Finally figuring out this "video thing" : )

After a short tutorial from my friend, Kristine, I think I have finally figured out how to get videos of my adorable daughter for all to see : )

Here are a few of Abigail telling me what noises animals make... it might be sideways, I'm not sure. And, somehow Kristine has edited her videos ~ so instead of this being three videos long it would only be one ~ I'm not quite that advanced yet, but maybe soon.

Oh yes, and Christmas pictures/post(s) to come soon... these last two weeks have been crazy!!

A cow...



A duck...


And a dog...

Just some pictures...

So, I can't believe how behind I am! Here are some pictures from, lately?!

Trying to get the perfect shot for Christmas cards...

This was almost the one!

Didn't want to cooperate at home, either.

Loves mama! lol

Abigail's first pigtails!

Cute dress :) hehe

*note, she's missing a sock!

Loves her "pal Violet"

She couldn't get the applesauce in fast enough with the spoon,

or let go of her milk, apparently!!

All done!

During our first snow of the season

(it's all melted now)

After a pony tail...

Here is Abigail's hair after a pony tail... it always looks like a mohawlk!

Here are some other pictures from the week:

The BEAUTIFUL flowers my amazing husband sent...

because Monday night was kind of rough, for Thanksgiving and because he loves me

(and is amazingly sweet!)

Abigail and I on the Plaza ~ you can see the lights behind her

Tuesday night Abby and I met my friend Juls for dinner and then went for a walk.

It was a surprisingly beautiful night - the blanket and hat really wouldn't have been necessary, but since I had them, I used them - and we had a great time!

Crazy hair...

I took these pictures tonight after Abigail's bath to show everyone just how long her hair is getting!

Concentrating...

Really, mom?!

I have the best friends ever... seriously.

Last Friday one of my oldest friends, Jenilee, came to Kansas City with her boyfriend, Marc. Jenilee is not only a great friend, but her mom and my dad are cousins, so that makes us... third cousins? Something like that. Anyways, we go way back and there are lots of pictures of us in the bath tub together floating around somewhere. Okay, back on track - they came to town, and we went out to dinner. It was Marc's birthday and he got to choose where we went. We went to a Japanese Steak House ~ you know, one of those places where they cook in front of you, and the food is amazing? The food was, of course, amazing.

At this point you may be asking yourself, where was Abigail during this dinner? Well let me answer that question. My friend, Amber, who recently had beautiful baby Clara, graciously offered her mom's babysitting skills for the evening. This was, possibly, Abigail and Clara's first play date. Of course, Abby was in bed before Clara and Amber's mom even arrived, and Clara slept through most of the evening, but, that's okay!

The girls

~ Ashley ~ Jenilee ~ Amber ~ Sara ~

Saturday morning I recieved a text message saying that Jenilee and Marc got engaged Friday night after dinner! I couldn't be happier for Jenilee, she is the most amazing friend and person. She has been through so much, but her amazing personality and quirkie-ness (is that a word?) have gotten her through and Marc is a perfect match for her. Congratulations, guys!

The newly engaged couple

(and Jenilee's rock!)

Saturday afternoon was the big Nebraska-Kansas game. Sara was having people over to watch and hang out (and eat!) and Abigail and I headed over after her nap. We had a great time and Abby charmed everyone, especially Marc, as you'll see!

Marc and Abby

I always love getting together with my friends from high school. My friends are what is getting me through Jordan's deployment (and my family!) and I will never, ever, forget the way they have all been through this time.

Rae Gun Ramblings

I'm so excited about these cake shop skirts!! I think Abigail would look great wearing one!

Rae Gun Ramblings

Northwest t-shirt dress!

I got a sewing machine back in, oh, August (maybe September) and up until last night have used it to make some little things, but haven't attempted any big projects ~ I think I was waiting for just the right one.

Well I stumbled upon this blog ~ lil blue boo. The creator, Ashley, is a stay at home mom with amazing talent! She not only makes her daughter the most adorable dresses and clothes (many out of recycled t-shirts!!), but also makes patterns so that other moms can use her designs! She is a painter, too, and a really great one! I am thinking of commisioning her to do a portrait of Abigail... what do you think?

Anyways, I bought one of her patterns and I was seriously, so excited to try it out. She emailed it to me yesterday, so I stopped at JoAnn Fabric on my way home and picked up spray starch and a disappearing ink pen. I contained my excitement while I fed and bathed Abigail, while we played and finally! she was in bed and I could begin. I sat down to print out the pattern pieces (this is the age of computers - it is an ePattern - how great, right?) and what do you know? We're out of paper! Of course we would be out of paper. It was too late to go somewhere to get some, so I improvised and used card stock. Not ideal for patterns, I know, but it was going to have to work!

I cut each piece out and followed her instructions very carefully. As the title of my post says, this was a recycled t-shirt dress. So, I found an old Northwest t-shirt... I wanted something that, if this didn't go so well, I wouldn't be heartbroken about, but if it did turn out, would still be amazingly cute. I settled on a yellow Northwest t-shirt, and a green (with white polka-dots) tank top. I pieced everything out how I wanted it and made the first cut! I had decided early on all I was going to do last night was cut everything out, and maybe pin one sleeve...

Well, after cutting everything, starching it (the pattern came with not only instructions, but helpful tips and tricks - like starching your t-shirt material, since it likes to curl), and pinning the first sleeve I couldn't resist! I had to sew...

the sleeves on the front...

then the back on...

then do the top stiching (notice, I actually had a straight line!!)

I ended up sewing almost everything together (I was up until 11:30). I left the ruffel and collar for today. I knew the collar would be difficult, and it was important that it was straight, so I decided to sleep and try it this morning.

the pinned collar...

THE finished dress!!

I used the sienna dress pattern. It's really great. Not only does Ashley give you tips and tricks, but there are also so many variations for it. She tells you how to do each variation and if I can do it, anyone can. Seriously. I don't think I have made a piece of clothing since 4H, and that was in Jr High (if not elementary!).

So, start sending me your old t-shirts and I'll start making them into adorable dresses for my little girl (or your little girl!)

Here are some pictures of my model... she wasn't very into modeling, she would rather play!

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