Baby boy is here!

Just dropping in to announce that my little boy Kyle made his entrance into this world a little early on September 27th at about 35-1/2 weeks. He weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19-1/2 in. long. He spent a bit of time in NICU and is home on an apnea monitor now. We have had no apnea episodes and his is gaining his weight as he should. There are a couple of concerns with his heart, but hopefully they should be minor or not at all after we visit a pediatric cardiologist later this week.

I am completely and utterly in love with this little tiny guy!

Lord, please help me to live fully in each moment with the precious gifts you have given me. All three of them... Katie, Nikki and Kyle.

"Godspeed Little Man"

 Goodspeed little man! We can't wait to meet you!  2-3 more weeks and you will be in our arms precious boy!

Inspiration Friday (9/16/11)

So, I am going to have to sheepishly admit that I got totally hooked on Pinterest this week. I get my Inspiration Friday ideas from blogs that I follow and subscribe to, but oh the beautiful pics on Pinterest have captured my attention. I would love for you to follow me both here at the blog and over at Pinterest (just go to the first column on the right). I promise I will follow you back. Who knows maybe your project, art, recipe or beautiful picture may show up here!

Fabric Penant Tutorial at Sugar Bee Crafts

Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins at Mommy's Kitchen

Inexpensive Party Favors at The Happy Housewife

Oreo and Peanut Butter Brownie Bites at Picky Palate

DIY Pumpkin Art at My Blessed Life

3D Canvas Art at The Craft In Me

Happy Friday! Grab a button!

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Little man's room is coming together!

Just wanted to share Kyle's room. It is coming together nicely.

Sweet bedding is from Nautica Kids. Hubs and I picked it out together.

Sailboat paintings done by me. I thoroughly enjoyed making these!

Window valances match the bedding and are also from Nautica Kids. The desk needs a new home somewhere in the house. I just haven't figured out where that is yet!

Of course I already posted his letters.

See that basket? I've stuck my nose in it for a big whiff more than a few times. Nothing like the smell of Dreft to make you ready to hold a baby!

Now I am having Hubs be on the look out for nautical themed wall stuff that will match. I would like a wooden oar for above the closet (not pictured) and maybe something to go on each side of the window. I think a painting or painted sign that says "Come sail away with me..." would be sweet don't you?

Participating here:

 

More decoupage wood letters for a baby boy...

So, I've been nesting and decorating preparing for Baby J.

Last week, I made his name for the wall in his room. It has been quite interesting moving from all things girl to doing crafts for a little boy. But I'm starting to catch on and really enjoy it. I can't wait to meet little man, this is for sure.

Making these letters is very simple. If you would like to make your own see my tutorial here.

Participating here:

Monday Musings... Faith

Original artwork by Lanie J.

“You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”

~Mary Manin Morrissey

"Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.”

~Anonymous

“I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.

I just wish He didn't trust me so much.”

~Mother Theresa

Participating here:

We will not forget....

Inspiration Friday (9/9/11)

River Rock Table Name Tags at inspiration & realisation

Kids Art Display at Clean & Scentsible

Freezer Paper Stenciling at The Artful Parent

DIY Stickhorse from Junk in Their Trunk via Lolly Jane

Faux Handblown Glass Ornaments at Aileen's Musings

French Breakfast Muffins at HoneyBear Lane

Homemade Gel Air Fresheners at Homemade Mamas

Repurposed Shower Curtain Seaside Wreath at Cajun joie de vivre

Rootbeer Float Fudge at Shugary Sweets

Please feel free to grab a "featured" button and thanks for all the fabulous ideas!



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Imagining a phone call to my Mama on her 63rd birthday...

Sweet Mama, today would be your 63rd birthday. If I could give you a birthday call, I imagine it would go something like this...

It would start with you picking up the phone and Katie and Nikki and I singing a rousing round of Happy Birthday with the extra cha, cha, cha! flourish at the end of each  sentence.

I would lament to you how hard this pregnancy has been on me emotionally and physically being 40 years old and how scared of a third c-section I am and you would comfort me, reminding me of how the doctors didn't want you to deliver my little sister because your life and maybe even hers could be lost in the process and you did it anyway. I would thank you for that because now I have Mika for a sister.

Then you would talk about how great little boys are and how much fun Justin was and how awesome it will be to hold little man in my arms and we would count our blessings. You always told me girls were wonderful, but there was something really special about a little boy.

I might cry a little when I tell you how much I wish you could be here with me to share in the first weeks with the baby, just as you did with Katie and Nikki. But I'd tell you, I think I am covered as far as help goes. Of course, they can never replace you.

I would tell you how great it would be to sit at the kitchen table and paint with you again. I have learned so much in the couple of years since you have been gone and I think we would finally launch that little art business we always talked about.

We would talk about how much the girls are growing and changing everyday. How talented artistically Katie is (she got it from you) or how witty Nikki can be. I would share with you my concerns about raising girls and you would share with me stories of Mika and myself when we were growing up and then tell me that raising a boy will be easier.

In general, I would tell you how much I really do miss you and love you and that there will forever be a hole in my heart that will never be replaced. Thank you once again for being my Mom, confidante and best friend over the years.


 

26 weeks: A letter to my little boy....

Wow, to type it out, or say it out loud... "my little boy".... wow!

(25 weeks... looking as tired as I feel! :) )

We are now at 26 weeks although your mommy looks and feels more like 36 weeks. We are on the downhill slide and I am finally looking at purchasing your layette. We have your new travel system and play yard (complete with a changing table and hamper so you and I can take care of business in the living room instead of running all over the house while I am recuperating from the c-section) and I ordered some sweet cradle bedding for your cradle when you come home.

Daddy is beside himself with excitement and is amazed at your strength. You can get my belly moving and it fascinates every single one of us. One of our new favorite pass times is to put the t.v. remote on my belly and watch you move it with your little kicks. At a recent doctor's visit, I found that you were head down (I know this will change a few more times) and I questioned if that were so, why did it feel like someone was stomping on my bladder. Reason... your little fists were in front of your face. Apparently, you were using my bladder as a punching bag!

Your sisters are having fun helping me pick out items you will need. They love to pick out outfits and ask me questions about you all the time. They already love you and pray for you at night before they go to sleep.

With this pregnancy, I have become rather large, rather fast and I get bunches of double takes when I go out in public. "When is your baby due?" "October." "Really?!" (Which is usually replied with eyes as big as saucers.) I haven't had much energy this time around and it continues to dwindle as I haven't been sleeping well. I am already the weight I was when I had Katie and it is getting increasingly difficult to bend over and pick things up. It was rather amusing the other night when I was buttering a nice piece of corn on the cob and dropped it. I watched as it rolled down my tummy and onto the kitchen floor. Katie was sitting next to me and looking down at it she said, "You want me to get that for you don't you?" I don't know what I would do without your big sisters to come to my rescue!

Because of our little scare back at 11 weeks and because of this being my third c-section with a chance of a uteran rupture on the second one I had (doc says he doubled that area last time) I have had more fear and worry with you than with your sisters. I discussed a c-section at 37 weeks (as soon as we know your lungs are fully developed) to keep me from going into labor this time. When I wake at night and my mind starts to wander on all the things that could go wrong. I remember that God is in control and he has, as your big sister Katie likes to say "very BIG hands!" And I picture you safe in my arms. I know for a fact, all of this will be worth it in the end.

I cannot wait to meet you my precious boy.

Love, Mom

20 week ultrasound of you (we will do this again at 29 weeks)