It’s been 5 months since I last stopped here. I have been reading some blogs here and there along the way but haven’t had the time or energy to post.

So here’s a quick update on what’s new:

• My two girls are now in school.
• I’m no longer at SAHM.
• I work part-time until January when I go back to work full-time.
• My oldest daughter was recently diagnosed with autism.

I thought I was busy before but I am really busy now. I find myself constantly seeking time to myself…wanting to sew or scrapbook, or even watch a favorite TV show from time to time. Instead, my life is filled with taking care of the girls, taking care of the house, work, researching autism on the internet. Oh, and did I mention being an advocate for my daughter since she is now receiving Special Education services in Kindergarten.

I have a lot to share but it will have to wait.

I can’t believe it’s already the end of October! I’m planning for some sewing projects.  Now I need to find the time to sew!

Be back soon!

I tried my hand at an apron. Not too easy. I used a dishtowel apron tutorial from Obsessively Stitching but made a few changes. The first dishtowel that I tried to use was stretching so much that I scratched that project. I tried with another towel and it came out a lot better. I think next time I’ll use seam binding for the sides.

The dishtowels were from Wal-Mart. I’d like to try this again with a couple of modifications. Overall, I thought it was really cute.

I also tried my hand at the friendship bag. The tutorial is from p.s. i quilt. I love this adorable bag and it’s just the right size for a toddler. I want to make more but it is a little time consuming. I hope to make it bigger so that I can use it as a snack bag. I’m showing it next to my daughter’s Hello Kitty shovel so that you can see how tiny this bag really is.

I hope to do more sewing soon. I just need to find more time. I would love to learn how to make my own quilt but that’s for another day.

Happy Sewing!

The little birdie was altered from a digital kit from Summertime Designs. I tried to match it more to the bird that was on the portfolio that I purchased at Target.  (*Sigh* I wish I got a bunch more of the portfolios because they’re so darn cute.)

Here are some cute manila folder that I also purchased at Target…mostly for myself but I decided to share.

And here are those adorable portfolios. Aren’t they just yummy!

Some pens from Target. I used the small pens for these gifts.

I know it’s hard to see but I added some glitter glue to the eyes and beaks of the birdies.

Here are the compostions books covered with scraps of patterned paper and the little birdies. The flower embellishments are from Die Cuts with a View. They come with glitter already on them.

Here’s a close up of the sewing on the paper pieces and the little embroidered feet. The needle holes look really big in the photo but they weren’t too bad. I guess I could’ve used a smaller needle.

Here are all 3 books with a quote from Elegant Wordart.  (Sorry about the lighting. I took the last few photos the night before I had to give them.)

So, here’s what was included in every gift. I tied a little ribbon to the pens since they had a loop on the top. If I had more time I would’ve somehow (probably a grommet) attached the pens to the composition book with a long piece of ribbon. Oh, a Jamba Juice gift card was also included. I don’t know why I didn’t put it in the photo. I think I was tired. All the goodies went into a cellophane bag sealed with a cute sticker.

I hope you had a chance to thank a teacher!

• I’m not ashamed that I buy clothes at Ross and Target. (Did I mention that I “heart” Target?”)
• I have way to much paper stuff!
• I think it’s funny that someone mentioned that I must be an organized person. Then asked if I have a desk.
• My idea of “ME” time is time to myself to do what I enjoy…scrapbooking, sewing, reading, crafting, watching TV, or napping.
• “Girls Night Out” does not constitute “ME” time in my world.
• It’s so much easier to be friends with someone who has similarities with your life, hobbies, morals, values, and world view. ( I mean similarities NOT exactly the same!”)
• It is MAJOR stress when your child has to have surgery…even if it’s outpatient.
• Why are so many moms all about competition?
• Technology is not always a good thing, esp. when you’re at play group or the children’s museum and the majority of moms are either texting or talking on their phones.
• I am so grateful to have a car and be able to drive it around.
• I am so grateful to have a roof over my head that I can call HOME.
• Looking at pictures of my girls as babies, makes me want to have another baby.
• I need time to choose the pictures I want to use for my Week In The Life Project.
• I am excited that I found baseball card page protectors at Target.
• I’m still trying to find a good way to organize my daughter’s school papers and artwork.
• I really want to get a massage and a manicure.
• I’m thinking abount investing in 10-Minute Trainer by Tony Horton.
• I am disappointed that I let myself gain weight in the last year.
• I really need to make it a point to “invest” in my friendships rather than think they’ll always be around.
• I’m not excited to be going back to work in the Fall, even if it’s on-call/part-time.
• My Baby girls makes me laugh with her silly behavior and sometimes even with her strong-willed nature.
• I loved my daughter’s preschool Mother’s Day activity yesterday. She made me so proud.
• Having my girls has changed me…hopefully for the better.
• I am thinking about a vacation to Disneyland in the next couple years.
• My preschooler made me laugh when she practiced her graduation speech and said she wanted to be a fire fighter when she grows up. ( I think she copied someone else) I tried to remind her that she said she wanted to be a doctor but she insisted on fire fighter.

