We know where we are going!

Shawn talked to the detailer on Wednesday and was offered shore duty in Norfolk Virginia and he accepted it, so sometime this summer we will be relocating back to the US. We are looking forward to being closer to family so we are happy.

We prayed for a long time that we would be given the orders that would be the best for our family but never even considered that Shawn would have the possibility of shore duty in the US, so we definitely know Heavenly Father had a hand in sending our family back to the US and keeping us together as a family.

Another peek inside

Not the clearest picture. The ultrasound machine on the base is really old and the resolution isn't great, but if you look closely you can see the spine and the profile of the face.

And the best news, the baby was more cooperative this time around and showed us the parts. Maybe the Coke I drank an hour before helped, haha. Anyway it's another........

GIRL!

Penelope Esther Spain

A view from the outside in case you are interested. 20 weeks and 6 days.

Edited to answer a question in the comments:

Well, for the name, we were pretty set on using Esther for the middle name as it is a family name and it fits with Natalie's middle name Ruth. We want to have the tradition of using names from the Old Testament for a middle name too (I know Edwin, Robbie's middle name, is not found in the OT but he's named after all the men on both sides of the family so being the 1st son we wanted to make sure we had all the bases covered). Anyway, we were trying to find a name that balanced out the mature sound of Esther to cute it up a little bit so we were going through the baby name book and when we came to Penelope, Shawn and I were both like, YES, that's her name. We had the name picked out about 8 weeks ago as well as a boy back up and I just didn't feel like the boy name fit THIS baby, we felt much more comfortable with our girl choice. Maybe it was the spirit or just a gut feeling. But Penelope is a name we just knew was supposed to be the name if it was a girl.

My little Daleks

So I don't think I need to remind anyone of my kid's obsession with Dr. Who. It's what we finally were able to bribe Robbie with to get him to potty train; if he stays dry, he can watch Dr. Who. He also goes to sleep nearly every night with his (that Natalie got for her birthday but has yet to get a chance to play with) toy Dalek. So he decided he wanted to be a Dalek for Halloween. I went all over the place trying to find a store bought costume (I'd seen them previously) and after 5 stores I gave up and decided to make my own. The first picture is Robbie in the costume and the next is Natalie in the costume (she will actually be Dora the Explorer for Halloween). The last picture is what a Dalek really looks like. So how did I do? For the head, it's a knit hat with plastic cups sewn on and a blue dot for the "eye", the body is just fabric with fusable interfacing, drawn on with a sharpie and black felt spots. I had to use stuff I already had on hand so I improvised. I kinda made up that pattern as I went along and when I went to try it on Robbie for the first time, I realized I forgot to add an opening in the back so he could actually get it over his head so I had to cut down the back. A "duh" moment for sure!

My latest creations

So I've been really busy getting ready for the Christmas season. I've been stamping away and thought I'd share some of my latest work with you.

These cards are some that I am doing for some friends. One ordered 40 exactly like this and the other ordered 50 using Baja Breeze and Whisper White instead of the Old Olive and Very Vanilla.

I'm thinking of doing a similar style for our cards to family, depending on how our photo session goes on Saturday. The picture comes out of the card with the idea that you can hang it on the tree as an ornament.

The colors are Basic Black, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and the Ski Slope DS Paper. The stamp set is "Many Merry Messages".

These are some cards I'm selling at some craft fairs. Card stock and Paper is Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor Paper, and DS Paper (I don't remember right now which one). Ink is Jet Black Staz-On with Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Versa Marker. Stamp sets are "Holy Triptych" and "Holidays and Wishes". Accessories are aqua painters, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla double sided satin ribbon and Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I made 2 sets of 5 cards. If they don't sell, some of you may be seeing these again as I will be sending them myself!

These are Natural Travertine Marble tiles bought at a DIY store that I've stamped on, baked in the oven and sealed to turn into a set of 4 coasters. Below that is a larger tile that can be a table mat or a hot pad. The stamp set is a retired set "Peaceful Wishes" and I used craft ink in Old Olive and Chocolate Chip.

The picture didn't turn out so well on this one but you can still get the general idea. Card stock is Elegant Eggplant, Handsome Hunter and Brushed Gold. Ink is Gold Metallic and accessories are Gold embossing powder and Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Stamp sets are "Holy Triptych" and "Many Merry Messages" and the wheel is "So Swirly". These I did in 2 sets of 5 cards, and again, if they don't sell, I'll be sending them myself. They are lovely cards so I am happy about that.

This card was used as a sympathy card for a friend that lost her mother. I used the "Bella Toile" background stamp, "Holy Triptych" and "Sincere Salutations", inside I've used "God's Blessings". Card stock is Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss and Watercolor paper. Ink is Jet Black Staz-On, Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa and Versa Marker. Accessories are aqua painters, Iridescent Ice embossing powder (on the wings but can't really tell in the picture) and Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon.

