Here are some pictures from her visit:
Vrrrroooooommmmmmm!!!!!!
Run, run, as fast as you can!
Playing "tea party".
Whatcha readin'?
Buscha and Julia together...
Monkey See, Monkey Do.
Going through the barrel...
erin
Friday, July 17, 2009
Buscha Comes to Town
Adam's mom, Marcia (aka, Buscha), visited last week Wednesday (8th) through Saturday (11th). She had a grand time with Julia... she didn't come to see me, after all, and Adam wasn't here (at least, not until Friday), and I could hardly get Julia out of bed in the morning before she was whisked away for the day... ha!
Here are some pictures from her visit:
Vrrrroooooommmmmmm!!!!!!
Run, run, as fast as you can!
Playing "tea party".
Whatcha readin'?
Buscha and Julia together...
Monkey See, Monkey Do.
Going through the barrel...
erin
Here are some pictures from her visit:
Vrrrroooooommmmmmm!!!!!!
Run, run, as fast as you can!
Playing "tea party".
Whatcha readin'?
Buscha and Julia together...
Monkey See, Monkey Do.
Going through the barrel...
erin
Monday, July 13, 2009
Rethinking This Baby Business
All right.
I realize that 31 (almost) weeks pregnant is a little late to be rethinking anything to do with this baby, but I couldn't help but wonder at about 3 am this morning if maybe we could have a "do over" or something. Ha.
I say this, because I realized last night that in 20 (almost) short months of Julia's life, I have relearned how much I LOVE sleep and my body has forgotten ALREADY what it is like to wake up multiple times in the night.
And, soon we are bringing a newborn into our lives... a little body that will require a lot of attention at odd times of the night.
All of this thinking business came about because Julia has been up A LOT in the last four nights. Her... bowel movements... have shifted such that she requires being changed nightly at around 3 am or so. (I say "requires", because she is starting to realize that she abhors a poopy butt and demands it to be changed, regardless of the hour. Of course, this doesn't mean she is ready to potty train. Really, it only bothers her when she is trying to sleep and she doesn't seem to realize why she is waking up and whimpering... but I can sure smell why!)
The first few nights I managed just fine, and fell back to sleep just fine, and Julia went back to sleep just fine, but last night... LAST NIGHT... she woke up at 1 am... not because she needed to be changed, but simply because she was in a new habit of waking up and well, it seemed like fun to her to read books and play at 1 am.
This new baby will have one advantage that Julia did not have... when I am awaken in the middle of the night, I am FULL ON AWAKE. So, this new baby will not have to suffer a half-asleep mama trying to remember who she is or what she is doing or for goodness sake, what IS this writhing being in my arms and oh, yes, it is my newborn child. Whew.
Julia has trained me to be AWAKE. I think I was much more awake from 1 - 3 am this morning than I was... well, have been at all today yet. I was fully aware of what was going on, I was fully able to read books in the dim light of her room, and I was fully able to say, "Lay down. LAY DOWN. Julia, lay down, please. PLEASE. It is time to go to sleep."
As I crawled back into bed and listened to Julia putz around in hers (so obviously NOT going to sleep as her little seahorse dude began playing bubble music and whatnot), I thought to myself... WOW. I am wide awake. WOW. I am so not looking forward to being up half the night and then trying to function the rest of the day when this new baby comes. WOW. I think poor Adam is going to suffer a lot more this time around because after only four nights of Julia being awake in the middle of the night, I was ready to start bawling and ask Adam to get up and please go put His Child back to bed... and well, if that can almost happen after only four nights... WHAT is going to happen when it is EVERY NIGHT? FOR THREE MONTHS? Gosh, I hope this new child starts that "sleeping through the night" business sooner than later.
I believe I prayed myself to sleep last night after laying Julia back down... I am pretty sure of it... I remember starting to pray and then I remember being jolted back awake at 3:30 am by some noise... I checked on Julia and she was sound asleep, cuddling her cat. I went back to bed... and finally, instantly fell asleep.
I'm not so sure where this post is going today. As I have told a few folks today, I have some serious diarrhea of the brain (mouth) today. It has to do with being overly tired.
