Valentine's Day Cards

So now that I have a 19 month old I've been wanting to introduce a lot more crafts and I'm finding myself more interested in holidays which is very unlike my old, pre-baby self.  This year for Valentine's day I knew I wanted to make a personalized Valentine for immediate family and close friends.  So with the help of Pinterest (follow my boards here: Amy Hendrickson )

 

I had seen this pin:

(Link here to original project)

 

I had some notecards in my printer paper stash and since his hands are so little yet I was able to fit them on there.  Plus we had nontoxic, washable finger paints (Crayola) already. I put him in his highchair without a shirt and we practiced on a few pieces of paper first.  He loved it...it got messy but thankfully it was completely washable.

 

And yes he did try eating it...BUT this was a super fun and surprisingly quick project.  We made 8 cards.  I embellished with some stamps and wrote a quick note on the inside signed with Gabe's name.

 

I kind of found a quick system of painting his hands instead of dipping them (he would try to pick up the paint ending in a huge glob on his hand) and then pressing his hand down and doing it all over again.  I only did one hand at a time so both weren't messy.  We will be using finger paints and hand print pictures a lot I think as he loved it!

 

Here's our finished project!

 

I really love how they turned out!!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

(all of my photos are taken on Instagram, follow me on there as well!)

 

 

 

The Birth of Mr. Gabriel John

Sorry I have been absent from this blog for a while, turns out this baby wanted to see the world a little early!  Here is my story.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

I had this day off and spent it running around doing errands, paying bills and ended up getting the last few things I needed for my hospital bag.  I was ending the night with a board meeting for my roller derby team and it was a long, long meeting.  I was pretty tired and uncomfortable during the whole thing and so we all joked that I would probably end up having the baby that night and we all went on our way.  I went home and watched some TV with my husband until we went to bed.  I had been having some small contractions here and there but they weren't painful or strong or regular so I didn't think anything of it.  We decided to head to bed at about 11:00pm or so and as I laid there I was pretty uncomfortable and still having some small contractions.  So I rolled over to watch the clock and thought I would start timing them....the last numbers I remembered seeing was 11:30pm before I dosed off.  Then all the sudden at midnight my water broke!!   I had no idea what to do and I woke my husband up and said "Oh my gosh, I think my water just broke!!"  He jumped up in a daze and said "What? Are you serious?"  LOL Well I stood up and sure enough a bunch of fluid came out and I looked at him and said "Yeah I'm serious!"  So we kind of wandered through the house cleaning up some of it, packing bags, reassuring our dogs everything was fine and I called my doula to let her know.  She said it's up to me when I want to go to the hospital and just to let her know.  So I calmed down and started trying to time the contractions but they were just so fast and irregular but they were definitely getting stronger!  So we headed to the hospital, which thankfully is only about 6 blocks away, and we were admitted by 1:00am.

Friday, July 8, 2011

She checked me and I was already dilated to 4cm and 100% effaced.  Wow we were gonna have a baby, and it was going to be soon!!!  I think we both were in so much shock, but we didn't really have much time as my contractions were getting stronger and faster!  By the time my doula arrived they were pretty strong.  I sat on an exercise (stability) ball for most of the labor and it helped so much.  It was just myself, my husband Derrick and my doula Jen in the room with me and it was perfect.  The lights weren't bright and I was able to just do my own thing.  Our attending nurse would stop in occasionally to see how I was doing and then would leave us alone which was really nice.  The staff was absolutely amazing!! 

By about 4:00am (approximately) she checked me again and I was at 7cm already.  Contractions were hard and close together.  I had a few moments where I didn't think I could do it but I would just power my way through and mind over matter I got through each and every one.  I had studied the Bradley Method of childbirth during my pregnancy and it mostly focuses on slow, deep breathing and envisioning the baby moving down and your cervix opening up.  I honestly believe it was these things that got me through (besides my wonderful family and friends) and that progressed me as fast as I did. 

