A Space-Saving Solution

Ah, the laborious but necessary task of switching seasons of clothing for the kids!  Honestly, it is not done but a dent has been made, and until the weather makes up it's mind about whether it's still summer or we're headed towards winter, there isn't much point in continuing.

I've come to appreciate the flexibility of our little house.  Every item must have a purpose and a home (good luck with it always getting there!), but there has been a decided fluidity to the rooms throughout the past 12 years.

Case in point: a diaper changing space. 

After hearing my mother's tales of back pain from changing diapers on a low bed, I figured a changing table would be pretty handy.  I saw a darling Hoosier cabinet converted for the purpose, and one thing led to another until my father designed and built a cabinet for the job. 

Doug and a neighbor hauled the heavy piece up the stairs of our apartment, and it served us well.

Until we moved to this house.  The hall to the bedrooms was too narrow and the doorways were placed in such a way that the piece could not be maneuvered into the nursery.  After I was thoroughly assured that my dad wouldn't be offended, the back was cut out to house our ancient television (yes, we have one; yes, it's a dinosaur; no, we don't need a flat screen because this still works).

I believe at one point we had a dresser with poorly-sliding drawers that served as the changing space.  With more babies, furniture was pared and it was hauled to the street where it disappeared in a hour. 

But we still had to change diapers. Not wanting to buy any furniture, we constructed a "table" in the closet.

Diapers, wipes, and clothes were close at hand, and there was plenty of storage for all the extras.  An inexpensive door mirror entertained baby.  I even purchased cute little tags to label all the baskets of clothing (onesies, sleepers, pants, etc.), but it was one of many uncompleted projects, dying to the tyranny of the urgent.

When Josie came along, we once again had to assess sleeping arrangements, and this time baby was moved into the other room with the big boys.  Another "table" was needed.

The doors of the closet were removed for ease of use and to give the illusion of more space.  The big boys clothes easily fit on the bottom shelves, and baby's go up high.  Dresses are hung on a tension rod running back to front of the closet, and wipes, diapers and extra sheets are all easily available.

Josie has since been moved to the other room she shares with the "little" boys (another space-saving solution post right there), and Katherine now shares space with the big boys.  The changing pad is no longer needed and it won't be long before the small bins will be unable to hold the boys' larger clothes, but it has been a perfect solution to our family's small bedroom dilemna.

The Girls

Can I even describe the thrill in my heart the moment I first realized that I could say The Girls?!

 

Josie - 1 week

 

Before I was even pregnant, Stephen would randomly say, "It would be nice if Josie had a sister."  And once I knew I was expecting, I thought so, too.  (There may or may not have been some prayers offered indicating such).

 

Katherine - 10 days

Now that she's here, I can dream...of girly rooms and matching dresses and doll houses and dress up clothes and crafts and tea parties and so much more.

The Foot

About three weeks ago I had a standard ultrasound to check the level of amniotic fluid (definitely not a problem for me - I had twice the amount of most people at this point in pregnancy).  The tech checked for all the limbs, too, and remarked, "Wow, that foot is so high I can't really see it."

 

I certainly didn't need to be told; I had felt that foot in my ribcage for the last three months.  It's much more fun to admire it on this side of the womb.

The Race with Kate

In case you haven't heard, I'm not the only one anxiously awaiting a baby.

But aside from reaching the 40 week mark and not finding out the gender of the baby, we don't have a lot in common.

It seems the local grocer has provided a reserved parking spot for the royal family, complete with a royal guard.  I haven't heard anything from the stores I frequent, though another kind shopper at Wal-Mart did offer to help me unload my cart.

Kate's svelte figure has been the talk of tabloids for months; thankfully no one really cares what I wear which is a good thing since it's generally one a few items that still fit.

And as for shoes?  I couldn't imagine plunking down $300+ for a pair of shoes, but I'm certainly glad I don't have to stuff these swollen tootsies in 4" heels - I'm glad to be barefoot and pregnant!

And last, but not least, the nursery!  I still remember going through J.C. Penney catalogs as a child and dreaming of putting together a nursery.  One news source commended the duchess on her "price conscious" selections including a $450 Moses basket (do people really use these?!) and $1800 stroller (gulp!).  Guess I should at least wipe down the slats of the crib and put on a clean sheet.

Truth is, I wouldn't trade places with her for anything (well, it's mostly true - she's not cleaning soiled toddler pants during meal preparations EVERY DAY!).

Ready and Waiting

This weekend I put the final touches on #6's quilt

(while finishing up the last disc of Heat of the Sun - so good!).

I was hoping to find a way to incorporate pieces of all the other kids' quilts.



This from Andrew's completely hand-quilted and embroidered quilt.

This trio from Stephen's summer inspired quilt.

From Matthew's - maybe my all-time favorite.

