Still Waiting!

I am in serious "kill time" mode. Baby Micah is teasing me, all the signs of impending labour are here, but no serious action. I am trying not to go stir crazy. I know, I know, he'll come in just the right time. In the meantime, you get more blogs because I keep making more things.

This cutie (Micah's toy lion, as Abby calls it) has been on my list to try for years. I finally thought, I could whip that baby up in no time. Never mind that I made a huge mistake and started over, but that's what happens when you're as distracted as I am these days. In the end this version turned out pretty cute and I'm happy with it. The tutorial can be found here and the face inspiration here. I also added a cat jingle ball toy to make a subtle rattle out of it.

P.S. Hi Gran! Mom says that she's been sending you my blog posts. I hope you enjoy them. Love you.

Nesting Again

So, I think I've got the nesting bug again. I am tired, but there's lots of little things I'm trying to get done/ready before Micah arrives. Truth be told, though, part of me is just trying to pass the time. I want him to come soon!!! Well, I did a little last minute sewing for my own little. I didn't do a lot of this kind of thing for Malachi, but I felt like I wanted to do some baby sewing for my own little one again. I have an outfit for Micah to come home in (waiting to take his picture in it before I show it to you), but I wanted to make a little hat and some baby shoes, too. Love how they turned out.

I haven't made of pair of these for quite some time. I used this pattern/tutorial again. I forgot how finicky parts of these are to sew, but they sure make cute booties!

Click here, here, here or here if you want to see some shoes I've made in the past. Click here if you want to see more baby hats (I've made more than I've taken pictures of).

The hat tutorial can be found here or you can use this one (I've used it, too). This is a great go-to gift for a quick gift. I actually picked up a couple of thrift store t-shirts for $1.25 (total) because I was looking for a specific blue. I have some other fabric to make some warmer ones, that I will whip up... likely after Micah's arrival. I will want to measure his little head to be sure they fit.

Checkin' In

Well, we're only 2.5 weeks away from baby Micah's expected arrival. This is by far the fastest, busiest and most pleasant pregnancy I've experienced. I am quite tired these days and the heat gets to me pretty quick, but we're almost there. I even think baby 'dropped' last night, though I'm second guessing that this morning. Anyway, let's get to it!

• Mother's Day! It was a great day. David took us out on family adventures to the Forks, which included a boat tour (the river air was sooooo refreshing!), a visit to the candy train and a visit with a horse. Then we picked up KFC on the way home that we ate in the yard (read: no dishes or kitchen to clean up). It was a delightful day! I didn't bring the camera... aw, nuts! I asked David to take a picture with the littles yesterday to make up for it. I love my bare topped littles!

• 37.5 weeks and I asked David to take some belly shots. I don't really have any for Micah's baby book. We took a couple with the intention of taking more later in the day, but never got to it, so here's what we've got for now. If baby surprises us early, then at least I have these. I'm squinting pretty good, but oh well. Ugh! I need a haircut!

• Oh, and those are my new glasses (click on picture to enlarge). I lost my glasses out of my bag last Saturday. I was wearing my new prescription sunglasses and the case must have fallen out...grrr! That was a rough day. David was so great about it and kept telling me to let it go, it's not the end of the world. Well, I ordered a new pair from Zenni Optical for $28.50 (included shipping) and they arrived at 1:00 pm on Tuesday! That's still crazy to me considering they come from China! I still haven't received my ring that I ordered a month ago from the states.

• We got a jump on our summer list yesterday (we haven't even made one for this year yet, but fly a kite was on last year's list and we never got to it). So, we got a kite and took it out. Abigail insisted we sing "Let's Go Fly A Kite" from Mary Poppins - her lyrics are very cute. I tried to take a video of her singing, but it was so windy that you can't really hear her. Best $3.50 spent.

