And the Baby Gets Big: Five Months Edition

Since it's leap year Magnolia had her five-month birthday today; otherwise she would have stayed one day shy of five months old forever and all my wishes would come true. Seriously, can we press the slow-motion button on this baby? The other night I was giving her a bath and I started bawling hysterically because she was sitting up like a big girl and I was forced to reflect again on how time is flying by at tragic speeds.

I love this time of Nolie's babyhood. She is still cuddly and dependent and little, but she's learning so much and her sweet personality is developing more and more every day. She's an absolute darling. Here are some facts about five-month-old Magnolia:

She likes to help Mommy with the laundry. (Not really. She just whines when I leave her to "attempt" to get things done around the house. So I brought her with me and set her in the basket of laundry fresh from the drier while I put another load in. She liked it.

She is still a naughty thing and likes to stay up late and play instead of going to bed. We abandoned sleep training after a few nights. I just felt like she was still too little at four months, and she's not a big crier, so to let her cry hysterically didn't feel right at all. She's been doing much better though, and will usually go to bed around 9:00 or 10:00 (as opposed to midnight or later that she was pulling before), but we have some bad nights. Like right now incidentally. I got her to go to sleep three times this evening but stay asleep she will not. I think if things are still really irregular or not improving by the time she turns six months, we may give sleep training another go.

She loves story time and playing with her books. I really need to stop buying them for her, but it's a weakness. The most recent addition to our collection is the adorable Babylit Pride and Prejudice. I FREAKED when I found it. It's simply the darlingest thing I ever did see.

She really does love all of her little books. She cries if I take them away and she loves to hold them and stare at them and also try to eat them. It warms my heart. I hope her love develops and stays with her always.

She still loves bath time, especially now that she can sit up and play. She will hardly even let me lay her down to wash her hair anymore.

She loves to laugh, and her daddy is especially good at making her giggle.

Nolie likes rice cereal and apples, LOVES sweet potatoes, and did not enjoy peas in the slightest, but ate them dutifully nevertheless. We are slowing down on the solids though because they are giving her some troubles. No allergies, they are just a bit overwhelming for her little tummy.

Magnolie has learned to give KISSES! Be still my heart. She usually will only give them to me and sometimes Rob, but her auntie has managed to steal a few too. (You probably don't want one though, as they are quite open-mouthed at this stage.)

She also loves to grab our faces, which I also think is delightful.

She loves to run errands with me. She makes quite the fuss if she's bored; so I know when it's time to get out of the house.

She loves textiles. She loves to grab and rub different blankets, fabrics, etc. She also loves plastic and crinkly things.

Aaaaaannd to sum up, Magnolia is pretty much awesome in every way. I wouldn't change a thing about her.

Oh we just adore our baby girl. I can't believe she's only been here for five months; I can't imagine how we ever lived without her.

Sew Much to do, Sew Little Time

Last weekend I took a short sojourn up to my favorite quilt shop/fabric store/magical haven of creativity. It's called Suppose, and if you should ever find yourself in Preston, Idaho, you simply must stop by. I know right? Preston, Idaho. I was surprised too. (No offense, Preston, Idaho, but you're pretty much a tiny little town out of yesteryear and I never expected to find such an incredible hipster crafty place on your very old and very un-modern main street.)

Anyway, I went to Suppose and after meandering about the tiny place that is packed with only the prettiest and darlingest and most whimsical creations and textiles and patterns, I of course wanted to buy everything, but even more than that, I left with an intense need to create. If you've never been, and you have any creative inclinations or wishes at all, you should go to Suppose. All that prettiness can't not inspire you. And it's really, really cool place. Everything is modern and quirky and totally not old-ladyish at all, and they play killer good music like Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. It's a store that totally represents and embraces the awesome fact that making quilts and embroidery samples and handmade toys is super hip right now.

So, since I paid that little visit, I've found a renewed zeal for craftiness that is making me wish I had a little more time on my hands. I always assumed that after I became a stay-at-home mama that I'd have gads of time, what with naps and early bed times and all. Not so. But Magnolia's been doing a little bit better with sleeping in the last weekish, so I'm trying to squeeze in some creative time in between playing with her and trying ("trying") to keep up with dishes and laundry. Here are some things I'm working on or planning to undertake soon:

I've cut all the fabric for the top of my queen-sized (yikes!) new year's resolution quilt and plan to lay it out this weekend. Then in ten years it might be done.

I've been making about a bazillion baby headbands, both for Nolie and as gifts for a few other girl babes. I've been buying miles of elastic (it's SO cheap!) from this fabulous Etsy seller and don't even worry about it, I probably have like every color in the world.

Today Nolers and I had ourselves a case of the cabin fever, so we took a little jaunt to the Hob Lob and wandered around for a good while. I bought embroidery floss spools (cause all of my floss is currently floating around in a random drawer and tangling into knots no boy scout could ever untangle.) and some other random things, and of course I had to get this seersucker fabric (I had a coupon, after all) to make Magnolia a skirt or dress for this summer. Does she need one? No. She's got a bazillion skirts and dresses for this summer. But come on. SEERSUCKER. I'll be getting to that one soon. I'm thinking something ruffly. Only I'm rubbish at making clothes, so hopefully it'll turn out to be not a disaster.

