Keep me warm, please

While I was on maternity leave, I decided to use my mom's sewing machine again and make myself a cute scarf. Instructions can be found here if you're interested. I love my new scarf and am so glad it helps keep me warm amidst the freezingness.

Monday was my first day back to work. My boss is so great and will let me work part-time for a couple weeks to ease my way back into the swing of things. I was excited to see everyone at work, but I definitely missed my sweet boy the whole entire time. Sunday night when Emerson was asleep and I was supposed to be sleeping, I was instead wishing I could be holding and snuggling him. I didn't wake him since I needed to sleep, but I sure longed to just cradle him all night long. Anyway, work was fine and I am so grateful to have a job that provides for our needs while we're still in grad school. My mom has offered to take care of Emerson while I'm at work. I couldn't ask for a better daycare option - there isn't anyone else I can think of that I would rather watch him more than my own mom. Isn't she the greatest?!

Also, here's our first official family picture:

(This is my pleated scarf.)

Out with the Old

Ever since I can remember, I've had a 'little pillow' to sleep with on top of my regular-sized pillow.  My sisters have each been given one as well once they were old enough to use pillows.  When I got married, Will would steal my pillow since it was so comfortable to sleep on.  For one of his birthdays, I got him his own and now we both have little pillows.  To make our pillows soft and comfy (and cute, too), my mom would make little pillowcases to fit on them.  Will just got my spare pillowcase since I didn't have a sewing machine to make another one for him.  Well as time has gone on and the pillowcases have been washed, they have worn into pretty much nothing but shredded fabric pieces.  They have gotten to the point where all I have to do is pick up my pillowcase and it gets another tear somewhere.

On this one, the entire length of the seam tore.  At least it made for easy removal.

A few days ago, I used my mom's sewing machine to fashion some new pillowcases for us out of what fabric my mom and I could find.  I realize it's not very masculine (Will was kind enough to point that out to me), but they work and are super comfortable to sleep on.  I also decided to make some corn bags to help keep warm during this frigid winter now that my internal oven no longer resides with me 24/7.  I'm sure Emerson will be getting a little pillow for one of his birthdays someday.  Maybe then I'll splurge and buy some dang cute little boy fabric for him and his dad and keep the girly cases for myself.

Santa Clause

On Christmas day, we braved the cold and the public by taking Emerson on his first outing to see his Great-Grampie in the rehab center. 

While we were there, Santa Clause was going around to all the rooms to wish everyone a Merry Christmas so we stole a picture with him.