Cora is 17 months!

Cora is 17 months old. Every month, I have taken a picture in the same spot. I am also doing it with Elsie. It is amazing to see the difference in size in just a few short months. I did not add all of them, just 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 yr, 17 months.

And, yes - it is the same chair LOL

Happy Birthday to Lil J!

Today is Lil J's 5th Birthday! Wow - that went FAST. We are just having pizza and cake with just us and the girls from next door. We took him to monster jam a few weeks ago as well.

He is going to be so surprised when he comes home and the whole house is decorated. Nothing like last year - but streamers, balloons, etc. But, to a 5 year old - balloons = party. So, I am set.

Since they are doing their Valentine's Party at school today, and not having his school party until Thurday, I wanted him to wear a special outfit today for his birthday. So, I very quickly whipped up a birthday shirt and crown for him. Yeah, I could have made it nicer - but I think it will do it's job.

Pro Pics

We went today to get some pro pics taken. I love this backdrop. This pic came out so cute, if I say so myself. It is funny because Elsie was really crying when they took this picture. And, no - she can not sit up yet. I am just off camera holding her left hand, trying really hard to keep her balance. She toppled over several times.

We got a few great ones of Lil J, and tried to get some of the 3 little kids - but that was a disaster. Cora was running all over the place - Elsie kept falling over, and Lil J was just done.

One year ago

One year ago I found out I was pregnant again - I just wrote this long post about it and somehow after I added the pictures, poof------gone.

I am not retyping it, but it said something like "wow, I can't believe that I was pregnant again, bla bla bla"

So, here are some cuties. :)

They finally identified Lil J's bio father

This guy was scheduled to be tested in 2009.. He missed 3 different court ordered appointments.

The plan was that the court would just terminate all unknown fathers at the same time as they terminate his mother's rights.

After the 3rd no-show, it was said that they would not search him out again. Well, I guess since the case is leading to termination, they wanted to get 100% certainty that he is or is not the father.

Well, it came back that this 3rd guy is the father. This guy left bio mom when she was 6 months pregnant and was never seen again. He has the same issues that his bio mom has - so it is not like he can parent at this time.

The caseworker spoke to this guy before the test results and he said he *might* surrender his rights before a trial. But wants pictures, and maybe a phone call before he would decide.

I know they would not just *give* Lil J to him if he wanted to parent...that they would do background checks, and he would still have to follow some sort of plan.....but being totally selfish, I am hoping he just does a surrender.

This guy was with her from the begining of her pegnancy (and according to him about a year before), and then was with her until 6 months pregnant. So, it is not like he didn't know he had a (possible) kid. Even if there was the possibility of someone else, he left knowing it could very well be his. Never sought her out for the next 3-5 years either.

My caseworker is going to speaking to him shortly, I have already given her some pics to send him. So, I guess we wait.

On another note, Lil J's mom is still MIA. There was a brief message to my CWs supervisor in Dec. But, there has been no visits since Oct 27th.

I have the cutest "Model"

I am having a great time making these Ruffled Bloomers. Might be starting a little business - maybe a etsy shop, and selling at craft fairs as well. I have gotten some interest in these, so maybe I could make a little extra cash. Heck, every little bit helps being that I am a SAHM.

EDIT - I have started an Etsy Shop - called Giggle Worm

Of course, since I think the perfect age for these things are babies around Elsie's age, it makes perfect sense to use her to model them LOL. I am working on making a teeny tiny pattern just for newborns, since these might be a little too big for them.

I live in the boonies, but went to a fabric store about an hour away (the closest one outside of Walm.art) and it was like I walked into heaven. wow! It was fun to try to find coordinating patterns, colors, and prints.

Working on these are also helping me with one of my New Year's Resolutions - to get of the PC more (I know, as I blog haha). So, I have been crafting, cleaning, organizing, etc. I have found so many videos on fabric flowers, man they are addicting. I will have to post pics of just those.

So - now I just have to practice my photo skills, and you know, get much better lighting in my house. This way my sample pics will look better. I am actually going to get Lil J's pics taken for his birthday...maybe I will just slip Elsie in her bloomers for a few shots.

So, here are a few shots of some of my recent stuff. And, I will post a link to an etsy shop when I start one.

Is Expecting.......

I just put this as my facebook status:

Amy is: EXPECTING!! I know, I know it's crazy isn't it? I can't believe it myself. I wasn't going to put it on here because it's obvious but wanted to make it official. I mean who would have guessed that we are expecting!! Yup it's official. My family and Friends in New Jersey are expecting *sNoW* AGAIN today and tomorrow!!

OMG - could you imagine!?!?!?!?

I conceived Elsie when Cora was (around) Elsie's current age. NO WAY would I do it for another. That would be 2 under 2....Again, NO WAY.

Besides - that shop is closed. But, it totally totally totally freaked lots of people out LOL