Future Jack or Chloe

Zebras are tasty!

2011-11-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

Being small and unaware of inappropriate ideas Chloe sometimes says thing that verge on serial killer.

Chloe -Daddy do people eat zebras?
Daddy - No Chloe, people don't usually eat zebras.
Chloe - Well, if you killed a zebra, and shaved off all it's fur and cut up into pieces and cooked it...
It would be delicious!

At this point I stared pointedly at Karl and said to Chloe
"Where did you get that idea?"

We've decided to blame Little House Books and PBS.

Halloween

2011-11-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun doing our Jack-o'Lanterns this year. Thanks to Sid the Science Kid Chloe is worried/fascinated by the idea of Frances (her pumpkin's name) decaying.

As we were leaving the house to go trick or treating I noticed a fellow Halloweenie coming round the corner. I went in to get some candy for them. The nice lady asked if Chloe was a Roller Derby Girl because she was also a Roller Derby Girl!!! One of our very own Demolition City Roller Derby Girls!

Hooray for Halloween!

Little Miss Firecracker

2011-10-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Eeek! a mouse...

2011-09-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

Because Chloe uses our computer quite a bit we bought a smaller, more child friendly mouse for her to use. Apparently it takes a little getting used to. She came into the bedroom where I was reading and said:
"Mom, the mouse is stretching me out!"
Mommy - "Why baby?" (and yes, lips were twitching from trying not to laugh)
Chloe - "Because it's making me a little crazy!"
(More lip twitching from Mommy)
She then cups her hand around an imaginary mouse and moves it back and forth perfectly pantomiming controlling a mouse. Then she points off to the right of the imaginary computer screen and says in a slightly frantic voice:
"And the mouse stays right there!"

Fortunately Daddy was in the front room and I sent her off to have him fix the mouse that was "stretching" her out and I could laugh without hurting her feelings.

Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum!

2011-09-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

Chloe-I'm gonna have to disappear that giant!"
Daddy -"To the woods?"
(Chloe often plays magician and makes things and us disappear to the woods. She always makes them [and us] undisappear when she's done.)
Chloe-"I'm going to disappear him to jail!"
Daddy-"To jail? Why?"
Chloe-"He's bad."
Daddy-"Bad? Why?"
Chloe-"'Cause he gave me a heart attack and you are not supposed to give little girls heart attacks!"

My herbivore wants a hamburger...

2011-09-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

Mommy-"What are you doing Chloe?"
Chloe-"I'm feeding my giraffe. she mostly eats meat...and candy as a snack"
long pause
Chloe-"She likes to mostly eat mice and other insects...Are mice insects?"
Daddy-"No"
Chloe-"Are they bugs?"
Daddy-"No, they are small animals called rodents."
Chloe-"Well she mostly likes to eat dead mice. So I give her dead mice and say 'Eat your dead mice!' and she eats them."

Later on
Chloe-"I have to take my giraffe to the hospital."
...
Chloe-"The doctor says my giraffe needs to rest up"
Mommy-"Why?"
Chloe-"She's not feeling well...she ate too much"
Mommy-"Too many mice?"
Chloe-"No, too much meat."

Chloeisms from the babysitter.

2011-08-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

We are lucky. Really lucky. We have to work (and I like to work aside from that) but it's hard to leave our amazing kid. Taking her to someone who genuinely loves and appreciates her makes it easier. Wub loves her weekday sitter Terie and her brood.

To prove a point, a week or two ago Terie had a family emergency and Wub spent the day with her cousin Andie and Andie's wonderous ginger haired boy. Although she had a great time, when we came to pick her up she cried a little because she wanted to see...that's right Terie.

Every day that we don't send Chloe off to big box daycare I am thrilled that I have the luxury of knowing that that she is being truly cared for.

Terie-Wouldn't it be funny if your name was Cock-a-doodle doo? Then everyone would call you Cock-a-doodle doo instead of Chloe.
Chloe-No it wouldn't.
Terie-Why not?
Chloe-Because I don't speak Spanish.
(and who can argue with that?)

Terie-What is the moon made of?
Chloe-Wood...glowing wood.
Terie-And how did it get there?
Chloe-The aliens made it.
(of course)

First Concert

2011-08-08T05:41:00.000-07:00

We took her to see Bob Dylan. Which either makes us crazy or cool. Maybe both.

I was a little worried. Wub doesn't like loud noises and concerts are, well, usually pretty loud. I had a back up plan though. If she had freaked out I was going to have Erin come and get her.

Leon Russell opened. It was rollicking, bluesy, fun and funky and Wub responded by standing up on her seat, dancing around, waving her arms in the air and shouting things in my ear. (I never could catch what she was saying.)

All in all a good sign.

At intermission we got her a drink and waited for Mr. Zimmerman to take the stage. When the lights went down, we were positioned perfectly to watch Bob Dylan take the stage. I pointed him out to her as he was walking up the stage stairs.

Then they took the stage. Rainy Day Woman. Wub danced around happily. Yay! Then It's All Over Now Baby Blue a little less enthusiastic but still dancing...ThingsHave Changed....Why yes, they have. Wub climbed up on my lap and leaned her head on my shoulder. The song ended she looks up at me and says "Is it over now?" "No." "Are you kidding?" "No baby I'm not."

