No Sew Blanket & Pillow Tutorial

Stephanie from Stephanie At Home shows us how to make this super gorgeous blanket and, my favorite part, there's absolutely ZERO sewing involved! As a bonus, she's showing us how to make a matching no sew pillow as well. Not gonna lie, I'm a sucker for an animal print.

Click here for the full tutorial!

...and to all, a good night.

Boy, have I been busy!

I, in my infinite wisdom, decided to make gift baskets of baked goods and give them as gifts this Christmas. I'm not a baker, and I don't claim to be but I can follow a recipe and I know what tastes good, so off I went. I asked my husband what he liked and he decided that he wanted butter tarts, sugar cookies, and short bread. To that I added some recipes I wanted to try; chocolate butter cookies, peppermint bark, molasses cookies, white chocolate candy cane popcorn, and peanut butter blossoms. It nearly killed me, but I got it all done.

This was 5 baskets worth of goodies. 

I finished everything the night of the 23rd because I started giving them out on the 24th. Sadly, I had none for me. *sadface*

Beaner attended the children's Christmas party put on by my husband's work and was enthralled by it all. She was so very excited to see Santa. That is, until she ran into the life sized version of her favorite bear. The company mascot was there, greeting people and walking around the facility. Beaner adores her small stuffed version, and sleeps with it and basically carts it around the house all day. She spent the entire party following this bear around, getting hugs and telling it that she loved him. Reindeer, crafts, bouncy house, petting zoo, Santa! treats...none of it compared to meeting her favorite teddy bear. She was a little confused at to how he got out of her crib, but she quickly accepted my explanation that this was her bear's big brother.

She was so proud of her snowman.

Many crafts were completed, zoolights were seen, and Beaner enjoyed her very first cup of hot chocolate. She's hooked for life! She was introduced to the Grinch, Rudolph, Curious George, and Charlie Brown. I got all the gifts on my list, did it all on time, and without an ounce of energy to spare. Was it worth it? You bet! Will I do baking as gifts again? Not a chance, and if I suggest otherwise, I give you permission to give me a virtual slap or 6.

I hope you all had an incredible holiday and I'll talk to you again soon!

Of Firsts and Lasts

It's been quite an exciting time since I updated last! First, and most importantly, Beaner has finally shaken her respiratory infection. Huzzah! No more cough, no more inhaler, no more worrying and sleepless nights for me! I am so overly thrilled, mere words can't convey what I feel. I'm hoping we get at least a month before the next illness hits, but really I'd settle for a week or two.

Beaner went tobogganing yesterday with her Grandpa and some other family members. It was her first time and I'm told that she loved it! She's not a fan of snow on bare skin, or of the inevitable crash that happens when kids go sledding, but many "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"s were had. I am sad that I wasn't able to be there for pictures (Saturdays are NO MOMS ALLOWED!!), but I'm thrilled she had so much fun. I can't wait to take her myself.

Another first happened yesterday when she got home from sledding; we had taken the side off her crib and converted it into her temporary Big Girl Bed. For ages now she's been able to nap on the couch at my Dad's without falling off, and she's slept on a twin bed without getting up, so we (ok, I) decided it was time to make the transition at home. I am happy to report that she did great, and didn't get out once. She's currently napping right now with no escape attempts.

It's going to be funny as hell once she realizes there's nothing stopping her from getting up in the morning and helping herself to the contents of the fridge.

Almost all traces of my baby are gone. Instead, I have a Big Girl emerging in all kinds of ways. I couldn't be prouder, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my sweet smelling baby, with her big blue eyes and her enthusiastic grin. Not that I'd trade hazel eyed, mischievous grinning Beaner for the world.

And Then There Was Thunderdome

At some point between the coughing and the fever subsiding, thieves made off with my sweet, easygoing Beaner. Now, I'm left with a short fused, contrary fiend who has an epic meltdown at even the slightest perception of not getting her own way. Of course, with a meltdown comes flailing, and with flailing comes smacking the head on whatever object tends to be in the way. Namely, the floor.

This coincides with us weaning her off television. Not only was I tired of watching Dora and Wiggles for hours on end, but it was getting far too easy to turn the tv on and let her watch while I got some work done, or cleaned the house, or just tried to catch a breather. While her mood might not be caused by the lack of her favorite shows, it sure isn't endearing us to the little drama queen.

It's a rough go of it as she screams for Dora, but it's worth it to break the habit now, instead of battling her on it later. Good thing I have lots of craft ideas and art supplies! I may not be Dora, but there's lots of awesome things in my backpack.

Childhood: The Neverending Illness

My apologies for the lack of updates! I hope all is well with you folks, as we transition from fall to winter. To my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving!

The reason for my absence is little bean has been quite sick. In August she caught a cold, which turned into bronchitis. We were then hit with 4 colds back to back. It culminated this past weekend with a breathing episode that required an ambulance ride to the Children's Hospital. Top that off with a high fever to start this week and what we have now is the tired, semi-incoherent Mom you see before you.

Beaner is doing better, fever is down, cough seems to be getting better. We'll know more next week when we see our doctor. Here's hoping she doesn't catch anything else before then! Not that I expect her to, since we're stuck in hibernation mode. Mother Nature decided that it was time for Alberta to experience some winter. It's been snowing for 3 days, blowing winds, and is just downright cold. I was looking forward to beaner's first real "play-in-the-snow-day" but with it being so cold, and her being sick, it will have to wait a little while longer.

It seems kids are sick constantly. It makes me wonder how any of us made it out of our childhoods in one piece!. If nothing else, it's given her and I an opportunity to be creative inside, and get into the feel of holiday crafts. I'll post some craft ideas later today that we've tested out with varying degrees of success.