the boppy cover

So much for a weekend project, this was finished during H’s Friday afternoon “nap.” Some days he actually sleeps, others he plays quietly in his room.  Either way, it works for us and he’s not crawling all over me, interested in the sewing machine and scissors.. you know, totally toddler appropriate toys.

I was intimidated by the boppy cover for the sole reason that most tutorials I found used a zipper.  I understood the value of being able to unzip and throw it in the washer, because we all know where there is baby, there is a mess, but I had never sewn a zipper on anything.  I was a tiny bit nervous.

Naturally, I found that once I decided to be smarter than the sewing machine/zipper duo, it wasn’t any harder than sewing two pieces of fabric together.  Do you ever do that?  Think something is so hard that you hesitate and put it off and then once you finally set your mind to it, it’s not nearly as difficult as you imagined? Now, I’m all what needs a zipper? Zippers for everyone!

Anyways, I followed this tutorial.  It was very helpful and easy to use.  It suggests that you trace the boppy and add 1 inch for seam allowances, make sure you do this, because once it’s pieced together, it can be really, really snug.  I mean, you want it to be snug, but not so much that stuffing the pillow into the cover is harder than the entire sewing project.  I added the 1 inch allowance, but when I make another cover, because I will, I might even add just a bit more.

I used these two fabrics: Fans in Sprout and Starling in Pink. Originally, I was only going to use Fans for both sides, but I love the fabric so much that the idea of having more left over was too enticing.  I adore how it turned out, totally unique and unlike anything prepackaged in store.  When I make my next cover, I might use a minky or a soft jersey for one side, something with a bit of stretch… and probably something grey, you know I can’t help myself.

If you’re looking for a boppy cover and you’re not a fan of what the stores are offering OR because the cute covers can cost as much as the boppy themselves, I definitely recommend making your own.  Let me know if you do or have, I’d love to see pictures.

Hmm, now all we need is that baby…

{Liv

Oh, my little Asher Lev.

And no, my son’s name isn’t Asher, it’s just a reference to my favorite book in the entire world.

Considering that both his daddy and I are artists, we get really excited about watching our little boy display signs of creativity.  I hope to raise all of my children in a home where art is encouraged rather than stifled, because I know how precious unhindered creativity is to the soul.  Of course, we won’t force them to be artists, because that’s not the point either.

Our little boy is a collector, he gathers various things around the house and holds on to them all day long.  It’s not uncommon for him to store the most random things in his favorite places, like his little bus or the shoe box that holds his collection of matchbox cars.  On any given day, you would find some of the following: the letter T puzzle piece, the tiny little Santa that broke off a Christmas ornament (his fault), some random tag from his train pajamas, a few cars, a handful of animals, and a pencil.

He would carry a pencil  around all day long and  for a while we let him, until he discovered that a blank sheet of paper was very similar to a white wall, and suddenly the entire apartment had become his canvas. Naturally, this delights my creative soul, but we try to deter wall art, at this point.   So,  we gave him a white colored pencil and broke off the lead.  Tricky, tricky.  Point for us.

He prefers pencils to crayons. If given a choice, he will always choose the pencil.   He also prefers to draw with you, rather than to sit and draw alone.   At first, this annoyed me, because the very idea of letting him draw was so I could accomplish something else.  Yet, the more I think about it, I love that art is a special thing we do together and he really enjoys it. Quality time at its best.  I mean, daddy is better at playing cars or piggy back rides, but drawing with my son, I can do that.  He could sit on my lap for the longest time drawing and scribbling all over the page.

Two days ago, we  sat down and I drew all of his favorite things like: trains, dogs, cats, cars, monkeys, and birds.   I also spelled out each word because he’s picking up letters all the time.  Then we spent forever pointing at each item as he named them all, over and over.    He carried around the picture for the rest of the day. 

And just a while ago,  he scribbled on a paper, pointed and said, “choo-choo.”  He repeated himself until I acknowledged that his masterpiece was indeed a choo-choo.  After my praises, he did his little, “I’m so proud of myself” shrug.

My heart melted again. 

And since this blog is the place where I document and remember this beautiful life, I just had to share.

{Liv

ampersand

{image via Hindsvik}

I have a thing for ampersands.  I mean, the word alone is amazing. If I collected things, which I rarely do, it would be ampersands.

ampersand. ampersand. ampersand.

Anyways, I still haven’t packed my bags, but I did make a cute headband for Harper’s little head.  I felt like that was more important.  Oh, and I designed her birth announcement, as least in my head.

This weekend, if I am not having a baby, which would be my first choice, I’m going to make a cover for the boppy with this breathtaking fabric. 

