look up pathetic in Websters...

and you would find this picture.

She was terrified of the photographer. The teacher gave me a bit of warning when I picked her up that day from school saying "well, we did get her to stop crying long enough to get one picture". Look at those puppy dogs eyes....that awful green background! Luckily I have a sense of humor and I think it's actually pretty funny. So Christmas gifts will go as planned....everyone will get an unforgettable school picture of Molly, age 3.

update

So check out the skirt I worked on last night.

I found a use for the yo-yo's I made last month....little rosettes around the bottom hemline of the skirt :)

A close-up shot of the yo-yo rosette. It's made from the same print that is on the skirt.

As soon as I have a cooperative model and a camera with a fully charged battery then I'll post some much better pictures. Now back to the sewing machine!

Got the creative bug again....

Just call me creativeleigh...ha ha ha! again, for those of you who still think my name is pronounced "Leah" then you probably will not get this joke. Moving along....

So I've been wanting to attempt making a skirt for Molly out of some of these beautiful old fabric samples from my mom's studio. Most of these fabrics have been discontinued so there is no reason to keep these big memos. But I cannot bear to throw away these fabrics so I just *had* to find a use for them and voila....the skirt was born.

In my head I saw this blog post with beautiful photographs of the fabrics and a darling picture of Molly running outside in the sunshine with her skirt a-twirling, but it's 8:15pm...the camera battery is dead.....the sun is not out.....and Molly was not in a model mood. So here are pathetic pictures from my blackberry but they will have to do because I'm just so excited how this turned out!

I asked her to say cheese and she showed me the cheese she was eating.

I'm sure you are distracted by that adorable toddler belly. It is oh so tickle-able! The print is a Brunschwig & Fils fabric that back in 1998 retailed for $168/yd! See why I couldn't throw this stuff away.

pictures of the next skirt...coming as soon as my nimble fingers can sew it together!

78 degrees! in Oklahoma! in AUGUST PEOPLE!

The weekend flew by but it was jam packed with all sorts of activities. My ingredients for a perfect weekend: sushi, Waterford Bar, a few adult beverages, beautiful weather, more sushi, trip to the zoo, walk outside, fun birthday party. That pretty much sums up our weekend.

And what a beautiful one it was! Its really amazing how so many things can go right with the world when the weather is nice. The kids are happy because we get to play outside....mommy is happy because we get to play outside....work is happy because this type of weather is a landscape designers dream!

Weekend started off with a night out for me, Shawn, Laura and Perry. A yummy dinner at Saii followed by fun at our favorite neighborhood bar, The Waterford. My friend Laura even joined us and we discovered that the party where she met her husband was hosted by me and Shawn in 2000! Laura and I didn't even meet until 2006. I was even able to find her in some of the pictures from that party. Don't worry Laura....I won't be posting the one where you are hanging from the wagon wheel "Chandelier"!

After the much needed adult time we packed in as much outside fun time as we could this weekend with the kids...starting with the zoo on Saturday.

Look we found Nemo! And I thought I had eaten him the night before at Saii.

After a nice, relaxing nap for me and Molly...we played outside with sidewalk chalk.

Jack brought his microscope. Because you never know when you might find something cool to look at.

Molly picked up a roly poly for Jack because he didn't want to touch it....and no, the roly poly would not fit under the microscope but not for lack of effort.

My Leftie

and My Rightie

Sunday we went to Ellie's 3rd birthday. It was a princess birthday party and the girls were in heaven!

Jack and Liam steered clear of all princess games and drew Star Wars pictures instead. The dads were very happy about this.

After the birthday party we met Nana at the mall in Norman. The kids were playing at the play place with Jack laying inside the doghouse and Molly hanging from the end of it and swinging her legs. Just as I said "Molly, be careful don't kick your brother in the...." I see a little white thing fly across the ground. Yep, Jack's tooth! He was so elated that he didn't even notice all the blood (and man, was there a lot of blood). He thanked his sister for kicking his tooth out while she simply replied "You're more than welcome Jack".

Jack lost his first tooth before it was even loose by using his teeth to pry open his Transformer toy. That was on President's Day. His second tooth was pulled by Dad after a couple hours of negotiations. That was on Cinco de Mayo. So I really thought this third tooth would hold out until Labor Day to continue the holiday tradition, but nope....there were other grand plans for this tooth. Jack says that he lost his third tooth on "My sister kicked me in the face DAY".

