The Pout Pout Fish

On a recent trip to the library, Addy and I checked out The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. I had read online that it was a good book for toddlers so we gave it a shot.

The book ended up being one of our favorites. We've since returned it but based on the number of times we read it, I could probably quote every line.

It's about a fish with a pouty face who is encouraged by all his ocean friends not to be so down cast all the time. He responds to each one saying that all though he'd like to be different, he simply can't help it.

"I'm a pout pout fish

with a pout pout face

so I spread the dreary wearies

all over the place.

Blub...

Bluuubbb...

Bluuuubbbbbb."

I'm afraid I've become the Pout Pout Fish.

I haven't kept it secret that pregnancy number two has been a little harder than the first one was. I've done a lot of grumbling and complaining the last couple of months. Matt and Addy have probably gotten the brunt of it but I haven't hesitated to tell anyone else who asks exactly how I feel. I figured everyone probably wants to hear about how I had a cold for two weeks or how just walking is a struggle and my hands hurt when I wake up in the morning. After all, I am pregnant and don't I deserve a little whining time? Blub, bluuubb, bluuuubbb!

Ugh! I hate to think about how ungrateful I have been this pregnancy, all the while trying to encourage my two year old to have a joyful heart. I should have been preaching to myself!

At the end of the book, a shinny silver fish comes along and plants a kiss on the fish's pouty face and suddenly he realizes that he'd had it wrong all along.

"I'm a kiss kiss fish

with a kiss kiss face

for spreading cheery cheeries

all over the place!"

So, yesterday, after whining on the phone to my Mom once again, when I really didn't feel that bad, I decided that I'm done being the Pout Pout Fish. No more spreading the dreary wearies, I'm going to be all about the cheery cherries! 

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18

What better day to have a change of attitude than the 4th of July when we get to celebrate America's independence with swimming, hot dogs, watermelon and fudgeciscles? 

Happy 4th friends! Thanks for putting up with my grumpiness. Hopefully, it won't be a theme around here anymore.  

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." 

Romans 12:12

Easy Recycled T-Shirt Dress

I've been dying to share my latest sewing project because it is so easy and so, so cute!

I found this tutorial online, via Pinterest and after hearing my friend talk about doing it, I thought I would give it a try too. And I'm so glad I did!

This was originally meant to be a maxi dress created with an old toddler t-shirt and some fabric, but since I hate to throw out clothes, I used a white onesie and one of my old shirts. It's not really a maxi but the concept is pretty much the same.

You can find the full tutorial with pictures and detailed instructions here. 

Here's what I did:

1. Take an old shirt.

This guy probably should have gone to the Goodwill a while ago but I just knew there was something awesome I could make with it.

2. Cut the shirt a little bit longer than your desired dress length. 

I just used one of Addy's dresses as a guide.

Obviously, I am no expert at writing tutorials or sewing. So, if you're looking for some instructions from someone who actually measures and uses the right verbiage, go to the Simple Sinom and Co. blog.

3. Create a ruffle at the top of your material.

Don't know how to create a ruffle? Google it, because I am not the person to tell you.

4. Cut the onesie just below the arms. 

5. Attach the now ruffled shirt to the onesie, right sides facing each other.

The easiest way for me to do this was to lay the shirt material on the table, right side out, then slide the onesie up through the shirt, up side down, right side out. 

Note: If you are using an old shirt, be sure to line up the sides of the shirt with the sides of the onesie. I forgot to this so Addy's dresses have a random seem going down the front.

There you have it! Super easy, five steps (unless I forgot one) and it only cost me like $2.50 for the onesie. AND it only took about 15 minutes! Seriously, you could make like 5 of these in a nap time!

With the extra material from the shirt, I added a t-shirt flower for a little more flare.

Have fun!

Inspiring Reads

It's time again for the Inspiration Workshop over at Gussy Sews!

Currently, I am reading 3 books: The Brethren by John Grisham, Babywise II and Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. One for pure entertainment and the other two because I am clueless when it comes to feeding and raising my baby. Although they are good reads, (actually Super Baby Food is really boring but very informational) I wouldn't call them inspiring.

I actually don't think I've read an inspiring book in awhile. I had intentions of writing about the Help by Kathryn Stockett. I loved the book and movie and called it "inspiring" while talking about it with a friend but I'm not sure what it inspired me to do.

Lately, a lot of my inspirational reading has been in the blogosphere. I love reading what you all have to say about mommyhood, marriage and life in general. I often find myself nodding along in agreement, oohing and aahing over sweet photos and thinking "ah, that's just what I needed to hear today." 

Some of my favorite posts have come from these lovely bloggers:

Chelsea Joy with Name Your Joy

Heather with Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Casey Wiegand, author of the Wiegand's

Paige Knudsen who writes Simple Thoughts

Stephanie with the Honey Pot

And lastly, my friend Mandy has a blog called Everything Beautiful. She has been an inspiration to many people this last month.

I get excited when posts from these blogs show up in my Google reader and I always click on their updates first. So, if you're looking for some inspirational reading, check them out. Maybe you will find a new favorite :)

Where do you go for inspirational reading?

My Inspiration

I'm joining the Inspiration Workshop again over at Gussy Sews. This week's prompt is "Your Inspiration." Confession: While writing this post, I've had Chicago's "You're the Inspiration" stuck in my head. How do I even know the words to this song?

Addy and I have been a bit sleep deprived this week and in need of a little more inspiration. Sometimes the days seem so long but I've been finding hope in this verse:

Source: xpiritmental.com via Katie on Pinterest

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Lamentations 3:21-24

There was a song to this verse that we used to sing in the church I grew up in. I've been singing it to myself lately (It's a nice break from Chicago).

 I've also been inspired by sweet, encouraging words from friends after writing this post.

And then there's these two, the loves of my life. They never fail to inspire me. They make me want to try harder, be better.

You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration......

Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

Sunshine

Some thoughts on Sunshine via Pinterest for the Inspiration Workshop over at Gussy Sews. Enjoy!

Source: swoonevents.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: wonderfuljoyahead.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: liferearranged.com via Katie on Pinterest

Pamper Yourself

Today I am linking up with Gussy from Gussy Sews. Her blog is one of my favorites to stalk, I mean read. Each week she sends out an inspirational prompt and I thought it would be fun to play along. This week's prompt was "Pamper Yourself."

Did this make anyone else think of "Frost Yourself" from "How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days."

 

Source: google.com via Kody on Pinterest

Ok, back to the prompt.

My Mom and I used to go on pedicure dates before I got married and moved away. I love pedicures! They are so relaxing and I love how soft my feet feel afterwards. I don't get to go that often so they are a big treat and this past week, I was treated twice!

My Mother's Day Gift from my Mother-in-Law was a trip to get my nails done while she watched my little one. It was lovely and while I was sitting there, I thought about how much fun it will be to treat Addy to pedicure dates when she gets older.

 

Source: meggielynne.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Although she didn't get her toes painted, Addy did get her first taste of a fun girls outing to the nail salon this weekend. While the boys went golfing, us girls chose a more relaxing activity. I dressed her in a cute new onesie from Aunt M with a matching bow especially for our outing but the lady doing my toes still couldn't tell she was a girl.

Nail Lady: "Boy?'
Me: "No Girl."
Nail Lady: "Looks like a boy."
Me: "She's wearing a bow!"

We might have to wait till she grows more hair before we go back again :)