I think that this post is simply a way to get my thoughts out of my head; a way to help me realize that yes, I will get through this newborn business again... I want to do this newborn business again... it's not going to be so terrible, and I can look back on the night before and maybe smile a little bit. And hope that I don't cringe at the thought of going to bed tonight with the fear that I will be woken up before it is Time.
And, now that I am thinking back on last night... I realize that even still... the time that we have with Julia is so precious and will go by so fast, and who shouldn't want to read books to their child in the middle of the night? And isn't it a little funny when you try to bring her into bed with you, hoping she will sleep, only to hear her say "uh, oh" as she drops her nuk and blanket down the crack between the wall and the bed simply because she thinks it is a hoot? And, who doesn't love their 20 (almost) month old figuring out how to take up more than 50% of a king-sized bed?
So... writing all of this out, I am reminded too that I am blessed to have Julia in my life, I am blessed to be pregnant (and it has been a healthy pregnancy at that)... and a few nights of little sleep are completely worth it.
Rethinking... finished.
erin
I realize that 31 (almost) weeks pregnant is a little late to be rethinking anything to do with this baby, but I couldn't help but wonder at about 3 am this morning if maybe we could have a "do over" or something. Ha.
I say this, because I realized last night that in 20 (almost) short months of Julia's life, I have relearned how much I LOVE sleep and my body has forgotten ALREADY what it is like to wake up multiple times in the night.
And, soon we are bringing a newborn into our lives... a little body that will require a lot of attention at odd times of the night.
All of this thinking business came about because Julia has been up A LOT in the last four nights. Her... bowel movements... have shifted such that she requires being changed nightly at around 3 am or so. (I say "requires", because she is starting to realize that she abhors a poopy butt and demands it to be changed, regardless of the hour. Of course, this doesn't mean she is ready to potty train. Really, it only bothers her when she is trying to sleep and she doesn't seem to realize why she is waking up and whimpering... but I can sure smell why!)
The first few nights I managed just fine, and fell back to sleep just fine, and Julia went back to sleep just fine, but last night... LAST NIGHT... she woke up at 1 am... not because she needed to be changed, but simply because she was in a new habit of waking up and well, it seemed like fun to her to read books and play at 1 am.
This new baby will have one advantage that Julia did not have... when I am awaken in the middle of the night, I am FULL ON AWAKE. So, this new baby will not have to suffer a half-asleep mama trying to remember who she is or what she is doing or for goodness sake, what IS this writhing being in my arms and oh, yes, it is my newborn child. Whew.
Julia has trained me to be AWAKE. I think I was much more awake from 1 - 3 am this morning than I was... well, have been at all today yet. I was fully aware of what was going on, I was fully able to read books in the dim light of her room, and I was fully able to say, "Lay down. LAY DOWN. Julia, lay down, please. PLEASE. It is time to go to sleep."
As I crawled back into bed and listened to Julia putz around in hers (so obviously NOT going to sleep as her little seahorse dude began playing bubble music and whatnot), I thought to myself... WOW. I am wide awake. WOW. I am so not looking forward to being up half the night and then trying to function the rest of the day when this new baby comes. WOW. I think poor Adam is going to suffer a lot more this time around because after only four nights of Julia being awake in the middle of the night, I was ready to start bawling and ask Adam to get up and please go put His Child back to bed... and well, if that can almost happen after only four nights... WHAT is going to happen when it is EVERY NIGHT? FOR THREE MONTHS? Gosh, I hope this new child starts that "sleeping through the night" business sooner than later.
I believe I prayed myself to sleep last night after laying Julia back down... I am pretty sure of it... I remember starting to pray and then I remember being jolted back awake at 3:30 am by some noise... I checked on Julia and she was sound asleep, cuddling her cat. I went back to bed... and finally, instantly fell asleep.
I'm not so sure where this post is going today. As I have told a few folks today, I have some serious diarrhea of the brain (mouth) today. It has to do with being overly tired.