At some point I ended up on the bed on my side so she could monitor me and my baby and I was getting so close that I just finished laboring there, which wasn't easy but I think at that point it wouldn't have been easy in any position!  We finally called our parents at about 5:00am to let them know and my doctor was called in.  Wow, this was really happening.  At that point all I could think of was that I wanted this baby out of me!!  LOL  I was definitely feeling the urge to push so my doctor checked me and I was almost at 10cm, but he wanted me to make it through a couple more contractions first which were seriously the hardest thing to do.  When your body feels that urge to push it is so hard to tell it not to!!  One of the many joys of doing everything naturally is you are able to listen and respond to your body, you have to just give in and let it do it's thing which is so hard!

The parents arrived and I told the mom's they could come in and watch....there were so many people in the room anyway that I didn't notice anyone!!  At about 6:00 or so (I'm actually totally guessing at this number!) I started pushing which was honestly the worst part of the whole labor.  It felt like it was taking forever but in all reality some women push for hours....I pushed for probably about a half hour.  The turning point was when he was starting to crown and everyone said "Oh my gosh! Look at all that hair!!"  Then I knew I was close.  I will NEVER forget the feeling of him finally coming out.  It honestly is surreal and indescribable.  We didn't know the gender of our baby beforehand so I was waiting for someone to say something.  Then at 6:30am I gave birth to this wonderful thing that had been growing inside of me! Little did I know he wasn't looking the greatest and everyone was preoccupied with trying to get him to respond.  I said "What is it!!?" And almost in stereo I heard "IT'S A BOY!!"  They did lay him on my chest but he didn't look very good and they took him right away to get fluid out of his lungs and assess him.  It seriously was such an amazing moment, my husband was crying and excited and it was just all so special!  They brought him over to me to say hi but then whisked him off to the NICU.  He was very pale and I'm not gonna lie he didn't look that great, I was so scared but knew he was in good hands. 

I got finished getting cleaned up and everything and I am proud to say I only tore a little bit that I didn't need stitches or an episiotomy.  We then waited....and waited....and waited.  We found out that the labor and delivery had went so quickly that it just took a toll on him and he was just kind of in shock from it all.  He had to receive fluids through an IV, was hooked up to oxygen and had monitors on for his breathing and blood pressure.  The first time I got to see him it was so hard.  I just cried and cried.  Here I was, I did everything naturally as possible and he still ends up hooked up to all these machines and medicines.  It really did a number on me mentally and emotionally.  I still hadn't held my baby and wasn't able to have him next to me.  He had been with me for the last 9 months and now he was just ripped from me and I had to try and deal with that.  That whole day was really rough for us.  We were running on no sleep along with the emotion of having our baby about 2.5 weeks early and now he's fighting for his life.  He thankfully responded to a lot of it very quickly showing he's a tough little man. 

Saturday/Sunday, July 9 & 10, 2011

We ended up spending the weekend in the hospital.  He was slowly weened off of the oxygen and held his levels on his own very well.  Then they wanted to start breast feeding to see how he did with that.  Just as any new mom and baby go through we had a tough go at first but quickly found a groove that worked.  We did have AMAZING nurses in the NICU, many of whom were certified lactation consultants which was seriously a god send!!  The last thing they were waiting on was his blood tests to make sure he came back with no infections, these also came back clean.  Our little man was tough and making a comeback!! 

Monday July 11th we were given the okay to take him home.  It was seriously the best feeling in the entire world.  I still have a hard time believing this cute little guy is ours to keep forever!!  My husband and I have fallen completely head over heels for this little 6lb 14oz human being.  We have been slowly trying to get into a routine with him but it definitely is a learning process and little Gabriel John is the one calling the shots!!

So I know that was super long and if you made it through the whole thing I commend you!  In some ways it went exactly how I had hoped/planned and in other ways it didn't.  But that's life.  We have this healthy, beautiful baby boy out of it and it has changed our lives forever.  In a month my husband and I will have been together for 8 years and in about 3 months we'll be married for 3 years...it really is an honor to share this with someone that has been with me through thick and thin, someone I love so much it's hard to say with words how much I love and respect him. 

