still here

A bit later of a post for Monday, but I am still here and very pregnant. I keep wishing today is the day, but the contractions come and then go away. Darn it. I am trying to be patient.

We had a very good Thanksgiving and I guess only 2 of the 3 outfits I made were worn. I think the girls look positively adorable (and my True got her first hair cut ever).

On the weekend, I did some mad crafting for Christmas and a friend. I cleaned all the bathrooms and the house again and am just keeping as busy as I can before baby comes out. Also, hoping that the busyness helps her come out. I seriously feel her in my hips (or at least really low) that it hurts when I walk.

Besides keeping busy, I am just trying to enjoy the last days of being a family of four. We do a lot of cuddling on the couch at night and watching some movies. We never ever watch television, so the girls are devouring this night time movie watching. I am also hoping to start the Christmas decorating tonight and advent tomorrow... there is always lots to do.

Here's to hoping that today is the day (or maybe tomorrow)...

p.s. Don't you love my Brave's smile in the family picture above? It is hilarious.

help

I swallowed a turkey!!!

(polaroid and pictures taken by my baby seester)

Okay, not really, but it looks like it... doesn't it?

Happy Friday!!!

stringing lights

Christmas is fast approaching and we are just starting to get some Christmas decorations up. After making True's little wool felt bunting over her bed, I wanted to make something a bit more festive appropriate for the holidays. I thought a string of wool colorful lights would be perfect. Thus, each girl has her own now hanging in her room.

The girls were pretty happy to have some "lights" in their rooms. It makes me happy too. Actually, I think the lights are so sweet that I made 4 extra, but one will be strung somewhere else in the house. The other 3 will be up in the shop today (as long as I don't go into labor before I get it in the shop).

Well, before Christmas is here we have to go through Thanksgiving. Therefore, tomorrow I will be happily stuffing my face and tummy with loads of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, as well as enjoying my loved ones! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

I am very thankful to God for showing me continuously how much I need to depend on him in/for all things! What are you thankful for?

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UPDATE: Christmas lights and some braided fabric necklaces now in the shop. Two sold and only 1 left. Christmas lights now sold out... thank you!!!

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polaroid tuesday: week forty-seven

There are still just two, but such a lovely two they are.

my side

This is where I spent most of my weekend... on my side of the bed. I woke up Friday morning feeling sick and yucky, so I rested for two days. Friday morning the girls and I just laid in bed watching Michael Jackson videos. It was real sweet and fun, even though I wasn't feeling well. Thankfully, Ben was home Saturday, so I was able to get another rest day in. Ben and the girls were sick earlier in the week and seemed to just have a cold that lasted 2 days, so I knew that mine shouldn't linger long and praise God because it didn't. I feel much better now.

Thursday morning was spent re-arranging our room a bit to make room for the bassinet, that will soon be right next to me and making some room for "Boogie." I very much intend to "ride the boogie" a lot with the new baby, but Brave and True are already having fun riding "Boogie" too. 

I also love that I now have plants in the room as I think they make such a difference. I think it is sorta refreshing. I really ought to get more to put around the house. 

I am so glad you got such a kick out of my "Rockin' Mommy Day" as it was seriously hilarious and creative to see the show that my three clever ones put on for me. I am pretty spoiled by them!

Today, I am off to check on baby. I really feel her getting lower and I keep hoping that I go into labor. I say, "Let's get this pain over with!" But I must admit, I am kinda a wuss and am not adverse to drugs, that labor pain is just insane. Anyways, I am trying to enjoy my last few days (or weeks) with my two girls, but I know it will be another joy to have three. Oh how my life will find a new normal again very soon...

rockin' mommy day '09

Every year, Ben and the girls try to give me a "Rockin' Mommy Day." Ben believes birthdays and holidays should not be the only days to show appreciation, so he came up with "Rockin' Mommy Day." I never know when or how this day will come, but when it comes, it definitely rocks!

So on Sunday, I stayed home from church because Brave was a bit under the weather and we didn't want to get any other kids sick. Well, True and Ben came home from church and immediately True had a message and a rock for me. True said, "You rock Mama!" With my past "Rockin' Mommy Days," the note is accompanied with a tiny little rock to remind me that I rock. It really is all too clever.

