We have a new pet!

Of course, it's not a real one, but just as fun. Kiddo is having a ball with it! I was so excited to actually find one last night. AND it was PINK! Even better!

Anyway, it's called a Zhu Zhu Pet. Her name is Jilly. I'll try to get a picture of her soon. I guess I need to get busy on a little home and sleeping bag for her. :) I told Kevin as soon as we got one, I'd make them.

Mommy's magical!

I realized late last night that Miss. Lilith must think I'm magical.

When I showed her that it was snowing yesterday, after saying "Snow! All beautiful!," she gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you, mommy!" As if I made it snow. She had the biggest smile, too.

We interrupt your daily blogging...

...to announce that IT'S SNOWING! Big, white, fluffy flakes, too. :) So much for finishing up laundry and cleaning. My mind's sidetracked and I keep looking out the window. Also, so much for a nap for kiddo today. I let her get up and see the snow. We even went out in it. And found out that we have zero hot chocolate in here. Now, she's snuggled up on the couch with her blankie and baby doll watching Care Bears. I just hope it's not too bad when Kevin comes home. He has to run up to the airport after work to pick up his grandma. They won't be back here until maybe 7ish.



Ok, go back to whatever you were doing. :)

Just a quick note, we don't get much here, that's why all the excitement.

Handmade for Lilith

*note: I'm not happy that my pictures are all cute off. I'll fix it later when I have a bit more time. At least you can see most of them.*

Lilith got a baby doll that she's been wanting for Christmas. So, I just had to made things for her to take care of her baby. :) I'm very happy with how it all came out. And she seems to like it all. As soon as she unwrapped her diaper bag, she pulled out a diaper, pulled the pants off of her baby, and put a diaper on her. And baby has been nice and warm with her new minkie blanket. I also made a baby carrier cover, but haven't gotten any pictures taken of it. There's been some issues with it. Plus, I'm not too happy with the set of baby things we got (everything is too small for her baby doll)...it's going back today and we're getting her some other brand of crib, carrier, high chair, etc. I think I'll be making her a Mei Tie of her own one of these days (the one that came with everything kind of sucks and isn't as cute as the one I can make).

Her Disney Bear with a diaper and bib


Her Disney Bear with a diaper


4 burp cloths


2 bibs


4 receiving blankets and 1 minkie blanket


6 diapers


Changing pad, wipes, and wipes case


The diaper bag all full



And just a heads up for those of you who do read, this is just the first of many more crafty/sewn mama made posts. :)

It's been a good week!

After 7 and a half years, Kevin finally got his promotion! And it's effective as of last week. So, it should be on this next check. Now, as long as he gets his raise next year, we should be doing pretty good. That also means, we can officially afford our apartment! LOL

Anyway, that's about it for now. Kiddo's visiting and passing candy canes at mom's work. We have a couple shops to go to then we're headed back to mom's to do our Christmas cookie baking. I'll write again soon...and post some pics.

I should be sewing...

But I'm playing on the internet. That's ok because I was paying bills and checking the handful of sites I go to. I'm planning on getting some sewing done. I have several things for myself to make. And a pair of jammies for kiddo. I'll have some special things to make for some friends once I get the fabric. I had planned on making something special for kiddo and our neighbor, Andy, for Christmas, but I don't think they will get done. Oh well. They'll get done sooner or later.

I also need to get things picked up around here. I've been lazy most of the week because I hadn't been feeling too well. We spent 4 hours in the ER Saturday night/Sunday morning. Everything was ok and found out the cause of my stomach pain and what to do for it. We also found out that I have some cysts on my Left ovary. He said that my birth control pill is actually helping keep them small. I'll find out some more when I go see my actual DR next month or so.

Back in October I got my nails done and have been getting them filled every few weeks. I've been trying to function with them, but yesterday was bad. I had just had them done last week, so they weren't that long. But I just could not do what I needed to while I was sewing. I even jammed the needle into my fingertip trying to get it threaded. Mom said that I'll get used to them and maybe try to file them down some. I filed them this morning, so we'll see how it goes. I go again next Thursday. I may end up having her just take them off. Kevin said if I just can't sew and work with them (and that's what I want to do to make some extra money), then it may be best to just remove them. Plus, it's $30 a fill and a trip to and from Salem (about 30 minutes one way). Oh well. We'll see what happens.

Anyway, I keep finding myself going away from this and to something else, so I guess I better end this here and go stitch up kiddos bear and finish it up. Then maybe onto something else.

Lilith's almost 3!