Pregnancy and childbirth is truly something amazing that us as women are allowed to do in life.  We need to take those moments and cherish them, I already miss how he felt in my belly even though I have him in person now.  I was so eager for him to get here that I sometimes forgot to appreciate what my body was doing.  AND it is soooo do-able naturally.  Maybe I say that because my labor from start to finish was 6.5 hours long but it was hard and fast and by no means easy.  But I did it, we as women are strong individuals and we need to embrace that!!

I leave you with a picture of my bundle:

xoxo

SS

The Last Stage of Pregnancy?

So as I hit the final stretch of this pregnancy I have come across another emotion PARANOIA!  I don't know if this happens to everyone or if I am just an exception but I am so paranoid lately.  Being as this is my first time I'm sure the paranoia hits more and maybe the fact that I am a control freak and this is pretty much all out of my control at this point, but I may have also just lost my mind....

Top Paranoia Thoughts:

1. We didn't have a baby shower before so we aren't prepared. (Silly I know!)
2. Is that amniotic fluid or did I just pee my pants again?  (This baby has a nice trampoline in there so that is most likely the answer!)
3. I will never have enough cloth diapers.  (In all reality I can just wash them and then I will have more, or if it is an emergency I can splurge for disposables....maybe!)
4. Was that a contraction or just gas!?  (My husband confirmed I was just super gassy last night...)
5. If I forgot to take my prenatal pill every day will my baby turn out deformed??  (ummmm)
6. Someone told me to get some depends for all the bleeding afterwards!  (ummmmm!)
7. I don't have any nursing bras yet....do I need em?
8. Baby isn't as active as it used to be, is everything ok?? (Probably, there's just not much room in there anymore....right?!)
9. What if I can't 'produce' enough milk?  I will only formula feed as an absolute last resort.
10. Will I be a good mother?!?? (I asked my husband this question and after many moments of silence he said yes....maybe not the most reassuring answer!)

I know a lot of these are so silly and people have said that it all works itself out after baby gets here but I can't help to feel all these crazy things!!  I freaked out cause I didn't have one pair of baby socks and thought that might be the end of the world so I went and bought some....so now in the 80-90 degree weather when my baby is born, they will at least have warm feet LOL

Please tell me I am just being a paranoid first mom!!?

xoxo

SS

The Interchangeable Flower Collection

So I finally was able to get my interchangeable flower crochet hats up and posted on my Etsy page.

These are hats that range in sizes 0-3 months all the way to child (3-10 years) all have a button that is attached securely to the crocheted hat and then you choose which flowers you would like to get for your hat.  I have two different sets you can choose from, the Basic Set which includes 1 hat and 2 flowers of your choice and the Ultimate Set which includes 1 hat and 7 flowers of your choice! 

The sizes are approximate and you should measure your child's head:

• 0-3 months -- 13" cir.  6" height
• 3-6 months -- 15" cir.  7" height
• 6-12 months -- 16" cir.  7" height
• 1-3 years (toddler) -- 17" cir.  7" height
• 3-10 years (child) -- 19" cir.  8" height

Circumference is unstretched, they will stretch another inch or so. 

So on to pictures and listings!!!

All the hats in each size, going from smallest (top) to largest (bottom).  Remember the computer may distort colors slightly.  From top to bottom the colors are: light green, brown, ivory, black, and violet.  The hats can be made in any of these colors OR any of the flower colors!

Here are the current flower choices as well!  I will be constantly updating these as I am always picking up new yarn.

Here is the 0-3 month hat open just to show how the flower lays.

All hats and flowers are made from soft cotton and are made to order so you can customize them any way you want to!!  If you are a fellow blogger and you would like to have one as a giveaway contest or review please contact me by clicking the 'Contact Me' button on the top of my blog and I would be happy to work out the details with you!

Now on to the listings on Etsy!

Basic Set - 1 hat/2 flowers ($15.00 + shipping)

• 0-3 months
• 3-6 months
• 6-12 months
• 1-3 years, toddler
• 3-10 years, child

Ultimate Set - 1 hat/7 flowers ($20.00 + shipping)

• 0-3 months
• 3-6 months
• 6-12 months
• 1-3 years, toddler
• 3-10 years, child

Thank you for looking and let me know if you have any questions!!!

xoxo

SS

Growing a baby...

