles, grabbed their guns and pinned him down until the cops arrived.
But you can't do that at Virginia Tech. Instead, the administration has created a "Gun-Free School Zone." Or, to be more accurate, they've created a sign that says "Gun-Free School Zone." And, like a loopy medieval sultan, they thought that simply declaring it to be so would make it so. The "gun-free zone" turned out to be a fraud -- not just because there were at least two guns on the campus last Monday, but in the more important sense that the college was promoting to its students a profoundly deluded view of the world.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Dying Easter Eggs
Fun times. It is one of those things that has absolutely nothing to do with why we celebrate resurrection Sunday but it is a useless tradition I will let my kids continue in simple as a fun family thing that we do and has no spiritual conotations whatsoever.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Go Fly a Kite
That is what we did today. The $1 kites from wal-mart are the best. With them you don't have that pesky problem of the kites actually staying in the air and creating a bordom factor. Nope, no bordem factor with these kites. It's All action, all the time or the kites will be sitting on the ground next you wondering what possible purpose you could have for looking at the sky when there is nothing there.
It's probably the best fun you could have for a buck! The kids had a ball. We actually had 4 kites going (can't say "at one time" as that would imply success in flying them which we were far from achieving, unless you can say that the kite staying in the air, waiting to decide to come crashing down at the moment we get to the end of the string success).
We did however have success in having fun and that was the goal.
It's probably the best fun you could have for a buck! The kids had a ball. We actually had 4 kites going (can't say "at one time" as that would imply success in flying them which we were far from achieving, unless you can say that the kite staying in the air, waiting to decide to come crashing down at the moment we get to the end of the string success).
We did however have success in having fun and that was the goal.
Monday, April 02, 2007
More Spring pictures for practice
I have something I can work with as far as backdrops. I really need to invest in some lighting now.
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