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Now that we know Baby T is a boy baby, I have not changed my mind about color choices for the baby's room/clothes/toys. I just won't succumb to decorating in pale blue!
Here are some things I've found around etsy lately that are inspiring me...hope you enjoy.
From the top: Organic Tee from Jessalin Beutler, Stacker Toy from Imagination Kids, Alphabet Print from ReStyle, and Crochet Teething Ring from Koukku
Dear Baby T,
well, today is the day we found out that you are officially a boy baby! But, we both kinda knew that already. People have been telling us all along that you are a boy (specifically your Grandpa Thompson) and your Dad and I kept catching ourselves saying "him" whenever we talk about you.
Your Dad went to work this morning and I was busy answering emails and packing up orders. Then he came to pick me up to run some errands before our appointment. Boy was he a nervous wreck! He was drving super fast and talking a mile a minute, it was hilarious. We had our ultrasound with a super nice woman named Christina. She's the Mom of five boys. She was so kind and explained everything to us!
Well, you are quite the active one. You kept moving and flipping all around. Then for awhile you were literally dancing on my bladder. Well, that explains those stabbing pains!! Haha, but really-you are worth it :) She also told me that the way my placenta is tilted that I would probably have felt movement sooner than most first time Moms. And boy is she right-both your Dad and I have felt you move for weeks now.
Your Dad and I both got a little teary eyed when we saw you. Your Dad was just so happy you have all of your fingers and toes! Apparently he was worried about that ;)
We then went to grab a little snack and shot the photo above. We emailed and texted it to all the important people in your life. Of course, I tried to call Grandma Powell and her phone was off the hook! But I got a hold of her eventually. All of your aunts, uncles, friends and grandparents are so happy that you are coming. We can hardly wait.
I love you, Baby T.
When I lived in Portland I was lucky enough to work for a locally owned Children's boutique. The owner had her own line of beautiful children's clothing and the shop also carried safe & eco friendly toys and the best books. As employees we were expected to learn about the products; how they were made, what customers thought of them and their age appropriateness. It opened my eyes to how unsafe and unecessary many toys are and how great simple toys can be.
The toys featured above are made by Haba. You can find them online at this store or if you're in Portland-head on over to Grasshopper. Haba is a European based toy company that's been creating toys for almost 75 years. I adore the bright colors and simplicity of their toys. Those shown above were some customer favorites that I hope to get for Baby T.
What are some of your favorite toys out there?
Today we find out if Baby T is a girl or boy....can't wait!
Call me sentimental, I'm a pregnant woman and have every right to be :)
This sweet shot is the work of Momma, doula, and photographer Mary Catherine Hamelin. Enjoy!
The last thing I want to do is turn this into a "things I can never afford and will never buy" baby blog.
There are PLENTY of those out in the world already, and while they can be fun-I don't need to throw my hat in the ring.
BUT, I did just have to post these adorable onesies from kit+lili. I would put any of these on a baby boy or girl (ok-the romper with the ties is a little femme). I love fun, bright prints for babies.
At around $30 or more, these aren't the most *practical* onesies to buy for everyday wear-but I may just have to splurge on my favorite.
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One week from tomorrow we find out if Baby T is a boy or girl! I want a fun way to reveal the news to my parents and in laws but haven't come up with anything yet. They both live hundreds of miles away...so maybe just some phone calls will do.
Thanks for stopping by!
Lately I've been thinking a lot about making Baby T a special blanket. My Mother is a long time quilter and knitter and I'll be visiting her in June. I'd like to have her help in creating a nice, cozy heirloom for Baby T. I'd thought I share with you some of my current favorite baby blankets...
This fun patchwork above was made by Kenzie of Secret Pocket. I love all of the vintage pieces she used although I must admit, I'm quite the novice seamstress so I don't know if I could pull a similar version off!
This blanket was knit by Winnie Yang. This looks seriously soft and cozy. I am smitten by the fact that it resembles a Gee's Bend quilt. The bright, bold colors would make it perfect for a baby boy or girl.
The uber talented Shastin of Mecozy made this little number. I love that it is not geometrically "perfect". Shash always uses color in a unique, modern way-but manages to keep her quilts unstuffy. I can imagine a baby playing on top of this or just hanging it on the wall as a piece of art!