This scene repeated itself after every song. "Is it over now?" "No." "Are you kidding?" "No baby I'm not." She never got out of hand and sat quietly on my lap through most of it. She just wanted to leave. Poor baby.

When the band left the stage she was visibly relieved. "Is it over now?" "No." "Are you kidding?" "No baby I'm not." and I tried to explain encore to her whilst clapping madly.
The band took the stage again and began to play Like a Rolling Stone. Wub perks up a little and bounces and claps a little. I'm happy because the concert is ending on a better note for her. Then, then, they start All Along the Watchtower. Wub Jumps up and begins to dance and bounce and clap enthusiastically. She is a joy filled happy baby and although I entertain vague fears of her falling down the bleachers, I'm thrilled that it's ending up this way. They finished up with Blowin' In the Wind. All in all a pretty amazing experience which she won't really remember.

Little Miss Firecracker

2011-07-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

We had a very nice Fourth full of picnic foods and fireworks and one really cute dress.

She will either...

2011-06-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

Roll her eyes and say.
"The very first concert my parents took me too was Bob Dylan"
Implication..."You see now why I am so screwed up?"

or...

Smile and say.
"The first concert I ever went to? My parents took me to see Bob Dylan when I was three."
Implication..."Yes, I am a dork and so are my parents but still...pretty cool too."

I'm expecting the former but hoping for the latter.

From the mouths of babes...

2011-06-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I made Wub a reversible halter top to wear to Dad's memorial service. I put it on her and she immediately began tugging at the bottom ruffle.

Chloe-"Where's the rest of it?"
Mommy-"It's a shirt sweetheart. It doesn't have a skirt."
Chloe-(Still tugging at the rufflle.)"But where's the rest of it?'
Mommy-"Honey, I don't know what you mean. What rest of it?"
Chloe-"Where's the part that covers my belly button?"

I promptly explained to her that it was supposed to be short like that. She seemed mostly ok although I did see her tugging at it occasionally.

Later that evening I sewed up a super quick sun dress for her. When I tried it on her...

Mommy-"Do you like it?"
Chloe-"Yes it's very pretty..." Smooths down the front of the dress... "and it protects my belly"

Two, two, two posts in one!

2011-06-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you take a perfectly toasted marshmallow and smoosh it between two chocolate digestives?

Mmmmmmmmmm, happy Wubby.

Daddy liked them too.

Now for the sewing...

I wanted to make Wub a maxi dress. I had this beautiful polka dotted batik fabric in 8 different colors and no clear plan of what to do with it. So....

I used the red to make bias trim for the straps, the pink to make the bodice, orange lime, teal, blue and purple to form the tiers of the skirt and more red bias to finish the skirt. Visible in the next pic...

the brown I used for the bodice lining. I really think I'm going to stick with black to stitch in cme labels. I like it better though I don't hate the red for this.

I used the halter sundress from IndieTutes for the bodice. I know I've been going on and on about IndieTutes but there is a good reason for it. I did make one minor variation from the tutorial by topstitching all around the top edge. I just like the way it looked.

I'm not 100% happy with the cme sprout tag placement. I lined it up straight with the orange strip but I should have aligned it to the bodice. It comes across a bit wonky. But again, I don't hate either. The skirt is basically a twirl skirt of which there are roughly half a million tutorials out there for. I probably used a bit of all of them for the construction. For me a tutorial on gathering was the most helpful thing. Because I had a limited amount of fabric, I modified the normal formula of each tier being 1.5 times longer than the last and used 1.33 instead. (If you decide to try something like this you most likely won't have limitations like all of your fabric is in fat quarter form so you can just ignore that 1.33 if you want)

There are a few things I would do differently next time. I would remember at some point before the skirt was halfway constructed, that the seams from where I sewed the strips together really should have been zigzagged. I also will most likely trim the seams where the skirt tiers come together just to remove some of the weight from the skirt. Very happy with it though.

And so was Wub.

The end...

P.S. When we were dyeing yarn to make dryer balls we made beautiful rainbow yarn which Chloe named Neighbours. This is a very neighbourly dress.

Chloe Quotes

2011-06-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

Chloe-"Okay, we need to pretend we have a drawing desk..." Picks up her Magna-Doodle which she calls her drawing desk..."Okay we'll just have to pretend that this is a pretend drawing desk."

Chloe-"Okay, I'll be Goldilocks and you can be the seven bears."

Chloe-"Daddy you pretend to be the pretend daddy, Mommy you be the pretend mommy and I'll be the babysitter."

More Solar Dress

2011-05-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

This is dress number three. I think I may make a different dress next time. Or not, I really like this one. I did make a few modifications to it though.

I seamed two fat quarters together, which is the perfect amount for the front and back of the size 2/3 dress.
I made my own bias tape (woot) for it using two videos on YouTube and another coordinating fat quarter.

The first video made me extremely happy because I was dreading all the fiddly seams. The second video was actually two parts and slightly more detailed. I sincerely doubt I would ever want to attempt the fiddly seam method now.

I folded and pressed the bias tape using the long pin/ironing board method. I have no idea where I saw that tutorial but it worked like a charm. From a 16 inch square, I had enough bias plus three whole extra inches to do the entire dress.

Which is why the shorts, made from one more fat quarter, have different bias trim. (matches the pockets on the dress) You can also see our cme labels in this pic.

I made a few modifications to the original pattern. I added a pleated pocket, the design of which I am not 100% happy with but can definitely live with. It is nice and deep but I will make it wider next time. They are sort of lost on the side of the dress.

