35 Week Update

I wish I would have taken a picture of my other two completed nursing covers. I did finish them and they turned out really cute. If you are an expecting momma that likes to dabble in sewing a little, that is a great project. It was fairly easy and quick. That would make a great gift to give someone too. The key is finding really cute fabric. Well this post isn't really about my nursing covers.

I went in for my checkup yesterday (it was my 34 week check up done at 35 weeks - we got a little behind). I haven't mentioned that I have been in quite a bit of pain on my right side for a few weeks because I know the drill. You have a kidney stone, drink water, live through it. It isn't to the point of death pain or anything. Just an occasional intense pain that comes and goes. So no major blockage... just tiny gravel passing through. Anyway, I told my doc about it yesterday and he checked for blood in my urine. There was some blood in there and they said they would send off for cultures and let me know but I was so far along that I should just grin and bear it for a few weeks. That is basically what I expected to hear. I also asked him for a more detailed event path for the next few weeks. He said that next week would be our first "check" and then the next week we would probably do an ultrasound to see how big Tripp is (give or take a pound) and if he was around 9 lbs!!!!! he would induce. I was thinking more like if he was 8 lbs or something... let's remember that ultrasound could be off by a pound in either direction... so 9 could be 10. Are you kidding me?!?!?! I am thinking a renegotiation is in order. I will just patiently wait a few weeks and see what the results are... then I am prepared to beg.

Okay... so my good friends, the Turnbull's, are having a guessing game for the correct date and time of Kate's arrival... how fun!!! They are offering a prize for the winner. I am not that cool but guesses would be fun. So put in your guesses and let's see who wins!!!! Just for fun!

Nursing Cover

I haven't posted much this week mostly because nothing has been going on. We had some friends over for dinner one night and community group last night. I am starting to feel uncomfortable at night so my sleeping hasn't been great lately. Other than that... pretty normal around here. I go in on Monday to talk to my doc again. Hopefully we can talk about the end a bit more. We will see.

I did make the first of 3 nursing covers last night. I really like the fabric for all three. One thing I added to this is a pocket on the inside. I thought that would be nice for little needed accessories. (nursing mommies know the things I am talking about) This one was the only one that I didn't want the pocket white but had to just get over it because that sherpa material isn't cheap and I didn't need much for all 3 pockets. These are really easy to make so I thought I would include the tutorial I used. Here are pictures of my first one:





Now to make a nursing cover:

What you will need:
1 yd. of decorative fabric
1 yd. of lining
1/4 yd. of terry cloth or sherpa dot fabric for pocket (can also use to wipe baby's mouth after feeding)
2 D rings
12" of bonning

Sizes for project:
1. 36×24″ Fabric (when the cover is completely sewn, the size will be approx 34×22″)
2. 36×24″ Fabric for lining (Optional)
3. (2) D Rings
4. 11-12″ Boning
5. Terry cloth for corner pocket (Optional)

I would recommend buying 100% cotton fabrics because they are light weight and wash well or a fabric that doesn’t wrinkle easily.

To make your own nursing cover, here are some simple instructions:

1. Cut 1 strip of fabric 3.5″w by 28-30″ long. This will be your neck tie.
2. Cut 1 strip of fabric 3.5″ w by 5-6″ long. This will be the strip that you will attach the D Rings to.
3. Fold each strip in half (inside out) and iron flat
4. Sew each strip along the cut edge. The short strip you sew the entire length, but the longer strip you will sew the entire length until the end and you’ll curve it. Trim the access fabric.
5. Now that your strips are sewn you need to get the fabric right side out. When that’s done, iron flat again, but make sure the sewn part is now centered in the back so that the front is nice and smooth and you can’t see a seam.If desired, you can sew along the sides of the strips for better reinforcement.
6. Take your shorter strip, put the fabric through the D Rings and fold in half. Sew across fabric to keep D Rings in place.
7. Now you need to iron your main fabric and lining together so that they are wrinkle free and the fabric is tight.
8. With your fabrics ironed (make sure the lining side is up and start folding the sides) Fold fabrics once (1/2-1″) and iron flat. This will keep it in place. Then fold one more time (1/2-1″), iron flat and pin. This will leave a nice clean edge.Do this all the way around.
9. When you get to the top you will need to place the boning in the center and fold it into the folds you ironed (make sure once it’s sewn that the boning pops out away from you when your wearing it). You will also place your long and short trips on either side of the boning. Tuck them into the folds and pin.
10. If you are adding the terry cloth pocket. You’ll need to do so at this time. Choose one corner and tuck part of it into the folds.
11. Now that everything is ironed, pined and tucked you are ready to start sewing.

