Call me Martha...

...or don't!

As I get more and more tired and sore and it is more difficult for me to move around I've been trying to come up with activities for Miles to do at home. Usually, I try to make it out of the house, and most days we do, but now that he is napping less and less often, I've found another block of time to fill in the afternoons. While he has the energy for a morning and afternoon activities, I do not!

So, the other day, I thought we'd go ahead and make some cookies to decorate with some left over Halloween decorations from last year. Miles had a blast! He loves frosting. Eating it. But could leave the cookie part.

Miles was actually pretty clean about the whole thing. He liked eating the sprinkles that didn't land on the cookie. After he was finished, he asked if he could eat one. I said sure. So he proceeded to lick the frosting off the cookie and leave the cookie!

That makes me a regular Martha Stewart, right???

Shhhh.....

Just don't tell Martha that I cheated...

"Nursery" Reveal

First off, quick pregnancy update. A belly pic from this week, taken today at 36wk 2d. I'm up a total of 36lbs (2lbs since last week). I was hoping to not gain more than 40lbs this pregnancy, but that's looking like it might not happen :(. We'll see. Perhaps I should cut back on the Caramel Apple Sugar Babies I've been mass consuming! I'm starting to retain more fluid as my hands get pretty puffy throughout the day and my feet are starting to swell at night when I'm working. Overall, things are the same.

Isla is doing great, growing as she should, and worming and squirming around in there (still head down). As far as getting ready for her, we mainly need feeding supplies (pump parts) and random diaper bag supplies (diaper cream, change of clothes, wet bag, etc).



So, onto more exciting news, the "nursery" is finished!!!

I was being pretty indecisive about it, but decided to just do it.

On the wall to the left of the changing station/dresser, I drew on a magnolia branch free hand from a picture, then painted it in. I love how it turned out. I was going to purchase this as a vinyl decal from an etsy seller, but decided against spending the $40 and try my hand at painting it. I think I lucked out! Ben thinks it needs some green somewhere, but I'm not so sure. Maybe some leaves??? I kind of like it how it is, but we'll see.

I also painted a damask stencil border on the dresser drawers and painted the knobs pink. The stenciling isn't the most professional (the lines aren't crisp if you look closely), but I think it turned out alright.

Here is a full shot of Isla's corner. That is the Fisher Price Rock 'n Play sleeper, where Isla will hopefully sleep. It is small and very portable, which should be nice! That is a basket of diapers on the floor next to the dresser. There are diapers and wipes in the basket on the tower as well.

Also, as mentioned in my sewing projects post, I made a curtain out of this cute fabric (can't remember the name of the plant on it). It didn't occur to me when I bought the fabric that the branches would be horizontal instead of vertical, but oh, well. To make them vertical would have required quite a bit more fabric than I had purchased! It covers the changing pad covers, blankets, some extra diapers and wipes, and burp clothes.

One final picture of the whole corner with the curtain on the tower and the new changing pad cover I made.

And a close up of the magnolia branch/flowers.

Hope you like it! If you have any further suggestions, let me know. I thought about making some sort of mobile to hang from the ceiling (or paper lanterns, or paper poms), but decided that might be a bit much.

Sewing Projects

Last night, I finally started on my sewing projects for the nursery/baby. Remember these fabrics?

It only took me a few hours...

And a little help...

(From Miles, who loved to push the pedal for me!)

To get my projects done.

The first (actually, I made it last) is this changing pad cover. I followed these instructions from Prudent Baby.



It worked out really well. I may make some more in the future!

My other project was to make some burp clothes.

They turned out slightly differently than I had anticipated, but it worked out.

There are several different sizes of them. Some of them are just fabric sewn onto a plain white "cloth diaper" on one side. Some are two cute fabrics back to back. I also raided my stash of baby fabric (mostly from making bedding for my beautiful niece, Ethne during her hospital stay), and got to work.

I think this "set" is my favorite!

Here is a less exciting set. Just flannel down the middle.

My other favorite set.

And a random one!

I also made a "curtain" for the nursery, which is now finished!

Stay tuned for the nursery reveal in my next post!

Birthday Boy!

On Friday, September 17, Miles turned 3! I cannot believe it has been three years since he was born. It ended up being a weekend long celebration as I worked on his birthday night. He opened one special gift on his birthday that his Daddy picked out for him. He LOVED it!

An electronic drum kit!

On Saturday, we didn't do much but look forward to his birthday party on Sunday. Sunday afternoon, we spent some time at the county fair with both sets of grandparents. Unfortunately, it started pouring rain after about an hour and we were all miserably soaked after not too long, so we took off to Grandma Sara and Grandpa Tom's house. Before the downpour began, we got to ride on a little train and take a tour of a real train. Miles was in Heaven!

Until he realized he couldn't drive the train...

But he eventually calmed down and enjoyed the ride!

Then we went on the real train tour, starting in the caboose and making our way forward.

Then we went to see some animals in the pouring rain. Even though we were indoors, you had to be careful where you stood because the roofs were leaking!

Miles enjoyed petting and feeding the baby goats. We trekked out to the horse barn on Miles' request only to get soaked and not find any horses (they were all at shows).

We saw sheep, cows, bunnies, bees, tractors, and many more things...all very quickly!

At Grandma and Grandpas, we had pizza, cake, and presents, and watched a little football.

Miles requested a repeat of the train cake from last year, though it didn't turn out quite as well this time around.

But he liked it anyhow and loved blowing out his candle.

Then began the presents. He especially liked the guitar card that played "Happy Birthday to You". He strummed along!

Then began opening gifts...he is spoiled! Most of what he got were craft supplies, trains, and clothes. All great choices!

He has recently had an obsession with Oscar the Grouch from the movie Follow that Bird (loves the Grouches Anthem) and Grandma Mo and Grandpa Jeff (or the 'nother grandparents) got him an Oscar puppet, whom Miles loves!

It was fairly low key, but with Isla on the way, I just didn't have the energy to plan a full party with all his little friends. Perhaps next year!

Oh, and he did have a Pinata, which he has been requesting since June. It was candyless, but he was pleased none the less!

Some Catch-up!

I'm horribly behind on this blogging thing. A lot of events have taken place over the past few weeks, but I haven't found the time to blog about it for some reason. This post will be a random mish-mash of photos from the past few weeks.

We started the month by heading up to the cabin for the last time before Isla arrives. When we got there (Miles was already there with his grandparents), we saw Miles and Grandma Sara making and catching bubbles! He was having so much fun.


We also spent some time at the other Grandma and Grandpa's house. Miles enjoyed his time by painting a bird house. He adds to it every time we go!

We have also been enjoying the construction around lately (or Miles has). We drove through a Starbucks a couple weeks ago and Miles insisted on getting out to watch the diggers. I got better pictures on my phone, but they are the wrong format and I can't seem to change that. So, we parked, got out, and watched the digger, the bulldozer, and the dump truck have some fun in the road. Who would have thought I might enjoy stopping to watch the "destruction"?

Also added to the list of things I never thought I'd "enjoy" is waiting for a train at a railroad crossing. Usually horribly inconvenient and takes up quite a bit of time, Miles really enjoyed seeing all the different train cars at the crossing the other day!