Vegetable Progress

I just discovered a vegetable I like very much! Cooked winter squash with butter and brown sugar. It was delicious-thanks, Mom, for the recommendation.

I wonder how many other vegetables will taste better with butter and brown sugar...

Fall Fun

Lucy and I had a wonderful time spending the week with my sister, her husband and my three beautiful nieces. I did, however, learn that it will probably be some time before I attempt to make another six-hour drive by myself with a 7 1/2 month-old. On the way there, my "6-hour" drive took about 7 1/2 hours, and on my way back yesterday, our drive took 9 whopping hours! Lucy doesn't like being confined to her carseat so much anymore. Wow, am I exhausted!

Here's a blurry pic of Lucy with her super-fun cousin, Grace!

After yesterday's marathon drive, we are ever so glad to be reunited with our husband/daddy! Today, the three of us had some serious fall fun together, and it has been a soothing balm to my weary mommy-soul!

Lucy kept Darin company while he carved a pumpkin and I put out a fall-themed centerpiece on our dining room table.

Then, while Lucy took an afternoon nap, I embellished a onesie to go with her pumpkin hat that I finished at Kelly's. We also watched this week's episode of The Office online and munched on roasted seeds from the pumpkin.

Then, Darin got the wish he was wishing for all day. He put a happy and well-rested Lucy in his newly carved pumpkin. He was pretty pleased with himself. I'm not gonna lie. I think she looked pretty darn-cute in it myself.

Then Lucy modeled her new made-by-mommy fall outfit for me and had a super good time playing in some leaves with Daddy and Minnie.

I think I might even be willing to say that is is the best fall-fun I've ever had!

Recently Made or Found by Mommy!

I had grand plans for Lucy and I to be in our van right now, happily driving south for a visit to see my sister and her family. But due to some recent Lucy-induced sleep deprivation, Darin and I decided that we should stay home today to catch up on rest and pack/prepare for our trip at a leisurely pace. Lord-willing, Lucy and I will be on our way tomorrow!

It's been a little while since I've posted, but due to aforementioned exhaustion, my brain isn't up to the challenge of entertaining you with my wit. Instead, I'll entertain you with the products of my recent mommy-endeavors.

For some reason, I've had the urge to stock up on some good children's lit... even the chapter books that Lucy won't be ready to read for several years. When I find myself wandering around Half-Price Books or Barnes and Boble and spot either a favorite book from my own childhood or ones I've haven't read but would like to read with Lucy someday, I've been snatching them up.

Here are some recent kid-lit finds that I'm particularly tickled by:

I hope I'll be able to impart to Lucy the same love for reading that my mother imparted to me!

Other creative mommy-energy has been spent on some new hand-made items for Miss Lucy. I realize I've knitted her so many clothing-items, but no cuddly friends. So I decided to make Lucy this bunny from Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I think we shall name her "Flopsy" to tip a hat to Beatrix Potter.

I also decided to try a super cute and simple sewing pattern for fabric head-bands from Heather Bailey's fun blog, Hello My Name is Heather. And chances are, if you give this mommy a free head-band pattern, she's going to want to embellish a baby onesie to go with it. (Pardon the If You Give a Mouse A Cookie reference... like I said, kid-lit is on my mind!)

And lastly, in the spirit of fall fun, I'm also working on a Pumpkin Hat for Lucy. I'm planning on bringing it to Kelly's house and finishing it while I'm there this week. Here's a "work-in-progress" shot:
Well, Little Miss Munchkin has gone down for a nap, so I think I shall too. Goodbye for now!

Attention World: Lucy Has Something to Say!

Well, the presidential election is just around the corner. And not unlike other election years, it seems like almost everyone has SOMEthing to say about issues that are near and dear to them. It would seem that Lucy has something to say too:

Would you like to give me your best interpretation? What point do YOU think Lucy is trying to get across?