Life on the Road

Writing up the birth story is not going as fast as one might hope…  Ah, well.  At least you can see Mr. Handsome now! 

(Click on the thumbnail to view them full size)

Here’s the whole family:

Mr. RT:

Our three Blessings:

…and my favorite photo of the bunch:

Not only transitioning to using them, but making them, too.  I guess I’ve never been one to do anything by half measures, but… whew!

I was lucky enough to be referred to a great online group of diaper seamstresses, so I was able to get a lot of information and a lot of specific questions answered in short order.

As I mentioned in my last diaper post, I got my hands on some fabric and a couple of patterns, so all that was left was to take the plunge.

The first “plunge” involved getting the sewing machine out, cleaning it up, and figuring out how to use it again (it’s been… six years, at least?).  Kudos to Viking, it runs like a champ (although I’m sure somewhere in its little sewing machine brain it’s wishing I would take it in for a maintenance service appointment).

For my first attempt, I used a pattern called the “FattyCakes Diaper”, designed by one of the ladies on the sewing forum, made up as a cover (rather than a “diaper” per se).  I used white PUL (the waterproof stuff) for the outer layer, and purplish suedecloth for a lining.  You can make them with just the waterproof layer, but with Jewel’s sensitive skin I thought that wouldn’t be wise.  This is a sized piece, so it was made for J.

Here’s the result after the bulk of the work is done (no fasteners yet):

And here’s the way it looks in use, over a prefold diaper on a 2.5 year old - who, I might add, was delighted with the idea that Mama had made a special diaper just for her!

Although I had some questions about where to place the fasteners, since it was designed for snaps rather than hook and loop, I have to say that for a first attempt I consider it a big success.

The next plunge was getting the serger unpacked, cleaned up, and ready for use.  This proved trickier, as it was much dirtier, had many more moving parts, and was somewhat the worse for wear.  But this, too, was accomplished.

To practice serging, I cut up a Goodwill shirt from Nick’s outgrown pile  (100% cotton waffle weave), and serged the edges to make cloth wipes - a whole bunch of ‘em:

But now it’s back to diapers.  I’m going to put together an adjustable-sized pocket diaper from the KCK One pattern, which claims it will be usable on both Baby Blessing and Jewel - and of course, therefore, be usable throughout Baby’s diapering career.

Got to keep getting as much sewing done as I can…  Things are going better, but there’s still no telling when Baby will decide to make her appearance! 

…or something close to it!  LOL

 I’m guessing that seems a little odd, timing-wise, as much of the country suffers through ice storms and generally nasty weather.

Even here, in fact, we’re having thunder storms today, and a tornado watch is in effect.  But over the weekend, it was gorgeous!

After church on Sunday (since that’s the only day Wolf is off!) we took the kids down to a public beach that someone had mentioned.  Turns out they actually have a totally enclosed little swimming beach (with culverts for the seawater to circulate in and out).  The actual ocean is on the other side of the surrounding ridge, and there is fishing and boating access.

(As ususal, you can click on all the photos for larger versions, if you’re so inclined…)

Jewel had a great time playing in the sand.

As did Nick, whose creation was a little more elaborate… 

Then Jewel got a real treat, and Papa came out in the water to play with her.  Wolf may not find this the most flattering photo, but Jewel had such a good time!

Alas, there is no picture of me and my gigantic Baby Belly sitting on the shore in the shade of a palm tree.  But it was just SO “Florida”… 

The red clarinet sure looks cool…  BUT…

The infamous Buffet R13 is here!  Nick is gone for the weekend, and it’s been really hard to refrain from playing it - I can’t wait to hear the sound!

I am just stunned by the beautiful condition it is in.  Even the case looks essentially new, and the instrument is almost 40 years old! 

Knowing what it will go through being schlepped back and forth to school by a teenage boy, I’m tempted to put it in a generic case and keep that one in storage.  Hmmmm…

We just got the notice for Nick’s audition to the High School program he wants to attend - March 1st.  (Cutting it a bit close!  My mom flies in for the anticipated baby on March 2nd.)

