Happy 1 week!

I don't have much else to write about right now other than baby and recovery, so if you're looking for something other than that, you can sadly move on to another blog...

The first night home was not very restful to say the least. We tried having him sleep in the pack n' play bassinet, but he just didn't like it much. Plus he was just trying to get used to this crazy world still. My sister gave me advice that has seemed to prove invaluable. CAR SEAT SLEEPING! He's been sleeping much better at night snuggled in his car seat. I can even catch a moment here and there to write a little blog update because of it. Maybe I'll be able to shower sometime too!

My parents have been here and helping. It's so nice to have help. While I feel I'm recovering quickly and feeling quite good considering I underwent a major surgery last week, I get tired and overwhelmed still. Yesterday I didn't cry at the overwhelmingness of it all though. That's a good sign. It's really easy to underestimate the time and energy required to take care of a newborn. I think the most overwhelming thing to think about it teach piano again. I'm going to have to rearrange my schedule so I teach for shorter times Monday - Friday. Right now it's just Monday - Wednesday for longer stretches. I don't think that will work any more. I hope I can still teach and figure it out with a baby, but I may just have to take maternity leave from it if it gets to be too much.

We took Dean in for his 1 week weigh-in and jaundice check. I'd been a little worried because he only eats about 10 min. max before falling asleep. I can sometimes wake him to get two sides in for 10 min. He is eating every two hours or fewer though (even at night since I'm going according to his schedule). My fears were abated when he hit the scales. They tried to preface the weigh in with "Now, don't worry, it's very common for babies (especially breast fed babies) to lose weight in the first week." Then they weighed him. 8 lbs. 12 oz.! He has gained 6 oz. since birth. I don't know what his weight was when we left the hospital, but I must be producing ice cream or something for him to gain off of 10 min. feedings. =)

Also, the doctor said he was the least jaundiced looking breast-fed baby she'd ever seen! AWESOME. I mean, we definitely produced a pooper (we've already gone through a whole package of newborn diapers!), so that helps him out in that dept.

I am not very good at "taking it easy". I picked him up in his car seat to move him from the kitchen to the living room (while my parents were out running) and while it's under the 20 lb. limit, I can feel it in my gut (literally!) I shouldn't have done that. Oops. Mom and dad are leaving tomorrow morning, so I'm going to have to figure out how to do what I need to without doing too much. I think my list of "need to" will need to shrink a bit.

So here are a few more pictures from last night. The picture up top was from this morning.

Hey, where's my food???

Week 40

Well, he made it! My water broke on Monday night/ Tuesday morning at midnight. I wasn't sure if it was my water breaking or an unfortunate bladder moment because it wasn't a huge gush and I hadn't experienced any contractions or other indications of labor. But it kept trickling and after about 15 min. sporadic contractions began. I called the Dr. to see if I should go and check it out, and she said to come on in. By the time we got to the hospital my contractions were 5 min. apart.

I was only dilated to a 2, but they decided to keep me since my water had, in fact, broken. I labored until 9 AM without an epidural, but I wasn't making very quick progress. I had thrown up twice and the contractions were pretty intense, so I asked for an epidural. RIGHT MOVE!!!!

I labored until about 4 PM with the epidural, so it wasn't too bad. They told me I finally hit a 10 but he was still pretty high, so we shouldn't push yet. The epidural started to wear off by about 6 PM when the doctor showed up and decided to try and push him out. (The hospital was packed, so the nurses only checked on me once every two hours or so!) I wasn't prepared at all for the doctor to show up since they'd checked on me so infrequently, so when they started me in position, I started freaking out a bit. When they laid me on my back and put my legs up, it felt very wrong. He felt way too high up and I started hyperventilating and crying. They didn't really explain what I was supposed to do very well, so the first attempt was horrible. I was out of control and all of the sudden the doctor started yelling to call my actual doctor in for an emergency c-section. His heart rate dropped really low so they turned me on my side to try and get it up while we waited for my doctor to get there. (The doctor trying to help me deliver vaginally was pretty new and hadn't ever done an emergency C-section.)

I thought we were having to do a C-section because I was freaking out, so I calmed myself down. His heart rate came up while I was on my side so I asked if we could try one more time with me in control. We did, his heart rate dropped again, and by that time my doctor had shown up. They kept saying "I see molding", but I didn't know what that meant. So, they quickly wheeled me down to the OR and in a matter of minutes they had given me a general anesthetic. I could still feel what was going on when they started cutting so they gave me nitric oxide as well. By the time they got the baby out I could barely open my eyes and hear him scream. The next thing I remember was opening my eyes and seeing Matt holding a clean baby.