I think that this post is simply a way to get my thoughts out of my head; a way to help me realize that yes, I will get through this newborn business again... I want to do this newborn business again... it's not going to be so terrible, and I can look back on the night before and maybe smile a little bit. And hope that I don't cringe at the thought of going to bed tonight with the fear that I will be woken up before it is Time.
And, now that I am thinking back on last night... I realize that even still... the time that we have with Julia is so precious and will go by so fast, and who shouldn't want to read books to their child in the middle of the night? And isn't it a little funny when you try to bring her into bed with you, hoping she will sleep, only to hear her say "uh, oh" as she drops her nuk and blanket down the crack between the wall and the bed simply because she thinks it is a hoot? And, who doesn't love their 20 (almost) month old figuring out how to take up more than 50% of a king-sized bed?
So... writing all of this out, I am reminded too that I am blessed to have Julia in my life, I am blessed to be pregnant (and it has been a healthy pregnancy at that)... and a few nights of little sleep are completely worth it.
Rethinking... finished.
erin
(A Badly Needed) Haircut
When the cat's away, the mice will play...
... and that's exactly what this mouse did while her husband was out of town this last week.
After months of thinking about it, I finally got a badly needed haircut... not just a trim, but an actual CUT. Adam might beg to differ, but I felt like it was time to loosen up and let go of some of the length... and I am so glad that I did!
I bought a few "short hair" magazines so that I had ideas to take to my hairdresser, and she looked as well for ideas. This is how it all turned out...
... before...
... and after...
Yes, that is me taking a picture of myself in my car with my cellphone... I almost forgot to take a picture before the big cut.
And, I think... maybe I need to use makeup a little bit more. Ha!
erin
... and that's exactly what this mouse did while her husband was out of town this last week.
After months of thinking about it, I finally got a badly needed haircut... not just a trim, but an actual CUT. Adam might beg to differ, but I felt like it was time to loosen up and let go of some of the length... and I am so glad that I did!
I bought a few "short hair" magazines so that I had ideas to take to my hairdresser, and she looked as well for ideas. This is how it all turned out...
... before...
... and after...
Yes, that is me taking a picture of myself in my car with my cellphone... I almost forgot to take a picture before the big cut.
And, I think... maybe I need to use makeup a little bit more. Ha!
erin
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Battening Down the Hatches
I've been thinking about doing this for some time, and I decided today was the day. I have decided to "lock down" my blog so that only people who are "approved" by me are allowed to read it.
I post a lot of pictures of Julia, I talk a lot about my family, and it wouldn't be hard to find me or figure out where I live. I have had an increasing number of random comments (most of which I have deleted) lately, and I have decided that all too many people in Blogosphere have access to what I write and to what I post (picture-wise).
So... if you are interested in being an invited member, just visit my blog site (erin-quilter.blogspot.com), and request to be added. As long as I know who you are, no doubt I will add you! :) And please, only request access via one email account; I have a limited number of "allowed" members, and I won't be adding anyone via more than one email address.
Hugs & Thanks!
erin
I post a lot of pictures of Julia, I talk a lot about my family, and it wouldn't be hard to find me or figure out where I live. I have had an increasing number of random comments (most of which I have deleted) lately, and I have decided that all too many people in Blogosphere have access to what I write and to what I post (picture-wise).
So... if you are interested in being an invited member, just visit my blog site (erin-quilter.blogspot.com), and request to be added. As long as I know who you are, no doubt I will add you! :) And please, only request access via one email account; I have a limited number of "allowed" members, and I won't be adding anyone via more than one email address.
Hugs & Thanks!
erin
Baby (in the) Pool
Today before Julia and I took a walk up town to purchase sewing accoutrements, we filled up the baby pool. It was a rather warmish sort of day, so I figured she'd enjoy a dip in the pool after her afternoon nap.
Well, after we came home from shopping (and checking out the car show on the square and purchasing some yummy cookies from Jaarsma's), I let Julia out of her stroller. I figured we would play outside for a bit before her nap.
I kicked off my shoes and stepped in the pool, never thinking for half a second that Julia would want to climb in the pool. The last two times we played in the pool, she sat on the outside and splashed in the water.
