Pictures

Savannah's second birthday is coming up quick, I can't believe she is almost 2. She is starting to understand so much now and it's making it much easier on us because she will answer yes or no to most questions. She still isn't talking much, but at least she is making an effort. Everything still sounds like daddy but we can understand some of it.

I've almost finished her birthday outfit, but I want to get pro pictures done with her wearing it before I reveal. That has been a difficult task since she keeps getting eaten alive by mosquito's, then scratching so bad she gets scabs all over, also falling in the driveway constantly and most recently she has a really big stye on her left eye, making it look like we beat the poor child. (we don't)

I made her this shadow box for her birthday. I put in the pro picture we had done when she was a few weeks old, the hat she wore most in the hospital, the card that was in her bassinet after she was born, the bracelets her and I wore and her first footprint.

 

 

I can't get a nursery ready for the new baby because we are supposed to be building that in our master suite (which has not started yet grrr..) My nesting has been organizing and finally putting up some decorations in our house. I haven't been feeling the greatest, second pregnancy is definitely a lot harder, so I haven't been doing a lot of physical activity. I've had this collage picture frame for a long time but could never decide what pictures should go in it. The collage looked pretty boring sitting there on the wall in my living room, I decided to do a copycat store bought quote frame. I bought a sleeve of scrapbook stickers all about family and cut them up a little to fit, then stuck them in the blank spaces in between the pictures. I like it a lot and prefer it to the expensive store bought ones because you can choose what quotes you want, and where they go.

I never knew what to do with old Christmas cards given to us from family, until I realized I don't have many decent pictures of my nieces and nephews. Plus the picture size for these collage frames are always a little weird. So, I cut out the people in the pictures I want to frame and use that for the odd shaped collage spaces. I have another frame in my living room I did this with and you really can't tell, It looks so cute.

So just an quick update on my pregnancy. I'm about 30 weeks now ( not really keeping track) but my appointment are every 2 weeks which is added stress to my already busy schedule. I've been feeling a lot of pressure for a few weeks now and when I brought it up to my doc, she said it's common with a second pregnancy because the muscles are weak. I never understood when I was pregnant with Savannah, why people always wanted me to sit so much. Now I get it, I can't walk far or be on my feet too much. I'm not sleeping well, and my body is always sore, everywhere!

Re-usable swiffer pads.

 I found another way to save money on household items. Homemade re-usable Swiffer pads. I love my Swiffer wet jet but didn't love the price. I've been making my own solution for it since I first ran out, just water and your favorite floor cleaner. I have also been using a cheap brand of Swiffer wet original pads because the "Swiffer diapers" are way too expensive. I found a great tutorial on Pinterest, it was very simple to follow and I had a couple dish towels that I've hated since the first wash. I cut up the dish towels, added some fusible Velcro and there you have it.

 

I fits perfectly and since I used it once and washed it already, I have to say I am very pleased with the result.

Savannah is keeping me so busy with her tantrums and infinite energy that I've been too tired to do much lately. I am currently working on her birthday outfit, I just hope it is warm enough to wear it. I'm also currently working on a new cross stitch for little Nolan and I have been a Ravelry fiend, finding crochet patterns to make for fall.

Maine and gender reveal

 

We took our yearly trip to Maine this past week. If you don't know, we stay in Jake's dad's cabin in Northfield which is about 9 miles from Machias, where Jake's 94 yo grandma lives. It was a  great vacation except for the one day I caught a stomach bug. The weather was great, even cold by the ocean. We swam in the lake a lot, did a little sightseeing, and tried to fly kites but that was the day I was sick.

 

 

 Savannah loved picking and eating the blueberries. She sat right down in the field and started filling her basket.
Blueberries grow wild in Maine but Jake's aunt owns a large patch that we can pick from. They are smaller and much better tasting than Jersey blueberries.

 Love getting pictures of Savannah and her Great Grandmother. Savannah took to her so well, even gave her a hug.

 Savannah is a little fish, she loves swimming and with her swimmies on, will go off on her own.

One of the places we visit often is Quoddy head in Lubec. It's pretty close and has some nice views and hiking trails.

 We visit Raye's mustard in Eastport every year. The mustard is amazing, they make it right there and there are so many different flavors to choose from. We had to get extra this year because we keep running out early.

One of the grinding stones.

Finally the gender reveal.

Thanks to my SIL for watching Savannah while I had a crazy time getting my ultrasound.
Baby boy is due November 4, 2013. Name is most likely going to be Nolan Spencer Holcombe. Spencer is Jake's dad's name. We are so excited, but picking out all new clothes is difficult already.

