Dear Michael,

Yesterday I had a forms response from my website from Michael Swan. His telephone # registered immediately b/c it's a 501 area code- which means, he's from Arkansas. However, when I replied, the email did not go through. Something about an invalid e-mail address. So, Michael, if you read this- I did try to respond, I just didn't try to call. For one, because I was, and my husband was, a little paranoid. It's not that often that a man completes a form response on hair bows. But, in answer to your question:

I can use an alligator clip. Actually, I use those most. Alligator clips hold fine hair and work best for younger girls. I can also add a non-slip gripper at no extra charge. Grippers help the clip hold the hair mor firmly in place.

So, if you read this- get back with me! Your e-mail address just wasn't valid. Oh, and I attempted to find you on facebook- but there are many Michael/Mike Swan's. Someone did tell me that we went to the same high school? Forgive me for not remembering if that is true! It's been 10 years!

T.V. Time

I've always imagined that Gretchen would one day lay down, like I use to do as a child, and watch t.v.

I never imagined that at 19 months old, she would be doing so.

She had a lazy Saturday. We close on our house tomorrow and can move in this coming weekend, so we are busy packing, which means, that Gretchen gets to be overly-spoiled with playing and t.v. watching.

She was laying here watching The Wiggles Saturday evening, as I was making a homemade pizza. It was too funny; it just made me think "teenager". So, I had to snap the picture!

After I took it she crawled over to me, so sneaky and giggly.

Fall.... is in the air! (already!)

Fall is in the air! Yes, I know it's early. But, after the weekend that we had I can tell that it won't be long before it is officially fall. I have mixed feelings about the seasons changing. On one hand, I'm glad- I love fall. I love the bonfires, the leaves changing colors and falling. Fall means football! Fall means pumpkin patches, warmer clothes, and pumpkin pie. But, it also means that the day of shorts and flip flops are over, along with laying by the pool. (Not that I do much laying.) It means that the long sunny days are over, and it means that after fall, the dreaded winter will be here. Now, I hate winter. I hate everything about it. Well, almost everything. I hate how cold it is, especially here in Indiana. I hate how much snow is on the ground. I do love Christmas though, it's my favorite holiday. And, I guess I can handle one snow, and that's it. Okay, back to fall, because I'm getting depressed.

Where was I? Oh yes, fall... and this past weekend. Wow! It was fall, or it felt like fall. We turned off the a/c had the windows open- wore pants and sweatshirts- so cozy! With the seasons changing, and holidays coming, I have to and have had to get busy with new projects! I'm slowly turning out my fall line of hair bows. I wanted to post a few that I did this weekend. I love how they turned out. Part of me is ready to get Gretchen's fall wardrobe... and match the bows to her clothes, and the other part is longing for a longer summer!

O-H-I-O!

I had an order from Abby, who has a little girl Gretchen's age and a new little baby boy! Abby is an avid OSU fan, and ordered a hair bow for her little girl and a paci clip for her little boy.

Abby, I hope you love them!

What a big girl!

There are times when I look at Gretchen and realize that she is growing. I mean, really growing. I still look at her as if she is my baby, but then I realize, she's not a baby anymore. She's growing and she's growing fast! Yesterday was one of those days.

It was rediculously cold for August; in the 70s. So, she had to wear an outfit that her gran had bought her for the fall season. I pulled it out of the closet, knowing that it would be great for what the weather was, and took it off the hanger. As soon as I did, I thought to myself, "there is no way this is going to fit her." The pants looked entirely too long, and the shirt just looked big. I didn't have a choice though, this was the "warmest" outfit that she has.

I managed to tackle her down to the ground. Okay, I didn't really tackle her, but she's going through a phase where she does not want her diaper changed or her clothes changed. But, I won! I pulled the pants up on her and much to my suprise- they fit! Well, they are a little long, but they fit. Next, I put on her shirt, again, it was a tiny bit big, well, long actually. But, it fits.

Of course, you know that I have to do her hair. A regular bow on the side of her head just wouldn't do yesterday. So, I managed to get her into my bathroom, and sat her on top of the counter- yes, that's where I do her hair. I sit her on top, and she can look in the mirror and play with all the stuff. I decided that a half ponytail would be the easiest option since we were in a hurry- we had to get to the mall!

Then, I pulled out her shoes, her new shoes. I bought these a few weeks ago at Target. Her shoes are pink with a flower on top, a size 5. She just started wearing a size 5 in July, so I figure that she will be in a size 5 well through the winter. Wrong! I'm sure that she'll soon be in a size 6 as I had to wiggle her foot into the shoe. Thankfully, they fit, and they'll fit for hopefully the next month or two.

So, she was all dressed- ready to go, and I looked at her. That's when it hit me, my baby isn't a baby anymore, she's all grown up!

I didn't take her picture until after we got home. This picture was taken right before dinner, so she was a little busy. I had to take 3, before I got a decent picture. I asked Gretchen to look at me for the first picture, and she turned and said "cheese"! I just laughed, it's so typical Gretchen. Of course, the dog got in the way of the first picture, which, is so typical Bailey.

So, this is the 3rd picture I took- she wouldn't stand up for the 2nd picture, she had to sit on the floor. But, look at her- look at how big she is! Wow! Oh, and for the record, she'll be 19 months this week on the 26th!!!!

Fan Jam!

Today was BSU's Fan Jam! Fan Jam allows you to meet the players, get autographs, posters, magnets, and free food. But, for us, it meant a little time spent with daddy!

Sadly, due to fall camp, DJ doesn't get to see Gretchen as much as he would like. We try to go to practice as often as possible, and see him as much as we can. Gretchen was very excited to go and see daddy. She has also learned to sign "football".

We took a few pictures today. Gretchen got a face tattoo from the cheerleaders, and we took her annual picture with Charlie the Cardinal (although, she is not his biggest fan!)

It's amazing to know how fast the summer has gone. Fan Jam officially marks that football season is here! Wow!

Lena

Lena looks stunning in her custom-made pink zebra pillow case dress and black hair bow!

Lena shows off how versatile these dresses can be with a cute pair of black capri leggings.

Adorable!

The girls are simply adorable in their "Cardinals" dresses and hair bows!

We are so happy that you love your items!

Play-doh

Today is the first day that I've gotten out the play-doh for Gretchen. She loves it! Much, more than I thought she would. She has been in her high chair for at least 30 minutes playing with the play-doh. I have tried to put it away, but after throwing a little tantrum, I give it right back. Yes, I'm rewarding her bad behavior, but it's keeping her entertained so I'm giving in.

Me's Zoo

Gretchen and I went with our friends Melissa and Justin to Me's zoo on Saturday. Me's zoo is a private zoo in Parker City, In. Unfortunately, it will be closing in September b/c the cost to run the zoo is too much. Thankfully, we were able to get out there before it closes, but we will miss not having such a fun place to go visit.

Gretchen and Justin playing in the houses.
Watching a monkey swing.

Walking over to see the pigs.

They weren't too sure about the bears, especially once they started to fight.

Getting food out of the cups.

Looking at the animals.

Football!

We have finished our football orders, that we have had, so I wanted to share pictures. I love how everything turned out! Most importantly, I hope our customers love how it all turned out.