What's in my Toddler Diaper bag?

I don't bring much with me when I go out with Reuben. I don't like to tote around his entire nursery! I like to try and keep it simple.

When he was really little I could get away with just bringing my boobs! Sometimes I miss those days. But now he's a toddler and needs a bit more! Here is what's in my toddler diaper bag.

The Toddlerly-ist Toddler

Look at this angel face. This is my toddler when he wakes up. Isn't he cute? Yes, he may be adorable now, but just wait. Because I have the toddlerly-ist toddler. My toddler is more toddler than yours.

My toddler is so toddler he stands on slides, proclaiming his prowess to the world.

He thinks chairs, and food, are like the best things ever, and will tell you about each one in his cutest and most astute toddler speech. He's the most self-assured toddler I've met.

You know what is also the best thing ever? Doors. They are made to sit in, did you know?

And cabinets. Shirts are for losers. My toddler only likes shirts when it suits him. And never when it suits me. Or in public.

This is how my toddler sits in chairs. Need I say more?

Please, if you thought his escapades were eye-roll worthy, just look at his smolder. I could swoon.

And one time he got stuck in a pot. Can you see it? He was very pleased with himself. And also stuck.

Also, I promise I didn't give my toddler sugar, beer, wine, or any other non-toddler approved substance before the above picture was taken...any of the above pictures. Me on the other hand...

Anyway. There you have it. Proof of my toddler's toddlery-ness. My toddler clearly excels at being a toddler. If only I was as good a mom as he was a toddler. If he gets an award, can it be made out of dark chocolate and wine? No reasons, of course. But since my toddler can't drink wine...

Week 71

Reuben's first snow! It was awesome. Except that he hated it!

That's right, he didn't enjoy the snow, much! Too cold. I need to make him some mittens, for sure! But he did take a nice long nap, and allow Mommy and Daddy to play lots of LLL (league of legends) and drink hot coco. Great snow weekend.

Last year video is here. It snowed then too; Reuben's first snow, and this year was his first snow he got to play in. How cool is that!

Owl Gloves Crochet Tutorial

Someone on my YouTube channel requested owl gloves. I've seen these knit a lot, but she wanted a crochet version. I gave it my best shot!

To make these you will need about a less than 100 yards of worsted weight yarn and a 4.25mm crochet hook. You can download the PDF file here, and watch the video here. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions!

Baby Bib Sewing Tutorial

Reuben drools like crazy, so I have been making him lots of fun bibs. I decided to whip up a quick tutorial in case you wanted to make one too! You will need fabric, a snap or other securing device, and 2-3 washcloths or 1 washcloth and one hand towel. Good luck!

This is a really basic bib tutorial, and really fun to make. Reuben wears his all the time! Be sure to be careful when sewing on snaps or buttons on baby items--as they can be a choking hazard, I always double or triple secure it. Let me know if you make one, or if you have any questions!

Nanowrimo Update #1

Well, its been about two months since I finished nanowriomo with around 58,000 words. Not much has happened. Christmas got in the way, and then me restarting my YouTube channel... but I want to edit it. I may take every other nap time and just focus on editing--that way I can still take the odd naps and do YouTube stuff. It's hard to want both worlds.

So far I think the beginning of my book needs to be fixed. I just start right off with a scene, I think it needs to be reworked a bit. I also keep getting bogged down in my tenses. Or, my lack of them. I jump around so much I annoy myself. I keep just going back and putting things in the right tense and trying not to get confused about what tense I'm supposed to be in...I wish I wasn't dyslexic sometimes. I bet it would help. But maybe then I wouldn't be me and I wouldn't be able to do what I do. Semantics. Who knows.

I still want to self publish my book this year. I need to get it edited, then a friend wants to edit (Hi Jonathan) and then my mom, and then I will offer it to you guys to edit and then I will offer it to the world. (eeeeek)

Hopefully.

Unless it sucks.

I really hope it doesn't suck.

Anyway, that's what is happening with The Book, that still doesn't have a name, by the way. I think that will come last. Who knows.

I still hope to get 10-20,000 more words added, fleshing out scenes and characters and stuff.

More news, hopefully coming soon! And a book. I still get a little thrill when I realize I actually wrote a book.

