sun kissed babies: a memorial day to remember

I have no words. They are just too cute.  I hope your memorial day was just also full of friends, grilled veggies, baby pools and beer! perfect in every way.

andrea

creating things

I've finally started working on some projects that have been poking at me for a while.  Sometime creating can just be so hard.  It's all that damn pressure.  Could I sell this? Would people buy it? For how much? Is this etsy work or art gallery work? or maybe it is nothing?
So, I'm in the process of trying to ignore these thoughts... it's the thoughts like these that cloud the creativity. I've found that if I just create for the sake of creating the end product is what it's supposed to be.
I decided to snap some photos of what my space looks like when there is work in progress. Clutter can just be so fun sometimes!
<3
andrea

loving a little style for the men folk

Tie & Socks: nordstroms

Shirt: old navy (what??!!! awesome)

Jeans: vans

Shoes: asics 

I am absolutely lovin' on this fine piece of man today.  He had the brilliant idea for me to go out on 'the caffeine cruise' (an austin bike ride)  this morning, and said he would watch the baby (wooo! bike ride!)

He is just such a good dad and an amazing boyfriend. mmmmmm, I love this one.

I hope you're enjoying whoever it is that you love tonight.

<3

andrea

DIY baby mobile ... made from paint chips!

1. Use paint chips with 4 different colors of paint

2. Cut paint chips into strips.  strips need to be the same width as each color (so that when you fold them it will make a square)

3. Fold the strip 3 times (in between each different color)

4. You will now use two 'squares' (so to speak) to put these together making a box. Two different sides will overlap, this is where you glue.

5.  Lace the fishing wire through each box. (fix into place with a little dab of hot glue)

6. And tie the strings up to an embroidery hoop (or whatever you decide to use)

7. Hang up and let your little one enjoy!

ohlala, how I love paint chips! remember this paint chip art?

do you ever make anything using them? i'm always wanting more ideas!

<3

andrea

my closet: a timeless dress

Here is darling katie modeling a timeless dress.  I've had this for about five year now and never seem to get sick of it!  It's calvin klein. From TJMAXX.... yup. get it gurrrrl! gotta love the max!

<3

andrea

pretty stoked on FOUR MONTHS!

So much has happened in the last couple weeks with this guy (who, by the way looks pretty stoked to be four months).  He has started grabbing things; toys, hands, books, food... you name it, he wants it.  My favorite has to be when he grabs my nose or chin with those precious, little, sticky hands.
We have had one roll from front to back, a mysterious roll that I did not witness, and he has yet to do it again.
This month is also all about standing.  Redding just wants to lock those knees and stand. all. the. time.  It's actually a sure way to get him to stop crying. silly little goober.
He has moved past staring at window blinds, but is still loving the ceiling fan. and books.  I have never known a baby so young who loves when you read him books, his favorite this month are 'Just like my daddy' and 'Not the Hippopotamus.'
gosh darn how is it possible to love a person so much? every day I think I've capped out on the amount I can love and it is somehow intensified the next day.
I hope everyone is have a fabulous monday!
<3 andrea

A crafty paint-chip banner to brighten up any occasion

I was planning on posting this fabulous paint-chip banner yesterday, but was carried away with family fun.  Redding is finally at the age (4 mos.) that we can get out and have some fun ... and so we have.  The last two days have been full of bike-riding friends, hiking, river swimming and iced-coffee drinking.  Now we are all sun kissed and wonderfully worn-out on this warm sunday evening. 

But in other news, I have some pics for you of my crafty, little paint-chip banner. Perfect for just about any occasion. Have I mentioned that you should always have a stack of paint-chips lying around? (they're free!!! get them at home depot!!! just what you need for all your on-the-spot art projects!)

And, you don't have to use ric-rac, any ol' ribbon will do.

make one! it's easy like sunday morning!

<3
andrea

gurrrl, i love you like a fat kid love (vegan rainbow!) cake ...

  

 

 

 

 

SO.... I made this vegan rainbow cake for John's birthday, with vegan chocolate cream cheese icing.  But, here's the deal ... I won't give you the recipe, I just wouldn't feel right passing it along.  It was awful.  I mean, not awful for a one year old who needs a healthy 'cake-thing' to eat on their first birthday, but awful if you are someone wanting a sugary-delicious-birthday treat.  

