Cruise

Here is Sage on Christmas morning after getting her face painted!
The trip was quite an adventure. The girls traveled really well, and seemed to both enjoy the boat and the family we were with. The boat we were on was certainly geared for children ages 3 and up, though there were a couple of baby/toddler specific things. The security lines were really tough to manage with two small kids and all our luggage. However, we were able to eat 4 dinners in the dining room, which was so nice for us to feel like we were part of the family action. My grandmother was celebrating her 80th birthday, so all of my aunts and uncles and cousins were there.
Tray got me a "Ladies Pampering" spa treatment, which was incredibly nice. However, I was stressed out while there because it was bedtime. I returned to our stateroom where Fern had screamed the entire time and puked all over the bedspread, which had been changed, and then she puked again (from crying so hard). I don't think I will be weaning her anytime soon, as she is so attached. I had considered going out of town with Sage for a couple of days and letting Tray deal with her (cold turkey wean), but I am reconsidering. Also helping her cause: the fact that she slept more than 2 hours at a time last night! Nursing is such a mix of emotion: loving that special bonding, hating being "tied down", getting bit, being kept up at night, knowing you are giving your baby the best, not having your body to yourself, the list goes on. I am glad I have been able to nurse both my girls, but some days it's a struggle to persist.

Thankful

After some tough days and nights, and struggling with a bad attitude, here is a post on what I am thankful for right now. Inspired by another blogging mom who has a lot to complain about but chose to post on this topic!

1. These two:

2. Wipes warmer and homemade wipe solution with cloth wipes. I'll admit, this week has been a lot of disposables, but I've been pretty good with the cloth for a while now! And my, the savings is awesome!!
3. New luggage for our cruise next week.
4. My husband.
5. The Macy's light show and Dicken's Village.
6. Coffee.
7. Advil and Sudafed.
8. Starting school in a couple weeks, even though I'm petrified of the whole idea.

Nothing Exciting

I have nothing exciting to post. I started working on the paintings I am doing for my brother Kevin. I have been working on my website a tad. I haven't been in my studio at all (except about 15 minutes yesterday). I made two Etsy sales over the weekend! One was a cute custom baby hat that was quite a challenge. Highly enjoyable! We are going on a cruise next week, and that has been occupying my mind. Fern has another cold and continues to sleep horribly, so that is also what my mind has been up to. She has an appointment to see a specialist for her ears in January, and we really hope they can help us sort things out. Meanwhile, I am waiting for her to get another ear infection with this cold, but worrying about flying and cruising with a sick babe!!

Any suggestions for flight and cruise creativity? The flight is 2.5 hours, and the cruise doesn't really offer many kid's activities.
Oh, I sold one of my flickr photos of my girls to a small book company. They will be hopefully using it in a baby book about families. Exciting!

double-yolk egg

double-yolk egg,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

Yesterday morning, I cracked my egg, attempting to just let the whites go into the pan. Out shot these two yolks!

We went to a Christmas party for Tray's work last night. It was really fun, and the kids were really good. They both spazzed when it was time to leave, but that was expected.
Unfortunately, Fern woke up every hour and a half last night! There have been no strides in the 'cry it out' method...but I think the recurring ear infections and sprouting of new teeth aren't helping anything.

Deconstructing All-in-Ones

I am taking apart these diapers. I made them probably over 18 months ago for Sage. The problem is that they leak pee and poo, a mistake of mine, not the pattern. I always felt bad just throwing them away, so I've kept them, even though they're useless. I finally kicked myself to cut them up and use the pieces, if possible.
I love the pattern, it makes really nice cloth diapers that fit many sizes of babies. However, they still need a cover. I am really into my wool longies lately (the long wool pants I've been making). They do not smell, and I love having cozy, natural fibers on Fern's skin. Don't get me wrong, All-In-Ones are great, but they are smellier and take really long to dry.
I got a new snap press, I am really excited to try it out and finish a couple of projects I've started.
Sage has been enjoying playing with the scraps while I deconstruct:

Other than this, I've not been busy crafting at all. Fern has been sleeping horribly overnight, and I've just been exhausted. It's been a tough couple weeks. I need to make an appointment for her to see an ENT specialist.

