Photo Friday!!!

Without flash

With flash


*I really need a better camera and lens 

Questions from Roxanne...

Questions from Roxanne:

1) What is you and your significant other's song and why?

     We don't have one... is that bad?

2) What is your most valued possession?

     I'm not sure! I have a hutch that was my Grandmothers that I adore and will never get rid of. I covet my board games, must keep them clean and nice. I would hoard fabric if I could. I can't say my husband because, he's not my "possession", but I do highly value him! 

     

3) What personality traits and/or hobby did you inherit from your father?

     My dad is obsessed with Bob Dylan so naturally we grew up listening to almost nothing but him. Bob Dylan will always have a special place in my heart, I know immediately when one of his songs comes on.I also got my dads chin dimple!!!

4) Do you keep your birthday cards?

     NO! Tony brought a shoebox FULL of cards with him into this marriage and I just don't see why keep them. HOWEVER, I found some cards from my Grandparents (who are now passed) and I did keep those.

5) What style is your home decorated in? (Traditional, country, modern, etc.)

    Is clutter a style? I'd say part country part traditional.

6) Describe your dream vacation.

     I think I would love to travel around Europe on a train.

7) If you were an animal, what you would you be and why?

     I would be a Sea Lion. I love the water and I also love basking in the sun!!!

8) Do you have any tattoos? Do you want any?

     Yes, I have the Ford Mustang logo on my back. I might want some more.

9) Do you have a statement piece of jewelry that you wear every day?

     Just my wedding ring, I'm not really a jewelry kind of gal.

10) What is one goal you have set out for yourself right now?

     To enjoy my time at home with Amelia and to be the best mom I can. Our family goal is to ultimately get Tony a better paying job so he can, in turn, "take care" of his family.

*All photos (except the tattoo) were taken by Tammy at 20 Mile Photography*

{The Facts of Life} - My Life at Least

Thanks to Shelly at The Cunningham Family in Bush Alaska blog, I was able to create this fun post. If you want to participate, and you should, follow these simple steps. 


 Post a picture
 List 10 random facts about yourself 
Answer 10 questions from someone else
 List 10 of your own questions for someone else to answer


{Even if you don't have a blog, please answer my questions and leave them in the comment section below. And if you DO have a blog, you should still answer my questions}

1. PICTURE

Newport, OR

2. Random Facts (of life)

1. I had to have two blood transfusions when I was born
2. I wanted to be a marine biologist when I grew up
3. I used to gag at even the smallest of things. Now that I have a little girl, I don't
4. I knew I would marry my husband just by looking at his picture
5. I've always wanted to be a momma
6. I wish for the same thing every year when I blow out candles (No, I will not tell you)
7. I sucked my thumb until I was sixteen (There I said it)
8. I have pretty much the same birth story as my mom did with me, minus all the problems I had when I was born.
9. I used to tell my mom all the time not to "stare" at people. Now I do it ALL THE TIME!!! We are pro people watchers
10. I had all my firsts with Tony (is that too personal?). I don't think it's much of a surprise to my friends and family.

3. 10 Questions From Shelly

1.  What cheers you up when you are feeling down? 

Food, Gilmore Girls, Talking with my mom and shakes from my husband (yes, he grabs my shoulders and shakes me)

2.  What is the best lesson you learned from your mother?

Communication is key to a successful relationship. She still drills it into my head to this day. Thanks mom!!!

3.What's the hardest part of parenting you least expected?

BREASTFEEDING. You wouldn't think it'd be so hard since we have been doing it for so long. Also, the lack of sleep. People always warn you about these things when you have babies, but you never think they're true until it really happens.  I'm sure there are more to come considering I only have a sixth month old.

4.  How did your spouse propose? Did you see it coming?

We had gone out for dinner, nothing fancy just a usual night out. We then went down to the waterfront in Vancouver and took a stroll down the walkway. The night was clear and cool. We stopped to view the I-5 bridge in all it's lit up glory. Tony turned to me, hugged me and told me that he loved me. He then dropped to one knee and said "Stacey Marilyn, will you marry me?" and opened a box containing a ring. I, of course, said "yes" then immediately DROPPED the ring. AND THEN...I had a mini asthma attack because I was so excited. I had to sit down and take a puff from my inhaler (NERD). To my surprise he had asked for both of my parents permission, so they knew it was coming. I was amazed I had no clue, since I have a canny way of finding things out!!!

5.  What's your bedtime routine? (Not the kids')

Well, after Amelia has been put down, we usually stay up for a couple hours either to finish some cleaning, watch our TV shows or Tony plays video games and I sew or get on the computer. Then I realize that I will probably be woken up in a couple hours and go straight to bed (that feeling hit about an hour ago, but i'm distracted by this blog)!

