The craftiness that comes with birthdays...

The number of 1st birthdays is limited. So, while they don't have a choice in what they wear - why not make them shirts and party hats!



Benny was so not down with sitting for a picture, however, Livi was a good little model and just sat there with her hat on... no complaints.

Benny's beyond awesome shirt. I'm not going to lie - I'm pretty impressed with myself.



I didn't make the cupcakes. I don't really bake or cook (nor would you want me too). We also had ice cream cake because the grandparents know their pregnant daughter all too well!

Anyways, it was quite the successful first birthday and I can't wait to see what we do for the 2nd birthday!

More Diapers Done

I finally finished. I still hate elastic.

I don't know how I made my soakers so crappy this time when I used the same pattern as last time. They are also pretty bulky, but that makes for an ideal nap time diaper around here. And honestly, the supplies cost me like $3.50 per diaper. I do have OBV on the way that I paid $6.25 a yard for and some hemp fleece for $6.50 a yard (this doesn't include shipping yet). I'll probably get some zorb too. Zorb is pretty awesome.

I got supplies for Benny and Livi's party hats. I figure this is going to be the only time we will ever get to torture them with something like a party hat so it's game on.

I'll take pictures at the end of the week before we head to PA of what I get done.

My to do list for this week:
2 party hats
1 dress for livi (unless I get obsessed and make more)
1 taggie blanket for livi
*2 taggie stuffed animals (we will see about this)

Sometime soon I will need to make some newborn diapers. I really don't want to use disposables at all with Everett, but we will see. Benny had all the nasty tar poop come out while we were still in the hospital and his circimsicsion healed pretty quick.

I should probably get to making nursing pads too. My milk has come in and is ready to feed Everett. Hopefully, he will be a champ like Benny and we can figure the nursing thing out quickly again.

updating my want list

You can cross off Bumbleride Indie Twin AND a Brother 6000i.

The sweatshop is back up and running. I even put the elastic in those diapers from forever ago. They might be too narrow for Benny, but will work for Everett when he is in a medium.

I have 5 yards of OBV (organic bamboo velour) and 3 more yards of hemp fleece on the way. I haven't ordered any more zorb, but I should.

So, I'll make more diapers. Even if I have too many - I'll give them to friends to encourage them to convert.

I want to make some mama cloth for me.

AND nursing pads. I need nursing pads. I have major leakage issues.

I might need another wetbag. I didn't know that it's best to wash them with the towels... and I probably want one upstairs for when Everett is here.

I want to make a waterproof mattress protector for Everett to lay on while I'm nursing him in bed.

Ugh. I need to order PUL.

Before Benny's birthday I DO need to make Livi's birthday presents and Benny has a friend that is turning one in May that I wanted to make a small present for too.

Everett's blanket is getting there and I guess I'm about one fourth of the way done. I work on that when I catch up on shows via the internet.

Oh, and I really do want to sell shorties and diaper bags this summer... we will see about that!

3 posts in one day... what?

"I am unique"

Threadless had shirts on sale for $5. These are the first shirts that I've bought Benny. Actually, I can tell what clothing I have bought him:
5 warm footed PJ's
3 pairs of Sweatpants
(and that totaled like $30)

Not that Benny will care, but these will be in his Easter Basket. I'd like to find some matching wool to make shorties to go with them.

*Add matching shorties to the list...

I really do want to be sewing, but I'm sewing machine-less. After this weekend I plan on ordering the Brother 6000i and will get serious about diaper making.

Green Shorties

I hope the Mom I'm trading with likes these. I didn't have her kids measurement so I made them just a little bit smaller than what I would make for Benny. My kid is beastly and hers isn't, but she didn't give me any measurements to go off. I know there isn't a picture of the butt pouch, but I swear it's awesome.



Mollybolt on etsy made me some newborn longies and I made her some not so newborn longies. I never took a picture of what I sent her, but what I got in return is obviously awesome.

And yeah... a baby blanket for Everett - tunisian crochet style.

BOOOOOO stroller lady!!!

She said it was mine. I said when I could pick it up. She said that doesn't work. I said what does.

The end.

I never heard back from her and that was Friday. I mean it was a really awesome deal. It's find if she changed her mind, but I find it a bit rude to not get back to me at all.

I'll continue to search the next month or so for an awesome deal, but now I'm probably going to be getting the Baby Jogger City Mini Double Stroller. Hopefully, I can find one to test drive.

But if anyone knows of an awesome and affordable double stroller that sits the kids side by side... let me know.

please don't fall through. please. please. please.

Hopefully, Joey will be picking this up for me tomorrow. I'm going to be such a happy pregnant lady if this doesn't fall through!

My want list that I need to just get over...

I'm having serious "I want this" issues and need to just get it out of my system... and as much as I really do want these things we aren't immune to economy issues.

I really want a new sewing machine. I mean I really want the $700 embroidery/sewing machine, but it is so not practical. So, this is my second choice... the Brother CS6000I. Much more affordable and has great reviews. I might actually need a new sewing machine as the other 2 are dead... the tensions are done the bobbin holders are all messed up and they are just too old to get repaired. Although it's much more affordable it's still $179 and even though sewing is my favorite staying at home hobby I'm probably going to be too busy the next few months to care about what I want to do.

Now, on to the baby stuff. I know we have a bjorn, but I hate it even though Brandon loves it. I need something that carries the baby on my hips. So, here is the carrier of my choice - The Ergo - the BMW of baby carriers. You can put the baby up front or on your back, and it's so cool looking. Oh, and I can use it for either Benny or Everett. I'm a huge fan of baby wearing. In really crowded places it is so much easier than dealing with a stroller. Even at home when the baby just wants to be held... they shut up really fast once you put them in a carrier, but you still can get stuff done. The Ergo has an infant insert. I love the fact that the baby can be in a sling position. I've read a few places that it's easy to nurse using the carrier which is the main reason I want it. I want something sturdy for Everett that I can nurse him in and still be able to chase Benny if I need to. I'm seriously dreading having the baby latch on and only to make him stop nursing because I need my hands to do something with Benny.


Finally, the Bumbleride Indie Twin, the six hundred some dollar double stroller. Don't worry I'm very annoyed that my favorite double stroller is probably the most expensive one. I've been searching craigslist like it's my job for a used one, but they just aren't there (not that I'm surprised they have GREAT reviews).
Realistically, we probably won't get a double stroller because I'll never decide on a second, more affordable option. The front to back ones just seem so hard to steer and we will probably only get 1-1.5 years out of it. I have big boys and they need to fit. The other side-by-sides out there just seem so wide and bulky (and I totally get that ALL double strollers are going to be bulky). Brandon really wants one that can hitch on to his bike, but they are HUGE. The front and back ones are a dime a dozen on craigslist and what we will probably end up getting. I know deep down I'll hate the thing, but I rather be able to go out on walks than stuck in the house, and who doesn't love a clumsy mom who runs into everything because she can't steer a stroller?