i heart linen

The Road Not Taken

Breathe.  It seems I really haven't had time to do much of that these days.  So much has happened since the beginning of the year.  It's hard to believe that it's already April.  I know I've been scarce around these parts as well and with good reason.  Life has handed me a whole lot of 'yuck' lately and I suppose I could take the obvious route and wallow in my own misery.   But, I've got this cute little face looking up at me everyday, so it really doesn't seem all that bad now does it. ^_^

A little update.......As most of you know my wee one, Matthew, joined us on February 26th and had quite a battle to endure from day one.  He spent a 3 weeks in NICU as he was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease and had a successful surgery to correct the problem.  He was discharged on Friday, March 19th and we joyfully brought him home.  We had a relatively normal weekend and then had to rush him to the ER with an infection in his colon on Sunday, March 21st.  I spent every minute with him in the hospital and literally went home only for a couple of hours one day to see my family.  Matthew was recovering well and the dark cloud that had cast over our little family seem to finally be lifting. 

Well, that little cloud turned into a darker, bigger cloud for me.  It was a little after midnight on March 26th and I was at the hospital feeding Matthew when I got the call. It was my Grandmother on the phone, calling to tell me that my sweet Grandfather had died.  My Grandpa Matthew, the man who helped raised me, who I had know as 'Dad', who I named my newborn son after, who meant the absolute world to me, was gone.  He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for many years and I watched a big, strong, powerful man slowly become weak and enfeebled by this disease.  He was completely bed ridden by February and my Grandmother had hospice care at their house to assist her.  It was only a matter of time, but I thought I would have had the chance to see him one last time and tell him all the things I wanted to tell him.  My dream was for him to see the baby as well, but I suppose that wasn't meant to be. 

Matthew was discharged on March 27th with a clean bill of health and then it was off to Florida to join my family in saying goodbye to our beloved Patriarch. We paid tribute to him on April 3rd, the day before Easter Sunday. 

I feel like I've been on auto-pilot since my son was born and its been a little difficult to get back on track. I have only happy memories of my grandfather and those times fill me with such relief and happiness, knowing that he lived a full life.  I'm so grateful that he shared his life with me. 

Our baby boy is such a joy and he's doing wonderful! Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers! He's eating well and finally nursing!  If I didn't have him and my Bella, Elijah and Mel, the loss of my Grandpa would have been that much harder to bear.  I've got so many happy distractions......and that has made all the difference.

Incomplete....

...is basically how I've been feeling the past two weeks.  It's been very hard being here at home without my 2 week old baby boy in my arms.  Leaving the hospital without him was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do and it's been the longest two weeks of my life.  I know he'll be home soon and I'm trying my best to keep my spirits up until he's home.  I'm grateful that he's managed to pull through all of this beautifully.  All of your prayers made certain of that.  Thank you so much to everyone, for your emails, comments, letters and prayers.  My family thanks you and our little Matthew thanks you. 

Keeping busy with Bella and Elijah has helped keep me distracted from my sadness of not having their baby brother home.  I've also had a few projects other than housework to keep me busy as well. 

I started a baby blanket for Matthew about 1 week before his arrival and I'm almost finished with it!  I'm an advanced beginner knitter, so don't expect anything too fancy to come from me in the way of knitting.  Garter stitch? Check. No increases or decreases? Check. Easy peasy and right up my alley.  There's something about the repetitive motion of simple knitting that I find relaxing and therapeutic.  Working on this blanket has certainly helped me a great deal.   But then I fell in love with the colors of the yarn and decided a baby quilt must be made to go with this blanket!

I got all but two of these prints from FabricWorm and I think they're all going to look beautiful together as a wee little quilt for my wee little boy.  Oh! I almost forgot! Speaking of fabric, be sure to stay tuned to Sew, Mama, Sew this coming Wednesday.  Dear Kristen has so graciously invited me to be a Guest Fat Quarter Pack Designer.  I've put together 12 prints that totally turn my crank and they will be sold as a set in the Sew Mama Sew shop!  Woot!  *running man*  Check out the previously featured designers: Amy Karol, Alicia Paulson, Hillary Lang, and Amanda Soule.  All women I'd like to be when I grow up, so I'm thrilled to be included in such an awesome group of talents!  I hope you like what I put together! So stay tuned!