This is also from Matthew's - I remember showing it to
my quilting grandmother who had made a blouse for herself from the very same fabric.



I cut things close with Jonathan's and only had tiny pieces to work with.

  



And these were all from Josie's quilt.

 So what about the new baby?  He/she needs something special.

I fell in love with this darling vintage print.

And who can resist houndstooth?

And just because, a special letter.

 

We are ready and waiting to meet you...please come soon!

39 Weeks

 

Getting ready.

38 Weeks

Imagine this:  one rather pregnant woman in the back row of a minivan, crammed in the small space between a full size car seat and a booster trying to inconspicuously put on a bathing suit.

I get cramps just thinking about it.

Nana's Chicken

When Josie was born, my saint-of-a-mom not only came to take care of four active boys and a crazy post-partum mom, she brought food to stock our freezer.  With all our food restrictions, this is not an easy task.  One night after she was gone, I pulled out meatloaf to heat for dinner.

 

Matthew was quite impressed:  "Mmm, I love Nana's chicken."

 

 

 



And he really does.  I made some last night for dinner.  He had it again for breakfast and lunch!  I guess I need to go ahead and make some more for those upcoming post-partum days.

In Which I (Finally) Make a Decision

Four weeks, four days to go until my EDD (estimated being the operative word)...

and a bunting it shall be.

Crunch Time

Never have I waited so long to start on a baby quilt, but with just over six weeks to go, I need to hustle to get it done.  Aside from losing two months of my life to home renovations, I'm having trouble with decision making.  I originally was looking for a way to incorporate at least one fabric from each of the other kids' quilts, both in tribute to all these baby-making years and as a way to use up my stash of miscellaneous prints.  The main trouble is that I just can't decide on pattern. 

I toyed for a long time with this one and cut out some banners.



Via



It's such a fun, cute design, but I'm just not sure about how it would be to actually quilt.

Next, I played around with this one and cut out some pieces, too.

Via

It's fun and playful, too, but randomness in design is not my strongpoint,

and I'm not confident I can pull it off.

Now it's back to the drawing board so to speak

(or more like back to searching Pinterest for inspiration).

I'm considering another chevron quilt like this fun one I gave away

(only using a much easier piecing method).

But I like this one.



Via



 And this one.

Via

And this one.

Via

 Time's a ticking especially if I'm going to have something to fiddle with during our upcoming road trip.  Any thoughts?



Overhead

 

I just can't wait for our new baby to come out your bottom. - Jonathan

If You Can't Say Anything Nice....

Taking a walk this afternoon, I got the television comment...again.

I shouldn't be surprised.

It was the same neighbor who remarked when I was pregnant with Josie, "Well, maybe it will be another boy so you can have five daughters-in-law to hate you."

Nesting

It is the quandary of mothers the world over: where to put the baby?

 

 

The baby doesn't really care.  He/she is content with food and warmth. 

 

 

Some opt for just meeting the basic needs: shelter from the elements and safety from predators.

 

 

Others take time to look around for just the perfect place: shelter, safety, and beauty, too.

 

 

 

What a perfect nursery!

Under Construction

Twenty-eight weeks today.

 

I was feeling a bit ambitious when I posted my 20 Things for 20 Weeks a couple of months ago.  Approximately 4 of the items have been completed so far.

 

But things are looking up. 

Item #1: Remodel the bathroom(s) is well underway.

 

Doesn't everyone want a toilet on their front porch?

There's a part of me is truly inspired by lovely images on Pinterest or the super-duper-DIYer couples with amazing blogs on house transformations (notice I wrote "me" - my husband, the voice of reason in the family, isn't interested at all).  I really would like to learn to use power tools and create with wood and build something to be proud of.

 

At the moment, however, it's all I can do to keep up with laundry, learn my kids their three Rs, and stay relatively sane.  DIY home remodeling is not really in the cards for me at this stage of life.

 

 

So I was extremely thankful when after series of I'll-call-you-next-week-contractors,

we hooked up with Randy. 

 

 

 

He knows about Pinterest.

He cares about details.

He has 6 kids.

 

 

He's been great with the "helpers" around and even let Stephen assist with prying off the old tile.

Matthew enjoyed playing in the new bathtub in our living room floor.

 

 

And he's uber-patient with The Supervisor (a.k.a. Josie).  When she disappears, I know right where to go.  She always climbs his ladders, inspects his tools, and is anxious to know what's happening.

 

I can't wait to share the finished results.

A First For Me

I've read about.

My husband says he gets it a lot.

But it was a first for me.

The kids and I walked into a showroom today and a man immediately says, "You don't have TV, do you?"

Of all the idiotic things to say (and, I've heard a lot), this has to be the top.  I find it hard to believe that any human would choose the offerings of our nation's major networks over some alone time with their spouse.  But apparently, it's the norm.

