Getting my birds in a row...

Remember a LONG time ago when I posted about how I wanted to make this Bird Mobile I found a pattern for on Spool Sewing? I've finally gotten some fabrics together (thanks to my favorite local fabric store, Textile Fabrics!) and started on the birdie mobile for our little buddies room!




I just really love these little birdies, and I cannot wait to complete the project...branches and all, and hung above our sweet boy's crib (with him in it of course)! Overall I'd say the bird pattern was pretty easy to follow. I went ahead and re-sized the pattern a little larger, cause the smaller birds were a little tricky to sew, turn and stuff. If you're going to try this pattern (which I highly recommend), I'd do a few test runs with some scrap fabric first.

In the midst of sewing and stuffing birds, I decided to go ahead and complete another project for our little man...his very first Come&Live! onesie!!


How amazing is this wood grain fabric from Joel Dewberry?! I'm in love, and it totally goes along with our whole wood animals/forest theme for the little guy's room. We're planning on painting the mural of the birch trees this weekend, and hopefully will get his crib all set up as well! It's slowly but surely coming together! All that's left furniture-wise to get is a dresser to use as the changing table (I'm having quite a difficult time finding something within our budget...so if you have any leads, I'd love to hear em!), and then a low book shelf to put under 2 windows in the room. Then it's just adding the final touches to make his room the perfect little space :)

Besides working on baby room projects, I've still been keeping myself pretty busy taking orders for baby booties, hats, and various other things. Camo was the name of the game for these 2 orders of button loafers. The first pair were a little trickier, due to the design of the pattern, but I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out...



I love creating...period. Whether it's for our little guy, for friends, for friends' babies, orders off etsy...it's just so satisfying to see someone completely enjoy something that you've put together. If I had it my way, I think I would be crafting all day every day, haha. I have so many different projects and ideas swirling around in my brain. One day I hope to get to each and every one of them. What are you working on these days?

We had our first (and only) birthing class all day this past Saturday. I went into it expecting a lack luster teacher, just going through the motions, hoping for the day to fly by. Instead we were delighted to have an amazing teacher, Ms. Carol. Carol is a labor and delivery nurse, and lactation consultant. She was so sweet, and thorough, and you could really tell she LOVED her job! We watched countless videos that caused me to cry several times...from sheer terror of what's to come (ha), but also from the thought of how incredibly AMAZING it will be when I finally see this little man face to face. All in all, I know the pain, discomfort, and weight gain (hehe) will be well worth it. After we "graduated" we were able to take a tour of the labor and delivery, and recovery wings of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The rooms are definitely better then some I've seen, and we were given the distinct pleasure to see a first time dad grinning from ear to ear as he and a nurse rolled his brand new baby down the hallway. Thinking about it, puts tears in my eyes.

We're getting close folks...52 days and counting till baby day!!

Bit of Whimsy....

If you have any sewing knowledge at all...I HIGHLY recommend you check out Bit of Whimsy Dolls and check out all of her adorable patterns. My good friend Lori turned me on to this adorable shop when she sent me the link for these adorable Jane Dolls

{photo via Bit of Whimsy}

While perusing her shop, I found this absolutely adorable pattern for Finnegan the Fox, and immediately made plans to make one for our little man...


Well lucky me...I finally found a GREAT reason to try this pattern out sooner then planned! The pattern was pretty easy and simple to follow, and I couldn't be more tickled at how he turned out! His little cock-eyed ear was a total mistake...but I love it! haha. I whipped Finnegan up last night for a special little one year old...can't wait to give it to him!!

It's rainy here in Nashville...makes me wish I was back at home in my bed cuddled up with our sweet pups...Oh well! ha. We have our first and only Child Birthing class on Saturday. It's called the "crash course" and is literally ALL DAY!! I'm anxious, nervous, and excited, all at the same time. It's really happening...we are on the home stretch to baby day!! I still don't feel exactly "prepared" for what's to come, but I know those momma insticts will kick in...so I just need to stop worrying, and take everything one day at a time, getting things done as I can!

Oh yea...did I mention that all of my friends are having babies in the summer?!?! Seriously...I am SO excited to have some great friends that will be fellow mommies with me this year! It's encouraging to me that I won't be the only one going through everything. I've now got several amazing women to share this experience with...and I cannot wait!

Enjoy your day everyone!

God is good...

God is sooo Good!!!

