Tired

There are now 6 weeks left....if this little one is on time.  Please, please, please, please, please don't be early....or terribly late.....m'kay little bean?  There's too much to do between now and then.

The past few days have been filled with packing, cleaning, moving (yes, loads of my stuff is still parked at my old house...a big thank you to my patient parents), pulling out old flooring, putting in new flooring, keeping Levi out of the way and entertained for this, driving...lots and lots of driving.  I'm whooped.  Today, there was more driving and more driving and unloading of stuff and some shopping (how could I pass up the $1 sales at two consignment stores?).  Now I'm more tired, and tomorrow, there's more packing and loading and unloading and, of course, driving to be done.  And, it's supposed to be 102 F!!  Oh, have I mentioned that Levi and his very hefty self still insists on being carried EVERYWHERE?  And, what do I do?  I carry him.  I'm a sucker for "Mama, Mama, Hold you me!"  Sigh. 

Monday, I'm giving up.  We're going to just have fun for a couple of days.  I'm determined. 

In the midst of all that I did squeeze in time to piece together 11 rows of this quilt, and I started knitting a wool soaker for the new bambino.   Making stuff keeps me sane.  It might be classified as an addiction. 

What keeps you sane when life gets oh, so very tiring?

Yes, I Know I'm A Little Crazy...

What I'm currently working on...

Yes, that would be the beginnings of a baby quilt.  No, this is not an indication that we have any clue what's cookin' in that tummy-o-mine.  Instead....only because I'm apparently getting overly nesty...I've got two baby quilts on the agenda.  One for a girl.  One for a boy.  Now, I just have to find some good boy fabric.  Believe me, I've been a huntin' with no success....yet.

This one is actually made of vintage sheets found here.  Gotta love Etsy.

Sweet Dreams

Awhile back, I won some Dr. Seuss books and corresponding stuffed critters.  I stashed them in the closet to dole out every so often....generally if one of us is getting bored with our book selection.  The other day, Levi found a set tucked away in the closet.  He insisted on opening the box, and when he found The Lorax book and stuffed critter inside he was beside himself with glee.  I've had to read this book at least 15 times since.  He's got it halfway memorized.  If you hear him say something that sounds a little loopy lulu, he's probably just reciting a random Dr. Seuss line.  And, the stuffed Lorax.....he cuddles with it every time we read the book which just so happened to be right before bedtime last night.     

Weekend Loves

A few of my favorite things....

: : My farmer's market flowers (see above photo) make this under renovation house look a little cheerier.  Levi can't keep his hands off of them, so we'll see how long they last!

: : This reminds me of something we did with celery when I was little....except Queen Anne's Lace is a little more glamorous than celery.

: : Hannah's post on the benefits of a midwife is spot on.

: : My sister sent me a link to this oh so cute sock horse.   It looks like it's made of baby socks, but I have all those sock parts leftover from my most recent crafting adventure.  Don't be surprised if they morph into a horse.

: : Check out this funky little castle play set. It is so sweet.

: : This costume makes me want to get my needles out.  Do you think Levi would go for being an owl for Halloween? 

: : I keep seeing cute camera strap covers around the internet and thinking "Surely  I could make one of these."  Well, no more excuses because now there's this easy looking tutorial. 

Hope y'all are having a beautiful Sunday! 

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Stephan's birthday!  We wish he could stay home with us all day and celebrate, but unfortunately, he has to work.

So, happy, happy birthday, Honey!!!  You'll be missed lots and lots.  We'll try not to have any cake without you....maybe just some ice cream.  ;-)

Mama, Mama, Take A Picture!

Levi was in his room playing.  I pulled my camera out of the tippytop of the hall closet.  From his room I hear:

"Mama, you take pictures?"
"Yeah, Bear."
"Mama, Mama, take a picture of me!"
"Okay, Bear."
I sit down on his bed and get the camera ready....
"Mama, Mama, take a picutre!!!"

Such a little ham!

Fast and Easy

When I look back at the things I've made and done during this pregnancy, I'm surprised.  I've actually accomplished quite a bit considering I thought I had only managed to sleep and neglect housework.  Thank you, blog, for reminding me that sometimes I do more than that. 

To be added to the list are these hot off the sewing machine baby legwarmers....

I followed this tutorial....the perfect craft for a tired pregnant mama.  They take all of about 3 minutes to make, and they turn out super cute!  Oh, and they are cheap, cheap, cheap.  Target had knee high socks regularly priced at $2, and then they had a few on clearance for less than $2!


