Hi there. I promise I haven’t forgotten about this space. With the holidays behind us we have returned to our usual hustle and bustle with school and extracurricular activities. Juggling all that with an infant has been a wee bit challenging. More challenging than I imagined, really. And now my maternity leave is up, so it’s back to work. Oy.

I started back at the office this week part time. At first I was excited to be out the house, then reality quickly set in.  This is HARD. We’re lucky to have found a good caretaker for Cecilia, so that isn’t really an issue, it’s the fitting it all in that is proving to be a challenge.

I’ve only been at work a few hours this week, yet it looks like a bomb went off in my house. I suppose I should get used to the look. So far this week I’ve locked myself out the house, overcooked supper, yelled too much, forgotten my lunch twice, forgot the baby’s bottles at home once, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting a call soon about owing lunch money at school. Now I’m trying to figure out how I’ll get the laundry done and everyone fed.

*Sigh* I love my life. Seeing those toothless grins and hearing those sweet coos makes it all worth it. I look at my children and can appreciate where each one of them is at in their life and wouldn’t change a thing. As I deal with pre-teen drama and classroom shenanagans, having a new baby to care for has put it all into perspective. It all goes by so very quickly. Though I don't enjoy every second of it (or big chunks of it sometimes), I realize that I'm pretty darned lucky.

Please bear with me as I try to figure it all out. If there's any time that I need this space as an outlet, now is it! 

*all photos from my 366

 

For some time now I've been feeling the urge.  Inspiration.  Desire to MAKE something.  I haven't felt that in a while. My latest issue is figuring out HOW. Babies sure are time consuming, aren't they?

The stars must have been in alignment because night I got my chance.  As soon as Ceci fell asleep, I made my way to my sewing room.  My fabric stash is totally uninteresting to me right now, so I went to my sheets.  I gathered some of my favorites. Bright and colorful is what I was feeling.

Once my fabrics were chosen, I started cutting. I felt like I was playing 'beat the clock' to get as much accomplished as I could before Ceci woke up.  I managed to get everything cut out.

This morning my crew all went back to school.  It was just me and the babe.  As soon as she went down for a morning nap, I got busy.  Lucky for me, she took a nice long one. I was almost finished, just one last seam to sew when she woke up.

That's okay, I knew I'd get my chance later.  And I did as soon as the kids were home from school. Just a few minutes of entertainment by the older ones was enough.  The bag was finished!

When I started I wasn't sure what the purpose of the bag would be, but as I started playing with the fabrics I knew that it would be a perfect diaper bag.

Girly, sweet, roomy but not too big, re-purposed materials - everything I could possibly need!

Hi there.  It's 2012.  Just like that, another new year. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel a surge of "wow" or inspiration at the turning of a new year.  It feels nice to start fresh, but that's about it. I suppose that is due to the contentedness I feel right now. 

I'm not going to lie, I lived most of 2011 in a fog.  I was overwhelmed with pregnancy and a new baby. There aren't a whole lot of everyday details that I recall.  Much of it was surviving day to day. I have no regrets or complaints, that's just how it was.

Last year I wanted to come up with a word to live by, but nothing ever came to me.  Out of the blue this afternoon, the word hit me for 2012 - forgiveness. Forgiveness for those in my life who have hurt me, but mostly forgiveness of myself. Yes, I need to forgive myself most of all. I'm tired of carrying around all that baggage.  I want to be free of that burden. 

Life will be very different with a little one in the house.  I'm surprised at how much I've forgotten about life with a baby. Being the seasoned parent that I now am, I don't want to take anything for granted.  It all goes by so very fast! 2012 should be interesting, indeed.

Happy 2012, friends.

Holy cow, it sure has been a while, hasn't it?  I do believe this is the longest I've ever been away from this blog.  The reason is a good one, but still!  I miss this place, really I do.  As you can imagine, my life revolves around taking care of Miss Cecilia, and then there's Christmas.  Oh my, what a whirlwind!

Part of my excuse for not blogging is that I didn't have any photos.  I hardly ever pull out my big camera anymore, but snap pics on my phone.  With a baby in my arms, that's easiest. It finally occurred to me to share my instagram photos with my flickr account - duh!  Voila, now I can blog with photos!!

For the first time ever, I put up a second tree in my kitchen/dining area.  I don't know what got into me, probably a but of craziness. 

I was about to say that there hasn't been any crafting going on, but then I remembered that I have been doing a little something.  These felt flowers are quite addictive.  After finding the link through Chris, I couldn't help myself.  I ended up making a few brooches for Lily to give to her friends. Of course I forgot to take a photo before they were given away.

A few weeks ago I managed to make some new stockings for the kids.  With the addition of a new family member, new stockings were in order.  They're not exactly done, more like done enough.  I'll add more embellishments to them for next year.  For now, they're simple.  A bank canvas, more or less.  I've toned down my candy colored Christmas from years past.  I still love all the color, but was ready for some calmness.  I think I have enough spice in my everyday life!

There she is, my smiling baby, sort of.  She smiles all the time, but getting that big gummy smile in a photo is tough!  Can you believe she's 8 weeks already?  Time is flying by.

Oh yes, the oranges, or clementines, satsumas, mandarines, it doesn't really matter.  We've been going through these things like crazy. Well, Ava is.  That girl can put these things away!  She could go through a 3 lb bag in one sitting if I let her.

 

Here she is, all her pieces lined up and ready to go.  Shortly after this pitcture I found her with 7, yes *7* whole satsumas, peeled and ready to go.  I ate 2 of them, but she ate the rest, along with the 3 or so she ate before I found her.  I do believe she may turn into an orange.

So there you have it, a hodge-podge update through my instagram photos.  I don't think I'll be here until 2012, so Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Everything!!  Thank you all for being here, reading and sharing.  Though I don't always respond, I read each and every comment and appreciate the time you spend here. I honestly believe that my life is richer because of you!  May you all have many blessings for the upcoming New Year!!