Getting Real

For some reason none of this baby business has seemed that real yet.  It's really real to me that I am carrying a baby and that she's very much alive and well.  How can you not when you are this big and feel her moving all the time??  The nursery is {finally} coming together.   I've also been making bows for heaven's sake {after I realized we didn't have any!}!  It's more that she'll be here at any minute that's not real yet.  I think I'm in complete denial that this time next week, there is a really good chance I will have a newborn.  Really at any minute, I could be in labor.  Denial is probably not the right word, but you can probably see where I'm coming from... it's just FLOWN by and snuck up on us so fast.  (Maybe not to Andrew who said I've been crazy this whole pregnancy... ha!)

As excited as I am, I'm also sad that my time with just Carson is ending.  I feel like we need to have some big hoopla or something before his baby sister gets here.  My dad always made fun of me because I always used the excuse in junior high and high school, or when I came home from college.... "But this is the LAST time we'll get to....... or the LAST time I'll see so & so...."   I'm feeling that way with Carson.... shouldn't we actually have a REAL family portrait done of just the 3 of us (yes, haven't done that), should we take him somewhere super fun, should he even be in school right now or should he be home with me?  He's been my only baby for over 3 years.  He has been what I've poured almost every ounce of my energy into.  He's what's brought so much joy into our lives.  He's also been the source of occasional frustration and exhaustion.  He's my little buddy.  He's my little snugglemunster.  I know he's excited and will be a great big brother, but I also know his world is about to be turned upside down... hopefully in a good way in his mind.

We've been good lately about making him sleep in his bed, but I did take the little childproof door thingy off and every morning somewhere between 6-6:30, he comes into our room, 1/2 asleep, dragging his green blanky and his stuffed animal de jour.  He crawls up in our bed and tells me to snuggle him.  He burrows his head in my chest, and I rest my head just slightly on top of his.  He's usually holding my hand too.  I just LOVE this time with him.  He loves it too.  It's just that "Mommy, I just want to be with you" time.  We don't have to be crashing race cars, or getting up and down a million times off the floor, we just ARE.  Last night was the first night in quite a while that he came in before the morning.  I think he tripped over one of the dogs or something because the first we heard him was when he was crying an laying in the dog bed on the floor by our bed.  Andrew scooped him up and he just snuggled right in with us and didn't move or make a peep all night.  I just watched him sleep for a while.  So peaceful.  So perfect.  I don't ever want to forget his precious little face right now.  Those sweet cheeks and nose.  Those little lips that love to give me kisses.   Those little hands that love to hold mine.  I definitely found myself getting a little emotional.  I feel like he's been reaching out a lot lately and just "needs me."  I think he senses that things are about to change.  A child's intuition is really pretty amazing.  He did call it that he was getting a baby sister vs. brother.  He was adamant all along that it was a girl.  I read a little article/blog post this morning called, "Maybe Your Two-Year Old Just Needs You."  I totally felt like this mom who tended to rush bedtime many nights and has missed out on so many of those special moments.  He always wants us to lay with him for a while, but we tend to just do it while we are reading, saying prayers, and then singing.  As soon as that song is over, we are out.  We need to slow down a little.   I don't think there's any harm in laying there with him for a few more minutes if he wants us to.  There are plenty of nights where he's ready to go to sleep, but if he wants me to lay with him for just a few more minutes, I think I'm going to start indulging.  He's obviously telling me something.  I will never get these sweet moments back.  It already kills me how much of a big boy he is.  SLOW DOWN!!!

There is a good chance this will be our last baby, so I hope I take it all in better than I did with Carson.  I knew we always wanted a #2 and assumed it would happen, so I think in the back of my mind, I always thought "I'll get to do this again" and maybe didn't take in all those moments as much as I should have. 

Anyways.... just a little emotional rambling by a preggo.  :-)

38 Weeks!

Here's a little bump picture for you as we were walking out the door for our appointment on Monday.  I was about 37 1/2 weeks.  Yesterday marked 38 weeks... wow!!!  The countdown is ON!!!  Today is my last day at work, and I am SO ready!!!  There is a lot more nesting to do in the next week or so.  I also am looking forward to a little pampering and resting.

Last Sunday, we were outside and I looked up and saw my shadow on the house.  Holy moly!!  Who is that blimp!?!?!

 

Yep, looks like a full-term bump!

