Sunday, May 29, 2011

Baby Cocoon



























So I have been wanting to make a baby cocoon for a photography prop for myself for a while, and I came across a pattern recently, but because it wasn't exactly what I want, I used it as a guide and made changes along the way.  So for all intents and purposes I posted below the pattern that I re purposed.

Materials:
1 skein of Lion Brand Wood Ease Chunky yarn
9mm hook

Pattern:
-Chain 6, join with slit stitch (6)
-2 HDC in each stitch around (12)
-1 HDC in 1st stitch, 2 HDC in the next stitch, repeat around (18)
-1 HDC in next 2 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (24)
-1 HDC in next 3 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (30)
-1 HDC in next 4 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (36)
-1 HDC in next 5 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (42)
-1 HDC in next 6 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (48)
-2-3 rounds of HDC (48) (depending on how deep you want the cocoon)
-Finish off and weave in loose ends.

There has been a baby boom as of late-so I fully expect this will come in handy in the coming weeks!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Party Planning!

So just 10 short weeks until my sweet Ingrid Nightingale's SECOND birthday!  I. CAN'T. WAIT.  I think that today I just need something to take my mind off what my summer won't look like-so I am planning Ingrid's party-nothing like thinking about the most amazing day of my life to cheer me up!  We are going "kitty crazy" this year.  Ingrid is OBSESSED with kitties.  My parents have two indoor cats, and she knows both of them well.  She loves her "Bae-mae" (batman) and "Cawee" (Callie).  Whenever we go to my parents house she makes a bee line for Batman, gives him a giant hug and says "I woe you" (I love you).  So kitty galore it is.  I found an amazing kitty cake that I can't wait to try out.  I'm thinking of doing kitty face painting, kitty ears, kitty place settings etc...Does anyone have any other good ideas?  She's only two, and there will probably be a couple other 2 or 3's year olds there, so we probably won't have a lot for games and activities.  If you have any fun, creative, kitty themed ideas for me I'd love to hear them!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

January 13, 2012: My journey with pregnancy loss

January 13, 2012 would have been my due date.  Last Wednesday I found out I was pregnant, and on the very same day I found out I most likely would not go on to have a viable pregnancy.  I went into the doctor with stomach pain-the doctor asked if I could be pregnant, and I told her that while we were trying, I was almost 100% sure I was not, considering I had no symptoms (and I mean no symptoms) that would indicate pregnancy.  She said we should do a blood test, just to make sure because she thought that if I was indeed pregnant, that I might be miscarrying due to my symptoms.  I took the blood test, and then went home.  On my drive home I was thinking what if I was pregnant and miscarrying?  How would that make me feel?  I concluded that I was be disappointed, but since I didn't know anyway that I would be okay.  About an hour later I got a call from the doctor.  She broke the news that my HCG levels were high and that I was pregnant, she told me to come right in because they wanted to make sure it was not an ectopic pregnancy ( I had severe pain in my side).  As soon as she told me the news, I felt like all the air was sucked out of the room.  How could this be happening? I was not just disappointed, I was devastated and certainly not okay.  I rushed to the doctor's office and went straight in for an ultrasound.  Sparing all the details, the doctor was concerned that I either had a burst ovarian cyst, or an ectopic pregnancy.  As long as my pain level was under control they decided to send me home.  I was labeled with an unlocated pregnancy.  The doctor even said that there was hope that my pain was just due to a burst ovarian cyst, and that I might have a viable pregnancy on my hands, and that maybe it was just too early to see the baby.  I knew different.  When I found out I was pregnant with Ingrid I had a positive home pregnancy test 9 days before I was even supposed to be able to find out.  This time around, I took 3 pregnancy test's, all of which came back negative.  Even though I was pregnant, something was wrong from the very start.  Long story short, I have been monitored daily since last Wednesday, and as of right now they think the pregnancy was tubal, and the baby naturally aborted out the end of my fallopian tube and miscarried.  I go back in next week for a follow up appointment to discuss any risk factors of getting pregnant again.  The way I understand it, if you've had a tubal pregnancy once, then you're risk of having another one is much greater.

