Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2011

Penelope { 9 months }

 


She is 9 months old today. Wow, it's just flying by. She's crawling EVERYWHERE and pulling up on EVERYTHING, and putting EVERYTHING she can get her hands on in her mouth. We have to watch her like a hawk. Big Sister and Big Brother are still her favorite form of entertainment. They keep her giggling. She has been the sweetest and most good natured baby, but her temper is starting to show a little now. If you take away something she's not supposed to have, she sure let's you know how she feels about it.  


 This little boy was trying to help me get this little girl to smile. :) So thankful for such a sweet big brother.



Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Letting go of Perfectionism

So I haven't posted anything in FOREVER because I was wanting to get all the 12 days of Christmas crafts posted first. Well, my computer crashed and really it's WAY too late to be thinking about Christmas. So I'm letting go of that and just moving forward.


First I have to share a few pics of my sweet baby at 7 months....
AND now at 8 months...
She is so sweet. I just love her so much. She is crawling EVERYWHERE and getting into EVERYTHING. I forgot how exhausting this stage is.

Ok, there is much more that I need to post, but for now this will have to do.



Thursday, November 4, 2010

Penelope {5 months}

Penelope Jolie
Every time I stop to think about this little cutie, I just feel incredibly blessed. She's such a sweet natured baby. She's been sleeping around 7-8 hours at night, nursing and then going right back to sleep for another 4 hours. It's like a dream come true. (My other two were the nurse every 2 hours on the dot sort of babies).

She's general happy, but it's her big sister and big brother that really make her giggle. They know just what to do to get her laughing so hard. She loves for us to play peek-a-boo with her, sing to her, and she loves if you let her lay upside down on your lap.  She especially loves her bath time. She just kicks her little legs the whole time. It's so funny.

She's on the move now too. My little Nellie girl is a ROLLING machine. Time to baby proof ....again. Now that my older two are both past the put stuff in your mouth phase, we have TONS of tiny choking objects. I'm going to have to be so vigilant.

So thankful for my little ball of sunshine.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

She is Three Months Old today...

The Wonderful and Good News about my sweet Penelope: 

I love this little girl so much! She is an easy baby. (My first was a difficult baby, so I do know the difference and am so thankful for her mellow personality). Very content and happy most of the time. She smiles a lot. She's given us a few tiny giggles. She has been trying to roll over this last week. She gets stuck and can't quite make it over, this she will cry about. Apparently, she is going to have a temper. :) She is sleeping well, only nursing once or twice a night. Usually sleeping for a 6 hour stretch, usually followed by a 4 hour stretch, then  another 2 hours.  My older two kiddos ADORE her. They constantly are singing to her, showing her toys, and playing with her. We are so happy she is in our lives.

The Bad News about me:
I haven't lost one pound since I came home from the hospital, not one! It's horrible. (With my other two pregnancies, I was back into my jeans within a month). I have been wearing my "bigger" maternity clothes (as opposed to my "smaller" maternity clothes, which still don't fit). I finally broke down and bought a regular pair of jeans, but they are 2 sizes bigger than what I would normally wear. It made me sad. I've been jogging a mile a few times a week for the last 3 weeks...it hasn't helped any yet. Oh well. 
The other thing is I feel like my hormones are still out of whack. I'm pretty irritable at times, overwhelmed easily, and still cry for no reason quite often. I have super low energy no matter how much I've slept. I've finally made an appointment with my doctor for later this month. I'm going to hopefully have her check my thyroid and get some advice on where I should be at and what I can do to start feeling more like myself again.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thoughts on Motherhood- the third time

The third time is WAY easier than the first. I have so much less anxiety. Dealing with a newborn always is a little intimidating. They are so tiny. However, having done it twice- makes this time easier.


There are some things that are NOT easier, no matter how many times you've done them...  Engorgement, sleep depravation, seeing your post-prego body (ick). 


I've had a few ask if not knowing the gender helped with labor. Um, yes and no. It was motivating, but I don't think it made labor easier per say.


It was an amazing moment when she was born.
Words can't really describe it. Joy, relief, excitement...

There was an odd sense of adjustment after that- trying to wrap my mind around the fact that she really was a girl. I'd kind of prepared for a boy in my mind (mostly because I thought I'd heard my OB slip and call her a boy once during an ultrasound). I didn't make any girly things before her arrival- just gender neutral stuff. So I'm wanting to make it all more girly  now- but don't really have time.


