Knitting Project - "Converse" Baby Booties!!!

I originally found the pattern for this project here, but it has been slightly altered and I'm adding more basic instructions for those of us who aren't expert knitters!  Plus, I'm adding like 203,948,239,048 more pictures so you know you're on track as you go along with the project!

Yay - I'm finally getting around to posting about my knit "Converse" booties!  They're absolutely adorable, and they're a total hit!  And despite the long list of skills you'll have to use to complete the pattern they really aren't that difficult.  I totally had like 9 tabs open on my browser while I was working on these so when I forgot how to  do something I already had the YouTube video open, hahahaha.

Skills Used:

Yarn Over (yo) - Good demonstration

Slip Knit Pass (skp) - Good demonstration

Wrap & Turn (turn) - Good demonstration 

Slip (sl)

Purl two together (p2tog)

Pass Slipped Stitch Over - single decrease (psso) - Good demonstration (for this pattern, use the second example in the video)

Knit two together (k2tog)

Slip slip knit (ssk) - Good demonstration 

Materials:

Main Color - Red (MC)
Contrast Color 1 -White (CC1)
Contrast Color 2 -Black (CC2)
I used a worsted weight yarn for this project
1 pair size 5 and 6 straight needles

Other Supplies

Large-eye yarn needle
White felt
Sewing needle & black thread
Small, star shaped button to match the MC

Pattern

To Begin
With smaller needles and CC1 cast on 26 stitches and knit 1 row.
Row 1: k1, yo, k11, [yo, k1] twice, yo, k11, yo, k1.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: knit (when you reach the yo knit in the back of the stitch).
Row 3: k2, yo, k11, yo, k2, yo, k3, yo, k11, yo, k2.
Row 5: k3, yo, k11, [yo, k4] twice, yo, k11, yo, k3.
Row 7: k4, yo, k11, yo, k5, yo, k6, yo, k11, yo, k4
Row 9: k5, yo, k11, [yo, k7] twice, yo, k11, yo, k5

The increases used in this first part created different direction slants that will help shape the bootie.  In this picture I highlighted those "seams" with purple lines:

Next - Change to larger needles

Row 11: knit across using CC1
Row 12: purl with CC1
Row 13: knit across using CC2 (this is the black stripe along the bottom)

Row 14: purl CC1
Row 15: knit CC1
Row 16: purl CC1
Row 17: knit MC
Row 18: p19 MC, p13 CC1, p19 MC

Shape Instep

Using MC and CC.
Row 1: k19 MC, k10 CC1, SKP CC1, turn.
Row 2: sl 1, p7CC1, p2tog, turn.
Row 3: sl 1, k7, SKP, turn.
Row 4: sl 1, p7, p2tog, turn.
Row 5: sl 1, k7 CC1, sl 1 CC1, k1 MC, psso, turn 
Row 6: sl 1, p7 CC1, p2tog MC, turn.
Row 7: sl 1, k7 CC1, SKP MC, turn.
Row 8: sl 1, p1 MC, p5 CC1, p1 MC, p2tog, turn.
Row 9: sl 1, k2 MC, k3 CC1, k2 MC, SKP, turn.

Using MC only now

Row 10: sl 1, p7, p2tog, turn.
Row 11: sl 1, k7, SKP, turn.
Row 12: sl 1, p7, p2tog, turn.
Row 13: sl 1, k7, SKP, turn.
Row 14: sl 1, p7, p2tog, turn.
Row 15: sl 1, k7, SKP, knit to the end of the row.
Row 16: p 21, p 2 tog, purl to the end of the row (35 stitches).

