Sewing Projects

Just wanted to post pictures of a couple of things I've made recently. I am not a seamstress by any means. I am very much a beginner...these were my very first solo sewing projects. I learned a lot through trial and error, and the finished products are far from perfect, but I'm happy with them.

So, here's what I've made:

When I was 8 weeks pregnant, I saw this tutorial for making maternity bands on the Make It and Love It blog...love that blog! Knowing that I would be in that awkward can't quite button my pants but can't (or don't want to) wear a bigger size yet stage, I was so excited to see this. Despite my lack of sewing skills, I was determined to try this. It looked simple enough and I happened to have a scrap of fabric that I bought a LONG time ago that was the right type and size for the project. Hooray!

So I got really excited about it...and then never got around to making it. My belly kept expanding and I kept telling myself I would start it tomorrow. Fast forward 17 WEEKS (yes, I'm great at procrastinating!) and my tomorrow finally came. I sat down and made myself do it. And you know, it actually turned out okay. It's far from perfect, but all the imperfections are hidden under my shirt.  :)  This was the perfect beginner project. It took me A LOT longer than it should have, but now I feel comfortable enough to try another one and I know what to do differently next time (I want to double up the fabric or use a thicker fabric). I can't wait to make some more! It is so so comfortable, it has allowed me to wear some of my favorite jeans a little longer, and I've been able to add a few too-short shirts back into my almost non-existent wardrobe.  :) Hooray for maternity bands!

 And these are the curtains I made for the baby's room. LONG story short...I wasn't originally planning on making curtains. I just didn't have the experience or confidence for that kind of a project. So, I had bought some brown curtains and just wanted to sew a panel of fabric on them to add a splash of color. I headed to the fabric store, found this striped fabric, and then way-overcalculated how much I would need. When I got home I realized it would be enough to make a whole set of curtains, so after a couple more trips to the fabric store and a lot of research, I started sewing.

I used this tutorial....which ALSO happens to be from the Make It And Love It blog...seriously, you should checkout her blog if you never have! I changed a few things with the design and figured out my measurements, and after a lot of trial and error and a couple more trips to the fabric store, the curtains are finally done. And I am SO happy with them.

I love being able to see these things and know that I MADE THEM. I made something I never thought I could make, AND I even like them!. It's a really good feeling. And now I've got the sewing bug....I NEED to sew something else! Maybe some living room curtains...

27 week belly shot! This pregnancy is going SO fast!

Pictures of Love

 As a parent, there are few things more satisfying than seeing your kids be friends. I love the bond these two are developing and hope they always stay friends.

Seeing those pictures reminded me of this one. It is one of my very favorites of the kids together. Awww...melts my heart!

January 2009

Riding the Train

 We had another gorgeous Saturday yesterday, so we knew we had to get out of the house and enjoy it...especially since it looks like the rain is coming back next week. We boarded CalTrain and settled in for our 50 minute ride into the city. The train is a special treat for the kids....they were SO excited. When we got on the train, they decided they wanted to sit on the second level...they thought it was the coolest thing ever. You'd think we took them to Disneyland by how excited they were (except that this was free! We love cheap entertainment).

When we got to the city we walked another mile along the Embarcadero to the big farmer's market there. We have never been and thought it would be fun to check it out. It was huge! We tasted some yummy samples and bought the most delicious bread...and almost bought lots of pretty flowers, but we didn't think they'd survive the long day. We will definitely be going back, but next time we'll drive. After walking around for a bit, we grabbed some lunch at a little Mexican restaurant in the ferry building. Delicious! We walked around for a little while longer and then started the walk back to the train station. Matthew slept the entire time we were there!

On our way home, we made one last stop in Burlingame. We had to visit our favorite candy store there and I wanted to check out the consignment store. The kids got their treats,  and I got some cute baby clothes. Win win! Then we boarded the train one last time and headed home. It was a really fun, beautiful day, but we were completely worn out! Kids were in bed by 6:45 and we followed at 8. Definitely a sign of a good day!

