For a Sweet Little Man

One of the sweet ladies, that I worked with in Florida, is expecting her 3rd baby! A little boy. Sonja is the sweetest! And has 2 little boys, that will just melt your heart. Well, I wanted to do something for her. And her little man. For one, she is such a good friend. My closest friend, from Florida. From the beginning, she always invited Paul and I over. For dinner, holidays, just because. Made us feel, like we were part of her family!

But secondly, she sent Matilda the biggest box of goodies. We received it the day we got home from the hospital. With a big box of snacks, movies, and other treats for Paul and I. I told you, she's amazing!!

I've picked out a few little outfits. And a precious picture frame. Sonja loves to have pictures of her family, on her desk at work. But I wanted something more thoughtful. More personal. I got the idea to crochet this little man something. That's when I found this pattern.



Isn't it adorable? What a cute hat! I'm going to make 2. One a dark brown, the other, a baby blue. I even want to make Matilda a pink one. I think this is a hat, for both boys and girls. Depending on the color.

And I'm going to try out this pattern again. I hope to make 2 pairs, in the same colors as the hats. I can't wait to put together this little package. I miss Sonja and her family so much! And I pray, that the remainder of her pregnancy, and the delivery, go well. ♥E

Miss Eloise

Our dear friends,welcomed their 2nd little girl, into the world. Last week! The day after Miss Eloise was born, we had some pretty horrible weather. Matilda, slept most of the day. And I began to get worried, by dinner time. Thinking, she was getting sick. But Friday, we were a OK.

Then we traveled to the east coast. The guys had left earlier in the week. And J was taking the week off. That meant, that we got to leave a little later than normal. But it still didn't allow us, to go meet Eloise.

Instead, we went to work. And by we, I mean Paul. Matilda and I, just enjoyed the traveling! :) I also found myself, wanting to make something. We'd already bought Miss Eloise some darling presents. But I just knew, I could make her something. Alli's blog has so many wonderful patterns. And that is exactly where I found this pattern!



I just adore the little flower. It's different from most, that I've seen. I managed to make 2 hats. A pink one, just like this one. And a cute yellow and white one. If you read Cari's blog, than you'll know she loves flowers!! I just thought, this hat would be perfect. And, I've made a few flowers, for Matilda. I want to attach them to some headbands.

We are planning to go visit our friends this afternoon. I'm so excited to meet Miss Eloise. I've heard that Amelia, is very excited to be a big sister! We're so happy for our friends! And their adorable little girls. ♥E

Not Giving Up

When I found out I was pregnant, there were a few things, I wanted to learn how to do. Crocheting was one of those things. I called Lola, and she promised to show me. And she did! Lola was so sweet and patient. I managed to crochet 3 blankets, some booties, and a few hats. I was so thrilled!

Now I want to try some harder things. Matilda is such a doll! And endures quite a bit with me. I'm always dressing her up. Putting some sort of bow, headband, or other glorious thing on her! I think tutus should be worn daily. Things like that.

To be 100% honest though, since Matilda was born, I haven't really done much crocheting. I've managed a few more hats. And other small projects. It's not that I'm not looking, I just don't feel like I have the skills needed for such things.

It doesn't stop me from reading lots of blogs. Getting tons of ideas. And checking this site, at least twice a week! That's where I found this pattern. Which motivated me, to pick up my crochet hook again.



Aren't these the sweetest booties? I think so! A few weeks ago, I packed up Matilda, and headed to Hobby Lobby. Don't you just love shopping for yarn? I do! I ended up buying 6 skeins of yarn. A dusty pink, fuchsia, turquoise, white, red, and a dark chocolate brown. So pretty! I even bought the perfect buttons, for each color.

That weekend, I packed 2 skeins of yarn, and 4 buttons. I printed the pattern, and figured, at the very least, I'd get a pair made. It's been just over 3 weeks now, and I have 1 and 1/2 booties finished. It's been an almost frustrating situation!

The original weekend that I started, I got both of the soles made. That was ridiculously easy. Even for me!! But the rest of the bootie, was so difficult. Things were just not working out. And at one point, I wanted to cry.

I didn't like the way things were looking. I ripped out those 4 rows, more times than I can remember. But every day, this project haunts me! And every day, I pick it up! Finally, I called Lola. The "Crochet Goddess."

We ended up getting on Skype, when Matilda was napping. And literally, Lola walked me through the process. By the way, as the pattern reads, Lola pointed out, it just doesn't work. So she wrote down the changes, and emailed them to me. She just changed the 2nd part, to the booties.

Yes, after our little crochet lesson, I'm on my way. During that lesson, I went from 1 and 1/2 booties, to 2 soles. I'm back to 1 and 1/2! I told you, there is a slight problem with the pattern. But I'd still recommend you trying it. Because these booties are just too cute!

And positive, that by dinner time, I'll have 2 booties made. And will move on to the next pair. Too bad Matilda didn't get her red ones for Valentine's Day! But her Nana, didn't let us down. She sent us, the cutest pair of red booties! Yes, friends are wonderful cheerleaders, teachers, and supporters! I don't know, what I'd do without my friend! ♥E

Enjoying Life

Matilda is nearly 2 weeks old! It's been pure bliss around here. :) Our house is currently, full of our loved ones. And we really are loving it!

Having so much of our family around, has been a blessing. It's allowed Paul and I, to get some rest. We have tons of help! And we have knowledgeable people, to turn to, when we have a question! I'm so thankful!

It's also given me, a bit of time to remember those things I didn't get done, before Matilda was born. My parents, managed to find our Christmas decorations. And pulled them out for us. My in-laws have thoroughly stocked our fridge. And my MIL has cooked us many meals, and froze them, for when everyone goes home.

My sisters have managed, to get our holiday donations, to the local Children's home. Paul sent the mail, that I never managed to get to the Post Office. And my SIL bought that CD, that I wanted for the nursery. I swear to you, I had a list! There were just certain things, that well, fell in the cracks.

One of those things, is this hat. My parents still live in the mountains. And we plan on visiting them, in about a month. That means, Miss Matilda, is going to need some warm clothes. Not like we're lacking or anything. I mean, Lola made us so many things! Everyone gifted us, with so much! But I had wanted to make an earflap hat, for my sweet girl.



This hat is a little large. I asked Lola to help me a bit. And she shrank the pattern, to make a more "newborn appropriate" hat. And because I've become a bit of a "yarn hoarder," I have exactly what I need! I'm hoping, I can get a hat done, for Matilda. With all this help, and over a month, I think we can have some success!

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy these early days of mommyhood. And all our family. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. And long afternoon naps, with the sweetest girl I know! ♥E