This and That

Last week we celebrated Luke's birthday again, with my parents who were in town.

Luke really liked the cake.



He even managed to get some frosting between his toes.



He is really good at "showing his muscles". This makes me smile every single time.



He is also walking everywhere now and has been for a week or two.

Here's a little video of both:





He developed a little 'tude while we were in Utah. When he is upset he "flops", throwing himself backwards and hitting his head on whatever is behind him or in most cases, the floor. Ouch! Apparently, as a baby, my father did the exact same thing.


I have been busy with my latest sewing projects, and I really thought I'd outgrown my procrastination habit, but apparently I haven't. Between an unusually busy week and a little procrastination, I was sewing a present for a friend's baby shower the following day, into the wee hours of the night before.




This was the first time I hit a road block that I could not get over. It turned out okay, but my vision was grander than my ability! On the burp cloth I wanted to top stitch the letter "J" which was white, with a contrasting brown thread. But no matter how many times I sewed, ripped it out, and resewed, I could not get the stitch to be even from the edges and curve perfectly. That was a tight little turn! So I ripped it out a final time, cut out a whole new "J" because the other one was practically mutilated, and sewed it on with white thread which was much more forgiving.




My new goal is to one day be able to sew a "J" and have it be perfect. I hope she likes it. I couldn't see her reaction and don't know what she thought because we went to College Station this weekend cause Ava's man, Corbin, was turning 3!

Unfortunately they don't get to see each other that often anymore, but whenever they do get together, they fall right into step.





We met them at the splash pad,



where everybody had a good time!


And then we spent the rest of the day at Tiffany and Andrew's house. The fold down baby seat in our new van came in really handy. I just realized I still don't have a picture of the outside of the van! Why can't I remember?!




The guys went to see Dark Knight and Tiffany and I stayed home and caught up while the kids napped. And may I just take a tiny moment to say, I love you, Tiffany! Really, what a wonderful friend you have been to me! My parents still mention their "friends from graduate school" and I never thought much about it. But now 30 years later and they still keep in touch, that's gonna be us, okay?

And isn't it fun when your friend lets you help open his presents?



And isn't it even more fun when your friend gives you a present even though it's his birthday?


Ava thought so! She hasn't put her Cinderella down for a minute. She even slept with her! And she loves the My Little Pony too! Thanks, guys!

Carter and Luke are in the same little place in life. I am sure they will be friends too. Luke kept wanting to "pat" Carter.



Finally, we checked the mail on the way home from church today and found a box from Grandma Linda and Grandpa Don.

Inside was a sewing book and DVD for me! (Yay!) and a beautiful princess dress and flower bouquet for Ava. (Big thanks, Don and Linda!) I cannot tell you how excited she was when she saw it!

She was saying, "This makes me so happy! This makes me so happy! I'm so excited!" as she ripped off her Sunday dress and shoes and socks, "Let's put it on! I'm so happy!"

After a quick call to say thank you, I took a few pictures. Maybe it's just because I'm her mom, but I think she looks like a princess.