It's the Hats!

Blogger won't let me change the alignment on half of these paragraphs.  Grrr.

Does anyone else wish they lived in England, if only for the hats?  No?  Just me?  Hmm.

So, I've been slightly obsessed with the royal wedding this week.  I'm sure it's a function of having nothing to do but sit here, but I've been loving watching the coverage of this big event.  My grandma came here to the States when she was 8, so I feel like the English culture is a verified part of my heritage, you know?  Had history been just a litte different, I (or some version of me) would be living in England, so I feel connected somehow.

Anyway.  I think Kate Middleton is wonderful.  I think she's so classic and poised.  I thought her dress choice today was perfect!  So classic and pretty, but not frumpy or old-fashioned.  And Pippa!  Loved her dress, too.

As I watched the coverage (all day), I couldn't help but think about how the whole thing just looked like a Disney movie come to life.  I'm sure Kate's new life isn't always going to be a fairy tale, but today it sure looked like it.

I just can't imagine being a little girl growing up in England and then eventually becoming a 'real' princess.  What I think is kind of fun is that when William and Kate become the king and queen, we can all sit around and yap about how we remember watching their wedding on TV.

And.....have you Googled anything today?  Seriously.  The girl got a Doodle!  She's for real.



N is for Nesting: Boppy Slipcover Tutorial

Hey....did you know that I'm having a little boy in just a few weeks?  Well, I am.  And I've got a house full of girly stuff.  So the pink and yellow flowered slipcover for the boppy really needed to go.

Don't get me wrong, I love the boppy.  I use it quite often when I'm nursing my newborns, and then even for playing when they get to that I-think-I-can-sit-but-I-really-topple-over-quite-often stage.  You know the one.

Anyway, my little guy needed a slightly manly-er fabric.  Well, as manly as Amy Butler fabric can get.  So, here you go:

Here's where I totally messed up.  I ordered about 3 inches too little fabric, so I had to piece it.  You really can't tell now that it's finished, but I'd recommend just measuring correctly.

Learn how right here.

 

Step Six:  Break out the zipper foot and sew on that zipper.  I apparently didn't think you needed a photo of this.

One thing I didn't mention (or, again, photograph) is running over the seams with the serger.  If you have a serger, I'd totally recommend this step.  I know I'll wash this sucker quite often, so finishing the edges is important.  If you don't have a serger, just do a zig-zag stitch on each seam.  And then tell your nearest Santa, Easter Bunny, or Mother's-Day-Gift-Buyer that you need a serger, stat.

Piping Tutorial

Are you like me?  Don't you just love piping?  I love it on pillows, kids' clothes, aprons, furniture, well....just about everything.  I think it adds that lovely touch that makes things look handmade versus homemade.  A seriously big difference.

Just in case you've never made some before (it's super easy!), here's a quick how-to.  It's really a shame that I waited to make this tutorial until I was making some pretty boring piping, but tomorrow I'll post the finished product, and it's pretty cute.

Now you won't have to waste your money on the stuff in the notions aisle. 

I've Decided...

...that I'm definitely treating myself to a Shabby Apple dress when I get my body back.  I seriously love this one.  Hopefully a fall dress will be in order and not a spring one...

...that the worst thing about being on bedrest is hearing people say oh-so-helpful things like, "Well, I was dilated to a 1 for three weeks".  Yep, I get it.  It's a total possibility that in a few weeks I'll be released from bedrest and then still make it to (or past) my due date.  You know what else is a total possibility?  A few weeks in the NICU.  Bedrest trumps NICU in my book.

...that MacGyver deserves a medal.  I have lots of time to makes lots of lists during the day.  He gets home from work and then is on the clock for me.

...that I can't decide what to do with my family room pillows/color scheme.  I almost bought a rug at Ikea, and decided not to.  So, we pulled out the rug from the office for a few days to see if we even liked the idea of a rug in the room.  Well, now we love the rug from the office out here.  So, we need to kind of tweak the color scheme to match the rug.  Not a huge deal since the existing pillows are looking a tad shabby, but I can't decide what direction to go.

...that $4.17 is too much to pay for gas.  We'll save a bundle without me running all over town for the next few weeks.  MacGyver is planning to bike to work as soon as the monsoons stop.

...that it is going to be cuh-razy in May.  I'm assuming this baby will come before my due date, and my doctor thinks it will be the second week of May.  Which, conveniently, is the week that MacGyver graduates.  Should be interesting.

...that daytime TV when you don't have cable is so bad.  What did people do before the internet?  Also, why did internet get flagged on spell-check?

