Easter 2017

This was another Easter for the books. I look back at our past couple of Easters and I have enjoyed the laid back approach. Last year the girls were either just barely a month old or only a couple weeks. I don't know. I know I was still healing and needed some much needed rest. It was very low key. This year we went with the same motto and it was perfect.

I had plans to make all the girls coordinating dresses and the boys bow ties. Then Grandma sent the girls dresses and so it saved me time and money! I call that a win even if I would have loved to make them dresses. The girls could have cared less about hunting eggs. They just wanted to play with them. 

I still remember this boy's first year hunting eggs. He has gotten so big. He was so determined and set the bar pretty high for first kids. Thankfully I have learned they are ALL different and learn at their own pace. 

We ended our night with a nature walk and photographs. There was a time I would have taken 20 minutes to get the perfect picture of all of us smiling or at least happy. It is funny how more kids has changed that. I was good taking 1 minute and taking seven shots and calling it good. Every family has that one kid that is either thrilled or grumpy. Ours is Ari. It is him and I kind of just laugh. 

He kindly allowed one nice picture on the bridge, but that was it. After that he was gone exploring and their was no stopping him. Don't ask for more!

Thankfully the others were more cooperative. Sadly, light changed way too quickly and I into a very hazy area. Which is fine, they just are not my favorite especially since I forgot my lens hood. Anthony probably will say something that I posted this, but when I asked for a light tester and he gave me this. I had to post it. 

Easter pictures and little girls are always my favorite. There is nothing better than frilly dresses and little girls. The boys could care less so until they do these will probably always be a favorite. 

The Magic Birthday Dress

It is no surprise I claimed last year as the best year of my life. It truly was. With age I am finding more wisdom than ever before. I am learning to love me. I am learning to love this body that has housed 5 babies. I am learning to give myself time and take care of myself instead of neglecting me. My days are crazy. I probably lose my cool more than I would like to admit, but man I just LOVE where I am right now. I have finally learned the word No and it is freeing. No to things that clutter our life or tear apart our family time. I may be failing in some aspects of parenting, but I am winning in others. Right now I am really struggling with obedience and maybe giving the kids my all some days, but I am really working hard. I am loving my kids more fiercely than I may have in the past and above all falling in love with my husband more and more every day. 31 was seems a bit daunting, but I am up for the challenge. I don't think it can top 30 and enjoying a full year of twin babies and my three older kids, but I hope it proves me wrong. The days are flying by and I am really hoping to cherish them even more.

So what does all this have to do with a dress. I think I have said this several times, garment making for myself has given me freedom. Freedom to love me. Freedom to love my baby hips, and c sectioned stomach. It has been a hard journey, but I can now fit my clothes to my body instead of trying to fit my body into the industry standard of clothes. This particular dress is magic and I happened to wear it yesterday for the first time specifically for my birthday, because it is my favorite.

I may have a slight obsession with this pattern. When I order any fabric, the question is how many yards, because I may need to make a Mama Isabel . This dress is magic and above all else every breastfeeding moms perfect dress! I gave up dresses last summer and I was so sad to do it. I just could never nurse the girls and wear them. Well, this summer is filled with dresses and specifically this dress! Anthony normally doesn't say much about what I sew. To him it is just clothes, until this dress. He was really in love with it and I am not the first person to say that about their spouses. 

I had pinned several similar dresses so when I saw it I knew I needed it. It is a fabric hog as it is a true wrap dress which is so flattering for most figures, but plan for several yards! It comes with so many options including shirt, short dress, knee length dress, and maxi. 4 different sleeve lengths, and two hem options. Needless to say the combinations are many. This is my beloved Chey fabric which ranks pretty high on my favorite of all time. It is double brushed poly and oh so soft. I had truly hoarded it all winter. It is very similar to the blue fabric I unboxed for you. I may have a slight liking towards blues and pinks together. I knew it had to be the first dress. I didn't even make a trial run and cut it. Somehow I was able to get it out of 2 yards, but I used every available piece. The day I went to photograph it, my camera wouldn't focus so this is the only usable image, but look at that beautiful tulip hem.

I knew this would be my Easter dress too. Remember that pastel floral I unboxed. Well, that is what my Easter dress was. I love this dress just as much. It is so comfy, yet so beautiful. 

Excuse my facial expression in this next photo. It is not by any means flattering, BUT look at the dress. This was the best photo that represented it, so I put my pride aside and am posting it. It is why photographers don't give all images. Who really wants pictures like this of themselves?!? Not me! 

