Family Update

I haven’t updated on our family in a really long time. “Baby” J just turned 3, Baby L just turned 2 and we have baby #3 is on the way! J is so smart, he had a verbal delay and after 6 months of speech therapy with a WONDERFUL speech therapist instead of being behind, he was advanced!! His speech has continued to develop at lightning speed! He knows his colors and can say his alphabet. He can count to 15, when he doesn’t get stuck on 11, lol. (7 8 9 10 11, 7 8 9…) He absolutely loves his little sister and the new baby on the way. He loves his four wheelers and tractors. We still have a few SPD issues, but he is doing so much better!!! He is also mostly daytime potty trained! He is still a pretty tiny kid, he weighs 27 pounds! But he is healthy and the doctor has finally given him a clean bill of health! 

Baby L is also extremely smart. She is speaking in several word sentences, and loves to follow her brother around. She is my strong-willed and independent child. She knows no fear and jumps headfirst into just about everything. That is, everything she wants to do. If we want her to do something and she doesn’t want to, she will absolutely refuse to do it! She is a stubborn little girl!! She is also really tiny, she is 22 pounds, but just like her brother she is healthy as can be! 

As I have mentioned, I am pregnant with baby #3. It has been a long road. It started in September of last year. I got a positive pregnancy test. The next day I started bleeding and I lost the baby before I could even process that I was pregnant. Fast forward to November. I had a doctor appointment and I told him that I felt pregnant, but I was positive that I wasn’t. He tested my thyroid and I ended up being diagnosed with Graves Disease. I told my husband that day that we couldn’t get pregnant because it could effect the baby. Fast forward another 2 weeks and even on medication I was feeling pretty miserable, so I took a pregnancy test and it was positive! I have had a rough pregnancy. I have had some anxiety issues and have been sick a lot. However, I am so happy! We are expecting another little girl, Baby E. Jackson just adores her! I am 36 weeks and she is due August 22nd. 

Please excuse my crazy hair!!! 

Daisy Granny Square

I have been making some daisy blankets and decided to come up with one on my own. I am really happy with how it is turning out, it is unique!

Here are the two daisy blankets that I made mostly following someone else’s pattern.

Here is the pattern for my granny square!

Daisy Granny Square
With yellow, CH 4 join with a slst to form a ring (or use the magic circle)
CH 3, counts as first stitch, 11 DC into the ring join with a slst to the top of the beginning CH 3. Fasten off
With white, join with a slst IN BETWEEN any DC *CH 12 slst in between next 2 DCs. Repeat from * around. 12 petals. Fasten off.

Join your main color with a slst into the top of one of the petals. *CH 3 loosely (or CH 4) join with a slst to the top of the next petal. Repeat from * around. When you reach the last CH 3 join with a slst into the first ch 3.

CH 3 (counts as DC) 2 DC, CH 2, 3 DC in the CH 3 space. * 3 DC in the next 2 CH 3 spaces, 3 DC CH 2 3 DC in the next CH 3 space. Repeat from * around. Join to the top of the beginning CH 3.

*You should have 4 corner spaces and 4 edges, don’t worry if it doesn’t look square at this point, it will start looking like a square in the next round! If you know how to work a regular granny square, you don’t need to follow any further, the rest of the rounds are just like a normal granny square. If you are not sure how to make a granny square, keep reading!
Slst to the top of the first CH space, CH 3, counts as the first DC, 2 DC, CH 2, 3 DC in the same space. *3 DC in the space between the next 2 groups of DCs. Repeat from 2 times. **3 DC CH 2 3 DC in the next CH 2 space, 3 DC in the space between the next 2 groups of DCs 2 times. Repeat from ** around. Join with a slst to the top of the CH 3.

You can make your square as big as you want it, so you can stop here or keep going. I did 6 rows of the granny stitch. With each round, you will increase each side the square by 3 stitches, or 12 stitches all together, because each round adds one more space to each side. I hope that makes sense! If you need any help at all, feel free to ask!!

I haven’t made all of the squares yet and I haven’t decided how I will join them yet, but I will update as soon as I do!