Vegan baking is just sooooo difficult! I would love to know if anyone has any sure-thing recipes.  Because vegan cookies is about the only thing I can do well.   I had to post the picture's though...  they're just so colorful!

I have one more birthday post tomorrow, be sure to check it out!

as well as the Banner, the wrapping paper, the magazine streamers, the paint-chip streamers 

love love love

<3

andrea

paint chip streamers

taaa-daaaaaaa!
<3
andrea

I'm takin you back to the old school ...

Do you remember making these super simple streamers in elementary school?  Well, we are bringing them back! Why, you ask? well, I'll tell you: They are easy. They are fun.  And they are fast (it literally will take minutes to fill up your whole room!)

I was planning on using construction paper, but as it turns out, I don't have any. However, magazine pages turned out to be even better! 

<3
andrea

scrumdiddlyumptious! (my man and some man fashion)

I'm interrupting this week of birthday madness, to bring you a little bit of style for the men-folk.

And, actually, this totally fits in the birthday theme, because this is my man wearing some of his presents!!!

skinny tie: nordstroms

two-toned wingtips: cole haan

and that rockin' 1940's radio that I found at the antique mall. 

nothing sexier than a man wearing striped socks, rocking out to some jams AND holding a baby. shhheesh! it's a cuteness overload.
<3
andrea

wrapping paper schrapping paper, who needs it?

Not you! ... or me! Look at how darling theses presents were wrapped in fabric scraps and ribbon! 

I'm Loving it.

Perhaps you're like me though (and most children out there), and half the joy of opening presents is ripping off the paper ... well I'd just tell you to use those paper bags stacking up in the pantry from every time you forget to bring your own bag to the grocery store... (what? you don't forget...? I'm the worst person in the world? it's me? I'm the reason they have the signs in the parking lot 'don't forget your reusable bag' ... TOO LATE! I needed that sign on my door at home!)  I digress.

But, even a brown paper sack could be gorgeous with a little crayon and glitter love! try it! 

Let's up-cycle! 

It is beautifully rainy here in austin today.  And I'm just loving it.   This morning Redding and I just laid in bed with the window open watching the rain (well, he watched and squealed, I drifted in and out of sleep.  Only to be awoken by him slapping my face or kicking my stomach. Oh the wigglyness of a 4 month old when they are excited. Probably the only time, ever, you're not even the slightest bit angry at being kicked and slapped.
<3
andrea

DIY Happy Birthday Banner!

I'm so excited about the posts I have for this week! Because sunday was John's Birthday (happy happy happy day!), I have tons of diy birthday stuff to share!  And, actually now that I think about it, it was all FREE (for me) - I used stuff I already have.  Not that I don't love a trip to hobby lobby, it's just that I've learned with a 4 month old ... you've got to take what you can get when nap time rolls around.  

Now, if you don't have a basket full of paint chips in your house, shame on you! They are FREE (other than the guilt you feel when walking out of home depot with them falling out of your purse).  And, they always come in handy for the most impromptu art projects... like this one.

For the lettering you might want to get a stencil,  I, however had way, WAY to much practice in Jr. high and high school drawing notes for my girlfriends, and therefore have great lettering skills (I did have to sacrifice my grades though, for such a skill).

I just applied the elmers glue on with a paint brush and then sprinkled the glitter on top ... (yes, I have martha stewart's 24 glitter set... and I have NO shame in that!)  

And, in the detailed picture above, you can see how I just cut slits in the paint chip to string through a ribbon.  and Voila!!! 

I hope all the mothers out there had fabulous mother's day! And everyone had a great weekend!

happy monday!!!

<3

andrea

crafty mother's day cards

ok, wow, I am trying to write this post as i finish watching Pearl Harbor.  I always make fun of michael bay movies, but I am seriously crying my eyes out right now.  ahh, geez as if the bombing of pearl harbor wasn't sad enough, they've got to add in this horrific love triangle story. whew. sad sad.

BUT, HEY!!! Mother's day is around the corner! and I've been working on some fun cards I thought I'd share with you!

I had fun making these for redding's grandmothers.  Although I do think they'd be cuter if you had little kids, babies are just so adorably fat... which doesn't come off to well in silhouettes.  But, grandmas love anything that have to do with their grandchildren, right?

