:: I HAVE NOT PERFECTED TIME MANAGEMENT ::


I just can't fit it all in anymore. I'm putting this HORRIBLE picture of myself up so I'll find the time to blog and push it toward the bottom of the page. This picture was taken at the Mule Deer Foundation Dinner just 2 weeks before Piper graced us with her presence. I won a vest this year... not a gun. Take a look at my wrist. YIKES! The swelling makes it look like I am wearing a rubberband. I have a few more things to do before I can download all 1 billion pics from my camera and edit them. I'll get back on the ball. NO ONE wants to look at this photo very long.

:: A GIFT FOR HOLLY ::

When my family moved to St. Anthony, Idaho, in 1988 I met two girls in my neighborhood right away. Holly and Annie introduced me to a whole new world of Barbies and making movies. Fun times. The best part about our friendship is, we're still friends. We lose touch for a few years, but then we pick up just like no time has lapsed at all. Don't you just love friends like that? Anyway, Holly is having her first baby at the end of July, and I was able to attend her shower last month while she was in town.


I bought this Michael Miller/Robert Kauffman (I can't remember which) fabric when FabricBliss.com was closing out. I held on to it for a little while not wanting to cut into any of those precious little birds (you all have a piece), but when I heard Holly was having a girl, I knew this would be a perfect quilt for her. I was so tempted to keep it for myself. It is so cute and I wish I had more. Does anyone know where I could find it? Does it look familiar to you?

My latest crafting obsession is making barrettes for little girls. I wish Piper had more hair. Right now I am just clipping them to her headbands. I'm sure they look silly to others, but I think they are darling on her round little head. I'm not really into the giant satellite dish flowers on little babies, but I love the little ones.

I also threw in a few flannel burp cloths because you can never EVER have too many of those laying around. I do a load of burp cloths, bibs, and blankets every other day because Piper is a spitter/drooler. I thought Cohen was a slobber monster, but Piper wins hands down.

:: TEACHER GIFTS ::


I did decide to do gifts for Cohen's teachers. I wish I would have put a little more thought into it.I just made them earrings and gave them some jam.


If you live in Salt Lake City and have a 4 year-old, go down to the Granite School district offices and request these two ladies. They are FANTASTIC!

On a side note, after receiving a pair of earrings and matching bracelet as a thank you for making a bag, I've decided I need to learn to make jewelry better. I used to be really into it and wore about 20 necklaces and bracelets at a time. I had so many that I had to wear that number so I could wear them all. Then one day, I took most of them apart and put the beads back in my supply box. That was end the end of it.

:: LISTED MIA ::

In the words of Rancid, I'm "listed MIA" for a little while. I'm taking a break from most things in my life to just sort stuff out. Nothing is wrong... I just haven't been blogging for awhile. (Due to the fact that I've taken 300+ photos and they are all still on the camera). I've been sewing a lot to get my mind off of stuff. I'm looking for a pattern. Have any of you sewers out there seen a pattern that is similar to the dress in the photo above? Isn't it darling? Let me know. This dress is by the children's designer Misha Lulu. I LOVE IT, but I don't want to spend $59 on it. Ya' know... true to Utah mentality and my blog name "I can make it."

:: 2 SHORT MONTHS ::

2 months and 4 days old
13 lbs 5 oz
24 inches long
16.25 inch head
That's my 95% gal!

:: LAZY SUMMER DAYS ARE ALREADY HERE ::

Now that Cohen has finished preschool (a post on that is coming soon...maybe...I did make teacher gifts and they were well received.), we're sitting in our PJs a little longer in the morning. Our air conditioning is not working so we're hot. Cohen has taken to wearing no shirt. He doesn't understand why I don't. I'm not about to explain it to him either. I'm not quite into the routine of having two kids yet. I feel like I do a lot of laundry and dishes. Not much else. We'll get there.

:: TEACHER GIFTS ::


Cohen's last day of preschool is May 20th. That is only three more days to figure out how we're going to spend our summer vacation. But first things first...teacher gifts. Give me your opinion on this topic. Are they necessary? I don't remember giving my teacher anything at the end of the year. I mean, my presence was a gift within itself. :-) I don't know what to do. I made them market bags for Christmas. What have you done for your children's teachers? Maybe some of my jam stash?

:: MY BIKE GOT STOLEN LAST YEAR ::

So I need a new one... Wouldn't you love to have one of these? Enter this contest and you just might get one.

