Still a green smoothie boy

Clearly, Per still enjoys his green smoothies.
Drinking from a big boy cup requires intense concentration.

Sometimes it's easier just to dip the hand in and lick off the hand. Mmmmm.

Paper Bag Superhero

I can't take credit for this idea. It was all Zak.
This is a face Per has started to pull recently. It's pretty cute.

And when playtime is over... simply discard unwanted costume.

Nesting = Sewing

Apparently instead of nesting during the end of this pregnancy, I have found a need to sew instead. Which is its own form of nesting, I guess. Here are some of the many projects I have been working on over the last few months. I'll warn you in advance, this is a R-E-A-L-L-Y long post. Sorry 'bout that.

A nursing cover. I wished for one of these when I had Per, but didn't think about making one. This time around I found a tutorial, made several changes and (I think) improvements to the design, and here is my version. Voila!
This is a chew blanket/woobie for our new little boy. My wonderful mother-in-law bought this kit, which is just the minky, fabric, and pre-sewn binding, and I put it together. It's a good size, too, 30x30, which is the standard size of most receiving blankets. Perfect for a little guy. And yeah, there are lots of pinks in the paisley, but there's nothing wrong with pink for a boy blanket, right? Right.

This is a baby sling I made for fun. I am not sure if it will see much use, as I have an Ergo baby carrier and really love it. The only reason I couldn't use the Ergo right away after having Per was because I was still... ahem... a little bit too large to buckle the strap around my waist after giving birth. This time, I ordered a waist extension that will take care of that problem. But I thought this little sling might be nice for church. It's made from McCall's M5678.
This is a wet bag that I made, based on one that I was given. A wet bag? Yep. For cloth diapering. We are switching to cloth for our new baby, and probably for Per as well if he takes to it okay. The wet bag is a convenient place to store your wet/dirty diapers while away from home or until you can get them washed if you don't have immediate access to your diaper pail. Putting in the zipper was a bit challenging, since it has been quite a long time since I did anything with sewing zippers, but I think it turned out okay. In case anyone is curious, we are starting off with bumGenius 3.0 one size diapers, which come in a lovely array of non-girly colors, and seem to be one of the easiest systems, at least for us, since we will probably have two boys in them at least for a while. The adjusting from one size to the next is as simple as snapping a couple of snaps and using an extra insert for the older child.

This is a fleece blanket that I sewed satin binding on. It was sort of an adventure and I'm not really pleased with the final outcome, but it will serve its purpose as a blanket just fine. My perfectionist tendencies have to take a back seat to practicality sometimes. It was simply not practical to hand-sew this binding, which is the only method that would have produced my desired result. It's cozy, though, and I think it's pretty cute.
Ah. The clothing. Let me just make a disclaimer right now. I have never been good at sewing clothing. Even my first attempts as a budding seamstress under the tutelage of my mom were never very spectacular. But maternity clothes are really expensive. And I have a big stash of fabric that my mom sent me, and a few patterns that I wanted to try. So... this was my first attempt at a maternity dress. It's actually from McCall's M5640, and just made in a size that is larger than I'd normally wear. I made some modifications (always a bit tricky) that made me feel like I wasn't wearing a mu-mu. I put in the strip of fabric under the bustline and put in ties in the side seams so that I could pull it snug and show off that lovely baby bump. Maybe I'll get Zak to take a picture of me actually wearing one or more of the clothing items.... and maybe I won't.
I know, I know. This looks more like a MoTab choir robe than a dress. It's actually a nursing gown, made from Kwik Sew 3327. I wanted something to wear in the hospital and those first few days home that would be completely comfortable, but still modest. Let's face it, hospital gowns are just not modest. You have to keep pulling up and adjusting and hoping you're not flashing anyone. Hence, the choir robe. It may not be the prettiest article of clothing, but it's very comfortable and keeps me covered. Best of all, there is easy nursing access via two slits that are covered by the fabric tucks in the front. I added snaps to the bottom area of the slits in order to further preserve modesty. I have another one of these cut out and waiting to be sewn in a lighter pointelle knit fabric that has a pattern. I think/hope it will turn out to be a little more attractive than this little number.

