Farm Life

I've never lived on a farm. I've never even spent the night on a farm. I've probably spent less than 6 straight hours on ANY given farm. But I'm pretty sure I live the farm life.

How so?

Well, each day I rise to the squawk of a rooster. She's only 7 months old, but she'll let you know it's time to get up. Sometimes the sun isn't even out, but she's busy at her morning duties.

Then my morning is filled with feeding baby pigs. Cute. Adorable. Sloppy. Somehow sweet potato mush ends up all over the wall and cereal bits on the floors. One still requires some bottle feeding while she's busy trying to look all around as her older sister empties the cabinets and decides to play chef while dressed up as a doctor in purple, feathery heels.

There's the spraying down of stalls and shoveling manure. Thank goodness for diapers, wipes, and Spray N' Wash. Potty training is such a thrill.

My barn is stocked with sandbox toys and a red and yellow plastic car. The tractor sits outside in the elements, but it's happy to accommodate even if it does require extra washing.

Of course, these farm chores are interrupted by other household duties that any house momma knows: dishes to put away, laundry to spin, bottles to boil. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I might find a bathroom break for myself, but it would require too much effort to clean the dirt from my basil-plucking hands and shake off the chalk dust, so I just hold it. It's more fun to frollick in the fields to the song-birds (read Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog song) and redecorate the front stoop in happy pigments.

There is no break. The farmer never stops. But she is GREATLY blessed. Her heart is full. Sleep is for the ..... hmm, who is sleep for again?

Happy Farming.

Toddler Neck Pillows Pattern

Last week as we drove my family back to the airport, Sophia did something that she rarely does. It's so rare, that I've never considered how I could improve the process....She fell asleep. In the car. What?!

We've all seen pictures of toddlers and children with their heads slumped forward while sleeping in carseats. I know I personally would get a ridiculous crick in my neck, but kids don't seem to mind. So on to Pinterest I went, in search of a toddler neck pillow pattern. Eunice at Mommy Sew Pretty has a free pattern and simple tutorial (cut, sew, flip, stuff). To print the pattern, open the link with Paint, select Print Preview, select Page Setup, and change the orientation to Portrait. The image should take up the majority of the 8.5x11" paper.

I used scraps of fleece from the girls' reversible carseat ponchos and pink broadcloth from Sophia's birthday dress. The project took less than an hour from start to (almost) finish to make two. Before stitching the pillow closed, I want to make sure that the amount of stuffing is just right when the girls use them in their carseats.

Reversible Car Seat Ponchos

Sophia isn't a fan of posing...

These have been a lifesaver during our unusually cold and LONG winter! I'd read all of the warnings before on how dangerous it is to put kiddos in their carseats with puffy winter coats. Here's a link for more information just in case you haven't heard/seen the possible effects if you're involved in an accident. Blankets are great, except that if your child can move his/her legs, the blanket stays on for about half a second. Then there's whining for "banket, myyyyyyy BANKET!" coming from behind the driver's seat and unfortunately, you can't grab the "banket" because you're driving.



Blob of Fleece - DON'T DO THIS (source)

So ponchos seemed to be the best solution. Most of the ponchos and patterns I found through my Google Images search started with a square of fabric with a hole in the middle. Not a bad plan as long as you don't mind hanging all that extra fabric around the carseat and making the child look like a blob of fleece.....actually the more I look at the Blob picture, I can't help but think how much space storing that big of a fleece blanket would require. Best case scenario, you've got a van, but still....it's just too much!

I decided that I would start with a rectangle instead. I quickly tossed Sophia in her seat (Britax Boulevard) and measured the diagonal length from the top of her head to her toes, then added about 8". I also measured the outside width of her carseat at her lap, then added 2". I repeated the process for Abigail. She's still in the infant carrier (Peg Perego), so her rectangle didn't need to be as wide or as long. One yard of the front multi-color and one yard of the back solid-color fleece was enough to make these two blankets.

After cutting my rectangles (purple and multi-color fleece), I sewed them together leaving a small opening for turning. (Turning isn't necessary with fleece, since fleece DOES NOT fray, but I like the look of hidden edges. I also stitched around the border of the rectangles to keep my turned edges clean.) Before turning, I picked a spot toward the top of the rectangle and traced a half circle using a random lid that was roughly 4" in diameter. Fleece stretches, so even if you think 4" is too small, start with that and expand if necessary. (To maintain the stretch, DO NOT sew around the neck opening.)

Sophia's neck hole was much larger...because I thought 4" was too small. Clearly I believe my child has a gigantic head, oops. So I figured it would be best to add a hood to her poncho. She LOVES hats and hoods, so I couldn't deny her of the joy! I made a hood using this tutorial, creating a pattern from a hooded jacket that she likes to wear. In order for all my edges to match, I had to sew the hood pieces together with right sides facing each other. (Only sew around the part of the hood that goes over the back of the head.)

Then I opened those pieces and put right sides together for the outside multi-color and inside solid color. Make sure to line up the two seams at the top of the hoods (illustrated by the pink circle) and also at the bottom corners. Stitch around the face only and then turn so that the right sides faced out.

Finally the trickiest and most annoying part, I folded all the pieces inside around the edges as I stitched the hood into the fabric of the poncho. That part was ridiculous, but my seams were so beautiful that I got over it!

Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe: Perfect. Every. Time.

My stepmom, Marti, has the best recipe for cut-out sugar cookies. The BEST. She said that it was given to her when her kids were younger and she needed something tried and true. After years of making these cookies, the recipe remains the same! These cookies freeze well and look amazing with Royal Icing. They are soft and chewy even after you've had them out for a week.....if they last that long on your counter :)

I've made these before, but today was the first time Sophia got to partake in the event! Loved watching her face light up as she got to add ingredients, roll her dough, and cut out her shapes. I let her pick out which cookie cutters we would use. On that note, cookie cutters make great gifts that can be used over and over for years! I like to find the seasonal sets at Walmart for just a few dollars.

Perfect-Every-Time Rolled Sugar Cookies
Yield: about 24 cookies (2-3" in size)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4c White Sugar
• 1c Shortening (butter flavored Crisco is amazing, but margarine works too)
• 3 Eggs
• 1tsp Vanilla
• 3c Flour
• 1tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4tsp Salt

Directions:
Cream sugar and shortening with mixer. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Slowly add bowl contents into your mixer. Refrigerate dough overnight and roll the following day for best rolling results. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. They are perfect when the edges begin to turn light brown. Let cool before icing.

You can squeeze out more than two dozen cookies if you roll the dough thin, but I prefer a solid cookie that looks just as good as it tastes.

