Dear Al,
Your post broke my heart, because I know that I have been there on numerous occasions and felt the exact same way.
And My Dear Jo,
Your post gave me hope that it won't always be intimidating to go out without back up.
After I had Boston I felt so over whelmed every time we (the kids and I) went out on our own. I remember telling mom, "I wish they (the hospital) would have told me how two kids safely in the car by yourself, instead of making sure my baby was perfectly strapped in (something that I had been doing for almost 2 1/2 years when she came)."
Well guess what, I figured out my own systems.
When Boston was little I figured out that by leaving Boston in her infant seat and keeping her in the shopping cart. I could with one foot hold onto the cart and with the other one I could anchor myself while I put Ryder in the car. This was an act of mommy acrobatics but it allowed me to get both of the kids in the car without sacrificing one of them to traffic.
Now that Ryder is a little older and Boston is no longer in her infant seat, I have now reversed the order. I have given Ryder strict instructions to put his hand on the gas tank door (this gives him a target to focus on so he doesn't go running in traffic). As I put her in her seat and then secure the buckle, then I grab his other hand and we walk to his side of the car where I strap him in then I start the car (get the ac/heater going), load the groceries and put the cart away.
I think one of the most important things us hermits (aka mommies) can if the shell doesn't fit change it. What failed today if you prepare enough might be a success the next. I like to think over my failures by saying to myself what could I have done/packed/prepared to make this experience easier on my kids and myself? I then make a mental note of those items and the next time we are in a similar situation I try to test out my hypotheses. If it goes significantly better I pattern the future after those preparations if the experience has no change or gets worse, I go back to the mothering drawing board.
Hermits have to have a tough shell. Anything embarrassing your kids actions are more painful to your pride than it is physically painful or annoying to the strangers you are around. People might give you annoyed looks, they might snicker at you and they might not help you at all.
Last weekend when I took the two kids out on my own to get some much needed groceries while Slim Jim was working an 11 hour shift. Ryder kept telling me that we needed this or that (coffee creamer he said, "I need this for my hot chocolate" and the brownie mix he threw into the cart without even asking) and I was pushing the cart in the wrong direction. And as I told Ryder that we weren't getting the brownie mix and we went further down the isle to grab some vanilla pudding an elderly lady chuckled and gave me the sweetest smile. It was like her eyes were communicating, "Good job! I know that this is hard for you but doing okay, just keep up the good work."
At that moment I realized that maybe we don't always need to be a shining example of how kids should behave maybe instead we can be a real example to how no matter how tough we will mill through it. The best thing that we can do for our children is pattern for them how they should behave and sooner or later they will pick it up. Until then don't be too tough on your little ones and especially don't be too tough on yourself.
On occasions you might ask your fellow hermits to lend a claw. This last Sunday Slim Jim had to work (after the 11 hour day he had to work a 10.5 hour day, we love our hard working Daddy). I put the kids down for a nap before church but it didn't go according to plan so I had to wake the kids up, run them down to the car and run into church. Before the meeting started I needed to take Ryder to the bathroom so I turned to one of my friends and ask her to hold Boston while we visited the bathroom. Through out the span of the 3 hour church block I had to get the assistance of two other friends (Ryder was sure that he needed to go potty so I was taken out of meetings to only have him dribble a few times).
Your post broke my heart, because I know that I have been there on numerous occasions and felt the exact same way.
And My Dear Jo,
Your post gave me hope that it won't always be intimidating to go out without back up.
After I had Boston I felt so over whelmed every time we (the kids and I) went out on our own. I remember telling mom, "I wish they (the hospital) would have told me how two kids safely in the car by yourself, instead of making sure my baby was perfectly strapped in (something that I had been doing for almost 2 1/2 years when she came)."
Well guess what, I figured out my own systems.
When Boston was little I figured out that by leaving Boston in her infant seat and keeping her in the shopping cart. I could with one foot hold onto the cart and with the other one I could anchor myself while I put Ryder in the car. This was an act of mommy acrobatics but it allowed me to get both of the kids in the car without sacrificing one of them to traffic.
 |
| Other day Ryder told me, "I am going to drive my mom's car." |
I think one of the most important things us hermits (aka mommies) can if the shell doesn't fit change it. What failed today if you prepare enough might be a success the next. I like to think over my failures by saying to myself what could I have done/packed/prepared to make this experience easier on my kids and myself? I then make a mental note of those items and the next time we are in a similar situation I try to test out my hypotheses. If it goes significantly better I pattern the future after those preparations if the experience has no change or gets worse, I go back to the mothering drawing board.
Hermits have to have a tough shell. Anything embarrassing your kids actions are more painful to your pride than it is physically painful or annoying to the strangers you are around. People might give you annoyed looks, they might snicker at you and they might not help you at all.
Last weekend when I took the two kids out on my own to get some much needed groceries while Slim Jim was working an 11 hour shift. Ryder kept telling me that we needed this or that (coffee creamer he said, "I need this for my hot chocolate" and the brownie mix he threw into the cart without even asking) and I was pushing the cart in the wrong direction. And as I told Ryder that we weren't getting the brownie mix and we went further down the isle to grab some vanilla pudding an elderly lady chuckled and gave me the sweetest smile. It was like her eyes were communicating, "Good job! I know that this is hard for you but doing okay, just keep up the good work."
At that moment I realized that maybe we don't always need to be a shining example of how kids should behave maybe instead we can be a real example to how no matter how tough we will mill through it. The best thing that we can do for our children is pattern for them how they should behave and sooner or later they will pick it up. Until then don't be too tough on your little ones and especially don't be too tough on yourself.
 |
| Boston's now crawling which means she is always getting into things she shouldn't. |
Cover it up!
by
5boystokiss,
in
tutorial
I have struggled for several years to keep bed clothes on my boys bed. The top sheets make good capes, the pillow cases are great for carrying loot, and the bottom sheets are "Scratchy, Slidey, and Slippy".
So over the last week I re-evaluated the situation. I decided that the boys needed a little more knowledge and investment. You know that old statement, " Teach by example" I don't believe it for a second! I have never used my blanket to go bouncing down the stairs. I believe in firm instructive teaching and also instilling ownership.
So, having said all of that, this week we bought fabric that the boys picked out, and made each boy a pillow case. Except for #1 because he was happy with his pillow and its case.
