I've been sewing!

I've taken a long break from blogging, but for good reason! Things are definitely moving fast around our house. Cameron has learned to crawl... very cute! He does the army crawl for now, but he will master the full blown crawling very soon. It's so cute to see his determination and then his success. :)

I have been sewing bags. I designed three different kinds, and I am hoping to start a small business out of my front room. ;) I am posting pictures of three of the bags. One of them was taken on my phone, so it's not the best quality, but you get the idea. :) I can do any color that is available at the fabric store. I use outdoor material for the outside of the bag, for added strength, and I like to use a broadcloth for the inside, as it is light weight and easy to work with. It's also very cheap, which keeps cost down. I still need to figure out prices, I've been looking online at comparable bags, but my design has an added feature that I have not yet found in other bags. Leave it up to me to design something totally new! :)

This is the outside of the diaper bag, without the "basket" in it. I made it to where the basket can be removed for use as a grocery or a whatever bag. It could be used as a purse, if you like! :)

This is obviously the outside of the bag. I think it looks like a big gift box, with a pretty "bow" on top. I made the strap a tie, so that it can be shortened or lengthened to you liking.

For the inside, I created the basket I mentioned earlier. I used a quilting plastic, which is actually used to trace quilted pieces. It works amazingly well as a form for the bottom of a purse! As I mentioned earlier, it is removable, and the bottom has been triple stitched, to make it as strong as possible. I absolutely love it!

This is the bottom of the bag. I snuck the straps into the bottom and incorporated them into the triple stitching, to ensure that when carrying heavy items, such as groceries, it will hold up.

This is the horrible picture of the small bag that I made. I used scraps from other projects I have worked on. It is similar to the bag above, but it is much smaller. It would be ideal for a small purse. I used it to carry my loot from searching for inserts yesterday. It carried the coupons quite well!

This is the outside of the purse. I made it large. It's 12" wide, 8" deep and it expands to 12" tall. I did not put in a zipper, because a.) I never use zippers in other purses and b.) I wanted it to be able to "grow" with more items in it.

I stitched compartments, using the same quilting plastic. I stitched them to the bottom, as with the diaper bag, so that small things like chap stick will not roll around from compartment to compartment. It was ingenious, if I may say so myself. lol

I was trying to get a better picture of the compartments. I am in love! :)

I am working on new designs, but I definitely love what I've been able to do thus far. I would love to start making these for people, and I am considering starting an online business on a website exclusively for handmade items. I am still undecided as to how much to charge for such bags. If anyone would like me to make one, please leave a comment, and we will get in touch. I can use just about any fabric you like, but keep in mind that "outdoor" fabric works best for the outside. Some kind of canvas would also work well. The inside can be of pretty much anything, as long as it's not too sheer or thin. I am also contemplating just making a few of fabrics that I think people would like, and posting pictures available for immediate shipping. If you would like pick out your fabric, you can mail it to me and it will take me just a couple of days to get it done. :)

I look forward to hearing from all of you! I'll post more pictures when I get more completed.

Award!!!

Jesse, my eFriend (LOL) sent me this award. :)

7 things I love and 7 blogs I love to read (tag, you're it):

I love:

1. My babies - all three - Caden, Cameron and Bailey
2. Listening to laughter, especially my children
3. Saving money - see other blog ;)
4. My husband :)

5. Cool summer nights
6. Cheesecake... Mmmm

7. Friends, old and new

I love to read:

Isabella's blog

Amy's family blog

My sister's blog (when she writes)

Charlotte's blog

Sydney's blog

Dylan's family blog
Confessions of a Kansas Coupon Mom

Now you seven get to pass the award along. I hope I did that right!

Thoughts

I was driving yesterday, on my way home from lunch with an old friend. I hadn't seen him in a year and a half. I first met him when I was 4 or 5. We went to church together. He's my sister's age. We went to school together. Then, on the first day of geology in college, I saw him. How ironic. We became very good friends. We'd study late at night at Denny's.

Anyway, I was thinking on my way back from lunch how smells must be reminiscent. Ok, that doesn't make any sense at all. lol

I think that smells that you like, you like for a reason. I like the smell of the air conditioner air. That crisp smell. I'm not sure what exactly makes it smell that way, but I can remember hanging my head over the side of the couch, letting the air hit my face. Pretending that I was flying, with the wind hitting my face. Kinda strange, I guess, but to this day, I love the way that smells. I like the way lilac trees smell too. I know a lot of people think they smell nasty, but if I could, I'd have 10 of them in my yard.