Affordable Care Act and Free Breastpumps: 8 Questions to Ask

So you've heard the buzz since 2012, but still aren't sure how the Affordable Care Act covers your breast pumping supplies. You're not alone. The requirement for all private insurance carriers (excluding Medicaid and WIC) went into effect August 2012. Although it sounds simple, each insurance company is allowed to tailor its contracts to cover breast pumping at 100% with certain LIMITATIONS. In order to find out what your contract will cover, you'll need to call the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card. Navigate through the auto-attendant until you can reach a real, live, breathing human being. Next, request that your call be recorded for later reference. (If your carrier has a members' website in which you can email member services about your specific contract, I would suggest that route since you'll create a beautiful paper trail.)

8 Questions Every Mom Needs to Ask...

1. What kind of pump does my contract cover: manual, single electric, double electric, AND/OR hospital grade?
        *Some contracts only cover manual pumps and you'll be expected to get anything fancier on your own dime. This is totally fair on the part of the insurance company since the ACA allows for them to write up any limitations they want to, but I agree, it's not very kind.

2. Does my contract cover breast pump rental?
        *Sometimes breastpump rental is more economical than purchasing. Check with your local hospital's lactation services for types/cost of pumps they rent and sell. Some hospitals rent the Medela Symphony for around $60/mo, whereas purchasing the pump outright would cost roughly $1000.

3. What is the dollar max/limitation on breastpumps with my contract?
        *All plans will have some financial limitation, despite the wording of breastpumps being covered at 100%! In our case, the limit was $150. Just because the limit is $150 does not mean that you can't get a more expensive pump; it just means that the insurance will only pay up to that amount.

4. Do I need to meet my deductible before the pump is covered?
        *Most likely, the answer will be yes. In this case, if you haven't met your deductible yet, the breastpump purchase will count toward your deductible. You could purchase your pump after your delivery if the cost of the delivery will enable you to meet your deductible. Remember that insurance processes by "procedure date", so even if you don't get your hospital bills until much later, your hospital claims are based on the date that you received services and the deductible will then be met retroactively (back to that date).

5. How do I go about acquiring my pump: the insurance company will send it to me, I need to order through a durable medical equipment (DME) facility and the DME will file insurance for me before I pay for the pump, OR I need to buy the pump outright and the insurance company will reimburse me through a claim I submit on my own?
        *It's great when an insurance carrier will mail your pump directly to you and complete all the paperwork. You can ask if you would need a prescription for the pump when going through a DME, but most likely the insurance company will not require a prescription since breastpumps are not covered under Prescription Services; the ACA has made breastpumps their own category.

6. If I need to order the pump through a DME or need to seek reimbursement after purchasing a pump at a retailer, what forms do I need to submit to the insurance company?
        *Make sure you get SPECIFIC form numbers. My BCBS carrier website has 4 different reimbursement forms --- only one of them will process correctly for breast pumps. They don't make it easy.

7. What address or fax number do I submit these forms to?
        *You'll need to follow-up with the insurance company after mailing or faxing to see that they actually received the paperwork. When I called BCBS a week after faxing my claims form for reimbursement, I was told that the fax number I was given (and had a paper trail and name to reference from 10 days prior) was no longer being used for claims faxes, and that I would have to re-fax to another number. If you get this type of run-around, don't be upset with your insurance carrier's staff --- it's typically a much deeper issue that boils down to "if the insurance company didn't get your stuff, they aren't responsible for it." You'll need to be the bull in this arena to make sure your paperwork is complete and processed correctly.

8. Can I order my pump prior to the birth of the child, OR do I need to wait until after his/her birth?
       *Most contracts/plans will allow you to pursue pump purchase/reimbursement prior to the birth of the child as long as the insurance company has received prenatal claims from your OB or Midwife's office (i.e., ultrasounds).

Final Thoughts...

Not all pumps are created equal. Pumping occasionally to provide just enough milk for a sitter requires nothing more than a manual hand pump. A single electric would get the job done more efficiently. If you plan on pumping after returning to work or pumping exclusively (in lieu of putting the baby to breast), you'll need something more substantial like a double electric or hospital grade. There are different varieties of double electrics, so do your homework. Here's a great article to reference that details each aspect of the pumps! Another resource are Pumping Moms' groups on Facebook (one is linked below) as well as message boards scattered about the internet.

I recommend Medela over all others simply because their pumps/replacement parts are more accessible, customer service is easy to access, replacement pumps will be shipped overnight if your pump breaks, and they get the best reviews for frequent pumping. We were able to purchase the Medela Pump In Style Advance Metro and receive reimbursement up to $150. After using a 20% coupon at Buy Buy Baby, some store credit, and the $150 reimbursement, the pump cost us $90 out of pocket. I love the size of the Metro. It's the only Medela double electric that is removable from the bag. It's easy to move around the house and comes with a battery pack if I need to be away from the wall, entertaining my toddler. With our first baby, we rented the Medela Symphony. It was massive and extremely heavy, but it was whisper quiet and very efficient. Again, you have to really determine what you're wanting out of your pump before investing! Don't skimp on research!

Helpful Resources...

• KellyMom - Who Needs a Pump
• How to Compare Breastpumps
• WomensHealth.gov
• Ameda - Breastfeeding & ACA
• Comparison of Medela Pumps
• Comparison of Ameda, Spectra, Cimilre, and Unimom Pumps
• Exclusive Pumping Mamas Group

The Difference 3 Weeks Can Make

"Abigail is so feisty! During her diaper change, she put her legs out in a plank position, and her stomach was rock hard! I don't remember Sophia being this way!" -Brian

 

He's right. Sophia and Abigail are VERY different babies. So different that it's almost night and day.... but that would make total sense based on their gestational ages at birth.

 

Sophia was born at 36.5 weeks. She weighed in at 6lb, 5oz and less than 6lb by the time we left the hospital. The doctors were concerned about weight gain and said it was imperative to feed her every 2 hours. Her bilirubin levels were high and remained that way until 2 months old (despite our efforts to filter it out with breastfeeding almost around the clock). Sophia slept through most feedings and diaper changes in those first few weeks. Eventually colic and reflux got the best of her, and she became a frequent crier who needed lots of cuddles and a permanent incline. It was hard work. Sophia required much more attention than your average newborn, but we thought it was normal. It was tough interacting with friends who had an attitude of "having a kid is hard, but not THAT hard" toward us. But now Brian and I understand.
 

Much like the reactions we got when we struggled with fertility, we learned that most words are said completely from a lack of understanding, not a place of cruelty or superiority. Abigail IS different! She wakes up when she is hungry and she downs her bottles of breast milk like a champ. She has peed on us no less than 5 times during diaper changes in less than 7 days - Sophia has done that maybe twice in 21 months! Abigail is alert, aware, and has a bilirubin level that is 9x less than Sophia's level at her age. The doctors didn't even talk to us about a feeding schedule for our 7lb, 9oz baby. Abigail was born at 39.5 weeks. Now we understand the perspective of our friends :) A full-term baby is completely different than a pre-term!
 

