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The last picture in the series.
The last full day of my pregnancy.
My last pregnancy.
My last moments as a mom of two.
The last time you'll have to look at my enormous belly.
In a few short hours my little blessing will be here...my last moments of this baby being a mystery.
See my journey here.
I'm still here, as big as a house, waiting for this baby. The last few days have been a whirlwind. I feel like there's so much to do with so little time. I'm sure most of the things I feel like I have to do, I really don't, but I want them done anyway. In between dance rehearsals, dog grooming, and lots of house cleaning, I did manage to fit in a bit of craftiness. As of last night I finished the baby's going home outfit along with a blanket and a pair of PJ bottoms to match the nursing top I made while back.
I just love how this came out. I used a plain white cotton for the gown, trimmed with sea foam bias tape and used a lavender decorative stitch for embellishment around the binding. I started with the MS kimono pattern, but I didn't like the neckline nor the ties at the shoulder, so I modified the pattern. I like the v-neck better, with a snap closure on the chest.
Here are some close ups of the blanket and the trim. I chose the colors of the gown binding and stitch embellishment from the seersucker fabric I used for the blanket. The blanket is backed with the same white fabric as the gown and the same lavender stitch is used around the edge. I think it's the perfect gender neutral outfit! Honestly, I have no feeling either way on this baby. It will be a total surprise.
Here's my complete set of nursing PJ's. I love how the shorts turned out. They look huge in the picture, which I'm sure they are because I can wear them now! I used New Look 6354 for the bottoms, which went together really well. The pattern includes pants, capris, and skirts, so I'm sure I'll be making them again. I think the pattern calls for a drawstring, but I used a piece of elastic instead - elastic waist without all the bulk. I have some stretch wovens I'd like to make some capris out of. I hope to be able to get around to it, but with three kids....
Oh my goodness, look what Leanne sent for the baby! Isn't it amazing? I'm pretty sure I gasped when I opened the package. Thank you Leanne, what an amazing gift! She said in her note that it wasn't a big deal to make, but it sure looks like a big deal to me. You'll have to excuse my yarn art ignorance, but I believe it is crocheted? Really, it looks too precious for a baby to wear, perhaps a fancy baby doll. She also said that she hadn't laundered it yet, but it smells wonderful. Gosh, this baby sure is lucky!
After seeing this, it occurred to me that I never got the baby a 'going home' outfit, not that my babies ever wore their outfit home, but they did wear it for the hospital picture. I'm not really a fancy person, just a simple white gown would do, but I have nothing. Last night Lily and I went shopping for such a garment and didn't find a thing. It's really tough these days to find simple, gender neutral clothing. Everything has crap all over it! I guess I'll try to whip up something before the big day. Can you believe that I've never made anything for a baby, clothing wise? This will be a first. When Alex was born he received a little day gown that I'll use for a pattern, or maybe I'll use the Martha Stewart baby kimono pattern lengthened into a gown. Decisions, decisions. Of course I'll also need to make a blanket to use as the picture background, seersucker maybe? Can you tell that my pregnancy hormones are going crazy? I've been up since 4am thinking about this.
Speaking of crazy hormones, the nesting craze is in full swing. Sunday I cleaned out my toaster oven (totally nasty) and scrubbed the shower, which was equally gross. It took three applications of soap scum remover to get the bottom of she shower clean (I probably shouldn't admit that), but it's sparkling now. I even used a toothbrush to get all the little nooks and crannies! Then yesterday afternoon I found myself on the floor scrubbing the bottom half of the walls, baseboards, and shoe molding in my back hall, where the dog lives. Now that was nasty - imagine gunked up layers of dog juice, hair and dirt - ewwww! I probably would have scrubbed the tile grout as well if I hadn't run out of Mean Green. That stuff is wonderful for cleaning dirt and it doesn't have any awful fumes.