So, I’ve decided to try my hand at Ali Edward’s Week In The Life Project. I figured that since it is only one week, I may be able to accomplish it. The hardest part is remembering to take pictures. It’s not like you’re at an event or it’s a special occasion. I mean just remembering to take pictures of breakfast or the mail or my chores can seem daunting. Then there’s the writing or at least note taking to keep track of what happened that day. I must say the writing is a little time consuming. I think it would have been easier if I had gotten myself organized ahead of time but I didn’t. Doing this project just happened at the spur of the moment. In fact, I started a day late so for me today (Thursday) is my third day.

Oh, taking pictures of myself is another challenge since I’m usually the one behind the camera.

 Here are 2 pictures from yesterday. Seems mudane but it’s part of the process of capturing your everday life.

Some yummy iced tea in the stroller cup holder. Even Baby wanted to try some.

I usually keep these books in the car to occupy Baby when she’s fussing. But she insisted she wanted to bring them into the house. Then as soon as we get in the house she dumps them of the floor and runs to something else!  (Sorry about the flash…I should’ve turned it off)

Okay, I really do have more stuff to post and share. I just have to make the time to do it. I’ll try and do better. See you all soon.

Please share if you’re participating in the Week in the Life project.

Here is the practice one that I made. It was pretty easy. I had a little trouble with the fabric shifting a little while sewing. I think I didn’t use enough pins. It was also a little touch to top stitch since the fabric as so thick, esp. in the corners. Yes, I did clip my corners.  I just sewed really slowly and used my hand crank. (Is that what it’s called? That wheel that’s on the side of your sewing maching?)

Here is the next one I made. It was for a birthday gift.  I know…I know…my sewing was a little crooked on the right hand edge.

Here it is filled with crayons. I’m loving it. It’s pretty fun to make.

Here is the crayon roll all tied up.  I think I’ll make the ribbon a little longer. I’ve seen some crayon rolls with elastic and button closures. I’ve also seen some variations with velcro. I kind of  like the velcro closure for children to open and close it independently.

I used an 8 pack of crayons for my crayon roll. Most tutorials use 16 packs. But for little ones I felt like 8 was enough. My Baby is always losing her crayons so I thought sticking to less means less to handle for them and less to find for us parents.

The crayon roll went with a little drawing pad and some other goodies as part of a birthday present for Baby’s BFF.

I have a bunch more crayon rolls to make. The other one I made I used ric rac on the edge. That wasn’t quite as easy. I’ll post those pics later. Other than that, it’s a pretty simple and fun sewing project.

I’m off now since I hear Baby fussing in her crib…calling “Mommy down!”

Here are some pictures from Valentine’s Day. Princess took Rice Krispie treats to school for her friends. The teachers got Cake Sandwich Cookies with cream cheese filling.

I colored the marshmallows with red food coloring. One batch a really pale pink and the other batch a darker pink.

Each child’s bag contained 1 light  pink heart and 1 darker pink heart and a sticker.

Here are the teacher’s treats. I’ve made these before. The recipe is from Bakerella.

So we decided to have some fun. Baby enjoyed making “faces” with the stickers.