I also added shirring instead of the elastic. I like the way it looks much better. My elastic was always a teensy bit wonky.

See how deep and roomy the pocket is? See how much to the side it is? Gotta fix that.

And last but by no means least, Wub in her five fat quarters patchwork pretty Solar Dress with modification.

Tutorial Madness

2011-05-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

I've had some brain power and energy this week. (I'm gonna credit physical therapy for that. I knew my leg bothered me I just didn't realise how much until it stopped.) So I've been sewing.

Vegbee from Indietutes shared this fantastic pattern (I've made two so far.) for the solar dress.

Being three years old Wub doesn't really get the concept of modesty. She's not quite "Wanna see my panties?" but she doesn't really care if you do see them either.
Off to Made for possibly the easiest (for me at least) pants tutorial in the world. Plus her pattern fits Wub perfectly. Now we have darling matching modesty shorts to go beneath.

For the finishing touch what better accessory than knee high stockings...Do we own any knee high stockings? Noooooooooooooo. Can we make knee high stockings from outgrown tights? Yes, yes we can. Thanks to another great tutorial from Ruffles and Stuff

These are so flippin' cute I almost can't stand it.

Thank you everyone for sharing your wonderful creations and inspirations. Can't wait to make more stuff.

Been a while...

2011-05-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

This is the absolutely wonderful dress I made for Wub today. Pattern courtesy of IndieTutes made from fabric we bought at Ikea in Liverpool. I am really pleased with it and her.

Wub is amazing right now. She totally cracks me up. She'll put on her Easter hat and ride like the wind! She calls it her "giddyap" hat. Her imaginary horses name? Fried Rice...

The darndest things...

2011-03-07T05:13:00.000-08:00

Mommy-"We're going to the hospital to see Erin and baby Jude."

Chloe-(Worried voice)"Why is Erin's baby sick?" (You only go the hospital when you are sick.)

While opening gifts at her birthday party...

Chloe-"Best day, ever!" (Huge turn around from "I dont want to be three!")

Happy Birthday to Wubby

2011-03-02T21:33:00.000-08:00

It's been interesting to say the least. The past few weeks Chloe has been very anxious about turning three and being a big girl. I firmly believe she thought her birthday would come and she'd shoot up three feet and have to get a job.

For the most part reassuring her has been futile. It did help when she discovered she would be getting gifts. I was still worried about how she would react when she woke up this morning since she was still protesting that she "Didn't want to be three! I wanna be two years old!"

I think we were both relieved when she woke up this morning, looked down at herself and realised no great transformation had occurred over night. "Am I three now?" "Yes, baby, you are."

Publish Post

With her charm bracelet. This year's charm was Lola of Charlie and Lola fame.

The back is engraved "Love, Charlie and Marv"

Her extremely, very yummy birthday cake.

Happy birthday Chloe Marah. I love you.

2011-01-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

It's been a rough week. It's been a shaky hands, can't quite hold back the tears, endless stream of prayers, utterly exhausting week.

Sunday we decided to go for a drive and kerflump, the car makes an ominous noise and the steering goes heavy. Fortunately they were able to stabilize the shaft that held the timing belt pulley otherwise we would have needed a new engine/vehicle.

Monday brought a messed up printer, disrupted internet service and a blown computer at work.

Tuesday brought the news that my work computer was pretty much shot and the My Passport we use as a backup for both computers, meh that wasn't working either.

Wednesday morning Mom called to say she was going to the hospital by ambulance (going to the hospital is Mom's new hobby)

Then the nursing home called.

They were sending Dad to the hospital by ambulance.

Dad is in the hospital. For several days we weren't 100% sure what was wrong with him. Slurry words, mild hallucinations and a decided left sided slump would make you believe a stroke. Except a CAT scan and then an MRI were clear. He also has pneumonia, an urinary tract infection and C-dif (an intestinal infection) so it's possible that all the medication was causing some neurological issues.

Except that is a stroke. In his brain stem which doesn't show up on CAT scans and MRIs and the pneumonia's pretty bad. So we have played hospital tag. We've sat with Dad and held his hand and tried to figure out what he wants when he's talking. TV on. TV off. Covers up. Covers down. I'm thirsty. I'm tired. I'm hurting...

Today is the first day that I've actually been able to stop running and breathe. Today Dad is better. More alert. Breathing better. Less scared. Today hope hasn't seemed like a double edged sword waiting to cut the knot that's holding it all together and drop it all on our heads.

I don't know what's going to happen. I'm praying for the best even though right now I'm not sure what the best is.

Mom is still in the hospital but may get out tomorrow.

Oh and Amanda is also in the hospital...

Benjamin Harris Godwin
January 8, 2011 6:02 pm
9lbs 2oz 22 inches long

Through all of it Karl has been amazing and I can never, ever, ever show how grateful and happy that I have him. I love you Mr. Husband Man yes, I do.

Update Dad died the next day. One day before his 78th birthday. Cate called and said. "I don't know if you should come..."
In the scheme of things really what are you going to regret leaving work for something that turns out to be okay or missing the last moments you have with someone you love?

I was there and Cate and Lora and it was sad but okay. Just like a lot of things.

Happy Boxing Day

2010-12-26T13:36:00.000-08:00

The wonderful thing about Chloes is Chloes is wonderful things...

