Finally finished the wrap dresses for Hadley and Harper (with help from my mom and her sewing machine on the buttonholes--thanks, Mom!). The one on the left is the back view, and the one of the right is the front view. They are a size 2, but I think the pattern runs a bit small. I hope they can wear them this summer and next summer, too. They turned out cute, but I'm not letting anyone inspect them too closely for flaws and my sewing technique! heehee

My mom brought over a huge stack of clothes (all but one item she made herself) that my sister and I wore when we were little (back in the early 1970s).

We tried them on Harper and Hadley and took pictures of their modeling efforts. I don't think they enjoyed all the wardrobe changes, but Mom and I had a good time looking at the clothes on little girls running all over the place! Well, okay, they WERE in the cage, but they ran all over the cage... .

I took a side-trip in my sewing to make three "tie-totes" that I found on Betz White's blog site. (This, by the way, is why NOTHING ever gets done on time when I'm working on a sewing project--distractions!) They turned out cute if I say so myself! I even remembered to take a picture for the blog post...I'm getting too organized, must be time for bed!

I have been working on a sewing project for a few days (well, weeks, but who's counting?). I am making the girls matching wrap-dresses with bloomer pants (they are green jumping frog print on a pink background with green lining inside).

I have decided I haven't sewed in a LONG time. I had forgotten how to pin correctly. I had forgotten how to thread the sewing machine...thanks, Mom, by the way!

I am 90% done with the outfits (pictures to follow, I promise!), and I am unsure if I'm going to keep up the sewing projects. I think the outfits have ended up costing more than just buying cute matching outfits at Kohl's or JC Penney. My time invested in them adds a whole other layer to the cost-analysis.

I wanted to make them those cute "pillowcase" dresses everyone is posting on Etsy...we'll see... .

So, we're riding in the van and hear a voice from the back-back saying, "Mom, did you take Paxil?" I said no and asked why he (a 5-year-old) wanted to know. He responded by quoting almost verbatim the entire lawsuit commercial for women who took Paxil while pregnant and had a baby who either died or suffered from heart/birth defects. It's crazy what kids choose to deem important enough to put to memory!

It's hard to get a break from being a wife and mother. I won't lie, I enjoyed my days of no worries. No laundry, no dishes, no whining, no diapers, no baths, just me. A bit lonely at times, but I was usually busy enough with class and assignments to not be too concerned about home.

Stepping back into my old shoes (wife, mother, hiney-wiper, etc.) has been an adjustment. I guess I won't get another three-week break like that for many years to come. My only regret? I didn't take ANY pictures while I was in summer school of my new friends and living quarters. My husband didn't take any of the kids while I was gone either. Guess that's just a chunk in time to remember in my head. Hmmm... .

I haven't seen my family since June 7th, and it's getting to me. I don't miss the daily housekeeping, laundry, and diaper changes, but I do miss the smiles, hugs, and songs they sing to me. Sending a hug and kiss their way!

Took the girls to their well-baby checkups for 18 months old today. Harper weighed 19 lbs. 14 ounces; Hadley weighed 19 lbs. 11.5 ounces. They each had to get two immunization shots, but we are done with immunizations until they are four! Woohoo! They are very tiny and petite for their age, but otherwise they are healthy and happy. What a relief--we have two normal 18-month-old daughters!

I woke up this morning to the girls just laughing their heads off! They were tickling each other and laughing so hard. There's something I'll miss next week!

I'm going to miss almost all of Hunt's t-ball games this summer. I will catch the last two the last week of June. What else am I going to miss when I'm at school? Hadley's next tooth that JUST WON'T come through? Harper's next song she likes to sing? Oh, this is going to be a tough three weeks for mommy!

Both Harper and Hadley are really starting to put words together. It's starting to make sense, and I can understand it!!! It always amazes me when babies learn to talk! Some of the latest phrases:
-Hunter's shoes (and they WERE his shoes)
-hat! go outside! (they know they have to wear a hat to go outside, so they want a hat on)
-who is it? (when someone comes in the front door)
-Hello? (when talking on the play phone they have)
-drink sippy (sippy cup with milk in it)
-I have poop (and unfortunately for me, she did! They also have a "baby sign" to go with this one)

Hunter has assured me he will never become a dad. When asked why, he replied that he wasn't going to be a dad because he was never going to move to a different house. He's staying with his parents forever. I'm going to remind him of this when he's a teenager and hates us, our rules, and his present life. Right now, I'm just going to hug him and tell him he can stay for as long as he wants to!