Big Man #2 opted for brown, because it would never look dirty. He also wanted me to make it from a baby blanket that was his when he was a baby. This is what we ended up with.
This is left overs from a baby blanket I made for him when he was little. It is super soft fleece. He is happy with it. He also decided to go with a memory foam pillow.
Little man #3 wanted a bright fleece pillow case, that he could make all by himself. He did a softness check with his cheek on all of the fabrics. This one won out. we just cut and tied the edges.
Little man #4 wanted transformers. He was so excited when he found this fabric. I folded the fabric over twice, to make sure there was no raw edges.
I also used the selvage edge.
I love how their personalities came out in the choices they made.
#1 wanted the store bought case that he already had- because it looked "cool".
#2 chose something familiar, personal, and practical.
#3 chose something fun, comfortable, and independent.
#4 chose transformers- which he has loved for at least 2 years.
Any way, this was just a fun little project, to help us keep those pillows covered up, and it worked.
So over the last week I re-evaluated the situation. I decided that the boys needed a little more knowledge and investment. You know that old statement, " Teach by example" I don't believe it for a second! I have never used my blanket to go bouncing down the stairs. I believe in firm instructive teaching and also instilling ownership.
So, having said all of that, this week we bought fabric that the boys picked out, and made each boy a pillow case. Except for #1 because he was happy with his pillow and its case.
Big Man #2 opted for brown, because it would never look dirty. He also wanted me to make it from a baby blanket that was his when he was a baby. This is what we ended up with.
#1 wanted the store bought case that he already had- because it looked "cool".
#2 chose something familiar, personal, and practical.
#3 chose something fun, comfortable, and independent.
#4 chose transformers- which he has loved for at least 2 years.
Any way, this was just a fun little project, to help us keep those pillows covered up, and it worked.
My Dear Al,
In response to your post, I know what you are going through. I have been there. Believe me, I have been there. Whenever I see mothers with younger kids at the store, climbing out of their shopping carts, or wrestling them in to the car, or looking half crazed at church, I smile, rub their shoulder and say, "Don't worry it really does get better."
I say the same to you. This moment is fleeting and sweet. You may not get to do all the things that you want to. You may have to do less of the things that you think you should. But focus on loving and training those little ones, because as they grow up, they become your best friends. And eventually your little hermit crab shell gets a little bigger. Soon enough you will be expanding. Soon enough you will be sharing your love of serving others. Soon enough. So now, become a hermit for a while and do what you CAN do.
Recently, we have done a few things that a couple of years ago I thought we would never be able to do. We went to the lake, with everyone. No one drowned and no one ran away. We had 3 hours of peaceful fun.
I also took the kids in to Minneapolis, for a field trip. We went to the sculpture gardens. The art work was amazing and the kids were terrific. I realized that my little hermit crab shell has expanded! Here are a few pictures from our excursion.
I am in a new phase of life. It is the leave-the-stroller-at-home-and-go-exploring phase. It is amazing to me that I no longer have to worry that my kids may destroy someone's house. I can count on them to do their chores, get dressed, feed themselves, make their beds, bathe, brush their teeth, stay with me at the store, be safe at the lake, and cross the street without causing me a heart attack. I still serve as the reminderer, but it gets done. My life with 5 is so much easier than my life with 3 was. Age really did make all the difference.
In response to your post, I know what you are going through. I have been there. Believe me, I have been there. Whenever I see mothers with younger kids at the store, climbing out of their shopping carts, or wrestling them in to the car, or looking half crazed at church, I smile, rub their shoulder and say, "Don't worry it really does get better."
I say the same to you. This moment is fleeting and sweet. You may not get to do all the things that you want to. You may have to do less of the things that you think you should. But focus on loving and training those little ones, because as they grow up, they become your best friends. And eventually your little hermit crab shell gets a little bigger. Soon enough you will be expanding. Soon enough you will be sharing your love of serving others. Soon enough. So now, become a hermit for a while and do what you CAN do.
Recently, we have done a few things that a couple of years ago I thought we would never be able to do. We went to the lake, with everyone. No one drowned and no one ran away. We had 3 hours of peaceful fun.
So most of the time life is completely crazy, insane, and
busy, but a lot of fun and I love it. Today was an exception to the love for
the insane. Now that I have 2 kids, there are some days that I wonder why I
even bother trying.
Today started out as one of those crazy good days. Scary and Brooklyn, my friend Suzi and her toddler and baby, and Ty and I ate crepes together at 8:30. On top of the crepes we put homemade apple syrup that Scary, Suzi, and I had made the day before. They were absolutely delicious. This was my very first experience making them, but I was grateful to have a crepes tutorial to read last night.
Immediately after breakfast Ty, Heber, and I hopped into the
car to take Ty to her 2 year old appointment (it was so exciting, I found out
she doesn’t have to get any more shots until kindergarten and she didn’t get
any today). She was 36 inches tall which puts her in the 95th
percentile (can you believe she’s 3 feet tall?).
Right after the appointment I joined Scary as we learned
about essential oils (from doTerra). They seem super cool, but also really
expensive. I know they test all their oils for purity, but I think I will take
my chances and buy my oils at a natural medicine store where I can get them for
1/3 of the price. Right after I had Heber
I got a few bad migraines and I was really grateful to have the peppermint oil
to help get rid of them (random fact: did you know peppermint oil diminishes milk
supply? I was glad to learn this today because it seems like my milk takes
forever to stop coming), but it seemed that the cheap stuff met my needs just
fine.
Once we left the meeting I put Ty down for a nap and whipped
up 5 batches of bread sticks for the activity we had tonight. It’s a really
simple recipe, but it still took a long time and I spent over an hour and a
half cooking breadsticks alone (excluding mixing and rising).
Then I made 3 baby wraps (1 for me, 1 for Scary, and the 3rd
wrap will be used in a give-away on the blog—details to follow) that Scary and
I had planned out so that we can go to the Water Park with our toddlers, but
still hold our babies and not keep them soaked by being in a normal wrap.
After that Heber and Ty woke up, we changed our clothes and
went to the church.
I am part of the Activity Committee for Relief Society (my
calling in my church). We tried to plan this special night for all of the
girls. We had with fancy decorations (forget-me-not flowers), yummy food and desert
(chicken alfredo, Caesar salad, homemade bread sticks, and cheese cake with
fruit on top), a guest speaker from BYU-Idaho,
and even a nursery to take your toddlers so that you can actually enjoy the
meeting instead of wondering what your kid will get into next (or trying to
keep them quiet).
