Sorry to have been gone so long. We're still adjusting to our new, now getting older, bundle of joy.
At six weeks old I have to say this baby is not missing a meal. It looks like she may even be trying to stash some away for the winter.
As you can tell, I am back... and somewhat normal. For the last week Ms. Violet has decided to start going to bed between 9 and 10 in the evening and sleeping until 4am. Wow! I almost feel human again. Notice... I said, "Almost!" However, before long she will be sleeping through the night and I might just miss getting up for diapers and feedings. Okay, not really.
I've slowly started to get little crafty things and some sewing done. It's been a miracle, so before too long I hope to be up and fully functional.
I have put together lots of little dresses and blankets. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap photos of them before they were gifted away. I contribute that to the fog I have been living in. I just hope all my seams were straight. LOL!
I wanted to take a minute to post about a new little gadget that I bought while I was pregnant, but never made the time.
It is the Sizzix Big Shot. Okay, so it is nothing spectacular. However, it's new to me and I love it. Come on... it is pink and has sparklies, does it get any better than that? I'll answer that question... No, it doesn't. ^_^
I have been sewing more and more little quilts lately. Per the request of nieces, nephews, cousins, you name it. Everyone wants a little something cute for the babies. Thank goodness the kids are still small so I can get away with making little lovies.
I shopped around for a while before deciding on the Big Shot. I mean, c'mon... there is the Accuquilt system and the Westminster Sizzix Big Shot Pro (that is almost the same as the Accuquilt). While I would have LOVED getting a bigger machine, I could not justify spending the extra bucks for one of the larger machines. The Big Shot does everything I need. It slices, it dices, it cuts 5" squares! While my Big Shot may only cut two 2.5" strips at a time, as compared to the three strips from Accuquilt, I still love it. It makes accuracy so much easier and I don't have to get the rotary cutter out when Ben is running circles around me. Super plus in my book.
I have found that I can use the 6" wide Accuquilt dies with my Big Shot. Don't let people tell you otherwise. I just had to get the circular saw out and shave a 1/4" off one side to make it work. However, the savings is well worth it. The Accuquilt dies are cheaper than the Westminster dies at the moment, since Westminster is a new machine. I think Westminster will need to drop their prices if they are going compete with the Accuquilt (even though there are a few different dies between the systems). Plus Westminster does not have a 5" square die cutter or the rag square die cutter, only Accuquilt has those. But Westminster does have the super popular Hexie die. I may have to break down and try my hand at hexies since I now know I won't have to cut out all those little shapes by hand.
My altered Accuquilt 5" square die.
A couple of dies I have in my collection.
Oh, I had a little Tufted Tweets left over in my stash and made my girlfriend a little 5" charm pack.
Okay, enough jabbering. I better get to crafting/sewing while Violet is napping and Ben is with his Avo.
Have a super crafty day!
I'm proud to say baby Violet Ruth graced us with her presence on July 5. She weighed in at a whopping 6 lbs 10 ozs, 3 lbs less than her big brother. I have to admit, when they brought her around the curtain for viewing I had to ask, "Are you sure that's her? She's awfully tiny."
However, she is perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a hefty set of lungs.
Big brother is so proud and excited to have her here with us. He runs by constantly and kisses her tiny head or holds her tiny fingers. Just this morning he ran into our bedroom at 5:30 am to bring her a stuffed animal to put into her bassinet and give her a kiss on the forehead before using the bathroom and heading back to his bed to go back to sleep. Now if that wasn't just the sweetest site. He was groggy and wobbly, but still just excited to know she is home.
He is so excited in fact that he wanted this action shot taken. His favorite bunny hopped into the photo just as it was taken. I'd have to say Ben is going to be one fabulous big brother.
Some have asked where we came up with the name Violet Ruth. I petitioned for Olivia, but Ken was dead set on Violet. Since I named Benjamin, I thought it only fair to hand the name card over to Ken. Ruth is Ken's maternal grandmother.
Now the mystery is solved.
More later.
... to all you deserving dads out there.
Warm wishes for a beautiful day.
2 more weeks. 2 more weeks.
I can do this. This pregnancy has been completely different than the first. Plus, it does not help that I am pregnant in the heat of the summer here in Florida.
But, I can do this! Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.
Enjoy and don't laugh too hard.
