Molly JoAnn arrived at 3:12 pm on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 weighing 6 lbs 13 oz and measuring 19.5" long.
Everyone is well and doing a great job adjusting to all the changes. Molly-Jo is as sweet as pie and loved beyond measure. Thanks to all the family and friends that have offered support and shared in our joy.
I couldn't be happier or feel more blessed than right now!
I've felt so un-crafty for the past few months but this week I've been making up for it. Today I finished the little table-top quilt above - a project that has been sitting on my ironing board since this summer. And last week I made a matching valance for my kitchen window and these tiny chair cushions with the left-over fabric.
Yes, I do believe that my nesting instinct has finally kicked in and I plan to take full advantage of it. Well, while I still have time, anyway.
This is my 38 week belly shot. I can't believe that this baby will be here so soon but we are all so ready to meet her. Until then, I can be found behind my sewing machine instead of my usual spot on the couch.
Yesterday I sat down and whipped up two scarves, one for each of my girls. From start to finish they only took about two hours and only two skeins of LionBrand Hometown USA yarn which cost $2.50 per skein. Much better than purchasing scarves for sure.
On the reading front, I've been studying every book, website and YouTube video about breastfeeding. I didn't even attempt breastfeeding with my other children and I've always regretted it. I had a huge fear that it would be painful and inconvenient. This time around (mostly because it'll be the last chance I have because we don't plan to have more children) I'm ready to do it. The more I read and learn about breastfeeding, the more confidence I have that I can do it successfully. I'm also super excited about not having to fool with formula and bottle-washing.
Make sure to visit Ginny's place for more Yarn Alongs.
...there's been a little belly-growing...
( 30 weeks pregnant - I'm currently 33 weeks and due Jan.15 ! )
...a tiny bit of sewing...
( coasters )
( disappearing-nine baby quilt )
....some Christmas decorating....
...and a whole lot of resting in between.
How's your December going?
I'm happy to be joining in Ginny's Yarn Along this week.
I've got many crochet projects in the works and they all reside in this big basket on the couch within my reach whenever I need to sit for a while (which happens quite often). The big granny square on the left will be a baby blanket. I thrifted the green and yellow part and I'm just making it bigger by adding the orange. In the middle are some flowers I've been making with leftover scrap yarn. I'm not sure what I'll do with them but I thought they might be nice as a garland to hang on the wall behind my sewing machine. On the far right is a chevron scarf I started from Sarah London's pattern. It's taking longer than I expected and I hope I can finish before winter is over. There are a few more works-in-progress in the bottom of my basket along with many balls of yarn and many more ideas. I love that basket.
I haven't been reading much lately which why I haven't posted a Yarn Along in a while. I did, however, buy a serger and unfortunately, I don't really know how to use it. I requested every book on sergers from the library and I'm slowly getting familiar with my new machine.
I was disappointed when my girls told me that they wanted a store-bought costumes for Halloween this year. I tried my best to convince at least one of them to dress-up as Little Red Riding Hood because I really, really wanted a reason to make a long, flowing red cape just like in the movie. Alas, my power of persuasion rarely works anymore on these opinionated little girls. They both fell in love with a couple of witch costumes at JoAnn's and I reluctantly bought them. Sniff, sniff...no handmade Halloween this year.
Then, at 4:45pm on Halloween Day, Sarah insisted (with all the drama and tears that 7 year old girls can muster) that it was her life-long dream to be a zombie for Halloween. What choice did I have but to get crafty! Sure it involved ripping and smearing instead of planning and sewing, but I got my handmade Halloween and she got to be a hungry zombie.
We all had an awesome Halloween.
Cowl no. 2 is done...yay! Just before the Carefree Cowl Knit Along deadline! This time around I choose the Cardiff Cowl (which can be found on the LionBrand Yarn website).
This cowl is much lighter than my previous cowl which makes it perfect for the cool autumn weather. I worked it up in Debbie Stroller Full O'Sheep 100% peruvian wool yarn. It's light but still warm and I am quite fond of the lacy/ doily look of it.
Last week I finished my loose cowl for the Carefree Cowl Knit Along hosted by LuvInTheMommyHood. I made a minor change to the pattern by increasing the foundation chain so that the cowl would be long enough to loop around twice. I love how it turned out. It's thick and cozy and very warm. Seeing as how it won't be cold enough to wear my cowl here in the south until around December, I decided to start another cowl that's a bit lighter and can be worn right now. Fingers crossed...I should be able to finish cowl number 2 before the Knit Along's Nov. 4 deadline.
I've felt quiet lately, content to be immersed in household chores, our daily routines and marveling at my growing belly. Doing any sort of sewing, crafting or crocheting has seemed, well, too overwhelming for me. I've started (or at least thought about starting) several projects only to shelve them after feeling like I didn't have the stamina to finish. This pregnancy has really zapped my energy and my creativity. But now that Fall is here, my favorite season, I'm feeling urge to 'make' again. Nothing big, just simple crafts to celebrate the new season and ease some creativity back into my foggy, pregnant brain.
These felt leaves are sitting on my coffee table waiting to be sewn into a super simple Autumn garland from this tutorial. How's that for easy. And right next to that is the beginning of my crocheted loose cowl.
I've joined the Carefree Cowl Knit Along hosted by LuvInTheMommyHood to help jumpstart a little crochet ispiration. Thankfully I have enough of this LionBrand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in my yarn stash to finish my cowl. If a trip to the craft store had been needed I fear this project might have been shelved too.
Sometimes I lose my patience, fuss more than I should and stay grumpy for too long.
Sometimes I don't think that I am good enough, I feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped.
Sometimes happiness does not come easy to me and guilt and worry occupy my thoughts too often.
But sometimes, I realize that I am human, I can't do it all and it's ok. Then I let go of those silly expectations that I impose on myself, I focus on the blessings in my life and I find that happiness is always around me even if i can't always see it.