:: A SMILE & A GREAT MAN ::


I am not writing this post so that you'll feel sorry for me, or be jealous of my patient and caring husband. I am mostly writing it for my own records. I've mentioned in the past few weeks that Piper has been SUPER cranky. Nothing would soothe her. I would feed her, then change her, then leave the house because she'd fall asleep in the car. It was getting old and Mike and I were waring down quickly. On Wednesday Piper's cry changed for the worst. At first I was so annoyed, but then I began getting concern. On Thursday I woke up with a horrible sore throat. At my 6-week postpartum visit I had my doctor do a strep test mostly because I was 100% sure it wasn't. Of all of the sore throats I've had in my 30 years, never has it been strep. I was correct. The test came back negative.

Later in the day I was really tired and starting to feel cruddy. Late that night, my temperature was over 104 degrees to I took myself to a walk-in. Again they conducted a strep test and it came back positive. Booooooooooooo! I had exposed myself to all sorts of folks that day and I felt really bad about it. When I got home Piper was screaming in agony (one point for Mike). It was horrible but I was so sick that I just took an Ibuprofen and headed for a nap. Finally Mike patiently got her to go to sleep and then put Cohen to bed (two points for Mike). Then he went to see Star Trek with his brothers. Not 10 minutes after he walked in the door (at 1:30 am) Piper started screaming again and my fever was back up. He paced the floor with her until 8:00 am until I was feeling better enough to get myself up (three points). He called in sick to work so he could stay home and take Cohen to his Kindergarten orientation (four and five points). Good man!

Piper screamed between 20 minute cat naps. I made an appointment for her to see her pediatrician at 2:10 pm. Mike took her (six points). He poked and prodded and tested and could tell something was definitely wrong, but he couldn't determine what. The doctor sent them to the hospital for blood work (7 points). While we waited for the results, Mike made dinner (8 points) and then took Cohen to the park (9 points), but not before calming Piper down and putting her to sleep (10 points). The doctor called and said the blood work came back fine but that if her temperature went over 100.4 degrees we needed to call him.

Friday night I was feeling a bit better so I let Mike sleep the first half of the night. At 3:00 am I had not been able to get much sleep and started getting a fever again, so Mike woke up (11 points) and stayed up with Piper until 7:00 am (12 points). He took her temperature and it was over the point so I called the doctor. He told us to take her to Primary Children's Hospital to get a spinal tap and some other respiratory tests to rule out meningitis and RSV. Sick kids go to PCH so I was a nervous wreck. Mike took her again (13 points) because I didn't know if I was contagious or what. He watched her get the same tests again (14 points) and waited patiently in the hospital room holding her and waited for the results. Luckily, she just has a bacterial infection was was treated with antibiotics and was then released. She has slept most of the afternoon, but woke up for about 2 hours and didn't cry once. She did have a fever so Mike went to the store to get some Ibuprofen (15 points) but she was smiley and happy.

While I enjoyed a happy Piper, Mike left again to get his mother's Mothers Day gift (16 points-he gets a point for this because I usually make/buy it instead) and stopped at Arby's to bring home dinner (17 points) on the way home. Now he is playing Zelda with Cohen (18 points) while I sit and type this (19 points) and talk to my sisters (20 points). I feel so lucky to have a happy baby and such a fantastic man. I feel like I need to change the celebration to Mike day tomorrow to make sure he knows how well appreciated he is.

For those of you that hung in there and read this entire post... you get points, too. Troopers!

:: I DON'T THINK I PRODUCED A BECKHAM ::

Cohen finished his first attempt at organized sports this year with indoor soccer. We put him on a team that was coached by his friend's parents. His favorite buddy, Sam, was also on the team, making it easier to talk him into going.


Most of the time he covered his ears because he thought the refs whistle was too loud. It was funny to watch him walk around clueless with his ears covered. I guess every team has to have one of those kids.

While the game was being played, he enjoyed his time on the bench the most. I think his absolute favorite part of the game was doing the cheer, slapping high-5, and then getting a treat. He really just loved being part of the team and he had a good time going out every Saturday. Plus, getting a trophy meant he was the best player right? So, maybe it is a good thing that he can't Bend it Like Beckham... it lessens his chance of being an underwear model. Aye Crarumba!

:: A LITTLE PRAYER ::

For those of you who know our friends, Adam and Lindsey Smyth, please keep them in your prayers. Their twin girls were born 10 weeks early and have to hang out in the NICU for awhile. I know all will be well, but I cannot imagine having to leave my babies at the hospital.

