Steiger turned five

(his birthday was actually April 10 -- I am a little late on this...)

Oh my Steiger Jay. (his name rhymes with "Tiger," by the way)...

I really like being your mama. At this moment, you are battling a mylar balloon we got you for your birthday, telling me how great your fighting skills are.

There are many things about you that are very stereo-typically "boy" (as pictured in the Iron Viking costume above). While I was typing, you put down the balloon, and climbed in to the chair with your sister, surrounded by pillows and quilts. You two are chatting about something. You are an excellent brother.

For your birthday, I gave you a "yes" day. The rules were that as long as you were being nice, I'd say yes to your requests. You had pretzels for breakfast, PB & J for lunch, and dinner, at your request, was "chicken, rice, crunchy carrots, cheese, and pizza for dessert." We changed pizza to ice cream and Dad pulled down a candle off the mantle to light. I wanted to ask you what your wish was. :)

All morning, you watched videogame walkthroughs on youtube. I think MineCraft battles is what you were on. I make you mute the volume, because some of the people who do videogame walkthroughs, even for kids' games, do not have the nicest language. You then love to tell your dad and I all about the "mods."

When we took you to your friend Jack's farm a few days ago, you didn't really show your farmer's boy roots... You were squeamish of moving the chicks, and your dad can't get you to grab worms. I will take the blame for those genes my dear boy... along with a few others. BUT, you sure do know how to play. You guys ran, and squealed, and poured water down the slide.

You love to be squirted and play games. You're actually very, very good at playing games with other kids. So conscientious. Almost too conscientious at times... when we were watching the pigs, you were more concerned with making sure the smaller kids didn't get too close to the electric fence than you were with watching the piggies. ♥ You notice everything and care mucho.

You and your sister are best friends. And it is my greatest joy.
I love snuggling you, listening to you, going on "dates," and being your mama. You are an exceptional boy my Steiger, and we all love you.

Your birthday Interview
Nicknames: "I don't have any nicknames" (with a name like Steiger, who needs 'em, right?)

How old are you? 5

What is your favorite color? Red

What is your favorite animal? Bears

What is your favorite book? Creepy books

What is your favorite TV show? Power Rangers (He also loves Wild Kratts)

What is your favorite movie? Star Wars

What is your favorite song? "I don't have a favorite song"

What is your favorite food? Rice (now that's fitting)

What is your favorite drink? Milk

What is your favorite snack? Pretzels

What is your favorite outfit? Black

What is your favorite game? Star Wars on the Wii and computer

What is your favorite toy? "I don't have a favorite toy"

Who is your best friend? Cooper (his cousin)

What is your favorite thing to do? Snuggle (for real... you see why I love him so much?)

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Running and squirting the hose

What is your favorite holiday? "My favorite holiday is Christmas"

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Bears

Where is your favorite place to go? Cooper's house

What is your favorite restaurant? "the toy restaurants"

Where do you want to go on vacation? to the beach.

What do you want to be when you grow up? a police man 

What did you do on your birthday? go bowling

my Steiger is four.

Today my little man turned four.

Last night, while Daddy tucked him in, he was asking "Will I feel different when I'm 4?"

Steiger, this is a little about you:

I bought you a wii game today.  It is your second one.  Your other one is Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
   This is LEGO Star Wars III The Clone Wars You danced around for five minutes while we loaded the game.  You're jabbering on and on about "you know how I play the wii?  It's Star Wars Clone wars!  It's Clone Wars!  You got me a new wii game!  I haven't had a new wii game in all my life!  I know Star Wars Clone Wars."

You don't hold back your excitement.

Yesterday, Scarlet was whining at me and pulling on my legs while I was getting breakfast ready.  In not my nicest voice, I said, "Stop whining at me!  I can't help you when you're whining at me!"   You were in the living room, walked over to Scarlet, and gave her a big hug.  I was instantly softened, and humbled.  Thank you for loving your sister so much.  You have been this way from when she was brand new, and it is a special answered prayer for me to see.

You go through cycles of testing your boundaries and powers of manipulation.  Getting you to "fold" and put away your clothes the other day was a prime example of that.  You worked to come up with every excuse you could about why you couldn't.  Four time-outs and the collecting of your Bot-Shots and you finally tackled the job.