So, Matthew's doing a lot better.  He's recovering from his surgery well and should finally be home with us some time next week!  He's also finally allowed to have mama's milk as of yesterday and I know he's thrilled because he's been on an IV since he was two days old. 

(A little video of our bebe with the hiccups! ^_^)

Well, off to the hospital I go to see my dear bebe!  Ciao bellas! ^_~

The littlelest of the littles......

is in need of some prayers. He's been having some trouble nursing and was spitting up a lot of mucous and other not so nice things.  After some evaluation by the pediatrician and an xray they found that he has some blockage in his intestines that is stopping him from being able to keep anything down.  He's been admitted to NICU and has been there since yesterday.  They have given him two suppositories to try and help him have a bowel movement hoping that it would help clear out the obstruction, but that hasn't worked.  He's scheduled to have a barium enema sometime today. (He's actually in radiology right now, they just called to tell me while I was typing this.)  Best case scenario, this will solve the problem and our little one will be home with us within a few days.  Overall the doctors say he looks great and he's a healthy little boy, he just needs to get this little problem fixed.  Please keep him in your prayers.  Thank you so much everyone for all of your comments and well wishes on his arrival! He's such a joy and we can't wait to bring him home! ^_^

*UPDATE*

3/1/10 - Baby boy is being transport to the hospital across the street for a biopsy today.  They want to find out if there is evidence of Hirschsprung's disease. If he does have it then surgery will be the next step.

3/2/10 - The results show that Matthew does indeed have the disease.  He'll be scheduled for surgery sometime this week or early next week.  I'll have a definite date tomorrow.

3/8/10 - Our little pumpkin is going to have an MRI today.  He has a paralyzed vocal cord and they want to be sure that it's not neurological.  His surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.

3/9/10 - MRI came back normal and the surgery was a success! Matthew is resting well and should be home in about a week. Thank you everyone for your prayers, comments, emails, texts, phone calls, words of comfort and support. This has been the toughest 11 days for us and you all have really helped us get through it. Baby boy still has some recovering to do, but at least the worst is over. God is good. ^_^

Look who's here! ^_^

Meet our little love, Matthew Robert Hale.

Born Friday, February 26, at 3:09 PM ET, 7lbs 10 oz, 20". 

Did I tell you how divinely and utterly happy I am? ^_^

Ready to POP!

Hello lovelies.  Not much to report.  I'm so tired lately, that I've been super lazy-matayzie.  34 Weeks and counting.

I can hardly breathe, my hips hurt, sleeping is a joke, if I sit on the floor I'm basically there until someone can help me up, Mel has to tie my shoes for me.......shall I continue?  Can't wait to see my little pumpkin though! ^_^

Any other expecting mama's feeling my pain right now?  Here's your chance to complain it up! Let's hear it! 

4 + 1

Having a good summer?  I certainly hope so.  Mine has been pretty quiet.  Not a lot of blogging, sewing, creating, or running mans sadly.  I just haven't had the energy for it.  The past 6 weeks have been physically and emotionally hard on yours truly.  Because.......well.  See for yourself! ^_^

Yes my dear bloggy buddies, I am having a baby! Yay! I'm about 10 weeks along now and has this little one has been giving me the business!  Let's just say I've spent the greater portion of my mornings, noons and nights in the past month and a half worshipping the porcelain god.  I've already been to the hospital twice, once to the ER and the second time they admitted me with Hyperemesis.  I spent about 3 days in the hospital last week getting rehydrated and pumped up full of anti-naseau medication.  2 dress sizes later and I'm feeling pretty good again.  

