One for Your Seam Rippers

For Christmas I was gifted a Barnes and Noble gift card.  Dangerous temptation, for me.  So I shopped and shopped and settled on Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.  I've never been completely sold on pattern books--mostly because I think the patterns are never as good as a single pattern you could buy.  But with all these cute outfits and baby toys, I just couldn't resist. 

I've never sewn real clothing before.  However, Butler promises "all projects are achievable" in this book.  I decided on the "easy" empire waist top and bloomers (difficulty level 3).  I diligently found the pattern pieces (quite the Where's Waldo, if you will), then cut out the extra pieces to measure.  I traced all the pattern pieces on parchment paper, which was a neat trick I picked up somewhere, so I wouldn't have to ruin the actual pattern pieces... thinking at the time, I could of course use these again. 

I knew I was in trouble right as I started sewing.  Unfortunately, Amy Butler might make a mean bag, but I think she forgot these clothes were for little people.  Little pieces.  Little seams.  I made the actual top of the top first, and I was pretty sure the entire time it wouldn't fit over Claire's head, even though I made the 3-6 month size:

 

It's all lined, plus the detailing of the V on front and the sleeves.  The dreaded sleeves.  More on them in a moment.  On the back (which appeared simple) I also had to use a real button and make a loop (quite the feat).  Of course, this goes back to--who are you making these clothes for?  It might look cute, but have you ever put on an outfit with "real" buttons on a three month old?  Ugh!

 

So now to the sleeves.  I don't know what size they're supposed to be.  I don't even know what they really look like.  One thing lacking in this book are nice, detailed pictures.  There are a few (and I think they're burned into my brain), but that didn't help for these complicated sleeves.  I actually started googling at this point to see if I could find outside help, only to hear many a woman's dismay over the exact same thing.  Plus a bevy of other complaints!  Well, at least it wasn't just me having trouble here!  So I improvised.  I actually started the second sleeve following the directions exactly again, thinking I'd messed up a step--only to end up in the exact same mess.  So these, while they might look nice, are not her exact sleeves.  Don't even ask what I did to them, I don't know. 

 

 After about this point, I figured this was a scrap project.  I mean, it was, as you'll recognize, this is the exact fabric from my diaper bag.  I indeed made a "scrap" project.  But what I mean is, I figured this wasn't going to work out or look decent, so I sort of started getting sloppy.  I continued to struggle with the horrible instructions, so I just went with it. Even still, I must have used my seam ripper more than my sewing machine!  Just an example of how horrid the instructions were, the bottom of this top is a rectangle cut out of fabric that you measure yourself.  Fine.  However, no where in any of the instructions does it mention which end is up.  So when it got to the point to put it on the top, I didn't know which way it went.  I read over the instructions about ten times, so frustrated.  I'm sure it's in some stupid place (as all the instructions were a little out of order, in my opinion).  So I just did what I felt.  I also like how she provided no way to finish the seams on this part of the outfit.  All the other seams are "finished" so they won't unravel.  I'll have to go back and improvise (again). 

 

After I finished the outfit, I was pretty hesitant to even attempt the bloomers.  I read over the entire pattern first, and since it was so small (and seemed simple) and I had just enough scrap left, I went for it.  I made the 6-9 size, since our cloth diapers add a bit more bulk, and after seeing the top and questioning the size, I felt like it was the right thing to do.  Now, I will concede that since I've  made plenty of pants before, that's probably why these were easier.  I liked the part where they say to sew the legs, but if I hadn't made pants before, I certainly would have had to seam rip apart the "skirt" I'd created.  Little details--a simple sentence more in the instructions would always help.  Here's the fit of the bottoms:

They're bulky, but by the time the weather is nice enough to wear this out and about, they'll probably fit.  The waist band left something to be desired.  As I told Matt, who had to hear this whole thing several times over, I just wanted to follow the instructions exactly, to prove they were stupid.  Indeed, I could have used about two inches less on the elastic.  I liked the legs though, they're frilly and cute and fun.  

Here the whole outfit is--there IS room to spare, thank goodness, however, it's pretty hard to get on.  There is a little elastic in the waist, but not enough to squeeze through big chunky arms (oh dear).  And of course the button is a bear to hook when she's wiggling.

You know I look good...

