{art print} baby whale // i love you

I'm always thrilled to get custom artwork requests for nurseries.  Jac loved the giraffe print I did for my friend Michelle.  However her theme had more of a beachy feel to it.  I love little whales in boy rooms, don't you?

for more information on ordering prints // www.sixteensunbuckles.bigcartel.com

{mommy mondays} & rockstar mom of the month // A Girl and Her Bowtique // GIVEAWAY

A big thank you to all of my faithful readers.  I have not forgotten you as I've gotten settled in to a new time zone and house.  Currently living with the inlaws while we close on our house and I could not be any happier.

I'd love for you all to be as excited as I am so I've partnered with A Girl and Her Bowtique for a GIVEAWAY.  Jen just launched her beautiful little shop on Etsy and I couldn't be more thrilled for her.  Little girl whimsical for fashionable playdates or just pretend around the house.  Jen carries a full line of hair accessories, tutus and has even started home decor.

A note from Jen.

Everything made at A Girl and Her Bowtique are inspirations from everyday life with our 13 month old daughter.  We are currently selling a variety of handmade headbands, tutus, and personalized wooden baby and wedding blocks.  

I am very fortunate to be a stay at home mom and wife to our amazing daughter and my loving husband.  I have always loved dabbling in little arts and crafts here and there.  When our daughter was first born, I made a few headbands for her, and had instant positive feedback.  I thought about it for a while, and tried to figure out how I was going to balance raising our daughter, house cleaning, errands, make time for my husband, having some mommy me time, AND after all that start a small business Etsy shop.  Everyone tells you that being a stay at home mom is a real job; I’m living it and yes it is.  How do I do it all?  Time management and lots of calendar alerts in my iPhone to say the least!

I have made a promise to myself that A Girl and Her Bowtique will be fun!  It will be a “job”, a hobby, something I enjoy, and something that I should never feel overwhelmed or annoyed to own and operate.  I also promised myself that this shop will never take me away from time I spend with my daughter.  If that means, staying up late to fulfill an order or making a tutu for a client during my daughter’s naptime, I will do it.  So far my balancing act is working out great!

I would love to take all the credit for A Girl and Her Bowtique, but it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t recognize that my husband is the muscle behind the personalized wooden blocks.    

The most fun and exciting thing about A Girl and Her Bowtique is that it will evolve just as our daughter grows.  I hope you love our little Etsy shop as much as I do!  And if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about our merchandise, please ask!

--------- GIVEAWAY includes 3 Winners.  1 Winner will win a headband, 1 will win a set of blocks and 1 will win a tutu.  All orders will be customizable.  Please enter below.  Winners will be drawn at the end of the week.   Enter and Share! 



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{knits} baby hat // colbalt blue and white

I love the air is getting chilly.   Fall is my favorite season.  I'm anxious to get out my knitting needles.  I have a lot of inspiration for Christmas gifts.  Hopefully I'll get them all finished. 

This sweet little hat I knitted for my Canadian friend and her adorable little boy.  I hope he'll get some good use of it this winter.  Miss the two of them.

{knits} newborn neutral fuzzy blend // Lillian Grace

I'm taking a break from baby announcement designing and editing.  I'm actually designing for this little girl in the photo.  What a cutie!  Stay tuned for her official baby announcement...

I whipped up this sweet little hat back in March for my friend, Katie.  She was expecting their first child in April and they wanted it to be a surprise.  I LOVE that idea.  I wish I was better at surprises and could have waited myself.  9 months is a very long time to wait so props to you Katie.  AND your little girl is such a WONDERFUL (and beautiful) little surprise!  Lillian Grace arrived on April 23rd.  She rocked her photo shoot and modeled the hat I knitted for her.  I always love getting a photo of the end result.  These little knits are so much cuter on a sweet little face than propped up in my hand!

photo // harper grace photography . knitted hat // sixteensunbuckles . 

original knit pattern // Tricky Knits

For more knitted luxuries visit my shop.

its been awhile

Do I hear crickets chirping around here?  Or is that a cobweb in the corner?  Very sorry to neglect you blog for so many months. Christmas got the best of me!  Big things are happening around here as well.  Keep tuned in while I post everything I've been working on.  Very exciting!