Physically I still don't feel well at all, and the doctor said it might be another week until I feel any better.  Emotionally it has been roller coaster.  It's hard to know how to process loosing a pregnancy, when you didn't have time to connect with the baby in the first place.  I will tell you this:  it is no different whether you see two little pink lines in the privacy or your own bathroom or whether a doctor calls to tell you the news.  Either way you are pregnant.  This is your baby.  I would say I'm resting comfortably somewhere between denial, anger, and acceptance.  It really comes in waves-when I'm at the doctors office it really hits me-I'm there for a sad reason.  I am so taken aback when asked if this is my 1st or 2nd pregnancy (I've heard that question a lot this week).  I want to say "What?!  I've only had one pregnancy!"  But now, that answer has changed, I've had two. I loved being pregnant with Ingrid, it was truly one of the most cherished times in my life.  I loved going to the doctor, I loved getting ultrasounds, I loved looking like a beached whale-I loved it all, it was truly bliss.  Now, I know the dark side of pregnancy, the ugly side when instead of a beautiful little bundle of joy you leave the doctors office empty handed, with a piece of you missing.  They figure i was about 6 weeks along-which is hard for me.  I was pregnant on my birthday, I was pregnant on mother's day.  Please don't get me wrong, I know there are much worse stories out there.  I know people have experienced much more difficult situations regarding pregnancy.  But I try not to compare-there will always be a worse story out there, but I need to grieve our loss-unique to our situation.  I only hope and pray that we will be able to have a successful pregnancy in the future.  We will take one day at a time, and wait to feel peace with whatever happens.  I am reading a novel right now, and last night I came across this line  "Understanding why something happens is a lot less important then understand that God will be there to see you through".  I plan to hold on to that.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Thursday

There isn't much I have to say today, other then we've been enjoying the warm weather.  Oh, and Ingrid is mildly bubble obsessed.  She waves around the bubble wand screaming "BUDDLES!  BUDDLES!".....it's darling!  This week has consisted of lots of walks, Popsicles, and lunches on our deck.  Ahhh..summer.








































Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Our weekend

Last Friday was my birthday.  It's kind of a long standing joke that my birthday usually sucks.  I don't know why, it's just always something.  This birthday (the big 2.5) didn't disappoint!  It started out a little rough, Ingrid was still getting over croup, and actually threw up all over me (happy birthday).  After some much needed ibuprofen she was feeling better, and the day proceeded nicely.  We ate at my favorite bagel shop for breakfast, and made home made pizza for dinner.  We ended the night with a movie (Love and Other drugs......let me save you the pain-it was horrible-and you see the Princess Diaries chesticles...which is disturbing).  In between breakfast and dinner we went to my parents and sat on their back deck and watched Ingrid run around, and while she napped my mom babysat so Michael and I went shopping (he is an excellent "stuff" holder), followed by a family walk.  It's safe to say my birthday was decent this year-phew!










































Fast forward to Monday I got to watch one of my BFF's kiddo's for an hour.  These little boys are SO cute!  And to think...in about 7 short months they will have a little brother or sister!  So fun!  I love watching the 3 kids play together.  Ingrid kept giving Brayton (the youngest) kisses.





























































Here's to the rest of the week!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Red Pasta Primevera

I was sitting on the couch yesterday (watching Rachael Ray while Ingrid napped), wondering what to make for dinner.  Rachael's food always looks delicious to me, and this meal looked so quick and easy I just had to make it.  So I called up my momma to come over and hang out while Ingrid slept so that I could run to the store.  I changed up a few ingredients to meet our needs (and budget...fresh herbs are expensive!), and it turned out delish!  I love finding inexpensive, healthy vegetarian recipes!








































INGREDIENTS
*Whole wheat penne
*1 small zucchini
*1 red bell pepper
*1 carrot
*a few green onions
*2 cloves of garlic, minced
* 1 handful of grated parm. cheese
*olive oil
*butter
*Italian herbs
*a pinch of red pepper flakes
*S & P

DIRECTIONS

1.  Bring salted water to a boil.  When water is boiling, add pasta and cook until al dente.

2.  Cube zucchini, carrot, pepper, and onions.  Set aside.

3.  Heat EVOO over medium high heat, and add garlic.  Cook until slightly done.  Add vegetables and let cook out for a few minutes.  After vegetables have had time to cook, add herbs and spices to taste.  Let cook until carrots are tender.

4.  Once veggies are cooked through, drain pasta and add it to the vegetables.  Stir to combine and add cheese.  Ta-Da!

Super healthy, super tasty, super cheap.  Love it!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Spring

I love love love tulips!  They are my favorite flower!  It's sad you can only enjoy their beauty for such a short amount of time every year, but maybe that's what makes me like them all the more.  My mom was kind enough to shower me with the tulips from her garden!  Thanks momma!  


I will enjoy them for about 2 more days until the wilting process begins....and I will wait patiently until next spring to enjoy them once again!




