I HAD planned to make each niece a 'welcome to the world' item. When I found out that my youngest sister was pregnant, I set out in the craft stores looking for something special. I don't crochet or knit; cross stitch is my thing. I found a blanket that had alternating squares to stitch baby animals into. I bought it; I had plenty of time. I'd never stitched regular fabric before, only canvas. It was a challenge! Unfortunately, the day I bought this big project that wasn't completed until Rue Rue's first Christmas, I learned that my brother's wife was pregnant. Six weeks later I learned that my other sister was pregnant. I started a birth record for Bella; it was too large & the canvas too small; I can't get into it. Lizzie's bird chart is still in the wrapping & I just placed both items into the bag for second hand stores. I had good intentions but my vision was too small! My sister was blown away with the blanket I made; and Rue Rue still loves it. They live 1000 miles away so I feel like she can have a little bit of my love wrapped around her when my arms can't reach. But I also learned that, for Bella and Lizzie who are so close by, no gift can take the place of running around the yard with them, giving them hugs, sneaking them "purple ice cream", and stomping through puddles. I haven't given up making things for them, but now they've each got a sibling so I'm really behind! :) So then I felt like an evil auntie.