Oh Snap

I almost forgot to post something to my shop today!
Here's a cute photo from last night's Christmas tree decorating party we had with the girls. Sage has my handmade garland from last year all over her (actually, just yarn with scraps of the same material as the skirt I posted about yesterday tied on):

It was so much fun to get our little house into festive mode. I never thought I would love the "season" or decorations or seasonal music, but I really do love it. We have already been enjoying our music with slow-dance parties every night before bed (each girl gets a parent for some cheek-to-cheek time). Tonight we were listening to Pandora, some really great Ella Fitzgerald and similar artists doing Christmas songs.
It is great now that Sage is old enough to help decorate, but it's tough because Fern wants to put everything in her mouth.
We've had fun talking to Sage about what Christmas is. We plan on doing the whole "Santa" thing, but obviously maintaining a healthy scoop of the reason for the season. Which, for us, is anticipating Jesus' birth.

Here's the hat on Etsy, and here's a photo of my model:

New Skirt in Shop

Hello again.
After a trip to school today to get some stuff sorted out, none of which got sorted out, I am back home to post this skirt.
I was inspired by a super cool skirt on Anthropologie's website. It was pretty awesome. Of course I am not skilled enough, nor would I want to wear one of these myself.
Sage had a blast modeling for me.
Anyways, here it is.

Tuesday

I just posted a new shirt in my shop: Check it out.




If you're an Etsy user, please add me to your favorites! I will reciprocate! Thanks for looking!

New Etsy Shop

I am opening a new Etsy shop, with 'Rebourne' as the shop name. It is an effort to reduce confusion (I am trying to stick with Rebourne for everything). I will be posting a new item everyday for the next couple of days. Check out the shop to see this little gift set I made for my friend:

buzzed my eyebrows off

buzzed my eyebrows off,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

on accident, of course. the most stupid part about it was that i didn't realize how short the left one was, and went right on to the other side. oh big duh.

all you kids out there wonder why your mom doesn't seem like she has a brain!? it's true. you sucked the life out of it.

ugh! my eyes have big bags!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great! Good time spent with lots of family, good food, and good conversation. I am grateful for my family!

Last week was kind of crazy. Fern has another ear infection, so that always throws us all through a loop. We are monitoring her for 3 months to see if we need to see a specialist. However, she is so cute, and I just love my two little ones. With school starting soon, I find myself savoring my time with them a bit more. I am worried about a lot of the details, but I am trying to not worry about it. Usually the things I stress about never even become an issue.


I have learned a couple of things to help my website improve. Thank you to my brother Kevin! You are great!

I have to go finish this shirt I am working on while I can!
Oh, another update: I am changing my Etsy shop to this location. More info to follow!

Philly Etsy Team

So I recently joined the Philly Etsy Team. I went to my first meeting this past Friday night, and I had a good time. Though I don't consider myself the most dedicated or successful Etsy seller, I still am interested in getting involved. I was inspired by the meeting. Here I am featured in a photo on the blog: phillyetsy.blogspot.com. I'm the one on the far right with my back to the camera.
We are planning some more Craftadelphia events (which I have not ever been a part of), as well as possible charity sale events, and a newsletter, among other things. I hope school doesn't suck the creativity out of me (or rather, the time or space to be creative), but we'll see. Physics is a rather visual topic, so hopefully it'll just be inspiring. One day I'd love to be designing and creating full-time when my girls are in school. That's the dream!
For now, I'm working on learning CSS so I can make my website a little less lame. Plus, it's been good practice to hit the books and learn. Hopefully my website will be updated really soon!

New Shirt

Here is Sage in a shirt I designed and made from recycled sweatshirts and tshirts and lace.
It was really hard to photograph her, even with the treat of candy as a reward. The light is tough in rowhouses! I wish I had Carina living in our house to help me! That would be amazing.