His poor little head couldn't fit through my pelvis, so his head had molded to the opening. There was no way he could have been born vaginally. We would have both died probably.

His head was very cone shaped that first night, but it's nice and regular looking now. I felt so bad for him! But he is healthy and hungry now, so I guess we both survived.

His stats:
Birthday: Tuesday October 23, 2007 (One of the 3 % born on his due date!)
Time: 6:45 PM
Name: Dean Addison Bras(s)
Weight: 8 lbs 5.9 oz
Length: 21 3/4 in long
Hair: brownish-reddish hair
Misc: big feet
Conclusion: very cute

Here are some pictures to prove it. He looks different even now so I'll post a few more later. Celia and Dean were able to come home today (Friday). I'm recovering pretty quickly. My incision is quite small, and I'm feeling pretty good considering what we went through!

I'm so glad my parents are here to help take care of us for a little bit!! It's scary!

Pre-Svithe: An article everyone should read (ESPECIALLY MOTHERS)

My readership has expanded since I last gave a definition of the word svithe, so here it is again.

Svithe is a word my Thmazing brother-in-law created by combining the words seven and tithe. One day a week he blogs about something spiritual or religious. While I don't consistently write a weekly religious post, I have grown accustomed to labeling my religious posts svithes. Mainly because I think it's a cool word.

While I really wanted to write a svithe today on the role of women, it didn't quite happen. However, I want to do a pre-svithe on a similar subject.

Way back in April my sister posted a link on her blog to an article written by Jane Clayson Johnson titled "I am a mother."

To give a little background, Jane is LDS and was at one point a news anchor for CBS and ABC. She's given many interviews with people ranging from George Bush to Martha Stewart. At one point she turned down a high profile, lucrative job with a major network to be a stay at home mom. Through her experiences, she noticed mothers (and others) seemed to view motherhood somehow less of an occupation than paid employment. When asked what they do, stay at home mothers often respond with, "Oh, I'm just a mom." Or "I used to be such and such, but I'm just a mom now." Almost apologetically. She wrote a book titled, "I am a Mother" from which her article was derived that "calls on mothers everywhere to rethink their answers, to look inside themselves and discover the truth: none of us are just mothers." I've not actually read the book yet, but after reading the article, I think it would be a great read.

It is an article I think every woman and man (LDS or not) should read. Seriously. Read it.
She's a fabulous writer. You won't be disappointed.

Potter

I received the 7 book boxed set of Harry Potter today! I pre-ordered it way back when the 7th book first came out, but it didn't actually get released in boxed set form until October 16th. I'm excited to read books 1-7 straight. I think I'll get more of the fine details like that than my previous readings. I devoured a book in a day or 2, and then had to wait a 1-2 years until the next one came out. I generally didn't re-read the books before I jumped into the next one.

Also, Design Mom (someone I don't know, but I happened across her blog which is full of very visually stimulating posts as well as lots of cool giveaways) went to a reading at Carnegie Hall by J.K. Rowling. There was a Q&A on the books afterward that she reported on (follow that link). I found some of her answers to be unexpected and interesting. There are spoilers, so if you have somehow made it thus far without hearing what happens and you don't want anything ruined, don't visit that link.

Plan B

I just heard back from the Dr.'s office. My induction is now scheduled for Monday October 29th at 5:30 AM.

Matt, my mom, and I all feel more comfortable with the 29th than the 24th (since my body shows no indication that it's ready), so I think it was a good decision to push it back a little.

I'm still shooting for Friday the 26th to go on my own. This kid just needs to drop into place first.

Dr.'s update

I hope you're not getting sick of all this baby talk and updates!!

I had my 39 week appointment today. It was with a partner of my doctor. 9It was scheduled for 12:45 and I didn't get to see the Dr. until 1:45! It was a long wait today.) Anyway, I am exactly where I was last week. Except with puffy legs and feet that I need to elevate more. I am 1 cm dilated, the baby's still "floating high up" in me. She could barely touch his head. She sent a note to my doctor to give me a call so we can set up an induction date as "plan B". This doctor thought the induction would probably take place the end of next week if he hasn't come by then. But it really depends on my doctor's schedule. (I should probably take a look at the moon calendar too. I don't want to schedule an induction on a full moon because you KNOW that it's going to be full and I'll be bumped.)