We wanted to walk on the golf course but those damn golfers decided it was a good day for for golf so we scrapped that idea and went for a walk at Waterford with GiGi, Pops and Babe the Dog. A perfect ending to a perfect weekend. And did I mention I had sushi (the Eating Nemo roll) Friday and Sunday night! YUM!

Now if I could just get out of this office and enjoy this 75 degree day all would be right with the world.

Working mother blues....

You know how sometimes things your kids say just hit you...like a ton of bricks? well, that happened to me last night.

Molly: Mommy, I go to school on Saturday.

Me: No, sweetie you don't have school on Saturday.

Molly: Mommy, do we get to hang out on Saturday? you and me?

Me (holding back a tear and a chuckle for the use of this new phrase): Of course we will hang out on Saturday!

Molly: ok, good! Mommy let's hang out and go to the zoo!

Watch out world, Molly's making plans. She's got her Saturday all planned out. And then I think about how the weekends are really where the majority of our time is spent together. While I trot off to work everyday Molly goes to daycare. Ugh....I really hate the word daycare....so we call it school.

Molly loves school. Mommy loves Molly's school. All is good. BUT.....there is always going to be that twinge of guilt because I don't get to spend as much time as I would like with her.

Sometimes I am mad about this because why can't I be a stay at home mom?. But then I realize that I am defined as a mother, but I am also defined by my career. I would not be a good or happy mom if I stayed home. I really need to be thankful because I have the best of both worlds. I'm not a SAHM or a WOHM, but I am a "WMWAFS" -WORKING MOTHER WITH A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE". I totally made my own stand 6 years ago when I quit the design firm I was working for to go out on my own. Jack was 4 months old and I needed that flexibility. It was scary to take that leap, but it was so necessary not only because I was a mother now but also to grow into my own person. But that's a story for another blog post.

When Jack was little I took Monday's off to spend with him and picked him up everyday at 3:00 from Mother's Day Out. With Molly I was able to bring her to the office with me until she was 6 months old!

Perks of office life for a baby

Great napping place.

There are always people who want to hold you.

Happy as a calm. Good times at the office.

Then after that I picked her up everyday at 3:00 from MDO. Then came the need for full time childcare. For the last 2 years Molly has been at 3 different "schools" (long story) and she has loved each one of them. I have the flexibility to leave work early and pick her up, but I also have it covered so that I can work when I need to work and not worry about summer break or fall break. And because I do office with family I am able to pick Jack up from school everyday at 3:00 and bring him to the office with me.

Now that I think about it....I would say I have it pretty good and I'm happy with that.

The last three years have just flown by in the blink of an eye and I wish I could just freeze time. Just for a little bit. Just so we can have some more conversations about "hanging out" together.

Well it's about time!

After many reincarnations I think I have finally decided to stick with a blog layout. That is until I get tired of it or find something else I like better.

So what have I been up to you ask? well.....being crafty! Unfortunately I cannot complete this blog post without picture of the craftiness and of course.....I left my camera at the office. So maybe tomorrow when I'm procrastinating at work I will take some pictures to post so you can witness the result of my weekend Michael's excursion! Seriously people...this is cute stuff we are talking about!

Be still my heart....

This is one of those lucky shots that I will always be thankful for. I am by no means a photographer although I would love to be. I see a vo-tech class in my future. But you know how it is....you see that one photo that even if it doesn't show a face or an expression....it still just speaks volumes and brings forth so much emotion. This is one of those shots.

It was one of hundreds of pictures I snapped that day with a little Nikon point and shoot and the one picture that still fills my heart with love when I look at it.

Look at that chubby hand playing in the sand. You can still see the remnants of Jack's "snap on arms"....he was so chunky and had these rolls that conjured up images of the Michelin man. Look at those darling little piggies digging into the sand.....I could go on and on forever. I have no idea what happened to the original image off my camera. I'm sure it's still on a hard drive somewhere in the computer graveyard, but I'm so glad that I enlarged this to 8 x 10 and framed it.

I glance at this photo all the time when I walk past it and it always reminds me to stop for a moment and try to freeze frame my children at *this* moment....*this* day......at *this* time in hopes that I will never forget this moment in their lives because it all flies by too fast.

The rolls are no longer there and the feet have gotten bigger and my little boy will be starting 1st grade next week. Here's to hoping that I'm able to capture some more photos like this one throughout the years.

The cutest video ever!!!

wait for it.....

wait for it.....

Nope, no video. Evidently there is a setting to take digital pictures as well as movies on the flip and stupid me thought I was filming *the cutest video ever* when all I was doing was snapping very blurry digital pictures!