Saturday, May 7, 2011

Ingrid

Thank goodness Ingrid is starting to feel better....she finally is eating a little bit, and seems to have more energy.  I can't wait until she has recovered fully and is back to normal.  Here's to health!

Saturday Morning Oatmeal...

Thursday, May 5, 2011

My growing girl...

To say the last few weeks have been hectic is an understatement.  Amongst all the commotion, I am over whelmed with how quickly Ingrid is growing.  I say this all the time,but she is really turning into such a little girl.  From baby to child.

-Yesterday was the first time she really showed interest in picking out her own clothes.  I took her to her closet and she scanned her wardrobe a few times before deciding that without a doubt, it was a day for her purple sweatshirt and colorful skirt (thankfully she didn't show the same wardrobe indecisiveness her mother does).  

-While I always swore I'd never be that parent who tells everyone about their child's potty training habits, I can't help but be super excited that for the first time earlier this week she intentionally used her potty!!  (although in the past there have been "grab the naked baby and stick her on her potty quick" unintentional moments)  We were so excited, however Ingrid was a little annoyed with the whole process.  You would think she would be really elated at her accomplishment, but I think she was irritated that we weren't just cleaning up her mess for her...

-The other day I was sitting on the living room floor and she had a piece of food she no longer wanted, so she handed it to me and said "Here ya go!".....I love that little sentences are forming.

Growing up SO fast!




























Ingrid in her outfit she picked out.


Croup
Yesterday Ingrid had her first fever.  She has a very "all or nothing" type personality, so it was no surprise that her first fever was not mild.  We rushed her to urgent care when it topped 104.00 last night.  The doctor checked her out (gave her a throat culture-which was painful to watch) and sent her home recommending Tylenol,  ibuprofen, and cool baths.  We put her to bed around 10pm, only to here her wake up 30 minutes later struggling to breath.  She was making a horrible barking noise when she breathed.  We flew out of the door and headed to the ER.  To make a long story short: 2 hours of horrible screaming, blood work, a shot, nebulizer treatments, an up right X-Ray (which by the way looks like a torture device), and one very tired girl later we were home.  The only thing she wanted was her momma, she clung on to me for dear life!  Both Michael and I fought back tears to watch all this happen to her.  Luckily she is okay, and we are very thankful for that.  She finally got to sleep last night around 12:30 last night (or this morning rather).  She is still asleep, so we are praying for a day of rest and recovery!

Before her fever sky rocketed to 104 last night we took a few pictures of our little sicky.  Who would have thought that even with such a high temp she was still acting perfectly normal.  What a trooper!



I love that she is taking her baby's temperature (on the right)!  What a good little mommy!





Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tuesdays

I like Tuesdays for a lot of reasons. 


1) It's not Monday 
2) Taco Tuesdays at Taco Johns (Ingrid's favorite and one of the only things she eats without coercion) 
3)Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC


While it may seem weird to look forward to eating at Taco John's only to look forward to coming home to watch Food Revolution-it's still been a good pattern for us.  :)


If you haven't seen Food Revolution check it out-we loved it last season, and when we found out they were doing a second season we were stoked.  Happy Tuesday partner.



Sunday, May 1, 2011

Ketchup (and carrots...)

I have been out of commission for a while.  There are reasons for that, and I am hoping that things settle down around here soon!  (Michael, Ingrid, and I are all healthy and happy)...anyway-I thought I would share a recipe for ketchup!  If your kids are anything like Ingrid Nightingale, they will eat anything as long as it has ketchup on it.  The love the dippin' and dunkin'!  Full disclaimer: I haven't actually tried out this recipe yet, but as soon as our ketchup runs out I am planning on giving it a go!  If you try it out, let me know how it is!!


Oh, and the best part, it's full of healthy ingredients like CARROTS!  Again, Jessica Seinfeld, I heart you.


INGREDIENTS
* 1 6oz can of tomato past
*1/2 cup of carrot puree
*1/4 cup of water
*2 T of apple cider vinegar
*2 cloves of garlic, minced
*1 T of brown sugar
*1/2 t dry mustard
*1/4 t of salt
*1/4 t allspice
*1/4 chili powder, or to taste

DIRECTIONS
1.  Stir all the ing. together in a  big saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture has reduced by about half, 15-20 minutes.  Let cool before serving.

2.  Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze in a 1/4 cup amounts for up to 3 months.

...oh and a picture-for the heck of it.




Hope everyone had a great weekend!