And here’s my final thought for today… Hospital gowns, are they still as hideous as they were two years ago and if so, WHY hasn’t anyone done something about this? 
Yes, these are the things that concern me.
Happy Weekend.

{Liv

dear daughter: Lori C. writes

As we countdown the days until meeting our baby girl, I asked some friends to write their thoughts on having a daughter.   It means so much that they would take time to share their thoughts and I get more excited with each letter.  I hope you enjoy them too.

---

Lori C. writes:

It is through my dreams and ideals that I live my life. Some might say that is the wrong way to go, that I set myself up for disappointment, that I need to be more realistic. The truth is, I am plenty realistic- I just choose to be more passionate about what could be instead of what is. Call me crazy, but I know God has big plans for my life, why should I try to limit His workings with all my realism and such? So when asked what is so very wonderful about having daughters, it is by thinking about what could be that I can best answer this question. I look 1 year in the future, when hopefully some of my daughter's hair has grown and I can finally put a ponytail in it. I see my girl(s) in 5 years, being the mothering type to their brothers, filling my heart with pride and joy and a little anxiety as I hear them say and do the same things I do. A few years from then, and they are starting school and asking questions to which I don't even know the answers. Taking ballet classes. Going to soccer games. Helping me bake cookies. Preparing a meal by herself for the first time. Being grossed out by what her brothers bring in from outside (or thoroughly enjoying what ever they are doing, depending on what kind of girl she really is : ) We are hosting sleepovers, and I listen to my girls talk and giggle the night away. There are pink tights, hair bows, Easter dresses, Barbie dolls and Judy Blume books. A few years later and we are talking about college. Or music school. Or missions. Or whatever God has put in her tender heart as a passion and talent. My daughter(s) have grown into beautiful, graceful young women, and even when they don't believe it, their mom always will.

Right now, I have an 11 month old daughter, and a little girl due in March. I am so excited to see them grow up as sisters, sharing their lives, and their clothes, and their love. I look forward to teaching to cook and clean and love and shop and read and sing and bake and take care of babies. I look forward to one day having these young women around to talk and joke with and hug. This is something I can't look forward to with my son, who will grow up and still be my little boy, forever.

Having a daughter, and soon 2, is an experience like no other, one filled with reflection and wonder, beauty and joy. I only hope that one day, my daughters will have daughters that bring them as much light as they have already brought me.

---

Beautiful, Lori.  Thank you so much for sharing.  Those girls are so blessed to have you as a mom.

{Liv

More dear daughter letters are coming next week.  I hope you enjoying them.

dear daughter: Angela writes

As we countdown the days until meeting our baby girl, I asked some friends to write their thoughts on having a daughter.   It means so much that they would take time to share their thoughts and I get more excited with each letter.  I hope you enjoy them too.

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Angela writes:

All my life I wanted a boy as my first child....every one needs a big brother! However, God somehow knew that I truly needed a girl. She has changed my life in so many ways and made my life a daily adventure. Here are a few things that my little girl does that makes me say, "God, THIS is why I have a girl."

She asks a bazillion questions (I love making up answers to them)
She sits and plays with my hair
She plays by herself for hours
She puts everything away in its exact spot (I have created another OCD person in this world)
She loves shoes
She loves to match all her clothes and hair accessories
She can say the alphabet in French
She begs to wash the dishes
She loves to paint, color, draw, and play games
She started potty training at 1 1/2 yrs old
She has been able to buckle herself in her own carseat/booster seat since she was 2 1/2
She plays dress-up every day...and sometimes I let her go to the store in her outfit with the winter hat on in the middle of summer
She cooks me delicious meals in her toy kitchen
She has her ears pierced :)
She talks to herself constantly
She is a mother to all the children/cousins she plays with
She is the sweetest, funniest, BEST little girl in the world

Liv....you so blessed to get the chance to have a little girl soon...they are completely different and completely wonderful.

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Thanks so much Angela  Knowing her sweet Katy, I can say she is all those wonderful things and so much more. 

{Liv

Once upon a time in 2010.

I’ve been trying to capture my thoughts in regards to 2010. There was plenty of waiting, uncertainty, and more waiting.  There was moving, adjusting, and moving again.  More adjusting to the changes.  Plenty of puking and sickness, and more waiting (still).  It was  year of building, investing time and effort, long days and lots of trusting.  It was year of moving forward, even if the progress was slow and hard to see.  And while it wasn’t the most glamorous 365 days, the good times and the blessings were too numerous to count.  Did I forget anticipation? 2010 was full of it.