http://photojulia.com/2008/02/how-to-make-a-nursing-cover

Shower and a Photographer

I had the best baby shower last night. I had so many friends there to celebrate little Tripp. I am so grateful to all of them. I got so many sweet gifts and I know they will all come in handy. The best part was being able to see everyone. I wish that I would have been able to talk to more people but that is always how those events are. You just can't talk to everyone. I don't have pictures because I charged my battery at work and left it there! I had the camera but no battery. Oh well.

I must say that I am so super sleepy today. I hope I can get to bed early tonight. I will be at work late for a co-workers shower so by the time I get home, make dinner, give k a bath and put her to bed... I will have time for American Idol results and bed. I am going to try hard to get all that in before 9! It is silly that I am thinking about bedtime at noon but I am.

Okay... I need to keep this short because I want some responses and no one has time to read a lot. I am looking for a photographer for Tripp's newborn pictures. I am not wanting to spend a ton like I did for Kaylen and I fully plan to take a lot here at home but want some with the entire family in them. Does anyone have any good suggestions? The first people I have used are too expensive now, the next lady had twins and isn't doing portraits right now... and so I am at a loss... Thanks to anyone who has any ideas!

Two Easter Videos

I wanted to post these yesterday but ran out of time. Kaylen and Allen absolutely love to dance to this song. I hope these days never end. This is their favorite song to dance to. I took this video before we left for church. It really was a great day.




I tried to let go and give Kaylen some room to dye her own eggs. The thoughts of the cups being knocked over just kept creeping up on me and I couldn't do it. Maybe next year I will give her more freedom. At least she felt like she was in control.

Easter was so Memorable!

Kaylen is at the age that she can begin to really understand what Easter is about. We had quite a few Easter books that we read during bedtime this week to reiterate the reason for the holiday. The concept isn't the easiest to explain to a 3 year old! Anyway, on Saturday we went and got a new haircut at the Spoiled Rockin' Kids Salon. Great experience!

Sunday morning we went downstairs to see all that the Easter Bunny had left. She was so excited and her favorite thing was the littlest petz easter eggs. She got 6 different animals and she was crazy about them.


We all got ready for church and took a few photos before we left. I seriously was so uncomfortable! I am ready to speed through these next few weeks! I was happy that I could wear the Easter dress that I wore 4 months after Kaylen was born this year. Saved on the ole pocketbook! This was on a timer and the camera was a little low... we look like giants. But... my husband is the king of self-timer!

Kaylen really loves her daddy. I like this picture of them looking at each other. It was actually a shot that I took in between shots but I love it the most.

Me, Kaylen and Tripp!!! :)

This hat was a labor of love for me. I had the hardest time getting the ribbon to do right. Kaylen loves to wear hats so I always try to get her one but the ribbon that comes on them is always pink or white. That wouldn't do. I think it turned out well. It just took a few different tries.


She is checking out what is in all of her Easter eggs.


She got so in to hiding and finding the Easter eggs. We did this for hours. Literally. She couldn't get enough of it. Notice the shades. She had to have that so that she could see the eggs out there. Those eggs were so broken from the event that we had to just throw them away. Which was fine with me. She seriously had a blast! She was cracking us all up. She was wearing a bracelet that she named her darling. So she would tell everyone to look at her darling. What a hoot! At this point in the hunt her darling was already laying in the grass by the swing. :)

Easter Program at School

I have been meaning to get some video of Kaylen talking to Tripp because it is so stinking cute. She tells him the funniest things. Well, last night I remembered. So this is the video I got. It is like 2 min long (feels like forever) but I want you to pay attention to the end of the video. Who on earth could miss their child's program after hearing that?!?! I wasn't planning on going so I had to get someone to cover my class just so I could be there. There was no way I could miss... and neither could Tripp! Allen has his boss from New Orleans riding with him today so he couldn't come. Of course grandparents were there... it is a little easier for them to maneuver the schedule. Anyway, here is my super cutie. She whispers at first so turn it up!! :)




This video is much shorter but she is so cute singing her little songs. Glad I didn't miss it!