Babies born before 37 weeks face many obstacles. Here are some interesting statistics we've found:

• Risk for "respiratory problems, being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, needing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, developing a body-wide infection, experiencing low blood sugar or requiring prolonged hospitalization" increases as much as 4x for babies born AT 37 weeks as compared to babies born at 39 weeks. (Rethinking Term Pregnancy, NY Times)

• "Babies born at 36-38 weeks have higher risks for health problems than full term babies. These include increased risk for:
  • Brain injury
  • Breathing problems
  • Hearing and vision problems
  • Trouble controlling their temperature
  • Feeding and sucking problems
  • Neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission
  • Difficulty staying awake
  • Jaundice
  • Obesity later in childhood
  • Behavioral problems, such as ADHD.
  • Special education when they start school." (<39 Weeks Timing Is Everything, Alabama Department of Health)

• According to the March of Dimes, "Babies born too early may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born later. Being pregnant 39 weeks gives your baby's body all the time it needs to grow.
  
  • Important organs, like his brain, lungs and liver, get the time they need to develop.
  • He is less likely to have vision and hearing problems after birth.
  • He has time to gain more weight in the womb. Babies born at a healthy weight have an easier time staying warm than babies born too small.
  • He can suck and swallow and stay awake long enough to eat after he's born. Babies born early sometimes can't do these things." (Why At Least 39 Weeks is Best for Your Baby, March of Dimes) 

 

Both girls are happy, healthy, and deeply loved despite their different gestational ages at birth. We're so grateful for the grace that God has demonstrated through Sophia's life as we've faced feeding problems, jaundice, and trouble staying awake and the protection He's provided against blood sugar issues and potential breathing problems. We also praise God for the protection He provided in allowing Abigail to bake for just a few extra weeks!

Abigail's Birth

We made it to 39 weeks with just a handful of contractions since we stopped the medication at 37 weeks. The day we went into labor, I hadn't had any contractions at all!

It was a Sunday night, November 17th. Brian had just left with Sophia to pick up our weekly pizza for an easy dinner. I was upstairs cleaning scrubbing baseboards.....feverishly. I'd started to have these shocking pains that lasted only seconds during the weeks leading up to labor. The doctors had told us that they didn't think it was anything since I wasn't dilating, but it must have been something and I was bound and determined to get my water to break just so I didn't have to experience any more unnamed pains. And it did at 5:45pm!

I waited until Brian had returned and served up the pizza before sharing the exciting news. I ate two slices and I think he choked down about a half of one. We waited for our wonderful neighbor to come over to watch Sophia and called up to the hospital to reserve our room! (The labor and delivery nurses had told us that when we were FINALLY ready for the real-deal to call up and they'd give us something fancier than the triage room I'd spent hours in during all the pre-term labor.)

We got to the hospital around 7pm. I was expecting to be further along than 2cm, but there we were....and with very few contractions. By 9pm, I was only at 4cm and beginning to think that this labor would be completely different than Sophia's. Contractions were 4 minutes apart but not very painful. And then out of nowhere, they sped up to 2 minutes and doubled in intensity. The change on the monitor was so wild. I asked for my little cocktail of Phenergan and Stadol, and the next thing I remember was hearing the doctor come in.

Dr. Cowart arrived around 11:15pm. He shook hands with everyone, checked me (I was at 9.5cm), and told everyone that it would probably be soon and that he wouldn't go far - only to the nurses' station. As he was walking out the door, I remember hearing my nurse, Nancy, yell in a panicked voice, "Doctor?!" I was having a contraction, and apparently pushing. Abigail was crowning. According to Brian, the room wasn't set up for the delivery yet. Nurses started throwing down plastic sheeting and Dr. Cowart told Brian to hold my leg. Poor guys didn't have a chance! Both Brian and Dr. Cowart were in a state of surprise and probably shock. Abigail was born at 11:22pm. The medication made me incredibly drowsy, so I had a hard time keeping my eyes open long enough to shake hands and snap a picture with Dr. Cowart after Abby was born.

Eventually, our room returned to its library-esque state with lights dimmed and hushed voices. She slept like a champ that first night! It was nice giving birth after visiting hours were over and having almost 9 hours to prepare for the on-slaught of non-essential hospital personnel (i.e., newspaper deliverer-ers and coffee getters).

Monday night, my sister, Lindsay, was able to join us. She flew down from Ohio so that Brian could get a decent night's rest before our return home on Tuesday. It was such a blessing to have my very own nurse attending myself and the newest member of our family. I know the couch wasn't comfortable and Abigail was definitely up to eat every 2 hours that second night, but Lindsay was fantastic. She was able to help out with Sophia too when it was time for us to all make the trip home from the hospital. Thank you, Lindsay, for dropping everything, including your own hospital shifts, to support our newest addition! You're the best sister a girl could have!

God Meant It for Good (...and the Importance of Child-Proofing)

I admit that I've heard and said such a phrase countless times, usually following a trial where the outcome (and even the trial itself) seems pleasant, or good, to me. But what about all the trials and consequences that don't seem or feel "good"? Are they not also under the sovereignty and direction of God?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.

Romans 8:28 ESV

This past weekend, our little family experienced something simply terrible. A nightmare that no parent wishes to face but a nightmare we've all been warned about for generations. Sophia, just shy of 21 months old, got into a bottle of aspirin while visiting at someone's house. Like any toddler, she was curious and determined, and instead of bringing her discovery to an adult, she decided it would be best to keep her "sweet treats" all to herself. Accidents like this can happen at any time, any where! We're all familiar with the saying that if it's too quiet, something bad must be happening, and this clearly was the case for Miss Sophia.

Several hours later, Sophia became lethargic and cranky. Brian decided it would be worth it to get her ready for bed early, something that NEVER happens in Sophia's upbeat world. She cried through her entire bath and wasn't in her normal "sleepy, peaceful" mood. About 15 minutes after we put her to bed, she began coughing. Her coughing was severe and eventually followed by vomiting. She continued to vomit and dry heave throughout the night, almost every 10 minutes or so as we reached the early morning hours. She couldn't sit still in her bed and we attempted to bring her in to sleep with us. Nothing helped, nothing could calm her rapid breathing (which we thought was a side effect of so much vomiting) or her belly (which clearly appeared in pain).

On Friday morning, we made an appointment with her pediatrician. Not knowing that Sophia had gotten into the aspirin, we assumed she had caught the dreaded stomach bug, and in selfishness, I simply wanted the doctor to prescribe something that would help her stop vomiting because I was tired and completely grossed out. Brian called me around lunch to tell me that the doctors weren't half as concerned about her vomiting/sleeplessness as they were about her rapid breathing. She was sent for chest xrays to rule out aspirating vomit and/or foreign body. The office performed a typical blood panel, but those results came back normal as well. They even tried 2 albuterol treatments and a steroid shot thinking it was possibly some form of asthma. But nothing changed. By late afternoon, her pediatricians referred us to the downtown hospital and requested a special electrolytes blood test that would reveal any metabolic issues.