Summery Infant Mesh Hat

I wanted to make a summery hat for a newborn, so I came up with my own pattern for a mesh hat.  This pattern is very stretchy, so even though it looks really small it should stretch to fit more than one head size.  It is also easily adjustable, just add extra rows of increase to increase the circumference and a few more regular rows to adjust the height

Summery Infant Mesh Hat

Yarn:  Caron Simply Soft

Hook: 4.25mm

Chain 4 and join to form a ring

1. CH4 (counts a DC CH1 here and throughout) DC CH1 11 times. SS to the 3^rd chain of your beginning CH4 (12 DC and 12 ch spaces)
2. SS into the next chain space CH4 DC CH1 into the same space. *Skip DC and DC CH1 DC CH1 into next CH1 space. Repeat from * in each CH space around. SS into the 3^rd chain of the beginning CH4. (24 DC and CH1 spaces)

3-11    SS into the next chain space CH4 DC CH1 into the same space. *Skip DC and DC                     CH1 into the next CH1 space. Repeat from * in each CH space around. SS into                       the 3^rd chain of the beginning CH4. (24 DC and CH1 spaces)

12. CH2 and LOOSELY HDC in each DC and CH space around. Join with a SS to the top of the beginning CH2.

Note:  For row 12 I went up to a size 5mm hook just to make sure that it kept its stretchy quality.  This hat comes out very small, so it will fit a preemie/newborn head.  If you want to increase the size, the increase rows should look something like this:

SS into the next chain space CH4 DC CH1 into the same space. *Skip DC and DC CH1 into the next CH space. DC CH1 DC CH1 into the next chain space. Repeat from * in each CH space around. SS into the 3^rd chain of the beginning CH4.

It is pretty much the same as increasing in other hats, so the increases will work the same, just with a CH1 in between each DC.

If you have any questions, let me know!

Mini Crochet Basket Pattern

I found a pattern that I really liked on Ravelry, but when I clicked on it, I realized you had to pay for the pattern.  I didn’t want to pay $4 for a pattern that I was pretty sure that I could figure out on my own.  I sat down and just started crocheting and I have to say that I am pretty happy with what I came up with!  I made this one for me, but I may make a few up for Mother’s Day.  It came together really quickly, so if you are looking for a pattern that you can give as a gift at the last minute, here is my pattern for the Mini Crochet Basket.

Hook size:  K-6.5mm

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (I used scrap yarn, so I don’t know exact colors or yardage)

Stitches: CH-chain

SS-slip stitch

HDC-half double crochet

BL- back loop

HDCDC-half double crochet decrease

Pattern notes:  This pattern is written for beginners.   I have been crocheting for 5 years and I still have trouble keeping track of my rounds when I crochet in the round, so each row begins with a SS and a CH 1, the chain does NOT count as the first stitch.

Basket

Using both strands of yarn together, CH 4 and join with a ss

Round 1 – CH 1 and HDC into the ring 12 times.  Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (12)

Round 2 – 2 HDC in each stitch around join to beginning stitch and CH 1 do not turn. (24)

Round 3 – 2 HDC in the first stitch, *1 HDC in the next stitch, 2 HDC in the next. Repeat from * around. Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (36)

Round 4 – 1 HDC in the BL only of each stitch around. Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (36)

Round 5-9 – 1 HDC in both loops in each stitch around. Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (36)

Round 10 – 1 SC in each stitch around. Fasten off. (36)

Lid

 Using both strands of yarn together, CH 4 and join with a ss

Round 1 – CH 1 and HDC into the ring 12 times.  Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (12)

Round 2 – 2 HDC in each stitch around join to beginning stitch and CH 1 do not turn. (24)

Round 3 – 2 HDC in the first stitch, *1 HDC in the next stitch, 2 HDC in the next. Repeat from * around. Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (36)

Round 4 – 1 SC in each stitch around. Fasten off. (36)

Handle

 Using both strands of yarn together, CH 4 and join with a ss

Round 1 – CH 1 and HDC into the ring 12 times.  Join to beginning stitch with a SS and CH 1 do not turn. (12)

Round 2 – CH 1 do a HDCDC over the first 2 stitches and in each stitch across.  Fasten off. (6)

Sew the handle to the top middle of the lid.

You can also use a wooden button for the handle.  I didn’t happen to have one on hand, so I made my own!

Sew in all your ends and you have a cute little basket that you can keep all kinds of odds and ends in!  I am putting buttons in mine.

The Practice Your Stitches Scarf

My mom wanted me to make her a scarf with the Day Glow Red Heart Super Saver yarn. I looked for a pattern, but couldn’t find one that I really liked. I wanted something that would looked good with the variegated yarn and that would work up quickly. I decided to make my own using four different stitches and realized it would be a good scarf for beginner crocheters to practice their stitches. 

  

This scarf uses four stitches, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble (or triple) crochet. It’s very easy and works up quickly. You can use any kind of yarn you would like, I used Day Glow Red Heart Super Saver. I used a 5mm crochet hook, you will use the hook that your yarn reccommends. 

I know when I first started crocheting, the chains at the beginning of the rows threw me off, so in this pattern, the chains DO NOT count as stitches. Your first stitch will be in the same stitch as your chain. 

