Crafty and Creative

After looking for a nursing cover online and not finding what I really wanted I decided that it really couldn't be that hard to make my own. I didn't want to pay $40 for one with a pattern that I didn't really like and so I "googled" nursing cover patterns. So many different hits came up! I found lots of women that felt the same way and put their own twist on different patterns and things like that. I have decided to make two nursing covers, so after goin to JoAnn's and finding some simple fabric I made my first one by following a tutorial found here. It's a blog called Prudent Baby that I have come to really love! This one I made only took me about an hour or so and with only one layer of fabric was really easy. I have found another tutorial that I want to try for my second one to make it reversable and add a pocket on it. I made this first one for about $10! So, I saved so much money and also got to use my new sewing machine that I got for my birthday! (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

Here are a couple of pictures of what it looks like:
I even used some boning to make the "Hooter Hider" look come to life. This fabric was nice on both sides, so I wasn't so worried about doubling it up. What do you think of the result?! I love it!

 Here is a closer look at what the fabric looks like, along with the amazing top. I have to say that I was so impressed with how easy the tutorial was to follow too! The only thing I would do differently is make the second strap a little shorter. There was way too much excess for me, but maybe others like it long. Who really knows! The fabric doesn't look as vibrant in these pictures as it is in real life too, but I still like it!

For my next one I am going to try to do buttons instead of the hooks that I did for this one. The hooks aren't hard to use, and a little cheaper, but I think it might be a little easier to use if I could just bring the strap around my head and button it up really easily. I will make sure to post the other one as I get around to finishing it.

I have really spent lots of time sewing this week. I was able to hem up a shower curtain that I cut for an art project in our bathroom that we are remodeling, sew two receiving blankets for humanitarian aid, and a few other small must-do's that I had lying around.

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed latley with all that needs to get done before little Preston joins us. I have lots of small projects everywhere that I need to finish, get things done at work, clean the house, wash all his clothes-make sure he has enough clothes-and random other daily chores, like making dinner and doing our normal laundry, etc. Is this a normal feeling? And with all of this going on all I want to do is keep sewing! I would love to make some pillows for our living room, a teething bumper for the crib, frames, a new headboard...and so many other things. It might be a small obsession right now, but I am learning how to control it all! I have come to learn that I need to remind myself that he is going to decide when he wants to come and all I can do is stay calm and pretend like I am ready.

All in White

Yesterday I went to Madison with two other women from the branch. We were on a mission to go to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and get a few things for home improvement projects or things like that. I was on the search for a door that I want to turn into a headboard for our bedroom. Since we moved I bought a new bed set and have been really into white furniture. Anyways, we got there (a 60+ minute drive) and saw that it was closed. The store is only open Tuesday through Saturday and we had decided to go on a Monday. We will definitely not forget their hours from now on. After sitting there in the car for a minute realizing that we couldn't accomplish our original mission we decided to go shopping to a few other stores that we really don't have anywhere close to Dodgeville. We went to JoAnn's first...which I was excited about (details on what I purchased will come soon!) then we went to Burlington Coat Factory, and then finally Target. I have found that Burlington Coat Factory actually has very reasonably priced baby stuff. This made it a little hard for me. I went through the baby section almost buying nothing, but then I got to the end of one of the isles and saw white baby clothing! Oh my goodness! I found white suits and baby baptism clothes or blessing outfits that were very reasonably priced! I couldn't resist and bought our little Preston the cutest little outfit.

Here's a little peak of what it looks like:

I just love this little outfit! Neil and I didn't know what we were going to do for his blessing outfit, but now we do! It has the cutest tie and little vest! Don't you think so?

 Here is a close up of what it looks like. You can't really tell in these pictures very well, but the vest and tie have a small texture on them. Now I just need to make sure that we have some white socks and we are good to go!

I have to admit that I was more drawn to the white dresses that came in so many different styles and fabrics. I think that is my girly side coming out. I am excited to have a little boy to play with soon! I have loved going through little boy clothes and all the cute things that are made for them! We have been really blessed with so many wonderful people dropping clothes off at our house for him. He is going to be a really studly little man!

Stroller Time!

For my baby shower a bunch of women went in together for one big gift, which just so happened to be the jogging stroller that I had my eye on. Last night Neil put it all together, along with the car seat. I am so excited! It was rated really high and I can't wait to get walking and running again with my new little guy. I figured that if we had a stroller that could go anywhere and I could exercise with then I will have no excuse to lose the weight that I have gained during this pregnancy. Anyways, so after putting it together I am super anxious to use it! I almost took it outside today to see what it felt like on the "road", however...the snow that was falling prevented me from getting any further than just looking out the window. So, I just walked back and forth downstairs a little bit! So far I really love it!

Here are a few pictures of what it looks like:
We chose to go with a neutral color that we liked and green was the most available! After getting the stroller at my baby shower we went out and bought the infant car seat that goes with the stroller. The car seat actually goes from 5 lbs to 35 lbs. I was impressed with that range after looking at other car seats. Hopefully he won't be super fat and grow out of this one too fast!

 Here is a closer look at the car seat. I also got the insert at my baby shower. It helps infants fit in their car seat better and gives a little extra padding I guess. I can't believe that he is going to be fitting in their soon! How exciting!

Neil is going to install the base in the car soon so that we are prepared for anything to happen. I have discovered that often when we are prepared for the worst or with this baby...prepared in advance, then we actually are just fine. We have been pushing and often struggling to get to this point in the pregnancy, and now I am feeling better than ever! My bet is that I am going to now have to be induced because we make it all the way to 40 weeks. Life can sometimes be so ironic!

And We Are Here: Week 32!

