32 Weeks Pregnant!

This was the ONLY one that Dale took that didn't look too horrible. I was wanting to show you Mason's crib (well, Brighton's for the moment), but all you get to see is the blue wall and the bumper; no crib skirt, sorry.

We took this last Monday when I was 32 weeks. So as of today, I'm at 33 weeks! Yay! I had my first horrible night's sleep last night where I just couldn't get comfortable. My skin feels like it's going to rip itself right off of my ribs. I feel huge, yet I look at pictures and I'm really barely even popping out there! I've gained 25 pounds so far. With Brighton I gained a total of 30, the last 5 coming the final couple weeks. We'll see if that happens this time, too.

I had my Dr.'s appointment a few weeks ago as well and we discussed inducing. Our official inducing date is August 28, ten days early, but we're going to do all that we can to get this baby to come a few days before that. Our Dr. is going on vacation the 28th of August and not coming back until September 8th, the day after my due date. I REALLY don't want some other doc delivering my baby, so cross your fingers. And I really don't want Mason to get so big that I can't get him out naturally, so a few weeks early would be nice- Dale's babies (well, I guess just the one, Brighton) have really big heads.

Quilt Along Progress Report

I sewed some sashing to each of my 70 squares last week and then laid them out randomly to see how they'll look. I still have to sew the rows together and add a white strip between each one and then do the border. But it's coming together (slowly) nicely. I'm still hoping to get this quilt done before little Mason arrives. Pray with me, and wish me luck. There isn't much time left!

Lamp for Mason's Room

BEFORE:

I bought this lamp on sale at Walmart for $5. Not the exact green, but it'll work. I thought the lamp shade needed to be "prettied" up a bit, so I added some of my left orange stripe fabric.

AFTER:

So much better!

The room is coming along nicely, and Brighton's room is coming together a bit more slowly. The style I'm going for is a bit more eclectic, less matchy-matchy than Mason's, so it could be some time before I feel that it's right. Plus, we really can't put too much in there that is going to distract her from learning to sleep in her "big girl" bed. I'll keep you posted with that room as I get closer to finishing it.

Getting Crafty Today!

Yesterday, Dale and I went to Target to look at prices for new sheets for Brighton's new room and a new curtain rod. We didn't find any sheets that I liked, and I'm not gooey eyed over any curtain rods there, so we're keeping our options open.

We did manage to leave with two items that we were NOT looking for: Two bath mats, one brown and one yellow. They were on clearance for $1.48. Dale has made SEVERAL requests that I make plenty of SUPER absorbent burp cloths before little Mason arrives- specifically 12 of them. So we thought, bath mats are pretty good at soaking up water, why not baby vomit?

I cut each one in half and added a fun fabric binding. They're a good size and I'm hoping they'll do the trick. And four of them for $3? You really can't beat that. They also had a magenta one on sale along with the brown and yellow, in case you're interested.

The only thing I'm not super crazy about is the- I don't know what you'd call it- the indented part? But whatever, it's for baby vomit right? It just makes me kind of second guess myself ever using re purposed towels for a gift to someone.

I also managed to get these little babies done during Brighton's nap time. I used the freezer paper stencil technique- LOVE IT! But if I EVER decide to use the "Curlz" font again, please shoot me BEFORE I start with the exacto knife. It literally took me 33 minutes just to cut out those letters for Brighton's shirt and my finger is going to have a blister, I'm sure of it.

Brighton's Booster Seat

We're pushing the "Big Girl Now" thing with Brighton. We've been working on eating off of a plate (and not throwing it on the ground) and using a fork and spoon. Last Friday, we invited Brighton to join us at the table to eat like a "big girl." She's been doing a good job, and likes to call it her "big girl chair."

Having her eat with us had me a bit concerned for our carpet. Our dining area is carpeted- not great for toddlers. Dale and I spent the past couple days discussing what we'd like to do, and we decided I needed to make a little mat to catch all Brighton's little presents for the dog. Please back me up, and tell me you're thinking something vinyl? To protect from liquids? Easy clean-up? Dale wasn't on board with that idea, but I pulled the "If I'm making it, I'm making it how I want it" card.

We went to Joann's and I found this vinyl in the remnants. It was exactly a yard- but because it was a remnant it was 50% off. This is the really nice, heavy duty stuff that's $10/yard and we got it for $5! We got lucky. Well, I couldn't just put some ugly vinyl on the floor- this IS me we're talking about. I added a binding with fabric that had a few colors from the house. So now it's a pretty "drop cloth" that matches our house. Hopefully it will serve another purpose throughout the years.

Finished Crafts

I FINALLY did the valance!

I've been putting it off because I was concerned I couldn't figure out how to get the squares to turn out looking right. Mostly just the one on the far left. I'm not an expert quilter, so putting these squares together was intimidating! But I did it.

They each measure about 12" square, with a layer of batting inside for some form and weight, and I tied them to the rod with orange rope. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

I looked up sailing flags, and the valance spells out M-A-S-O-N. Well, the second one from the left was supposed to hang different and have a triangle cut out, but I didn't want to deal with that. So it sort of spells Mason.

