Alcott the Elephant

 I am so excited to post about this!  This is the first amigurumi (crocheted toy) pattern that I have made up.  For our ward activity in April, we did a service raffle.  I raffled off 'crochet a toy' as my service.  The family that won that prize wanted an elephant.  Usually I find a pattern using Pinterest and just do that.  I couldn't find a pattern I really like though.  So, I thought I would use the knowledge I have gained from crocheting amigurumi for the last year.  I finished Perry a little over a year ago.  I have done lots of things since then.  I was able to make this pattern up on my own from looking at a bunch of other elephants and I made it up as I went.  I made sure to write it all down, and maybe someday I will make it available so you can make your own if you want.  If you like Alcott and would like a pattern, please let me know so I can make it available.

Albric is Ten Months Old

Albric turned 10 months old on Saturday.  We had a fun day celebrating his uncle's mission homecoming/Easter with his cousins.  He got two more teeth last month.  He learned to shake his head 'No.'  He got his first sunburn on Saturday.  He is getting better at standing on his own, and he is learning to walk.  He usually only gets a few steps before he falls, but I'm sure he'll get better by next month.  He still loves exploring and finding new things.  And he still loves his family best of all. 

Oops. Albric is Nine Months Old

I forgot to update at Albric's Nine month mark.  At nine months, he had six teeth.  He learned how to high five and give kisses.  We actually still have not had his check up yet, so no weight stats.  He started doing a cheesy smile and I love it!  He is so cute and so sweet.  He loves me and wants to be with me even if I'm scrubbing the toilet.  He also likes to tip over our recycling bin, pull everything out and play with the garbage.  He figured out how to open the cupboard and pull all my dishes out.  He loves exploring and hates to be confined.  I love him so much!

Albric is Eight Months Old

I can't believe it's already time for a monthly update on my babe.  He is my sweet little one.  He cut one more tooth and now his dragon teeth will disappear as the center ones grow out.  He learned to clap and his smile is heart-melting.  Lately he has had a cough, and it seems he won't sleep unless I'm holding him. He is pulling himself to standing, and is 'cruising' along the furniture.  His hair is longer now, and it is difficult to style it in a mohawk.  It usually ends up curling over.  I got out the 9 month clothes for him last week.  It is hard to see him grow so fast.  I wish he'd stay my little one a little longer.

Library Quiet Book Page

I have had this idea floating around in my head for the last two years, and I finally did it.  My last quiet book page was a bus.  Since we rode the bus to the library a lot (right now we drive because our situation is a little different), I wanted the bus to be driving to the library.  I've been thinking I would make little puppets to ride the bus, and do other things.  Last week, I finally sat down and designed a library page.  After a Pinterest search for 'library quiet page' came up with no real results, I knew I had to come up with my own design (which I have done before).  It was pretty fun.  I knew I wanted shelves with spots for books to come out.  I started by making the books themselves.  I embroidered the words on a white rectangle, then sewed it to the colored covers.  Then I sewed a line up the spine so they would stay folded.  Then I made the shelves and cut random sized rectangles to be the other books.  Sewing on all the other books took me 3 days, but I love the bookcase.  Then I sewed the bookcase to the page.  I then sewed a pocket in the places I wanted my free books to go.  Then I embroidered the comfy reading chairs on to complete my page.  Calvin loved the little books and 'read' them over and over.  I hope he will enjoy it when I get it into my book.  I still need to design the little puppets.  My next page will be a bathroom complete with a bubble bath, and I am really excited for it.