In all of these changes, with all of the growth and lessons, we remained grateful and confident.  Our love grew for each other, our son, and the little girl that we will soon meet.  Long days of working two jobs for Matt made us cherish the hours of being together.  And as we continue to settle into this new state, wondering if it will ever feel like our home, wondering if we will ever find that sense of “home,” we instead just found it in each other.  As much as we long for a greater sense of community and the place where our passions and talents will come to the forefront, as dreamers and lovers of change, we have come to the reality that “home” may never be a place.  Although, we’re quite certain it could be found on the coast of California, where the salty waves crash onto the shore and splash our faces.

We know that these years in our lives are seasons of building and preparing, times that will shape us into the people and family that we are called to be and so, we welcome them, knowing they are preparation for what lies before us.  Just like each of the snowflakes falling outside my window, I know that all the moments in time are necessary, because together they form the beautiful story of life.   Even if we could sum up 2010 as exhausting, I’m still thankful, because now we have arrived at the start of a new year full of mystery and possibilities, ready to be embraced. 

Dreams don't make your life easier, they make it possible to endure hardship. – E. McManus

{Liv

baby growing diaries #12

The coffee is brewing in the French Press.  In four minutes, my head will be less foggy.  The sun is beaming down on the snow covered world.  My New Year’s resolution was for winter to end, but apparently, resolutions and wishes are not interchangeable.  I don’t really make resolutions, especially in January, it’s so trendy and when things become uber trendy, I tend to want to do them even less, which may explain my great desire to end my facebook days.  I’m considering it more and more,  besides, whatever happened to the good old fashioned text and email? 

One of the handy little apps on my phone tells me I have 2 weeks and four days left until my due date.  I’m going to be honest and say that I hope that day comes a bit sooner.  This time around, I love that sense of unknown, that at any moment I could go into labor, that’s the kind of thing that drives me wild with excitement.  I suppose most people would rather wish that whole part away and pencil in the time and place for these events to occur.  That’s boring.  Those people would also be the ones who have had their hospital bags packed for weeks. Boring again.

I have… pack , umm, made a list on my phone.  I’m thinking about the idea of packing soon, but since the no-car situation leaves me on a bit of unofficial house arrest, chances are good that I’ll be home.  Packing will give me something to do later, when I’ve done every other thing I can imagine. Plus, it will take a little bit of time for my mom to arrive and stay with the boy, so I’ll be fine.

Even as I write this, I find great entertainment in knowing that my words of last minute preparation may send some of my friends into a state of shock, causing them to hop on a plane and demand to pack my bags for me… but at this point, that would be awesome.  I’ll take all the entertainment I can get.  My ultra-relaxed personality wouldn’t work for everyone, but I think that in this current situation it’s best.  I have zero control over this whole ordeal, so why pretend that I do. 

After all, I did make a list.  Plus, I have this handy contraction timer app on my phone that I’m really excited to try.   I also know that somewhere in this room, there’s a phone number to call the hospital when all systems are go.  And, in my defense, I did get the diaper bag ready so that at least she will have a cute outfit to wear home.  So pretty much, I’m half ready to go. 

So tell me, friends, what kind of person were you?  Did you have everything crossed off your list months in advance or do you embrace the excitement of the unknown?  And furthermore, when did you have your bags packed?

37.5 weeks

{Liv

Baby Growing Diaries #11

At 37 weeks, I’m running out of room in my own body.  I’m quite certain that this baby has run out of room as well.  I mean, there’s only so much space.  This could be a problem.   Also, I’m not on speaking terms with my bladder, because it’s just being oh, so ridiculous.  What’s the deal, bladder, do you think you run this joint?  Get over yourself. Oh, and I used to have ankles.  Thankfully, all of my toes are still on my feet and were not mistaken for Smokey link sausages at Christmas.  It’s good to have toes, as puffy as they may be. This also means that I don’t have any cannibals in my family and that is reassuring too.

Yesterday, my mom bought me a new shirt and cleaned my kitchen.  It was kind of like Christmas all over again.

And here’s the part where you get really jealous.  Tomorrow appears to be December 31 and I don’t know if you can handle the sheer greatness of my plans.  Are you ready?  I mean, really… are you ready?  Brace yourself.  We’re going to put the kiddo to bed at 7:30 and then spend the rest of the year, in cozy pajamas, watching a movie on the couch.  And by watching a movie, I mean, we’ll probably fall asleep by 9pm.  AMAZING, right?  I know, contain your jealousy.  The truth is this… there is nothing, nothing, not a single thing, that sounds better than sleep.  And secretly, while you pretend to be excited about wearing a cute dress to a party, drinking champagne (oh, what I’d do for a glass), and staying up super late… you wish you had a really good excuse to wear pajamas and go to sleep early too.

2011, here we come.

{Liv