Happy Halloween!

(Almost) WW: Lulu Belle 2007 and 2008

Last year...

And this year...

Suzi has grown and I've shrunk (well, a little).

Next year she won't need me to ride with her at all :-(

*Updated w/ winner* Baby sling giveaway!

We had 88 entries total (one by email because she couldn't comment, and the last comment was a few minutes late--sorry!) And the winner is...

Here are your random numbers:

79 

Timestamp: 2008-11-02 13:19:44 UTC

Mrs. Sara! Gosh, a (different) Sara won my last giveaway! Weird. Sara, I will be emailing you in a minute. I'll need you to measure yourself and also send me fabric choice and an address. If Sara doesn't email me within four days I'll pick another winner.

If you didn't win, don't be sad. You can probably learn to make these slings yourself! I love these ida.net directions, and also Jan Andrea's for making reversible slings. Here is my post on making them. If you can thread a sewing machine you can probably make one, and it only takes an hour or two. If you've never used a pouch sling before, it would be best to start by watching an instructional video on how they work in general. Having an understanding of the sling's purpose makes the project much easier.

I will be having a November contest, but I'm not sure what it'll be, so check back soon!

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It's that time again... The Bloggy Giveaways Carnival is here!

I'm giving away one sling which I will make myself. I haven't made it yet because I'm going to let the winner email me measurements and fabric choice. (So it may take a week or so longer than usual to ship, but I'll do my best.) Above is an example of one sling I've made. I am also working on a batch of slings to send over to No Mother Left Behind! It's an organization that hooks families up with slings when they can't buy or make one for themselves. I encourage you to visit their site and consider donating.

Here are the different fabrics I can use to make the sling:

Please note: #3 is a sort of faux suede, and #4 is flannel (the same one I'm wearing above).

I can make a Daddy sling too. Probably the navy or khaki option would be best for a dad.

To win:
1) Please leave a comment telling me your favorite brand or style of carrier. If you don't know yet because you're still pregnant and/or don't have any carriers, tell me that too!
2) If you want you can also tell me the fabric you'd like for your sling, but it isn't required. We can do that later when a winner is chosen.
3) It makes me a bit nervous, but I'm going to go ahead and say I'll ship this sling anywhere :-)
4) You don't have to be a blogger to win, but please leave an email address! You may want to type it as somebody (at) somewhere .com to foil the spambots.
5) The contest will end at 11:59 pm Saturday, November 1st and I will select the winner randomly. I'll email the winner (and post here) and if she has not responded with shipping information within four days I will pick someone else.
6) I have plenty of fabric in most of the choices, but depending upon the winner's measurements one or more of the selections may be precluded. I will request a first and second fabric choice from the winner.

Good luck to everyone, and may we all win something!


More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Walhalla Oktoberfest

This is long overdue; we did this last weekend, but I didn't want to overlook it! We decided to take Suzi to Oktoberfest in Walhalla, about 45 minutes away. Actually, we intended to go Friday because Jordan and I both had the day off, but it didn't start until 6 pm and we didn't realize that until we were already in Walhalla. We shopped a little instead (Walhalla has some great local businesses) and decided to go home and come back Sunday. I will post later about the lovely soap shop that's on my new list of favorites.


Jordan carried Suzi in the ring sling because my shoulder got tired. He didn't want to, but I told him it matched his Clemson pullover--a very valid point, I think. That made him feel better.


To tell the truth, I really wanted to see the Little German Band and Dancers. They were cool. They sang too and called for a lot of audience participation, but I'm sure they got a better response on Saturday when there was beer in the tent. We missed out on the beer :-( I didn't get to take many pictures because our camera died unexpectedly, but there are a bunch of good ones of the band and dancers here.

What a cool Daddy!

Suzi went home with a little cowbell. We wanted a CD but only had a few dollars in cash, and cash was all they were taking.

I know I'll end up going back to Walhalla soon. Thistle Ridge Soap alone is worth the trip!

Suzi screams for ikeam

Suzi: IKEAM!

Me: What do you say?

Suzi: Cold!

Me: Yes, it is cold, but what do you say?

Suzi: IKEEEAAAM!

Me: What do you say?

Suzi: (Buries her face in my lap)

Me: What's the magic word?

Suzi: MINE!

Me: It starts with a P.

Suzi: PEE-PEE!

WW: Nesting dolls

Raising Itty-Bitty Bookworms

I was recently happy to find out I'd won two beautiful hardcover books from The Itty Bitty Bookworm. Their website and online store, created by four experienced educators, specializes in literature-based preschool curriculum. They also feature pages of free resources such as print-outs and activity ideas! Their blog is full of ideas and fun contests.

I won a copy of "Fire! Fire!" said Mrs. McGuire and The Busy Little Squirrel. I was a little worried Suzi wouldn't sit still for them, but when I opened the books I realized they were perfect for her: Colorful illustrations, not too many words, repetition and rhyming. Suzi went from mid-tantrum to happy when I sat down and read to her. (For her to sit and listen to me read, as seen in the picture above, is a refreshing change.) We definitely have a couple of new favorites!

I am bookmarking the Itty Bitty Bookworm curriculum for future consideration. I had wanted to get Before Five in a Row, but it doesn't begin until two years old and the Itty Bitty Bookworm Bailey Curriculum starts at 18 months! Suzi is already a little sponge, and I don't want to wait until she's two.

Thanks Itty Bitty Bookworm!

P.S. The contest is over, winner contacted, and prize on its way. My next contest will begin one week from today on October 27th! It's Bloggy Giveaways Carnival time!