Open Letter

No Nina updates here -- you will have to check FB if you want that (though I hope to post something soon).

No, this is an open letter to a very special dictator.

Dear Kim Jong-Il,

I know you are upset that no one likes you. However, your current actions are not winning you any friends. Life would be much easier if you dealt with your control issues, gave up your dictatorship, and let people choose their own leader. I promise that you would have a lot more friends and Hollywood would TOTALLY make a movie about your life if you did this.

No, not a Lifetime TV movie, a REAL movie. You know, like the one you tried to make when you kidnapped those Japanese movie stars.

If you give it all up, I promise to help make this all a reality. You might even get a book deal. Oprah *might* even do one more season just to interview you.

How 'bout it?

Kind Regards,
JJK

Lessons Learned

We have been so incredibly lucky to have generous friends. We have baby gear coming out our ears and I can't think of any gadget, gizmo, or what not that we still need.

Some friends of the family kindly loaned us a bassinet, which means we didn't have to plop down $300 to $600 on a new bassinet.

It also meant a compromise between Lance and I - he wants the baby in the bed and I say "no way". He is caught up in the moment of having a little person in his arms and I am thinking that I will be with the little person all day and will want my space. I am also not convinced it is entirely safe since my own parents had an incident when they tried keeping me in the bed. Apparently I got stuck between the bed and wall - explains a lot, doesn't it?

Anyhow, the loaner bassinet is old, in great condition, and will allow us to keep the little one in our bedroom. Because it is an older style, I had to special order a mattress, which was surprisingly affordable and fits it well. I was able to find a set of two bassinet sheets at Ross for $2 and they held up in the wash and are pretty soft. I felt I had done everything possible to update and prepare the bassinet for the baby.

Looks great,no? I like that someone stenciled a design on the side - sign of the 80's!

View from above - I think it looks ready for a baby.

Lance was of the opinion that we needed a liner. I think the metal sides worried him. We could order one online for $30, but most of them were frilly and looked odd. So, I decided to test my recently acquired sewing skills to see if I could create a liner.

It was nothing short of disaster.

First, I forgot that I hadn't washed the fabric I was using for the sides. I also had no pattern - I thought I would just use my math skills and "wing it". Above all, I had no idea what I was doing.

It doesn't look too bad from above, but you might notice the oddly shaped corner on the left (along with a bit of my toe and belly!).

It is a bit more apparent in this photo. When I took this photo, I was still working on repairing the odd corner. I had washed the material by this time and it had shrunk and I had to rip out the whole corner, find some scrap fabric because I had already pinked that area, and then piece something together. It was really difficult, especially as I had already added the elastic.

Final product:

I had originally thought to put the material I used for the deck (bottom) as the material for the sides. I am glad I didn't - it is a bit loud!

Unfortuntely, that corner still looked odd, but I didn't have the mattress in yet.

It continued to look weird, but a little better than when it came out of the wash.

To test the stability of the liner, I used two 3-lb weights to serve in place of a baby. As you can see, that corner is still odd. I did have the elastic edge pulled toward the upper frame and not over the handles. Also, a bit of my belly managed to make it into the frame!

When I place the edge over the handles, it looks like this:

It looks more stable and generally better. As the child gets heavier, I am hoping the liner will hold up. I suspect it will or I might make another now that I have a better idea of what I am doing.

In short, the lessons I learned are:

1) Always wash the fabric! I should have known I had not because there was no fraying on the cotton fabric! Geez - what was I thinking!

2) When sewing for three dimensional space, allow more fabric than you think. I should not have pinked the edges until I had washed the whole thing that way the seams had time to adjust. I should have also waited to add the elastic till I was absolutely sure about the sides and given myself plenty of fabric to use.

3) A magnetic assistant is invaluable - it helped pick up stray pins out of the bassinet as well as off the floor. I chose the cheap route and used this little guy a student gave me a while ago.
Yes, it is a magnetic from Senor Frog. Don't dis the frog - he worked just as hard as I did on this liner!

Sewing on My Own

The most exciting thing about sewing is that one can choose her own textiles. I only found a few bedding sets in stores that I liked but were well beyond the amount I am willing to pay. Those bedding sets that were in my price range were not very interesting. Even shopping in consignment shops, the selection of baby bedding is sad.

Sewing has enabled me to create my own bedding without having to settle. I was so excited to finish the crib sheet, I began work on the dust ruffle for the crib using some fabric I had selected years ago for my classroom. I didn't think then that the material was for a baby, I just liked the colors! It works well for the dust ruffle though. (REMEMBER: click on the picture to bigify!)



My only wish is that I had chosen a pattern set that was less fussy. There were all sorts of odd tricks and turns to making the ruffle - the bottom consists of three parts oddly sewn together.



The material ended up being so thick, I had to adjust the tension. I then re-read the directions for the end pieces only to discover that I had pressed the lower third section incorrectly on the longer sides. Oh well - with my not so straight sewing, it hardly matters! Even with measuring using several rulers and one protractor, the pieces didn't quite match up and I had to gather material along the way. I also learned that when the pattern says "baste", one should baste and not pin! Thankfully, I learned this lesson before I had to make the pleat!



More importantly, the dust ruffle fits for the most part! Hurray! If I were to make another for when our little one is older, I am hoping I can just measure from the floor to the deck of the bed and sew one long piece - without a pleat!

After finishing the dust ruffle, I was so enthralled, I wanted to make blankets like the one I received at a baby shower.



A childhood friend's mother had sewn it using her mad ninja sewing skills. It is so soft and well put together, I really wanted more of these!



Since my straight stitching isn't so straight, I was not going to attempt any curved corners or try for the fancy stitches (after consulting my manual, my machine does not do that anyway). I had purchased two fabrics in Houston both with owl designs - one was a thick flannel and the other a normal cotton cloth. I didn't want owls on both sides of the blanket, so here in Seattle I purchased some light flannel and regular cotton cloth with polka dots. I first attempted to work with the heavy flannel and the blanket resembles a sopapilla rather than the flat, smooth tortilla of the "model" blanket.