I do think it turned out cute, though, so does Claire:

E-Trade baby, eat your heart out!

Now I'm kind of sad that I started getting sloppy at the end because I figured the project was unwearable.  However, I've been told you can't tell, and that it looks very nice, inside and out.  I like my projects to be a certain standard, though.  You know, even my pj pants have finished seams and a reinforced crotch.  Just saying.

You didn't reinforce my crotch?  What kind of Mommy are you?

  

But it's wearable!

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

And Claire approved!

Get me my agent, I'm ready for my close up!

  

I guess I need to start practicing sewing complicated baby couture, since her new obsession (watching TV) was compounded today watching what else, Toddlers and Tiaras.

I want to win Grand Supreme Little Miss!

 She looks pageant ready!  Unfortunately, I don't think she'll be getting this outfit in a larger size.  I've also read that people had a terror of a time with the booties and the jumper (which was going to be my next outfit, rats).  I'll just say this--I think with a pattern book, you get what you pay for.  In this case, fancy baby photos showing off the clothes, but not showing much detail in the actual instructions.  And the drawings to show steps are lacking.  I know what a gathering stitch looks like, seriously, why not give some more details on those complicated sleeves! 

Some of Baby's Favorite Things... So Far

So Baby Claire hasn't even been here a week, but she already has her favorite things. Some of these were items I very much wanted before she was born... and some happen to be happy accidents as to how well she's taken to them, but trust me--these are life savers!

Moby Wrap
I felt like such a hippy, but I adamantly wanted this wrap as a carrier for myself (Matt felt like it was a little wussy for a guy to wear). I wanted to wear my baby as much as possible. Hands free option was the way for me! My mom always tells the story of how she tried a carrier with me one time and I screamed holy terror and she never used it again. Luckily, Claire wasn't against this from the start--in fact she loved it! We mostly use the cradle hold for snuggling and the newborn hold for our walks, but it holds her nice and secure and I can crochet with her in there and walk all over with her (and she hasn't taken to the stroller nearly as well... and the stroller is such a hassle, this has been a blessing!) We even hit downtown today briefly and (maybe a little too much info but...) I had to go to the bathroom, so I just took her in with me in the wrap and did just fine! She slept the entire walk, but we were very comfortable and happy.
Baby Einstein Crib Soother
I didn't know that I wanted this thing, but at the last minute we thought it was cool and added it to the registry. We had a mobile already (which I figured was the same thing really) and we were going to get the Sleep Sheep (coming up!), but Claire's grandma got this for her anyway. The first time we put it on in the crib Claire got this super goofy expression on her face and just stared--I imagine she would look much the same if you could hypnotize her. We've been using this now for a little Mommy Daddy time--like dinner, or rest, or showers (funny how our Mommy Daddy time has been reduced to these "luxuries"). With the monitor on, we know we have at least 20 glorious minutes of baby-free time (and with the handy dandy remote, if we can catch it in time, we can start it over and extend our time even longer).
Halo Swaddle SleepSack
Another thing some family "frowned" at and wondered if it'd work or not. Claire was actually delivered to me in one of these after her first trip to the nursery. I felt better knowing it was hospital approved! My grandfather (who also bought me the Moby wrap) got this because he'd read up on how important swaddling was. We actually got a second one (in the picture) from Boone Hospital that says "I'm a Boone Baby". We used this early on for breast feeding because Claire really likes to ball up her hands and cover her face (funny, this is why we couldn't get any ultrasound pics at our 35 week check up, too). It was a life saver! We also use it for sleep and to comfort. We are glad we have two, because we've been using the heck out of them. We can actually swaddle with blankets, too, but the swaddle sack keeps her feet in but not wrapped so tight. In the blanket, she often stretches and kicks her legs until they're free (funny... we did a lot of stretching and kicking and toe pointing in the womb, too... it's cute to see her doing things out of the womb that I recognize from when she was on "the inside").