6.  What was the proudest moment of your life?

I was going to say my college graduation, but after I thought about it I would have to say that being in labor has been my proudest moment. I felt so strong and vulnerable at the same time. 

7.  Favorite all-time movie? And TV show?

My favorite TV show by far is GILMORE GIRLS. I own all 7 seasons and keep them in their own special DVD binder. I have watched all seasons probably 20ish times. Favorite movie? Hmmm.. That's a hard one. I would have to say The Sound of Music. When I was little, I would always watch it at my Aunties house. It came as two VHS cassettes. To this day I will stop what I'm doing just to watch it if it's on TV. Ironically, I don't own it.

8.  What one thing would you change about your childhood if you could?

I know it's sad but I would change my parents relationship. I would give anything to see my parents still happily married. I wouldn't change it for ME, but for them. 

9.  What is your favorite name on the planet?

Marilyn. It was my Grandmothers name who I never met because she passed away from Leukemia when my mom was a little girl. It is also my middle name and from that I became a little obsessed with Marilyn Monroe in Junior High and High School.

10. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

I wish I had known my student loan debt was going to be so high, and the monthly payments the same. If I had known I was going to be stuck with that kind of debt, I may have made a different decision.




My questions for you


1. What do you daydream about?
2.What do you wish you could fill your days with?
3. If you had to choose one disease or condition to cure, what would it be and why?
4. What do you obsess over?
5. When is the last time you rode a bicycle?
6. Were you named after anyone?
7. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
8. What story does your family always tell about you?
9. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
10. What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?


{ENJOY}

Sewing Stall

     I haven't done much of anything lately, besides trying to enjoy these few and far between sunny days. We spent Saturday at the Vancouver Farmers Market that included a picnic in the park with family.

It's so cute that they are both watching the same thing <3

Amelia showing off her sitting up skills at the park. She was pretty sure it was summertime (just like her daddy)

      Then we spent that night trying to detail the car for, FOR SALE photos. We were also treated to some awesome BBQ'd hot dogs from Poppa and Nona. Sunday we spend trying to catch up on laundry and some cleaning then it was family picture time at Sears!!! The pictures from Sears come in on April 10th, so excited!!!

     Monday was spent on 23rd in Portland with Heather and Pete. We strolled and rubbed everything possible on our hands in LUSH. Coffee was needed so we grabbed some cold drinks from the snobbies at Starbucks (The barista practically threw the straw at me after I requested one). One of the outside tables was waiting just for us, so there we sat, sipping our coffee. Amelia sat on my lap and talked the whole time. The majority of people walking by smiled and said how cute she was, and the rest barely glanced her way (snobby snobbies). Everyone should love a talking baby, GOSH.

     Now that the rain has returned, some sewing is bound to happen, or just more naps.

Sewing Segments

I have one rail segment done... this is going to take forever!

1 down 25 more to go

Sew three together to make the rail segments using a 1/4 inch seam and press seams open. I need an assembly line... anyone? anyone?

Half a year already!!!

     My baby girl is 6 months old today, can you believe it??? I can't! Just yesterday she came home, struggled with breastfeeding, had her first bath, had her first diaper change and was up crying ALL THE TIME. No, it's been 6 whole months. She has grown, slept through the night, started eating REAL food, started rolling over AND is beginning to sit on her own.

     My own personal victory within these 6 months has been staying with breastfeeding. It's been a hard go with us two, getting her to latch correctly and STAY latched. I knew NOTHING about breastfeeding when I had her, I just assumed it would come easily, boy was I wrong! The nurses and lactation specialist in the hospital weren't any help, and I was sore, bleeding and bruised by the time I left. The day after she came home, my breastfeeding angel arrived!!! A lovely lady at Kaiser got her to latch on and feed correctly for the first time! I was so relieved I started crying and laughing at the same time. She fell soundly asleep and my mom and I were off to do some shopping before returning home. When it came time for her next feeding, we were back to square one! She cried and cried as I tried to latch her on. The decision was made to go buy a pump! With little to no money, Tony and I decided on a hand pump from Medela. I hand pumped for a couple days straight, every two hours! After 3 days I took Amelia back into my bedroom for some skin to skin time and decided I would casually try to latch her on. She wasn't fussy or crying, just relaxed and enjoying our bonding time. Low and behold, she latched!!! I called for my mom to come back to the bedroom so she could see what we had done. I was so proud of us both! So ever since it's still been somewhat of a struggle, even after 6 months. She has NEVER been a breastfeeding pro, so I still have to pump. Thank goodness I'm not still hand pumping. Thanks to WIC I was able to receive a double breast pump for free. This whole time I have feared having another baby just because breastfeeding has been so stressful for me. But now that I know the techniques, I think I might be able to attempt it again. Maybe if I can get it right from the first time, we can be more successful. Here's to another 6 months of breastfeeding!!!