Ch 26

1. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook (25 stitches)

2. Ch 1 (ch 1 does not count as a stitch here or throughout) and turn hdc in each stitch across

3. Ch 2 and turn Dc in each stitch across

4. Ch 3 and turn tr in each stitch across

5. Ch 1 and turn single crochet in each stitch across

7. Ch 1 and turn hdc in each stitch across

8. Ch 2 and turn Dc in each stitch across

9. Ch 3 and turn tr in each stitch across

Repeat rows 5-9 until you have reached your desired length. 

You should end on a treble crochet row. I went ahead and repeated row 5 (the single crochet row) one more time because I felt like it should end on single crochet ocher since it started on a single crochet row. I had 145 rows. 

If you want to do a fringe, measure out 72 12 in pieces of yarn. Starting on one end of your scarf, fold 3 pieces of yarn in half and, using your hook, pull the yarn through the first stitch making a large enough loop to pull the ends through. Pull tight. Repeat this in every other stitch across. Do this on both ends. 

If you have any questions about stitches, I used you tube to help me learn my stitches. Bobwilson123 is a one of my favorite channels. I used it a lot to help me learn to crochet in the beginning. 

Crochet Fingerless Gloves

There is a lady that I work with who is always cold, she keeps the office 80 degrees or above even in the summer, so i thought I would make some fingerless gloves to help her stay warmer.  I am going to give them to her for Christmas. I have written out instructions for what I did.  It isn’t really a pattern, but if you follow the instructions, you should end up with a nice pair of fingerless gloves.

CH12

1. Dc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each stitch across (10 stitches) Chain does not count as stitch here or throughout
2. Ch 2 and turn dc in the back loop of the same stitch and in each stitch across (10 stitches)
3. Ch 2 and turn dc in the front
4. loop of the same stitch and in each stitch across (10 stitches)

4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 repeat row 2

3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 repeat row 3

Join the ends together to make the wristband.

Join with a slip stitch to the top (whichever side you want to) and ch1 (chain does not count as a stitch. DC in same spot.  DC 28 evenly across the top

Ch1 (does not count as a stitch) DC in the same stitch and DC in each stitch across.

4 more rows of 28 dc (5 rows of dc)

This row is a little tricky.  Decide where you want your thumb hole I did mine above the seam where I joined the wristband) and dc to that point.  Ch4 skip 4 stitches and dc around.

4 more rows of dc

Use and accent color and hdc the next row and single crochet the next row.  Fasten off

Flip it around and single crochet in the accent color evenly around the bottom of the wristband.

For the accent color around the top of the wristband, I made a chain and wove it in between the stitches and sewed the ends together on the inside of the glove.

For the bow I used the accent color

ch4 join with the first ch this creates a ring

ch2, 4 dc into the ring 4 times ch2 and ss into the ring

ch2, 4 dc into the ring 4 times ch2 and ss into the ring and fasten off.

wrap the main color of the glove around the middle of your bow and you are done and ready to fasten it on!

I ran out of yarn for my second glove, so I only have a picture of the one, but it looks really nice!!

Life After Infertility- If you are struggling with infertility, please read this.

I have several friends who are struggling with infertility right now. I want them, and everyone else struggling with infertility, to know that even though I have had babies, I still remember all the pain and heartache that comes with infertility. I haven’t forgotten what it is like to want something so bad and to have it slip out of your grasp month after month. I remember vividly the disappointment in myself and my body, wondering why it was failing so miserably to do what it was supposed to do. And I have the fear that the PCOS is going to take over my body again and I won’t be able to have another. I feel that infertility is infertility, even if it comes after you have had a baby. It hurts every time you have to stuggle to try and have something that you want so bad that others seem to get effortlessly. I remember, I really do. And I am there to talk, to sympathize with you, to give you tips on what worked for me and really to just listen, because I understand. I know that some people will not have the same ending with their stuggle with infertility as I have had. This post is for you too, I know that everyone has different struggles and I don’t post mine to hurt anyone, but just like your struggles, mine are real and sometimes I just need support. 