And, if you don't have kids, I bet your mom would love one from a childhood photo of you.

The steps are pretty straight forward, and you can see them in the pictures... have fun creating!!!

And incase you weren't around then, here is some other paper art I've made (along with a little stop-motion video).
Happy Thursday!
andrea

a Do It Yourself birth ... my birthing experience

After reading one of my favorite bloggers post about expecting her sweet baby (life, etc.) and our connection with natural birth, I realized there could be more mommies that want to connect over such an amazing experience (natural or not).  
This is also a good excuse to get redding's birthday down in writing... which, I've been meaning to do for almost four months now. 


I'd like to preface this, first by telling you all that I am not a writer (as those of you who follow my blog know, it's much easier for me to 'talk' in pictures).  I also think that not only is the birth of my child something I feel incredibly passionate about, but also something so incredibly physical ... even primal (as any woman who's given birth knows, the mind is something you have to forget in order to let your body do the job), these two things will make it a hard topic to write about.
Second, I need to say, if you are not a home-birth or natural birth fan, this is NOT by any means condemning you.  We all do the most research we can do and then try to do the best we know how to do for our babies, our bodies and our particular situations.  This being said, I can't get around the fact that I do believe (because of my research and my experience) that natural birth was the best way to go for my baby and my body.


ok, now that I've made my excuses ... I will begin.


I have to begin at the beginning, and for me, that is my birth.  My mom (umm, who is ... aaahhhmazing) had me at home with a midwife 28 years ago.  So, I have a 'one-up', so to speak, on most american women wanting the go the natural route, in that while they were programmed by hollywood and the media showing birth as a comically-painful-medical-procedure, I had my mother who would tell me honestly about her birth experience ('a woman's body was made to give birth' and other such statements).


John was always incredibly supportive of my decision to have a home-birth (the only knowledge he had about it was from that awesome documentary 'The business of being born').  So at about 9 weeks pregnant, after (reading and reading about how to interview midwifes) and interviewing a few midwifes we decided on the one I felt most comfortable with. 
I feel like I should mention how smoothly my pregnancy went, the baby and I both stayed incredibly healthy, to the point of perfection the entire pregnancy,  we never had reason to see a doctor (this, however, is not necessary from home birth of course, see a doctor if you want! I just never had reason to).


Redding's 'guess' date was January 17th, but the 13th would not only be on a friday, BUT also be the one year anniversary of our first kiss ... so I decided early on that redding would come that day! (ha! he actually listened to me! for the first and probably only time!)
After the new year though, I had the thought that all 9 month pregnant women have ... 
"he will NEVER come!" 
or "what if I'm pregnant forever ?"
or "will I ever feel normal again?" ... etc.  So, I decided that he probably would hold out until the very last possible day, making us unprepared for his timely arrival.  But on January 12th at 8 pm, right before my family, who was visiting for the day, were going to head back home ... I peed my pants ... or so I thought... dun dun dun. (it was actually while they were photographing me and john, I will insert a picture of us laughing because I'm in the middle of telling him that as much as I tried, I just couldn't seem to hold it in!)  
My parents left town and the evening progressed ... with nothing ... but more 'pee' (you couldn't fool me, I knew, because remember ... I read EVERYTHING ... in only 13% of pregnancies does your water break ahead of time, so I knew that the chances of that happening to me were slim).
a couple things of note: 
1. my dog bronson didn't leave my side this evening, did he know what was about to go down? or was he just interested in the smell of amniotic fluid? ... I'll never know. 
2. I became incredibly INCREDIBLY needy, emotionally.  And believed that John was being mean and insensitive to me.  (incase you don't know him or don't normally read my blog, john doesn't have a mean bone in his body).  It's like somewhere in my subconscious I knew what was about to happen I knew that I needed A LOT of emotional support for my body to do the job.  (I would LOVE to know if anyone else experienced this sensitivity and neediness right before labor began).


