September Give Thanks, Week 4

September 22:
     Thankful that I get to try a new paper piecing pattern and give it a review! Its so exciting.

September 23:
     Thankful that I get to start school today. Now I get to see if age helps or doesn't help me!

September 24:
     Thankful for a wonderful group of mommys that motivated me to get out of the house with the kids and send a afternoon at the pumpkin farm! Not only was it a ton of fun, but the kids passed out as soon as I put them in their car seats. It was a great adventure.

Tandem wearing for the first time. The boys loved it!

My oldest enjoyed the petting zoo area. It was a lot of fun.

September 25:
     We all need a little help every once in awhile, we all need someone to talk to, and we should always seek help when we know something isn't quite right. I am thankful that today I took just 30 minutes to talk with someone (not related and doesn't know me) and it really helped open my mind to so many fresh, clean, beautiful thoughts. I am a mom and I don't often take any time for me, so today was nice. 30 minutes may not seem like a lot, but it was probably the nicest 30 minutes I have had in weeks!

September 26:
     Thankful for such amazing group of growing friends! I am so happy that I can meet such wonderful moms here in California. Its always hard to find/meet friends, so when we do, its just a wonderful thing!

September 27:
     I am so thankful that I have time in my life to enjoy such a hobby as quilting. I find new and creative quilts to try and for the years that I have been doing it, I am still discovering new quilts to try! Its such a great hobby!

September 28:
     I just love a fun day at the park with my husband and kids, it really reminds me how thankful I am to have them in my life.

Give Thanks,
Sarah

Mitered Corners Tutorial

I made a quilt top a few weeks ago and had a ton of quilters ask me how I made my mitered corners in my sashing. I figured I would make a video so all those wonderful quilters could see how simple it really is.

The things that you will need is a ruler, 1/4 inch sewing machine foot (or a mark on your machine), a washable fabric pen, and scissors.

To get started cut your strips but make sure to add the extra on both ends. I explain the math in the video, so watch it and you will understand. Another way, is to cut the sashing, sew them together in one long line and then just sew it on, and cut it when you come to the end of each side.

Please feel free to share this video, and link back here. Leave a comment and spread the word!!

Thanks For Watching,
Sarah

September Give Thanks, Week 2

September 8:
     Thankful for a reschedule of my school appointment for later in the day, it worked out well. The hubby watched the kids and I was able to get everything done. Now I hope and cross my fingers that everything goes according to plan and I start school on time!

September 9:
     Today I am so very, very thankful for my wonderful sister who was able to fax a few papers for me. I needed to send them for school, and I could not find any information or places here on base that could send a fax. Then my sister did all of the heavy lifting for me! So, so, soooo thankful for her!

September 10:
     Thankful for so many quilters/friends who helped me and gave me a ton of feed back about a baby quilt I have been working on. It has made the quilt and process so much easier as well as satisfying. Knowing that the quilt is more appealing to the eye, means that the person who is going to receive it will love it just that much more (I hope).

September 11:
     Today as we all take a moment to remember those who lost their lives, many years ago; I am finding some bright joy in between all this sadness. Today I am thankful to have received my acceptance into the SDSUs Medical Assistant, with externship, certificate program!! Ill be back in school before the month is over.... a little scary!

September 12:
     Today I was reminded why having kids is a roller-coaster ride no matter what. While the kids were in their bath, Brian was upset because the bubbles were popping, and Jared was laughing at all the bubbles and enjoyed putting them on his head. I am just so thankful that I can find those small moments of just pure joy on one childs face and overly dramatic moment on another. They are my life, and someday I hope I can tell them this story and they will be thankful that I remembered it.

September 13:
     Today I am so thankful for such a wonderful blessing, from a fellow quilter friend (Lynn), who took the time and her own money to send me a TON of brand new zippers!! She has the biggest heart, and I hope I can be just as giving and caring as her. She made my day, week and month!

September 14:
     Today is one of those days where I am thankful we all survived. We ran a ton of errands, did a ton of grocery shopping, and when it was all said and done, I think everyone was tired... Kids and adults!

Give Thanks,
Sarah

Januarys Giving Thanks Post

January is one of those months where everything seems possible and you feel like you can reach the sky if you try. Well, I am going to try to stick to this resolution and hopefully when the year is over I'll have a better look on the world!

January 1:
     Today, technology is the main thing I am thankful for. Without it my husband wouldn't have seen our youngest start to crawl (backwards) and I wouldn't have seen how excited our oldest was to "help" his daddy with his measuring tape (while in the garage).