I don't mind the idea of being induced. I hope I don't have to be, but if it comes down to it, I'd rather be induced than run out of amniotic fluid, have a baby too big to fit through my birth canal, or have him pass meconium before he comes out.

My greatest sewing collection yet

When I was a little girl I TOTALLY wanted to learn how to sew. My mom sewed a lot of our clothes growing up, and my sister Suzie was an amazing seamstress as well. She won contests and everything. I wanted to learn too. I made one skirt (I'm not sure if I even completed it) and then life got a little too busy for both me and my mom to do more with the sewing.

I was excited to buy a sewing machine last year when we moved in for home projects, and it's been a fun experience figuring out how to do things. I have a small Brother sewing machine that has been good for most things, but I may want to upgrade to something a little better if I continue quilting. I can't really machine quilt with it because it's too small. But right now it serves my needs.

So here is the final crib collection. Quilt (scroll down a couple posts for a good picture of that), bumper and crib skirt. Oh, and Vanessa, I used Simplicity pattern # 9315 I got from Walmart. I don't know if I'd recommend it. I kind of had to alter it a little to make it fit the crib properly. It's a good basic pattern, just not perfect. Oh, and here's another prego picture I wasn't able to post last night.

One week

Next Tuesday is the due date. Although I'm feeling pretty ready, I actually hope that he'll wait until next Wednesday night or Thursday so I can get 4 lessons in with all my piano students. Otherwise I'll worry about make ups and/or make my mom help me teach some after he's here!

This picture was taken on Sunday. Oh, and I finished the crib skirt today. So my bed set is now complete. For some reason blogger's not letting me add any more pictures tonight, so I'll have to post the other pictures tomorrow.

In Search of Studs

I never knew it would be so difficult to hang pictures and medicine cabinets where you want them. Our house seems quite void of studs. We have a pretty ghetto stud finder that doesn't work well at all. We've also tried the tapping method, and seriously, each wall seems to have only one stud. Sometimes I wonder how the house is still standing. The standard distance is 16 inches between studs, but I think ours is 18-24 inches. That's quite the spacing if you want to hang a picture. Or cabinet. Or TV.

I eventually wanted to upgrade to a flat panel TV and hang it above our fireplace so we could make the most of the limited wall space in our living room. Right now it's pretty cramped with our piano and 20 in. TV. But in order to do that, I think we'd have to cut a huge square out of our drywall, add in reinforcement studs, patch the hole back up, and then hang the TV.

While the TV dream is not in the near future, pictures and cabinets I have a plenty right now. We bought some drywall picture hanger hooks, but we have yet to use them. It says it can hold up to 50 lbs., so I would imagine my medicine cabinet can be hung by those as well, but I'm a little nervous to test it out.

I guess good studs are hard to come by.

Jungle Fever: Bumper addition

Here is the finished product. I would like to do a crib skirt as well, but we'll see how it goes. That's more aesthetic than necessary, so it's not top priority.

It was a little harder and more time consuming than I expected, but it'll work I think. The 24 ties were the most tedious and unenjoyable (I know, not a word, but it should be) part of the project.

Devil in the Details

I don't really know what the title of my post means, but it sounded appropriate as I'm trying to get the last little details squared away between today and 2 1/2 weeks before I'll consider induction.

• Quilt finished: check
• Bumper finished: check (ok, so not quite check, but it will be done tonight and I'll post pictures)
• Car seat purchased: check
• Hospital back packed: check
• Pack 'N Play with bassinet inset for our room: check (though I haven't set it up yet)
• Figure out where the Labor and Delivery section is in the hospital: check (just yesterday)
• Fridge cleaned: check
• Nursery cleaned: mostly...once I finish the bumper and get the pack n' play pieces out it'll be dandy
• Thank you cards made and sent out: check on the made. Need to get them out still.
  
• Squaring away my church calling: .....Ok. So that's where I'm feeling stuck.

I can't quite decide what I should do about this one. While being primary chorister has it's ups, and I've enjoyed it more than I originally thought, it seems like it would be a difficult calling with a newborn. It covers a 2 hour block, and though I have breaks here and there, it doesn't feel like much. I'm not planning on doing anything for my calling after my due date (October 23) until I get back from CA after Christmas (January 3) at the very least. That means 2 full months of having to find a sub if they don't release me. I don't think they're planning on releasing me unless I request it.