Well, as Adam pointed out earlier tonight, "monkey see, monkey do", and Julia stepped right into the pool... socks, shoes, shorts, and shirt!!! And to add to that, she plunked right down on her butt and started splashing. She was having a grand ol' time.
So, I stripped her down to her diaper, laid her clothes out to dry on the grass, and let her play to her hearts content. She had a wonderful time. And, at 2 pm, she went down for her nap and slept for 3.5 hours!!!
After dinner, I took her outside to play on the swing (she was in a new / dry outfit), and she ran right for the pool! However, I said, "no" and she stopped. But, the second I let down my guard... in she went again!!! This time I had the camera with me.
I suppose we won't be going outside much anymore if the pool is filled with water unless Julia is wearing a bathing suit. Ha! After her dip in the pool, I took her inside and put her in the tub... she was full of dirt and grass from wanting to go down the slide and swing and such.
erin
Well, after we came home from shopping (and checking out the car show on the square and purchasing some yummy cookies from Jaarsma's), I let Julia out of her stroller. I figured we would play outside for a bit before her nap.
I kicked off my shoes and stepped in the pool, never thinking for half a second that Julia would want to climb in the pool. The last two times we played in the pool, she sat on the outside and splashed in the water.
Well, as Adam pointed out earlier tonight, "monkey see, monkey do", and Julia stepped right into the pool... socks, shoes, shorts, and shirt!!! And to add to that, she plunked right down on her butt and started splashing. She was having a grand ol' time.
So, I stripped her down to her diaper, laid her clothes out to dry on the grass, and let her play to her hearts content. She had a wonderful time. And, at 2 pm, she went down for her nap and slept for 3.5 hours!!!
After dinner, I took her outside to play on the swing (she was in a new / dry outfit), and she ran right for the pool! However, I said, "no" and she stopped. But, the second I let down my guard... in she went again!!! This time I had the camera with me.
I suppose we won't be going outside much anymore if the pool is filled with water unless Julia is wearing a bathing suit. Ha! After her dip in the pool, I took her inside and put her in the tub... she was full of dirt and grass from wanting to go down the slide and swing and such.
erin
Fun Saturday Purchases
With the quilting of the wall hanging on the horizon, Julia and I took a trip to our local quilt shop (Vande Lune Fabrics) and checked out quilting threads and templates today. I was also in need of some paper-backed fusible web for a project (the next project on my mind), so I wanted to pick up some of that as well.
I took along two threads I already possessed (the two on the right) and leftover scraps from the wall hanging. I picked up a few new spools.
Also, I looked at templates and picked up a few as they are rather cheap, and whether or not they are used on this quilt, I will most likely use them in the future. I'm very excited to get started!
And... a picture of the fusible web. I have never used any for a project, so while I had an idea of what I was after, thankfully when I said, "Fusible web?" to my shop owner, she said, "For fusible applique?" and upon my nod and "Yes", she pulled out exactly what I needed. YAY!
So... maybe these pictures aren't so exciting or inspiring to you... but they make my mouth water! Ha! Yay!
erin
I took along two threads I already possessed (the two on the right) and leftover scraps from the wall hanging. I picked up a few new spools.
Also, I looked at templates and picked up a few as they are rather cheap, and whether or not they are used on this quilt, I will most likely use them in the future. I'm very excited to get started!
And... a picture of the fusible web. I have never used any for a project, so while I had an idea of what I was after, thankfully when I said, "Fusible web?" to my shop owner, she said, "For fusible applique?" and upon my nod and "Yes", she pulled out exactly what I needed. YAY!
So... maybe these pictures aren't so exciting or inspiring to you... but they make my mouth water! Ha! Yay!
erin
Back in the Saddle
Suffice it to say, I have not pieced or quilted much of anything for months now. I have a lot of projects in mine... projects put together in baggies with books and fabric... quilts designed... stuffed animals I love... I have the inspiration, but I have severely been lacking the motivation.
I don't know when or how it happened. In February I went to our guild retreat, and I had a grand time there working on things. However, I worked on a few things I didn't WANT to work on, and that kind of took the fun out of it for part of the weekend. And, when I came home again, life picked back up and my tub of retreat items is STILL unpacked. (Yes, I realize it is July now.)