So this is my first time around growing a human being and it sure has been a journey!  I thought I knew how it would be and everyday was a surprise!  I wish I would've been blogging throughout the entire thing but oh well, next time!

So today I am about 36 weeks and I have definitely hit the wall and I am ready for this baby!  hahaha I don't plan on rushing it at all of course  but if baby decided it was ready I wouldn't object!

I have grown a massive amount and baby has dropped even within a month:

A quick background with this pregnancy.  Hubby and I had been married for 2 years (together for 7) when we decided we wanted to try for a baby.  Our first year of marriage consisted of chemo and radiation appointments for my husband who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system).  So he had been in remission for a year and we were given not a very good chance of getting pregnant.  I had been tracking my monthly cycle so I knew when would be the best time to try and we did.  And it worked, the first time!  We went on to buy a house and move in and then found out 3 days after we moved in that we were pregnant!  We were excited and shocked all at the same time!  Now that was almost 8 months ago!

I have had a very good pregnancy, better than I ever could have expected.  I was blessed with not having morning sickness, I would get nauseous if I didn't eat, but that was about it.  Then that burst of 2nd trimester energy hit me and it hit me big!  I felt fantastic, fell in love with my growing curves and was getting pretty excited.  Then the lovely 3rd trimester hit me and hit kind of hard.  I got extremely tired and sore very quickly, heartburn took over my days and nights, and the simple task of putting on pants became a chore! 

So now I'm in the home stretch!  I have been having Braxton Hicks like crazy and my doctor says I am progressing very well and fast.  Baby is head down and ready to go!!  So now I just wait until it is ready...

I thought I would compile a list of the 25 things I learned while being pregnant!  Enjoy and comment back if you agree with any of em!!

1. If you don't find out the gender people will be either mad or supportive, silly really, we will all know eventually!
2. People will try to talk you out of breastfeeding, cloth diapering and natural childbirth....don't listen to them!  Everyone is different and if it's something you wanna try, do it!!
3. You will somehow know 500 other pregnant women all the sudden!  My Facebook is overflowing with mommies-to-be.
4. Your husband will become amazing over the months of your pregnancy....well at least mine did.  :)
5. Getting undressed and dressed now becomes a chore you hate.
6. You haven't known heartburn until you have pregnancy heartburn.
7. You will cry, a lot, and about stupid things.
8. Give in to cravings.  No matter if it's ice cream at 8am or tacos at midnight.  Do it!
9. People will say stupid things to you....take em with a grain of salt.
10. Take photos of your growing belly.  I look back at the beginning when I thought I was HUGE and giggle to myself because I know I am huge now! LOL
11. If people offer to do things for you let them, but be grateful.
12. Peeing sucks....I've never hated it more!
13. Do your kegals :)
14. Don't be afraid to utilize massage therapy, chiropractors, acupuncture and physical therapy for pain or uncomfortableness....it will make a world of difference.
15. Keep a journal or blog about your whole pregnancy...I wish I would have.
16. Your boobs and nipples will change their appearance more than you will know! hahaha
17. Make sure you keep your boundaries with friends and family, if people are intruding too much just tell them.  You will feel so much better if you do.
18. Your pets will know, our chihuahuas have been soooo clingy for the last couple weeks.
19. I enjoy having my belly rubbed and poked at....some women don't, just make sure you respect an expecting mama's wishes before invading her personal space.
20. Love and feel comfortable with your doctor.  If you don't feel comfortable before labor and delivery you won't during.  My doctor is absolutely AMAZING!!
21. If you have a fairly easy pregnancy don't let others make you feel bad about it or don't beat yourself up for it.  Everyone is different and every pregnancy is different.
22. Make sure your employer respects and listens to your needs during your pregnancy, if they don't you need to do whatever it takes to make sure you and your baby stay healthy.
23. Even if you feel like vegging on the couch all day and all night, go to lunch or coffee with a friend.  It will boost your energy and spirits.
24. Even if you aren't feeling particularly sexy or beautiful your more beautiful than you know.  Embrace it!
25. You (I) can grow a human being.  We are strong as women and nothing is impossible.  Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything!!

Yay for babies and pregnant women everywhere!!

xoxo

SS