The note had the lyrics to Michael Jackson's song "Rock With You" and the line, "DON'T TRY TO FIGHT IT, THERE AIN'T NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO" was highlighted. This was my clue to the first surprise.

Ben hurriedly told me that we need to leave the house now. Good thing I was dressed! I didn't know where we were going. I kinda freaked out as Brave was not dressed and we left the house without any shoes for the girls, so I thought what on earth was going on!

We drove a bit when Ben exited and was making his way to Glen Ivy. It finally clicked. My husband was dropping me off at the beautiful Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa. They bid me farewell and informed me of all my appointments and that they would see me later. I was so excited! I had never been pampered like this before. My first appointment was a pedicure, which was kinda funny as I was just complaining to Ben about my feet the day before.

The pedicure was so relaxing and I was loving every moment. My next appointment, which was a pregnancy massage, was not for another 30 minutes, so I grabbed a yummy sandwich and lounged by the pool. It was so nice to enjoy some peace and quiet. After snapping pictures and enjoying the time, I moseyed on back to the salon and checked in for my appointment.

As I was waiting, I heard someone call my name and I looked up... it was my best friend Linda. I was so shocked! It was funny cause I was gonna call her while I was eating to tell her what Ben did, but I didn't see anyone on a phone, so I thought it was not allowed. Well, it turns out my husband thought I might want some company, so he arranged for Lin and I to hang out and get massages together! Dang. Ben really thinks of everything.

Well, Lin and I chatted during the first half of our massage and then I think we almost fell asleep during the second half cause we were so relaxed. Then, they nudged us it was over, we didn't want it to be. I think we were in denial. The massage was so wonderful and I (and Linda) wished it went on forever.

Now, I was getting the plan, not only was Lin there for some company, but she was also my ride home. I knew something was not quite ready wherever I was to be next, as she suddenly wanted to stop at a nearby farmers market and get some roasted corn. I kept bugging her that she was stalling and that Ben needed more time or something. Thus, we got corn and even made a stop at Anthropologie. Seriously, I was wondering what was going on that Ben needed that much more time. Linda then handed me my next note and rock...

The second clue was "YOU GOTTA FEEL THE HEAT AND WE CAN RIDE THE BOOGIE."

Seriously, I was a bit confused and intrigued.

Finally, we made our way back to my house. She had instructions for me... I was to go through the front door and just sit on the blue couch and that is just what I did. Mind you, it was pitch black in my house and I sat there on the blue couch in the dark, all I could make out were these words written on the black paper, which covered the entire wall.

After about 5 minutes of waiting, I see little shadows with round heads stroll in and some music start playing. I started laughing hilariously once I realized what was going on! It was Michael Jackson's "Rock with You" song, which was the song written on my rockin' notes. My Ben and girls decided to celebrate "Rockin' Mommy Day" by recreating Michael Jackson's video. There was even a spotlight from the ceiling and a green strobe light behind them as they danced. Even the girls were totally into it as they were shaking booty and pointing the finger in their little dance.

Mid-song, when the song sang "And we can ride the boogie." Ben said, "Who is 'Boogie' girls?" Then, he left the room and came back carrying the rocker that I had been wanting and they aptly named the rocker, "Boogie." I screamed in excitement and they all kept dancing along.

Of course, I couldn't just sit there nor did they intend for me to, so they handed me another note and rock, which called me to boogie on down with them.

The note highlighted "GIRL CLOSE YOUR EYES, AND LET THE RHYTHM GET INTO YOU."

So I let the rhythm get in, danced to a medley of Michael Jackson songs (even got to wear my very own special Michael Jackson wig!) and rode "Boogie" too.

My husband is just so clever. He really would say he is not crafty or creative, but he really is just super humble, but come on! He bought black shirts and leggings, took double stick tape, laid stripes down on the black outfits using the double stick tape, then sprinkled silver glitter on top. Oh! I can't fail to mention the silver boots that he spray painted and glitter-fied too! He even completed them all with some 'fros. It looks pretty darn close to Michael Jackson's outfit. Gosh... I am so blessed to have my Ben.

The rest of the evening consisted of picking up some yummy Japanese food I was craving and we had a picnic inside of our house. It was perfect.