Should I email the Primary Pres. and see if they could call a permanent sub for those two months? And if I decided it would be too much after that, the permanent sub could then be called to the position permanently maybe? I really hate asking to be released from a calling for a couple of reasons. The last time I suggested my release from a calling (since I had 2 and many people in the ward didn't even have 1), I ended up getting released from both of my callings (one of which I LOVED) and was called to something I didn't particularly enjoy. Also, what if I'm supposed to be there for some reason I just don't see? Oi. I don't like this situation at all. Any thoughts?

Anyway, I'm getting close to being ready for this baby people. I have to say, I have not been so pregnant that I'm miserable, but with one week left, I am feeling quite pregnant indeed. Just in the last week my hands and feet have started to swell enough that I've noticed (my wedding ring doesn't quite slip on so easily as it used to). My feet are tired after exercising and running errands for half a day. And my belly feels very heavy. In the last 2 weeks I've outgrown pretty much all of the shirts I purchased for pregnancy, so I'm now wearing the shirts I got from my much taller sisters. They work, but they're just a little big for this 5'3" girl. Plus I like them a little more fitted, and that wasn't the style when they were pregnant. At least I have (free) clothes to wear. Can't complain too much I suppose.

On the up side, the weather is finally starting to cool off! This week we've at least been out of the 90's during the day, and nights and mornings have been cooler than 75* so we've been able to open our windows and let the air circulate. I've even been cool enough at night to stay in my bed rather than moving to the couch under the fan. I have been making weird sighing noises when I sleep though. Not quite sure why.

I had a check up yesterday. More effaced and "a good 1 cm" dilated. "Still quite posterior" but the baby is where he should be, and he still seems to be doing just fine in his cramped quarters. He hasn't dropped at all, I haven't had any sort of contractions I've been aware of, and I've really had no indication he's planning on making his debut any time soon.

I'm a tiny bit worried about the hospital I'm supposed to deliver at. I swear the L&D is always packed. Every time I've tried to go in for a tour, all the rooms are full. If the rooms are all full when I go into labor, I'll either be put in triage to wait for a room or, worst case, I'll have to go to a different hospital further away. We at least know where the other hospital is since Matt had his appendix removed there, but I really would like to avoid that if possible. They say the weekend is usually less busy, so maybe I'll shoot for that. Ha! Like I have a say when this baby's coming.

Ah well. It will all work out.

Halloween Ideas

I've seen a couple of cute ideas for Halloween goodies, and though I won't be hosting any Halloween parties due to the imminent arrival of our little boy (who are we kidding, I generally don't host parties anyway!), I thought I'd link a few for those of you who may.

Relatively easy and cute:
Great Pumpkin cake

Monster Cupcake Cake

For those a little more adventurous:
Pecan-caramel spiders

Bite sized pieces of Conference: a semi-annual svithe

A few themes that stuck out to me were: Christ, dispelling myths about the church, taking advantage of the Preach my Gospel manual, finding hope and happiness in the gospel, and the world wide church. I really felt like this was the most globally diverse set of speakers ever in one conference.

The talks that stuck in my mind:
Elder M. Russel Ballard's on concisely sharing with others what the gospel is about. I've always kind of struggled with this because I'm never quite sure where to start and stop. I don't want to overwhelm the poor people (especially if they're casually wanting to know a LITTLE bit about it), but I want to make sure they have a clear picture of what I and my religion are about. I think his suggestions are magnificent.

Elder Wirthlin's talk on Charity. Now, to be honest, I don't have a clear recollection of all he said. What impressed me most was his dedication to unwaveringly finish his talk while he was clearly very frail. I also loved the literal support he received from Elder Nelson. It was a true act of love, brotherhood, and charity. It was very touching.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk on the difference between choosing good things, better things, and the best. I think that I often choose ok things (maybe not even GOOD) to fill my time, and I often put off the best, thinking I'll get around to it someday. It was a good priority check for me.

What I hope to take away from this conference:
Really, our main question should be, "how can I become better because of what I've heard?". Listening to the words of the Prophet and Apostles does us no good if we choose to continue exactly as we have been without somehow trying to improve ourselves because of it. I know I've not been as dilligent as I should about making life changes after listening to conference.

This time I felt very impressed that I need to have more meaningful scripture study and prayer, and to occupy my time with the best choices first. One way I am trying to better my scripture study is by using the Preach my Gospel manual and to also study with a pen in hand. I used it this morning and had the most effective study time I've had in ages. Now to continue in faith rather than let it slip by the wayside like an uninteresting New Year's Resolution...that's where the challenge comes.

