Friday, January 18, 2013

DIY: Turtle Mobile

January 18, 2013

While searching for baby's mobile, I never found anything I liked...

I saw a cute mobile made of felt animals on Pinterest and decided, "I can do that too!"

Obviously I chose Turtles and went to work.

Using the same fabric from Dean's crib quilt I:

1. Sketched my turtle on paper.

2. Traced the paper on 4 different solid colors (double sided

3. Sketched shell on paper

4. Traced shell on 4 patterned fabrics

5. Pinned shells on turtles & hand sewed a shell on each side of the solid turtles

6. Sewed the two turtle pieces together (by hand)

7. Stuffed each turtle with batting

8. Thread clear fishing wire and tie to mobile top.

(I found the top at the D.I--local thrift store--. I'm not sure what it's original purpose was but, it works just dandy for my mobile)




(Quilt)


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Week 40

January 17, 2013

I am on strike! NO MORE WEEK PICTURES!

The last "week" picture I post will be me at the hospital before baby Dean is born. 

My last Dr. visit was quite discouraging. I have only thinned a little aka NO dilation. My body simply isn't ready.

My mind is ready.

Baby seems to be ready (8lbs--estimate from doc).

When will my body finally be ready?!?

I have an induction date for January 21st (Monday).

I have tried just about everything (natural) to induce labor at home:

1. Long walks. 
Starting at week 38 I started walking A TON.
Giving the dogs a walk (before it got so cold)
Finding excuses to walk around Costco (because outside was so cold)
Saturday gym sessions on the treadmill

2. Spicy Foods. 
I went to Taco Time and asked for a handful of their 5 Alarm Sauce. I've been using that and Habenero Tabasco on just about EVERYTHING. I haven't really tasted my food but, my nose is running and forehead sweating from all the "heat".

3. Red Leaf Raspberry Tea.

4. Acupressure.
I even checked out books from the library for this one :)

5. Sex. (nuff said...)

Guess we'll just keep on waitin'... If he doesn't come this week, at least I KNOW I'll be leaving the hospital with my baby next week :)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Week 39

January 9, 2013


Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!! We were hoping for a baby boy to arrive and be the bestest birthday present ever but... we're still waiting :)

Been having more/longer contractions but I still haven't dilated any (as of Monday's dr. appointment)

I have been walking a ton everyday & eating as much spicy foods as I can (habenero Tabasco has been on my plate for almost every meal). The exercise ball has been a nice treat-- it helps my back, starts contractions & keeps turtle in a head-down position.


Calin's last birthday before he's a daddy :)

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Week 38

January 2, 2013

With only a few days into the new year, I am excited and anxious to see what new adventures await. My due date is approaching fast. I've finished sewing crib sheets, all of baby Dean's new (& used) clothes are in the wash right now and my hospital bags have been packed for 2 weeks now... I'm ready!

I guess we'll just have to wait for the guest of honor. My theory is he doesn't want to leave his current warm place of residence. Why would anyone want to move from warm weather to last night's 10 degrees? Now how do I trick my little turtle into thinking outside the womb will be just as cozy and warm?


On New Year's Eve, my family each wrote down a goal for the new year. We hung the pictures on the kitchen fridge to be a constant reminder of those goals. Mine was to Gain a baby and lose the weight. Typical New Year's resolution? Yes :) 

Everyone always says they are going to get fit, lose weight and be healthy. Well, over the last 9 months I have had plenty of time to reflect and wish I had done things differently BEFORE i got prego. I now understand the benefits and disadvantages of being healthy & fit for pregnancy. 




Dean's "nursery" (aka Dean's side of the room)


Friday, December 28, 2012

Week 37

December 28, 2012

Picture taken at the very cold and windy Salt Flats on our way to Wendover

This week has been crazy! Calin & I got to see his family in Wendover on Christmas Eve. Uncle Greg made the BEST Christmas Eve dinner ever...prime rib, crab legs, stuffed mushrooms...need I say more? Super delicious & to top it off, we got to Skype with Grandma Shirley :)

(yes, we were photo bombed...check out our intruder between Calin & I)

We went to Temple Square Saturday & spent Christmas with my family and got to spend a relaxing day at home. The next day however, was quite unexpected.

Calin & I went to my scheduled Dr appointment and during our visit, we found out that Baby Dean had flipped on us. He was breeched. So, I was given my options:
1~ hope that he flips back (hardly ever happens this late in the game)
2~ schedule a C-Section for 39 weeks
3~ schedule an External Cephalic Version (50% success rate)

I chose number 3. During an ECV, they try to flip the baby back to a head down position from the outside. This would involve an IV and pain meds--an outpatient procedure.



December 27th we arrived at the hospital at 9:45 where I was promptly put into a gown that didn't quite cover my bum & an IV in my hand. While waiting for my 11:30 procedure, I watched Tangled and even caught a few zzzz's (the hospital bed was surprisingly quite comfy!)

Right on time, my wonderful doctor, Dr. Sok came in to do an ultrasound. Dean was still head down but his limbs were mostly tucked into his body-a very good sign. Dr. Sok had already attempted an ECV on one gal earleir that morning and it didn't work so, I was praying I would be the other 50% of the statistic success rate.

I had two doctors on my tummy and a nurse holding my hand. I started with no meds hoping I could withstand the pain but only a minute into the procedure I changed my mind.

I never looked to see how they were maneuvering Turtle but Calin got a front row view. He said that both doctors had their feet firmly planted on the floor and were using their entire bodies to push and pull my little man into a head down position. All I could see were tears. Not wanting to stop the process, I tried to breathe through the pain but I had to ask for a couple of short breaks.

Within 15 minutes, they had moved Dean back down into a head-down position-phewf. I was crying because of all the pain & relief that it worked.

Now, all we have to do is make sure he stays down there. All I have to go off of is old wive's tales because there is no medical solution to keep him in the right position. So, from now on, I'll be sitting on my exercise ball, doing the cat-cow yoga position 10 minutes a day and playing music on my belly where his head should be.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

DIY Changing Pad Cover

December 19, 2012

After MONTHS of searching for the perfect changing pad cover, I was disappointed and came up empty handed. I then came across my answer in blog form... I can MAKE my changing pad cover :)



I only took a picture of my finished product but for step by step instructions, visit the blog below (the only thing different I did was use a single piece of fabric rather than using an accent fabric.)


Now I have a changing pad cover made from the same fabric used on his baby quilt. Dean's nursery will be a perfect color schemed masterpiece :)

I turned this...



into THIS!



Such a fun and easy project! Instead of paying $15+ for a changing pad cover, I only paid for the elastic ($0.97)!



Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Week 36

December 18, 2012

Christmas is coming, the goose Meghan 's getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat! 



At this week's doctor visit, Calin & I took a tour of the Labor & Delivery area of the hospital. Now that I know exactly where I go to check in, where they'll take me to deliver and where baby and I will spend our first 48 hours together. All of the nurses were so nice! I can't wait for the big day!

Dean has been very active. When counting his daily kicks, it only takes about 10-15 minutes. He is always movin'. Doc confirmed that he is head down and ready to come into the world within the next few weeks.

We also took advantage of this week's snow storm and took some family/maternity photos. Kenzie is such a good lil' photographer :)