Do you have any favorite baby blankets? Do you still have your baby blanket? I'd love to hear!
(p.s. thanks for all the kind words on the last post. Sometimes a pregnant lady just needs to get it out :)
painting by Mary Cassat
So, yeah.
I'm only 18 weeks along and I know it's probably a wee bit early to start with this morning but I read something on twitter and I just can't shake it.
The person; a very talented photographer and blogger and Mother wrote:
"Just saw someone WALKING in the airport and nursing a baby under a blanket. #THATistalent #alsodisgusting"
At first, I read this and though it was a joke. I mean, surely a Mother, a woman, any grown person can not be disgusted by a woman breastfeeding and discreetly covering the act with a blanket, right?
We eat in airports, babies are bottle fed in airports, and sometimes a traveler only has a short time to get from one plane to the next. What happens if your baby needs to feed and you've got the next plane to catch? Do you go hide in a private place to breastfeed and miss your plane so you don't offend some random stranger?
I mean, I am not so naive-I know that people exist in the world that think public breastfeeding is gross. But after all, it is legal in every state to publicly breastfeed and forty four states even have laws allowing a woman to breastfeed in any public or private place. (For more info you can read about these laws at this website here).
I always figured that the people who had problems with public breastfeeding were upset when women breastfeed au natural, without cover (which I have no problem with-but I can *kind of * understand how a person with strict modesty issues may be offended). But I really never knew that people had a problem with women who were covered and breastfeeding...especially other mothers!
Ok, here's the deal-I grew up in a LDS (mormon) household where us eight girls were EXTREMELY modest. No two piece swimsuits, no tank tops or sleeveless shirts or dresses, no skirts or pants far above the knees, no rated R or even PG-13 movies...you get the picture. But I saw my sisters, friends, church leaders, sunday school teachers all nurse in public, at home, at church activities. I never thought anything of it. So to me, it is not even a modesty issue-its a baby needs to eat, so I will feed baby issue.
I guess my point is, I am just shocked and a little saddened that this woman who I sort of looked up to-was publicly bashing on another mother who was just feeding her infant. I guess it made me feel very scared. Being pregnant has made me feel a tight bond with other pregnant women and mothers already-and it was just sort of sad to see this attitude from a woman I admired.
But hey, I'm not going to agree with everyone on every issue, I guess I never realized that that WAS AN ISSUE to some people. I just thought of it as feeding your hungry baby.
By writing this I'm not exactly sure what I am trying to accomplish... I guess I just wanted to vent about my shock and frustration. And I am a little scared about potential backlash I may encounter when I feed Baby T in public.
For me I see breastfeeding as the best possible gift I can give my child. I hope that both the baby and I will be able to have a great breastfeeding relationship. I realize it is not for everyone and if I cannot do it, that will be okay. But I still plan on fervently supporting a woman's right to breastfeed her own baby whenever and where ever she needs to do it.
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edit May 5, 2011
Hi there! Thank you for all of your comments. I have decided to close comments on this post. I was receiving a lot of hateful spam comments and also some comments that I quite frankly-didn't want to publish. I appreciate differing viewpoints but felt that some comments attacked women who chose not to breastfeed and I felt those comments were rude and insensitive. It was not my intention to start a debate on why some women don't breastfeed-so I am leaving those out. As this is my personal blog and not a public forum, I decided to just close the comments for now/ Thank you for all your feedback.
I must admit, I am not much of a jewelry person.
That being said, I think jewelry is great and wonderful-and can be a very special thing.
My Mom had an old antique locket she wore with a family photo inside. (Mom-was it a photo of your Mom or Grandma? I cannot remember...) And this locket had a dent in it. She always said that the dent was from us babies grabbing it and trying to teethe on it! She also had a necklace with gold charms for each of us that looked similar to these.
I've been thinking that it would be pretty great to have a special little keepsake necklace for baby t. These are some that have caught my eye recently-from the top: French Enamel Lockets from Trois Petits Points available at Bekilna and Spartan, Kaleidoscope Locket from Verabel FOX, Pockets Full of Lockets NEcklace by Verabel, Custom Simplicity Necklace by Jeneri Jewelry and Personalised Necklace also by Jeneri.
I have to admit, I'm in love with the bright red French Enamel Locket...
Do you have a special keepsake piece?