Time to sew....

Hubs and I had an awesome Saturday.

We started by sleeping in until 8AM - heaven. We followed that up by walking to the bakery down that street. Who knew avocado in an egg scramble could be SOOO good?


I had to spend my afternoon taking my last few tests to insure my teaching license for next year. And then, we went shopping!


Matt and I headed to Fabric Depot - which is like 5 acres (I'm exaggerating, but it's big) of fabric. I was able to check out ALL of the prints I was interested in ... and some that I had dismissed. I decided on Moda's 3 sister's Martinique. It has a lot of soft colors that made Matt happy and it was plenty feminine for me. We were excited that it was OUR first purchase for lil' Sosebee Rose.


Here's a sketch of her quilt that I made using images of the purchased fabric and pixelmator. I still have to sketch her lil' sham....but, what are weekends for?


Enjoy!

Baby Girl's Bedding

So, I'm getting down to buying the materials for my lil' one's bedding.

Matt and I have narrowed it down to 2 sets of fat quarters. Now, you weigh in. PLEASE.

Our first option is Seaside House:

Matt likes the soft colors and simple patterns.

Our second option is Dolce:

I like the vibrant, yet feminine and still soft colors of this collection.

What do you think?

I lied.

I lied....I think my daughter's room will have some pink in it. Still nothing too "froo froo," but some little-lady-like pink for sure.

Hubs and I started working on the registry last night - and I have to admit....the moses basket I registered for has a pink ribbon - which can easily be replaced with something more masculine should a maculine baby come a long in the next few years.

Oh, I'm pretty psyched...and a little scared to death.

My sister has 4 boys and I feel comfortable with the wild rompus, adventure seeking, no-holds-bar kind of boy rearing.

I'm a little wary of raising a girl - cause there are SO many issues that girls can bring to the table. BUT I think back on all the experiences and challenges God has brought into my life (that are unique to women) and I thank Him for those things. Maybe he was preparing me for my little girl.

He's really good!

Baby Wells is.......

This morning will certainly be one for the record books in the Wells' household. I woke up early like a kid on Christmas morning, super excited to see our baby. Matt slept in until 20 minutes before the early service...although he claims he was up before me, but chose to stay in bed.

We had to leave church before communion and the closing hymns - we were disciplined enough to actually listen to the message today, as difficult as it might have been.

We arrived at the hospital and just sat silently reading for a while. I always get super nervous before ultrasounds. I've only had two go "well" in my recent history.... so, I freak out.

We immediately saw the heart - all four beautiful chambers.

We saw the baby sitting cross-legged, with a hand on it's head and another in it's mouth.

We saw the baby desperately trying to figure out how to suck it's thumb.

And we even saw (and felt) the baby kick at the nurse when it got tired of being prodded at.

This entire time, the baby sat cross-legged or straight-legged and very modestly - so that we couldn't get even a peek.

And then our tech, Leslie, pulled a few tricks out of her sleeve.....and very calmly and slyly said.....

"It's a girl!"

Today is the day

Today we find out what little Fatty McGee is.

I'll be honest, I'm not that focused on the baby gender at this point. EVERYBODY has been asking me what I want, boy or girl. In my "Debbie Downer" response is, "I don't care if it is a boy or a girl....as long as it's alive." After 2 miscarriages, I think my priorities (and general experience) are just a wee bit different than that of the lucky momma's who've never gone through the loss of a pregnancy.

So, today, when we see that beautiful baby, all I'm hoping for is a heartbeat and an "all clear" from the doctor. Everything else is GRAVY.

I'll try to let the blog world know as soon as possible - but, we also might sit on our own lil' secret for a while. So, get over it - if we do.

Much Love,

L

Movin'.

This baby likes to move.

This baby like peaches.

This baby likes to move when momma eats peaches.

Pretty much whenever I eat or am still enough to feel tiny little twitches.

Pretty Cool Stuff.

2 days until we find out a little bit more about lil' Fatty. So, get your votes in while you can!

I don't know how we will announce it - as of yet. But, we'll try to let you guys know as soon as possible.

Update: Homemade Laundry Detergent

How does it work?

I decided that my first load would be towels. They are usually stinky (as nothing ever seems to fully dry here in Portland) and any kitchen towels are usually pretty soiled. I wanted my detergent going against the "beast" in my laundry schedule and not just my delicates.

When I put a mere 1/8 cup of my detergent into the washing machine, I got really nervous. It doesn't have that strong "detergent" smell and my soap bar gratings didn't seem to be dissolving. But as we all know, "a watched pot never boils." So, I shut the lid and let her ride.

Taking the laundry out - again, no smell (good or bad). Probably because I didn't add scent and Ivory soap doesn't have a strong smell. Side note: some suggest adding a few drops of essential oil if you like yummy-smelling laundry, but EOs have also been sited for breaking down the fibers in your clothing more quickly.

Price comparison between homemade and store bought detergents:

Store bought laundry detergent (TIDE 26oz.) costs $7.00 per box that claims to yield 15 loads. That breaks down to $0.47 per load. I got this information online - so, feel free to do your own price comparison using your preferred brand of store bought detergent.