This one is also from McCall's M5640, and I made modifications to this one also in order to make it a nursing dress. Where the strip of fabric lays, there is actually a line of snaps that keeps it in place while not nursing, and there are ties in the side seams to give a little shape to it. The bodice is two layers of fabric, with slits cut for nursing access. Did I mention that this is made from a fitted twin-size sheet that I bought at the DI and that I have curtains hanging in my front room from the flat sheet? I like it anyway.

This is from the same pattern as above, but it is the blouse version rather than the dress. This was the first one I made, so I followed the pattern exactly. It turned out fairly well for what it's meant to be - a maternity top - but the fabric that I used is too sheer for it to be worn alone. It was $1.50 a yard from JoAnn's red tag apparel aisle. And I didn't have the courage to even put in ties in the side seams, so it sort of just hangs. But it's functional and has definitely served its purpose by familiarizing me with the pattern. I have one more top/bottom combination in the works using this pattern. It's going to be pajamas to take to the hospital, with a top that ties back so that there's easier nursing access. I just need to get the pattern pieces cut out and sewn.

Back to some fun things. I made this purse over General Conference weekend. Well, really just through the first session on Saturday morning. It came together really quickly and I love it! It has three inside pockets as well as the front pocket on the outside, so it's convenient for stashing stuff. Plus, it's pretty roomy, so it's easy to throw in my stuff, plus snacks and a sippy cup for Per when we are heading out the door. I will definitely be making another purse from this pattern. (It was a pattern I borrowed from my MIL, and can be found here.)

This is my new church bag. This pattern (another borrowed from Barb -- thanks, you are the best!) was pretty hard to follow and had all this nonsense about freezer paper in it... which I just ignored. I made a couple of small modifications, such as lengthening the straps, adding an extra three pockets inside, and shortening the length of the two gathered strips of fabric from 36" to 30", because that was all I had left in these fabrics. I think it turned out really cute!

This was one of my first attempts at quilting that didn't involve sewing a straight line the whole way. Obviously, it's made up of straight lines, and required a lot of stopping and starting, but I think it's kind of a fun design!

So. There are several of the projects I've been working on. I also made a car organizer from Craft Apple that is currently in the car, which is at work with Zak. Hence, no pictures today. But maybe I will get some taken and post them later. This pattern was pretty easy to follow and though the Peltex 71 was sort of a pain to work with (as far as rolling and folding it to get it under the sewing machine), it gives the organizer a really nice shape. I was really pleased with the final result, and love that Per's books and toys, extra diapers, wipes, and the random box of tissues we keep in the car are no longer floating about the backseat of the car, but rather nicely put away in my lovely little organizer.

I finished a pair of fabric washable nursing pads the other day, too, which I don't have a picture of either. I found the tutorial here and followed it exactly. I had some PUL on hand for the wet bag and for the diaper pail liner that has yet to be made. I also bought hemp fleece and bamboo velour specifically for this project. I really like the way the nursing pads turned out, and will be making a few more sets so that I have extras between washings. Last time around I used Lansinoh nursing pads and loved them, but they are $8-9 for a box of 60. If you are going to use disposable nursing pads, these are definitely the ones I would recommend. I think that these fabric nursing pads will be a less expensive option (and far more comfortable one -- have you ever felt bamboo velour?? SOOO soft!) in the long run.

Congratulations!! You made it to the end of the post. I have loved making all of these things... well, most of them, though there were moments that made me feel a bit sweary (not that I actually swore, mind you). I have had a really hard time finding maternity/nursing clothing patterns, so if anyone has any recommendations, I would really appreciate it! Though, with new baby's arrival coming soon (in the next 47 days or sooner, not that I'm counting or anything), I am not sure I'll need maternity clothes too much longer. But there may be another baby in a couple of years, and it never hurts to be prepared. Thanks for hanging in there with me on this post! I'll try to be a little more regular about posting my crafties so that we don't wind up with a super-long post like this one in the future. No promises, though. With a new baby coming soon, it's probably pretty unlikely. Happy sewing!