I drafted a simple pattern, then made the kimono design, then stitched it up. For the sleeves, I used an old pattern piece from a McCall's pattern, but I altered it.
I am happy with how it turned out, but there are certainly some adjustments I will make for future sales. The sweatshirt material is too thick to be used in this design: it didn't hang the way I envisioned it, it was tough to sew, and the shirt just looks too bulky. I was kind of going for that "short sleeved sweatshirt" look, but it ended up weird.
The cuffs around the neck were taken off of other tshirts, and in the future I will certainly add one big long strip of ribbing after the shoulder seams are made so that it's smoother and easier (like how most tshirts are made).
The shirt is cute, and I am stoked to be designing and making my own clothes. I am trying to get better at being a constructive critique of my mistakes, as opposed to lingering on it not being hugely "successful".
I guess that's life?

New Hat In Shop!

Here!

"Get in There"

Here are the girls this morning. It reminded me of 'Hansel and Gretel', kind of.


We spent a couple of days (okay, 1.5) in the 'burbs with my mom while she was in town. We left with kids on the brink of sickness, and this morning woke to coughs and sneezes with massive snot rockets. Oh Joy!! Saline spray and homeopathic 'cold tabs' it is...

I haven't been sewing at all the last couple days. But I just got an Etsy request for a toddler cycling cap, so perhaps I'll stitch a couple of them up.

Kind of boring around here! I guess the excitement is just tending needy little ones while they're feeling under the weather. That is truly an important job, I am trying to remind myself.

Daddy's Helmet

This little Fernie is pretty edible. How my love for each of my children is so different. I loved Sage from a point in time I cannot put into words, but Fern was different. Sage's birth was so dramatic, that when I finally held her in my arms and knew she would live (and so would I), I loved her so deeply. My love for Fern seems to grow exponentially with each moment. Sage is so much like me that we often butt heads. Fern is so much like Tray that I find it hard for me to hold a grudge (for example, not getting more than an hours rest at a time at night) because she is just so stinkin' cute. Example above.
They are so little, yet I feel like this has been an eternity of life. I am grateful for that.

Tonight our next-door-neighbors came over to hang out (and to tell me that they 'have my back' in defense of another aggressive neighbor who came to my door today). How great it was to hang out in our home with them. Tray and I are sad it has taken a year to make happen. We want it to happen again soon. What a gift (to have great neighbors, not to have neighborhood strife!!)!

Back of Longies

Back of Longies,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

Okay, kind of obnoxious that I am posting THREE times today, but I just whipped up another pair of recycled wool pants for Fern. Also, Tray started his own blog today, which I am really excited about.

All-In-One Diaper

So in keeping with the budget cuts in our family, I made Fern another diaper. This is called an "all-in-one" or AIO. That means it is pretty much a disposable diaper, but you wash it. By that, I mean that there is only one piece, you don't have to stuff it or lay anything inside or put plastic pants ontop of it. I am really happy with how my new machine handled all of the different layers and materials, especially the velcro, with little to no adjustments being made by me!
We will see the true test, the one that really matters: the poo test! Results coming soon!
Now I'm off to finish another pair of recycled wool pants for her. So far I am loving them! The only problem is that I don't have enough 'standard' size diapers that actually fit on her!

Crazy Children

I feel like I haven't posted in ages, though really it's just been a couple of days. Fern is cutting about 5 teeth right now, so any time I have during the day is spent resting or cleaning up the house. Last night she finally slept more than an hour and a half at a time, thank God! These days with little ones are so long, but I keep telling myself that in a few short years, I will be yearning for the days when they were like this.

New Wool Pants

Here are Fern's new pants. Since yesterday's realization that we SERIOUSLY need to curb our spending, I have resolved to cloth diaper as close to full-time as possible. For me, cloth diapering consists of a diaper and a diaper cover. I ran out of diaper covers really fast! Usually, you can change the diaper and not the cover, but Fern has managed to poo all over all the covers so fast! The other problem is that her cloth diapered bum doesn't fit into many of her clothes (certainly not onesies, and not many pants). So I made her these pants today out of sweater sleeves and elastic. We'll see how they go. I need a clothes drying rack so that our electric bill doesn't go out the roof.

