Bumpy Trip {I-40 through Arkansas!}

Big one fell asleep at the table yesterday, bottle in hand, quesadilla untouched. She just could not keep her eyes open for one more second. An apt description of the entire family recovering from our trip to Arkansas this weekend.

DH's bro married his lovely bride Friday night. A wonderful family event... filled with obstacles for the Tim Ellises.

Started the trip with a gallon challenge gone wrong. Small one neglected to ration her double bottle of milk and threw up all over the parking lot at the airport before we even left the state.

Sweet baby cousins were anxious to share wheat with the girls - sick tummies and full diapers ever since. Big one went on an industrial toilet strike. No bribe could induce her to use the "dirty" Arkansas rest area toilets or the "scary flush" hotel toilets {her bladder must take up half her torso}. Small one couldn't nap on the wedding day. She and I paced the halls through the entire ceremony. I don't think there will be a single photo where she is less than hysterical.

On our way home, small one dislocated her elbow. After instructions from the pediatrician, we parked in the back of a gas station {fewer witnesses} to relocate {correct term??} the joint. On the last flight, the airport lost one of the stroller wheels. While we waited for them to locate and replace the wheel, big one blew out her panties...twice.

Oh yeah. Underlying all this, the hotel was replacing the carpet on our wing, so we spent most nap times listening to hammer strokes and mariachi music. Twice we were "painted" into our room by carpet glue. The first day this happened, I found it quite inconvenient. In light of everything else, I barely remember it.

I have no pictures. I have no pithy message. I only have a wild story and bag of dirty clothes. But bro and new sis have a brand new life together. We would do it all over again for that.

New Dress

This weekend, I'm attending a wedding. It's the kind of wedding I really look forward to: family I love, sweet bride, I'm not part of the bridal party/family. Best of all, they're a Godly couple, so the imagery of Christ and the church really stands out.

While I'm excited to go, I had one major hiccup. It's been over a year since any of my formal clothes fit. I have one "maternity" dress, and it looks like a sack, an awkward mauve tent. Not exactly the statement I want to make at this beautiful evening wedding.

After a vision of sixteen outfit changes only to give up and where jeans, I started looking for something new. I found this dress. It's beautiful, sexy, slimming - everything a maternity dress should be. Did you check the price? Yeah, a hundred dollars. I think Tim could take me to small claims court if I spent that on a dress right now. After all, we have a new baby to pay for.

So, I did what any crafty momma does when she can't buy the dress she wants. I headed to the store for fabric to make my version of the dress. To hide pregnant awkwardness and cope with summer heat, I picked a rayon/lycra blend. Unable to find a pattern, I drew out a ridiculous sketch, scrutinized a couple dresses in my closet and started cutting.

To be honest, I surprised myself. The dress is a faux wrap (I don't need G untying my dress) accented with cap sleeves and a ruffled neck line. The belt actually ties at the side. The hanger is lame, I know. I promise to take a picture when I wear it Saturday. Also, I will try to make a digital pattern available.

Trying this dress on, I felt prettier than I have in months. Now, I really can't wait for this wedding.