So... I was excited but concerned when my pastor's wife asked me in May if I would be willing to put together a quilt for her. I loved the idea of it, and knew I WANTED to do it... but I have had a serious problem really finding my "groove" at home since I have become a mother. Something else is always more important (seemingly), and my craftiness goes by the wayside. However, I told her I wanted to do it, and she said she would go buy "it". I thought "it" was the pattern w/ a piece of fabric, and then I would be "in charge" of going and picking out fabrics for her, running them by her, etc. But no... "it" was... the pattern, the focus fabric, coordinating fabrics, batting, AND backing... the whole kit and kaboodle! Wow!
This wonderful bag of goodies sat on the guest bed and then on my quilting table for about a month and a week. June was busy for us... a funeral, vacation, and all sorts of other activities, and quite frankly, I was very fearful of even finding the time to get started on this quilt, and I told her it might be a while.
But, lo and behold, my mother-in-law happened into my life this week by way of an email asking if she could visit Julia, and suddenly I was left with TONS of free time. I mean, TONS. I wasn't looking for it. I certainly didn't ask for it. And, had it been any other week or weekend or anything at all... if I hadn't figured a way to clear our schedule so that Julia could be home from daycare, I'm not sure that it all would have worked this way... but, imagine my surprise when Thursday afternoon rolled around, Julia and Buscha (grandma) were out of the house, my house projects for the day were done... and I didn't know what else to do!
So, I spent about an hour and a half cleaning up my quilting area, and then I pulled out The Pastor's Wife's Quilt. And, an hour and a half later, I had all of the pieces cut out (it is a wall hanging). And... later that night, I started piecing.
And then, something delicious happened last night. After Julia went to bed, I sat down and told myself that I could finish the entire top before I went to bed.
Sure enough, I went to bed with a big smile on my face and a renewed joy for my favorite hobby... a hobby that quite frankly, I had actually considered giving up and clearing out of my life simply so that staring at it day after day didn't lead to depression.
Wouldn't you know, by way of a visitor and time to do whatever I wanted, I found myself drawn back to doing one of my favorite things. And here's the kicker... really, I didn't spend THAT much time working on it while Julia was awake. Truthfully, it would have been very easy to cut out the quilt during her nap on Thursday. And, all of the rest of the piecing I did while she was asleep. So who said I didn't have time for my hobby? Who said I couldn't make room for it?
My spirit is renewed and I am feeling excited about my hobby again. Other projects are calling my name and I am ready to respond! I have this quilt top to quilt now, but I have a plan for it. And, I have a few other projects that I am feeling really motivated to work on... so I am excited to dig into those! YAY!
In other words... I'm back in the saddle again. :)
Here's a few pictures of the top:
erin
I don't know when or how it happened. In February I went to our guild retreat, and I had a grand time there working on things. However, I worked on a few things I didn't WANT to work on, and that kind of took the fun out of it for part of the weekend. And, when I came home again, life picked back up and my tub of retreat items is STILL unpacked. (Yes, I realize it is July now.)
So... I was excited but concerned when my pastor's wife asked me in May if I would be willing to put together a quilt for her. I loved the idea of it, and knew I WANTED to do it... but I have had a serious problem really finding my "groove" at home since I have become a mother. Something else is always more important (seemingly), and my craftiness goes by the wayside. However, I told her I wanted to do it, and she said she would go buy "it". I thought "it" was the pattern w/ a piece of fabric, and then I would be "in charge" of going and picking out fabrics for her, running them by her, etc. But no... "it" was... the pattern, the focus fabric, coordinating fabrics, batting, AND backing... the whole kit and kaboodle! Wow!
This wonderful bag of goodies sat on the guest bed and then on my quilting table for about a month and a week. June was busy for us... a funeral, vacation, and all sorts of other activities, and quite frankly, I was very fearful of even finding the time to get started on this quilt, and I told her it might be a while.
