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!!!