Beginnings of Life

Ok I really hate technology sometimes.  I'm exhausted, but I made this video of my ultrasound.  It wasn't really necessary for me but it might be fun to share with family.  I had to convert the DVD video from IFO format to AVI to do anything with it so that was a trick.  And then uploading my first EVER You Tube video was a neat but tiring experience.  I think I might go back to my sewing machine tomorrow.

Splash!

Busy day today.  Had my first ultrasound and hoped to do something with that, but we were off and going straight to swimming lessons and from there to the library.  It's late and I'm tired.  Trying to convert my DVD IFO to AVI which isn't easy, but maybe tomorrow.  I'm slightly computer illiterate so this is a lot for me.

So since today wasn't just any swimming lessons but my daughters (and thus mine as a parent) first ever I decided to count it.  Hey, I'm desperate!

I made... a SPLASH!

Lactation Cookies

All the ingredients together.  I made lactation cookies (milk production encouraging cookies) Basically just healthy-er.  I plan to deliver some along with the onesie to the Momma I recently doula'd for.

I found the recipe at the Peaceful Parenting website.  You can find a wealth of information related to breastfeeding support as well as a lot of other parenting ideas.

Not only did I make cookies, but since my daughter helped I made some wonderful memories.  One of her favorite things to do is crack eggs. 

The only variation I made in the recipe was using steel cut oats.  I didn't have any rolled oats.  I know that steel cut oats take a lot longer than rolled so I used the water for the recipe, heated, and added to the oats a couple hours before making the batter to soften them up.  Not sure how they would have turned out otherwise but I think it worked great.

Taste Testing!

Winter Fun

I had every intention to make cookies today, but it didn't work out that way.  I also expected to get home sooner.  We had planned to enjoy breakfast out with the family and then attend a sledding event our hometown had.  So after layering the clothes, loading up on fuel (eggs, bacon, orange juice) we went back to my parents and it was just so. hard. to get off the couch.  It was so nice just resting a visiting and neither one of us felt that great.

Anyway, we finally took off and checked things out but they were a little too crowded for our taste so we headed for the hill we grew up sledding down.  Which is just as great since it was Brielle's first time sledding, ever. 

I look so short!

She had so much fun, she wanted to do it all by herself and backwards.  Daredevil!

The grass is poking through, odd for our Michigan January but if you hit it it sometimes stopped us and sometimes spun us around.  Brielle stopped mid hill so I did a duck and roll abandoning my orange saucer sled to rescue her.  Super Mom Doo-To-Doo!

Pampering The Sicko

My poor hubby is not feeling well again!  I'm thinking it's the change of work environment; more contact with people and no sink for handwashing at all times.  I actually forgot entirely about this today.  I had remembered at one point and thought about using my avocado sauce I made for ravioli but didn't.

So even though I should probably make my hubby some sort of immunity boosting serum I don't have time so I made him some breath easy massage oil.  Just a little sunflower oil, lavendar and eucalyptus essential oil.  Hopefully will help him unwind, breath easy, and rest well. 

It's not much to look at but here it is...

Homebirth

So I never got to sleep last night.  Got the call to go help a baby being born.  It was a fast and furious homebirth that I barely made it in time to help!  Thank goodness the midwife was right behind me.  So I worked on this 'gift' for 2 days straight really and it was pretty difficult.

I used a font on the computer, cut them out and traced them onto fabric (took me a round to realize I needed to trace them onto the fabric backwards).  The hardest part was definitely sewing the letters to the background fabric.  You can't really tell from this picture but they don't look very good.  All well, I'm still excited to give it to this Momma and that I was part of her awesome homebirth.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Yep, another cop-out.  All well at least I made an effort to actuually 'make' something and follow up with a post.  Mama said there'd be days like this, right.

And so it has been.  I'm not sure if it's pregnancy mood swings or what but my highs are high and my lows are low.  I seem to be on a every couple day cycle.  Added to my just gloom and doom my hubby's first overnight for his new job. 

So I made myself a nice hot cup of tea with a dallop of RAW honey.  You can read about the benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea here. 

Mmm...  Goodnight.

Y

Panty Liner

Ahhh, that lovely time of your life called pregnancy.  It's so wonderful and amazing.  I mean once you get past the nausea, headaches, acne, frizzy hair, mood swings, exhaustion, swelling...and inevitably increase in vaginal discharge.  Don't quote me but I do believe the discharge is due to an increase in estrogen and it's main mechanism is to keep bacteria away from your baby.  Uncomfortable none the less, and approriately coined, 'the snail trail'.  So as a little present to myself for reaching 20 weeks today (arbitrary half way point) I decided to make myself a reusable panty liner. 