With that being said, I want to talk about life after infertility. I am going to be very honest today, telling you things I haven’t even told my husband. Mom life is, to put it very simply, hard. I love my beautiful growing babies, but it’s so hard sometimes! All I have ever wanted to be is a mom. If someone asked me growing up what I wanted to be growing up, I would say, “I want to be a mom”. Even on Career day, I dressed as a mom. When I finally did become a mom, I was surprised at how difficult it was. It didn’t come as naturally to me as I believed it would. I was in pain, tired and frustrated for the first 4 months after Baby J was born, then I got pregnant with Miss Priss. I hadn’t even adjusted to being mom to one yet. Life did get a little easier, I told everyone that Baby J was as close to being a perfect baby as you could get, he played great by himself, but loved to be held and cuddled, he slept through the night by 5 months and teething was pretty much a breeze with him. Despite a few health concerns with him and my pregnancy (very painful pregnancy), life was great. Then Miss Priss came along. She is a totally different baby than Baby J, which I expected, but it’s crazy! She doesn’t sleep, she has a cry like a banshee, and she is VERY insistant when she wants to be. She is sweet, loving, oh so serious and smart. She has also kept me up most of the night almost every night since she was born. I don’t function well without sleep, and there have been many tears shed by both of us. There have been nights where I want to scream and leave the house and just let my husband deal with the screaming baby. There have been a few nights where I was at my wits end, I felt like I couldn’t take anymore. I sat in bed next to my sleeping husband and I was so mad at him for sleeping. She wouldn’t stop crying and I didn’t know what to do. I would nurse her, rock her, swaddle her and nothing worked, she wouldn’t stop crying. I wanted to shake her, I wanted to scream and pull out my hair. Instead I sat there holding her, rocking her, trying to nurse her all the while tears were rolling down my face and I was pinching myself so I wouldn’t hurt her. Nights like that make me feel like I am a failure as a mom. Why is it so hard? Shouldn’t it come naturally to someone who wanted this so bad? There are other times, moments where I know it’s going to be okay, where I know I am not completely failing. When I get home from work and Baby J is yelling Mama over and over again. When I see him overcoming obstacles, and growing up happy.  When I open our freezer and see its full of milk for Miss Priss, when she reached for me over someone else and when I am able to provide the best nutrition for her by nursing her. In these moments, I know I am not failing. Life can be hard and being a mom is no different. My challenges have changed since having kids, I don’t struggle with infertility, I struggle with the fear of it. I don’t struggle with hating my body because it has failed me…again, I struggle with hating my body because it is too fat. I don’t struggle with wondering why it isn’t happening for me, I struggle with why can’t I do this like I think I should? 

Next time you see a post from someone that offends you because you think they should remember your pain, remember that I do, but I am also dealing with my own struggles, and so is that person. It’s hard when life doesn’t turn out like you expect. Also when we post about our triumphs, our excitement, etc. we are not trying to rub it in your face, we want to share with you! I have been trying to be more careful about what I post lately, I don’t want to hurt anyone, but sometimes I need to vent, like today, the mood swings I am having, you wouldn’t believe them! I hope I was able to convey what I meant to! Please just know that if you are struggling with mommyhood, or infertility, I understand, and I want you to talk to me! 
How beautiful are they??? They are truly miracles! 

Miss Priss’s Birth Story

on 7-16, my husband got up like normal to get ready for work. I was laying in bed trying to go back to sleep, I was so uncomfortable! Suddenly I felt a gush and yelled to my husband that my water broke. I was worried because I wasn’t feeling any contractions and thought maybe I was going to have PROM again. I went ahead and called my doula to let her know what was going on. I decided not to go to the hospital yet, I had a doctor’s appointment at 2 that afternoon and was just going to go in then. We started gathering everything to go to the hospital. My husband went out and installed the car seat in the car while started cutting the cookie bars we made for the nurses. We made them in aluminum foil cake pans and we do not have a lot of counter space so I was holding the bottom of the pan. The cookies were still a little frozen so I was pushing kind of hard, well I pushed a little too hard and the knife went through the cookie, the pan and my finger. So here I am in labor, starting to feel contractions with blood shooting out of my finger. The kitchen and I both looked like a murder scene. The was blood EVERYWHERE! I was covered head to toe in it. We decided to just go ahead and head to the hospital I didn’t want to have to go to two hospitals in one day. 

  
When we got to the hospital I told the what was going on. They had no idea what to do with me! They sent me to L&D first and had my OB look at it. When we took the bandage off it just started shooting blood! Keep in mind this was several hours after it had been cut, I thought it had quit bleeding. Apparently it turned out that I had an arterial cut. They wanted to send me to the ER to get my finger taken care of first because it was pretty serious. It took another hour or 2 before they sent me down because they wanted to get an IV in me to get the antibiotics for the GBS going. It took forever for someone to come and a long time to find a vein to put the IV in. I got down to the ER and started listening to my hypno babies track while I was down in the ER, so by the time the doctor came I was starting to relax. He gave me two shots of lidocaine in between my fingers and one in the tip, those hurt, but I was able to manage it with the help of the hypnobabies and my husband’s hand, but to get it to stop bleeding he had to give me a shot in the cut. I think that pain was one of the worst pains I have ever felt! I almost screamed. I ended up with two stitches and then they shipped me back up to L&D.