Sleep Sheep
This thing I just thought was too cute. I found it at Barnes and Noble in Columbia and loved it. I've always liked white noise machines or soothing sounds machines (although haven't ever had one of my own). I liked the idea that it was something we could take it places as well as use it around the house. Well, initially we didn't know where to use it, since Baby Einstein was working so well in her crib. We are rooming in for the first month or so, so we put Sleep Sheep in the room with us (and we are ALL enjoying him). But then my good friend Carissa (my personal breast-feeding Nazi, who is going to get some kind of reward in heaven for talking me off a couple of cliffs so far) told us to try this during our feeding time to get relaxed. So now Sleep Sheep travels with Claire and I every night for our feedings. He clips right on the rocking chair, too, so it's nice just hang him up and let him go. I am a little freaked out by the "whale" sound setting, but the rest are nice. We're really liking either "ocean" or "rain" settings. He also has a "heartbeat" setting, but I'm not so keen on it, but she seems to enjoy it (wonder why).
I'm sure we'll find more things that we love and highly recommend. But right now, these have been our LIFESAVERS.
I'm currently working on "perfecting" the "Womanly Art" of breast feeding. I'm going to post on that soon--I've learned so much this last week--craziness! There is so much to learn as a new parent. I'm really proud of Matt and I for taking in everything and tackling every obstacle with grace and composure so far. We are very much in love with our new edition. I can see why people have more than one baby! But right now--we're going to enjoy the heck out of ours!
Claire Approved!

I'm a Terrible Parent, and I Don't Even HAVE a Kid Yet

Perhaps it is a morning routine I am not proud of, but while eating my mini wheats I often surf the news channels, usually stalling on HLN news, because I love the erratic, quick paced, headline only style. As a matter of fact, I requested to watch this channel during labor, instead of music. I'm kind of obsessed.


Anyway, this morning was just NOT the morning for the obsessed pre-parent to be watching, I guess. I'm already reeling from the idea my baby might be underweight, despite assurances from everyone AND the doctor. We have an ultrasound next week to check on her. Of course, she's made measuring her in utero an almost impossible task with all her contortions she performs for the doctor. And as the doctor pointed out, I'm a little person. She'd be MORE concerned if I was measuring big because she is afraid I couldn't handle popping out a 9 pounder. My husband and I were both small babies. In fact, I was smaller than my little sister, (who ironically grew to be 3-4 inches taller than me, too). I'm going to have a midget baby. Unfortunately, that still reflects poorly on the mom, who is nurturing and growing the kid. Did I eat too little? Or too MUCH crap and too LITTLE good stuff? Is this related to the time I forgot to take my vitamins? Or the fact I was sick and dehydrated, which can lessen amniotic fluid, which can affect baby growth?? Is it the glass of wine I drank at my wedding???


Well, that's what goes through the anxiety ridden mind of an anxiety afflicted momma.


But then HLN had to put the final nails in the coffin. First, there is a giant recall for Fischer Price toys. Which I had to go investigate what the heck toys we even have since of course, I got them all as gifts, I don't know. I didn't find anything suspicious (I'm still researching a few items, just to make sure, since some things I don't understand the purpose of the recall--like the floor gym for tummy time. We have one. What makes it different than the one they mention??)


But then the kicker... they took away my sleep positioner!!!

I didn't even know I wanted this stupid thing 9 months ago. But then when we started investigating parenting, I read like three articles talking about SIDS and how sleep positioners boasted to help prevent babies from rolling. Early rolling can cause suffocation, even on a bare mattress, if a baby can't move her head (or doesn't move her head), during sleep. Mine even has an elevated base, so that helps with food settling, too, since baby's stomachs are sort of like untied water balloons--it's very easy for them to have reflux of milk or stomach acid. I felt like a very intune, good momma... considering I did my research before deciding to use one. There wasn't a STITCH of bad info out there. Even the American Pediatrics Association didn't say anything bad, persay, just that they didn't have anything to support the claims to say it was better--and that a bare crib was just fine.
So after the FDA decided that these were not safe...
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm227575.htm

I decided that they weren't safe either (except only 12/13 babies have died from them over as many years, which seems more like user error than anything else). Granted, babies who died were positioned incorrectly, and the product was being used for side sleeping as opposed to back sleeping, which is how we intended the usage, we both feel better making the decision not to use it.
My opinion has long been that cavemen had babies, and some of THOSE babies somehow survived despite not having the FDA and APA and CDC and all that jazz. Most deaths of infants still go back to parents who were not using products correctly (see the sling controversy, which STILL makes me angry) and/or who did not supervise their infant appropriately. It only takes a second, though, I am aware.
We feel better knowing we have one less thing we can possibly screw up, and we will return our positioner tonight and put the money towards those awesomely expensive gifts on our registry no one thought to gift us. ;)
Baby Claire responds to this by thwapping me repeatedly directly in the belly button several times over. Did I ever mention I have an extremely sensitive belly button? And how touching it on the outside hurts, but hitting it from inside is like absolute torture? Good call, kid. Good call.

