Sunday, March 27, 2011

Mod Pods

New in my Etsy shop...
I don't have a lot to say at the moment. I am getting over a terrible head cold so the past few days have pretty much sucked. The Spring teaser of weather we had has now turned back to freezing cold and I am getting stir crazy! Hoping this week gets better! Thanks for stopping in and for your support.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Kick Counts, Heels vs Flats, and When Nesting Goes Bad

Not to mention, the post with the peacock tops I've been able to stretch into pregnancy!

Well, I haven't blogged in a bit so I thought I'd do a quick catch up of what's been going on with us. I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks and everything is checking out normal. They told me I have to start doing these daily "kick counts" where I choose a 2 hour period to count and make sure the baby has moved 10 times during those 2 hours. Of course I have felt the baby moving for some time now, but when you assign a number to it, the worry sets in. Of course it seemed like that very next day he wasn't moving much. What if he only moves 9 times - what does that mean? But, no worries. It's all in my head these crazy thoughts. As you can see below, Biscuit is trying to get in on the action. That's another thing.... not only do I have to keep track of the kicks on the inside, but I have to avoid the little paw kicks on the outside. The dogs don't understand why they can't use my belly as a stepping stone to my face for kisses.


A few weeks ago, I was plagued with a side symptom of pregnancy (believe me, there's many) - an ingrown toenail (due to the extra weight and swollen feet). I have never had one before and hope to never have one again! I tried to nurse it myself for a few days before the pain during the night became so bad that I couldn't sleep. It actually would shoot up the bone in my big toe. So I ended up at the foot doctor for him to work his magic. I won't get into detail - just like I didn't get a close up picture of it - but it still took about a week to heal after that. Ouch!

During this time, I wore my flat, roomy winter boots to work which looked a little odd with dress clothes. Because of this - and because of the thought of swollen feet now until the end - I decided I should invest in some cute flats to wear for Spring. Normally, my everyday footwear has some kind of a heel on it. Not a high, spiky heel but rather something chunky or a wedge. In past years, I've bought cute flats only to give up on them after a few wears. They would hurt or rub in some way or another no matter what I tried. I would buy inserts or spongy shields for the heels or toes. Nothing worked. But every time, I convince myself it will be different. I found some cute Skechers and bought them in brown and black. I wore a pair yesterday (after wearing them around the house for a few days to break them in) and found that nothing has changed. I think I just have to accept the fact that the structure of my feet are not made for flats. I wish that weren't the case because there are so many cute options out there! Flat boots are fine because the encompass my whole foot. But anything else will cut into my heel and across the top of my foot - weird!
Lastly, the "nesting" urges can be quite weird. I decided last weekend that the blinds in the bathroom were beyond dirty. So, into the bathtub they went where I meticulously washed each slat, slicing my finger in the process. While I'm at it, the silk plant way at the top shelf in the bathroom needs to be washed too. Oh, and the silverware tray! Just odd little things that you normally let go in your normal cleaning routine suddenly are top priority. Also, about this time last year I made a huge mixed media canvas for our kitchen that consisted of paint, scrapbook paper, stamps, etc.... There were 2 sections of it that bothered me that I didn't think looked "right". So, I finally decided to redo them. That meant resealing those sections once they were done with the clear texture product I used. That lead to me being picky about the edges and touching up this or that. I am proud to say that it is once again hanging on the wall and I feel like someone should take away all of my art supplies so that I do not drive myself crazy over it!
Anyway, that's about it for me lately. I think I need some jewelry studio "therapy" - soon!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Blue

Everything I made in the studio yesterday had some blue in it. I am not sure why, but I just went with it. Maybe the baby boy had something to do with it? Hmmmm. I just got these pieces listed on Etsy:

Multi-Faceted Dreams
Lisa Peters Art focal pendant matched up with a variety of chunky faceted beads strung on cotton cord and chain. I liked mixing the Industrial Chic bolts with vintage decoupage in!
Beach Comber
Featuring a polymer clay focal from Humblebeads
Delicately Charmed
I fell for these turquoise painted metal disks at Michael's - the paint is kinda chippy on them and I love that about them!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

So many "if's"...

I am really looking forward to my maternity leave. I mean, how lucky could I be that I will be off all summer to enjoy the best months Michigan has to offer? But, life with a new baby also comes with a lot of "if's" that I am pondering.....

If I feel good enough and Richard is a good baby, I want to go to the Bead & Button Show.

If I feel good enough and Richard is a good baby, I want to participate in the yearly Art Fair I do every June.

If I feel good enough and Richard is a good baby, I want to have a garage sale to get rid of all the crap that has accumulated in my basement.

If Jon still has his Firebird (which needs to get sold), he wants to participate in the Hot Rod Power Tour that is coming to Michigan in June (right around the same time as Bead & Button).

What if Jon has to travel to Germany for work in June?

Please note that when I say "good baby", I don't mean there is such a thing as a "bad baby". But everyone is different. While I realize that routine is important, I also don't want to feel confined to the house. I dream of getting out to enjoy the fresh air and going for walks! And I don't want to be one of those Mom's who is afraid to take her baby places. It will all just depend on how we adjust. There are so many variables. But, I am not going to put any pressure on myself. Whatever happens, happens. It's just so hard for me to leave everything up in the air when I am a planning personality. But it's going to be great! It's going to be absolutely wonderful!

But, what if I still want to shop at Motherhood Maternity after I give birth? I mean seriously, is this ruffled tank not the cutest thing you have ever seen? Maternity clothes are so fashionable now, I am so going to wear some after the fact!