Yesterday Russ and I had a consultation with a pediatric urologist, and another sonogram to check up on the status of our little guys' kidneys and kidney tract. We are in the clear!!! His kidneys are now back within the normal limits, and they've discharged us from the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists! Yay...no more awkward sonograms! Haha.

Both the pediatric urologist and MFM specialist said that they were not worried at all about our situation. His kidneys look very healthy, and there is plenty of amniotic fluid, indicating that everything is working properly! Our little guy will get a scan 2 days after he's born and they'll check up on the kidneys and make sure everything still looks good.

He are a couple pics they gave us...I'm just about 32 weeks, and he's already 4.7 lbs...yikes!! ha.

Can't get enough of his sweet profile!


He always seems to have his hands in his face! ha. I am in love with his sweet squishy face!

The "snail" picture...hehe.

We're just 2 short months away from our due date! Every week seems to fly by faster and faster...it's insane! Sometimes I want him to be here tomorrow...and others I'm glad I still have a little more time to prepare.

We're still working on his room. I hope to get some sewing done this weekend and start getting things into place! We found an antique swivel rocker that will be just perfect, and have a super soft rug ready for his little toes. We've also painted the walls a serene light bluish grey. All that's left to do on the painting front is the mural of birch trees. It's definitely a work in progress...but we'll get it done. Can't wait til it's all finished and I can show you all!!!

Well that's all I have for now! Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts and prayers...they have meant the world to Russ and I!

Lots of love!
Jill

Cutest before & after ever...

Some of you may know that I Love, Love, LOVE browsing the before&afters that Design*Sponge posts every Thursday. So far, this is by far the cutest and best before&after I've ever seen...





Are you kidding me?!?! Is this not the cutest little play kitchen?! I sure hope we have a little girl one day so I can make one for her.

On a sad note...my hopes for a snow day were crushed when, much anticipation and proclamation of snow, turned out to be a big fat nothing...boo!

Happy Thursday (even if there is no snow)
Jill

.....

Oh dearest bloggy blog. How I have neglected you! I feel as though the last couple months have just been a blur. In traditional Jill Hickman style, I waited until the very last possible minute to start on Christmas gifts. I vow every year that I will start working on Christmas gifts early, and yet somehow I always manage to put them off. So with Christmas crafting, Midwife appointments, and holiday traveling, I haven't been the best at posting anything lately (I'm doing my best to give you an adequate excuse...is it working?)

First things first...little man H seems to be doing quite well. He is moving and kicking almost all of the time these days. Although it is extremely comforting to feel him moving around in there, a few less jabs to the bladder would be nice ;) We have another midwife appointment coming up here on Thursday. Should be quick and to the point! Last appointment I was measuring about 2 1/2 weeks further along then what I actually was...meaning there's a good chance there's a big boy growing in there! ha. I know I've posted this picture before...but I can't help but stare at this handsome face. I cannot wait to meet him, see him, HOLD HIM!!

Secondly on my list of things to tell you about...the holidays! Russ and I packed up the pups and my younger brother and made the trek up to Buffalo, NY this year for Christmas. We spent 9 glorious, crazy days with my family. I truly loved every minute of it. It was great to see old friends I haven't seen in a seriously long time, as well as spending lots of time with all of my nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, mom & dad :)

One of my favorite things during our time up North was taking our ever energetic boxer on "snow walks" and then letting him run wild in a nearby park. I think the pictures are a good indication of just how much Bodhi LOVED it!

A day after we made the drive home, Russ' parents Chuck and Judi came for a quick visit to Nashvegas ;) It was a perfect end to our crazy holiday season! I cannot say enough what a true blessing it is to have in-laws like them!

And last, but certainly not least...just wanted to share with you a few things I've been working over the last couple months. I've had several online orders to fulfill, and am just about finished with it all...alas, I can soon starting working on things for our little guy :)

Sweetheart mittens (sz 9-12 months). My simple camera didn't really capture the true color of these little dears. They're a bright apple red in real life ;)

Purple baby pom pom hat (sz 9 months)

Another darling elephant
...I'm really in love with the simple green and white stripes. I might just have to make a duplicate for our little guy

Baby Cocoon
...another must-haves for our little guy

Finger puppets!
I made a set of 3 for each of the youngest nieces and nephews, and tucked them into a hand-made bag with their name embroidered on it...not gonna lie, I'm in love with these!

So there you have it...THAT is what I've been up to these last couple of months! I hope to start on the nursery soon...so stay tuned for that development ;)

Lots of love,
Jill