:: A BLESSING ::


We had the opportunity to bless Piper in church on Sunday. She looked so darling wearing her "vintage" dress from 1978. My mom made it for me and I wore it when I was blessed. Mike gave her a beautiful blessing that encouraged her to be courageous and strong and to stand up for what she believes in. His words were beautiful. I especially appreciated that he blessed her to be open-minded and supportive of others. I think when raised in an actively religious environment, one tends to become closed off from other beliefs and look down on others that do not share the same values. I am thankful for my parents who taught me to be understanding yet firm when faced with spiritual challenges, and most importantly to love everyone. And... now I step off my soap box.


These silly little booties were also part of her blessing get up. I guess my Great Aunt Lavera (what a name) started making these booties for the new babies in the family. I don't know if my Grandma Seegmiller (my Mom's mom) made any or not, but she did make these little pom-poms. My Aunt MaryAnn (my Mom's older sister) continued in making a pair of booties for each family. These are the first pair of booties that she made and the last set of pom-poms my Grandmother made. I think it is pretty awesome and was honored to have Piper wearing them (they weren't finished in time for Cohen's blessing).


Now on to the party after church. I think I went a little overboard with the spread, but I couldn't help it. Who knows if I'll ever have another one. I made cookies with "teal" (read: cookie monster blue) frosting and covered them with pink and brown sprinkles.

I pulled out any pink container I could find and turned it into a serving device. I also found the matching plates, forks, and napkins for 25% off at XPEDX.


Adding her birth information to the water bottles and filling little candy cups with pink and aqua Jelly Bellys and mints, added just enough to color to tie the whole thing together.


We had a great time and it was fun to hang out with our family for the afternoon. Piper is a sweet baby... a bit fussy... but so fantastic. We're just so lucky to have her in our family. I hope she can look back at these pictures of her blessing day when she is a teenager and hates me. I'll probably have to look back at them and remember how much I loved her, too.

:: I NEED A NAP ::

Image found here

I wish this was a picture of Piper. She isn't sleeping much. Her little body is having some trouble on the inside. I want to fix her. I think this is the hardest part of being a parent. I am getting ready for weekend company. We are blessing the babe this Sunday and having the family over for dinner after (20+ people crammed in our apartment - reason #750 to get a house). I've gone a little overboard with the pink theme. I can't help it...it is all so cute. I'll try to remember to get some photos of all of my hair-brained ideas. It is the lack of sleep that is making me crazy. Have a nice restful weekend.

:: I WANT THAT ::

Mike just might get this for Father's Day...

Image: PantryPress Inc.

Or this lovely print...

Click to link over to Cameron Moll's site...

And... I would really like this one...

Image: TRMACKSTUDIO

You know... if I had a few extra bucks to spend on artwork and such.

:: KNIT THESE SOCKS ::


Are you sick of Piper pics yet? She is now 4 weeks old. The novelty of having her around is wearing off and the fatigue has officially set in. I am not saying that I don't want her around. I AM SO GLAD SHE IS HERE. I'm just not taking pictures of every little thing she does (read: sleep) anymore. She's almost sleeping all night, and only wakes up about 2:00 am for a food and then usually goes right back to sleep. That is a baby worth keeping around.

But I really wanted to talk about these socks. Sue made them for me with a matching hat. I love them and it makes me realize I just need to sit and learn to finish making socks (read: I've made 7/8ths of one adult sock. I haven't taken the time to learn to finish the toe) so I can make her, and all of my friends with kids, a whole bunch of em'. Fortunately for all of us SLC punks, Unwind offers a baby sock knitting class almost every week. Supposedly these babies only take about 2 hours total. Maybe next week...

:: A LITTLE TOO RIPE ::


I bought a bunch of strawberries (for .99 cents an lb) with good intentions to eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. HOWEVER, all 4 packages had a rotten berry hidden in the middle, therefor making the entire batch a little too soft for my preference.


Then the next day, my pal Jodie brought me some delicious home made bread (you can see it in the back)...


So I made some freezer jam. Easy peasy. This is project #6, I think. I am going to make a whole freezer full of jam this summer to give as neighbor gifts this Christmas. I got the idea from my MIL. She delivers jam with hot rolls every year. Makes me wish I lived next door.

:: A GREAT GIFT IDEA ::


I got these great pacifiers from the Coffeys. I think this is such a fantastic gift idea and that is why I am sharing. Piper got the sparkley girly version in pink, clear, and purple. They match every outfit. LOVE IT. I'm thinking I'll probably save my pennies for the diamond one. Oh brother.

:: EASTER ::


As much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't as much into the true meaning of Easter as I was into the candy and baskets. Bad... I know.