Heres the videos:

Crawling

Measuring Tape

January 2:
     Today I am thankful for the small moments with my youngest. His smiles keep me going. I love the cuddles he gives, the laughter he does when he sees me and that one moment everyday when he wakes up and looks around to try and find me! Makes my heart melt, and it makes tomorrow worth waking up for!

January 3:
     Do you have that one person you always call or text when you have a bad day or that person you just have to tell that awesome story to? My best friend is my person, the one I go to for a lot of stuff, my best friend Kim. Today, I am thankful for her. I was able to skype with her (again thanks technology), as she lives in Okinawa, Japan; and I was able to see her, chat with her, and get the information about a few things I knew she could help me out with! I just love how, even though we haven't talk in a few weeks, we can just pick up right where we left off. I love that about our friendship. Its the best kind of relationship.

When she came back to Cali for a visit!

January 4:
     Today I am thankful for the kids bed time. Its calm and quiet and I can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate without worrying its going to get spilled on someone or myself! Peace, calm and silence... yes please!

January 5:
     Today I am thankful for our small moments of family time. An example, today we went for a walk down to the lake on base. Both our kids loved it and I was able to get some "physical therapy" time in too!

The Beale Lake.

Mommy and J man!

Daddy and B man, their that small looking figure.

Family photo!

January 6:
     Today, well... its hard to find something positive to be thankful for after a very long stressful day, but I do have to say I am thankful for so many great options for eating healthier foods! I tried a great new smoothie recipe, and even my oldest son loved it! I love knowing that what I am doing for myself, to help get into my summer figure, can also start a healthier lifestyle for my entire family!

January 7:
     Today I am thankful for the small stuff. Just when I thought I couldn't stay on track (with my weight loss plan, and healthy eating) I catch the Biggest Losers new show on tonight. It reminds me its the small things in life. Just thankful for that reminder that its okay to have that ONE cookie. Especially if you have been working hard! I know I have been doing my best to eat right, and stay on track. I am thankful for that small reminder! 

January 8:
     Today I am so thankful to hold, and be able to watch, cuddle, and love on this gorgeous little baby I have. I can not stay in these moments long enough. I wish I could just hold onto these moments for a lifetime.

This is a very special moment that I enjoyed with my oldest, and now my youngest.

January 9:
     Today I am thankful for my little son Jareds first real long stride of crawling!!! Yes he has done it! He is a crawling champ now! Its moments like these that just melts my heart, and makes me feel like the luckiest mom around.

Crawling Machine

January 10:
     I am so thankful for this new house we have been so lucky to receive (thanks to military, on base, housing). The last house we had was built in the 50's and this new house makes life just that much easier. One less thing to stress about.

January 11:
     Today I am thankful for all the hard work I put in, because I am down another pant size, and another 2 lbs!!! Yay for progress!

January 12:
     I am so thankful for skype and facetime! Without them, I don't think I would "see" much of my family. I am so lucky to be able to skype with my sister and see her pregnant belly, skype with my mother to talk about the shower, and then facetime with friends to just say hello! Love it, so lucky!

January 13:
     I am so thankful today more then any other day for the amazing husband who let me NAP!!! I had to be up early for physical therapy and he let me nap for almost 3 hours. Best thing ever! I guess I am thankful for my husband and the nap, why not two things in one day!

January 14:
     I am so thankful for my amazing slow cooker!!! I can not tell you how much I love dumping a bunch of random stuff into a pot, walking away, and 6-10 hours later I get to enjoy the most AMAZING food! Everyone should own a slow cooker!!!

January 15:
     I am so thankful today is pay day! It always feels good to have money in the account. I hate seeing it slowly disappear as we pay bills, and get groceries. I wish the money could just double or triple. I wish I could win the lottery. Oh I know, I wish I just had the money to buy what I needed for my family! In the end, I am just glad to see the paycheck this week!

January 16:
     I am so thankful for the many new recipes I have been able to try lately. Most of them only cost a few bucks, for several days of food! Feels great knowing I can eat healthy but not break the bank.

Chicken Taco Chili Over Rice.

Cucumber and Tuna Sandwich.

January 17:
     Today I am thankful for the one last month of having a 1 year old. My son will turn two in exactly a month, so I am enjoying today with extra laughs, cuddles, and jumping (his new thing).

January 18:
     Well today is our 6 year wedding anniversary, so today I think its pretty obvious what I am thankful for! I can only hope for another amazing year, or ten, maybe thirty! 