 

I'm definitely feeling full term and uncomfortable.  When I went in at 36 1/2 weeks, I was "fingertip" dilated, which meant my cervix wasn't closed, but I wasn't quite a "1."  He estimated I was about 70% effaced and that she was at a "-2" stage.  My doctor's best guess was that she might be a week early.  When I went in to be induced with Carson 5 days early, that was about as progressed as I was.  I was REALLY hoping for some more progress when we went in on Monday at 37 1/2, but he said I was about the same.  Now that I'm done working, I am no longer freaking out about going into labor early.... come on girlfriend!!!  I'm hoping my Mommy-To-Be massage and a pedicure my stimulate something!  I'm also drinking my red raspberry leaf tea and will start walking a lot more.  The next couple weeks should be interesting!!!  I'm striving to NOT be induced this time.  I REALLY don't want to go through that again.  I certainly don't plan on it before my due date.  I may revisit if she starts going too far past her due date.  I know my doctor will want to if she's a week past.  We go in again Monday and will have our first ultrasound again since 20 weeks, so I'm really curious to see how big they think she is.  We knew all along with Carson about how big he was due to the Level II ultrasounds we had to give due to his single umbilical artery (SUA) deal.  I feel like she'll be big, since we don't make small babies in our family, but she also is still SO active.  I'm amazed she's still able to move around so much.... not so fun for me though.  She is LOW and it hurts. 

 

Exciting times ahead!!!  I'll keep ya posted!!!

 

 

Easy DIY Ruffled Crib Skirt

In my typical fashion, I've waited until the last minute to get this nursery put together.... "If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute to do"... right???

We had leftover SW Amazing Gray paint from our kitchen remodel, so I figured it was best to just use that paint and save money. Plus, gray is a great neutral that would can put just about anything with. Gray and pink and gray and yellow are nice, but I've seen so much of it, I just wanted to do something a little different, so.... I love the idea of gray and coral. With coral, you can still pull in pinks. Initially I thought of doing coral, aqua, and yellow, but also thought that coral and navy might be a little more sophisticated. I searched fabrics FOREVER and finally found this fabric that just seemed to have the right colors I was looking for. I thought I would have used something a little more geometric and modern, but was surprised that I went with a floral.  I had already bought some coral colored canvas bins for the changing table and this matched them PERFECTLY!  I stuggled to find a crib sheet in store that was the true coral I was looking for, so I just bought one in the pale pink for now.  Thanks to Etsy, I now have a coral one on the way.

I didn't pay for a bedding set for Carson.  We fortunately had a friend that offered to make the bumpers, and I made the crib skirt.  I did a very simple no-sew one and it worked out just fine.  Here's a link to that tutorial.  We ended up not even using the bumpers for a while since they are now saying they aren't safe.  Anyways, that's a whole other story....

I decided early on that I wasn't going to go all out on bedding, even though it's so easy to for a girl.  More than anything, I HATED changing the crib sheet with the bumpers.  It took forever to untie everything.  So, just a pretty crib skirt and sheet it was.  I knew I could always fall back on the basic no-sew crib skirt that I had done for Carson, but I REALLY wanted something fuller and more girly, so I set out to make a ruffled one.  I've made ruffles before, so I knew it couldn't be that hard... and it wasn't!

 

So, here's my best attempt to walk you through what I did.

 

Step 1:  Figure out how much fabric you need

 

The interior width of the crib was ~52" and the sides were ~28".  The drop length was ~19-20" (I think... going from memory here, so PLEASE measure and don't rely on this!).

My fabric was 44'-45" wide off the bolt, so I just ironed it down the middle and cut it in half.  I knew the drop length wasn't as crucial, as long as it was long enough, so I figured that ~22" was perfect. 

To get "full enough" ruffles, I used double the length of the crib, so 104" for the long side and 56" for the short sides.  I then added about an inch on either end so that I could hem the sides, so about 106" total for the long side and 58" for the short sides.  I will note that while double length was enough, you may want to go 2.5x if you want even fuller ruffles.

Note:  I did not wash my fabric first, which I would generally never recommend.  Fabric often shrinks, so it's generally best practice to wash your fabric first.  I was too eager to get started and figured that it was probably unlikely that my crib skirt would ever get really dirty.  I don't think I ever had to wash Carson's.  If yours is white or a light color that may show dirt easily, you may want to wash the fabric before you cut.  I also knew I already had some extra length built in, so I wasn't worried that one wash would make it too short.

Step 2:  Hem the bottom & sides edges

This is a step that if I'm just making for myself, I will always keep simple.  I cheat and just buy this stuff...  It's "sew" easy!  I can't remember if I used 3/8" or 1/2", but either should work.