My notes:
I did alter things just a tad.  The original instructions say to roll the hem over 1/2 inch and sew down the middle of the hem.  I did two parallel lines instead of one.  One down the middle of the 1/2 inch hem and one closer to the frayed edge.  That way there's not a 1/4 inch of fabric rolling and making baby potentially uncomfy.

Also,  I thought their instructions for the ruffled edge were confusing.  It could just be me and my very tired brain.  But, I tried them two ways.  For the purple legwarmers, I didn't fold over a hem.  I zigzag stitched a line 1/2 an inch from the raw edge, and then I zigzag stitched the raw edge.  For the striped ones, I folded a hem; zigzagged the the top of the hem (where the raw edge is), and then zigzagged the fold.  The last method was my favorite.  It just looks more finished.

"Thank You" Doesn't Sound Like Enough

Yesterday's post almost didn't get posted, and now I'm so glad I hit publish.  I teared up reading all of the comments and emails in response to it.  Y'all were so generous with your words of encouragement, stories of your own experiences, and thoughtful suggestions.  I can't express how much of a blessing this has been to me.  The fears are already beginning to seem more manageable and normal.  Thanks to the many suggestions of books, ideas, tips, and tricks, I feel much better equipped to get through this.  So, thank you, thank you, thank you so very much!!! 

And The Fear Starts To Sink In

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you; 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

~Isaiah 41:10

Lately I find myself repeating this one to myself....over and over.  Until recently, I was confident about my decision to birth at home.  Most of the time I still am.  I adore my midwife and doula.  Together with my husband, I don't think I could have a better team.  My confidence in them remains unshaken.  Buuuuuuut.....then there's me.  Lately, especially at night, doubts and fears have started to creep in.  I wonder if I can really handle it.  "It" being the pain, the fatigue.  The rational me knows that this fear is uncalled for.  Considering all of the pain that I dealt with during and for months after Levi's birth, you'd think I'd have it permanently etched in my mind that I am far more capable than I give myself credit for being.  And, as Stephan puts it, "You don't have a choice, Babe."  Leave it to a man to sum it up so tenderly.  

When I was pregnant with Levi, I spent loads of time trying to ignore my fears.  That go round I didn't have the sense to be scared of my own abilities.  I thought babies were just born and that was that.  Instead, I was terrified of drugs, needles in my spine, an episiotomy, and a c-section.  All but the episiotomy came true.  Levi's birth was probably the scariest time of my life, and so much of it was unnecessary.*  This time, I've done my research.  I haven't walked blindly into this birth, and I've done everything that I know to do to avoid the things I was initially and rightfully terrified of.  In so many ways, this will be like having a baby for the first time.  And, like most first time mamas (really probably most mamas), fear seeps into the cracks.  The knowledge that we aren't as in control as we think we are can shake us....although, in reality, knowing that we aren't the ones in charge should lift us up. 

*Levi, in case you're reading this way down the road, your birth may have been scary, but I'd have done it all over again a hundred more times just to get you.  You were worth it all, and I'm so glad to have you.

P.S. If you don't have something encouraging to say then please hold your tongue...or your keyboard. 

Weekend Loves

This week's fun finds....

: : This frog and this scottie dog have me wishing for more than eight short weeks between now and this baby being born!  I suppose there's always post baby crafting, but I'm kind of wondering how that's going to work. 

: : The Bright Side Project is by far the cutest giveaway blog I've ever seen.

: : This cake is incredible....oh, the detail!!!

: : I want to make one of these.

: :  If I didn't already have a little kiddo oven, I would make one of these for Levi.

: : Legwarmers are on my to buy list for the baby, but they might just end up on the make it list with this super cute tutorial.

So, what are y'all loving this weekend?

A Little Saturday Rambling

Just a few things:

You'll be glad to know that you don't have to sit through another one of these posts for a while.  Due to some scheduling conflicts at work, Levi's dad won't be able to take him for the second two weeks of summer visitation.

Breathing is oh so nice.

Levi's dad did get to take him for the past couple of days, and I've been trying to fit a very long to do list into that time.  I've worked my tail off, y'all, and I have the burning thighs to prove it.  I've painted furniture....lots of furniture.  I'm on my 5th coat of paint with this one.  Agh....it still needs more!

