first paying cookie customer

I just delivered cookies to the first official paying customer!! It's only fair I tell you it was my cousin who was preparing for her daughter's 2nd birthday tomorrow, but still:) Since I hadn't done this cookie before, it was relieving that her daughter Maddie immediately identified the Sesame Street character!

(I apologize for the sideways picture! My computer is acting up and it won't keep it the correct way after I've edited it:( Will work to remedy for future posts!)


"Elmo! Elmo!" Maddie cried while pointing at the batch.


My in my kitchen displaying my first selling artwork:) And no, I don't usually look this nice while cooking. I had to do a bit of cookie surgery pre-delivery as I woke up to find the red of Elmo's face had bled into the whites of his eyes! YIKES!! Clearly I'm still learning, but other than being time consuming and keeping Grant and I from playgroup unexpectedly, the fix was pretty easy:)

new found hobbies

It didn't take long after Grant was born for me to realize that life was never going to be the same again. I know what you're thinking, "Did she really not get that until AFTER Grant was born?!" The answer is no- I knew this going into pregnancy and it became apparent while I was pregnant. BUT, it didn't really make complete sense until later. I think I just assumed that once he was here I'd more than likely be able to get back to elements of life from before he was conceived. To some extent this was true, but not in all aspects.

The greatest way I am learning of how life is different is in the area of hobbies. For me, my list of hobbies was always several sports long. My thing has always been activity and competition. However, it's a bit tough to just pick up and head out to noon basketball at the rec center these days!! Maybe once Grant is older, but for now I've had to discover other interests- some I didn't even know I had.

While I was home for 2 weeks in February my mom taught me how to use her sewing machine. I had a few projects I wanted to make for a friend who is pregnant and who else would I choose to teach me other than the master! My mom is quite gifted, though I'm sure she'd say otherwise:) She made my breastfeeding shawl, or hooter-hider, for public baby feedings. An item and pattern I have received many a praise for I might add! She also made pillow covers for the cushions on the rocker for our nursery and the infant sling in which Grant was carried on many occasions when he was small. She can also sew clothing (my older sister's bridesmaid dresses), etc,... all of which I am not quite ready for- but maybe someday mom!!

The other hobby I have honed in on revolves around a favorite past-time: eating cookie dough!! I know, not sanitary, but let's focus on the new skill here:) I've been working to learn how to decorate sugar cookies like those found in stores. It takes time and patience, but has been a lot of fun to dapple with.

Another realization has been in the area of finances. Especially with our home projects still underway, I'm feeling a real desire to contribute more. I have been dreaming and praying about how I might be able to do so over the past few months. I think that pursuing these hobbies could perhaps be a way to not just keep me busy with projects I enjoy, but also to do a part for my family. So, I plan to run with the sewing items right now, while still practicing my hand with the cookies:)

For now my sewing focus is on what I know; 2 baby essentials. Things that I could never have made it without and no other mother should either:) Below you'll find burp clothes as well as breastfeeding shawls which I have made, along with patterns which the items are available in. If you are anyone you know might be interested, please pass my info along and I'll be happy to chat with them!


Burp Cloths: some patterns also available for breastfeeding shawls


Breastfeeding Shawls: all patterns also available for burp cloths


Me showing the shawl without Grant- as he is a squiggle worm these days:)

Here are a few pics of the cookies I've worked on lately. I definitely plan to keep working and I hope to try several things. A friend of mine has a dream to open a bakery with cakes, cupcakes, etc. items that she enjoys baking. We've dreamed together a bit about perhaps starting small in the future. Here's to dreaming, to finding and perfecting new hobbies, and to the future- whatever it may hold!

2 Easters

We were able to enjoy two different Easter celebrations. Our first was an egg hunt, put on by the Livermore Moms' Club, held one weekend early at the beautiful Wente Winery in the hills of Livermore. It wasn't your typical egg hunt with eggs secretly hidden away in the landscape. No, this was more of roped off areas of putting green height grass where colorful eggs were just sitting on the ground... waiting to be 'discovered':) It was perfect for Grant since he's not a big 'hunter', though I did feel sorry for the older kids who practically had the eggs handed to them! Regardless, it was a beautiful day of sunshine, colorfully dressed children laughing and crawling about, and a great time for parents to relish in the simple pleasures of childhood. Enjoy!

