Little Big Man

"Nobody knows what a boy is worth,

And the world must wait to see;

For every man in a honored place,

Is a boy that used to be."

-Phillips Brooks

Fourteen and counting!

It is hard to believe that I am now not only a mother of another son that is a newborn, but that I also have a son that is now REALLY a teenager!

What a great kid our Little Big Man is!

About 9 years ago, Josh began his baseball career on the T-ball fields.  He was so tiny in stature then and even now.  However, his personality has always been BIG.  He is what I would call an old soul.  Even though he has another nickname, space cadet, he constantly amazes me with the way he sees the world around him. 

A very spiritual guy.  He often comments that if priests could be married in the Catholic Church, he would be one. 

 He doesn't know it, but his little brother's hero worship him.  Their abilities to hang out with his friends with ease is due to the ability of Josh to make them feel welcome.  Their need to play outside and play sports is directly related to his passion for heading out the door and shooting hoops for hours.

He is protective of not only his little brothers, but also his little sister who is gone.

His first words to James when he was finally placed in his arms? 

"I love you." 

I honestly don't think there could be a better big brother!   So here's to you Little Big Man.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Button's Bedding

Feeling like a fraud.  I actually BOUGHT baby button's crib bedding at Baby's R Us on Friday.  I had really wanted to make something, but the reality is that I have to do our oldest's room and his room in the next few weeks. 

Have I mentioned that I really am tired of Home Dec project? 

So why is it that I am ALWAYS doing one!!

The guest room was cleared yesterday, thanks to the help of my dad and dear hubby.  I really hope that Dad's back hurting this morning is not related!  Josh's new bed, dresser, and desk will hopefully arrive this week (note to Heidi:  add call furniture store to my "to do" list).  He is first in line for the makeover since his baby brother will be hanging out in mommy's room for a little while longer.

Here is his duvet cover I bought from PB Teen on sale two weeks ago!

  I have to buy a duvet comforter and start finding some coordinating fabric PRONTO!!!!! 

 Window treatments, throw pillows, and a slipcover for a rocker chair are in my VERY near future.  Wish me luck!!!

Did I mention that I am just recovering from a c-section?

  I think I should remind myself, too!!!

Baby Button is here!

Announcing my newest addition.........

Baby Button is a BOY!!!!!!

8lbs 4 oz......18.5 inches.  Short and chunky, just the way I like it.

We had a rocky start with a short visit in the NICU.  Oxygen hood, IVs, NG tube, Platelet transfusions...Oh Boy!!

But we are home and just waiting to wrap up a few results.  Will tell you his whole story as soon as I can catch my breathe.
   Eight years is a looong time to get reaquainted with this baby business!!!

So no dresses, skirts, and frilly things anytime soon.

But I have a few ideas already dancing in my head!!

My Little Valentine's

PHOTO BY KRISTI O'CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHY....I LOVE HER WORK!!!!

Have I shown you these guys yet?  I woke up yesterday morning with three cards shoved in my face. 

 Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy!!!

I have never really been "into" Valentine's Day.  Hubby calls it a Hallmark Holiday.  I secretly agree....

However, last year, I decided to give the boys a gift on Vday from their sister. They were delighted. 

I decided to continue the tradition this year.....

Their responses:

youngest......Oh, mommy, Jamie gave us a valentine's....I love her
middle........Mom, we got an itunes card from Jamie.  I think she dropped it from heaven on a parachute.  Then it landed near our house and somehow got in our mailbox.
oldest......Oh...silly Jamie....she sent us a valentine's day gift........*BIG SMILE on his face*

I think I might like Valentine's a bit better now..........

BUTTON is due to arrive tomorrow morning..........just sending a shout out to those who are the praying kind.  And if you're not.....we will take "thoughts" too!!!!!!!

Brand New Heart

"Only God can take the pieces of a Life that's come apart and patch it all together to make a brand new Heart."

