Baby M

I am finally getting around to blogging about my projects for my new niece M!  She was born March 12, 2012.  I was excited to make a quilt for this sweet baby girl!  This was my first quilt project, and I have to admit I am hooked!  I love quilting.

"Little Bird Rag Quilt"

I used flannels for this rag quilt.  I wanted it to be soft and cuddly!  I also wanted it to get softer every time S washes it.  

The sewing process...

Overall I was pretty impressed by how easy it was!  The only problems I ran into were: time to sew ( with 2 mini's running around I can never find the time I need!)   and the binding process (totally screwed it up, but you can't really tell...)  I want to take a binding class at a local shop.

front, back, and binding

I am pretty proud!

I also made baby M a onesie dress and head band (which is 12 month size so it will be a while before I see it on her).  I really like including a little something for mommy too - it's nice to feel pampered as a mom!  So I made S a lemon sugar body scrub and stuck it in a custom jar :-)  

L acting as model

Perfectly purple

I up cycled of of L's old tiny onesies and used some left over flannel.  It did not turn out quite the way I wanted, but luckily I can always try again!  I have a feeling baby M will be receiving lots of handmade goodies from Aunt A!  

I have another quilt in process (for my sister) and it's been a fun one!  I am looking forward to our weekend get away to Crystal Beach!  

2 weeks down...

Yesterday marked my 2 weeks of "healthy" living!  I stepped on the scale and did not see a change.  I am not discouraged- I know it will more than likely take a month or more before I really start to see a big difference!

It is amazing how much better I feel!  I sleep great and am in a much better mood!  I feel less stressed about life as well.

I took today off to give my muscles a rest.  I have a headache and feel sick to my stomach from the Chick Fil A we ate for lunch!

I got in 2 trial runs this weekend.  Saturday I ran 35 minutes.  My legs were super heavy and it felt like I was hardly moving!  Sunday was better.  I did a loop, and it only took 20 minutes.  I kept a quick pace.  I could have pushed further, but wanted to take it easy.

We have been eating tons of veggies!  I have cut almost all carbs too.

My project for Sara's new baby is almost done too!  I will blog about it after she opens it (I want her to be surprised to I can't post about it yet!)

1 week

Ok, it's been a week!  Sunday marked my one week, and it's now Tuesday and I have not fallen off the wagon!  My run yesterday felt great- it was a good feeling knowing that I am sticking to my plan.  I even upped my time by 3 minutes, and did not die.  I also clocked my miles in the car.  I have been wondering how many miles I go.  My usual route in 2.2 miles.  I am going to go by timed runs though- it's hard for me to figure out miles, and adding extras, so upping my time works better.

According to the wii I have lost 2 pounds.  I am not going to get too excited though since weight naturally fluctuates.  I do notice a difference in my legs, they look toner.  It's nice to see the small changes- it helps keep me motivated!  

no more excuses

The last 6 months have been full of ups and downs.  We made a MAJOR move to Tx.  That has left me with mixed emotions.  I have good days and I have bad days.  I'm not going to lie, I miss Colorado.  I miss it more than I thought I would.  This makes me hate Texas somedays.  I miss Laura and the girls.  I feel like a high schooler who just had their heart broken for the first time.  Just like a broken heart, I know that it will take time to move on, and accept that I am not in CO anymore.  I can't discount all the great friends we have made here though, I have made some wonderful friends, who keep me smiling everyday.

The first 3 months after the move, I focused all my energy on finding a job.  Well, after 3 failed attempts at working a restaurant job again ( I had 3 different jobs lined up, but somehow never managed to make it to the first day), I gave up.  I was enjoying being able to stay at home.  It's great to sleep till 8 every morning, sip on my coffee ( which is normally tea), and enjoy the Today show uninterrupted.  I love being with my kids, they are amazing little people.  Laney has gone from baby to toddler overnight!  I am blessed because I have been able to watch this transformation.  I feel like a good wife when dinner is ready for James when he comes home every night.

Anyway, this brings me to the point of this post: NO MORE EXCUSES.  Along with all my feelings of joy about being able to stay at home, I also feel FAT.  This is most I have weighed non-pregnant EVER.  When I look in the mirror I feel disgusting.  I hate the way my body looks.  I have been trying to "get back into shape"  I have good weeks where I run and keep up with it for a week, and then I fall off the wagon.  Yesterday, as I was busy browsing pinterest, I realized that I have no excuse for the way I look and feel.  I am home all day long, and have every opportunity to get into shape and lose the weight that I need to.  My kids are finally old enough to self entertain for a few hours a day.