This dress may seem complicated, but seriously it is so easy! I have two sitting on the hemming table for Lilliana and will post those soon along with a funny story. It is so flattering and just magic. Have I convinced you you need it?!? The best news is it is on SALE!! Made for Mermaids is having a sale. There is a code in their Facebook group for 30% OFF all patterns on their sight. I  get nothing for telling you this. I just want you to have a dress you love and I think you will love this one. 

7 more actual school days and we are on summer break! I am counting down the days to a more organized house, less structured days, more Popsicles, more yes's to their whims, more sewing, more outside time, more zoo trips, more lazy days, more photography, and MORE blogging! I have an entire month's of photos waiting to be shared. Until then you get snippets. Have a blessed Monday.

Always Behind

The title pretty much sums up my life right now. These photos have been sitting on my computer open and waiting for weeks now. Everything is crazy and I have to say no to certain things and prioritize what gets done. We are full swing into school and have only 4 more weeks!! We are counting down those weeks all with enthusiasm. The kids would like to play outside all day long and I would like to be able to meal plan again, blog, and be outside more. Right now any time I have is spent cleaning and cooking it seems. It is a season of change for us as Anthony and I are moving into leading a group for our church so we are going to be even busier. It was a lot to consider when we were asked. I knew this spot might become quiet at that time, but it is ok. I will try to catch up when I can. I had hoped to blog some wonderful Easter dress ideas, but that has not happened. Thankfully these dresses will work for anything so maybe in the coming weeks that will get done. I am also on the quest for the perfect tshirt pattern. I am testing a bunch right now and hope to have that nailed down. Regardless I finally have the girl's one year collage done!

Their last monthly update even though it is a month behind....story of my life

Every time I look at Annalise I see Anthony especially when he hasn't cut his hair in a while. They both have crazy hair! 

My tiny peanuts have grown so much. 

Annalise 

This girl is full of attitude. She is grade A attitude when she doesn't get her way, but she is so sweet and cuddly it is ridiculous. She blinks her eyes in silent protest if you tell her no attitude. She gets in trouble for that too, but man we are going to have problems with her. She now has her molars. She is also walking! She does not talk much, but she is so observant. She can say, "mom, dad, and her new one is Eli." She sleeps pretty good. She loves Pat-a-Cake. She can hum the Imperial March thanks to Eli. She loves to play hide and seek under her blanket too. She loves to be outside and screams if she has to come inside. She reminds me a lot of Eli with Lilliana's calm spirit. 

Daphne

AKA "Doo" is the wild one. This girl is crazy busy! She is down right funny, but is always on the move. She walks around bossing everybody and jabbers non stop. It is pretty cute to watch, but watch out if she doesn't like what you are doing. She is so tall and petite it makes me laugh. She also has a couple molars. She does not sleep well at all and reminds me of Ari and Eli in that department. She can say, "Mom, Dad, Jack, Kenya, DONE!, and NO!" She tries saying more, but those are what are clear. She talks a lot. She is trying to run now and it is hilarious. She likes outside but is more content to see what is going on which is opposite to what happens inside. She also loves Pat-A-Cake and music in general. Any time music is on she is dancing and singing with it. She loves to stand in her chair and scream done even if she is not done. Thankfully it comes with a buckle. She also is notorious for getting the dinner table to erupt in laughter with her screaming and sillyness. She takes after Ari and loves to just be a clown. She is one crazy girl. 

I have to be honest, I am glad this series and project is done. I miss their baby stage, but they are moving to the fun stage so it all evens out! 

365 Journal- Weeks 9 and 10

I was reminded today why I keep doing this even when it can be overwhelming. Our family photo book arrived today from Blurb. It is beautiful. The kids took an hour talking about how they loved these memories. Lilliana is back to looking at it again. Even when the pictures pile up and you think man that is a job, it is worth it. So, print your photos!!


Ari is missing from these photos because he doesn't like the camera at the moment. I'm not pushing him. I am sure soon he will make an appearance.


Day 56

Comics and Lightsabers.

Day 57 

Help from a very dear family friend helping with pictures that has been with us through all these kids prenatal care and some births. 

Day 58

Lilliana to a T. 

Day 59 

Happy 1st Birthday girls. Your first dolls. 

Day 60 

Happy 8th Birthday My Handsome Boy

Day 61 

Opening birthday gifts that arrived late thanks to a weather delay. 

Day 62 

Playing with this birthday present

Day 63 

My Goon

Day 64 

Finally Standing and within a day she was taking steps. She is full on walking now. 

Day 65

Scrunch Face

Day 66 

Nap Time Cuddles

Day 67

Lounging

Day 68 

My Blue Eyed Ginger

Day 69 

Snack Time