My little fashionista posing with my newest hat.

for purchasing and more information on this adorable little cap: https://www.etsy.com/listing/115938103/knitted-winter-baby-hat

read of the week: the baby whisperer

I thought I was done with all the baby reading.  However, my wonderful new friend, Chelsea gave me two of the Baby Whisper books and pretty much told me it changed her life.  She said they worked for her and her two babies (both under the age of 2) are sleeping through the night.  On that note, why would I NOT read these books?  Especially since the doctor put me on semi bed rest for the last three weeks.  (Thus the reason my blog has been collecting spider webs lately... all I've been doing is catching up with my DVR).

So I read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer:  How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with your Baby first.  Her method is very similar to the Baby Wise Series (which I'm all for - parent direct feedings).  She establishes a routine and flexible schedule.  She introduces the E.A.S.Y. (eating, activity, sleeping, you) plan as well as the S.L.O.W. (stop, listen, observe, whats up) plan.  After reading her method its pretty much common sense.  Baby raising isn't rocket science here.  Its just about keeping a good routine and sticking to it as much as possible.  Obviously, there are good days and bad but you just have to adapt your schedule around the day.  I also love that she categorizes baby personalities into certain types.  She also explains how each type adjusts to the world around him/her and why certain things work (or don't work) for each type.

So thank you Chelsea for letting me borrow this.  I copied many pages at the library for future reference.

read of the week: baby massage

 

I've read in quite a few books now that giving your baby a massage works wonders.  So I finally checked out a book at our local library.  Baby Massage:  The Calming Power of Touch is a quick read with a lot of useful pictures and step by step illustrations.  It teaches you what strokes and touch points to use.  It goes into good detail about techniques that will help colic and gas.  It also talks about different techniques to use on a newborn compared to a toddler.  I may check this out again when baby arrives just so I don't forget anything.  I like the entire "routine" they use after bath.  I can see this being a special bonding time before bed. 

Enjoy!

Ellen's Mother's Day Giveaway

If you know me, you know I'm home alot during the day.  The only two shows I really watch are TODAY and Ellen.  Ellen had a very special episode today.  In honor of Mother's Day she had all expecting moms in her audience.  And of course she loaded them up with all kinds of amazing gifts.  Jealous!  One of my favorite givewaways was from Dogeared.  It is a jewelry company specializing in charms, gems, and sentimental items.  They are simple, chic and modern.

 I just love them.  I also love that you could start off with one or two pieces and add on a gem later on.  They would be great to add additional birthstones and more babies come along.  Push gift maybe?

read of the week: on becoming babywise II

I went ahead and read the second book in the baby wise series.  On Becoming Babywise II:  Parenting Your 5 to 12 month old through the babyhood transition by Gary Ezzo. 

I figured it would be better to read it now while I still have plenty of time to soak in the information.  I am sure I'll go back and re-read later on.  I'm really enjoying this parenting strategy.  Grant it, it does seem a bit structured but I like the ideas it proposes.  This book in particular deals with introducing solid foods, the high chair and manners.  It also goes into depth about play time and nap time schedules.  I really hope we can get on a schedule.  We will know here in a few short weeks!

read of the week: bringing up bebe

I saw Pamela Druckerman on the Today show promoting her new book, Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Art of French Parenting.  It sounded really interesting so I immediately put it on hold at the library. 