Budgets and Flying Scotsmen

Two nights ago, Tray and I watched 'The Flying Scotsman'. I really loved the movie, and I was particularly moved by the scene in which the main character is verbally attacked by his childhood enemy.
"You're a nobody," he said.
It made me reflect on times in my life when I have felt that way. Whether it was a person, a group of people, life happenstance, or even something I did to someone else. I feel like I have "dealt" with most, if not all, of those times, whether through journaling or talking it out with someone. But sometimes I remember a specific moment, or someone's face, and the rawness is still there. I am beyond grateful for my faith, because I can bring that hurt and emptiness and sadness to God. I don't have to put it in words. I don't have to compose myself. I don't have to act like I have it all together. And as lame as it may sound, I often meditate on being held in the lap and arms of God, in a warm, quiet place where I am safe right now. A somebody. It doesn't make the hurt go away, it just helps me know that it is okay to hurt...but that I AM loved and I am not alone.

On to more mathematical issues. We have not been keeping a monthly budget for months now. We stopped keeping track out of laziness and folly, and I finally kicked myself into gear last month and kept track of our spending. Wow. That's all I have to say. We need to reign in for reals. I am going to be cloth diapering and cloth wiping it up, watching our food costs, not buying expensive beer, and changing our internet access. Also praying for good attitudes and joy in being wise spenders!
Speaking of math, I am headed back to school in a couple of months. I am pretty nervous. I will be taking 'Introduction to Modern Physics' and 'Mathematical Physics'. Needless to say, I am nervous about school and nervous about the girls. But, I am really excited about Mathematical Physics, as that is what I'm into. Modern? Not so much...too theoretical. But maybe inspiration for some cool clothes?

Pizza

We've been eating a lot of pizza around these parts. Sage likes to help me with the dough. It is SO nice to feel like she is finally able to actually help me with things, instead of "help" while ruining everything! Don't get me wrong, many times her helping turns into more frustration for both of us, but I am figuring out how to plug her into my projects so that she feels useful and productive. I am grateful for her crazy little spirit.

I also posted two new items to my Etsy shop today:

Hubbs

Marriage has certainly been an adventure so far. We got married after knowing each other for less than 2 years! I have been ever so grateful for Tray, for our marriage, and how our marriage has taught me so much about God's love. Mainly just that Tray loves me, even when I am being a total jerk or I am being totally immature or just straight up mean. Sure, he probably thinks I am annoying and silly, but he still loves me. And that love is so minute compared to God's. It's not our anniversary, I am just feeling grateful for him today. How could you not feel grateful for this guy, who cleans our kitchen and wipes our floors and washes our car on a regular basis??

Vote

This is the first election I have voted in. I regret not voting last time around. I took Sage to the polling place with me, which was a block away! Thankfully the line wasn't too long and she behaved. As we left, she said, "We gonna go to the boat now, Mommy?" I guess she thought it was going to be way more fun than it actually was.

Sickness has been abundant in our family, and most families I know. I guess it's the season. We took Fern to CHOP's ER on Saturday because we couldn't tell what was going on. Both girls have this nasty cough and Fern just wouldn't sleep and seemed to be in a lot of pain. It was just a cold, but her left ear was on its way to being infected. I opted to let it go for a couple of days and just gave her Tylenol for the pain and some homeopathic treatments, and it's been fine. Last night she was only up once! Thank God!
I am excited to see how this election turns out. Hear Hear! However, Tray and I have been passing out in the 8 o'clock hour, so we'll see how that goes!!

Ahh...

So, my website is getting better. Much thanks (okay, all thanks), to my little (but much larger than me) brother, Kevin. He is a master of all things web design. Hopefully I will learn some html and css to help make my site a little less pathetic as time goes on. I have two books on reserve from the library to help me out.
I finished another recycled wool cycling cap for a friend an old friend of mine. I did some embroidery on it, and I am pleased to hear that he likes it, doesn't hate it. I can't believe how my new sewing machine performed, wow.

I used a new technique for the inside part, using this super soft elastic. The fit was so nice, Tray was immediately asking for more for the bike shop.
Wool is one of those materials I am getting more and more into lately.
So the Phillies won! I felt myself almost getting sucked into the group mentality as I was driving to Ikea this morning with tons of other people (thankfully, they were headed to the stadiums, not Ikea). But I resisted. People are quickly drawn to flip cars over and loot when the group mentality takes over. RESIST!