I did have my doubts at times, however...the proof is in the puddin'. We have indeed made it to week 32 today! I had some major contractions last night that really freaked out my husband, but they stopped at 4 and hour and seemed to slow down. We hope to keep this little guy in there as long as possible, so we are trying to keep life low-key for now.

Here are some photos as an update to what we are looking like now:

Look at that! We are no larger than ever...which is fun at times, and can be quite uncomfortable at others. Overall...life is good!

Week 32 baby! oh yeah!

Last Friday we spent about 6 hours in the Dodgeville Hospital taking a 3 hour Glucose test to see whether or not I had Gestational Diabetes. My first 1 hour test came out positive, so we had to go on and do the second. The test started out just fine, and then at the 2nd hour test I passed out after she took my blood. I have to say she did try three different veins, which might have had an affect on my passing out problems. I also had to go in fasting, which doesn't seem to go well with me even when I'm not pregnant. When I passed out the nurse called in another nurse from the emergency room because I was pregnant. As I came to I found the two nurses kind of argueing a little bit about whether or not I should drink and eat something. One nurse said, "...but she needs the sugar and food to help her feel better, to bring her heart rate up." And then the other said, "...but then she will have to do the test all over again, and we don't want to do that." As I was coming to I said that I think I was okay, and probably just needed to lay down. So, I didn't eat anything but ended up sleeping for the last hour. After they did the last test and had bruised me up pretty good I ate a few things and drank some water before moving. Luckily Neil was there to help me walk to the car and get going again.

We did find out that I do not have gestational diabetes. I am so grateful for this! I was really worried that I might have diabetes because of how affected by sugar I have been. However, I have felt much better lately as I really watch what I eat and try not to eat too much sugar at one time. I am so grateful for modern medicine!

30 Weeks Tomorrow

When we found out we were pregnant we were happy and excited but also a little apprehensive at what this pregnancy was going to be like. I am glad to report that it hasn't been that bad. We are very grateful for the gospel in our lives and the many many blessings we have received. We are proud to tell everyone that he is growing well and is 47 percentile for weight! I have contractions most days, but we are still going strong. We hope to make it as far as we possibly can so that he can grow as much as possible. He moves around lots, which often keeps me up at night, but as long as he is doing well I don't mind.

As per request from many friends and family here are prego pictures of what we look like!We will be 30 weeks tomorrow! (Friday March 25th)

 Look at us grow!

I haven't really looked that pregnant until now. So, I feel very pregnant, but I just get weird looks. However, the last couple of days random people at the store or getting gas have made comments or asked questions! How fun is that?! Haha...I know that is kind of weird, but it is nice to have people recognize your growing belly. I'm not sure why that really is...maybe because it is some kind of gratification for the work that you are doing. Haha...who really knows!

Baby Shower!

We haven't lived here in Dodgeville for very long, but we have gotten really close to members of our branch here. It is like we have to be family since there isn't any other family anywhere near us. Since I have been pregnant we have seen such an immense amount of support. We have really appreciated all of it! The two ladies that visit teach me threw me a baby shower! It was so fun! I got some really great things...like a jogging stroller! I am super excited to use that someday soon! I have been anxious to get outside and move around lately.

Here are a few pictures of the amazing cake and decor at the baby shower. There are other pictures on Facebook if you want to see more! Molly posted a whole album with more pictures. These are just a few that I took before the shower actually got started.

Isn't this cake super cute! Molly is amazing at making cakes that are delicious and very beautiful. This was an orange almond floavored cake with orange zest icing under the fondant.

The little balls were a cute touch too! 

Another pictures of the cute cake. The cake looked like the invitations, which was a nice touch.

Blue Baby Quilt and Family Fun!

So, yes it does take me forever to get things up on my blog. As you can see there hasn't been a new post since we first got married and I decided to start this whole thing. I have made a few new years resolutions. One was to make sure that I thank people and send thank you cards to people that get baby stuff and do small things that matter. My second was to update others via posting what is going on in my life on this blog. I have figured that I need to set a time every week that I just do it! So, here goes!

Here is the first of a few different posts that I am super excited to share!

My family came up for the weekend in February and we painted the babies room and made the babies crib quilt. It was so much fun! While my mom, sister and I sewed away my dad was busy painting the babies room a nice bright Disney blue! Actually, Natalie and Dad painted while my Mom and I went to a doctors appointment, but that's another story for a later time. Here are a few pictures of the room and quilt!

As we got started we cut and then had to figure out the sewing machine! Luckily Mom has always been really good at that.

Here is what we thought we would do for a pattern. We couldn't find a pattern at JoAnn's that we loved, so we thought we might try to make one up ourselves out of the fabric that we liked.

 And isn't the fabric super cute! This picture is a little dark, but I loved the pattern it has!

 Natalie contributed in her own way! Haha...just joking. She ended up makine a mini quilt for him to carry around with him. It was a really cute little thing. You will see what that looks like later...I mean below!

 Finishing was the hardest part! I didn't think we would get it finished before Mom left, but as we got pinning and everything we found that we might be able to do it! As I was cutting the batting to the right size she started pinning all three layers together so that we could tie it and then finish the edges.

 And how cute does that look in the room! We did all white furniture and then blue walls. Our theme is more of just different shades of blue rather than anything else. I love it though!

 The Call women with the quilts that we made for little Preston! I am so excited to wrap him up in them!The fabric was super soft!

 The painter! Dad wasn't really painting here, but we wanted him to pose somehow. He has always been so good at painting and did such a good job on the babies room. I am sure Preston is going to be really grateful for all the work he put in! Thanks Grandpa!

 Natalie helped too...so we had to get here in there as well!

The weekend was so fun! It was fun to finally show them around the town that we live in. The time really did fly by, however....we are grateful for whatever we can get. Thanks so much for all your help family!I will post pictures of the room soon. It is almost fully put together!