Not Ballet Slippers

For the record, my son is not wearing ballet slippers in the photo from yesterday as my father so kindly suggested. He is wearing these. And I think they are the cutest little boys shoes I have ever seen. I got them in 2 sizes (because apparently I have gotten over the angst I had with Avery about spending this much on shoes for a baby).

But if he were wearing ballet slippers, that would be fine too. Dad.

Thanks for all the birthday advice. Mostly what those comments did for me was make me realize that I did not fully convey the filthiness of my house, and to more appropriately communicate my guilt about the whole thing I should have shown a photo of my kitchen (like, it was you-can't-walk-in-bare-feet messy) rather than an extreme closeup of my kids in their cute jammies. In fact something you should know about me if you don't know me in real life, is that my life is nowhere as pretty as it looks on this blog...I have just gotten good at taking super close-up photos that crop out all the mess. And frankly I'd like to think that the odd angles at which I am sometimes forced to take photos to exclude messes is what makes them interesting. No?

Also you made me feel like my gifts were just fine and for that I thank you. I should probably say that he liked them and thought they were great. I think what I was trying to say was that gift giving was more fun when we had no money because buying something was a sacrifice, and that's what made it special. You know...like "the Gift of the Magi".

Anyway... maybe he will be getting socks for Christmas after all. Or maybe we'll have a "Magi Christmas".

Except I kind of really want a new iphone...

Keeping Shop

So if you are just here to learn about making rolled fabric flowers then you won't care about this...

but if you happen to be related to me, I just thought I'd mention I added a button to connect to our other blog. I took down all my links to other blogs awhile back because I am horrible at keeping them up to date and with so many friends and family who now have blogs I just figured it was better to have no links than a few outdated ones.

Follow?

Anyway...I added a button for your clicking pleasure just in case you don't get enough about my children in your lives, and would like to easily visit over there.

It's a private blog and if you'd like to have access (and you know us in real life...or at least well enough in cyber-life to have convinced me you aren't creepy) email me (daniellebwilson (at) gmail.com) and I'll add you to the list so you can access it.

It's mostly photos of my kids with messy hair doing naughty things.

Enjoy.

Craft Dilemma

So I have been really thinking/wanting to try my hand at felting. I had envisioned a multicolored felt-ball garland to swag among my new stockings. I have seen tutorials here and there and it seems that needle felting looks pretty time consuming but the hot water kind...might be doable.

And then I saw this perfect garland that looks EXACTLY (I mean down to the colors and everything) like I was imagining, at Anthropologie yesterday! And now I am torn...do I cough up the steep Anthro asking price, or do I spend the time to make it myself? And after I buy all the supplies...would it even be cheaper?

Does this dilemma ever happen to you?

By the way... if you love these stockings as much as I do, they are sale right now and have free shipping! Argh...I should have waited to buy mine. Maybe I'll get a few more.

thank you

So I didn't really intend to take a month and a half break from posting, but I happily became pregnant and since everything in my life right now seems to have a lot to do with that fact, and since I wasn't quite ready to share the news, I receded into a more private state of being.

Also, I tend to get quite sick with pregnancy and have spent most of the past few months in utter survival mode. I'll spare you the details for now, but basically I haven't been able to think about much but trying to feed myself and Avery (poor Trav has been on his own!) and get through the day unscathed. There have been responsibilities untended to, many balls dropped, friends ignored, messes uncleaned, laundry undone...the list goes on and on. But now heading into the second trimester (and feeling slightly better) we seem to be making it through thanks to much help from good family and friends.

So there are lots of changes on the horizon for our little family. And there are lots of thoughts in my head about it all (and photos to share, but I left my camera cord in Oregon so those will have to wait).

But for now I just want to say thank you! To everyone who has helped us through this really tough time. My mom took care of us for almost an entire month in Oregon and I can't imagine having gone through that time without her help. And to everyone (there are too many kind souls to thank!) who has shown up and taken Avery for a playdate when I am pitifully unshowered with vomit in my hair, knowing full well that I won't be able to return the favor anytime soon, or brought us food, or forgiven my general state of spaciness... well those sure are real friends. So thank you.

And I sure do love babies. So hooray for us;)

Why I Love My Mother In Law

...at least some of the reasons.

She always have clever tips and tricks. And she labels things with little sticky notes in her cute designer's handwriting.