...that Starbucks needs to deliver.  You think they would for their #1 fan.

Happy Monday!

Grateful Sunday

Today I'm most thankful for my Savior.  It feels so strange to be sitting at home instead of being at church today.  Regardless of my location, I'm thankful that I know the true meaning of this Sunday.  Here is the testimony of the living prophet:

 

I'm also thankful for my sweet family.  It was so nice to spend a quiet morning at home.

 

I'm thankful for my counselors in Primary.  I was so looking forward to teaching sharing time today, and had (what I perceived to be) a wonderful Easter lesson planned.  Planned, as in, I actually prepared it more than a week in advance.  That alone should tell you that I was really looking forward to it.  I just had to make a few quick texts, and I had two great counselors and a fantastic chorister taking care of business.  Thanks, guys.

 

Again, I'm thankful for the blessings of the atonement and the resurrection.  In the words of one of my favorite Primary songs:

 

"On resurrection morning, I'll take my body bright

And in celestial glory, forever live in light."

 

Happy Easter to you.

Oh, the Irony

I thought I'd be clever and put the first image that popped up for 'ironic' via Google Image search.  The first three contained swear words, were racially offensive, or tried to give my computer a virus.  Therefore, no picture for this post.

So.  The past 6 weeks have been so crazy.  I've been grading standardized tests from home, which I usually do in the spring.  The projects are typically 2-3 weeks long, where I'm required to work 15 hours per week from my home computer.  Really, it's a dream job for a stay-at-home mom.

This year, I guess I didn't read the fine print because the project I've been doing was scheduled for 8 weeks and we were required to work at least 25 hours.  That, plus the 5 hours I work already, made for a very busy momma.  Honestly, it was nearly more than I could handle.  I was hanging on by a thread.

The plus side to all of this is that I was making some serious cash.  Was.  As in, past-tense.  The project actually ended 2 weeks earlier than expected.  I really should be thrilled, right?  I have my life back!  I can finally prepare for this baby!

Except I had a doctor's appointment today and I'm 1cm dilated.  At 35 weeks (well, 35 if you do the math, 34 if you go by the ultrasound dating) that gives me a one-way ticket to bedrest.

So I finally have the time to sit around and grade.  Heck, I could grade for 40 hours a week now.  You know, now that the project is over.  And now that the project is over, and I have the time to run around doing the things on my list....I can't.  Ironic, huh?

All in all, though, I can't complain about bedrest.  It's only for two weeks, and my doctor really didn't seem too concerned about an early delivery.  My parents and in-laws have flexible work schedules, and I have lots of wonderful friends who have offered up babysitting and meals and books and movies.

My plan is to enjoy the 2 weeks of 'vacation from life'.  My life has been pretty insane lately, so taking a break is probably just what I need.  So you can expect lots of blogging from me, at least for the next two weeks!

Fantastically Ridiculous Baby Stuff

One of the many things that are different with Little Dude is that I actually have the funds to buy a few of the 'extras' that I couldn't get with the Sunbean.  You know...the cutie little Trumpette socks, the fancy muslin swaddle blankets...stuff like that.

A few weeks ago I got an email from somewhere entitled "Totally Weird Baby Products".  Brace yourself as I share my favorites.

The Bathroom Baby Harness

I seriously can't even imagine using this.  It amazes me what people spend money on.

The Placenta Brooch

Hey, I love a good brooch as much as the next gal.  And I love a healthy well-functioning placenta.  But put together?  Maybe not.

The Toddler Urinal

Not.  In.  My.  House.

The Breastfeeding Simulator

Or, you could just go ahead and breastfeed your baby.

The Fetus Necklace

I guess this would be one way to announce a pregnancy?

The Toddler Changing Table

Is this child not of potty-training age?

The Birth Doll

I'm a sex education teacher and even I think this is weird.  Be thankful I didn't post the one that was very anatomically correct.

What's your fave?  Does anyone own up to using these products?

I Heart the Sunbean

The Poor Timing of Little Dude

Oh, Little Dude.  For being 100% planned, you sure are coming at a busy time in our lives.  Well, it's really our fault.  We're (apparently) not good at math, and some things have changed in the past 8 months.

For starters, I found out I was pregnant with you 4 days before my first half-marathon.  Scratch that one.  In case you were wondering, it's a total drag to do all of the hard work and training for a 13-mile race and then not get the t-shirt.  Well, at least I got the half-marathon legs (you know, before I started retaining water).  Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be worth it.