 All ready to go

In front of the Giants stadium

We were in one of the front cars. Emma was so excited when she realized that she could see all of the other cars when we went around a bend.

Cute boys!

I love Matthew's face here...haha!

Home sweet home!

24 Weeks

 I must have popped this week, because for the last 3 days I have had several people who know me comment that I am finally looking pregnant. And I have started having complete strangers come up and ask when I'm due and then tell me that I'm either huge or so tiny....gotta love that! I also had one older woman come RIGHT up to me, in my face and very much in my personal space, and tell me how exciting it was that I was having another boy. She was surprised when I told her it was actually a girl and said that by the way I was carrying she was sure it was a boy. Regardless, I am so excited to finally be looking pregnant, and not just fat.  :)

Baby's movements are definitely getting stronger, and Jon has even been able to feel her a few times. I love getting to that point...to where he can have that little bonding time with her.

I'm feeling mostly good, but the morning sickness just won't go completely away. It has come back with a vengeance the last few days. But my energy levels are definitely up, which is awesome!

24 weeks!

Dear Sun

 Dear Sun,

I would like to thank you for gracing us with your presence these last 2 weeks. We have loved having you around. These summer-like 60-70 degree, sunny days have almost made me forget that it really is the middle of winter still. We have thoroughly enjoyed taking long bike rides, spending several hours at the park (often multiple times a day), playing in the backyard with the water table and sprinkler, eating popsicles and spending time at the beach. You have spoiled us so much, we will forgive you for the rain you brought on Saturday and Sunday. After all, a little rain every once in a while is good.

Please stick around!

Sincerely,


A very happy mom

Pictures taken at Poplar Beach- Jan 22, 2011

One Year Older

 Happy birthday Jon! We love you and hope that, despite the ups and downs of life, you had a great birthday! Thank you for being such a great husband and father. I feel so blessed to have you in my life.

 

Getting Ready for Baby

 After Matthew, we got rid of pretty much all of our baby stuff...which honestly wasn't much. Most of it we bought secondhand and it wasn't worth holding onto and we had a couple borrowed things. So, we were definitely in need of a few things for this baby. We don't have a huge budget, so I was really excited when I saw several stores clearancing out all of last year's baby items this month. I waited and watched for prices to drop and in the end we were SO blessed. We ended up getting everything we needed (and maybe a couple things that we didn't  :)  ) for super cheap. I LOVE a good deal and am super excited, so I had to share.

 My most exciting find...this Chicco carseat. This carseat is top rated...has all the extra safety cushioning and support and super cool features. It also has a $180 price tag. I saw this seat at Toys R Us marked down to $90. It was still a little more than I wanted to pay so I asked an employee if there were any coupons out that I could use with it. He checked and said there weren't any but that he would give it to me for $55 if I wanted to take it right then. Sweet! So I grabbed it and went to the register. When he rang it up, the system automatically gave me an additional 20% off, bringing the price down to a whopping $44!!! We were planning on buying a bare bones Graco seat for $90, but this one is better (better safety ratings and just an all around cushier seat) AND ended up being half the price. Huge blessing! And the moral to this story...never be afraid to ask for extra discounts. You never know what they'll give you! I have done this several times and more often than not they are more than happy to lower the price for me.

I found everything else at Target, marked down 50-75%. So, for the bouncer, crib set, portable bassinet/swing thing, and Bebe Pod I only spent $62. So, together WITH the carseat we only spent a little over $100. Not bad considering full price it all would have been about $350! And the crazy thing is I paid the same or less for these items as they are all selling for used on Craigslist! So, we feel incredibly blessed! And we feel incredibly prepared...haha...I know I still have 18 1/2 weeks till my due date (but who's counting?) and in the past I haven't even started looking at buying things this early, but when the deal's there I can't pass it up. :)

So, we are basically ready for this little one to come...just need a name and some more clothes (our newborn and 0-3 month stuff has somehow disappeared!) and then we'll be set. I am getting so excited!