Summary of the story is a lady falls in love with a foreigner and ends up moving across the Atlantic to be with him.  They get married and end up living in Paris.  She explains the difficulties meeting other ladies and all around adjusting to life internationally.  Then comes baby.  She compares french parenting to american parenting and trying to fit in french while still holding on to her american roots.  French babies are not picky like American babies.  The restaurants do not have kid menus full of chicken tenders and mac n cheese.  French babies "do their nights" very early on where some American babies don't sleep all night until they are almost 2.  Since, I also live internationally and am expecting a baby I thought this book was really interesting.  Of course Canada is nothing like France.  Canadians share a lot of the same values and parenting ideals that Americans do.  However, living very far away from everything you know does bring on a challenge.  I also got a few french parenting tips out of this book that I think will be very useful.

read of the week: happiest baby on the block

I'm conquering this pregnancy "to read" list like this baby is coming next week!  However, this book sadly doesn't get my best rating and I ended up skimming parts just to get through it.  Maybe its the fact that I read Baby Wise and then read this back to back.  They are two completely different ways to comfort a newborn, and they both say they are the best method of parenting out there.  I was more impressed with the Baby Wise philosophy than Happiest Baby.  However, you may feel differently.  Every mother is different.. or so they tell me.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Karp is mostly focused on a colicky baby.  (Yes, if my baby is colicky you'll probably see me referencing this book again thanking her for all her advice.  However, I really hope baby doesn't have a case of the colic).  Her methods are basically about wrapping the baby in a "fourth trimester" atmosphere.  She explains that the baby isn't ready to leave the womb yet at 9 months and needs another 3 months of extra TLC in order to really be "born".  In order to create this environment her book goes into great detail about the 5 "S"s.... shushing, suckling, swinging, swaddling, and stomach/side placement.  If you can get your baby to do all 5 of these perfectly she is likely to calm down significantly.  I doubt I will truly follow her system, but I do think some of the methods will be worth trying.  We shall see... 14 weeks to go!

read of the week: on becoming baby wise

Here we are at the end of the second trimester.  I feel like all I've been doing lately is reading and baking.  I apologize my life (and this blog) have become a bit dull.  This week I'm planning a big DIY project for our living room.  Keep your fingers crossed that it goes well.

For baby reading, I was recommended the baby wise series.  The first book in the series,  On Becoming Baby Wise:  Giving your Infant the Gift of Nightime sleep.  This was similar to From the Hips in reading material.. set up textbook style with a lot of information.  I even found myself taking some notes.  Its all about getting your baby on a schedule for feedings.  Every 2 1/2-3 hours feeding your baby.  If the baby is off schedule one day then restart the schedule according to when you feed next.   It also suggests how long baby should sleep, how many naps, etc.  I think the information was really useful however we won't know for about 15 more weeks!  I plan on reading the second book in the series here in a few weeks.

and the knitting continues

As most of you know... the more I knit the more obsessed I am with the hobby.  I finished my first baby blanket last month (yes, I'm late blogging... blame it on the move!)  for my good friend, Michelle.  She is expecting a little boy 3 weeks after us!  We have had a lot of fun going through pregnancy together.

This particular baby blanket is super easy to make.  I would consider it a beginner project so if you are interested in getting started then I would recommend the Gleeful Tweed Pattern.  You can get it free at Lion Brand.  All you need is circular needles size 17 and 2 giant balls of 5 oz yarn.  Oh, I would pick up a movie or two as well.  It is somewhat time consuming.

read of the week: from the hips

Well, finally I finished this massive book.  Ok, its not massive but it feels like it.  There is so much information!  According to the reviews this and What to Expect When You are Expecting are the all time winners for pregnancy information books.  They are basically both textbooks for how to be pregnant and beyond.  Well, I can go ahead and tell you after reading both of them (yes i'm an overachiever) From the Hips is by far better than What to Expect.  Why?  It has a lot of great information geared to the momma.  There are real life opinions from other moms.  It focuses on all the frustrations, worries, anxieties the mom feels through pregnancy and postnatal.  It also has pros and cons and all the information for everything you need to learn. Breastfeeding vs bottles,cloth vs disposable, types of child rearing techniques, etc.  And for a girl that really has no idea what she is getting into this was a great read.  I would recommend it to all my preggo friends.