January 19:
     Today I am thankful for a credit card. When you least want to make dinner, or deal with the sun in your eyes, you can purchase a curtain rod, and some dinner. I am much happier and tomorrow when the sun rises, I am sure I will be even happier!

January 20:
     Time alone, or with other adults, why yes please! I am so thankful that I get to go to physical therapy twice a week, talk to other adults (not kids), and have time alone; all while trying to improve my knee for my family, health, and happiness! Love it!

January 21:
     Today I am so thankful for the TV show The Biggest Loser. I know, lame. However, just when I am having a rough day or feeling in a rut with my weight loss; I get to see these amazing transformations, and realize how lucky I am. So glad that I have this show to motivate me, and help me realize that everything is possible with hard work and determination! I can do this! Only 54 more pounds to go!

January 22:
     I can not believe what happened today! My little J man pulled himself up AND said his first word! So, today I am thankful for those special moments!! Enjoy:

J man Pulling Himself Up

J man Saying DADA!

January 23:
     Today I am thankful for this day 11 years ago, when my husband (then guy friend), asked me to be his girlfriend. It was an amazing day, and I just knew he was the one! I am so lucky to spend my life with him!

January 24:
     Its the small things in life. Simply the small things. I am so thankful for the helping hand, the friendly smile at the grocery store, and that other mom who has those perfect kids- as she looks over to you (as my two upset crazy children are crying) and says, "I totally understand, today I got lucky!" Today is the day I am so thankful for those small gestures of kindness, care, compassion, or whatever it may have been to them; for me it was everything!

Yes, he did take a bite out of the tortillas and the bag; WHILE we were at the grocery store!

January 25:
     I am so blessed and thankful for the wonderful 7 month old! He, Jared man, is 7 months old today! Where has the time gone?? He is crawling, climbing over (small) things, pulling himself up (on objects lover then his chest), and saying "dada" like he means it! My heart melts, and I am getting tears in my eyes just thinking about it. 

January 26:
     I am so thankful for the "spring cleaning" bug that my husband and I both got today! We accomplished a lot, and it felt AMAZING!!! Yay!

January 27:
     Today was one of those days where I have to sit back and really think about what I am thankful for. It was not an easy day, I am extremely exhausted, but at the end of the day I am thankful for just that; the end of each day. Knowing that another day has passed by and we have all safely survived it! In other words its an awesome GOODnight to you all!

Doesn't he just look so comfy! Awwww

January 28:
     If theres one thing I am grateful for learning, its the ability to sew! I am so thankful to a friend and her mother who taught me the beginner basics. With the internet and a lot of videos, tutorials, and support groups later; I can sew a ton of hand made gifts, items for my children, or for myself even! I am so thankful for this ability as it has saved us tons of money!!

Working on a baby blanket for my sisters soon to be born son!

January 29:
     So thankful for those moments when my husband and I work together (sometimes at the same time, other times at different times), and we both benefit from it. Stuff like; ill put a load of laundry in and go to bed, and he will come home from work and make sure its in the dryer before he goes to sleep! Love it!

January 30:
     Most families have those recipes that they pass down from one generations to the next. Tonight I made one of those recipes, and I am so thankful for that recipe. Its one of my favorite meals, its simple, fast, and taste great. Not only that but my oldest son will eat tons of it, and thats a plus in my book! 

January 31:
     I can't believe it but my son pulled himself up on the coffee table today. Before he was doing it on the stairs, or a toy, today he went for the coffee table, which is level to his head! I am so thankful I got to see it and be there to cheer him on. These are the moments that just make life so special.

 

Give Thanks 365 Days a Year,

Sarah

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Update

For those of you out there following my breastfeeding story, I thought I would give you an update.

I left off when Jared was roughly about 4 weeks old. We were struggling but on the right path. We continued breastfeeding and fighting the fight. However, the short nights of 3 hours or 4 hours of sleep was starting to take a toll on my body, and it didn't help we were PCSing (moving) to California a few short weeks after Jared was born. I was stressed A LOT of the time, and I heard stress can effect your breast milk, but I never believed it until now. I noticed my son went from breast feeding every 3 hours back to 2 hours and sometimes 2 1/2 hours. He was still spitting up a ton, and he wasn't sleeping much at all. The most sleep he would get was from around 11pm until 2 or 3 sometimes 4AM (if I was lucky).

