7 Months

Well, here is my big belly for all of posterity to enjoy.  I'd say I'm "still happy" as far as pregnant ladies go.  I'm still sleeping, walking, and moving around without too much discomfort, which I will try to relish for the next few weeks. I'm even feeling better now than a few weeks ago as I have become a member of the "ugly socks club."  Compression stockings are my new best friend and worst enemy all at the same time, but that's a story for another time.  


I was looking back on Emilee's final pregnancy posts from 2008 and my 7 month post was very similar to how I feel now.  Still sleeping well, no hip and limited back pain so far, pretty mild stuff.  Carrying the girls has definitely been easier on me pain wise.  But, then I looked ahead to 8 months and I had changed my tune, so I am expecting that may well happen again.  Especially because the doctors are telling me that this baby is growing at a quick pace, remaining 2+ weeks ahead of "expected" growth (a first for me, and I've had a couple of 9 pounders!).  I'm having an ultrasound in a week just to see how big this little pumpkin is getting.
Here's to another happy month. . .

M is for Mustache

The boys school has been counting down the last 26 days of school with the alphabet.  Today was M day, which was of course, mustache day.  Ethan was all over it.  He rocked that mustache.

 After the boys left for school, I found these two with their own "stick on" varieties.  In neon green no less!  They gave them super powers!

Happy Mustache Day!

Backyard Bubbles

We have had a few sunny days here, as Spring has S-L-O-W-L-Y been trying to make it's way to the Pacific North West.  During our sunny moments, we have rediscovered the joys of bubbles.  I've made more bubble solution in the last week. . .

 Did you know that if you sit in front of a five year old boy with a camera and start clicking, then you get "ninja bubbles!"

 "take that!"

 Emilee continued to frolic sweetly around, twirling through the bubbles. . .

 "sha-bam!"

Strawberry Dress

Some time back, maybe in March, I was walking through the mall with my husband and spotted this dress in the window of Janie and Jack.  I thought it was a cute design, and just the inspiration I needed to finally make Emilee a new dress.  It's been a long time since I've had an idea and the energy to see it through!

I had the perfect piece of fabric already on hand that I'd been saving for just such a moment of inspiration.  It has sweet strawberries all over and is a heavy cotton weave.  It hangs so pretty.  I added white eyelet and a pique sash.  Here is my version!

 This dress includes my very first zipper.  I decided to get really crazy and go for a hidden zipper, and I am very happy I did!  It was easier than I thought it would be and looks very polished.

 I think she likes it!

Feathering the nest

I started a tradition when Ethan was turning one, and made him a quilt that would be a better fit for a toddler. The right size for a toddler bed.  This quilt was so well loved and cuddled that it became something I wanted to do for each of my children.  When Emilee was coming along, I decided to make hers before her arrival, instead of on her first birthday because I figured I'd be a very busy woman.  (I was right, of course!)  And I just did the same for the new baby.  I thought it would be a fun trip down memory lane to show you each of their quilts. . .

Here is Ethan's quilt.  I fell in love with the fabric used for the blocks on a trip to "Daisy Kingdom" store in downtown Portland, long ago before it closed.  It was the most expensive fabric I'd ever purchased, and I really felt it when they cut it and I saw my receipt.  (I also remember thinking, "Gordon is going to DIE!")  But I bought it any way, and I'm so glad I did.  It was the perfect quilt for Ethan with the puppies and Kewpie kids.  They are so faded now.

For Aidan's quilt I found this train fabric that I thought was so cute, and used it for some of the blocks, and then constructed engines and cars for the rest of the blocks.  I went for bold and colorful, and it has stayed bold and colorful, even though it's been just as well loved.  The center yellow train car has "The Aidan Express" embroidered on it.

 For Chandler's quilt I had seen this airplane pattern, and I just did the whole things in airplanes.  He still LOVES his quilt (his "lumpy") and has a special place on the binding that has a hole developing because he holds it tight every night.  It's right next to the red airplane on the left.

