First Snow of the Year

We had a wonderful time in Indiana for Thanksgiving and my cousin's wedding. When we arrived home late Saturday night we where greeted by the cold and about 3-4" of snow! Thank goodness Addie was fast asleep because there was no way she would have been able to go to sleep knowing that we had snow.



The next morning she woke up way to early for Michael and I. She came into our room and asked if she could sleep with us. We agreed, but she had to go get something from her room first. When she walked back into her room she looked out the window and saw the snow. Our sleep was over then. It was like Christmas morning. She came running into our room and threw open our curtains while yelling "It snowed! It snowed! Hurry look, I need my snow pants and coat!". Then she came to my side of the bed and proceeded to try to drag me out of bed. I went ahead and got out of bed so that Michael could sleep a little longer but it was to late he was wide awake from all the excitement also.



Unlike our dogs, Addie could not wait to go outside. We had to force her to eat her breakfast and get dressed. She just wanted to put her snow gear on over her PJs. Once her and Michael finally made it outside she had a blast. First they had a snowball fight. Then they moved on to making a snowman that was Addie's size.



After they finished the snowman Michael started to work on some outside stuff he needed to get done while Addie continued to play in the snow. Before we knew it she had four huge snowballs all rolled and ready for daddy to lift into place. She had decided that the first snowman was her and she needed to make a mommy, daddy and baby Margaret. So in no time she had made a snowman family by herself (except for the lifting part).


She had so much fun on Sunday. She only came in for lunch because we made her and then she went straight back outside and stayed out in the snow until 4pm. It did not bother her one bit to be soaking wet and cold.

Stay home on Black Friday

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Christmas Gifts for Sale

From Auntie Em’s Sewing Room

Below is the 2007 Christmas collection. Our camera is currently in the repair shop so we had to use our video camera to take still photos. The quality and coloring of the photos is not perfect but it is the best we can do at this time. We should have our camera back by the 28^th of November and we can send anyone who would like better quality photos the photos after that date. If you have questions or would like to place an order please contact me at thelahs@sbcglobal.net. Thanks for looking and have a Merry Christmas!

Custom Stocking w/ Embroidered Name: $25 (including shipping)

These beautiful stockings add the perfect finishing touch to your Christmas décor. The stockings are made from good quality home décor fabrics. Stockings can either be quilted (shown below) or one solid piece with a coordinating cuff. For details on the fabric combinations and more please see the “Stocking Details” page.

Broaches: $10 (including shipping)

These fabric broaches are a lot of fun! They look great on anything from suit jackets, jean jackets, purses, tote bags, purses, to hats. I have even worn them on dresses and other items. You are only limited by your imagination. All the broaches are one of a kind. They are made from a variety of fabrics to create unique combinations of colors and textures. They also have button on the middle of them. Some are antique wooden buttons, some are vintage buttons. It just depended on the style I was going for. To see an up close photo of a specific broach please email me. Limited quantity available (6).

Groomer’s Chamois: $15 (including shipping)

This chamois rapidly draws water away from your pet’s coat and minimizes chills after bath time. This specific chamois absorbs 15 times its weight in water. Can be machine washed for years of use. Measures 20”x27”. Limited quantity available (3).

5 Hand Puppets w/ Bag: $45 (including shipping)

These one of a kind puppets are made from fleece and come with a flannel storage bag. The details on the puppets are hand embroidered for your little one’s safety. No buttons or removable parts are include so even the youngest child may play. Each set is custom made. You may request puppets to be gender neutral, more girly or boyish. If the child has a favorite animal or color of animal let me know and I can include it in the set. The bag may be the maroon farm animal print in the photo or another coordinating animal print.

Fleece Blanket w/ Name: $20 (includes shipping)

What child would not love a blanket with their own name on it? Just let me know what colors and/or themes the child likes along with the name (first or first and last names) you would like on the blanket. Also, if you would like a specific size let me know at that time. Otherwise I’ll make it in my “toddler/preschooler” size. I’ll let you know what combination I’ve found before sewing it for you. Each blanket is unique, just like every child.

Fleece Blanket w/ Name & Ribbon Tabs: $30 (includes shipping)

I’ve received many raving reviews from this super soft fleece baby blanket with silky ribbon tabs. Just let me know the gender of the child along with the name (first or first and last names) you would like on the blanket. I’ll let you know what combination I’ve found before sewing it for you. The blanket will be made in my “Baby” size unless you request otherwise. Each blanket is unique, just like every child.