We all have adjusted relatively well. Things are running pretty good. It's motivating to have people bringing us supper each night. Forces me to get my make-up on and pick up the house each day. She's sleeping well. We're having trouble with latching - ESPECIALLY if she's sleepy at all or if I'm especially full. This morning it took a FULL HOUR working with different holds and with and without a nipple shield to get a good latch and then finally nurse well. But then during most of the day she only takes a few minutes to find a good latch. Wishing the lactation consultant hadn't quit at the pediatricians office. I'd really rather not drag everyone to the hospital to see a lactation nurse. So hopefully we'll work it out soon. I should be a pro at this... 


The only time I broke down at all so far was I had this stifling thought of how different my life was going to be- really. My 4 1/2 yr old and almost 3 yr old are so self-sufficient most of the day. They play well together. They can wake up and watch cartoons by themselves for a little bit in the mornings- if I put their juice in cups in the fridge. They can dress themselves, go potty by themselves. I really just supervise for crazy stunts and get them food and engage in some imaginative play here and there. That is ALL changing. I'm not going to have time to myself like that anymore. That scared me a little. Remember what the crawling age was like and when you have to keep them from hurting themselves ALL day. sigh. It's a little overwhelming. But I just reminded myself that I only have to make it today. And today is pretty good. God will give me strength of mind and body for what lies ahead. Truth is I was feeling a little selfish. When I think of my children and new baby.... what joy is there that lies in them. What fun and excitement of things to come. I choose to embrace it!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Changing Pad Cover for Baby



Our Little One is going to rooming in with us in our bedroom - probably until he or she is weaned. Then the new baby will move in with either big sister or big brother. But for now, I wanted all of the Baby Bedding, etc. to match our bedroom. So, I made this new changing pad cover and lined the drawers of the changing table with the gray dot, also. 

This is our quilt on our bed (and our Boston Terrier too). The color is off in this picture- It's more of a light citrus green-not yellow. Anyway, this is what I'm matching my baby things with.

The following is more the story of how I made my changing pad- if you need really good precise directions- you're better off following the link I included to a different tutorial at the very bottom. So you've been warned. :)

A few pictures of the process
First measure your changing pad cover. Length, Width, and Height.
And then go crazy with pen & paper trying to do the math to make it work. For me this involved even more math than really necessary because I decided to make mine in strips.
My Changing Pad measured like this: 
32 inches long
24.5 inches wide
3 inches tall (at the corners)

Now I also measured the changing pad cover that I had been using- which was tough because it had elastic in it. I just pulled it tight and measured. 
My old cover measured:
41 inches long
29.5 inches wide
5.5 inches tall

So if your pad measures differently- you can add about 8-9 inches to the length, 5-6 in width, and about 2 inches in height. (The height measurement is what you use to cut the squares out of the corners- later).

These measurements would have worked really well- had I used one piece of fabric. I will start by saying that I should have allowed more width in mine. I didn't allow enough for the seam allowances of sewing all those strips together. I also could have shortened the length a tad, but once the elastic was in - that was fine.
So I'll give you my measurements...but know that if your changing pad is like mine...you'll need to add some to make up for the seam allowance.
I'll start from the edge and work in.

All of these were 41 inches long- these are the widths...
(2 strips) Stone Ta Dot- 1.5 inches (should have been more like 2 inches at least)
(2 strips) White Humming Bird- 3.5 inches (should have been more like 4 inches)
(2 strips) Ta Dot- 4.5 inches
(1 strips) White Chenille- 10.5 inches

The one step that is vital, that I did not photograph is where you cut a square out of each corner and then sew  those sides together to make a corner. I just laid my fabric on my changing pad and marked off where I wanted to make my cuts with a washable sewing marker. - But you should be able to use your measurement from the height of your changing table. My measurements seemed a little off... so I just tried it out on the pad and marked it. And that worked well. 

This is all my crazy math. 
Wish someone would have told me to pay attention in Math class 
because it would be useful in sewing. LOL.


Then just make a little casing for your elastic and run it through.
This is a pretty forgiving project- since there's no top stitching- you don't see wonky sewing lines and the elastic takes up any slack from mis-measurement. So as long as you get close- it's pretty good.

Prudent Baby has a great tutorial for how to make a changing pad cover that shows more steps and pictures than I do - so if you're lost click over there and check out her tutorial. 