Just in time for election day

It's a serious choice!! No, I'm not about to get all political. I am having a hard time with this election. There are those important issues like abortion and the war, on which I really don't feel like the candidates have that differing of opinions!
As my mother-in-law says, "Obama is a Marxist!!! Do you want a Socialist running this country?"
It would be nice to have health insurance, especially on a day like today where I am very close to having a breast infection. That's a whole 'nother blog.
I also just finished a wool cycling cap and another toddler's dress, soon to be posted once I get the candy together to bribe my model. Ha!

Snow

So yeah, I guess everyone kind of had some snow today? I didn't see any here in the city, though the rain was close to being freezing. I took the girls to the Please Touch Museum again today, which was fun. Other than that and some hot chocolate, not much else went on...
Here's Tray in his crazy weather gear:

Now Stitching

Woohoo! I am making my friend Chris a hat, with an extra somethin-somethin that I hope he likes, or will tolerate. It's a wool cycling cap, and so far I am lovin' the fit of it.
My labels came in the mail today!!!:
I am working on a couple tennis dresses for size 12months-2T. Soon to be posted to my Etsy.
Tonight I am going to see my friend Lois sing in Adam and Dave's Bloodline at Johnny Brenda's. I am already exhausted, so it should be interesting. But I gotta see her!

Today Sage said, "When I'm a mommy I'll get to go to concerts too!"
I didn't have the heart to tell her that when she's a mommy she probably won't have the money, babysitter, or energy to go to concerts.

Brown Vest, Recycled materials

My first vest, completed, except one thing. I learned a lot, mostly about shoulder seams! And how amazing my new machine is! I have also decided that if I think I am not going to like the fit of a garment beforehand, I should probably alter it before I make it! If I were to remake this vest, I would make it longer, and make the shoulder seams more narrow.
This pattern was pretty easy to follow, especially for a BurdaStyle pattern. The only super tricky part was the shoulder seams. I didn't quite get it for a while, and thankfully didn't destroy the vest in the process.
Like the last dress I made, I am not sure if or when I will wear this vest. But, I am proud and glad to be done!
Now, moving on to the 4 commissioned projects I have on my plate. Fun!!

Etsy

Whole Foods' Diapers and the Please Touch Museum

Ok, moms out there: NEVER BUY WHOLE FOODS' DIAPERS. Already this morning (it's 7:56 AM), Fern has pooped or peed out of two diapers onto two different outfits. I am better off in cloth diapers full time with the amount of outfits I'm washing right now. Plus she's got a raging rash, which may or may not be her teeth. She is getting a top tooth! I feel like throwing a party or something!

Yesterday we went to the Please Touch Museum in Memorial Hall. They just moved the location from Center City to Fairmount Park. I was blown away! I had pretty low expectations, as I expected they would just be moving the old stuff to the new space. But the building itself is amazing! The layout makes so much more sense, different activities are grouped separately, the activities are more obviously age appropriate (or not, depending), and it actually feels like Sage will get a workout now. Before, the museum was so small that we would leave exhausted, but not necessarily from running around! It seems like there are so many different things to do that more children will be occupied at the same time now. At the old location, certain displays only had a couple items, and I often found myself in sharing wars with Sage (while juggling Fern) because there were three other kids waiting in line.
I had a blast. The Cleveland Kids' Museum was my favorite thing in the world when I was young, and I know that this place will create some awesome memories for so many kids.
Did I mention there's free parking and a free carousel (to members)? Amazing. Anyone with two adults and two kids can use our membership, so let me know if anyone out there would like to visit. Hopefully your kids will be more appreciative of the awesomeness than mine were:

Roofing Dust

The dust and grime and dirt from the roof removal (apparently 3 layers of it) has me down. After spending two days and two nights at my parents' house in the suburbs, we came home today.
When the girls went down for their naps, I went upstairs to work in my studio. I had left the window open a crack, and I realized that the dust had creeped in and covered my desk and my serger and sewing machines. I saw the wreckage and quickly turned right back around and headed downstairs.
"I am trying really hard not to lose my s_#@* right now," I said to hubby.