I do like the material - it's just that I made the mistake of not sewing up most of the sides and then cutting the material a little closer. So, in addition to being puffy, it has this long straight stitch on one end and looks a little funky. However, it is soft and a good weight for sleeping. I did attempt a fancy stitch - a zigzag! I turned corners! Yay me!



I then used the other two fabrics and took care to have both pressed, neatly lined up, and decided to stitch most of the way around the blanket so that there would be no external straight stitch. It almost worked - it is less poofy than the other!



I still cut too close to the edge AND I marked on the right side of the cloth so that I could not see where I was stitching! I ended having to rip one side because of this. Also, I neglected to test out the zigzag length before I began stitching, so there is a little section of zigzag that is different than the rest. I was so tired however, I decided to use my artistic license and leave it instead of ripping it out.



I do like the owls in this blanket - they have a lot character and it will be good to point out to our little one. I am so glad they are not "Disney-fied" and are interesting!



Now I have to take a brief break from the sewing and finish preparing the room for the baby! I have crates to move, this computer to relocate, a bassinet line, and a need to turn our computer desk into a changing table. Let the nesting begin!

Too Much Crying Today...

Gah - I find pregnancy an uncomfortable experience. My emotions always seem to close the surface.

Today a member of our parish and a really extraordinary person reposed today. Though it was expected that Flore would pass soon, it did not make it any easier. He will be missed so very much.

Sadly, most of my crying today has not been about Flore. No, crying over the passing of a wonderful person is acceptable. I cried over food.

That's right - food.

Now, I really dislike when people, in conversation with me, begin sentences with "Well, you are pregnant...". Pregnancy is not a mentally or physically debilitating disease - it is merely uncomfortable but women are able to function quite well (thank you very much).

So, to read that I cried about food today, one might think "Oh, well, she's pregnant, so...".

I would urge you to read on to get the full picture as to why I would shed tears over food.

The development up the road from our home has taken off - in a sense. The condos have not sold and the apartments are only partially full, but the restaurants and movie theatres are doing quite well. Due to a lack of meat and vegetables in the house, as well as a need to get outside, I decided to take a walk to this development to find something for lunch. Plodding through the labyrinth of stairs and walkways, I found myself in the heart of the cement monstrosity where the movie theatre and several restaurants reside.

Deciding I was not in the mood for sushi, I was left with two choices: "Jewel Box" or "Five Guys - Burgers and Fries".

I went with the Jewel Box.

The restaurant itself is very cozy - dark wood paneling, large velvet seats and couches, and an impressive fire place. The food, on the other hand, is quite odd. I would not call this a restaurant but instead a coffee shop as it, along with pastries, is all this shop appears to be good at producing. Plus, many people were sitting around tables on laptops or reading books and seemed content sipping warm beverages and eating croissants.

Against my better judgement, I ordered a meatloaf sandwich. I knew in the back of my mind I was not going to have a pleasant experience because:

1. There was a wide assortment of bubble tea on the menu
2. Daikon and cucumber were listed as toppings for the sandwich (remember, it is a meatloaf sandwich)
3. There were lemon slices in the water container (not that lemon is bad, but one must know they probably did not wash the lemon before they put it in the container)

When I received my sandwich, I found pinkish-grey ground meat plopped on one side of the bread and cilantro, mayo, and cucumber piled on the other. Opposite the sandwich sat some limp lettuce covered in shredded cheese and black olives further wilting on the warm plate.

I nearly threw up.

Now, pregnancy has not made me a picky eater - I have been picky all my life. Still, the presentation of this sandwich was disgusting and not worth the ten dollars I spent on the meal. I gave it my best go - I pecked at the baguette, tried the salad (the dressing was sweet - why?), but I could not bring myself to touch the mounds of goo that was supposed to pass for meatloaf.

So I began to cry. I could tell people were looking at me. I know L would kill me for purchasing food this expensive and not eating it . Had I a job, this would not be a big deal. However, I am unemployed, expecting a child, and very hungry. All I could think to do is cry and try to think of how I could get my money back.

I waited till it seemed the counter was clear and I took my plate up there. I explained that I was not one to complain about food, that I found the presentation of this meal unpleasant and I could not eat it, and could I please have my money back.

Of course, I am crying while saying this - which is the only thing I can blame on my pregnancy. If I had not been pregnant, I would have been more calm. Especially when the gal at the counter said "No, we can't give you your money back". I started to sob at this.

I explained that I really could not waste my money on food that I didn't eat because of its unappealing lack of presentation. She did not offer me another dish; she simply said she could not give me my money back.

"Have you had a baguette sandwich before, "she asked.

If I had not been pregnant, and therefore emotional, I would have schooled her in the fact that I have had many a baguette sandwiches, some for the same price as her sorry sandwich, that were much more appealing and loaded with better quality ingredients (Baguette Box comes to mind).

However, I simply replied "yes".

Then a slew of customers began lining up behind me and having a crying pregnant woman is bad for business. So she gave me a gift card for the restaurant instead of reimbursing my credit card. Now, that doesn't seem right ot me, and I am thinking of posing this question to a few lawyers I know, but really is it worth it to get upset over a $10 sandwich?

Upon receiving my gift card, I scurried out of there as quickly as I could to Five Guys - Burgers and Fries. Having inhaled a delicious cheeseburger (the tomato was mealy, but given my earlier experience, I let it go), I felt much better. I also was quite impressed with the Five Guys establishment - the potatoes looked real, the toppings for the burgers seemingly endless, no trans fat, and a very tasty burger for under $5.

So, lesson learned - when I go to Thorton Creek Cinema to watch the next Harry Potter movie, I will use my gift certificate at the Jewel Box to purchase a pre-made something or other to sneak into the theatre. Then I will go to Five Guys for dinner.

I just hope L isn't too upset over the $15 I spent on lunch.

Sewing

When I got married, my mother insisted that she make my wedding dress. I had found a dress I liked, the dressmaker wanted $700 for it (pretty reasonable), and I was willing to pay. However, typical of our family, my mother looked at it and said "I can make that". So she did.