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Friday, May 21, 2010

Sibling shirts are Done!

Okay, so excuse the dark photo- I took it at night when I finished these. Thanks for all your input.


Here's Hudson- modeling his shirt. How cute is he? 



I put them in their shirts for my last OB appointment, but I didn't get pics of them together- until after nap and they look a little rough.


I made this little flower to pin on Ella's belt of her jeans. I love it.

Hopefully, after Baby is born...
I'll get some cute pics of them all in their shirts.

The Infamous To Do List















TO DO List
BEFORE the Baby gets here

1. Buy a Van
2. Sell our Car
5. Buy a new Camera
6. Go through Ella and Hudson's Baby Clothes
7. Organize Master Bedroom and Closet
8. Pack Hospital Bag
9. Finish Quilt
10. Put 3 meals in the Freezer
11. Clean out the fridge
12. Re-Organize the Pantry
13. Organize my Sewing Area
14. Change everyone's sheets
15. Get insurance switched over to the Van
16. Get Tags on the Van
17. Vacuum out the Van
18. Install the Baby's Car Seat
19. Paint Nails and Toes
20. Get my hair cut and colored
21. Ella's room picked up
22. Hudson's room picked up


Saturday, May 15, 2010

9 Months


The past 9 months have flown by. Can't wait to hold this little one in my arms. 

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Quilt Pictures - as promised

Here it is. So happy to finish it. This is my very first attempt at making a quilt. I learned a lot. Just so excited to have it ready for our little one to use.
My most favorite part is the center block with the deer applique, hand embroidery, and hand quilting. Very pleased that I decided to add this in.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

35 weeks


My OB says the baby is low and looking good.
 He's going to give me an induction date on Monday.
 Yea!! Can't wait for this baby to get here. 
I can totally feel how low he or she is. My nerves in my hips are getting pinched and my bladder is getting very squished. I was glad to have the motivation from the doctor and finished the baby's quilt tonight. Pictures to come tomorrow.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

8 Months



Won't be long now... 

Looking forward to holding my sweet baby soon. 
Can not wait to find out if this little one is a boy or girl.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

New Baby Things

I have some FABULOUS new Baby Things. Remember the Surprise Shower my friends gave me? They gave me some Babies R Us gift cards that allowed me to get these...


I love the new car seat and stroller. It has little elephants on it. Adorable!
And this new diaper bag. I really LOVE it! It's so pretty and so practical.



Here's the super cute blankets, sleeping gowns, onesies, & pants that I got back at the Surprise Shower.
The cutest gender neutral stuff I've ever seen.



And here's my little sweetie. Ultrasound picture from last week.
 It's not the best pic we've gotten, but still love getting to see my baby.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

A Big Surprise!


So I was completely shocked. I had no clue. My Bunco group completely surprised me with a shower for the baby. It was so sweet and I got so spoiled. There were lots of diapers, wipes, diaper cream, baby wash, and lotions. Some very cute gender neutral onesies, sleeping gowns, blankets. So cute! And on top of all those goodies they also gave me cash to pick out a diaper bag and  They were so kind and even gave up winning prizes- all the prizes came in the form of Babies R Us gift cards so I can buy a new double stroller.
I am BLESSED. Thank you to all of you Bunco Babes.  
I am so blessed by your friendship and love. 

Friday, April 9, 2010

Fingerprint Friday

My Sweet Baby at 31 weeks today. 



Can't wait to meet you. Can't wait to find out if you are a girl or boy. Can't wait to get to know your little personality. Can't wait to see what God has gifted you with.  
You are LOVED! 
Your big sister and big brother fought over who got to hold the picture of you today. 
They are excited to meet you too.

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:



I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.

Check out other Fingerprint Friday Posts at The Rusted Chain

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Baby Name Polls

I'm 30 weeks along today. Wow, it's getting close. 
Which is causing me to go into name panic. So, I just added two baby name polls to the right side of my blog. I think we've pretty much settled on Sawyer for a boy and Penelope if it's a girl, but we need middle names. For a girl, I'd like to have a one syllable middle name or something that can be shortened to one syllable. So we can say Penny Jo,  etc. if we wanted to. For reference: our oldest is Abriella Jayne McCoy (we call her Ella for short) and then our soon to be middle child is Hudson Perry McCoy.


Go ahead and vote. Let us know what you think. And if you have another suggestion- leave me a comment here.
 
01 09 10