Lookin' back - Emma Edition

Emma is 18 months old!
What is she up to now?!

She weighs 23.8lbs & depending on whose shoes she's wearing, she's averaging 30 inches long... er, high.

She wears an 18 - 24 month pant, 24 mos - 2t Tops & dresses.

Emma is in a size 4 diaper.

She loves to...
...play outside
...ride horses
...chase her sisters
...jump on the trampoline... or Daddy
...go bye-bye.

She also loves...
...her paci
...avocados
...SHOES
...chocolate milk
...her blanky(ies)
...bananas
...shoes
...her sissies
...Mommy & Daddy
... did I mention her shoes?

Emma has 5 teeth with 3 on the horizon!

She is down to one nap in the afternoons and is still sleeping through the night! (Hallelujah!)

Although sometimes she's a little hard to understand, her vocabulary is expanding! Her current word bank consists of...
...Ma (usually yelled)
...Da, Daddy
...Tucker
...Gigi (Ginger)
...peesh(please - which she also signs)
...baybee
...ewwww (my personal favorite!)

She also makes certain noises for her "paci" and food! Mommy thinks that being the youngest of 3 has something to do with Emma's obvious disdain for talking. Why talk when Mommy and Sissies have you all figured out?!

Mommy is glad that Emma has turned out to be a happy and healthy girl!!! Emma can bring a smile to our faces a thousand times a day! She seems to be on a more "average" growth chart than her big sissies and can be quite the Sassy Susan! However, Mommy & Daddy are loving every minute of it and can't believe how fast time is going by!

I've posted quite a few pictures from the past 18 months... *sniffle sniffle*


3/10/08 - 6 lbs, 10 ounces (1/2 ounce heavier than Brooklyn)
I was SO sure she was going to be a bigger baby. I kept saying,
"I can't believe she's so tiny!"

Proud Sissy Brooklyn

Brenna is finally a big sister!

Daddy had the flu when Emma was born!

Just minutes after she was born!
I can feel my ovaries itchin'!

A quiet moment with Mommy

Cuddled in the blankie that Auntie Kell made!

The Elvis Yawn

The infamous long toes - Mommy thinks shes grown into them now!

About 6 weeks

Gettin' ready to talk to Brenna

I just love this pic of her on the pillow... so tiny!

Wearing Momma's very first headband!

Father's Day 08

A rare happy baby at this point... I was so thrilled to snap some smiley pics!

2 mos old at the Fair

First taste of food!

Loungin' with Ginger

6 months old!

Wearing the beginning of what would become Momma's crochet obsession

Halloween 08

November/December 08

January 09

Red cupcakes - practicing for birthday!

Her 1 year b'day photo

March 09 - 1 year old!

One of the saddest/pics that I love

Water fun!

Jumpin' girl

Loves the water so much she fell asleep

My happy girl!

18 months old - still attached to that paci!

Riding Gigi

My big girl!

Lovin' her monkey

Sittin' pretty!

First Day of School

Today marks the first day of school for the 09-10 school season!

We finished up some very minimal school shopping last night with new shoes... because we all know it just wouldn't be the same - starting school without a new pair of kicks! I remember feeling so excited and "new" on that first day of school... the shoes that made you run faster... the new clothes that were all crisp and clean and new-looking... Even Daddy was the one that said, "they have to have new shoes"...

So, since This Tired Mom now has 2 school-aged children to get ready each morning, we've set up a new schedule.

6-6:30am - TV goes on for a "waking-up" period (kinda the opposite of winding down) I will use this time to prepare breakfast/lunches
6:30-6:45am - get dressed (in the clothes they set out the night before)
6:45-7:08-ish: Hair time (I'm pledging to do my girls hair everyday!)
7:08-ish - 7:35: breakfast (I will finish lunches at this time)
7:35-7:45 shoes and brush teeth

They should be pretty ready to go by this time... Here's hoping we have a smooth school year!

Here are my beauties!

Brenna is starting KINDERGARTEN!!! She has been so excited - like even before summer vacation started! However, when the nerves start to kick in, she tends to clam up on me... she was totally holding out on the cute photo ops!

Talk about a wiggle worm!!

Finally, I got her to stand still with Brooklyn - however she DID NOT want Brooklyn touching her. Notice, still no smile... well, not her real smile!

Brooklyn, btw, is going into 4TH grade (I can't believe it)
They are standing here with Sierra K... she is a long time friend of Brenna & Brooklyn's!