The unfortunate thing is I had cancer and I didn't know it. I continued to lose weight and I believe I was around 90 pounds when Lance and I got married. So, my mother travelled to Santa Fe and found I had lost more weight (I was perhaps 95 pounds at the initial measuring) and was forced to alter my dress, which meant buying a sewing machine.

My grandmother was the one who made the purchase and gave it to me as a wedding gift. I took it with a smile knowing that it would remain in my closet for years to come.

My mother is great seamstress and I helped her cut and pin several projects growing up. However, sitting at the machine and pressing the pedal was beyond my abilities. My reluctance to sew stems from a deep fear of needles and it has been with me long before I ever saw designers get injured on "Project Runway".

I had longed to conquer this fear of the sewing machine, but unfortunately my usual strategy of not looking at the needle when I am near it does not work for this activity. It is all well and good to turn away when you get blood drawn, but one must pay attention to the position of the needle when sewing.

When I learned I was pregnant, I was excited (for some reason) about sewing. But where to begin? I selected fabrics, I purchased patterns, and even showed them to my mom. She was more than willing to sew all of it for me, but I really wanted to do it myself. Part of the reason might be that it is a skill I would like to pass on to my children. I learned how to crochet and embroider from watching my grandma and mom, so surely sewing could be something I could pick up on sight.

That turned out not to be the case. My mother would guide me through the process, but I was still quite frightened of the machine. I freighted over what I would do with all of this material and notions I had purchased -- it seemed like a waste.

Happily, my friend Emily Lorelli was more than willing to help guide me through the process. Some how working with her helped me conquer my fear of the machine. Perhaps I needed to view more than one person operating it without harm to convince me that I too could sew.

This afternoon I forced myself onto the machine. Taking a few scraps, I tested out my skills - I am not very good at keeping the stitches straight.

"Whatever," I internally said, "I'm getting this finished."

Emily had pieced and sewed most of the crib sheet last Saturday and the only thing it needed was three more corners of elastic. And so I sat down, stretched the elastic, pinned it, and sewed it!

And here is the finished product!

The crib is from Peg and Gregg - they purchased it at Land of Nod for us. I like it - it is very simple.

I wanted a gender neutral pattern not only because we are not sure of the gender of our child, but I am not into frilly, girly stuff.

Hurray for froggies! I used this material in my classroom, and I washed TWICE before I sewed with it. Here is the pattern up close.

It is a bit blurry, but one gets the gist - it is colorful and cute!

Next up is a dust ruffle for the crib, which will take a bit of time. The nice thing is knowing I have Emily as in-state tech support and a book to reference. Onward!

More Cuteness from Confinement

I finished some toys for the cutie and am quite proud of my work. The owl bib pattern is MUCH cuter as a toy. Check out the front.



I made a different type of wing than the pattern so that it could flap. L was having fun playing with it. Here is the back.



Then I moved on to this pattern I found in Amigurumi Two! which features patterns for children (toys, rattles, etc.). The author also has Amigurumi World which also has adorable patterns. I really liked the fruit "houses" in Amigurumi Two! and made the pear. The photos came out very artistic and it almost looks like a little story.

The pear.


What is inside.


Pear and Snail. (The snail's eyes are embroidered)


The snail is a bit top-heavy.


I have a few more projects up my sleeve. I want to try to make some matrushka toys. I don't know what the gender of the cutie is, but kids like to chew on plush things and they aren't too picky. Since I like matrushkas, the cutie will have some matrushka toys!

I also was fortunate to run across a copy of The Floral Alphabet Coloring Book (found here).

It is a really neat idea - each letter of the alphabet corresponds to the plants within the letter. It is a wide variety of plants too - not just flowers, but also trees and fruit. I made copies and plan to use water color pencil to color each letter. Next, I want to cut out and back each letter, laminate the pages, and bind it. I think it would make a charming book.

But right now it is time for a nap!

Confinement

Sadly I have been unable to find a job - even temporary work. The whole summer has felt as if I have been under confinement - with nothing to do or prepare for except the birth of my child. Honestly, the preparations are not a huge, time-consuming endeavor. I have cleaned the house, re-organized, and purged till it became obvious that I had to stop because I can no longer lift heavy things.

I had grand plans to learn how to sew, but I am currently stuck as I am really scared of needles. I have read the manuals and understand the basics, however a machine with a needle is still quite scary to me.

Therefore, much of my time has been spent crocheting items for the little one. I have gathered various patterns for bibs, sweaters, toys, etc. I started some in Houston and have finished a few.

The bibs were the first things I have completed because they seemed less complicated and pretty straightforward. The only difficulty was that the pattern I selected had ties on the bib which I am not fond of - ties seem dangerous to me. I wanted to put straps on the bib instead which resulted in some problem solving. The end result looks quite charming in my opinion.

(REMEMBER: you can click on the picture to get a bigger image!)


The frog bib front followed a pattern I got from Lion Brand Yarns and the other bib follows a pattern I found in one of my crochet calendars I get every year at Christmas.



Here you can see the straps I added onto the frog bib. I can see how the ties would look better with the frog, but I think the straps are safer. Plus one gets to choose cute buttons! I just hope they are not too much of a chocking hazard.

The next bib pattern I attempted also came from Lion Brand Yarns and was an owl.


Here is my attempt using a variety of yarn I had left over from previous projects.



Here it is with the straps, which I fear I attached to close together - it might be better as a bib for a toy or doll later.


An unexpected result of the owl bib is I was able to have my own Rorschach test! Here are the results so far:

Lance - "oh, a dog! Nice!"
Renee - "A monkey!"
Megan - "A little fish!"

I have not developed a rubric for what these responses tell us about each individual, but I was confident that the bib did not look like an owl at all. I started to make another owl following the color scheme in the original pattern.

When I went back to look at the pattern, someone commented that it really was too cute a design for a bib and I quite agree. So I am making what hopefully resembles an owl, but I will make it a stuffed toy. I am also working on a pear-container with a snail toy inside. I will post those pictures when I finish.

I was also able to complete a cute sweater - I am stuck on what buttons to put on it. I could also choose one button at the top for a more swing-coat like design.



Here is the sweater up close.



