My Little Sunny-Side-Up...the birth story

On the Friday morning after Thanksgiving I was expected at work. Danny had the day off and was going to run errands with the kids. We were just waking up when Danny noticed that I was bleeding all over the bed. It wasn't just a little blood, it was a lot. Enough for us to immediately jump into action. I hadn't had any bleeding at all during this pregnancy and now this...well, this was just crazy. I was keeping calm, because I think if I'd have lost it, Danny would have lost it big time, he had a panicked look about him as he bustled around the house. I was glad to feel the baby moving though, that helped me to relax. Danny called his mom, who came over to stay with the big kids. I cleaned up and took a shower while Danny packed a bag.

Once at the hospital, they checked to see if I was still bleeding (I was, but they didn't tell me from where) and they checked my dilation. I was only 3cm. They don't usually admit until you are 4cm but the doctor was hesitant to send me home since I was still bleeding so they checked me into room. This was at around 8:30am.

They started me on a bag of fluids and a very slow Pitocin drip to see if it would aid the dilation. We sat around, watched some TV, tried to nap, Danny walked to the grocery to get snacks...I got to eat ice chips, humph! Good thing I'd eaten a large Thanksgiving dinner the night before!


Just admitted. Hanging out with my Pitocin, waiting for contractions to kick in.

Around 11am, I started getting some strong and long contractions, however there was some concern because after each contraction the baby's heart rate would dip. Apparently it's normal for baby's heart rate to dip during the contraction but they were concerned that the contractions were causing some stress. They put me on an oxygen mask. But since the baby's heart rate kept dipping, they would turn off the Pitocin for an hour or so to see if that would help.

I got the epidural done, which was much better than when I delivered The Boy because I had a button to push if I needed more medication. Also, the anesthesiologist had me lay on my side instead of sitting up when he inserted the needle and it was so much easier to relax. At around 2pm, they checked my dilation...ugh, I was only 3.5cm! They decided to try and break my water. The nurse tried three times and nothing. They assumed that it must have already broken, either when I was bleeding or it had a slow leak. I didn't think that was true since the blood that morning wasn't diluted and I'd not had any leaking.

My mother-in-law came with the kids. The Girl enjoyed the tray of liquid foods that the nurse had brought in earlier. I'd sipped just the cup of broth and sucked more ice chips. The Boy sweetly surveyed me in the bed, hooked up to the IVs and oxygen mask on my face and asked me if I was going to be okay. They stayed just a short while, leaving a balloon that announced "It's a Boy!".


Enjoying the Jell-O I couldn't eat

A few hours later, after the contractions were still getting longer and faster together but I was still not dilated and baby's heart rate was still dipping, they said they were going to put two monitors inside me. One would monitor the strength of the contractions (they didn't want to give me more Pitocin if the contractions were already strong) and the other was a fetal scalp electrode (a small wire screwed into his scalp), which monitors heart rate. When the nurse put in these two monitors, she was having a challenge inserting and that, of course, is when she actually broke my water! Wow, what a mess, they weren't prepared for that. And with me numb from the waist down, they weren't able to change the wet bedding so they just had to pile on more pads & towels. So with the catheter, these two monitors, an oxygen mask, a blood pressure cuff, a heart rate monitor on my finger, an epidural needle, the IV with Pitocin and fluids...I had a lot going on at once!

Our nurse got off at 7pm, so they checked my dilation once more and I was a whopping 4cm...booo!!! She was still very concerned about his heart rate and dips. I was getting lots of pressure though, so I finally pushed the epidural button. When the contractions got heavy, they checked my dilation again at 7:15 and I was at 7cm and when I started REALLY getting a pressure to push at 7:30, they checked me and I was at a 10!! So I dilated 6cm in about 30 mins and it was finally time to push. My mom and mother-in-law walked in together just at that time and were there to help hold up my legs, count and do some cheering.

Whew...it was no picnic. The baby was "sunny side up" so his face was looking at the ceiling, a much harder way for him to manipulate around the pelvic bone. The doctors tried spinning him but no luck, he was stuck with his scalp pressing against my pelvis. It took about 2 hours of pushing and some pretty intense pain especially when he was crowning and I had to wait for contractions to come before I could push again. Sometimes they would just have me breathe through a contraction instead of pushing to let his heart rate rise again and boy, that was HARD.

