Take Two: Pattern Review: Vintage Simplicity 7817

After a long drought, I finally felt inspired to sew for myself again. I have started three other maternity dresses that were not going to look as I imagined so I abandoned them all and gave up for a while. Even though I had not yet worn the other shirt I made from this pattern I knew I liked it enough to give it a second go around. I added piping to the collar to help break up the crazy pattern of the fabric and I love the result! I was sincerely shocked by how well my seams lined up keeping the diagonal pattern. The shoulders are less broad this time and I added an inch to the length to accommodate this ever swelling belly. I'm very happy with how it turned out and definitely happy to add a new wearable top to my closet. Especially when considering it cost me less than $10 to make!

I found out yesterday that I am officially gestational diabetes free this pregnancy. I am so surprised as I had not been feeling great but I am so relieved. I am so happy to know I will get to experience going in to labor on my own. Getting induced wasn't the worst experience but it brought on immediate wild contractions and I'd like to know what the crescendo is like. I still have the mind frame of a pregnant woman with diabetes and feel guilt everytime I look at something sweet to eat. It might take awhile for me to lose that and maybe I won't. The latter would certainly help my waistline more. 15 weeks remain-it would only be 14 if I was to be induced, so I am happy for the extra time. I am sincerely alarmed by how fast this pregnancy is happening.

New Orleans.

We were invited to a wedding in New Orleans on November 3rd and while wavering on whether or not to attend we ultimately decided that in a few short months it will be infinitely harder to get away for a weekend with two little ones in tow, so we booked the tickets and invited Oma Dachtler. I was anxious about travelling with Rivers, even though she had already been on five flights before. We recently went to Yosemite and it was hard on her to be off her schedule and out of sorts, I was worried this trip would be more of the same. I couldn't have been more wrong. She was an absolute delight the whole time and was so excited to get out and explore the city. My mom purchased a harness backpack (oh the things I said I would never do when I have kids) but it worked marvelously and allowed Rivers to feel independent while we knew she was safe and unable to disappear. We went to the Louisiana Children's Museum, Oma took her to the zoo, and we all went to the aquarium. It was such a lovely trip and I was so thankful that my mom and Rivers were there.

Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters. Boogie is sampling some bread pudding in this picture.



At the New Orleans Aquarium. She was so brave in trying to touch one of the stingrays in the petting tank.

In other news, I am about 24.5 weeks pregnant and my belly is bulging. I am honestly concerned as to how I'm going to make any more room for this growing gentleman but there is nothing I can do but sit back and let it happen. I had my repeat gestational diabetes test yesterday and am waiting on the results. I have not been feeling that great so I'm feeling inclined to believe I do have it again.

Pregnancy Stats:

How Far Along: 24.5 weeks

Size of baby: Rutabaga

Total Weight Gain: 13 lbs

Gender: Boy

Movement: The last few weeks the movement has slowed down but I think I have been too busy and too tired to pay attention.

Sleep: We are coming off a week of Rivers having croup and only sleeping through 2 of 7 nights and a vacation to New Orleans. In other words, I'm tired!

Cravings: Nothing in particular at the moment.

Best Moment this week: Agreeing on two names with Dave. I'm not sure which we will pick but I am so relieved to know we have two we are both happy with. Also, the nursery has been painted and the wallpaper goes up Monday! I'm so happy to get started on this fun process!

(Printing Toy Story Coloring Pages from the Disney website)

Me: Oh who's next???
Rivers: BUZZ!
Me: Ok, another one is printing.
Rivers: Jesse!
Me: Here is another one
Rivers: Horsey!
Me: Ok, last one! Who is it?
Rivers: ........
Me: It's Zurg!!!!!
Rivers: Hold me.

Of course she does.

This gem popped up in my Yahoo news feed and I could not refrain from laughing out loud in my office. Of course Rosie O'Donnell wants to renovate a house for the stars of Honey Boo Boo. Of course she does. Her generosity astounds me.

And crap, now I've posted a picture of both of them on my blog. What have I come to?

Carmelitas.

Do yourself a favor and whip up a little batch of these.

Ooooh, We're Halfway There!

The halfway point has been reached. The boy is forming a solid little belly and is moving nonstop all the time. I am constantly begging and pleading with him to please take advantage of his whole womb and not just the lower region as he sits on my bladder ALL DAY LONG. I don't recall this being an issue with Rivers at all but this time it is BAD. So bad that I'm using a lot of CAPS up in here. Other than this I am at a really comfortable point in my pregnancy. I am beginning to start on the nursery so that I'm not 8 months pregnant and making 20 pound curtains that required me to sit on the tile floor for ample space like I did with Rivers. Also, the coming months are bringing a lot of holidays and I know time will fly and before we know it he will be here. At this rate he will be here nameless but that's ok. I'm sure we will be forced to agree on something once the birth certificate paperwork is in our laps. Rivers is starting to catch on to the idea of the brother and everytime I ask her where baby brother is she points to my belly. Whether or not the belly gets a kiss depends greatly on the time of day and her overall mood at the moment.

And for my own paper trail:

Pregnancy Stats:

How Far Along: 20 weeks

Size of baby: Banana

Total Weight Gain: 10 lbs

Gender: Boy

Movement: As previously mentioned: all the time. He is always kicking really low and a lot of times his movement feels like he's doing shimmies or rolls. I never experienced that with Rivers.

Sleep: Pretty great sleep right now and a dear husband who gets up with Rivers every morning so I can have 30 extra minutes.

Cravings: Spicy things, fall baked goods, baked goods in general: specifically these carmelitas things I'm going to have to try tonight

Best Moment this week: Seeing our little man moving at his 20 week ultrasound and hearing that everything looks wonderful.

Bummer Moment of the week: Finding out that I will have to take the gestational diabetes test again at 24 weeks. Hoping and praying for normal results so that I can enjoy carmelitas the rest of my pregnancy if they turn out to be as delicious as they look.