All teasing aside I'm very blessed to be expecting and can't wait.  After having some difficulty concieving I definitely have a new place in my heart for all mom's who have empty wombs and empty arms. 

I found a tutorial at http://diy-pads.livejournal.com/45190.html, or rather the link to the tutorial.

I really enjoyed this project and wished I had thought of it earlier as I probably would have done 365 days of pad making.  How fun!  It was actually REALLY easy.  A great beginner project and quick so you can get that early satisfaction. 

One of the tricks I likes the best was to not leave a gap in the seam for turning but rather just cutting a new hole in both pieces and then when sewing together making sure both were together, thus hidden. 

This panty liner is 4 layers thick so wouldn't hold much, but does the trick for the snail trail and just some scant spotting, but I wouldn't trust it for much else, even a small amount of stress incontinence.  After some research I did find out that you could easily sandwhich some extra layers and/or make it bigger for more absorbency.  So I will definitely be adding more styles to my stash as time goes on.

Jen Script

I made a font today!  Over at YourFonts you can make your own font anytime for $10, but today is National Handwriting Day so they have a coupon code for FREE!  I’m not sure what all the blogging legalities are but so this is not a sales pitch by any means.

There are obviously some flaws, which I’m assuming is more my error/scanner settings then anything, but if I had the time and energy to do it again I will definitely try a thicker pen.  And I would love to try cursive.  For now however, this is great.  After having scanner problems and contacting Lexmark customer service chat, filling out a template several times before I felt like it was right, and finally making sure all the settings were right for the program to read the template.  I’m just glad it’s legible and does look like my handwriting for the most part.

I also did a major overhaul of the playroom today and found some projects in there I’d like to do.  Exciting times!





B is for Brielle

So I had a rough night last night.  Still quite overwhelmed with this project and spending money.  Also the time commitment that I don't have.  So I've decided I'm not going to be able to make something super duper special everyday, or rather not something that's necesarrily tangible.

We played a game this morning.  I didn't create it, or even initiate playing.  My daughter Brielle is 3 and this morning my husband decided to go through her playroom and fill a basket of B's.  Brielle really enjoyed the game and there was entirely not pressure.  She even found a few 'B' things completely by herself.

I 'made' a list of what we put in the basket and plan to keep it nice and safe and now I have 25 other projects to do.  : ) 

 Saying 'ba, ba, ba'.

Ooey, Gooey, Toothpaste

Yep, I did it.  I made toothpaste.  I made some in the past and it was...alright.  I actually made lime flavored as hubby isn't a fan of mint anything, and he didn't like it.  I didn't think it was bad. 

I had a ridiculously busy day and spent an absurd amount of time and energy at our local craft store.  By the time I got home we put a movie on for my daughter as she was tired and hungry.  We share TV/computer so I not longer was able to access the computer for inspirations and/or instruction for a project.  I was feeling pretty overwhelmed and dejected, so I *gasp* prayed.  Maybe something silly to pray about but in my prayer I reflected on how I really want this overall project and all these projects to better my life, not making me feel worse.  Within seconds it hit me like lightening that I could make toothpaste as I had everything I needed, had made it before so didn't need to consult a recipe (although it would have been helpful), and best of all it was quick and easy. 

Beautiful isn't it?  I know it's not, quite disgusting looking actually.  Feeling now completely dejected I thought I'd try  it out.  Low and behold it's not bad, I would actually say it's decent.  It was surprising sweet and had a fine mouth feel.

I didn't measure anything but I used:  baking soda, vegetable glycerin, coconut oil, bentonite powder, vit D drops, spearmint oil, and salt.