Chloe : "Balogna is my favorite...color!"

Chloe : "Santa Claus is a good bringer!"

Because we are always busy, busy I've added an email subscription service to the blog. (Email Wubdates top left) Enter a valid email and Voila! everytime FJOC is updated you'll get an email. Enjoy!

What a bargain!

2010-12-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

When Wub was little, whenever she'd fall asleep while we were shopping, we'd make a nest of blankets or jackets and lay her in the shopping cart. I never got a picture of it and of course she outgrew it...

Thank Heaven for minor regressions.

A dish served rare....

2010-11-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

Chloe - Mommy, was the wolfs going to eat Belle?

Mommy - Yes baby, the wolves were going to eat Belle, but the Beast saved her...

Chloe - The wolfs was going to eat Belle but not cook her?!?!?

I firmly believe it wasn't so much that the "wolfs" were going to eat Belle that distressed her, but that they were going to eat her raw...

Tale as old as time...

2010-11-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

Beauty and the Beast explained...

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

Here is Wub being a fashion plate the day before Halloween.

and her fabulous costume for Halloween.

Trick or treat!

Jack O'Lanterns 2010

2010-10-26T19:25:00.001-07:00

A trio of spooky (well sort of spooky) pumpkins

Left to right: Karl's Howling wolf, Chloe's Boo Elmo and Kristi's There's no place like haunted home.

This is my favorite picture. creepy and endearing...

Not a morning person and Highlights from the Fall Festival

2010-10-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

The sound is terrible but the song is Shine and I just missed her banging her head.

When she is not prepping for future gothdom this is what she's listening to these days.

And although it says Aidan Long this is really Chloe's cousin Eli Long. In the lunch picture Aidan is the one in the ringer tee. Twin, who can tell them apart?

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/oct/06/new-tool-for-child-care-paths-to-quality-signs/

The cutest sleeping girl in the world...

2010-09-15T05:45:00.001-07:00

We've been trying to teach Chloe how to spell her name. We came up with a little song

C*H*L*O*E that's the way you spell Chloe!

Chloe- C*H*L*O*E that's the way you spell my name!

Also

Row, row, row your boat gently up the street
Mary, mary, mary, mary life is but a stream!

Cincinnatti Zoo

2010-09-14T12:01:00.001-07:00

id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517115088281062626" border="0" />

id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517115070729482434" border="0" />

id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516980907188045826" border="0" />

La la la, la la la Macaroni Song!

2010-09-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Mommy- I'm going to make chili tomorrow.

Chloe- Are we having maca-oni cheese with it?

Daddy- Well, we'll have macaroni elbows...

pause...

Chloe- That doesn't sound very good. I don't want Elmo and cheese...

Things to remember

Chloe says maca oni and pepper oni

Remember to become a Follower. Sometime in the next month or so I will be making the blog private.

As we speak...

2010-08-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

Chloe's diapers are in the dryer for the last time.

We bought them before she was born. They fit her on the first day we brought her home. At the rate she gains weight they probably would have fit her for another year.

But she uses the big girl potty 95% of the time now. She only has accidents when she is ultra uber engrossed in an activity or if she's having tummy trouble. She only needs a diaper if she's having tummy trouble. Washes are too few and far between now. Time to put them away.

It's funny but I'm a little teary eyed right now.

Many wonderful things...

2010-08-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Chloe - I want a sister.

Mommy - Do you know what a sister is Chloe?

Chloe - Yes. No. Yes. No...

Mommy - A sister is if Mommy and Daddy had another baby and it came to live with us forever.

pause

Chloe - I don't want a sister.

Tap Dancing Fool

After a rough day, I was feeling tired and a little discouraged. I was talking to Karl in the kitchen when Chloe walked up to us.

Chloe - Are you happy Mommy?

Me - Mommy's just a little upset right now.

Chloe - Are you happy Daddy?

Karl - Daddy's just a little upset too.

Chloe - Can I get up?

I pick her up and she wraps her arms around both of us and proceeds to kiss us on our cheeks. Back and forth, over and over smothering us both with hugs and kisses.

Chloe - Are you happy now?

Why yes, yes I am...

He's a dairy man....

2010-08-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Mommy, Daddy and Chloe: Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on this farm he had a...

Chloe: Cow!

Mommy, Daddy and Chloe: E-I-E-I-O

With a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo" there a "moo"
Everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on this farm he had a...

Chloe: Cow!

Mommy, Daddy and Chloe: E-I-E-I-O

With a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo" there a "moo"
Everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on this farm he had a...

Chloe: Cow!

(You prolly get the idea)

Potty Training

2010-08-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

We have been prepping Chloe for the potty for the past four months or so. Nothing stressy though. We bought her a combo potty chair (seeat, stool and toilet ring) and have set her on it. We also bought her big girl panties to run around in when we're home. We both know when she's ready, she'll get it.

Lately she hasn't wanted a diaper. "Can I have good girl panties?" (She calls them that, not us) and is distressed when we go out or it's bed time and she has to put one on.

About a week and a half ago I caught her right before she had to go and she let me put her on the potty. She was very happy to go potty in the potty. Hasn't even really tried since.

Until tonight. "Mommy I have to use that potty" pointing to the toilet. I set her on it and held both her hands but she was scared. "I don't like it." (Back bathroom, no toilet ring to keep her tush up.) So I told her to go tell Daddy to help her in the other bathroom.