Emilee's quilt is so cute with toille pictures of little children in the garden with their bunnies and roosters.  I love it!  I made matching crib bedding to go with it and she has used it since she was born.  Love this fabric and I'm so happy I made the crib bumper and such so the new baby can use those too. . .  Pink and green and so cute!

And here is tiny baby's quilt.  I was feeling uninspired and lazy about getting this done until I spotted this Michael Miller fabric featuring the art work of Cicely Mary Barker. I fell in love and was so pleased to find a good supply of it at my favorite fabric store, Fabric Depot.  It is so sweet, and feminine.  Light pink and green again which is a bonus (it will match) and the sweet fairies are so cute!  I love it!  I hope she will too!

Does anybody know where Emilee is?

Emilee?  Where are you?

"in heeea!"

My goodness!  Emilee what are you doing?

"I'm being Santa!"

Apparently sometimes Santa comes in through the washing machine!

Lake Oswego's Got Talent

Last night was the Lake Oswego Ward Talent Show!  It was such a fun night!  We had a couple of participants.  First, Ethan's Bear Den performed a magic act called, "The Magic Bears."  They did such a good job and have been rehearsing for a few weeks now.  This was my final act as their den leader as I'm being released from this duty for a while, and I'm glad I had the chance to work on something so fun with them.  I also pulled a muscle in my back at some point hopping around back stage with them, which has been an unpleasant reminder so far today of why I'm happy to take a break.  I'm a pregnant mess!  But to my credit, I was doing some very strenuous things back there, you know, like walking, moving a folding chair, pointing, and opening the curtain.  Woe is me.  So, without further adieu. . .

the Magic Bears

Next up. . .my baby with mascara on. . .

 
Our next participant was our little daisy Emilee, with her dance class.  You can see she's quite the budding ballerina.  :)  She did a great job smiling!  It's a lot to take in up there, you know!

the Summer Wind

And our final performance for the evening was Ethan playing his nemesis, "Tarantella."  This song as been the cause of many tears, much happiness, and enormous frustration.  I think we're all happy that he's accomplished his goal and played it now, and we can bid it farewell for a while.  So here is. . .

Tarantella

It was such a fun night!!!

Aidan's 8 Year Portrait

I only had to pull 3 teeth to get these pictures!  Thanks Aidan!  You are a handsome boy, and I don't like to have my picture taken either.  :)

Chandler's Bike Rodeo

This little guy. . .

 turned five last month!  I can't believe I'm just now getting around to posting photos of his party.  We had a great day.  It started off in the AM with Chandler running in to show me a granola bar that the mail man had given him.  It had "happy birthday Chandler" written on it.  I freaked out a bit, and came outside to find Chandler talking it up with the mail man.  He had told him it was his Birthday and the mail man produced a granola bar out of his lunch and wrote on it.  Chandler talks it up with everyone (we're working on that a bit).  The mail man is very kind and wanted to let Chandler "drive" his truck so we got the camera and were mail men for a moment.

 Then, lucky that it was a "sunny" day, the kids started arriving for the bike rodeo.  Daddy organized the obstical courses and games.

 And then it was cake time.  Chandler designed the cake himself!

 Complete with a secret layer of rice krispee treats in the middle.  I'd say it makes for an "interesting" flavor combination.

Happy Birthday Chandler!  We love you so much!

Tulip Time!

 While Grandpa Wilde was here visiting a week or two ago, we made our annual pilgrimage down to the tulip festival in Woodburn.  We landed down there on such a nice sunny day!  The kids didn't even really need the rain boots we made them wear, but experiences of the past have taught us that they are usually necessary!

 They might have affected Emilee's gait just a tad. . .

 Grandpa spent about 45 minutes pushing the big kids on these tire swing horses.  They loved it!

And of course, we raced rubber duckies.  On a side note, did you know that these pig tails bring me endless joy?  Endless.

Hurray for Spring time!  Hurray for tulips!