Just a month and a half until my baby is a 3 year old. We're having her birthday party early this year. The reason? Nana will be visiting! She arrives 12/29 and heads home on 1/10. So, kiddo's party will be on 1/9 so that Nana can be there for it. I'm sure we will do something small on her actual birthday, too.

Anyway, here are some quick details on her party:
Lilith's princess party will be on 1/9/2010 at 3pm
Held at our house (If you need the address or directions, please email us.)
We'll have pizza and cupcakes.

I had already posted a "wish list" for her, but here is a quick updated one.
~ Tag books (Please, no Dora, Diego, or SpongeBob. We have our reasons.) She's getting the Tag system for Christmas (not the Tag Jr.).
~ My Little Pony
~ Little People
~ She's wearing a 4T in clothes (Technically, she wears a 3T, but we've been buying 4Ts so they last longer.) *I should also add that she loves to wear dresses and skirts now.
~ Hello Kitty
~ Word World
~ Disney
~ Books (If you need a list of what she has or need suggestions, just ask.)
~ Puzzles
~ Games (She has Cooties, Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, and a Memory game.)
~ Thomas the Train (she has the wooden tracks)
~ Zu Zu pets

She's asked Santa for a pink sewing machine, so she'll be getting that. She's also getting a Sit and Spin, a new baby doll, and baby doll things (like a crib, highchair, etc.). Grams and papa will be getting her a doll house. Mom said that she will get her some of the other sets that don't come with it for her birthday. I'm also thinking of getting her some preschool type workbooks. Lilith is also going to be getting a new big girl bed for her birthday, or a little after. Here's the bedding I've picked out. (She'll most likely be getting the quilt instead of the comforter.) I like it because it matches her baby stuff. She will need some plain sheets, too (for accidents).

Anyway, if you have any questions, just ask. Hope to see you there!

Lilith's Wish List *edit X 2*

Just thought I'd post this before it got too late. Here's kiddo's wish list for Christmas and her birthday.

~Little People
~My Little Pony
~Baby play things (crib, high chair, etc.)
~Clothes (size 4T)

She also loves Hello Kitty and Word World (it's a PBS kids show) right now and still loves all things Disney (Mickey, Minnie, Princesses). She loves to pretend right now. She hasn't gotten into dress up soon, but I think it's coming soon. I would also like to get her a new big girl bed and bedding.

So I thought of a few more things to add...

~Books! She loves to read and be read to. If you need a list of what she has, just ask.
~Kid size sewing things (She loves to help!)

Dang it! I thought I had some more things, but can't remember them right now. I'll edit again if I think of something.

~Leapster things. We're talking about getting her the Tag system and some books.
~Puzzles
~Sit and Spin
~Games (She has Cooties, Candyland, and Chutes and Ladders.)

Learning new things everyday

Lilith has been a busy girl learning new things everyday. Yesterday, we went to the water park and thanks to a couple of older girls, Lilith learned how to use the grate to scale up the wall. I liked that she wasn't able to climb up it. Now, there's no stopping her.









We are also working on her name. We ask her a lot what her name is. Her usual reply is "two half" with her 2 fingers held up. That is also her reply when asked how she is doing.

I bought her an ID bracelet with all of our info on it a couple of weeks ago. We're working on getting her to wear it. She says that it's too tight (thanks to daddy!) and doesn't like to wear it. I keep trying to tell her how pretty it is and that she needs to wear it. I'd like her to get used to wearing it now so it's not a problem while we're at Disney. I'm not expecting her to get lost or anything, but just in case. It's the same type of stainless steel bracelet we had as kids.

Last night, we read "Little Otter's Big Journey." On the cover is the mama otter and baby otter on her belly. Lilith told me that it was the mama otter and baby otter then pointed at herself and said "Baby otter" then pointed at me and said "Mama otter." So, I guess now we're otters. :)

Also last night, Heidi had made a comment to Lilith about her being her little girl. Lilith sat up, looked at her, shook her head, and said "NO! Mama's girl!"

Lilith has also shown us her blonde side this past week. We had gone to Famous Footwear and as we were leaving, Lilith ran up to go open the door. The only problem was, it wasn't the door...it was the window. And as wee stood there laughing at her, she kept trying to open it and was getting really pissed that it wasn't openning. Silly little girl!

Kiddo loves to be read to now. And color or paint. Right now, she's practicing cutting with scissors. I had found these really cool scissors at Target. They have a switch that open the scissors back up. And once they've figured out how to open them, you can flip it and they won't open on their own. She's doing a pretty good job and getting it figured out. My living room floor is covered with tiny paper pieces. LOL We need to get her some new books soon. We have a few that we read over and over, but I've read almost all of the books we have.