Baby Legs/ Arm Warmers: $8 each or $5 if you provide Knee-Hi Socks (shipping included)

All’s I can say about the baby legs is that I wish I would have discovered them 4 years ago! I have been busy making them not just for Addie and Margaret but also for my neighbor. Both of our 4 yr olds love to wear them on their arms so that they can wear their favorite t-shirts in the winter. And they keep her baby’s legs warm and clean as she crawls all around their house. The great thing about them is that when your baby’s pant legs or dress creeps up during the day the baby legs don’t move! They can be made for either boys or girls. Just let me know what colors and styles of clothes you are trying to match and I’ll send you a photo to check to see if they match your needs.

Rice Packs: $5 (extra $2 for shipping due to weight of rice)

If you have never used a rice pack you don’t know what you are missing! They are great either warmed in the microwave or kept in the freezer to use as an ice pack. Mine have been priceless when it comes to helping my back pains. The rice packs can be made either in rectangles or long sleeves. The long sleeves are great for rapping around the back of your neck or to run up your spine. The rectangles are great for the lower back and calves. Let me know what style/colors you like and I’ll made one to suit your taste.

Rice Packs w/ Embroidery pattern, Name or Saying: $9 (extra $2 for shipping due to weight of rice)

You can add your favorite phrase, name or design to the pack. If it’s a gift for Breast Cancer patient I can add some pink ribbons. If you love chickens I can add a chicken. The sky is the limit!

Other Custom Projects: Price subject to project

The Details:

Depending on the customization their might be an extra charge. I have lots of fabrics and embroidery designs to choose from currently. If I don’t have what you want in my stock pile I can always look for it

Most items will be sent Parcel or Priority. According to the USPS website items must be sent by Dec. 20^th to be received in time for Christmas. If you would like your item to arrive in time for Christmas Day please have your order to me by Dec. 14^th.

If you would like an item to be gift wrapped and sent to someone else I can also do that for a $1 fee. If you chose that option I will email you a photo of the completed item so that you can see what was sent.

Most items will have a 48 hour turn around time as long as I have the fabrics in stock. Fabrics that have to be purchased might take longer.

Latest Sewing Projects

Our camera is still in the shop but we broke out the video camera to try to take some still photos. It's not the best and the coloring is off but it's better then nothing! I've been a busy bee in my sewing room lately. Here are a few of my latest creations. There are a ton of photos so it might take a couple minutes to load them all!

The baby collection:

30 flannel wipes


20 diaper inserts

6 fitted diapers (2 prefitted diapers not in photo)



1 Reversible Mei Tai

Addie's Christmas Gifts (completed so far):
Bitty babys' PJs



Twirly Dress


Flaired Fleece Hoodie

Christmas Gifts for "Other" Kids:
Hand Puppet Set

Fleece Blanket

I'm currently working on fleece diaper covers, diaper pail liners, wet bag for diapers (diaper bag use), more Christmas presents for Addie, and Christmas stockings.

Week 32

We are at week 32 of the pregnancy now. It's hard to believe that we will be welcoming home our new baby girl in less then 2 months! The time has flown by so fast. I've been working hard to try to get more stuff ready before the baby gets here. Just today I sewed 10 diaper inserts for the cloth diapers. I've also ordered diaper covers and am looking into who has the best price for the newborn sized prefolds I was going to try. With Michael's help we hung a wall organizer thing on the wall by the changing table. I've started to fill it with diapers and wipes. Things are coming together and I'm sure by the time she gets here we will have everything ready. I just find it amazing how prepared I was with Addie and now I'm so busy with Addie that I've put off getting ready for the second child.

Addie had her Big Sister class at the hospital on Sunday. She was so excited about going to the class. Well, we got there and she asked if the baby was leaving mommy's tummy then. We had to break her heart. I'm still not sure where that thought came from but it was there. She enjoyed the class and hopefully will be a little bit more prepared to see us in the hospital and also life at home with a newborn. The most interesting part of the night was when we where walking through the lobby of the hospital to leave Addie asked Michael if we would have to pay the hospital for Margaret. Wow! Only Michael and I's child when be thinking about how much this will cost us :) Michael nicely said us we will have to pay the hospital and then asked her which chair she liked because we are helping to pay for those nice brand new chairs.

Monday I had a baby appointment. Everything went well. Heart beat was strong, right amount of weight gain, and belly not as big as "normal" but the doctor thinks that is because I'm tall so I have more space to spread it out vertically. Thank goodness for that! My poor back could not handle any more stress.

If only all things went this well.