They warned me between contractions that he'd probably come out looking like he had a "brown egg" on his head. When he finally slipped out and I was able to see him, I could tell what they meant, he was majorly cone-head with what looked like "muffin head", a big bruised bulge on his scalp. But he was crying immediately and had a great pink color.


Just born

Danny cut the cord (I was so proud, usually he gets lightheaded around blood and things like that but he did wonderfully the entire time). They did skin-on-skin for about an hour in recovery. They brought us some sandwiches and we were able to eat before they transferred me to a room.


Bonding with mom



My little Sunny-Side-Up

After Baby D's bath, they set up the other bed for Danny and we were able to get some sleep. I stayed at the hospital that night and then one more night and was able to go home Sunday afternoon. Baby D is very observant, not terribly interested in nursing yet (which is hard because my milk is IN!) but he's very sweet and moves slowly and deliberately, looking around the room and at people when they speak.


Three days old and already so serious

I can't wait to get to know and love this boy.

When it rains...it Showers!

This past weekend was my family baby shower.



And shower it did! Starting on Friday we had a huge storm and it rained and rained and rained. Now, we live in SoCal and oftentimes the news will report that we're getting a major storm and really, nothing comes of it. We might get some sprinkles or the impending "storm" will blow off completely and not hit at all. So on Friday morning, I mentioned to my husband that there was a chance of rain that day, but my exact words were, "Nothing crazy though, probably just a few sprinkles".

Well, it rained all day long and into the night. The Boy and I had Mother/Son Night at his school and it poured the entire time (fortunately we were indoors doing crafts, eating pizza and watching How to Train Your Dragon).

Saturday we had a reprieve, which was good because my husband was participating in a charity golf tournament and was cringing at the thought of muddy shoes in his clean truck.

But Sunday, we walked out of church to find it just starting to come down but I'd blown out my hair and flat-ironed it and didn't want it all frizzy for the party, so we hustled to the car. I'm not the most graceful pregnant woman, especially when I can't wear closed-toed shoes and I'm shuffling around in flip-flops, so I'm sure that I was a sight to see!




Super-snuggly polka dotted blankie

I think the rain deterred some of the party guests from coming, in addition to the nasty colds that are going around, so we didn't have the biggest turnaround but it worked out fine. Those that braved the weather sure did have a lot of fun!!! We snacked, we played some new games, we watched the Chargers lose (Boo!!! Again!), I opened gifts and we all oohed and ahhhed at the adorable tiny outfits and we ate marble cake with raspberry filling.


Onesie that says, "What Happens at Grandma's, Stays at Grandma's"

When we got home and I showed my husband some of the great gifts we'd received, he was so absolutely touched by the generosity of our wonderful family that he's already scheming up ways to return the favor.


Adorable frame says Mom + Dad = Me

This coming up weekend we'd planned an early birthday party at the lake for The Boy, but unfortunately we are expecting another storm. According to my mom, this upcoming one is supposed to make last week's storm look like sprinkles! Ugh...Now I'm in the position of either cancelling the party outright, rescheduling for the following week, or finding an indoor venue.

When it rains, it pours, right?


Me! 35 weeks and 5 days

Showered

I'm rounding the corner towards the end of this pregnancy, I can't even believe it!


Photos from my company co-baby shower. Jessica & I are a week apart!

I'm definitely rounding out in my figure as well. There is no hiding it now, even when I sit down I have a full, rounded tummy. I didn't look like this in my first pregnancy. My first born didn't go head-down until about 10 days before I delivered. He liked to lay side to side, so I was very wide and more flat across the belly. This one has been head-down for over a month, feet stuck up under my ribs. He does rotate his feet around, sometimes they are on the left side, sometimes the right. But he's still head-down and he'd better stay that way, at this point!


Big ol' round me, at 33 weeks

My official due date is December 6th, which would give me about 7 more weeks. My doctor did say at my last appointment that I was measuring about a week early which would put me at around November 29th. So long as I get through the week of November 21th, I can go anytime after that! I have so much work to do the week of Thanksgiving, they would never forgive me at work if I went into labor before Thanksgiving! So, I'll do my best to get to at least the 25th...




They did a cute job "baby-ing" the existing Halloween decorations!

