Audrey's Going Home Dress

This have been super busy around here since Audrey's arrival. I definitely don't have much free time to spend on the blog but I wanted to make a quick post to show you the sweet little dress I made for my baby girl to come home in! 

I love the piping, trim and bow details!

I used Itty Bitty Baby Dress pattern from Made by Rae. One thing I noticed about the pattern is that one side of the bodice is slightly larger than the other. So rather than printing both sides and taping together as the instructions indicate, I simply used one side of the pattern and cut it on the fold so that both sides are identical.It was an easy pattern to make and you could easily sew up a couple of these in an afternoon.  

It was a little big on her but at least we'll get more wear out of it over the summer!

 

Linking to some of these fabulous parties!

Father's Day Painted Tie Craft

Sophie made her Daddy a cute tie for Father's Day. Here's how you can make one for the special man in your life: 

You will need:

• 11 x 16 paper
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Ribbon 
• Scissors
• Tape
• Hole Punch

Directions:

1. Let your child paint on the paper however he/she wishes.

2. Cut out a tie shape using one of your husband's ties as a pattern.

3. Cut out a small strip that measures about 2 inches high and 6 inches long to make the knot.

4. Hole punch both ends of the strip so that you have a space to weave the ribbon through.

5. Wrap the strip around the top of the tie and tape into place.  

6. Weave ribbon through holes.

What a special gift for Daddy! (Great for Granddaddy's too!)

Linking to these fabulous parties!

Audrey's Arrival!

Sweet baby Audrey Elizabeth was born May 23, 2013 at 12:14 pm weighing 6 lb. 15 oz. and 19 3/4 inches long. I am head over heels in love with her and Sophie has adjusted very well to having a baby sister! I was blessed to have a very easy and quick delivery - only 7 minutes and 3 contractions before she was in my arms.

Here is Sophie meeting her little sister for the first time. She said, "Mommy, she's so pretty!" Since we've been home Sophie has been helping change diapers and give Audrey sponge baths. She's always checking on her little sister and offering her toys.

 First Family photo:

Life has understandably been hectic for the past 10 days and my primary focus is on family. I'll still be blogging as time permits but know that it will be sporadic over the next little while. Nothing comes before my girls!

12 Baby Necessities You Can't Live Without

The baby necessities below made life a little easier after Sophie's arrival 3 years ago, and we plan to use them all again with the new baby. Many of these things I didn't know about before becoming a mom, so I thought I would share this helpful list with you in case you need some ideas for your baby registry.

1.  Boppy Pillow
This is a must-have for nursing mothers. It helps support the baby in the correct position, and can also be used to prop the baby up for sitting or tummy time.

2. Itzbeen Timer 
This handy timer has 4 buttons which track how long it's been since the baby has been fed, changed, slept, and a "free" button you can use to track anything you wish. There is also a switch on the button so you can remember if the baby nursed from the left or right side at the last feeding. Trust me, when you are sleep deprived and juggling a zillion different things, this timer will help keep you on track! I have it packed in my hospital bag ready to go!

3. Bobby Waterproof Changing Pad Liners
Just place on of these on the changing table, and if the baby has an accident (which newborns so often do) simply remove the liner and replace it with another so you don't have to remove and wash the whole changing pad cover. We bought 3 packs of these and it was well worth it.

4. Moby Wrap
Invaluable for being able to walk around hands-free. Great for shopping too.

5. Nursing Cover
My personal favorite is made by Udder Covers and many prints / styles are available at the link above. The top has boning which allows you to get a clear look at baby while still covering up for privacy.

6. Desitin Creamy Diaper Rash Cream 

There's lot of different diaper creams out there but this one is the best!

7. Shopping Cart Cover
Get one of these when your baby is old enought to sit up so that they are fully protected from shopping cart germs.

8. Muslin Swaddle Blankets
We must've received 30 different blankets when Sophie was born but the muslin ones are best for swaddling and snuggling. They are so breathable and lightweight, and you'll continue to get use out of them even when the baby is too old to be swaddled. Sophie still sleeps with one of hers at 3 years old. 

9. Zip Up Blanket
A zip-up blanket eliminates the danger of the blanket covering the baby's head while sleeping. Pick up a couple lightweight ones of muslin or cotton for summer and fleece ones for winter. 

10. Quick Clean Microsteam Bags
These bags are great for cleaning bottles and breast pump parts. Simply add water, place the parts in the bag and microwave to kill germs! I used them once a week. 

11. Medela Tender Care Lanolin
If you are nursing, this is the best lanolin on the market. Don't bother buying anything else!

 
12. BabyGanics Extra Gentle Body Wash
This body wash is made from natural products and won't dry baby's skin. It can be used as a body wash, shampoo and bubble bath. 

Well friends, this is my last post before the baby's arrival. I will be induced early tomorrow morning! I know my posting will probably be sporadic over the next couple months as I focus on family, but I do have several projects in the works and a few draft posts saved so you will be hearing from me periodically. Please pray for a smooth delivery and healthy baby!

Happy 11th Anniversary to my Handy Hubby!

I'm not the only creative one around here. In honor of our 11th anniversary I thought I would highlight some of the wonderful projects my handy husband Robbie has completed around our home.

We always have a beautifully landscaped yard. 

He built this shed from scratch... with no blueprint and only a little help from friends! It even has a deck and electricity. No doubt it's built better than our own house!

The list of house projects are endless.

He installed a Jacuzzi tub for my Valentine's Day present many years ago. It required rerouting the water line...no problem for Robbie. He also did all the tiling on the floor and around the tub.

He's added crown molding and window frames, and upgraded the baseboards and door frames throughout our home.  

Including adding crown molding to the kitchen cabinets.   

Every single piece of molding that was in this house when we moved in has been ripped out and replaced!

Here is our beautiful kitchen tile backsplash that he wipped up on a Saturday afternoon. 

He installed these stainless steel hanging pendant lights over the bar in our kitchen, where no lights existed before.

And added this decorative moulding under the bar:

How about these "built in" bookshelves in our office? These are inexpensive pressed board bookshelves that he painted white and embellished with molding.

He refinished the oak banister on our stairs to white and added wrought iron spindles.

And also put up wainscoting on both sides of the stair well.

He tiled around our fireplace with slate.

When we were dating, he painted this brick with a picture of my high school that had been recently torn down.

At Christmas he is the master decorator. Here are just a few of his creations.

 
Our neighborhood used to give away a Best Dressed Holiday Home award which Robbie won 4 years in a row. They eventually stopped doing it, I suspect because no one can compete with him!

And speaking of decorating, take a look at what he does at Halloween. (Everything is handmade!)

Did I mention that he can also fix anything and is an amazing cook?!?!?!

His next project is refinishing this antique china cabinet that he inherited from his grandparents. Of course with our baby due any day now, I don't know how soon this project will be competed....

Happy Anniversary baby! I am so lucky to have you! 

 

Linking to some of these fabulous parties!