Oh my little dove, be calm.

Daddy Time My amazing husband, I am in awe of his patience with our often inconsolable daughter. I guess he's had a bit of practice developing his tolerance of yelling; Nonetheless, there are times when even I am totally burnt out and I can pass Lulu to Gerry who does all he can to calm her and when he can't he still walks and talks to her so gently.

FYI - My mom has also been a huge help in this department soothing department, but that's totally Nana territory since they have the experience.

My Little Dove Tail

Her hair behind her head is so adorable, like a little dove tail.

The past couple days have been pretty difficult with hourly feedings, and 30 minute breaks in between... I put her in the Baby Bjorn (gifted by Grandma, Thanks Betty!) so that she could sleep on my chest as I did some simple things like dishes.

Oh my goodness!

A Little Respite

After a long afternoon... a little downtime (very little).

New Dress

Today we went to take some professional family photos with Hubbard Studios Amanda Haugen. For the occasion Mom and I went out last week and picked out this cute little number for the bambina. It has matching socks that didn't make the cut...


I was inspired to take a few shots at home while Lulu is still small enough to fit on the fabric I use for my pottery photos. Also because she started sleeping with her rump in the air like I use to when little. Too cute!

Yes, I did take this picture.

Rainy Days

The Great Peonies The rain has been great for the flowers, what little survived the winter and the chickens! After all the work digging out rock, putting down mulch and planting perennials... only the peonies arent bothered by the chickens and cold. Granted this bush is on the side I hadn't moved rock, but the chickens don't seem to bother the peonies on either side. My latest plan is to build raised beds around the area and put up a little chickenscwitz fencing... but I think I may have to design and weld my own because I can't find anything sturdy enough for chickens to stay out. Anyhow, I couldn't do anything while preggo... so now I hope as the summer gets going and baby Lulu has some sort of routine I can get some things done. PLUS, Daddy Gerry is buying us a baby monitor today so that will help too!

Daddy's Weigh-In On Lulu's 4th day we went for our 2 week weigh in at the doctor's office. It seems that somehow our records are messed up and everyone keeps telling use Lulu was born with a fever; however, being that we were both in the room and they said she was normal everything and an 8-9 APGAR score they are just plain wrong. Anyhow, I will take that up with her pediatrician after I pick one this week. In any case we stripped the poor child to her birthday suit to weigh her and she was 7.15 so hadn't in 4 days gained her birth weight back. The hospital was about 105 degrees and the baby was hungry so I fed her, after about a 10 min feeding on one side (because it was so hot she fell asleep) the doctor had us strip her down and see if she gained a 1/2 oz! I don't know what I was thinking just going along with what the doctor said. After she saw Lulu hadn't gained anything she asked if I would come back in 2 days! Good greif! I said no, and she made it sound like I was inconvenienced driving into town to check on the wellness of my baby... not that we're about 10 days early for a 2 week appointment because someone messed up our records... and dragging a 6 day old infant to a hospital 16 miles away where sick people go didn't sound so good to this new mom! I can understand if there was something wrong with the little one, but she's been eating well and sleeping well... granted on her own schedule but considering her short duration living outside the womb she's doing pretty darn great!

Gerry decided he wanted to see how much weight she was gaining (this picture was Father's Day). She weighed just over 9 lbs minus the 1/2 oz of clothes she was wearing. YES he did weigh the clothes, you know Gerry!

After Several Long Nights

After a week of long nights (again on Lulu's schedule) we're all sleeping in a little... including Nana. As painful as that little position Lulu is in looks it's her position of choice. No one holding her lets her stay that way, but she mosies down off your shoulder in a matter of seconds to find that spot. She's such a sweetie. Nana and I got a 3/4 mile walk in yesterday after Grandma Schermeister bought us a Baby Bjorn (THANK YOU!) what great gear to own! Now to hope we have a little walk everyday... between the rain showers and t-storms.

First Father's Day 2009

Happy Father's Day Gerry!

Sleeping in with his little girl, they're both all smiles about it.

Father's Day Breakfast

We all enjoyed breakfast burritos together.

Lulu gave her dad a card that appropriately said, "Dad, did you know I was put on this earth to bring joy and sunshine into your life?

How am I doing so far?

Happy Father's Day!

My Little Lulu

My little girl... so sweet! Milk Face



Snuggle Bug
First Bath... lovin' it!