My husband and I spent the last weekend rearranging some furniture, going through the older kids' play clothes and pajamas and sorting out what doesn't fit. Of course, those are still sitting in piles on the floor. I have a desk at my parent's house to bring over that I'll set up for the baby's changing table and would like to have some shelving installed over that area.


An amazing cake bought for us by our wonderful boss

My husband would like the crib purchased and assembled in the next few weeks but I told him no rush on that, the baby won't be sleeping in his own room for a few months anyway. Ideally, I'd actually love to have the room set up and ready to go before he's born too. I have some decorating ideas like artwork for the walls that I'd like to purchase and it would be lovely to have it all in place when we bring him home from the hospital.


Mercy me, this little lamb pillow and blankie is sooooo soft!

I didn't quite get to do all the fun projects I wanted to do for the nursery...yet. The quilt is complete and ready to be used. The mobile is getting the finishing touches this week. I'm detailing the pieces with embroidery thread and will buy the hoops to hang them from this week. I've already instructed my husband that I'll be having him tie them on with monofiliment and he was grinning with the thought of how the finished product will look.


Sweet octopus toy to match the nursey theme

I started Heather Bailey's stacking toy but was slowed by the hand stitching sections. I have the idea to machine stitch all that I can and then have all the hand stitching parts ready and in my craft bag downstairs to work on while I watch TV in the evenings when everyone is in bed.


Isn't that pennant so cute?

Crib skirt...fabric purchased and washed but not cut or sewn anything else. Guess I can wait on that until I actually have the crib!

Blocks have been cut with fabric and I was held up because I really wanted to personalize them first. Of course my husband's indecision on finalizing a name has that project on hold for the time being. Same with the personalized fabric banner. I suppose some things can wait until after he arrives and has an official name, right?

Everything else has fallen by the wayside and that's okay. I'll get to what I can and live without the rest (or buy it at the store!).


Thank you to all my Chinaberry pals for the wonderful afternoon!

Nursery Update - Wall Art

Well, since the "nursery" is currently crammed with all things OTHER than actual nursery items, I'm focusing my thoughts upward and thinking of the walls.

Since we live in an apartment and can't paint the walls, hanging art is probably the best way (other than fabric) for me to add color and interest. I'm thinking of doing two collections of three pieces each in two different sections in the room. Perhaps one over the chair (that I've yet to buy) and another on the wall opposite the crib with matching frames and prints in varying sizes.

Here are some I've been eye-ing...a mix of images and verse. There is still the possibility that I'll get a wild hair and paint something on a canvas too!

One of my favorite verses, I think this one is a must have.

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

This sailor boy print is so fun and whimsical, I love how modern yet still vintage it looks with the wood grain.

Source: petitcollage.com via Julie on Pinterest

A very sweet birth announcement that picks up on the pennant craze.

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

All of the prints from Sarah Jane Studios are sweet perfection. The dreaminess of this one just catches my breath.

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

I have long-admired her artwork and think the design and colors would be a perfect fit in the nursery's theme. However it's currently sold out, so I may have to do some sweet-talking to the seller and see if she'll relist it!

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

This one would surely get some giggles at a baby shower, I think it makes a perfect gift!

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

Mercy, this is just so lovely...In fact, I see many prints here that I'm going to need to have for the rest of the house!

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

Nursey Project - Ocean Mobile & a Change of Plans

Sometimes when you're crafting, what you picture in your mind on a particular project tends to morph over time, in particular when it comes to the actual logistics of putting it all together. This happened to me often when constructing and altering clothing patterns. I mix and match patterns together, adding a ruffle here and an inset of ric-rack or piping there and the result is often a far-cry from the original idea.

When it came to making this nursery mobile, I just hadn't been able to wrap my mind around how to create a three-dimensional stuffed figure, my non-math brain just wouldn't do it!

I pulled out my sketches for this project again and decided the best way to start would be to just bite the bullet and try my hand at putting one of the figures together. I took my original sketch of the sea horse (which was a whopping 12" tall!) and scaled it back to just under 6" tall.



I cut the sketch outline into a pattern, doubled over the orange felt and then cut out the shape. I free-hand drew the blue details with a disappearing ink pen directly onto the felt. I sandwiched the blue bits in between the two orange shapes and then pinned around the entire piece.