I had pretty bad morning sickness with my first two wee ones, but never this bad and I'm praying that I can finally have some relief after the 12th week.  *crosses fingers and toes*  I still can't believe we're going to have another little one!  I'm so excited and scared and thrilled and nervous and utterly and divinely happy.  Children are such a blessing and I can't wait to see our wee one. February 27th seems so far away, but I know it will be here in no time flat!  Wow. A baby. ^_^

I'm also quite please to finally know part of the reason I've had such a bad case of blogger's/crafter's block lately.  *whew*  I thought I was losing it!  I'll get it all back sooner or later I suppose. 

Anyone know anything about sizing children's patterns?  I have a project that I've been working on that I want to make as a tutorial for everyone but I'm not quite sure how to adjust the pattern so that it would fit other size children.  If you think you might be able to help me please shoot me an email! ^_^

Anyhoo, aside from the non-blogging, non-crafty porcelain god worshipping action that's been going on around here, there hasn't been a lot of fabric shopping happening either.  In fact, I haven't done any major fabric shopping since last Summer when I started sewing for the book.  I bought so much fabric that i really felt like I had more than enough to last me for a long while.

I have indeedy gotten into buying a few vintage lovelies here and there, though.  Two of my most favorite finds from Ebay..........

This sheer delight has a gorgeous orange border running parallel to either edge of the selvedge.  I'm thinking of making some panel curtains for our bedroom and Mel thinks I should use it to make something for myself.  There's about 6 yards of it!  Still deciding. 

And this.  Is this not the GREATEST PRINT EVER?!  I LOVE THIS FABRIC!  I have to say I was really having a battle on ebay to win this baby.  I was NOT letting it get away from me.  Why aren't there more prints like this these days?  *sigh* Oh bunnies, vegetables, and flowers how I love thee.  

In other news, the newest issue of Sew News has hit newstands and your dear blog pal is on the cover! Yay!  I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am about this. I did notice that the tutorial on the Sew News site didn't show a photo of the pouch.  That would kind of help when making it so have a look here.  

The Interweave Press store also has a darling little preview of my bookety book book, so run on over and take a lookety look look! (Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see the preview)

Interweave also has a few titles coming out that I'll be adding to my wish list, you might like a few of these as well................

Well, happy Monday folks!  I'm off to worship a different type of porcelain.  ^_^

Sniffles

Lots of tears falling around these parts lately.  Tears of joy, tears of frustration, tears from allergies, tears from baby Elijah, tears from big sister Bella, tears from Mommy.  (I'm also just getting over a little cold. *ah-choo!* )  So there's tissue everywhere! In tribute to all of the boo-hooing, I made some little tissue holders.  I promise I won't post anything with this fabric combination again.  Okay that's probably not true.  I won't post anything for the next month! ^_^ I just love it so much!  Anyhoo, these are most likely shopward bound.

I'm so happy many of you commented on my "Hello" post!  Thank you! I think I've managed to respond to everyone, if I haven't yet I will. ^_^ 

Many of you are surprised that I'm able to fit in crafting while taking care of my two children.  I have to be honest with you all.  It's a must for me.  I'm very exhausted indeed!  But I figure it's only temporary.....for the next 18 years or so! ^_^

On a more serious note, crafting also helps me battle postpartum depression.  It's something that's been very real for me since Bella was born last year. I'm very open when it comes to speaking about my experience as well.  I think it's important for other mommies dealing with it to know that they're not alone.

I failed to recognize the signs of it last year and it quickly spiraled out of control.  I think it was a mixture of denial and a lack of knowledge about the subject. It reared it's ugly head when Bella was 4 months old and I found out that I was pregnant with Elijah. 

Therapy helped me to get it under control. But crafting is also like therapy for me.  It helps me unwind at the end of the day, gives my mind a little break while the kids are napping.  It also gives me that oh so important "me" time that everyone needs. Staying busy helps me keep it under control.  I don't over do it, but just enough to keep The Mean Reds away. 