I'm bummed....but moving on.

So you want to know what the video was? Here is the transcript of the video that does not exist.

Me: What's your name?

Molly: Molly Katherine Lovebug!

Me: How old are you?

Molly (in the cutest voice ever): I'm three! (holds up three fingers) No more high chair for me, because I......AM......THREE!

Me: Anything else you want to say to the camera?

Molly: I tell camera a funny story. One day.....chicken walking down the road.....see egg.....become chicken! (uncontrollable laughter ensues)

Oh well....it doesn't really translate in text because you are missing the cute voice, the hilarious way she enunciates her story, how she has to work a little bit to hold up 3 fingers, and how she truthfully believes her last name is Lovebug.

My 3 year old Lovebug.

Annual birthday pancakes (or in this case an eggo waffle)

And of course some photos from the Double Gymboree Birthday Bash for Molly and Sarah!

Walking to their party

The day before.....

It's the day before Molly turns 3 and I still can't believe it. She is such an independent little girl now. Just the other morning I woke up to Molly in bed with us eating a tortilla. As I rubbed my eyes wondering what in the world I was seeing, Molly asked me to hand her the cup of apple juice that was sitting on my nightstand. I thought for sure Jack must be up and fixed Molly breakfast, but no.....Molly told me she got it all herself. I was dreading walking to the kitchen to see the mess that must be waiting for me (it was, after all, a brand new jug of apple juice) but to my surprise NO MESS! She had gotten her chair out of the play room and carried it into the kitchen to reach a cup in the upper cabinet. Then she opened the fridge, got out the NEW jug of apple juice, poured herself a cup and put the juice back in the fridge (fridge is short for fridgerator. I don't believe it really stars with a "re"). Oh and she found the bag of tortillas in the bread box. She grabbed herself one and put the bag back in the bread box.

Molly has always been determined. This is one of my favorite videos that shows her inchworm crawl and her obvious dislike for pants.

Countdown to 3

As the countdown continues to Molly's 3rd birthday I find myself looking through my iphoto library. Is my baby really going to be 3? I swear, I just HAD her! These are some of my favorite pictures of Molly from her first year.

Newborn baby Molly...so sweet.

4 weeks old and so strong!

One of the first smiles I caught on camera. I took this picture of Molly in her pack and play at the office when she was 6 weeks old.

3 months old.

Before church on Christmas Eve. Molly was 4 months old.

5 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7.5 months old mastering plank!

8 months old and full of personality. She looks so much like Jack as a baby here.

My big girl! 9 months old and ready to walk!

Her 1st birthday invitation.

1 year old!

Rickrack, Modge Podge, Glue Guns....OH MY!

I am what one would call creative. I am not what you would call crafty. Now I do have moments of crafting genius....but these are few and far between. A few successes include:

Appliqued kid's t-shirts

Ribbon covered barrettes

Digital scrapbook templates

Hand painted t-shirts and jean jackets (this was back in my high school days)

Crocheted flowers

Incomplete or complete failure projects include:

any sewing project involving a pattern (selvadge, raw edge, bobbin=confusing. Seam ripper is the one thing I truly understand)

Fabric pom-poms (tried this one tonight....not good)

Stockings (really really bad)

Knitted ANYTHING!

You see, I have all these ideas running through my head all throughout the day (such as now....when I should be going to sleep) but I just cannot flip that damn creative switch off.

I go into places like Michael's or JoAnn's or Home Depot or even the back room at my mother's interior design studio (where piles and piles of fabric and trim await me) and my mind just starts racing. Hm....what can I do with this? or maybe I could do that? or wait a minute look at this....oh so cute I have to make something and I have to do it now!

This happened today when sorting through discontinued fabric samples at my mom's studio. I just could not bear to throw away a beautiful Brunschwig & Fils fabric that probably sold for $200/yd! (In fact, this particular fabric along with a darling Scalamandre will become twirly skirts for Molly. As soon as I can find a YouTube tutorial video) So many gorgeous fabric samples just beckoning to be pleated, sewed, braided, ripped, cut, appliqued, the list goes on and on (kind of like my brain). Seriously...I need a yellow legal pad (yellow, not white. White is boring) and one of my good pens (Sharpie Pen please) so I can start making a list of all the things I want to make!