I feel like I am not attached to that many material things, why do the few things I care so deeply about have to get "ruined". I struggled for the next couple hours (and continue to) with that internal battle. "Why does God let bad things happen?" "I know this is a test, why can't I have a good attitude about it?" "I need a stiff drink." "Why am I whining about some stupid piece of plastic and metal?"
Sometimes I am pathetic.
Thankfully, I have a patient and gentle husband.
On to funnier, lighter news: fashion:
this girl is almost edible.

Exposure

So right now I am at my parents' house, hence no photos. Blah.
Our roof is being redone, or fixed, or whatever they do to roofs (rooves?). On Monday morning, I took a run after my week of no working out. I came home and showered, then ran upstairs to get my clothes from our 3rd floor bedroom. Little did I know that our curtains had been taken down and there was already a man on our roof, right by the dormer window! Hmm, exposure indeed. I quickly ran back downstairs and barked at my husband...something not worth repeating.
Speaking of not working out for a week. It was nice, but hubby says, "You weren't much fun to be around." Runner's high is pretty great.
More fun stuff soon, I hope.
OH MY...How could I forget the growler of ESB from The Ship Inn? Tray's friend from grade school and high school, Wayne, hooked us up with the growler. Tray's other friend Mick married the Ship's owner's daughter, so they enjoyed some good times on the house on Saturday. What great beer, and thanks Jesse for schooling me on the extra special.

Yesterday I got to spend about an hour to myself! Tray took both girls to the park and I rode my bike to the Foodery to enjoy a nice Bell's Two-Hearted (which I loved!!) and work on my embroidery:

Heels and Vacuums

No, I never wear heels. The last time I did was at my friend Lindsay's wedding, and some wouldn't even consider those heels. That was 3 1/2 years ago. And it was only because I was IN the wedding party. But, I have a wedding to go to this weekend, and my sister-in-law sent up these cool pants from Brazil, and my friend Danielle worked as my stylist the other day and told me what to wear. Kind of fun. Kind of hideous. Really ridiculous. But fun.
This vacuum is so amazing. I know for some people, it costs more than they make in a year. But it is so incredible. I finally vacuumed our bedroom this morning, and it was so gratifying to see all of the dust in the chamber. Plus, it doesn't take bags, you just press a button and the bottom drops out, leaving all the nasty in your trashcan. No cleaning, one handed.
Here's another funny photo of Sage in a sleep sack. Reminds me of Maggie from the Simpsons.
And here's a fun photo of stuff I've finished recently:
Now, to go sew on my new machine!! Woo I am scared!

This is Fern this morning.
Last night, we finished dinner and I let her have some fruit popsicle. She devoured it, and was mad when I took her to the bathroom to wash her hands and I took the popsicle stick away. Then she was mad that she couldn't play with the water anymore. Then she was mad that I proceeded to change her poopie diaper. And then she was REALLY mad that I plopped her on the floor in front of all her toys while I wiped down her high chair, the table and the floor. She started to scream, and was only exhaling. Tray was typing an email, and I let him know, "Fern is really upset right now."
I kept wiping as we were heading up for bed soon, and I didn't want the slime permanently attaching itself to the layer of dirt already on the floor. I looked over at her again because I still hadn't heard her let out her scream. Then I realized she still hadn't taken a breath in. I quickly scooped her up and realized she wasn't breathing. She turned blue and still hadn't gasped in. Her body went limp in my arms, her arms and legs were like dead weights and she just felt so heavy.
I was screaming at her. I was pounding her back, I didn't know if she had somehow choked on something or the popsicle was making her go into distress or WHAT. I told Tray to call 911, and could only picture myself in the back of an ambulance with my dead baby on a stretcher.
Finally the color started returning, but she wasn't crying and didn't seem very phased. I wanted her to nurse so badly, and she nursed fine and seemed fine. We went upstairs so I could make sure she would crawl around and pull herself up and listen to stories at bedtime. Again, in the 30 minutes I monitored her, her breathing and color and temperature seemed fine. I remembered that I had heard of some babies and toddlers who make themselves pass out, and Tray comforted me that she was fine and that she just lost her breath for a bit.
What a scary experience. Especially after hearing this article on NPR yesterday. I am so grateful for her little life and hope I never have to hold her like that again.

