Turkey, Holidays and Learning to Sleep

Can you believe Thanksgiving is in 3 days over here in the States?

 (OMG!)

Halloween was awful around our area because of the Superstorm, but we managed to have a good turn out for Trick-o-Treat night and I did a mini-shoot with Fiona just to be festive.

It makes me wonder if there will be a Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade because of Superstorm Sandy.  It also makes me think about all those people who lost everything in the storm and I wish I could give even more.

Reminds me that there is alot to be thankful for and grateful for this year.  Here's a small list:

- being able to donate

- getting 4-5 hrs of sleep at night now!

- that the election season is FINALLY OVER

- the ability to bake

- learning to quilt on my home sewing machine

- feeling like my old "pre-baby" self

- going back to yoga

- being able to go to my family's Thanksgiving this year to see everyone

- having common sense to know when to slow down now

- and a very loving husband

I do have pictures of my sister Rachel's baby quilt.  Chris needs to re-route my old cutout that I had in my sewing table so it fits my new machine properly and so I can glide and slide the fabric thru the machine.  I need to have this done rather urgently because I know it's going to take me a while to quilt that one AND the patriotic quilt (Stars and Stripes quilt ) for my sister-in-law Crystal.  Yes! She is getting it for a present this year :)

I feel so "pro" being able to get these gifts done, mostly thanks to Fiona for learning to nap longer and for Chris watching her in the evenings.

Have a good Monday everyone!

A Bit of This

I hear tell that most babies will sleep 5 hour stretches at night. 

I've deemed this poopycock, a myth, and something that is totally not on Fiona's agenda.

Except when she's next to Dad.

But what's really sad is that because I've had so little sleep over the past few months (I will only drive somewhere if I know I'll have a nap before I need to go out it's that bad sometimes) I have to keep Tumus closed for the 2012 Holiday season.

There have been ALOT of additional changes to Etsy since I've been on maternity leave (Direct Checkout, Gift Cards, new Browsing feature, Category Elimination from the Front Page...to name a few) and some of the changes baffle me.  I'm not sure how I would've been found this Holiday with all the new search and browsing changes they've implemented.  Hopefully by the time I return the worst of the kinks will be worked out.

This makes me contemplate the possibility of designing a website for e-commerce and moving in a new direction that is less dependent on Etsy.  Of course that means more work on my part and better time management...something which is impossible for the time being.

I have been busy, in the meantime, helping out with pattern testing and putting in an hour or two on Christmas present quilts and I will eventually get my camera down there to show you exactly what they look like before they're finished ^_~

So for now here's hoping I manage to snag a solid 3 hours of sleep so I can start enjoying these squishy cheeks a bit more.

It's More Than Just Big Bird

It baffled me when I watched the Presidential Debate on Wednesday night to actually hear Mitt Romney say, "Sorry Jim, but I'm going to cut funding to all PBS stations." right to Jim Lehr's face.  

 Sure Romney's been threatening to do this for a while and I'm an avid listener to my local public radio/NPR station, but funding for public broadcasting isn't about keeping the "hippies & liberals" happy. and it's certainly not one of those services that isn't used. 

 I grew up listening to alot of radio, mostly the local Christian station and they used to run all sorts of interesting and insightful programs.  It wasn't just music ALL THE TIME like most radio is these days.

Now that I'm older I've taken a very fond liking to WYSO for much the same reasons, the strong, insightful, well-rounded programing.  Chris might think I'm old fashioned for listening to as much radio as I do and probably finds it "hippy-ish", but I look forward to hearing certain shows each week (This American Life, Wait-Wait-Don't Tell Me, The Dear Green Place - for Celtic Music (locally produced), Alpha Rhythms (locally produced), Fresh Air to name a few).  I try to support this kind of service because doing so means I can help keep it around for others who might not be able to donate like I can.  And that means more people are given the opportunity to learn and discover.

In an age where so much radio and TV is just bland, one sided and boring, public broadcasting keeps the creative spark alive. 

If my local PBS station had to rely solely on donations I might lose great shows like Sherlock Holmes, Downton Abbey, Masterpiece Theater, Austin City Limits, Antiques Roadshow, and the BBC News Hour.  Heck even NOVA is still around and that program is still interesting. 

I won't make this a politcal post so I'll just leave this here for your consideration.  