Now if I really believed there was gonna be peeing in the potty, I would have taken her myself. I figured she was just playing around or worse case scenario we'd be cleaning up a puddle between bathrooms. Five minutes later Daddy's saying "Guess who went potty in the potty?" and I'm doling out M&Ms.

I know we still have a good ways to go, but this is a big step in the right direction. Knowing you have to go, in enough time to get there and even being able to hold it for a little while is great. So, yay to Chloe! Our little girl has just taken a major step towards big girl panties.

Chloe away from home.

2010-07-15T17:53:00.001-07:00

Some of the great picture Terie shared with us.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

2010-07-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, and we got a dog today..

Tennyson. Chloe named him.

Oh, and we added a Followers button (These are the people in our neighborhood) I suggest becoming a follower because I am seriously considering making the blog friends only.

Chloe Quotes (illustrated)

2010-07-13T18:58:00.000-07:00

Chloe: (wrapping tape adapter around herself) Okay, I'm gonna put me on charge now.

Things to Remember

2010-06-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

Chloe call us "guys" as in "Hey guys, wanna sing Happy Birthday?

Will tell a long, convoluted story and finish it by saying "Isn't that funny?"

Likes to lick people and if you ask her not to says "Because it's not very nice?"

Asks if you are sad at her.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

To Chloe's dad, the best dad...

On a side note. You may have noticed the new blog layout. In addition to adding some new features I've decided to shake up the layout a bit. Hope you like it.

LIVERP Double OL Liverpool FC

2010-06-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Chloe Quotes

2010-06-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

Upon seeing a statue of a rooster in front of a gas station.

Wub "Look, there's a chicken!"

Daddy "That's a rooster baby."

Wub (crying) "That's not a rooster!"

Mommy "Baby don't be upset. A rooster is a chicken. A rooster is a boy chicken and a hen is a girl chicken, but they are still chickens."

Chloe (in a condescending voice) "A chicken is not a rooster. A rooster is not a chicken. Don't call a chicken a rooster, okay?"

By the way, I have added a Blog Search and Labels to the FJOC . They are on the ~~right~~ left hand side below the Archive. You can now look up older posts without having to look through the whole blog. You can also look for posts that contain photos, or video or Chloe Quotes.

I will be working my way back through and adding labels as time permits.

Very fierce...

2010-06-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

Chloe Quotes

2010-06-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Mommy-"Well, you woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning."
Chloe-"I don't have a bushy tail. I have a bottom."

One Day

2010-05-24T20:44:00.001-07:00

One day, big girl panties will be just panties.
One day a bandaid will no longer be a magic cure all
One day you will go places that we didn't take you
And learn things that we didn't teach you
I hope your journey is as magical and wondrous
as the words "It's a girl" are
I hope you are always joyful and curious
and amazed by the world around you
For now we can dance in the grocery store
For now pat-a-cake and Mary Mack
For now bedtime stories and footy pajamas
And pink boppy as a constant companion
I hope when one day comes I'll look at my little girl
(and you'll always be my little girl)
and be just as amazed as I am now.
For now is such a short time
One day will come too soon
Too soon
So I will cherish for now for as long as I have
And look forward to one day too.
I love you

Farmers Market

2010-05-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the first farm market of the season. I know there won't be much more than flowers and plants for sale and maybe a few radish but I'm so excited.

This will be Wubby's third year of farm markets and I know all the farmers will be glad to see her.

Shorts!

2010-05-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

I made these

More CME Mommy Made

2010-05-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

A twirl skirt and a shirred peasant blouse

The bandage on her forehead is more vanity than ouchy. She bumped her head at the babysitters and was inconsolable until a Littlest Pet Shop was applied. Reminds me of Erin.

Messing with Paint.net

2010-05-11T08:54:00.001-07:00

I should be cleaning the kitchen or playing with Wubby. Instead I am playing with colorization in paint.net.

New Tricks

2010-05-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes that first bit was hokey, but did you see how well she stood one foot?

No? At the end? Watch it again. This time pay close attention to Chloe's feet...

As Chloe would say "Isn't that funny?"

And for the record the only contrived bit was my speech at the beginning. The first two year old I tried that on was my brother Patrick, twenty five or so years ago. I've asked dozens of two year olds that same question and always got the same reaction. They ask "Which one?" and then step on one of my feet. Chloe is the first one to ever step on her own foot.

As you can see by the second video she actually figured out the "right" way to stand on one foot. Made me a little sad. However the tongue thing is priceless.

Chloe's Second Birthday Cake

2010-05-07T20:52:00.001-07:00

After England and running to Mattoon to pay last respects to Judy, (We miss you so ridiculously much.) we did manage to fit in an American birthday party too. Here she is blowing out the "candle."

And because I have a slightly warped sense of humour it's not really yellow cake, it's double chocolate, pecan pound cake with blackberry filling.

There's a LOT going on in This Picture

2010-05-04T19:46:00.001-07:00

The haircut is remarkably straight considering the age of the subject.

I'm extremely happy with the shirt. I've made her tie tops before but this is definitely the first sleeved thing that's turned out right.

Thanks to IndieTutes for the tutorial.

The big girl panties? Well, she's sleeping in them because she hasn't wet the bed since she was about 18 months old. (Unless you count night two of BGP experiment. S'alright her sheets needed a wash.) We're hoping to spark her interest in wearing them all the time. Potty training is so much fun!

