I Stayed Up Past Midnight

I must've been excited about finishing these little shoes for Esme. I've been dreaming of making some since I ran into a few free patterns, but was driven to make them since my cheapness has been keeping me from buying the pricey shoes that I like. After 3 hours adjusting the pattern, unpicking several mistakes, and learning as I went, she has slippers that fit just right but won't make me cry when she grows out of them in a month.

I used this pattern (and this video) but narrowed and lengthened the sole about half an inch. They are lined with soft microfleece (diaper scraps) and the outside is heavy twill (sling scraps). Next I plan on picking up a leather coat at the thrift store and making these cute ones and if I get really into, these reversible kimono-style ones. I wonder how long I can go on making her shoes. Luckily she's technically a baby for at least one more year.

If anyone knows of a way to get some traction on the bottom, like the rubber writing on the bottom of socks, please let me know. I've already thought of going to Home Depot for some adhesive something, but that stuff probably isn't non-toxic. Then I thought of sewing a rubber band along the bottom. See. I clearly need help before my ideas get any more ridiculous. Rubber cement?...

M is for Mohawk

I love Esme's hair. And so does everybody else, judging by all the compliments she gets. As you can see, it's anti-gravity awsomeness is delightful from every angle. The other night I was running my fingers through her fluff when I noticed it was thinning on top. When I realized the mohawk was in danger, documenting it jumped to the top of my to-do list.

It is either coincidence or clairvoyance that the nurse who bathed her in the hospital soon after birth gave her the same hair style that would grow in later.

Manders

That's what we all call her, although she probably prefers Amanda. She grew up with Brian in Idaho and will be staying with us for a while. Luckily she loves kids and enjoys baking. (Brian has considered charging rent in loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls. Even luckier... she's a baby nurse at Primary Children's Hospital. Brian and I considered ourselves experts since Esme is our second baby. This morning I realized, the only thing we learned from Eli was why the baby was crying. Manders is teaching us how to solve the problem and stop the crying. I've finally learned the perfect swaddle, even one to keep the binki in the mouth, how to clean a tiny dry, stuffy nose, and that a hot pad on the belly works better than gas drops.

Hmm...we should have her guest post to answer questions...

Wear Your Baby

I wonder how long this sewing bug is going to last. It's pretty extreme when combined with the self-sufficiency my mother taught me. Now I must hand-make everything. It is useful for baby gifts, though.

For a while I've been trying to figure out which baby carrier is best(bjorn, sling, wrap) , and I've decided that I'd rather have one of each, especially now that I can make them. They are especially helpful for baby #2+ when you have a toddler to chase and chores to get done. Here are my opinions about each.

Sling. My dear sister lent me her New Native sling when Eli came. I loved how simple it was and how small it folded to keep in my bag. It's perfect for tiny babies, especially if you want to bring them out in public. Babies are tucked away from strangers' grimy fingers. (Can you tell, week old Eli's in this picture) Your hands are totally free and it's easier to get around without bulky car seats or strollers. It was also handy when I wanted to trade sleeping Eli off to Brian, he just stayed asleep in the pouch as we pulled it over my head and onto Brian. For being so great, the sling does have a couple of cons. First, your shoulder will hurt if you wear it for a long time and when the baby gets bigger. And they are sold by size, so not adjustable. I still want one for the first few months and wearyourbaby.com even has easy plans to make one from a snug-fitting t-shirt. Here's a free pattern and instructions to make one from the fabric of your choice.

Bjorn- These adjustable, daddy-friendly carriers are comfortable at any stage, I sometimes stick Eli in his still. It is a more bulky in your bag, but lets your baby look in or out. Similar in style, without the patented buckles and such, is the Mei Tai. It is more versatile and comfortable in that you can also carry your baby on your back. Here are some simple and here are some detailed plans to make one yourself.

