Turning an IDEA into a REALITY

At the OB clinic I go to there are tons of little quilts hanging on the walls (like murals) that the doctors made. That's pretty much all the decor they have, and it's really neat! There are so many different patterns and pictures they came up with, and I thought it was a great idea.

So, I was really bored at work one day (surprise, surprise) and started doodling. I drew a graph, then started coloring in the squares to make a picture. I started thinking about the quilts at the OB clinic, and decided I wanted to make one to hang in the nursery (when we get one). This is what I came up with first:



Looking at the hearts, it seemed really girly, and I decided I wanted something more neutral that would work in the nursery for all of my future kids no matter their gender. I came up with a tree which turned into an Apple tree because the apples would add more color. This is what it looks like:



I REALLY liked this one, but didn't really know how to go about making the idea a reality. I decided the first thing I would need, of course, is FABRIC. I took my MiL to Joanne's with me and she helped me find a lot of different colors with different patterns on each.

I cut the squares about 3"x3" so they would be about 2"x2" by the time they were all sewn together. (Looking back now I'm not sure why I wanted to do it so small. The blanket topper is a little smaller than I thought it would be, but that's not a big deal.) I LOVE IT! It's definitely not perfect, and a LOT of seems don't even line up, but I guess that's the beauty of doing a tree--it's VERY forgiving! Anyway, here's the finished product (well, the finished TOP anyway):



Here's a closer look at the different patterns in the fabric:



I still need to get fabric for the back and I think I'll do a ribbon-type edge. Not sure what color yet, but Shaun will help me figure that out. I think the different colors and patterns will help stimulate the baby's brain as he/she looks at the quilt on the wall as we rock him/her.

Rag Quilt mini class

My RS had a little mini class for those who wanted to learn how to make a rag quilt. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity. I love crafting, and always need social time with other women, so this class was PERFECT! There were only about 10 women who showed up, and we were all spread out across teh gym at the church--2 per table so we all had plently of working space.

Here's what mine looks like right now. I did all the cutting and sewing in about 2 hours. (I knew if I didn't get it done that night at church it wouldn't get done.) Shuan came to Joanne's and picked the fabric out with me for our baby-to-be. We tried to get more gender neutral stuff since we don't know what gender the baby is yet, but the more I worked on the blanket the more it looked like a boy blanket to me. Oh well.



Here's a close up of the fabric:



It's not done yet, obviously, but it's close. To complete it all I would need to do is sew around the edges and cut the lines so they will frey when washed, and it'd be done. I came home and showed Shaun, and we decided it would look better with a border, so I'm going to add that before sewing up the edges. I just need to get more fabric.

I told Shaun I was thinking about sending this blanket to Hailee (my sister) since she's having a boy, but he wants to keep it for our kid because he likes it, and we picked the fabric out together. Sorry Hailee--I'll make you a different one! =)

I'll make sure to post a picture of the finished product if it ever gets done. haha

For instructions on how to make these quilts, click here.

14 weeks...

Well, it's kinda starting to round out! I image it'll take some time after losing 18 pounds with morning sickness!

I know I'm not quite far enough along to feel any real movement yet, but sometimes when I'm sitting still (like now) I really can feel something. The best way to describe it would be little butterflies.

I'm so excited to be pregnant right now... and scared, and nervous, and anxious, ect. Most of all, though, I feel very blessed that the Lord is trusting us with one of his little spirits. It's very humbling after you get over the excitement of it all and realize it's not happening at this moment in our lives by chance, but because this is the time the Lord has set aside for us and he knows it is time for us.

We may have a lot of uncertainty in our lives right not--Shaund doesn't have a job, he's trying to get through his last semester of grad school, we have a baby on the way and don't know where we'll be when it's born, and much more--but it's so wonderful to have the gospel in our lives and to have the knowledge and assurance that the Lord is watching over us, and he's not going to give us any trial we cannot overcome with His help.

13 weeks... Baby Magic!

At my 12 week apointment the week before we were told that the next appointment would be when we met the actual doctor--Dr Gros, and we would get to hear the heartbeat of our little one. I couldn't sleep at all that night because I was so excited about it...even though I had another week to wait.

The day finally came, and Shaun was able to come with me again. --I've heard a lot of good things about Dr. Gros from a lot of different people, but it was nice to finally meet and talk to him in person.--Anyway, after the lady exam Dr. Gros informed us that he was going to do an ULTRASOUND! I told him I thought we were only going to hear the heartbeat, but he was like "Why not? You're far enough along!" AAAAAHHHHHH!!! It was such a neat experience for us! Shaun and I just held hands and looked at the little peach-sized baby on the screen. (Yes there was only one!) It was moving around like crazy, and practically jumping! I was amazed at how much moving around was happening and I couldn't feel a thing.

Dr. Gros was able to take a good 'frdge shot' and printed it out for us. (See below!) I sent the pic to all of our family right away, and that night Shaun sent it to a bunch of his buddies because he was so excited. Then he said he wished we knew what gender it was already. haha! A few more weeks and we'll find out hun!

12 week update...

I had my first appointment at Women's Health Group for my pregnancy at 12 weeks. (I know, it seemed late to me too! Especially when others I know were seeing their doctor starting at between 8 and 10 weeks.)

Shaun took me because he was out of class by then, and we both wanted him there and to be involved. We didn't meet the doctor on that day though. The appointment consisted of us talking to the OB nurse for a while--answering health questions, asking questions, etc. They gave us a bag with goodies in it to look over too--a Pregnancy book, magazines, a book to keep track of the pregnancy in, and a booklet with information about their clinic and what to expect at each appointment, and so on. I had to give blood and other samples for them to test, but that was about it. I didn't think it was very eventful, but Shaun enjoyed it. He joked around with the OB nurse a lot.

I just have to say how much I love Shaun. Not a day goes by that he doesn't make me laugh! He's especially adorable with this whole baby thing. The questions he asks sometimes scare me, but I have to realize that he was never around babies or small children until the last couple of years, and he really doesn't know much about them! His clulessness is so cute!

As we walked out of the doctor's office Shaun said 'We need to start thinking about a nursery.' I informed him that I had been thinking about it for quite some time, and already kind of knew what I wanted. 'Oh, well we need to start buying stuff for it then.' This may seem like nothing to some people, but Shaun had pretty much been in denial that I was pregnant most of the time up to this point, and didn't want to hear about or talk about the baby because it stressed him out too much. To hear him say that we needed to start buying stuff for the little baby-to-come was a big deal!

Then, as we were driving down the road he asked if we needed to start planning 'one of those baby shower things.' I explained to him that someone else does that for us much later in the pregnancy, but the point is that he's getting excited, and I love it!