happy boy . . .

I haven't posted a lot of Sawyer pictures lately, for two reasons. The first is, since I got my phone, I take a lot of pictures of him with it (because it's handy) and they are not as good a quality photo as my camera takes.

I think you can see that in this "I just woke up and I'm the happiest boy in the world" picture that I captured with my phone and texted to his mommy and daddy.

Isn't he a darling, by the way?!? :)

The second reason is, he's just way too active to manage a camera and keep him out of harm's way at the same time! LOL! So most of my photos/videos are taken while he's contained. Like these.

He is such a charmer!

And look at that hand. He's got awesome hands . . . they just look big and capable! And this little fellow can EAT! When I fed him lunch on Monday, after I took a few shots with the camera, I decided to set it down and capture the whole lunch-eating process on video. It was another fifteen minutes, but I cut it down to just under two minutes to share . . .

I love it when he sees the camera and gives his "scrunchy face" smile! What a ham! I also love the technique he uses to get those little peas into his mouth! Really, when it comes right down to it, I just absolutely adore this little fellow. Right down to his eight sharp little teeth.

Yup.

:)

quilt, by gayle thomas

Our guild had a stitch-in last night and today, and during today's, they held a 2-part workshop on making teddy bears. And I took it! I'll share more about it, with pictures of my first bear in progress, tomorrow.

Today, however, I am sharing with you this awesome short film on quilting. It's on the NFB.ca blog. Very inspired and well-worth the view -- it's full of modern and traditional methods of quilting, kaleidoscoped into beautiful eye-candy. Even if you're not a quilter, it's fascinating to watch, and well set to some toe-tapping tunes!

Oh, and ps: Godiva strawberry truffles? YUM!

:)

future magician . . .

Hocus pocus, abra cadabra . . .

Sawyer's the Harry Houdini of pacifiers!

:)

back on track . . .

I was so anxious to get to spend the day with Sawyer yesterday! It had been so since we'd had a whole day together. And my time with him is precious, precious.

He's such a funny little fellow. Even with the pacifier in place, he scrunches his face when I'm taking a flash photo. The photos look great, but the funky face ...

He tickles me so!

After lunch, I handed over his spoon and let him play with it.

As you can see, we're still working on hand-eye coordination. Or maybe his coordination is fine and his nose itched. If that's the case, I need to teach him about tissues, soon!

Here we go! Happy baby, happy smile.

And a regular mouthful of teeth, too!

I also caught a little video of a new trick he's playing. I've seen him do this for a while, and had been concerned off and on that perhaps his ears were bothering him. But since he never displayed any other symptoms, I let it go. Then Friday night, James and I were chatting waiting for Kim to get home so they could go to dinner, and Sawyer started doing this a lot. I commented on it, and James said he thought Sawyer was 'talking on his cell phone' -- just like daddy!

Sure enough -- he's just jabbering away into his phone, just like he sees daddy do. And what's really funny is when he pulls his hand away from his ear, shakes it, and then looks at it to see how many bars of signal he has!

Can you hear me now??

:)

look what i found . . .

A great tutorial on YouTube, for making a crocheted edge on a fleece blanket. I was doing a search on tying a quilt with yarn (and I found what I was looking for), when I stumbled across this one:

Presented by the North & Center/Chicagoland Chapter of Project Linus.

Actually, I stumbled across an earlier, not as well done version, but it caught my attention nonetheless. Then, when I was reading the comments, I saw they'd done an updated version! It's a nifty little twist on a fleece blanket, and looks simple enough. And for a gadget girl like me, all I needed to see was that fascinating 'skip a stitch' blade for my rotary cutter, and I was HOOKED! (no pun intended)

So while I was out and about today, I knew I need to search for one of these blades. Alas, it was not to be found. Not anywhere I looked! But I have an order placed -- hopefully one of these bad boys will be in my possession before the week's end!

In the meantime, I did get some soft, chocolate brown fleece . . .

(Okay, yes I know the laptop keyboard does not make the best or most attractive background, but I was lazy and didn't feel like getting up to take a picture.)

And I'd gotten this yummy green yarn to tie off the owl quilt . . .

I'm in love with this green -- it's so loverly! And doesn't it look nice with the chocolate brown?

And so I punched my own holes around a very SMALL piece of the fleece and gave it a whack.

Let me just say, that I'm sure it will make all the difference in the world when I have my very own 'skip a stitch' rotary blade, and my holes are evenly spaced and a full 3/4" off the edge (which is very important, btw).

Let me also say that practice will make more better. Notice I did not show off the back. Heh.

