Here goes...again

Our computer finally gave up. It had been on it's death bed for quite some time but we were trying to make it hold on since buying something new was not in the budget. We decided to give up on the pc and went for an iPad since we mainly Internet surf at home. Let me tell you, it's a whole new world! There is an app for everything and no flash player (who knew that flash player is used for such much?).
So this is my second attempt to blog from the iPad...I downloaded an app and hopefully this one works well since I had to pay for it. I'm going to attempt some pictures...

A Sweet Moment.

The Little One is taking an epic nap so I am hoping to get this post done in one sitting...we'll see. 

I have not shared this part of my life with the blog world yet but something happened that was just too good to keep to myself! On Wednesday afternoons I go and volunteer with elementary aged kids in a nearby city. This little city and I have a long history and I love it despite it's troubles. There are few opportunities for kids after school so for a few we offer a safe place to play, homework help, snack and some lovin. 

These boys love some basketball!

This last Wednesday we started to prepare for our end of the year program and one of our young girls decided she did not want to participate. After much prodding and encouraging by a volunteer this little lady began to sing.That girl has a special gift from God. Now I don't know if she knew she had it but we sure didn't. As I watched her shyly sing 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' tears welled up in my eyes (this happens all the time now since I had the Little One) and I got chills. 

Now this may not seem like a big deal but oh it was! This little girl has had a difficult time and to hear the sweetness come out of her mouth when usually she hides her tenderness was a moment I will never forget.

We talked about David and Goliath this week and I asked them to recreate something from the story with clay.

Mini Tornado

Today I haven't felt so well but the Little One has been full of energy. Since my energy level is low there has been a lot of laying around watching her play. It has been really good entertainment! She has started babbling constantly when she plays and she sure does have a lot of say. Watching how something grabs her attention and how she is learning to use her body to navigate is just plain neat. I am thankful that she is happy to play by herself though she is getting into everything! This week she has broken a clock radio, dumped out two decks of cards, played in the dog's water, got into my yarn stash and pretty much everything else she can get her hands on! 

Yes mom I have pulled your purse off the chair and now I will empty it

Now I will pull everything off the refrigerator

Thanks for going to check on dinner so that I could pull all of your yarn out!

All these pictures came from one afternoon, the house looked like a mini tornado had passed through by the time she was done.

What I've been working on

There hasn't been much going on in the Etsy shop lately. One because I feel like I don't have time to crochet (maybe a little less Pinterest would help that) and number two when I do feel like I have time I am acutally working on something for my own daughter. I have only crocheted her one other thing, a sweet hat for when she was tiny, she wore it is these pictures. Besides that, nothing, I started a bunny for Christmas but he's still not done. 

I have had some projects that have kept me busy though. Here are a few:

Sweet Seminole hat and boots

She makes an excellent model I think!

Super soft baby blanket

Organic cotton baby hat

 I just finished a little bow headband but I haven't added it to the shop. I would really love to make a pair of little sandals since it's summer time. We will see what I can come up with!

Grocery Store Struggles.

Today was grocery store day. I went prepared with my list and my reusable bags and this morning the hubby got to come along to help! The Little One loves the grocery store but it is sometimes difficult to shop with her so I was thankful for the extra hands.

When we reached the eggs I grabbed the organic eggs. My husband quickly noted the significant price difference. My response was yes but it is important for us to put more healthful food into our bodies rather than eggs that have come from chickens who are fed a diet with hormones and have no access to the outside. My husband is frugal with a degree in finance so paying more for food can sometimes be a battle. He really has to be convinced that it is really important and even then I think it pains him to know what we pay for certain items in comparison to mainstream. This is why he usually does not participate in the grocery shopping.
I won't lie I still cringe when I compare prices or when conventional items are on sale and organic seems to NEVER be on sale. For example those really good deals where conventional chicken is $1.99/lb I am tempted to just give in and stock up on cheap chicken.

Since the Little One has entered the picture I have gotten much more passionate about food and nutrition. I really enjoy cooking now and reading about our food system. I worry about what goes into her little body and I want to do my best to give her the healthiest start that I can. I read this post awhile back about how as the one who does the grocery shopping and the majority of the cooking I am responsible for the health of my family. That is a huge responsibility and one that I take very seriously. This is why I take the extra time to make whole wheat rolls from scratch, bread from scratch, make my own chicken broth, granola bars and to buy as much organic produce as I can afford! So we do pay more for some items but it is worth it to me to do my part to keep those I love healthy.

This is not to say that delivery pizza does not show up in our house or that we completely abstain from fast food because we don't! I love a good pizza and as long as it is in moderation I'm OK with it.

Homemade garlic and rosemary rolls, mmmmm

If you are on the fence about processed food or organic vs. conventional produce I STRONGLY recommend watching Food inc.. Knowing what is going into your body and where it comes from is empowering!

She enjoyed her sample of the roll!

Grumpy mornings and Seperation Anxiety.

You know how I said I missed sleeping in and being on time? Well I really missed those things today. Getting us all out of the house for church on Sunday morning is always a challenge, but lately it seems to have gotten worse. Both the mister and I woke up grumpy this morning, it probably had something to do with the Little One waking up at 6:00am for the past two mornings instead of her usual 7:00am. We get through the morning and I put the Little One down for a nap-she got a good hour in before I had to wake her up, but because I HATE to wake a sleeping baby I didn't go in until late, which of course makes us late to church. This usually isn't a big deal but when we're both grumpy everything is a big deal.

The Little One's separation anxiety is getting worse. The hubby and I had a date night last night (the second one since the Little One's arrival) and my sister and her hubby came out to babysit. All was well until after dinner when she decided she was done for the day- maybe because she woke up an hour earlier than usual. My sister called to tell me she wouldn't go to sleep and was quite upset, thankfully we were already on our way home. Once we got home she calmed down and I put her to bed no problem. Then this morning in church the nursery worker came to get me and let me know that she was screaming and inconsolable, so we got her, calmed her down and headed home. It was the end of the service so we didn't miss anything but we barely got to talk to anyone but the people in the nursery since we got there late and left early.

I think we are slowly rebounding and everyone is feeling much better this afternoon but gosh I'm wondering if we are ever going to be able to go out to dinner AND a movie.

Cuteness.

 I just had to share some of the pictures of the Little One that I've taken recently. She is such a cutie and I can't resist sharing some of this cuteness!

The light was just so perfect one evening- so we had a mini photo shoot!

Look at that sneer!

Rainy day

Easter morning

Gardening with mom. Look at all of those carrots we got!

We are having a good time...except for the other night when she was up screaming for 2 hours, but I guess that comes with the territory. 

 This parenting thing is a lot of fun but it sure is a lot of work too. I really miss sleeping in, I do think that is what I miss most, that and being able to get out of the house quickly- I am late everywhere!