Maybe for most of the girls we met our goal, but it’s sad
when you try so hard to make things nice and you don’t even really get to reap
the benefits as well.
It’s probably no one’s fault but my own. Heber really seems
to sense my stress, especially when it’s something elaborate and drawn out. In
these really big moments where I can finally check off my list that I have done
all the prep work and it’s time to sit back and relax, Heber is usually
screaming.
There were 4 hours of constant scrambling to get stuff taken
care of for this activity (while still trying to meet the needs of my kids).
That means 4 hours that Heber was exposed to my tension. Most of the 2 hours of
the activity he spent screaming (the
exception was when he was eating). To top it off Ty didn’t want to be in the
nursery and wanted to be with me. I got nothing out of the event but exhaustion
and cold, rushed food. I ended up giving up on enjoying the activity and going
home early.
I really need to work harder to stay away from things that
make me so crazy because the effects are so detrimental to Heber. His blessing
day was a similar experience to this. He cried all through his blessing (except
every time Power Shoes would say Heber’s name) and all through Sacrament meeting.
It’s probably not that the everyday insanity is too bad, it’s
just when we leave home and are around people that Heber is super fussy.
If you have pointers or ideas I would love your comments
because I don’t know what to do, short of becoming a Hermit and staying away
from large crowds or events for the next 18 years.
When I was a freshman in college I took a Personal Health and Wellness Class, where my Professor James A. Lamph, Ed. D gave us a semester assignment called the Butter Burner, which was 1/4 of the grade.
Butter Burner Assignment Requirement:
To get credit, you must exercise a minimum of 180 minutes per week, a minimum of 3 times a week for at least 30 plus continuous minutes per workout period for the
Without that assignment the best you could achieve was 75% (yikes). As Professor Lamph explained the assignment, I was really nervous I didn't want to fail the class but then I realized that the assignment wasn't really that hard it was just a matter of commitment.
As I have thought about Wellness lately I realized that I needed to implement the Butter Burner in my life. I need to commit to my wellness and fitness. I realize now that without a commitment to exercise I am only committing myself to 75% to health.
The great thing about the Butter Burner is that any type of exercise can count (horseback riding, walking, riding bike, etc.) as long as you are doing it for 30 minutes. And with lots of great exercise programs available on Pinterest you will really be able to do what you think is best for your needs.
I have created a Butter Burner Printout where you can track your exercises and set a reward (as a replacement for the grade, make it something that you would really enjoy).
 |
| PDF / DOC / JPEG |
Scenario 1:
You wake up to screaming kids, the toddler is going through once again another growth spurt and the baby has teeth coming in. You hold them, cuddle them, read them books, fix them breakfast, try and clean up the mess that the toddler made while you were feeding the baby and changing her diaper. You somehow make it to nap time. Once the kids are finally down you go looking in the pantry to find something to eat, by this point your feet are dragging until you see a short blue box in which you know that you will find double stuff comfort. You start with one and that dissipates some of the frustration and exhaustion you feel, then a few minutes later you look down and realize that one whole sleeve has just vanished in front of your eyes. You put it back and try to pretend that you weren't the one that ate it. 1 hour later you feel the crash....
Scenario 2:
You wake up to screaming kids, the toddler is going through once again another growth spurt and the baby has teeth coming in. You decide that you would all feel better if you ate breakfast, you think over your list of quick nutritional breakfasts. You know that today is going to be a challenging so you fit your nutrition for your needs. You sit down and eat breakfast with your toddler, he is glad to have the company at the table and eats a little more than usual. Afterward you cuddle, hold and read books to your kids. You are relieved when the kids go down for nap time, you think about what your family might like for dinner and get your prep work done. While you are in the kitchen you find a piece of fruit and snack on it....
I have come to experience the truth in the adage that, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day". As a mom of two young ones it is challenging to take time for breakfast when my kids have so many things that they need from me. But when I do I feel better and I have the energy to move forward, with my to do list. When I don't eat breakfast I usually find less than stellar dietary options that fulfill my daily caloric intake but don't give me the vitamins and nutrients that I need to keep up with my life.Today's Wellness challenge: Make Breakfast.
Today I made one of my favorite breakfasts; sunny side up eggs with toast, sliced cheese, fruit and a glass of milk. It took me less time to cook the egg than unload my dishes (I started on my dishes while my egg cooked). The thing I love about this breakfast is that it has everything I love/need. The egg yokes make a tasty sauce over the cheese and the toast. The banana had the sweetness that I love. And as a bow to my up bringing nothing like a good swig of cold milk.
*note: I am not a dietitian I have simply done research that has lead me to my own dietary opinions.
Now this is a lot of food I know (when I want this and am not feeling really hungry I will have one piece of toast and one egg), but remembering that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" I can't think of a better meal to eat a lot of food for. This breakfast usually keeps me extremely full until 2 when Ryder is ready to eat lunch. I also have the strength and energy to work hard.
Before I got pregnant with Boston I set the goal of setting patterns of wellness in my life that could be a life style I could continue for the rest of my life. I did pretty good I ate really yummy but good food. I worked out a lot and lost quite a bit of weight (40 lbs.) but once my hips started hurting in the 2nd trimester and I threw up everything I gave up on my goal of wellness. Here I am 1 year later and I am recommitting myself. What does this mean?
1. I am committing myself to get moving. I am going to explain more about this on Monday, I am even going to have a sweet free printable for how to track your exercise time and reward yourself for good behavior.
2. I am going to try and eat less processed foods. I want to make more things from scratch, I think what the Heavenly Father gave us is better for our bodies than anything a scientist can cook up in a lab.
3. Eat healthy breakfast and snacks. Hunger can be the worst enemy of wellness because if you are starving it doesn't seem too ridiculous to eat 2 whole sleeves of Oreos in one sitting.
4. Creating Order and Balance in my life. My stress feeds off the level of distress my home and time schedule, so by getting this in order I am hoping to relieve some stress.
What it doesn't mean?
1. I am not going to stop eating desserts/hamburgers/gravy/etc., though I am going to be balancing out my comfort eating with exercise and a large consumption of fruits and veggies. I love life but I love life even more with yummy food. I agree with my grandparents that if your not going to enjoy life why in the heck even try and live it.
