Thursday, July 9, 2009

Much Overdue Photo Update

Hi Friends!

I know, I know...it's been forever since I last posted! I hope this finds you all doing well! I have so much to tell you all, I really don't know where to start, so I thought I'd post a quick update filled with photos. There will be more to come this week!

Baby News

Unbelievably, I am almost half way through this pregnancy already! I had my first meeting with my midwife on Tuesday and heard a strong, healthy heartbeat. I started feeling movement about 2 weeks ago. When you have a history of miscarriages (I've had 4), you feel so blessed to get to this point and have tangible proof that there is a living, breathing baby to look forward to! We feel very blessed!

We are planning on a home birth this time, Lord willing, and I really like my new midwife. This will be a brand-new, exciting, and much-anticipated event for us!

Benjamin

Benjamin completed 3rd grade in June and received a glowing portfolio evaluation. He has spent his summer so far reading, writing, inventing and helping his dad with a lot of outside projects.

Yesterday, he decided to make breakfast by himself and did a wonderful job on whole wheat blueberry pancakes and sausage. Seriously, they were delicious! He did EVERYTHING except slice the sausage...I was so proud!



He also made a wonderful fruit/veggie plate for lunch and a carrot cake for evening dessert. He's getting to be quite self-sufficient in the kitchen!

Outside, he's learning to drive the lawn tractor, which he LOVES! He watches the yard throughout the week and reminds his dad when the grass is long enough to be cut!


Addison

Addison loves to be outside, especially if she can be with her daddy. He gives her "work" and she stays right by his side for most of each morning. She is also learning to be very helpful inside. She loves to help me fold clothes and is learning to make her bed, feed the dog, and sweep under the table after mealtimes. Isn't it great how 3-year olds think chores are as fun as playtime?

She's been begging me to make her a dress. Being quite the novice (and "novice" is quite the understatement...I've never taken on any significant sewing project before!), I wasn't quite sure how to fulfill this wish until I came across this tutorial.

I decided to jump in and give it a try. Check out the result!

I don't mean to brag, but ISN'T IT ADORABLE?!!


She looks so cute and I can't believe I actually made it! I can't wait to do another one! It took me less than four hours, and now that I've worked the kinks out, I think it will take less than 2 hours next time.


I did tweak it a bit by using regular fabric (not border fabric) and hemming the bottom of the dress. I have some pretty ribbon that I'm going to handsew onto the bottom to cover the stitching, since all I had was brown and it shows up quite a bit.

If you have little girls, I highly suggest making this dress! It is SO easy and SO cute! And when she outgrows it, I'll be able to snip off the straps and add a zipper to the back to make it into a skirt. I love it!

A million thanks to Ashley for giving such a great, detailed tutorial!

Jack

Jack is officially a toddler and is so adventurous! He gets into everything, loves to pull things off of shelves and cabinets and keeps me VERY busy with cleaning up after him! We've had to put child locks on anything with doors and gates at every doorway and stair opening. I was worn out from chasing him all over the house, so at least now I can contain him a bit!

He is a monster eater. He will eat anything you give him, including lots of healthy fruits and veggies...he is healthy and I am happy! Here he is recently eating a chocolate chip banana muffin. What a mess!


He had his first birthday in April and is growing by leaps and bounds. He has the cutest curls in his hair and the biggest brown eyes. Here's a recent pic in the bath. Addy loves when I spike his hair up and he gets a kick out of all the attention!

Father's Day


My hubby got a tent and an air mattress for Father's Day this year, so we recently went camping in the woods around our house. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and ate way too many s'mores! After playing with water guns and swinging on a vine, Jack and I ended up back at the house for the night while Dad, Benjamin and Addy slept in the tent. They had so much fun, but it ended up being a pretty cold night, so they were all frozen in the morning!

I ended up with poison ivy on both legs, from my ankles to my hips, and a few spots on my arms. That was 3 weeks ago and I'm still itching! I haven't stepped back into the woods since!

Well, that's all I have time for right now. I don't know if anyone is still reading, but if you are, I'd love to hear from you!

Blessings!
Brandi

7 comments:

Simple said...

So wonderful to hear your doing well. Thank you for the update. What a blessing to Lord willing be having a home birth this time. We'll be in prayer for a safe delivery and healthy baby.
The dress you made is so adorable! Wonderful Job, well done.
Peace and Grace to you and yours!

Jo Lynn said...

I still read your blog. Love the pics. Sounds like a lovely summer....all but the poison.

You need to get on the other side of the camera. Wanna see belly pics.

I have hubby talked into another baby but his hand isn't healed yet (4 months now) so we only get a bitty income.

So glad to see the wonderful update.

Serial Mommy said...

it's so wonderful to read an update!! i've also had multiple m/c and i do know about the relief of feeling the baby move and hearing the heart beat...good luck with the home birth...i know of many women who have done them and given it so much praise! your kiddos are adorable!!! way to go on the dress...it's so cute! hehe, jack is a boy and boys will be boys..izzy, my 3 year old, is the same way! james is just learning to cook as well..he made dinner for us the other night..hamburger in mac n cheese...

Michelle said...

Hey Brandy. Glad to hear everyone is doing well.

I've wondered if you have sold your house yet? We werent able to and decided to take off the market. We are good for now though.

Ashley said...

Hi there! The dress looks so adorable! I'm so glad you tried it! Let me know if you have any suggestions for the tutorial!

Ashley

Ry said...

I'm here and so excited you're back. I check often!! Can't wait to hear more!

Ashley said...

Hi again! Can I post a photo of the dress you made with a link to your blog? I'm putting together a gallery of the sundresses people have made! So cute! Just let me know!

ashley_hackshaw@dc.rr.com

Thanks!!