Week 70

The week of Christmas day, and our Christmas staycation. I had a wonderful Christmas! I also decided to stop daily vlogging (watch the second video for why) and do weekly vlogs again, starting Jan 1st. I'm excited to try weekly vlogging again.

We also hired a babysitter, had fun with friends and ate too much Christmas candy. Sounds about right, right? All you need to know is I had a pretty good vacation!

Last year is here.

Easy Toe Up Sock Cast On

This is how I cast on my toe up socks. I've tried a few of the usual casts (Judy's magic and Turkish cast) and didn't find them to my liking so I made up my own. I like this one because it's quick, easy, and you don't have to take it out. It's also seamless and invisible.

To do this cast on, you need a crochet hook the same size as the needles you will use to make your sock. Since I use a 2.5mm knitting needle, I also used a 2.5mm crochet hook to achieve this cast on. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

You can view the video here if the embed is down.


Let me know if you have any questions and I will answer them as quickly as possible!

Books of 2016

I wanted to read 50 books in 2016, and I did just that, ending with reading 51--one over my lofty goal of 50. Well, if you don't count the 324,506 times I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my toddler.

I'm not an over-zealous user of Goodreads. I mean, I like it, and I log my books there because it is fun, and I like seeing what I've read. I've only been logging books for 2-3 years now, so it isn't a complete look at how many I've consumed in my lifetime (although I did add many old titles). I usually spend 3-6 minutes composing a review after finishing a book, and usually when nursing my toddler. Multitasking. Or ways mommy occupies herself while nourishing a wiggly human.  

My favorite books of 2016? Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn. I loved this book, and plan to read the next three this year. It had amazing world building and great characters. I loved it. I am only mildly annoyed that the next book is from a different person's perspective. Oh well. I can't wait to read it! My second favorite, very close runner up, was Clariel by Garth Nix. I love his Abhorson series, and anything set in that world I will read. His first novels, about Lirael and Sabrial, are household staples in my home. I own them, and as I only own one bookshelf of books now, that says something that I held on to those. Clariel did not disappoint, if anything it ended way too soon and I am left wanting a squeal. If I had to pick a third favorite, Earth Girl #3 would be it. The whole Earth Girl series by Janet Edwards was really good.

I didn't read just fantasy literature, by the way, even if it is my favorite to read (who wants to read about the boring "real" world when you can have magic?!) I also really enjoyed The Help, although maybe enjoy is not the right word. It was very eye opening. I still think about it. I know it was "popular" a few years ago, but I am always eschewing books with that label because usually they aren't worth the paper they are printed on (Twilight?) but this one was different. I'm glad I read it, eventually. I also read all the Penderwick books by Birdsall. All four (and a 5th coming out in a few months!! Sqeeee) In short, I loved them. Simple stories of kids growing up, doing kid things. I feel a sense of hope for today's youth now, something I don't feel much when I look around me sometimes.

The only other thing I really read of note was the last four books in the Harry Potter series. I waited, as you can imagine, a very long time to read those (it was my first read through). I'd read the first one in college and wasn't that impressed, but I did love all the movies (yes, I'm one of those people). Anyway, while I loved all the books, I don't see what all the fuss was about. They were good. Harry is annoying, and I am tired of hearing his every thought and why he does things. Really, I don't like book Harry very much. He seems such an afterthought, bumbling, lucky person. I don't quite get him. Oh well. Luna is still my favorite person. Book Luna and movie Luna are both equally awesome.

So, that's what I read. What did you read? What should I read next year? I'm open to all suggestions. Unless it's about hungry caterpillars. That ship has sailed. 

You can find me on goodreads here, if you want to see what else I read this last year, and what I'm reading now.

Week 69

The week before Christmas. We had a Christmas eve candlelight service and everyone was cute. Reuben most of all. I also wrap all my husbands gifts and hang his tardis stocking! Our holiday traditions include: making carrot cake, watching doctor who, reading the Christmas story, going to church on Christmas Eve, and putting toddlers to bed early. What are your Christmas traditions?

One year ago vlog is here!