So today I am committing myself to dropping 15-20 pounds.  It's time to get in shape, feel good about the way I look, and be at a happy weight.   I am also going to eat better!  I feel like I have been eating ok, since we have no money for all the extra fattening foods!  I have no a soda in months, and plan on never having one ever again!  Here are my current stats:

Height: 5'6
Weight: 145-147 (fluctuates)
Bust: 36"
Waist: 33"
Hips: 40"

I'll take a picture and post it tonight.

Happy First Birthday Delaney!

11/11/11

My precious Laney Bell-

I can't believe you are 1!  The last 12 months have flown by.  You have gone from a 7 pound itty bitty to a 20 pound little girl.  I have truly enjoyed watching you grow and change.  You have learned so much!   You are crawling everywhere, opening cabinets, cruising along the furniture, playing with your brother, standing by your self, feeding your self, using a sippy cup, and still capture my heart with your sweet baby coos.  Your hair is blonde now, not dark brown like when you were born.  I hope you start walking soon.  I think you've almost got it.  You can walk if you are pushing something, but are timid when it comes to letting go!  You have masted using words.  You can say, "Mom, Dad, Bye Bye, Dog, and Done".  You can wave hello and good bye!  You still sleep through the night and you still sleep in your woombie.  I have tried to break you of this habit, but you cry and cry (which mommy does not like).  I am sure you will out grow it at some point!

Daddy loves to play with you!  He plays peek a boo, and tickles you!  You like to say, "Dad Dad.  Sometimes I'll sneak you in to our bed, and when you notice Dad is there you smile and cuddle up next to him :-)  It melts my heart to watch you and your Daddy!

Connor is the best big brother.  He watched out for you and makes sure you always have a toy.  Recently you like to go into his room and play!  It is so sweet to watch you play together.  You truly have a built in best friend!  Sometimes you fight.  You get mad when Connor takes a toy you were playing with, or when he has a drink and you don't.

You are my perfect little mini me!  I love you so much- you make our family complete.  I love to sew you dresses and make you headbands.  I love to remember your sweet baby smell, and enjoy thinking about the young lady you will become!  Sometimes I wish I could go back and savor the moments when you were brand new, to cuddle you all day and hold your tiny hand.  I am so excited for what the future holds.  I want you know that we love you with all our hearts!  Please remember that, God has a perfect plan for you and you need to trust in Him.   Happy first birthday sweet heart!

~"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Sewing

So I inherited my Grandma's sewing machine.  I always wanted to learn how to sew.  My mom sews and is extremely talented!  Growing up she made us all sorts of fun things: pj's, dresses, purses, barbie clothes, and oh gosh so many other things (I am planning on a "my mom inspired me blog).  My mom did show the sewing basics on her machine years ago, so I understood the basics of sewing.  I have never used "my" machine.  It intimidated me.  It sat in my closet for the last 6 months collecting dust.  The patterns I bought remained unopened.  


Well... I finally did it!  I took out the machine, and used it.  It really was not that difficult.  After practicing on a few scraps I decided it was time to sew Connor's pj pants.

     

Connor and the Sponge Bob pants

 The pants were SO simple I decided I would be able to sew anything!  I knew I wanted to do something for Laney- there are tons of cute girly fabrics out there!!!! 

I found a cute dress tutorial via Pinterest and decided to give it a try!

My supplies: a onesie, 1/2 yard of fabric, and ribbon

My hem turned out great!!! 

gathered waist 

Finishing touches!

Almost perfect (the ribbon is slightly lower on on side, showing the fabric)

She loves it, and so does Momma!

Well it came out almost perfect!  I might go back and fix the ribbon.  I will be making more!  The onesie is still intact under the dress too.  

Pretty girl!

~Amber

Introduction

Ok, here we go again!  I have started another blog.  I am 100% confidant I will post here, since I actually feel that this blog has a purpose!  


I have been getting really creative lately.  Pinterest is to blame.  Every time I go there I leave with creative ideas just brewing in my mind.  I have food ideas, craft ideas, decorating ideas, and ideas of fun things to do with my kids!  


There are so many cute inexpensive ideas that you can do yourself, and I am embarking on a new adventure and want to try them all.


I am dedicating this blog to my creative adventures as a stay at home mom!  I hope that I can inspire others to find their creative side too.