I also finished a blanket. It was supposed to have a hood, but after looking at the picture long enough, the hood would make the baby look like a tiny, colorful Ku Klux Klan member. Not wishing to encourage idiotic behavior, the hood was out of the design and I made a tiny hat instead.



The hat looks like a little jelly fish. Lance was quite fond of it and wore it on his head as a fascinator.


He is starting to get a little sentimental about the cutie - all the little clothes are making him realize there will be a little person in our lives soon. I will take sentiment over what he said in the first months of my pregnancy which consisted mostly of scatological references and diapers.

More of what I have been making just as soon as I finish it!

What I Found in My Searching

I have been quite bored lately. I have not had any luck finding work and with the recent bout of contractions, I have been advised to "take it easy".

Taking it "easy" merely brings about ennui. Though I have many tasks around the house, I chose to procrastinate because I have (seemingly) all the time in the world. Why get all these things done at once when I can wait - or when I need my hubby's help to move things?

Alas, one thing I have been working on is a birth announcement. I ran across my hubby's birth announcement from the late 70's and it was rather cute. It was a little card with a stork on the cover, and when one opens it up, the stats are on the left and a picture of the baby is on the right in a pre-made frame (one slips the hospital picture).

I recall having one of these as well, but I don't know where it went. I assume my mother still has it. I don't know if hospitals still take pictures and give parents these cards, but I would like to do something similar and simple for our baby's birth announcement.

Thus began my Internet searching for vintage stork images for the cover. I found some rather cute ones and some truly heinous ones.

I never wondered where the idea of the stork bringing the baby came from, but nevertheless found images that explained the mythology (somewhat). Some pictures had babies emerging from the water with a stork waiting to wrap it up on shore. Other pictures had the babies blossoming from waterlilies with a stork attendant nearby. Further research did not really illuminate the myth - it just seems that popular European culture believed that the souls of unborn children lived in marshes. Why? That idea is not fully illuminated, but it does seem that storks mate for life and have been symbols of good luck from Roman times.

Regardless, there are some hilarious Victorian images that I found related to the stork myth.

I found this image of a stork chasing down an "old maid" quite hilarious considering that one of my cousins told me last Christmas that I "can't wait forever". Don't get me started on how he started his own parenthood at age 16.

Here the stork is the villain - and he looks so friendly. Yet, I completely understand this woman's urge to hit the stork with her ensemble-coordinated umbrella.

From these images, I gather that women have constantly been in battle with the "stork" - either wanting his presence desperately or avoiding the bundle he carries.

Yet, I did not find images of women chasing storks. Make of that what you will!

I don't think either will do for a birth announcement, but they are rather funny.

Really?

This post is brought to you by Odious and Peculiar. Mr. P posted a badge which declared he wrote like H. P. Lovecraft - which completely suits him and is a great honor.

I gave it a go hoping the widget would not reveal that I write like a 2 year old or, worse, Ayn Rand. Secretly, I wished for greatness (and my favorites): Jane Austen, George Elliot, Dodie Smith...perhaps even modern like J. K. Rowling, Jennifer Weiner, Helen Fielding, or Meg Cabot.

The first paragraph I submitted yielded James Joyce. I thought "that can't be right" - there is no way I am that interesting. The next result was David Foster Wallace.

The third paragraph produced:

I write like
William Shakespeare

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Hahahahaha - yeh right.

I put in another - and WTF??? David Foster Wallace??? Then Cory Doctorow??? Is it because my paragraph contained the word "condom"?

I naturally tried another...and got Raymond Chandler. And then I did it again just for luck.

Stupid effing David Foster Wallace. So I am sticking with Shakespeare.

Maternity Clothes

I have wanted to write this post for a very long time now - from the very moment my "big pants" (the pants you wear during a certain time of the month) no longer fit.

Maternity clothes suck. There is just no way around it. Well, actually, there are and I have some tips.

First of all, maternity clothes are designed for women that are 5'5'' and taller. In some cases, women who are 6'0'' and taller. So, if you are a hobbit, like me, it will require you to do some hemming.

Also, at the beginning of pregnancy, you need just a little stretch to your pants and the horrid over-the-belly-band seems somewhat outrageous (and sometimes does not fit). However, your belly will grow and the tiny bit of elastic that once was comfy will now cut off all circulation.

So Tip #1 - Get the horrid over-the-belly-band type pants, skirts, or shorts. It will make the piece more versatile.

If you cannot stand the types of pants out there OR (like me) need pants to be a certain size due to height, you can take off the top band and sew in a belly band or similar fabric. My mom did this for a pair of shorts I bought a size larger than my normal size and they are super comfy. We got the idea from this blog post.

Now, I have the good fortune of having a baby in the fall, which means I had to purchase clothes for spring, summer, AND fall. Plus, I was still working so I had to wear a somewhat professional wardrobe. This was easy enough as what I mostly wore to work was pants, shirt, and cardigan or occasionally a dress. Of course, I had to prepare for a trip to Houston in the summer when the temperatures are WAY too hot for anyone, which meant purchasing more summer clothes.

While it may be fashionable to wear shorts and a cute top, unless you are in an air-conditioned environment, I would not recommended it. The shorts usually have a belly band which covers one of the warmest parts of your body and acts as insulation rather than a cooling device. The cute top, no matter how comfortable and breezy, will not provide relief.

Tip #2 - If you are pregnant in the summertime, BUY A LOT OF DRESSES! They are cool, comfy, and just one piece, so no need to fuss with other articles of clothing. If it gets a bit cool, it is easy to toss on a cardigan.

I did a bit of thinking and research before purchasing maternity clothes. My friend Emily said I could borrow some of her stuff (she's about the same height and build as I am) and I figured I would just purchase a few things from the consignment store.

Hahahaha - yeh right. I just made ANOTHER maternity wardrobe purchase yesterday! While The Lucky Shopping Manual is my guide for any purchase, maternity clothes present a whole new wardrobe problem. The Baby Bargains book does offer advice, but I find their list a little lacking. As you know I am always one for alternating fashion lists, so I examined both Lucky and Bargains for ideas.