You're much more enthusiastic about other jobs.  You feed the doggie every night.  You help Scarlet fill up her water.  You and Scarlet empty the silverware (she hands you the items; you put them in the right spot).  You like to use the squirter while washing dishes.  You love helping in the garden.

You give Scarlet, Mom, and Dad lots of hugs during the day.

You love to be tickled and thrown around by Dad.

You like getting Scarlet to say things after you.

When you dance, you shake your booty like a Latin ballroom dancer.  (You just don't want anyone except your family to see).

You still love to go stay at your Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We recently started reading through the The Jesus Storybook Bible Collector's Edition Every night now you ask to read from your Bible Story book.  After we read, you want to snuggle.

You give your sister a kiss night-night, and you both give the cutest pucker-up face... ♥

You love to play Star Wars outside.  We go to "your hill" (which is a little ditch levee) and get those droids! (because we only shoot droids).  Sometimes we're power rangers.

Words is your love language.  You say things like, "Mommy, you're the best Mommy."  and "I love you Daddy" and "Isn't Scarlet such a little sweetheart?" and "Mommy, thank you for making me such good things for dinner" or "Thank you for getting me a birthday present Mommy."  You thrive on praise, and hand it out freely.

We took you bowling a few days ago for your little birthday party.  You told everyone what a great job they were doing.  My heart was beaming.

You wanted to ride in the tractor with Daddy today.  You stayed with him for about 4 hours before I came to get you.  You really looked like his miniature, with your "work shirt" and "jeans" and hat.

You know 23 of your 26 letters - M and W still give you trouble, and I can't remember what else right now; we'll have to check again tomorrow.

You're great with numbers.  I didn't even teach you the digits, and one day you just read them to me.

You want everything quantified... how many minutes, how many bites, how long something takes.  It does make me batty, and I'm hoping it's a stage.

You sleep in your big bed, but occasionally sneak in and lay on the floor next to our bed, or climb up next to Daddy.

We finally got a little table to eat on (since Mommy's sewing set-up takes up where the dining room table used to be), and you love it when we all eat dinner together "as a family."  You actually love it when we do anything all together as a family.

Steiger, I tell you my "secret" every day that you are my favorite little boy in the whole world and I love being your mommy.  You are a JOY. Truly.  Your heart; your love; your spunk.  Four years old, and still, after you're in bed, Daddy and I talk about your antics and quirks and spirit and how blessed we are with you in our lives.  And since you would ask how much I love you - it's bigger than the whole sky.

And you would say you love me the same.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy.

On day 1

The #1 craziest, busiest time of the year has started for us, but I am determined to make it as wonderful as it can possibly be.

So today, while we were thinking of Daddy (out in the hot sun wearing a tyvex suit hoisting around 50 gallon barrels from 5 am until 9 pm... sorry, I digress... we...

- Watered the new garden (we planted really late this year, but better late than never!  You can get away with this when you live in CA)

- got dressed up in our Halloween costume and insisted Mommy call us "Buddy"

Hi Buddy!

- made some cookies dough

- got tired out and took a nap in our costume (is this not the sweetest thing)...

- had a quilty photo shoot (more coming soon)

- ran in the sprinkler in our undies

_______________________

We got baths, and fed, and Daddy had dinner ready when he got home.

And I managed to sew 1/2 of a seam... so about 4 1/2" of sewing today. :)

All in all, Day 1 of crazy season was a success. 

Here's to many more, and Daddy having a supernatural ability to keep cool and rested.

Amen.

(Wait... did I say many more -- I meant not too many more, and may they pass quickly).

Amen again.

hair baubles (and mini tutorial)

My life right now = crazy busy.

No, I'm not talking about the normal kind of busy with a baby and a toddler, but the kind of busy when Daddy hasn't worked less than 12 hours/day in 5 weeks (though technically he only worked 11 on my birthday).

Mama = tired.

That being said -- I *know* that I spent a good chunk of time yesterday cleaning the kitchen.  This morning, there is no evidence of this, other than perhaps the vague notion of how much worse it could be had I not cleaned and tidied what I'm sure I remember cleaning and tidying.  Therefore, despite the days being long, and the realization that I really cannot maintain my sanity and try to do one more thing (like make quilts), this mama's heart still craves the investment of at least a little time in accomplishing something that no one undoes 2 to 45 minutes after it is completed.  A quilt may be out of the question (those take forever, and I wanted to FINISH something)...

