Where I Learned To Sew...

Several people recently have asked me where I learned to sew. Many people who know my mom assume I learned from her. My mom is very crafty but she does not know how to sew, so no, I did not learn from her... or anyone else for that matter...

When I was pregnant with Tayler, I suddenly became... what is the proper word.... a domestic mommy. I wanted to make things, especially blankets. There were a couple of people who had given us hand made baby blankets for Colton and I really wanted to be able to make something for them as kids that they could cherish until they were older. So, Kyle bought me a sewing machine from Wal-Mart but I had to promise I would actually use it. I have always been an independent learner - I hate group work (I would much rather do it by myself so I know it's done right!) I have also been very good at teaching myself things I need to know. (This is probably why I enjoy all of my online classes so much.) So, I got the instruction booklet out for the sewing machine and read it to figure out how to use it. I was surprised at how easy it was! So, I started looking at things, their shape, their seems, etc. and just kind of figured it out on my own visually.

A year and a half ago I didn't really know who I was. I had no hobbies, I had no friends, I had no free time and if someone asked me what I like to do "for fun" I would draw a blank. I don't feel that way anymore. For once, I have a hobby. Sewing (and crafting) is a hobby that I absolutely love. I sometimes find myself up until 4am sewing because I have lost track of time. For me, it is very relaxing. Maybe you know what I mean... some people enjoy reading, gardening, exercising, painting, etc. For me, I enjoy sewing. (Granted I do get frustrated when I have a problem and I don't know anyone who knows how to sew, but I just get out my handy dandy instruction booklet and read until I can solve the problem.) It is just very relaxing. There is just something very fulfilling about taking something from nothing to something finished and seeing people amazed at what you have accomplished. It makes me feel kind of like an artist! The feeling I get seeing my son so attached to the pillow and blanket that I made him breaks my heart (in a good way! You moms out there know what I'm talking about.)

(Did I mention I even made our curtains?! I could not find the right type of curtains the right size to keep the heat out in the hot afternoons. So, I loaded up the kids, went to store and bought fabric and Wala! Within a few days we had insulated curtains to keep the heat out!)

So, now that I have the sewing down, I would REALLY REALLY REALLY like to learn how to crochet!! I have seen such cute beanies and baby booties that are crocheted. I would really like to be able to make the kids some cute beanies for this year (in case we get snow for the 3rd year in a row! *wishful thinking, I know*) So now I just need to figure out how to start. It's not like a sewing machine that comes with instructions. I wonder if there is an instruction booklet on how to start crocheting? If you know, please let me know!!

So anyways, that is how I learned to sew and I absolutely love it. I know, I am such a mom. When I look back on my life the past few years, it is amazing how much I have changed. I will be 25 this week. It seems like it was just a few months ago my mom took me to NY for my 21st birthday when I was 7 months pregnant with Colton. Becoming a mom has definitely changed my life. I was forced to grow up before I even knew what it really meant to be a grown up. So, my life might be very different than typical people my age, but I love it. Learning to love my life is something that I have had to work at. Of course I love my children, but it has been very difficult watching so many people graduate from college and start their careers and I have not even finished college. But then I realized something very important. Being a mother is more difficult than any job there is. And when I do finish college (in 9 months!) I will not only have a college degree, but I will get to accept my diploma while my 2 beautiful babies watch me!! So, on that note, I am so happy to have "found myself" and appreciate where I am at in my life and I am also proud to sew baby items!! :)

P.S. I kind of got off on a tangent - Sorry! But thanks for reading!

Love,
Tammy

Another Project Complete

Liam, my nephew (Jenn's son) is starting preschool tomorrow. They have to bring their own nap-time mat so Jenn bought a KinderMat (a plastic mat.) Then she asked me if I could make a sheet for it, as well as a pillow and blanket. This was the first time I have made something like this so as always, I definitely learned a lot from the first attempt about what to change if I make one again. Here is the finished product. (I hope she liked it!)

My newest project

As many of you may or may not know, I love to sew and am always looking for new things to make.

My kids are at the age where I can get by running an errand without needing a huge diaper bag. However, I can't take the chance of Tayler having a messy diaper, so I just stick a diaper and travel size wipes in my purse. But then the diaper gets all squished. So, I made this diaper pouch as a solution.

