Recycled Bathrobe

I had this short red fuzzy bathrobe someone had given me as a gift that I never used. So it was in the bin to donate when I started thinking “that bathrobe looks a lot like Elmo”

Elmo is pretty popular in our house with Charlie and with Halloween coming up, my mom visiting I thought I’d try and re-use the robe to make her a costume.

I ripped out as many seams to get the max fabric. Then I just used a Simplicity pattern I had for a bubble dress. I did dress D

After a couple hours I ended up with this:

(it is really hard to get this girl to pose!)

I used a sleeve to make the hat and hot glued on some pompoms for his eye and nose.

I plan on shortening the skirt to her knees and having her wear red tights. The skirt is filled with tulle to help fill it out so it will create quite the “Muppet” body once it’s shortened. I will just do a temporary stitch because I’m pretty sure this could double as a queen of hearts costume next year! (it’s a little big in the chest too)

Charlie seemed to like it and will hopefully keep on the hat. If not I saved some ties I can add to it.

I am so looking forward to taking her out this year. It will be such a change from last year now that she’s walking, talking and Ms. Independent! Stay tuned for Halloween Pictures & Fun!

City Mouse-Country Mouse

It’s no secret that I’m not happy with our living situation. And this was the case long before Charlie came along.

I bought my condo when I was in school and never expected to stay longer than 3 maybe 4 years in it. Well it’s been 11.

We have two dogs in our condo. I have always been a believer in that dogs need a yard. They do not belong in apartments. Well unfortunately Adam didn’t share these values and when we got married…the dogs moved in. But they’re used it having lived in apartments for most of their lives.

I grew up in a house that had 4 acres of woods to play in. I played outside a lot. I went for walks and climbed trees and played on my swing set and in the sand box. I ran circles around the house with my dog Ginger.

It’s probably no surprise that I want the same for Charlie. I want her to be able to go outside and play. And recently she wants the same thing and the other day she asked for it.

“Pay Ousigh? Pay Ousigh” As she motioned toward the door my heart about broke in two. There really is no place for us to go out and play at our complex and it’s 5 million degrees outside.  And I was tired and not feeling good. But I looked at her sweet face and rallied.

“Ok, I said “let’s go. Let’s go see the fishes at the aquarium” (bad choice of words…note to self don’t say fishes unless you have goldfish to provide)

So I loaded up my girl and headed to the air conditioned aquarium that is free in the month of September for Zoo members. She loved it . She ran from tank to tank, oo’d and ah’d and I enjoyed watching her explore the beauty of the oceans.

When we got home and were headed up the stairs to our condo I looked my happy girl and thought: You know, there are benefits to being a city mouse. I may not have acres of grass and woods for her to play in, but I can take her to an aquarium, a top rated zoo, multiple children's museums, splash parks and city parks any day I want. Growing up I only got to do those things on family vacation or class trips. They were BIG deals. The things I took for granted growing up (and wanted to get away from) are the things she’ll look forward too and what she takes for granted will be what some children only get to do once a year. Heck I could take her to Disney World every weekend (if I fell on my head and knocked my brain loose!)

So yes, I may long for the childhood I had for her, but I have to realize that what she’s getting is what I dreamed for as a little girl.

Hopefully someday I’ll get to give her a yard to run in, but in the mean time the city of Tampa will be our playground and it’s a pretty cool one!

PeePee Time!

Last Thursday Charlie started telling Ms. Jones when she had to go to the bathroom. Thursday and Friday she had only one accident after her self proclamation of going to the bathroom. Ms. Jones said “let’s do it!”
I tired all weekend.
“Pee Pee Charlie?”
“No”
“Charlie let’s go potty”
“No”
I set timers, I rushed her to the bathroom at the slightest crotch grab, I even went on the little potty myself!
Nothing worked.
All weekend long she SOAKED PullUps, training pants and diapers. The girl would not go in the potty.
On Monday Charlie had no accidents at daycare. She went all day on the potty. She told Ms. Jones "Jones! Pee Pee" and ran to the bathroom.
When we got home…she pooped in her pull up, which then fell out on the floor when I took her potty not knowing she had went.
Then she peed through her reusable swim diaper.
She soaked her training pants (and piddled on the floor)  I made her wipe it up, which she loved since she loves to clean.
Finally I packed up all her diapers and told her no more diapers and replaced their spot with her training pants.
She went commando until bath time.
I had to get her soap from my shower so I told her to go pee pee while the tub filled and I set her on her potty.
I came back in and she was trying to climb into the tub.
But….
there was pee in the potty!!!!!!!!

