Baby/Nursery Sewing Projects

During my pregnancy with B, I knew there were some things that I wanted to try sewing for her nursery and some of the baby items we’ll be using.  I had previously shown the burp rags I made, here.  Next up I wanted to recover the bumpers that we had in A’s nursery.  Personally, I found it incredibly hard to narrow down fabrics.  I searched tons of places on-line and finally we just headed to Joann’s and the Hubs saw the outer fabric first, knew it was perfect and had the colors I wanted!  If I ever recover a set of bumper pads again, I definitely want to do the piping detail, which I didn’t do on B’s.





Next up I wanted to make another boppy cover.  I had to improvise since I bought the wrong yardage then what was recommended and a zipper half the size that was recommended, can I blame pregnancy brain and not writing it down?  Thankfully, it still turned out great, love the colors and that one side is a flannel, soft and warm.



Last project was actually completed by the Hubs.  Recovering the infant carrier carseat.  Only thing I helped with was tearing out all of the seams.  The fabric for this we checked out the home décor fabrics as they are more heavy duty.





Doing these projects has increased my love of sewing so much.  All fabrics were bought on sale and with coupons and I love how each of these are personalized especially for her, especially since they are hand me downs from Miss A.

Brynlee Renee has ARRIVED!

One week ago at this time I was holding my beautiful 3rd daughter.  Here’s her birth story, my 3rd induced labor. Monday the 19th I went into triage to get the gel.  I was sore/cramping and the Hubs and I enjoyed a lunch just the two of us and then went walking around the mall for a couple hours.  Nothing happened, it didn’t put me into labor.

Tuesday the 20th I woke up feeling amazing.  We were at the hospital @ 8:30.  The midwife checked and she said if this were my 1st delivery she’d recommend another gel as the 1st didn’t do much.  We agreed to try pitocin and re-assess my progress in the afternoon.  The Dr. then came in early afternoon to break my water.  My main goal this delivery was to hold off on the epidural as it stalled my two previous deliveries.  I waited until I was 6cm and then asked for the epidural. 

Shortly after getting comfortable, pain wise – my mom brought the girls’ in for a little visit.  Once they left I took a nap for about an hour.  I woke up because I was starting to get uncomfortable.  Played a card game with my sister and then she decided to go get a drink.  I woke up the Hubs telling him to get awake because I was pretty sure next time they checked me, it’d be baby pushing time.

The midwife came in and said that I changed drastically and that I’d be able to push through the last bit I needed to.  She left and ended up coming right back in because Brynlee’s head was right there without me doing any pushing.  Just as I was getting ready to start pushing my sister walked in the room in the knick of time.  A couple minutes and about 10 pushes later, Miss Brynlee Renee entered the world at 9:59pm, weighing 9lbs, 20 in, on 9.20.2011.  The lee in Brynlee’s name is for my Gramma who passed away exactly 4 months ago on the 20th. 







I feel like this time after delivery is kicking my butt.  I’m feeling overall pretty much back to normal physically.  But holy cow, super emotional, this time around.  I hope that all of this level’s out sooner rather than later!  I feel like this transition of 2 to 3 kids has gone much smoother than it did going from 1 to 2. The girls’ love their little sister so much and I have to confess that Miss A is doing so awesome, is super gentle and hasn’t showed much jealously issues yet like I feared.  Granted it’s only been 1 week, but this gives me hope!  Now I must go wake her up to nurse. 

Final Pregnancy Post

It's official - Miss Brynlee will be here in the next 96 hours at the latest!  Squeee - I can't believe the time is so close and literally upon us, only 2 days before I head to the hospital Monday morning for the gel.

Are we ready for #3?  Everything is done for her arrival here at home, room done, meals are cooked and in the freezer for that 1st week home, plans are made with family members to take off and help watch the girls' and me once I'm home and the Hubs is back to work.  I just can't wrap my head around there being a 3rd bundle of joy here, and I how I'll get to witness the bond my 3 girls will have, just watching E & A now my heart swells with joy watching them together.  I know now after my youngest how your heart just expands to make more room to love the new addition so am not worried about any of that.  :o)  My oldest will transition well with another baby, she did great with the youngest.  Now the youngest on the other hand, I'm worried as she is such a Mommy girl, it's beyond ridiculous, if she sees the oldest sitting on my lap or snuggling, she is right there throwing a fit, trying to squeeze herself on my lap and push her sister off.

I've been feeling pretty crampy and having BH's all week, each day the crampy feeling lasting longer and longer.  I would LOVE to go in labor on my own, especially since this is our last baby.  I was holding out for my Mani/Pedi last night, but now that appt has passed.  This video is floating around my birth board and I showed it to the oldest.  Our plans today besides cleaning the whole house is to do this fun little dance and whatever other dancing to get Miss B moving.

Please take a moment to watch this, she is so adorable with her accent and it literally cracks me up harder and harder every time I watch it, esp. thinking of doing it 9 months pregnant.




Since this is our last, I've been thinking of what I'll be glad to never have to do again b/c of Pregnancy, here's my list:

- Those appt pee in a cups.  Granted it's not a big deal, except for the fact that I have to remember where I put said cup, esp. when it's just monthly appts, and then to remember the night before my appt to make sure it's out so I remember to do my thing.
- Taking Glucose tests, between having to drink it for early detection of GD and then during the regular time when  you should, so glad to be done with that!
- Hip/Pelvic Pain - with each pregnancy this got worse, and there's absolutely no laying on my side, b/c getting out of bed, I literally feel like I'm 80 years old and my hips will pop out of joint.
- I know the Hubs won't miss some of my crazy emotions! ;o)

As the Hubs and I close on this chapter in our lives and marriage it makes me a little sad and excited all at the same time.  We are blessed with this big family, after several trials, to create our family.  As sad as it'll be to go through my last first's with B, I look forward to just raising our kids and enjoying the differences of leaving babyhood/toddler hood to them being kids'.

