DIY ~ Bunting Flags

Dressing up a little girls room is so much fun!

Since we moved into our new house I have really been dragging my feet on putting up photos and decorating Sydney's room for her. Our house has been pretty bare and is in some need of a little DIY and TLC. Hopefully I will have a little bit more time in the new year to focus a little bit more on making our house a home. 

I am starting to tackle on project at a time for now. One of the first projects that I jumped on was some bunting flags for Syd's wall. I have a ton of really cute patterned fabric so I didn't even have to go out to buy any supplies. 

First I made myself a triangle template out of some cardstock. My triangle was five inches wide and eight inches tall. Once my template was cut I cut out all of my flags. Each flag needs two sides. I ended up with a giant stack of cut flags that looked like this:

The next step is to sew them all together. This step is super easy and just a little bit time consuming. Turn the two sides of one flag so that the good sides are facing in. Sew a straight stitch down both sides of the flag, leaving the top open. 

Once you have sewn all of the flags you will need to turn them all right side out. I used a chopstick to help me get in the tips of the flags. Once all of the flags are right side out you will have to press all of them nice and flat. 

The last step is to attach them all together. You can use a long strip of bias tape or some ribbon. I chose to use this cute ribbon that I had. I folded the ribbon in half over the top of the flags and pinned it so that half of the ribbon was on the front of the flag and half was on the back of the flag. I then sewed a straight stitch  along the edge of the ribbon to hold it all together. 

We used finishing nails to attach it to the wall. I am so happy with how it turned out! What do you think?

Mrs. E

Sydney Preps for the Baby

Our little girl is starting to get ready for our little baby.

We brought our car seat home for the new baby and Sydney instantly ran over to play with it. She is such a big sister already. She went and found her baby and put her baby in the car seat. Then she asked me to buckle the baby in and when she was happy that the baby was comfortable, she started feeding the baby a bottle. It was all so sweet. 

She also couldn't resist trying the car seat on for size herself. I think she may be a bit big for it.... what do you think?

Mrs. E

There is Something About the Snow...



The snow has FINALLY hit Edmonton.

I can't tell you if I am happy or sad.... just glad that the weather decided to make up it's mind. We have been in weather limbo for the last few weeks so it is nice to know what I should be wearing to work. I have sort of felt like we have been in some sort of strange snow-less bubble. Almost every city and community around us was pounded by 10 inches of snow last week and we got nothing.

With the snow came the need to run a few errands. Sydney needed new boots and David needed new shoes so we ran out to get some. I need to finish Sydney's hat for this year and we are also rushing to get a few more renos done on the house before the snow really starts to pile up.

I have also been feeling more emotional since it started snowing. Last year we missed the entire Christmas season in Edmonton and all of the snow. We spent over a month in Phoenix, which was fantastic, but not the same as a white Canadian Christmas. I am starting to realize how different this year will be for me. I have moved jobs and with that came a move out of downtown. I know some people would be happy with this... and in some ways I am very happy... but for the most part, I miss it.

I miss taking to train downtown in the dark and walking into the building while listening to everyone's feet crunching in the snow. I miss walking to second cup for a hot chocolate and then over to I Love Sushi for a hot bowl of miso soup. I miss all of the Christmas displays in the window fronts, the lobby of our office building totally decked out with a massive Christmas tree. I miss all of the food floating around the office and the chocolates that permenently sat on my desk for others to enjoy. I miss the group potlucks and the management hosted Christmas party. I just really miss that feeling.

I love my new job but sometimes I wonder if I have done the right thing. I knew we were going to have another baby and even though I wasn't one hundred percent satisfied in my old position, I knew it well and I loved the people I worked with. It was my comfort zone and I felt like it was my second home. If only they were willing to let me job share or find a part-time position.... I would have stayed. I would have been able to share the excitement of this pregnancy with my old friends and I would have been able to fall in love with the Christmas season all over again.

I know that we are still two months from Christmas and it could get better here. I hope it gets better here....

Mrs. E

14 Weeks

I am getting so big already. 

This pregnancy has been drastically different from Sydney. I have been so sick and I have gotten so big, so early. I didn't even start showing until 18 weeks with Sydney! I am just starting to accept that I am going to be one large and in charge mama. 

At 14 weeks...

Weight gained: 3lbs

Baby gender: Unknown

Belly button in or out: In but already flattening out

Food cravings: Anything spicy (again!), hot tamale candies, slurpees

Food aversions: Any and all meat... chicken makes me gag

Appointments: I had my first appointment today with my OB. I love her and I am so excited to be seeing her again. It feels like I am visiting old friends again when I go into that office. It makes me so happy. We listened to the heartbeat and talked about all of the problem that I had early in my pregnancy. Sydney and David were both there and she had a great time checking out the office. Jacquie (my doctor) was joking that we need to try to make a smaller baby this time.... I'm working on it!

How I am feeling: I am absolutely exhausted and I am still nauseated almost all day but I am not getting sick any more. I am starting to have pelvic and hip pain and I can feel my tummy starting to stretch out. 

