kro designs

I had no idea these things existed until my middle child had a friend come over and play. He walked in with this beat up tin box.  I wasn't sure what to make of it so I hovered around the two of them to make sure it wasn't something weird(er). Apparently you launch these tops into a vessel and try to knock your opponent out. Interesting.. On Saturday seeing as how we had only one thing on the calender and he was bored, middle child invented his own type of Beyblades using LEGO parts. These are assembled L to R bottom to top.  I have no idea what the Lego's original purpose was, so don't ask.   We have 4 total. Each one has an identifying brick on top. I told him to get the Supper Nacho pan out because saying a 9 by 13 is inconsequential to an 8 year old.  He picked out the 9x9 instead. Whatever. I haven't figured out the rules yet but I'm pretty sure he hasn't either. For all of you who are my age or older, I suspect the level of ingenuity to m...

There are so many of you who have given your time or gifts to Luke and I wanted to show how much I appreciate that.  Since I haven't been mentally able to be crafty, my Hubby gave me "half a day off" on Saturday to stretch my creative legs.  And I was truly giddy! It all started on Friday when I went to coffee with a girlfriend.  As a side note, I managed not to wear any maternity cloths for the first time. I was truly giddy about that too! Anyway... She gave me this baby organizer and a cute card. As much as I loved the planner, the card was exciting to see. It's called dry embossing.  I've done the wet one with the glitter and the heat gun but this was much subtler. After a quick Target run, I was off to Micheal's! This is what I found.  I wanted to find something other than Martha Crafts but it was the superior product. I must have been desperate,  I didn't use a coupon! Gasp! It comes with these metal plates that I taped to my ligh...

Has Spring really come? The calendar says so. The lawn furniture at Target says so. But our weather here in Minnesota...is not talking. We just got done with 6 more inches of snow and all those weather people say we are still not done. Really?!    This plant is the only thing that looks like spring around here.  Luke got it for a present but I'm the one who gets to enjoy this one. This lone bud was the first to come up.    Now it has Hyacinths, Daffodils and Crocus' coming up. Oh I wish I saw some part of spring outside. Do squirrels count?

I'm falling... fast... asleep. Update: My mother writes me today: photo #1 - Oh, I feel so good....full tummy, warm blanket...someone to hold me.... photo #2 - Opps!....I can't control my eyes..... Photo #3 - ZZZZZZZ!

There are points in time I wish I could capture with pictures.  They fade before I realize their passing and life has changed in a second.  I've decided to dedicate every Friday post to one, still, quiet moment from where I sit.  I hope it inspires you to stop and take heed for just one moment.

Dogs.  I've never been a fan of dogs.  I tried for years to put off getting  a dog because my hubby wanted one for the "kids" (for himself-hunting). Now we have two . One points out the birds, the other one fetches. They're team players. The dogs are slowly adjusting to life with a little one around but one in particular is having a rough time. Every time she is around Luke she sniffs him up and down. At first I thought she was checking him out but now I'm convinced it's because of all the protein liquids he's spills on "himself" (and me). I'm sure they will make great protectors of Luke as they are of the older boys.  I've startled the dogs in the middle of the night and they immediately went to protective mode but then realized it was me (thankfully). Until I can manage a baby, stroller, no snow and two dogs these guys will have to wait for a walk.  In the mean time they can hang out with us!

I love food! I love food, a lot!  Not average joe food but food that nourishes my soul too.   I'm one of those people who'd rather cook than go out because I'm better at it than some restaurants. Some would call me a food snob. And they are right. I insisted I didn't need any help with meals once the baby came.   "I can do it...I'm Supermom".   Where's my humble pie! So when my friend Melissa said she'd bring over a meal, I didn't even think about refusing.  See, she and I would have lengthy discussions on the baseball sideline about food.  What was in the crockpot for after the game, where we shopped. She's the reason we have hamburger sliders now. Last night she brought over chicken quarters with cheezy pasta and corn. Oh my goodness, did I eat like a farm hand. It was the best comfort food I could have wanted. I'd been eating salads for days trying to loose the baby weight and this just hit the spot. She also brought over cake...