2. I am going to take everything in stride, my goal is not to loose 50 lbs. (though it would be nice if it decided to detach itself from me) but to set patterns of lifetime wellness which is a lifetime marathon and not a 2 month sprint.
Please join me! I am working on a giveaway for those that are taking the journey with me. Maybe a few of my favorite healthy cookbooks, a jamba gift card....this is still in the brainstorming stages. But everyone that joins is sure to gain patterns of wellness. If you are up for the challenge please commit below and if you are blogging about it please leave your address below, I would love to be inspired by your journey as I hope that I will be able to inspire you through my journey.
All of the Wellness posts can be found by clicking on the button below:
1. I am committing myself to get moving. I am going to explain more about this on Monday, I am even going to have a sweet free printable for how to track your exercise time and reward yourself for good behavior.
2. I am going to try and eat less processed foods. I want to make more things from scratch, I think what the Heavenly Father gave us is better for our bodies than anything a scientist can cook up in a lab.
3. Eat healthy breakfast and snacks. Hunger can be the worst enemy of wellness because if you are starving it doesn't seem too ridiculous to eat 2 whole sleeves of Oreos in one sitting.
4. Creating Order and Balance in my life. My stress feeds off the level of distress my home and time schedule, so by getting this in order I am hoping to relieve some stress.
What it doesn't mean?
1. I am not going to stop eating desserts/hamburgers/gravy/etc., though I am going to be balancing out my comfort eating with exercise and a large consumption of fruits and veggies. I love life but I love life even more with yummy food. I agree with my grandparents that if your not going to enjoy life why in the heck even try and live it.
2. I am going to take everything in stride, my goal is not to loose 50 lbs. (though it would be nice if it decided to detach itself from me) but to set patterns of lifetime wellness which is a lifetime marathon and not a 2 month sprint.
Please join me! I am working on a giveaway for those that are taking the journey with me. Maybe a few of my favorite healthy cookbooks, a jamba gift card....this is still in the brainstorming stages. But everyone that joins is sure to gain patterns of wellness. If you are up for the challenge please commit below and if you are blogging about it please leave your address below, I would love to be inspired by your journey as I hope that I will be able to inspire you through my journey.
All of the Wellness posts can be found by clicking on the button below:
Buying Fabric Online
Thought I haven't bought a ton of fabric online but between Al and I we have gotten some pretty great deals. Both of us have had great success with ordering fabric through Amazon retailers. I bought a few yards of a few different types of apparel fabric from Fabric.com through Amazon. One of those was the ruffled material that I used to make our skirts for Nae and Bubba's wedding.
Al has bought charm packs, layer cakes and yards of cotton gauze. Both of us have been very satisfied with our purchases.
My favorite part about this is that I can put things in the cart, think about it, take it out and put it back in and I don't annoy my husband or bother my kids sleep schedule.
I love the great deals that Fabric.com has on their knits!
My Sewing Challenge
I love the blog sewinginnomansland.com. I love the rules that she had for her sewing projects when her family was in Timor, as her husband worked for the Foreign Service. She had 15 yards of fabric of cute fabric from the US and after she was done with that she had to deal with the fabric that she could purchase in Timor.
I am so lucky to have so much fabric at my finger tips, but often times my purchasing fabric detracts from completing projects. So I have issued myself a personal challenge.
Rules:
1. No BUYING FABRIC for One Year (Last fabric purchase was June 14, 2012 for the crib sheet)
2. Notions purchases are allowed but only for the projects that are currently on my workstation (because even though I might have a years supply of fabric I know I have no where near a years supply of notions).
3. I will accept donations of fabric, bedding or old clothing from family and friends that would be giving away said items.
Potential exceptions: Christmas/Birthday presents for the kids. I am hoping not to have to break this for Christmas or Birthday but before I made this goal I hadn't purchased fabric for these events. But I really will try my best not to break it.
Update: I have failed but I am doing an excellent job not over doing it.
What I hope to gain from this:
1. Creativity.
2. Focus: each time I go to the fabric store I find myself planning ahead for ten
3. Perspective: not all people are as lucky as me to have two fabric stores within 5 minutes and 2 more within 30 minutes.
4. Save Enough money to go to LA and visit the fashion district and by fabric $2/yard and $2.50/pound.
Thought I haven't bought a ton of fabric online but between Al and I we have gotten some pretty great deals. Both of us have had great success with ordering fabric through Amazon retailers. I bought a few yards of a few different types of apparel fabric from Fabric.com through Amazon. One of those was the ruffled material that I used to make our skirts for Nae and Bubba's wedding.
Al has bought charm packs, layer cakes and yards of cotton gauze. Both of us have been very satisfied with our purchases.
My favorite part about this is that I can put things in the cart, think about it, take it out and put it back in and I don't annoy my husband or bother my kids sleep schedule.
I love the great deals that Fabric.com has on their knits!
My Sewing Challenge
I love the blog sewinginnomansland.com. I love the rules that she had for her sewing projects when her family was in Timor, as her husband worked for the Foreign Service. She had 15 yards of fabric of cute fabric from the US and after she was done with that she had to deal with the fabric that she could purchase in Timor.
I am so lucky to have so much fabric at my finger tips, but often times my purchasing fabric detracts from completing projects. So I have issued myself a personal challenge.
Rules:
1. No BUYING FABRIC for One Year (Last fabric purchase was June 14, 2012 for the crib sheet)
2. Notions purchases are allowed but only for the projects that are currently on my workstation (because even though I might have a years supply of fabric I know I have no where near a years supply of notions).
3. I will accept donations of fabric, bedding or old clothing from family and friends that would be giving away said items.
Potential exceptions: Christmas/Birthday presents for the kids. I am hoping not to have to break this for Christmas or Birthday but before I made this goal I hadn't purchased fabric for these events. But I really will try my best not to break it.
Update: I have failed but I am doing an excellent job not over doing it.
What I hope to gain from this:
1. Creativity.
2. Focus: each time I go to the fabric store I find myself planning ahead for ten
3. Perspective: not all people are as lucky as me to have two fabric stores within 5 minutes and 2 more within 30 minutes.