Well, Baby Blessing hid “her” gender-specific parts during the ultrasound, but she did give us this encouraging message from the womb:

That’s her little arm sticking out of the fuzzy image, with a clear “Thumbs Up” sign! 

Have I mentioned that Nick is First Chair Clarinet in the local Middle School Symphonic Band, and also Second chair Tenor Saxophone in the Jazz Band (he’s been playing sax for all of 3 months now)?  I’m pretty proud of him…  

The bands held their first concert of the year on Thursday evening, and it was quite a show.

Yeah, that would be my kid on the far left - the one relaxed and smiling before they play, and even pulling the band director aside for some witty comment (click the photo for a larger version where you can see!):

Yes, his clarinet is red.  Someday soon he’ll be ready to graduate to a professional instrument, but he sure does have fun with this one!

And a touch of comedy relief when they played “Surfin’ USA”:

And later in the evening, he takes up the sax with the Jazz Band (and the lighting was much better on this sideof the stage!):

He’s applying to a Performing Arts Magnet High School for the Fall, so it’s onward and upward!

If you missed the challenge, be sure to visit the original post, and see all the great entries!

I delayed selecting a winner a little bit, since the hosts of the main contest over at Two Moms in a Blog were holding things open on their end.  But now…  It’s time!

There were two clear favorites among the judges (yeah, just us!  LOL):

Kristine over at Financial Tips for WAHMs posted this cutie:

And Karen at Leaping From the Box brought us this shot:

It was a tough call,  but the winner of the Tupperware is…

[insert drumroll sound effect here]

Karen!!

Karen, please email me with your mailing address, and I’ll get that right out to you.  (tiffany (at) tiffanyblitz (dot) com)

Good luck to all our contestants in the big Two Moms in a Blog drawing for the Kodak printer!

I am just so pleased with the last Chrsitmas gift I got for Jewel that I had to share it with all of you…

Here’s a photo of the gorgeous 3-D Name Art I commissioned from One of a Kind by Lexi:

It’s actually even cuter in person - I’m not a good enough photographer to be able to capture it properly.  The colors are really lovely - and match her room - and the 3-D detailing makes it really an interesting piece.  It even has green wire stems on the flowers!

I picked a frame that looked suitably Princess-y to Nick and I, and it’s now wrapped up and under the tree waiting for her…

Since I’m hosting this installment of the cool November Contest from Two Moms in a Blog, I thought I’d better get my own entry in, right?  

This week’s challenge was a photo with a “Frame Your Subject” theme.  You can still see and enter this particular challenge here.

And remember, this is the last week of the contest, but you can still get entered to win the cool Kodak printer!  Check out the details on their main contest page.

Here’s mine - the kids playing at a lakeshore in, er, I think we were in North Carolina, naturally framed by the trees around our campsite.

Welcome, Two Moms in a Blog readers! 

I’m excited to be hosting this installment of the cool November Contest.  It’s been so fun participating in these challenges, I figured I should have one all to myself… 

So, without further ado, I bring you:

Challenge #13 - Wednesday Photo Game

Frame It Challenge

This is the last Photo Game Challenge! I can’t believe how fast this month has gone!

For this week’s challenge, you need to take a photo with a “Frame Your Subject” theme. Find a creative way to frame your subject using the surroundings, objects, etc. - and take a picture.

How to Participate

In order to participate, you need to take your “frame it” photo, and post it on your blog with a link back to this post (or email it to twomomsinablog@hotmail.com). Once you have submitted your photo, leave a comment on this post so we know you participated.  Your photo must be posted/emailed by midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6 in order to enter.

THE PRIZES

As with all the challenges this month, by completing this challenge, you will earn another ticket into the draw at the end of the month for a Kodak EasyShare All-In-One Printer.

One participant in THIS challenge will also receive a Tupperware Rock ‘N Serve 2-piece set (over a $20 value).  The winner of the Tupperware will be announced right here next Wednesday.

For more open challenges to earn more tickets for the grand prize, check out the main contest page.