We are registered for a “man-ish” diaper bag (yes, I know there is no such word as “man-ish”).  It’s gray and black with green accents.  I wanted to choose something that both Jason and I could use and felt this fit the bill very well…BUT…the more I thought about it, I don’t want to carry both a diaper bag and a purse and I don’t want this “blah” diaper bag to be my purse.  It has no style at all (not that I’m a stylish person to begin with anyway).

So, after searching online last night and this morning, I’ve narrowed my personal diaper bag (yes, we’ll have two….a purse one for me and a “man-ish” one for my husband) down to two options.  Both are from the same designer and both have the exact same amenities and features.  It just comes down to style.  I will be getting black for sure (goes with everything).  So, out of the styles below, which one would you chose (A or B)?

We had fun yesterday seeing our baby boy again (4D ultrasound).  He is so cute and looks just like his Daddy!  He was extremely active and not very cooperative either, so we do get a free rescan or I guess you could say that yesterday was free and we’ll pay for the rescan.  We’ll head back this coming Tuesday to do the rescan.  When we left yesterday, we received 4 black and white photos, 9 colored photos, a CD of the photos, and a DVD of the scan.  We’ll also receive everything again when we have the rescan, so we’re getting quite a bit more for our money and we get to see our baby boy again.  Bonus!

We went to Triangle Imaging Center in Cary, NC.  The office was super nice and comfortable, and the staff was amazing!  We both highly recommend them!  They’re very personable and make you feel completely comfortable.

Our little one had his hands and feet up next to his face practically the whole time.  He also loves to play catch with his umbilical cord and hold it close to his face (can you say Linus from “Peanuts” with his blanket).  He has very long legs (just call him grasshopper boy) and we got to see both hands, feet, ears, eyes, nose and mouth (more of the hands and feet than anything else…that stinker).  We tried everything to get him to put his hands and feet down.  I drank juice, ate some chocolate, got up and down a million times, changed positions for the scanning, and even emptied my bladder one more time.  Nothing did the trick.  I’m thinking we’re going to have a strong-willed child on our hands (just like his Mommy).

The Ultrasound Technician was extremely knowledgeable!  She answered all of our questions and even went further to explain things.  She was so patient and as sweet as can be.  I hope we get the same person again on Tuesday.  I’ll post another picture of our boy if the pictures are any better than what we currently have.

On a side note, I’ve had a few people ask me what the difference is between the 3D and 4D ultrasound.  I had to look it up, but wanted to post the answer in case you had the same question.

What is the difference between 2D, 3D, & 4D Ultrasounds?

2D technology is the black/white technology and is used for gender determination and to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. 3D produces color still shot pictures. 4D, in simple terms, is 3D in movement. So if your baby is sucking his/her thumb, crying, yawning, etc. you will see his/her movements and gestures in the color technology.

I was able to finish my niece’s quilt while on vacation.  I had everything ready to go before we left so all I had to do was hand stitch the binding on.  I finished when we were about one hour from the house (on the way home this past Sunday evening).  I just got it washed today and took a quick photo to share.  I’ll be shipping it out to my niece later this week.  She wanted it to be a surprise.  She did pick out the quilt pattern and one piece of fabric and told me to take care of the rest.  I think she’ll be thrilled with it.  I certainly am happy with the results.

Up next is the neck tie quilt for my Grandma.  I’m still narrowing down the pattern and need to get some fabric.  I’ll be posting pictures soon of the progress of that.

We were on our way to pick my in-laws up from the airport and got a quick shot of my belly before leaving.  Today marks week 30 for me.  Tomorrow we’re having a 4-D ultrasound done, so I’ll post pictures and comments on what we thought soon.

Just got back from a week long vacation in the Smoky Mountains and trying to get back into the swing of things.  It was fun!  A lot to see and do.  We’ve already decided we’re heading back some time.  There were quite a few things we wanted to do but couldn’t due to me being pregnant (zip line, The Zorb, bungee jumping, major hikes, etc…).

I was able to finish my niece’s quilt.  I’m washing it now and will soon get pictures of it to post on my blog.  I’m very happy with the way it turned out.  Great colors, fun patterns, and it’s very comfy and soft.

Yesterday I ran out to find some fabric.  I spent over an hour at Hancock Fabrics just looking through all of their fabrics at least 7 times.  *sigh*  I then went to JoAnn Fabrics and did the same thing (only there I spent at least an hour and a half).  I did find what I was looking for at JoAnn’s.  I think about 1/3 of my time there was spent waiting in line to have my fabric cut or waiting in line to check out (very disorganized).

I had taken paint samples with me from the living room (a rust color, a green, a brown, and a swatch of our leather sofas).  I was also trying to match our old pillows (as I still have the blanket draped over the sofa that matched the pillows, so wanted the new fabric to go as well).  Our old pillows were green.  I decided I wanted to add some rust elements to the pillows, as well as the dark chocolate brown.  I found three very different fabrics with one being a corduroy (adding the texture element).

It took me some time to think of what pillow would be decorated as such.  I’m happy with what I came up with, but still getting use to the new colors in that room.  Having the rust color now on the sofas really makes all the rust colors in the room pop (which there weren’t many in there to begin with).  The fabrics are silk-like and slide, so I’m not thrilled about that (walking into the room and the pillows are laying flat instead of propped up).

These took some time in making (especially the ones with the brown corduroy sewn down the middle).  It was well worth it.  I now have custom made pillows that I wouldn’t have found anywhere else.

I also made a small pillow for the guest bedroom.  It looks plain without it, but looks a bit like overkill with it.  Oh well.  It’s made now and will remain there for the time being.  I still can’t get over how easy it is to make a pillow cover.

