A Very Special Blanket

I have a couple of blankets and quilts from my childhood- they've come out into our blanket box since Charlotte has been here- it's nice to snuggle up into one of them while watching tv and eating popcorn- or if I'm feeling a little sick, or tired.
I wanted Charlotte to have something like that too! She has a couple quilts that were made for her- that we love and cherish- but this idea- this is something every special.
It's just a blanket, tied, not quilted. Once she got down to it, it only took my Mum an hour or two to complete. She's a quilter, but I don't think you would need to have any major expertise in the area- just some basic knowledge and a sewing machine!

I saved Charlotte's onsies and t-shirts from the first year of her life-- her first christmas, easter, new years, and all the cutsie ' I love Daddy' and 'Princess' shirts. Most of her clothes goes to her little cousin, but not these- I knew I wanted to save them for something special.

We cut them up- sewed them together, and made a blanket. Flannel backing- comfy-warm and wonderful.

Now- I had this idea when she was very tiny- so sometimes, before a holiday, I would go on a hunt for a goo shirt, or perposly try to not get lots of stains on a shirt because it would be perfect in the blanket... I know, I know!
I got the idea from my Mum- she made one for herself out of a bunch of her running shirts-- she's a runner, and often at races you get a cotton shirt when you register with the name of the race on it. Those shirts get much more use being put in a blanket than they would in the back of her closet!
She also made one for my brother... maybe this is turning into a family tradition!
But really- you could do it with anything-- swim meet, or figure skating competition shirts, soccer jerseys, kid's favourite clothing.... no limit!


Here are some pictures

I'm so glad I have a mother who can do something like this! It will forever be cherished!

Diaper Fairy

Well, about 8 months ago, when Charlotte was still drinking her milk from bottles (and had become quite attached to them) We told her that the 'Bottle Fairy' was going to come and take her bottles to the babies who needed them and she could use a sippy cup for her milk. She was so proud and so happy. And the transition was a BREEZE! we talked about it for a few days before ad a few days after, and she was fine!

So- now that shes just about 2.5 we've decided that the Diaper Fairy will arrive! A few months back she was very interested in going pee and poop on the potty- so of course, we encouraged it- but then she got constipated and decided that her diapers were the best place to pee and poop. Her language skills are quite good- and so she tells us that she will pee and poop in her diaper- because she can- because she has them.

So- now, that she is a big girl, the diaper fairy will be coming to give her left over diapers to the babies!
We've been talking about it for a while, and she's excited! We decided, since we were going to have only panties, and pull-ups for transitions and sleeps ( hopefully not for too long)- we would also change her to her toddler bed (take the rails off her crib). That way- when we take her to try to pee on the potty during the night, I can actually reach her! (I'm very short!)

So tonight I wrote a note for the fairy, with the help of Charlotte. and she collected all her diapers into a bag- ones from the diaper bag, and from her room

and now... look what she woke up to in the morning! How exciting!

and here she is pretending to sleep in her 'new' big-girl bed!

She is growing up WAY too fast! But this growing up thing is fun! it's a new adventure every day!