Very cute!!!

If you know me at all you know Im all for random. Thank you! And enjoy it!!! I LOVEd making food for all three of my kiddos...email if you have any questions! ~Crystal

The striped piece is the burp cloth, not the swaddle sheet it is sewn as you describe. hth, crystal Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Learn more.

People say he looks like Ash all the time. And he does! And I should probably start praying NOW that I wont be that mother in law. I already squish his cheeks and tell him he can live with me forever. For some reason, I feel like Im raising my girls to be independent and very capable. And I feel like they already are - I can tell they will be very able to care for themselves. But Little Man? I keep thinking, he NEEDS me! I indulge that a little, because he was a surprise baby, and having a boy was an almost bigger surprise, so Im enjoying that. But I know Im going to be teaching him to be capable, independent, and a loving husband, too... To: [email protected]

Comfort Gray by Sherwin Williams. To: [email protected]

Dayna, believe it or not I couldnt believe he was so white. ;) And when he told me he doesnt tan I went so far as to try to prove him wrong bc I just couldnt believe it. An hour after dousing him in baby oil (!) and laying out with him, the poor man was a lobster! He looked at me, all pink and wincing and just said, See, I told you. How can you NOT date someone who will go through that for you? To: [email protected]

No, I didnt make these...wish I had! Ive started breaking down and buying the things I love on Etsy. Much less frustrating and costs about the same!!! To: [email protected]

What do you mean-print it out and use it - of course! To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] Rhonda submitted a comment to crochet pattern: in-a-jiffy slippers for your princess Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:15:46 -0800

Everyone gets the impression that I have immaculate floors and I DO NOT HAVE IMMACULATE FLOORS - by any stretch. I get a flood of light in my kitchen in the afternoon and between the white walls and cabinets and all the light, it reflects off of the floor enough that you can't see all the milk stains and crumbs in the cracks in my pictures. In real life, though, you can see it all almost too well for the same reason - all that light. You would laugh if you actually saw my floors...in fact, I think I discovered a pee stain this afternoon. ;) To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] Elizabeth submitted a comment to 'the blankie game'. Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:24:07 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email NEW! More options for replying to comments via email: To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below. To reply publicly on your blog, reply to this email. A new comment from “Elizabeth” was received on the post “the blankie game” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: Your floors look immaculate. Even the baseboards. Can you please come to my house??? PS Great pictures as always!!! Commenter name: Elizabeth Commenter email: [email protected] IP address: 69.142.54.153 Authentication: None Enjoy! The TypePad Team P.S.: Learn more about replying to comments. Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

I'm pretty sure our library has a program where all you have to do is put in a request for an item and they'll stock it. The thing is, I've used it before and it can take anywhere from weeks to months to get it in - and in the end I'm looking for an entire shelf to choose from, not a specific cd to rent for two weeks. BUT, having said that, I'm sure they would be willing to at least START stocking them if I were to just ask. So I will definitely try that before getting into too much a huff. ;) ITo: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] Misty.Creek submitted a comment to 'friday find: audible.com & audiblekids.com'. Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:17:53 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email NEW! More options for replying to comments via email: To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below. To reply publicly on your blog, reply to this email. A new comment from “Misty.Creek” was received on the post “friday find: audible.com & audiblekids.com” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: If your library doesn't have what you want, ask for it! As a librarian in a former life (before kiddies), we always got what the public wanted unless it was out of print or impossible. So, Crystal, if your local little library doesn't have books on CD that you want, talk to the children's librarian and put in a formal request. I'm sure you're not the only parent wanting/needing that resource. Commenter name: Misty.Creek Commenter email: [email protected] IP address: 74.140.4.44 Authentication: None Enjoy! The TypePad Team P.S.: Learn more about replying to comments. Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