Side One

Row 1: k11, yo, k2tog, k1 (place remaining stitches on stitch holder) (FYI - by doing a yarn over and then a decrease you're creating little holes for the laces)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: k11, k2tog, k1
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: k10, yo, k2tog, k1
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: k10, k2tog, k1
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: k9, yo, k2tog, k1
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: k9, k2tog, k1
Row 12: knit
Row 13: knit

Bind Off

Side two

Place 14 stitches from the stitch holder back onto your needle
Row 1: k1, ssk, yo, k11
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: k1, ssk, k11
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: k1, ssk, yo, k10
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: k1, ssk, k10
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: k1, ssk, yo, k9
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: k1, ssk, k9
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: Knit

Bind Off

Tongue

Place the final 7 Stitches from the Stitch marker onto the needle.
Row 1: k across
Row 2: p across
Rows 3, 5, 7 & 9: k across
Rows 4, 6, 8 & 10: k1, p5, k1
Row 11: ssk, k3, k2tog
Row 12: p across

Bind Off

To finish

Using your large-eye yarn needle stitch up the bottom and up the back of the bootie.  For this, I have found that stitching it up with the project inside-out creates a more refined finish.

For the laces you can either create an I-cord, do a single row of crocheting, or (like me) just make a simple braid!  16 inches is a sufficient length for the laces.

And the most important finishing touch is the star emblem!  For this, I cut out a circle of white felt and hand stitched it onto the outer side of the bootie (either side can be the outer side, just make sure you don't sew it onto the same side of both of the booties in the pair) using black thread.  Then I attached a small, star shaped button in the center of the white circle.

Et voila - totally authentic looking converse booties!

These fit a 10 month old nicely, so I would say they could fit anywhere from a 6 month old to an 18 month old (especially since there is a good amount of stretch since they're knit).  I'm going to work on making a smaller (newborn) sized pair and if I figure it out I'll post that as well.

These have been a huge hit on my Facebook page (which can be found here) and I've already sold a light pink pair and now I'm working on a hot pink pair!

If you have any questions about the pattern, feel free to ask!  And if not, I'm always open to compliments on my work, hahaha.


Until next time...

**All images used in this post are personal photos**

DIY - Mobile for the Nursery!

I'm super excited with how this project turned out and the pictures really don't do it justice!  Hopefully once The Sailor gets home and can actually hang it (from the ceiling) for me I'll be able to get some better pictures!  But I'm getting ahead of myself...

Here are the supplies I used:

Personal Photo

Here's a breakdown...top row (starting on the left):

• Needlenose pliers
• Crimping beads
• Slightly elastic, clear thread (found in the jewelry making section of Michaels)
• Clear beads
• Inner hoop of 3 different sized embroidery hoops.  I had already spray painted these gray (when I was working on the dresser) and I actually only ended up using 2 of them.

Bottom row (again, starting on the left)

• Pinwheels! I used 4 in x 4 in squares of paper and the instructions found here.  Since the paper I found that I liked was one-sided I had to glue two pieces together and I just used a glue stick to do this.  Then the brad I used to secure it all together was actually a little rhinestone to add a little sparkle!  I didn't use all of these (I went a little overboard when I was making them, lol) - I only used 5 of them - but I'll find a way to use the rest in another part of the nursery!!!
• Adhesives - but I only used the hot glue gun for this project.

Step 1:

Attach the two embroidery hoops to one another.  I used the string and just cut out 4 pieces that were the same length and spaced them evenly around the hoop (using hot glue).

Personal Photo

Step 2:

String the pinwheels so they can be hung from the embroidery hoops.  To do this, first I cut a length of the string and put a crimping bead on the very end - all you have to do is hold the crimping bead in the needlenose pliers and compress in on the very end of the string.  Then I put one of the larger, clear beads on the string:

Personal Photo

Step 3:

Attach the pinwheel to the beaded string.  All I did for this was put a glob of hot glue on the back of the pinwheel and use that to adhere the clear bead to the pinwheel:

Personal Photo

Step 4:

Create strings of beads for added interest.  So, in order to not make the mobile look too cluttered I ended up deciding to hang 2 pinwheels from the bottom hoop, 2 from the top, and 1 down the middle.  To add a little more visual interest I decided to create 2 strings of the clear beads to hang from the bottom and top hoops.  I created these using the crimping beads just like in step 2.

Step 5:

Attach two pinwheels and two strings of beads to the lower hoop.  I did this with the hot glue:

Personal Photo

Step 6:

Attach two pinwheels and two strings of beads to the upper hoop.  I did this with the hot glue.