Quote and design from: Love and Friendship Quilted Pillows

I really wanted to do at least one project for a new sew-a-long blog challenge.  It involves my favorite group of ladies "Crafty Sewing Mamas"  Do you just love that name?!?!?  Anyway, today is the second week of the blog challenge.  I missed out on the first week because I have had my hands full.  And honestly, don't think I will be able to participate every week.  I am hoping that I can at least make a dent in the list this year!

This week's project:  A pair of pjs or something for Valentine's.  I decided that I wanted to do something that not only was Valentine's, but also related to our blog love-fest "What Love Really Means".  I hunted through my MANY books and found this foundation pieced pillow design.  I instantly knew that it would be perfect.  I needed a pillow cover for the Valentine's holidays for my studio, wanted to do a bit of piecing and quilting (it has been a while) and I thought the quote was so fitting for our goal this month!

I just LOVE when a saying or a quote fits my mood and I can use it as inspiration for my projects! 

My life was in pieces...and God has patched it together.  I think He is doing a pretty good job!

 

I have never attempted foundation piecing, so this was quite a joy to do! 

 Keep your eyes open for a tutorial (shooting for tomorrow)!!!

TUTORIAL HERE!!!!!!

And as always........totally made with scrap fabrics I had.  The background fabric is an single loney napkin I had hanging out in my stash.  You know that always makes me happy to use up items from my hoarded supplies!!!!

A New Beginning

"Every end is a new beginning"

-Proverb

Today was a tough day. 

 I woke up sad knowing that I was walking into the school clinic that I work at  for the last time.  This also happens to be where my boys go to school.

I REALLY loved my job.  But after much prayer and plain common sense, I realized my family needed me home again.

I won't deny that I will LOVE to be home all day with this Button. 

 However, it is with mixed emotions that I packed up my things this afternoon.

Of course, I can't stay away from that place.   I will be helping out with screenings.  Doing some substituting if needed. It is a second home to me.  I just felt so welcomed and loved by all. I knew that on any given day, I could walk in cranky and walk out smiling.  Feeling like I made a difference in some child's life.

I also think it makes the arrival of Button all the more REAL.  I have had this date in place since New Year's as my "last day" before maternity leave.  Then a few weeks ago, it became my "LAST day" at work.  The date was set because we knew my repeat c-section was the next week and I wanted to work as close as possible to that date.  I would go in to work on Monday and Tuesday if hubby would let me!

  I already know that I am going to start crawling up walls in anticipation in a mere few hours.  Not the "normal" kind, but the kind that is filled with anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, and whatever else emotion decides to bubble to the top!  This "rainbow" baby stuff is a lot harder than I EVER imagined!

So I am going to focus on my "end" being a "beginning".  I will force myself to forsee a future with a child that will actually come home with us.  I will help hubby put the carseat together this weekend.  And even one step furthur...put it in the car.  I will take tags off some of the baby blankets and clothes and actually wash them.

Because Button is my new beginning.





Baby Bunting

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."

-Carl Sandburg

First off, excuse this horrible photo!!   I have had sick kids and now a sick husband for over a week and a half.  I had to take these at night...not my favorite time of the day to take pictures.

This past weekend, however, I was bound and determined to concentrate on Button's arrival.  

I have been forcing myself to realize that we might actually have a healthy, hollering baby in our arms next week.  It is a tough thing to imagine!

  Because we don't know if Button is a boy or a girl, I really wanted to make a few special onsies for the first few weeks before we hopefully do some major gender specific bedding and clothing shopping!

So I did a Valentine's lollipop, a green/yellow rattle applique, and a sweet lamb!  JJ feels the V-day onsie is a bit girly, so it may not ever be used.

And speaking of GIRLY stuff.  I just couldn't help myself...matching hats........

A fabric flower daisy with a silver button center!  I love the yellow and green combo!

One rolled fabric rose with a leather button center.  One rolled ribbon rose with a pearl button center.  And a ribbon pom-pom on the side.  The buttons are from my "special stash"!

An Oragami Folded Fabric Flower with a felt heart button and a small pink button.  This one might go back to the worktable though....I think it needs a few more petals for a bit more volume...and a little more red fabric wouldn't hurt.

Now the REAL question is........

If Button isn't a girl, what lucky little baby girl will get these?!