My sick little boy (who's 5) was shrieking, "I need to wash my hands! I need to wash my hands!" When I finally got him to calm down enough to hear me ask why, he yelled, "Dad told me I have to wash my hands to get off the germs so I won't be sick. I don't want to throw up any more, so I HAVE to wash my hands!" He truly still believes that if I'd just let him wash his hands, he'd stop vomiting and be well...oh, so sad. My poor, sick baby boy!

Harper and Hadley are officially graduated out of the SoonerStart program! They are no longer considered "delayed" or developmentally behind. What a relief! They are both doing most things at 18 months (and they turn 18 months old tomorrow), so they have definitely caught up and progressed.

Hadley said "clean dipey" which is what I say when we're getting on clean diapers each day (I actually have a song...don't ask!). Harper said "my puppy" yesterday (and it wasn't her puppy, it was Hunter's). I can't believe how all of a sudden they're talking! They do Baby Signs for a few things, but now I think they're talking more than signing.

Harper got two more teeth, and Hadley's trying to get hers to work their way through. Then they'll both have 12 teeth. Just as they're getting their teeth IN, Hunter is going to start losing his. I dread the "loose tooth" stage! Teeth just gross me out! I think my idea of Hell is something involving me and other peoples' teeth!!!

Hunter is still very anxious about Big Nick coming down the street in the parade (in four days). I wonder if we're even going to get him out of the house! Prayers requested!

I gave my presentation yesterday in Young Adult Literature--the semester's officially over! Summer school starts June 1, and I have to be in Ada May 31st...that's coming up soon (I'm dreading that more than the teeth issue!). Hopefully it's a smooth three weeks for my whole family!

Here is the costume that frightens the be-jeezus out of Hunter! I finally found a picture of him, and maybe if he looks at it, it will de-sensitize him. I sure hope so! This is an 11-foot tall walk-around costume (a full-grown adult looks out the front from a mesh area near the "NICK" name). It's huge and walks with a lumbering step (because the knees don't bend). The arms are either straight down (as in the picture) or can be bent straight out (think Frankenstein!). Many children in our community are afraid of him, but most think he's great...hoping to join the latter group one of these days!

I'm trying to get everything ready to have a garage sale in a couple of weeks. I love going to garage sales, but I dread (with a big capital D) having them! I can't stand people who grab up a bunch of stuff and ask to make a deal on all of it...I put a price on it for a reason! I'm not a bargain-maker (my husband is, though), and I just want to sell it at the fair price I've already assigned to that item (I mean, come on, 25 cents is already cheap!). So, I'm pinning all the little tiny outfits together (oh, how can I get rid of those tiny little clothes Harper and Hadley wore last summer?), and stacking up stuff we no longer use (how can I sell all the things with memories attached?). I'm such a pack-rat--what a disaster!

I'll put it all out on display. It will look so nice and organized until the first rush of bargain-hunters pours in...then, I'm mad again--look at the mess they've made of my size- and season- categorized baby clothes!

Hunter will cry when we sell his toys (that he no longer likes or plays with, but LOVES when he sees them for sale). I'll declare I'm NEVER having another garage sale ever again. Until next summer when the stuff gathers and the clothes pile up...Phil will talk me into another one. *sigh* I still hate having garage sales!

Hunter is very worried that since May comes after April, and Mommy is leaving in May (for a three-week summer school event), that Mommy is leaving any day now! I'm having a hard time convincing him that May 31st is not for a while...not too easy for a new five-year-old to grasp!

He's got a pathological fear of an inflatable (larger-than-lifesize) fireman named "Big Nick." He is on a float in the annual Pioneer Days parade (riding on the lead fire engine, no less). I've already had to promise him that he and I will go into Dollar General until Big Nick passes by...then we'll go back outside to grab up some candy and treats! Anyone have suggestions on helping with pathological fears??? I'm out of things to try! *sigh*

The girls are now 17 months old--and into everything! They're growing out of the 12 month clothes (which is good because most of their summer wardrobe is 18 month size).

I'm working on getting my masters degree in education with a library media specialty. I'm done about a year from now (after I make it through the summer program living in the dorms again for three weeks).

I just heard my old classroom from last year will be vacant again (I would love to go back to work, but who would watch the kids, pay for their medical insurance, and have enough energy to play with them in the evenings?). I wonder who'll be there in the fall...

Here's a video from back before the girls were born until they were about six months old. Such precious angels, and we got to keep both of them! After such a crazy roller coaster ride of a pregnancy, we weren't sure if we'd come home with even one. God is good!