The rest of the story

Some have asked and others have silently wondered about how baby 3 can be announced and born within two months. I've also wanted to share that I wasn't totally lying during our summer trip when we saw so many friends and family, but denied all such ideas. 

Our family was interested in having more children in the home, with a possibility of early to mid-2017 as the arrival. You may or may not know that post-baby hormones and nursing throw regular signs of womanhood into irregularity for a while. Without going into uncomfortable detail, it was decided that I should take a pregnancy test in the Spring when irregularity stopped. The test failed. The plan was to buy another test, but that didn't happen very quickly. I felt a ill around the same time everyone here got a stomach bug, only mine lasted two weeks longer than everyone else. Beyond that stint of illness, I felt nothing out of the ordinary.

That ordinary continued until right after our reunion weeks in July, where many noticed my increased pudgy that I attributed to the end of nursing, we stayed in a hotel to break up the drive home. We had just crawled into bed when the baby moved. "Ummm, husband? Something just moved. It wasn't me." A test then confirmed that we were on the way to another child, with the possibility of already being 17 weeks along. Now we are looking forward to our little Christmas present. 

And now you know the rest of the story. 

Give Me Liberty

The princess has a new pair of black leggings that say 'Give me liberty or give me death.' Very princess-y. The material is a husband old t-shirt. She likes them, even if the fit is a little off. Little material meant a slightly skewed cut. Leggings are really easy and she likes them. These will likely live in the pajama section of her drawer, but couldn't use a few patriotic quote pants?

(Cast off in 3 days, but then she won't glow in the dark anymore. Maybe we can find out what Gilligan ate in the one episode of Gilligan's Island still in my memory...)

Kind of Pretty in Pink

Another cake. As much fun as it is to create, I realize every time how much I have to learn. Either way, the finish was much appreciated by the birthday girl. It is supposed to be a pioneer woman. I used beet juice to dye the frosting, which was lighter than expected. (My daughter picked the pink color.) Looking back, I would make a few shades for variety, but it thinned the consistency enough that I worried it would slide off the cake.  This was the Wonder mold pan by Wilton. It takes about 5-6 cups of batter. I didn't have that much here, but it worked. 

Just another entry to show I'm still alive. Thanks for looking in.

I finally made it!

For the Princess: One of my old shirts was on its way out about the same time I discovered this idea from Sugar Tart Craft to use adult shirts to make shirts/dresses for children. Adding a link isn't working at the moment, but will, if I remember, try again. It was a new experience really working with knits, but the double needle really, really helped! Unfortunately I bent it yesterday working on another project.

However, she loves her dress. It's her 'flower dress' even with the not flower looking glob at the top. Better luck next time. The ruffle was made by sewing a tight zig zag stitch on the edge of the fabric while stretching it. I need to try again, but it kind of worked.





For the Little Man: He got a Sunday outfit. The pants and shirt both came from Daddy's closet. The pants pattern I made by tracing some currently fitting pants, because pants are actually super easy. The shirt was a free pattern from (I'll research this and put it in soon). It bothers me that little boy dress shirts are not onesies, so I made it myself. It is way better than trying to tuck in every minute at church. One less thing to distract during the meeting. It turned out well, but I have some changes for next time. Thankfully Daddy's shirt is big enough to make two. That way I don't have to make the buttons, also know as a placket.

Now on to the next project. I just have to pick which one...

Accessorize Mommy

The latest craze in my project frenzied brain: Nursing necklaces. The Little Man approves. These are a way for mom to accessorize without breaking the child or the jewelry. Lots of people sell them. Lots of people make them. Lots of people make tutorials for them. This is not a full tutorial. It is me sharing an added safety feature. Instead of adding free beads to a fabric tube, I strung them first. This way if the seam pops or baby's newly minted fangs rip the fabric, the bead won't pop down his throat. It must have been insiration, because this tired mommy brain is a bit preoccupied. This is still not a toy, but my little guy hangs on to it all the time. He munches occasionally too, but mostly hangs on. Keeps us connected.

Re: Brainwaves

Dear Little Fiend that has taken residence on my shoulder,
You must be tired. Since the birth of my son, you have amped up your constant propaganda in my head. For the record, I will survive, even when the baby is crying, or when dinner is at 9 pm, or when I haven't slept in days, or when the toddler is behaving as only she knows how, or when the laundry is about to swallow the house whole, or when we have to eat with our fingers, because no silverware is clean (not that the toddler minds), or when, upon entering the kitchen, you get stuck as if in quicksand from the layers of spilled yesterday's juice. Your voice may seem strong from the post-pregnancy hormones or from the sleep depravation, but I won't give in yet. Please consider moving.
Sincerely,
A new mommy

Ground cover

Here's the latest in home projects: A t-shirt rug. These pictures are trial one. We are on to trial two. Stretchy fabric is difficult to work with, particularly in that it continues to stretch even after it's woven, so constant tightening is necessary. Too much tightening yields a not flat rug. Hence, we are on to trial two. More pictures when it ever gets finished. It has to though, as it is a borrowed hula hoop. The inspiration come from some online source and said 2-3 hours. Hours on Venus maybe?