4. Save Enough money to go to LA and visit the fashion district and by fabric $2/yard and $2.50/pound.
Joann's/Hancock
Joann's/Hancock both have great deals on fabric and patterns, usually their best deals are around 3 day holidays. You can speed your shopping time by looking through their online fabric selection before going to the store. If they have deals on patterns I think it is easier to look on the pattern manufactures website before going to the store. I usually have a list with all the numbers written down.
When I plan a project, I usually go to either retailers website and see if they are running a deal on the fabric that I need. If they aren't I usually just wait a couple of weeks and it is sure to be 25%-50% cheaper.
Often times Joann's has a 50% off one regular item.
Joann's clearance fabric is called Red tag area, sometimes they do an additional 50% off the fabric.
Hancock clearance fabric is called Spot the Bolt, once in a while they do 50%, 60%, 70% off the regular price fabric.
I have had great success with Joann's Remnant fabric section, that is where I found the fabric for the Cuddle Soft blanket with Satin Ruffles. The great thing about the Remnant section is that they give you 50% off the current price, so if there was a 20% off sale for that type of fabric then you would get that in addition to 50% discount on remnant fabric. If you are getting fabric cut at Joann's and there is less than a yard left on the bolt after yours fabric cut they will ask you if you are interested in remnant fabric, in which they will give you the 50% discount on the current price.
Both retailers offer mail flyers and e-mail flyers to help you be aware of current prices.
And unless I have Slim Jim as back up I don't take Ryder into the store. One time I made the mistake of going into Hancock alone with the kids and it involved Ryder being a dead sprint with a shopping cart, me running after him shouting, "No!....Ryder!.....STOP!" The lady from Hannock that was cutting my fabric got him stopped by putting up both her arms straight out and saying firmly, "STOP!" he stopped immediately but it was within inches of hitting her and running into half the bolts in the store.
Joann's/Hancock both have great deals on fabric and patterns, usually their best deals are around 3 day holidays. You can speed your shopping time by looking through their online fabric selection before going to the store. If they have deals on patterns I think it is easier to look on the pattern manufactures website before going to the store. I usually have a list with all the numbers written down.
When I plan a project, I usually go to either retailers website and see if they are running a deal on the fabric that I need. If they aren't I usually just wait a couple of weeks and it is sure to be 25%-50% cheaper.
Often times Joann's has a 50% off one regular item.
Joann's clearance fabric is called Red tag area, sometimes they do an additional 50% off the fabric.
Hancock clearance fabric is called Spot the Bolt, once in a while they do 50%, 60%, 70% off the regular price fabric.
I have had great success with Joann's Remnant fabric section, that is where I found the fabric for the Cuddle Soft blanket with Satin Ruffles. The great thing about the Remnant section is that they give you 50% off the current price, so if there was a 20% off sale for that type of fabric then you would get that in addition to 50% discount on remnant fabric. If you are getting fabric cut at Joann's and there is less than a yard left on the bolt after yours fabric cut they will ask you if you are interested in remnant fabric, in which they will give you the 50% discount on the current price.
Both retailers offer mail flyers and e-mail flyers to help you be aware of current prices.
And unless I have Slim Jim as back up I don't take Ryder into the store. One time I made the mistake of going into Hancock alone with the kids and it involved Ryder being a dead sprint with a shopping cart, me running after him shouting, "No!....Ryder!.....STOP!" The lady from Hannock that was cutting my fabric got him stopped by putting up both her arms straight out and saying firmly, "STOP!" he stopped immediately but it was within inches of hitting her and running into half the bolts in the store.
Sorry if this is too detailed for most of you to read, but part of me writing it is so that I remember what happened.
That night after my appointment Scary took me on a fairly long walk to Wal-Mart. It was kind of ridiculous in a really great way because we only going to buy a ½ a yard of fabric and we took the kids (2 toddlers and one baby). In order to coax the screaming toddlers back in the stroller to go home (they were able to get themselves out of the harness), we got each one a bag of popcorn from the Subway before coming back.
That afternoon (a few hours after my appointment) I had started having contractions and they continued on my walk and later that night when I was watching a movie and as I went to bed. They weren’t anything huge, but more regular than anything I had ever experienced with Ty (just a reminder: I had to be induced with her at a week and five days over; I was barely dilated to a 2 when I got induced). I was pretty excited by this, but I didn’t tell Power Shoes because until I was sure I was in labor I didn’t want him to get too excited (since we had yet to really ever experience it).
This is one of the really great critical moves leading up to the hours before Heber’s birth. I remember learning in my birthing class that if you were having contractions and it was bedtime that you should try to sleep through them. Once I was all ready for bed, I turned on one of my meditation cds. It was just the trick for relaxing and falling asleep. It was such a blessing to be rested.
(a week and a day overdue) The next morning, I woke up ready to have that baby. By that I mean I wasn’t actually in labor, but mentally I was determined that Heber come soon. The night before a girl in my ward had brought me castor oil (I was going to get some at Wal-Mart, but had no idea where to find it and I didn’t have the guts to ask where it was. In the future I would probably just send my husband to the pharmacy section and ask them where to find it). In my Hypnobabies workbook it was one of the last natural things I hadn’t tried to induce labor. I decided to try it out. Kelly, my doula, suggested I mix ¼ cup of castor oil with 1 cup of ice cream. I figured I had nothing to lose in trying it. The day before when I had been at the doctor’s office I read an article that said that 30-50% of women poop when they’re pushing. So at least if I used castor oil and I went into labor I wouldn’t have to worry about that because my system would be all cleaned out.
I finished my castor oil chocolate shake just before 11am and then went on a walk with Scary and the kids to the playground. We got home around noon and made the kids lunch. Then we put them down for naps. By 12:30pm I had some diarrhea (it wasn’t that bad), and by 1:30 I was starting to have stomach/back pains. Scary downloaded Hypnobabies “come out baby” track so I could listen to it. As hard as I tried to meditate and get comfortable, I couldn’t completely shut off my light switch and keep my muscles loose and limp. I was going through my books trying to figure out different positions that would make me feel better, but nothing was really working. Scary was really funny because during some of my contraction she would pretend to give my stomach a really tight bear hug. It made me laugh, but even though that was helpful I knew I needed Power Shoes home. We had learned a lift in our Birthing class to take the pressure off my back. I called him at work around 2:40pm saying, “I don’t really know if I’m in labor or not, but I need you home because my back hurts really bad.” Apparently I didn’t have enough urgency in my voice because Power Shoes finished what he was welding and cleaned up all his tools. He didn’t get home until 3:30pm (and it only takes 6 minutes to get from work to home).