Step 7:

Attach 4 identical length pieces of ribbon to the top hoop to be used to hang the mobile from.  They need to be the same length and be equally spaced around the top hoop; I attached them with hot glue.  Then I tied the four pieces of ribbon together in the middle.

Step 8:

Attach 1 pinwheel to the knot in the hanging-ribbon:

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

At this point you really could be done!!  But, I didn't like that you could see the hot glue blobs on the inside of the hoops so I decided to cover that.

Step 9:

Cover the inside of the two hoops with ribbon.  For this I just used double sided tape.

Et voila, a DIY pinwheel mobile for the nursery:

Personal Photo

Personal Photo
Yes, I'm holding the mobile with a banana hook, lol

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Isn't it pretty???  And super simple/in-expensive.  My best guess would be that I spent $15 on supplies for this project - can't beat that!

Until next time...

OOTD - Maternity Style - Running Errands

I finally got a full length mirror so I can do some Outfit of the Day posts!

Personal Photos

I have to apologize in advance, I don't remember how much any of this stuff cost since I've had the whole outfit for a while.  But none of it is anything fancy, haha, and I know I got the jeans on clearance!

Shirt - Target (Liz Lang Maternity)
Jeans - Motherhood Maternity - these are technically capris, but I bought them to specifically wear with boots so it doesn't really matter!  And, they only have a half belly-panel that kinda falls down on me so I wear a cheap-o belly band (from Forever 21) over it to keep the pants up!
Boots - DSW (Steve Madden)

Necklace - I got this necklace on Etsy (from J Lynn Creations) to wear my original wedding ring on.  Since we decided to get married so last minute I had gotten a sterling silver ring that we then had to have re-sized so  it was tarnishing wicked bad.  No matter what I did, it was getting beat the eff up.  So I got a new wedding band for Christmas, haha.  The necklace has our anniversary, both of our birthstones, an H (for our last name), and a key & and a heart on it.  I paid $38 for this!

Personal Photo

Bracelet - Target - it's a white leather cuff with a gold stud thingy on it.  I love this bracelet and they don't sell them at Target anymore; I wish I had bought a few other colors when they did have them!

There you have it, a normal "errand running" maternity outfit for moi!

Until next time...

Some Really uncomfortable Parts of Pregnancy

I think High School sex ed should really just be a class about what pregnancy is really like, cuz for reals, if I had known all this I would have be 100% abstinent back in the day!

For one, the other day, I sneezed and peed myself a little bit.  Not like wet-my-pants status, but I still went and changed my underwear.  And the worst part was, I had just gone pee.  But, the Seamonkey likes to use my bladder as a beanbag chair lately so a) I pee all the time and b) I feel like I never can fully empty my bladder.  I've actually considered investing in some Poise...

**I totally don't understand the point of that commercial, but at the same time find it thoroughly amusing...**


On the flip side of bathroom talk, I guess we should bring up bowel movements (and no, don't worry, I haven't shit my pants or anything).  Irregular just doesn't do what I'm experiencing justice.  It is either I-hafta-go-right-now or I don't go at all.  Thanks body, that's totally awesome!  And since I'm anti-medication during pregnancy, there's nothing I can take to help me!  But, it's finally gotten to the point where I have to do something or I'm gonna be totally miserable so I bought some prune juice.

Source

Okay, so technically it's plum juice...same thing.  Plus, I had a coupon for that kind (haha, yes, I'm still couponing - go me!).  But, it tastes pretty damn good and they claim it's been clinically proven to help regulate your digestive system if you drink 8 oz a day for two week.  I'll let you know how it goes in a week and 5 days.

And that wraps up the toilet talk portion of today's blog post - now onto my back.

It hurts.  A lot.  There is a very fine line between doing too much activity (which makes it hurt more than usual) and not doing enough physical activity (which, you guessed it, also makes it hurt more).  If I sit for too long I lose feeling in my right foot.  If I move around too much it hurts so much I can barely walk anymore.  This past Saturday I was super busy and basically running around all day and when it came time to go to bed I couldn't walk up the stairs.  I had to crawl up the fucking stairs to get to bed.