Lucky Manual breaks down a wardrobe into:

T-Shirts

Tops

Dresses

Skirts

Jeans

Pants

Shoes

Under Garments

Outerwear

Baby Bargains breaks down a maternity wardrobe into:

Career Wear - pants (2), sweater (2), shirts (2), skirts (2), and dresses (2)

Casual Clothes - t-shirts (5) and shorts/pants (5)

Under Garments - maternity bras (2) and underwear if you don't wear bikini style (8)

Their tip: RENT formal wear and shop in the plus size section to save money

Hmmm...well, I tried shopping in plus size section and everything was WAY to wide in the shoulder, so that bit of advice didn't really work. Also, I found the Lucky Manual had way TOO many clothes for such a short period of one's life (9 months to a year, depending on how quick your body bounces back. We can't all be Heidi Klum).

Tip #3 - Here is my maternity wardrobe list (I do try to remember that one will have to wear these clothes for awhile AFTER the baby is born):

T-shirts: 7 - You need at least 2 white shirts; I wouldn't bother with black - not easy to clean after a baby throws up on it. You can at least bleach a white shirt.

Tank Tops: 5 - Especially if you are pregnant in the summer; these are also great under a cardigan. I was able to wear my regular tank tops in the first trimester, but by the second trimester it was no longer an option!

Tops: 3 - These are nice shirts that are not cotton jersey material. I had one that fit well the first trimester and then my breast grew way too large!

Cardigan: 2 - I bought two cotton cardigans a size larger than my normal size and it was really helpful when I wanted to button them up because they could accommodate my growth upstairs (during first trimester that was all that had really changed). I have just used my regular cardigans and they fit just fine!

Skirts: 2 - You need a jean skirt and another skirt. I am a big fan of the jean skirt because it can be dressed up or dressed down. Just like with pants, be sure to buy one with the over-the-belly-band - I initially bought one with just the elastic in the back and it hurt like a mofo by second trimester.

Dresses (dressy): 2 - I like to dress a little for church, so this was important to me. But, I also was able to use many of my old dresses second trimester because they had an empire waist (some required rubber-bands and safety pins, but I made it work!).

Dresses (casual): 5 - I was fortunate to have a few cotton dresses that had a high waist or elastic and I have been using those in addition to a few I purchased. I probably have seven dresses rotate through!

Pants: 3 - I bought a pair of khakis and a pair of capris; then I purchased some grey pin-stripe pants. So far this has worked out alright, but I like wearing pants to work, so if I had not borrowed some, I probably would have bought more!

Jeans: 1 - I was lucky enough to have a little Christmas money left over to purchase a pair from Old Navy. I bought the "short" cut and I still have to roll them up :| Oh well!

Comfy Clothes: 2 sets - I was astonished to find that it was necessary to have maternity lounge wear! But, honestly, there are days where you just feel like running around in your underwear (especially when it is 95 and there is no air-conditioning). I found a REALLY comfy pair of cotton jersey pants at H & M. I also owned two pairs of yoga/cheer shorts before I got pregnant. Those three items are pretty much what I wear all the time when I am at home. I also snagged my hubby's large yellow Elvis shirt (a present from my grandmother :|) and that is my go-to top.

Swimsuit: 1 - I was able to get away with my old suit for the first trimester, but I invested in a top (I had a large bikini bottom around for some reason...I think I got it in Vegas or something).

I have spent about $600 total. Now, I wish I had known what I was doing because I could have spent about $200 less than I did! So my final tip is a bunch of little tips rolled into one.

Tip #4 - If you are short (and I had to do it all over again), I would...

- Borrow as many clothes as you can from someone who is about the same size you are! This really helped in the second trimester and then I was able to return some when that friend got pregnant too!

- Don't invest in a belly band - they roll up and don't really do anything. I got lucky and was able to use it to make a pair of maternity shorts. Otherwise, I would not recommend this product.

- Wait on buying a maternity bra until it is ABSOLUTELY impossible to fit into your old bras (and that includes using bra extenders). And even then, consider purchasing a nursing bra because otherwise you will be investing in a similar product soon!

- Buy about two sizes up from your normal size! This is only if you are short - if you are taller, the plus sizes might work for you. However, when you are short, you tend to be more compact. For example, I am normally a size four or six (depending on the brand) so I bought items that were a size 8 or 10. I have a few things that are a size 12 and are a bit too big, but I did that because I don't know how much bigger I will get! Still, buying a few sizes up has helped and I was able to modify a dress so that it fit me correctly (I just shortened the shoulder straps). I can wear a medium or large and be as comfortable as when I was wearing an extra small or small size before I was pregnant. Also, look for pleating under the empire waist - that will be your best friend as your belly gets bigger (and it is how most maternity clothes are designed).

Whew! My final words of wisdom are WHERE TO SHOP! In order of greatness:

1. Consignment shops - I found LOTS of cute clothes for VERY reasonable prices. A few items looked like they had seen better days, but for the most part, all of the clothes were really nice. I paid $3 for a pair of shorts and $20 for a very nice dress.

2. Target - This is my go-to store for EVERYTHING. I purchased a majority of my maternity clothes here for a reasonable price - $25 for a comfy dress, $7 for a tank top. I also love the clearance section - I found a size 8 empire-waist dress (with pleating) for $5 which I was able to make a maternity dress.

3. Ross - One disturbing thing about the Ross maternity section is it seems geared towards teenagers. The sizes therefore run a bit small. I bought a t-shirt there that fit great first and second trimester, but is now TOO SMALL in the third trimester. Also, it is difficult to find over-the-belly-band pants there.

4. H & M - One of my favorite moments in Bridget Jones' Diary (I believe it is in the Edge of Reason) is when she goes to H&M to look for maternity clothes and finds they do not have a maternity line. But now they do! The maternity line is merely ok - like most stores, the maternity section is small and does not have a lot of size selection. However, most of my purchases there have been for regular clothes in sizes larger than my normal size! Plus the clothes are so pretty, it is worth the investment. If I get a job, I have my eye on a jacket I want to get from there that would be awesome.

