my first sewing projects!

Have I introduced you to my sewing machine yet?  I'm still working on a name for it.  Betsy?  Fred?  It needs a name.  Because I'm in love with it.  I've made my way through my instruction booklet.  I've practiced threading my needle, making bobbins, undoing some jams, and sewing basic stitches.  So I thought I was ready for my first project. Enter Pinterest.  I saw these adorable knit baby hats (the picture will link you to the tutorial) and thought, how perfect for my first project.  Veteran sewers who are reading this are already laughing at me.  Others don't understand.  I didn't either.

It took me all of about 5 minutes to realize that knit fabric is REALLY hard to work with.  Like jam your machine multiple times hard.  I tried different presser foots, looked at many tutorials online, and even tried using a double needle.  And then, after talking with my master seamstress of a mom, I packed that knit fabric up and stashed it in a closet for way later in my sewing career.

Enter cotton fabrics and my next attempts worked way better!  I had received a couple nursing covers for Owen and loved them and used them very hard.  I wanted to make one that was a little wider then my first one to make sure no one got a side boob shot.  And I wanted a heavier fabric than cotton to make sure it laid down nice.  I found this amazing tutorial that walked me through it step by step.  I picked out a home decorators fabric that has NO pink in it.  Aren't you proud of me?  I'm coming to the realization that my budget is not going to allow for a new diaper bag.  So, I wanted a fabric that had some green it.  I love the results.  My new nursing cover.  Sewn by me:

the boning was a little tricky to sew, but it makes the top pop out so I can look down at Ellie

I also thought it would be nice to have their diapers separated in the diaper bag and that way I can pull out Owen's little bag when he goes to the 2's class and I keep the main bag with Ellie and me.  So I made her little diaper pouch using the rest of the above fabric and then made Owen's a little more boyish.  I used this tutorial from A Lemon Squeezy Home.

I think I'm liking this whole sewing thing,.  Sorry mom that it took me 30 years. :)

snow day

Last week (or was it 2 weeks ago?) when we got a lot of snow, we didn't make it outside because William wasn't feeling great. So yesterday, when we woke up to a light dusting, we bundled up and headed out for Owen's first real experience in the snow. Don't laugh. Yes, we pulled him in the sled with that little of snow. And yes, it took longer to get bundled up than we actually stayed outside. He's a firstborn, ok? :)

almost ready to head out

in the sled with dad

tasting snow for the first time

eating the snow turned out to be his favorite activity of the morning

Tag Along Gym

I was very excited to get to take Owen to Tag Along Gym this past Thursday. Anne had invited us before but we couldn't make it. For local moms who want the info, it's held at the Savoy Rec Center on Thursday mornings from 9-11:30 and costs $3 ($4 for non residents).

We met Anne/Alex/Ben and 2 other moms and I was impressed with all the stuff they had out for the kids! It was a great way to hang out with some other moms and let Owen run off some steam since it was pouring all day long!  I was also excited to run into my neighbor who I've been trying to get to know better.  Some of the things they had were: slides, a table for snacks, big boxes to sit and color in, a tent with beanbags, lots of tunnels, balls, big blocks, tons of cars for pushing/riding, a little bounce house, and even a low balance beam. Even though it's not free like FCC, we will definitely be going again!

bad pic, but you can see Alex and Charlie having fun in the bounce house

favorite of the day: the slide!

just a shot of some of the other stuff they had out

I only got him to go in there by pointing out the cow on the rug

visit from Sara

How did I not post these? A few weekends ago, Sara and Liana came up for a visit! I love friends where you can not leave the house all day, but still have a blast. It was just so fun watching our babies play together. Our babies. Sometimes, I still find it hard to believe I can write that! Here's a few pictures from the day:

Look how big I'm getting!  I'm almost 1!!

don't take my pear

bath time with friends is so much fun!

he's already in love.  and we approve. :)

27 weeks

Last Friday, I was 27 weeks!  That means I'm starting the THIRD TRIMESTER.  Holy cow.  No wonder I'm starting to feel pretty pregnant. :)  Ellie is about the size of head of cauliflower, weighing in at about 2 pounds and 14.5 inches long.  I'm feeling her kick and squirm as I type this. 