• David freed me up to take the afternoon to myself yesterday. I went to the mall and bought Micah a sleeper to come home from the hospital in. Then I went for a half leg wax and a pedicure here. Two spa services that are extremely helpful when you can barely see your toes, let alone reach them. I am such a cheapskate though, and feel rather bad about how much it cost. I do love my pretty toes and I feel a little bit more ready for Micah to make his arrival.

• Got to go on a date last night - so great! I love date nights. We went to go see the Avengers (we get our movie tickets through airmiles - anyone else do that?). This is the second time we've seen the Avengers, but the first time, we were so close to the screen (read: full theatre) that we could barely see the action. Anyway, it was fun to go out with my David!
• Today is "Mt. Washmore" (aka laundry) day. I have at least 4 loads to do. I wash my linens every few weeks and this is the week.
• Crazy warm weather here in Winnipeg! 29 degrees for the last two days! It's been amazing and the best news... we're not cooking inside our house! We haven't even turned on the air conditioner yet!!! Such a huge thing after the last four summers in our old oven, I mean apartment.
• I made myself a packing list for the hospital. I'm a list girl, in case you didn't know. It really occurred to me how soon Micah could come and so now I'm in get ready mode. Feeling a bit better prepared (getting my laundry caught up will help, too).

 

A New Year - Checkin' In

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and have many good things to look forward to this new year. We spent a very busy 2 weeks in Alberta visiting family and some friends. We're all adjusting back into routines and getting ready for all that's ahead. So, let's get to it!

• Here's some Christmas gift designs that I made this year. I don't have finished product pictures, but I have the digital files. I did custom name signs on canvas. Including one for us.

• Custom t-shirts (again no final pics, but here are the designs). Top: for Steven, a Millwright apprentice. Middle: for Jasmin, his girlfriend. Bottom: for Crystal, soon to be graduated from nursing school. These are a only a few of the shirts I designed.

• The little's got their kitchen when we got home from Alberta. Friends of ours delivered it for us and was a great surprise. The littles received all kinds of dishes and play food for Christmas and they are well set up. I just have to work on creative toy storage solutions now.

• Here's a Christmas card that I did in barter. It was based on a design that Twila found and liked (that makes it so much easier on me).

• Have I told you all that we're moving at the end of this month? That is perhaps the biggest current news. We've been offered an upper duplex to rent. 3 bedrooms, people! That's just the beginning of the good news. I'll likely post more about our new home after we've moved in. This is my first move with children and so I'm sure it'll be a bit of a challenge to get packed this time.
• Oh, funny story: Abigail and Malachi both giggled the entire take-off on our flight to Alberta. I couldn't help laughing myself. They traveled really well, though I can't imagine how we'd do it with a third little. We'll cross that bridge when the time comes.

• I told my David last night, that although I am more tired than usual, I sometimes forget that I'm pregnant. Is that weird? Though I think I might have felt the baby moving today. I think my mind is just more occupied right now. We're 18 weeks in, now.
• David left Computer Trends so we could go on our trip. The company hired him back and he starts next week. We have mixed emotions about that. Mostly I'm grateful for God's provision through the position, but we had hoped for something else to be available. Malachi has become quite attached to his Papa and Abigail has always struggled with David working, so I'm sure it's going to be quite the adjustment for us... again.
• I'm sure there's much more to share, but I'm tired. (Our children are sick and we didn't sleep to well last night). I hope not to leave this little blog so lonely for so long again, but bare with me as we prepare to move. 

Checkin' In

• It's snowing! Big Fat Fluffy Snowflakes! Makes me think of this...

• Have you ever had candy cane white hot chocolate from Second Cup? Well, we found an amazing version at Bulk Barn for a great price and I'm enjoying a cup right now.
• David's Waldo party was a hit! We had a great time.

• Malachi's birthday party went well, too. My friend, Donna, made amazing cupcakes for the occasion.

