Crib Sheet DIY.

Sometimes you just have that a-ha moment (for lack of a better term). But the obvious just becomes so clear. I've had my eye on some fancy new sheets for Little Man's bed but I cannot bring myself to pay some of the ridiculous prices out there. Friday I was just about at the point of breaking down and doing it, buying yet another new thing that we can live without, when it occurred to me that I could probably just make it. Enter this MADE tutorial. I cannot tell you how happy I am with the results!

All you need is 2 yards of fabric and 80 inches of 1/4 inch elastic and a long enough nap from the little one to get it done. Her tutorial is so simple and straight forward I don't really need to walk you through it but here are my step by step pictures anyway since I took them.

1. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and widthwise with the outside edges lining up.

2. Cut out 8 x 8 inch squares from the folded corners.

3. Fold over and iron a pocket to thread the elastic through and pin.

4. Sew the four corners together to create the corner pockets that wrap around the mattress. She recommends a serged edge but I don't have a serger so I did this stretch stitch and then a straight stitch to ensure that it will stay secure. I looked at sheet we already have to figure that out. Make you you unfold the elastic pocket before you sew the corners in. Next you sew the elastic pocket seam closed with a straight stitch.

5. Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through, sew the elastic together then sew the pocket and put it on!

The woman at the cutting counter thought I was nuts to use this fabric for a crib sheet, she said "it will keep the baby awake!" I doubt it. Look how happy he is. If you make it let me know!

Brickyard Buffalo Sale.

I'm SO excited to announce that my bow ties are up for a flash sale on Brickyard Buffalo starting today! This site hosting by some really lovely women is great and features new items every week at discounted prices to help smaller businesses get their names out there. Check it out. Thanks for modeling Little Man!

The Challenger

This sweet boy is about to be two years old in a few weeks and I'll tell you quite honestly, you can tell. For the most part he's a good boy but there's a temper hiding in there. It's been showing it's impatient little head these days and I'll tell ya, it's not so pretty. I've done lots of reading and know that being a toddler can be confusing and difficult, as in "I'm perfectly fine here playing, why are you making me leave?" My agenda means nothing to him and I get that. But the yelling about "no want it" can get old quickly. We all have to take a breath and regroup sometimes. However, as I write this, I'm listening to him sing his favorite song in pretty perfect pitch in his room as he falls asleep and I'll take this time to enjoy it and prepare for another adventure tomorrow. 

Mark This Day In History

We rode a train yesterday. Are you listening?! We rode a real live mini train at the Cleveland Botanical Garden's Glow event. O seriously almost fainted from excitement! Just look at that blurry little face!

Two tickets to paradise. We had the nerve to scoff at the $3.50/rider price (I think that this price was in place since it was Circle Fest and all of the museums were free) but when he saw that train go by he gasped with pure joy. So like good parents we gladly handed over the dough.

The train ride was short but honestly the sweetest thing of his whole life! He talked about it for the rest of the day. Like "seriously guys, do you remember that train ride?!" Circle Fest was a lot of family fun, we saw horse drawn carriages, lots and lots of lights, and even had a popcorn ball. This weekend was filled with really great events but nothing tops that smiling little face! Happy Monday friends.

Happy Halloween!!

We ran off to join the circus! We all opted for leading roles too of course, The Ringmaster, The Conductor (it's a traveling circus), and me the Tightrope Walker. 

Initially the costume theme was based on this lion suit. But naturally you should not rely on the will of a 21 month old child. His will was very much against this cute little suit. So about an hour before we had to leave for the party we came up with Plan B. It worked out just fine.

The party in the park was a lot of fun despite the cold wind and rain. The kids didn't seem to mind one bit. After all, there was pizza, creepy cookies, and donuts hanging from a string!

I was cold much earlier than this guy even cared. He and his bff loved the wet ground and puddles to splash in!

The three-legged race was comical, and there was a mummy wrap contest too! It actually made me so dizzy I thought I was going to fall on the ground.

Thanks to Andy Warhol, we got an invite to a really fun party! Our Trick or Treating was postponed due to the storm so I'm not sure what we'll do tonight to celebrate! But I wish you all a spooktacular night!

An Encounter

Yesterday was a day. Baby boy wasn't feeling his best so we had to make due just hanging out together. When he woke up from his nap we ran some errands that included stopping by to see Papa at work. All was well and we were on our way to pick up four tablespoons of miso from a friend that I needed for a recipe, aren't friends grand? Anyhow, Oliver started in on an incredibly out of control coughing fit so I stopped the car and pulled over. I turned around to check on him and stuck my hand out just in time to catch vomit (just as FYI try to avoid doing that because then you have NO way to clean up with a hand full of puke). Oh no. I jumped out of the car to assess the messy situation and to make sure he was ok. As I stood there wondering what exactly I should use to clean him up, a woman stopped raking and came over to help. She brought me out an old towel and reassured me that in her experience, he was probably feeling better and would make it home. After all, she had six kids of her own plus grandchildren, so I believed her.

It was so kind of her to make sure we were ok and to offer a towel instead of the diaper wipes I was using. People are nice and I really appreciated the help. Good samaritans are a blessing and I'll be sure to return the kindness when I can.

A Cookie For Your Thoughts

Yesterday we had a really fun play date with some friends. We talked about sleeping, eating, and all things family. I love play dates like these because I came away with ideas for cooking, snacking, and making time for the good things in life. I felt better about Oliver's sleeping issue and was ready to work this thing out. We had dinner, we had fancy cookies from a too close bakery and he went to bed. And then he woke up...we tried to let him cry and settle back down but that just didn't work. Mostly because I feel so paranoid about being too noisy in this apartment. I heard the downstairs neighbors up after he settled back down, I don't know if they were up before or not but hearing them didn't help. I'm certain it's just a phase but when you are in the thick of it it's really hard to see the end. We all need a little more sleep and maybe another cookie. Have a great day out there!