This last picture of me is against my better judgment. I absolutely hate any pictures of me pregnant but it is for Jodi. So if you aren't Jodi, please scrub that mental picture from your mind!!!! :) I guess I am almost 33 weeks along.

Nursing Covers

I am always doing some sort of project. I think I need a project room so I dont have to get my sewing machine out and put it away so often... wonder if I could convert an area in my dining room or something. I sometimes sit in there but I always have to put everything away when I am done. I don't know what the solution should be. Anyway, I am going to make a few nursing covers like this one:




The cool thing about this project is that it only requires one yard of fabric. So you are looking at $9 in fabric plus a few other items that should run you a few dollars... so now I am up to $11 total! And a really easy project!

Here are the fabrics I am considering: Please vote for your favorite two!
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Surprise Shower

I am usually very difficult to surprise. In fact, I don't ever remember being really surprised on much in life. I would even snoop and find all of my "Christmas" gifts as a child. I have to say, my 11 grade girls that I meet with at church pulled it off. They joined forces with Allen's 10th grade guys and I had no clue! I wondered why we HAD to go to church early but Allen said it was because he had to meet with his boys about something. So I didn't think anything else about it. I was grumpy as could be though because he was rushing me! He was driving like he was a part of Nascar to get there on time and I was so frustrated with him. Then when we get there, I still dont see everyone and he is holding my hand and dragging me in the other room. I pulled my hand away and said he was walking too fast to hold hands. Then he put his hand on my back and continued to quickly guide me along. I was about at my wits end with him and then I realized that everyone was there for us.

I felt really bad for being so mean. I can't begin to express to you how much of an impact these high school kids have had on Allen and I. They are the most kind and loving group of kids and we are blessed to know them and be a part of their lives. I don't want them to ever graduate! If you have been feeling led to work with high schoolers... I encourage you to do so. You will receive more blessing from those kids than you could have ever realized. They inspire me to be a better person than I currently am. I am overwhelmed by them. They are a blast and we enjoy every minute of them.

My girls got stuff for me. (that never happens when you are preggers... it was a nice surprise). Allen's guys got things for Tripp. They were so excited that Allen is having a boy so they got tons of sports items for him. It was fun to see that interaction for a few reasons. 1. I have never seen Allen open gifts for our kids. and 2. I have never seen 10th grade boys get things for a baby.

Anyway, it was an event that Allen and I will never forget. The fact that they went through all the trouble to do something special for us and Tripp was incredible. And a special thanks to the three moms that spear-headed everything as well - Mrs. Brindley, Mrs. Hatfield, and Mrs. Leeth.




On a side note, I made a gift for Tripp on Saturday. I had made a little car seat cover for Kaylen when she was born so I felt like I needed to make something for Tripp as well. This is just to put on top of him when he is in the car seat. I know, I probably wont need it until he is 6 months old or so but I wanted both kids to have something homemade from me.

Happy Friday!!!

Well, another week has passed. We are half way through with testing at school. Time really does seem to be flying. The doctor appointments are stacking up like crazy... I can't keep track. I am going in on Monday to look over my GestD information with my dietitian. Lately I have been staying within range and I am so glad for that. I still haven't gone a day with all readings being within range. I at least have one a day that is off. I am learning how to "treat" myself by tweaking things so that I can have one forkful of a dessert if there is one at the meal I am at. So this has helped to ease that. I must tell you that I am getting rather tired of certain foods. I have to lay off cottage cheese. Last time I ate it, I started gagging. I guess I have had it too often. I have never eaten so much peanut butter and cheese in my life! (I don't eat those two things together). Going out to eat or over to someone else's house is difficult. I also feel hungry all the time! You would think with 6 meals a day I wouldn't be but my meals are extremely small. I have to say that this is much easier than it was with Kaylen... even with the GestD. I will let you all know how things go next week. I meet with dietitian on Monday and my OBGYN on Thursday. So I should have a better picture of how all of this is going.