Saturday morning, we received preliminary results that suggested Sophia had ingested a controlled substance. Not only was the news terrifying, there was apparent suspicion on the part of the doctors towards us when we could supply no information on how she would have been exposed. They emphasized over and over how vital it was to get them any information we could so that they could start to treat her properly. In the mean time, we agreed to have a tox/drug screening done for Sophia. ---That test in itself sent me into panic mode: those were tests done on drunk drivers, not on babies! Around 1pm, the doctors concluded that she had an aspirin blood concentration of 49%. Although this meant we could at least pinpoint what was making her so sick, it wasn't enough to identify HOW MUCH treatment to begin giving. Poison Control, Pediatric ICU, and a Nephrologist were consulted. We were also able to get some MUCH NEEDED information from the caregivers as to a specific time of day that the ingestion may have occurred --- it had been 48 hours. Sophia was transferred to the PICU where she was hooked up to numerous monitors and was no longer permitted to eat or drink until the medical staff could determine how effective their treatment plan would be. It was so hard to see our sick baby ask for "Wa" and to tell her that the water was all gone. Her IV fluids were changed from potassium to sodium bicarbonate, and she was subject to 3hr finger sticks (which took about 5 minutes to fill the viles of blood necessary for testing). It was traumatic for everyone, including our sweet baby who didn't understand what was going on.

By Saturday night, Sophia started to return to us. She requested "coloring" and began listing off the names of family members. She hadn't interacted like this since Thursday evening. The treatment was working and we were so grateful to our dedicated medical team! As the night closed out and Sophia wore down, Brian and I talked about all that had happened. How she had eaten a significant milligram count of aspirin, but had not gone into a coma. How she had continued to vomit without much of a break until her stomach was empty, and breathe heavily (the respiratory system's response when evacuating toxins in the blood) without going into respiratory distress. How the entire 48 hours before we even had a CLUE about what was going on, OUR GOD was HEALING her! He was the ultimate medic! And even after the electrolytes and tox tests revealed the source of the problem, He continued to bless our medical team with wisdom in how to best treat Sophia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

Sophia was released from PICU on Sunday afternoon. We were told at a follow-up appointment on Monday that she should have NO long-term effects from her aspirin ingestion (barring any symptoms of Reye's that show up in the next few weeks). She is on her way to making a full recovery. Those things all seem "good" and I can firmly stand behind the title of this blog post.

But there are a few other areas that lie buried just below the surface that must be considered. I am grateful for a more mature believer's phone call that challenged Brian and I to respond correctly to this trial by thinking of the bigger picture. Our God, the God of the Bible, is in the business of building and restoring relationships. Because all things are meant for OUR GOOD, and HIS GLORY, then it's not just Sophia's recovery we have to consider --- we must also consider the surrounding factors.

• Who Sophia was with when the accident happened and our relationship with them.
• The way we choose to build and strengthen this relationship, rather than break it.
• The way we choose to teach others (Sophia included) how to build and strengthen by protecting the caregivers, rather than setting an example of blame and shame.
• The actions that will be taken to proactively prevent a repeat of this weekend's trial.

These things are not easy. But they are the bigger picture. God allowed this weekend's tragic and miraculous events for His glory. He didn't rescue Sophia's short life just so we could sit back and gossip or speculate; He did it to make relationships stronger, which is ONLY possible through the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts!

We aren't perfect, I'm not perfect. Even as I write and reflect on these truths, I'm overwhelmed by the fact that I cannot do this in my own strength. I must release my ugly momma-bear instinct for justice, so that I can follow the example of reconciliation that God has given me. I must trust that God's plan is more perfect than I'll ever know. Please pray for all parties involved (including extended family) and that God would be glorified through the BIGGER PICTURE, not just the trial that we've come through. Pray for humility and grace, and for relationships to be strengthened not broken.

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

Psalm 103:6-18 ESV

As a side note, accidents do happen, but most can be prevented with consideration, effort to change, and a watchful eye. Below are some helpful links for Baby/Child-Proofing a home and other safety measures:

• Baby-Proofing Video (5 min by The Safety Mom)
• Child-Proofing Checklist (room by room)
• Safe Kids Worldwide (General Home Safety list of topics)
• Medication (great PDF)
• Medication Safety Report (in depth)
• Firearms
• TV & Furniture Tip-Overs (PDF - kids pull dressers onto themselves often)
• Sleep Safety (PDF)
• Car Seat Checklist (PDF - 5 Steps)
• Booster Seat Checklist (PDF)
• Seat Belt Safety

Having a Plan: Pregnancy Update

One thing I know incredibly well about myself is that I like to have a plan: a plan to clean, a plan for meals, a plan for sewing....I even have a plan for my closet (it's organized in ROYGBIV). Plans make me feel prepared and safe. They reinforce the fact that I've thought through things that could become problems down the road and I've given specific thought toward how to remedy said problems. I LOVE PLANS.

So what happens when you don't have a plan? What happens when I don't have a plan? Chaos. -Or at least that's what it feels like because I have no idea what the next step is.

This past Monday morning as I was reading through my chronological-in-a-year-Bible (are you surprised by the plan?), I came across the following promise from God.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
- Isaiah 42:16 NIV

My first thought was, "Isn't our God amazing!? He always has a plan! Even when we are blind to it and cannot see because we are surrounded by unknown darkness! I bet that is such a comfort to people going through cancer, and ....." STOP. It's interesting to me that I didn't for a second think my regular, ordinary, day-to-day life could be part of this promise; that I could be comforted by the same promise in the mundane. But it is a promise for each one of us no matter what "darkness" surrounds us.

We are 31 weeks, 1 day today in our second pregnancy. It has been more rough than smooth this go around with lots of unfamiliar paths. Two weeks ago, I found out that I had failed my 3 hour glucose test, and I would have to start a special diet and finger pricks. These are two things I really struggled to assimilate into my current life style. You want a pregnant woman to cut back on carbs AND jab a needle in her finger 4x a day for the next two and a half months? Are you nuts?! But, God gave grace. Despite the fact that I had NO IDEA how I would convince myself to slice my hand open daily (.....yes, it was that dramatic for me) and STOP eating cereal and fruit for breakfast, God brought others who had faced similar challenges to my side. He allowed their experiences to encourage me that this wasn't the "end" and that I wouldn't starve. He even provided the kindest lady at the Life Center to teach me how to use my meter with the tiniest needle prick setting. To encourage me even more, God allowed my sugar numbers to be NORMAL. Even with my normal diet, they were NORMAL. Even with Chipotle, pop tarts, and some cupcakes (mini ones of course), my numbers were NORMAL. And because in His providence they have been normal, I only have to check 2 days a week instead of 7 days; that's 20 less pricks a week! Pretty smooth path that I wasn't expecting, but God provided.

