{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

The Backpack!

Here it is!  My never worn, too small dress - reincarnated into an awesome little boys backpack.

I used an old receiving blanket as the inner liner rather than interfacing, and stitched the whole thing with bright orange thread for some added color.  The pocket on the back was one of the lower dress pockets.  The straps were made from the belt.  I cut the side piece from the dress waistband so there are little loops all the way around the backpack.  I'm thinking we can add some hooks and clips and other fun boy toys to customize even more. 

Friends, this was SO easy!!  I did the whole thing in just a couple hours.   I used this pattern, but tweaked it a lot for my own liking. 

The only thing I still want to add is a little Velcro closure.  The backpack hangs open when weighed down by lots of little treasures. 

And we did find lots of treasures to fill it up.

Potty Trainers Beware

Let me just apologize right now.  As a stay at home mom of a baby and a toddler, I don't get out much.  And maybe I've forgotten what socially acceptable conversation consists of.  Or maybe my brain can't handle more than eat, sleep, poop, repeat.  This is another "bathroom" story.  

We are on week four of no diapers for Lucas.  He is doing great.  The only thing is, he doesn't quite get the germ factor.  At home, he has to remove all clothes from the waist down, and sits on the potty, hands all over the seat, leaning back and forth as he sings and talks about what he is doing.  I let him.  I also disinfect the toilet at least three times a day (obsessive, I know.  but those little hands touch EVERYTHING). 

The potty is absolutely fascinating to Lucas.  And what's even more fascinating is that there are potty's everywhere!  AND his mischevious two year old brain has discovered that mommy drops everything when he says he has to go.  Needless to say, we've visited the restroom in every restaurant, park, and store we have shopped at in the last month.  

Back to my story.  This morning, we are at Jamba Juice getting a treat for Lucas after his chickenpox vaccine.  Two seconds after ordering our drinks, he tells me he has to go.  Okay.  I glance at the restroom door.  Looks like a decent size restroom, I can wheel Nathan (in the stroller) in there and help Lucas go through his little routine.  "Let's go", I say.  We get in the door and are greeted by a crusty yellow speckled toilet seat, and a wet slimy floor.  This restroom looks like it hasn't been cleaned in days.  Just as Lucas' hands are about to come into contact with about thirty seven different diseases, I shout "no! it's dirty!".  I suddenly remember that I am prepared for this very moment.  I actually have, in my purse, a travel size disinfectant spray (thank you target).  I whip it out, and use about half the can on the toilet seat, wipe it down, layer two seat protectors on it, and plop Lucas on top.  He pees.  Success!  I glance at the sink.  Almost as bad as the toilet.  I use the other half of the can on the sink, we wash our hands, and we walk out.  A proud mommy moment.  Yep, I'm really getting good at this mom thing.  I better stop by target tomorrow for some more disinfectant spray.  

If you LOVE my Poo stories, and you know you do, check me out today on This Adventure, Our Life!  I am a guest blogger for my friend Cindy.  She is a new mommy, and has a wonderful blog about her adorable baby Bailey, as well as some really great info/tutorials on Cloth Diapering and other green projects.  Thanks Cindy!

Sacrifice the Dress

I bought this dress at Target a couple years ago.  I thought I could pull it off.  I couldn't.  I thought an extra small would fit.  After two babies, it doesn't. 

  

Tonight, I finally found a purpose for it.   I've cut it into about seven pieces, and tomorrow I hope to have a new backpack for Lucas.  Can I do it?? Time will tell.

Here's a couple other projects I'm thinking of doing... 

Sew Spoiled Weekender Tote Sew-a-long

and...

Kids Clothes Week Challenge at Elsie Marley

A Little Inspiration from Seseme Street...

Just can't help myself... I can't stop singing this song, I just might like it better than the original version.... :)

Happy Weekend Everyone!  Go Outdoors! 



Or maybe I still like this one better...

Sew... Sew.... SEW!

Two weeks of no blogging, and what do I have to show for it? 

A funky attitude, a little bit of spring cleaning, some shopping, a lot of family time, a potty trained two year old, but no sewing!  So, I'm going to do the unthinkable.  I'm going to sew.  And blog.  At the same time.  For a week! 