At about 11:30pm I went to the restroom and there was blood.  I, without thinking, starting freaking out and crying (as anyone who has been pregnant knows, you spend 9 months terrified of blood).  As i get my bearings and realize it is just my mucus plug, john comes in to comfort me. (umm, and yes... duh, we started googling mucus plugs to make sure that's what it was... ewww!) 
It was around midnight when we realized we needed to get some sleep while we still could.  We turn off the lights, snuggle up (as much as is physically possible at 9 months pregnant), turn on the hypno-birthing relaxation cd and BOOM, it starts.  Slow at first, like menstral cramps, but within seconds it is excruciating. I jump up and run to the shower to start spraying warm water on my lower abdomen. BOOM, it starts again, I jump out of the shower and run back to bed.  This goes on for about twenty minutes, barely a few minutes between contractions ('sensations', 'waves' or whatever else they call them in the natural birthing world, at this point, let's be honest, you don't give a f**k what they're called).  John, then makes the biggest mistake of his life (oh, and he will never EVER be able to forget it... ). "honey, it could just be false labor" he says.  (Lord, have mercy, this is when I became like the women you see in movies!)  I responded by yelling at him (ok, he was in the next room, I had to yell ... right?) to go by the store and get birthing snacks and juice and run by the birthing center and get the tub we never picked up.  Lucky for me though, he didn't listen, instead he called the midwife.  I was disappointed about this, because I really wanted to labor by myself for a long time before we called in the troops.  but, there were not many minutes between contractions now and the blood was starting to alarm me).  
The midwife doesn't answer (she does get back to us quickly though), but in that time I tell john (I think 'yell' would be more like it) to call my mother and tell her to come back into town (luckily my folks are only a little over two hours away).  It was funny, all pregnancy I didn't know if I'd want my mom there or not, but as soon as the 'goings-got-tough' I needed her! And, really I needed any female.  My only close girlfriend that lives in austin had her baby a week before, so I knew she couldn't come, so we were just left to wait for the midwife and my mother. (I'd also be very interested if this is common? did you find yourself wanting another woman at your side when in labor?)
The midwife returns our call and says it will take her 45 minutes to run by the birthing center, collect her equipment and get to our house. damn.  
OH, I should also probably mention that a few times in the first hour (when there were actually a couple minutes to breath in between contractions) I told john I couldn't do it and that I wanted to go to the hospital.  The last time I said this, he took me seriously and asked me if that was what I really wanted to do.  I quickly remembered my resolve and responded no.  And within minutes it wasn't even an option any more.  I found my spot on the floor of the living room and couldn't even run back and forth to the bathroom like I had been doing.  I would go to the bathroom either to sit on the toilet ... which everyone was right, it did feel good... or spray myself with warm water in the shower (we stuffed the exercise ball in the bath tub!)
Does this sound crazy and chaotic? perhaps not, but even as I write it, that's how it feels.  I read so much about calm peaceful birthing experiences, but that was not mine (I should probably mention I am not a calm person).  It felt chaotic and actually terrifying.  The pain of contractions is traumatic. it is terrifying.  And if you can imagine, not on only a mental level, but terrifying on a physical level.  That doesn't make sense as I reread it, but that's what it is nonetheless.
When I told someone a few weeks later that I was disappointed I didn't have the peaceful quiet birthing experience I expected, she asked me if I was a peaceful, quiet kind-of person.  Which, I had to answer 'no'.  I am loud, energetic and louder. So my experience matches my nature... which I found comforting.


Our midwife arrived a little after three (did I mention, she wasn't actually my midwife, but one who worked with her. April, my midwife wasn't on call that night and just planned on coming early in the morning... surely I wouldn't of had the baby yet, right? haha, oops).  But, I didn't mind this turn of events, i had met and trusted natalie, the woman who came.  And honestly at this point all I really needed was someone to tell me everything was exactly the way it was supposed to be.  Well, that and put a straw in my drink (poor john, there was just too much to remember and it was too hard for me to verbalize).
Being in labor is kind of like being under water, you can make out a little what is going on around you, what is being said and done, but you can't really participate in it.  


What I hear:  I brought the birthing tub, but there probably isn't time to set it up 
my mind: really? how is this possible? I've only been in labor a few hours, doesn't that mean there are like twenty left? Also, are they SURE there is a baby in there?  
What I hear: you should put a straw in her water
my mind: FINALLY!
What I hear: Andrea, if you'd like i could check your dilation
what i manage to say: HELL NO! 


