I Am 'Sew' Cool

(obviously not true judging by the fact that I actually used that as the title for this post)

I think I'm really getting into this sewing thing. I'm just on my first project but I feel an addiction coming on. I just need to find some place with cheaper fabric to support my addiction. Hancocks can be quite expensive!

So I set to work last night to finish off these cute little baby overalls. See, here I am cutting out thread after I forgot to put the presser foot down for about the hundredth time. I'm going to get it. Really. Mom suggested I put a sign on the machine that says "Put the Presser Foot Down!" Haha!


But I got it! Hopefully all those little things will become habit eventually.


But it helps to have someone there showing you the ropes...


Nooooo. Not Rafa. Haha! My Mom! Thank, Mom, for teaching me your skills. One day I'll get it! Haha!

And so we have a nearly complete pair of overalls!!


I say nearly b/c we still have to sew in the snaps on the crotch.... so don't look to closely!


Aren't they just the cutest thing? After we find out boy or girl, we might embellish a little more. Meaning if it is a girl it has got to have some bows and/or lace. Haha!


And while I had the camera out, I thought I'd snag a picture of Rafa and his new 'do. Don't make fun of him too much. It was our first time to try our hand at grooming! And it is hot! He likes the short hair for the summer!


::::And Answers to the Questions I Received on Sewing::::

I am by no means knowledgeable about sewing yet but a few of you asked some questions and I'll answer what I know.

• I have a Brother sewing machine (think it's this one). It is just basic but it is lightweight and has whatever I should need. I even sewed button holes with it on my very first day of sewing. Super easy!!
• Yes, my parents got me a cute little monogrammed bag to hold my machine and also a matching bag to hold all my supplies. But since I plan on using it a lot now, we have a home for it that is out of the way in our living room.
• I haven't looked for any video tutorials, but you know there are video tutorials for everything out there. I am sure there are some good ones for sewing! I have Mom to teach me, so not sure if this is really easy or I have a good teacher (or both), but it seems like something you could definitely teach yourself.
• Threading the needle - Mom taught me to cut the thread before trying to thread it into the needle - gives you a sharper point on the thread. Try it!!
  

Fun-Filled Weekend

.... with no photos. I need to do better job about this whole picture taking thing.

My Mom came over Saturday and gave me my first sewing lesson!! We went to the fabric store and found several patterns and some material to work with. I picked out some gender neutral corduroy to make these cute little overalls and a jacket. Then, I got scared to mess up the corduroy on my first attempt at sewing so we bought some cotton fabric for the first go around.

Let me just tell you - I love sewing! It is so much fun!! We got everything finished except for the snaps between the legs (for easy diaper changing) and the little leg bands at the bottom to finish it up. But the top of the little overalls are so cute with a pocket and buttons! I'm so proud.

We were planning on finishing up Sunday morning - when I was going to take a pic - but realized we needed snap tape and no one around here has it. So we'll probably have to order it online or sew in little snaps individually. When we finish it up I'll definitely get a picture.

Just for kicks, here is a photo of me opening up my birthday present from my parents...

(Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

Later Saturday night we met up with some of Lucas's old college friends who were visiting from out of town. We ate some delicious Mexican (my favorite) and then visited a little longer at a patio bar (so no smoke for the baby). We stayed out til almost 1:00 a.m. I couldn't believe I made it! Needless to say, I slept in Sunday morning.

On Sunday we decided to experiment with dog grooming since Rafa's groomers didn't have an opening for 3 weeks. Poor thing needed a hair cut! So off to PetSmart to buy all the tools and then we gave it our best shot. I'm not sure how successful we were but at least he is feeling better now I would imagine. I'll get a shot of our work on here soon. Definitely don't want to forget this. Haha!

Baby Bump

I've got one now!! Can you see it?!? So exciting!
We're on the one week countdown until the 2nd trimester! And we find out the sex in 2 weeks!

And just because - I can't have you staring at a picture of my belly without at least giving you a friendly smile! Plus you don't want to miss out on this fun pregnancy zit that the wonderful pregnancy glow has blessed me with, do you?

My Husband's New Love...

That's right. My husband has found the love of his life - GOLF. I once thought I might be the love of his life, but I am quickly reconsidering that notion.

It all started before his recent trip back home to Colombia. His plans were to play golf with his brothers when he got home and he was sure getting excited about it. He discussed these plans with our friend Chris, and they decided to go golfing before he left to give him some practice. This was Lucas's first time to play a round of golf. And the end of life as I had once known.

There was no stopping him now. Later the next night we just HAD to go to Dick's (Lucas's new favorite store). We were just going to "look," he said. Uh, huh. We walked out with a shiny, new set of golf clubs. He was genuinely thrilled. And so was I. I was so happy that he has found something new to be excited about!

Then, the next day we just had to go to Dick's again. This time we walked out with two sets of golf clubs for him to take to Colombia for his brothers. And that is only just the beginning. He is a golfer now so he certainly needs golf shirts, and golf shoes, and golf balls, and golf gloves, and on, and on, and on..... not to mention money for rounds of golf, food at the golf course, beer for the day......