 

I just folded the bottom edge of the fabric about 1/2" and ironed, creating a fold to just slide the Heat 'N Bond in.  Once I had created the ironed fold on the bottom, I cut about 12" strips of the Heat 'N Bond and stuck them in the fold and iron it until the adhesive stuck (just follow the directions on the package).  Continue creating your no-sew hem along the bottom on the fabric for each piece.  You will also want to do the sides.  Create a nice corner fold, iron, fold over and iron your 1/2" pocket up the sides.  Leave about an inch at the top of each side so that it won't interfere with your ruffling that you will do along the top.  Three of the four sides of each piece of fabric should now be "hemmed".  

 

If I were making this for someone else, I would either do a traditional hem where I would fold twice so that there were no raw edge or I would serge the edge and then fold up and hem.  Either option would give a cleaner look.

 

Step 3:  Baste the top edge

 

There are multiple ways to create ruffles, but the simplest that I know of is just to set your machine to the longest straight stitch (on my Singer it is a "5"... the far right of my picture).  This is what you'd use if you were creating a baste stitch.  If your machine has a basting setting, that would be perfect.  I also increase to max tension (far left of picture) since this will create a {very} slight ruffle on its own.

 

 

Note:  If you have never created ruffles before, you may want to take a scrap piece of fabric first to test your settings and make sure you are able to create the ruffles before you start on your actual skirt.  I had almost no fabric left if I messed up, so I definitely did this first.

 

Pull the thread out quite a bit so that you have a long "tail" before you start sewing.  Do NOT back stitch when you start.  About 1/2" from the raw, top edge of your fabric, start sewing.  Because of the high tension, it will probably pucker some, which is perfectly fine.  Continue sewing the length of the top and continue until you run out of fabric.  Again, do NOT back stitch.  When you reach the end, just keep going until you sew off the edge of the fabric.  Before you cut your thread, pull out a bunch extra so you have a long "tail" on both ends.  

 

Step 4:  Pull the thread to create the ruffles

 

Each "tail" will consist of two threads.  Mine always get twisted, so separate and then GENTLY hold one thread and try to pull the other.  If it doesn't easily start to gather, switch.  Again, BE GENTLE!  If the threads break, you may have to re-baste and start over.  Some people do baste two rows of stitching just in case one does break. Not a bad idea, actually.  Keep pulling and gathering.  Since the long side is exactly that, LONG, I like to work from each side and then meet in the middle.  Once you've gathered to the optimal ruffle fullness, makes sure they are fairly evenly spaced.

 

 

I realized that my optimum ruffle fullness created a much too short piece of fabric.  Like I said at the beginning, I doubled the length, but probably could have gone 2.5x.  See below for how to fix.

 

Step 5:  Add a panel and "secure" the ruffles

 

The problem with most traditional crib skirts (constructed similar to a normal bed skirt with a fixed piece of fabric covering the box spring) is that they do not "grow" with your child.  As your baby gets bigger and starts standing up, you lower the crib mattress.  As you do that, the crib skirt just starts looking silly as it pools on the floor.  To solve this problem, I add a panel and then attach ribbons so that you can move it farther in on the metal mattress frame as you lower the mattress.

 

I found some random fabric in my fabric bin that just happened to match the crib skirt, so I cut a piece about 6" wide and 52" long (the interior length of the crib/mattress frame) and 6" x 28" for the sides.  l attached the ruffled piece to this and then add ribbons to tie to the mattress frame.

 

 

 

Hem the two short sides . I didn't make mine super pretty.  I just folded over about a 1/2".  Again, if you were making for someone, you should probably have allowed a little more excess so that you can either fold over twice or use a serger to finish the edge and then hem.



After you've hemmed the short sides, put the "right" sides of the fabric together and pin.

 

 

 



To "secure" the ruffles, you'll want to switch your machine settings back to a normal straight stitch (i.e. ~1-2 stitch length, Auto tension) versus the long, basting stitch.  You'll want to be sure to stitch on the inside of the basting stitch versus on the outside (closest to the fabric edge).  If you are on the inside, you'll cover the basting stitch.  I wasn't perfectly straight and had a few places where my basting stitch did show... the good news is that since you've got the other stitch in place there now, you can just cut the basting stitch and pull it out since the ruffles are now secure.

 

 

 

Step 6:  Hem the top edge of the panel and add ribbon ties

 

I just found some random ribbon and cut about 12"-18" strips.  I folded them in 1/2 and slipped them under the presser foot as I was hemming the top edge.  Again, not super pretty, but it works.  I did stitch over and then back stitch to reinforce the ties.  I think I had 5 ties on the long side and 4 on the short side.  I probably could have done 1-2 more on the long side, but 5 was fine.

 

 

 

Once you've got your ties sewed on, you just tie them on to the mattress frame so that your skirt is the length you want it to be.