I've gotten more than a few frustrated phone calls over the past couple weeks about a certain non-functioning internet connection. Its been just so-so since moving in, and earlier this year it was so unbearable that we called AT&T out to inspect. There were some issues on their end, but by the time they were done, we had a great connection at the Network Interface Device. But by the time the signal got in the house and to the modem it was depleted by more than half. The technician informed us that lots of people with our era of house had DSL problems. Ug.

Well, I'm pleased to report that as of 2pm today we have all new Cat 5e wiring from the NID to the new terminal block to the phone jack in the office. 80 ft of beautiful twisted pairs. It really wasn't hard, it just takes a few tools and a little know-how. I'm still a little surprised that it all worked the first time - no tweaking, no adjustments. And I did it all. I know, crazy.

And no, the camera isn't back yet, but our video camera will take still pictures. No flash, low res, but none the less, pictures.


The old terminal block - no, it wasn't this creepy in person, but with no flash, I had to use the night-sight mode.


Some tools of the trade - on the far right is the new terminal block.


Aren't they beautiful?


The updated NID


The new terminal block wired ...


... and bridged. Crazy what those two little wires can do.

Looking back, its a wonder we ever had a DSL connection. There was nothing wrong with the setup for voice usage. But nothing was up to spec as far as data standards go. I know, weird for the mid-1960's.

A 4-year old's point-of-view

About a year ago, Addie became not only fascinated with cameras, but with using our digital camera. It was after a couple rounds of "let me take a picture" that we started looking into cameras for kids. No need to wonder where birthday money went. And that was money well spent. Addie loves to take pictures with it and so do her friends. They may not come out that great, but its always interesting to see what she or her friends has chosen to commit to photo.


Addie and Rylee (Rachel's daughter)


"Ok, now you take a picture of me"


Princess Monopoly with 'Baby Addie'


Momma, multitasking.


Seemingly, her two favorite subjects...


... her room and her toys.

Lastly, an update on our camera: According to Fuji's friendly customer service rep, we should get our camera back in 2-3 weeks. I know. I'm hoping that this is just a canned answer that they tell everybody irregardless of the actual repair time, and that we'll see it sooner than that. Mad Mushroom was our favorite pizza place in college. The same guy was always taking delivery orders and said it would be there in 45 minutes. Somehow, without fail, you would have pizza in-hand in more like 10-15 minutes.

Fingers crossed.

Update

I can't believe that a week has almost went by since I last posted! Time is flying... As you know we did not get any Halloween photos, but my parents did! So here are three photos my mom took of Addie at the airport all dressed up for trick or treating.
A lot has happened in the last week. Addie had her first music class last Thursday. She loved it and keeps asking when she gets to go again. The class is made up of mostly home schooled families and they meet at my neighbor's house. The lady who is teaching the class also does kindermusik and music therapy. Along with the "normal" age appropriate learning she also is teaching them how to read music. I was very surprised how fast Addie picked it up. In fact, Sunday at Mass she was busy reading the music notes!

Saturday we spent the day outside working in the garden and yard. We did everything from cut back the blackberry bushes, take down the deer fence, dig up potatoes, put stuff for the winter to racking leaves. Addie and one of her friends spend the day playing outside while we worked. They had a blast playing in the leaves and helping Michael spot the potatoes. You would have thought that they where digging for lost treasure. They also kept busy "saving worms" by covering them up with dirt when ever one got unearthed in the garden. Unfortunately after a great day of work my back was back out of place again. The chiropractor worked on it Monday but it's still not right. Hopefully tomorrow morning he will get it fixed.

I've been busy sewing up a storm. I'll try to post photos soon but for now I'll just give you the list of things. I've made 10 fleece scarves with a fallish embroidery pattern on them, a Mei Tai baby carrier, a fleece pullover for me, 2 sets of 5 hand puppets, and a huge stack of diapers! My back might be out but the one thing I can still do is sew. I have several other sewing projects for this week. Mainly Addie's Christmas presents. She is going to be gone visiting grandparents so it will be my one chance to sew without her helping me.

So many pictures

...where to begin? According to Flickr, we have over 3,900 photos uploaded. This may be tougher than I thought.

From the 2005-02-12 photo set:


I've always loved this one.



Something about this dress always turned Addie into a wild woman.


Teasing the dogs

A messege from Lah Family Tech Support

It looks like our camera is down for the count. We are sending it off today to FujiFilm to get an estimate on repairs. We may be camera-less for a few weeks until we get this sorted out. Until then, posts will be sans new photos. To help pass the time, we'll periodically post some of our old favorites.

Thanks for your patience. (This isn't easy on Emily either)