Speaking of making clothes, I altered a pair of boot cut jeans into skinnies today. I love the wash and the fit of them, but I never wore them. And tragically my favorite skinnies are on their way out of this world due to the fact that I wore the crap out of them. So I needs more skinnies, but gots no monies. It was pretty quick and easy, although I used jean thread (also purchased at the Hob Lob) and that stuff doesn't mess around. It nearly beat my poor little sewing machine to a bloody pulp. But all's well that ends well and I gots me some old-new skinny jeans.

I am anxiously awaiting these two darling books of patterns to come to me by mail. I saw them at Suppose and had a literal meltdown in the store and it's not a big place so everyone heard/saw me. They are all fabric/crafting nerds too though, so they didn't judge, they seemed pretty happy that I was freaking out over the cuteness of the stuff in these books. I would have bought them right then and there but they were quite costly, and so I went home and found them on Amazon for more than half off. (I'm really sorry Suppose, I'm all about supporting local business, but I'm also really poor. Plus we both know I've spent unspeakable amounts on fabric from you, and I'll do it again.) But anyway, one is a book of baby quilts and I bought it for one quilt alone, which has an elephant on it and is the be-all-end-all of cuteness. The other is a book of doll and toy patterns and every single one of them is absolutely squeal inducing. I've been wanting to make Nolie her first dolly for awhile but hadn't found a good pattern, and there are tons of supa cute ones in this book, so I'm pretty excited. I'm especially excited because they're coming in the mail, and who doesn't love getting lovely packages?

I'm also working on my new year's resolution crochet chevron throw. I started it in Colorado, but had to start over after I'd done almost ten rows (GRRRRR!!!!), so we're a bit behind on that one. Also, it was supposed to be for Rob, but even though I increased the pattern to make it bigger, it's...not big. Like, we're talking baby sized. So maybe I will save it for my possible future son? (Not an announcement, by the way.)

Aaaand there is a hand embroidery class at Suppose next month that I really, really want to take. I love to embroider, but I don't really know anything and I've just been winging it all these years, so it'd be nice to be legit. I dunno if I'll take it, because it's a bit of a drive and I dunno if I can bring Nolie or leave her for that long, but it's an awfully tantalizing prospect.

So yeah. I may have gone and, how you say, bitten off more than I can chew? But it's been really fun to be so busy with all of this stuff, and to have projects to look forward to. I was constantly working on projects when we were expecting Magnolia, and with her arrival and the holidays I had a pretty lengthy break from doing anything major, so I've enjoyed getting back into things and making a huge mess at our kitchen table, which, who are we kidding here, is really my craft table since we never eat at it and it's the permanent home of my sewing machine.

Let's just hope I keep up the enthusiasm. I guess if I lose it then I know it's time for another trip to Suppose.

And for good measure, how cute, right?

Hungry Hungry Hungry Girl

Lately Magnolia has been absolutely transfixed with food. She stares at everything we eat or drink and looks at us like "Hello, what is your problem? Gimme some of that now." So her Gee Gee got her some little spoons and bowls for her Valentines present and today I went and got her a box of rice cereal and we decided to give it a whirl.

She's like, "What? This is not pizza."

We got her all ready and Rob was so excited to feed her for the first time. Unfortunately Nolie was too distracted by her cute new bib and wouldn't pay any attention to her food.

Then we got distracted by her incredible cuteness.

Finally we got down to business.

But then she just wanted to grab it.

So we had to hold her hands down. Which she thought was pretty funny.

Then she tried to eat the bowl.

And finally (hooray!), she took a few bites.

But then she went back to the bib.

So, since she was hungry and we didn't want the milk to go to waste, we threw it in a bottle and Rob gave it to her that way (her first bottle ever!). I know you're not supposed to do that, and it was only a one-time thing, so the Parent Police need not be all up in my business. I think she'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

I can't believe how big my baby girl is getting. Before I know it she really will be eating pizza.

Such Silliness

So tonight Magnolia was playing on her little play mat while I was doing something and all the sudden she started to laugh. I looked over at her and her little play rings were covering her face. I thought it was so cute that it made her laugh, and then when I looked closer, this is what I found:

There's a mirror that hangs from her play mat; apparently she wanted to see how she would look as a bespectacled baby. Oh Nolie. Your adorableness warms the cockles of my heart.

Four Whole Months (and then some, since this is a little late)

Four Month Old Magnolia:

- Has discovered the fascinating wonder that is her feet. She's always grabbing them.

- Laughs when we hold her up high over our heads, or sometimes when we change her clothes.

- Loves to stick her tongue out. Sometimes over and over again, which is hilarious. She even blows raspberries sometimes.

- Loves to yell and talk in funny voices (that's what she's doing in this picture).

- Sits up almost all by herself.

- Loves to sit with Mama in the kitchen while she cooks dinner.

- Has the sweetest baby mohawk.