Cocoa Kisses

And dinner to boot!  I had a rather stressful day trying to find drop in daycare for Brielle for when I get the call to attend a birth.  By the time we got home, had lunch, and a poopy fiasco I was ready to call it a day.  I laid in bed trying to get Brielle to nap trying to figure out what this tired Momma was going to make today.  I thought of quite a few 'things' but I just wasn't in the right mindset.  Then I started thinking of my husband who was due home soon and how cold he must be all day in these frigid temperatures.  I also remembered probably one of the most memorable comments from the dads at MOPS yesterday was how his favorite gift was a surprise, and it could be simple just thoughtful and completely unexpected.  Anyways, I feel totally uncrunchy but I made hot cocoa today, premade from a pack probably with lots of junk in it (I'll have to work on that).  On the otherhand it had LOTS of LOVE!  : )

And it created warm family time as soon as Daddy got home.  I also made dinner tonight.  Which is rather embarassing to admit is quite the feat.  See my husband is a chef or rather a 'semi retired chef' as he calls it.  Now with his new job of being home most evenings I've become rather lazy with dinner.  So tonight I had dinner...almost ready when he got home.  Yeah for warm family Friday's. 

Every Proper Fairy Princess needs a WAND

Went to my first ever MOPS meeting this morning.  It was great, B went and played with all the other little kids WITHOUT me.  She hit the ground running and didn't look back.  I think it was harder for me then her.  Anyway it was only a couple hours and I was in the same building so not such a big deal.  We had a dad's panel question session which was a lot of fun.  I'm very excited to start meeting more local moms and getting B and myself out of the house more often.

I got the idea this morning when Super Why! came on to make B a new fairy wand.  I had picked her one up at a Halloween store but it has since become destroyed...cheapy.  I thought it would be a quick project but it turned out to challenge my focus a bit. 

The first star I made was too small for the rod I had picked out.  I still couldn't find a template that was big enough to I had to measure out and enlarge one.  Annoying.  I actually poked the seams out at the tips trying to turn it right side in but I made the mistake of showing my daughter before I finished so I don't think I'm getting it back anytime soon.  That's okay, it's functional, when it starts falling apart I'll fix it with some beads or sequins anything frilly will appease her. 

I just used more hot glue to stick everything together, but ended up dropping a big dallop right on my finger, OUCH!  I really hate burns, one reason I said no to the cooking career. 

Anyways this was fairly simple and feel like I would definitely get better the more I made.  And if I was in a better mood to begin with.  Long day.  No idea what I'm making tomorrow but I do now I need to not focus on it and get some work done on the house so I'm a little nervous.

Putting daddy under a sleeping spell.  Yay, a toy made by me that encourages dramatic play! 

Doula Bag

Well Ahem...  I think I just realized I start all my posts with 'well'.  Ah, trials and tribulations of the new blog writer.  Focusing on the goal to 'make' something everyday for a year.  In the hopes it will inspire me to be more than I am today. 

That being said, today I 'made' my doula bag.  This may be stretching it a bit, but it fits with the theme and does take some time and a considerable amount of thought. 

I actually had an amazing day.  Turns out we had a gift membership to a local Children's museum so we enjoyed a rather thrilling time playing and exploring.  Then we went to the children's second hand store where I found a rad bathing suit for my daughter (can't wait to actually use it again), and some onesies for some hopeful future projects.  I made an exceptionally easy, delicious, and fairly healthy lunch.  AND... I'm way amped up about this birth.  I'm sort of nervous to say that because as a doula I feel like I should be sitting in the corner meditating.  Maybe I'm being too stereotypical of my own profession.  The truth is though I'm totally psyched that I get to be at this birth.  I'm ona soon-to-assist birth high and it's ah-mah-zing!  This family is great and I can't wait to help give this momma the birth she wants and deserves.

My doula bag

1. Two outfits (before I leave and just in case.)
2. An open front sweater (easy on and off.)
3. Hair assecories (to get hair out of mom's or my face.)
4. Flip comb (besides the obvious doubles to squeeze in the fist as a pain reliever.)
5. Notepad and pen
6. Gum
7. Chapstick (unopened for mom, because who can push when your lips hurt!)
8. Shower Cap
9. Sucker (quick pick-me-up for mom and anti-nausea, no choking)
10. Snacks for me
11. Tea for me
12. Deodorant for me
13. Toothbrush and toothpaste for me (helpful for a quick freshen up)
14. Bandaids
15. Tissues
16. Lotion
17. Antinausea wristbands
18. Mirrior (for viewing the birth)
19. flashlight

Two books both by Penny Simkin, "The Birth Partner" and "The Labor Progess Handbook"  (The first one is more for overzealous birth groupies and the latter for myself if labor stalls and need some quick tips for positioning.)

All packed up, and my cool bag has a nice strap to hold everything in place.

Backpack/rollerbag combo perfect for long hauls and throwing on my back to have hands still available for mom. 