But, lo and behold, my mother-in-law happened into my life this week by way of an email asking if she could visit Julia, and suddenly I was left with TONS of free time. I mean, TONS. I wasn't looking for it. I certainly didn't ask for it. And, had it been any other week or weekend or anything at all... if I hadn't figured a way to clear our schedule so that Julia could be home from daycare, I'm not sure that it all would have worked this way... but, imagine my surprise when Thursday afternoon rolled around, Julia and Buscha (grandma) were out of the house, my house projects for the day were done... and I didn't know what else to do!
So, I spent about an hour and a half cleaning up my quilting area, and then I pulled out The Pastor's Wife's Quilt. And, an hour and a half later, I had all of the pieces cut out (it is a wall hanging). And... later that night, I started piecing.
And then, something delicious happened last night. After Julia went to bed, I sat down and told myself that I could finish the entire top before I went to bed.
Sure enough, I went to bed with a big smile on my face and a renewed joy for my favorite hobby... a hobby that quite frankly, I had actually considered giving up and clearing out of my life simply so that staring at it day after day didn't lead to depression.
Wouldn't you know, by way of a visitor and time to do whatever I wanted, I found myself drawn back to doing one of my favorite things. And here's the kicker... really, I didn't spend THAT much time working on it while Julia was awake. Truthfully, it would have been very easy to cut out the quilt during her nap on Thursday. And, all of the rest of the piecing I did while she was asleep. So who said I didn't have time for my hobby? Who said I couldn't make room for it?
My spirit is renewed and I am feeling excited about my hobby again. Other projects are calling my name and I am ready to respond! I have this quilt top to quilt now, but I have a plan for it. And, I have a few other projects that I am feeling really motivated to work on... so I am excited to dig into those! YAY!
In other words... I'm back in the saddle again. :)
Here's a few pictures of the top:
erin
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sepia: Goat and Sheep
I am pretty sure I was spending time with my Grandfolks Schroeder when this picture was taken. I remember having a 5 x 7 of this in a frame while I was growing up... or at the very least, it's in my picture bucket. (Which I am excited to dig through again one of these days!)
erin
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Quilt Guild Picnic... Rain and All
Tonight was our annual Pella Area Quilters Guild picnic.
Our program committee and board decided a nice progressive picnic would be fun, and board and committee members took on the task of hostessing / cooking for everyone.
Yesterday, one of our hostesses, Jean, mentioned to me that it very well could rain tonight. We discussed it for a minute and decided, rain or shine, the party would go on.
Sure enough, around 3:00 pm today, it started to sprinkle. Throughout the night, we experienced... sprinkles... rain... DOWNPOURS... and even a double rainbow! YAY! :)
We had appetizers and salad at Jean's house from 6 - 6:45. This started a discussion of needing to put together a guild cookbook, 'cause dang, we have some good cooks in the house. ;)
Then it was off to Esther's (out in the "country") for the main dish. It was Italian-themed, of sorts, and delish. We were there from 7 - 7:45. We had a bit of a downpour right when it was time for me, Julia, and Janice (my carmate) to leave... but we braved the rain and left anyway. We were blessed with a double rainbow on the way back into town.
At Esther's, Julia found some chairs "just her size" and had a ball with them...
At Esther's, we all were treated to table seating... yay!
At my house, we had dessert. Two other wonderful ladies helped by making a frozen raspberry dessert and a yummy peaches and cream dessert. I followed up with lemon bars and ice cream. At my house, we also had our challenge block contest.
In March, I challenged the ladies to use pre-cut packages of squares to make a block... you got one square per two packages and could only use the fabric in the package. We were all amazed and blessed with some beautiful blocks... it is amazing what the creative mind comes up with! We received 26 blocks. They will go into a charity quilt for Teen Challenge, which has a women's home here in Pella.
The ladies voted on their favorites, and our winner was Jean. She took home a book. Other book winners included Susan, Karen, Janice, and Nancy (J.). All of the other participants took home a fat quarter of her choice. (If you are reading this and turned in a block and weren't able to attend, you can pick up a FQ the next time I see you!)
Below are some pictures of the blocks...
The winning block...
Other winners...
The blocks altogether...