These diaper pouches will be carried at Mimosa Rose in assorted designs. For those of you who do not know, Mimosa Rose is a gift & accessories boutique that my mom will be opening in the Katy/Richmond/Fulshear area next month.

My Baby Girl

Tayler is now 14 1/2 months old. She started walking at 10 months and now chases after Colton and runs (literally) away from me, especially when she knows she has something she is not supposed to have! We call her the "trash-digger" because she LOVES digging in the trash! She also loves trying to suck on markers that Colton leaves out and chewing the round ends off of puzzle pieces. She also loves carrying around my purses and digging through my jewelry and makeup.She is a water baby. She absolutely LOVES water. She loves baths and gets very angry when her bath is cut short. She loves splashing the water and does not mind it getting in her face. One night she got so crazy and excited in the bath that she fell and chipped her front tooth on the side of the tub. :( She babbles a lot and is trying very hard to talk. She can say mama, dada, bubba, pup, ball, bane (for blanket) and has even said what appears to be "what is that". She also understands a lot. If she has a dirty diaper and I ask her if she has poopoo, she runs away from me holding her butt. When you ask her where her bottle is or her animal, she will go pick it up.

As you can see, my baby girl isn't a baby anymore. :(

Colton's 1st Day of PreSchool!

Colton started pre-school last Monday. He is such a smart little boy and has such a desire to learn. Unfortunately, I just do not have the time to devote to teaching him the things that he should be learning since I am in school full time myself. So, he is going to preschool.

Below are pictures of him on his first day of school! (This is the school t-shirt that he has to wear until their uniform polos come in.)

The school that he is at is not like a daycare. It is VERY structured as if he were in kindergarten. He is in a class with students who are all the same age (who will start kindergarten in 2 years.) They have "quiet time" every day for about 45 minutes. They can rest or read as long as they are quiet. Sometimes the teacher reads to them while they rest. They have cots that are stacked in the classroom and during quiet time, the teacher spreads the cots out. They can have pillows in blankets if they would like. I wanted Colton to have something of his own from home as a security. Of Course I wanted him to be a "cool kid" as well, so I made him a blanket and a pillowcase for a travel size pillow. We went to Hobby Lobby and Colton picked out what kind of blanket he wanted. He wanted McQueen from "Cars." Below are pictures of the pillow and blanket that I made for him.

He is very attached to this blanket and pillow. He hates having to leave them at school during the week. I think I may have to make him a set for home. Below is a picture of Colton using his pillow and blanket before school started. (On the weekends when we bring them home to wash them, he HAS to sleep with them.)

Having Colton gone during the day definitely makes it VERY quiet around here. Tayler is not herself while he is gone and does not play nearly as much. She is much more clingy when it's just the two us. They are both so excited to see each other when Colton gets out in the afternoon. He has already learned so much and is so excited about going to school!

We are still trying to get adjusted to waking up early. We are also still working on the drop-off and pick-up routines. When I drop him off, he is so shy, latches to my leg and hides behind me. When I go to pick him up he is the complete opposite - he hides from me so he doesn't have to go home!

A New Perspective on Me

When I originally starting blogging a while back, I primarily did it to keep people informed on my life and my children, people I may not see or talk to often. But then I felt like no one was reading my blogs so I slowed down on them. Someone recently told me that the reason they blog is because they enjoy writing even if no one reads them; they write for themself. I never considered this, I guess because I never thought as myself as a writer.

This past summer, one of the courses that I took focused on how to implement reading and writing workshops into your classroom. (For those of you who are unaware, I am currently in school to be a teacher [Pre-K through 6th grade.]) One very important thing that I learned in this class was that if I want to be an effective reading and writing teacher, then I need to actually be a reader and writer. I really struggled with this idea this summer. I have never really enjoyed reading or writing “for fun” even though it has always been my strongest subject. I did not know how to become a reader or a writer. I read that it is important to keep a writer’s notebook and as a teacher share your writing with your students. A writer’s notebook? What am I even supposed to write about!? In this course, we had to work in groups and read and critique our group members’ work. I would get so frustrated because no one would ever give me constructive criticism. They always had positive things to say, which I appreciated, but I was taking the time to help others so why was no one else helping me? I discussed the issue with my teacher and he suggested that maybe there just isn’t anything noticeably wrong with my papers. In this particular course, we had to compose lesson plans for a thematic unit on poetry. At the end of the unit, one member of my group sent me an e-mail saying that she thought that I would be a great reading and writing teacher and learned a lot from reading my work.