New socks from Aunt Joanne

My Fuzzy Wuzzy Back

Welcome Lulu

A Sweet Baby Girl

Momma Cat

Daddy's Little Girl

First car ride... to home Nana with Lulu

6 days old
Dinner time

Baby's Room

This dresser is Soon to be Dad's* childhood dresser. We attached a change pad and put a basket of ointments, baby wipes and such next to the changing station. Inside the dresser are cloth diapers, onsies, hats, socks, blankets, sleep sacks and swattlers, etc... In the reflection you'll see the felted baby mobile on the opposite wall.

On the opposite wall is where the crib will go after we drive to Colorado to pick it up. Also the book shelf with books from the shower my sisters had for me in March. On our trip I am borrowing all baby gear I need.

This is the 1/2 a closet I got Soon to be Dad* to clean out... and all the tools are gone, but the room still has lots of his clothing. However, you can walk in the room now without killing yourself! The clothing in the closet is actually all 0-3 month items, so I think we are pretty set (boy or girl).

So the color or the purple trim you see on the closet is the color of the carpet... should we have a boy I need some ideas, or pointers to a way to incorporate this into a boy room. I was thinking an area rug with multiple colors? The walls will be painted too after we know if we're having a boy or girl, and after it's warm enough to leave the windows open and paint.

Well... that's it for now. Baby tomorrow I hope?!

Lion head baby rattle.

I started working on this little rattle yesterday afternoon. I think it turned out quite adorable! I need to wash and keep felting it to make sure the ears and mane stay intact but I should have it for sale in my Etsy Shop before the weekend is through (unless I go into labor).

Thanks for all the calls my friends! I swear I will let people know when I have regular enough contractions that I go to the hospital... don't feel bad for calling though, I didn't think I would be still holding onto this baby either!

Out wandering...

We've been out wandering around the last few days between doctor appointments. The good doctor did a stress test on the baby on Wednesday. Baby is great, healthy, etc... doctor is now at a conference in Brainard.

So we went to the lake cabin with the dogs and threw sticks into the lake for a few dog laps. It was relaxing for all of us, and nice break from the house.


Gerry has been keeping our kitchen table fresh with lilacs the last several days since they've been in bloom. Nice to smell the flowers when sitting at the table reading or knitting.

We went in today for a U/S check on baby, everything is great... next appointment is Tuesday unless I go into labor before then.

I have been experiencing contractions now for over a month, just not enough to send me into labor. Lots of time to finish some projects, like updating my website and planning some Pottery-2-Go ideas. Cleaned up Ally's bed and trash, and unpacking bisque for business.


I finished knitting the baby hat that matches the booties I did last month. I thought they'd be too big for the newborn, but now that we're overdue and seems the baby is enourmous it may fit within the next month.

I also made this Cuddly Bunny (pattern from lion brand) out of the fleece skein I bought not too long ago. It looks more like a dog, with big ears... but baby won't care it's soft and squishy.


Our neighbors momma cat had 3 kittens who are so sweet and cute... I was calling this one Rascal, since it's so frisky and attacking my shoe, my leg, my hair. It's not afraid of people by any means. Just love the little kittens! There's a picture of me holding two of the little ones, you can see me 'momma cat' still holding onto our little one too... so big!

We stopped by Leo's grave marker this morning to, watered the flowers and new grass. The second summer without his presence... it's not the same. Forever in our hearts and prayers.

Old Closet - New Closet

And here it is our new "master bedroom walk in closet." Needs some trim, and still we have to build shelves inside but it's functional. We decided no door since if our bedroom door is closed the closet is open and if the bedroom door is open then you can't see into the closet so it works out great.

The old closet still is there on the right as you can see. It's our temporary 'baby space' equiped with a portable crib, sheets, blankets, and diaper changing stuff. We have started in the baby room... but only so many projects can be done at a time, and with baby not here yet The Lumberjack* is cutting firewood from the woods for this winter.

I was planting flowers today and thinking if I could make enough pottery to be in the Midsummer Celebration the town has on July 11th? Hmmm... also thinking of getting my studio re-set up so I can sell "Pottery-to-Go" kits. Just thinking.

Can't wait to meet baby... decided I can't go out anymore, can't stand to answer all the questions anymore. Tired... waiting.

40 weeks & Eyeball Rattle

40 weeks and no baby.

We took this picture on the way into the clinic this morning... it'll be the last visit (I am hoping, praying, and doing all the other things to make contractions begin).

I am holing up in my house from now until the baby comes. I just can't take the questions anymore, and the advise on what everyone else did to make labor start. I can see the pitty in peoples eyes and it makes me anxious because I am already built that way!

If baby isn't out by the 10th we'll induce.

In the meanwhile, I finished Little Dub's Eyeball Baby Rattle!

