August Scrapology Card Challenge - Milestones

Hello everyone and welcome to the August card challenge for Scrapology.  This month, Sandra challenged us to make a card with the theme of "milestones".

Well, a close friend and former colleague mentioned on the phone that her 40th wedding anniversary was coming up - and I thought it would be nice to send her a card.  Great coincidence that it could also serve dual purpose for our challenge!

Red = "ruby" so I searched through my scraps bag and found this piece of patterned paper.  I do really like monochrome cards and find myself making them quite often. 



I have also been turning to my Creative Memories square punch quite often and have used this fundamental design as a basis for many cards.  The hardest thing is to properly align the squares of paper to the card so it doesn't look like a botch job! 

I know this card will still be too busy for my friend, as she told me that she likes very graphic designs with lots of white space.  So I have left it very simple - added a strip of wide coordinating satin ribbon and softened the edge with my Martha Stewart iron fence border punch. 

I stuck most of the flowers down with glue dots but the leafy flourish, the numbers and the flower centres with wet glue. 

I had made the card and took a photo - and realised that I had attached the ribbon with a crease in it!  Normally I don't worry too much about that kind of thing, but this time it really showed up in the photo much more than in real life - so I very carefully got out the iron, and dealt with the crease.  I was a bit concerned before I started that I would damage the card more than fix it, but luckily the iron did its job with no detriment and this time the photo was greatly improved. 

I hope my friend likes her card but more importantly, has a lovely celebration!

Supplies:
Patterned paper -
Bazzill cardstock, white and red
Creative Memories Square punch set
Plastic numbers
Various flowers
White bead flower centres
Die-namics My Favourite Things Leafy Flourish die
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four
Wide Red Satin Ribbon
Scrappy Glue
3d Foam
Glue Dots

Why don't you join in with our challenge and create a card with a "milestones" theme?  As usual, there is a fab prize to be won!

Nine month milestones - April 2012

This month has sped by and has seen so many changes, it is quite astonishing. 

Lewis - you love to study things intently and examine things in minute detail - you love to feel the texture of the car seat and we often hear you scratching away on a drive.  You love to look at the flecks in the carpet and run your hands over various surfaces - you particularly love your elephant's tail and the satiny feel of the playmat.  Daddy and I say that you are examining the atomic particles!

Henry - you are motoring along now and we can't believe your ground speed.  You have developed a circuit whereby you will crawl between Mummy's sofa and the wall.  You especially love the icecream tub on the bottom of the change unit and get that out and smash your green alligator against the tub.  You then proceed to the doorway and have now learnt how the door works by swinging it back and forward and smashing it back against the sideboard.  Rubber stoppers need to be purchased forthwith!  You love to whack your hand on the kitchen floor and feel how hard the texture is.  We think you discovered this when you reached for the wine rack and smashed a bottle of white wine on the floor.  It was very fortunate that Daddy was standing right by so he could rescue you before you went for a swim in it, or worse - cut your hands on the broken glass.  Needless to say, the bottles no longer reside on the lower shelves of the wine rack!

You are both cutting more teeth, and now have four on the top.  This has been a hard time for you Lewis, as you have your hands always in your mouth and seem to be in pain some of the time.

Henry - you have now learned to wave as well as clap. We were notified of a potential modelling assignment for you for a milk formula company - they also wanted to include the parents. That is why we think you were not short-listed! I think you'll have better luck when they want you on your own. 

You both love to play "boo" and Henry, we have lovely games when you open and shut the door and peer around it, waiting for a reaction. You are increasingly interacting with each other now and it is delightful - except when Lewis is used as a climbing frame!

We can't wait to see what happens next ....

Eighth Month Milestones - March 2012

Lewis, we have seen a great leap forward for you this month.  Just after seven months, your hand to eye coordination has really improved, along with your willingness to try new foods. Your first tooth  appeared on the first weekend in March when Daddy was looking after you both on his own. 

Henry, your third tooth also appeared this weekend.  By the end of March, you each have five teeth - both are through at the front and three at the bottom.

 

Henry - you have now mastered the art of crawling and are going forward on your hands and knees staying close to the ground.  Boys, you are both able to raise yourself right up on your hands at the front and we often see you watching TV like this!

Henry, you learnt to clap your hands on Friday 23rd March, and it was fantastic to see.  You are ever more adventurous and curious about the world around you, and watch us intently - especially when we are operating gadgets like remote controls, mobile phones or our computers.  You are very nearly standing on your own, though of course we need to hold your arms to prevent you from falling over!  You love to chew unusual things - nothing is safe - the lounge curtains, the bedroom curtains, or the shoelaces in our shoes!

Lewis, you are reaching out more for toys or other things that interest you, and now we also have to watch you around the gas pipe.  We are pleased you hold your own, especially when Henry swoops in to take away a toy or bottle from you.  Daddy and I have often watched you both engage in tug of war to win the control of a teething ring or favourite toy. However, this is often done in great spirits and often amuses you both!

Your hair has thickened up amazingly this month and you both now have fine heads of hair.

Grandma and Grandad came for a visit one day and tested the strength in your legs to stand up. 

You both love to bounce up and down whenever you get an opportunity. 