Miss Ellison:  She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and maybe even sucking her fingers.  While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now.  That is amazing to me.
Me: starting to slow down a bit.  Feeling more tired and often have to take a little snooze during Owen's nap in the afternoon.  Better actually get started on Owen and E's rooms before I lose all energy.  Weight gain is fairly consistent with what I gained with Owen and the belly button is really starting to stretch out! But overall, still feeling pretty good.
Sleep: had William pull out the huge preggo pillow this week from the basement.  But it's a little big and I decided I wasn't quite ready for that loss of real estate on the bed.  As with Owen, sleeping with a pillow between my legs (as many pregnant ladies do) just makes my hips hurt worse, so currently just sleeping with a pillow under the belly for extra support.
Food cravings: nothing really standing out these past couple weeks.  I have been eating clementines like crazy, but that's about it.
What I've been working on: well, the list is long.  But unfortunately, most of it is not baby stuff. One of my good friends who I taught with in Indiana is having her baby shower this week, so had to do some crafty stuff for her.  My downstairs bathroom is almost done with new paint and a few accessories.  We just have to take the mirror down and replace it (long story and more on that in another post).  And working on organizing my recipes.  On the list this week is nailing down a design concept for her room, ordering Owen's new furniture, knitting Ellie something, finishing the bathroom, and finishing Owen's baby book (hangs head in shame).
Praying for: this Thursday I have my 28 week appointment which means the fabulous orange drink and bloodwork to test for gestational diabetes.  I didn't have it with Owen, but with my sis having diabetes I'm at a higher risk.  Just praying everything comes back normal.  I'd really hate to give up the few more months of freedom to eat McDonald's fries as much as I want. :)
And a picture before church this morning:

pantry cleanup

I have been on kick to get my master house to-do list DONE before Ellie arrives.  I mean, I know this will never happen.  Especially since when I typed out the list in excel and saw the total I'd have to spend, I about keeled over.  Guess I have expensive taste.  Time to start doing the projects that cost zero.  Enter: my pantries.  Yes, I have 2 at this house.  And I know how lucky I am for that!  When we moved in, I kinda just threw stuff in them and have lived with it these first 6 months.  But they were getting disastrous with no organization.

I also readily admit that I stink at cooking.  Ok, not so much at cooking because I can make a decent meal.  I just don't love the process of meal planning, shopping, and cooking elaborately.  Give me extra time and I'd rather be crafting.  I love family dinners for the sake of eating together and so I do it.  But I don't love it.  So anything that can possibly help me be more organized in the kitchen department is good to me.  Ok, ready for it?

Yeah, you're talking phonebooks that have never been opened, random drinking cups, and a big bag of masa flour that I used a 1/4 cup of for some recipe that bombed.  The pantry by the fridge isn't quite so bad, but still needed help.

I did not allow myself to spend any money on this clean up project.  So I gathered some plastic tubs I wasn't using from the basement and got to work.  I took everything out of both pantries, recorded what I had, and started figuring out what shelf I wanted everything on.  I pulled out my Silhouette machine to start making labels.  Have I told you how much I love to label things?  Everything in my house would have a label on it if William would let me. :)

For my wire pantry shelves I printed on magnet paper so they could stick right on the shelving.  While a great idea and they look cute, the magnet isn't very strong so I don't think they're going to stay on very long.  Sad.

I labeled each clear container and simply organized small things in the tubs, donated a few things to Good Will, and got all my recipes in one place (more on that organization in another post).  These pantry shelves now hold bake ware (that I don't use often), cereal/breakfast stuff, all my baking products, Owen's snacks, recipes, and a miscellaneous area for extra ziplocs, batteries, etc.

ahh, much better

As for the pantry by the fridge, I did the same thing.  Labels, labels, and more labels.

Not a huge change, but nice and cleaned out before I did a pantry "restocking" trip to the grocery store.

But I also did something I've been meaning to do for awhile.  A pantry inventory.  I wrote down the things that are most often stocked in my pantry with checkmark boxes.  This way I know what I have at a glance without having to shuffle through my cans and boxes.  It hopefully will help me from having 7 cans of great northern beans, but no black beans like I did tonight for dinner. :)  I put it in a sheet protector, hung it on a command hook on the door, and just use a dry erase marker and erase a box if I use something.  And yes, William's been instructed to do the same.

So there you have it.  A no cost pantry cleanup.  Not a huge change anyone would notice, but still makes me smile when I open those doors.  Up next: the piano room is almost done so I'll share that!

new hair do

On Sunday morning, Owen's hair was OUT of control. I mean, I know it's usually pretty crazy, but it was sticking up everywhere. I wet it down. No luck. I washed and blow dried it. No luck. Seriously? So it was time to break out some mousse.  And gel.  He looked so grown up!  And then when we went out to eat, he insisted on drinking from the cup himself.  Where is my baby going?

FCC playground

This happened last week and I just completely forgot to post. It was a COLD day (unlike the beautiful sunshine today) and Owen and I needed to get out of the house.  We decided to head to First Christian Church's indoor playground.  It was pretty packed, but Owen really seemed to enjoy his time there.  He's getting big enough to run around with some of the other kids.  We saw lots of people from church and I saw a student from my class at Robeson who tried hard to show Owen around.  Although I will say his favorite play area was the ramp leading into the playground. :)  But the best part was we packed a lunch and William met us over his lunch break.  The playground is super close to his work.  It was a great morning and and an even better nap when we got home.

the static on all the play equipment wasn't helping the hair

wow, that's a tall slide

I want the candy

driving the firetruck