Highlights of the talks (I promise I condensed my notes to a more manageable size):

Saturday Morning

Boyd K Packer:
There's a natural tendency to put leaders of the church on a pedestal and think that somehow they are worth more to the Lord than we are. That is not the case.

Richard C. Edgley:
While talk amongst church members may sometimes feel intrusive, there is a positive side to the congregational microscope we live in. Greater support because what happens to few happens to all. Members who suffer tragedy often experience an increased capacity for love.

Mary N. Cook:
An individual's actions can be a powerful influence within the family. Can you make a difference in your family? Yes. If your parents' examples aren't good, it's up to you to break the cycle. Do your part to build a happy home.

Enrique Falabella:
Happiness doesn't depend on money. The promise of life eternal is the riches of eternity.

Spencer Condie:
The Lord makes promises and will follow through every time that we do what we're supposed to. In this age of fast food, we may forget that things are done in the Lord's time. That may not be immediate. That may not be today. It may be far off. But we can embrace the Lord's promises and know that God will not forget us.

Elder Dieter Uchdorf:
The restored gospel can lift us above our daily misery. It can bring hope and life. It can give us an elevated viewpoint of our lives. Wherever you live and whatever your circumstance, the gospel gives great power and ability to overcome weakness, challenges, and hardship. Because of Christ, you can endure joyfully to the end.

Thomas S. Monson
The gospel message is of hope and love for those who pass on. The dead will live again in Christ. Walk by faith until the day of resurrection.

Saturday Afternoon

M. Russel Ballard
Be able to recognize if someone wants to know more about the gospel to satisfy their curiosity vs. wanting to investigate the church in depth. If people want to know a little about it, tell them a little. Don't bombard them with all of the teachings you've received over the course of your life. We can do this by having a clear outline of basics. President Ballard's outline includes:

• Facts: Mormon is a nickname, Saint means member, Joseph smith restored Christ's original church, Gordon B. Hinckley is our current prophet, we are currently the 4th largest Christian congregation in the United States
• Faith: We are committed Christians, we believe in the eternity of the soul, Jesus is our personal Savior
• Family: Basic unit of society and church, committed to monogamous relationships, while there was a time members of the church practiced polygamy, that practice has been discontinued for many, many years, etc.
  
• Fruits: Mormons have longer life expectancy because of code of health (Word of Wisdom), have much lower divorce rate than national average, committed to self reliance, good work ethic, service, and humanitarian aid

Have a basic one page outline to share with those who inquire that tells the essentials of the gospel. Use his or create your own.

Elder Wirthlin
Without charity, nothing you do matters. He was very frail, was shaking horribly, and looked on the verge of collapse. Elder Nelson got up and quietly stood behind him supporting him through the majority of his talk. It was such a touching act of charity and love, and it brought tears to my eyes.

Bruce Porter
We must give our hearts to God. Having a broken heart means we are willing to submit to the Father, we are open to the spirit of God, we acknowledge our dependence on him, we experience godly sorrow that leads us to repentance, and we are willing to do all God asks without resistance or resentment.

Eric Kopischke
Spoke of the Preach my Gospel book and how it can be a good resource for teachers and leaders.

Teh
He quoted a line from CS Lewis' Screwtape letters about malice and benevolence. Satan wants us to direct our malice toward those we see every day and our benevolence to those who are far away and removed from our immediate contact.

Hilbig
We need to make sure that we "quench not the spirit." The path to eternal life is not a plateau. It's on an incline. The spirit gives us increased strength to make it up that hill. Search the scriptures with a pen in hand. Pray frequently and fervently.

Elder Holland
Are we Christians? YES! Should we be apologists for our view of the Godhead and latter-day revelation? NO! He gave a good rundown on the trinitarian notion of the Godhead, where it originated, and why it is not supported by the scriptures.

Russel M. Nelson
The Book of Mormon doesn't compete with the Bible, but compliments it and visa versa. The Book of Mormon restores many of the plain and precious truths taken away or lost in the many translations of the Bible. It reaffirms and clarifies the messages of the Bible.

Sunday Morning

Henry B. Eyring: New counselor in First Presidency.
Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch me today? Find ways to recognize what the Lord has done and learn how to best preserve those memories. That may be writing it down in a journal. It may be some other way. Find what works for you.