Here Brooklyn is trying to esplain that Brenna is being difficult...

*gasp* A SMILE! The only reason I got this smile is because she was trying to be sneaky!
Her friend, Sierra R. did not want to be in pics, so I told her to sneak in with Sierra and I'd take her picture really fast!

Their first line up and walk to class... Yes, the shortest student of the class belongs to me!

Checkin' out her name.

This pics shows more of her "will". The teacher asked if anyone knew her name... everyone rose their hand - except Brenna. When the teacher counted to three, Brenna chimed in with everyone else... "Miss MacGibbon". She totally knew.

Working on their first project!

And this smile... "OK, Mom... I'm happy, OK?" haha
She's a lil poop, but I love'r to death!

I would have more pics of Brooklyn except she's what we call a "social butterfly". As soon as she found Courtney, her BFF, I completely lost her! It took a good 10 minutes to spot her again before I got the above pictures.

And, apparently, after looking at these photos, I'm going to have to make sure Emma keeps her hands off of my camera. It appears she has changed the setting because all of the pictures don't look quite right!

What's been keeping me busy...

Phew! I've been busy! Ok, Busy with a CAPITAL B!
The last sale went over great and I've been working on the giveaway beanies!

I just wanted to come up for air long enough to show a few of the things I've been busy with.

I could totally insert pics of my three hellion beautiful daughters right here, because God knows they don't let me slow down!

However, here are a few of my recent crafts...

Purple Gingham Flower Clip (attached to alligator clip)

Mini Pink & White Korker Clip (also attached to alligator clip)

"Lil Bella" in Brown & Light Pink
These next beanies will be heading to Germany!

"Lil Bella"
Cream & Purple (this looks even better in person)

"Faded Denim" - Original Newsboy Beanie

In honor of my newly graduated CHP officer brother, I made the black & white beanie for his roommate's boys.

This is a close up of "The Hamptons" beanie

"The Hamptons" Original Newsboy beanie
I don't know why I call it that. I've never been... to the Hamptons, that is.
I have been to the beach a lot and that's what these colors remind me of... summer.


"Granny Stitch" Newsboy in sage. This beanie was
fully customized per customers specific requests!

These next two were ordered by my very first "Stella B Designs" customer on Etsy.
She's ordered them for a set of twins that are due soon!
They will also be army "brats".
(I hope you know I use that term very affectionately!)

It's getting bad

I didn't know it until this morning. It kind of snuck up on me. I was fine... at first. I woke up - still feeling groggy and overtired. I've been staying up pretty late to finish some crochet items that I sold on Etsy. I headed downstairs and that's when it hit me. That's when I realized something was missing.

That's when a lump in my throat appeared.

And I started making plans in my head. They were small thoughts... at first. The first plan was going to be a pain in the butt and it would have to wait until the kids were up. I contemplated going upstairs to stomp up and down the hallway rather loudly... opening and closing bedroom doors... opening and shutting the hallway closet doors with a thud... "accidentally" turning on their bedroom lights and exclaiming "Oops! Sorry girls... I thought you were already awake! You might as well get out of bed since mean 'ole Mommy already woke you up! Poor babies!" Yes, plans were starting to take root... I needed to replace what was missing.

A few more plans played out in my head... asking someone else to help me out, sneaking out and right back... borrowing, begging, stealing... NO... I'm an adult. A responsible 30-somethingish woman lady and I will handle this with dignity! I chose the most responsible plan and was momentarily satisfied.

Then I got a phone call... DELAYED. I wouldn't be able to carry out my plan as soon now.

The lump grew a bit. Ok, I thought to myself. No big deal... it'll be fine. My tired mother brain just needed to tweek the orignal plan so it became a slightly more pain-in-the-butt plan... but it would have to do.

I seemily appeared calm and collected on the outside as I flitted around the house, doing this and doing that. Putting clothes on to look presentable... letting the dogs out... brushing my hair... brushing my teeth... picking up the front room floor... letting the dogs back in... greeting my eldest daughter as she came down stairs... Still, all the while, I couldn't stop watching the clock.

It won't be long now... till I can get it.

Except that it seemed an eternity. Time was going sooo slow that I could almost hear my own blood rushing through my veins.... the ticking of the imaginary grandfather clock... the dog quietly snoring in slo-mo. I felt the nervousness boiling in my stomach and making it's way higher. I was afraid I was going to bellow out my agitation if I didn't hold it together. I stood there, waiting for kids to be dropped off, waiting for Poppa to take off with the older two girls... waiting for them to drive away. Get out of my house!!!