I started off handstitching the edges with three strands of embroidery floss however I wasn't pleased with the results (I just knew the stuffing was going to work its way out from between the stitches). I ended up pulling the hand stitches out and machine straight-stitched instead. The nice thing about felt is that it doesn't fray so you can stitch the wrong sides together and the stitching can show on the outside and the felt will still have a nice clean edge.



After stitching (and leaving a small opening), I stuffed it with fiberfill. Even with my bodkin tool, I couldn't get the stuffing to reach the tip of the skinny nose but I wasn't too concerned about it, I think it looks fine unstuffed. Generally with stuffed animals you have to OVERSTUFF because with squeezing and cuddling, the fluff inside gets smushed and flat but that won't be a problem with the mobile figures. Since the mobile will be hanging up and not getting touched, I could just stuff it to what I wanted it to look like and sew it up closed.

After stuffing and sewing shut, I was ready to add some detailing, so I threaded three strands of floss and stitched the creases of the sea horse, looping the thread around and pulling slightly tight to create a cushioned-look. I handsewed on one "horn" to the front of one side to make him look more dimensional.



I have some black beads at my mom's house and know they'd be perfect for eyes for my sweet sea horses, I just have to remember to grab them next time I'm there. And voila! I'll have one figure done!!

Now that I have this adorable sea horse nearly complete, I'm rethinking the entire mobile and considering making it ALL with sea horses! My original plan was to have a crab, a whale, a sea star, a sea horse, an angel fish, a jelly fish, and a sea turtle. I'm not confident that I could do some of these figures justice at all, but I know now that I can make a cute seahorse and perhaps some sea stars? To be honest, I know I could make a jellyfish and an angel fish too, so it's really the crab, whale & sea turtle idea that I'm thinking about dropping from the set.

And I'm okay with that!

When I've pushed myself to stick to the original plan it seems that I just end up frustrated or disappointed, so I'm going to allow myself to veer off course and see where this new idea takes me! I'll be working on the project this week and will update when I have something completed to share.

Mobile hang-ups

After making a few sketches, I still couldn't really bring myself to actually decide on a firm pattern for the sea creatures I'm going to make for the nursery mobile. I'd expected at this date to actually have things cut out and started, but no, not yet...

My original sketches were way too big, like actual stuffed animal/cuddling size and that's not right (imagine those hanging up in a room, that would be some monster-sized mobile!).

I think I have decided to just do them in more of a flat style instead of round and three-dimensional. The math wiz (ha!) in me just couldn't get the grasp of designing anything remotely three-dimensional, so flat it is. I will be adding fluff inside to puff them out a little and I'll be adding trims and details to them to add some lift to them and make them look not so flat.

I just don't want them looking "cartoony". I do want a colorful but more true-to life-look. So I'm definitely back to the drawing board (so to speak, and literally too, I guess...).

In the meantime, Sew4Home has added a few more cool nursery projects to their website and I'm printing them as they come up. Check these out!

A fabric covered tissue box holder, who doesn't need one of these! I have so many scraps, I could make one of these for each room in the house...hmmmm....

Source: sew4home.com via Julie on Pinterest

Grommetted curtains, which I'd make with a blackout lining. I'm thinking solid turquoise with a red trim would look great in the room.

Source: sew4home.com via Julie on Pinterest

Fitted sheets. I want red gingham!

Source: sew4home.com via Julie on Pinterest

A pleated crib skirt, which is probably more appropriate in a boy's room than the ruffled version. I have more of the crab fabric that inspired the room, so I'd probably use that in one of the middle panels and have each panel be somewhat different all the way around and then have a solid turquoise in the creases to tie it together.

Source: sew4home.com via Julie on Pinterest

Nursery Project #1 -Quilt completed!

I've been sewing for over 20 years and have never attempted making a quilt before. But I figured crib sized was a good place to start and I am SO happy to share these completed photos with you of my finished baby quilt!!



The pattern was free on Sew4Home and very easy to follow.
The quilt binding instructions are from Heather Bailey. I was able to use all fabrics that I already had on hand (except for the white tone-on-tone fabric, I did buy that at the quilt shop). Once I got the top done, I went back to the quilt shop and they guided me in the right direction on what kind of quilt batting size & style to purchase.




Reverse side

The entire thing went together quickly, including the dreaded handstitched binding(completed during a Toddlers & Tiaras marathon this weekend!).

