More things to be thankful for

Yesterday morning, I was terrified that I would be delivering my babies more than 3 months early. I was having painful, regular contractions and went to the hospital at 4 AM.

I've already said I'm thankful for modern technology, but I'll say it again. I'm VERY thankful for modern technology to monitor what was going one. (I plan on having a natural birth at term, but this early I am all about the medical intervention!) I'll cut the story short (which included two hospitals, several doctors, ultrasounds, monitoring and more). We're all fine, and I'm CRAZY thankful for that, and I'm thankful I will not be delivering this week. The babies are measuring two weeks ahead so that's good. One of the biggest problems with twins is low birth weight, if they keep this up, they will be in good shape. :)

I'm thankful for my husband's boss who got a 5am phone call explaining that we were in the hospital and hubby would be late to work. "no problem" the guy says. And it really wasn't.

I'm thankful for comfort foods and nice people- after more than 12 hours of our ordeal yesterday, we got dinner at this place call Mix and Mac. They have gluten free mac and cheese. And it's amazing. After a long day, I didn't feel like cooking. It was so nice to get a yummy, comforting dinner and the people who own the place are just fantastic. If there hadn't been a counter in the way, I totally would have been hugging the owner. SO sweet. This is their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MIX-N-MAC/225633727498987 tell them the pregnant gluten free girl sent you. :P

Again and always... I'm super thankful for my hubby who makes everything better. I love him.

Thanksgiving is in two days.... What are you thankful for?

7 more things I am thankful for

I was "slacking" I didn't blog my thanks like I meant to, though it doesn't mean I wasn't thinking it.

1. I'm thankful for my mother, who gave birth to me and is REALLY excited about being a Grandmother!

2. I'm thankful for the generosity of others- last weekend so many friends and family turned out for my family baby shower and REALLY showered us with gifts! I was thankful to be able to see these people whom I rarely get to visit with, and thankful that they love my sons already too!

3. I'm thankful for our truck, which got us upstate and back safely

4. I'm thankful for modern technology, which was able to assure us all that our babies are doing just fine and my heart is okay too, especially after last week's scare.

5. I'm thankful for yummy food. My mom cooked for us all last weekend and it was fantastic

6. I'm thankful for the friends I've made online. They are truly fantastic women who keep me motivated, and provide support even though we've never met!

7. I'm thankful for the hard work of my husband. I know I've said something like this before, but as I type, he is building the hearth for our woodstove so I can be cozy and warm. He's been working around the house non-stop all day. I love him so.

Fabric bucket tutorial

By demand... here's a tutorial for fabric buckets. I saw something similar on my favorite blog: www.soulemama.com, and naturally I bought the pattern she used, but still have not received it so I decided to make some of my own. I have NO idea if this is how they are made or not, but this is my interpretation and I totally "winged" the first one (the blue stripey) which came out quite well if I do say so myself. So without further ado here's how to make them.

You will need:
1 30x18 inch piece of heavy canvas
1 30x18 inch piece of cotton batting
1 30x18 inch piece of your outer fabric
2 3x 9 inch pieces of handle fabric (I used canvas for the wool bucket and the outer fabric for the other two)

Cutting mat
rotary cutter
scissors
iron
sewing machine
thread

Cut your pieces 

I made the handles out of the left over end piece

Cut batting 

Lay batting over canvas, with "right sides" (the canvas) together, fold and sew down side and bottom

Seaming..... 

Trim away excess. this stuff is BULKY and we don't want too much

Seam the outer piece and clip corners

 To square off the bottom, line up side seam (and side fold) with bottom seam and press, then, use your ruler thingy to make a triangle, I use the 45 degree angle that is built into mine- in brings the side in about 3 inches from the corner. Repeat on the canvas and batting.

While you are at the ironing board, make the handles....

You will sew this together- I like a zig zag right over that crease

Fold the bottom up wide and fold the top down narrow, then fold the top over to enclose raw edges

Sew along your mark and cut off the triangle

Here's the tricky part.... Take both pieces and put them right sides together matching the side seem and corners. Sandwich your handles between the pieces, leaving an inch or so sticking up. Make sure they are equi-distant from the sides and match each-other. Pin all the way around, then sew leaving a good size opening (I like leaving the side between handles open) to turn. 

Turn the whole thing right sides out

Stuff the canvas inside the outer piece. Bring it over to the ironing board and press your seam allowance in where your opening was and press all the way around.

Top stitch all the way around... 

Fluff and stuff!

That's it! Now you have a bucked for all sorts of stuff. Mine are holding fabric scraps, but I'm going to make a few for toys and for the boys' room. 

I hope it all made sense! lol

Veteran's day

Aristotle said, "We make war so we may live in peace." Modernly, our brave servicemen fight wars so YOU (and I) may live in peace.

Every day, I am thankful to our men and women in uniform who have served in wars past and present. I am each and every day thankful and proud of my husband who has chosen to serve.

God bless you all and God bless America!

4 am on a Thursday of a rough week

Okay, it's 4:40, but I've been up since well before now.

I've made myself pancakes

I've checked my favorite blog (www.soulemama.com)

I've picked up my knitting. I'm letting myself have this time- quite time before dawn just for myself. I think I need it. It's been a rough week... I had 6 doctors' visits in 3 days with no naps, and woke up at 2:30 this morning. The boys just didn't want me to sleep but I'm trying not to complain. It was even nice just to lay in bed in the dark counting their kicks (46 in half an hour and then I lost track). They are very busy in there, even now they are still popping around.

I'm thankful for these times, even if I am crabby. Thankful to have the time for myself and the comforts of creation- knitting and growing humans. And tea. I'm very thankful for tea.

Cowl in progress for my mother in law knit from Kolage Solace- alpaca and silk- in the broccoli pattern.Yummy! 

My ducky PJ pants. :) 

3 days thankful....

I'm thankful for advanced healthcare

Yarn (and knitting needles... and other knitters... and crochet....)

The ability to create and cook.

Thankful

I am thankful for the food we eat- for where it comes from (thank you plants and animals), the people who raise it (farmers), the people who transport it (truckers), the people who stock it at the market, and for the person who buys it (HUBBY!)

Thankful more

I'm thankful for our fantastic friends and support system. They are just amazing and fun.

Thankful Today

For our lovely home, and being warm and safe. :) (With a little extra sprinkle of thankfulness to my husband who makes it possible by how hard he works!)

Thankful, 26 days to thanksgiving

I'm thankful for the little boys growing in my belly. :) Children are such a blessing and I've been doubly blessed.

Thankful

This morning a friend posted to facebook a lovely idea; each day until thanksgiving post something you are thankful for. I think this is a beautiful thing to do.

I'm incredibly thankful for my wonderful husband who is kind, caring, generous, a hard worker and the love of my life. This year, this wonderful man's birthday falls on Thanksgiving. How appropriate? :)

A rare moment of relaxation with the pups. How cute is that?

So please feel free to do this for yourself. Share the things you are thankful for in the comments, on your facebook, on your blog.... There really are so many things to be thankful for and to cherish. :)