Nursery *Update*

To remember how this room started and some of the progress we already made on the room, click on this link. 

The next step to do in the room was to sand the hardwoods (thankfully they just needed lightly re-done) and put down finish.  The Hubs and his Dad spent Sunday morning over labor day weekend doing the sanding.  Two coats of a water based floor finish (love that this had no smell!!!)  later and we were ready to re-load the room with furniture. 





Now for how it looks currently. *Sorry for the wonky lighting – it was either too bright from the sun or things turned more green because of the sheers.*







Things to complete:





Want to highlight some of the deals we got in this room.
- The rug is from RugsUSA, it’s almost a 5x7, was 40% off and FREE shipping for a grand total of $59!  The colors are perfect with the fabric we picked for the bedding, only wish it were a little thicker.
- The curtains were a doorbuster deal, cost – $5.99 for 1 pack which had 2 panels, total cost $18 for 3 windows.
- Thank you Target.com for having website issues with their registeries, so I got an extra 20% code, was able to use on the mattress.
- All furniture is from the previous 2 – minus the crib and mattress.

I’m so glad that everything is set-up, dressers organized.  I look forward to adding in the final touches over the next few months and making the room more personalized.  We are officially ready for Baby B’s arrival in 1 week!!

I’m linking to:
Blue Cricket Design
House of Hepworths

37 Weeks–Pregnancy Update

 Pregnancy Review:


How far along: 37 wks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: 18lbs

Maternity clothes?: Yes please!

Strech marks?: Still no new ones, hope none appear these last couple weeks.

Sleep: It’s overrated right?  Lols, naps are a must anymore, at least they become a must as I can barely stay awake at certain times of the day. 

Best moment this week: Got to see my baby girl this morning in an ultrasound.

Movement: Still pretty active and she now has the hiccups almost daily, which neither other 2 girls’ ever had them.

Food cravings:  Nothing right now. 

Gender: GIRL

What I miss: Sleeping in bed on my belly/side.

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? It’s almost flat.

What I am looking forward to: Getting the rest of what we need for B’s nursery this week and finish getting it set up by the weekend.

Weekly Wisdom:
- Having an u/s this late in the pregnancy, not such a great idea laying on your back, I thought I was going to pass out after only a couple minutes, thankfully the tech was very watchful and kept asking how I was doing and had me turn to my side.
- It’s ok that I can’t help as much as normal with all of the bedroom work and I need to not feel guilty. 


Milestones: After my appt today and based off Miss B’s size, looks like will be setting up my induction after my appt on the 20th, which means approx. 2 weeks until her arrival, unless miraculously I go into labor on my own.


This was taken at 37 wks.

Nursery *Progress*

I hope everyone who was affected by Irene had no major damage and your power is back on!  We lost our power on Sunday for about 13 hrs and made MAJOR progress on the nursery.  Unfortunately, my cell phone wasn’t charged so I was unable to get pictures, but this is what I have.

Here’s a before – excuse the craziness of this shot, this was when we were working on our new Master, but you get an idea of wall color/curtains etc.



The in-laws came over Sunday to help us, while my parents took the girls’ (as they never lost power) so we could work. 

The carpet was torn out – only to reveal that the hardwood floors under this rooms carpet were never finished.  They are smooth to the touch, but still need a light sanding as there is joint compound all over as they were messy.  And thankfully, the Hubs found a water based finish, so the smell should be minimal.
We also got the ceiling/trim/upper portion of the room painted and the Hubs patched a hole in the wall from where our tv hung.



Here you can get a peak at what I’m talking about above with the floors.





I went around this afternoon and did any necessary touch-ups on the wall color and painted down closer to the paneling that the Hubs actually finished installing tonight.  He is 3/4’s of the way done with the top molding and then the shoe molding will need installed. 

Will have an update on the rest of the room next week, as the goal is to be done by next week!

Baby Stuff on the Brain

I decided early on in this pregnancy that I was going to conquer my sewing machine and make everything for Miss B’s nursery.  I had a little practice sewing up some burp rags for 2 of my friends baby showers in the Spring. 

First up I went to Joann’s and picked up some fat quarters and flannel for the backing.  Here’s the finished 11 burp rags.





I also knew I wanted to make her a quilt.  I was reading through my daily reads and saw this one that Jessica from Happy Together made for her oldest daughter.  I instantly fell in love with it, the pattern is actually from Oh, Fransson!, here.

Then the dilemma of what colors I wanted to be in the nursery.  Originally I started looking at fabric lines, where everything would coordinate.  Then I decided to go to my favorite place Etsy, where I just bought fabrics that I liked and thought would go relatively well together.  I got everything from SewFreshFabrics and was impressed with the quickness the fabric arrived.



Let me just say that I pre-washed all of these and oh man what a pain.  Lesson learned to get some starch to help with wrinkles, it felt like it was never ending ironing.  The Hubs made me up this template from a heavy placemat we picked up at Target. 



It took me 2 nights to complete the front, excuse the poor lighting, it was late and I wanted a picture, still need to take a better one in the daylight.



Now to get a flat sheet for the back piece, batting, and finally binding it all together.  I can’t wait to share it when it’s finished finished.  Overall, for my 1st quilt, am really happy with how it turned out. 

Next on the list:
- Finish Quilt
- Make crib bumpers
- Make crib skirt
- Make some crib sheets
- Make a mobile
- Recover cushion on rocking chair/make some throw pillows
- Make new boppy cover

So, much to do, am hoping in the next week or two that the Hubs will take me out to Lancaster, as there are tons of quilt shops and I can find the rest of the fabrics to finish these projects up.