Danny, from Danny and the dinosaur not Uncle Danny

2010-05-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

Chloe drew this on the plane over.

Clothes I made for Chloe

2010-04-28T21:07:00.001-07:00

Mad Crochet Blog

Sunday at Patsy's

2010-04-25T21:45:00.001-07:00

More Engaland

2010-04-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

More pic's for you silent, silent people.

Danny's House
Chloe

Chloe, Sam and Lara

Chloe, Sam and Lara

Paul's House

Michelle and Chloe

Chloe and a gift (She loves this so much)

Chloe

Chloe

Chloe and Monty

Michelle, Chloe and Paul

Michelle and Chloe

Michelle and Chloe

Michelle and Chloe

Michael, Chloe and Paul

Michael, Chloe and Paul

Michael and Chloe

Michael and Chloe

Michael and Chloe

Michael and Chloe

Michael and Chloe

Michael and Chloe

Chloe and the Magnadoodle

Michael and Chloe

Michael and Chloe

Karl, Chloe and Paul

Chloe and Michelle

Lara nd Chloe in the lav

Chloe...of course I used soap...

Sam

Karl, Chloe and Lara

Karl. Lara and Chloe

Karl, Lara and Chloe

Karl, Lara and Chloe

Chloe and Twinkletoes (or whatever the cat's name is)

Chloe and the cat

Hotel

Chloe

Chloe

Chloe

World Buffet

Danny, Pam, Chloe

Danny, Pam, Chloe and Michelle

Chloe and Pam

Chloe and Pam

Chloe and Pam

Chloe and Pam

Darren, Tony, Sheila and Danny

Sheila, Danny, Pam and Michael

Karl and Chloe, Liverpool One

Karl and Chloe, Liverpool One

Hopefully tomorrow I can get the ones from Sunday at Patsy's.

Gruffalo? What's a Gruffalo?

2010-04-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

A gruffalo, why didn't you know?

Thank Danny for sharing this book. I've made it my personal mission to make it as popular in the states as it is across the pond. We brought a copy back for Baylee and the boys. Of course they love it. We ordered The Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child for George and Graci's birthday and they are currently driving my brother bonkers with their cries of "Read it again!"

Six children love this book only 60 million or so to go.

P.S. Ignore the shrieking at the cat. He was making designs on the roast chicken.

This is taking longer than I meant.

2010-04-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the delay. Dad has been in the hospital and is now in (hopefully) a short term rehabilitation center. The bakery is starting to get extremely busy so extra time is in short supply. That said, here are a few more photos from the trip. And I'd still like any that y'all have.

Danny and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Danny, Karl and Tony, Mersey Ferry

Karl and Chloe in front of the Liver Building

Chloe in front of the Mersey Ferry

Chloe and Karl Lime Street Station

Karl and Chloe on the train

Kristi and Chloe on the train

Caroline, Chloe and Karl on the train

Chloe, train

Caroline, Chloe and Karl(nice hat) on the train

Amazing Iceland Photos

2010-04-20T04:30:00.001-07:00

Courtesy of Mendy Milligan

More England Photos

2010-04-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry about taking so long to get these up. I lost the memory card these pictures were on and was ridiculously sad about it. Finally found it Saturday night, yay!

Anyone who has pictures from the trip, I'd appreciate having them. Email to plucksduck@gmail.com or send me a link. Thanks.

At Patsy's
Chloe and Eva

Chloe and Eva and Kristi's hand

Chloe drawing at Patsy's

Patsy

Chloe and Patsy

Chloe

Eva and Chloe

Patsy and Chloe

Patsy and Chloe

Chloe and Christie

Chloe and Christie

Chloe and Christie

Chloe and Christie

All around the town
Chloe, outside the hotel

Chloe, outside the hotel

Chloe and Karl, Liverpool One

Chloe and Karl, Liverpool One

Chloe and Karl, Liverpool One

Chloe at Nando's

Tony and Sheila, Liverpool One

Danny, Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Danny, Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Danny, Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Danny, Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Caroline, Danny, Tony and Karl, Mersey Ferry

Ok folks, enough for one evening. Will try to get some more up tomorrow in a new post.

Evansville's Airport Once Again Flying to Memphis - TriStateHomePage.com

2010-04-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Evansville's Airport Once Again Flying to Memphis - TriStateHomePage.com

That's my cake!

Chloe in England

2010-03-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Dnny's House

Chloe opening gifts

Chloe and a mouse

Chloe, Sam and Lara (Pam in background)

Lara

Chloe and Tony

Chloe and Tony

Chloe and Tony and a boogar

Chloe

Chloe

Sam, Caroline, Karl and Chloe

Chloe and her cake

Chloe and her cake, blow out the candle! (Karl helping)

Sam, Caroline, Karl and Chloe blowing out candles.

Chloe

Lara and Chloe

Lara, Sam and Chloe

Chloe

Chloe and the first piece

Kristi, Chloe and Sam

Kristi, Chloe and Sam

Chloe

Chloe, yum!