Skinny Pant Tutorial (18m)

So I had this old sweater dress that I couldn't wear anymore--it had a few holes and I gained weight because I had a baby...but that is besides the point! I wanted to knit Reuben a pair of wool pants, but I didn't really have time. So I decided to take my old dress and recycle it into pants for my son. It worked out really well, even if I did fly by the seat of my pants.

Since my son is in the 90th percentile for height at 16 months--I estimate these to fit the average 18m-2t. (Reuben is wearing 2t when we shop for him) Of course, I made them big on top for his cloth diaper to still fit. We love them! I'm glad my old sweater can be worn by my son--especially since wool will keep him warm through winter. Enjoy the tutorial!

11 Months Paleo

New year, new me, right? Well, I brought 30 other years into this year with me, so I don't think it works that way. I'm still going strong paleo and loving it, for the most part. I do get an occasional desire for something, but usually I just look up a good paleo recipe and try it out. It helps that I love trying something new, for sure.

I decided to measure myself this month. I think it's been five months since I've measured. I don't exercise often, I average about twice a week and I'm happy with it, for now, so I don't expect much.

My new measurements
Thigh: 23 inches
Bust: 37 inches
Underbust: 31.5 inches
Hips: 42 inches
Belly: 34.5 inches
Upper Arm: 11 inches


The only thing I've lost is a bit of bust (1 inch) and a bit of belly (.5 inches) I think. It isn't about the numbers--it's about feeling good and having energy. And I feel good and have energy when I eat this way. I'm not inflamed. I'm not rashy. I can get up and go and I look forward to eating. Life is good.

I didn't eat the best over the holidays, allowing myself way to much dairy (really makes me inflamed) and I have been trying to cut back on that. Its so hard to cut something out when it becomes "normal" again.

But I'm feeling good, and cute, with new bangs and long hair and clothes that fit. And that is what really matters.

Week 68

I cut my own hair this week! I've always wanted to try bangs but have been too afraid. Now I wish I'd tried them sooner.I also went to a wonderful Christmas party and spent quality time with my Squishy Squish and my husband. A delightful week before Christmas.

The one year ago video can be seen here!

January Crochet Hat Tutorial

I made this cute crochet hat for my niece. Of course, once I made it, I had to make one for Reuben, and one for myself!

This fun crochet hat uses worsted weight yarn and a 4.25mm crochet hook. I used about 100 yards to create this one! You can find the full video tutorial here, and the PDF download here on ravelry. They make great gifts, as I said I gave one to everyone in my family this past Christmas.

My (toddler's) new year Resolutions

2016 is blur. 2015, the year I gave birth to Reuben, is basically one long memory of being hugely pregnant and breastfeeding my infant. 2017? I don't know what to expect from 2017. I can't believe it is 2017 and my toddler will turn two this year. TWO.

What do I want to accomplish in 2017? I want to shower at least every other day. Is that too much of a goal? Maybe. I want to maybe potty train a toddler? And keep him from taking his diaper off? And make dinner at least 5 times a week? These are lofty goals. I don't have much expectations.

Yesterday my Reuben, who is 17 months old learned to take his shirt off. He thinks its funny. It's 20 degrees out and our house, while considerably warmer, is still chilly. Yet he likes to take his shirt off. Kid has balls, I tell you.
 
I wondered today what Reuben's new year resolutions would be, if he had any. Probably:

1. only eat ONE thing on my plate and put everything else in my cup because cup
2. make driveway rock collection in house grow 
3. find out where my toes are 
4. stay up all day because naps are so 2016
5. learn the art of the puppy face
6. never wear hats because OMG WHY IS THERE ARE HAT ON ME
7. learn how to pronounce the word penis in public

Sounds about right, right?

no picture more adamantly captures my life right now

I've always thought of resolutions as loose goals. If I had to be honest, I want to finish and edit my book, perhaps publish it. I want to grow another baby and give Reuben a sibling. And I want to continue to grow my marriage, YouTube channel, and friendships with those who are close to me. Those are the only real goals I have, although showering more often would be nice.

I am happy with my life. The first year of parenthood was really really rough in ways I don't even know how to talk about. But things seem to be easier now, and I am embracing motherhood with everything I have and actually enjoying myself. And I definitely couldn't have said that 8 months ago.

Here is to 2017. And toddlers. May there be many, many showers and wine.