Mmmmmmmmm I can smell them now. I do have one like this in the back yard, but it's also where Bailey does her doo dee-ing (?) so I don't think I'll be sniffing out there any time soon! ;) There were those trees on my walk home from school when I was a kid, and I think that's the reason I like the smell of those so much.

You know that country song, about how a song can stop you in your tracks, take you back? It's the same thing with smells. My elementary school in Denver had a distinct smell to it. It's the smell that only can be smelled on a hot day, on the blacktop. Mixed with fresh paint and little boy's sweat. This is not a smell I particularly like, but it 's one of those that immediately transports you to another place, another time. Or the smell of sand. More specifically the smell of your skin after you've been playing in the sand box for hours. That gritty feeling you have, and the smelly satisfaction that you had a good time. :)

You remember the "spider" on the swing set? Looking back, that was a pretty gross game. lol If you don't know, it's where one kid sits normal, and another puts their feet through, sitting on the other person's lap, facing them. All of the arms and legs are supposed to look like a spider. Ok, maybe that was just my brother and sister and I being silly. lol

I think that the way smells are related to your childhood, so are certain foods and other things. I know for a fact that some people don't like certain foods because of some traumatic thing that happened to them as a child. Like my friend Matt won't eat black olives because once, when he was a kid, he ate a ton of them and threw everything up. I guess that could have a lasting impression on a kid! lol

Germany has a distinct smell too. It's not something you notice right away. When I lived over there, I would walk home by myself late at night, from my boyfriend's house. I would walk up Pragerstrasse, it was about a mile and a half or so. That street was a busy one, but it was always very quiet at night. It was always so peaceful, especially with the way that I treasure history so much. I have always been fascinated by history, and living in Germany certainly helped me delve into it! I knew that my time there would fly by, so I savored it as much as I could. I would take deep breaths every once in a while, tilt my head back and close my eyes. The smell of Germany cannot be described by any terms here in America. I think it's the smell of life, culture, time gone by. The smell of thousands of years of history, right where you stand. Not the history like we have in America (not that our history is bad, just different). I think in order to get the full effect of the smell over there, you would have to be alone, outside at night. It's so very relaxing. My window had a seat. I lived on the 2nd story. I would open my window (no screen) and sit there, watching people. Most of the time they had no idea I was watching. I would read, smoke cigarettes and watch people. I would think of how those people are just people. Many people romanticize Europeans, or believe that they are somehow different from us. One of the biggest things I learned over there was not from the school I went to, it was the simple fact that people are people everywhere. No matter what language you speak, you think the same things. You feel the same things. The only difference is the way you would express them. The words you would use. I would love more than anything to take Paul over there. Make him understand. Not that he doesn't, but I would love to show someone... give someone I love the opportunity to understand. It was a wonderful time in my life, and I am so grateful that I was able to take that time and just do it.

I guess that's it for today. I'll have some other amazing revelation later, I'm sure. lol

I don't know what pisses me off more... the fact that people don't say anything, or the fact that they are happy they're not me. I expect people to be happy they aren't me, but they could at least throw me a bone. ANYTHING is better than nothing. I just get so sick of people having that pitty look when I talk to them. I'm more sick of people avoiding me and my thoughts. I just want to shake and slap people, screaming "Listen to me for two f-ing seconds!!! Say something! Anything! Let me know you heard me, that you were listening. So what if you have nothing to say... no empathy, at least I know you heard me!" That's it. That's the deal. People pretend they can't hear me or read what I write so that they don't have to deal with the "what if" scenario. Well, lucky them. They can do that. They can go home thankful they aren't in my shoes.

We went to a party this Sunday. It was a going away party for our old boss. Paul and I met at work. The people that showed up were the people that we worked with when Caden got diagnosed and during our stay at the hospital. The thing is, is that a lot of people asked about Caden-and that's the only thing they asked about. It's funny how I worked with most of those people for 8 years, and the only thing they can come up with, is "How's he doing?" with that awful, face contorting look. Their voice changes. They look like they are ready to crawl away, like having sick kids is contageous or something. I, of course, responded with the usual. "He's doing good, he had a checkup last week, things look great." I say that as if they really care. As if they aren't begging to get out of the conversation. As if they aren't kicking themselves for getting into it in the first place.

People without kids don't want to talk about kids all night. People with kids don't want to think about mine all night. They don't want to think of mine at all. It makes them uncomfortable, nervous, and ready to walk away. Searching for any reason, or any person walking by that could tear them away. People don't want to read about how much it sucks to be me.

You get those emails, the chain ones, about being a mom. Before I was a mom, I never... blah blah blah, you know. Well, before my kid got diagnosed, I was one of those moms. I worried, and got puked on, peed on, did this, did that. I am not that mom anymore. It would impossible to be that mom again.

