"Blossoms and Bloomers"

I realized I post a lot of photos of finished sewing projects to my Facebook wall, but some of you aren't on Facebook...so here's a look at my latest finished project: 

My friend Megan lent me her pattern for this super cute, easy and reversible jumper, bloomers and hat. I should have waited to take the pictures in the morning so the lighting and colors would be better, but I was too impatient. I have a few more sewing projects on their way and then will focus on finishing up redecorating the kids' room.

To do before due date

Once I found out I was pregnant last November, I started a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish before this baby arrives. Then, I broke it down by month to make the list more manageable. I doing pretty well and am on top of all the sewing projects and a little behind on the other projects. So here's my list to hold myself accountable (projects added later in red):

Sewing Projects:

• maternity dress
• belly belts (2)
• baby-in-the-hood jacket (sad that it doesn't fit Harper)
• new diaper bag
• custom commission- 6 iPad bags
• take argyle quilt to be quilted
• nursing cover
• knit baby sleepers (3)
• chloe dress for friend
• pinafore for friend
• repair dietrichs' backpack
• ring sling
• birds for mobile
• teething rail covers
• ruffle diaper cover
• fabric bin for blocks
• brown valences for kids' room
• toddler quilts (2)
• sleep sack
• reinforce old diaper bag
• fabric flower for style shoot

More Sewing Projects (if there's time):

• flower pillow
• interchangeable purse
• liverpool tunic
• schoolhouse tunic
• socialite dress
• purple knit dress
• ruffle pillow
• take moda quilt to be quilted
• fabric "tree" for kids' room
• reversible "blossoms and bloomers" baby outfit & hat
• "four corners" nursing tank
• silhouette art of Harper
• laminated tablecloth
• sleep sack for Olivia
• baby girl dress for gift
• baby girl outfit for gift
• changing pad for diaper bag
• laminated fitted table cloth

Other Projects:

• update Harper's baby book - 1/2 done
• find 12x12 frames for kids' room
• paint thread holder
• plan Harper & Josh's birthday parties
• Kristen's birthday
• make and print Harper's photo albums - in progress
• make and paint ledges for kids' room
• sand/repaint crib rails
• finish photo gallery in dining room - in progress
• find brown rug for kids' room
• set up sewing studio in basement
• stain picnic table

Of course, in addition to all these things, we need to have our home and everything ready for baby! So far I have absolutely nothing planned for the month of July to hopefully finish things up, relax and sleep.

Feeling Loved

What a wonderful Mother's Day! I couldn't have felt more appreciated and loved. Even though we were tight on time to get to church, Joshua crafted me a delicious hazelnut latte (decaf of course) to start the day off. I'm thankful for all of the wonderful comments and Happy Mother's Day wishes from everyone at church including my sweet little boy, dressed in a smocked outfit my mom made.

After church, we headed to Lake Calhoun for lunch at the Tin Fish. We hopped in line before they were even open so Josh and I took turns chasing after Harper and taking him to see the boats (one man even let us sit in the cockpit of his sailboat, which Harper thought was pretty cool). After a yummy lunch outside, we headed home for a family nap. Then, in the afternoon we went for a bike ride along Minnehaha Creek to the falls, took a break to sight-see and people watch, headed back around Lake Nokomis, then made it home. It was the perfect day for a bike ride. We rode almost 9 1/2 miles! By the last leg of the trip, Harper was ready to be out of the trailer and was saying, "play in back yard!" So once home, Harper and I played in the back yard while Josh made a grocery run for dinner.

Joshua made a delicious grilled chicken caesar salad for dinner, finished with a scoop of raspberry sorbet. Harper and baby girl gave me the sweetest card, and I'm proudly wearing my new, personalized necklace that is engraved with Harper's first and middle name and birthdate. After baby girl is born, I'll be able to add a second pendant for her.

I'm so blessed to have such a loving husband, healthy boy, and baby girl on the way. I'm one happy mama. Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there! I hope you had a great day too.

Amidst the busyness

This month is crazy busy. Mostly because I've taken on additional responsibilities without dropping any previous ones. I'm still watching another little boy part-time, attending Bible study Tuesday nights, singing with the church choir Wednesdays and Sundays, working on sewing projects both for myself and others, caring for our family, maintaining our household...and now I'm working from home for MSAADA as much as I can. I'm enjoying the opportunity to work for MSAADA again and am currently working on construction documents for a new cholera hospital in Haiti. I love it, but I don't usually get to start working until after Harper's asleep. This makes it tough since Josh is away this week for a training and Harper isn't sleeping well. So here I am, at midnight once again, having just reached a stopping point in my MSAADA work. I figured since I'm still up I'd share a few photos from the past month that I haven't had time to blog about yet:

Joshua's birthday dessert stop at Pumphouse Creamery.

Harper attending Elsa's flower-themed birthday party.

Decorating buckets at Elsa's birthday party.

Cheese!