Breakfast with Daddy

Charlotte has become very interested in eating just about anything off of our plates or out of our bowls. She doesn't like everything she tries but she loves cereal. On this particular morning she woke up way to early. We were already downstairs playing before her daddy came down for breakfast. As soon as he sat down to eat his cereal she crawled over there as fast as she could and insisted on sitting in his lap. He graciously shared his cereal and she just couldn't seem to get enough. The scene was too cute not to record. I believe her daddy thoroughly enjoyed this short little time with her - seeing as his basketball schedule keeps him from being able to spend much time with her right now. Even though she was slowing down his morning routine I know he enjoyed sharing not only his cereal but some one on one time with his girl. :)

Generosity

Henley and Daughtry modeling their aprons (A small gift from me for all the beautiful clothes their mother has passed on to me).

During this time of year we focus on the things that we are thankful for. I am always amazed at the outpouring of generostiy that others show. Doug and I have been the recipients of others' generosity when it comes to our children. If you think that my daughter is beautifully dressed it is not because we are spending lots of money on clothing. In fact, many of her clothes were given to us and worn by the two little girls that are in the picture above. We also received a bunch of clothes over the last week from Wendy (Micah's aunt) and Stephanie (Micah's mother). Wendy has two girls and Stephanie has a boy. Needless to say, by the generosity of others my children will be well clothed. So, thanks, April (Henley and Daughtry's mom), Wendy, and Stephanie for thinking of us and displaying such a wonderful example of generosity.

366 Days Old

I'm 1!


All smiles


Sweet Girl


This is very typical of our verbal child - yelling across the room


Looking at the dogs out the window

Charlotte's first birthday was today. Because she was born into a leap year she is actually 366 days old. It seems crazy that is has been a year since her birth. What is crazier yet is that I feel her little brother kicking away waiting for his turn in February.

We didn't really get to celebrate. Doug has started basketball and had late practice this evening. It was almost 9:00 p.m. before he got home. Needless to say he missed the little booger. She had already gone to bed. We did manage to visit him on his lunch break. I couldn't bear to think of him not getting to see her on her actual birthday. We will formally celebrate with all the family over Thanksgiving weekend. We can't wait. Enjoy the pictures!

On Another Note

Fleur de li Flat Notecard in single color


Floral Series Flat Notecard in Pink - Happens to be Charlotte's birthday invite


New Recipe Cards - perfect for an adult or child

I just took the time to look through my blog and realized that I have said nothing about Ali's Aprons in quite some time. My blog has been about my absolute favorite subject, my family, but mainly Charlotte. I am assuming that my family and friends prefer Charlotte posts over Ali's Apron's posts and I honestly enjoy the first better as well.

As far as Ali's Aprons is concerned it has been put on the back burner for now. I do have a local shop that is carrying them and my Etsy shop is still open. I just add things as I have them instead of doing custom orders. I realize when English Baby Boy gets here the sewing is going to be even more challenging to accomplish.

I haven't let my creative juices completely go to waste. I have been sewing a few things for Charlotte and I am working on Christmas for Adeline - my niece. I also purchased the fabric this afternoon for a coming home outfit I hope to make for my baby boy.

A lot of my creativity has flowed into print design - which is another passion of mine. I am currently working on getting a line of personalized stationary together to sell. I will have more on that later, but you can see the photos that I loaded. These are just a few samples of things I have been working on. Let me know what you think. I will keep you posted.

We have six months down with the pregnancy and all is going well. It is going by so quickly and we have so much to do to get ready for our little tike. We are getting excited.

One Step At a Time

Here I go!


Half Way There


Score! I am at the top!

My dread of the stairs finally became a true reality today. Charlotte discovered the stairs over a week ago, but she would only clear the landing and take about two of the stairs. She was too afraid to go any further. Today was not the case. With her daddy right behind her she took the whole flight right to the top. Guess those gates are no longer an option they are a must. The scary thing is, she got up there pretty quickly.

When All Else Fails

I had to share these too. Charlott has been feeling a little better than she did Friday. Today we had a rough day mainly due to the time change - this has been the first time in my life that I have cursed gaining an hour. My child is now getting up at 6:00 a.m. instead of 7:00 a.m. - She was pretty fussy this afternoon and when we need to distract her we swoop her into the back yard and let her sit in the chairs on the patio. Needless to say she loves it. It gives us a few moments of peace and sometimes can even change her mood.

Looking Through the Glass

Sorry for all the posts. I know I seem to go through waves. Lately Charlotte has been doing so much we are trying to capture everything. Anway, I couldn't pass up sharing these photos. Charlotte loves to be outside and when we are inside she always seem to find her way to a window so she can peer out. She stood here just long enough for me to do a couple of things. Before I know it she will be running around out there all by herself. :)

Happy Howl-a-ween

Howling Away


Pitiful FiFi


Snotty Nose Poodle


A pregnant woman's drug - chocolate

Well, Halloween did not prove to be the fun event that we had hoped. As you can see by the photos that Charlotte did not really care for her costume. That was only the short of it. We had a great evening planned with a party over at Micah's house. We were looking so forward to it and our little snotty nose FiFi wound up with a 102 degree temp yesterday afternoon. Needless to say we did not take her to the party and expose her to all the other children.

I took these pictures last evening right before I got her in her night clothes. I was bound and determined to have some pictures - even though we are going to try to take the costume back. She wore it just long enough to get the pictures and the tags are still on so why not? Doug wasn't able to make it home until almost 8:00 due to his coaching responsibilities so he didn't even see her in it. Needless to say by the end of the evening with Mommy's hopes high of spending an evening with friends and enjoying the festivities I had a melt down moment of my own. There was much howling going on around the English household - not to mention the dogs howling at all the trick or treaters who kept coming to our darkened front door - WHY????

Anyway, my solace, this delicious spider cake I made for the party that we now get to eat ourselves. What could be better than a double chocolate brownie with chocolate buttercream icing sandwiched in between. WARNING: Much Milke Needed!

Hope your harvest festivities were fun and family filled. :) I am already laughing about yesterday. I can't help myself when I look at these pictures. :)

xoxo