Then they were gone! I grabbed my truck keys, grabbed the baby, grabbed the other kid and headed for the door. Wait! Where was my wallet? I dashed into the kitchen and grabbed my wallet? (Why was it in the kitchen, you ask? Well, that saying "A place for everything and everything in it's place"? Yeah... well, it doesn't always work here.)

Hurry, other kid, walk faster! Emma, get into your carseat and buckle yourself. Other kid, climb into the truck. Hey, other kid, where'd those scratches come from on your forehead? What? It doesn't matter right now, we've got to go and we've got to go now!

I drive to our neighborhood "Farmer's Market" store... *gasp* and drive right by. There's someone there I know! I may have clothes on and my hair might be slightly done, but that doesn't mean I'm show quality. After all, I'm missing something!!! I drive 20 seconds down the road to the next store and park! There are only two young slightly men outside unloading large stacks of beverages outside.... who cares about them? I'm almost there!

I contemplated, once again... I could leave the kids in the car and dash in and be out before any cops show up. (You'll notice anytime I contemplate anything that I may not be thinking clearly. I appreciate if this wasn't held against me.) The rest is all a blur. I vaguely remember rows of groceries, walking much faster than usual, cash passing hands and a baby on a hip... but the rest is all kinds of blurry.

Until I get back out to the truck and realize what I'd just done. I know it's bad. It's crept in and taken over a bit more. I know it's bad when I take a half dressed baby (seriously, who does that?) into a corner liquor store in the early morning hours (ok, 8 am) and pays $5... yes FIVE dollars for a bottle of coffee creamer...

*hanging head in shame* I need help. Is there a support group for something like this?

P.S. Might I just add? One cup of creamer with a bit of coffee has been washed down and the shakes are gone... My nervous system is as calm and relaxed as a newborn baby in peaceful slumber.

P.P.S. It's bad, right? Bad, bad, terrible...

New "Focus Group" post on Stella B Designs

Can you help a "mompretenuer" out? =o)

I could use some opinions, advice, pointers, constructive critism!

Just go Here and let me know what you think of this:

Weekend in Review

I know you're dying to know how our weekend went, so instead of waiting until you ask, I'm just gonna save you the trouble!

Friday night we (my lovin' man & I) found ourselves with one child. The youngest one. The two older girls roped Grammy and Poppi into another sleepover.

So we did the most exciting and wonderful thing ever!!!

We stayed in. Out of the heat. And vegged. With only 1 child!

It was Heavenly!

Saturday, since I was almost childless, Emma and I got up and did the grocery shopping.

We made a quick trip to Michael's to pick up some yarn and then headed for the SUPER Wal Mart. 3 hours later and all the shopping done, we headed home.

I made some "oh-so-yummy" BLT's for my Lovin' Man and me as I put away the groceries and then took a nice lil nap! Having one child is awfully time-freeing... is it too late to go back!? (OF COURSE I JEST!!!)

So, after my lil nap, I come downstairs to find the girls have returned - and we picked up another mouth to feed - my awesome nephew Cole! They were watching Lovin' Man play the Wii so I started in to the kitchen to whip up some "shoe lace onion rings".

I was just cutting up the onions when I received a phone call from my Sis (Auntie Kell). She was headed up to the lake - to a houseboat - and wanted to know if we wanted to come up....

Hmmm... Lemme think on that one for just a minute...

one-oh-something degrees outside... cooped up kids... no body of water here... huge (debatable) body of water there... Hmmmm... lemme think....

We dropped everything and ran!!!

These pictures are in random order, but I think you'll get the idear!

EmmyLou sittin' on Auntie Kell's lap - w/ a pretzel stickin out of her mouth

Emma in her lifevest... ready to go! She had been up to the houseboat with Kelly before and was SO READY to get back on it!

Emma munchin' on another pretzel

There were ducks on the other side!

She was making sure no one was paying attention to her as she inched towards the controls!

Half of the "crew" in the water... you'll notice I let this one slip in there - even though I'm in it!

This is my awesome nephew, Cole.

Brooklyn - maxin' & relaxin!

Brooklyn - getting tightened by Daddy...

(sidenote: Brooklyn failed to mention to mom and dad BEFORE swimming that she was having some ear pain! Can you guess what she was in severe pain from at the end of the night!?)

Here's Red... she loved it, too!

Talk about fun! Brenna had a load of it!

And my favorte - prolly 'cause it involves a lil hiney cheek!