I high fived her, I cheered and clapped and gave her a sticker.
She looked at me like I was nuts.

But she finally went for me! (kind of..i wasn't in the room to witness it.)

Maybe she just doesn’t want to go in front of me. Or maybe she’s just defiant and likes to disobey her mom. (I have no idea where she’d get that from )
I’m just happy she finally went at home.
I’m glad she is so successful at daycare.
And I’m hoping that she will continue to progress at home. Fingers crossed she’ll go again tonight!
But secretly there is a part of me that was so sad to pack up her diapers. My baby is growing up! NOOOOOOOO! But I guess this is just the first of many moments I’ll have to go through. That’s life! And I’m sure there are many more exciting adventures I’ll get to go through with her!

Humpday Photo dump!

Happy Wednesday Internet! Here’s what’s been going on in with the FunYoungs…iphone pic style:

Modeling her Aunt Jen’s designs at TargetGetting ready to go on an airplane!Naptime in the camper at Gr. Grandpa Rays.

Boxes are FUN!Already stealing her cousins shoes!

Handsome Wesley!Mr. & Mrs. FunYoungEnjoying the pool with some cousins!Looking up to her big cousin.Feeding her baby.Serious shopperABC Sampler is done!She kind of looks like Crazy Eyes from OITNB…Yes, we have beer.Loves her Bru BruThat queso is too good to waste!One active girl!!

While I was making this weeks pie, she was changing diapers (and emptying the bottle of powder!) FYI it’s cornstarch-so it’s safe.Sweet girl sitting still…for a hot second.New project in the works!!

Have a great week!

Ah Sh*t

Charlie’s vocabulary is growing daily. We’ve been working on getting her to “use her words” instead of pointing and grunting. She worked really hard at Happy Birthday for Adam, but only mastered the Happy. It’s been fun and amazing to watch her develop her language.

Well yesterday morning my sweet smart little girl learned a new word.

Shit

Yup. Clear as day and proud as could be, she said Shit.

Why? Well it wasn’t because I was watching a toddler inappropriate TV show, like Weeds or listening to an explicit version of the new Maroon 5 album. I would NEVER do that. (I totally did both of those things)

Nope the reason my cute, innocent, bible reading daughter said shit was because she was watching her mommy get ready for work. And when mommy realized she was running late she said “oh shit, I’m late”

Then my pretty little girl looked at me, smiled her adorable little smile and proudly said Shit. Shit shit shit.

Adam reprimanded me from the bedroom. I quickly went into damage control. “Yes Charlie, you are sitting. Sit on the counter. Stand up. Sit and Stand. Good girl. Sit Sit Sit.”

Not sure it worked, but we’ll go with it for now. In the mean time I’m going to go enroll myself in Potty Mouth school.

Sorry Charlie, but this word is not going in the baby book.

“Shirt” Dress

A while back I came across this “How to” picture on Pinterest.

And of course it just sat there in my “Make It” folder.

Fast forward to last spring when I was cleaning out a few things in my closet. I had a newish shirt from Lands’ End that was too short for me so it made the pile. And that pile of discards has sat by the back door all summer waiting for a ride to the donation bin.

Then I saw that Pinterest picture again and pulled out my blue shirt. I thought…I can do this. So, Saturday night, I did. It was the easiest and quickest dress I’ve ever made. (and cheapest!)

I used one of Charlie’s existing dress to figure out the length then I cut my two pieces and started to sew them up.

The top piece:The Skirt:

Sew the two together:

For the straps I used some lace trim that I had bought last spring at an up-cycle store.

I think it turned out really cute and I’m dying to make another one to improve on my design. So if anyone has an extra button up shirt lying around, send it my way!P.S. Forgive my model…she is against standing still.

Hello!

For Charlie’s 1st birthday we bought her a subscription to the Highlights “magazine”, Hello!

If you are looking for something to get a little one I think it is the perfect gift. For one thing, it’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long (12 issues).  Charlie has really enjoyed them and gets excited now when they come in the mail.  She “reads” them and is even starting to understand the hidden picture page. (it’s very age appropriate in the level of difficultness)

I like them because they are not destroyable like a magazine and they are super light, unlike a board book.  I can easily grab a couple for long trips or church and I won’t weigh down my purse.  The stories and poems are short. The artwork is bright and cheerful. And they even give parents “tips” or variations you can use for each page. 

This is probably the best $34 I’ve spent on a “toy” for Charlie. She loves them and we love them…win win.

(I also purchased a similar subscription (Baby Bug) for a friends little girl and they give it rave reviews as well. )

Humpday Dumpday!

I’m pretty sure I missed dumpday last week..so here’s a bunch!