The lighting is really bad, sorry, but you can see (sort of) the blue paint. We finished that this past weekend and it looks so awesome! I'm so happy with the color. And I swear it makes the room seem bigger. Even with all the same furniture in it, it still feels like there's more space. Maybe it's just that there's nothing on the walls yet?

And I finally finished this little guy. He's been without eyes for the past year now. I figure Brighton is old enough to not eat a giant button- we'll see. So far, so good. And he's supposed to look all crooked- I'm not just a really crappy sewer :). He's from the book, Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Her designs are more funky and modern- not everything is to my taste, but she does do some fun stuff.

Fourth of July- The REAL Party!

We used our sparklers from Sarah and Jason's wedding to entertain Brighton the evening of the Fourth. She enjoyed dancing around them.

Here's Brighton's festive outfit. I was going to freezer paper something on the shirt, but got lazy and never did it. But I did make the skirt! It's from a bandanna in the dollar section at Target. Then I added the white ruffle! Super cute and she liked it too.

Here's B and Daddy watching the sparklers go!

Brighton, dancing to the music? No idea, but she's having fun.

Our neighbor had a ton of these little flags, and so she gave one to B. She had fun waving it around.

Here's proof that I was there too!

Our neighbors were celebrating a birthday- and the Fourth of July. Talk about an insane party. They started letting off fireworks and brought us some candy from their pinatas. We decided it was time to pull up a chair and watch the show.

We even let Brighton have a sucker for a few minutes. Lucky girl. She stayed up until about 9:30 watching the fireworks, and then started to fall asleep in my lap. The fireworks didn't even keep her awake as the neighborhood continued to let them off until midnight!

Morning of the 4th

A good friend of mine that I used to work with got married on Saturday, the 4th of July. It was held at an old historic church in Port Gamble. Dale and I had never been over that way before, so we made sure to arrive an hour early so we could check things out. We had a photo shoot near the water. I'm huge and pregnant, and was in no mood to play model.

But Dale loves to pretend he's Derek Zoolander, so he enjoyed the photo opp.

We went into this store and saw tons of shells from all over the world, weird starfish with zillions of legs (I know, I thought they only had 5!) and stuffed sharks. Pretty cool.

Everything is kept in an old town feel with white picket fences everywhere. It was really a cute little town.

It being the Fourth of July, there were also flags and beautiful red, white and blue flowers everywhere.

Here's the groom (Jason) waiting for Sarah to come out and walk down the aisle. It was officiated by a woman minister, which was interesting, and different. The church was really small and could only hold about 50 people. It was really nice to have such an intimate little wedding. And the reception was held just outside in the yard of the church.

As favors, we were given sparklers- sticking with the whole July 4th theme. Here's me, modeling the beautiful favors. The best man gave a great toast- and when I say great, it was REALLY REALLY great. One thing he DID make a comment about was the fact that they were getting married on "Independence Day." An oxymoron of a day. It was really good.

Here's Sarah on the steps of the church tossing the bouquet. Her own mother caught it! Way to go mom! But I don't think she's hopeful about a wedding in her future... :)

This is not a pretty picture. It is meant to show you my absolute disgust with the wind. We're on the ferry ride home and Dale wanted to go outside and model. I hate the wind! It gets your hair messed up and caught in your lipgloss. It's why I will never own a convertible. I'd never have the top down. I hate my hair blowing around my face. UGH!

Labradoodle Pups

Last Tuesday evening we went over to my friend Heather's house to visit with her little pups. Brighton and Dale hadn't seen them yet, and they're finally at a fun (and safe for Brighton to grab) age to play with.

Brighton was wearing her new dress that I made using this tutorial from MADE. I'd picked up the shirt from the thrift store probably about a year ago and finally decided it need to be made into something quickly. I've tried to make things for friends or Brighton in between baby room stuff just to take a break from it. I think it turned out super cute!

I made this dress with the intentions of having it grow along with Brighton. I made a drawstring waist instead of elastic, and the hem can be let out another two inches as she gets taller. Dale laughed at me and said pretty much "You know you'll never let her keep it that long- you'll decide she needs something new." But I did make it with the INTENTION that it will last her a while, so I at least FEEL good about it.

Brighton was fine to just watch everyone else play with the puppies and get wet kisses.

Aren't they so cute? They're 8 weeks old, so new owners will be coming and taking them home in these next few weeks. So sad! I will miss them!

Quilt Along Update

I had quite a few squares to make up for, and then I got carried away and just finished up until I had the 70 all done. It's not officially day 70 until Sunday, so I'm good to stop procrastinating on making Mason's valance. The above are squares #55-62.

As I was making the squares, I was supposed to cut out a few extra- 144 little squares- for the border. I decided to count them out and see how many I had. WAY TOO MANY! I decided to make the rest of these squares out of those extras, so there's only one of each of these, instead of two like the others.

Yay! 70 squares and 144 border squares. I can't wait to get this thing pieced together. Hopefully I can get it all quilted and bound before the baby comes!