We were actually quite hesitant to take his photo with the Bunny since at Christmas time he began wailing when he saw a white-bearded friend of ours at my home church in Illinois. Grant did remarkably well though!

Do you see a trend beginning here with Grant's poses?? He LOVES eggs!!
These are other kids from our Tuesday playgroup. Note: he is the only 9-month-old not wearing shoes. We can't keep shoes or socks on this kid! He is is father's son:)
Don't be deceived, I'm pretty sure we just raked these eggs into his lap.
Our second celebration was actually on Easter Sunday. My cousin Molly lives nearby so we joined forces to create a delicious meal for our two families to enjoy together at their home. Grant loved playing with his nearly 2-yr-old cousin Maddie, testing out all of her toys for his own future use, and hunting for her behind the curtains:) We have been blessed to use many of their items for Grant when Maddie has outgrown them. Perhaps his favorite toy was the red Radio Flyer wagon walker. He displayed his strength pushing Maddie across the house. Shouldn't it have been the other way around girl?!
Easter morning discovering his bounty: a walker that converts into a scooter car, his basket of eggs from his Nana and Grandaddy, and the best time occupier by far- the balloon I picked up at Safeway.
A sleepy Grant after church just before nap time. It wasn't hard to choose this photo since Grant was screaming in all of the others.
Where's Maddie?? Oh- there she is!

Grant displays his strength. He's clearly buckling down for this feat!


Maddie shows off her back patio, but Grant seems more interested in her arm.

my new trick

While George was home at lunchtime I snuck out to pick up a new walker toy for Grant. When I returned home I put the box down because often times Grant is just as amused with a box as he is with what it contains. George and I got to chatting and when I turned back around this is what I saw!! It's official- he is on the move and afraid of nothing!


Oh, and please disregard the grossly dusty table top!!! it's been handled:)

let's catch up

Grant shows his loyalties.

Crazy hair after waking up in the morning.

After a messy snack time, Grant cleans up with water fun. This photo was taken shortly before he tipped the entire bucket over on himself. It quickly became naked water fun!

The nuk strap often gets more action than the actual pacifier these days.

wedding fun

So, a few weeks ago we had the pleasure of attending a good friend's wedding up in Sonora, CA. While I'm glad I don't live way up in the mountains (re: winding roads= car sick, far away from airport for family travel, etc.), it is the perfect place for a weekend getaway and a gorgeous location for nuptials. We stayed in a friend's cabin with a few other couples and enjoyed hanging out, cooking breakfast together, strolling the downtown of Sonora, which was super cute with second hand stores, antique shops, and even an old time soda parlor where we enjoyed Italian sodas....well, I got a true vanilla coke, but still:)

Here are a few highlights from the getaway.

Grant chillin with some of our cabin mates Carrie (preggo with a future boy buddy for Grant), Lola his pet companion, and our good buddy Mike who was my boss at church when I worked with the high school group.


As you can see, the location was BE-A-U-TIFUL!! Erin always wanted to be married in a barn, and her now hubby was born and raised in Sonora and had the perfect location in mind.


Our little man was truly that in his suit coat and vest. It also provided much needed double drool reinforcement. When the jacket was full, we took it off to reveal the next layer.



As it usually turns out when we've gone to wedding with baby, we end up sitting right by the band and speakers... usually by choice oddly enough. Grant has never complained and actually may have found his future calling. He was simply mesmerized by the live band.


The first time I ever felt Grant move in my belly was on my way home from work in the car while listening to a CD my sister Katie had made for me. It was a very bumpin kind of mix and he just started kickin away in there. So, it was no surprise when he broke out his skills on the dance floor at the reception.