Still making stuff

Trying to find time here and there to be crafty! :)

New 4th of July wreath

Barbie onesie for Emma.

Garage sale canvas paintings upcycled with masking tape and spray paint.

Chalk wall hangings for the living room.

Box for my flip flops so they're not scattered all around the house!

Extra fabric from flip flop box for a summery wreath.

Favorite Things

I've never been much of a baby person.

"Want to hold my baby?"
"I see her fine right there, thank you." :)

And not being much of a baby person means that I really didn't have much of a clue about babies in general. Six weeks in to parenthood and I still don't have much of a clue about babies!!!
But these are the things that are making being a new mom a lot easier for me.

Forty Days and FORTY NIGHTS! Devotions For New Mothers
Easy, relevant devotions for when I feel like freaking out. And sometimes I still do freak out! But at least I have a few quiet moments in the morning.

On Becoming Baby Wise
An awesome book passed on to us from Ben's cousin (well, his cousin's wife, if you want to be all technical). The book is all about parent guided eat/wake/sleep cycles for the baby which leads to your baby sleeping through the night very early on. We love it. Emma started sleeping through the night at 5 weeks. Is it perfect? No. Do we follow it to the letter? No. You still have to use common sense as a parent. But it's a great guide and we're sticking with it. :)

ItzBeen Timer
LOVE THIS THING! I can keep track of diaper changes, feeding times, napping, and when I need to pump next. Makes my days a lot easier to keep track of. :)

Beaba bottle drying tree

This was a gift and it's great. Who has time to dry all those bottles?

Hand-free pumping bra
Why spend $30-$40 on one when you can make your own!!!!

And there you have it. A few of the things that are helping me survive being a mom. :)

Interview with a 1 month old

Name: Emma Lee Doehrmann 

Birthday: 24 May 2012 

Height: 21" 

Weight: 10lbs, 11 oz. The Dr. said the weight gain was 'impressive.' What did he really mean by that? 

Age: One month, yesterday. But who's counting.

Skills & Abilities: 

ninja-like vomiting 

crying without taking breaths 

escaping from swaddles like Houdini 

Interests: 

riding in the Snugli 

listening to The Beatles (especially the Abbey Road side-two medley—because that’s all my mom can think of to sing to me when I’m throwing a fit) 

working in the garage with Dad

Favorite pastimes: 

taking warm baths

napping 

filling up my britches 

watching baby TV 

throwing gang signs

In just 11 days.......

........ I have learned a whole slew of new things.

• childbirth isn't that scary
• babies aren't as breakable as I had previously thought
• it actually IS possible to take a 3 minute shower
• breastfeeding isn't for everyone--you're a lifesaver, Medela!
• baby clothing makers need to find something better than those impossible little snaps
• projectile pooping 
• I can't keep a thought in my head for more than 5 seconds. I'm getting good at making lists
• babies are a lot more fun when they're yours :)

No Baby Yet?

Is this a serious question?

Then commences the battle in my head whether to answer politely and smile or to just stare at the person.

 No. No baby yet. 39 1/2 weeks.

These last couple weeks have been a test in patience for me. You see, I'm Type A. I'm in control, things get done when I want them done, how I want them done, and I get a little, um, irritated, when things don't go my way.

I've already lost the 'guess the baby's date of birth contest' at work. My guess was May 10. That was a week ago. Boo.

But God is in charge. It's just hard to remember that sometimes.

I've been home (done with work) now for almost two weeks. And I'm doing my best to keep busy so I don't get frustrated with the waiting. So here's what I've been up to! :)

1. CLEANING
Why a picture of the blinds? Because I dusted them all for the first time in at least a year. Oh yeah!!

2. SHOWERING
I am enjoying every single shower I can get at this point.

3. SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE
Partly by choice, partly out of necessity. It's been so nice lately that one would be crazy to NOT want to be outdoors. But the necessity part comes in because Ben cancelled our cable and I have to do SOMETHING. :)

 Flowers have been potted. By the way, do you know how much buying colored pots will cost you?? Go with the basic terra cotta pots and buy whatever color spray paint you want.

The kitties get at least one walk a day, usually two. And they're loving it!

4. FREEZING FOOD
Because I'm determined to not have to officially cook for a while after the baby's here.

5. MAKING STUFF
A bunch of ladies customized some onesies for me at my most recent baby shower. I made a few, too.
As for me and my household, we yell "Go Big Red!" :)

6. CLOSET SWAP
All the summer clothes are out and ready to go.
"Don't expect to fit into your normal clothes for a while after giving birth." Oh yeah??? WATCH ME!!!!! :)

Just trying to keep myself busy and remember that I'm not in control. But when the time does come, I'm ready to go!

Decorating is finished

And the final touch to the nursery decor is my own personal painting of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet! Check that out!

The newest employee at work does awesome wall paintings and did this one for us. Thanks, Paula!! So now the nursery decorating is complete!

I didn't say it was organized. :)

Three Baby Projects

Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the creativity of any of these projects. I simply ripped them off from other people. :)

1. Burp rags. (wish I could give credit but I can't find the website with the tutorial)


A simple project that I saw somewhere on Pinterest. Simple, that is, unless you have a sewing machine with a mind of its own.

2. Coverplates



The thrifty side of me was not willing to pay for something I could make myself! :)

3. Wall Decal



Had to have this and I was definitely willing to pay for this one. And thanks to a tape measure, pencil, level, and a super husband(Thanks, Ben!), this was a quick project that required little work from me--my favorite kind of project!