Tot update

I've had so many blog entries in my head which I haven't had the chance to create and now they seem to be either forgotten or irreleveant. But I have a moment so I'll try to remember some content and do a Finn update at the very least. In list form, the latest changes in the tot's life:

- Just one nap a day. Every day. Finally.

- Boy that he is, he's totally into boobs and trucks. Boobs for the milk, all...the...time...and trucks everywhere we go. All of you mothers of girls will have to let me know if they have a crazy obsession with vehicles at 16mos.

- His first molar. That was fun. How many more do we have to go through?

- His first words. He had already covered Mama, Dada, and uh-oh (not in my Webster's but whatever). Now he has added tickle (usually said at least 3 times in succession), ball, and kaboom (as in our tower of blocks went kaboom or, just as often, Finn went kaboom)

- His first haircut. For whatever reason, I was hesitant to go ahead with this, but he was looking shaggy more often than not and so one day I just did it. I'll share some pics. He could actually use more of a trim already, because I was fearful of cutting away too much of my baby.

This is him just before the big event.


The cut was the day before Easter, so since I slacked on Easter blogging, here he is with the new do in his fancy pants on Easter Sunday.


And because I think he's stinkin' cute, some more photos for your enjoyment.



The darling outfit is actually parts of two outfits. The sailor suit was made by my mom for my older brother and has matching blue shorts. However, the suit was too small for him, so I pulled out these lovely white shorts that happen to match in style and function. These too large vintage shorts were my father's and I'm told there is a matching white jacket somewhere. Really, we're not so poor that we can't buy him new clothes (or in this case, clothes that really fit). I just have a fascination with putting him in my dad's vintage duds and lovely little things that my mom made years ago. (Plus, it helps validate the pack rat nature that I share with Mom.)



He's very interested in reading up on The Beatles.



And because I can, here is what he looked like last year at Easter in another outfit made by mom for my brother, sitting in the same chair as above.

Big Sis Goodies

My eldest sister creates something for all of the girls in the family at both Easter and Christmas. Since I didn't see her for Easter this year, I received my goodie a bit later, but it was well worth the wait.

This is a pin cushion created from a spoon, a crocheted doily, wool felt and wool roving. I adore it and have yet to stick it with pins, but we'll see. Lucky me to be a regular recipient of her creations!

In the Kitchen

My Easter project this year was naturally dyed and blown eggs and it has finally come to a close. However, it was only partially successful and will be revisited next year. Here is what has resulted:

You'll notice that I am missing the ends of the rainbow in my color scheme. I had used beets for a pink dye (I followed Martha's recipes) which worked nicely, except that the color washed right off, so when I went to blow and then wash out the eggs...no more pink. I also tried doing lavendar, but that again involved the beet dye so it, too, was a failed color. Next year I am going to try a blueberry dye. My other issue with the process was inferior eggs. Notice the unsightly stripes on my eggs.

Grrr. I'm attributing this to some part of the commercial egg processing. I sought out a different brand of egg, but the only other options at my local grocer were brown eggs or fancy eggs that have stamps on the shells (don't know if those stamps wash off, but wasn't interested in finding out at the time). I need to get eggs straight from the coop. I did actually have a source for that, but no longer. On top of my dying troubles, I've seen enough raw egg up close and personal to last me a little while. There is just something about it gloppily squeezing out of a little hole that's a little gross. Sorry. (And yes, gloppily is so a word.)

Just outside the kitchen, I made a startling discovery. As I was coming into the house through the back door, baby on hip, there was a loud fluttering and a brush across the top of my head just as I opened the door. I froze for a second, not knowing what it was or from where it came. Then I looked to my left and saw this...

...right at eye level. I promptly let out a little scream and ran inside. I guess I knew it was a bird without seeing a nest, but seeing it inches from my face just made it sink in. The strangest thing is that Finn didn't seem to be bothered by it - the bird nor my screaming and jumping. Good to know he can remain calm if we're ever fleeing from something scary. So, the nest is empty and although it would be cool to see eggs and babies (with awesome access for photos), we're going to move the nest before that happens. 'Cause I'd like to have access to my back porch without being attacked.

Easter goodies

We spent a quiet Easter at home this year. The Easter Bunny brought a couple books for Finn and lots of candy for R and me. I decided on Saturday that I am going to have an annual Easter project. Being so last minute, this year's is not done, but I thought I had better post about it as motivation to complete it, sooner rather than later. However, this will actually be the second annual Easter project. Last year I made these lovely (I think) felted eggs...

I made more, but they were given away as gifts. At the time I didn't have felting needles which would have made the decorative part much easier, so I may have to try them again at some point.

In knitting land, I've mostly been working on my Absorba bathmat - I'm about half finished. It's going pretty well as my TV watching project. I do want to start Finn's stocking, but have not gotten around to winding balls - I need a ball winder!