So far, I’ve made these two dresses from old shirts I had.  They are definitely not perfect, but Abi likes them, so I guess that’s what matters.

This was a super simple project.  Can’t believe I didn’t make one sooner.  Here’s a tutorial for you:

1. Lay a dress or shirt of your toddler’s on top of the shirt you’re going to cut.  Make sure the necklines match up and fold the sleeves in on the toddler shirt.
2. Draw around the top item with disappearing ink pen, and then, cut around the lines.
3. Cut around the neckline.
4. Then cut the back side of the dress to be closer to the neckline
5. Sew up the sides with a straight stitch and then a zigzag stitch.
6. Then sew around the arm holes and stitch the back part, too.
7. Then, cut the neckline in the middle on the back part (where the tag used to be), and sew the ends onto the back of the dress, to make spaghetti straps.

You’re done, unless you want to embellish more.  The first one, I decided to make some flowers with the left over fabric.  (I was a little worried that the flowers wouldn’t hold up in the wash, but they stayed perfectly intact!)

For the second dress, I made ruffles.  I’ve cut out 4 other shirts, but I haven’t gotten around to sewing them into dresses, yet.  Any ideas for other ways to dress up the dresses??

Oh, I learned from making the first one that I should’ve make the bottom part of the dress more like an A-line.

I also made these bows to match the dress themes:

Let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any questions.

I’ve been asked several times how I made the following projects:

The answer is with Freezer Paper Stenciling.  It’s super easy.  I’d say the hardest part is cutting out your design with an exacto knife.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Freezer Paper (I got mine at Walmart in the section that has Aluminum Foil, Wax paper, etc.)
• Exacto Knife (also purchased at Walmart, in the sewing section)
• Fabric Paint (I got mine from Hobby Lobby and Walmart.)
• Iron
• Paint sponge/brush
• Cardboard

I’ve made up a video to describe the process for you.  One thing though, at about 50 seconds into the video, I gave the wrong info. . . .  You actually put the middle sheet of paper waxy side UP (not down, as said in video).

Some extra information . . .

• ****I’ve been told by one person that she had a problem with printing her image (the paper got really stuck).  Sooo, you might wanna be on the safe side and trace your image onto the paper side of the freezer paper.
• Freezer paper is rolled up like wrapping paper.  I like to cut mine in 8.5x11 inch sheets, so they can go directly in the printer.  If you don’t want to print onto the freezer paper, you can print onto a normal sheet of paper and then trace the image onto freezer paper.  Regardless of how you print, you want your design on the freezer paper to be on the paper side because you want the waxy side to be ironed onto your fabric.
• Also, cut the image with an exacto knife on top of cardboard, cutting board, or a rotary board.
• I open the shirt and insert a cardboard in the middle, so the paint won’t bleed.
• You can use tweezers to remove the small bits of freezer paper after you’re finished painting.

Any questions?

People often look as me with concern and say, “So, how is Abigail doing with the new baby?”  It’s like they’re expecting me to tell woes about how Abi has mistreated Lydia (and just so we’re clear, she has not), just like when they cock their heads to the side and say, “So, you getting any sleep at all?”  (And I happily say, “Yep, a normal 8 hours, and it could’ve been 10, if I went to bed when Lydia did.”)  I’m not trying to be cocky; I’m just trying to say that some people have misconceptions about how ALL babies and toddler will behave, and I want to clear up one of those today.

Thanks to my super cousin Katie, I got some great advice about how to transition the former only child to becoming a big sibling.  She even sent me this book: Welcoming Your Second Baby, by Vicki Lansky.  So giving and thoughtful!  I love her!

Anyway, here are a few tips I learned . . .