Also, I'd like to say thank you to Phyllis and Janice, who were instrumental in helping me set up at my home... being 30 weeks pregnant (almost) and having a little one to run after is not ideal for setting up for a picnic... and the rain doesn't help either. Phyllis came over in the afternoon to help with the main setup, and Janice was my carmate and helpmate throughout the dinner, and also helped pin blocks and such. Couldn't have done it without those two wonderful ladies!
Also, a big thanks to Dottie and Phyllis for supplying and serving dessert... YUM!
And... everyone else who helped out the other ladies tonight... helped clean up... everyone deserves a big thanks. It is times like this that I am so very glad to know such a great group of women and see them work together so well and have such a good time together... raining or not!
erin
Our program committee and board decided a nice progressive picnic would be fun, and board and committee members took on the task of hostessing / cooking for everyone.
Yesterday, one of our hostesses, Jean, mentioned to me that it very well could rain tonight. We discussed it for a minute and decided, rain or shine, the party would go on.
Sure enough, around 3:00 pm today, it started to sprinkle. Throughout the night, we experienced... sprinkles... rain... DOWNPOURS... and even a double rainbow! YAY! :)
We had appetizers and salad at Jean's house from 6 - 6:45. This started a discussion of needing to put together a guild cookbook, 'cause dang, we have some good cooks in the house. ;)
Then it was off to Esther's (out in the "country") for the main dish. It was Italian-themed, of sorts, and delish. We were there from 7 - 7:45. We had a bit of a downpour right when it was time for me, Julia, and Janice (my carmate) to leave... but we braved the rain and left anyway. We were blessed with a double rainbow on the way back into town.
At Esther's, Julia found some chairs "just her size" and had a ball with them...
At Esther's, we all were treated to table seating... yay!
At my house, we had dessert. Two other wonderful ladies helped by making a frozen raspberry dessert and a yummy peaches and cream dessert. I followed up with lemon bars and ice cream. At my house, we also had our challenge block contest.
In March, I challenged the ladies to use pre-cut packages of squares to make a block... you got one square per two packages and could only use the fabric in the package. We were all amazed and blessed with some beautiful blocks... it is amazing what the creative mind comes up with! We received 26 blocks. They will go into a charity quilt for Teen Challenge, which has a women's home here in Pella.
The ladies voted on their favorites, and our winner was Jean. She took home a book. Other book winners included Susan, Karen, Janice, and Nancy (J.). All of the other participants took home a fat quarter of her choice. (If you are reading this and turned in a block and weren't able to attend, you can pick up a FQ the next time I see you!)
Below are some pictures of the blocks...
The winning block...
Other winners...
The blocks altogether...
Also, I'd like to say thank you to Phyllis and Janice, who were instrumental in helping me set up at my home... being 30 weeks pregnant (almost) and having a little one to run after is not ideal for setting up for a picnic... and the rain doesn't help either. Phyllis came over in the afternoon to help with the main setup, and Janice was my carmate and helpmate throughout the dinner, and also helped pin blocks and such. Couldn't have done it without those two wonderful ladies!
Also, a big thanks to Dottie and Phyllis for supplying and serving dessert... YUM!
And... everyone else who helped out the other ladies tonight... helped clean up... everyone deserves a big thanks. It is times like this that I am so very glad to know such a great group of women and see them work together so well and have such a good time together... raining or not!
erin
One Step Closer to Real
Surprise!
I had an ultrasound today.
After two months of thinking that I would never have one this pregnancy, measuring big this last week warranted one and I had an ultrasound at the hospital this morning.
First, I have to say, the hospital remodel is amazing. AMAZING. I am really glad I will not be left to wander in there on my own when this baby is due, as I'm pretty sure we'd be giving birth in the middle of the hallway because I would be lost forever in the new arrangement of the place. Everything has been moved... even OB! We might need to take a refresher class just to go on the tour again. Ha!
Second, I don't think I could ever EVER tire EVER of having ultrasounds. It is amazing to see inside of there and see something that really DOES look like a baby! (By the way, I'm going to wager that this one is every bit as cute as Julia, based on the pictures I saw today! Ha!)
