Hair Bows

I love that I'm finding more time to work on hair bows lately. These are a few that I completed this week. I started making half pinwheel bows. These are perfect for those that don't like the over the top bows, but want something to identify that their child is a little girl.

This one is made of a baby pink and placed on a lined alligator clip.

I also worked on this navy and red stacked hair bow. It's perfect for those that have to wear school uniforms!

G's Dance!

G had her very last summer dance class this week. I was so proud of what she learned this summer and I loved watching her each week!

I convinced DJ in June, to let me sign her up for classes. He agreed, and the very next day we were at the studio. Then, we went straight to the dance store to purchase a few leotards, tights, tap, and ballet shoes. I kind of felt like crying as I had a proud mommy moment watching her try on her ballet and tap shoes at the store and dance around in them. It was something that I've looked forward to as a mom of girls. The class progressed and G would come home and 'practice' or play dance. She'd want me to be her teacher and she'd be the student.

But, as the weeks continued, she wasn't as excited about going. We used the 6 week summer session as a test to see if she'd be ready this fall to make the commitment. But, she's been telling me that she doesn't want to take dance. She wants to take gymnastics.

I'm torn, because we purchased brand new tap and ballet shoes. They won't fit if we wait another year. Should I sell them? Should I force her to take?

I'll admit, over the last week and a half, i've been trying to convince her to continue. As if it's something that she really does want to do. The truth is, she probably doesn't. But, I want her to take, and I want her to take really bad. I'm convincing myself that if we continue, she'll love it. Or, if she doesn't, then we can pull her.

But, I don't know if I should do that. Am I benefit her or myself? I need to decide soon, because classes are filling up.

Watching her perform in her very first recital, made me so proud. I was so happy that she had dance this summer. And, I may be partial, but she was the cutest sailor girl and the best dancer in her class!

Rub a Dub Dub

MC had a major blowout the other day. I was thankful that she did, because she hadn't pooped in two days, and she was getting bad gas and becoming fussy. So, when I checked on her at nap time, and discovered the poopy smell, I was glad that she had pooped, but not glad that it was all over her onesie and her crib sheet.

So, I changed her, and knew that it would get all over me too! So, off to the bath we went! This was MC's first time using the actual tub and she loved it! She was very intrigued by the baby in the mirror.

I think she stared at her the entire time!

She didn't scream through the bath, MC loves the water!

And, she was happy that she was finally all clean!

Oklahoma Aquarium

Yesterday, we went to the Oklahoma Aquarium. DJ's aunt and her two kiddos were visiting, so I thought it would be a fun outing for the family. I was super impressed with the touch tanks they had! G loved touching the starfish, as she plays with the fake ones in her Gee's bathroom every time we're there. You could also touch shrimp, and these amazingly wierd looking crabs!

I think Amy carried G or chased her the entire time! But, it gave me a break and Amy appeared to be enjoying herself!

The jellyfish- these are probably my worst fear in the ocean! They're also the reason that I cringe when I think about swimming in the ocean. I fear these more than sharks, and the aquarium had a ton of them- creepy!

Above: The octopus- yuck. I'd hate to be in the ocean with one of these things swimming around me. But, it was neat to look at!

The aquarium also let you feed the stingrays! Aunt Gina helped to put the bait on to G's pole. Thankfully, I helped G hold on to the pole, because as soon as the stingray swam over, G let go. I don't think the aquarium would've appreciated the stingrays snacking on the pole too!

There was also a shark exhibit and we quickly realized that G would not be able to go shark diving, as she fits through the hole in the dive box. But, then again, I wouldn't want to go, because those spaces are fairly large! But, it was fun watching the sharks swim over and around you. G didn't care for it so much though!

After we finished the shark exhibit, there was a touchscreen game, where you could feed the 'sharks'. I loved that it even took your picture to display on the screen while you played the game! Above is G working at the aquarium!

The aquarium was a blast! I'm trying to convince DJ to let us get a season pass to it! It will be a fun place to escape the summer heat!

New Bows

I've enjoyed spending some spare time working on new hair bows over the last few weeks! For me, it's my get-away time, and with the girls, I need a little bit of it!

These bows are all listed as ready to ship on HPA's facebook page. I love this Ariel inspired bow. I kept it simple, because Ariel's a pretty simple princess. It has a red and white dot boutique bow as the base, and a light pink bow on top.

This apple pigtail set will be perfect for any little honey's starting, or going back to school in a few weeks!

This Colts bow will be perfect for fall football- as long as there isn't a strike!