I'm doing much better this time around though.  I still get weepy every now and then, which I guess is a "normal" amount of boohooing for someone who's recently given birth.  I'm not sure where I'm going with this post.  I guess I posted about this because blogland can sometimes seem like life is perfect and it's not always so.  So I'll step out of the confessional for now.  I think I'll go sew something! ^_^ 

Catching up

*Yaaaaaawwwwn*  Just thought I'd stick my sleepy head in here and say "hello".  Have you ever been joyfully exhausted?  Well that's what I am right now.  Late night feedings are taking it's toll, but I'm ever so happy to be this tired. I think the week finally caught up with me.  From the false alarms, to the quick delivery, my grandparents arrival, no rest in the hospital, and me pushing myself a tad bit to hard. (I've been up and about and not really resting like I should.)  But, I've finally hit the wall and I'm taking it easy now.   

Last Monday and Tuesday were two of the most incredible days of my life. At about 4:00 am on Monday morning I began to have a little bit of false labor.  Not too painful, but they definitely kept me up for a few hours.  I went to see my obstetrician that day as scheduled for a routine check up.  She didn't seem concerned about the false labor, I was still only 2 cm dilated and the baby's head was pretty high up.  So we scheduled an appointment for me to see her the following Monday(today ^_^) and I went home.

Tuesday morning, same time 4:00 am, more contractions.  I figured they were false labor again, so my husband and I didn't really make any moves.  He continued sleeping, I got up and took a shower to try and relax.  The contractions started to become a little more painful as the hours went on.  They also started coming 10 mins apart.  I paced the house, tried to sleep, drank tons of water, used the bathroom about 1,000 times.  My husband decided to run to his office and pick up work and come back home.  We really didn't think I was in labor yet so I was fine with him leaving.  We figured if I was in labor I still had several hours to go. 

I called my mother just in case and she decided to come keep me company.  I called my doctor and she told me to come in so that she could check out what was happening. It was 9:15 by the time my mother arrived and I was in tears.  The contractions were coming 5 mins apart now, my 14 month old had awaken and wanted my attention, my hospital bag needed packing and I was all alone in the house!  My mother had taken her time thinking I had hours to go as well.  She stopped to get coffee and donuts!! 

When I finally got to the hospital it was 9:39, I was 9 cm dilated, was dripping with sweat and having the urge to push.  Elijah was born at 9:53, 5 lbs 12 oz., and I only had to push twice.  My mother was trying to find parking and my husband hadn't left his office.  When they called my cell phone to find out what room I was in they were both alarmed to find out that I had already had the baby!! lol  The staff in Labor and Delivery kept coming in to see if I really had the baby so quickly, because they had just seen me filling out paperwork in the hallway. Even my doctor was shocked at how quickly it went. Fastest delivery ever! 

When I gave birth to my daughter last year, they induced labor with Pitocin.  The contractions that I had with her were so painful and so unbearable!  I really thought I would pass out before I got my epidural.  I think the reason I didn't think I was in labor this time was because the pain just wasn't as severe and was actually sort of tolerable. I still can't believe that I gave birth with no drugs this time.  But I have to tell you, I felt great.  I was alert and wasn't groggy at all.  I felt no pain, had no tearing or anything.  Giving birth naturally is definitely the way to go if you can stand the pain.  I really can't get over how different I felt after this delivery compared to the first. 

Tuesday was quite a day!  My grandparents were even scheduled to arrive that day from Florida at noon.  My mother had to leave me at the hospital to go pick them up at the airport.  My little prince picked the perfect day to arrive. 

It's a boy!

Elijah James Hale
Born Tuesday, July 17, 2007 9:53 am

Still here!

Yup, I'm still here.  No little one yet.  Everything has seemed to calm down and has gone back to normal.  So now we're just waiting. ^_^

Thank you for all of your kind words of support this week!  I'm giving {{you}} big thank you hugs!

Well, since the baby may be arriving any day now, I've been trying to get in as much sewing as possible.  I also have family arriving next week and the week after that.  There just won't be any time for crafty recreation.

Two things I've worked on this week:

A gift for a new friend.  A cute little pouch filled with some sweet surprises.  And a little pin cushion to match.

And my entry for the Sew, Mama, Sew Bag Month contest. See it here.