two weeks

This lovely is two weeks old today.  She’s an absolute dream.  Yesterday, we had a little photo shoot for her birth announcement, which I envisioned months ago.  She was perfectly happy and cooperative and I must say, they turned out just as I hoped.  The photo above is from part two of the shoot, because I scheme up crazy things in my head and thankfully the rest of the family humored me, mostly… although H didn’t think he could stand another minute of watching from his high chair, but I think he’s over it.

Two weeks into this adventure, I bet you’re dying to know my thoughts on being a mama of two.  Here goes:

Tired. So Tired. The other day I took the kettle full of boiling water meant for the French Press and started pouring it  into my cereal bowl, turning my whole milk + frosted mini wheat's into warm cereal in skim milk.   You wouldn’t believe the amount of diapers I’ve changed, unless you have actually have two kids, then you’d know.  I’m thinking moms should earn airline miles for all the diapers they change.  Hello, free trip to Paris. And the house… well, it’s experiencing neglect like never before, good thing homes don’t have feelings. 

My love for coffee has reached all new heights, as if that was possible, but whatever, we’re best friends.  Yesterday morning, I held my steaming mug in my hands and said, “coooffeeee,” sort of like a zombie, but probably more like an addict, I don’t know. Matt laughed at me.   I’m pretty sure this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and if I ever thought that just having just one was hard work, mercy, mercy, mercy.  At times I think, yes, I’ve got this.  I can totally handle this… and then there are times when I think, “I want my mommy.” 

HOWEVER, there is this…

And half of the times that H usually says, “Hi,” throughout the day (which is a very large number) has been replaced with “baby,” and that’s pretty cute.  And he doesn’t want to go to sleep without saying good night to her.  And he loves to lie down next to her and hold her hand.  And goodness, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

… in short.  THIS IS THE CRAZIEST THING I’VE EVER DONE!

… but I couldn’t imagine life without them,

So, I will keep them, change more diapers, sleep less,  drink more coffee, and in all my exhaustion… be very very happy.

rich.

Do you ever feel excessively rich?  And I don’t mean the kind that has anything to do with your bank account or being surrounded by a life of luxury… I mean, that beautiful feeling of being so abundantly blessed that the gratitude is practically oozing out of the cracks.

Sure, I may have an ugly couch covered by aslightly less ugly slipcover and that pile of dishes is still waiting to be cleaned.    I may still be longing for that sense of community that we hope to find in our new town.  I may not leave the house very often, due in part to the fact that we haven’t had a car for over a month now.  And I may be tired always, thanks to that amazing new baby of mine.  And some days that pile of bills can seem extra frustrating.  And those days when the husband works both jobs can feel longer than anything… ever.  And, it may still be winter for the 15th month in a row… but what is all of that?

It is meaningless, trivial bits of nonsense that can sometimes get in the way of seeing the beauty, like a thick mass of fog lingering between you and the most glorious views.

The past few days, we’ve felt this incredible sense of peace and contentment, taking in the blessings too numerous to count… knowing that our needs will be met and our God has a plan.  The days of being carless are becoming slightly annoying, but we are confident in the timing.  The other day I asked Matt what the whole point of this was, being that we’ve been praying for a new car for a few years.  He quickly responded with, “It’s a progress report.”  To which, I said… “What?”  “The fact that we’ve been able to go without a car for this long, that fact that we are not questioning if God will provide a way for a new car, whether it’s how we think or something unimaginable, we just know He will. It’s a progress report.” 

I thought that was a pretty good answer.

I’m thankful for the struggles that have brought me to this point, when instead of worrying, we can trust and remain confident in our provider.  I’m thankful that we don’t find our value in things, mere object of little worth.  I’m overwhelmed at the richness of this life:  being blessed with a wonderful, hardworking, loving husband, two delightful, amazing kids, dreams, creativity,  comfort, warmth, safety, a peaceful, happy home, friends and family, coffee,  and a God who is bigger and greater than any trouble that my come our way.

Personally, I’ll take this kind of rich any day.

the reveal

Remember the fabric dilemma for Harper’s bedding?  Remember when I chose the fabric that “delighted my artistic soul?” Remember the sneak peeks?  Remember when I had the cutest baby girl in the world?

Alright, enough remembering.  You want pictures.   Cue pictures.

{the quilt}

{the whole deal}

I was fortunate to find some cute models already in their pajamas (or rather still in their pajamas at 11am) hanging around me to show off the finished product…

 

and then… Harper’s stuffed friends joined in the fun.

sweet bedding for my little lady.

I should note that technically it is not finished, as I haven’t added the ties to the bumper, I still don’t know what to use, so if you have any ideas please send them my way.   I haven’t closed off the sides of the bumpers, in case I need to pull out the pads to sew on the ties. Once I do this, then it will really be done.  I think I’m opting out of a crib skirt for now, since I don’t store things underneath, but I can always make one later.  Technically, she won’t sleep in this crib for a while, since she’s our roommate for the next six months… and it’s still being used by the original owner as a toddler bed.

Total cost of fabric, quilt batting, bumper pads:  $90

Actual time sewing: less than 10 hours

Biggest challenges: Finalizing the design

Biggest frustration:  Measuring and cutting the strip for bumper.

(I’m not into numbers and measuring)

Worth it or not: Absolutely yes.

So, if you’ve questioned whether or not you should make your own bedding, I’d say yes.  I love that I have just the fabrics and design I wanted. I love that it’s completely one of a kind.  I also love that I made it and spent much less than I would on something generic from the store. 

Sometimes, I start scheming up other designs too… but I’m not sure this is my new creative endeavor, besides, I’m a little busy these days.