There should be different levels of moms. Like clubs, with bronze, silver, gold and platinum. We could be classified by what our experiences have been. I think most of the blogging moms would be gold or platinum. Personally, anyway. Like the more you go through, the higher level you get. But in things out of the ordinary, not just how much experience you have. Just because you have 10 kids doesn't mean you belong in the platinum, or even gold. You could be a bronze with a birth control issue. Just my thought, anyway.

Bored

It's been two years since Caden's first surgery. It's funny how I remembered that first thing this morning. I wonder if it will ever get to the point where I don't remember anniversaries anymore. Probably not.

I'm at work, bored out of my mind. It's been the longest day ever. I have said that every day so far this week... lol :) I guess this is the never ending week. I can't wait for it to be over.

Cameron is doing well after his surgery. His throat is still pretty scratchy. You know how when your throat is dry, you cough a lot? I think that's what he's doing. When he cries, his voice is pretty hoarse. I'm not really worried about it. When I called to schedule his follow up with the surgeon, his nurse said that he could be hoarse and have a sore throat for another few days. I hate that they had to intubate him, but oh well. At least he was extubated quickly and easily. He does have some clear snot though, keeping an eye on that. Hopefully doesn't turn into anything.

My breasfeeding is going well. I'm pumping exclusively. I know, I know, it sucks. My nipps hurt so bad from nursing him that I thought he was gonna suck one right off! lol Just kidding. He does have a very powerful suck though. I'm producing more than enough, which makees me feel good. I'm able to freeze about 40-50 ounces every 4-5 days-on top of what he's eating. He's still only had my milk, and that makes me feel good too, knowing that he's growing (getting rolls) and it's all because of me. I've bought some lanolin cream, and that helped a lot with the sore nipps. :) TMI, right? :)

Let's see... what else can I do to pass the time today???

I'm back!!!

Well, I have to admit that being on maternity leave made me the laxidasical blogger. lol

I'm on my third day back to work. I have been checking up on everyone, just not keeping everyone updated on our lives. Because Paul is off on Mondays and Tuesdays, today is Camreon's first day of daycare. I know things will be just fine. There are a few little girls at daycare... about 5-6 years old. They asked me every day I went in with Caden-"when is the baby coming?!?!?" It was sweet. I know that they are super excited to have a new baby around.

I am pumping exclusively now. I can nurse him if I need to, and he gets enough, but it's more comfortable for me to pump. I like the fact that anyone can feed him that way. Not that I don't want to be around him, or nurse him, but I just felt like I was (literally) attached to him constantly. He is such a porker! Yesterday was our anniversary, and Nana Nikki came down to the house to watch the boys so we could go to dinner. She said that he had 4 ounces, and then 15 minutes later he chugged another 3. WOW!!! He's just 6 weeks old!!! Crazy. I think they go through a growth spurt right around 6 weeks, so that's probably why, but still! He's starting to get a double chin. :)

I guess I forgot to blog that Cameron has to have surgery next week. He has 3 hernias. Two in his groin and one right above his belly button. I'm not too worried about it though. He's a trooper, just like his brother. They are going to go in and close them up. They said it had something to when his testicles dropped. Apparently we just produce expensive children (and dogs). lol Worth it though. :)

Everything else is going pretty good. Bailey is recovering from her surgery well. She has her first follow-up xray on Tuesday next week, and starting next Thursday we can take her on short-5 minute-walks. She will be so excited get out of that room! Poor baby girl, having to sit in there by herself all day everyday. :(

I'll try to get more pics of the boys on here soon.

New pics

AWWWWW.....

Paul's kissing Caden, Caden's kissing Cameron, and Cameron's like... "What the heck is going on up there???"

The sweetest boys ever!

Mommy and the boys.

Cute Caden!

Dog Poop

WOW... long story... here goes.

So, about two weeks ago, we found out that our beloved dog, Bailey, was going to need surgery on her leg. So, it was two weeks ago yesterday, we took her in and they did the surgery. A very expensive doggy surgery. We love our dog... too much? lol, just kidding.

So she has to stay in a small room for 8 weeks, so that she doesn't screw up what they did for her knee. Her two week checkup was today. They just needed to look at her incision, and make sure that it was healing properly. So, the appointment is at 9:30. I pack up the kids (Paul is at work--lucky me) and Bailey in my little Cavalier. Bailey is 85 pounds. I have Caden's car seat, forward facing and huge on one side of the backseat. Cameron and his mammoth car seat on the other side. I took Caden to daycare and left Bailey in the car. No biggie. Thank God I didn't have to take him with me to the vet!!!