As for the rest of us...Kevin's back in school. Last term didn't go as well as others. He no longer has his 4.0, but is at 3.95. He's getting worn out, but I keep reminding him that he's almost done. He's decided that if he does go for his Master's, it'll be in a couple of years. He also had his One-on-One yesterday. Nothing bad was said at all. He is in line for a promotion, but he doesn't think he will be getting one any time soon.

As for me, I've been busy sewing and playing with Lilith. I'm also trying to get things ready for my special birthday trip. My mom is taking Lilith and me to Disneyland for my 30th birthday. We leave here on September 10th and stopping in Redding. Then it's down to Ventura to Aunt Terry's. Saturday, September 12th is my 30th birthday and I will be spending it at Disneyland. The 13th, we are going to Highland and spending the day at Nana's visiting with family and friends. Then it's back to Disneyland until the 17th, Aunt Terry's the 18th, and heading home on the 19th. We're excited. And I have so much that I'd like to get done. Today, I'm hoping to get these bags finished. Mom and a couple of her coworkers ordered bags. After those are done, I can get back to other things.

Anyway, I need to get to work and try to finish these bags today. Hope everyone is doing well! *hugs*

Happy half-birthday, kiddo!

Today is kiddo's Half-birthday. I can't believe she's 2 and a half already! She's getting so big! She's learning new words every day and starting to put more words together. She got a bike a couple of weeks ago. We're still working on teaching her how to pedal, though. All of her teeth have popped thru. She has a dentist appointment on 8/25th...a "Happy visit." Hopefully she likes Dr. Ulmer better then the dentist she saw last year (I sure do). Next year, though, she gets xrays and a full exam. I have an appointment the same day right after her's. She should be able to watch them clean mine. Mom's planning on going with, too. Lilith has gotten really good at I Spy. Aunt Heidi bought her a book on Monday and she found everything by the time we got home. I finally got the last couple of things today to make her an I Spy bag and will get that made this weekend. Lilith loves to dance and sing. One of her favorites now is Mama, Mia! (Or Me Ma as she calls it.) Today, she managed to copy the dance they did on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. (And also, now Heidi and I have the song stuck in our heads). New favorites also include Hello Kitty and Word World. We;re still working on counting and ABC's, but she'll get it...one thing at a time.

The biggest news...Lilith is officially day time potty trained! And I think night time will be soon. This week, we've gone out several times without a cover over her panties and have not had an accident in over a week (even when we went to the movies!). We still need to work on pooping in the potty, but it'll happen soon. I also bought things to make her some new covers for bed time. Her eczema has been flaring up on her tushie and I think the covers we use are causing it. She got a package of Hello Kitty panties to celebrate today. All her Gerber training panties are going to be put away and used to nap/bed time.

In other news...Kevin and I are doing well. We have just over 100 days until we head to Disney World. I have been busy sewing baby things for Kevin's cousin, Sweetwater, and a friend of ours. Both are having baby girls. I have lots of things for myself and a few things for kiddo. There's also things for Pieces of Me to be made. Kevin's been busy with work and school. It's been an interesting couple of weeks at work for him...his manager was told to step down or take the severance package. He took the severance. The other manager that he has been working with him (and is his current manager) doesn't understand why Kevin is still where he is and is going to work on getting him his promotion. Kevin is on break between terms at the moment. He's still waiting on his grades and starts his next term on Wednesday. He also found out that he is receiving the Pell Grant and is also able to get an extra $1700 from FAFSA.

OK, it's time for kiddo to head to bed. I will try to write again soon.


4th of July


She woke up really early that day and fell asleep at 10am on the couch watching Cars


Playing in the bottom of the box from our new TV


Her new bike

Pictures updated

For those of you who do check this, I just wanted to give a heads up that I got flickr updated today. Flickr
A new blog entry coming soon.

Hello! My name is Dawn, and I'm a geek.

Thanks to my neighbor and friend, Tamara, I've been clipping coupons again. I'm also working on a price book. The price book is going to take a while to get it all done. Target alone took over an hour (maybe 2) to write down sizes and prices of everything we use. And I didn't even get everything. I did get everything written down that we use so it's a little easier getting things filled out. I signed up for the Oregonian's Free FOODday Edition, but haven't gotten it, yet. And over the past week of just getting started, I've gotten free or REALLY cheap chocolate, cheese, Ritz, Wheat Thins, and some other things. I have more coupons for free chocolate from Target, too. Good thing it's free because I would not spend $.99 for a candy bar! (It's for the Hershey's Bliss.) I'm sure Kevin thinks I'm crazy, but he said as long as it decreases our spending, he doesn't care.