So I made hair baubles.

And I was so happy I wanted to make twenty. (And when I say happy -- I mean the wave of happy, positive neuro-feedback something or others were streaming in). :)

Still - I decided to stick with four for now. :)

But I took lots of pictures to make up for it. (and I've got a little mini tutorial at the bottom for one like this one) :)

The smiley little Miss sitting up on her own!

I think this one is my favorite.  I googled a tutorial for a fabric rosette, gathered some linen and elastic lace trim together, stitched it to 1/8" elastic, and hot glued the flower to the middle.  Oh, I stitched some plastic pearl beads in there too.

I made the band a little too big, so I'll have to resize it, but I still got it to "fit" for a quick picture. :)

My sewing table is now covered in buttons, fabric scraps, a hot glue gun and the quilts have been moved to the side.  (At least until next week when Steiger goes to stay with his grandma for a couple days).

"Mini Tutorial"

Fabric Flower Hairband

1. Cut some "organic" circles out of fabric, linen, tulle, satin, whatever, in various sizes (so they get smaller gradually).  More tulle = more texture and poof obviously, and I think there were 4 

I burnt the edge of my tulle sometimes (on the pink ruffley one above to make it stand out a bit more -- just hold it next to a lighter, or your gas stove and melt the edges -- some of the tulle looks burnt if you do this, but the hot pinks didn't.  Make sure you don't hold the tulle over the heat of the flame, or it will have a hole burnt in it -- just the edge)

Stitch about 1/8" from the edge.  You can also use fray check if you don't have a sewing machine handy.  (But seriously, my first piece of advice for people who want to start sewing/being crafty is to leave your sewing area set up.  Hopefully you can still keep a dining room --unlike us right now).

2. Arrange them as you like, and stitch the layers together with a little X in the middle. 
(or you can use a little glue -- this is to tack or baste the layers together so they don't shift all over.)

3. Pucker/fold the centers and do a little stitching to make a gather.
And the picture isn't deceiving you - there isn't much perfection about this.  The bigger the gather, the poofier the flower (like the pink one above has more fabric in the pucker.  You could hand-stitch this if you don't have a machine, or I'm sure a glue gun could do something amazing.)

4. For the band, cut the toes and top band off a knee-high, and stitch the ends together.  

My machine likes to "eat" the nylon, so I start in the middle and sew to the edge.  Use regular size nylons if you need something bigger (for a toddler or, *ah-hem* yourself).

I didn't get a picture of the next step, but you're going to fold the sides over of the seam on your band.  Divide the band in approximate fourths, and fold each edge so they meet in the center like a pleat at the seam.

5. Grab a  button, hold the hair flower on to the pleat of your hairband, and stitch your button on, stitching through all the layers and securing the flower to the band.

6. Snag a baby, or a mirror, and you're done!

I call this bauble "country girl"

(You can see how it lies flatter than the pink one -- just depends on how much you pull in in step 3, and how much tulle you use)

(This one was made with the same method)

Pretty sure I'm hooked -- though I'm not sure if it's on the hair baubles, or just baby girl in general. :)

See her shirt -- she knows it's true.

(and lest any one worry I've forgotten about her big brother -- rest assured, he's just trickier to capture on camera these days -- but I did get him running by with his fly swatter... he was "getting bad guys" or "bugs" or both)

(and P.S. my pattern sale ends tomorrow)

Steiger turns three today.

They aren't lying when they say it goes fast.

Now a little more about you:

You can turn anything in to a gun or a light saber, or both. (Yesterday we searched all over the front lawn for just the right light saber stick, for example).

You make your sister laugh more than any one else can.

You want Mommy and Daddy to tell you stories at rest time and bed time.  Usually about Star Wars, but sometimes about things that happen in your daily life.

You like Elli to sleep on the floor by you at night.

Yes, you sleep on a mat on the floor right now -- at least for another couple days until we paint your newly-walled in room.

You use the right words for things, and notice everything.  When you were not yet 2 1/2 for example, we drove by a harvester moving between fields.  You explained to me, "That's a harvester.  It has tracks on it.  It doesn't have a header."  Heavy machinery is not just a tractor to you -- it's a "skid steer" or a "cement mixer," or a "dump truck" or a "bank out," or a "John Deere tractor," or a "big Steiger tractor," etc.  I would expect no less though from a farm boy named after said tractor.  Daddy loves it best when you say "cement mixer."

