Keeping the baby DOWN

Well, this isn't about hurting my children... although after 12 hours alone with them and each night doing bedtime while Andy works on his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) classes, it's been enough to make me super glad for bedtime!!!  This is actually just a quick post about this awesome baby gate I MADE.  Yep, just "Suzy Homemaker" here.  Actually, I really enjoy sewing and since we don't live close to much, it's made me really utilize my handiness!

This is a baby gate for THE BOTTOM of stairs.  NEVER at the top, those need to be screwed in and secured and made specifically for keeping baby safe from falling down the stairs.  This gate is for deterring baby (kids) from going up the stairs- it is NOT foolproof, but it does a pretty good job and at least gives me more time before Maxwell is up the stairs. :)

I found the idea at this link Merrimentdesign.  I put it on my to-do-list and it was always hanging in the back of my mind.  Then, about 2 months ago (at 8 months), Maxwell started to crawl up the stairs.every.chance.he.got.  So, something had to be done at the bottom of the stairs.  I did not want to screw into our banister so I had to find something else, that's when I finally made the fabric baby gate.  It's GREAT!

I made a few changes to the design partially, because I didn't have enough fabric, but mostly because I lack the sewing skills and was nervous!  I used a pre-quilted material for the back, that I was going to use to make crib rail covers, but decided instead to just go onto Etsy and buy these.  I was a little nervous to do the whole interfacing thing too.  I haven't sewn much and that seemed a little too much for me and my $50 machine.  I also did not use the velcro idea, because I was nervous to sew velcro, but also, because of the way our stairs are, I need to have an extra loop to attach to the wall.  I like how it turned out and I LOVE the fabric, from a local store.  So far my projects have been successful!!

Tatertots and Jello

Friends come to visit

2 weeks ago some friends from the Quad Cities came to visit... it was awesome to spend the whole weekend with the Lofgrens.  We don't get that kind of bonding time often!  Maxwell just loved having a play partner, Brielle.  Jackson had fun talking everyone's ear off.  We spent all day Saturday at the Mississippi River at our camper and we had so much fun just hanging out!!!  Come back to visit anytime soon!!

10 months

Maxwell is 10 months old (actually almost 10 1/2, but who's counting?)!  I just CAN'T believe that in less than 2 months Maxwell will be 1 year old!  Where has the last year gone?  Anyhoo, he is super active and I think pretty smart... but I might be biased.

What Maxwell is up to...

• He has 6 teeth, 4 on top, 2 on bottom
• He loves to crawl up on everything... he'll even push a box over to what he wants to climb up to so he can reach.  He'll do it with anything, really.
• Walks behind his car (at Just 10 months and 4 days he walked for the first time)
• He stands up, can squat down to pick something up, and takes a few steps.  But he gets quite excited and falls often.
• He is still not sleeping through the night, most nights he wakes up 1 time a night.
• He still is not very interested in a bottle, he prefers to nurse.
• Naps from 9:30-11am, 1pm-2:30pm... give or take
• He is wearing 12 month clothes.
• He loves to do "So big", clap, follow his brother around
• He makes car noises when he is playing with cars/trucks/tractors/trains, super cute.
• He loves music, it calms him down
• He loves to climb up onto Jackson's bed (or any bed) and he plays and falls and just has a great time, especially if Jackson is up there with him
• He LOVES to take a bath, he splashes, doesn't mind the water on his head, and will just stay in there until you have to get him out!
• Everyone comments on his smile.  He smiles all the time.  Maxwell is very happy and easy going, unless he is hungry or tired!! :)

Super Hero Shirt

I'm trying very hard to make birthday presents- it's hard sometimes, but I am trying!  Here is the newest creation.  It is a superhero t-shirt, I used heat transfer material cut out by my Silhouette machine.  Super easy- after I figured out that I had to take off the thick plastic transfer material and iron directly onto the cut-out.  This was done with an old iron and only for a couple of seconds.  It really helped get it to adhere to the shirt.

 Superhero t-shirt for Andy's cousin's son

9 Months

Maxwell is 9 months (and 2 weeks).  Where has the time gone?  My sweet little baby is going to be one before we know it!!  Here is a picture update. 

Walking Video

Well, I couldn't get this video to upload to the previous post- so I'll try it here, too!

Maxwell can walk!

Tonight we were all hanging out in the living room getting motivated to put the kiddos to bed and Maxwell decided to go from my chair to Andy's chair- walking!!  Of course I didn't get that first step on video, but soon after I got out the video recorder and we got him taking his few quick steps.  He was not as good after the first one, because Jackson got pretty excited and they get goofy together!! :)

I hope this video works.  If you can't get it via email, go to the blog:  http://morefromthemoorefamily.blogspot.com