sew fun

I really do enjoy sewing.
As long as I have a project in mind. Nothing practical. No mending.
But I love creating. Especially when I'm not working from a pattern.

Nate NEEDS to wear a onesie underneath his clothes to help keep his diaper on. When you have a kid who has no butt and rolls around on the floor 10 hours a day, a onesie is necessary.
Problem is, you can't find onesies bigger than 4T.

So mama got creative.
I started out with a large sleeveless t-shirt that I found on clearance for $3 (bonus!!).

I made a pattern (sort of) using his current shirts and onesies, modifying the armholes, taking in the sides, and creating a snap crotch. Or velcro. Whatever.
But I couldn't find anymore of the sleeveless tees, so I had to resort to sleeveless undershirts.

So here's what I've made so far. They're kind of my prototypes. I think we'll try them out for a few days and decide what we like and dislike about them.

I used appliques to create an access to Nate's feeding tube. That way we don't have to undo his shirt for feedings. Yes, I'm all about making life easier!!

Nate is modeling the first shirt I made. Instead of the applique, it has a pocket for his g-tube. I know I don't like it as much. For one thing, it was a PAIN IN THE BOOTY to make. And it's not as easy to get to his tube. Hopefully the appliques hold up. Because I really don't want to make more pockets!!

I wanted to share my project with you. And when Mama Kat announced her prompts this week and one was to share something you've made by hand, I decided the timing was perfect. I guess this counts as something made by hand. Technically it was made by a machine. Hmmmm....

4 generation luncheon

I feel so blessed to have such beautiful women (and young ladies) in my family!!

I'm very fortunate that my parents live in the same town as us.
And a couple of years ago, my grandparents moved back here after 30 some years. So I get to see my grandma regularly and my kids enjoy spending time with her.
Grandma is a beautiful, Godly woman. Such a wonderful example of a Christian woman.**
And I've always thought my mom was the prettiest woman in the world.
I can only hope that I inherited their genes!

We took advantage of our last days of summer, piled the four generations into the car, drove to Winfield and had lunch at College Hill Coffee. The food was delicious and the company was even better! Bri (my picky eater) even ventured out and tried quiche.

After lunch, we headed over to the True Value Hardware Store, which also has a fabulous kitchen store. I made one purchase, which has spurred me to try a little something on the creative side. I'll share more about this later.

There was the cutest little kitty living at the hardware store.

Bri informed me that we need to come back once a month to visit her (or him...not sure). Fine with me, as long as we can stop for lunch!!

**My other grandma is just as beautiful and Godly. And internet savvy! Unfortunately she doesn't live nearby, so we don't get to see her as often. But she reads this blog. Hi Grandma!!

hospital sedation

Nate gets botox injections in his hamstrings periodically to help with the spasticity in his legs. Did you know that botox started out as a therapeutic medicine? It's not just for wrinkles!!
It's a quick procedure but he has to be sedated.
So we checked in at the hospital at 6:30 am Monday morning. Not a fun way to spend our last Monday of summer! Not fun for my mom either who had to be at our house at 6:00 to stay with Delaney.

We've gotten to know the nurses in pediatric sedation pretty well over the past few years. We see them more often than some of our extended family!

Nate is such a trooper during pre-op prep. For this procedure he doesn't have to wear a gown. But he does have to get an IV. No tears. Such a brave boy!

I stayed in the room during the procedure.
I was hoping there'd be just a little botox left over. And maybe he'd offer me a little for around my eyes.
No such luck!
The neurologist does the injections. A pediatric intensivist administers the medicine and monitors his oxygen and heartrate. The nurse hangs out and does what nurses do. I sat in my chair and read, watching the procedure out of the corner of my eye, trying to look as wrinkly as possible.
Jeremy headed to the waiting room. He doesn't do needles.

The procedure took maybe 15 minutes. Nate laughed through the whole thing. I think the drugs made him loopy. Then he crashed. He slept for about 2 hours. A deep sleep.

Once he finally roused around, we gave hime some clear liquids, the nurse took out the IV and disconnected him from the monitors. And we were on our way.

See the little yellow pillow? The kids get those every time they are admitted.

We have at least a dozen.
If you need a little pillow, let me know!

new school, new 'do

No, not me. I have been sportin' some curls since earlier this summer, but I'm talking about Brianna.

My first born is starting high school next week!! Can you believe it?

And she decided she needed an updated hairdo before heading to AHS (my alma mater, and my mom's, by the way).

My cousin Ashley is a student at Xenon and she has been doing our hair for a few months now. She's great (and the price is RIGHT!!!)

How cute is she?

My baby is almost grown up.

Almost...

an evening at grandma's

We had another fun Saturday evening with Molly and Hayden. It's amazing how much these babies are growing!

There are few greater pleasures for a child than digging through a toybox at Grandma's house.

Delaney decided all on her own to crawl INTO the toybox.

Hayden is now crawling.

Oh, life is going to get busy at their house!!

The cousins still don't know what to think about each other.

"Hey, man. Give me back my shoe!!"