You conjugate your verbs beautifully... makes me think maybe you were listening to class in utero. ;)

You're a constant running commentator to your mama, but more quiet around other people.

You don't like it when Mom and Dad argue, and tell us, "Come on People."  It usually makes us laugh.

You love to visit your grandparents and even talk to them on the phone.  You're Grandma Cathy's "Buddy Boy," and Grandpa Bill's "Mighty Pickle."

You like to watch the "singers" on American Idol and other such shows and dance with your mommy while they sing.  (Mommy relishes all of it).

You constantly are negotiating for "two more minutes."  I just factor it in instead of arguing.

You especially use this tactic when playing Curious George games on the computer.

You get really excited when you see "Super Letters" and can readily identify X, O, and a few more in context.

You're successfully wearing underwear at home now (this is a big thank you from me Buddy).

We got here by putting your little toilet in front of Star Wars and letting you watch.  I'm OK with that.  You really love watching Star Wars Clone Wars.

You know how to put your movies on without any help; this comes in very handy when I need to get Scarlet down for a nap.

You're sweet, but can be VERY strong-willed and stubborn.  Getting you to try new foods is a major challenge -- you DO eat cheeseburgers, hot dogs and "spicy" hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly, avocado, applesauce (with cheater veggies mixed in), french toast, and a few other things... but if you're reading this Steiger, Mama would love you to branch out a bit... but no pressure, because I know that will just make this take even longer.

OK, you're actually really sweet.

 You have named your bears Big Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, Little Tiny Bear, Big Bear, and
Sugar Diaper.

You laugh boisterously, with gales of giggles and squeals.  You love being chased, and tickled, and teased.

You like building forts and "houses" with things like Elli's cage, the couch cushions, quilts, and whatever else you can find.

You use all the words your mama teaches you, and stop to think how to use them correctly.  You do this without any coaching or prompting from me.

You say "please," "thank you," and "no thank you" with very few reminders.

You tell me how you feel with those words: "I'm just frustrated Mom."  "I'm feeling sad right now; I need a snuggle."  "I'm really mad at you because you put me in time out."  "I'm so excited to go with you!"

I'm hoping your future wife will thank me for this emotional intelligence down the road.

You teach your sister about the things you're using and explain them to her.  You help me make sure that little things are away from her, and give her something to play with if she takes your toys.

You know Steiger -- my favorite thing about being a mom has been seeing a well loved little soul grow and develop.  You are a delight to my heart daily, and even though your entry in to the world wasn't easy, your time spent in it has been perfect.  I love sharing my days with you.  I told you the other day, "I love being your mama Steiger."  You replied, "I love being your son."

♥ ♥ ♥

32nd and 3rd

Today is my thirty-second birthday...

the hubs had to work, so I went and spent the day with a dear friend who is like a second mom to me while Steiger went on a boat ride with his grandpa.  Living out in the middle of rice fields like we do, does not create as many opportunities for long chats about anything and everything as I would like.  It felt good to get a full night's sleep, a full belly of Eggs Benedict over breakfast that lasted nearly two hours (you all know -- that never happens with kids), and a quiet walk through quaint shops.

Tomorrow is my third Mother's day.

I'm hoping Daddy will be able to spend the day with us... but if not, I'll be enjoying my time with the little person who gave me the honor of Mommy.  

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mamas, or like mamas... 

and a very Happy Mother's Day to my mom too.

you're 2 today

yesterday, we took you to "ride big trains!"  ♥

You ordered your father around all day -- "over there," "see that," "go see that."



Your mom and dad still rock you to sleep many nights.  At Grandma's house, you climb on the big bed, and fall asleep while she's reading your story.  We have to trick you in to your room, because you're often telling us "No Nigh-night."  It's how we know when you're tired.

You're a lovey little guy... often giving us hugs, or putting your arm around us.  You like to "hold hands" in the car, or walking... though of course, sometimes you tell me, "Stysto do it."

You refer to yourself as "Stysto."

You're chatty -- and life with you is a constant running commentary... birdie flying... big truck coming... Daddy fix sprinklers... Stysto fall down... Stysto running fast... Mommy get that... baby over there... ride big train...go see it...
You're also very inquisitive.