Kaylen is at that age where she says and does the cutest things. A few nights ago Allen and I were joking around with each other and Kaylen was sort of in on it. So finally she looks at me and say, "you thinkin what I'm thinking?". I asked her what she was thinking and she responded with, "Daddy's crazy." Where did she learn to ask if someone was thinking what she's thinking? That is hilarious. Then this morning I gave her goodbye hugs and kisses and we always exchange many words because she is prolonging the end result. But this morning I told her to have a good day and she came up to me, "good-gamed" me on the butt and said, "see ya!" I know she didn't pick that up from her parents or grandparents. That is not our typical goodbye gesture. She is a hoot.

My big plans for the weekend are to finish a burp cloth for a shower I have coming up. (I actually need to make a few because I have a few showers coming up) And I need to start this quilted car seat cover I am going to make for Tripp. I may go over to the children's party they are having in Big Cove... anyone else attending? Okay, one last question. I really need advice. When I am monogramming for Tripp, what are my options? I have every intention of calling him Tripp all of the time. That will be his name. But as far as initials go... his will be JAW. Does that look funny on a burp cloth? I sort of think it does since it spells a word. And boys typically dont do the jWa design... it is more of the straight across JAW. Do I even want that on there because people might be confused as to what his name is or who's burp cloth it is. I know I am over thinking this but it has been on my mind a lot and I don't know the answer. I plan to do some that just have a T on them. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Happy weekend!!!! And happy April!

Flowers

This past weekend I had some time on Saturday and I wasn't sure when that would happen again before Tripp comes so I planted all I plan to this year. Next year we will hopefully do more to our yard but we have to work in stages. Our ultimate goal is to put in a sprinkler system and sod the yard. I think that is what it will take for things to look good. But a little color always helps.

This is a planter on my front porch (we are in need of our iron railing... it is next on our list of house improvements. The flowers will be yellow when they bloom. And there is creeping ivy that isn't showing up too well in the photo. It's on the other side.


These are the flowers I chose for my hanging baskets this year. Actually Kaylen chose all of the flowers we planted. I had to say no sometimes when they got too crazy.

This is what they look like from a far:

I have been watching this robin work on a nest in one of my side bushes and I finally saw that she had laid two eggs. I was so excited. So when I took the picture this is what I saw:


Then I found this right below the tree:

It looks like the egg is still in tact but merely on the ground. I know I can't touch it but is there anything I can do? I really want them to be okay but dont want to mess with them so that the mom wont come back. They need her!!! Any suggestions?!


This is what I did in these window planters last year. I don't love this view but for now, I had to do this for you to really see them. They will take over the space really well soon. They thrived last year and looked great. Hope this year is the same!!


I had 4 of these bushes last year that I didn't really know where to put so I just stuck them in the back yard next to my neighbor's chain link fence. (Maybe one day that will be sort of hidden). But they look so pretty and have bloomed out nicely. I was afraid they had died because it wasn't the best soil conditions (rocky) but they seem happy.



I bought 10 of these little guys and they will eventually begin to creep over the wall. I hope to add more so that it is a continuous creeping all over the wall. I love these little guys.

Waffle House and a Bunny

Okay I had to post a few more pictures. The first is of the bunny and burp cloth that I talked about in a previous post. My mom and I made this little hopper together. I put my mom on the head shape because she is a perfectionist and I knew that if the head wasn't right, it wouldn't look right. She did it perfectly... as expected. It took us a while, we got frustrated because we didn't have a pattern, but the end result was really cute. I love the burp cloth too. I am going to have to make myself one in a boy theme.



On Sunday, we got up and decided to get ready for church and go to Waffle House (then church, of course). Anyway, I thought I was doing great by staying within what my allotments of carbs and sugars were but obviously not. I had the highest number I have had so far. ugh. eating out is not working out for me. I think I am going to have to quit eating out until after the baby comes. Anyway, Kaylen wanted milk in a coffee cup... she thinks she is so big. She also needed two straws, one for her, and one for her bear. They both had milk. Too cute! These are fun times.