Want to know how it's done? Cut strips of t-shirt (horizontally) from the bottom hem to the sleeves. Use several strips, loops actually, as the front and back remain in tact, as the cross pieces (the warp) and wrap them around the hula hoop. Loop another t-shirt piece around the center of these, as you would a luggage tag, and begin the over/under weave (the weft). Two of the warp pieces must be treated as one, in order to give an odd number. Continue adding pieces and weaving. Eventually, separate each warp into two strands in order to give the rug more structure. How's that for an explanation. I have yet to finish it off. You may get that story someday.

Christmas gifts

Here are the promised pictures now that all the Christmas gifts have been sent. The sheets were for my sisters (the first three are one set in a spiral and fish tail? pattern, the second three are the sun, star, and sunset, though the star ended up with 6 points and didn't come out very clearly)

and the apron for my mother-in-law. Thanks for the old jeans, Mom! The Princess even got a matching one entirely of pockets!!!

What I learned:

• Tie dye really does stain stuff. It also washes out a lot, so the colors you start with are not what you will get. It's worth a try though and really fun, if you stop worrying about how many colors your little person will be by the end. There's more to share, but maybe another time.
• When cutting a square, say, around a pocket, maker sure to leave lots of room for the seam. These are called flat felled seams, I think, and are like the double seam in jeans, where there is no rough edge. It's done by putting the two wrong sides together, staggered slightly, so that the longer edge can roll over the other and a second seam holds it together. 

Merry Christmas once again! May the spirit of Christmas last all year!

25 Days of Wellness - Day 25

For the final day, here the best idea yet: share some joy by giving service, just as the Savior did. Merry Christmas and God bless us, every one!

25 Days of Wellness - Day 24

Nothing so far has been food based, so here's one: Resist one treat. Even better, add a fruit or veggie in. Nom nom nom.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 23

Have you spent time outside today? It might be late where you are, but the Princess and I spent time watching the rain from inside the garage. It was the fresh air without getting wet, which was lovely...we were barefoot though, so it would have been cold. Sounds fun! Maybe again tomorrow.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 22

Take a walk! Have we already done this one? Well, I'm going to be walking and sitting a lot today, so that's the plan! Wanna join me?

25 Days of Wellness - Day 21

Another Sunday, another Sabbath. In my little part of the world, it is the end of the day, so maybe this can be fore tomorrow, but do you play, sing, hum, whistle? Make some music! Christmas carols work great.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 20

Here's a toughy, and highly applicable to today, for me at least: Let one thing go. It might be something dumb you did or said or that someone else did or said.

When I originally started this, my vision was that most of these would be exercise/activity based. I'm coming to learn that, while moving and physical activity are important, mental well being plays a huge roll in 'wellness.' That's my take.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 19

Tickle your brain today by trying something new. What did I do? Tie dye. Never done it. I hope they are happily received on Christmas morning! Photos will come after Christmas to not spoil the surprise.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 18

Have you tried doing something the hard way lately? Or tried avoiding a modern convenience? Take the stairs, walk and extra bus stop, mop on hands and knees, chopping wood, mowing the lawn, which is still an option here down south if we actually had grass, or scrub the wash...if you happen to own a scrub board. It's kind of refreshing and pretty demanding too, sometimes.

25 Days fo Wellness - Day 17

Need a little time off your feet? Try a self massage or do a give and take with someone else. Wash your feet, or other sore spot, with a warm towel. Dip your fingers in a bit of oil and rub gently. Okay, does anyone actually need a step by step here? End post.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 16

Today is one of those days I question how well this wellness is going, especially as this comes a day later than scheduled. What's it doing for you? At least it gives me one clear goal in mind for some activity in the day.

How are your legs? If they need some attention, try some sumo squats. With feet apart and pointing forward, bend, as if sitting, and return slowly. If you want to raise the challenge, raise your arms as you go down. Need more? Hold weights. Keep breathing and do enough reps to feel you've done something. Then do a second set later. Or a third.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 15

Do you feel the tired that hits at the end of the day, or middle of the day, or somewhere in between? One thing to try is a nap, or staying better hydrated, or cutting out sugar, or having uninterrupted sleep, or becoming immortal. Somehow, if those seem impractical, find a small spot with a clock. When it gets to a new minute, start jogging. Time yourself for a minute or two. Or five. It does wonders. Remember to pump the arms! This can be done any number of times a day. Good shoes are recommended.

What do you do to keep the tired at bay?

25 Days of Wellness - Day 14

Being that it's Sabbath, I like going for less strenuous activities, not that many of the previous ones can be termed strenuous. (Just wait for next week!) Today is time for some mental de-stress: Write in a journal or a letter, or in those Christmas cards that are hoping to be sent. I hope to write about how my daughter made our toilet paper roll her 'bone' yesterday when she was a dog, at least I think that was her motive and to get a few more cards written to someone that I want to remember this year. Let me know what you think!