Quentin L. Cook: New in the Quorum of 12
Live by faith and not by fear. Are we in camouflage to our co-workers and neighbors? Or do we let our light shine? The members need to move their feet and let their voice be heard.

Claudio Costa
Fathers are to provide for their families. That doesn't just mean monetary provision, but spiritual as well. Fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another. Lay down your life for those you love. Not through death, but through life. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today. What if tomorrow never comes? Tell people you love them. Don't just assume they already know. Opportunities may not always come again.

Julie B. Beck
Mothers who know...create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth, are good homemakers, are organized and patient, and build children into future leaders. Consider your home a pre-MTC. Then the MTC will be a review and not a revelation.

David A Bednar
Repent, turn to God and renounce sin. That's a prerequisite to being sanctified through the Holy ghost. That's a prerequisite to standing spotless before God at the last day. We must do good, be good, and become better.

President Hinckley
When the church was organized in 1830 there were 6 members. The angel Moroni promised that Joseph Smith's name would be had for good and evil among all nations of the world. That is being fulfilled today. We are currently the 4th largest Christain congregation in the United States.

Sunday Afternoon

Elder Hales
Personal revelation is the way we learn to live the gospel and endure to the end. Seek personal revelation through the spirit. Obtain the spirit through sincere prayer. Study the gospel out in your mind. Pray and study further. Answers come on the Lord's timetable. Move forward in faith even if you haven't received all the answers you desire.

Elder Scott
2 ways to find truth.
1. Scientific method. Good way to find truth but has 2 limitation. You can't be sure you've found absolute truth and you can get the wrong answer.
2. Revelation. Go to the author of truth and ask. You must have unwavering faith and willingness to keep God's commandments for this avenue of truth.

Truth is of little value unless we apply it and make correct decisions.

Daniel Judd
Teachers: Focus on fundamental doctrines. Preach the gospel by the spirit. Speak out of your heart, not just the book.

Octaviano Tenorio
Spoke of the blessings we receive from the Temple.

Claudio Zivic
We seek freedom and eternal life. We will receive it by the grace of God after we've done all we can do.

Douglas Callister
Truth has never been dependent on the number of those who know it.

Dallin H. Oaks
There are three levels of quality: Good, better and best

Just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. How do we use our time? Do we only choose good activities to pursue, or do we choose the best? Reserve time for family. Don't over schedule your kids. Don't complicate church callings. Simplify and do that which is most important. Weed out excessive and ineffective busyness in church and elsewhere and translate that saved time into quality family time.

Teachers: When teaching in Relief Society and Elders' Quorum, teach out of the books provided. You may be able to give a good lesson while skimming the book and teaching your own lesson, but to give the best lesson you must teach out of the book provided. (Referring to the Teaching of the Prophets books).

A few more projects

One of the perks of being friends with creative people (beside the fact that they're just plain fun) is that I get to mooch off their great ideas and tweak it to my personal liking. Most of the crafts and projects I do come from something I've seen elsewhere. I may be a creator of sorts, but I surely am not an inventor.

My friend Erin came up with a great idea of turning placemats into throw pillows. Kohl's had some great microfiber cloth placemats on sale, so I decided to follow her lead and make some of my own. It was a fun, easy little project and I was happy with the outcome. I made two of the dark brown pillows and just the one two toned harvest pillow. She gives basic instructions and the two things I'd add are:

1. Notice the type of stitching the placemat has. The two toned had a double stitch and was a little harder to work with. Not so hard it couldn't be done, but it made it a little more unruly and added an extra step.

2. When you go to sew the edge back up, pin it really well or it will slip and you'll have to redo the stitch because it didn't even catch the backing.



I also have been working on getting some thank you cards made for the baby shower. They're coming along. Simple, but that's generally how I keep my paper crafts.

Prego Dreams

People kept warning me I'd have weird pregnancy dreams. They told me I'd dream of having blue babies, babies with problems, monster babies, etc. I've always had weird dreams, but interestingly enough last night was only the second time I dreamed of my baby.

The first time I dreamed we were on a pioneer trek and I had a baby. Not very weird.

Last night I dreamed I had the baby, and when I went to the nursery to pick him up it was kind of like an assembly line. Nurses were handing out babies almost at random. I saw a baby I was sure was mine with red hair. I told him he looked like his Flake cousins. Then the nurse handed me a different baby. I gave the baby back, went to find Matt, and then couldn't find my way back to the maternity unit of the hospital.

There was randomly a person in my dream that looked like a hammer head shark.

That was a little weird.