Four days ago, God ordained another new, unfamiliar, and scary path for us. We know the signs for preterm labor and have been monitored more closely for any indications in this pregnancy due to Sophia's early arrival. This time, we're trying to be prepared --- we're trying to have a plan. Of course, we didn't know we'd need a plan this soon. Monday night required a shot of Brethine to stop my contractions that had been coming 3 minutes apart for an hour. By the time I got hooked up at the hospital, they had sped up to every 2 minutes. Thankfully, nothing else was changing internally, but my body sure thought it was. Wednesday night was a repeat, except that the contractions were holding steady at 6 minutes apart. Both times, my pain level was relatively low, but I couldn't get the contractions to stop despite resting, changing positions, and drinking TONS of water. The contractions were perfectly regular. On the monitor at the hospital, they made the beautiful, textbook waves that lasted exactly 1 minute in duration. It was wild to watch. Thankfully, both episodes were stopped with Brethine. The contractions LOOK real, but FUNCTION like Braxton Hicks (with no cervical change). So the disappointing news we received was that unfortunately the only way to tell the difference between Braxton and real would be to measure my cervix every time and receive an emergency dose of medication. (We learned that Braxton can quickly change over to real, and since I have no way of stopping my long episodes, I wouldn't know when we should head to the hospital.) So, what's the plan? My doctors have put me on Procardia around the clock until we can at least get to 36 weeks. I still have contractions, but they feel like the typical Braxtons - they come at irregular intervals and/or stop after an hour or so, particularly when I gorge myself on H2O. But the doctors warned that Procardia doesn't work miracles. At 31 weeks, we need to be ready for anything, including a NICU baby.

But our God is great. He has a plan even if I only have half of one. He makes my dark ways into lit paths. He provides others to encourage me and at times carry me as my rough path becomes smooth. He does this because He has promised, and God cannot lie. Thank you Lord for sustaining me even when I think I have it all planned out!

DIY Baby Boy Gifts

I've been combing the internet for a QUICK, EASY set of DIY gifts that I could give as a set to my fantastic neighbor who was pregnant (now 3 weeks post partum!) with her first boy. Luckily, the internet did not disappoint: set of three fleece-lined wee-wee wigwams, minky taggie blanket, tie onesie applique, and interchangeable snap bow tie onesie. Please excuse the horrendous lighting that "effects" on my phone couldn't even fix. I was in a hurry to deliver the overdue goods and didn't use my big girl camera :)

Here are the tutorials I used. I only bought a yard of fabric (and used a FRACTION of it), 3 spools of ribbon, some snaps, and a set of onesies. The rest of my materials were scraps from other sewing projects. It was fantastic!

• Wee-Wee Wigwams by Make It, Love It
• Taggie Blanket by Just Another Day in Paradise (note: I cut my ribbon 6" so that a baby could actually get his/her fingers around the tags and actually stitched them with length:1 instead of basting to make sure they were tightly secured; see previous here)
• Tie Onesie Applique by moi (note: these are all over Pinterest, but they are so easy to do yourself with some Heat & Bond and a zig-zag stitch in coordinating thread)
• Snap Bow Tie Onesie by One Young Love (note: I used 9x4" tie length and one button seen here; when sewing the button, I would suggest waiting to use hot glue until after button is attached as pictured below on the right)

Joy-Givers: Follow-up to Perspective

The last week has been quite amazing. The Perspective post was opened over 160 times, and the response from you throughout the week has been encouraging to say the least. As a follow-up, I wanted to share some of the practical suggestions that I received through responses and my own study. NONE of these suggestions are original to me. I hope they will be a blessing to you this week!

(The order of these suggestions has no bearing on their individual values, it's just that the teacher within had to have SOME type of organization, so these suggestions are in alphabetical order.)