The Puddler Splasher

Little Man got a new raincoat. I was heckling myself when I picked it up because it's rained like four times this summer. But on Monday we got to test it out. It's mighty cute if I must say so myself. We were in and out of the rain that day making the most of our day together.

We splashed in puddles up and down the street. Then the sun came out so we shed the outer layer.

Then we found the mother of all puddles on the street. It was deep and reflective. He stuck his toes in.

Then he sat in it.....naturally. We were so close to making it through the day in one outfit.

And then a quick down dog over the puddles before we headed home. Have a great Wednesday!

Library Date

We took a trip to the library the other day. It's one of our favorite places on a rainy day, so needless to say we haven't been there much this summer! But it's also a nice way to cool off and play. Oliver was overwhelmed by all the big kids there and had to take a little break on the windowsill. And I caught him in the cute little pose.

We went up to check out the walkway. I thought he'd be so impressed seeing the cars drive under us. He was like "ok mama, let's go back inside now." I guess I'll try that again another day.

There he goes quietly racing by the stacks. I had to pick up a new book for my (newly formed) book club, The Paris Wife. Have you read it yet? So far I'm enjoying it. It's a fictionalized story of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson told from her perspective. It's hard to find extended amounts of time to get in reading but I really do enjoy it. I do spend lots of time reading about trucks though.

Working Guilt

It has been my pleasure to return to work. It's part time and the hours spent there go by quickly. It's nice to be around adults and feel like my "old" self for a bit. But here's the thing, it's tough to leave my babe. I know without a doubt that he's in good hands and that he has a ton of fun with my parents and his buddies but it's still tough! This week we have been met with whiny mornings on the days that I work, full blown crying fits when papa leaves, and just some plain old irritability. I know that it will take some time to work itself out. I know that he's usually fine once we drop him off too so there's that in the back of my mind. But I sure do feel guilty when he's crying on the way to the car or needing lots of extra hugs to get through breakfast. I know this will pass, he's a tough little dude and I was lucky enough to be home for a long time! Here's to happy mornings and fun family weekends!

Adventure Day

Yesterday morning was deemed Adventure Day, by me, so Oliver and I headed to Euclid Creek Park to hike and check out the creek. As I imagined, he was enthralled with all the rocks to pick up and gather and the creek, which unfortunately is not for wading. 

We walked around the paths and checked out the creek from above on a wooden platform that was perfect for stomping on.

He spotted a giant plane overhead and was so excited he had to sit down. Planes are quickly becoming one of his favorite things to talk about.

Oliver waved at every single jogger, biker, and group of people that passed us on the path. He was the unofficial greeter for the park that day.

As the skies started to quickly darkened, I decided to turn back. But of course we got caught in the rain anyway, which was fine with both of us. He thinks it's funny and I got a quick cool down.

The end.

Also, please, please joins tonight at Art in the Petit Parc from 5:00-9:00 at Chartreuse in Lakewood! And if you are looking to get out and experience some amazing Cleveland Gardens this weekend, check out the 2nd Annual Garden Walk Cleveland! Explore new neighborhoods and meet people committed to making our city beautiful!

What is Love

The other night was rough. Poor baby boy is getting molars and got a pretty nasty virus and let me tell you, it's not pretty. He can't sleep, he's feverish and clingy, and just not himself. It sucks. So once again we let him cuddle up with us in bed and take over all aspects of comfort in an effort to soothe his little soul. I knew we were in for a rough night of no sleep but as I was laying there getting kicked in the face, stomach, neck, knowing that my husband was getting the same treatment, I had a thought. This is love. He needed us and we are there, no matter if that means we are suffering the next day. This little dude has all of our heart and we are happy to give it. Three cheers to all the good parents out there, you are amazing.

Summer is turning out to be our most favorite season of all so far. The Little Man has been beyond busy playing
outside, in the pool, and with his little buddies. This is a photo dump update of what it's like to live with the busiest
guy on the block. Quiet moments in the backyard, to filthy playtime covered in crayon and mud. This guy is the best!

Every moment of being mama isn't easy but when I see these photos of my favorite boy, it fills my heart with joy. What
have you been doing to enjoy the summer so far?

Over the Weekend

This weekend felt like summer indeed. The sun was shining brightly and there were popsicles, pool parties, BBQs, and fun. Ours started out with the arrival of these incredibly cute toddler suspenders and some backyard fun.

On Saturday we attended the 23rd Annual Parade the Circle. This was unfortunately the best photo that I got because there was just too much going on to get pictures this year. Chasing a babe really changes things.

We headed to a baby pool party where the kids had the run of the backyard. Little Man fell in love with this motorcycle and discovered how awesome a Big Wheel can really be. Please note the blackberry war paint that he's wearing. Unbeknownst to me, he and his buddy entered into a blackberry eating contest and he wore the evidence all night.

We had a Sunday lunch date and Oliver enjoyed sitting near the open kitchen at Melt. On our walk home we discovered a lemonade stand! We got two cups of juice and bubbles for a steal. I loved their sign.

Then we had another pool party at a family friend's house. She built this amazing working stream filled with trucks and pebbles for the kiddos to play in. This was serious business for O. He conked out on the drive home and ended up sleeping for 12 hours! He missed dinner and everything. So needless to say last weekend was a blast and we look forward to many more!