5. Old Navy - I have bought my jeans, tanks, and tops here. The online store has more selection and it would be worth it to shop there for sales. Most maternity sections in the stores are small and depressing - the dresses are WAY too long for a hobbit such as myself. I also found it disturbing that they had a maternity shirt with a whale on it.

6. GAP - I have bought one item there with which I was pleased. I did try on a maternity dress there and found it was a glorified mumu. They are kind of expensive, so it might be worth it to check it out online for sales. They had one cute shirt that said "obviously no longer a secret".

7. Destination Maternity - DO NOT SHOP HERE unless it is for a maternity bra. I made the mistake of purchasing a number of items here and they don't hold up well - they shrink or fall apart. They are also WAY too expensive - unless you find items on sale. The Baby Bargains book also did not have nice things to say about them. Finding their clothes in consignment shops is alright though because the quality must have been good enough for it to make it to consignment! Plus they have t-shirts that read "good things come to those who mate." Uh - TMI!

I am done - for now :D

Quick and Dirty Movie Reviews

I scoff at the notion that I must blog daily. Isn't it enough that I update my facebook regularly? Still, facebook does not give one the opportunity for lengthly writing, so I continue to blog.

The past few months have been incredibly busy with teaching, grad school/portfolio, and pregnancy. The summer has brought a welcome respite from such a stressful situation, but I find myself quite bored. I have nothing to look forward to - no job to prepare or fuss about. The only thing I have to do is grow a child. While it can be thrilling, it is not necessarily an occupation (much less an occupation that makes money).

So, I have watched a lot of World Cup soccer and movies - and so here present my thoughts on what I have seen.

Wives and Daughters

I actually watched this as I started my professional portfolio. I tend to distract myself when I have something to do that I particularly do not want to accomplish (tasks that seem boring or pointless fall into this category). I was playing around on Amazon when I discovered this series based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell.

It was WONDERFUL - really well developed characters and a not too virtuous protagonist. It is the story of a country widower who falls in love (lust?) with a social climber. His daughter is the one to suffer at the hands of this selfish woman and her gorgeous but spoiled daughter. It will keep you wanting MORE!!! The plot is engaging and has some unpredictable points - a good amount of foreshadowing, but not the outcome one would anticipate.

If you like really well done Jane Austen novel adaptations, you will enjoy this series. I watched it on YouTube with French subtitles, but I understand it also streams on Netflix.

Iron Man

I am aware that Iron Man 2 recently showed in theaters, but I had yet to see Iron Man (the first). My uncle in Texas lent me many videos from his bachelor DVD collection and this film as one of them. It came highly recommended by my friend Megan C. and I trust her taste.

I was not at all disappointed. Robert Downey Jr. ranks among some of the first male movie stars that I liked as a kid. He has retained that wonderful deadpan delivery and is hilarious in this film as well as clever. He has definite super-hero swagger, but no so much so that you become annoyed with him. The plot is pretty darn amazing and, though it is easy to predict who the villain is (hint - usually the lack of hair gives it way), keeps one very engaged in the characters and situations. I also like that Gwyneth Paltrow was the cool assistant and Jeff Bridges was pretty awesome too. If you are looking for a decent action picture to watch and get lost in, Iron Man is your movie.

Up

I was REALLY upset that Fantastic Mr. Fox did not win the Oscar for best animated feature. I mean REALLY upset - as I have mentioned before, it is probably one of the best children's films have seen in a long while. I could not believe that Up won with a movie like Fantastic Mr. Fox in the SAME category!!!

Then I watched Up with my mother and cried three times in the first twenty minutes.

Stupid #$U#$(&&* hormones.

Anyhow, it was really interesting and VERY well crafted! I like how the little guy sticks it to the man who is trying to over run a cute town with high rise condos (and yes, I do live in one, but it was built in the 70's so I don't feel as if our little nest in Seattle is bringing about the demise of Western civilization). All of the characters were REALLY well developed, just with mannerisms and sayings, one felt like they understood who these people were.

There was INCREDIBLY well written dialog and the animation was mind-blowing. The only thing I did not appreciate was all of the high flying action at the end - it was TOO REALISTIC and I had to shut my eyes and ask my mom when it was over!

My mother on the other hand, did not appreciate the film AT ALL. She felt like it was billed as a children's film and addressed issues that children did not need to know about (such as infertility). I am for full disclosure and I want my little one to know that the world is not rosy and that people will NOT always be nice. I don't want to create paranoia in my child, but I also want him or her to know that adults will not always treat children nicely simply because they are children and that their peers may sometimes hurt them (which is NOT ok but not a cause for retaliation) but ultimately they can learn from the experience.

I was pleased with the film, appreciate it (not to the same extent that I love Fantastic Mr. Fox), and I admit that Up deserved the Academy award.

Secret of Kells

I saw this film with my friend Renee yesterday and we both left the theatre thinking "WTF was that??? Thank goodness we only paid $3!"

Secret of Kells is a film commissioned by the Irish, French, and (oddly enough) Belgian government to present the story behind the Book of Kells. The ancient artifact is fairly well known and film is BEAUTIFULLY animated - but the characters are not at all developed and plot centers around surviving several viking attacks.

What I found fascinating was the ties the film gave to St. Aidan and St. Brendan. Though I do not know enough about these two saints, I suppose they could have contributed to the Book of Kells. I was not aware prior to the film of their connection, but I suppose it makes sense.

Or it doesn't and Aidan and Brendan were just common Irish names that the writer chose to use. The Aidan in this film was from Iona, which sounded right for the saint and Brendan had several encounters with this wood sprite/wolf which also seemed correct for the saint (I seem to remember something about St. Brendan and a wolf...).

The film was also nominated for an Oscar, but though beautiful, it was not well written or planned. There was a kid in the the theater who had Turrets Syndrome who kept asking if the film was over - and I completely empathized with his outburst!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The most interesting aspect of this film was that I discovered that my husband has NEVER seen an Indiana Jones film before! Seriously! How can one go their whole life and NOT see Indiana Jones?!

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was my hubby's first exposure to the series and he was engaged in all the action sequences (as he frequently is mostly to laugh at how outrageous they are). I enjoyed Cate Blanchet and thought she was awesome - she knew her character to be a campy caricature of a Cold War Era officer and just threw herself into the roll.