Oops!  Realized I forgot my reusable stainless steel water bottle.  Doula's must stay hydrated!

Hope I have everything I need, but it's true what they say my best tools are my mind, hands, and heart.  ~*Happy Birthie Vibes*~

Get To Know You

Decided to make a questionaire for my doula clients.  I found our meetings getting off track a bit and wanted something concrete to follow.  I also thought to myself that sometimes it's a lot easier to express true desires on paper versus face to face.  I'm pretty happy with this, and I even got to add my logo who was made by my dear friend Meg over at http://thebeheadedgoddess.blogspot.com/

doula questionaire

Hot or Cold?

Okay so today's craft took me no more than 5 minutes.  Sweet relief.  On the plus side it's extremely useful.  A rice sock can be warmed or cooled and used for anything you might want warm or cold.  I added a bit of lavendar oil for relaxation and a drop of spearmint, because I like it and it can help for nausea.  I'm not sure if it's scientifically founded but mint in general seems to clear and freshen my whole body.  So, I expect this to come in very helpful in the upcoming homebirth I plan to attend.  : )

G-A-G-E

Well this is it...just wall decor letters for a friends little boy.  I was really excited to put some tire tracks on the letters but eventually admitted defeat and decided they looked fine without.  I was a little concerned glueing the cars but it ended up being okay.

The hot glue was exciting and I made crazy webs everywhere.  This is the first car I did.  I progressively got better.

Even though this looks cool I decided I'm going to try to avoid spray paint from now often.  WAY to toxic and unchrunchy of me.

I thought the way I ended up holding the cars to put the glue on was pretty funny.  It wasn't entirely comfortable but by being able to secure the tires it was easier to apply the glue.  Thank goodness for spider fingers.

Little Monster for a Little Monster

Cheers to my first post.  1 of 365 is pretty overwhelming.  This has been an idea in my head for quite a while and it's time to move forward make it or break it.  Tomorrow I celebrate the birth of a dear friends little boy, Gage.  I made this monster for him.  Obviously it fall under the 'babies' category.  As you will see I'm applying my title (theme) rather loosely to my projects.  I have to if I have to come up with 364 more 'things' to make. 

So here 'he' is.  It was actually a clearanced kit that came with the fabric and directions.  It turned out pretty simple although I'm not the best sewer seamstress?  Oh yes, I'm not the best writer either so please forgive me. 

One of my first struggles was marking the fabric to cut it out.  (It would have been threading my machine and getting the bobbin filled if I hadn't gotten lucky with it already being done for me from the last project I did.)  I started out using a special fabric sewing washable marker thing but then realized I measured all my squares, labeled, walked away for a minute and it disapeared.  So then I just grabbed a regular pen.  Didn't seem to cause any trouble at all except for the white felt teeth.  Guess this monster has cavities.

This was the very worst part of the whole project.  The kit said to use webbed fusing or glue to stabalize the small pieces such as the eyes before sewing.  I didn't have any fancy fusing so I used some spray adhesive I had on hand.  Well I guess I over did it a bit and the whole dang thing was so sticky it kept sticking to my machine and bunch up.  This was the second eye I did, I completely ripped out the first one and cut a new, less sticky, piece.  I debated to redo this one too but decided it added a little spunk to my googly monster.  I also decided a monster is a great first project.

Since I've been critiqueing myself so much I thought I should pick out my 'favorite' aspect too.  The sewing quality on this monster is passible at best, meaning it looks like a monster and I think it will stay together for some time even with lots of love.  The tail of this guy is my favorite.  The kit said to sew on a pom pom but 'pom pom' was not listed on the back of the package as items needed.  Apparently all worthy people keep a general stock of pom poms.  Truth be told I think I have some....somewhere, but I had this boa much more handy so I tied it in a knot twice and then sewed the ever living daylights out of it.  Literally think I made at least 20 passes of a zigzag stitch.  I wasn't sure it was going to work and I am giving this to a two year old boy so I was thinking tail needs to be tough.  It looks a little funny but I love the fluff.

After its all said and done I'm really proud of myself not only for getting this done but also for starting my blog.  My daughter, who is 3, requested a pink monster so I'm going to chalk that up as success. 

Now to just decide what to put in the pocket as a bonus present.  We all decided a 'mini' or baby monster in the pocket would be cute but I don't have time.  Future post?  Stay tuned.  If you made it this far that is.