In my weird twisted way, I think it's pretty darn cool! I couldn't figure out a way to put on muscle attachments from the eyeball to the optic nerve... without making a choking hazard.

The Cultivator's* best friend and wife have sent gifts that arrived yesterday... very, very cool! Onsies, receiving blankets (never enough, or so I hear) a first aid/health kit for babies and and a DadGear diaper bag which is REALLY AWESOME! I didn't think we'd actually get one! My sister got me a Jeep diaper bag which is really great, but after a few weeks I noticed the lack of pockets on the inside makes my organization worthless... so I bought a 'Roll-n-Go diaper bag organizer' online today (http://www.lafbrand.com/ro.html) which you can convert any bag into a diaper bag, but I just want it for my Jeep bag. Chances that I'll carry more crap than he will is pretty inevitable!

39 Weeks... The Final Countdown

Tradewinds... I've never seen them before but the most interesting flowers so I bought them. The garden is plowed and ready for planting thanks to The Cultivator* No help to me who walks around and does squats to pull thisles out of the yard, but that's about it. I suck!

I started knitting a hat for the Littl' Dub, to match his/her socks. Somehow I put a purl strip in it... but it seems ok, and I am not much of a ripper so will just live with the mistake.

I also bought 4 skeins of yarn since I wasn't sure when I would be back to Monika's next. I love knitting with the ladies on Wednesday's! The Sockina are self striping socks... they are sooooo cool I can't wait to start them! The other yarn next to it are for fingerless gloves, and the baby yarn... well I haven't decided.

With no job and just waiting for baby, I decided to enter the Headwaters Animal Shelter 2010 Photo Contest (for calendar)... I entered the two pictures above of my guys... vote if you live here!!!

I am 39 weeks along:
BPM 140-146 (baby)
60% effaced
1 cm dialated

Things that people say:
"Oh wait until you have heartburn" 9 mos and so far nothing, I am pretty sure the difference is our diets & lifestyle. It seems like everyone projects their least favorite pregnancy symptom on you as if you're pregnancy will be just like theirs was!?

"What have you been craving?" Not sure why it bothers me, I haven't been craving any one thing throughout the pregnancy. I seem to have less tollorance for things I normally enjoy like cauliflower, and for a few weeks I wanted Starbursts which is not my MO for candy... but nothing in particular.

"Is this your first?" Well, duh, do you see any little ones tagging along with me... hmmm, for the past 4 yrs? Ok, granted some people don't know me in this town still. I am just not sure what that question is leading up to, but guessing it's to hear about all their pregnancy/birthing experiences.

"Are you excited?" OMG - You don't get 9 mos pregnant and not be excited to have a baby! What kind of idiotic question is that! No, actually I am giving the child up for adoption to someone more excited! (Just kidding mom, don't pack your bags!). I am excited no one is going to ask me these questions after the baby comes.

"By how high you're carrying I think (or 'my mom would say') it's a girl." Why do people tell you these things? Because they're all experts? Everybody carries babies differently.

People keep telling me I haven't "dropped" but every doctor appointment since March when the baby WAS breech, the doctor has felt the baby's head and it's on my pelvic bone. Oh and trust me I feel it... and the pressure associated with moving my bones. I am not sure where people think the baby will drop to? How much lower than my cervix can it go before it pokes it's head out? Does anyone ever take into consideration the little one is probably LONG since both of us parents are tall? Or that when 'lightning'/'pelvic station' changes occur it may not be noticable since it's a matter of body type?

"Do you know what you're having?" Ok that's a common question, and one I would probably ask too... but I keep saying, only God knows! I think after you hit a certain number of months we just need to wear a pin that says, "I DON'T KNOW!" It answers it all! I don't know what the sex is, so no I haven't picked out a name either. I don't know much anymore because I get so little sleep and the baby is sucking all my glycogen stores. I don't know what I am going to do since I was laied off... I am guessing a lot of breastfeeding. I don't know if I should if I will stay in the technical field or make a career change.

No epidural for me! Found out Doctor said 'no can do' because medical concerns. I was planning natural but guess that really puts breaks on any alternatives. The only total bummer is if I have to have a C-section it means they have to put me completely out. No use worrying about it now, I have a "can do it natural" attitude and also an open mind knowing I will chose what is best for both baby and me... and so will Baby's Daddy*

NEXT project: In spite of having made the 4 baby rattles that I am selling on Etsy... I didn't want to give my baby any of those rattles but rather something more 'original' and my style if you will. I came up with it last night. Baby rattle will be an eyeball on the optic nerve... how neat will that be! Well I think so and so does Baby's Daddy* so guess that's all that matters.