If you're interested:
My 20 week ultrasound was scheduled at my 21 week appointment. The OB's office does not take my new insurance for testing so I was told to schedule at the local hospital. The soonest they could fit me in was too far away, the testing needs to be done by 24 weeks so I was told to call a different place. I made an appointment for the next Friday, show up and the department is not only closed, they have no record of me making an appointment. After hours of frustration, hysterical crying and getting transferred to 10 different people who "could not help me" I told my OB that I refused to reschedule again since this was not a mistake on my part, and they fit me in at their office later that day, waving the insurance.
Another exciting update, I gave my notice to work and my last day will be August 27. YAY!

Baby doll carrier

 

This is the latest think I've been working on. My nieces Cambria and Brynna share a birthday party every year, so I made them identical doll carriers. My SIL mentioned a while ago how much she liked these. I would have liked to make them with her but I just didn't have the time. I got the idea here. I had to draw my own pattern, but it wasn't very difficult. The only change I made was the straps in the back. I used D rings so they could be adjustable. I'm never good at measuring things to fit people, so this was the easiest way.

 

The carrier has a front flap that folds down for baby facing front.

Or stays up for baby facing "mommy" (sorry about the blurriness)

 

Check out my next post for the baby gender reveal.

Sweetheart onesie.

You want to hear something messed up? All that waiting for the ultrasound and I couldn't even have it. My insurance changed and the office didn't inform me they did not do ultrasounds in office with my insurance. I even called to tell them my insurance changed. I sat in the waiting room waiting to see the doctor practically in tears. I still don't know when I will get it because now I have to wait for the hospital to call and make the appointment. I'm 22 weeks today and this is supposed to be done before 24 weeks.

 

So that onesie that I made...

 

I had Savannah model it since her and Stella are almost the same size.

 

 

I took a photo shoot of Savannah last week. That was a very difficult thing to do by myself with my terrible photography skills.

Recognize the dress? I made that one too, with leftover pieces from the quilt my mom made her.

 

 

Smelling a Gardenia, Her favorite flower.

Meet Lilly

I'm still totally in nesting mode. Except I'm not really nesting, just sewing a lot, cleaning, and encouraging (not nagging) Jake to get our renovations done.

 I finally hemmed my nieces dress from Christmas (remember the nightmare dress?) I finished the purse I had to make for my SIL's sister, I also finished the cutest little outfit that I designed and made so quickly and easily. I can't go into to much detail there because it's going to be a gift. Now I'm back to working on the applique birthday outfit so I can sell some.

 

 

 

Jake talked me into getting a dog. I always said I would never get another animal after the guinea pigs that I couldn't wait to go, and the 2 cats that I am not only allergic to but hate cleaning up after, especially the one that marked his territory on most items in my basement (needless to say he's gone).
Anyway, his friend could not keep her and I'm a big old sap so say hello to Lilly. She is 7 yrs old and fully trained, very friendly and most importantly doesn't jump or go on my furniture.

Savannah is talking a lot more this week. I think I'm getting used to her picky diet which is mostly pasta, chicken nuggets, PB&J, and green beans.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant now and get to find out the sex in 8 days. I can't wait! I'm feeling good except for the sciatica and the heartburn, and we can feel movement on the outside now. This baby seems a lot less active than I remember, but it's still early.

Birthday Onesie

Holy cow! I think I just got my energy back. I feel like sewing all day and I owe it all to my friend Keo who asked me to make her daughter a onesie for her first birthday.

 There it is, such a simple thing to do. She told me people were asking $15 and up for this same thing on Etsy, actually I think this one looks better than the picture she sent me. I couldn't let her spend that much for something so simple, but hey, if other people are selling them why can't I? I've come up with a few idea's on how to spice it up, maybe add some ruffled bloomers, leg warmers as an option. There are so many possibilities and my mind is racing. Since I will no longer be working when baby #2 arrives I'm going to need spending money.
Can you give me some feedback though? Do you prefer the applique stitch around the edges or should I just do a regular stitch outlining the number about 1/4" from the edges on the inside?

We just got back from Myrtle Beach, and it was great. Savannah was a little crankier than normal but there were so many fun things to do and see. She is getting so big isn't she? She still doesn't want to talk, but she is understanding a lot more words.

I'm 18 weeks pregnant now and excited to find out soon whether it's a boy or girl.