And I only did the first foundation row. I'm not an accomplished crocheter, so I'd really have to take some time to figure out what they were doing on the second go-round, but the tutorial is very well written and it was easy enough for me to follow, holding my little sampler in my hand. And the process went so quickly! I'm thinking this would be a nice, easy, and cost effective baby gift for the multitude of baby showers that pop up!

But not without that new rotary blade, for sure.

In the meantime, does anyone need a fleece throw for their Barbie's bed?!

:)

back to normal . . .

Finally, after two lovely weeks of extra long weekends and short work weeks, things got back to normal. Add to that there are no more physical therapy appointments cutting into my work day, and my four-day work week is really going to feel like it's dragging for a bit, until I get used to it again!

Yesterday I was back to normal with Sawyer, too. I can't believe how much he's grown - and that in just over two months he'll be ONE YEAR OLD! Good gravy!

Yesterday I got to help get him to his check-up. His pediatrician is wonderful! I had to laugh, though -- it's be AGES since I sent foot in a pediatrics office!

Sawyer was all about playing with that stethoscope! He is very healthy and growing both physically and developmentally as he should. He had his very first eye exam and did great, and had a little blood work done, too. He didn't even flinch when the tech took blood from his toe. He did flinch, however, and cry, when he got a vaccine. I cried too. What?!?!? He didn't cry for long -- maybe 15 seconds. He's a tough guy!

By the time we got back home (and he'd slept the whole way), the shot was a distant memory, and we had a fun afternoon making faces and playing.

I even managed to get a decent shot of the two of us!

He'd gotten a ton of toys for Christmas, and when I set him down, went right for the basket.

He loves anything that makes noise, so I wasn't surprised he pulled out the electronic book his Aunt Joc and Uncle Jason gave him!

But he also likes things of substance to put in his mouth, which explains why he liked this wood crane, with a mouth-sized magnet on it!

But only until his book made a noise and got him turned around to play with the buttons again!

All in all, it was a lovely grandbaby day!

For family, here's my fellow walking and talking . . . !!!

Is it any wonder that I love Mondays?

:)

i love tuesdays . . .

. . . almost as much as Mondays! And yes, it's because I get to go through my pictures and relive my Sawyer-Monday. I just can't get enough of him!

Yesterday, for only the second time ever (and the first time since the accident), I put his car seat in my car and we went for a drive! We just headed over to Publix for a quick grocery stop, but it was an adventure nonetheless! We got all bundled before we headed out -- it's COLD here!!

Sawyer was up for it, though. He likes riding in the car, and even enjoyed the trip through the grocery store!

By the time we got back it was lunchtime!

I love this funny little grin where he crinkles his nose and shows off his teeth!

He was serious about his eating. This was the first time I'd fed him bananas. Yummy!

This is his "don't stop now" look.

We went right from lunch to the bath . . .

He loves his bath time! He'd just sit there and splash and play forever if I'd let him.

But I could tell after I'd pulled him out of the tub and got him dried off, that he was a sleepy fellow and ready for that afternoon nap!

So down he went, with his blankie and his animals. He didn't do a lot of talking with them yesterday. He pretty much just fell asleep!

After his nap, we played around for a bit under the tree . . . Sawyer's first Christmas tree!

The red ball ornament is one his mommy got for him specifically to play with, so he didn't feel left out! (Or the need to take one from the tree.)

He was very good about not touching, even though he was very taken with the tree and all the pretty sparkly lights and ornaments. As much as I wanted to snap a picture of him reaching for an ornament off the tree, he would not do it! Kim had told me that he listens to being told "No!" and he really does. In fact, I have to admit, I'm very impressed that he minds so well -- especially since he's only nine months old!

Nine months old!! How has this happened?!? This first year has gone by so quickly! I guess that's why -- even though the kids joke on me -- that I take so many pictures. Time passes and they grow and go . . . I want to be able to hold on to these moments for as long as my digital images hold up. They're too precious to hold simply in my memory (which is prone to fading)!

I'm glad I can also take video, which I'm only too happy to share!

Gosh, it won't be long before he's walking. And I love how when I call him 'bug-a-boo' he slides his eyes over to me with that little grin. Oh yeah, these are the memories I'm holding on to!

And it won't be too much longer before I'm capturing memories with another grandbaby! My picture here doesn't do it justice, but isn't it CUTE??! Kim created these for Joc's baby shower. Too darling!

Life is good. Strike that . . . life is GREAT!

:)

part puppy?!?

Sawyer and I enjoyed a most marvelous day yesterday! He was in such good spirits; he's such a happy baby!

