Our Baby Boy's Quilt: Navy, Mint, And Gold

I recently finished our son's baby quilt that I will use to take his weekly picture on for the first year. Finishing this project always feels like a huge load off as I don't love to sew and in the past it has been very time consuming and often frustrating. But I am happy to report, the third time around, this was my easiest baby quilt yet! I have learned so much, making one for each of my kiddos, that this one came together quickly and easily. What a relief!

You can see how I use the quilt in weekly photos here.

When we lived in Virginia, I started ordering the majority of my fabric online from Spoonflower. Living out in the country and having a baby in tow, it just became easier to shop online. It is a bit pricier but with a much wider selection. The ease of ordering online and getting exactly what I wanted made these special baby projects worth the extra investment. 

I also love the tools that Spoonflower offers in designing your quilt. I took these screenshots to show you how I was able to design my striped quilt online and know how I wanted everything laid out.

With Spoonflower you can split your yard with two fabric choices. I ordered four of the fabrics each a half yard. And the widest design, the triangles, I ordered in a yard. When it arrived I laid it out next to my daughter's quilt for size and measured and cut accordingly. The quilt ends up being just about 2 yards long.

For more details on the quilt, you can see my daughter's quilt here and my first son's here. Those will give more details on the sewing process if you are interested!

Now some pictures of the finished quilt!

I ordered and printed my fabric a different way this time which ended up making the stripes go the wrong direction! I tried to make it work but eventually settled that I really wanted this special quilt to be how I originally planned. So I had to reorder the fabric! So instead of buying just one fabric design for the back (which is usually a less expensive fabric from the store), I used the misprinted fabric instead which you can see below. I was so glad it worked out after all!

For now the quilt is laying in his crib waiting for our little guy's arrival!

 

Introducing Baby #3

Our sweet baby boy came into the world on Thursday and we are over the moon in love.

It started with a successful membrane sweep (a day before my scheduled induction). A few hours later I was in labor. The stars aligned and our prayers answered for a smooth and most peaceful delivery yet. I was able to get in an early covid test so that by the time I was admitted to labor and delivery we knew I tested negative. After two previous difficult labors, I decided on an earlier epidural this time. Pain free and chill, time flew by as we waited for him to be ready to be pushed out. What began as a practice push resulted in two pushes and he slid right out!

He had low body temperature shortly after birth that meant a concerning few hours. But everything resolved itself and he is now doing great.

We are now all settling in happily at home. Welcome to the world baby boy!

Thoughts On The End Of Pregnancy

The end of pregnancy is bittersweet for me. The end of a long nine months. And a new start of an unknown.

Our sweet girl has been especially clingy and emotional lately which makes me anxious for the weeks to come. I know in the long run she will love her new brother but not being able to give her the attention she desires is hard on a mama's heart.

Our oldest continues to be such a great big helper. The weight of being the firstborn is upon him and he wears it well. But he, too, craves his own attention and has his own needs. I'm thankful he is in such a sweet stage of being all about his daddy.

The days fly by as we wait for our baby's arrival. My body is so exhausted and ready to be done. Perhaps it is it's way of giving me the confidence to endure another delivery.

I always want to soak up these lasts but time is teaching me that the days forward are just as good. I continue to try to learn to live in the present instead of longing for days past or wishing on the days to come.

I'm learning to let go of more. To find peace in less. Something I have struggled to aspire to but this past year of slowing down has helped me find.

As one chapter closes, another one begins. So many emotions and a heart full of love.