Actually -- you want to go see everything, and go ride everything. Go ride big tractor, ride four-wheeler (which sounds like fo-feeya).

Whenever you see a ditch or body of water, you say, "Frow rocks in dere" (throw rocks in there).  We throw a lot of rocks on walks.

You contradict yourself often -- saying you want one thing, only to negate it the next second.  This drives your father and I batty, and we have not figured out how to quell this habit -- other than by ignoring you.  You can be rather persistent though.

You love popsicles, jelly beans, and most kinds of sweets... though, you'd probably take a "berber (burger) and fies" over those on most days.  In n' Out are your favorites.

You love trains, cars, tractors, bikes, stickers, books, and are learning puzzles.

You know all your grandparents by name, and talk about them often... and do wonderfully when you're with them.  You've spent the night at your Grandma Shirley's a couple times, and I'm pretty sure you're better for her than for me.  You remember your Aunt Sharon and Uncle T -- even though you only see them a couple times a year.

You get shy initially, but then warm up.  Yesterday, you shook your head "no" whenever the train blew its whistle, because it was "too youd!"



You talk about the baby "growing big and stong" a lot.  Sometimes you pat mommy's tummy, and say "baby in dere." :)

One of your most commonly used words is "heavy."  It is a synonym for anything big, tall, or awkward to maneuver.

You like things to be in order as far as whose item belongs to whom -- you get upset, for example, if Mommy uses Daddy's phone, or Elli (the dog) goes near anything that's yours.  You are also very concerned with who does what.



Steiger, I remember when you were five months old, and taking a bath... I looked at you, while you were grinning and kicking and swinging your arms in your little bath, and told you that I wanted to memorize you.  I still feel like that every day.  Last night, after I told you about your train adventures and adventures with Alexander on the bleachers at the softball game, I rocked you while you tried to fall asleep.  I was remembering two years earlier -- in the hospital.  My happiest memories from the hospital were when I would hold you and you would sleep on me.  I remember I would turn my face so that I didn't steal your air.  Last night, I couldn't help but get drippy eyes as I pictured that tiny little body and face, while you were draped over the chair and my lap last night.  I can't wait for you to meet your little brother or sister (you say sister) -- and share your bright, inquisitive, possessive, tender, gracious, and funny little heart with a new person of our family.  You've already got your daddy and I completely and utterly in love.

Happy Birthday my sweetest boy.  It has been a most wonderful two years so far.

♥ day

A big happy Valentine's day from Steiger and his mommy.

We wish you a day full of love overflowing.

_______________________________

In quilty news -- I got the binding on this sewn on tonight (since taking this picture, I added borders and some pretty quilting)... I don't want to show any more, in case the mama of the recipient of this quilt is peeking... but it's so pretty.  And kind of Valentinesey too.

lions, and Steigers and ewoks...oh my!

I made Steiger his Halloween costume.

The idea came this summer, while we were camping at the coast and S was walking around in a berber-y (not to be confused with Burberry) sweat shirt.

"He looks like an ewok."

And the idea was born.

I got the pattern at JoAnn's for 99 cents... and started sewing my first clothing item in well over 15 years (and those were with the assistance of my faithful 4-H leader).

But it went well.  Apparently I can follow more than just a quilting pattern.

You saw the beginnings here... (when he was dancing around the house with glee).

I contemplated leaving him a bear.

But found a really old and worn out shirt of Jay's to use as Wicket's hood.

Besides, he walked like an ewok anyway.

I decided to make the hood removable... which turned out good and bad.

Good: 

Cute family photo

and cute Steiger photos

Bad:

Mommy was free to show Steiger it really wasn't so bad after all.

He did wear it for the big night thankfully.

In the end though... it was all about this house:

and the sucker he found on the other side.

sidetracked

Bee friends --

I am so sorry your blocks will be late this month!

I got a little sidetracked at the last minute (and yes, I'm scolding myself for waiting until the last minute for all of the above... especially since I'm subbing tomorrow while S hangs with Daddy in the tractor or harvester, and won't have tomorrow's nap-time to sew).



I'm thinking it's worth it though.

Or at least someone in this house thinks so.



Bolstered with confidence from a friend, I put in my first zipper since leaving the guidance of my junior high 4-H instructor.



Off to bed for me!  Hoping to finish the rest tomorrow!