Miles' Birthday Present

In eleven days my baby turns one.  I'm not sure how that happened.  This last year has been one love filled blur.  Usually for the first birthday we purchase our kiddos a doll.  For Abi and Lizzi we found some handmade ones that didn't cost a fortune on ebay.  Wesley was so into Legos that we got him a plush lego man doll.  I had contacted a few gals on a facebook group.  Their prices were well beyond our budget.  Then I remembered that I had one of my Grandma's books on making plush toys and dolls.  I decided to at least give it a shot.  If it turned out horrid then buying would become a backup option.

It was nice to revisit my fabric and sewing machine, a luxury not seen in too long to remember.  I found the pattern and decided that while the directions were vague I could probably figure it out.  It was so lovely to look through Grandma's odds and ends to find something that would work to make an outfit.  All was going smoothly until it came time to attach the head.  I didn't want the poor lil' guy to be floppy so I left the book behind and searched the internet.  After perusing some various ways I opted for an old baby washcloth rolled up to give him some support.

As I worked I had my doubts.  He looked like a gingerbread man to Wesley.  When I was attaching his head there were pins sticking out everywhere which made him look like a voodoo doll.  I was almost ready to throw in the towel right then and there.  Who would want to receive a creepy doll?  It was almost painful to look at him as I labored.  After completing his hairpiece I decided that things were looking up.  Phil agreed that he was looking more gift worthy.  Last night I made the outfit and I have to say, he looks super cute in a Raggedy Andy sort of way!

I'm looking forward to seeing Miles' face when he opens the package.  I'm sure it won't be met with as much enthusiasm as it was made, but that's ok.  I know that when he gets a bit older and into imaginative play his baby will take a shining role in his adventures.  I just hope that the doll will hold up to the love that will be lavished upon him through the years!