 

Voila!

 

 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!!!  I'd be happy to answer it!!!

Don't Forget!!!

Emily's November R+F Incentives!!!

 

 

Since my time may be cut a little short this month, I'm hoping a little extra incentive will help get some people off the fence... I will cover the $19.95 initial Preferred Customer ("PC") enrollment fee (via a retail gift card like Target, Amazon, Starbucks, etc.). Yes, I am paying YOU to try R+F!!!! PC's get 10% off AND free shipping!!! That is one heck of a deal!!! 

 

 

If you are interested in the business side of things, I will take $100 OFF your business investment kit (via a retail gift card)!!!  Who wouldn't want financial freedom, flexible hours, FUN, and wholesale prices on AMAZING skin products!!!  You pretty much get paid to talk to people and SHARE your love of R+F!  Some food for thought....

 

This month I'm also doing a REFERRAL CONTEST! This month, if you e-mail me 3 referrals (for the product or business), I will put you in a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card (PERFECT for Christmas shopping.... yes, Christmas is NEXT month!! Whoa!!). Your odds are pretty darn good right now, so don't miss out!!!  I am committed to reaching my goals, and I know I couldn't do it without the support of family and friends (and friends of friends!). If any of your referrals sign up as a PC or Consultant, you will get additional entries!

 

 

Want to be done with your Christmas shopping BEFORE Thanksgiving?????

 

 

HOLIDAY SEASON is upon us!!!! I thought I would put together a few "Wish List" Items that would be great for Christmas gifts this year. Why not give a gift that is practical, will improve skin, AND that they may not typically splurge on for themselves? Our Regimens target the 4 main skin concerns so there is one that is right for EVERYONE!

The 4 REGIMENS are:

- REDEFINE (Anti-Aging) - A comprehensive skincare regimen that layers cosmetic ingredients and proven peptide technology to help defend against and reduce the visible signs of aging for noticeably firmer, smoother, flawless-looking skin. The REDEFINE Regimen features four full-size products: Daily Cleansing Mask 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz., Pore Minimizing Toner 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz., Triple Defense Treatment SPF 30 30 mL/1.0 Fl.Oz., and Overnight Restorative Cream 30 mL/1.0 Fl.Oz.

- REVERSE (Sun Damage) - Erase the signs of premature aging, including brown spots, dullness, and sun damage with REVERSE. REVERSE Regimen exfoliates, lightens, brightens and protects your skin for a more even tone and texture. Recognized on Allure Magazine’s A List, the REVERSE Regimen features 4 full-size products: Deep Exfoliating Wash 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.; Skin Lightening Toner 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.; Skin Lightening Treatment 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.; and REVERSE Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.

- UNBLEMISH (Adult/Hormonal Acne) - Clinically proven to combat the entire acne cycle, this sophisticated regimen helps unclog pores, clears breakouts and calms your complexion to keep pimples, blackheads and post-acne marks from making an unwelcome appearance on your face—and in your life.  Since many acne sufferers have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), the remnant red/brown marks following a healed blemish, we offer UNBLEMISH Spot Fading Toner. However, if you are one of the lucky few who does not experience PIH, use our UNBLEMISH Clarifying Toner as an alternative. The UNBLEMISH Regimen features 4 full-size products: Acne Treatment Sulfur Wash 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.; Spot Fading Toner 125 mL/ 4.2 Fl.Oz. OR Clarifying Toner 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.; Dual Intensive Acne Treatment 2 x 15 mL/.5 Fl.Oz.; and Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 30 mL/1 Fl.Oz.

- SOOTHE (Sensitive/Reactive Skin) - Calm the flush-blush reaction of a hyper-sensitive complexion with SOOTHE. Clinically proven to reduce redness and irritation in as little as 5 minutes, SOOTHE shields against the biological and environmental aggressors that can trigger inflammation, helps fortify skin’s natural moisture barrier, calms visible redness, and reduces irritation so that you can take comfort in having a healthy-looking complexion every day. The SOOTHE Regimen features 4 full-size products: Gentle Cream Wash 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.; Sensitive Skin Treatment 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.; Moisture Replenishing Cream 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.; and Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.

