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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life and preparations for the new baby have accelerated to a considerably fast pace, as well they should. We have a little over a month before we meet our little dude, and while with Hannah we found ourselves twiddling our thumbs during the last month of pregnancy, there just aren't enough hours in the day with this one. Why does that happen with subsequent pregnancies? Let me name a few reasons for me . . .

First, this little one keeps me on my toes. Every day she shows new, stunning independence. There are some days, however, when she understandably regresses. After we assembled the crib for the baby, for instance, she decided she wanted to take her nap there. We obliged, but after her nap we sat down and discussed what it means to be a big sister.
 I explained that yes, the baby will get special privileges like sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's bed or a cozy crib, drinking Mommy's milk, wearing cute little teeny tiny clothes that just won't fit a 3-year-old, etc. But there are also things that big sisters get to do that baby brothers can't! I've been keeping a running list with Hannah, so we can refer to it when life begins to feel unfair for her. Here are a few of the things she and I have named.

Baby brothers can't:
1. Eat ice cream
2. Run and jump and skip
3. Color pictures
4. Eat noodles (Hannah's favorite)
5. Change dresses as many times as they want
6. Call their aunts, uncles and cousins on the phone.
7. Go potty all by themselves
9. Walk
10. Sing all the words to "The Wizard of Oz."

Second, what started out as a small play group with preschool undertones has grown into a full blown preschool co-op with 6 moms and 11 kids! With the big move happening in November, this has been my first chance to host preschool. It just also happens to fall in the last month of my pregnancy! I wanted to make sure I hosted at least once before the baby comes, and what a tornado of joy it has been!
Beautiful puppet theater made by my talented sister in law
Celebrating 3 Kings Day
Dancing with puppets!

Third, I am teaching my final month of piano and voice lessons before taking two months of maternity leave. In December we had a small winter recital (only half of my students were able to attend), and though it was a small, intimate chamber recital held in my folks' living room, it took a lot of coordinating on everyone's part, and I am so happy with how it turned out. Music is such a gift, and I'm so grateful for students who are willing to share it.

Fourth, we are diving headfirst into the world of cloth diapering! We didn't really have this option with Hannah in Japan (at least from what I could tell), and now in America it seems we have too many options. After much research, asking around and deliberation, we (well, I) finally settled on a diapering system that will work for us, and I found a wonderful Etsy shop with the CUTEST cloth diapers I've ever seen. I mean, take a look at these beauties-for-baby's-booty!

Seriously, how can you NOT want to dress your baby's bum in one of these adorable prints?! The bottom three on the right are Happy Heiney's that I picked up at a consignment sale, only to find out later that it was one of my best friends consigning them (small world)! The others were made by Tabitha, a work-at-home-mom with amazing talent. Not only did I discover her wonderful Etsy shop KonstantKrafter while browsing Craigslist for diapers, but I learned that Tabitha lives right here in Leavenworth! I immediately contacted her and asked if there was a way for me to come see and feel her diapers. She had so many fabric options that I was getting overwhelmed making my choices. Tabitha enthusiastically replied and invited me into her home to check out the diapers in person, and the rest is history. With a generous supplement of size small Fuzzibuns diapers from my sister in law, I think we finally have enough diapers to cover our baby. 

Last but not least, I am still knitting and crocheting. :) Here is another shawlette (my third - I really like the pattern!) I made for a dear friend:


And a hot pink owl beanie (pattern from Inner Hooker) for a little one who outgrew her favorite hat:

Whew! This was just going to be a Yarn Along post to link up with Ginny at Small Things, Linda at Natural Suburbia and Donni at The Magic Onions, but it turned into so much more! This is my life in a nutshell right now - beautifully busy, messy and creative. I wouldn't have it any other way. A friend said to me recently, "this baby will slow you down from 100 mph to 1 mph." I'm looking forward to that slower pace, but until then I'll enjoy the chaos. :)

9 comments:

pinkundine said...

I don't have children, but I almost want to have a baby right away so I can get cow print cloth diaper covers!

I love the big sister list you came up with, such a clever idea to refer back when the new baby makes her feel a little annoyed :)

Victoria said...

Just had to chime in and say I LOVE the theatre curtain in your preschool coop photos! Here's hoping all goes smoothly leading up to your baby boy's big reveal!

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

The hat is so cute!

Anonymous said...

Yay for getting close to your due date! I am so excited for you. We have another 2 1/2 months. Yes each pregnancy seems to get shorter with more to do. Thankfully, I have clothes for both genders so the baby will have something to wear! We cloth diapered our 2nd- Jonas- and still do. I love it. I am so happy you found a type you like. It is so hard at first to decide. I would recommend a wool soaker for when your little one gets older and has wetter diapers. My son leaked a lot when he could sleep through the night and it would wake him up :( The soaker stopped that!! I can't wait to see what is in store for your family! I am sure your daughter will be a great big sister.

Unknown said...

this dear friend feels soooooo lucky to have an awesome new shawlette- you're the best! i love you friend. just so you know, you're super special baby quilt is headed to the quilter tomorrow. i am dying not being able to show it to you- you're going to love love love it! :) xoxoxo

Mama Shara said...

I love the idea for a Big Sister/Brother list! I also felt it important to let our first be a "baby" for a bit before the baby actually arrived, he always wanted his bath in the baby bath! But eventually was so happy to be the big boy and was a great help to me!! Best wishes for your upcoming arrival!

Suzie said...

Nicole Elizabeth - it so happens I DID get a wool soaker! Can't wait to see how it works! I've heard they're magical things! :)

Suzie said...

Thank you all for your comments!

April's Homemaking said...

Such cute projects going on at your home! Congratulations on your upcoming little one, a friend of mine is in labor this morning, and we all can't wait to meet her sweet little girl. Those cloth diapers are very cute too!