- Had her four-month appointment and shots. She did a little better this time, and I'm proud to say I didn't cry.

- Weighs in the 72% and is 98% for length.

- Is currently being sleep-trained. (A BRIEF note on this: I didn't want to have to try the whole crying-it-out thing, but her doctor strongly recommended it. I've tried alternative methods to get her to go to bed on her own but it's not happening, and if we don't correct some bad sleep habits now, I think Magnolia and I will soon be nocturnal, and she will likely still be sleeping in my bed when she's 13 years old. We're doing a modified version of crying it out; we don't like the idea of letting her keep crying until she gives up, so we go in often and pat her and wipe her tears and reassure her that it's okay and we love her. We're currently on the third night, and while it's torturous for me to hear her cry, since she's not a big crier in general, it seems to be getting a little better each night. It also seems to be helping her to nap better, which will make life way easier for all of us.

- Loves grabbing and holding and eating her little toys. Sophie the Giraffe, Owlie, her little Ikea rattles, and her play mat are her favorites.

- Is ready to start eating solid foods! I was going to wait a month or maybe two, but the doctor said that since she sits up so well we could start any time, especially if she seems interested in food. She's been staring at everything we eat for the last couple days, so as soon as I buy some baby spoons and baby bowls and a box of cereal, I think we're going to give it a whirl.

- Wears 6 month clothes in jammies and pants, but still fits into 3 months for shirts.

- Is a happy, sweet, smiley, beautiful baby girl. We are constantly amazed by her and thinks she just gets cuter and more delightful every single day.

Girls' Week Out

I have been MIA on here for a bit because Magnolia and I were busy having ourselves a grand adventure. My dear friend Sammy invited us to come stay with her and sweet little Violet for a week in Colorado. They moved to Highlands Ranch a few months ago and we have been missing them something fierce here in Logan, so it was so great to spend the week hanging out, going shopping, eating delicious food, and gabbing the days away, just like we used to do when we were neighbors.

I even got to be there to celebrate Sammy's birthday with them. Erik drove with us into downtown Denver and it was a really cool city. We walked through the chilly streets, got some caramel apple ciders from Starbucks, and paid a long and lovely visit to H&M. I had a gift card from Christmas so I got a few cute things for Miss Nolie and even something for myself.

Violet LOVED Nolie; she wanted to be near her at all times. She'd come right up to her and say "No? No?" and it was just so cute. She loved picking up Nolie's blankets and toys and all her little things and she would bring them to her. Nolie would just stare up at her and smile; they were so sweet. Violet is going to adore her baby sister who is coming in a few months!

Here we were on another shopping adventure to the outlets. Violet was such a nice girl and let Magnolia use her stroller, and lots of her old baby things while we were visiting. She was so nice to share and she never got jealous; she just thought it was so fun to have a baby around.

This is how she would give Nolie loves. She'd lay her head on her and say "Awwwwww." It was hilarious. I wish I had gotten some better pictures of them because it was so cute.

Here' s a cute picture of Nolie for fun. Also, those stripety orange flats I'm wearing were another little purchase I made whilst there. I haven't really bought anything for myself since Nolie was born, so it was fun to get a few things.

Thanks so very much to the Obergs for letting us stay! It was such a great and relaxing week and the company was fabulous! We miss you already!

Miss Magnolia was such an incredible traveler. I was nervous at first, but she was good as gold. On the way there I was pretty flustered and Nolie had a really bad cold so she was kind of fussy while we were waiting to get on the plane. I wanted to get some pictures of her first flying experience, but between her fussiness, plus making sure she was changed and fed before we boarded, I didn't get any. But I did manage to snap these ones on the return flight, which was much more relaxed:



Nolie was PERFECT on both flights. Both times the person sitting next to me was all rude because they thought she was going to cry and be annoying. Seriously, they were way rude. The first one was an old guy and he was like, "Are you nervous, because babies can tell when their parents are nervous, and then they get upset." and also "Babies don't like flying because the altitude change hurts their ears." He said all of this in a pretty mean and grumpy voice. But Nolie barely made a peep and so then he decided pretty quickly that he loved us and was super nice instead of super rude as he had previously been. He even gave me his free TV privileges because he was a frequent plus flier or whatever. And he handed me my diaper bag and helped me when it was time to get off. Also, he gave me lots of weird and really irrelevant advice about babies and talked about his son who's like 30. Weird and irrelevant, but strangely sweet nonetheless.

And on the way back there was this mean lady who was like "Wow, some on flight entertainment," in a quite rude tone when she saw Nolie. Then she kindly informed me that babies get upset because the altitude change hurts their ears. I don't know why everyone thinks it's effective to point this out. I also don't know why they've got to be rude to someone just because they have a small baby. People with babies gotta travel too. And that lady had to eat her mean words because Nolie did NOT get upset or act naughty or interrupt that lady's word searches in any way. And she herself admitted that she hardly knew that a baby was next to her at all. So take that.

Anyway, after our travels came to an end, Magnolia and I were both pretty happy to see one person in particular...

Daddy!!!