Thank you again to my mother-n-law, Melissa for giving this book to me at Christmas!

and the baby shopping begins!

I've purchased my first real baby purchase this week.  A diaper bag, yes now I am a full fledged momma.  After some researching and some advice from other mommas I decided on a Petunia Pickle Bottom.  I purchased their most popular, the boxy backpack in a new spring 2012 color: delightful dubrovnik.  I am pretty excited about this bag!

All the technical details according to their website:

• Coral and slate mod flower design with coral and slate hand-embroidered detail. Slate water-resistant lining and straps.
• Hands-free backpack or long messenger strap
• Built-in changing station with detachable changing pad
• 2 large diaper/wipes pockets
• 4 bottle pockets
• 2 organizational pockets
• Small pacifier pocket
• Detachable dirty diaper pouch
• "No more digging" key clip
• PVC-Free Glazed wipe-able exterior
• Water-resistant lining
• PPB monogrammed wipes case

Dimensions: 13 X 13.5 X 5.5 in.
Compatible with Valet Stroller Clips (Sold Separately) (which i also bought!)
Wipe clean with damp cloth only. Spot clean lining with damp cloth.

19 weeks and counting

We went for our 19 week ultrasound yesterday.    Baby Shanks was being modest and kept his/her legs curled up so we couldn't get a good clear shot of the goods.  We will have to go back and find out definitely if its a boy or girl.  A little frustrating but at least we know he/she is healthy.  (image - side profile)

read of the week: the three martini playdate

My good friend (The Turquoise Penguin) got me this short read over Christmas.  The Three Martini Playdate by Christie Mellor is a great break from all of the of the other pregnancy information I am aquiring.  Christie's point of view is to love your children but don't let them take over your lives.  Literally, she calls them a "hobby" (all in good fun though).  There is still room for a girls night every now and then and you don't have to listen to children's music 24/7.  Some of her advice is a bit exaggerated.  Such as, teach your children to serve cocktails at your next get together.  (Sounds like a great idea but I'm sure child protective services would come knocking) Its hilarious yet even through all her exaggerations there are some good pointers.  I think I read this at just the right time.  Pregnancy seems to be consuming my life with all the information you need to know to have a little one.  Her advice... take it as it comes and live life with a martini in hand.

Thanks again Abby!!

read of the week: the girlfriends guide to pregnancy

I have just finished my first pregnancy book.  I am 19 weeks pregnant so its about time I finished something for this baby.  I have a full stack of reading material still sitting hot and heavy on my nightstand.  I will try to not fill up my blog with pregnancy, but I know some of you are interested.

So, I read "The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy" by Vicki Iovine.  A friend of mine here in Canada let me borrow it.  It was part of the "definite read list" recommended by TheBump.com.  Con, its one ladies' point of view on "what really happens" so you can't take her to seriously.  So, don't go in taking notes or anything like that.  Actually, the entire book is supposed to be read for its comical humor instead of factual information.  Pro,  its lighthearted and easy to read.  Its definitely a breath of fresh air from all the "medical" pregnancy books I'm reading.  She does have a few good pointers.  Her point of view is supposed to be one of a good friends.  However, the lady is crazy.  Everything is a bit exaggerated, so I rolled my eyes a few times.  There are a few parts that I know have been blown out of proportion.  But, all in all it was pretty good and can't complain about reading it.

Others still on my list...
From the Hips
What to Expect When You are Expecting
Your Pregnancy Week by Week
Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy

I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any! Let the reading begin!

what to expect when you are expecting.. movie

Yes, they have finally come out with a movie based on the popular book, "what to expect while you are expecting".  It looks like it has some good celebrities in it,  Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone, Joe Manganiello.  It comes out May 11th... just in time for Baby Shanks.

To watch the full trailer: click here