Things I am looking forward to: Feeling that first movement. I really can't wait for Syd to be able to feel and connect with the baby.

Things that I miss: A glass of wine and spin class. 

Thoughts: I am very nervous about how are life is going to change with two children in the house. My biggest fear is that Sydney will be jealous or feel left out.

Daddy's thoughts: It won't be that bad.....

Sydney's thoughts: Baby! *kiss* *kiss*

Mrs. E

Photo Booth Fun!

This past weekend we were guests at our last wedding if the year (YAY!).

David's cousin Scott and his fiancee Chelsey got married in a beautiful fall ceremony last Saturday. They were married in a church in the south side and the reception took place at the Mill Woods Golf course. One of the unique details that they included in the reception was a photo booth. Sydney was a major photo booth fan! She kept running back to try to put on a funny hat and press the button. Needless to say... we got a ton of fun pictures from the night. David's parents even got in on all of the fun. 

Mrs. E

Stella & Dot

Yay!

I got a gorgeous box of fun jewelry in the mail the other day. I have wanted to buy Stella and Dot jewelry for a while now but knew that the only way to do it was through a sales rep or a "stylist". I found out that one of the girls at work was into selling it and we got right to work on organizing an online buying party.

Everything showed up within a week and when it all arrived it was beautifully packaged.

Here are a few of the items I picked up. What do you think?

 

c

Mrs. E

Baby #2 - The Early Story

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, this has not been the easiest pregnancy so far. Here is the early pregnancy story:

August 29, 2012 ~ 

David and I have known for a while now that Sydney needs a sibling.

She is obsessed with other kids and LOVES babies. It is not unusual for her to just walk up to other kids her size and give them a hug and a kiss. We have been teaching her how to be gentle with babies for a while try to teach her to be loving. She is so ready to be a big sister. 

After much discussion and budgeting and planning, we decided to take the plunge in April. I stopped drinking alcohol (not that I'm a heavy drinker) and started eating healthier and the process began. It took us four and a half months to get pregnant with Sydney so I knew that it could take the same amount of time this go around. And it did. 

On Monday, August 13 I came home from work excited. I had just signed on to start a new job at David's company and we were leaving for Montreal in a couple of days. I started cleaning the house and feeding Sydney. David was working night shift and I knew that I could take the time to get some work done. I put Sydney to bed and called Dave to say hi. While we were talking, I took a pregnancy test out of curiosity. It was positive. I freaked out on the phone with David and told him that I was pregnant. He was so excited and  totally got the giggles.

The next day I confirmed it with a digital test. 

This was it. We were on our way to being parents again and our due date was April 23, 2013. We were so excited. 

We went on our trip to Montreal and Mont Tremblant. During that time we did a lot of walking and I carried Sydney in the Ergo carrier most of the time. I knew that I was pushing my body to the limit but I had no choice. With no family there to support us and lots going on I had to step up to the plate. 

When we returned from our trip I felt fine. Tired and a little nauseous but other than that ok. On Sunday afternoon things took a turn for the worse. I was feeling totally odd. I had bad cramps and I felt sick and didn't really want to do anything. We put Sydney to bed and sat down to watch a movie. At around 9pm I got up to use the bathroom, and when I did, there was blood. A lot of it. I was hysterical and didn't know what to do. I yelled for David and we both decided that it would be best to go to the ER.

We hadn't really shared the news of this pregnancy with all of our family yet so when we called David's sister Kendra to come stay with Sydney we knew we would have to explain it. She was very understanding. 

We arrived at the ER and I was checked in. Then we waited... for two and a half hours! It would not have been too bad.... if the room wasn't filled with so many crazies. It was a total freak show! They finally took us back to a room and we were told the doctor would be in shortly. It was a complete lie. We waited another two and a half hours in our room huddled together on one hospital bed trying to sleep while some woman in the room next to us gagged constantly. Gross. 

When the doctor arrived he was a total asshole. He had zero bedside manner and after doing a quick check he decided that he would send me in for an emergency ultrasound to "see if that baby is dead". Nice. Thanks captain sensitivity. 

The next morning we were called in to do an ultrasound at 9:30am. We were both exhausted from being at the ER the night before so neither of us were looking forward to it but we both wanted answers. I was in the room for almost an hour with the ultrasound tech. She did two types of ultrasound and then went to get David, Sydney and the doctor to go over results. When the doctor came in all I wanted to hear was that this baby was fine. I didn't get that. Apparently, the baby was on the borderline for development so they could not give us a definitive answer either way. Great. I would have much rather had them tell me that it was over. 

I went in that evening to see my GP. She set me up for two rounds of blood work this week and another ultrasound next week. We have no idea what is going on and both of us are incredibly nervous. In the meantime I am still feeling rough. I am nauseous but cramping and I am so very anxious. 

Who knows what the next two weeks will bring. We will either be celebrating or mourning. I should be 6 weeks 1 day today. It is not like we were very far along yet but it is still devastating. I am hoping for the best. 


August 31, 2012 ~

Today I am feel a little big more optimistic. 