Secondly, we planned for you to be born in May or June (let's just go with May, okay?) so that when Dad was going to graduate, you'd be 6 months old.  That way we could keep at least a few months between major life changes.  Well, the good news is that Dad is graduating sooner than we thought!  Hooray!  The interesting part is that his graduation ceremony is just two weeks before your expected arrival.  Hmm.  I guess if I can be picky, don't come on May 14th.  Or the few days before.  Thanks for understanding.

And third, you're kind of interfering with my love affair with this guy:

It's true.  Your nerdy mom is a Harry Potter fan.  Don't worry...I'll read all of the books to you and your sister someday.  But here's the thing.  The very last movie hits the theaters about 6 weeks after your due date.  Some would say that's perfect timing.  The problem is that I cannot leave my newborns babies toddlers offspring.  I'll admit to a little attachment parenting.  Hey - it works for me, and it worked just fine for your sister.  Don't get me wrong, Little Dude, dad and I enjoy the occasional evening away from sticky children, just not at 6 weeks of age.  Plus, I supply the nutrition.  If you're anything like your sister, I wouldn't be able to leave you for more than 2 hours at that age, anyway.  It's a good thing you'll probably be cute.

So what will I do about Harry?  I'm not sure yet.  I can either wait until it comes out on DVD (sad!) or I can somehow drag you along to the theater (I'm fairly positive that taking a newborn to a movie is included in the definition of bad parenting).  I've been seriously considering the feasibility of taking you to a matinee showing after the crowds have died down.

Even though your arrival is going to interfere with some other life events (yes, buddy, Harry Potter is a life event), we're positive that you're the perfect little boy for our family!

Let's Do 52: Handwritten

A few weeks ago, the prompt for "Let's Do 52" was 'handwritten'.  I immediately thought of this lovely stack of letters that I have in a box in my cloest.  I keep most cards/letters/notes that I recieve, espeically those that are meaningful.  I pulled the box down to find a good 'handwritten' object for the photo, and found these gems:

My stack of letters from MacGyver while he was on his mission.  For those of you not familiar with our story, we dates for about 6 months, and then he left for a 2-year service mission for our church.  We got to talk on the phone only 4 times in the two years, but we were able to write letters each week.

Looking at the stack of letters brought back so many memories of watching my mailbox like a hawk.  I'm sure my college roommates remember it well, too!  It was tough to have such strong feelings for someone, and then be limited to letter-writing for two whole years.  In the end, it was one of the best things to happen to our relationship.  We got to learn about each other and were able to develop a good friendship.  And we'll always have these letters, which I know we both treasure.  It's really fun to read them and remember what our 19-year-old selves were like.

So I thought I'd share why this stack of handwritten letters is one of my favorite posessions.

Happy Monday!

Design Challenge: Boy/Girl Rooms

Have you ever had to design a space for both a boy and a girl to share?  It's tough!  Especially since they aren't the same age.  It's been a fun challenge, though.  Last weekend, we got the carpet down in the bedroom, along with fresh baseboard and crown moulding.  It looks so great!

I kind of want to wait until I'm all done to share pics, but here are some things I've been gathering this week.

These adorable knobs I found on eBay.  I've been looking for them for months, and they finally showed up.  I'm so excited to get them!  They aren't going to stay red, but I'm not sure what color they'll be.

This fabric from etsy.  I've got something super crafty up my sleeve with this stuff.



And this beauty should be arriving this week.  Just so we're clear, the bed, not the bedding.  It goes so well with the bed that MacGyver's mom made for the Sunbean (his resourcefulness is hereditary).  I love that it doesn't have a raised back, and the drawer underneath is a plus since space is at a premium in our house.

By the time all of these supplies arrive, hopefully I'll have filled, sanded, and painted the holes in the baseboards and moulding (from when we hung it).

Oh, and this cute little thing is on my Target list.  I'm freakishly obsessed with preventing SIDS (when I was a social worker, one of my clients died from SIDS), so a fan is a must-have.  We've always gone the ceiling-fan route, but the fan we have has got to go.  Sooooo ugly.  I can't find one that I like/want to spend money on, so we're trying the table fan this time.  We have a great idea for the ceiling light, so hopefully it pans out.  It's homemade, and you never know about these things.

I guess I can share that the room is painted in this color, though only 50%.  It's Aquatint from Sherwin Williams.

So those are the plans for the joint sleep space for now.  It has changed 100 times so far, and I'm sure it will change a little before all is said and done.  We've got less than 8 weeks until the official due date, so it's time to get moving!