Grace's 11th Birthday ~ A Victorian Tea

Grace had 7 girls over for a Victorian Tea Party to celebrate her 11th birthday.

The table is set...

...dolls were invited too...

...all the girls had a teacup and saucer with their name on it that the got to take home after the party...

...waiting for guests to arrive...

When the girls arrived, they were instructed to pic out a hat to wear.

Then we sat down for tea!

Would you like a scone, dear?
Lovely jam, isn't it?
Here, try some Devonshire cream.
More tea, dahling?
I simply adore these finger sandwiches!

And then on to parlor games...

...like 'Pass the Slipper'...


And then opening presents...

A little dance with Clementine and her bodacious bow...

And pictures with each of her friends...

Sophie

Anna

Peyton

Hannah

Paige

Katrina


Lily
Aren't they lovely??

Some of the beautiful decorations we had...
(Thanks, Trish!)

...and the Birthday Cake!

Lastly, here's my kitchen afterwards... :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Six Months

My Six Month Old!

This baby girl is 6 months old! Isn't that a fun age? She is so very interactive - smiling, babbling, playing with toys, learning, learning, learning. She loves her siblings, loves laughing at them and yelling at them if they aren't paying attention to her. She loves to explore the floor by scooting and rolling, and loves to see the world from the vantage point of her mama's arms.

But she's still very much a baby - nursing, cuddling, sleeping, sweet-smelling and dewey and soft. She sleeps in my arms all night and falls asleep to me nursing and rocking her. She still satisfies my desire for cuddling a small sweet creature. :)

It is so fun to have a girl again. I admit to joyfully choosing her clothes every day and changing them often. I admit to making her wear bows and headbands. I admit to enjoying the oohs and aahs she gets at the doctor's office or grocery store. Yes, she's my little dolly!

Yes, I love this sweet baby girl! I love saying her sweet name and I love her dimples and her smile and the way she watches me walk around the house with adoration and longing in her eyes. I love how happy she gets when I pick her up, how her eyes sparkle and she wiggles and laughs from joy. I love (most of the time!) that she prefers me to anyone else in the world.

These last 6 months have flown - literally flown! - by and having just celebrated Grace's 11th birthday I know how the years will fly by too. All too soon Clementine will be flying farther and farther afield, gaining her independence, and her desire to be near me at all times will fade. That is as it should be! but I will certainly miss these sweet, precious baby months.

I love you sweet, darling Clementine! You are my precious baby girl and I thank God for every moment with you.

Happy Birthday Grace!!

Eleven years ago today, I was at my parent's farm in WI on my baby's due date.
Eleven years ago today, I was helping my little sister get ready for prom.
Eleven years ago today, I finally realized I was in labor and needed to get to the hospital in St. Paul!
Eleven years ago today, I made it to the hospital and was already at a 10.
Eleven years ago today, I had an easy delivery of my first child, 6 pound 7 ounce 19 inch-long Grace Ann.
Eleven years ago today, I couldn't believe how beautiful she was, from the first moment of birth!
Eleven years ago today, I knew I loved my little Grace with all my heart and would forever more.

Babies!

Can't wait to go see this! When my mom emailed me the trailer for this several months ago, Moses and Judah were literally doing the exact same thing as the two little ones in the opening shot. Makes the point, doesn't it, that in some ways babies are the same everywhere in the world!

Recycled Wool Diaper Covers

Wool is a great material for covering cloth diapers. Besides being naturally anti-fungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, easy to care for and durable enough to last through many babies, "wool can maintain three seemingly contradicting qualities simultaneously:"

First, a wool diaper cover is thermal - "it can store water vapour up to 35 per cent of its own dry weight yet it remains dry to touch and speeds up the body's own cooling system." (2) To attest to this fact, wool is most regularly suggested for night-time usage when leaks most often occur in abundance, although certainly can extend to everyday wear. Second, while absorbent, they still remain breathable, allowing for a maximum amount of circulation around baby's bum. This helps prevent diaper rash, but also alleviates the health concerns of trapped heat within a diapering system. Finally, wool contains natural lanolin which creates a natural waterproof barrier or repellancy. (From The Diaper Hyena, Diaper Covers: Why Wool's Cool)

(For more information about the amazing qualities of wool and why to use them in cloth diapering, read "Why Use Wool for Diaper Covers? Wool Science for Cloth Diapering Parents" by Marc Pehkonen!

I've made several wool diaper covers for my babes and love them, especially to prevent leaks at night. By felting, sewing and "lanolizing" old thrift store sweaters, wool covers can be affordable and fun. (Here's one pattern I've used.)

You can find more info on cloth diaper websites and discussion forums!

Here's one of my first attempts on baby Moses:

Richard loves this gray one...

...but I love this newest creation!

She'll be wearing this and a little t-shirt all summer!

Grandma and Grandpa

My parents have been such a wonderful, special part of our kids' lives. I can't even say enough about them! They are about the greatest grandparents you could ever want. Here's some pictures of them with their sweet grandkids:

Grandpa and Grandma with baby Grace

Fishing trip in Canada

Dolls from Grandma!

Motorcycling with Grandpa

A birthday party (sorry about this one, Dad. But it's sweet)

Grandma and Moses

Grandpa with Moses and Grace at their Blessing.

Blessing Grace

With Baby Judah

Judah and Grandpa and the Farm

At the Farm

Grandma with Clementine

Grandma reading to her grandsons (on her lap is my nephew Jesse) at Christmastime.

Celebrating Judah's 2nd birthday!



















Yes, they are wonderful and we are blessed!

One funny thing I wanted to share is what each child has called Grandma and Grandpa.

Grace:
Grandma = Hammah
Grandpa = Bubbah

Moses:
Grandma = Minnah
Grandpa = Biddah

Judah:
Grandma = Eemah
Grandpa = Peepah

I think this is so funny! Grace and Moses eventually learned to say "Grandma" and "Grandpa", and I'm sure Judah will too. But it's been fun hearing each of them come up with their own toddler version. My mom is usually the one to pick up on the names when they first start using them. I wonder what Clementine will say...