• Belonging. This is one joy-giver AND taker that I've struggled with a TON. Before we got pregnant (and thought we might not be able to get pregnant at all), I felt "left out" among all my friends with kids. They seemed to have their own little bond and I was sad that I hadn't been able to keep up with them during their season of life. However, they say the grass is always greener on the other side.... Becoming a mom (stay at home, work at home, or work outside of the home), means losing a bit of yourself so that you can BECOME something better. It's easy to want to go back to the familiar identity, but no matter where you are, YOU BELONG. You have a specific purpose to accomplish that only YOU can accomplish. The sense of belonging is a warm-fuzzy --- a comfort that we often take for granted until it's missing. The transition of identities occurs more frequently than we think, sometimes causing us to change jobs, churches, friendships, grocery stores, even allegiances to sports teams. But never let that "feeling" of belonging be your sole-focus. It's only a feeling, and sometimes feelings aren't very accurate (...ahem). We need to evaluate our current "employment" and realize that God has us there for a purpose, even if we can't identify what that purpose is. God knows and everything He does, because of His steadfast love for us, is for OUR GOOD and HIS GLORY. (....even if I do miss being able to go out with friends, stay up late, take random trips to the outlet mall that's 45 minutes away, secure the attention of a dozen elementary students, or simply sit at a desk and answer a phone.)
• Compassion. A quick way to reap HEAPS of joy is to serve others. Some days, I feel I am serving a very tired, whiney toddler who never says "thanks." I'm sure there are days with teens and adults that give off that same vibe, and those days don't make it any easier on the doer/giver (i.e., you). But compassion isn't about serving because of what we've received (i.e., gratitude from the receiver). Compassion is about loving others despite their feelings or actions towards you. It's feeling pity and empathy toward their current circumstance and wanting to get your hands dirty because you LOVE them. Your love is motivated by the perfect love which God has loved you by sending His PERFECT (never-sinned, always compassionate) Son to pay the penalty for all of OUR sin so that we wouldn't have to. That's unconditional love right there: we had NOTHING to offer, no good within ourselves by which to secure a relationship to the God who created and sustains all things, and yet He died in our place. So why is it so hard to demonstrate unconditional, compassionate love to others? Clearly, we aren't perfect like Christ, so there's some resistance in our hearts, but we must press beyond that resistance to experience the joy it brings to all parties involved. I must strive to serve in order to build up the family God has called me to be a part of. If I quit.....well, let's not go there. It's amazing how many cheerios can end up around the house in an hour, so giving up on account of "I don't feel like serving" isn't an option.
• Fearing God. What does it mean to fear God? I'm still working this one out :) But from what I understand so far, it's having a reverence for who God is and what He has done/is capable of doing. Even if this is just the tip of the iceberg, that means that all of the aspects of my current trial can be weighed against the person of God. No pain, exhaustion, desperation, or sadness could ever outweigh God's love for me, or you. Sometimes "bad things happen to good people," but then we must reconsider those "bad things" in relation to God's greater plan. THIS IS SO HARD FOR ME in the midst, but it's a necessary exercise of the mind and heart in order to grow in faith.
• Gratitude. I've been working on my 1,000 Gifts list, inspired by Ann Voskamp. Some days are much more lucrative in the listing department than others, but that's okay. A friend shared with me that she and her sister email each other 3 gifts a day --- what a fantastic goal! Here are some 3-a-day ideas from Ann to get you started. In the midst of ugliness, pain, and trials we must STRIVE (and sometimes that takes work) to see the blessings that God is giving to us, to recognize and name those small gifts in order that we would remember that God is caring for our souls, even when the answers we seek through prayer are delayed or never come. His love is in the sunbeam that glides through the blinds in your bedroom, or fresh dew on the ground; it's the smile of a child, and sometimes the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee. Here are a few of mine from this week.
• Sophia hugging my leg (first time)
• Hearing Baby 2's heart beat (first time)
• Babysitters at the last minute
• Menu planned and grocery list prepared for the month by a friend
• Adult conversation
• Blue hydrangeas blooming
• Smooth cup of coffee
• Backyard slide
• Emails from moms like me
• Milkshake and curly fries with Sophia
• Sophia finding the bag of dog bones in the pantry and giving treats to Fritz (6x in a row)
• Music. Sometimes it's the words and sometimes it's the sweet melody, but both can be a great encouragement! Playing music in the background of the "messiness of life" is a quick and easy task. Some of my favorites are: Praise You in this Storm  by Casting Crowns and Blessings by Laura Story. (Sorry that the youtube videos are a bit cheesy, but I wanted to get the song to play and have lyrics, so this seemed like the best solution.) Another song that was just emailed to me this morning (....in the WEE hours of the middle of the night by a weary momma taking care of her sick kiddo) is Worn by 10th Avenue North. During the first few months after Sophia's birth, through her colic and middle of the night cry-fests, I would sing Before the Throne of God by Charitie Lees Bancroft/Vikki Cook , Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Keith/Kristyn Getty (lyrics), In Christ Alone by Keith Getty/Stuart Townend, and A Debtor to Mercy Alone by Augustus Toplady/Bob Kauflin. The words of those songs were more for me than her and often I would get stuck on a stanza and just keep repeating it.
• Poetry. Like music, poetry is a great outlet for stress that brings joy. Some find that writing their own is a blessing, while others love the words of others when they can't take another breath to utter their own. Lean Hard has been suggested over and over by a sweet mom who has been through one of the hardest trials I could ever imagine!
• Present-Tense. This can be a real shot of joy! Sometimes in the midst of difficulty, the best thing we can do is go through the motions, live in the now. Sometimes I set a timer --- just 5 minutes --- and do all I can to fully LIVE in those 5 minutes. Living in the past, even 5 minutes ago, can re-open wounds that simply need to heal. I'm not saying that we shouldn't revisit past trials, but it can be damaging to dig through the mire of them instead of looking up to the grace we received through them. Our eyes must look to the greater plan that God has: Our good, His glory. We can only see a tiny portion of the plan at any given moment, so we must trust that God has the rest worked out. That's difficult for me. I often want to mull over the what-if's of the future and the past, and then I get stuck with a self-focus instead of a God-focus. Fully live. Today. This minute. God's grace is sufficient for today!
• Relationships. Be selective of who you surround yourself with. There are some folks who really love to dig through the mire because they believe that at some point they'll find a solution, an answer, something that MIGHT be helpful. These folks are typically sweet and completely well-meaning, but they can cause us to stumble. Instead, find folks who will encourage you to simply "lean hard" on God. Job's friends had good intentions, but they came to wildly WRONG conclusions. Only God knows the REAL reason for any trial or difficulty. Friends can offer ideas, but in the end it's best not to mull over the "why" (although I don't think it's a bad idea to ask......just be careful not to get stuck there).
• Scenery. Surround yourself with beauty, get out of the house! There are several expensive options that we could use as excuses to NOT pursue a change in scenery, but there are many FREE options too. While on a trip to the store, we like to stop by the free, climate-controlled zoo called Petsmart. Sophia prefers the locations with doggy daycare :) Going for walks around the neighborhood or even the garden center at a local home store is worth the beauty! We try to bring some of that beauty into our home by picking flowers and lighting candles.
• Sin. "Ok, Lauren, this is actually a depressing thought." Yes, I agree, but our right view of it can be an encouragement. Without Christ as our Savior, we have no Helper (the Holy Spirit). We have no way to CHOOSE to honor God with our actions. Sometimes it's a good exercise for me to remember that Sophia is a sinner, adorable, but a sinner nonetheless. When she screams like crazy to get my attention and throws a tantrum because we can't do what she wants to do right now, I have to remember that she has no Helper. Sometimes I literally say, "It's hard without Jesus." I can't expect her to act as Jesus did when He was a baby/toddler/teen ---- he was PERFECT, SINLESS, and needed no Helper because He was the Helper. Instead, we must simply pray for our children's salvation, show them Christ, and LOVE them AS THEY ARE.
• THE Word. This is the most valuable. Even in the midst of struggles (i.e., in the middle of an all-out-brawl you need to break up) you can recall the words of God that you've stored up in the past. This is why daily reading is so important: we must equip ourselves for battle. Life isn't easy, but the Word is life-giving! It is energizing, comforting, convicting; it reminds us of how far God has brought us and that we'll never truly be alone no matter how lonely we feel. (Oh, there are those feelings getting in the way again! Don't let them have the final say.)

Practical suggestions won't necessarily solve our problems, but they sure can help along the way. Praying that God would continue to help me look forward, cherish the moments I have with Sophia and Baby 2, and live a life that would demonstrate His love in my life.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:28-29 (ESV)

Perspective

The past month seems to have been the hardest of this pregnancy. Nope, it's not the nausea, that's under control. It's not the exhaustion either (even though that does factor into it). It's simply the fact that I didn't plan this, I'm struggling to be a good mom to Sophia, and I just don't think I can do this infant stage again (at least, not right now).

Did you catch the repeating word in that last sentence? Here's a clue, it's used 4 times. I. That one letter, one syllable word that takes all of the focus off of the God who created and sustains me and puts the focus all on my finite self.

Do I think I know better than God? We tried for MONTHS to conceive with Sophia. We PRAYED like we've never prayed before for a miracle. Then it finally happened - that first positive pregnancy test! Oh what a joy to receive a blessing much longed for!

This second time around was different. We weren't trying. We weren't even praying (for conception). A sibling for Sophia wasn't even on my radar, though Brian said it was on his. We were simply surviving. We are still simply surviving. That handbook never made it to us in the mail, so we're flying by the seats of our pants trying to catch the learning curve of parenthood. Where is the joy this time?

