Lucy's First Caught-on-Camera Smiles

First, off, before I share pics of the smiley girl, I have to say that reading your comments on my last post and seeing your votes in my poll has made me laugh harder than I have in awhile. I'll be sure to let you know what I decide. While my confidence is growing that a nose piercing would be absolutely great-looking, my mom HAS made a compelling arguement about my sensitive skin and allergy issues. I'm definitely still on the fence in other words.

On to the sweet Lucy smiles:

Happy:

Happier:

Happiest:

Consider these pictures my peace offering to those of my family members who are rather shocked and disturbed by my last post.

Stay-at-Home Mommy Needs to Feel Hip

Okay, so I LOVE being a stay-at-home mommy! Being with Lucy (when I can't be with Lucy AND Darin) is my FAVORITE thing to do! But in light of my new "full-time job" I'm sort of feeling the need to keep (or make) myself hip. Also, for quite some time now, when I meet people for the first time and tell them that I love to knit and even used to work in a yarn shop, I've gotten some peculiar looks. Mainly from folks who might not be in the know enough to realize just how hip knitting really is and how it's not as old fashioned and unfashionable as they may think. I'm starting to wonder if I need to add a little something to my look to help people realize that I'm not quite as behind the times as they would think.

I don't go for regular hair appointments often enough to try a bold new hair color or daring cut/style. Tattoos are out of the question for me... I won't elaborate, I just don't have the desire to do it. Buying a new more "hip" wardrobe is too expensive.

Most body piercings don't have appeal for me, but I just think I'm starting to really like the look of a tiny, subtle little nose stud. I can always let the piercing grow closed if I decide that the look is no longer for me. I don't think that Lucy will be able to grab a little bitty nose stud and pull it very easily as she gets bigger. Plus, as I explained to Darin recently, this consideration holds significance because as a teenager, the physical feature I disliked and was the most self-conscious about was my nose. Oh the hours I spent just hoping that somehow God would transform my nose into a cuter, smaller, straighter thing. I was almost convinced that I would never find a man to marry because surely no one would be able to get past the dreadful shape of my nose.

It's amazing the way our perception of our physical appearance can be so askew, especially during the awkard adolescent years. But now, I'm feeling rather pleased with the fact that I like my nose enough to draw more attention to it with some sparkly jewelry.

I'm no where near a final decision. AND I am open to your opinions. So would you kindly take a minute to vote in my poll on the left?? I'd appreciate it. : )

My Caramel Macchiato Fairy God-Mother

I didn't know I had one, but I did meet her this week! Actually, she's way too young to be my fairy god-mother... maybe she's my caramel macchiato fairy friend! : )

Anyways, the story starts when I pulled through a Starbucks drive-thru with Lucy in tow in between some errands. It was a gorgeous spring day (yep, spring has finally sprung here in Des Moines... I have blooming daffodils in the front yard to prove it!) and I happily started weighing the options: cinamon dolce frappuccino? shaken iced tea? Needing a caffeine boost, I settled on an iced caramel macchiato. I cheerfully ordered and happily envisioned myself sipping my drink while pushing my beautiful baby in her stroller on our next stop! The perfect way to enjoy a spring day right?

So I thought. I pulled up to the window to pay. Much to my dismay, my wallet was no where to be found in the dissheveled mess that is my diaper bag.

The nice gal at the window said, "Keep looking while I start your drink!"

"You probably shouldn't start my drink!" I said and could feel my cheeks growing pink with embarrassment.

"I'll just give it to you if you can't find it!" she said.

Wow, how nice was that! Determined to drink an honest caramel macchiato, I fished out three crumppled up dollars from one the the pockets in the bag. I came out 18 cents short.

"I'll trade you" she says, and place the tastey icey drink in my hands.

"I think I'm going to blog about you!" I blurted out and had just enough time to give her my blog address before driving off.

So if you're reading this my caramel macchiato fairy-friend, thanks again for being willing to give me a drink on the house and for spotting me the 18 cents! Your kindness isn't forgotten! : )

On a different note, I must report that I have been able to start knitting again since I've become a mommy! After completing a super-cute cupcake hat for Lucy, I've turned my attention and needles to some much more necessary items: bibs!

Lucy does so much spitting up that bibs have become part of her every-day, all-day apparel. I've discovered that hand-knitted bibs are far more absorbant than anything I can buy. And there are really a lot of cute patterns out there.

My favorite? The Petal Bib from the book, One Skein by Leigh Radford. Lucy looks kind of like a sunflower when she wears it:

And before I leave you, in the spirit of celebrating spring, behold the daffodils:

To quote my sister, they make me "do the dance of joy."

One Fine Day

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law, Natalie, pointed out to me that I had a birthday coming up. In all honesty it quite escaped my notice. How could I think about mundane things like turning a year older when you are the mommy to the most beautiful baby in the world?? : )

But, the day came yesterday and I turned 27. For some reason, I had always hoped that I'd be a mom before I turned 27... not sure why. So you can imagine when I passed the 9 month away from my 27th birthday mark, I'd pretty much decided that it wasn't going to happen. But I have to believe that the God had a sparkle in His eye yesterday! Lucy Kiera is the best birthday present I could ask for this year!

In honor of my birthday, she wanted to wear an outfit I knitted for her! : ) Here she is wearing my favorite-ever knitted hat, sweater and booties set:

After knitting gifts for other people's babies for so long, I can't tell you how much fun it is to put my OWN baby in things I've made!

Lucy and I spent the late morning at Caribou Coffee together so I could get away from all the household chores I was determined NOT to do on my birthday. She slept and let me knit! It was so much fun! Then Darin came home from work early and took me to our local cupcake bakery, The Carefree Patisserie, where I picked out a delectable assortment and he also let me browse around in a nearby knitting and needlework shop! We also picked up a cake from Costco (they make the BEST cake ever, in case you didn't know!)

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory and then headed home to get ready for some good friends whom Darin invited to celebrate and eat our goodies with to arrive! We had a blast devouring cake and cupcakes and passing Lucy around for hugs and kisses!


Darin did a great job putting together a special day for me! He also gave me an awesome present!! A Kitchen Aid standing mixer-something I've wanted for a long time!! I can't wait to start baking and cooking with it! It was a great day and a great time spent with so many people who are dear to me!!

And the Sleeping Through the Night at the Age of 5 1/2 Weeks Award Goes to...

...Lucy Stevenson!!

That's right folks, last night she made it from 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM and her mommy and daddy couldn't be more proud! Here's her victory pose:

And her prize is a morning snuggle and movie with Daddy while she waits for mommy to get ready for church!