Wrap- My new must have. I'll admit I was scared when my sister offered me hers and never took it. It's just 5 yards of fabric 20+ inches wide that you wrap in different ways to make a carrier. I knew the sling was a new idea for Utahns when a girl at church said I should carry a jug of water on my head too. I wonder what she would have said about the wrap. The Moby Wrap has to be the most versatile, comfortable baby carrier out there. There are at least 11 different holds, including hip and even twins (instructions for which are on their site). You can buy one for $40 or make your own. I was super excited to go to Joann's today to get 5 yards of cotton knit (jersey, like stretchy T-shirts are made from) to make one myself. My sister is always years ahead of me.

Now comes my main reason for this post. I know some people having babies and would like to know who would like a wrap (since they are kind of a statement). Don't be shy, anyone with a baby sometime in their future (Ashley, Anna, Sarah, Leilani, Shannon, Annette, Esther, Kim) make a comment (sling or wrap) and I'll keep it in mind. I'm too practical and have to give gifts that people love and use daily, so no pressure if there's no interest. I'm also dreaming up things to applique on to mark the center, like a leaf, cute animal or something. Plus I'd better learn to wrap them before giving them away.

Baby Mania

Is it just me, or is everybody pregnant? Sincere Congratulations Ciril, Shannon, Sarah, and Annette.
I took my last pill today, so we'll see what happens. I hate the word "trying," so we're just going to leave things to chance. Wonder what Brian will say about my public declaration.
To my my main topic. Picking a child's name is serious business. It's tied to their identity, pretty much for eternity, unless you do such a bad job they have to change it. I'm pretty indecisive and couldn't make up my mind until a couple days before Eli was born (which is good, then I didn't have to tell people his future name after they asked and hear all their opinions about it.)

Anna showed me a couple of helpful baby name websites. First go here to find what names you like without reading through a book like "100,000 Baby Names." Put in up to six you already like as inspiration and it judges the style and gives suggestion of more you may admire. You can add them to the inspiration section and a list on the right that you can email to yourself later. Click the names to find our their meanings and such.

Once you have your list go here. (This next step is for those that don't want their child to be one of the 4 Cadens [or Jaden, Braden, Aiden] in their 3rd grade class) Enter the name and it tells you, in a lovely graph, how popular the name has been from the 1880's to now.

Just in case you need more temptation to be on the internet even longer.

Sew Your Own Cloth Diapers

Sounds intense, eh? I figured I would wait for #2 and a better washing machine before making the leap. I really never thought of sewing them myself since I'm no seamstress and sewing machines intimidate me. Luckily my friend Anna organized the class with her in-laws to get the pattern and learn how to sew cloth diapers from the woman they had been buying them from. The diapers are much like FuzziBunz with her own variations. Ivy Dow is her name and it was her first class. I think its genius. Instead of competing with the endless cloth diaper companies out there and being a diaper-sewing machine, she's found a more meaningful niche. Her company, Every-Green Babies, is helping people save money, be self-sufficient, and be eco-conscious. She will have great success in Utah with all the homemakers that have time and sewing skills.
I thought she was going to hand out the patterns and show us how to make them. Hah! We had to sew them ourselves. Nothing better than hands-on experience and it gave me the confidence to think I could actually do it on my own.
Last night at the class I was the one with the least sewing ability (also known as the slowest) and poor Anna felt like she had to explain that I had sewn once 10 years ago. After a few comments I finally said, only half-jokingly, "Only in Utah is it not okay to not know how to sew!" I was stressed and caused threading problems with the machine, but finally finished and was filled with pride at my olive green creation. I couldn't wait to try it on the boy. He even wore it to church today.
I love DIY projects, I don't mind the few flaws because I'm so proud that I did it myself and we can have stylish cloth diapers for 1/4 the price of buying them. Olive green, chocolate brown, eggplant, and cranberry diapers, here we come. Sounds delicious.

Stokke

I was just looking, or longing, over a website with fabulously designed kid's furniture and remembered my admiration of Stokke. I'm a sucker for multifunctional. That's why Stokke is the best. You have to click this link and float your mouse over the six products at the bottom to reveal their evolving usefulness. They only have one model of each product: stroller, changing table, crib, etc. showing that they've perfected each one. The highchair, crib and even changing table can be used practically from birth to adulthood. Ikea fulfills most of my wants, but not this one. I still regret the day when I saw a craigslist ad for one of their cribs for half off and didn't act quickly. Maybe someday.