Proud Mama

It doesn't take terribly much to make me proud of my children, mostly because I'm proud of them all the time. But there are times when my heart beams with joy. Today is one if those days. 

We have been struggling with Joshua and his reading and writing. Since starting this new school year (July 1, 2013) he has just grown by leaps and bounds. He has made 100 on each week of his spelling tests. Then came today.

I purchased these journals to use with our Science. 

Today I asked Joshua to get his journal because we needed to get caught up with writing words to go with his pictures. He told me "Look, Mommy. I already used these letters and wrote the words."

At first I saw gobbledygook, then I saw it:

It's "Box Turtle"...

And "Hummingbird"

"Cat on the van"

"Squirrel"

"Bear"

And finally, "Magnifying Glass."

He drew most of those pictures without any supervision (the turtle and hummingbird were part of a yet-to-be published Science lesson), and all of the words were written unbeknownst to Joe, my father, or myself.

I'm so proud! He has come so far just in the last 5 weeks and I can't wait to see him bloom & grow more. 

Wool

I LOVE wool for cloth diapering. I got quite a bit of knitting done while I was pregnant. Here are some of the Princess's woolies

Purchased online. Knitted by LaurelLove using the Molly Bubble Romper, on Mosaic Moon Autumn Custom with Violet trim on Merino 3ply, size NB

Knitted by me on Patons Classic Heather Jade in left and custom dyed by me in right. Pattern is variations Sheepy Skirt, size NB.

Custom dyed by me diapers and top to match skirtie.

NB/Small set purchased online in the Iced Giraffe color way. 

NB dress & bloomers set knitted by me using the Molly Bubble Romper pattern and Bloomies pattern by Mandie Harrington of Sheepytime Knits. Cream is undyed Mountain Meadow Worsted (from a co-op) and colored is Manos de Uraguay Maxima purchased at Fiber & Friends in Asheville, NC

Newborn sleep sack knitted by me using the Sheepytime Knits Sheepy Sack pattern, Mountain Meadow Worsted undyed and scraps of purple cotton.

Slippers knitted by me in Mountain Meadow undyed worsted.

Julianne at the hospital in her mama knitted dress

At the Children's Museum of the low country wearing her Mosaic Moon dress

Lobbies I received in trade. Unknown knitter/vase/colorway. Christmas-like colorway and mama dyed top

X&Os NB lobbies purchased online. Cream trim and Purple colorway. Unknown knitter/base/colorway

Above Longview with mama dyed top

Top from above with mama knitted skirtie in Manos de Uraguay Maxima. The leftovers went to the trim on the top above.

Mama knitted & dyed set. Patons base, Molly Bubble Romper and Bloomies patterns used. 3-6m size

Christmas longies with a different top to match- Carter's

Christmas Eve in her Christmas longies and embroidered top.

Iced Giraffe longies set with a Carter's top

Mosaic Moon Ravenswood colorway (possibly Gaia) Gymboree top

From L-r, T-B- Purple XOs, purple Lovebums, wooly bottoms up cycled with embroidery, Woolybottoms with ferries, MM Ravenswood, Cream Stacinatir, Bloomies, NB peach colored longies, Green soaker, cream Aristocat soaker.

Woollybottoms Upcycled with embroidery & Carter's top

Mama knit Patib's Jade Heather & Gymboree top

Mosaic Moon Tangled colorway (left bottom yarn) Ravenswood center and MM Birthday girl on right.

Mosaic Moon Anwens Gown on Gaia, Size 2t, matching cabled longies. Unknown knitter

At the Great Cloth Diaper Change wearing her MM Ravenswood and Gymboree

Princess Julianne

Wow! It's been quite sometime since I blogged!! I also don't use my computer much and just found this handy-dandy iPhone App to use. I'm now blogging while nursing the baby to sleep!

Last November, we welcomed Princess Julianne to our family! She weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 9oz and was born after 9:30am. 

Here I am at 5 something in the morning about to leave to go to the hospital. 

 

Nursing on the operating room table!

 Proud Daddy!!

First morning!! She sleeps only beside me. No bassinet, cradle, crib, etc! Even in the hospital.

First Goodmana diaper

Going Home

Princess D's Epic Newborn Stash!

(L-R, Top Row)Mojito*,Ocean, Lime, Burnt Orange, Sunflower, Bahama Blue (L-R Middle Row)Auburn*, Plum*, Salmon*, Cotton Candy*, Melon*, Tiffany Blue* (L-R Bottom Row) Amber*, Periwinkle*, Violet, Lavender*, Tulip Red, Flamingo

Bahama Blue - dyed originally for John-Michael

Tiffany Blue* I LOVE this color, and love Tiffany & Co!! The knit skirty is handknit by me and the longies set is colorway Iced Giraffe

Tulip Red and a Muttaqin Baby Newborn fitted in Baby Nay's Pink Dotted Elephant

Flamingo with unknown flannel fitted

Salmon*, I had to use the flash so you can see the color differences. NB longies of unknown colorway.

Lavender*, with a Goodmama Newborn Sakura Tea fitted in a Baby Nay print

Violet

Periwinkle*

Cotton Candy*

Burnt Orange - orginaly dyed for John-Michael. This color is either no longer available or is called "Goldfish" now.

Plum*

Sunflower - originally dyed for John-Michael. Handmade chick diapers by me.

Melon*

Auburn* - Skirty is hand dyed and hand knit by me.

Lime - Originally dyed for John-Michael. Color is no longer made by Dylon. Fitted made by me.

Ocean - originally dyed for John-Michael. Sailboat fitted made by me.

Mojito* shown with a fitted made in Baby Nay's Lemon Lime

Amber* - shown with longies set in Iced Giraffe

Dress in Mosaic Moon's Autumn Custom with Violet trim on what I believe is Cestari wool. Shown all the diapers I can't wait to pair with it! The * denotes colors I created with various dyes. If there is no star then the color name is given from the package of Dylon dye. I have had such a great time nesting for this baby and creating all these beautiful diaper sets!!