(I've also painted two dressers, partially sanded another side table, and attempted to paint a stool before

realizing that I had forgotten to sand the darn thing!)

And, I've cleaned other furniture given to us by a friend....lots of cleaning....oh, so worth it.  Love this chair!  Now if I could just pick a fabric for a cushion (the second fabric is actually a really pretty blue, but it doesn't look it in any pics)....

(Not pictured are an old vanity and side table that with a little elbow grease turned out gorgeous!)

Of course, I've run errands because it doesn't seem to be possible to actually have all of the supplies on hand when I start a project....no matter how much advance planning I've done.  And, I've started going through Levi's old baby things.  Oh, and the baby room....it's floor, walls, and ceiling are complete.  Yay!  We've even got a piece of furniture in there....

(Not sure what's up with the way the colors are registering.  They look better in person.)

On Monday, the uber ugly and old carpet in my living room is going to be sitting on the curb, and on Tuesday, we should have lovely wood floors in it's place.  I am so excited.  Thanks in advance to my fabulous hubby! 

The downside to all of this progress is realizing that no matter how much gets knocked off of the to do list it is still daunting in its giganticness.  Do renovations ever end?

Last but certainly not least, as of today there are eight weeks till my due date!  Is anyone else freaking out, because I might be....just a little. 

32-ish Weeks

Yesterday was one of those freak out pregnancy days...tell me you know what I'm talking about.  You know the ones when you wake up, and NOTHING fits, and you are unbelievably tired and maybe cranky, and then you go shopping only to find that somehow NOTHING fits, and then you are even more tired and maybe even more cranky?  Ugh.  Well that was yesterday.  I might have nearly cried once or twice in a dressing room or two.  And, I might have viewed myself more as a beached whale than a beautiful pregnant lady.  

Thankfully, today is a little different.  I am tired but not cranky.  And, although, nothing fits....still....I don't feel quite as whale like.  And, I even almost feel pretty.

You've had those days, right?

The New And Improved Blueberry Lemonade

After posting about our new summer love....blueberry lemonade, a friend sent an email to tell me that agave nectar is really a highly processed food that's not as fabulous as it's made out to be.  After a little googling, I discovered that she was right.  Agave nectar is definitely more processed than it's name lets on.  At that news, I started brainstorming new ways to make the lemonade.  And, by substituting honey for the agave nectar,  I came up with something that Levi has deemed "wonderful and beautiful."  To tell you the truth, I like this new recipe way better than the old one.  I've edited the old post to include the new changes.  So, if you're looking for a great summer treat, try this out!

Sweet Dreams

"Mama, I take dis to bed?"

We went to Target the other day.  These metal tops were on clearance.  Levi never asks for anything (except ice cream), so a mama had to give into a little indulgence.  He and this top are close pals now.

Weekend Loves

The Week's Favorites:

: : These fruit pops look like the perfect summer treat....cool, yummy, and adorable.

: : I can think of at least one spot where these storage baskets might be just the thing....although, I'd probably go for a prettier and more substantial curtain rod.

: : I'm refraining from growing my current to do list.  It's already a tad too large for my liking, but I'm still bookmarking this oh, so cute frog for future reference. 

: : This diy harmonica has me itching to try it out, but can you believe we have no popsicle sticks in this house?  They are going on the must buy soon list.  Then I can make one of my own.

: : I spotted this diaper bag in Target the other day.  Sigh.  Generally, I am none too fond of diaper bags, but this one is really cute...even cuter in person.  And, I'm pregnant, so I get a little googly eyed in the baby department....despite my stance on less is more.  If you're wondering, it did not come home with me.

So, what are some of your favorites.....links, blogs, crafts, etc.?  I'd love to check them out.

Blueberry Lemonade

Our new favorite summer drink is Blueberry Lemonade.  It's been a hit around here.  And, I'll tell you a secret....as far as summer yum goes, this one is pretty healthy.  It's also begging to be made into popsicles.  Oh, and it's super easy.

Ingredients:

2 pints blueberries
Enough water to just cover the blueberries
1 cup honey*
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 quart cold water
Ice

Put blueberries in a pot and just cover with water.  Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 2 minutes.  Place honey in a large bowl.  Strain the berries into the bowl through a fine mesh strainer, mashing the berries to get all the juice.  Set aside mashed berry leftovers.** Stir the hot berry juice and honey until the honey has dissolved. In a large pitcher, combine the fresh berry juice, honey, lemon juice, and a quart of cold water.  Stir.  Serve over ice, and enjoy!***

*I originally used agave nectar, but since then I've realized how highly processed it is.  I got the idea to substitute honey, and oh, my is it good!