Playhouse Disney

For the past 3 weeks or so we have been using our Playhouse Disney Live tickets as incentive to get potty training under wraps. It really has been successful. She is doing great with everything. We are still having some accidents but are very close!! Anyway, Kaylen was so excited the entire evening. She woke up saying it was Playhouse Disney day!!!

We decided to stop by Taco Bell on our way and grab some food and eat it outside. We got a great parking place and had a nice dinner. Kaylen kept saying, "Go away, you mean, old duck!" The dinner of choice didn't sit well with my sugar levels... so I felt a little shaky all night. But look at the smiles in these shots: I just love seeing her this happy.



Here we have found our seats and she has decided that Daddy's lap is the best place to view the show from.

This is her face the first time she saw Mickey. Utter Joy!!!

I had to include a picture of the Little Einstein's because she said they were her favorite part of the show.

Here she is with her first little light toy. She played with it for about 15 min and then decided that she wanted the other "magic wand" instead. So sweet daddy went back downstairs and exchanged for the one that cost $2 more. (of course) She was happy though and is still playing with her new wand. Sadly I didn't get a pic of it.

I couldn't leave out Tigger and Pooh. They were obviously a hit with K. She really loved every second of the whole show. Her favorite times were when they were all singing.

So of course we had to go potty during the show so daddy took her (I felt too shaky to take her down those stairs by myself). When they came back they had cotton candy and it came with a hat. Look how excited she is to stuff that sugar in. I was good and smelled it. Allen gave me a taste the size of a dime. I couldn't even taste it because it melted before it touched my taste buds. Oh well. It sure did smell good!

Here she is with her new hat. She was loving playing peek-a-boo with this thing. Cracks me up! She is still wearing it around the house a lot.

I decided to put together a bunch of pictures of her standing by the balcony dancing her little heart out. We tried to video it but it was just too dark to get anything. Our seats for this thing were perfect. We were second row, balcony, end seats. So she stood and watched and had the best time. I must say, if you have little ones, take them to these shows!!! It is so worth the money. Way more worth it than any concert or play I have ever been to for myself. I will never forget being able to watch my little one have the night of her life. So thrilled to see all the characters and experience everything. Kids are too much fun!!!

Stairs and Gest. D. Update

I was going to abbreviate Gestational Diabetes but decided that GD didn't sound all that great. So I guess I will have to come up with something else. The class was very informative yesterday. I did feel like I was in there with the dregs of the earth. I am pretty sure the lady behind me was a meth addict... she didn't even have teeth. And they were concerned about the sugar she put in her body?!?!? Anyway, everyone else in there weighed well over a deuce and a half. One lady had to be tipping the scales at around 350 or more. Then there was me. I had taken a bath recently, was wearing clean clothes and actually brushed all of my teeth since I still have them all. Square peg, round hole. I have been writing down every morsel of food that goes into my mouth and counting carbs like crazy. I will be drastically increasing my intake of peanut butter and cheese. And drastically decreasing my carbs and sugar of course. I must say, I did have a breakdown yesterday. I was overwhelmed with all the changes that needed to happen. I couldn't wrap my brain around it all. But I am feeling better now and it is ALL due to my husband.

I love this man. He doesn't ever check this blog so he will never see this (unless he hears about it). But last night he sat down and looked over my diet plan and determined what I would need to do and went to the grocery store (he was gone for well over an hour!). I stayed home and made an appropriate dinner. When he got back I got out the zip lock baggies and went to town measuring out snacks and meals. I figure if things are already planned out it will be less stressful. So as if that act of kindness wasn't enough... Allen got up this morning and made me breakfast. He scrambled an egg, cooked two pieces of turkey bacon, salsa, shredded cheese, and a tiny dollop of daisy all wrapped in a tortilla. Not too bad!

Anyway, I have never felt so grateful to him. Anyone who knows Allen, knows that the morning breakfast was a gigantic sacrifice for him. So this would have all been much worse if it weren't for him. He is awesome.