• The little's play kitchen has had a few setbacks (we needed to move it from one friend's cold garage to another friend's basement). Hopefully, we'll finish next week.
• David's been working crazy hard at work and earned enough money to cover our expenses for two months. His last day is Monday and we're so looking forward to family vacation!! 
• Christmas crafting will be in full swing next week - I have a lot of work to do!
• I have a rehearsal and costume fitting for Bethlehem LIVE! today. 12 days and counting.
• We're going to a murder mystery party tonight... really looking forward to a date night out with my David!!
• My friend, Patty~Jean made a batch of her homemade deodorant for sale and David and I are loving it! I highly recommend it!
• Our family is rocking an iPad2 - a family Christmas/birthday gift/s from my parents. You should hear my Abby ask to play Angry Birds, too funny! 

• Finally in my second trimester! Still feeling tired, but a whole lot less sick. I'm hoping for a smooth flight next month. Last time I flew at 4 months, I was quite sick on the plane.

Checkin' In

Well, it's been a little quiet on this little blog. I don't have a lot of news this week, but let's get to it!

• I'm enjoying one of these right now.
• I am nine weeks into my pregnancy and just now starting to feel somewhat human again. Still tired, but a lot less nauseous. Good news!

(so funny... worth sharing again)

• November 4th and no snow. Can hardly believe it. I'm ready for it (don't hate me for loving God's beauty). It would help me feel more motivated to get to my Christmas projects, not to mention our first snowfall tradition of ordering chinese take-out... yum.

(lights on our tree through special effect glasses-2008)

• I'm in the midst of planning the last minute details for David's birthday. It's going to be great fun and I hope to have some pics to share next week. This year's theme...

• The little's play kitchen still isn't finished. There have been a few minor glitches that have slowed us down a little. David would like a good couple of hours to finish out the last few details, so hopefully soon! I have some details to work on, myself. The reveal is going to be amazing! We're having friends deliver it to our home while we are away in Alberta so that it will be here for the children to find it when we get home. It'll be a great surprise.
• Malachi had to have another Mag3 renal scan this week. It went better, but still hard to bare as a mother. We'll get the results in two weeks.
• So many things to look forward to: 2 days until David's birthday and party, 9 days until the Ladies Ministry Christmas Banquet, 15 days until Malachi's 1st birthday, 18 days until his party and our first midwife appointment, 34 days until Bethlehem LIVE!, 40 days until we leave for Alberta, 51 days until Christmas. 

A Fall Update

Well, our holiday was wonderful. We spent one week on Big Whiteshell Lake with friends. It was a great week, though the weather was a little cooler than we would've liked. We tried to take the children to the beach and the wind was so bad, we couldn't stay. Our cabin was cozy, though and we had several nice little outings anyway. We were well refreshed and enjoyed our time immensely.

Our little bun in the oven is growing strong... some days I actually feel bruised on the inside from his strong kicks. We go for a fetal assessment on the 30th, just to double check on some fluid around the kidneys. Abby had the same thing and it went away on it's own with no concerns. Just a little tease: Yes, we do know the baby's gender, but we're waiting a little longer to share. Trust me, you'll enjoy it better this way.

On the crafting front: I am working on some maternity clothing refashioning. I've been blessed with many hand me downs, but unfortunately, I find certain items difficult to find a good fit. Right now I'm working on transforming a skirt... will show you when it's finished. I also finished another List Taker. I think these are perfect little notebooks for church or events like ladies retreat. I'll need to get some more interfacing, but I hope to make some of these to sell as a mini fundraiser for ladies who can't afford the cost of ladies retreat. I hope to sell a few at $15 each, donating $5 to the ladies ministry in our church. I have benefited so much from ladies ministries that I would like to pass on the blessing.

First Trimester Blahs!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. This first trimester is kicking the snot out of me! I don't want to complain, because it means that we get another precious jewel and that's all worth it. On the crafting front, my sewing machine has been in for a maintenance and cleaning and I just got her back. It took 2 weeks to have that done! I have several projects that I'm itching to get to and will fight the fatigue best I can to get to them. In the meantime, I'm still here.

 7 weeks... good reasons to feel this way!