This is what I worked on this weekend. I used the Amy Butler instructions, which made a bag much smaller than I envisioned. I'd like to make it again, but much bigger next time. I can't say that it's a totally 'use what you have' bag because the black floral I recently purchased, but the rest is all from my stash. As I was digging around for the BT3 project I found these and just piled them in my 'current' fabrics pile. The new black fabric was there too. When I saw them all together I knew I had to make something with them. I love the combination so much that I'm planning on making Lily a tiered skirt out of the three prints using Rebecca's tiered skirt tutorial. I can't promise I'll have it made before the baby is born, but it will be made soon.
Here it is undrawn. I think you can get a better view of the prints this way. I love the black zig-zag stitch on the pink ribbon! I don't think you can tell from these photos, but the bag is lined with light pink, like the ribbon. Since Lily has so many white t-shirts that she refuses to wear, I plan on doing some sort of applique with those fabrics on the front of a shirt to make a complete outfit. Lily is helping me with the design. She's been coming up with some good ideas, but some are a bit too complicated!
For a little added excitement this afternoon, a man with a horse came walking through the neighborhood. He ended up being our new next door neighbor's son, who lived not too far from us. He offered to let the kids ride the horse, which Lily quickly accepted. Yes, we do live in rural Louisiana, but it isn't every day that a horse comes tramping through your yard! The kids sure got a kick out of it, though Alex doesn't look too thrilled.
The work week is almost over, the weekend is near, thank goodness! As usual, I plan to rest as much as possible. This week has been a crazy week. If I could drink, I'd be heading to my favorite Mexican restaurant for some chips & salsa along with a frozen margarita at quitting time. Boy, that sounds good! We may have to go out for Mexican tonight anyway (minus the margarita), it's been a while.
Along with a crazy work week, we've had sick kids. My darling husband took them both to the Dr. yesterday to learn that they both have bronchitis and need breathing treatments and antibiotics. After spending $130 on medicine they're on their way to recovery. We can't have two sick kids around a newborn, right? Now I'm hoping that our illnesses (mine and Matt's) go away soon as well. We've been struggling with a cold that has manifested itself as some sort of sinus junk. Oh, how I wish I could breathe!
So far, I don't sound too grateful, but really, I have lots to be grateful for. It if weren't for my crazy job, we wouldn't be able to spend $130 on medicine and $30 on co-pays to get the kids checked out. And because work has been so busy, the week has flown by. I can't believe that it's Friday already. Also, when you're sick, you realize how blessed you are when you're well. We're not sick often (I feel like I should knock on some wood), and for that I am most grateful.
This week I am most grateful for:
Leanne tagged me with 10 Simple Pleasures, so I thought I'd throw that in too.
Feel free to blog your own simple pleasures, if you feel so inclined.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Y'all are spoiling me rotten! Look what Angela sent the baby - isn't that onesie the cutest thing? I chuckled out loud when I saw it. I'm not sure if I want the baby to wear it or if I want to frame it! Also pictured is a tag blanket made from a lightweight cotton backed with blue fleece. Thank you so much Angela! I am loving all the hand made goodies I've been receiving.
I don't know what I've done to deserve such kindness, but thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who reads this blog and continues to leave such nice comments. The whole blog experience has been amazing, and the generosity of all of you is overwhelming. Every time I receive a package Matt questions why I'm getting such wonderful things in the mail. He thinks I'm asking for gifts, silly man.
Totally unrelated to you wonderful people, this is the excitement that went on at my house tonight. The kids (lily blamed alex) managed to yank the dining room curtains out of the wall. Fun stuff. I knew that would happen sooner or later, especially considering they way they love to hang out in that window. Here's poor Matt putting new anchors in the wall in hopes of preventing this from happening again. Notice the ear phones in his ears, that man is a sports fanatic. He walks around the house in the evenings listening to AM radio sports talk. It drives me crazy, but as long as he was putting the curtain panels back up I forgave him.
Just a few pics of the beauty in my yard at the moment.