Third, I must have a curse on me. Regardless of the fact that I wanted to find out, the tech could not tell with any real certainty whether this baby is a boy or a girl. Seriouly, what gives? Ha. You would think that a hex had been put on me or something... almost 30 weeks, and that butterball was curled up so tight in there, the tech couldn't really see much of anything very well. Shoot.
The computer and printer were working a bit wonky today, so I only got a few pictures, but they are cute!
The baby was sticking its tongue out at us quite a bit, moving around like crazy, and pretty much its hands and feet are all together on my lower left side and its butt is up on the upper right side... which means that sore rib from Julia's pregnancy is going to be in for it in a couple of weeks.
The baby has pretty long legs, and the tech asked if my husband was tall. The baby is right around 3.5 lbs, which is a good weight to be at 30 weeks (I will be 30 weeks on Thursday). She said it is a little late to do a sizing ultrasound, since at this point, babies grow at different rates and whatnot, so I could be due anywhere from September whatever to September whenever. Ha! I am due the 17th, but the sizing showed the 12th... but, that could be up to a few weeks off. So, I doubt we will change course very much!
Regardless, I am excited to start the planning of the actual birth date...! For a while I was kind of bummed about all of this being a planned C-section and whatnot, but what's the point of a bad attitude? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, so now I am excited about it, and I suppose really, it fits my personality better anyway! Hopefully we will know more in August.
My next appointment is July 22, when I will be just shy of 32 weeks. Then I start going every other week... wow!
The title of my post... well... I have to say, hearing the heartbeat... the kicks and jabs... I *know* there is a baby in there... but seeing it on the screen was really a "WOW" moment for me today. In less than 10 weeks, we are going to meet our new little child. WOW.
erin
I had an ultrasound today.
After two months of thinking that I would never have one this pregnancy, measuring big this last week warranted one and I had an ultrasound at the hospital this morning.
First, I have to say, the hospital remodel is amazing. AMAZING. I am really glad I will not be left to wander in there on my own when this baby is due, as I'm pretty sure we'd be giving birth in the middle of the hallway because I would be lost forever in the new arrangement of the place. Everything has been moved... even OB! We might need to take a refresher class just to go on the tour again. Ha!
Second, I don't think I could ever EVER tire EVER of having ultrasounds. It is amazing to see inside of there and see something that really DOES look like a baby! (By the way, I'm going to wager that this one is every bit as cute as Julia, based on the pictures I saw today! Ha!)
Third, I must have a curse on me. Regardless of the fact that I wanted to find out, the tech could not tell with any real certainty whether this baby is a boy or a girl. Seriouly, what gives? Ha. You would think that a hex had been put on me or something... almost 30 weeks, and that butterball was curled up so tight in there, the tech couldn't really see much of anything very well. Shoot.
The computer and printer were working a bit wonky today, so I only got a few pictures, but they are cute!
The baby was sticking its tongue out at us quite a bit, moving around like crazy, and pretty much its hands and feet are all together on my lower left side and its butt is up on the upper right side... which means that sore rib from Julia's pregnancy is going to be in for it in a couple of weeks.
The baby has pretty long legs, and the tech asked if my husband was tall. The baby is right around 3.5 lbs, which is a good weight to be at 30 weeks (I will be 30 weeks on Thursday). She said it is a little late to do a sizing ultrasound, since at this point, babies grow at different rates and whatnot, so I could be due anywhere from September whatever to September whenever. Ha! I am due the 17th, but the sizing showed the 12th... but, that could be up to a few weeks off. So, I doubt we will change course very much!
Regardless, I am excited to start the planning of the actual birth date...! For a while I was kind of bummed about all of this being a planned C-section and whatnot, but what's the point of a bad attitude? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, so now I am excited about it, and I suppose really, it fits my personality better anyway! Hopefully we will know more in August.
My next appointment is July 22, when I will be just shy of 32 weeks. Then I start going every other week... wow!
The title of my post... well... I have to say, hearing the heartbeat... the kicks and jabs... I *know* there is a baby in there... but seeing it on the screen was really a "WOW" moment for me today. In less than 10 weeks, we are going to meet our new little child. WOW.
erin
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