It may be wishful thinking on my part, but I'm going to go for it.  Here's my project list...  wish me luck!

1. Cloth baby wipes and kitchen towels made from old receiving blankets and bath towels

2. Baby Teething Rings

3. More 90 Minute Shirts.. I have three thrift store shirts that I'm planning to use for these, as well as for some pj pants for the boys

4. Some sort of backpack or tote for Lucas, for his treasure hunting adventures. 

5. Finishing the babylegs project I started with Cindy last week!

Starting monday, I don't care about laundry, dishes, or a messy house.  I'm gonna sew sew sew.  And I'm gonna make some progress. 

When Life Gets Funky

I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately.  Please excuse me.  You see, I’ve had a bit of bloggers block.  And along with that, a bit of an identity crisis.  I also crushed my foot with my son’s high chair, could barely walk for a week.  And we’ve been potty training.  Needless to say, a lot has been going on.

We all have moments in our life that make us stop and think, reevaluate our priorities, attitudes, and the way we spend our time.  I have had moment after moment like this lately.  Some sprung out of heart wrenching situations such as seeing family members slowly slip away or a neighbor losing life as he knew it when confronted with a blood clot to the brain.  Some out of my own guilt as I find myself becoming frustrated and angry at my own children as they test me, repeatedly through the day.   Where is my patience?  Where is my grace?  My appreciation for the life I have?

I even asked my doctor, as he inspected my swollen, discolored right foot, “what can I do about my mood swings?”.  He gave me a standardized depression quiz, scored it, and told me I was normal.  I didn’t need any mood altering drugs.  Well, okay.  I guess that’s that.  I’m normal.  Where’s the help for us crazy normal people?  Exercise, he said.  And meditate.  Well duh.  If I had time to exercise and meditate I wouldn’t be in this funk!

Anyway, maybe by now you are starting to think I’ve really lost it.  Maybe I have, just a little bit.  So, I’m going to find “it”.  Whatever “it” is.   Really.  Just you watch.  If I have to get up at 5 am just to exercise and meditate, then that’s what I’ll do.

Taking a Break

Taking a break from blogging for a week or two... 

 

I'll be catching up on sleep, family time, sewing, and hopefully some spring cleaning!

See ya' later!

Suzanne

Spring Blog Party! Want to join me?

Welcome!  If you are here from 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party, thank you for visiting my site!  Please take a look around and let me know what you think.  If not, click on the link above, and JOIN THE PARTY! 

Who am I?  By day I'm a 30 year old Southern California girl, a stay at home mom to two amazing little boys, and wife to my awesome super-techy husband.  By night I'm an espresso powered blogger, amateur seamstress, and obsessive-compulsive list maker.  I love to dream.  I love to create.  And I love to inspire others.   This is why I blog. 

Here is why you'll want to stick around:

I'm honest.  And I'm open minded. I practice real life parenting. 

I'm also practical.  And I follow my heart.  

I have good ideas.  That work.  Most of the time.

I love to write.  And I write ALOT. 

My kids are adorable.   But I'm not biased or anything. 

  

Evidence:  Cutest kids in the world

I made this entire outfit, myself... 

We tattooed our kid at Easter.  That's just how we roll...

I spend a lot of time cooking for my kids...

Plums... aren't they pretty?

And baking gluten free

I love my hat!  And I wear it ALOT. 

Dude... right?!

More evidence:  Cutest baby there is!

yeah, you get it now right?  Cute!

I talk about Poo a lot.  I'm a mom, after all. 

My inspiration, my totally awesome boys. 

Our perfect family.

Our dog.  And yeah, he's a boy too! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  If you like what you see, please subscribe to my feed, or click the follow button in my sidebar.  And always, leave me a comment so I know you were here!  

Love,

Suzanne Jeanette

 

How-To: Gluten Free Quinoa Baby Cereal

I wanted to do a quick post on the Quinoa Cereal I have been feeding baby bug since I've had a few questions asked about it.  He's had some issues lately, requiring me to cut the rice cereal out of his diet, so we've switched over to this recipe instead. 