**You can add a touch of honey to the mashed berry goodness leftover and have a yummy blueberry jam of sorts.

***Warning:  It is not advised to wear white while drinking this concoction.  ;)

P.S. Excuse the background clutter.  Renovations are still under way.

Because He Wants To Be Just Like Stephan

My heart turned into a giant puddle when Levi found Stephan's earplugs and insisted on spending half the day with them tucked behind his ears....just like Stephan wears them when he's working on our house (and not in need of their noise blocking abilities).

A Little Indulgence In Some Emma Love

We spent a large part of our weekend ooohing an aaahing over this dog......

When we are finally able to start looking for a dog, I hope we can find one with her temperament and good nature.  She really seemed like the perfect dog to have around little ones....very obedient, not bothered by anything (including having her food and toys messed with), and not too terribly rambunctious.

I seriously tried to convince Stephan that we neeeeeeeded her.  And, although, I totally get and agree with all of the reasons why we can't have her, I still want to take her home with me.

Weekend Loves

I was going to skip Weekend Loves this week, but there were a few things that just had to be shared....

: : First, do you see that cute puppy up there?  Her name is Emma.  Annie has started fostering dogs, and she brought a couple of them home over the weekend.  Levi and I fell head over heels for Emma.  I wish, wish, wish that we had a fenced in yard for her.  I would have snatched her up in a heartbeat.  Sadly, it will be a little while before we get to even think about fixing up the yard and getting a dog.

: : Repainting Levi's play stove has been on my to do list for quite some time.  It was a roadside find and is in need of a little tlc.  Once it's checked off the list, this play kitchen sink is going to be added in its place...minus the pink fabric.  

: : If you need a good laugh (and who doesn't?), watch this. 

: : This is the coolest fishing pole tutorial ever. 

: : As if bacon wasn't scary enough in and of itself, you can now turn it into rainbow bacon.  I am slightly grossed out.

: : This makes me grin.

: : This is a wonderful post on surrender.  (Found via Nicola)

: : And, this cute little chicken pattern has been filed away for future reference.  Me thinks some lucky little girl would love it.

Happy Independence Day!!

In church this morning they handed out little flags.  Levi was nuts over his, and waved it furiously through half the church service.  I wish I'd had my camera.  I did, however, have one of those "brilliant" ideas.  I thought to myself, "Hey. When we get back to Nanno and Baw-Baw's we'll get him to do it again, but this time we'll be prepared with a camera."  I congratulated myself on such a lovely idea.  Ha!  This is what followed...

First, he wouldn't even hold his once beloved flag.

A bribe of chocolate convinced him to at least haphazardly hold onto it....

Chocolate did not manage to convince him to do much other than stare blankly at the flag....

Even the beloved, Ah-Ah, who can generally convince the munchkin to do ANYTHING, had no effect...

It took the promise of getting to carry a chicken egg inside to finally get a decent photo (of course, he still wouldn't hold his flag)....

Oh, well....chalk it up to life with a fickle two year old.  It is a lovely life indeed even if it isn't always picture perfect.  A big thank you to all of the soldiers who fought and continue to fight for us to have this lovely life full of freedom.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” ~Psalm 33:12

I Breathe Easier When He's Home

His very first nap in his new room....

Today is my birthday, and the whole breathing easier thing is just about the nicest of presents.  I'm too happy about having Levi home to worry about my general dislike of marking the passage of my own time.

We've had a relaxing day.  Stephan will be getting home in a couple of hours, and a tiny birthday celebration will ensue at my very favorite Mediterranean restaurant....to be ended with lots of baklava.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then seek some out, and enjoy a piece or two.

Thanks so very much for all of your sweet and soothing words over the past weeks.  I am very pleased to be able to write that we have made it out of this seemingly unscathed.  Levi was thrilled beyond words to be home.  He grinned and grinned and grinned some more, and Stephan and I both were hugged and kissed endlessly.   And, then we were led on a tour of our own home....one in which Levi pointed to every new thing, and said, "Wow, oh, wow!" about a million times.  His favorite part was his own room...so much so that we are now required to spend the majority of our time in it.  His constant calls to "come pay with me" are music to my ears.

I hope your weekend is off to as wonderful a start as mine is!  :)