"Sorry, honey, not tonight.  I have to watch The Bachelor to fulfill all my fantasies." or "No, dear, my needs are sufficiently met by watching the commercials of major sporting events."

If you follow the logic then one would assume that the natural solution for teenage pregnancy would be to simply supply each one with their own television or for OBs to simply give their patients TV Guide and say, "Have at it."

Sometimes I despair of this world in which we live.

Well, Well

Jonathan to the nursery workers, "Momma is having a baby.  Two babies.  Two Spanish babies."

20 Things for 20 Weeks

It's hard to imagine that I'm halfway on my waiting to meeting the newest baby.  And that means it's about time to make a plan for the next few months.  The items are only grouped by subject matter not by priority (except, maybe, for #1).

1. Remodel the bathroom.  This sounds pretty lofty, but with some recent water problems, it is a top priority that means calling up a handy contractor.
2. Buy a new mattress.  All things have limited lifespans, and my back can attest to the fact that ours is past its prime.
3. Paint the kitchen cabinets.  Huh?  It sounds really crazy and maybe I will change my mind, but the dings and scratches (not to mention missing pulls) accumulated over the last 9 years are starting to bother me.
4. Add a backsplash.  This wasn't really on the list, but a dropped comment from a friend and a brilliant idea from a blog collided as a sign that this would be a relatively quick and easy update.
5. Paint the hallway bookshelf.  Must decide on a color - not my strongpoint.
6. Paint the master bedroom.  Since it is connected to the bathroom that needs to be remodeled.  And I'm tired of red.
7. Paint the halls. 
8. Paint the dining room.
9. Paint the big boys' room.
10. Paint the little boys' room.
11. Find a spot for the baby.  Unlike many friends and bloggers, we have no extra room, walk-in closet, or alcove.  Creativity is a must.  (That and earplugs).
12. Start planting the garden.  We're all looking forward to early peas, lettuce and spinach.  Then onto the really good stuff like tomatoes and peppers.  Spring, come quickly.
13. Plant hand-me-down blueberries and the leftover blackberry bush from last summer.
14. Paint or stain the seesaw.  An awesome birthay gift to Jonathan from the inlaws.
15. Make a baby quilt.  I'm waffling with several patterns.  I must decide soon and get to work.
16. Wrap up another baby quilt (long overdue!!!).
17. Bind a third quilt for an upcoming baby.
18. Organize The Closet.  My pride restricts me from publishing pictures of the state of The Closet at the moment.  Suffice it to say, it is beyond embarrassing and is testimony that one does become like one's mother.  In my defense, the shelves are fixed and not really convenient for what I need (that, and I need too much!).  There is a solution, however, and I will find it.
19. Make school plans for 2013-14.  It never ends, but everything runs so much more smoothly with a plan.
20. Have fun with the kids.  There has always been a sense of mourning while expecting a new baby - mourning for the old routine that will be lost, the time spent with just 1 (or 2/3/4/5).  Fun outings, activities, and one-on-one time helps. 

I was reminded of The Gameplan I made when expecting Josie.  My concerns seem to have shifted  heavily to the Home Improvement Category, but like before, I'm sure some will be completed and the rest will fall to the wayside to be forgotten or simply pushed aside to a more convenient time.  We really do have all that we need and can just anxiously await this little one.

Post-Partum

Already Rita's pregnancy seemed so long ago.  The pillow laid vertically to ease her backache, the opened copy of Nine Months Made Easy, and Doug's pocketwatch, borrowed for its second hand - they struck him as faintly pathetic, like souvenirs of some old infatuation.

                                                                                                              Saint Maybe - Anne Tyler

40+2

For once I didn't mind a long medical appointment.

I've dreaded monthly and weekly visits this go-round because they take forever...like 2 hours...in a small room...often with kids in tow.

But today,

Doug watched the boys (at home) and I sat in the air conditioning, restitching binding and enjoying the silence.  Ahhh!

40+1

Having been around the block a time or two, I can state with certainty that the only real advantage to passing your due date is the extra time you have in which to complete projects.

Today Doug made use of various power tools thus boosting his testerone levels; I piddled with big and little tasks - cleaning the front door, planting flowers, working on two quilts - making me feel ready.

As we put the kids to bed, somebody asked what we are doing tomorrow.

Stephen:  Maybe our baby will be born.  (Pause)  Have you finished the quilts?

He had previously told me that the baby couldn't be born until I finished the quilts for their bunk beds, a project I had thought about for months but only started last week.  Thankfully these have been the easiest by far, most of the work being done by machine.

After 2 frustrating hours tonight, though, I have decided that some things like binding are better done by hand.  Whether or not they count as being done, I don't know; I'm contemplating ripping out stitches and redoing; on the other hand, I can live with the wonkiness that matches the rest of our life.

We'll just and wait and see what the baby thinks.