Finishing Touches

So, I'm finished. I've finished putting stuff together in the baby's room, and I'm officially finished with all my sewing and craft projects that I wanted to have done before baby arrives.
I'm pretty pleased with my progress. First the quilts.
My mother brought me home from the hospital in a blanket she made herself. I had a green version and a blue version. Not to sound like I need even more therapy, but I still sleep with one of those blankets--after wearing out the other one. I figure I've got about ten years left on this blanket before it's completely gone. But anyway, that made me all sentimental and want to make a few baby blankets for Claire. I am not going to pretend that in 30 years she will still be sleeping with one of these things, but I'm hoping they'll still be special and well-loved as she grows up.
I decided to make a "traditional" quilt reflecting some of our color and theme choices. I am not great at picking fabric that coordinates, so I worried this quilt looked too scattered, but it ended up very pretty.
There are all my pretty squares and strips. The thing I love about "traditional" quilting is probably the thing I also hate most--how everything feels like it has to be very perfect. I'm not very accurate at sewing (or cutting, or measuring) so this was really a true labor of love to figure out. It might look simple (and I'm sure to those who quilt, it is, painfully so) but for someone who doesn't like this sort of process, it's a challenge.
Here is the finished quilt. You can't tell all that well, but the yellow fabric is a Winnie-the-Pooh fabric with little bees, the purple is just a swirl print, and the border is a Winnie-the-Pooh theme (our theme is Winnie-the-Pooh, although we had some trouble staying true to it). The back is just the yellow print. The binding is the purple swirl. To quilt it I used my machine and just stitched the ditch. For my first time actually machine quilting, it didn't turn out terrible. There are errors, but I learned a lot on this project that will no doubt help in other projects. Everyone starts somewhere. Still, this is the quilt we've designated as "Baby's First" and will go to the hospital with us.