Instead, I find myself concentrating on the difficulty of this season of life. Instead of thinking about how much fun Sophia will have entertaining (and being entertained) by this precious gift growing inside, I'm thinking about how I can't get food on the table, the living room cleaned up, or the laundry done. Just before we found out we were expecting, my energy had started to come back, my spirits lifted because I could finally DO something and be successful in my productivity! And then, the positive pregnancy test and morning sickness and exhaustion........and the THOUGHTS of MORE sleepless nights, crying babies I can't soothe, colic, reflux, showerless days and lonely nights. And that's where I've been camping out: in the darkness of the blessing.

So I've been on the search for perspective. God's perspective. Could this second child be an act of mercy toward me? Could God actually be demonstrating His love toward me by giving me a blessing that seems so difficult? Yes. The sleepless nights I've been asking God to remove might be removed sooner because we'll get through this baby season sooner. The crying babies won't cry forever because language acquisition for both will come sooner because we'll get through this season sooner. Sophia, who LOVES other people, might be entertained long enough by baby #2 that I'll be able to clean my baseboards, run the laundry, and unload the dishwasher!

So how do I get through today? How do I get through the teething-scream, boredom-whine, and neediness when all I want to do is collapse? Focus on God. I'm still not entirely sure how that really works itself out. But I want to change this perspective. I want to see things as God sees them - as blessing, mercy, and boundless love.

How do you press on? How do you conquer despite the "difficulty" you think you see? This is one time I really am searching for feedback/advice, but please remember to keep it positive....my heart is pretty weak at this point and I am earnestly seeking your help and encouragement.

For background sake, I spend the first 30 min of my day (sometimes less if Sophia is really wailing), downstairs at the kitchen table reading God's word (I'm in Chronicles/2 Samuel with the chronological year plan) and trying to eat some breakfast. I keep my journal handy. I've got verses on notecards that center on God's love for me, but I don't really get a chance to read through them during the day when Sophia's awake and things seem hardest. Sophia takes one nap a day, which I use to also nap. (One day when my energy returns, I'd love to use this time to be more productive, but for now it's about all I can do to make into the bed midday.)

Thanks.

Why It Hurts When You Ask

Have you ever been through a difficulty or trial? I'm sure we all have, in one form or another! Sometimes a particular trial can lead to questions, and lots of them. A trial I never thought could be so arduous has been that of getting a baby to sleep "like a baby." I wish someone had told me from day one that every child is different, including their sleep needs (inherent) and habits (changeable). I wish someone had told me that these differences in kids were beautiful images of what could come (though difficult), rather than promising that babies could simply sleep like babies if we could just get with the program.

 

We've been praying for some of the same things for over a year in relation to Sophia's sleep needs and habits. We've sought counsel from seasoned parents, talked to the doctor, read too many books & blogs, and tried half a million "tricks." A few months ago, Brian and I stopped trying to fight the trial of sleep deprivation and simply gave ourselves over to it. We determined that Sophia sleeps as much as she needs to and that she might change one day but it won't be because of anything we've done. She is healthy. She is unique. She is passionate. She is a marathoner, not a sprinter. Her endurance will be a strength to her as she grows. She is EXACTLY the way she is supposed to be right now.

So if I'm so strong in my resolve about this situation, why does it hurt when people (family, friends, aquaintences) continue to prob us with questions like these:

• What does the doctor say?
• Have you tried leaving a light on?
• Have you tried playing music?
• Have you tried feeding her? She's probably hungry.
• I've heard babies don't like cold cribs. Have you tried a heating pad?
• Maybe she is having dreams.
• Is she teething?
• Is she sick? She must not be feeling well.
• Have you given her any Tylenol?
• Is she too cold/hot?

These questions, and the thousands beyond, hurt because you assume we haven't investigated the problem ourselves. Sadly, what the problem is one night might not be the same the next night, so trust me, we don't have any lasting, fail-safe solution. 

 

In the concise words of my dear friend Katie (who makes the same point but in much sweeter prose):

 

I wish someone had told me this years ago, before I knew better:

If you know someone like me with babies who have trouble sleeping, don't assume we need advice.
We have read every book, every article, tried everything.
We are desperate for our babies to sleep better.
... We are probably a lot better informed than someone who's baby naturally sleeps a lot!
Unless we ask for advice,
all we need are hugs, encouragement, prayer, and tangible help for our weary minds and bodies.

Praying for all you other moms who are worn down by crying babies who won't sleep!

 

When you continue to ask, I know you say it is because "you're just curious." But what do you plan to do with my answers? You plan to create a strategy or solution to suggest to remedy our trial. I appreciate your desire to help, but sometimes it's more helpful to leave the wound to heal. I'm exhausted, I want answers, but God hasn't given us a solution so we just have to keep on living. When you ask, it's like asking me to take a u-turn and reconsider the difficulty of the trial.

 

Help me instead to move forward. Help me to focus on the things I can change and to trust God with the things I can't. Help me to not heap false guilt upon my very tired and pregnant soul. Sophia's sleep is in the hands of God and He knows exceedingly more than I ever will. For goodness sake, leave your expert opinions about sleep at the door and let's talk about the weather :)

Mom, Are You Desperate?

Today I had the exciting opportunity of meet with some ladies from my church to brainstorm ways to help desperate moms - moms who simply need to breathe. There are just a handful of us that we know of, but I'm sure there are more. Young moms who were unprepared for the onslaught of sleepless nights that lasted much longer than anyone could have expected (or endured without sanity taking a backseat), the overwhelming sense that accomplishing anything the way we used to was out of our grasp, the reduction or absence of adult conversation and fellowship, and/or the exhaustion resulting from moments with a strong-willed child. What encouragement lies beyond that shaken horizon? Is there help to be found? Where do we look for, and how do we access, relief?

 

There is hope. There is help. There is relief. Here. Now.

 

Titus 2:3-5 (Voice)
3 And here’s what I want you to teach the older women: Be respectful. Steer clear of gossip or drinking too much so that you can teach what is good 4 to young women. Be a positive example, showing them what it is to love their husbands and children, and teaching them to 5 control themselves in every way and to be pure. Train them to manage the household, to be kind, and to be submissive to their husbands, all of which honor the word of God.

 

Older moms, some not yet empty-nesters and not far removed from the little years, are rising up with compassion and understanding for the younger moms. They are remembering that season of life and the blessing they experienced when someone walked beside them without criticism or judgment of their mommy-methods. We have before us a beautiful opportunity for mentoring at its finest. Because sometimes it's not that a young mom isn't trusting in Jesus or trying her best to love her family; sometimes it's just hard! And that hard work can be oppressive and stifling. It can rock marriages and break hearts. And at the toughest moment, help in the form of an older mom walking with you is a breath of fresh air.

 

If you are a desperate mom, will you say so? Will you wave the white flag and join us as we refresh our souls?

 

Baby #2

SURPRISE! We're pregnant! I'm writing this on March 21, 2013 but this won't be published for a few weeks! We found out last Saturday morning. Shocked? Oh yes. Planning? Nope. For monitoring ovulation for months on end when trying to get pregnant with Sophia, I'm not sure what happened here. We're due November 21st! Sophia and Baby #2 will be 21 months apart.