So earlier this week I had my initial consultation with the Physical Therapist.  She seems cool.  She poked and prodded me a bunch.  She tried to re-align my my hips since they were all out of whack.  She reminded me the less weight I gain, the less pressure there will be on my back (I know...but I'm soooo hungry all.the.time).  And she wants me to come in at least twice a week, but up to four freaking times a week to do therapy while my belly is still manageable so I'll be able to do the most exercises.  And she submitted a prescription for me to get a prenatal cradle to give my back some extra support.  Oh, you don't know what a prenatal cradle is?  Check out this sexy piece:

Source

Then yesterday I went in for my first actual physical therapy session.  It wasn't fun.  My body didn't enjoy working my ab muscles at all.  The Seamonkey didn't appreciate it either (he kept poking me as if to say, "stop doing that woman!").  I basically did a bazillion different variations of a pelvic tilt:

Source

Which as much as that sucked, I had suspected (and the Mayo Clinic confirmed) it would actually be a good exercise to strengthen my body for labor so it's like a double-duty exercise.  If I have to be uncomfortable at least it's helping my back and prepping my body to push the Seamonkey out!

So, the next time someone is describing pregnancy as this beautiful  experience where everyone will dote on you and you'll have this beautiful pregnancy glow, tell them they're an effing liar.  You piss yourself when you sneeze, you get super constipated, and your back hurts to the point where you can't walk up your damn stairs to go to bed.  And, you don't glow, you get fucking acne.  And yet I already love the little guy that is causing all this bullshit even though I've never met him...who'da thunk it?

Until next time...

PS - check out my beast of a belly.  As usual, you can see the whole progression of photos here!

Personal Photo

Nursery Dresser Transformation

To say that I am happy with how the dresser/changing table combo turned out would be a gross understatement.    I'm obsessed with it.  I'm making anyone who comes to my house go upstairs and look at it.  And for good reason...it turned out flipping amazing!  This is what I started with:

Personal Photo

 There wasn't anything wrong with it.  Actually, like the crib that it came with, it was in near perfect condition.  You will notice the stack of books underneath it though - and that's because it kinda droops in the middle and makes it difficult to open the drawers.  Once The Sailor gets home I'll have him create a more permanent fix for that; for now, a stack of books works just fine!

Step one was to take out the drawers, remove the door (on the right), remove all the knobs, scrub that sucker down, and sand it.  Which, by the way, I finally bought a sander and it's the best thing that ever happened to me.  I'm just sayin' though...

Personal Photo

Then I primed it (with normal primer) and I painted it gray with spray paint.  Don't worry people - it was plenty ventilated (in the garage with the garage door open) and I wore a mask!

All that is boring.  Let's face it.  But now is when it gets exciting...the drawers on the left.

I've wanted to infuse as much color into the nursery through furniture/decorations since the walls are white and the carpet is beige.  I could paint it, but we'd have to paint it back before we left.  The last thing I will be wanting to deal with when we move (probably/hopefully in two and a half years) is painting.  So I decided to decoupage the drawers using brightly colored fabric.

I actually got the fabrics on sale from Joann's and they're perfect.

Personal Photo

The first step was to cut out a rectangle of fabric to cover the front of the drawer.  I didn't worry about having the edges be perfect since I planned to cover the border with ribbon anyway.

Personal Photo

Then I used a sponge brush to spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on each drawer and I slowly applied the fabric.  I used the Mod Podge Decoupage Kit (that I got from Michael's a while back and includes a roller thingy and a flat tool  that you use to get out any air bubbles) to make sure that the fabric was applied evenly and without any air bubbles.  Again, I didn't worry too much about the edges.  This took about 20-25 minutes for each drawer.  Not fun, but the results are awesome.  Then I applied a thin off white ribbon around the edge using a hot glue gun.

I waited about 24 hours and then I sealed the whole thing with another layer of Mod Podge.  This time I diluted it slightly with water (about 2/3 Mod Podge, 1/3 water) and again used a sponge brush to saturate the whole face of the drawer.  While that started to dry, I painted the fronts of the small drawer and door (for the right side of the dresser) an off-white color (to match the ribbon).  I had considered applying fabric to these as well, but I thought that would be a little overwhelming.