  
 I walked for a little while then decided to lay down, I was tired, plus they made me so they could monitor me and the baby. The doctor wanted to start Pitocin, but I refused. I laid in the bed and relaxed listening to my hypno tracks. I could feel the contractions coming stronger and stronger, I was able to manage the pain though. I fell asleep between contractions and during them I just told myself to relax. After some time laying down (not sure how long, I lost track of time) they came to check me and I was 8 cm. I got up to walk, but the pain was getting pretty bad, so I went back and took a shower. When I got back out my, they were getting to be unbearable. I got on the bed on my hands and knees where my doula and husband rubbed my hips. I looked at my husband and told him I couldn’t do it, I was starting to have panic attacks. Both my husband and doula encouraged me and said I could and that I was so close. I vaguely remember her pointing out the purple line that indicated how dilated I was. I remember wanting to ask how dilated I was, but I was in too much pain and too tired! The nurse was trying to find Miss Priss’s heartbeat and couldn’t, so she started asking me to roll over. Any kind of movement made me feel like I was going to die so as I was trying to work myself up to moving I told her that I couldn’t. I was finally able to roll onto my side and all the sudden I felt my body pushing. I yelled, “I’m pushing!” Then things flew by, they yelled for the doctor, she came in and started barking orders (I had the on call doctor deliver her because my doctor had just gone home). She kept telling me to take a deep breath and hold it and push. I wanted to do mother directed pushing, plus I couldn’t do more than pant, so I ignored her, I pushed about 4 times and Miss Priss was out!! I was exhausted, but happy! I got the birth o wanted, a healthy baby and I didn’t even tear! She weighed 9 lbs even and was 21 inches long, she was a big girl! 

She wouldn’t latch on to eat though and I was worried at first. It’s took 4 hours before she first latched and then almost a whole day before she latched on for real and ate. I was able to get little bits in here here and there throughout the day. Then when my milk came in at 3 days, I had an amazing supply and she started latching on more often. I started pumping right away, one, because I wanted the stash built up for when I go to work, two because I was in so much pain from the engorgement. Now our whole freezer is almost full of milk! I think I have well over 200oz! If you remember, I had to have milk donated for my son! Miss Priss is gaining weight so well! Much better than Baby J, he is still tiny! At her 4 week check up, she was 10lbs 5 oz! She is a little butterball!!  

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Left: Jackson, right: LauraBelle

    
    
   

Our New Addition

My pregnancy with this little one was a rough one. I had nerve pain so bad I couldn’t walk and then I developed SPD, my pelvis started separating. I got off work at 34 weeks. I got to be a stay at home mom and got to see my little boy grow up and change so much. He is such a good and happy little guy! He started walking in the last few days! He is trying to figure out how his mouth works and makes the cutest noises! He is such a boy and loves his cars and he also loves headbands and pearls!! I just love my little guy! 

   
    
    
    
   
Anyway, on 7-16, at 40+1 weeks, my water broke at about 8am. (I will tell my full birth story in another post) and at 7:52 my little girl was born. She was 9lbs even and 21in long, BIG girl with lots of hair. She looks just like her big brother. Now I am 6 weeks post partum and not only do I have a 15 month old and a newborn, we are in the process of moving/getting our house ready to put on the market. It has been a long, stressful, and sleepless 6 weeks! I love my family and am very excited to move though.  

   
 I apologize of this post seems a bit random and all over the place, I am running on about 2 hours of sleep, I can barely speak clearly! 

Happy Birthday Baby J

one year ago today, I was laying in my hospital bed, exhausted beyond belief, but happy because I was holding my little boy in my arms. He took FOREVER to get here, but when he did it was worth it. He has been worth all the pain and tears that comes with motherhood. (Tears like last night when he rammed his head into my nose and then laughed because he thought I was laughing). It seems like he should still be only a couple of months old! He is growing up so fast! He has learned to crawl and desperately wants to walk. He jabbers all the time, no specific words yet except when he is imitating you. He does moo if you ask where the cow is! He is learning his shapes. He knows round things go in round holes and he will always try to put two round things together. He has 5 teeth now and when his last tooth came in he only fussed for a few hours. He has been sleeping on grouch the night since he was about 5 months old!  He helps dress and undress himself now. He is just a good, happy little guy. Here are a few pictures (and a video)  of my sweet little boy. 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 of my sweet little baby boy.