I had a genius idea one day that I was going to start a side business called Creativeleigh. Now for those of you who still think my name is pronounced "Le-ah" this may not make any sense to you, but follow along. The tag line for Creativeleigh was "finishing the projects you never have time for" or something along those lines. But then I realized that I am my ideal customer. How can I help people when I can't even finish what I start! I have come to the conclusion that my problem isn't that I am not crafty. My problem is that I cannot seem to finish what I start and that may have something to do with having major ADHD and wanting to start a bizillion projects at once. So what I want, and I'm marking this on my list (another yellow legal pad please) of things I want to accomplish this year, is to start & finish & master a craft project. I want to be a proficient crafter. By the end of this year I will call myself crafty and have something to show for it. And there will be pictures....oh yes, there will be pictures!

My Jack

I have now re-written this post three times.....THREE TIMES PEOPLE (not sure if that should be plural or not, depending on how many are actually reading my blog).

So I'm going to forget trying to compose a post that will inspire, motivate, and cause hundreds to rise up and put my name in lights.......... and instead show some funny pictures of Jack which will either cause you to laugh out loud uncontrollably or cause you to scratch your head wondering what my child doing!

Mac Photobooth Self Portraits by Jack Love

All I keep thinking when I see this picture is "red rum....red rum".

Scared little boy Jack

Momma said knock you out!

It wasn't me!

Note to self

Add *new blog post* to this weeks to-do list!

1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep, 4 sheep......1305 sheep.....

I'm laying in bed trying my best to go to sleep, but I've got the Sunday night jitters. Anyone know what I'm talking about? For as long as I can remember I have always had trouble getting to sleep on Sunday nights. I always have so many thoughts running through my head about all the things i I need to accomplish for the week. Then my brain goes into overdrive thinking about what to fix the kids for breakfast in the morning (thank goodness for frozen waffles and yogurt), did I remember to pack Jack's backpack for camp, which has to include sunscreen, clean/dry towel, 2 swimsuits, goggles. 2 swimsuits and a towel everyday means I do a ton of freaking laundry because there is nothing worse than a mildewed smelling towel or swim trunks!

So just as I'm starting to drift off I realize...hey...I could write an entire blog post about the Sunday night jitters so here I am....awake....really awake....and typing. And while I'm typing I remember that I haven't made Jack's lunch for tomorrow. I really really really hate waiting to make it in the morning because it just throws off my entire morning routine. Yes, I am a very scheduled and routine oriented person and I LIKE IT THAT WAY. I follow the exact same shower sequence everyday and dry off in the exact same order everyday, moisturizer on the face then comb out my hair so moisturizer can dry a bit before applying makeup. Makeup is put on in the same order everyday. Kids are woken up and then their routines begin. I could go into real detail and tell you every little aspect of THE morning routine, but I don't want to scare you off on just my third blog post. I promise....I'll get more interesting and funny and maybe even make you laugh out loud.

As I dream about that "perfect" post that combines both humor and wit with perfect composition and grammar I remember that I didn't make his lunch the night before and that really throws a kink into my smooth morning. It can easily make the difference between leaving promptly at 8:20 or yelling at the kids "we're late...hurry up....come on...get in the car NOW....no you cannot drive Molly, get in your car seat now!....Jack did you get your lunch box? Get inside and get it NOW....we are running late...we have to leave NOW!" This is our summer time schedule. Come August when school starts our mornings will begin much earlier. Don't even get me started on thinking about this now because I am really enjoying the extra hour of sleep and somewhat flexible schedule of summer. So maybe now that I have all this out of my head and into this post I will be able to simply shut the lap top and drift quickly away to la la land without having to count 1306 sheep. nighty night.

Seriously? really? do I have to?

So a dear friend of mine started a blog.  Of course I had to open my big yap and say "oh yeah...I tried that once, but never could stick to it".  Then after hearing her cute blog name (theshinndigs...their last name is Shinn...see it's cute, I told you so) I decided to brag to her about my cute blog name...last name first actually creates a "lovely" word.  So then she tells me I added your blog to my list of faves so get to work!  So here I am.....trying to write my first post since oh...last September or something like that.  

Here I am.  Blog post #2.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed....scared.....silly.  Wondering what makes me think I can be even half the blogger those gals are who I read religiously.  Oh well I've got to start somewhere right so might as well jump right in and start with my usual rambling.  I invite you to join me just be forewarned that I suck at grammar and punctuation and math, although I'm not quite sure what math has to do with blogging but I thought I'd throw in that disclaimer anyway.  And yes, my parents paid private school tuition.....I'm so ashamed.

Oops never mind...So You Think You Can Dance is on right now.  I'll deal with you later BLOG!