What is interesting is that when I first decided to be a teacher, I had no desire to teach reading and writing. I disliked it so much that the thought of teaching it every day worried me. However, I have learned so much about being a successful reading/writing teacher and what has caused my dislike for reading and writing that now I actually look forward to being a reading/writing teacher because I know what to do differently than the teachers that I had did.

The other day I submitted my first assignment for a science instruction class that I am taking. The teacher responded with “You are a writer!” Huh? She thinks I am a writer? Wait. I am a writer! This is probably why I love my online classes that require papers instead of quizzes and exams. I realized that the author from the textbook who suggested to practice writing didn’t mean writing stories, books, etc. Writing can be in any form and even the form of what I am writing now. My husband sometimes tells me to slow down and take a breath and that I am “always” talking. I have so many thoughts and so much knowledge and excitement for things that I am learning that I have realized I just want and need to share them! Even if it is in a piece of writing that no one will read, I need to express my thoughts.

I might sometimes blog about personal happenings but I will also blog about things that I simply want to share with anyone who is willing to read about them. I have realized that I do actually enjoy writing; I just needed to figure out what to write about. (I am still working on the whole reading thing! :) )

My mom recently told me that I have changed a lot since I got married. I have changed A LOT over the past 2 years and I do realize this. But I think that these changes have been due to many things. I am growing up. I am now a wife and a mother to two children. When I got pregnant at 20 years old, it definitely was not in my plans. It changed me so much and has made me such a mature independent woman. Being a mother is very fulfilling, but for me personally, it just isn’t enough. Many women are very content with being stay at home moms and would have it no other way. If a woman is happy taking care of the home, more power to her! I have nothing against lifelong stay at home mothers. If I was married to a millionaire of course I would choose not to work! But let’s face it, I’m not married to a millionaire. (No offense, Kyle. J ) I personally have a lot of goals, other than being a mother, which I would like to achieve. I want to graduate from college. I am on my way to becoming a professional educator. If my husband were to die, I am at an age where living off of his life insurance would not be enough for my children and me to survive. I have to make sure that I am in a position that I am confident I could take care of our family on my own if I had to. I have taken courses that deal with psychology, growth and development, diverse cultures, how people learn, how to effectively communicate, and much much more. I have changed a lot in the past 2 years because I have become educated and prepped to become a professional independent working woman, who just so happens to be a mother and a wife. I used to feel like being a mother was all I was. I didn’t know who “Tammy” was anymore other than “mommy.” I felt like I had given up who I was and my dreams to be a mother. I do not feel that way anymore. I know exactly who I am and what I want out of life, which I will strive to achieve. So yes, I have changed a lot, but it’s because I have become an adult.

I look forward to sharing my life, my random thoughts, my knowledge and maybe some hobbies with you. I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my writing.

I plan on updating the layout as well as the pictures on my page throughout the week. If you have a blog, please let me know so that I can add you to my list of people to follow so that I can receive updates when you post. Also, if you read my page and enjoyed reading something, please do not hesitate to leave a comment.

Love,
Tammy

What Summer Says to Me..

In response to a blog "challenge" by Mrs. Fonda...

Summer says to me....

Time to put on that sunscreen and go to the beach/pool!
Time to wheel out the BBQ pit and BBQ!
MMM, snow cones!!

Unfortunately, I have not gotten to spend the summer with the kids as I would I have hoped and enjoyed. I have been in summer school full time. I am taking 4 classes that I would typically take over 5 months over 2 months. Needless to say, I have not had much down time let alone much sleep. Summer school wraps up in 2 weeks so I will have a 3 week break because I go back to school for the fall. I will definitely have to catch up on lost time during those 3 weeks!