i heart linen

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.

False Alarm

The little one acted like he was making an appearance today.  Seems he was just playing tricks with us.   We've got some nausea and not so nice things happening to mommy, which led my doctor to believe that I was in the beginning of labor this morning.  I had to go pay her a visit and it seems that everything is okay.......for now.  I'm 2 centimeters today.  My blood pressure is also starting to creep into the high zone, (signs of preeclampsia......*shudders*) which happened last year with Bella.  They ended up inducing labor then.  So my doc drew some blood to run some tests and make sure everything is okay.  We'll get the results tomorrow and if she calls me...then I'll be having a baby!  If she doesn't call me, then I'll have my usual visit on Monday and everyone in my family can continue to eagerly await the little one's arrival.  My poor husband is a wreck right now......for some reason he's really freaking out this time.  Last year he was as cool as a cucumber and I was the one freaking out. But now I feel like an old pro.  Oh how times change!  The suspense is killing me though!  I might be having a baby tomorrow!  ^_^

Fatigue and Shame

Fatigue - It's official.  I am tired of being pregnant.  I feel like I've been pregnant since 2005.  Well, technically I have.  I found out I was pregnant with our second bundle of joy when Bella was 4 months old!  Quite a shock to my mind and my body.  4 months of non-pregnancy in the past 2 years.  *sigh*  I'm ready for it to be done.  The baby is due in July, I'm roughly 30 weeks right now.  Will I ever see my waist again?  Am I destined to not being able to paint my own toes for the rest of my life?  Can I have my body back?  Don't get me wrong I'm so excited to have our second baby.  I can't wait until I see that little face.  But I'm just so tired now.  Bella is also becoming quite boisterous.  She's cruising and trying to walk on her own now.  She's also in the phase where the naps are getting a little shorter.  Oh and her new favorite thing.....throw my toys and pacifier and gleefully watch mommy retrieve them. The best part about that is that she does a perfect imitation of my laugh! Nothing like bending over to pick up baby toys with a big round belly in front of you, while your little one uses your laugh to laugh at you. It's quite humbling. ^_^   
I recall having a lot more energy when I was pregnant last year with Bella. I haven't been able to concentrate on my favorite pastime (sewing) in quite a while.  Which leads me to the "shame" part of this.

Shame - I have so many works-in-progress right now and almost feel like I'll ever get around to finishing them.  Let's make a little list (sorry for the lack of photos...I let mommy borrow the Rebel for her trip to Thailand.  I'll post some later.):

• Gift for a dear friend who is due 2 weeks ahead of me. I'm embellishing some onsies and a blanket with patchwork. Also, making a bib and 3 little soft cubes.
• 2 little dresses for Bella.
• A doll for Bella.
• New cover for the cradle swing.
• 2 tote bags.
• Gift for another dear friend's little boy.
• And finally my shame of all shames.....the quilt I started for Isabella last summer.

What's so shameful about that you ask......all this quilt needs is for me to attach the binding and it'll be finished.  I've sat and stared at it while it stares back at me for months!  Isabella is going to be one on Monday and mommy just hasn't been able to finish a little crib quilt for her.  *sigh*  Maybe I'm beating myself up for nothing.  But deep down I really expected to have been working on a quilt for the new baby by now.  Not hustling to finish something that has "2006" embroidered on the back of it.  I guess it was a personal goal I set for myself and I feel like I failed to achieve it.  Too busy trying to be "super mom" I guess.  Which is so unrealistic, but somewhere I think all of us mommies try to be that, maybe even just a little.  I guess some can and some can't.  Maybe, I'm a can't.

Back to Reality

Yep.  I'm back. (Long post btw ^_^)

Can you believe I left this.........

to come back to this....

Well, New York isn't that bad now.  The snow has finally melted and
it looks like Spring is finally trying to bloom.  Well, sort of.  I had a great
time down in Florida though.  The weather was beautiful everyday!
So beautiful that I decided to stay for an additional week.  So I had a full
three weeks away from the cold and snow. I also gave me more
time to visit with a lot of old friends and some family. 