So it's me, Cameron and Bailey cruising down the road. Bailey is kinda whining, and she won't sit down. I figured that since the last time she was out of the house (or that room, for that matter) she had a traumatic experience and she knows something's up. Well...

So we get a mile or two down the road from the daycare lady's house. Next to Kmart. Bailey seriously pops a squat and starts pooping--right there on my front seat. I was trying to drive nice and smooth, because she has a bum leg. So, I pull into the Kmart parking lot. Behind the Kmart, there's a strip of grass. She is excited about getting out to finish her (almost done) business, and she is getting the poop (German Shepherd size poop) in between her toes... jumping all over the inside of my car. She's grinding it into the upholstery in her desperate attempt to get out.

She finishes her humongo-poop with two tiny little turds outside. That means that the majority of her monster sized poo is in my car. I put her back in, and pop the trunk, looking for something to pick up the poop, I didn't want to use my bare hands. Well, I didn't bring diapers or wipes because Caden was getting dropped off and I wasn't going to be gone long enough for Cameron to need a diaper. I had nothing. NOTHING!!! I knew that she would only grind it in more, so I... rolled up my sleeves and tried not to puke. I got it under my finger nails. Seriously. It was the fall apart kind of poop that you can't just pick up, you have to really get a hold of it. I was almost crying.

In the process of her trying to get out of the car, she got it all over my seat... so with nothing to sit on, I was heading to the vet with dog shit on my ass. Hey, at least it was the vet! We were almost ready to start driving again. And, she jumped in the back seat. Two car seats on either side, and nowhere for the bum-legged Bailey to go. Not side to side, not backwards. So, I had to jump out and rip out Caden's car seat real quick. She at least had space to sit back there... with her poopy paws.

Finally we get to the vet... late now. Her incision looks fine. Great news!

I packed up Cameron and Bailey into the car. I can smell the horrible stench. I started to cry. Then I started sobbing. I called my sister. While waiting for her to answer, I tried to calm myself down. I took a deep breath. I almost died.

I sobbed all the way home to my sister, telling her everything, and how it's ok if they thought it was funny, cause someday I would too. :)

Well, Bailey was "walking" around the car the whole way home, getting it even more spread around. By the time I got home, it was everywhere, no kidding.

I took pics for you!!! My car wasn't too messy, it just needed to be vacuumed, so sorry for the mess, but you can see all the poo.



Yes, that's poop by my seat belt.

Up close! lol

We aren't using formula, but the daycare lady gave it to us just in case. Wouldn't use it now if I had to!!!

In all the cracks.

Oh gross!

YACK!!!!!

It was stuck in the fabric, and I had to scrub to get it out. We might have to have the car detailed.

Sorry...

It has taken me a while to get back on here.. for several reasons. Cameron is doing fine, he had his first real poopie this morning. Two of them, actually. I've been ultra paranoid abou thim not getting enough breastmilk, but he seem sto be doing fine. I've been having latching on issues, so we are pumping for now. My nipps couldn't take uch more of that... sorry for the TMI. lol

He was born at 4:13 on Thursday, weighing in at 7 lbs, 9 oz. We took him to hi sfirst checkup on Monday, and he was down to 6 Lbs, 13 oz, but they said that that was okay, so I wasn't too worried. I freaked for a while, when my milk came in on Sunday, because with Caden, nursing was so difficult. If I had known that he was having such a hard time eating, and that it wasn't my fault, then it may have been easier to accept the fact that he simply wasn't eating well. My supply with him went down the drain after a few weeks. I tried to pump, but I just didn't do it often enough, cause I lost it after all.

This time, I'm feeling much more confident. I'm no longer engorged, which is a relief to all of us, including Paul. I think he was getting so tired of listening to me rant and fret over my milk production/supply that he was about to tell me to go somewhere else. I didn't get out of my nursing bra and robe for a couple of days. lol We will try to latch on properly afte rmy nipps have healed up a bit. It was excruciating, and as long as he's getting the good stuff, that's fine with me. :)

I haven' t uploaded any pictures yet, but I will soon. He looks a lot like Caden, but more like me than Paul. I think Caden looks a lot like Paul. :)

http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=b106990a-8b04-43ae-bab9-d037a6d0bc7b

Try this link to look at the pictures from the hospital.

I just wanted to let everyone know that we made it home tonight from the hospital. Cameron weighed in at 7lb, 9oz. Not as big as expected, but that's ok! He looks a lot like Caden. :) I'll post more tomorrow, with pictures... just not into it tonight... sorry. I can't believe how fast everything went!

Ashlea