No, no boring here...especially not since Ashlyn joined the clan! To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] celia submitted a comment to 'this is ashlyn praying'. Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:22:02 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email NEW! More options for replying to comments via email: To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below. To reply publicly on your blog, reply to this email. A new comment from “celia” was received on the post “this is ashlyn praying” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: Lol... she's just so fun! There's not a single boring moment in your home!!!! lol... Commenter name: celia Commenter email: [email protected] Commenter URL: http://celiaescuela.blogspot.com IP address: 80.25.93.218 Authentication: None Enjoy! The TypePad Team P.S.: Learn more about replying to comments. Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Thanks for the advice. They did have a home eval person come in. I think they have quite a few obstacles, but we will see... Best, Crystal To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] Jen submitted a comment to 'losing independence'. Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:50:20 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email NEW! More options for replying to comments via email: To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below. To reply publically on your blog, reply to this email. A new comment from “Jen” was received on the post “losing independence” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: Crystal, I'm chiming in so late, sorry! Not sure if you ever knew...but I'm a Physical Therapist. I work with elderly folks and I can tell you that a broken hip does not have to be the beginning of the end. :-) They can definitely move back home, but it is of utmost importance to have someone (a physical therapist, occupational therapist, RN) do a home evaluation to see what needs to be done to make the home safe. Things such as: removing throw rugs, moving phone cords, electrical cords, and furniture out of the flow of traffic. Installing grab bars in bathtubs / shower stalls, as well as non-slip pads. Ordering raised toilet seats and shower seats (this should be done prior to leaving the rehab hospital), for the return home. A home health aide can come to the home and help cook simple meals and do light house cleaning 1-5 days a week, and it's fairly affordable. I think it's important that they both stay as active as possible, and have someone "safe" to talk to their feelings about. Most folks don't want to "burden" a family member with the feelings that come along with aging and the accompanying issues. Hope this helps!! Hugs, Jennifer Commenter name: Jen Commenter email: [email protected] Commenter URL: http://www.cheeseinmyshoe.blogspot.com IP address: 76.185.179.206 Authentication: None Enjoy! The TypePad Team P.S.: Learn more about replying to comments. Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Someone else mentioned those as well. I'll have to check into it. Something tells me our library won't have them but I can always see! To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] keri submitted a comment to 'friday find: audible.com & audiblekids.com'. Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:45:18 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email NEW! More options for replying to comments via email: To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below. To reply publically on your blog, reply to this email. A new comment from “keri” was received on the post “friday find: audible.com & audiblekids.com” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: Crystal - Our library has these new items called "playaways" they are books but on an ipod type mechanism. You buy ear phones (once) for $1 and listen away. Have adult and kids books. My daughters have been really enjoying these. The latest was Wizard of Oz! Commenter name: keri Commenter email: [email protected] IP address: 72.81.234.221 Authentication: None Enjoy! The TypePad Team P.S.: Learn more about replying to comments. Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

I'm glad you've found some of the older posts a bit comforting. You will be surprised at how strong you became when your family is finally on the other side of this deployment. Thanks to your family for all you continue to do for our country. Wishing you peace, strength, and safety, Crystal To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] rachel submitted a comment to 'he was a soldier once'. Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:55:06 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email NEW! More options for replying to comments via email: To reply privately to the commenter, click on the commenter's email address below. To reply publically on your blog, reply to this email. A new comment from “rachel” was received on the post “he was a soldier once” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: I just found your blog a few weeks ago and I wanted to say thanks. My husband has been deployed for 9 months now and I am still adjusting to being without him and being a mom to our 9 month old son(my husband left the day after he was born). Your blog posts from that time in your families life brings up emotions that I sometimes would rather not face, but it also helps me know that this will be over soon and we can be a "normal" family again. THanks again and your family is beautiful! Commenter name: rachel Commenter email: [email protected] Commenter URL: http://becomingblissfullydomestic.blogspot.com/ IP address: 72.178.156.95 Authentication: None Enjoy! The TypePad Team P.S.: Learn more about replying to comments. Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

:) ... I was just thinking tonight that I need to go ahead and update it. Every time I want to write something, though, I don't always have an image to go with it...and then I wait for the right time to take a pic...and, well, you know how it goes when you wait for the perfect time for anything... To: [email protected] Subject: [My Longest Year] Brianna Dupuy submitted a comment to 'still trying to convince you I AM here...'. Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 15:11:51 -0700 From: [email protected] TypePad HTML Email A new comment from “Brianna Dupuy” was received on the post “still trying to convince you I AM here...” of the blog “My Longest Year”. Comment: Dear Crystal... I miss you... Not in a freak, stalker way, just in an addicted to that blog, when is it going to be updated way. I'm just saying..... ;0) Commenter name: Brianna Dupuy Commenter email: [email protected] Commenter URL: http://brianna-theroaditravel.blogspot.com/ IP address: 168.68.129.127 Authentication: None If you would like to publish a reply to this comment you can do so by writing a response on the post “still trying to convince you I AM here...”. Enjoy! The TypePad Team Published Unpublish Delete Mark as Spam Edit Comment Six Apart, creators of Movable Type, Vox and TypePad. 548 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 Manage Notifications | Support | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Love this! So cute--you're going to love carrying it about...

He's so grown! Is little man able to use it very well? My oldest started using the internet pretty much by herself (pbskids.org exclusively) at around 20-24 months. Its amazing how easily she picked it up and learned to navigate and play games. I think some video games can be a healthy medium, just as TV can be - because its interactive. I used to say in my workshops that the TV box by itself isn't dangerous, its the way people consume it that this. We have to approach everything in life with balance and purpose. They're adorable.

Wow, awesome. Love what you picked up!

YUM!

mm, this looks really good. i'll have to give it a try

have you tried etsy for the patterns? i'm always seeing cute finished pieces there, and i know a lot of those folks also sell their patterns.