Crafting, Simple Flower Mobile

This was a very simple project, which is what I'm all about! I didn't take pictures of the process but I will give you a quick recap of what I did. I bought three packages of silk flowers in different colors and sizes and a bridal headband from Hobby Lobby. I already had the scrap booking decals and needle and thread at home. I measured out four different lengths of string and cut three of each size. I knew I wanted a cascading effect. Then, using a needle I threaded the flowers onto each string spacing them out. I had to make a stitch in each flower at the place I wanted it on the thread to make it stay put. Then I added little sticky back rhinestones to some of the flowers and sewed each strand onto the head band. Easy as instant pudding! Just be careful not to tangle the strands up. They can be difficult to separate. Here it is!

Crafting, DIY Ribbon Lamp

I've started on Laney's nursery! It's a small space so I'm a little limited on what I can do and how much furniture I can put in there. Right now the furniture consists of the crib, changing table, and a little window table. There's also a large quilt rack on the wall that has some of her clothes hanging off of it but that isn't staying in there. She is using Jareth's crib and changing table and the little table was my grandparents so, so far we haven't bought any furniture for her except for the bassinet in our room. I did update the little table with a can of silver spray paint though. I wonder how my grandmother would feel about me painting her antique table silver... I also added a little decoration to it and the crib using scrapbooking decals.
Yesterday, after looking at Pinterest, (my new obsession) I decided I needed a craft day. I had been wanting to upcycle an old lamp shade for Laney's room and make a flower mobile that I had seen on the craft and DIY boards. Three hours and a trip to Hobby Lobby later, Laney had a new ribbon lamp for her pretty room. I decided to take photos of the process. It was quite easy!

It was cheaper to buy 6" cuts of fabric than spools of ribbon. I only spent $2 on the whole project!

Cut fabric into strips and remove fabric from lamp shade. I left the boning around the top and bottom for more support.

I found it easier if I cut the liner out first.

Tie at either top or bottom depending on the look you want. I ended up cutting the ties down and stuffing them in the top for a cleaner look.

Edge of fabric will be rough. Use ribbons if you want it cleaner.

I threaded the tulle through the ribbons to keep it in place and tied it into a bow in the front.

All Done!

Thankfulness

I'm thankful for the people who raised me. Their love, discipline, and even their mistakes molded me into who I am today. There are so many people that are responsible for me.
I'm thankful for my parents.  They love me more than anyone possibly could. They watched me grow and took care of me and guided me through life.
I'm thankful for my brother and sister. They are the ones I share my favorite childhood memories with. They know me at my best and at my worst and love me anyway.
I'm thankful for my husband. We've stood the test of time and grown up together. We test each other and we make mistakes but our love has proven to be unconditional. He gave me my greatest gift in life. He made me a mother.
I'm thankful for my son. Being a mother is my biggest accomplishment and I know I will never surpass it. Jareth is literally my night and day. He's shown me how big my heart can be and that the most important things in life are found in your home.
I'm thankful for my daughter. I've only met her through her tiny nudges and I've only seen  her via ultrasound but Laney has already given me such joy and happiness. I am grateful to have a daughter.
I'm thankful for our furbaby, Jack. Since he was a puppy he has been the most loving dog anyone could ask for.
I'm thankful for my friends. I deem myself to be very lucky in this department. I have some of the best people in the world to call my friends, people I can call at the drop of a hat and they are there for me in a second. They never judge me but when they need to they aren't afraid to tell me how it is.
And last but most importantly I'm thankful for a God who loves me so much that he sacrificed his own son so that I can have all the things that I'm thankful for today.

Laney is doing great!

The doctor says Laney is doing fantastic. She is in the 90th percentile for her weight at a whopping 1lb 1oz already! Healthy girl!!! She measured just a few days ahead, which she has done the whole time so maybe she will get here a little bit early. Since she is so big I have to have another ultrasound in 4 weeks. I'm not complaining! It's indescribable the amount of joy that fills my heart when I get to see her. This time she had her fingers in her mouth and she was yawning. She really seems to like her hands on her face. My guess is she will love the pacifier! I just can't wait to meet her and show her the world.
 I'm so in love with both of my babies! There's nothing I wouldn't do for them.

gest age: 21w2d

stats: hr 137

weight: 1.1 lbs

mom's weight gain: 11 lb

blood pressure 100/60

EDD: measured 3/16/12

Ladies and Gentlemen She Has a Name!

I am happy to announce our little girl's name is Laney Tomlyn Anderson! After a couple of months of debate we feel that this is the right name for our new bundle of joy. Other runners up were Lilliana and Remi. I've always loved the name Lilliana. I think I was about 13 when I first heard it and it always stuck with me. However, the name Lily is quite popular and trendy now and that's not what I want. Although I love my name, I hated that there were multiple Heathers in every class I had growing up. The other contender was Remi. Jon really liked that name and I was very close to going with it but it just didn't feel natural for me. Remi is a very cute name and I like that it's uncommon. (Although it is rising in popularity.) It just didn't feel natural to use. Plus I really have a thing for "L" names for girls. So, Laney it is. It's not too common but it's recognizable. And I think it flows well with Tomlyn. You may recognize that Lily Tomlin is an actress. Another reason not to go with Lilliana. I think the name Laney is sweet and fun and I can picture myself using it everyday. And I think is goes well with Jareth. So now I can say I can't wait for Laney to get here!