The next evening, I had another surprise. Brave handed me another rock with a note that highlighted, "RELAX YOUR MIND, LAY BACK AND GROOVE WITH US... SHARE THAT BEAT OF SOUL." The surprise was that the four of us were going to create a family-made piece of art to welcome the new baby.

Although the Michael Jackson trio had been feeling under the weather, we had fun working together to create a masterpiece for the newest addition to our family.

The end result is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E as everyone had their own little corner and space that we worked on and drew and colored for baby. It definitely was a labor of love and something I hope baby will cherish when she gets older. It is framed and ready to go in the baby's room, once she gets a room, but for now, it will be in our room as that is where babycakies will stay in the mean time.

I feel absolutely blessed to have been showered with this much love and surprises. I love being Ben's wife and True and Brave's mom. It really is so wonderful. It humbles me so much that they think I am so wonderful to deserve this because I know all my shortcomings and failures and it is only by God's grace that I am able to go through each day as a wife and mother.

I know it may seem like this fantasy life with a doting husband and well-behaved children who like to craft all day long, but really, we do fight and there is even yelling in our house. Ben and I are both sinners who are struggling and trying to trust God everyday in the roles God has given us. It isn't easy and there is no way we could do this on our own. Most of the time we fail, which makes us even more thankful for the cross. Thank you Lord!

It was definitely a most happy "Rockin' Mommy Day!" My Benny and my girls rock!!!

Can see a bit more pictures here...

i made three

I am so excited Thanksgiving is next week. I love traditional turkey and traditional stuffing and pumpkin anything that I can get my hands on! I am getting hungry just thinking about it. Well, with all the baby nesting going on, I still can't forget my little girls and the fact they need Thanksgiving outfits. I decided to make something simple for each girl.

True gets this little number, but she is a tad disappointed that they are fake pockets. True loves pockets, but I guess what little kid doesn't like a teeny compartment to hide their treasures in?!! Note to self: make True something with lots of pockets.

Brave's jumper is made of an old wool vintage skirt, that no longer fit me. She is so excited to have a new dress that when I try it on her she keept twirling and twirling that it was hard to figure out where to put the buttons as she refused to stay still.

And just in case baby does decide to make an appearance in time for some turkey, I made a little layering piece that would go over some onesies and leggings nicely. Then, when the weather warms up she would be able to still wear this, assuming she stays petite for a long time like her two big sisters.

All three dresses were taken from these two books. Now, I don't read Japanese, but I used the pictures to help me guess along the way and I am way too lazy to cut out the patterns from the book myself, but the pictures are really so helpful in figuring out the shapes and pattern.

So as my good friend Heather asked me... yes, I am still gathering twigs and ruffling feathers and no baby has come yet. Though, these contractions have been more frequent and some quite intense, but just not intense or consistent enough. My "thing to-do before baby comes" list is almost done. I think I may actually take a break from any kind of sewing today, as I have done so much this past week. I have laundry to put away and organize and a hospital bag to get ready. What do I pack again? I seem to have forgotten this time around.

Next list to tackle is my Christmas sewing list. I need to plan that one out. Hmm... now I am thinking, do I need a Thanksgiving dress? But who knows what shape my body will take next week. Bump or really soft? I won't worry about it.

Have a great Thursday and I promise to share what my Benny and the girls did for me tomorrow. Let me just say that it completely ROCKED!!!

our family of four

These are our last family photos before we become a family of five. I was glad we had time to take some before the baby comes.

My sister's boyfriend, Christian Cruz, who happens to be starting his photography business, took the photographs. Both my sisters also tagged along for the show as one did my hair, she is a hair stylist, and the other just likes to take pictures and hang out with us. My baby sister is also quite the photographer, she took the first photograph below and I can't wait to see how her pictures turned out too!

(taken by my sister)

These are just a few that Christian was able to send me, but I can't wait to see the whole batch! You can also see a few more on Christian's blog. Christian's experience is mostly in rock band photography, but he is working on branching out to weddings and families. He is currently working on his website, but if you are interested in your own family photos, you can send him an email at christian.cruz2021@yahoo.com. Thank you so much Christian!!! And tell your girlfriend thanks for doing my hair...

Of course at the end of the shoot, I had to make sure to sneak in a polaroid. Does the scenery look familiar? I just love kissing pictures because I love my Benny so much!!!

polaroid tuesday: week forty-six

True is sick. Brave is getting over being sick and Ben may be starting to get sick.