Just a funny side note, Scary and I were watching these 2 little boys (one was 3 and the other was 1) while most of this was happening. The 3 year old was giving me the funniest looks because I couldn’t hold still. I was just trying to find a position to be in that felt comfortable and I probably made a few weird noises during contractions because my back hurt so bad. There was one point where I was reading this little boy the story of Hansel and Gretel and I had to pause multiple times in the middle of a sentence so I could take deep breaths through contractions. All the while I thought I was so uncomfortable because of the castor oil. Scary was doing my dishes and whipping up almond poppy seed bread because she was convinced I was in labor. She knew that I would want my dishes done (so that I would feel comfortable having Kelly come over) and that I needed the bread to take to my nurse at the hospital (to give to her when I gave her my birth plan so that she might actually read it and try to follow it). Snaps for Scary for being more in touch with reality than I was.
Me, Ty, Heber, and Power Shoes about 45 minutes after Heber came.
When we were about to get off the elevator at the hospital I had a contraction and I just focused on getting off before dealing with it (I have a friend that got stuck on the elevator and had to ride up and down it 3 times because she was having contractions at just the wrong times). Kelly was standing there waiting for me. She rubbed my back as I leaned on the wall just outside of the elevator. She then led the way to the L&D Unit. She had beat us there and so the staff was wait to open the door for us. She took me to my room and helped me change while Power Shoes re-answered the authorization questions I had taken care of a couple of weeks before. The nurse asked if I should have and IV and both my midwife and doula said no. It was so good to have them advocate for me and give me what I wanted. Pretty soon after getting there, I told Kelly and Helene that I felt like I was pushing. Kelly told me that it sounded like I was pushing. It was great to have that reassurance since I hadn’t really ever experienced real labor before. Kelly and Power Shoes each let me put my arms around their neck and lean on them during contractions. It was good to have them to lean on and it felt good to push that way.
Heber getting new baby check-up things done a little while after he came.
That night after my appointment Scary took me on a fairly long walk to Wal-Mart. It was kind of ridiculous in a really great way because we only going to buy a ½ a yard of fabric and we took the kids (2 toddlers and one baby). In order to coax the screaming toddlers back in the stroller to go home (they were able to get themselves out of the harness), we got each one a bag of popcorn from the Subway before coming back.
That afternoon (a few hours after my appointment) I had started having contractions and they continued on my walk and later that night when I was watching a movie and as I went to bed. They weren’t anything huge, but more regular than anything I had ever experienced with Ty (just a reminder: I had to be induced with her at a week and five days over; I was barely dilated to a 2 when I got induced). I was pretty excited by this, but I didn’t tell Power Shoes because until I was sure I was in labor I didn’t want him to get too excited (since we had yet to really ever experience it).
This is one of the really great critical moves leading up to the hours before Heber’s birth. I remember learning in my birthing class that if you were having contractions and it was bedtime that you should try to sleep through them. Once I was all ready for bed, I turned on one of my meditation cds. It was just the trick for relaxing and falling asleep. It was such a blessing to be rested.
(a week and a day overdue) The next morning, I woke up ready to have that baby. By that I mean I wasn’t actually in labor, but mentally I was determined that Heber come soon. The night before a girl in my ward had brought me castor oil (I was going to get some at Wal-Mart, but had no idea where to find it and I didn’t have the guts to ask where it was. In the future I would probably just send my husband to the pharmacy section and ask them where to find it). In my Hypnobabies workbook it was one of the last natural things I hadn’t tried to induce labor. I decided to try it out. Kelly, my doula, suggested I mix ¼ cup of castor oil with 1 cup of ice cream. I figured I had nothing to lose in trying it. The day before when I had been at the doctor’s office I read an article that said that 30-50% of women poop when they’re pushing. So at least if I used castor oil and I went into labor I wouldn’t have to worry about that because my system would be all cleaned out.
I finished my castor oil chocolate shake just before 11am and then went on a walk with Scary and the kids to the playground. We got home around noon and made the kids lunch. Then we put them down for naps. By 12:30pm I had some diarrhea (it wasn’t that bad), and by 1:30 I was starting to have stomach/back pains. Scary downloaded Hypnobabies “come out baby” track so I could listen to it. As hard as I tried to meditate and get comfortable, I couldn’t completely shut off my light switch and keep my muscles loose and limp. I was going through my books trying to figure out different positions that would make me feel better, but nothing was really working. Scary was really funny because during some of my contraction she would pretend to give my stomach a really tight bear hug. It made me laugh, but even though that was helpful I knew I needed Power Shoes home. We had learned a lift in our Birthing class to take the pressure off my back. I called him at work around 2:40pm saying, “I don’t really know if I’m in labor or not, but I need you home because my back hurts really bad.” Apparently I didn’t have enough urgency in my voice because Power Shoes finished what he was welding and cleaned up all his tools. He didn’t get home until 3:30pm (and it only takes 6 minutes to get from work to home).
Just a funny side note, Scary and I were watching these 2 little boys (one was 3 and the other was 1) while most of this was happening. The 3 year old was giving me the funniest looks because I couldn’t hold still. I was just trying to find a position to be in that felt comfortable and I probably made a few weird noises during contractions because my back hurt so bad. There was one point where I was reading this little boy the story of Hansel and Gretel and I had to pause multiple times in the middle of a sentence so I could take deep breaths through contractions. All the while I thought I was so uncomfortable because of the castor oil. Scary was doing my dishes and whipping up almond poppy seed bread because she was convinced I was in labor. She knew that I would want my dishes done (so that I would feel comfortable having Kelly come over) and that I needed the bread to take to my nurse at the hospital (to give to her when I gave her my birth plan so that she might actually read it and try to follow it). Snaps for Scary for being more in touch with reality than I was.
At the hospital the next day. Isn't he handsome!
I didn't want to get my hopes up for nothing. At 3:45pm Ty woke up from her nap and at 4:00pm I looked at my clock. The thought then crossed my mind that if I wanted to get checked and have a reference point to go by (to know if I was in labor, and how far dilated) I would need to go then, before the clinic closed. We left Ty with Scary and went to the midwives office.
