Simplify

Remember when I used to sew?

Yeah, me too!  That was back when I had energy, thrived on very little sleep, and drank questionable amounts of Dr. Pepper (mmmm....).  You know, before I was growing a baby. Not so much over the last 7 months, I know.  But thanks for hanging in there with me through all my morning sickness/lameness anyway.  :-)

The last week or so I've been getting back in the swing of things a little bit.  Feeling more like myself.  I actually stayed up late (past 9!) sewing a few nights ago to make this:

Yep, a stocking for baby 3.  Since it doesn't match our other stockings one little bit, I'll be making all new ones this year.  At least that's what I'm planning.  (Fingers crossed).  Lets hope it doesn't have the same fate as so many of my other Christmas projects...

I also whipped up a few super simple bibs (up there at the top) with some chenille, snuggles, and fabric scraps I had laying around over here.  (In case you were wondering, I used my Little Bitty pattern, just skipped the binding and applique).  I want to make 20 more.  How many bibs does a baby need?  Better get back to work.

If you need me, I'll be here:

In the midst of a pretty decent mess, feeling just the tiniest bit like myself again.  A much larger, more unformfortable version of myself, but myself just the same. 

PSA

(please ignore the dust)

I have this book, and it seems like I'm always telling someone about it.  Hoping that they will get one and love it as much as I love mine.  What book am I talking about?

This one:  One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book.

I tracked this one down late last year, and was so excited to start it on January 1.  Each page has a date on it, then is divided into 5 sections, each with a spot to fill in the year, and 5 little lines to write whatever you'd like to for the day.  For me, much, much less daunting than an empty journal.  

(I just saw there is a baby one too, but we don't have pink babies, so the aqua one will have to do.) 

Mine lives on the little table next to the couch in my family room.  I try to write in it every day, but sometimes I have to fill in two or three if I've been extra busy.  I just write something funny one of my boys said, talk about a birthday, write something I'm thankful for, record a quick memory, etc.  Once in a while I have the kids write a line or two, or sign their names so I can see their handwriting change over time.  Anyone is welcome to look through it (or write it in).  In fact, sometimes Aiden will sit down and read a few pages out loud and laugh.

So far, I have a little something recorded for every single day since January 1 of this year.  I love looking back and reading all those little things I probably would have forgotten by now, the silly little things I really never want to forget.  Like how Canon would say "Is that amazing?!" after everything he said/did, or how Aiden sobbed through the last 20 minutes of Marley and Me after we got Max, (and how I sobbed the day I gave up my Jeep for a minivan....), how proud we were of Jarom after finishing his first triathlon, and how Canon calls syllables "cinnamon-bols", that kind of thing.  I'm a believer.

Anyhow, I love it.  I think you will too.  

The end.

My three sons

It's not very often that I get a surprise in the mail that makes me teary (okay, cry a little).  

I'm sure I could blame it on the pregnancy hormones,

but really, I'm pretty sure it's because these three boys are just... perfect.  

And pregnancy hormones.

I sure love this family of mine, and simply cannot wait to meet boy number 3 in six weeks or so.  Oh, and yep, Nicholas.  That's his name.  Just in case you were wondering.

Lisa, thank you for the wonderful gift.  It is absolutely positively perfect.

I love it.  And them.  

Sure love them.

{insert clever title here}

It's been quite an exciting week, what with...

*my quilt showing up in the December issue of American Patchwork and Quilting (still can't believe it!  A big thank you to FQS for kitting it.  BTW, my mom's in there too!)

*selling my first something -a tv cabinet thing- on Craigslist (and not being killed.)

*too much heavy lifting one day just about put me into labor (won't be doing that again.)

*a cute friend's baby shower (in a color I didn't recognize- pink, or something like that??)

*all the new tv shows (don't get me wrong, I love old Friends reruns, but was more than ready for some new stuff)

*my brand new book fiiiinallly shipping (if you are looking, you can find signed ones here in the shop)

*the lady at the post office asking me if I was going to have my tubes tied after my 3rd boy (huh?)

*working on a brand new fabric line and all that goes along with that (hooray!)

*Alex posting her progress the Sugar Rush quilt from my book on her facebook page (darling!)

Not to mention, it is rainy today and my exhausted 5 year old is actually taking a nap while I post this.  Heavenly.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!