Chloe

Chloe

Chloe

Chloe and Twinkletoes

Danny and Tony

Sam and Chloe and Twink

Sam and Chloe and Twink

Harry and Chloe

Harry and Chloe

Harry and Chloe

Harry and Chloe

Danny, Chloe and Lara

Danny, Chloe and Lara

Sheila, Chloe and Caroline

Patsy's House
Patsy and Chloe

Chloe

Chloe

Eva and Chloe

Eva and Chloe

Otterspool Prom

2010-03-10T03:26:00.001-08:00

Otterspool Prom

2010-03-10T03:26:00.000-08:00

Mersey Ferry

2010-03-10T03:25:00.000-08:00

Birthday Dress

2010-03-10T03:22:00.001-08:00

Off we go...

2010-02-26T19:28:00.000-08:00

So we've booked a great flight and will be in the UK 7:35 am March 2, 2008.

What a birthday for Wub.

Work!

2010-01-17T18:18:00.001-08:00

Cover Girl!

Do your thang!

or...

I

don't care

What my teachers say

I'm gonna be a super model!

Chloe showing off the sweater Uncle Paul brought her.

We went to get passport photos today. It took about 10 minutes to get Chloe to sit still, but the photographer only had to take one shot. Tuesday we go apply for her passport and with any luck in 6 weeks we'll be in sunny England...

There's been an explosion at the pattern factory!!!

2009-12-29T17:28:00.000-08:00

She chose the outfit herself!

Top to bottom: pink and white diagonal stripes, pink and brown harlequins, orange and pink paisley, lime green abstract floral, kiwi figural print of mice, presents and stockings, sittting on a candy cane stripe afghan and yes, there are penguins on her socks.

Happy Boxing Day

2009-12-26T05:52:00.001-08:00

Fa la la la, la la la!

2009-12-24T04:55:00.000-08:00

Commercial for the bakery

2009-12-21T12:53:00.001-08:00

Chloe Advent Calendar 3

2009-12-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

What did we get today?

A snowman!

Chloe Advent Calendar Day 2

2009-12-03T05:12:00.001-08:00

It's just been an exhausting day...

The Chloe Advent Calendar

2009-12-02T05:05:00.000-08:00

Chloe's first experience with an Advent Calendar.

I'm pretty sure she'll get the concept pretty easily.

More cute animal sounds from the cutest baby in the world.

2009-11-13T06:19:00.000-08:00

No Chloes were actually harmed in the making of this film...

2009-11-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

Wubby is a Wacky Witch!

2009-11-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

1403...Home

2009-11-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Too cute for her own good

2009-09-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Halloween Fabric at Spoonflower.com

2009-09-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.spoonflower.com/explore/89336

When I was 13 or so I desperately wanted sprigged muslin with teeny frogs on lily pads instead of flowers. I knew that the vast majority of people would only see sprigged muslin and miss the frogs completely. The idea of hiding in plain sight appealed to my sense of humour greatly.

Sadly, there is no such thing as frog/sprig...

Or is there?

Spoonflower.com is a print on demand fabric store. You can design, upload and have custom fabric printed for as little as $18.00 a yard, $11 for a fat quarter and $5 for an 8x8 swatch.

For me, the idea of making something for Wubby that no one else has (or even can have) is massively exciting. (I know, I know. Honestly, this is the only thing I'm baby competitive about so gimme a break.)

Plus it's forced me to learn new computer skills so I can make better fabric designs.

Viva la Spoonflower!

18 Month Pictures

2009-09-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

Animal Sounds

2009-07-18T20:54:00.001-07:00

A little Chloe for those who've missed her.

2009-06-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Under a table at the Pagoda while Mommy put the wedding cake together.

Chloe at the Old National Bank Fountain

Chloe in the car

Toothbrush Unicorn

Chloe in the frist dress I made for her...

A little crabby...

Daddy's grey socks

General cuteness

Easter

Bath time!

And now it's time to say goodnight...

So my stomach hurts...

2009-06-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

Wednesday we find out if we can get a mortgage. For better or worse we're moving within the next few months. Hopefully into our own house but if not, another rental.

The carpet in the flat is finally dry and most of the smell is gone. I had to clean it again because whatever maintenence used on it caused Chloe's feet to break out in hives and welts. Chloe also keeps tripping over the warped floorboard near the couch and it's driving me a bit nuts. I have to be nice though. Exiting on a bitch note could jeopardize the loan process. Had a bit of a cry because Chloe's Dance for the Sun booklet was glued together. Hopefully that will be the end of nasty surprises. It's hard to pitch things you love because they're soaked in filthy water. (Heidi you are the bravest woman in the world.)

I'm not gonna whine about this too much longer. I feel like I'm jinxing our chances. Just gotta get to Wednesday. Then I can plan.

Buy this book!

2009-06-06T11:44:00.001-07:00

Oh my!

2009-05-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Lulu Author,

Congratulations, your book has been selected for listing on Amazon.com's Marketplace! As a result, your book will now be easily found on the world's largest online bookseller.

There will be some differences between your listing on Lulu and your listing on Amazon. Amazon charges a fee to list your book, and in order to cover that cost your book will be listed with a 30% markup; however your royalty will remain the same, and your book's price on Lulu will not change. Furthermore, your book sales on Amazon will reflect in your Lulu account immediately.

Lulu is committed to helping you increase your book's sales and we hope you enjoy the benefits of listing your book on Amazon.com.

Kind regards,

Lulu

http://www.amazon.com/All-Frogs-Pond-Kristi-White/dp/B002AD239Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243393623&sr=8-1

Let's put Chloe through college one frog at a time! Buy a book here.