Between his morning nap and his lunchtime bottle, we decided to go out for a stroll. We had to bundle him up because it was cool and very breezy! He decided he wanted to take his reindeer that I got for him. I was happy to oblige!

We got outside and took our typical stroll up the street and then back. It was so windy I had the visor pulled most of the way down, to keep it from blowing directly into his face.

Which didn't leave much of a view, but he could still see what was coming! I finally figured out how to adjust the stroller (which is one of those 'jogging' strollers--ha ha!) so that he's sitting up instead of laying back!

We got back and spent most of the rest of the day eating, napping, and playing.

Mostly playing.

"Grandma, you tell the funniest jokes!"

"Well, sometimes you tell the funniest jokes . . . "

Most of the photos I took (and I'll be the first to admit, I take a LOT of photos when we're together) catch Sawyer with something in his mouth. He makes me rather mindful of a puppy!

Variety is the spice of life, after all!

And lastly, for family near and far, here's a short clip of Sawyer enjoying his jumping chair!


Tonight our Stitcher's group meets, so I hope to have some crafty goodness to show tomorrow!

:)

happy baby . . .

Praise God, he's a happy baby here . . .

But do you see the little red bump on his head? Evidently my darling, precocious grandson is already trying to pull himself out of his crib. Talk about this grandma's nightmare!

He'd been down for his morning nap and all was quiet . . . and then I heard a bang, followed by the kind of wailing that lets you know something's really wrong. I sprinted for his bedroom, and sure enough there he was, out of the crib and on the floor. We cried together for a little bit. Then he stopped, and I continued to cry for a little bit.

I do love smiles around the pacifier!

After a good lunch, a bottle, and a bath, I put him down for his afternoon nap. Do you know he went straight for the bumper pads and pulled himself up to standing...AGAIN?!? Of course this time measures had been taken to ensure he wasn't going anywhere. Still -- evidently the fall wasn't a painful enough experience to keep him from trying again! I see lots of boo-boo's in this boy's future!

But look at my little angel here, all wrapped up in his quilt. I think I probably teared up a little when I was looking at him here, too. :)

The rest of day went well, although I do admit, I felt compelled to hold and cuddle him as much as he would let me!

He's such a happy fellow -- he charms my socks off!

And he's a boot-scootin' baby, too! He's not bothering with his knees, but his arms are so strong, he can get where he wants to, faster than you can blink! See my evidence . . .

Gosh I LOVE him! And yes, that's my maniacal laughter at the end. Sheesh.

Ah, and I have a grandbaby-on-the-way item, too! Joc had an appointment yesterday and said everything is looking GREAT! She sounded really pleased with how things had gone. She really likes her doctor and that makes *me* happy!

And on a non-grandbaby note, I came home last night and these wonderful things were waiting for me . . .

Tea towels!! Aren't they pretty?! Oh the plans I have for them . . . !!

Happy day!

:)

self-gratuitous grandbaby post . . .

My dear daughter-in-law went back to working from the office yesterday. She'd been working from home, and was loving being able to both work and be a stay-at-home mommy. But her employer wanted her back on site, so yesterday was the first day. Since I don't work on Mondays, I jumped at the chance to help her out and spend some precious time with my darling grandbaby!

Unfortunately, I had an appointment yesterday morning, too, but Grandpa came over and helped me out for a bit. Sawyer loves spending time with his grandpa -- they read the Sunday paper together!

We did have fun yesterday! Sawyer amused himself while I put Crock Pot Beef together in the crock pot. I figured Mondays would now be a great day to do a crock pot meal, since all my favorite crock recipes feed 6-8 -- too much for just Todd and me -- and then Sawyer's mommy wouldn't have to worry about dinner! A win-win situation!

He's still constantly got something in his mouth . . .

And he's found out that his pacifier doubles as a teething toy. He can fit the WHOLE thing in his mouth. Kim told me she'd looked over at him the other day and he smiled at her . . . it was a bright, white smile, like he had a mouth full of teeth. It was the pacifier! LOL! He's such a ham!

I guess it really won't be too long before he does have a mouthful of teeth . . . the first two are visible down there, and from his behavior, it's obvious that more will soon join them!

The only reason he was distracted enough to let me take pictures of those two teeth was because he was playing with my camera strap (hence the closeup of his little fist)!

We spent a good bit of time playing and talking and singing. I had to lay out his special quilt (designed just for him!) on the floor and let him play a bit on it. It was funny watching him try and grab up the polka-dots!

I know he's saying, "Grandma, enough with the camera already!"

Lastly, some video . . . because I can!

:)