Nice morning at the park

Sage and bridge,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

This morning, we went for a quick visit to Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River for a little walkabout. Sage liked chasing squirrels and looking at the water. I was entertained by the mob of jet skiers. Ha!

A Couple Exciting Things

Tray's mom is home from her month in Brazil. Fern spent some good cuddle time:
I am excited about these things:
1.) 3 of my cycling caps have sold in the last week at the bike shop (yes, that's my hubby on the main page).
2.) At playgroup today, I saw one of the dresses I designed and made being sported by a sweet little girl.
3.) My business cards and garment tags are on the way.
4.) My website is being revamped.
5.) I got (purchased it, because I LOST the contest at Threadbanger.com) a new sewing machine yesterday!
Wow.

CHEEEEESE

sage watering,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

Here is Sage helping Daddy water our plants on a beautiful October day.

living room jungle gym

We got these from Ikea and installed them for Sage to burn off some energy. Also, got her this bike, which she is thankfully pretty into. She doesn't "get" pedaling yet, but we wanted her to be able to get around. She just uses her own feet to move the bike, and can lift them up when she gets going to learn balance. She is finally willing to wear a helmet too! This girl has got so much energy, I am hoping these things help channel some of it.

Check out Fern in the middle of her "Old Man" laugh.

Mystery Jack-O-Lantern

This guy showed up on our stoop the other night! We have no idea who put it there, isn't that great?

I know everyone and their half brother have this photo, but here's our version!

This was a fun weekend. Sunday I went to Bella Vista Beer Distributors' Open House at their new location. Jesse told me about it, and it was pretty much a blast. The only problem was that Tray was at work, I had both kids, and I had to drive home,...in time for naps! Too bad I couldn't stay all day. Church was so much fun, and I am volunteering in the nursery with the children's team every couple weeks. I am also trying to get together a little newsletter to debrief the parents in our church about the goings ons of our children's ministry. I am excited, and I feel super excited for where things are going. The physical space has opened up some creativity and initiative, and it's all good.
Yesterday while the girls napped, I ordered up some moo minicards. I am super excited about it! I also ordered up some garment tags with my logo and website on them! This is pretty exciting for me! We'll see where things go.

Take it Out

knit,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

This morning, I had about an hour to myself to work on my crafty projects. I didn't really make any forward progress. I ended up spending the majority of my time correcting mistakes I made.
I am learning that life takes work. I am grateful that I am able to take my mistakes out and redo. Reknit. Restitch. I am grateful that God does that with me too.

I feel like I was on a blog roll, and then on my birthday, insanity ensued before 7:30 AM, and my husband texted me, "I don't want this in your blog." It got me thinking about things.
I ran 8 1/2 miles this week, without stopping to walk. That is a first for me, until then I had only gone 5 miles. The last three miles, it was raining. It actually helped distract me and made me feel superhuman, and helped me draw on the times when I have done awesome wilderness trips. In particular, I remember canoeing and portaging a whole day in pouring rain. It made running seem like cake.
Then, I watched 'The Business of Being Born' and remembered that I gave birth twice, naturally, once at home. And I remembered that running 8 1/2 miles is pretty much laughable compared to that. So I am considering doing a half marathon. Takers?

In the Crib

In the Crib,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

The girls are napping now, and I am hanging out, working on my wool vest. I decided to put some ruffles in it, hopefully it'll look good. I have never done this before, so of course I pinned them all in place in the wrong direction.
Fern is in Danger Baby phase: crawling to cords and stairs and putting things in her mouth that she'll choke on, pulling herself up onto chairs, etc. I forgot how exhausting this phase is! But at the same time, she is more content, and gosh those thighs are edible. I am really enjoying the girls lately.
"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
The other night, Tray lovingly told me that I have been complaining a lot lately. It was hard to hear. But, I feel like it has helped me look at the words coming out of my mouth, at least with regards to complaining. The first day was really hard not to blurt things out and feel entitled to complain, but once I worked through that entitlement, I felt like God was meeting me where I was at and giving me the ability to move on. I am still working with it, but I feel so much more positive this last week. I don't want that negative poison spewing to others from my mouth, and I certainly don't want it in my heart.

recycled wool vest

recycled wool vest,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

I am working on a recycled wool vest. This wool is making my studio very linty!