You both especially love to chat when you are having your nappies changed - for some reason, late at night seems to be your most vocal time.  We do hope that changes in the near future! 

Seven Months Old

Henry and Lewis, you are seven months old today (6th Feb). 

Henry, your first tooth broke through on Sunday, 29th January, with the second coming through today! 



Your hand to eye coordination has developed even more from last month, and you are reaching out for food like pieces of dried apple, rusks and such like.  You eat everything that is given to you with enthusiasm and gusto.  You are still trying to bite and chew everything in sight - that includes items of furniture and articles of clothing - particularly relating to your feet! 

Your motor skills are increasing every day - you can particularly control your hands and fingers with deliberate actions and in the last week or so we have started to see your pincer movement with your fingers and thumb. 



This means that you are increasingly taking the opportunity to stick fingers into your brother's face and ears, and delight in pulling our cheeks, lips or ears when we pick you up.  You are able to hold on tight when you are carried anywhere and you are trying to use bits of furniture to pull yourself up!  I often see you with your legs wrapped around the jungle gym and it seems as though you are trying to climb up the overhead supports - even more like a monkey! 

You love to spend time on your back and look up at the ceiling, and kick your legs very energetically when you get excited - which is usually when you see Mummy or Daddy approaching, or you know it is mealtime. 

I often see you staring intently at people and surroundings, especially if it involves food.  Henry, you will reach out and move towards toys you want to play with, and often squeal with excitement or anticipation when you are happy.

Both of you seemed to enjoy spending time with me in the kitchen last Friday when I was making chicken casserole for the whole family. It meant that I could multi-task and feed you at the same time! Definitely a more productive way to get things done for everyone and also give you a change of scenery.



We are very thankful that you both enjoy going out in the buggy, or for a drive in your car seats.  We rarely hear you cry when out and about unless you are hungry.  Lewis, you will more often than not go to sleep, and we often hear Henry happily babbling to yourself throughout an entire car journey! 

Lewis - we are having a struggle with you eating your savoury foods, but it is lovely to know that you are generally regarded as the smiley one when we go out. 



Your personality is emerging more every day, and Mummy can usually ensure a giggle when I sing "little brown jug" - at the "ha ha ha, hee hee hee..."

You love to sleep with your hands behind your head, looking for all the world like you are enjoying sunbathing on your lounger.  Roberta tells me that is the sign of a happy baby - and that is very positive reinforcement for me to hear.  The other morning, I found you at the top of the cot, minus your sleeping bag!  Goodness only knows how you managed to wriggle out of it, especially with the two press studs undone at the top. 

Lewis, you spend a long time on your tummy, looking up towards people in the room, or around you.  Daddy tells me that he is convinced that you respond when your name is called.  You particularly seem to get bored and frustrated just lying on the ground, and seem much happier when you are put into your bouncy chair or high chair for a break in routine, especially in the late afternoon.

When we put you both into the bouncer on the doorframe for the first time on Saturday, you both loved it.  Henry, you seem to be stronger in the legs, but we were surprised that Lewis, you looked very graceful, like a ballet dancer, pointing your toes when bouncing. 

It was no surprise to use when I had you weighed last Friday that Lewis, you have now outstripped Henry - though not by much!  Lewis, you now weigh 8.89kg, or 19lb 6 oz - and Henry, you are now 8.74kg, or 19lb 3 oz!  No wonder Mummy gets tired when lifting you up and down several times a day. 

Lewis, you are increasingly "finding your voice" - though your shrieks and cries can often be ear splitting and uncomfortably loud!  Maybe you will be a rock star when you grow up - the journey to discover who and what you are both meant to be will be eternally fascinating to Daddy and I.

12 week milestones

So much is happening, that it is hard to keep up with all your changes.  Lewis, it is amazing to watch you raise both legs into the air at the same time and then let them fall to the bottom of your moses basket or onto the ground - you're not called "little thumper" for nothing!  Since about 10 weeks, you have been smiling a lot more and it is so lovely to see.  Last Saturday, you had your first proper laugh at Daddy and he was really thrilled. 

At 11 weeks, you boys seemed to "see" each other and were checking each other out. 

Henry, you are happy and laughing a lot of the time, and it is naughty but it makes me laugh a lot when I see Daddy and you sticking your tongues out at each other.  I hope this is not a habit that will continue! 



You are both becoming more animated and a lot more alert.  Henry, you seem to focus a lot more on people's faces and respond directly to facial expressions. Lewis, you seem to respond more to items around you and enjoyed being on the bear mat and playing with the mobile.

Henry, you are cooing a lot more and spend a lot of time making cute little sounds.  With the really hot and very summery weather this week, you got a chance to spend a lot of time in your bouncers in the garden in your summer outfits.  These Pooh suits are one of my favourites and I am so pleased you got some wear out of them this beautiful week. 

Grandma Jones came with me today to the baby clinic to get you both weighed.  Henry, you weighed 13lb and 15oz - 1 oz off one stone!  And Lewis, you have nearly caught up with Henry at 13lb 12oz. 



You have both crept up to the 50th percentile on the growth charts, and the health visitors are very happy with your progress.  Mummy and Daddy both look forward to seeing what happens next!