The last step was to put on the new knobs I got (just clear acrylic ones; I got them at Target) and bring the whole thing upstairs!  Since I'm broken (damn back problems), I was lucky enough that Navy Wife Kim and her 12 year old son were willing to carry it upstairs, et voila...

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Have I mentioned I love this thing???

Don't worry, I am getting a cover for the changing pad!  The one I want is currently back-ordered though:

Source

It has elephants and it's the perfect colors!!!  I'm super excited.  And you'll notice the left hand side is just a big boring gray space:

Personal Photo

Eventually I plan on either placing a diaper pail there, or I might just hang a large wet bag (which is what you keep dirty cloth diapers in until you wash them) off a hook there.  I'm thinking either finding a cool patterned wet bag or just going with a plain yellow one (to match my crib).

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the little white dog thing is a night light.  I got it from Marshall's.  It can glow in a variety of colors and is actually portable (it's sitting on the charging base in the pictures).  I think it's precious and it matches my totally general "theme" - which is animals (any animal, lol) and blue, green, and orange, haha.

So, my first project for "decorate the nursery month" is officially done!  Next up is my DIY mobile, which I'm also very excited about (and shouldn't take nearly as long as the dresser did).  If you have any questions about how I completed the dresser, ask away, and of course I'll never turn down compliments on my work...

Until next time...

It's Official - I'm Manic

Source - Manic & Mania

***Quick disclaimer.  Mental illness is not something to take lightly.  If you believe you may be suffering from any form of mental illness please contact a doctor ASAP***


I've mentioned before that I've had a whole slew of mental illness diagnoses and never really got a final answer as to what is causing me to feel/act the way I do.  One of those diagnoses was bipolar disorder (AKA manic-depressive disorder).  This was a popular diagnosis because of the obvious periods of mania that I've experienced throughout my adolescence and adult life.  Lucky for me, I don't get to a point where I think I can fly and jump off of buildings (which can happen to bipolar people), instead I get this burning desire to learn, work, make money, etc.

There were many times where I held 3 jobs.  Not because I "needed" the money, just because I wanted extra money and was fully convinced I could handle have multiple jobs.  Then 2 weeks, or 4 weeks, or 6 weeks later I would quit my extra jobs (it was common for me to start working at retail stores that I would appreciate a discount at).

While I was planning my wedding to The Ex I decided I should start wedding planning part time on top of my highly stressful full-time job (and on top of planning my own wedding).  So I started taking a class at a local community college and started selling customized wedding stuff on Etsy.  My Etsy shop was actually pretty successful (I closed it when the mania subsided) and the class was a complete joke.

Well, over the past few weeks I have taken on the following:

1. I decided to be a Discovery Toys Educational Consultant (AKA toy sales rep, lol)
2. I decided to take an online Jewelry Design & Repair Class
3. I decided to improve my photography skills
4. I decided to start couponing
5. I decided to start selling some of my hand-knit creations

Seriously - that's kinda nuts.

So, I became a Discovery Toys Educational Consultant.  This is a Direct Sales position (like Mary Kay or Pampered Chef) where your primary source of income is holding "parties" to sell toys.  The cost of the kit (plus shipping and fees, etc.) was $150.  Whether I become the best DT sales consultant ever or its just a passing fad the $150 was totally worth it because the toys are freaking awesome (and no, I'm not just saying that because I want you to buy toys from me, lol)!  Plus, they spend a lot of time educating their sales reps on childhood development (and in turn which toys will aid in the different stages of development) which is really important to me as a soon-to-be first time mom!  If you're interested in buying any of the toys or becoming an Educational Consultant yourself, you can check it out here!

Source

And I signed up to take an online Jewelry Design and Repair class.  This has a little more back-story.  I recently found out there's a program for military spouses called "Career Advancement Assistance."  Basically they'll pay up to $4,000 ($2,000 a year for two years) to go towards a military spouse getting a certification, license, or associate's degree.  Your "goals" have to be pre-approved and the point is to help you get started in a career that is mobile since we have to move so often.