I opted to make a second quilt, but after the annoyances of the first and the fact I have trouble picking out fun coordinating prints and textures, I bought a fabric set from JoAnne's Fabrics. It didn't feel like it was cheating, because I still had to cut all the squares and pin everything together, it just had the right amounts (for the most part) of the fabric for the actual blanket. I had to buy pink fabric for the binding since they didn't use any on their "pattern". But I like this blanket because of all the textures. The back is the green flannel (also on front), it also features a silky pink and the brown is a soft furry fabric.
I stitched the ditch on the squares on the side, but for the inside of the center I tried my hand at meandering quilting. It turned out a lot better, and I could see immediate improvement of skills from the first quilt. The fabrics are all so different and fun, this quilt secretly has become my favorite. However, it has nothing to do with Winnie-the-Pooh--a serious violation of my theme that I was so adamant over (at the time)!
Finally I took scraps from both blankets and made a little security blanket with ribbons on the sides. I basically threw it together on a whim because I had such small amounts of fabric left, it wasn't worth saving. This isn't going to be big enough for an actual baby blanket, but she'll someday be able to use it to cover her toys, or she can carry it around with her for comfort without dragging a giant blanket around. This is a very small version of both of her original blankets (in the picture it's on the right side).
All three "quilts":
We also finally finished getting everything together for her room. The last load of laundry is in the dryer as we speak, but we hung the blinds and cleaned again just today, so it really feels like we're ready now.
This is the crib. We got a cute Winnie-the-Pooh mobile from my aunt, my father bought the (giant) crib, and the crib set is from my mom. Right now the bumper is in, but we'll remove it when she is older and can use it for pulling herself out of the crib. We have a sleep position-er (it's in the bassinet right now) so even when she starts rolling she won't be able to roll into it. I went back and forth on whether to use one or not, and I decided that the guidelines are negative to loose, ill-fitting, or "broken" bumpers--and that regular, stiff, secured bumpers, until a certain age, are quite safe. Besides, to me it feels like it gives the baby more privacy. With so much going on down below (three dogs peering in), it'll be a nice refuge. Of course, she'll be sleeping in the bassinet for the first few weeks until we get used to everything. We put her room across the hall from ours, but it still seems too far away. Especially for the first few weeks. So until then, the cute baby toys will hold the crib down for us. Oh, and the lamb in the corner is actually a sleep noise maker, so we're planning on clipping that onto wherever she sleeps. It makes comforting sounds "from the womb" (except it has a whale setting... I'm wondering where the whale has been... is that in reference to me?). We may even opt to clip it to her bassinet if we think it'll help.
Both of her dressers are actually bookcases, too. We removed one of the book cases so it could fit under the window, but this one we kept together. As you can see, she has a ton of toys and books just waiting for her enjoyment. We also have valances that match some of the Pooh prints (blue flowers) and it coordinates with purple and pink. So, these will be nice down the road.
My mom bought me a rocking chair and made a Pooh cover for it as well. I decorated further with some adorable blankets from family. The rest of the blankets are in the wood chest under the boppy pillow. I hope that will be easy access for when I'm rocking the baby. I also like the cute pooh lamp for some soft light for reading.
Finally, here is the decoration set up, and full crib/changing table. We have her name up on the wall, some framed pooh art, and lots of diapers (cloth and disposable) all just waiting for the baby. We're really excited. The room feels very comfortable to us and we have a lot of cool new things to use for the baby. I'm hoping she'll take to her new environment well--considering she's always elbowing me for more room, this seems like the spacious space she's been requesting.
As for other baby odds-n-ends, we have her pack-n-play permanently set up in the living room. We put the changing table on it for a nice diaper changing station in the living room. We figure it'll also be nice to have a place to put her if she's sleepy and we are busy. With three dogs, it isn't really feasible to just leave her somewhere on the floor. And the bassinet is already in my room next to the bed so the dogs can get used to seeing it. That won't last long, but for the first few weeks, it'll be nice to ease the worry of these first time parents!

Wally Approved Post

So, everyone should understand that Wally is like my child. Whereas the other two dogs are good dogs, Wally and I are super close. As a matter of fact, as I write this, he is curled up next to me. He has quite the personality, which he also shows off on his twitter page (@WallythePug).
It is no surprise then, that there might be a little sibling rivalry between Wally and baby-t0-be Claire. He seems to be the only dog who has a clue, meaning, he sees everything we're getting for a baby, he sees my belly moving around and kicking him, and I think I smell different to him now. It's kind of cute, but when he sleeps, he sleeps curled up next to me, usually on or partially on my belly. The baby responds to his pug snores, and Wally responds to the kicks and shifting that he feels from the baby.
Well, since my shower is coming up, Wally wanted to put something together for the baby so she knew what a special and important big brother she has. We saw a long time ago pug themed baby clothes, but they're all so expensive! I did break down and buy a few things (on clearance) from Gymboree at the mall. They're technically boy clothes, but fairly gender neutral. However, Wally still wanted something personalized. So, he decided to do some work this evening (with my help, pugs can't use irons) and he made these:
I'm not so talented at designing images, so I "borrowed" a few free images I found on the internet. My favorite, which seems weird for a baby, is the WWII themed pug "Big Brother is Watching You" image, which are quite popular among pug owners. We have a different poster in our house that is the same theme. But, we thought the whole "big brother" thing would also fit for Wally, and the artwork is just funny to us:
And I found this cute little play on "This Little Piggy" for pugs:
And we made a Christmas shirt, but we realize it might not fit by Christmas. We figured since we're doing some pictures early, that would work for a Christmas theme with Wally, and it would be a bonus if it actually still fit at Christmas (I didn't take a close up of that one). And finally, I tried my own designing skills and actually put Wally's face on one shirt. Well, Wally did it. But I helped. It says "Wally Approved" because we always give things Wally's stamp of approval:
So, Wally will be gifting these to me at the baby shower next weekend (sorry to ruin the surprise for those attending). I think they're pretty sweet, and they're nice newborn onesies with sleeves and hand caps so she'll be able to use these early on (even at the hospital--Wally wants her to come home in one of these, but we'll have to see).
Overall, this was a Wally-Approved project!