The day before taking the test, I was incredibly nervous distraught! I was only 2 days late, but my frequent bathroom visits were very telling. In my head, I kept telling myself that if I was pregnant, I might have to take a vacation, just jump on a plane and get away for a few days. How in the world could God expect me to go through another year like this past one? No sleep ---- even when everyone and everything tells you sleep should be happening at night; colic ---- dear my that was just plain awful; breastfeeding ---- I can't even go there. But I prayed that the Lord would calm my heart; that if we were pregnant, my response would be joy and thanksgiving, not tears and fear.

Saturday morning came early. That second line appeared. Brian and I laughed. There was joy. Complete joy. Praise God for "pregnancy grace". The rest of the weekend was full of projects: cleaning out the baby's closet and moving my craft storage into my linen closet in the master bath, sewing a car seat cover using this tutorial and leftover fabric, and planning out Sophia's new room design with the full size bed. In Brian's words, "Nothing like a good old fashioned unplanned pregnancy to get you motivated."

Our seat is pretty vertical, so it looks a bit funny.

Switcharoo Take 2

This year at the bi-annual Switcharoo event, I really made out like a bandit! I followed all my tricks from last year, including the necessity of a large laundry basket. I added an additional rule of no item over $4. Really? $4! You can't get anything for $4! Prepare to have your mind blown! Every item pictured was $4 or less EXCEPT the silver dress that was $7 that my sister bought for Sophia. These dresses should all grow with her for the next year. Most of them are 24M and 2T. She's a bit short for them now, but weight-wise, it's a perfect fit. Also, most of these dresses match with the white sweater I bought for those chillier days. All that I'm missing is a pair or two of some nice white tights!

2 Pairs Shoes + 11 Dresses (not including silver) + 2 Sweaters + 3 Sleepers + 2 Rompers + 1 Shirt + 2 Pairs Pants = $80!

Pinwheel Party

This party was by far the most fun and colorful event I've ever planned! Sophia has a lot of interests at her young age, but no such love for character themes; hence, the pinwheel theme. Pinterest and Google Images were a great source of help! I have always loved pink and yellow, and somehow teal fell right in line with her early spring celebration. Below are links to specific tutorials or ideas that I used to make this party a success.

Stationary and Decorations

• Pinwheel Invitations
• Inspiration
• Invite (Microsoft Publisher file includes postcard option and 4x6) printed on white paper with black and pink ink and attached (spray adhesive) to yellow cardstock (cut 4"x6")
• Paper pinwheels (double-sided paper) with yellow centers (cut-out cardstock) and sticks (double-sided paper scraps) attached (rubber cement) to white paper
• Folded Paper Pinwheels Wall Installation
• Inspiration
• Used scoring board
• 1/2" folds were accomplished by marking every whole inch [i.e., mark 1", 2", 3", etc. lines] on the front of the paper and marking every half inch [i.e., 0.5", 1.5", 2.5", etc. lines] on the back side
• 1" folds were accomplished by marking even whole inches [i.e., mark 2", 4", 6", etc. lines] on the front of the paper and marking odd whole inches [i.e., 1", 3", 5", etc. lines] on the back side
• 13" Diameter (1) - four pieces of 3"x12" folded every 1/2" 
• 12" Diameter (3) - four pieces of 3"x12" folded every 1"
• 11.5" Diameter (4) - four pieces of 4.25"x11" folded every 1/2"
• 9" Diameter (4) - 3 pieces of 4"x12" folded every 1/2"
• 7.5" Diameter (1) - 4 pieces of 3"x9" folded every 1"
• 7.5" Diameter (1) - 2 pieces of 4.25"x11" folded every 1/4"
• 6.5" Diameter (2) - 2 pieces of 4.25"x11" folded every 1/2"
• 6.5" Diameter (1) - 4 pieces of 3"x12" folded every 1"
• 6" Diameter (1) - 3 pieces of 4"x12" folded every 1/2"
• 5" Diameter (1) - 2 pieces of 3"x12" folded every 1/2

Attached to wall w/masking tape.

• Hanging Tissue Paper Fans (similar item)
• 16" Diameter (2)
• 12" Diameter (2)
• 8" Diameter (1)



Should have hung fans lower for better photos.

• 5" Diameter (1)
• Pennant Banner on Highchair
• Inspiration
• Single-sided fabric cut into 5"high x3"wide triangles
• Attached to teal ribbon with hot glue (to help provide extra grip to highchair)
• Ribbon attached to highchair with painter's tape to take care of finish --- very temporary hold!
• Paper Straws (similar item)
• Lime green and white stripes
• 2" paper pinwheels (single-sided paper) with dots (cut-out cardstock) hot glued to straws

Favors

Piping icing took FOREVER!

• Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting (family recipe)
• Pinwheel Cookie Cutter
• Plastic Bags with Paper Labels (Publisher file grey lines are cut lines)
• Working Paper Pinwheels
• Single-Sided scrapbook paper turned double-sided with spray adhesive
• Cut into 6" squares
• Attached by pins to cake pop sticks

Food

It was delicious!

• Yellow Banana Cake (four 8" round & one 6" round) with Buttercream Frosting. I really wish I had gotten some photos of this. I made the cakes the day before and iced the day of. Would have been better to bake AND ice the day before because it took quite a long time the morning of the party! To ensure a beautiful cake, butter and flour your pans! The easiest method is to take one tablespoon of butter and push it all around the sides and bottom of the pan with a piece of wax paper. Then add one tablespoon of flour and shake the pan until it's covered, dumping excess into next pan. The box mix says to use an ungreased pan, but I think they must be crazy! To ensure a worry free icing experience, be generous! Ice the "crumb coat" at least an hour before applying the rest of your icing. The crumb coat is a layer of icing that goes all around the cake and on top so that when you apply the rest, your cake doesn't crumb off. YouTube has some great tutorials on this.
• Cut Fruit with Dip
• Spiral Wraps
• Cranberry Meatballs
• Vegetable Tray
• Hummus (from local shop)
• Pink Lemonade with Sprite

Sophia's Pink Dress
This might have been the most enjoyable task. I used McCalls Pattern 6015 to create the dress I couldn't find in stores. I wanted a very traditional, long dress with just enough poof. ---Ok, I'll admit, I added extra poof! The pattern wasn't the easiest to figure out, but thankfully YouTube is chockfull of video tutorials! I even managed to fully line the zipper. I used pink broadcloth from Hobby Lobby and added gathered tulle from my 6" wide rolls that I typically use for tu-tu's. The final touch was the addition of two felt pinwheels (made from typical craft felt)! They are simply pinned on so that I can add a different pop of color just in case we need to match for another occasion, Easter perhaps.