I'm so excited and flummoxed right now I kinda feel sick.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

2009-04-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

For those who are having trouble saving and printing pictures from the blog try this.

Left click on the picture you want to save/print.
The picture should open up by itself.
Right click to save/print.
This file should be a larger/better file.

April 22, 2009 Earth Day Audubon State Park Henderson, KY

2009-04-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Easter

2009-04-15T05:26:00.001-07:00

Chloe and Anderson in Nashville

2009-04-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

We ran off to Nashville for the weekend. During brunch at Marche Chloe made a new friend, Anderson. Anderson's Aunt Adalie was kind enough to share her much better pictures with us and for that I will be eternally grateful.

I'm not a princess!

2009-03-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

and you can't make me!

Okay...

maybe just a little...

The birthday girl.

2009-03-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Amazing Flying George!

Melissa and Baylee, mmmmmmmmmm! cake!

I dunno.

Shannon and Eli

Lora and Aidan

Chloe

Making bookmarks.

Haylee and Cate making bookmarks.

I am the Crafting Queen!

Christi and Graci making bookmarks

Braeden waiting for a hole punch and ribbon.

Alex patiently placing stickers.

Kelsey and Chloe

Gorgeous day

George

Graci

Kevin and Alicia

I love you little cake, I do.

Zach, Braeden and Brittany

We are ninja warriors...Samurais!...Kung fu?

What could it be?

What's this?

Wheeeeeeeeeee!

Totally unfair! making the mommy cry.

Oh! Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea!

See?

Pretty!

Too see more of Chloe's birthday party visit her photo album

Chloe's present to the doctor's office

2009-03-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

Monkeys Go Bananas March 16, 2009

It's me birthday!

2009-03-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

(And Dr. Seuss' too!)

Mmmmmmmmmmm! Lo mein!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! cake!

Want some?

What a day!

And what would you like for Christmas little girl?

2009-01-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

Surprise!

2008-12-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

Chloe and Darren first meet. Thursday Dec. 4, 2008

Darren and Coors first meet. In which Darren partakes of his first American 6 pack. 12/05/08

I HATE having my picture taken! I do! I do!!!

He does!!!

Well, I like having mine taken!

Danny and Terry 12/06/08

British invasion.

Paul. He looks a bit mad, doesn't he?

Erm...Paul, you think you could give us a hand with this massive t.v.?

Paul, Danny, Darren & Terry Ohio River Esplanade

Darren, Danny, Paul & Karl. The Riverboat.

Danny, Chloe and Oscar getting reacquainted

Mom? This guy has a funy accent...Chloe and Terry

Why yes, I am the best baby there ever was...

Karl and Kristi "Kristi's" birthday (he he) December 8, 2008

Gossard Girls Still Have It. Kristi, Lora and Cate

Grandpa Geo

Don and his new found friend.

Karl, Kristi and Chloe. Also a large balloon...

Cate (To whom we owe a zillion or more thanks) and Kristi

Cate and Chloe

Brian

Blow out the candles and make a wish!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, black currant, layered cheesecake.

Darren and Lora

Alyssa

Brandi

Mary Jo and Linda

Karl and Jenifer

Gifts

Future Jack or Chloe

Zebras are tasty!

Halloween

Little Miss Firecracker

Eeek! a mouse...

Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum!

My herbivore wants a hamburger...

Chloeisms from the babysitter.

First Concert

Little Miss Firecracker

She will either...

From the mouths of babes...

Two, two, two posts in one!

Chloe Quotes

More Solar Dress

Tutorial Madness

Been a while...

The darndest things...

Happy Birthday to Wubby

Happy Boxing Day

What a bargain!

A dish served rare....

Tale as old as time...

Happy Halloween!

Jack O'Lanterns 2010

Not a morning person and Highlights from the Fall Festival

The cutest sleeping girl in the world...

Cincinnatti Zoo

La la la, la la la Macaroni Song!

As we speak...

Many wonderful things...

He's a dairy man....

Potty Training

Chloe away from home.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

Chloe Quotes (illustrated)

Things to Remember

Happy Father's Day

L*I*V*E*R*P Double O*L Liverpool FC

Chloe Quotes

Very fierce...

Chloe Quotes

One Day

Farmers Market

Shorts!

More CME Mommy Made

Messing with Paint.net

New Tricks

Chloe's Second Birthday Cake

There's a LOT going on in This Picture

Danny, from Danny and the dinosaur not Uncle Danny

Clothes I made for Chloe

Sunday at Patsy's

More Engaland

Gruffalo? What's a Gruffalo?

This is taking longer than I meant.

Amazing Iceland Photos

More England Photos

Evansville's Airport Once Again Flying to Memphis - TriStateHomePage.com

Chloe in England

Otterspool Prom

Otterspool Prom

Mersey Ferry

Birthday Dress

Off we go...

Work!

There's been an explosion at the pattern factory!!!

Happy Boxing Day

Fa la la la, la la la!

Commercial for the bakery

Chloe Advent Calendar 3

Chloe Advent Calendar Day 2

The Chloe Advent Calendar

More cute animal sounds from the cutest baby in the world.

No Chloes were actually harmed in the making of this film...

Wubby is a Wacky Witch!

1403...Home

Too cute for her own good

Halloween Fabric at Spoonflower.com

18 Month Pictures

LIVERP Double OL Liverpool FC