Sewing Fast

Shame, shame on me.  I was looking through old posts to discover that the last time I really sewed anything was in April!  What that can't be right!  But alas as I look back, it's true.  With moving and pregnancy my love of sewing has gone to the wayside.  Oh sure I've used my sewing machine to hem this, alter that, and sew a few scout patches here.  But no real sewing projects.  Of course I've got tons of potential projects floating around in my head.  T-shirts for Charlie made from shirts of Tony's that don't fit or he doesn't really like anymore.  Doll dresses from Alaina's 10" doll.  A Sunday dress or two for Alaina.  And of course lots of things for baby,  just trying to hold out until we find out the gender in two weeks!  Also the opening of a Joann fabrics in a week!  Hallelujah!  I've got some fabric on hand but nothing like what my mom had growing up or what my sister-in-law Maegen has, it makes me a bit jealous actually.  To be able to sew just because you want to and have all the supplies on hand.  Sigh.  So I'm hoping that I'll be able to do some sewing soon.  I might just have to ignore the house and my kids for a day. ;)      

Alaina Turns 7

Yesterday we celebrated Alaina's 7th birthday!  Alaina was a bit disappointed when I told her we probably wouldn't do a party this year.  Honestly I just don't think she has a big enough circle of friends yet and our place really isn't conducive to a party setting.  I felt bad but have realized that a parent doesn't necessarily have to go all out with the homemade themed banners, costumes, photo booths, and matching themed finger foods to make the day special for their kids.  A favorite dinner of their choice, a cake of their choice made special just for them, a few party decorations from the dollar store, and a few presents is really enough to make a birthday special. 

 This year Alaina asked for an ice cream cake.  Which was a bit intimidating.  Sure I had done hundreds of ice cream cakes back in the day when I worked at Baskin Robbins.  But I certainly don't have the same tools on hand as I did then,  After a bit of research on Pinterest I was able to comply to Alaina's specifications of her birthday cake and I have to say that I suddenly remembered the little tricks of working with ice cream.  It is very different from your normal frosting cake.  She was very excited with the end result and I have to say I was pleased as well.

I don't know about the rest of you parents out there, but it seems that the older our kids get the harder it is to find good gift ideas for them.  Every birthday and Christmas it seems as though Tony and I draw a huge blank and walk around the store for an hour or more until we find something.  This year we settled on a Disneyland Kinnect video game and a pink controller.  Carson has been showing her the ropes with the X-box lately so this seems to be a good change from the usual baby dolls and barbies.

Alaina also got a book and a Doodle pad from Grandma Elton which she has been spending all morning using (she's home sick from school today).

All in all I'd have to say that another successful birthday is down on the books.  Happy Birthday our not so little anymore girl! 

Coming out of Hibernation

*I always write these posts, but then never publish them thinking no one really wants to hear about it, so here is my effort to document what's going on.  I'm really trying not to complain too much*

Today I am 15 weeks pregnant with our fourth, and most likely last child.  Yes, this was a planned pregnancy.  Yes, I'm excited for this new little spirit to join our family.  Yes, I remembered how awful I feel for the first half of my pregnancies.  Yes, I remembered how difficult my pregnancies are on my relationships with my spouse and family.  But regardless of all this that I knew, I have to admit that the last few months I've been in a sort of hibernation.  Only doing the bear minimum when it comes to house work.  Only leaving the house when I absolutely have to.  Leaving my children to their own devices for most of the summer.  Retreating to my room for most of the day, leaving only to eat, go to the bathroom, or throw up.  A sort of waiting until I feel better to be of any sort of use to myself or my family.  No I'm not proud of my behavior, but lets face the facts that most of us go into a sort of hibernation when we are sick with a cold or flu.  Which usually at most lasts a week so no big deal.  I would try toughing it out or pushing through it only to once again retreat to my room.  With this pregnancy I am on some anti-nausea medication that really helps a ton and certainly makes me wish I had had it with my other pregnancies.  With the start of school for my kids and starting to feel like I can function I'm starting to come out of my hibernation.  Starting to do more around the house.  Leaving the house more and for longer periods of time.  Being more present for my family or least trying to.  I've recently been asked to serve in our ward as the Cubmaster.  Which is good.  It gives me something to do...once I figure out what I'm doing exactly.  I've also been asked to sub in relief society in a few weeks.  I've never taught in relief society before so we'll see how it goes.  I'm really itching to start sewing sweet things for this baby, but am resigned to wait until "the ultrasound" and Joann's opens.  Which happen to be around the same time.  I don't think it's a coincidence.  So I'm now trying to get into a new routine or grove.  Being someone useful to myself and others but at the same time not overdoing it.  I'm anxiously look forward to the day of trading pregnancy woes to newborn ones.  In about 6 months...sigh.