And, G asked me to create her a tap dance bow! If your little girl is taking dance, then this hair bow will be adorable for her to wear to lessons.

The surrounding loops have polk a dots, and dancing sayings, such as 'love 2 dance' and 'beautiful dancer'

Hope you enjoy these bows as much as I enjoyed making them!

Cowgirl Hat Applique' Set

As G would say, "Ride "Em Cowboy-girl!"

HPA would like to introduce it's cowgirl hat applique in brown with blue dots. It also comes with a detachable bow as a decoration on the hat. You can also order a made to match hair bow for your little honey as she saddles up and rides into the sun.... okay, well she probably won't, but, she sure will look adorable in this matching set!

This set is $25.00 plus shipping on our facebook page.

MC is 2 months

MC is 2 months old today! I can't believe how fast time is flying and how big she is growing. She's officially out of all newborn clothes, and has been for a few weeks. If we were doing disposable diapers, she'd still be in a size 1, but we're going strong with the fluff!

MC was diagnosed with reflux a little over a week ago. It's been a relief to figure that out, because there were quiet a few evenings that DJ and I were going batty with her crying, and not to mention the times in the car that she would scream.

She's taking axid for the reflux and it's getting better. I was able to make a trip to my parents by myself, and she did very well. We had one evening of crying last week when her belly hurt, but since then, we haven't had any.

Over the last month, MC has visited her Gee and Grandpa two times. We've also visited two churches here and visited Gee and Grandpa's church, celebrated my 29th birthday, and her daddy's 31st birthday.

MC has also been swimming and she really does enjoy the water!

Most of the time, she'll sleep from 11 pm to 4 am, and then she's back up around 6, and then will go back down until I get her up between 8 and 9 am. She naps in her swing during the day, and sometimes in her pac n play. Last week, she slept in her crib for the first time for about an hour.

MC eats every 3 hours, although sometimes it's every 2 hours or every 2 1/2, and on occassion, she'll go 3 1/2 hours between eating. But, my goal is for her to eat every 3 hours.

She is holding her head up more and she has started to coo and to smile in response.

We go to the pediatrician tomorrow, so i'm not sure of her exact height or weight, but at our appointment two weeks ago, she was a little over eleven pounds.

MC has made a wonderful addition to our family. And, although there are times where I feel like I could go insane, I wouldn't change it. This month has been trying and stressful but it's also been enjoyable and fun! Some of my favorite moments are just cuddling with MC while G is napping, and wearing her in the sling.

Monogrammed Applique's

We are now introducing monogrammed applique's to Honey Pie Accessories! These shirts will retail for $20.00 plus shipping. I made G an "If the Shoe Fits" shirt for her to wear to preschool this fall... after all, we all know that if the shoe fits- we must wear it! And she definitely acts like a little princess these days.

These anchor shirts were a part of my fall product testing. One of my online mom friends, husband is in the navy. When she requested to be a product tester, I decided to make her two little boys anchor shirts. I then decided that they'd be really cute to add a monogram too!

G is getting the apple shirt below, which will also be for preschool. We monogrammed a turquoise 'G' in the center.

But, if you'd rather not have an initial, then something like "preschool rocks' would be adorable! Of course, you could do 'kindergarten rocks', or whatever grade your child will enter!

If you're interested in any of these shirts or different monogrammed applique' options, check out our facebook page!

Las Cabos

Saturday evening we went to a fabulous restraunt that we've wanted to try here in BA. The place is always packed and they have bands that play at the outside bar. It also has a great view, because it's right on a pond, so the atmosphere is just fun. We snapped a few pictures before leaving the house. G was wearing her new dress from Puddin' Pies... this is the second dress i've purchased from her and I love them!

MC was wearing a strawberry outfit that use to be G's.

There was a huge fountain at Las Cabos and G was able to 'make a wish'. All the proceeds from the fountain actually go to the Make a Wish foundation, which I thought was totally awesome!

At dinner DJ and I each had a strawberry margarita and we all shared cheesedip and ordered amazing food!

After dinner, we went to the patio and listened to the band for a while.

And, G did the hula for us!

Happy Birthday DJ!

Sunday was DJ's 31st birthday. We kept the day low key and just enjoyed being with each other at home! .... This was the first weekend in three weeks that we stayed home, and we needed it!

We visited a church for the first time here on Sunday, and enjoyed it. We want to try a few other ones before we settle on one, but this one might be a contender.