1. Take your child to your OB appointments.  Abi went to all of my OB visits, and when we listened to baby’s heartbeat, we told her that Baby was “calling her”.  Abi would say, “What’s she sayin’?  How you doing Baby?”
2. Read books about what it is like to be a big sister/brother.  Here’s one I love, and here’s another one that’s good, too.
3. Get a baby doll.  We got Abigail this baby doll 3 months before Lydia was born, so Abigail could learn how to hold a baby and be gentle.  This baby doll, who she named Rachel, even cries, so Abi learned that babies cry a lot.  Also there are times when Abi wants me to do something with her, but I’m nursing Lydia, and I say, “Go get Baby Rachel, so you can take care of your baby, too.”
4. Get a doll house. We bought this doll house, so we could “roll play” what it would be like to have a new baby and to be a big sister.
5. Buy or make some Big Sister/Brother shirts.  Abigail loved (and still does) wearing her shirts.
6. Put a picture of yourself and hubby in your child’s room, so they know you’re still thinking of them when you’re gone at the hospital.
7. Hide a few small gifts around the house.  When you call from the hospital, you can tell your child where to look for them.  We hid a toy camera for Abigail in the laundry room, and when I called, I told her to go to the place where she helps me put the clothes in the washer.  This was helpful, too, because everyone wants to take picture of the new baby, so she could join in with her new toy camera.  Also, make sure to take plenty of pictures of your older child.
8. Have a present at the hospital for your child to open; tell the child it is from the new baby.  We had 3 gifts at the hospital– one Abigail could open each day we were there.  The first day, she got a barn with animals.  Day 2, she got two dolls.  Day 3, she got a foam puzzle.  This also keeps them entertained while there.
9. Make sure Mom is not holding Baby when the older sibling comes to visit the baby for the first time.  Your child needs time to warm up to Baby on his own time.  When Abi came into the room, my arms were empty, so I could love on her.  I told her after a few seconds of hugs that the baby came out of my belly and wanted to give Abi a present.  Then, she opened the present.  We didn’t show her Lydia for awhile.  Eventually we said, “Hey, Abi, would you like to tell your new baby sister thank you for the gift?”  And that’s when she met Lydia.  It was presh!
10. We try to refer to Lydia as “OUR baby”, so Abigail doesn’t feel left out.

Abi adores Lydia.  Abi always wants to hold Lydia, touch her, kiss her, hug her, and help her.  Abi has never once tried to hurt Lydia emotionally or physically.  Abi has never acted hurt or unloved by us or Lydia.  We’re so fortunate.  I hope these tips can help you, too!

We have a smart 26 month old.  We’ve known this for awhile, due to Pediatrician appointments where they tell us that she’s advanced and way ahead, but it’s still shocking to watch her comprehend and remember things so easily.  We’re learning that not much is outside of her reach.

A few months ago, we taught her to know the difference between her left and right.  She gets it correct 100% of the time now.  She’s been able to count to 20, say her ABCs, know all her colors, know shapes, quote entire books, say the NT books of the bible, and communicate in paragraph form with us since well before she turned two years old.

What’s the newest thing on the list of her knowledge . . .

Spelling!

When we don’t want Abi to get too excited or disappointed about something, if we decide to not to it (like go to the P-A-R-K  or to take a B-A-T-H), we spell it out to each other.  Sometimes, if I’m spelling, Jonathan doesn’t even know the word, and vice versa.  So, it completely shocked us when the other day . . .

I asked Jonathan: “You want some D-E-S-S-E-R-T?”
Abi: “Oh, I want some.”
Me: “You want some what?”
Abi: “Dessert!  Please may I have dessert?”

Wow, I’m pretty sure we had never spelled out dessert before.  How did she do that!?

I was thinking about that at lunch today and thought it might’ve been a fluke, so I tested her.

Me: “Abi, what does D-O-G spell?
Abi: “Dog!”
Me: “Okay.  What does D-U-C-K spell?”
Abi: “Ummm, umm, Duck.”

I tried B-U-G next, but she said Pig.

She just catches on to things so quickly.  Hopefully her love of learning will turn out to be a good thing.  Sometimes I feel like it’s a blessing . . . and a curse (as Monk would say).

Any neat stories about how your kids wowed you?

I don’t know how to write this post.  So many thoughts going through my head and tears flowing from my eyes.  As a mother of two young girls, this story has really impacted me.

[On July 10] Preslee fell into a canal in Rigby (Idaho). About 2 miles down the canal a farmer who was working in the water saw her and immediately started CPR. His brother was with him and called 911. She was air lifted to EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center) and then flown down to Primary Children’s Hospital. . . Her body is healing . . . but her brain is swelling.