Okay... on to the stairs: The runner was installed on Tuesday and I love it! I do think that I need to paint the little space between the riser and the wall that is caulked in... I left it white but it looks like it needs to be black. Other than that... I am pleased!!!

Gestational Diabetes

Well I thought after not hearing back from the doctor for so long that it must be good news. Wrong. They called last night and said that for some reason they didn't get the results until Friday and they were closed that day. So it's official. I am going to be birthing a toddler instead of an infant. In all honesty, I will be going to a 4 hour class that my sweet husband will have to attend with me to learn what to eat. I will have to check my glucose 4 times a day and eat 6 small meals a day. Thankfully, I have a friend who has been there and done that. Emily was diligent in her efforts with Rylie and she had this much worse than I do. I will probably be able to control my issues with diet where as she had to give herself insulin shots. So this is not the end of the world. I just really, really hope that the baby comes early. I don't want to have a c-section. I really want to deliver this little one naturally.

So my prayer in all of this is: 1. that Tripp will be healthy. 2. that he wont be so big that I have to have a c-section and 3. that I will do a decent job of controlling this with the diet plan I am given. NO CHEATING!!!! ;)

On a side note, I have started waking up at 4 am every morning. I end up falling back asleep around 6 and my alarm goes off 30 minutes later. I am a zombie. It is so frustrating. I am keeping Allen up because of all of the flopping I keep doing to try to get comfy (which is all for not). So night time isn't the most pleasant for us. Sweet Allen hasn't ever complained but I feel bad.

So there is the news. As soon as I got it! Oh, and please pray that they can get me in for my training session tomorrow. If not, I will have to miss a day of testing and that is a big no, no. A certified teacher has to administer the test so if I am gone, it is a huge deal. Everyone gets mad at you. I don't to be that guy. All of you teachers out there understand what I am talking about.

Spring Break

My spring break was full of projects. I started off by painting the stairs... here is a before and after. Tomorrow our carpet runner will be installed and I will post a final picture of the end result. I must say that Allen isn't fond of the black risers but I like them and most of them wont show once the carpet is down. So I think we will both like it then.




Here is the painting I did for Tripp's room. Sorry Jodi... it was my fav. and it got the most votes.

I made this out of fabric and applique to go above my stairs. I don't have anything on the walls in this area and it is so drab. I decided that I needed something bold for that space. This was fairly inexpensive as well. I think it cost me (including the frame) less than $45.

I also did one more project that took the most time. It was definitely a labor of love. I made it for a very dear friend who reads this blog so I can't post pictures until after her shower (which is this Thursday so you don't have to wait too long). This was probably one of the most challenging things I have ever attempted. I didn't realize it would be until I got into it and discovered the difficulty level. If I would have had a pattern it would have been a cinch but I had to figure it all out myself. I needed an engineering degree... maybe I should have told my friend to make it herself since she has one of those! ha! she probably would have done it better... more precise. Anyway, whatever it is that I did, it was the first and last of it's kind. I do think it turned out very cute and the fabrics reminded me of her. I hope she likes it. I must say that I had been excited to do it for a very long time.

Oh yeah, and the project that isn't finished... a table runner for my kitchen table. I would have been much further along with this one but my sweet, precious daughter found a blue sharpie and decided to color on half of it. I have to keep reminding myself that it was an accident and it could have been on something more permanent than what it was. So I will cut off the ruined pieces and redo that area and continue on.

Now, I did more than just projects. We let the kids have an art day outside. Amy, Kelly and Emily brought their little ones over and we played outside with paint dabbers, finger paints, and chalk. The kids seemed to really enjoy it and we only had one mishap. Poor Andrew tripped and skinned his nose. It looked really bad but he is tough as nails. He just wanted to go back outside and play. Anyway, check out Kaylen's concentration in this first pic.



After the arts and crafts Rylie and Kaylen needed a bath. They had quite a blast playing in the foam soap. It was a mess but they had the biggest smiles on their faces. I didn't post any of the bathtub pics... K is getting too old for those pics. But here is a picture of the girls after their bath. They are still full of smiles and happiness.