Check it out here

i wish I'd thought of these

I don't have a single church-related piece of artwork in my entire home. Shocking I know. It's not because I don't want to have one, its just because most things I come across at Deseret Book aren't exactly in line with my decorating style.

I always thought, "Someone should design some church art that is less--dried floral arrangement/burgandy and green/giant gold frame-ish, and more simple and fun and colorful".

Turns out someone did.

And since I tend to be sort of an impulsive shopper when it comes to buying things like this that I really really love, I am forcing myself to wait until at least tonight to press the "Submit Order" button in the ETSY order that is currently waiting patiently in an open window on my computer. You know...to make sure I really need all three things I ordered. I have a problem with excess.

Remember...I am trying to be more mindful. And that includes spending money.

I only wish that I had thought of these. This girl's gonna make a killing.

Find them here. We'll be twins.

survey says...

Ever wish you could give your pediatrician some advice about things you'd like to see change? Well here's your chance.

My good friend and Avery's pediatrician would like your advice.

Go HERE.

And if you are in the market for a pediatrician on the Salt Lake area...I HIGHLY recommend her. She's smart smart. She listens to you. She is constantly reading medical studies.

And She's a mom.

secret sale

Just thought I'd mention...

Enter LASTCHANCE at checkout, and get 20% off at Darlybird. Sounds like its only good until Friday (tomorrow) or maybe Monday...so shop fast. I am resisting the urge to buy myself Christmas presents, but aren't these earrings and necklace cute?!

Introducing...

Woodengirl. Who happens to be the alter-ego of my very talented and clever mother in law. I love that she is blogging, because although she is a very creative interior designer, and will no doubt have some fabulous ideas to share, mostly I love that I get to know this other--more intimate, side of her. And so do you. Check it out here

PSA

Head on over to Anne's blog for another fabulous auction to benefit the Nielson's. She is offering several darling little hair accessories, created and donated by her friend Alicia.

Kind souls, they are.

Now go bid!

Feeling like a bad mother

So I know its normal for kids to get sick...

but TWICE in less than one month of life? I am feeling negligent.

A few days ago Avery got a little rash, but it looked like the regular newborn rash, so I didn't worry too much. Then she got a little fever, but it was so low that I knew if I took her in they would just tell me it was probably a virus (and nothing hey could do), and it only lasted one day so I felt better. But she was just acting funny and I was bugged by it. Tuesday she didn't sleep the ENTIRE day, which is bizarre for a one month old baby. She wasn't fussy crying...just fussy restless. So this little voice in my head wondered about her ears, but I kept telling it that I was being overly worried and to hush. But the worrier in me won out and after a full 24 hours with hardly any sleep and at my husband's insistence, I took her in to the Doctor yesterday, and sure enough, she has an infection in both ears! Poor little thing. I don't know how she keeps getting sick but I feel awful! I hate that my newborn has to be on antibiotics that will most likely give her a wicked diaper rash, and that her little tiny ears hurt and that I am obviously not doing a very good job of keeping germs away.

So I have decided we are officially not taking her out for a while. We are going to be hermits. Not that I could leave anyway...because she basically will only sleep if I am holding her at this point. And if you happen to visit us...please don't be offended if I force you to use hand sanitizer... or appalled at the state of my messy house...or annoyed that you still haven't received a thank you card etc. I am typing one handed after all.

Also, we got all of her newborn pictures back. They are so cute. I can't wait till I have time to do something fun with them.

until then...

We're Having a BABY!

...Thursday.

In case you didn't know that we're having a baby...since--you know--I never talk about it or anything...we are.

Except instead of happening in a week and half like my "due" date says, we are having it Thursday (unless she decides to come sooner).

Here's the scoop. At my appointment last week my blood pressure was slightly elevated and my face was very puffy and their was some protein in my pee. All those fun things put together equal something called Preeclampsia (you can click on the link if you want to know more about it...otherwise I won't bore you with the details), which happens to some women late in pregnancy...and basically if there is something that can happen...it's going to happen to me. So I was ordered on bedrest (in case you have been wondering where I have been) where I have been in between lots of doctors appointments, and one trip to the hospital (because I was sure the baby stopped moving...she didn't, I'm just paranoid). So all the labs and tests tell me the baby is fine still, but so as to not tempt fate, my doctor is inducing me on Thursday.