I have been having blood drawn every other day to check my HCG levels. I have been getting so anxious so I finally gave in and called the doctor's office to try to get some of the results of my testing. When I called, I  was actually pleasantly surprised by some of the numbers. 

Aug 26 - 9600
Aug 28 - 12122
Aug 30 - 19626

According to most pregnancy and medical websites this is good.... but that is just me being an obsessive medical googler (is that even a word?). I want nothing more than to know exactly what is happening. I am fine with the outcome either way. I just don't like waiting. It is killing me!

September 5, 2012 ~

Relief. A healthy little heartbeat.

Today was incredible. We had our follow up ultrasound to check the viability of my pregnancy and we are so happy to have recieved good news.

The ultrasound tech knew we had been through a lot. She took a quick look at the screen and as soon as she could see a heartbeat she told me everything was ok. When she was finished taking all of the photos she needed she called David and Sydney in the show them that incredible little flicker. David was so incredibly relieved and Syd pointed at the screen and said "baby!".

The end diagnosis was a sub-chrionic hematoma. Basicaly, I had a bleed that didn't hurt the baby.

Now ~

Everything is obviously much better. We have a rented doppler and I am able to hear the babies heartbeat whenever I want to. It has really helped with my anxiety after everything we went through. We are so excited to meet this baby who we have lovingly nicknamed "Squishy".

Mrs. E

From Three to Four

This will be news to some of you out there in blogland.... Our family is growing once again!

Sydney will be a big sister as of April next year and we could not be any happier. We always knew that we wanted our kids to be roughly two years apart and it looks as though there should be about two years and a couple months between them. Syd is so excited to have a sibling. We have been practicing with her baby doll and she loves to say hi to the baby and give my tummy kisses. She almost gave us away a couple of times!

It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride thus far. It has not been the easiest pregnancy to this point. I have to keep reminding myself that it will all be worth it in the end. I will elaborate on that at a later date. For now, we are enjoying telling all of our friends and family the happy news and we are starting to prepare for another tiny human to take over our lives.

Mrs. E

Fall Leaf Garland

Fall is in full force here in Edmonton. 

The temperature is dropping and the leaves have all turned colour and fallen to the ground. Halloween is just around the corner so we decided to put up a few fall themed decorations. So I broke out all of my felt scraps and cut leaves of different shapes and sizes using pinking shears and regular scissors. 

After putting them in order and stacking a couple to get a layered look, I set up the sewing machine and ran them through one after the other. 

After sewing them all together I hung them on the mantel. 



So simple but so cute! Sydney walked downstairs the morning I hung them and let out the biggest WAAAAOOOWW! that I have ever heard from her. It is feeling more like fall in our house already!

Mrs. E

A Silly Sunday Afternoon

Living with a toddler is so much fun.... and messy!

We clean the house every night and within half an hour of Sydney being awake there are toys and crumbs EVERYWHERE! All of it is worth it though, because a messy house is the sign of a house full of fun. Sydney has been discovering dress up games and really loves to wear her silly headbands. Her new favorite snack is Ritz crackers. She runs over to the pantry yelling Kaka! Kaka!

Yep. Life sure is getting interesting... and super cute!



Mrs. E

K & K - A Beautiful Mountain Wedding

A few weeks ago now (wow time is flying) we attended the wedding of one of David's best friends Kevin and his gorgeous bride Kate.

The setting could not have been any more beautiful. We all headed up to Nipika eco resort just outside of Invermere in BC. This is a resort comprised of 7 guest cabins and the staff cabin. They also have stables and a barn onsite. The entire resort is completely solar powered and environmentally friendly. It was so incredible to see solar power harnessed into something so cool.

Onsite there is also a fire heated hot tub that you have to stir with a paddle and a fire heated sauna. The whole thing was amazing. When we arrived we found a chalk board with the names of the cabins and guests names on it. Based on our assigned cabin we went to find it and get set up. Our cabin was so cute. There was a full kitchen and bathroom, a pull out bed on the main floor, and a wood burning fireplace for heat (and boy would we need it). Upstairs there was an open loft with a single bed, one room with a queen bed and one room with two singles. David and I had been assigned to the room with two single beds in it. It was all super cozy.

The first night we were there we had a massive fire and the boys set off some fire works. We all had s'mores and enjoyed the company. Almost everyone who had been invited to the wedding was sitting around the fire. It was incredible.

 

The next day was the actual wedding. David served as best man and yes.... the maid of honor was Rosie MacLennan, Canadian Olympic gold medalist and the bride's sister. The ceremony was gorgeous and very personal to the two of them. Kevin and Kate got married in front of the main cabin at the top of the hill. The view was so impressive.

 

The reception was held in the barn which was beautifuly decorated. The food was amazing and more fireworks and dancing followed.

 

All in all it was an awesome weekend. It was great to get away and catch up on some much needed rest. The lack of cell reception and internet was actually a refreshing change as well. When everything was said and done we were really excited to come home to see Sydney. We missed her so much!

Mrs. E