Twins single game tickets went on sale last Saturday.  Which, in a round about way, means we've officially hit spring around the Oedekoven household. To honor baseball and the fact that snow has to be melted off the ground to play the sport, which inturn means that we will be rid of snow soon, which also means we are headed into full on spring (are you following me?!), I whipped up a little project for our newest family member.(BEFORE HE WAS BORN - for all of you who think I'm an overachiever.) A couple days before I gave birth my mom and I went to a fabulous knitting store. (which I will share with you later)  I asked her for a baseball hat pattern.  I had in mind just a simple white skull cap with red stitching on it (to make it look like a baseball) but she handed me this instead. Sure! Why not get it?! I've got nothing better to do, other than give birth, right?!? Then I opened it up and saw I did not have to pay attention to gauge!  Bingo - I can be bra...

Some of you are asking about the toilet in the nursery .  Is it still there? Is the bathroom done? Well... The toilet is no longer in the nursery. (thank the Lord above!) The bathroom is not finished yet either but, the grouting is done (yeah!) Here is what the nursery looked like before baby Luke arrived. EEK!   There is a lot to explain here. But I'm not going to torture you like that. Let just say a whole lot of crap to deal with. And After Ahh...much better!

There are points in time I wish I could capture with pictures.  They fade before I realize their passing and life has changed in a second.  I've decided to dedicate every Friday post to one, still, quiet moment from where I sit.  I hope it inspires you to stop and take heed for just one moment.

Why do men give cigars away after the birth of a child? A commenter at the website Cigar Blog 101 traces the custom to the era of Milton: "The custom of giving away cigars to celebrate the birth of a child had its origin in the latter part of the 17th century. Cigars were quite rare and they were to be treasured - Thus, when a man parted with a cigar it was an expression of deep emotional appreciation." Our middle child is beside himself giddy in the fact he is now an older brother.  To egg him on a little bit, I put together a gift he can pass out at school to help him celebrate in his own way.   In a cellophane bag I put a few green kisses and finished it off with some homemade shamrock twist ties. One side says "I'm Lucky!" The other says "I'm a big brother now!" I managed to tie having a baby with St. Patrick's Day. I must be sleep deprived!

Looking at this picture can you tell which thing is my absolute favorite? The bottle brush! It's not that I didn't know they existed. I just thought they were another gadget I didn't need. "I could just wash them like I used to (a decade ago)." Not so fast, my friend!   Wise old Karen (mother of 5) dropped by with some essentials I didn't even know I needed and this was one of them. Not only is it speedy and fits perfect in bottles but.... ...it has a nipple brush on the end  AND has a suction cup so it doesn't sit in a pool of water on the counter! Who new my life would be fulfilled with such silly things... Alright next photo....Guess what is my lifesaver in this pic. Was that too easy?!

Luke Gilbert Oedekoven 7lbs. 14 oz. 21 1/4" Born: 3/12/11 He's a Red Headed Snuggler!

 I am blessed to be from a long line of homemakers! Crafty women blankets from top to bottom: Me My Mom My Mom  My grandmother-in-law My grandmother I believe I have the warmest baby ever! This is just a smattering of handmade blankets we have which doesn't include the 6 or so my mother-in-law has done.  They are a little too big for the baby at present but will get them out of storage soon.

...and I'll cry if I want to. The turkey timer has not popped up yet. The bun is still in the oven. Use all the euphemisms you want, I'm still pregnant . My body is notorious for holding new ones hostage for far too long but the OB assured me it wouldn't be much longer. Thanks for all your well wishes. I'll let you know~

My hubby gets mad when I leave my iron on.  He says he smells something hot sometimes, goes in the quilt room and finds it on.  I thought I bought one with an automatic shut off.  Apparently not. I left my quilt room to finish browning some meat one night and left it and my sewing machine on thinking I'd be back down to take care of it quickly.  I got distracted, we finished dinner and I rushed the mob out the door for basketball practice. Then I smelled something fishy... Yes...you guessed it!  My iron fell to the floor and burned a hole in my rug clear down to the pad! I've cleaned off the iron now, looks good as new but it still smells funny when it gets hot.  So, I have it in the garage and turn it on and off in 10 min intervals because it smells like burnt carpet.  I don't think it's a good idea to use it until the smell goes away.  Thank goodness for back-up irons. Wish I could say the same about the carpet!