Baby Gift Idea

FYI: I am not a very crafty lady. It has taken me an entire year to create a scrapbook for my step-mother which I still haven't sent to her. One thing I did learn how to make years ago, though, is a diaper cake. I have made several of them over the years. Mostly for co-workers having babies. It can be difficult to choose baby gifts, and this one is ultra practical although it can get very expensive. I usually do it for someone when I have collected money from a few people. To make a really good one it will cost about $125 at least.

This is what you do:

Go to a store that has all the small baby items you can find. Little travel packs of diaper cream, bath lotions, shampoo. Receiving blankets and face clothes are great because they are generally already rolled up. Any small item will work. Nail care sets, small toys...I will explain why and show you how it looks. Make sure you get a stuffy of some sort to go on top.

Take some size 1 diapers in stacks of 4-5 and set them on their sides creating a small diamond/square shape. Fill in the center and add more diapers on the corners creating almost a round shape. Add more using the same method until you have a large circle. You will need almost a full mega-pack for this layer and another half for the second. Have someone hold the shape and cut some ribbon. Loop it around the circle and pull tightly to tie in a knot. Be very careful at this point because if you pull too tightly, the ribbon will ride up on one side and the layer will fall apart causing some frustration (yes, I know this from experience). Make a smaller circle to go on top.

Make sure you stack the layers so that there are a few diapers on the bottom layer exposed. It will look like a tiered wedding cake. Start putting small gifts in the cracks. The blankets work nicely in those hollow spots that are inevitable. Now I will give you a visual...

this shows all the little things before it was wrapped

a little closer

Now, I should have said this earlier, but make a cardboard cut the same size as the bottom layer (before you put anything on it, set the bottom layer on the cardboard to trace). Place it under the whole thing as you create. Look for some baby oriented clear cellophane or a solid color that is clear or light will do as well. You'll probably need 2 rolls. They are never wide enough it seems, so you have to set the first roll down, then the second over it perpendicular to the first creating a square center to put the cake on--cardboard and all. Bring the inner layer up around and see how much you have left as you will make a neck with ribbon strands when it is ready. Pull the other roll up around. You will have to mess with it a bit to cover the entire cake (depending on the width, of course). This is how it looks when I present it to the new parents...

See what I mean about the size the the wrap?

I had a friend show me how it to these while I was pregnant with Seth. I always thought it was a unique and thoughtful gift.

Romance

So one of my co-workers got married in July. He and his wife have been together for 13 years, are both in their 30's and are so happy together. He said this morning that tonight is "love night". He has mentioned it before, so we (Diana and I) pressed for details...

"What does love night entail?"

"We make a "love nest", which is a futon on the living room floor, then we lay together and just talk or read books and discuss them...and so on."

We were saying "Aw Greg, that is beautiful...so romantic"

How wonderful and sweet is that? Everyone has their own ways of spending time together. Greg and his wife don't have cable and don't really watch a lot of movies or television. This really does give them more opportunity to talk and spend time. What a great idea. Makes me happy to see them so happy together after 13 years.

There is definately something to be said for too much technoloy. We have so much going on around us that we sometimes neglect the little moments in time with loved ones. This couple makes a point of clearing time for love night...that is a romantic gesture in itself.

Big Boy's Birthday

blowing out the candle

weeeee!

getting ready for the guests

He's a Senior Now

My baby is turning 4 tomorrow. MY BABY IS TURNING 4 TOMORROW! How did the time go so very quickly? It seems to me that since having children, the months--even years seem to just fly.

Sidney has been elevated to the "senior room" in daycare. There, he will learn many skills that will aid him a year from now when he starts school. They have a great program called "School Readiness". Having had Seth in the same daycare, I am aware of how much work these ladies put into the program to prepare our children. Sidney is feeling so proud and so big just now. He is in a booster seat instead of his old car seat, he is making some new friends in the class. I remind him, though, that his "junior" friends will move up before long--so don't forget about them.

We are having a kiddie pool/slip 'n slide party in the backyard tomorrow. Sidney put in a special request that I invite Daddy, Monica and Jo-Jo (baby Jones) to the party. Consequently, I have been just a little on edge this week--as Big Brother 8 contestant Joe would say..."AWKWARD!!!". I realize it's a bit silly, but I have never actually had them in my home before. It's all good because it's my turf and it makes it infinitely easier when I have my own support system. No longer me and them, but us and them...more balance, see?

I am so excited for the children to arrive. I am picking up Midge and her daughter when I go to get the cake in the morning so she can help me decorate and stuff. I will post some pictures on Sunday.

Flipping the Bird

Seth: "Mom, I know what you do when you're driving on the highway and someone cuts you off."

Me: "Oh Yeah? What's that?"

Seth: "You give the middle finger as they're driving by."

Me: "Who said that?"

Seth: "Well, that's what Dad did on the way to Ontario."

and in an unrelated conversation...

Seth: "Do you know what would make this Stone Cold Steve Austin action figure better? If it had 'middle finger action'."

And I gotta laugh...just not so he can hear me...

The Princess Diaries

I sometimes call myself "Princess Corinna". It started years ago during an evening of drinking with friends. My friend Tammie and I were walking around with little plastic tiarras on our heads and pretending that we got our own ways...when really, we didn't. Not a princess in the stereo-typical "Jewish Princess" sense, as I do not expect, nor do I receive all the material things I want. It is about attitude. I do not demand nor expect an abundance of "things" to make me happy, however, I do expect a lot of respect, love and affection. If I do not receive these things, I feel cranky and unappreciated.

This morning after the alarm clock went off, I stayed in bed and asked for a cuddle. He responded by saying that he was freezing and didn't move. I perceived it as him being too lazy to turn over and hug me, so I flicked him in the head and got out of bed to prepare for work. Yeah, I know...what a bitch! I don't like when things start to change and become overly comfortable. There should always be time in our lives to show love to one another. The longer you are together, the harder it becomes. You know that person will be there later, so you don't try as hard. Gentlemen, this is a wake up call. Do not ignore the signs when your lady wants some attention. We will be like tame little kittens if you do this for us.

The older I get, the more demanding I get. The more I expect to receive what I want and need. I am most excellent at compromise, unless my needs suffer. I will have no more of that, thank you very much.

I am sorry, babe, that I reacted that way...just so you know.

Mean, Wild and Far Away

Have you ever been singing at the top of your lungs to a song you think you know the words to, but really don't? Such an embarrassment to be caught...

Growing up, I was introduced to a wide variety of music. My Mom's boyfriend Brian had a HUGE record collection and the stereo was on much more than the television. I could write posts for days just on musical tastes and artists that I love and why, in fact, I may just do that from time to time. As a young adult, I packed my things and moved across the country into my brother's place where I got another fabulous dose of musical variety. We would sit for hours having a good old fashioned Nova Scotia style KITCHEN PARTY, discussing artists and where we first heard them. Being 4 years older, he had a better recollection of the artist's names and album titles. He has collected well over 300 cd's over the years.

One group that stands out to me is The Moody Blues. It's nice background music, but also very nostalgic. There is a song titled "Meanwhile and Far Away" that I have always loved. Funny thing is, until I was 20 years old, I thought it was called "Mean, Wild and Far Away". I had been singing it that way since I first heard it. Thought of that and it made me giggle.

Dad, I'm Here!

Those are the first words Blake heard from Tyler in person. Probably the sweetest words he has ever heard. From the sound of things, we will be able to see him pretty regularly.