Overall - meh. The Last Crusade was MUCH better and this seemed like a half-hearted effort on the part of everyone involved in the film. The plot was ridiculous and it just had too many nods to prior films (not that this bothered my husband at all, but I did have to explain why I was laughing so hard at points).

Knocked Up

Hahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

This movie is really hilarious to watch when your pregnant and feeling like you are no longer in control of anything. This movie makes you think "at least I don't have to put up with this #$#@".

Judd Apatow is the director and he really needs a good editor for his films - someone who will tell him to shut the #$#&* up and just tell the story. I saw "Funny People" and that went on for far too long and Knocked Up suffers the same treatment.

The characters are interesting, the plot is well crafted, but it takes FAR too long to get from point A to point B. While I am all for creating conflict to progress a plot, too much of a good thing can destroy the overall story.

Still, this movie is hilarious and I especially like the pregnancy sex scene - it is WAY more realistic than what is presented in the Pregnancy Bible (which I write about here). I also like the line where it is obvious the two main characters are doing a walk of shame and a dad says to his little girl (who he is holding) "never do what they did."

And she replies "I'm gonna do it." (She's about 3 years old)

Then dad says "Uh oh, someone's getting home-schooled."

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Or when the main characters are in a fight and the dude says "I know this is just your hormones talking and I would like to say '!#$&#$& hormones, you #$#*#$& suck!'"

Hee!!! I feel like that every day!

Well, that wraps it up for now. I need to now get my hands on Iron Man 2....

An Overall Review: Baby Books

I am a typical female consumer. If something is broken (and is of little significance), I would much rather replace it that try to repair it. However, with the anticipation of having a little one comes the stress of finances. My husband is determined not to go into debt and has calculated how much money we would go into debt should I not get some sort of job after the baby is born.

This means I have to be thriftier than usual and rely quite a bit more on advice since I do not trust what the Internet says about what to get for my child.

Instead of purchasing baby books, we checked them out of the library first.

I liked "You: Having a Baby" - it is very straight forward and explains the medical terminology in very easy language. It also has practical information such as what to eat, what you might want to purchase for the baby, and what to do AFTER the baby has arrived (how to change a diaper, etc.). I particularly like the information about immunization the book offers - it gives both sides of the the debate.

I did not like "What to Expect When You are Expecting" very much at the start, but now I wish I had not checked it back into the circulation desk. It at least tells you what is normal for each trimester. I did not appreciate the cheesy opening lines to each question. As best as I can remember, here is an example: "I really want to eat play-doh, is that normal?" Answer: "It is normal for women to have odd cravings, but play-doh is a play-don't!".

:|

The one book I would NOT recommend to anyone who does not want to be thoroughly grossed out is "The Pregnancy Bible".

I did not put this on the request list, the hubby did - I did not feel comfortable with a book that put words "Pregnancy" and "Bible" in the same phrase. After I showed my husband some of the GRAPHIC IMAGES (pregnancy sex complete with fake expressions of "ecstasy", stages of labor complete with crowning, etc.), he quite agreed that it was a horrible book.

One book that we have enjoyed was recommend by our friends Steve and Emily - "Baby Bargains". Like "You - Pregnant", it has VERY practical advice for parents. It has lists of brands on the market along with reviews from the authors and from parents. I particularly like the advice other parents give because they have gone through the process and can tell you what works and what does not.

Of course, each child is different. Given the little one's behavior so far, I am going to guess it will have its own agenda. Part of getting prepared for a baby is being prepared for all those plans to be chucked out the window!

If I had to...

...write a "love making" scene for a novel, it would be like this:



but obviously in words. Brooke McEldowney also did a similar strip when Amos and Edna also "discovered" each other.



For the past few months, the comic has been Gran's flashback - her memories of what it was like being a spy during WWII. It has been great to read and I hope it ends happily :)



I have a sneaking suspicion that though she is with the Austrian opera singer (hand pictured above), he will turn out to be married or something because she ends up becoming O'Malley (which is not an Austrian last name).

Either way, it AWFULLY embarrassing when one finds oneself writing about sex. Neil Gaimon explained it best in his anthology of short stories "Smoke and Mirrors". He wrote a story that is rather descriptive and, in his notes about the story, he says it was difficult to complete - he would find himself writing, blushing, putting the story away for a week or two, and then returning to try to write another section only to find himself blushing yet again.

My discomfort in describing the topic makes me contemplate how and what I will tell my own child about sex. I will try my best to not stammer and blush. Perhaps the best baby shower gift would be someone offering to tell my child the facts (and all the options) because I am sure by the time my child is curious he or she will not want to hear it from me!

An Expectant Mother's Day

My husband and I had hoped that in the ultrasounds that we had this week and the last that we would find out the gender of our child. For some reason my husband seemed blase about the whole thing - or wanted it to be a surprise. I was quite vocal that I wanted to know and I would not let it be a surprise for him because I dislike surprises so very much.

Well, our little one really didn't care what we thought - it really does have a mind of its own. During the first ultrasound, the only thing we could really see was its hands, feet, and limbs moving about. Its whole self was mostly turned toward me and the 32 ounces of water I had to drink before the exam continually filled my bladder such that I had empty it several times.

I *thought* I saw the characteristic three lines between the legs that would signal a girl, but I was old that was a bone. :| Good thing I did not enter the medical profession! I was told there was nothing visible between the legs - which could mean a girl or it could mean that nothing between the legs is visible at that moment. It didn't help that the little one kept wiggling around like a squirmy worm!

We were given a few pictures - I find the frame amusing.

Who looks like this after they have a baby? Maybe people with servants.

Here is the squirmy worm:

It is amazing how skeletal the baby looks - but since those are the most dense parts of the child right now, it would be what is most visible.

The technician thought she got all of the pictures and I was sent back to work. Then I got a phone call that afternoon in the team office saying I had to do ANOTHER ultrasound because they did not get all the pictures of the heart that they needed. But every thing looked NORMAL - which helped soothe my frazzled nerves.