After church we came home for lunch and naps. And, I snuck out to pick up DJ's cake.

When G woke up, we gave DJ the card she picked out, and his gift. We don't wrap gifts in our house- or at least not when the wrapping paper is burried in our closet, because it's still the last room that we haven't worked on.

So, I just made DJ close his eyes and put the gift in his lap!

We got him a ladderball game that he wanted, and it also came with a bean bag toss and a washer game. This will be fun to have when we have some friends over!

DJ grilled steaks and squash and zuccini tonight and I made a salad. After dinner we enjoyed this fabulous cake from Marble Slab:

Yum!

Yummy Cool Treat for Kids

It's been so hot here, so I wanted a quick and easy, cool treat for G.

She decided that she wanted blueberry yogurt (we use yotoddler yogurt), but I thought she'd enjoy a few extra things thrown in! So, I scooped the yogurt out of it's container, added cut up strawberries, and crushed vanilla wafers (you can also use graham crackers).

G loved this treat and gobbled it all up!

Sunning Cloth Diapers

Beware: Dirty Diapers ahead!

If you use cloth diapers, you're aware that your babies poo can and probably will stain them. We have a diaper sprayer that i'm hoping will help prevent some of the dreaded staining, but my husband isn't a
plumber, and he's not comfortable attempting to hook it up until someone is here to help them (AKA: his dad) So, until his dad visits in September (fingers crossed) it looks like i'll have more stains than I'd like.

So, now I get to figure out how to get the stains out. DJ told me that I should bleach the diapers, which I've heard you can do. But, then I was warned by a fellow fluffy mommy, that it caused her child to have a diaper rash. Hoping to prevent that, I opted for a more natural way to remove stains: the sun.

So, here's how I did it.

First, run your diapers through a cold quick rinse. I did this because I don't have the sprayer, and I wanted to remove the poo. Remember, breast fed poop is water solluable, so there really is no need to rinse before you start the wash process. This is what a dirty diaper looked like after the cold quick wash. (I warned you there'd be dirty diapers ahead!)

Next, take lemon juice and squeeze onto the poop stains. I first started with a real fresh lemon, cut in half. But, I quickly realized that I'd need a few lemons, and I only had 2 in the fridge. So, I grabbed my lemon juice, and just squirted it on.

I threw all the treated diapers in the sink and then put them all back in the laundry basket and carried them outside.

Now, I don't have a clothesline, and with no trees in our backyard coupled with the fact that we're renting, I knew I wasn't going to get one. So again, I turned to my fellow fluff mommies and someone suggested this:

Yes, I know, turn your head sideways.... but, it's a drying rack that I picked up at Target for around $15.00. I was able to lay my liners on the top, and pin the diapers to the other racks.

Then, I left it alone for the rest of the day. They had a good 8 hours in the sun. I did have to go outside in the early afternoon, because the diapers ended up in the shade.

After they sun bathed, I brought the diapers back inside and did my wash cycle all over again. Thankfully, I have a stain cycle wash on my washer, so I use that when I'm washing the diapers.

I don't have an after picture... I know, you probably want one, but I promise that almost all of the poop stains came out. There are still a few, but they're not as noticeable as they were; it's mostly in the elastic of the diapers. And, if I had time, I'd take out the elastic in my FBs and lay them flat, but, I don't. I'm a mom of two after all, so we'll take what we can get!

How have you gotten the stains out of your diapers? Is there another method that you prefer?

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

We braved the heat last night and went to a Drillers game. We usually go to a Cubs game every year, but since we're no longer in Indiana, then the Drillers will have to do. And, who'd want to see the Cubs play this year?
The Drillers played Arkansas very own Travelers, so I had a hard time choosing who to cheer for... okay, not really.

I was impressed that we only had to pay $7.00 for seats with these picnic tables. They're not the best seats, because they were straight up in the sun, but we could spread out and have plenty of room.

MC went to her very first game before G did. G was 3 1/2 months when she went to her first Cubs game, and MC is only 7 1/2 weeks.

They even had a playground, which was perfect for G!

After playing for a while, we walked around the stadium, and got G a snowcone. I took a picture, because this is a treat for G. It's very rare, that I'd let her eat ice covered in green colored high fructose corn syrup- yuck! But, she needed something to cool her off, so HFCS it was!

We also let MC lay out on the table to help keep her cool.

We ended up leaving in the 9th inning, but, the Drillers did win in the 11th inning! Glad they won, but glad we didn't stay much longer to see it! It was blazing hot, and we were all exhausted!