We went to Joann's last night and saved almost $400! Simplicity pattern's were on sale 5 for $5 with a limit of 10, so we both got 10 (20 total). I also got some lining that I needed, ribbons, a new seam ripper (I actually broke my other one), and fabric & things for a dress. I got to use a 10% off everything coupon. And the best thing, Kevin got me a dress form and was able to use the 40% off coupon! He's been wanting to get me one and is very supportive of all the sewing I've been doing and is very impressed. (Everyone's been impressed with my sewing.) I have so much that I want to work on right now...3 tops, 2 skirts, a dress, jammies for kiddo, chalk bags for Shawn and Veronica, and Heidi got some fabrics for a top and skirt.

Other then all of that, things are going well. Kiddo's getting big. I discovered that tooth number 18 came through sometime this week. Now, she just has her top 2 molars left. She and I both go to the dentist on August 25th. I have a cleaning and x-rays. Her's is just the "How many teeth do you have? Can you show them to me? Oh, how pretty!" type of appointment. Next year, though, she gets a full cleaning and x-rays. She'll also be able to take a dance class and soccer next year. Lilith is trying to put words together. And she's been talking about the beach for a week now...it just doesn't sound like beach. I keep telling her that we will go to the beach in a couple of weeks. Kevin has the second week in June off and we're planning on going to Seaside for a day.

Ok, dinner's here so I need to get going. I'll write again soon.
<3 The Kelley's

Here are a couple of pics from the past couple of weeks.

Headaches, again

Once again, I've been having headaches. This past week, I've had 2 migraines and several other headaches. Thankfully, the Excedrin Migraine has helped the migraines. So, I've found a notebook to keep a daily report of everything I've eaten, taken, done, even the weather so that we can figure out why I'm getting them. If nothing else, I'll have a nice journal to hand a doctor so they can figure it out. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to not take any kind of pain pills and get all of that out of my system again. Kev thinks they might be blood-pressure related. Who knows, but we'll figure it out sooner or later.

Other then that, we're all doing well. Today has been a day of layoffs for ADP. Wednesday, too. Kevin is safe, but his department is down to his manager, him, and 1 other guy. He said that he will be asking to work from home permanently soon. He is still waiting for his final grades, but has A+'s in both classes and has 2 weeks off before his next classes start. He decided to take a term off later this year so that he can enjoy our Disney vacation and not worry about school.

Lilith is her usual 2 year old, self. Getting into everything, playing, being happy, and being cute. Tooth number 17 is officially in (bottom, left, second molar). Only 3 more to go. It's made her a bit fussy and snugly the past week. Since the sun has been out more, we've been going to the park more. And I'm planning on taking her out even more as it gets nicer. We even brought home her Cozy Coupe from Grams'. Sunday, we took her to the Children's Fairy Festival. It was a bit unimpressive, but she seemed to have fun. We got some really cute pictures and I'll post them later this week.

I have been busy sewing. Currently, I'm working on a skirt for myself. It should be done in a few hours. May even get another one cut out and going today. I have a couple of things to make for Lilith. And I've figured out how to make reusable sandwich/snack bags and sandwich wraps. I made Veronica a whole lunch set out of UofO fabric. She loves it and showed it off to everyone. I'm planning on making some to sell on Etsy or the Farmer's Market. Shawn and Veronica also want me to figure out how to make chalk bags for climbing. So, once I get that figured out, I'll try selling those, too. Kevin keeps trying to get me to make things for myself and not everyone else. LOL I know, I need to and I want to. I just have sewing ADD sometimes. LOL

I should get going. I promised Lilith I would put in the next Lilo and Stitch movie. More to come soon, and pics.




November 8, 2009 (Give or take a day)

Easter 2009

Just thought I'd write real quick and post a couple Easter pictures.

The week before Easter, Lilith had 3 different egg hunts (the MOMS Club Easter party, the egg hunt in Villebois--our area--, and Wilsonville's egg hunt). I think she got about 5 eggs at each one. All the kids kinda freaked her out and were quicker then her. And it didn't take her long to find out that they had candy in them. LOL

We spent Easter at mom and dad's. Shawn and Veronica, Aunt Monica and Chris, and Grandma Barnes were all there. Dad made his usual Brisket and Grandma made her potato salad (really need to get her recipe) for dinner (and it was so good, like normal). Mom and dad had hidden eggs for Lilith that morning. It didn't take her long to figure out how to "hunt" for eggs. And she wanted to do it all day...just like her mama! LOL (She even asked Papa to hide them for her this last weekend while we were there.) She had way too much candy and it took us a day or so to get her to forget about it.

