Exciting End of the Month

The most exciting event to happen, of course, is that Gretchen is now 19-months old.  A very exciting prospect, though it brings with it a few complications.  She no longer is content to smile and take a picture whenever I want her to, proof of which is in the numerous photos that I tried to take.  She wanted to sit in her rocking chair and read books - but she was not going to look at the camera, and under no circumstances was she going to smile.

I even got desperate and gave her the pacifier and her giraffe blanket. No dice.

Anyways, she's still adorable and I genuinely love that she now has her own opinions, likes & dislikes and has the ability to express them now more than ever.  

The other accomplishment that made for an exciting end of September is the completion of the Longest Project of All Time.  That's right - I have FINALLY completed the most complicated cross stitch of all time.  Behold!

It's complete!  The 4-month project that took almost 2 years - is complete - well, at least as far as I can complete it.  Now, I need to take it to the framer, and instill the fear of god in them that if anything is to happen to the cross stitch... there are no words to describe what I might do.  

But that's beside the point. The real news is that it's done - and I am thrilled that it will be on the wall well before Gretchen turns two.  Thank goodness - now I can start the second longest project ever - Peter Pan!