(via theDailyWh.at)

This is Life

And it's tiring and hilarious all at the same time.  That crappy pic was taken from my phone and for some reason she was pooping up a storm.  It was pure luck that I caught her pointing back at me.  She's going be an onery one I just know it.

I have been doing some sewing as crazy as that may be but it's nice and at times a good way to give my tired brain a break for an hour.  So far Fi likes to hang out in her swing and watch me cut and sew when we manage to get down to the new sewing room.  She's starting to coo over the colors which is pretty darn cute and she's already been to my two favorite quilt stores where she's a mini-celebrity.

(I'm almost finished with that quilt above, it's made using a fun quick pattern called Jellyroll 1600)

Old women are funny, but I think the oldest women give the best advice.  It's usually advice that the modern world as all but forgotten.  It's common sense mixed with centuries of intuition and there's alot to be learned from that and it's nice that they still remember enough of it to pass it on.

Things I've Been Missing

Hint: it involves 8 hrs

Hint: Everyone else does it.

Hint: Our cats do it all day long.

Answer: Sleep.

Everyone tells me I'll miss these sleepless nights (and even days) but I'm not going to lie when I say, no I won't.  I'll miss her being this little and super adorable, but I certainly will not miss the lack of sleep.

In the meantime when she IS napping I've been bad and doing housework or putzing around on the internet.  I know I SHOULD be sleeping, but believe it or not housework makes me feel much more regular and normal than sleeping does.  There's a weird solace that comes with doing the dishes or balancing the checkbook.

The New Kid In Town

On August 14th 2012 I started what would be a very long and hard labor.  The funny thing about labor, other than the incredible amount of energy and work expended, is that after the arrival of your baby you really do forget the pain.

(She was a big one at 9lbs 3oz // 22 in long // she's 4 days old here)

It's hard to describe, but any mother can tell you it's true.

I can vividly remember the experience but I can't remember any of the pain and that seems like such a blessing.

Fiona Marie arrived August 15th at 3:28pm after 19 hrs of labor (5 of those pushing).  Dr. Guy performed a miraculous delivery that helped me avoid a c-section and put my poor hubby Chris at ease.  They also never tell you how worried and nervous husbands can be in the delivery room.  It breaks my heart to think back on how upset he was over all the pain no matter how many times I told him it would be okay and that it would be worth it in the end exhaustion be damned. 

I was exhausted but the Doc said he'd never seen someone so damned determined after so much pushing.  A+ for me.  I actually had the presence of mind to journal the start, some the of the middle and the end of my labor.  Looking back at it and reading it over makes me weepy.  I'm glad I did it because your first baby will always be a very unique and special memory.

I'm still in recovery mode, but each day is a little better than the last thanks to Chris helping in every way possible.

With all the "cooler" weather we've been having it's hard to stay cooped up inside, but I have to rest and take it easy for at least another week.  I'm itching to be back outside and taking walks eventually.  I want to show Fiona all my flowers and plants.  I also can't wait to be sitting normally again (LOL) at my sewing machine which has been looking lonely and forlorn.

I have been peeking in on things though and lurking here and there in my Etsy shop.

It was weird at first coming home with a baby, but now things are falling into a steady routine and it feels like I can totally do this now.

Craft Hope's Project #18

The sewing bug still has it's hold on me as I've been finishing up the last curtains for the nursery windows.  Who knew sewing on fabric buttons would be the most tedious and time consuming task?

In any case I also discovered that Craft for Hope (Craft Hope) is starting in on Project #18.

While I can't truly participate to the extent I'd like due to our baby arriving any day now here's a link to their Facebook page with all the info: 

http://www.facebook.com/events/271758042928990/

The Project: Quilts for Hope

Goal: To donate 849 quilts to wildfire victims across the Western US

Making info: They'll accept any type of handmade quilt

including those that are knitted or crocheted!

They will also accept quilt blocks, quilt tops, fabric, quilt batting and thread.  

So if you can't do an entire quilt this is a perfect way to still participate!

Deadline: September 15th 2012

Postal Info: Send all donations to - 

Julie Anderson
P.O. Box 453
150 West 300 North
Fairview, Utah 84629

You can also read more about this project over on the Phoenix Quilter's blog:

http://phoenixquilts.blogspot.com/

If you can participate join in on their Facebook page to keep up with any additional details and deadlines!  

Sew Well, Be Well ^_^