I think this was the perfect nursery project for me to start on as I'm really able to see all my planned fabrics together, harmonizing in one place. The first thing my husband asked was how I got my top stitched lines so straight! Easy...I used my long, clear ruler and a temporary marker to draw across the diagonals of each square and then just stitched on the line.



I do plan on starting my felt mobile next but am still looking across the web to find good real-life sea creature inspirations before I create my stuffed versions.

In the meantime, I have my Finding Nemo crossstitch that I've been toting around with me on the weekends on visits to my parent's house. Don't be alarmed that all of the characters are missing their eyes, I always save the white and the detailing for the last....but in the meantime, they are a little disconcerting!



Next up, the mobile!

Nursery Project - Planning the Mobile

So the quilt is almost done.



This is the pattern I used, free from Sew4Home website. My blanket has squares in the crab print, a colorful stripe, lots of polka dots in orange and turquoise, a bright blue solid, and a swirly red print. I liked the look of a simple white background so that's how mine looks too, in a tone on tone white stripe. I'll share photos as soon as I'm finished with it.

I'm sure you can imagine my disappointment in reading the very last line of instructions on quilt binding when it said to handstitch the final seam closed. Whaaa?? Well, an hour and a half last night and I'd only finished one side, so it looks like I have approximately 4-5 more hours of handstitching ahead of me...

Did I mention that it's really hot in my house and sitting with a blanket on my lap in 90+ degree weather isn't really wildy fun?!

But with the quilt project winding down, I'm already planning the next one. My next project is going to be an ocean-themed felt mobile.

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

These mobile photos are ones I've found in my online searching, I love all the handmade details!

Source: birdface.net via Julie on Pinterest

I have it in my head what I'm going to make. I have already purchased these lovely felt squares from Heather Bailey's online shop.

Source: heatherbaileystore.com via Julie on Pinterest

I still need to purchase wooden rings and then paint them. I have wool stuffing at my mom's house and of course, my husband (being an avid-fisherman) has plenty of fishing line and will likely string it all up for me when I'm finished.

Source: buymodernbaby.com via Julie on Pinterest

This handpainted wooden one is so cool, if only my husband had a jigsaw!

Source: blablakids.com via Julie on Pinterest

I'm intrigued by the hanger of this one, I think I could do something like this that would reflect an under-the-sea theme.

I will need to draw and cut out my own patterns for the shapes. I plan on making a red crab, an orange seahorse, a turquoise whale, a lime green turtle, a cream-colored starfish, a blue angel fish and a yellow jelly fish (with dangling trim). I'm also going to buy these felted wool balls to string like "bubbles" from the fishing line!

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

This mobile will hang far far away from little fingers so I can decorate it with as many sequins, buttons and beads as I want!

Oh, and by the way...this mobile will have to be crafted all by hand. Each individual character and every little sequin, button and bead will need to be sewn on using my little fingers, which are likely to be sore by the time I finish handsewing that quilt binding!

Under the Sea - Planning the Nursery #2

Continued brainstorming for the nursery-to-be...

The room we're working with in its current status is a sewing room/The Boy's changing room/TV room/junk collecting spot.



As mentioned before, I am going with an Under the Sea theme for the baby's room in bright colors of turquoise and red with lime green, orange and cream.



I have about 2 yards of this wonderful crab & seaweed print for ages and I'm so glad I never used it for anything. I love the bright red and lime green!



I also have this wonderful (and mighty pricey, I might add) seahorse print in aqua and orange. Not sure I'll actually use this here, but it does go with the theme...





Mix it up with some turquoise, red and lots of polka dots (I'm a sucker for polka dots) and I'll have a fun, bright room that he'll be able to grow into.



I've been following the Sew4Home website for years and have made a few things with their free patterns. They have a great number of baby nursery things that I can't wait to get started on! This is what I have planned (obviously I won't be making them in any of these pink fabrics!):



Fabric boxes to organize diapers & toiletries

Crib skirt



Quilt(ambitious, we'll see how it goes!)

Matching pillow (for me to use in the glider chair)



Baby Blanket

Window valance. I'm going to need to buy blackout curtains though because the sun comes right in through the vertical blinds that are there already.



Hooded towel

What do you think? How much of this dream list will I actually get done? Only time will tell...