Please join me in prayer for this sweet 18 month old little girl.  I’m praying that she grows stronger to live a healthy life with no brain damage.  But above all, I’m praying for peace, strength, and joy for her family and for the doctors to make wise decisions and for God to show mercy and grace to this family.

So technology is awesome.  Sometimes it kills me though . . . like when it comes to my husband’s iPhone.  He has that thing in his pocket, by his nightstand, or in his hands 98% of the time.  The only time it’s not with him is during a shower, I suppose.

I like to refer to this piece of technology as his “mistress”.  I have threatened many a time to throw his obsession across the room.

I, however, have a healthy relationship with my iPod touch.  It is mostly shared with our toddler; she probably uses it 80% more than I do.  Anyway, here’s a break down of some FREE apps we like . . .

Toddler Games*

• WordWorld- Drag letters to build word animals.  Abi loves it so much we bought the full version.
• Baby Piano Lite
• FirstWord Sampler- Move letters onto letters to spell simple words.
• Baby Draw- Draw shapes with different color choices.
• Shapes- Touch the diamond, hexagon, etc.  Then they earns stickers and applause.
• Ding Dong Bell & I Close My Eyes Lite- Abi loves these animated cartoons.
• I Hear Ewe & iBabyBuddy- Touch animals, and they make sounds.
• Shape Lite & Toddlelite- Puzzles.  Abigail really likes these ones.
• PreK Safari Lite- watch animals and learn letters
• Peekaboo Barn- find animals
• 123 Counting- Counting Animals, etc
• 123 Count with Me- Set up like a book
• Alphabet Creatures Lite
• Super Match Madness- matching game
• Letter Quiz Lite
• Up- Pop balloons to find the house.

Healthcare:

• iNeedMilk- It tracks how long you’re nursing and on what side you’re nursing.
• Breastfeed- Mostly for newborn management.  Has FAQs and lets you know what meds interfere with nursing
• What to Expect

Sports:

• ScoreMobile- Convient way to find scores in all sports.
• At Bat Lite & Pro Baseball- Tells you scores, play by play, and more of MLB

Games:

• Paper Toss- Super addicting.  You flick a wad of paper into a trash can, while a fan blows.
• Word Warp- Like Text Twist.
• Sheep Launch- Tap a sheep up into the sky.

Misc

• Voice Memos- Need a microphone for this.
• Mapquest- Find gas stations, stores, restaurants quickly.
• TheFind- Finds nearby and web stores that carry whatever item you search for.
• Bible- I like taking my bible to church so I can mark it up; Jonathan, however, likes using this app.
• Pandora- Choose music you like.
• Moron Quiz & Imbecile Test- How smart are you?
• Traffic!- Especially helpful when you live in a big city; it tells you which streets/highways are crowded, etc.
• Sporcle- Trivia game.  This passed the time on a 9 hour car ride.

So what other apps should I look into?

*I feel as if many of these apps are quite annoying.  However, they occupy Abigail’s attention, so I allow her to play them.

Abigail is always saying funny and cute stuff.  Just an hour ago, she told me, “Mommy, you’re my BEST friend.”  Awww.  And not two seconds ago, she asked, “Oh what happened Mommy?  Let me kiss you.  [Kiss].  That feels you better.”

(too cool)

And then, there are times when she’s clever.  The other day, we were out swimming and taught her about the dinosaurs on her pool.  We asked her to say Stegosaurus.  She said, “Um, I can’t because I’m too busy.”  Wow, in the amount of time it took you to say you’re too busy, you could’ve said said word.

(silly girl)

Or there are times when she’s random and says things like, “Hey Daddy, I wanna tell you something.  I make milk with my boobies.”

We knew the day would come sometime for her to start saying “inappropriate” phrases.  Two Sundays ago, I was in the nursing room with Lydia, and when I came back into the church auditorium, Jonathan informed me that Abigail had asked, “What’s wrong with that man’s head?”  That man . . . was bald.