My "Go To" stand alone products are:

- Multi-Function Eye Cream $53 - Utilizes powerful peptides to minimize the look of crow’s-feet and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Optical filters visibly brighten the eye area.
- Eye Cloths $26 - Gently removes makeup while depositing proven peptides to reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and puffiness.
- Micro-Dermabrasion Paste $69 - Polishes skin with a sugar-and-salt scrub featuring vitamins C and E.
- Night Renewing Serum $80 - Visibly reduces the appearance of aging with a potent blend of peptides and retinol.
- Lip Renewing Serum $48 - Each peptide and antioxidant-rich capsule helps lips retain natural moisturizing factors, visibly smoothes lip texture and reduces the appearance of lip wrinkles.
- Overnight Restorative Cream $66 - Ultra-hydrating cream replenishes skin's natural moisturizing factors while you sleep for visibly firmer skin in the morning.
- Foaming Sunless Tanner, only $21 - Dual-active formula ensures even, natural-looking color. Contains RF-Dcell technology to extend the duration of the sunless tan.  You know you are looking a little pasty by this time of year!!! :-)

Leave a comment, or shoot me an e-mail or FB message if interested!

Thanks!!!

 

 

Gigi Comes to Visit

My mom came to visit the first weekend in November.  I wanted Andrew to be able to go hunting again (we really needed another deer in the freezer), but wasn't up to being left with Carson ALONE that close to my due date.  Physically, I was limited in what I could do and plus, he's just exhausting some times.  I also didn't want to be alone in the off chance that I did go into labor.  Anyways, I mostly just wanted help with Carson so that I could finish up working on the nursery and running last minute errands.

As always, she was a HUGE help!  Carson loves him some time with his Gigi!

She took these of me... about 36.5 weeks.

 

 

Love this little wild man and all his cars that we take everywhere!

 

Next time she visits, our little girl will be here!!!  Woo hoo!!!

Happy Halloween!

Every year, we get to decorate a pumpkin for Carson's school.  They make a little pumpkin patch with all the kids' pumpkins.... they are always so cute!

 

Andrew and I made a number of suggestions for a possible pumpkin theme.  Andrew threw out "Dusty" from Planes.... {really???? could you not think of anything easier???).  Anyways, that's what Carson wanted to do.  Of. Course.

 

It was actually not too hard and Carson did help.

 

His pumpkin got the "Most High-Flying Pumpkin" award (pretty sure that one was created just for us!)

 

 

 

 

 

I regret to say that we never made it to the real pumpkin patch this year.  We were on our way one night when Carson puked all over himself in my car.  Yep.  Fun stuff.  We were gone every weekend in October, so it just didn't happen.  I am so sad because I LOVE pumpkin patch pictures.  We WILL NOT miss next year!!!

 

Out of nowhere, Carson decided he wanted to be Spiderman.  We don't ever watch Spiderman, so I'm not sure where this came from.  Must be a boy thing, superheroes and all...  Nonetheless, he was a precious Spiderman and was all about it!!!

 

 

I was an 8-ball.  :-)

 

 

We went to Holy Cross's Trunk or Treat.  It was indoors this year since it rained cats and dogs during the day.  We got there early before the crowd.... always a wise choice.  They always are so nice there, but having grown up "real" trick-or-treating, it's just not the same.  No one trick-or-treats in our neighborhood, but next year, I'd really like to let him experience the real deal.

 

We stopped by some of our friends' parents house.  Their little boy was Spiderman too.  Carson was not on his best behavior, so we didn't stay long.  They were going "real" trick-or-treating, but there was no way we were taking Carson after how he was acting.  He had a LONG day at school, and I know all the kids were worn out and off their schedules.  It showed.  He was in bed over an hour early without a fight.  Thank goodness!!!

Amanda & Steven's Engagement Party

Again, I am SO behind!

The last weekend of October we celebrated Amanda & Steven's engagement at Vivi & Doc's house!!!  They are getting married in April!!!  All the decorations were beautiful and they hired a guy to play music who was GREAT!!  The only thing not so great was that UGLY burnt orange invitation that had to hang on my fridge for a month (yuck!!!).... well, the invitation was actually really cute, it's just not my favorite color.  {Gig 'Em!}

Andrew cooked gumbo for the ~50 person crowd, so I was doing my best to keep up with Carson (i.e. not many pictures were taken).  I did fail once pretty bad at keeping up with him, but we won't go into that. 

The face of trouble...

 

Carson had fun playing with Blaise in the playhouse!

 

Everyone LOVED Andrew's gumbo (of course!)... including Carson!

 

Thumbs up from Sebastian!

 

Apparently we missed the big dance off between Lauren and Steven... pretty sure Carson would have been happy to compete if he didn't really need to go back to Wannie & Papi's house and go to sleep.  He was past his prime.... and so was I.  It is REALLY hard to keep up with him right now.  :-(

 

Cheers to the happy couple!!!  (Yes, I had to steal someone else's picture from Facebook from the party.... can't have a post about an engagement party and not have a picture of the engaged couple!!)