Isabella was great on the plane both ways! 

She cried for maybe 5 mins when we were landing on the
way there.  Other than that she was the perfect traveling angel. 
If you ever decide to travel with your little one I totally suggest
scheduling your flight during a nap time.  We traveled the
very first flights out @ 7 am and our seats were in the very
rear of the plane.  Perfect because no one likes to sit back
there and if she did decide to have a little crying fit no one was
back there to be annoyed. We also had an entire row to
ourselves both ways.  I don't particularly like to ride in the rear
of the plane myself but for traveling with my wee one it was perfect. 
I just don't suggest flying alone with a 10 month old when
the flight is more than 3 hours.  More than that and it could have easily turned ugly.
I was pleasantly surprised when we returned to our little apartment. 
My husband was steady trying to convince me that the place
was an absolute disaster and that he was in total bachelor mode the
entire three weeks I was away.  And I believed him of course.  When we finally
arrived home I was greeted by the most immaculately spotless apartment
I have ever seen!  And as an added bonus, I guess he
does listen to me every now and then.  I've been complaining about our bedroom
and how drab it looked.  I wanted more color and for it to actually
look like a female lived in it as well.  So he took himself to West Elm and
basically had the entire store helping him choose the right items and colors
to redecorate our bedroom!!  He chose my most favorite color,
Aquamarine!  And here is the before and after!!!

The photo doesn't do it justice, but it is such a huge
improvement from what we had before.  Now I barely want to get out of
bed in the morning because the room is so cozy!  *sigh*  My Mel,
you rock my socks baby!  You're the best, I love you!
Oh!  Also, came home to find these pretty babies
waiting for me in my pile of mail.

A combination of purchases from Kitty Craft and Ebay.  It was the
best feeling to get these because I had forgotten that I ordered them
before I left for Florida.  I had to make a promise to myself and my
husband that I wouldn't buy anymore fabric for a little while.  I'm starting to
build up quite a stash.  I really need to use them. I'm sure I'm not alone
when I say that I just hate the thought of having to cut into them!  Oh well....
you can't take them with you so I might as well get to sewing!

And finally............

I am officially 21 weeks today!  Yahooooooooooooooooo!!! 
More than half way there!  Mel, Bella, and I went to have my
anatomy scan on Wednesday.  No, we did not find out the sex. 
We've decided to keep it a surprise this time.  So this is our little
Isaiah or Elizabeth....we call him/her Isaiahelizabeth.  ^_^  Everything
checked out normal so far and my doctor said everything looks great! 
Mommy just needs to slow down on her weight gain.....hehe. *blushes* 
Anyhoo, it's great to be home and it was nice to have break from the
cold, from the hubby, from the INTERNET!  I swear the internet
just sucks the life out of you sometimes.......it grabs you by the wrist
and won't let go until your eyes are all red and swirling around. 

New Blog, new life happenings.

Nice shiny new blog!!  This is exciting! ^_^  Lot's of changes coming my way these days. 
Our dearest baby Bella is 9 months old today.  The time has certainly flown by. 
She's crawling, standing, "talking", has teeth and is just a little vibrant bundle of life. 
She's definitely the greatest joy for me. I've also recently found out that Bella
will be a big sister in about 6 months.  This totally came as a shock to Mel and me. 
A beautiful surprise it is indeed!  I must say I never expected to be a mother of
two in such a short span of time.  But it is a blessing none the less. 
Our families are hoping for a baby boy this time, but I think we're just wanting a
healthy baby, be it a boy or a girl.  Our new little one is due around
July 27th.  I'm so excited that our little family will be expanding.
Since I'll be at home so much, I decided to go ahead and start blogging. 
Seems like a great way to document my life's happenings and hopefully
make some friends along the way.  I'm also eager to test out my photography skills. 
My husband bought me a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT for Christmas.  *faints*
I still get excited when I think about it!!
I know there are already a gajillion blogs based
on the same type of subject matter  But everyone's different
and each brings something special to the table.  Even if no
one reads my blog, I know it has something special to offer. 
Just not sure what it is yet! Haha!