(funny story: Mommy couldn't find Emma's swimming diapers, but figured it wouldn't matter since we were going to the lake, so she just went in like a big girl. We didn't notice any potty times outside of the water... Until, that is, Daddy went to change her when we were leaving and out popped a couple of treasures! LoL Right into his lap! LOL!)

I don't want to leave out Sunday, because Sunday was AWESOME! We went to church. Normally that's awesome enough, but a married couple were baptised and joined the church!!! Awesome way to spend a Sunday!

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Stella B Designs also had a stellar weekend on Etsy! I think that the $10 beanie sales are a keeper!

I have a new item I'm needing feedback on - it will be up on the Stella B Designs blog soon!

Favorite Things - as posted on Stella B Designs

Butt Freckles.
Yes, you heard me right and No, not those kind of butt freckles.
(Unless, of course, they're on baby bottoms)

However, these butt freckles have nothing almost nothing to do with butts.

You see, not too very long ago, I had no idea what a butt freckle was and as you can imagine, I was very intrigued - (as you probably are right now)- when I first heard "butt freckles". So I immediately followed links and this is what I found...

"What the-?!" I was thinking... just like I'm sure you are, now.

At first, my cynical nature took over and quite ignored the cute fuzziness and big eyeballs that were somewhat appealing. These simply did not make sense. What the heck are butt freckles?!

So, I began reading this deranged person's shop announcements, in which she writes... and I quote...

"I needed a creative outlet to keep my hands busy and my mind fresh. I created these little freckles to meet both of those needs."

Yeah, OK... I can see that, but what ARE butt freckles?

She addresses that, too...

"All freckles are snatched off quickly and with excessive force. They are then taken to a secret lab where they are exposed to radioactive caju dust which causes the freckle to greatly increase in size. After exposure to the dust, the freckle's unique characteristics become easily visible including their very own butt freckle.(a special glass bead sewn on the rear, example shown in last picture)"

Er, excuse me!?! Cuckoo... cuckoo... (can you see the little birdy going in and out)?

And then I may have seen one like this pretty lil gal... She is the Fancy Cake Butt Freckle.

And my heart may have softened a little bit...

So then I probably started looking at more... and I could have started to read the little back stories behind the names.

This is the Einstein Strawberry Butt Freckle
"A strawberry with hair. This sometimes happens in my fridge and I am sharing the results with you ^_^"

And then I giggled - because I may or may not have something in my fridge that looks like that.

You know what that means... I was starting to get hooked.

The Cauliflower Butt Freckle
"This funky nubby veggie is not one of my favorites but it has some darn cute freckles."

Blondes Have More Fun Butt Freckle
No witty story included. *sigh* I always get a bit down when there isn't a story.

And here are a few samples of the freckles that end up on the butts of these cuties. (So I guess it does have something to do with butts afterall.) Still not convinced? That's OK, you don't have to be. The man of the house still isnt'. His main question was... "What do you do with them?"

Funny, she address that, too...

"What to do with your freckle?
- hide it in the medicine closet
- stash it in your child's lunch
- make it pee on your son (thanks MaMeex5)
- throw it at the cat
- set it on your desk
- tag the back of your bro's head
The possibilities are endless!"

I particularly like 4 and 6!

All kidding aside, though... I chose to order a couple of these things because I came to admire the concept as a whole. This woman took something so simple and easy to make and is now selling them like mad! I believe her off-center humor and wit also add to the appeal.

When I first found her she had sold somewhere between 700-800 BFs... Her totals are now up to around 1700! 1700 BF's sold?! You can do the math, but that's a pretty good record for such a "silly" little product.

And for the record, I no longer think the Butt Freckle creator is deranged and/or Cuckoo! I would LOVE to find something so fun to make a sale and be as successful as she has. And honestly, these things bring a smile to my face everytime I see them. I'd say she's close to genius!

I'll share with you two of my favorite Butt Freckles.

The first one I ever bought:

Caramel Butt Freckle
(Because, I, like her, LOVE caramel)
"I don't like chocolate but I love caramel. From the processed cubes to melted topping. This guy is from homemade caramel from my mother in law's cheesecake.YUMMY"

Lemon Curd Butt Freckle
(because it's cute)
"Lemon Curd is great right off the spoon or you can add it to something like bread or scones. My last batch had this hairy freckle at the bottom of the bowl."

If you think you might one day like to buy a Butt Freckle, you can browse through her current and sold inventory by visiting her shop... just click here!