Happy 6 months!

Amelia rolling over to get a cat that was mine when I was little

Cutting the strips...

Oh man was it amazing to break out my rotary cuter today and cut some fabric!!! 

I cut about 42 of these little 1 1/2 x 40 strips, then cut all of those in half.

Now I'm in the process of cutting all of the 2 1/2 x 40 strips into 6 1/2 pieces and 10 1/2 pieces {got that?}

As I was taking a small break from cutting I was thinking to myself, "how can I do this cutting more efficiently? I can pile a couple pieces on top of one another to get more done at once. No, you might risk some weird crooked strips." 

And as I washed my hands and peered into the mirror {dramatic affect} I continued my thought, "Stacey, making a quilt isn't a hurried craft. It's a timeless piece that will be in the family a long time, it should not be something you need to rush through." So right then and there I made the decision to really dive into this project and enjoy every single piece of fabric that needs to be carefully transformed and mixed together to produce one big piece of art.

If you know me, and I mean really know me, you will know that I have a HUGE issue with finishing projects and on top of that, the mind set to always find the easy and shortest way out (but really, who doesn't think this way?) So this commitment to really take the time and make sure not a single piece of fabric goes without the special care it deserves is a big step (go me!).

Where was Amelia? Oh, she was there!

By the time these photos were taken, she had already spent some time rolling back and forth on the floor, while I cut strip after strip of fabric. It was safe to say that she was tired and ready for a nap. Can't you just see it in her eyes? Oh, and please excuse the plunging neckline, it was mommy's attempt at a 9 month size... the pants fit, the shirt still needs some "filling in" (yeah, enough of my humor).

That's the progress made today on the "Amelia" quilt. I just keep thinking of how excited I am to have finally started a new sewing project, not to mention how spirit lifting it really is. The time will come when strips won't sew together the right way or the quilt will look crooked and I will re think that last statement. But that's the process, isn't it?

Stay tuned for the next progression post!!! 

THE SIPPY CUP

You want me to what?!?!?

This way? I'm sure my foot is thirsty!

Like this? {Lazy}

Actually, how about I hand this back to you and you can give me my REAL bottle?  And you can hold it for me, this is real heavy mom!

We'll just pretend it never existed. Out of sight out of mind, right mom?

Amelia's Quilt

I purchased the last of the fabric needed for the quilt top. It was hard to pick out some fabric that would semi coordinate with the jelly roll I already bought. But I did my best with what JOANNS had to offer (I hate that store by the way). We'll see how it turns out, but I know it will always be special to her since her MOMMY made it. 

The top two pieces (purple and pink dots) are the border.

The strips and fabric down below will make up the blocks.

Now I have to plan on how I will work on this quilt while watching after Amelia. I could do it during nap times, which have recently been averaging 2 hrs. I could work on it sporadically  while she's up (while she's not eating, pooping, or being bored). I could just use the weekends so Tony can do the majority of the parenting. In my head it sounds like it will be a combination of all of these. Let's get to work!!! 

The cleaning you ask? Well, the laundry is pretty up to date, the goodwill pile still remains, the rugs HAVE been washed, the kitchen has been staying pretty clean, and the bathroom is in need of another scrubbing. Overall, I would say I can allow myself to begin the flow of my creative juices (I don't like the sound of that).

So, yes, let's get to work, shall we? (too many commas?) 

Fabric

Am I excited enough?

Must Work Before Play

I'm expecting my fabric roll in the mail today! But I have decided that the house needs to be CLEAN so I can START to quilt without feeling guilty about neglected household chores.

This quilt on top of Amelia is one I made several years ago. Pink and Brown is always my favorite.

Things to do:

• Put all clutter where it belongs
• Wash all rugs
• Vacuum
• Finish majority of laundry (this includes actually folding and putting it away)
• Clean bathroom
• Actually take Goodwill pile to Goodwill

Well creating this list has totally stressed me out. At the pace I move it will be another month before I can touch my fabric, and by then the house will be a total disaster again. So at minimum I have to rid the kitchen table (also known as my quilting table) of clutter so feel like I have my creative space. I can't wait to hold the fabric in my hands tonight (is that disturbing?).

Let the Quilting Begin!!!

Waiting, waiting, waiting for my Moda "Amelia" Jelly Roll to arrive in the mail!!!

I plan on using the Me and My Sister Designs pattern called, Simply Sweet. More fabric WILL be needed, so the hunt is on :)

The fabric will be different of course, but I HAD to choose the "Amelia" collection for obvious reasons. I'm so excited to start this quilt. I plan on documenting my process, so stay tuned!!!