Megan had another good report from the doctor today. She has not started dilating yet and the baby's head is still down. Things are looking good! Adelyn's choosing to stay in where it's safe and warm!! Smart girl. ;)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Doctor's Visit
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Doctor's Visit
The due date (Valentine's Day) is quickly approaching so Megan is visiting the doctor weekly now. Her visit today was very encouraging and favorable. The baby is measuring right on and her head is down. Let's pray it stays that way! And Megan was pretty excited that she lost 1/2 lb.! Woohoo!!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Baby Shower
Grandma Brenda and Auntie Chrissy gave Adelyn the most beautiful baby shower. They spent many hours making it special and fun for everyone who attended. They also enlisted help from cousins, Cassie and Cindy and good friend, Janet, for which we are very grateful.
Chrissy and Cassie baked and decorated the fanciest cupcakes I think I've ever seen. And they weren't just pretty...............they were very tasty too! They were topped off with white chocolate candy crowns that they made themselves to go with the Princess theme. They were a big hit!
The tables were decorated with pink tablecloths and Princess balloons and pretty favors designed and made by Grandma Brenda. Janet and Cassie helped too. Inside the little embossed boxes were bite-sized candy bars that fit just perfectly. I'm sure that wasn't a coincidence!
Lots of other little goodies were arranged on the tables, such as the cute little pacifier sweet-tarts and heart-shaped gummy candy.
Chrissy set out pictures of Megan on the tables which were displayed on little Cinderella coach name-card holders. What a cute idea! I love this picture of Megan's heart-shaped hands over Adelyn.
The gift table was loaded...................
and the floor beneath it!
Chrissy made an elegant diaper cake with the things a princess will need.......like sparkly shoes and a crown!
Chrissy (the teacher!) had a great idea and asked everyone to use a children's book as a gift card instead of the typical card which gets tossed after awhile. Now she has a great library started already.
So many cute little outfits and lots of practical items too. This little onesie got the biggest reaction though from Grandpa Steve............the hunter! He's going to make sure his little princess knows how to use a bow, I'm sure. Thank goodness for the little ruffle on the back or we might not let her wear it.
It's going to be interesting to see if Adelyn turns out to be a prissy little princess or a tough little tomboy because she's going to be influenced on both sides. We shall see!
We're hoping she doesn't miss her due date, February 14, so she can wear this "Baby's First Valentine's Day' outfit this year.
This was such a special gift and labor of love created by Brenda Stambaugh. Just beautiful!
Another special, hand-made gift was given by Grandma Brenda, the Stampin' Up queen. An adorable little shadow box where she can add pictures or memorabilia.
Wow, baby items have certainly changed and improved since my kids were little. Like this fancy swing from Dave and Cindy, Cassie and Dominick. I think I want one like this too! Wonder if they make them adult size?!?
This bear is about the cutest thing but his bib says it all!
Ben received his own diaper bag, given by the other hunter in the family, Grandpa Steve Buckley. What are the chances of having two Grandpa Steves and two Grandpas who are hunters?? This is a real diaper bag made by a company called Diaper Dude. Hysterical!
Megan wanted to make sure Daddy was equipped when she goes off to work so she prepared a Daddy Diaper Duty tool belt with all the essentials, including rubber gloves. Cute!
There were many laughs throughout the morning but also some tears shed as Megan read the heart-felt note from Brucie's mother, the severely handicapped child Megan deeply loved and cared for until his death a few years ago. Megan has always had such concern and compassion for children, especially those with disabilities. God has blessed her with a tender heart and has now placed her where He is blessing others through her work as a pediatric nurse.
And of course, we can't forget the delicious food.........cheesy broccoli casseroles, shredded chicken sandwiches, fruit salad, pumpkin bread and rolls, cheese ball and crackers, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes. Way more food than 35 people can eat in one sitting. Well, at least more than 35 WOMEN could eat at once!
And then there were.......................the SHOES!
Of course the little girl guests thought this was an open invitation for dress-up time. Too cute!
Oh yes, since it was announced in an earlier post, I guess I should mention that the nursery was not revealed at the shower. I was not able to complete it in time because of all the detail and additions I seem to make on a daily basis. "We need one more thing and then one more and............" Seems I don't know when enough is enough. Or maybe I do and that 'enough' just hasn't been reached yet. But soon. Very soon. And I will let you know when it is. Keep watching.
Chrissy and Cassie baked and decorated the fanciest cupcakes I think I've ever seen. And they weren't just pretty...............they were very tasty too! They were topped off with white chocolate candy crowns that they made themselves to go with the Princess theme. They were a big hit!