Neither one of us had been timing contractions, but when we were barely on the road to the clinic I had a contraction and then I had another one once we got there. This told me that my pressure waves were only a couple minutes apart, but I didn’t know how regular they were. As we were at the clinic, they took my blood pressure and said it was high. I told them that I didn’t see how it could be normal with how I was feeling.
Shortly after that Helene came in and asked what was going on. I explained everything from my measurements the day before, to getting my membranes stripped, to taking the castor oil and now having contractions. I then proceeded to tell her that I felt like I was losing my cool and just needed to know where I was in terms of my labor progressing. I had expected an improvement from my measurements the day before, but I had definitely not expected what she told me right after she checked me. She said, “You are at an 8 or a 9 and you need to get to the hospital. The reason you are losing your cool is because you are in transition.” I really had no idea we were so close. If we wouldn’t have gone into the clinic, I don’t think we would have made it to the hospital in time because I was in denial and it happened so fast.
I told her I needed to run home and get my bags before we went to the hospital (I did need to grab them, but I was really wanting to go home because that’s where my phone was and I wanted to call Kelly so that I could have her at the hospital with me. The plan had been that we would call her once we got home from the clinic and have you join us in our home, if I was in fact in labor.). Helene told me I’d better make it quick.
When we got home we were on our way into the apartment and I had a really intense contraction and had to lean against the wall of the building. I was by the playground and there were about 10 kids on it. They came over to me and asked what I was doing. Power Shoes told them I was about to have a baby. They were looking at me like Heber would pop out right then. It was funny. Then we went into the house and grabbed the bags, cd player, cds, birth ball, camera, video camera, and cell phone (and I called Kelly and let her know we were headed to the hospital). The bread for the nurse still had about ten more minutes, but we decided not to stick around to let it finish.
Somewhere in the midst of Scary helping me grab everything we lost Power Shoes in the house. Apparently he had to change his clothes so that he was dressed nicer to go to the hospital. He had been in a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt. Can I just say if I had been the husband and my wife was that far along, I definitely wouldn’t have made a wardrobe change?! Plus I wear basketball shorts and t-shirts all the time. Maybe it’s just the athlete in me, but I don’t think it’s that inappropriate to wear in public.
When he came out, we headed to the hospital. It is about 7 minutes away most of the time, but it was just before 5pm and traffic is a heavier. We had taken a road that doesn’t meet up with the light and I was worried we would get stuck there, but after a minute or two we were able to pull out. We parked at physical therapy (so Power Shoes wouldn't have to repark later), grabbed bags, and started to walk in. About 10 feet from the car my outer sac of my water broke. I was wearing a nightgown (not maternity so it was short) and a pair of workout pants. I took of the pants and threw them in the car since they were wet. It's funny how modesty gets thrown out a window when you're in labor and you don't even care.
I didn't want to get my hopes up for nothing. At 3:45pm Ty woke up from her nap and at 4:00pm I looked at my clock. The thought then crossed my mind that if I wanted to get checked and have a reference point to go by (to know if I was in labor, and how far dilated) I would need to go then, before the clinic closed. We left Ty with Scary and went to the midwives office.
Neither one of us had been timing contractions, but when we were barely on the road to the clinic I had a contraction and then I had another one once we got there. This told me that my pressure waves were only a couple minutes apart, but I didn’t know how regular they were. As we were at the clinic, they took my blood pressure and said it was high. I told them that I didn’t see how it could be normal with how I was feeling.
Shortly after that Helene came in and asked what was going on. I explained everything from my measurements the day before, to getting my membranes stripped, to taking the castor oil and now having contractions. I then proceeded to tell her that I felt like I was losing my cool and just needed to know where I was in terms of my labor progressing. I had expected an improvement from my measurements the day before, but I had definitely not expected what she told me right after she checked me. She said, “You are at an 8 or a 9 and you need to get to the hospital. The reason you are losing your cool is because you are in transition.” I really had no idea we were so close. If we wouldn’t have gone into the clinic, I don’t think we would have made it to the hospital in time because I was in denial and it happened so fast.
I told her I needed to run home and get my bags before we went to the hospital (I did need to grab them, but I was really wanting to go home because that’s where my phone was and I wanted to call Kelly so that I could have her at the hospital with me. The plan had been that we would call her once we got home from the clinic and have you join us in our home, if I was in fact in labor.). Helene told me I’d better make it quick.
When we got home we were on our way into the apartment and I had a really intense contraction and had to lean against the wall of the building. I was by the playground and there were about 10 kids on it. They came over to me and asked what I was doing. Power Shoes told them I was about to have a baby. They were looking at me like Heber would pop out right then. It was funny. Then we went into the house and grabbed the bags, cd player, cds, birth ball, camera, video camera, and cell phone (and I called Kelly and let her know we were headed to the hospital). The bread for the nurse still had about ten more minutes, but we decided not to stick around to let it finish.
Somewhere in the midst of Scary helping me grab everything we lost Power Shoes in the house. Apparently he had to change his clothes so that he was dressed nicer to go to the hospital. He had been in a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt. Can I just say if I had been the husband and my wife was that far along, I definitely wouldn’t have made a wardrobe change?! Plus I wear basketball shorts and t-shirts all the time. Maybe it’s just the athlete in me, but I don’t think it’s that inappropriate to wear in public.
When he came out, we headed to the hospital. It is about 7 minutes away most of the time, but it was just before 5pm and traffic is a heavier. We had taken a road that doesn’t meet up with the light and I was worried we would get stuck there, but after a minute or two we were able to pull out. We parked at physical therapy (so Power Shoes wouldn't have to repark later), grabbed bags, and started to walk in. About 10 feet from the car my outer sac of my water broke. I was wearing a nightgown (not maternity so it was short) and a pair of workout pants. I took of the pants and threw them in the car since they were wet. It's funny how modesty gets thrown out a window when you're in labor and you don't even care.