My favorites above are the day lilies (pictures 4,5,& 6). I LOVE day lilies. I have many different varieties planted that bloom at different times. I'm hoping that the ones I cross pollinated a few years ago finally bloom this year. They sure look healthy now that I planted them in the ground.
I really do love spring. It's so exciting to walk around the yard to see what new blooms have popped open. Right now I'm waiting for my agapanthas bloom, a few of them have shot up buds. I'm also waiting for a shipment of miniature hydrangeas to arrive. I hope that they arrive in good shape and do well in my flower beds. If those work, that would be a nice burst of color to last throughout the summer. I still need to decide on some annuals to plant in my front flower beds on either side of my front entry, but it all seems to be coming together. When we moved into the house two years ago we had nothing but a few foundation plants. I'm rather proud at work we've done so far. Once we get the front and side in shape (we're on a corner) we'll move on to the back yard, but we need a fence first. Ah, if only I could snap my fingers and have it all done!
In other news, I got my BT3 match ups. I'm so excited! Both the person I'm sending to and the person sending to me are 'new to me' blogs. I think I like knowing who I'm matched up with better than anonymous swaps. Guess what I'll be working on this weekend??? When I signed up I immediately planned out what I was going to make, then once I got the email I ran upstairs to pick out my fabrics. I'm totally using what I have for this swap, even though I fell off the wagon last week. Oops. At least I bought way less than I normally do, which is an improvement. Did you really think I could quit buying fabric cold turkey? I tried...
Here I am at 37 weeks. This is my second to last picture - the next one in the series will be right before I head to the hospital. I am the most uncomfortable I have ever been with any of my pregnancies. This morning as I was ironing my pants I cried. I cried because I hurt. I don't know how much more my pelvis can take. My hips literally throb with pain. Thank goodness I only have two weeks left. Matt suggested I take off work, but I'd be uncomfortable whether I was at work or at home, so I might as well stick it out. Honestly, laying around hurts more. I'm most comfortable sitting upright, though it does help to elevate my feet. I'll survive - I'm in the home stretch now!
I am happy to report that this past weekend I washed some baby clothes, bought some diapers, and pulled out the baby names book. Yeah, we're making progress! I also started nesting. Sunday night, though I was extremely tired after a day of Easter fun, I couldn't relax until I cleaned the kitchen, mopped the kitchen floor, bleached the sink, and vacuumed the living room. I don't know where that energy came from. If it weren't so late I would have scrubbed the tub. Yesterday was my weekly Dr. visit. Everything was fine, nothing interesting to report. The baby scored 8/8 on it's biophysical test, my cervix isn't doing squat, and I lost two pounds. Thank goodness the end is near!!!
Look what came in the mail - a surprise from Rebecca! As usual, I tore off all the pretty packaging without taking a picture - I'm so impatient! I just love the hand knit hat, I can't stop touching it. I don't think I've ever received anything hand knit before. Hmm, I may need to start knitting (like I need another hobby!). Also pictured are two adorable burp cloths (love those fabrics) that are backed with terry cloth. Not pictured are the little gifts she sent to Lily and Alex, which was so thoughtful. Lily has yet to remove the Hello Kitty necklace from her body, and Alex has been having a ball growling with the alligator finger puppet. Rebecca, you sure know how to pick out the perfect gifts! Thank you so much!!!
I really have been overwhelmed with the generosity from everyone, especially those of you in blog world. It is truly amazing! It's a good thing I finished my Thank You Card project this weekend because I need to start getting them in the mail.
Yes, it would have been much simpler to go out and purchase a pack of cards, but I wanted to use what I had. I love paper. I really don't know why I buy it because I don't do anything with it, until now. I worked on these Friday night. It took me a while to get in the groove and come up with some designs I really liked, but once I got going it was hard to stop. Here is a sampling of what I came up with. I really like the second group. I ended up making about two dozen cards in all, which took much longer than I expected. Now I need to get busy writing in them!
Happy Easter!!!