Two reasons for this mentality:

1. Easter has the best candy... HANDS DOWN! While I was pregnant, I had such horrible heartburn whenever I ate sugar so I backed off. I have almost put myself in a sugar coma eating the delicious candy this season. However, because I have lost 20 lbs since Piper was born (and if I may brag, I only gained 9 lbs during this pregnancy) I want to keep with the flow. So, after this candy is gone, all candy must be gone. Boo! But I am on a roll.


2. I have two cute kids and they looked cute in their new Easter clothing. Piper made her debut at church this Sunday, and how fun is it to dress a daughter up??? Loved it! I even made Mike dress up like an Easter egg yesterday, but he sure looked great.


Next year I'll be more spiritually minded. I promise.

:: 2 WEEKS + 2 DAYS ::


I'm feeling like I've got this "mother-of-2" thing down... almost. It is nice that Cohen's Spring Break coincided with being a new mom, because I have had a hard time getting out of the house before noon. The poor kid would be late for school every day, if he even made it. There are a few things I need to work on, but I am not going to beat myself up. For example, today I got out of the shower and he was sitting on the couch playing Zelda, drinking a Diet Pepsi, and eating a bag of Dorritos. It was only 9:30 am and I don't let my child drink caffeinated soda at all. Oh well. I can't always win.

I have not downloaded any new pics from my camera because I just haven't. I do want to share some new pictures of Piper. She had changed immensely and is just too cute! She is starting to look so much like Mike's side of the family. She's a pretty good baby. She is only waking up 2 times each night. Mike takes the earlier one and I do the second feeding. Unfortunately, she stays awake for my shift and I feel like that sludge at the bottom of a coffee pot for the first few hours of the day. But I can't complain. Mike gets up in the night... what a rock star! I just love that man.


I am so excited for Easter. I have all of the new springy clothing purchased (I've passed up those cute little Easter dresses for many years and now I get to get all indulgent) and all of the candy purchased (read: it is now 1/2 eaten and I need to replenish or Cohen is going to think the Easter Bunny is lame!) and all is well. We're going to an egg hunt at a friend's house and I'll probably be making our own little Easter dinner on Sunday. Mike's mom has shingles (poor gal) and we spent a few days with my family during Conference (and bummed some free dinner) so I think we're on our own.

I think that is all, really. Some of you wanted to hear my birth story. If you don't, you can stop reading now. If you are interested... read on friends. I'm going to do it in a time line because Cohen is now begging for the computer.

Monday 3/23
9:10 am - Took Cohen to school
10:30 am - Took Great Grandma to the doctor
12:10 pm - picked Cohen up from school
1:00 pm - started noticing contractions
2:00 pm - timed contractions and they were 5 minutes apart
3:00 pm - called Mike and told him to get on the train and get home
4:15 pm - dropped Cohen off at Nanny's (Mike's mom)
4:30 pm - checked into the hospital
5:00 pm - dilated to a 3+ and 80% effaced
6:15 pm - no change - the nurses made walk the halls for 1 hour
7:30 pm - dilated to a 3+ and about 90% effaced
7:31 pm - nurses said they would probably send me home
7:32 pm - asked if I could stay for one more hour
8:30 pm - dilated to a 5 and almost 100% effaced (I got to stay)
9:00 pm - was admitted and did all of the paper work
9:30 pm - called the parents and in-laws to update them


10:00 pm - dilated to a 6 - sweet relief - aka Epidural was administered
10:30 pm - my water broke all by itself. WAY TO GO!
11:00 pm - dilated to a 9 - signed a lot of new paper work because I was attempting a VBAC (vaginal birth after cessarian)
Tuesday 3/24
12:00 am - dilated to a 10 - met the on call doctor (she was fantastic and laughed at all of my stupid jokes)
12:10 am - started pushing
12:57 am - Piper was born


It was fantastic. I am so glad that I opted to do a VBAC. Recovery has been great. I feel fantastic. I am so glad that I have so many great friends and family that have stopped by to visit, brought us meals, taken Cohen to play for a few hours, and cleaned my house. I love you all!

:: SHE'S HERE ::


I don't have the awake-ness to write much, but I thought I'd share a picture of my sweet new baby girl. Piper Mae was born 3/24 at 12:57 am. Labor was a breeze and I was able to have a VBAC. WAHOO! We just got home from the hospital. Cohen thinks she's pretty cute and always wants to burp her and get her bottle. Thanks for all of the induction tips. I didn't have to use any of them. I went into labor on my own. I dilated without Pitocin. My water broke by itself. I'm so proud of my body.