This picture reminds me to be still, trust God, and takes things slowly.

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Today is the last day to sign up for the sponsor giveaway!

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crazy bird

This weekend definitely was lots of crossing off my "to-do list before baby is born." It's coming and everyday I get more excited and nervous, and just try to get more of my list done. I was able to make a few more hats, my nursing cover, tons of burp cloths (thanks to a little guidance from Rachel) and some baby outfits, which I will show soon. With all this nesting, Ben is just saying I am crazy!

One of the biggest things now off my list was to take our family photos. I really can't wait to share those as I love how they turned out just from the few that I have seen! Last time we took family photos was when I was pregnant with Brave, then I went into labor 2 days later as that was one of the last things off my to-do list, so maybe just maybe.

Then, yesterday I was surprised with the most loveliest of things from my husband. If you think my Mother's Day surprise was awesome, wait until you see what Ben planned yesterday, but my surprise continues tonight, so I will share more when it is all completed. I woke up this morning and just hugged my husband tight as he is just so A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! God really knows best when he paired me up with my Benny!!!

The weekend was just so dreamy and such a wonderful way to end last week and start this week. Only good things are ahead...

Happy Monday everyone as I am off to continue this crazy bird syndrome and keep nesting...

:: sponsor welcome ::

Please welcome my newest sponsor... Lisa Leonard Designs.

(top row: petite family crest, sweetheart tree necklace; second row: be still necklace, fly free necklace)

Lisa Leonard Designs is "handmade jewelry that is meaningful, unique and perfect for everyday. Each piece is hand-cut, hammered, antiqued and polished sterling silver." Timeless simplicity is another way to describe the beauty in Lisa's designs. You can choose from an assortment of "custom necklaces" to suit your heart's desire or from the "inspired designs", which are just as beautiful. Don't forget Christmas is around the corner, so you can even send a link to those who need hints of what you want (*wink*). Also, check out Lisa's blog and you will see how inspiring Lisa is as a mother and artist, which makes sense why her pieces are just inspiring as well.

For Cakies readers, Lisa Leonard Designs is giving away 2-$50 gift certificates to 2 lucky readers. Can it get any more wonderful than that?!! Now you can snag a gift for yourself, cause you know we always like to treat ourselves once in awhile, or snag up something for someone else. All you need to do is leave a comment with the following information:

1. Your favorite Lisa Leonard piece.

2. Your favorite color (random, I know, but I just realized that I don't really have one).

The giveaway will end at 8am PST on Wednesday, November 18th and don't forget to come back Thursday to this particular post as this is where the winner will be announced. Good luck!!! Thank you so much Lisa Leonard!!!

lisa leonard website...

lisa leonard blog...

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The winners of the giveaway away are...

Kim who said, "My favorite LL piece is the Fly Free necklace :) My favorite color is robin's egg blue!"

And Linn who said, "Wow! So many entries for such a beautiful giveaway. My fav Lisa Leonard piece is the one around my neck (a teenie tiny initials necklace) which my husband gave to me for my 30th birthday (one year ago tomorrow!) with all my love's initials. It has rarely left my neck this past year :) So my second fav is the sterling ring- it's so sweet and simple which is me to a tee! Oh, and my favourite colour is a toss up between ruby red and duck egg blue. Cheers and thanks for the chance :)"

Congratulations winners and please email me with your address. Thank you all so much for welcoming our sponsor!!!

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for her sweet head

I am in the throes of last minute nesting, trying to make sure everything is right and done for the impending arrival. Technically, I am due in 4 weeks, but my pattern has always been to go early, so we will see. Nevertheless, it is fun preparing the little things for the newest addition to our family and naturally, Brave and True will say, "Can you make us one too?" And of course, I can't turn them down, so making them some little hats are also on the agenda. 

I am excited for the weekend as we will be crossing more things off this "things to do before baby arrives list." Hurray!!!

As for the shop, I will be taking out most things and leaving only the ready-mades. I have somethings I still need to put up, but was having too much fun sewing for baby, I didn't take pictures. I must prioritize, you know. I will put them up when I have a chance though, maybe next week. They are just some necklaces and a couple other things. Well, have a fantastic weekend friends and don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another wonderful sponsor giveaway...