The next thing I knew my body bore down.  This scared me, what was happening? Is it really already time to push?  Natalie tells me I don't have to do that yet, but when I was able to respond that I didn't mean to, she reassured me it was perfect and to continue letting my body do it's job. All of a sudden the pain shifted.  It was no longer the deep, inner, crampy pain, now with each contraction my body pushed.  I did my best to take a back seat to this, the midwife had a doppler on my lower abdomen this whole time to keep track of the baby's heart beat and because he is such a champ, it stayed strong, which meant I had the luxury of not doing any extra pushing, just letting him take charge.  Now, if I say the pushing part of labor is a nice break from the rest, I wouldn't be lying.  However, nothing can prepare you for the feeling of being ripped open.  I hate, hate, HATE when people say 'it's like pushing watermelon out of your nostril" ... my baby is not a piece of fruit (I could easily get into how his skull isn't fused together so it moves ... but I'll just let you do your own research on that). AND i'm sorry, but the only thing supposed to come out of my nostril is mucus, my vagina on the other hand... is much different (again, I'll let you do your own research on how amazingly cool the vagina is).  BUT, as much as our bodies were made to do this and will fully recover from this ... HOLY MOLY JESUS CHRIST IT HURTS!  I remember looking into John's eyes, which were so strong and sturdy, as the baby was crowning and begging him to help me.   And then the midwife said his head is out, one more contraction and he's here (my mind: so wait, there REALLY IS a baby in there? I really just went through labor? I'M GOING TO HAVE A BABY???).  And then it happened, the coolest thing I've ever felt in my life, I felt his shoulders, his stomach and his legs slide right out of me. wow. nothing can prepare you for that feeling.  And he started talking right away.  not screaming, not crying, just talking (cooing?).  
John and I looked at each other, we laugh now at the faces we made, both in complete shock. We. Made. A. Person.  (!!!)
"spread your legs and I'll hand him through to you" the midwife told me, I was still in the position I was most of labor, on my knees on the living room floor.  I took my baby. My little cone head guy.  John turned on the lights (oh, did I mention I had the house completely dark the entire labor? perfect).  4:20am on Friday the 13th our Redding Atticus was born.
and at 4:30 my parents (and brother) arrived to meet the newest family member.
Having redding is the greatest joy of life. The experience was magical, weird huh? because you read this and it just sounds painful... but it's so much more. Not only would I not change our experience for the world, but I can't wait to give birth again. Giving birth is by far the coolest trip of your lifetime.  I consider myself very lucky to be a woman who can experience such fantastic magic.


From the first contraction to holding my baby in my arms took 4 hours.  Pushing lasting only 20 minutes.   I had no pain or problems birthing the placenta and no tearing.  
Now, yes... I know, this is an incredibly fast labor.  But before you get to jealous, quick labors are not only not great for your body, they are like getting ambushed.  I didn't know what hit me, my body and mind had no time to adjust to 'labor land', I was just thrown right in.


IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH ANY OF THE STORY, READY THIS:
From all my readings, I have found two basic theories to birth 1). It sucks, but don't worry you can have an epidural and be pain free.  or  2). you can have a pain-free, even orgasmic birth... just set your mind right, girl.
BUT, why not this? ... Yes, birth is painful, traumatically painful. But it is nothing that you can't recover from.  Your body was made to do it.  There is a reason for most things our bodies do, perhaps there is a reason for the pain?  Why does 'pain' have to be such a bad word anyways? So it hurts, so what? it doesn't last very long AND you get a baby at the end!!! (one who is bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to nurse!)


I understand birth is a sensitive subject,  and I don't pretend to know your situation, but for me and my baby a home birth is what worked.  I never saw a doctor, I never had vaginal exam, I was not even checked for dilation when I was in labor and we turned out just fine. better then fine.


The cool thing about all of this is that you're not alone.  You aren't alone in your crazy, mind-racing thoughts and questions during pregnancy, you're not alone when you're fearful of labor and you're not alone in the (sometimes loneliness) of being home with your baby.  Women, all over are going through the same exact thoughts and feelings and always have.


Now I would love to hear about your birthing experience, however different than mine.
so much love,
andrea

"honey, I can't seem to stop the pee"

apgar test with the midwives