It doesn't bother me that he spends money on golf - as long as it isn't in excess. But do you know what he told me last night? He said, "we're paying your tuition at the end of this month so we need to be really good about saving, okay?" ME? Okay, honey. When I go to the grocery store (THE ONLY PLACE I SHOP), I promise to save more. Problem is: I already buy cheap. We eat the generic brands and I stock up when there are sales. I couldn't get much cheaper. Unless...... that's it!! I'll stop buying the ice cream that he likes. And no more Milo (his favorite chocolate drink mix) from now on! How about all that cereal he goes through? I'll just stop buying it! Is that what he had in mind? I doubt it.

It made me really stop and reconsider my spending - or should I say - saving habits. Maybe from now on I'll loosen up a bit. Start shopping. Buy myself something nice every week.... like he does with golf. Dillards was having a great sale on purses. Maybe I should swing back and pick myself up that cute little purse I carried around but felt too guilty to buy.

Okay, so back to the golf part. It isn't even the money/saving/spending problem that has me worked up in a tizzy. You see. It is his level of excitement and enthusiasm that has me curious. He played golf before he went to Colombia. He went to Colombia and played golf 4 out of 7 days, plus had a golf lesson! Then, he comes back and plays more golf.

I am very happy to see him excited about something. But what if he were that excited to see me everyday?!? To cuddle up with me every night?!?!? At least be that excited about the upcoming arrival of our first child?!?!?!? I mean - really!!! I guess this makes him sound a little bad. He is very happy to be my husband and super excited to become a father. I know that. And I know he truly cares for us more than golf. But that excitement doesn't emanate from him like it does when you talk about golf. You should see his face. Really. A Kid in a candy store never looked so thrilled...

So, my husband noticed last night that I hadn't written about him on the blog lately. Sorry about that, dear. Better now? Hopefully he'll read this and learn to show a little more excitement over daily life with the wife. **hint**hint**

Then maybe I won't have to be jealous of his new found love.

Sea-N-Suds..... no suds for me, please

Our family always celebrates Thanksgiving at the beach. I know ~ be jealous of our traditions!! This year is no different. I have been roaming the Internet for weeks looking for some deals and finally found us a nice three bedroom condo on the beach for a great price! I'm feeling pretty proud of myself right now.

Our Condo

Our View

And directly below us... some of the best eating on the beach. Sea-n-Suds!

I can't decide if I'm more excited about the beach or the food. By that time I'll be 7 months pregnant, so probably the food!!

Landon, We're Waiting....

My best friend Aida and her husband Chris are expecting their first child in only a few weeks. Actually, he could really be here sooner. We are all so excited and waiting anxiously for that day to come. I can't wait to meet Landon Cole!

While we are waiting, we decided to throw her a shower to make sure Landon has everything he needs. I used a cute little set of giraffe images to create a custom invitation for Landon, complete with a pop-out giraffe and beautiful polka-dot ribbon.

Then, there was the food.... Grab a plate and a fork and dig in.

I wrapped plastic forks in a brown napkin with blue "It's a Boy!" ribbon to match the blue plates.

Yumm.....

Full table spread with my homemade chandelier (blue cardstock and giraffe paper cut in circles and hung with raffia from the light fixture)

My dad carved the baby carriage watermelon for the fruit salad. Such a good dad!My mom's giraffe-print cupcakes

And don't forget to grab a drinkMock Mimosas

The Mother-to-be with the grandmas...
And with the hosts...

(Isn't she just the cutest thing ever?)

Now it's time for presents...

Presents table overflowing (Notice the gorgeous - if I do say so myself - giraffe-themed diaper cake?)

Lots of fun necessities...

and cute giraffe clothes!

And what Alabama baby shower is complete without the Alabama football? Roll Tide, Landon!

Landon seriously racked up!

Now, before you leave be sure to take a favor!

Animal Cracker bags with oh-so-cute tags

Now hurry up, Landon!
We are all waiting patiently!!!

12 Weeks

12 weeks is almost 3 months!! I still have 2 more weeks to go until the 2nd trimester, and I'm definitely ready for that transition. I want the morning sickness, dizziness, and all the other little side effects (that I am happily enduring as a sign that baby is still happy and healthy inside me) to end and the baby bump to arrive.

I need to figure out just how I should be doing these baby belly pictures. But until I figure that out, here is one I've snapped on my computer... so that you can see that I have a tiny little bump but nothing much to write home about just yet.


Mind you, I wasn't a washboard to begin with my six pack is now hidden.

I'm ready for the protruding baby bump, though. I'm glad I've written those words so that one day a few months from now when I'm complaining about the large, protruding baby bump I can look back on my words and be at least somewhat thankful for the bump.... maybe.

And so you can see my pregnancy glow....


I'm feeling it. I really am. And when I have the energy, I bask in it!