(look how innocent)

The next Sunday, she asked again, “What’s wrong with that man’s head?” when one of the ministers got up to speak.

Rachel posted about her daughter acting inappropriate.  And I’d like to know, what has your toddler or child said or done in public to embarrass you?

**Also, Happy FIRST Birthday to our sweet niece Harper!**

So, it’s still not 100% done, but I just can’t wait any longer to show you pictures of Abigail’s new big girl room.  Now why didn’t I ever take pictures of the room before when it was just an office/guest room??  Oh, I know, because it looked awful!  So, sorry you don’t get the full effect of before and after shots.  Just imagine an ugly off white wall with ugly brown doors and brownish, ugly carpet.

Okay, here are two pictures I found of the day we started doing the redo.

And here are the “after” pictures

I made her wall letters.  Here are instructions of how to make your own.

We painted a block wall (I talked about it here).  Eventually, I’ll do a tutorial for you.

Jonathan painted her doors; they used to be a nasty brown wood.

The window treatments are made from tulle.  A friend made the bow holder.

Jonathan and his dad made the clothing rack.  The shelf has picture of Abi at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks old.

Still lots of work to be done.  I want to make tissue paper flower pom poms.  We need to convert her crib to a toddler bed.  And we need to get new door hinges and knobs.  And I want to make a wall decal and vinyl lettering.  Oh, and Jonathan’s going to build her a low play table that we can put her baby doll house and barn on top and store her toys underneath.  But overall, we’re pretty satisfied with her room, and she loves it!

For over six years, Jonathan and I had one baby girl name and one baby boy name picked out.  We wanted the first names to be Bible names that had special meanings.  We didn’t want anything that was overwhelmingly common, nor did we want a name of a person who had made a bad decision that was recorded.

We had always tried to keep our baby names a secret, but since we’re not planning on more kids, today’s your lucky day.  Now, keep in mind though, if we do adopt or for some reason have a son, we will name him Josiah, regardless of if he will have cousins by this name.  You have been forewarned.

So here’s how we came up with our names . . .

Abigail: “Abigail . . . was intelligent and beautiful in appearance” (1Samuel 25:3).  She was a queen, a wife of David.  Her name means, “A Father’s Joy,” and our Abigail definitely is that!  For Abigail’s middle name, we figured since she already has Jonathan’s family name (Towell), that we could have her middle name represent my family.

Josiah:  “Josiah removed the mediums and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah. . . .  Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to tall the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him” (2 Kings 23:24-25).  Josiah means, “The Lord helps”.

During my last pregnancy, we wondered what name we could choose for a girl that was uncommon, a bible name, and had a nice ring to it.  In my daily bible reading, I came across Lydia.

Lydia: found in Acts 16 was the first Christian convert in Europe.  Her name means, “Nobel kind.”  We also wanted a middle name that would be special and knew that even through my suffering of pregnancy, we would have Joy.

Late in pregnancy, when I was told I had Cholestasis and that possible risk would be still birth, I thought about changing her middle name to Grace.  For about 2 days, I really wondered if I’d ever see the perfect gift inside of me grow up.  Very scary.

Whether our baby’s middle name is Joy or Grace, we know that God has given us both of those.  We love holding our miracle baby.  We praise God for our indescribable gifts.

In response to this post about baby slings/wraps , thank you sooooo much for your comments!  Very helpful.

A few of you mentioned a front and back pack carrier.  We actually have one (thanks to my Sister in Law), which Jonathan used to wear with Abigail on walks.  It was uncomfortable for me, and I definitely can’t wear it now, due to my c-section incision.

Speaking of the surgery, would the Mei Tais or Moby Wraps bother the incision area?

A lot of you talked about outings to grocery/clothing stores (and using a cart).  But I’m mostly wondering about outings to the hospital or visiting Jonathan at work (basically, places that I’d go without Jonathan and that wouldn’t have a cart).  For example, I go once a week to weigh Lydia at the hospital and once a month for a Breastfeeding Support group.

Right now, I’m bidding on a Mei Tai carrier on eBay.  Hopefully, I’ll win and not have to pay too much money!

Anyway, I appreciate all your insight.