We were back and forth with the doctors and we just kept getting the run around with the acid reflux. The amount of times we changed medicine and then the number of times we were suppose to give it to him changed, and then we had to buy some $80 pillow to help him sleep (Which I didn't buy, I made one, check HERE to see how). It all was just so frustrating. I felt so pissed off at myself for making this milk that was upsetting his stomach, and that his body was refusing my milk. I just felt so worthless and my spiral of depression just got worse and worse as Jareds reflux got worse as well. It was just a horrible downward spiral.

My husband finally said he couldn't take it anymore, seeing me tired, seeing me upset, and seeing me the way I was. I really was glad he was seeing it, and not just ignoring it; as thats what I felt for awhile, but he just didn't feel right saying anything. Once he did, we both discussed the formula that worked the best for our first son (who also had a VERY sensitive stomach). The formula is by Enfamil, its called Gentlease. This formula helps with gas, and fussiness. I was unsure about it at first, but we tried it once or twice a day and I was still breastfeeding him as well. He was getting a little of the formula throughout the day and a little of the breast milk as well. It was amazing how much the formula helped not only with his gas, but as with his acid reflux. He wasn't spitting up as much, and he was keeping down about half of what he was spitting up before.

Eventually we decided to just do breast milk with the formula so that way we could just have all the bottles ready to go and it made it easier on me during the day with my 1 year old and also at night because I wasn't sleeping well anyways. With the change I was pumping several times a day and I started out pumping about 8-10 oz a day. Which was perfect for the amount he was eating during the day. Then I had my 6 week check up, started my birth control and noticed a HUGE lack of supply. I was frustrated, so for a week or so I drank my mothers milk tea, the mothers milk drops, and the fenugreek to help my supply improve. After a week of attempting that I noticed my milk supply just kept dropping. By the 8 week mark I was pumping 3-4 times a day and only getting 1-2oz a day.

My heart was heavy, and I was (shockingly) sad that I wasn't producing anymore milk. In the end I came to terms with it and I was happy that my sons reflux was almost all gone, and he was completely gas free. We slowly used up all the milk we had on hand, and then we moved to California. When we moved we were on the road for two days and it was extremely easy to drive and feed a bottle vs stopping and having to breast feed. It made our trip a lot shorter and I was happier. I was sleeping 6-8 hours a night thanks to the formula which was now making Jared feel more satisfied, and I was even feeling a lot more joy again!

My sons reflux today (hes now 3 months old) is almost 90% gone. He still spits up here and there but it has been a major change in the amount he spits up. He also has absolutely no gas, and when he does have gas I am seriously shocked at it. He sleeps almost 12 hours each night, and yes this is more then likely due to the formula, but it helps me out a lot. Finally, he and I are bonding and so much happier together. We hangout and laugh together, and I feel so much closer to him then I have since he was born! I am a thousand times happier and its amazing how much I love my kids now.

Last time I talked about breastfeeding vs formula I had said that BF wasn't for everyone and it just wasn't for me. I still stand by that and I realize now that I am a happier mom being a bottle feeding formula mom! Its okay to feed your child the formula, especially if its going to help your child's reflux and gas issues. I am glad we made the change, even though it wasn't really our plan to go full formula, but I am still glad we did. I always said that you should do whats best for both of you. If your happy, and baby is happy then thats what matters!

Remember what makes you happy is all that matters,
Sarah

Quilters, Calling All Quilters!!!

I am a huge pinner on pinterest, and I am big on following as many quilt blogs, website, and or facebook pages I can find! I want to know all the new designs, and hip quilt patterns that are out. I find that sometimes I can get lost in the internet for hours just looking at new fabric and quilts, and even reading up on tutorials or magazines. I love to just dive into everything quilt and fabric related.

I found that it can be a little overwhelming or annoying at times. I even find that I will start with one tab open and end up two hours later with 12 or even 15 tabs open. Its so overwhelming and exciting, and I just wanted to find a group, page or something that helps get all the info into a one stop shop!

This is where facebook comes in. I decided why search and search and search; why not just make a quilting group page on facebook and let our voices be the ones to talk about whats hip, informational, new patterns, and whatever else! So, here it is, the group that will hopefully become a world wide hit, and help us all!

Quilters Unite!    The link is no longer available, but feel free to add yourself to this group: SEW CRAFTY!  Click on it, add yourself to the group, add your friends, tell your friends, and share the group. Help get the word out and then join in on the conversations, add your photos, ask questions, and so much more! Come join us!

Heres your chance to help others, or help yourself! I would love to get everyones input as to what they want to see in the group, and fun contests or games we could do on the page.

Hope to see you on the page,
Sarah