Now, I would have waited to start something until after I had the baby and settled into be a Mom, but there's a catch.  Once your husband reaches a certain paygrade, you are no longer eligible for the assistance.  Well, if my husband gets promoted, I'm no longer eligible.  He'll be taking the advancement exam again this spring (it'll be his third time taking it) and if he gets promoted (it's more complicated than just passing the test) he'll officially be the higher pay grade this December.  So I potentially have until December to try and take advantage of this!  So I'm technically starting the class on the 18th and then I have a year to complete it but I can do it at my own pace.  

I'm actually super excited about the class.  I've always been into jewelry making; I had my fourth grade Birthday party at the Beadworks in Boston (best Birthday party ever, btw).  And the course includes a bunch of supplies you'll need to design and repair jewelry, so there's no out of pocket cost for me.  If you'd like some more information on the course, it can be found here!

Next up...I decided to improve my photography skills.  So I bought a book.  This book to be exact:

Source

This book is great because it isn't overwhelming you with terms and definition, instead it's way more straightforward.  You wanna take a portrait outside?  Turn off the flash, use a medium f-stop number and a low ISO.  Wanna take a picture of your dog playing outside? Again, no flash, but this time use a fast shutter speed.  It does also get into all the scientific mumbo-jumbo, but beyond the basics I just don't have the attention span to read about that, lol, so I really like this book.

Then I decided to start couponing - why the hell not right?  I got a binder, inserts, a Sunday paper...I even clipped the coupons out of the Sunday paper!  Now I just have to put my clipped coupons in my binder and actually start using them.

Personal Photo

As long as I stick with this long enough to cover the cost of my binder/inserts I'll be happy.  If I get really into it and end up on Extreme Couponing I expect you all to lock me in a padded cell, because those people are legit hoarders!  But I doubt I'll get that into it, lol.  It would be nice to save some dough on our grocery shopping bill though!

And finally I decided to start selling my hand-knit creations.  I haven't gotten to the point of creating an Etsy shop or anything yet, instead I'm basically just selling stuff to other people on base.  I already have 3 orders.  I even made a Facebook page!  If you want to go and "like" it, you are more then welcome to.  And if you really wanted to order something from me, I wouldn't say no, but you'll just have to pay for the shipping and the Paypal fee.  And you'll have to wait a while since I still need to finish my first 3 orders.

So yeah, if that isn't full blown mania, I don't know what is.  But like I said, it isn't scary-I-think-I-can-fly mania, it's just I-think-I-can-do-everything-and-won't-stop-until-I-do mania.  With my type of mania, I always end up making some extra cash which is totally not a bad thing with a little Seamonkey on the way!  And this post turned out way longer than I intended it to be, so I'm gonna cut myself off now!

Until next time...

Knitting Project - Newborn Hat & Booties

Personal Photo

I finally 100% finished my newborn hat and bootie set!!!

For the hat, I used the same pattern as I used for my Hooter Hat (which can be found here).  The only difference is instead of doing a horizontal ribbing for the rim I did a vertical ribbing.  To be even more specific, I did a knit-4-purl-4 ribbing and I'm really happy with how that turned out.

The booties were the easiest knitting pattern ever, and they knit up quite quickly - the pattern can be found here.  If I was using a worsted weight yarn (like the pattern called for) it would have been even faster, but since I was using a super fine yarn I decided to use size 2 (US) needles and just double the pattern.  I'm really happy with the size they turned out to be.  Then to add a little visual interest I added a cute button that I got from Joann Fabrics (the buttons can be found here).

Overall a super easy project and I can't wait to snap some pictures of my little Seamonkey actually wearing them!

Until next time...

I'm officially the most vain person ever...

This morning I was having a conversation with Gabby that went a little something like this...

Personal Photo

Me - Lordy Gabby, this acne is driving me crazy.  If I could change anything about this pregnancy, I would get rid of my pregnancy-acne.
Gabby - Really Mom?  You can't think of any other symptom you'd rather get rid of?
Me - Nope.  My skin is driving me bonkers!
Gabby - Weren't you just in so much pain that you were in tears?  Wouldn't you much rather get rid of your back pain?
Me - Hmmmm...you're right, but nope, I'd still rather get rid of the acne.


