A Wee Milestone

This little blip is entirely for our benefit to journal a small but important event that occurred in the Marcoccia house last night. Ellie went poop in the potty!! WhaHoo! Gary and I have been working with her  on using the potty, she has shown interest and we have had a few “practice sessions” but last night was the first time we have had success. I realize we have a long road to haul still but I am confident that she will get it soon. I think that Gary and I have to commit to the job  now where before we were just planting the seed every now and then. Whew, Here we go…

Summer Outfit

I’ve made a goal recently to make Ellie all her summer attire this year. I have banned myself from the outlet mall in Park City because it’s always just too tempting and I always have buyers remorse immediately after any purchase. In addition I’m going to try to produce a few summer shirts for myself and not buy any. Although I would love to go get a new dress to wear to Gary’s 20th High School Reunion next month. Hmm…

The goal for Ellie is realistic though. It is my opinion that patterns for wee ones are more basic and simple for the most part. I made these shorts for her a few days ago.  It is vintage corduroy I picked up at a sweet little shop in Corning NY while visiting family last winter.  Gotta love those sweet little blooms.

My favorite thing about these are the little gathered pockets

Once I got the shorts finished I had to make a shirt. I wasn’t lovin’ any of the patterns on hand so I traced my own pattern from one of the dresses I purchased for Ellie when we visited Leslie in Germany. I just made it shorter. I had fun with it because is was essentially from scratch and a big experiment to see if I could produce something without a pattern.

Rainbow Connection

Written by Paul Williams and used by Kermit the Frog, of The Muppets, Jim Henson Productions

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it
I know they’re wrong, wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that
and someone believed it,
and look what it’s done so far.
What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell,
we know that it’s probably magic….

Have you been half asleep
and have you heard voices?
I’ve heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it.
It’s something that I’m supposed to be.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.
La, la la, La, la la la, La Laa, la la, La, La la laaaaaaa….

Re-Purposed T-Shirts

Last week Ellie needed a pair of red shorts to go with her Butterfly Onsie of course. I didn’t really want to go out and buy her a pair. First, because when you have a certain clothing item you want such as red shorts it’s a known fact that once you are out hunting for them they are no where to be found. Two, I also knew if I went out there into “Adorable Clothes for Girls Land” I would end up coming back with outfits we don’t need. So, I took the scissors to an old red T-Shirt I had in the closet that I never wear. Here is the result…

I was so very pleased to see that the seam in the arms matched up quiet well for a stylish yolk at the waist. That wasn’t planned at all but it worked.

I also made four sweet little skirts from the trunk of old pitted out T-Shirts. These were shirts that I haven’t been able to let go of because I still like them but I knew their time was up. So I’m enjoying them on Ellie now. Haven’t had much oportunnity for photos of these. Here is one my Mom took.

They are so simple just cut the length you want and sew a waist and put in an elastic. Easy…

Last but not least. We have found that Ellie really really likes Reggae. So much that she can even bust out the moves first thing in the morning before breakfast and such. Notice we are all still in our PaJamies… uhumm

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Summer is here…

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I love this video. Gary always can make Ellie crack up with his silliness.  I love his goofy ways with kids.

A trip to the Zoo

We went to the Zoo last week with Grandma McKenney, Aunt Tamara, and Cousin Summer. It was busy but we had fun. Ellie’s eyes were big all day long taking in and processing all the animals that until now we have only seen in books, pictures, TV, and such. You could see the cogs and cranks spinning in her wee little mind putting it all together. She was spent by the end of the day and so was Momma. We had a wonder time though thanks to our company.

A Mother’s Day

Today I took Ellie out for a “hike”. We ventured across the valley to a spot called Dutch Hollow where there are many looping and crisscrossing trails for horses, bikes, dogs, Mom’s, and Tot’s to enjoy. I put Ellie in the backpack and we took off up the trail. It was nice and peaceful not many others around. I was determined to get some exercise so I wasn’t really paying attention just moving.

Once we arrived at the top of the ridge Ellie began to nod off. I didn’t really want her to sleep in the middle of our hike. So I took the pack off and let her out to walk on her own. I’m so glad I did this because she starting showing me things I was not noticing before. Like the butterflies, the purple Penstemons, the bee’s buzzing, the Queen Anne’s Lace (I think), and she showed me she is trying to say “yellow”.  She made me slow down and remember the important things. She helped me live in the moment and I loved it. We had a lovely little stroll on that ridge where I was shown dozen’s of rocks, flowers, and sticks. She also made me stop and listen to bees, birds, the river, and a helicopter fly by.

I’m so happy to be a Mom to have a little person in my life that shows me how to stop and listen to the world around me, to explore my surroundings, and to discover new things.

So thanks to the Wee One for giving me a beautiful day with out even realizing what a gift it is.

A Good Day

We celebrated Gary’s Birthday yesterday.  Apparently 28 was a good year for him so he’s claiming 28 from now on.  Which isn’t a bad idea, I was 28 when we were married. It was an excellent year for me as well.

Turned out to be a beautiful day, blue sky and all. Gary was in a particularly happy place most of the day. I think all the Happy Birthdays that came poring in from friends and family all day via snail mail, email, facebook, and the phone helped him feel appreciated. So thanks to everyone for making his day a good one.

P.S. Here is the recipe I used for his Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. It was soooo goooood.