All in all, we had a good Easter. Lilith got lots of goodies, even some handmade ones from mama that turned out very cute! I was happy to see her enjoy Easter this year. Last year, she was still too little to understand and hated being in the grass.

I'll write another update later this week, but for now, it's someone's bedtime and boy does she need it!


At the MOMS Club Easter Party 4/6/2009


After the MOMS Club Party 4/6/2009


Wilsonville's Egg Hunt 4/11/2009


On the way home from Wilsonville's Egg Hunt 4/11/2009


An arm full of eggs! 4/12/2009


The Kelley's 4/12/2009

Easter pics

Just wanted to share that there are Easter pics from the Villebois Easter Egg Hunt up on Flickr. I did not take them, the area photographer did. Here's the link to their pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29822340@N08/

The past month

Just wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the last month. Another entry coming soon!

Another cute Lilith moment

Of course, my days are filled with cute Lilith moments, but last night was just too cute and even surprised Kevin.

After dinner, we took a trip to the mall...without any stroller. At least I had my carrier just in case. We let her walk a good part of the time until she just quit listening then up on my back she went. Last night was the first time she was not in a stroller in the Disney Store. She went back and forth picking up stuffed animals and telling us what they were then put them back where they belonged. At one point we ended up over by the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse toys where she picked up a toy with all the characters. She pointed at each one and named them. She's been doing this for a week or two for me, but Kevin hadn't seen it before and was rather impressed. After she was done, back on the shelf it went and she moved onto the next thing. I think we spent half an hour in there before I finally picked her up and took her to the potty.

We've also been working on our ABC's. She will repeat almost every letter. There are a couple that are hard to understand. She also repeats with numbers, too. She's slowly starting to put a couple of words together. And she's learned how to put her jacket on by herself, but it usually ends up being upside down. She did put it on rightside up the other day. She also put a sock on by herself last night.

She's just growing up too fast!


January 28, 2009

Lilith's 2 year check up

We went this morning for Lilith's 2 year well baby check up. And like always, she's perfect. Lilith is now 28lbs 11.5oz (75%), 2'11.5" (88%), and head circumference is 19.25" (84%). All are a huge jump from 18months. She's growing like a weed! No major concerns. She was referred over to the Early Intervention program for a couple developmental things she isn't doing, yet (jumping, kicking a ball, and walking up/down stairs). But, he said they're not a big deal and it's just to make sure.

In other big girl news, she's pretty much daytime potty trained. We have an accident every now and then, but that's ok and so much better then when we started. We haven't even thought about night time training, yet. Her DR said that's ok and it usually takes longer for them to be ready for that. She also no longer has her pacifier. Mommy "lost" it Wednesday night before her birthday. She's been doing fine without it. She does ask for it every night just to make sure it's still missing. Lilith is also giving up her naps. Her DR said she's getting plenty of sleep...she's just wanting it all at once. And it's ok. Mommy just doesn't get that 2 hour break.

Anyway, that's all for now. I will update again soon. Also, I'm going to work on updating flickr tomorrow!

9 more days!

9 more days and we'll be the parents of a 2 year old! It's hard to believe how fast the last 2 years have gone. I miss my tiny newborn (even though she wasn't so tiny), but my little girl is so much fun. She makes me smile, even when it's midnight and all I want to do is go to bed. (Monday night, for example.) She gives the sweetest hugs and kisses. Lilith learns new words pretty much daily, even long words that we don't expect her to say (most current was "Tomorrow" which comes out "morrow.") She's pretty much day-time potty trained. We still have the occasional accident and even bad days. She's even starting to tell us when she has to go. Lilith's learning how to jump and march now. She enjoys that Kevin's working from home twice a week. She'll run into the bed room, yelling Dada, and give him the biggest hug.

One thing remains the same...she still loves her Mime (Mickey)!


Sunday, January 11, 2009 walking into Target

Flooding in OR

For those that haven't called to ask, we're fine. The floods aren't anywhere near us and where we live in Wilsonville is up on a bit of a hill.

I'll write more later, just wanted to let everyone know that we're ok. :)

Lilith's turning 2!

I was working on birthday invitations last night and today and decided that I should probably come up with a list of suggestions. So, here they are!

* Clothes (size 2T)
* Little People
* Lego's
* Art stuff (crayons, markers, finger piant, paper, Play-Doh, ect.)
* Pretend play stuff (vacuum, broom, mop, ect.)

That's all I can think of right now. If I think of more, I'll edit this post. Also, invitations will be going out by Friday.