I also wanted to share some goodies that my cousin got me from Trader Joes. You know how much I enjoy the gingerbread latte from Starbucks. 

 I got this from her.

 The gingerbread cocoa was a delicious.

I have a van.

Sadly, my car is out of commission. It’s in the service department getting reparied. A  couple of months ago, during a service appointment, we found out that there was a leak from somewhere. Since the van is still under warranty, we definitely wanted it fixed. We took it in for a repair appointment about a month ago. Unfortunately, they were unable to find the leak so we were asked to make another appointment because they needed to remove the whole trasmission to find the leak.

Translation – It will take more than 1 day to repair your van.

Today I receive a phone call from the service department informing me that the car will be in repair for at least 1 more day. What’s taking so long? Well, they did find the leak.

Now, it’s just the warranty that’s the problem. Well, it’s the warranty department that is. We have to wait and see if the warranty department will cover a new transmission or if we are only allowed to get a refurbished/rebuilt transmission.

Okay, am I the only one wondering what the problem is with that?

We purchased the van a mere 6 months ago. Now, there’s a leak that requires us to get another transmission. The problem was NOT caused by us.

Hmmm….shouldn’t we be able to get a NEW transmission?

Frankly, I can’t even believe there’s a questions as to whether the warranty covers a new transmission. I mean really, why do they even offer warranties? It’s almost a joke!

Wondering what company I’m talking about?  Take a guess.

P.S. I’ll let you know after we find out if we qualify for a new transmission or not. I may have more to say.

You would think I had a newborn in the house…no I don’t.  It’s just my Baby. I’m referring to my toddler who refuses to sleep on her own.

For the past week, she has decided that she does not want to sleep without her mommy. Sometimes, even her daddy. This isn’t the first time this has happened. In fact, about a month ago, we went through this same thing for almost 2 weeks.

Baby is a good sleeper for the most part. We have a routine for naptime and bedtime. After I read her favorite book, I put her down in her crib and tell her I love her and I say goodnight. Then I leave the room. She is awake when I leave the room and she puts herself to sleep.

Often when I tell people about her sleeping habits, they’re amazed that she can sleep on her own. I was always happy and grateful for that.

Now, I am utterly exhausted and frustrated. I am literally at my wit’s end about what to do and how to handle it.

This is her usual routine now. We still do our same naptime and bedtime routine except that when I put her down in her crib she starts crying and stands up. I still tell her I love her and goodnight then I leave the room. She then continues to cry after I leave. The crying escalates to screams. She calls me and her daddy. She asks us to take her down from her crib. This usually goes on for at least 30 minutes. She may quiet down for a little while, maybe 5 minutes. Then it starts again.

In fact right now, she is crying and screaming, “mommy and daddy”! She has been crying for the last 45 minutes or so. Today she fell asleep on the way home from the store. I put her down in the crib while she was partially awake. (She woke up when I took her out of the car seat). After about an hour, she woke up screaming and crying for me.

So, this may not seem strange but her usual naptime lasts 2-3 hours. Not too mention that she only had a 15 minute nap yesterday because of all this crying and screaming. Last night, she had an interrupted sleep due to her crying and screaming episode that happened about 3 hours into her sleep.

I’ve tried so many things but all have seemed to fail. I guess maybe I should keep a sleep log which I haven’t done. I have tried other techniques from  Dr. Weissbluth’s book, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child”.

So now what should I do?

• Keep a sleep log
• Reread “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child”, especially the chapter pertinent to my child’s age
• Search the internet for helpful advice
• Be patient, persistent, and consistent
• Pray often!

I think that hardest part will be having patience. With my second child, I seem to be less patient. Maybe it’s because Baby is so different than Princess when it comes to sleep issues. I know people say you shouldn’t compare but it’s so hard since my frame of reference is from my sleep training experience with Princess. Then I again, I have to attribute some of my impatience with my age. I mean now that I’m older (remember closer to 1/2 a century than not) I can’t tolerate lack of sleep as much as I could when I only had 1 child.

So, what’s a middleaged mom to do?

PRAY!