Ok…you knew these were coming.  I used some of the fabrics left over from the baby quilt I made and added them to some burp cloths (or cloth diapers, whatever you want to call them).  This was the simplest thing I think I’ve ever made.

I first saw these on Etsy, then Googled to search for a tutorial.  I found a great (and easy) tutorial from Chickpea Sewing Studio.  It took maybe 5 minutes to make each one (which includes ironing seams on the fabric so it’s the right size to sew onto the burp cloth).

I only wish I would have thought of these first.  I could be making some big bucks on Etsy.  Not sure if there is a market for another burp cloth maker.

Last night I finished putting together the quilt front for my niece’s quilt.  She picked out the pattern she wanted and one piece of fabric she liked and told me to pick coordinating fabric to go with it.  She wants to be surprised.

While it’s a very easy pattern, it’s HUGE and not easy to work with at all.  It’s by far the largest quilt I’ve ever made and I doubt I’ll make one this big again.  Way too big!  At least I’ll be able to say I made something this big (sized at 64″x85″).  While it’s certainly not a queen or king size, it’s definitely large.  It could definitely be a twin comforter.

I’m working on the backing next, then hope to sandwich it together.  I’m opting not to free motion quilt with this one due to the size.  I hope to have it ready for the binding so I can take it on the road with me and work on the binding in the car (heading to the Smoky Mountains).  When I get back I’ll start working on the quilt for my Grandma (using my Grandpa’s ties).  Still trying to find the right pattern for this one.

I won’t get into details (trust me, you don’t want to know), but it’s time to replace our living room pillows that are on the sofa and love seat.  I went to Bed, Bath, & Beyond (coupons in hand) to hopefully find the exact pillows I was needing to get rid of (yes, I said “exact”).  As I’m shopping around, I realize the pillow section isn’t where I thought it was, which leads me to believe I got my original pillows at Linens N Things, which is obviously no longer in business.  I was out of luck.  On to plan B…finding another pillow that hopefully matched.

I spent about an hour in the store walking aisle after aisle looking for just the right pillow and the right shade.  I found several, but all had feathers inside (the main reason I need to get rid of my current pillows…again, long story and I’m sure you’re questioning why I would be looking for the same thing if I wanted to get rid of feathered pillows…again, long story).  So, I ended up with what I thought was a great choice, although the pillows were a bit smaller (wasn’t too thrilled with that).

I got home and my husband said he liked them.  I liked them too, but they weren’t my favorite.  I went on to tell him that I’d like them even better if they were bigger and if they looked more like such-n-such.  He went on to tell me that I should just make my own pillow.  I mention that it’s way over my head to do that.  He goes on to say that if I can make a quilt, I can certainly make a pillow and I needed to Google it.

Off I went to my computer.  I search for pillow tutorial and came up with several options, but stumbled upon a perfect and simple one.  It’s a pillow cover and all I’d have to do is buy an insert for them (works for me, that way I can wash the pillow cover when necessary).  I had some leftover fabric around the house and decided to go ahead and try the tutorial.  To my surprise, it took about 10 minutes and lo and behold, I have a pillow cover.

Now I’m beaming from ear to ear as I head downstairs to surprise my husband with my new creation.  I tell you…this man has more confidence in me than anyone I know.  He was not one bit surprised.  I love that he believes in me so much (wish I did).  So, he inspects the pillow and is impressed.  He goes on to mention that if I had put that out there with the ones I had bought at the store, he wouldn’t have any idea of which one I made.

So, the pillows I purchased at Bed, Bath, & Beyond will now be returned and I’ll be heading to the store to pick up choice fabric and pillow forms.  I’m very excited.  I’m going to make my own pillows for my living room (pictures will be displayed when that time comes….hoping yet this week).

And, if anyone is interested, I found my pillow tutorial on tiny Decor’s website.

This past Friday morning I had my Glucola test.  Based on everyone’s experience and the horror stories I’ve heard, I’ve been dreading this day since I found out I was pregnant.  To my surprise, I was nervous for nothing.

There were only three of us taking the glucose test on Friday.  We each had to drink the glucose drink one at a time (I was last…and not by choice).  The first person gagged her way through it stating that she doesn’t drink any sugary drinks (she must eat a lot of sugar in other things then, because she wasn’t thin by any means).  The second girl drank hers and ended with saying that her friend told her to just drink it as fast as she can.  So now it’s my turn.  Of course I’m freaked out.  I love my sugar though and was told by a nurse ahead of time that the drink tasted like a flat orange soda or like the orange drink that McDonald’s use to serve when I was a kid (which is probably the last time I had an orange soda).

Ok, so it’s my turn.  I take a sip (expecting the worst, of course) and to my surprise, I actually like it.  I had no issues drinking it.  It tasted just like an orange soda.  Mind you that it’s a new glucola drink that has recently come on to the market, so I’m not doubting that people in the past who have had a glucola drink have thought it was disgusting.  So, no issues at all.

We watched a movie about being in your third trimester and the beginning labor pains, as well as time in the hospital, then waited until our appointed time to get our blood drawn, then seen by a doctor and on our way out the door.  It was a good day I must say.  I definitely was on a sugar high for quite some time (very giddy).  Glad it’s over though.  Still waiting on the results, but should find out this week.

Yesterday I went to get the fabrics for my niece’s quilt.  I love the colors together and am so excited to work on this quilt for her.  I’ve got the fabric all washed, but still need to iron it before getting started.  I took a quick picture of the fabrics tonight (as I like to do when I first get them) and wanted to post them.  More pictures soon to follow with something more interesting to see.