More Projects!

I haven't blogged much, because I just can't seem to force myself to sit down and sit still long enough to write something. I have had so much extra energy in the second trimester (I'm 21 weeks now) and I figure I better use it to get everything done now before I move into the third trimester! So I've been cleaning--deep cleaning. Opening up cupboards in the kitchen, reorganizing closets, and finally getting to projects that I've put off for too long.

I've also been doing a lot of sewing. I'm working on getting my diaper stash ready:

This is my favorite of the diapers I've made so far. What do you think? Is it a good choice for gender neutral?

Of course, in all of my projects, I always have my little "helpers"

How would I get anything done without them? :P

I'm also planning on using cloth wipes. I've sewn 30 so far and have 20 to go. A friend taught me how to use my serger so now I can finish these super fast! I have quickly fallen in love with serging...

I've also been preparing for the Holidays. We don't have a lot of money to spend on Christmas this year (actually our budget is close to zero), so I'm trying to be creative and make most of our gifts for family and friends. One way I do that is by giving the gift of home-canned apple butter! People love it and it is super cheap if you get the apples on sale.

What projects have you been up to before the Holidays? Leave a link, as I'd love to see --I'm always looking for inspiration!

Baby Update: 18 Weeks

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 weeks

Baby Size: About the size of a bell pepper.

  Total weight gain: 10 pounds. Hasn't changed in the last couple of weeks, though I sure feel bigger. When I look at my picture I think: "That bump is tiny!" But it does not feel that way to be carrying the extra weight around!

 Maternity clothes? I can't wear any pants except my maternity pants now. My normal dresses and tops are still fitting for the most part. 

Stretch Marks? Nope.Thinking I wouldn't see these until much later anyways.

Sleep: I've been sleeping so much better than I did in the first trimester! Even though my belly has grown, for whatever reason it is now easier to find a comfortable position. 

Best moment this week: Feeling real kicks for the first time! I couldn't believe how strong they were, and my husband was able to feel them also. 

Miss Anything?  Being able to lift heavy things. I've been having to take it a little easier because I was getting round ligament pain when doing too much.

Movement: The baby seems to kick at night when I'm sitting on the couch. He likes to give about 8 strong kicks in the same place. 

Food cravings: Apple cider, pear jam, and meat! These last two weeks I've suddenly gotten over my dessert aversion and can stand the taste of sugar again. Not the best thing, so now I just have to restrain myself...

Gender Prediction: I'm still thinking boy, because it's more likely. And this baby is strong! But it could be a strong girl...

Symptoms: Round ligament pain has been giving me the most trouble. I have to be careful about doing too much and lifting too much, now that my energy levels are back and I've been cleaning and organizing like crazy.

Mood:  I am pretty non-emotional usually, but I've noticed a few times this week I've taken things to heart that I usually brush off. Pregnancy hormones maybe? Not sure.

Looking forward to: Getting our bedroom cleaned up so we can make way for baby stuff!

Master Bedroom To Do List

Our master bedroom is the one room in our house that isn't "done" and it's one of the major projects I want to finish before the baby comes. Since we only have one bedroom, the crib will be going in our room at the foot of our bed. 

This is how our bedroom looks when it is clean. I say "when it's clean" because it is rarely so these days, and I don't want to deceive you that my house is always decent looking. Everything leftover or out of place usually gets put in this room and right now there are boxes of wedding stuff at the end of the bed where the crib will be going. Not to mention boxes of wedding stuff under the bed and in the closets...

We bought some black shelves (from Ikea) that we need to hang over my husband's black corner desk (also from Ikea). This will allow him to get a lot of the books and knickknacks crowding his closet out of there and give him more space for his "real" closet things. I also want to get some shelves to put over our laundry hamper, where I would put some baby accessories. Since our space is so small, we have to utilize the walls!

One thing that had been on my to do list, is finally crossed off. I wanted a side table in black, with some storage space, and I looked everywhere before finding this at a rummage sale for $40. It is a really nice, solid piece, and though I wish it were cheaper (I always wish things were cheaper...), I have to admit it was a good price compared to what I had been seeing. Even the most flimsy side tables were $90-120. Gulp!

So for now, that leaves my master bedroom to do list with:

• Hang black shelves over corner desk
• Purchase nightstand
• Purchase and hang shelves over hamper
• Sell leftover wedding items
• Organize under bed
• Organize my closet
• Organize my husband's closet
• Purchase crib

I'd like to accomplish all of this before the baby comes, and although the list doesn't look long, selling the wedding items is the hardest and most important item on there! If all of it were sold, we'd have so much more space in our closets and under the bed. I'm putting this all out on the blog in the hopes that it keeps me accountable!

First Project for Baby: Diaper Wetbag

It occurred to me that I really haven't made any preparations for the arrival of our little one. To me, April still seems like a long way off, especially considering the Holidays still stand in the way.

Today, I had an incredible burst of productive energy and decided I would start on some of the sewing projects I have been wanting to do. I cut out and pinned fabric to make 48 cloth wipes (my goal is to have between 40-50), and then sewed a diaper wetbag:

 I love this fabric and have used it on a few projects now, including recovering my desk chair after the cats scratched up its previous fabric.

Sadly, it's the most expensive fabric I ever purchased. It was a trip to Joann's where I sat holding the fabric in my hands for 30 minutes, trying to persuade my thrifty self that it was okay to buy a $25 dollar a yard fabric with a 50% off coupon. Obviously, I gave in, but I swore I'd put that one yard to good use.

 I'm happy with this wetbag, and I plan on making one more in a different fabric. Tomorrow, my mother is coming over and we'll cut out the fabric for all the cloth diapers I need to make. Everything is gender-neutral since we aren't finding out the gender of the baby. It's sad to pass up some of the really cute girl and boy fabrics in my stash, but oh well!