Quinoa is a high protein, gluten free grain.  It has a strong flavor, but it's grown on me and I've been eating it for years now in place of couscous and tabbouleh in salads, hot cereals, and more.  I'm really excited to have found an easy and fast way to prepare it so it is much more baby friendly than plain cooked quinoa. 

I have been buying these Quinoa Flakes and grinding them in my food processor until it is about the consistency of sand.  Then I cook it in small batches according the the package directions, about 90 seconds in boiling water.  I make two days worth at a time and store it in the fridge, and then I add pureed fruit and some of his usual milk before serving.  It is extremely easy, and I feel good knowing I'm giving my little guy something healthy, full of protein and fiber, and something that I hope he will continue to eat for a long time.  He loves it!

Also in the baby food category, I've been cooking up a storm... lots of other fun purees this week.  They should be posted tomorrow! 

Wordless Wednesday: Easter, Our Way

90 Minute Shirt

Here is my first version of the 90 Minute Shirt.  I was inspired by this shirt back in February when one of my favorite blogs, MADE, co-hosted a month long series called Celebrate the Boy.  It was a month of boy crafts, tutorials, and projects to drool over.  When I saw how easy this shirt was to make, I knew I had to try it.  Hop on over to Dana's site and check out the tutorial for yourself.  She gives instructions of making your own pattern, and creating this shirt.  I'll be making a few more soon, I need to work out some issues in my pattern and perfect the sleeves... 

Aren't they SO super cute?!  Next up are a couple striped ones made from thrifted shirts!

Unplugged. For the most part.

I caught a bug last week.  It's called bloggers block.  I just. couldn't. write.  Weird, I know.  So I spent a little time on some fun projects for the boys.

I finally made my 90 minute shirt.  Two of them, actually.  They turned out great (for a first attempt) I think.  More on those later this week.

I checked out a local thrift shop for some refashioning ideas, made a cute outfit for Baby Bug (sneak peek below) with a 95 cent mens shirt, and scored some groovy new shorts for my Super Man.  Woo Hoo!

I had been neglecting my friends, so I caught up on emails and Facebook. 

I made a TON of baby food so we have more of a variety than just pears and sweet potatoes.

I took a LOT of pictures with our new point and shoot camera.  I'm learning how to use its extra features. 

I redesigned my blog.  Again.

And now I'm back.  Oh yes, I'm back.

Reinventing Suzanne

Who are you?  Who are you right now?  Who do you want to be right now?  Who do you want to be someday?  Do you even know?  Or is it always changing?  Is that you that you struggle to be really who you want to be?  Or is it who you think you should be? 

I know, it's a little deeper than my usual discussions on Poo and Parenting.  Sorry.  But stay with me  here.  I am trying to explain to you why I am changing my blog.  Again. 

I'm struggling a bit today, not because I was up 5 times last night with  Nathan (who I will now lovingly refer to as baby bug), or because Lucas (little bug) has literally been screaming in my ear all day, but because I don't know what I'm doing.  One day all I want to do is sew.  The next day, write.  The next day, cook.  Or shop.  Or run.  Or just play with my kids.  And I want to blog about all of it!  Why can't I just focus on one thing?  As soon as I get something the way I like it I want to rearrange it again.  From furniture to the garage to my blog and to my future goals, things just never stay the same.  It's enough to drive a person crazy.  

So, who am I?  I feel like I am always asking myself this question.  And when I try to answer, I tend to confuse who I think I am, with who I really want to be.  Who am I, really?  A mom.  A wife.  A daughter.  But that's who I am to someone else.  Who am I to me?  What am I?  A writer?  An artist? I don't know.  If I were just me, no husband, no kids, no parents or siblings, no career, no friends... who would I be? I haven't a clue. 

I feel like I have a hard time answering this question because I am always changing.  I always have a new goal, a new project.  I cannot stick to one thing.  I am always reinventing myself.  Is it because I have not yet found who I am really supposed to be?  Will I ever find the me I want to be?  Or will I struggle with this until the day I die?

So I am wondering, am I alone in this?  Am I the only 30 year old out there who is consumed with life as a mother, trying to do a hundred little projects in her spare time, but doesn't have a clue what she really wants to do with her life?  Tell me.  I want to know.