My Little Reader

I cleaned out the closet in Per's room this morning while Per played. I was getting out the newborn and 0-3 month baby clothes so I could get them washed and figure out where we're going to put them when this baby is born in a few more weeks. In the process, I found a couple of other things that would be needed for the new baby. Per thought it was great fun to play with each item as I pulled it out. I went out of his room for a minute and when I came back, this is what I found:

Looking pretty comfy.

Caught.
Too cute.

Willow Park

Per has started going down the slide all by himself. He loves the slide!
A pensive moment at the playground.

Per was looking at a peacock at Willow Park Zoo. Or, the Aviary, as Zak and I like to call it. Most of the animals on display are birds, with only a very few four-legged creatures that do not possess wings on display, therefore "aviary" seems a more apt name for the place than "zoo."

I absolutely love the look on Per's face.

Per's Latest

Per has been learning to drink from a big boy cup. He does really well with it.

He is very malleable and will follow almost any of his dad's suggestions. Even the silly ones.

He is working on his fine motor skills. He loves to pour water from the bowl to the cup and back. He repeats this process until the water has spilled all over the dishwasher. Then he asks for more water so he can start all over again.

Due to his love of playing in the water by the dishwasher, he is also learning how to wipe up the spills he makes. Good job, Per!

My Cooking

...is apparently not that good. Last night I made orange chicken and broccoli and, as a side, egg drop soup. I have had it lots of times at restaurants and liked it, so I thought I'd try making it myself. I think it turned out exactly like it should have, and I liked it okay. Zak, however, wasn't really a fan. During dinner, just before he tried the soup, he muttered, "I feel like I'm on Fear Factor." Nice.

I'll spare you the bulk of his comments from after he tasted the soup. Just know that the words "tastes just like I'd imagine body odor would taste" were uttered. Super nice.

Lest anyone think that I was disgruntled by these comments, be assured, I was not. I laughed right along with him. He is a good sport about trying new things. And he loved the orange chicken and broccoli.

First Park Outing of the Year

It was 65 degrees yesterday. It was still windy, hence the jacket

and warm hat, but also sunny and pretty nice.

So we decided to take Per to the park for the first time this year.

It's also the first time he's been to the park since he could walk, which made it

even more fun.

He still loves to swing.

He got on this purple dinosaur for a minute, but then decided he was

a little too scared of it to stay on.

He was still thinking about the dinosaur here.

Having a chat with Daddy.

Taking a water break.

This is the look that Zak gets on his face just before he does

something kind of mischievous.

Like this.

Per was feeling pensive. And almost ready to go home.

"Da!" (read: Look, there's an airplane flying by, and it sounds like

this: sccchhhhh)

And this is Per's face after he reached down and tried to

pick up some deer droppings that were laying around.

That was when we decided to call it an evening go home.

Good thing we had wipes and hand sanitizer in the car.

Per had a great time and we are looking forward to

many more trips to the park now that it's warming up!

It Got Quiet This Morning...

...so I peeked into the front room, and this is what I found. I love that he's a reader already.

Bringin' It Back

Zak thought Per would look totally cool with this headband on. I think he's bringin' the look back. He can totally pull this off.
Just like Ralph Macchio from The Karate Kid. Nice.

Unrelated, but cute. Per likes to ride this little car. That is a sticker on his shirt that he pulled off of his "ca-ca" page -- that means "color" or "coloring."

And lastly, here's a shot of Per with his BEST friend ever, Blue Rabbit. And I think that's a rice krispy treat in his hand, but don't look at me. I think he got that from his dad. First thing in the morning. Before breakfast. Hmmm.

Per's Latest

Per loves reading with Daddy.

He loves to help in the kitchen by stirring things -- in this case, orange juice.

He loves to go outside and kick a soccer ball around the parking lot. It's still a little too cold to do that without a hat and jacket, but it's starting to warm up a bit.

He's learning how to relax (a phrase he hears often...).

He has started saying "yeah" instead of "huh" when he means "yes."

A Short Trip South

I got to take a short trip south for a baby shower a week ago.

Nicole is having a baby.

So is Carolyn. And so am I. All the cool kids are doing it.