Kind of anticlimactic to know ahead of time when your baby will be born, but totally insignificant when compared to their health and safety. And Preeclampsia is not anything to mess around with. Mine is very mild, which is why we are waiting till Thursday. But we are excited and can't wait to meet our little girl! And no we haven't decided on a name yet. Don't worry, we have some ideas.

We'll keep you posted!

Like father like daughter

I've noticed that Trav sleeps this way most of the time,
and in almost every single ultrasound picture we have of our baby...she is doing the same thing. Too funny.

(he was pretty mad at me when the flash went off this morning at 6 am)

And just for fun...here's me this morning, wet hair and all. 35 Weeks today!

(I have to take pictures of myself because Trav has been working pretty late these days)

GD and me

So I thought I should maybe update the whole blood sugar situation for anyone who was concerned. Here goes:

They screen everyone for gestational diabetes between 24-28 weeks. Basically you have to drink this sweet orange drink and then they check your blood sugar an hour later. If it is too high, it means that you may have gestational diabetes and that they need to test you further.

*Note to CNA who poked my finger--It's really not a good idea to tell a pregnant woman that she has "failed". We are already worried about failing-- as mother's-- as women, we do not need to hear those words verbalized.

I failed my first test. It was too high. So I had to go back to the doctor and do a three hour fasting glucose tolerance test, which is exactly what is sounds like. They test your fasting blood sugar, then you drink some more orange stuff that is twice as sweet as last time. They kindly admonish you that if you feel like vomiting to please try not to, as it messes up the test. Then you sit in a dizzy nauseous haze for three hours while getting a vial of blood drawn each hour. I have no idea why a whole vial is needed to get a simple blood sugar, or why they have to send it to a lab, and make you wait a whole day to get the results, when they have those neat little machines that do it so fast (hmm? wonder why health care is so expensive).

So if two out of those four blood sugars are too high based on a pre-set range of values, you have Gestational Diabetes, which means your body doesn't make enough insulin in it's pregnant state, or is resistant to using it properly. From what I have read, pregnancy hormones naturally suppress your body's insulin utilization as a way to ensure that the baby gets enough calories to grow (so your insulin doesn't hog all the sugar and dump it into your cells before it can get to the baby). Also, it seems you need something like 2 to 3 times more insulin to keep up with the physiological changes of pregnancy (so why do you suppress it? Like morning, sickness this makes no sense to me). And some people have a either a genetic or fat-induced predisposition to having some insulin resistance already. So put 'em all together and you get Gestational Diabetes. Usually it goes away after pregnancy but if you do have it, you are much more likely to get type 2 Diabetes later on in life. GD is not good for the baby's health for a whole bunch of reasons, all of which I am acutely aware, seeing as I work in the place where the ones with really bad problems end up. I'll spare you the details, but google it if you are curious.

So back to me. One of my levels was above the cutoff point and one was borderline. So though I do not officially have GD, my doctor is still having me check my blood sugar to make sure things are OK. Which equals poking myself several times a day, and carrying around one of those stylish little black pouches with the necessary supplies. Oh and staying away from sugar. Duh.

Don't feel sorry for me, I already feel sorry enough for myself.

No actually its really not too bad. And actually my blood sugar has been rather on the low side of normal, which kind of makes me wonder if I was ever really in danger, or if anyone who drinks a super sugary drink on an empty stomach would have high blood sugar? ( I am sure we could have a whole discussion on whether screening healthy people leads to unnecessary interventions). So I don't need insulin or anything like that. I just eat a normal healthy diet and check my blood sugar, which so far has been fine fine fine. At any rate, it's kind of good to be watching things and have the reassurance that at least in terms of blood sugar, I am not failing my child. (Take THAT CNA.)

It's also kind of a wake-up call that I need to be extra careful about food and health in my life. We have a strong familial tendency towards diabetes so it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

So there you go.

my sparkle

(My pink cups make me sparkle)

So I have meant to, but never really explained the title of my blog. Although most of you either get it already, or have more to do in your lives than ponder the meaning of my blog title, I am going to tell you anyway.