Price per load (using half-batch measurements):

Borax $ 1.83

Ivory Bar Soap $1.25

Baking Soda $1.08

Washing Soda $1.60

Total Cost: $5.76 yields 18 cups of detergent

1 cup yields 8 loads.

Total Cost per Load: $0.04

*And I still have leftovers of Borax (4 cups), Ivory (7 bars), Baking Soda (4 cups), and Washing Soda (3-4 cups). This will get me well on my way to my next half-batch.

For HE Machines (or front loading machines), Troy from TipNut suggests:

"3 bars Fels Naptha
3 cups Borax
3 cups Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.

Grate the Fels Naptha, then put in a food processor with a chopping blade and chop until fine. Pour into a large bowl with the Borax and Washing Soda and stir until combined. Use 1/4 cup in a HE front loader, use 1/2 cup in a top loader. In my HE front loader, it dissolves perfectly.

Best of Luck!

No Poo Movement

A friend chatted me up earlier today to ask me how I go "shampoo-less." It's fairly simple.

I started my research out of a motivation to cut costs and go natural, but it became a way to cut down on our family's use of plastic products - more on that later. I was lucky enough to find this site - which has been awesome for more than just "No poo" recipes.

I certainly did not reinvent the wheel. I use a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved with just a little water as a "shampoo." It's more of a scalp scrub and will remove the oil build-up on your roots. Be fore-warned, if you like lots of suds action - this isn't for you. I "condition" with 2 tbsp of ACV diluted into 8oz. of water. I only put the ACV solution on my ends - for me it makes the top of my scalp seem "greasy." If my hair seems to need a little extra conditioning, I'll treat my hair to a little warm jojoba oil (once a week).

My hair has been great. I have no complaints. Although I will state that I have very easy-to-work hair. I have noticed that I have plenty of volume and can easily go without blow-drying.

I'll say that shampoo might be "easier," but it's not necessarily better.

Homemade...laundry detergent?

I'm a bit of a thrifty person. I've "made" my own shampoo for the past 2 years, foregoing traditional shampoos for a cheaper and "greener" baking soda and ACV (apple cider vinegar) version. I've dabbled in homemade "Drano" (not the best experience), as well as greener ways to clean around the house using white vinegar and other pantry staples. With baby coming and traditional cleaning supplies not "pregnant-friendly," I'm biting the bullet and having a bit of fun this afternoon.

I'm making my own laundry detergent. I've put it off for two years due to the move from GA, living in the basement with a tiny kitchen, finishing off the store bought detergents, etc. Today we're low on detergent, Matt's out skiing (so he is unable to mock my silly homemade inventions), and I have the house to myself. So, here's to the great experiment.

First, you have several options and recipes for laundry detergents. I found the one that I'll be using today at TipNut.

Now, to decide on which recipe will work best for (a) your machine, (b) your comfort level in "making" detergent, and (C) your basic preferences (liquid or powder).

I chose Recipe #9. It makes a powdered detergent in bulk and uses a combination of Borax (for stains and brightener- still safe for colors), washing soda (also used as laundry booster and stain remover), Ivory bar soap, and baking soda (which acts as a fabric softener - so does white vinegar).

Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #9

12 cups Borax

8 cups Baking Soda

8 cups Washing Soda

8 cups Bar soap (grated) - I chose to use my food processor.

Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.

Use 1/8 cup (1.5 TBSP) of powder per full load.

I halved the recipe and it made 18 cups of powdered detergent. I haven't used it yet - I'll get the opportunity later on today. I'll keep you posted - I'll also try to include a price per load breakdown for all you really thrifty chickadees.

*Borax can be a bit caustic - wear plastic gloves while mixing and a face mask to keep from breathing in any fumes.

**Also, the bars of soap resemble dippin' dots once grated. It's normal and the final powder detergent will have some lumps due to the texture of the soap - don't worry.

Never gonna be...

I am never going to be the cute pregnant girl. I'm not gonna lie, at this point and with this baby, I could care less HOW I look - as long as baby is healthy. BUT, as I've had to squeeze my ever-enlarging bottom into my size 10s....I've gotten a bit discouraged. My tops don't fit (I won't elaborate), my bottoms are snug, and the elastic bands in my maternity pants really do let the lil' tummy hang out. I look like a freshman girl after one semester of bar hoping....beer belly. Granted, I never did this as a freshman, but sadly saw many a classmate succumb to it.

I know that it doesn't matter. I know I should find freedom in the ASTOUNDING things that my body is doing (all on its lonesome, with no help from yours truly). I know that. I know I should embrace my hips getting wider....which the hubs lovingly pointed out (seriously, one of the cutest moments in our marriage). I'm working on it.

I'm working on it.

But, I'm not going to be that chick who doesn't look pregnant from behind....pretty sure all parts of me are going to look pregnant or enlarged.

Oh well. I'll deal with it. Baby is SOOO worth it.