The tables were decorated with pink tablecloths and Princess balloons and pretty favors designed and made by Grandma Brenda. Janet and Cassie helped too. Inside the little embossed boxes were bite-sized candy bars that fit just perfectly. I'm sure that wasn't a coincidence!
Chrissy set out pictures of Megan on the tables which were displayed on little Cinderella coach name-card holders. What a cute idea! I love this picture of Megan's heart-shaped hands over Adelyn.
The gift table was loaded...................
and the floor beneath it!
Chrissy made an elegant diaper cake with the things a princess will need.......like sparkly shoes and a crown!
Chrissy (the teacher!) had a great idea and asked everyone to use a children's book as a gift card instead of the typical card which gets tossed after awhile. Now she has a great library started already.
So many cute little outfits and lots of practical items too. This little onesie got the biggest reaction though from Grandpa Steve............the hunter! He's going to make sure his little princess knows how to use a bow, I'm sure. Thank goodness for the little ruffle on the back or we might not let her wear it.
It's going to be interesting to see if Adelyn turns out to be a prissy little princess or a tough little tomboy because she's going to be influenced on both sides. We shall see!
We're hoping she doesn't miss her due date, February 14, so she can wear this "Baby's First Valentine's Day' outfit this year.
Another special, hand-made gift was given by Grandma Brenda, the Stampin' Up queen. An adorable little shadow box where she can add pictures or memorabilia.
Wow, baby items have certainly changed and improved since my kids were little. Like this fancy swing from Dave and Cindy, Cassie and Dominick. I think I want one like this too! Wonder if they make them adult size?!?
Ben received his own diaper bag, given by the other hunter in the family, Grandpa Steve Buckley. What are the chances of having two Grandpa Steves and two Grandpas who are hunters?? This is a real diaper bag made by a company called Diaper Dude. Hysterical!
Megan wanted to make sure Daddy was equipped when she goes off to work so she prepared a Daddy Diaper Duty tool belt with all the essentials, including rubber gloves. Cute!
There were many laughs throughout the morning but also some tears shed as Megan read the heart-felt note from Brucie's mother, the severely handicapped child Megan deeply loved and cared for until his death a few years ago. Megan has always had such concern and compassion for children, especially those with disabilities. God has blessed her with a tender heart and has now placed her where He is blessing others through her work as a pediatric nurse.
And of course, we can't forget the delicious food.........cheesy broccoli casseroles, shredded chicken sandwiches, fruit salad, pumpkin bread and rolls, cheese ball and crackers, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes. Way more food than 35 people can eat in one sitting. Well, at least more than 35 WOMEN could eat at once!
And then there were.......................the SHOES!
Oh yes, since it was announced in an earlier post, I guess I should mention that the nursery was not revealed at the shower. I was not able to complete it in time because of all the detail and additions I seem to make on a daily basis. "We need one more thing and then one more and............" Seems I don't know when enough is enough. Or maybe I do and that 'enough' just hasn't been reached yet. But soon. Very soon. And I will let you know when it is. Keep watching.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
I hope that dreams DON'T come true!
Megan had a dream last night (or should I say nightmare!) that she went into labor before the baby shower and was not at all prepared for it. She didn't even have her bag packed! She delivered and................it was a boy!!! She was stunned and confused. She didn't even know what to say. However, she did call me in a panic and said, "Stop, stop, don't do any more on the baby's room. It's a boy!"
Funny story but also scary. As we all know, the nursery we're planning and working on is not by any means unisex. Please let it be a girl!
Funny story but also scary. As we all know, the nursery we're planning and working on is not by any means unisex. Please let it be a girl!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Megan's Maternity Pics
Here are some pictures I got to take of Megan yesterday. Hopefully we can get a few more here soon. Love her and can't wait to meet this adorable baby.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A Day of Making Tulle Flowers and Satin Leaves
I had originally planned to make the tiebacks for the drapery panels with silver/gray leaves at the back and a cluster of tiny fabric roses on top. But I saw this hair pin which I fell in love with and used as inspiration for a slightly different tieback.
The challenge was making that many leaves all the same size. Hand-cutting sounded like a long, tedious project. So I enlisted the help of Nate, my graphic designer son who drew the leaf design into a 6 1/2" round shape by using 4 leaves attached together.
