The REAL Rainbow definition

"Rainbow Babies" is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope. 
-source unknown

Why am I posting this definition once again?

  Because when dear hubby saw his sweet baby dressed in a Rainbow Heart onesie...he was thinking of this kind of Rainbow....

If you aren't sure what kind of flag it is, just google gay rainbow flag images.

Not only did I make a "FAIL" outfit (read details)

My rainbow heart (a foundation pieced heart which isn't worth taking a picture of...my zig-zag stitch looks HORRIBLE)

 and a baby hat (made it way too big at first, then when I fixed it...it looked HORRIBLE)

 with a rainbow pom-pom (cut up a rainbow ribbon and it just frizzed everywhere...it looked HORRIBLE!!!)

BUT I also....

made dear hubby go "hmmph" followed by sarcastic comments. 

Yup.  A fail.  In so many ways.

But I do hope he reads the definition so that he realizes that my intentions came from a good place. 

My execution?  Not so good!

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

-An Old Irish Blessing

A little onesie embroidery/applique project in honor of St. Patrick's Day. 

I mean, doesn't a James Patrick have to wear a shamrock on such a day?!?! 

He is definitely OUR Irish blessing!

Can I tell you a secret?  I think I am addicted to appliques right now because they use up my scrap fabric stash. 

 I knew there was a reason I was hoarding them all this time!

Oh..and it meets Week 7 of our CSM blog challenge:

Rodeo Bound

I wasn't born in Texas

but I got here as soon as I could.

-Unknown

We laughed when we first moved to Texas and saw this quote on a bumper sticker.

Now we have been here in Texas for over seven years.  And haven't missed a Rodeo.

So Button couldn't miss his chance to go last week. 

I didn't have a lot of time, but I embroidered this onesie in honor of this "new" tradition in our family.  I had a scap piece of the bandanna fabric from a school quilt for the Denim and Diamonds auction a few years back.  It was too short to tie, so I just added a snap to keep it together.

I also made this blanket/quilt for him. 

I rushed it, so I need to do some fixing up to it. 

I really do love the Rope Font though!!!

Button loved Rodeo and Lady Antebellum last week so much, he asked us if he could go again this week!

Just kidding....Daddy wants to see Zac Brown.  Mommy and Button will go hide out in the suite when the music gets too loud again!!

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!!

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?!

Bucket Hat

For Button if we have a boy! 

A bit frustrating to make for my first go...would much rather make a toddler/child/adult size.  I had a pattern from another blog, but didn't like how things were turning out.  I ended up winging it!  The brim can be flipped up. 

And if Button is a girl?  I will just add a bow or flower!!!

 I think I wore this tool out!  I call it my best friend.  Have no idea of it's technical term. I cannot remember where I bought it.  And I can't find a replacement if I wanted to.  I love it so much that I spent 30 minutes hunting for it the other day on the internet!  I am going to have to take really good care of it!

Hubby said that if he was ever reincarnated, he would come back as a sewing tool so he could see me more.  I think this one would be his best bet!

And I apologize for the lousy pictures.  This girl has to work when the sun is up...and I was too excited to share!

Never be afraid....

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic."
— Dave Barry

This project is all about firsts! 

Fourteen years ago, I bought patterns to sew my firstborn child outfits.  I bought enough fabric for two to three sleepers.  Hubby's grandmother gifted me her "snap" tool. 

I even packed my sewing machine on a plane to California and we then hauled it all the way to Texas in our little Ford Escort to Officer Basic Camp where I had to spend 11 weeks before getting stationed in Virginia.

I cut the fabric out with the patterns, started sewing it, and then.........nothing.  I never thought to make a baby outfit ever again.

So this week has been about firsts!  This is my first baby item to ever be made by me! Okay...the first baby item that was completed other than a quilt or a blanket!

The other first?  The button fabric/embroidery applique!  I designed it all by myself using my embroidery software.  I am so excited it to try my hand at some more elaborate designs now.

But can I tell you something that I think is funny?

Hubby had no idea that the applique was a button.  I started getting nervous.  I asked the boys what they thought.

All three said in unison, "Ah mom, you made a bib with a huge button!  That is awesome for the baby!".

So phew....no worries!

and yes...all from scrap fabric I had.  I am seriously making a dent in my fabric stash!