I had a OB appointment on Tuesday and this resident was in the room (with my permission) - I swear he was twelve. He had trouble locating the baby's heartbeat. When the OB came in the room, she felt my belly, put a dab of goo (as opposed to the half bottle the resident did) on the monitor, and instantly found the heartbeat. It was pretty amusing to me :D

So, we went back this past Friday for more pictures of the heart and hopefully to find the gender. It appeared that the baby was kicking back or taking a nap - its body was mostly turned towards me, its head toward my left and feet to my right. Its legs were tucked it and it was very calm - but not too calm with a 140 bpm heart rate! The tech was able to get a few pictures, but I still had to empty my bladder again and get tilted down in an attempt to get a better angle on the baby. The tech jostled the ultrasound wand against my belly and, though my husband says he didn't notice it, the baby moved its hand in a type of swatting motion - as if to say "knock it off". I would not have thought much of this movement except that after it opened its mouth repeatedly - the way I do when I first wake up.

I cannot believe how much personality this little one has already.

And it is hiding its gender REALLY well - I didn't see three lines or any lines between the legs. The tech said it she thought it might be a girl (she thought she saw some indication) but nothing was readable.

On the way back to his office, my husband wondered what he would do with a little girl (if, indeed, it is a girl). I said "What you would do with a boy".

His response: "But she can't play baseball"

Me: "Yes she can. (pause) She better play soccer, too. If it's a she."

This Mother's Day I am no wiser as to what the gender of the child will be as well as what it will be like to be a mother. Oh well, I guess I have some time still :D

The FANTASTIC Mr. Fox

I love Wes Anderson's films. I remember enjoying Pulp Fiction in high school but thinking Tarintino was a bit too violent for me. I saw a preview for Bottle Rocket and thought it had the same flare and flavor of Tarintino, but was more my speed.

It really was not - I did not like Bottle Rocket. The characters were somewhat interesting but the plot really needed some work. A few years later, I saw a preview for Rushmore and thought "ok, I NEED to see that film". And I did and I LOVED IT.

Ever since I have been a fan of Wes Anderson. Especially his soundtracks - they have not only introduced me to some amazing artists I had forgotten, but also energized and appealed to my auditory senses.

When I heard about the Fantastic Mr. Fox, I had the impulse to see it much in the way I had the impulse to see Royal Tenanbaums and Steve Zissou and the Life Aquatic - Wes Anderson created them! I also saw that Fantastic Mr. Fox was nominated for an Oscar and was very happy that Wes Anderson was getting some credit for his amazing film making.

In my opinion, Fantastic Mr. Fox was ROBBED of that Oscar (stupid "Up") because it is by far one of the best children's films I have seen in a long time. It is not silly, not predictable, and in no way tries to sheild children from the way people really behave. It is as fantastic as Finding Nemo but edgier because Wes Anderson is amazing. And it was certainly better than Darjeeling Limited.

I loved everything: the voices


Ahem, Jason Schwartzman was in it too! And don't you love Wes Anderson's use of language? I do! Fantastic Mr. Fox was a Roald Dahl book! I love that author!

the animation (stop-motion - SO very cool)



Just look at the set-up for the shot - it is SO Wes Anderson! Gorgeous!

And of course I loved the music - Stones,Bobby Fuller Four (it works) and I was surprised to find myself enjoying a few Beach Boys tunes (which I typically hate - maybe the baby's taste in music is developing too...). I will totally allow my future little one to watch this movie again and again and hopefully avoid exposing him or her to the capitalist tendencies that is Disney.

A New Creation

Some of you may know and others may not, but my hubby and I are expecting a little one around October 4th.

And to clarify - this pregnancy was accidently-on-purpose. It was a new year and we thought we would give it a try (we had nervously thought about it in 2009, but somehow 2010 ushered in new resolve). We stopped using birth control and paid a tiny bit of attention to the calendar of my cycle I have been keeping since I was 12 (I LIKE to plan, what can I say).

After I proctored an SAT one Saturday morning, I came home and found that I had started my period. I cried. I thought it was hopeless - I was not going to ever have a baby and was certain God was telling me something. My hubby tried to calm down my perfectionist state and cheered me as best he could.

But then the rest of the "stuff" that comes with a period never came. And it never came for a week.

The next Saturday morning I went to Target at precisely 8 a.m. (when they open) and the hubby thought I was nuts.

But I wasn't!




What - I had to take a picture! As soon as I took the test and saw the second window turn blue, I yelled for him to come to the bathroom. We laughed, we hugged, we jumped around and praised God.

And then we were totally blindsided by the thought that we would have a little one and there was no turning back. As my mother-in-law would later perfectly say "You say you're going to do something, and then you do it, and it happens and you think 'oh crap, it happened!'".


The first person I told was the priest, because who else are you going to tell who will keep it quiet. He told me I would no longer fast (woo-hoo! I mean, DARN!) and I would have to commune more often (DARN! I mean - yay!).

Those communion prayers are long - that's all I'm saying.

And then the news slowly trickled. I made doctor's appointments, we told our parents on Valentine's Day (or around that time), and I told my boss.

But here the two of us were, guarding this little secret, trying hard not to burst.
Or at least the hubby was - I was still kind of in denial. I refused the first ultrasound (which apparent they use to confirm something is in there) .

By my second appointment, I could no longer refuse the scan. It was a vaginal ultrasound, which EW. I always felt like the machine and I should at LEAST have dinner first. All I can say is at least it had a condom!

Here is our little one at 9 weeks (March 2nd):



It was really cool - when the first image came up, it moved its little arm! Like it was waving or giving me confirmation that it was indeed there. Waving at me - its little heart beating so fast.

I couldn't help it - I started to cry. I think I fell in love - I fell in love with this tiny soul inside me growing and becoming a person.

It is all really scary to me and seems to be growing WAY to fast. I feel like Winne the Pooh with a tummy to round to keep a shirt and pants over it.

In the months to come I am SURE I will have more posts about maternity gear, tendinitis, and other such lovely things about pregnancy. For now I and the hubby are elated that we will have a little one to share our lives.

And hopefully I won't screw up too much.