When we were about to get off the elevator at the hospital I had a contraction and I just focused on getting off before dealing with it (I have a friend that got stuck on the elevator and had to ride up and down it 3 times because she was having contractions at just the wrong times). Kelly was standing there waiting for me. She rubbed my back as I leaned on the wall just outside of the elevator. She then led the way to the L&D Unit. She had beat us there and so the staff was wait to open the door for us. She took me to my room and helped me change while Power Shoes re-answered the authorization questions I had taken care of a couple of weeks before. The nurse asked if I should have and IV and both my midwife and doula said no. It was so good to have them advocate for me and give me what I wanted. Pretty soon after getting there, I told Kelly and Helene that I felt like I was pushing. Kelly told me that it sounded like I was pushing. It was great to have that reassurance since I hadn’t really ever experienced real labor before. Kelly and Power Shoes each let me put my arms around their neck and lean on them during contractions. It was good to have them to lean on and it felt good to push that way.
This picture was taken a couple of minutes before Heber was born.
Pretty soon I could really feel our baby moving down and I was worried that he would come right out and no one would catch him. So I got on my hands and knees on the bed so Helene could check me. As she did, the rest of the water sac broke. She said I was fully effaced and dilated so it wouldn’t be long. I stayed on my hands and knees to push, but then my arms started getting tired. Kelly asked the nurse to get me a birth ball, but the nurse said it was probably in use (without even looking). Kelly then went and got the ball herself. I was able to rest my upper body on the ball and push. In that time on my hands and knees and on the ball (which wasn’t very long) I drank 2 of the hospital mugs full of water. I was so thirsty.
Just after Heber came out. Look at the size of those feet!
Probably the most surprising thing about the whole experience was all the pressure on my behind. I was not prepared for that. Kelly helped with hot washcloths and reminding me of my hypnosis visuals. Helene helped relieve the pressure some by pushing on my behind. At the end, I remember Kelly trying to give me all the things I wanted. I got there so close to coming that a lot of things that I had been prepared for weren’t really applicable like my birth plan and the olive oil to help Heber’s head slide out. I also remember just before Heber came out that they were telling me to push easy. I was trying to hold myself back as much as possible. His head and body slid out in one easy push. Heber was born at 5:17pm (less than 4 hours of labor) and only 27 minutes after reaching the hospital. He was 9 lbs 5 oz, 20.5 in long, and absolutely perfect!. As he came out Power Shoes announced that it was Heber (we hadn't known what we were having, in the moment I had forgotten that we didn't know the gender).
Pretty soon I could really feel our baby moving down and I was worried that he would come right out and no one would catch him. So I got on my hands and knees on the bed so Helene could check me. As she did, the rest of the water sac broke. She said I was fully effaced and dilated so it wouldn’t be long. I stayed on my hands and knees to push, but then my arms started getting tired. Kelly asked the nurse to get me a birth ball, but the nurse said it was probably in use (without even looking). Kelly then went and got the ball herself. I was able to rest my upper body on the ball and push. In that time on my hands and knees and on the ball (which wasn’t very long) I drank 2 of the hospital mugs full of water. I was so thirsty.
Probably the most surprising thing about the whole experience was all the pressure on my behind. I was not prepared for that. Kelly helped with hot washcloths and reminding me of my hypnosis visuals. Helene helped relieve the pressure some by pushing on my behind. At the end, I remember Kelly trying to give me all the things I wanted. I got there so close to coming that a lot of things that I had been prepared for weren’t really applicable like my birth plan and the olive oil to help Heber’s head slide out. I also remember just before Heber came out that they were telling me to push easy. I was trying to hold myself back as much as possible. His head and body slid out in one easy push. Heber was born at 5:17pm (less than 4 hours of labor) and only 27 minutes after reaching the hospital. He was 9 lbs 5 oz, 20.5 in long, and absolutely perfect!. As he came out Power Shoes announced that it was Heber (we hadn't known what we were having, in the moment I had forgotten that we didn't know the gender).
Heber the next day, just a couple hours before we left the hospital.
Those few moments at the hospital leading up to Heber’s birth were like a blur to me. Everything went so fast and so perfectly. I loved pushing. I didn’t get to experience that the first time because I had an epidural. What a cool feeling. I was afraid that I wouldn’t know how to push when the time came, but it was such a natural instinct. No one had to coach me or tell me when to push, although I’m glad I had Kelly and Helene to remind me to push easy. I could literally feel my body push at just the right times. I only had to get one little stitch (as opposed to an episiotomy and 3rd degree tearing last time)! After the birth, Kelly gave me the most fabulous foot massage, got me my food and fed it to me (so I could rest), helped me get cleaned up and gave me some pointers to help make my recovery quicker.
Those few moments at the hospital leading up to Heber’s birth were like a blur to me. Everything went so fast and so perfectly. I loved pushing. I didn’t get to experience that the first time because I had an epidural. What a cool feeling. I was afraid that I wouldn’t know how to push when the time came, but it was such a natural instinct. No one had to coach me or tell me when to push, although I’m glad I had Kelly and Helene to remind me to push easy. I could literally feel my body push at just the right times. I only had to get one little stitch (as opposed to an episiotomy and 3rd degree tearing last time)! After the birth, Kelly gave me the most fabulous foot massage, got me my food and fed it to me (so I could rest), helped me get cleaned up and gave me some pointers to help make my recovery quicker.
Kelly, Me, Heber, and Power Shoes the next day (we made a quick stop on the way home to get this picture taken because we didn't have any pictures with Kelly besides one Scary got of her back as she was giving me a foot massage. This is because she was busy taking pictures for us). I absolutely love this lady! She is a dear friend.
It was my awesome support staff of Power Shoes, Kelly, and Helene that helped to make things go so perfectly. This experience has brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and has helped me realize what a special role I have been given as a daughter of God. I get to help bring the sweetest spirits into the world, and then teach them all that I know. Our bodies have been designed for such a wonderful purpose and work so beautifully. It’s absolutely amazing. Regardless of how long it takes to lose the baby bump, I will probably never look at my body the same again. It is incredible and I will do my best to think of it as the temple that it is.
I felt so much better the day after Heber was born, than 2 months after Ty was born. It was an incredible difference.
It was my awesome support staff of Power Shoes, Kelly, and Helene that helped to make things go so perfectly. This experience has brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and has helped me realize what a special role I have been given as a daughter of God. I get to help bring the sweetest spirits into the world, and then teach them all that I know. Our bodies have been designed for such a wonderful purpose and work so beautifully. It’s absolutely amazing. Regardless of how long it takes to lose the baby bump, I will probably never look at my body the same again. It is incredible and I will do my best to think of it as the temple that it is.