He uses his computer and drawing pad to create it and then sends it over to the attached die-cutting machine which cuts them out in precise even pieces. Prior to cutting, however, I fused 2 layers of the silver fabric together. This had several advantages...........this kept the leaves from being floppy, the leaves look the same on the back as they do the front and finally, it keeps the edges from fraying.
I layered two 6 1/2" leaf clusters, then two 5 1/2" clusters and finally two 4 1/2" clusters as the base for the tieback. Each layer has a tiny pearl bead in between them to give it more dimension.
Next I drew a rose petal which Nate transferred to his computer and then sent to the die-cutter. The rose petals are cut out of tulle which was a little more tricky to cut. Because the fabric has such an open-weave, the knife wanted to drag the fabric instead of cut it. Nate finally thought of a solution that made it happen. He took a layer of tulle and ironed it onto freezer paper which gave it enough body to remain rigid while being cut. After it was cut, the tulle peeled right off the paper.
Megan helped with the process of removing the tulle petals from the sticky backed mat and freezer paper.
Because the tulle is so thin, it is hard to see its color unless there are several layers together. I took 2 tulle petals stacked on top of each other and folded them into fourths. I took a single stitch at the point of the folds and attached 7 white layers and then 7 pink layers in this manner on top of the leaves.
To secure it all and give the tulle flower a nice center, a pink opaque pearl was sewn on top. Then a wisp of feather was tucked under the tulle petals. Finally, 6 white streamers and 6 pink streamers were added to the bottom of the tieback along with 3 rows of strung pearl and crystal beads.
I layered two 6 1/2" leaf clusters, then two 5 1/2" clusters and finally two 4 1/2" clusters as the base for the tieback. Each layer has a tiny pearl bead in between them to give it more dimension.
Next I drew a rose petal which Nate transferred to his computer and then sent to the die-cutter. The rose petals are cut out of tulle which was a little more tricky to cut. Because the fabric has such an open-weave, the knife wanted to drag the fabric instead of cut it. Nate finally thought of a solution that made it happen. He took a layer of tulle and ironed it onto freezer paper which gave it enough body to remain rigid while being cut. After it was cut, the tulle peeled right off the paper.
Because the tulle is so thin, it is hard to see its color unless there are several layers together. I took 2 tulle petals stacked on top of each other and folded them into fourths. I took a single stitch at the point of the folds and attached 7 white layers and then 7 pink layers in this manner on top of the leaves.
To secure it all and give the tulle flower a nice center, a pink opaque pearl was sewn on top. Then a wisp of feather was tucked under the tulle petals. Finally, 6 white streamers and 6 pink streamers were added to the bottom of the tieback along with 3 rows of strung pearl and crystal beads.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Decorative hardware
How exciting...........the decorative applique pieces and medallions came today - 5 days early! Thank you, Bill Denis, from Decorator's Supply. Great customer service! Now I'm getting anxious to put the pelmets together.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Window Treatment and Canopy Design Sketches
Megan has searched for months to find bedding that she was happy with. She was getting very frustrated as none of the ready-made options were anything that she could get excited about. So Joanna presented the following window treatment and canopy design to Megan. She finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, Yes that's what I want! Afraid that Ben might think it was too over-the-top, she trepidly showed it to him and he said, Well why wouldn't I like it? So the plan is in place and the search has begun to find just the right fabrics, trims and hardware.
The walls and carpet in the nursery were already a pale shade of gray. Megan couldn't decide whether she wanted the accent color to be pink or purple. Purple is Megan's favorite color but Joanna suggested that they go with a soft, pale pink to keep it more babyish and to coordinate with the existing pink and white crystal chandelier. Megan agreed and the color scheme was decided - gray, white and baby pink.
The walls and carpet in the nursery were already a pale shade of gray. Megan couldn't decide whether she wanted the accent color to be pink or purple. Purple is Megan's favorite color but Joanna suggested that they go with a soft, pale pink to keep it more babyish and to coordinate with the existing pink and white crystal chandelier. Megan agreed and the color scheme was decided - gray, white and baby pink.
Keep watching to see the step-by-step process of this Crystal Palace nursery come to life for the princess-to-be.We are working diligently this week to complete everything for the room to be revealed for the first time at the baby shower next Saturday morning.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Invitations sent!
Grandma (Brenda) designed and created these adorable baby shower invitations. They're in the mail so friends and family, watch your mailbox to get all the particulars. Also, wanted to make sure everyone knew that there will be a brunch for everyone so be sure to RSVP. And if the post office neglected to get your invitation to you, please come anyway. Just let us know so we're prepared to have enough food for you.
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