Pattern Review: Vintage Simplicity 7817

I recently pulled out my maternity clothes and what once seemed so cute and trendy now seems dated and tired. I just don't think there is much there I can really wear again. You know at the end, I was so desperate I was wearing a pink cotton t shirt with a stain right on the front. Can you believe I saved that shirt? What in my mind made me think I would want to wear that again for another pregnancy? It's baffling.

Thus a new obsession has been born. Vintage maternity patterns on Etsy. I'll be ten weeks on Saturday and I have already purchased three patterns. I just can't help myself. Everyday there are new and cute ones that make me think - YEAH! That will make these coming months of awkward body more exciting. They range in price from $6 - $12 so I know ultimately it is cheaper than buying maternity clothes and I get to have more fun with fabric choice. I won't mess with making maternity pants - just start looking at some of those vintage patterns for those and you will immediately begin feeling bad for your grandmother. Pretty hilarious. So I have been buying patterns for tops and dresses that I like. I started to make one and abandoned it before the zipper even went in because the stripes were never going to line up. Then I started another and was to the point of finishing the cuff on the sleeves (SO CLOSE) when my sewing machine broke. The top sat unfinished in my sewing room for nearly two weeks until today when I picked up my repaired machine!

Cutting to the chase, I know I am going to wear this shirt but the whole time I was finishing it I couldn't stop thinking "You can't win them all." The fit is not the best but I don't have a real belly yet so it will probably improve. The shoulders are too broad but I can fix that the next time I make the shirt. I LOVE the Peter Pan collar and am already dreaming of making the next one with a sequined collar and heavy Georgette fabric. The fabric combination is a little clownish but I like it. Are you embarrassed for me that I made a shirt that matches the same one I made for Rivers? You probably should be. Am I? No. I have found I purposely try to match her quite often. My mom did it for me and I shall return the favor. Overall:    A (maternity clothing is on a reduced scale. In other words this top would probably earn a C+ on the regular clothing scale)

Ralpherson makes the shirt even cuter than it really is. We could also label this: homegirl really needs to touch up her roots.

With this pose I think I can officially retire any dreams of ever becoming a fashion blogger.

Yup. See caption above.

Our only full length mirror is in the laundry room

A preview of my next maternity sewing project

On My Mind: It was a Nice Thought But....

I don't think I'm going to make it 7 more months to find out what this child is.

Pickled Okra

The only craving I had with Rivers was root beer. Dave once even had a basket delivered to my office with cookies and an assortment of root beer brands. It was utterly delicious and I indulged almost daily until 27 weeks when I learned I had gestational diabetes. What a real bummer that was for my pregnant ears. I was put on a low carb diet and had to test my blood sugar 4 times daily. It really wasn't too big of a deal because thankfully I was able to control it with diet alone and it probably saved me from really packing on the pounds at the end when I was feeling especially pregnant and therefore felt entitled to my food.

I'll be tested for gestational at 11.5 weeks this time. Considering the odds are very high that I will have it again, that means I could be looking at 28+ weeks of 15 grams of carbs for breakfast, 60 for lunch and dinner and 15 for a nighttime snack. 15 grams of carbs is a piece of bread, y'all. I always felt like I was starving on the diet, which is overly dramatic but I was eating for two!!!

So maybe that is why this time the cravings are infinite. It is like my body has an intuition as to what is to come and is storing up for the long winter. For no reason other than it amuses me and I want to remember, the list of cravings is as follows:

-Pickled okra
-Luigi's red wine vinaigrette on butter lettuce with carrots and tomatoes (this is by FAR my biggest craving and I think about it no less than three times daily)
-Pace salsa (i love that trash)
-Kung Pao chicken
-Rice. Fried rice. Brown rice. Risotto.
-BBQ chicken
-Enchiladas

I'm experiencing some food aversion this time and I know that is why I'm indulging my cravings so intensely- I better eat what sounds awesome otherwise I won't be eating. Has Dave sent me a basket with all my favorites you ask? Well, considering he told me he was sick of the cravings on Sunday, I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. Poor guy. He's got it rough this time around.

The Long Wait

This pregnancy is totally different than the last. I can't help but wonder if that means it is a baby boy who has taken up residence in my belly. I really am excited to know but I'm determined to wait until eviction time on some day in February. This whole waiting to find out is my own personal test to learn patience. It has never been a strong suit. When I was little my dad would have me repeat after him "Patience is a virtue." While a sweet sentiment, it had no effect on my personality and ultimate belief that everything is better NOW. I lack willpower and as proof I offer up the anecdote that I have always looked up the winner on the Bachelor or Bachelorette well before the season ends and sometimes even before it begins. After Rivers I decided that with my next pregnancy I was going to wait for the BIG SURPRISE to know whether I had a new daughter or son. So when the new season of the Bachelorette started, I considered it to be my mini-test. (Yes, now you have a glimpse into just how much of a silly woman I am). Now that we are less than a week away from the finale, I am proud to say I have avoided any speculation or proof on who stole Emily's heart. In other words - I did it. If I can wait 10 weeks to find out the winner of the Bachelorette then I am automatically qualified to wait 8+ months to find out what my new child is. Total logic at its finest.

The truth is, I'm at complete peace with whatever gender God has blessed us with this time. I know this child is going to be completely different from our Riverbunsin and whether that difference shows up as a little boy or another little lady is fine by me. While I'm working on my patience.....I want February to come NOW! Ok, maybe not now. Wait until I have Rivers potty trained and then come. Thank you dearly.

Remember this post? The verdict is in: Fertile Myrtle.

Big smiles over here.

Estimated to arrive February 23, 2013. Boy or girl, we will not know but I'm certain this babe will look just like Dave.

Don't be fooled by her fair white skin...this girl is a beach bunny.

Bums and Blessings

Sweet child of mine, oh how she brings me so much joy. She is fiesty, wild, brave, sensitive, sweet, and oh so very funny. This disciplining thing is terribly hard because I want to laugh at all the naughty things she does and says. I know this stage is so small in the grand scheme of her life and I find it hard to be sincerely frustrated with her. Ok. Maybe that's not the whole truth. Let me clarify: at HOME I find it hard to be sincerely frustrated with her. In public, the frustration sets in quickly as my face turns red from embarrassment and I try to find my 3rd and 4th missing hands that I need to help wrangle this wild beast in. Even in these moments I feel so much sympathy for her. I can only imagine her frustration with her lack of understanding, lack of communication and having to learn that she can not always get her way. I know just how difficult all of this is because I have still not mastered much of it myself.

It is hard to describe how this baby girl makes me feel. It is hard to measure the size my heart swells up to when I think of her. It is hard to fathom the gaping hole my heart would have if she were never to have entered my life. When she looks into my eyes asking me questions, I often lose my breath with the disbelief that this beautiful creature is mine. She was born from my body and will forever know me as her mother. That is crazy!!!!!

This morning we were showering and I put a drop of foam soap in each of her hands and told her to scrub up while I turned my back so I could face the water. I expected her to start cleaning her little body as she normally does but was taken by surprise when I felt two chubby little hands working in opposite circular motions on my bum. We like to emphasize "dirty buns" around here and apparently Mama needed some assistance in that department. In such moments of sweetness, I can feel my heart fall to it's knees exhaulting God for His blessings. They are infinite, they are small, they are mighty, and they are ever present as long as we are present for them. This motherhood thing.....is a pretty mighty blessing.