So the story goes like this (yes there's a story):

A long time ago, (think early 20's) in place far away (OK Provo), I was on a lovely walk with one of my very best friends Emily (Em do you remember?), and we were talking as good friends do on walks, about life and boys and our dreams. I think I was struggling with trying to decide about a certain boy or two (who wasn't?), but other than that, was feeling generally like there was nothing fun going on in my life. It must have been winter. Anyway, I was just feeling...I don't know...blah. Like I wasn't excited, or feeling passionate or inspired by anything. So in trying to adequately describe my quandary, I said,

"Em, I just feel like I've lost my sparkle."

And that was the perfect way to describe it. And she got it. Because every girl wants to feel some sparkle in her life.

So there have many times since that walk that I have felt my sparkle wax and wane. But one thing I have realized is that the things that make us feel joyful as women, are often universal and help us feel connected to each other. And talking about them and sharing them with each other makes us feel...I don't know- more normal or understood (because for me the walks are really not about the exercise).

So when I started this blog, I wanted to share all the things that make me feel inspired and excited and fulfilled (OK and sometimes complain),

like creating pretty things,
or fun with friends,
or making a home,
or my funny sweet husband,
or my someday dreams,
or right now excitement

because it's my sparkle, and I know you get what I mean.

Don't want to see my bare belly?...avert your eyes

Since some of you have been asking.



Here I am... 29 weeks and growing.



Back fat and everything.

I warned you.

We're calling it an early Valentine's gift

So we got a new (to us) car today.Because we thought that we didn't have enough to do this weekend...what with the moving and all.
On Thursday night Trav got to thinking about the fact that he would have a longer commute now, and that our truck really wouldn't accommodate a car seat (OK we have been talking about it for several months).
So by Saturday morning (in between picking up the moving van, and loading it) he was at the Audi dealership test driving cars with his brother Doug.

Mid-Saturday, while loading boxes with cell-phone to ear, he was engaged in some heavy and mean negotiating with Mike the car guy.

And by tonight (Monday) this shiny car was sitting in our driveway. This, from people who took a year and a half to move out of their one bedroom apartment. When it rains it pours I guess.

And besides... Trav assures me--It was all about the car seat.

I love you Honey

12 inches of Snow

Our new house...and the foot of snow Trav got for his very first commute!

In case you don't believe me...here is the proof, all the way to the top of my Wellies.

OK so we have successfully moved, for anyone who was wondering.

We have not set up our cable or internet yet, but happily several of our neighbors are "letting" us borrow their wireless connection, which I am OK with seeing as we single-handedly supplied several neighbors with internet for two years in Omaha.

No, I did not over-exert myself thanks to all of our fabulous family and friends who did all the heavy lifting. I felt slightly guilty watching several boxes labeled "craft stuff" and "heavy" being lugged down the elevator, into the truck, and then back out of the truck again. Thanks again everyone for all your help and for letting me hardly lift a finger. So the moving was a breeze, unpacking may be another story. We are still knee deep in bubble wrap and boxes, but as soon as we wade through and finish this business I will post some pictures of the inside.

We went to our new ward on Sunday and are pretty excited to be among families again. And I already have a new friend. Well technically she is my brother Ryan's friend, but she lives three doors down, is super nice, brought us chocolate cookies while we were unloading the truck, and has a new baby, so I am pretty sure this whole move was meant to be. Plus there are officially no weird smells to be found here, so basically I couldn't ask for anything more.

...well except maybe more garage space. Oh well, next house.


(Informer anyone?)

WE ARE MOVING!!

It's official. Words cannot describe my joy. Stay tuned for more news and very probably photos of our new sparkling faucet (well new to us).

The best part...
no weird smell.

Oh and I got my hair cut and highlighted, so basically I am a whole new woman.

Note to self: roots equal bad self-esteem. Don't let it get so ugly next time!

fyi

We are actually not crazy and stupid, and have decided not to go to San Diego today. So much for our free vacation. We are just glad that our (however small and slightly smelly) apartment is safe and sound here in good old Salt Lake. Have you been watching CNN? It's CRAZY!!!

Also, we got to hear our baby's heartbeat yesterday--which I am sure is exciting to nobody but us. But since I write the blog, you have to hear about it. It was very exciting and makes this whole thing seem more real. It was 160 beats per minute, which is normal. And strangely, since it is the only little thing that I know about our baby (well that and the fact that he/she is trying to kill me with nausea), I carry it around with me in my head all day...160 bpm, 160bpm, 160 bpm...he/she has a heart and it is working...there is ACTUALLY a baby in there...wow.