Okay, so obviously I wasn't actually having a conversation with Gabby, lol, but don't judge me!  I live by myself (until The Sailor gets back from deployment) so instead of admitting that I totally talk to myself way too much, I just talk to Gabby!  Plus, she's a great listener...

But seriously, I would rather have clear skin and still deal with my severe back pain.  How horrible is that?  I'm the most vain person ever!!!  And after I had this revelation, I started to think about it and try to rationalize it and I decided it isn't completely due to the fact that I'm super obsessed with how I look.  The fact of the matter is, I've been dealing with back problems for a while now.  I'm used to being in pain (as sad as that is for a 23 year old to admit).  I'm not used to being fat and having acne.  I.feel.gross.  It's that simple.  And I can't prevent the baby belly from happening, because I'm growing a freaking baby!  But before I was pregnant, this is what I would consider "breaking out:"

Personal Photo

That's right - one pimple and my life was over.  I would kill to only have one pimple now!

Did I mention this is actually my 26 week update?  Because it is...haha.  Apart from realizing I'm way too obsessed with how I look, this week I got the best deal on a bunch of baby stuff!

Personal Photo

That is...the most adorable (and practically brand new) bassinet, a trash bag {stuffed full} of baby boys clothes and blankets, a baby bath tub, a "travel swing" (the kind that can fold down to next to nothing), one of those seats that lights up and vibrates, and a play mat.  Guess how much I paid for all that.  No, seriously guess...












$40!!!!!!!!!!!  Yeah - all of that for only $40!  And the best part is their baby boy was born in the beginning of May so the different sized clothes will be the right seasons for The Seamonkey! Well, as close as you could hope to get since I'm due in early April.  I officially have way too much clothes for this little guy, lol.

And I guess that's really all that's new this week on the pregnancy front (apart from my growing belly).  I officially ordered the rest of my cloth diaper stash this morning, so once all those get here I'll start a series on why I chose the brands I did and my initial reviews of the diapers.  Plus I have a bunch of plans for the nursery that I'll be updating you all on soon enough (I'm actually covered in primer right now from starting the work on the dresser/changing table combo, lol)!  And on top of that I actually have a lot of news to share with you all that isn't pregnancy related at all!  So the next few weeks should actually be pretty fun blog-post wise!

Until next time...

Personal Photos

January 2012 = Nursery Month!

So, as I've mentioned before, I decided January would be the month to decorate the nursery for the Seamonkey!  And seriously, I've got a lot to do...

Things I need to buy:

• Crib mattress
• Shelves (I want floating shelves for the wall, not like a book case)
• Crib bedding set
• Paper lanterns (I'm planning on creating something like this:)

Via Pinterest

• Hooks and baskets (this is for a project I saw on a show on HGTV; I want to hang baskets off hooks on the wall somewhere near the changing table to store extra diaper-related stuff.  This is the only picture I can find, but my finished project won't look nearly this rustic:)

Source

And here are the DIY projects I have lined up:

• Final touches to my crib (I just need to cover up some nicks in the paint and figure out a way to cover up the screws)
• Refinish my dresser/changing table combo.  I'm super excited for this project, I can't wait to show it off to you guys!  I've ordered some of my supplies online already (they should be here sometime this week) and I'm going to buy the last few things I'll need later today.
• Mobile for over the crib. (This is my inspiration:)

Via Pinterest

• Print, mat, and frame the pet silhouettes I already showed off to you guys.

On top of that, a few random things:

• Make the final decision on my rocker/glider.  My Dad is going to be buying this for us/the baby, but I need to decide what I actually want!
• Prep the diapers I've purchased already.  When you use cloth diapers you have to wash them a few times before you use them in order to maximize their absorbency.
• Wash all the clothes I've gotten.  There's the stuff I've bought (or other people have bought) and on top of that I just bought a bunch of used baby stuff and it came with a bunch of clothes, but more on that on my weekly update this week!
• Put away/organize all the diapers, baby cloths, etc.
• Figure out what I forgot to put on this list and do that too, lol.

I can almost guarantee I forgot something.  And I promise I'll come up with a few more projects, lol.  If there's anything you experienced Mommies notice that I forgot, please let me know!!!

Until next time...