I recently acquired 3 members to my Stampin' Up! team and I am thrilled to death. I thought I would show them my appreciation for them taking the chance to become a demo so I stamped them these cards. The stamp sets are "Flower Fancy" and our "Statement of the Heart". Card stock is Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White. Ink is Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink and Mellow Moss. Accessories are Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon and the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I really love the statement of the heart because it's not all about sales, but building relationship with others!

Isn't he precious?! He's made using punches and dies for the big shot and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Card stock is Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie. Punches are Curly Label Punch, Circle Scallop, 1/2" circle and 1/4" circle. Big Shot Dies are from the Birds and Blooms Sizzlets.

This little baby is a stinker!

We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday. We were all excited because we were really hoping to find out the sex. No such luck. Little legs crossed and tucked up under the bum. On the upside, everything was measuring fine and all looked well.

Here is the picture...

New crafty things

Well, I've been stamping baby items for a while now to give as gifts and thought I would try my hand at selling them at the craft fairs I've been attending with my cards and other stamped items.

Each of the layette sets include a bodysuit, muslin spit up cloth, hat, and scratch mits. I've made a matching gift card for the 2 sets shown here, but I didn't think to take a picture of the car one and that is the one I happened to sell today.

I just bought assorted, plain white baby sets and stamped on them with Stampin' Up! craft (pigment) ink and heat set the ink with an iron to make it washable. To make the 2 sets shown and 2 bibs, only took me a half hour. It's inexpensive and quick to make but you would never know it from the end result.

I sold the car set with a greeting card today for 10 pounds ($17). One request I had was that I make some more gender neutral sets because a lot of people liked them and knew someone they needed a baby gift for, but they didn't know the gender. Another thing I think I will do next time as well, is to offer matching gift bag and tissue paper.

Supplies: Stamps - A Rose Is a Rose; Ink - Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Green Galore, Glorious Green Craft Pads; White Baby Items

Supplies: Stamps - A Rose Is a Rose, Everything Baby; Ink - Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Green Galore, Glorious Green Classic Pads; Card Stock - Whisper White, Green Galore, Pink Passion; Accessories - Crop-o-dile, Black Gingham Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Supplies: Stamps - By Land (retired); Ink - Real Red and Basic Black Craft Pads; White Baby Items

18 weeks

Not the most flattering angle, but that's what you get when you have your 5 year old take the picture. I'm 18 weeks and 1 day along now and I have LOST 30+ pounds since I found out I was pregnant. Not exactly the direction the scale is supposed to move when your pregnant, and I am trying to eat well and enough. I have been having a problem with my blood pressure being low, on Monday my midwife came to take blood and she also did my blood pressure and it was 100/50 so that explains the dizzy spells and headaches and general not feeling well. It does frustrate me however that the first thing people say to me is, "Wow, you've lost some weight, you look great!" Under other circumstances that might be a welcome compliment, but the fact that I've felt horrible and I am pregnant, I just wonder if it's worth it. I went and bought new maternity jeans because my previous ones were too big so I got ones that were adjustable and now they are big on me as well, even after going through the dryer.

Anyway, 20 week scan will be soon and I will post those when we get them. We can't wait to find out what we are having! So do you think it will be a Penelope Esther or Clayton Ezra? Leave a comment to cast your vote.

wee wee in the toilet

So it's been looking like Robbie will be going to school in diapers. The boy just doesn't want to have anything to do with learning to use the toilet. He would be perfectly happy to sit in a wet and poopie diaper all day long and hates for me to change him and runs away from me anytime he sees me with a clean diaper in my hands.

Well, today at the CDC (child development center, or fancy speak for day care), his teachers told me he was dry all morning and went wee on the toilet not once but TWICE. So at 12:15 when I went to pick him up, he was still in the same pullup I put him in at 7:30 this morning!!! I was so excited for him and he was so proud of himself so I decided that we would carry on the rest of the day to see how it went. So he went again when we got home, and 2 more times. He has had one accident when we went to get Natalie from school, but I checked him at 3:00 and he was dry and at 3:30 when we got back to the house he was wet, but sat on the potty anyway, but at now 4:15 he is still dry and we will try potty time again in a few minutes. Let's just see what happens when it's time to poo though, that might be a little more tricky.

World Card Making Day

Saturday is World Card Making Day and Abi and I are collaborating our efforts and having a joint stamp camp and we are donating our profits to the Children's Hospice Precious Lives Appeal. We are each doing a few projects and for my project, I am giving two choices which uses the same template, which is inspired by stamper Carol Millay on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/. Each card uses the Sizzix Big Shot machine with the SU! exclusive Top Note, Join the Cheer and Birds & Blooms dies. I've also used some glitter for some sparkle.

Supplies

Stamp sets- Lovely As a Tree, Fall Flair (Hostess L.2)

Card stock- Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand

Ink- Always Artichoke & Bravo Burgundy classic pads; Always Artichoke & Chocolate Chip S&W markers

Accessories- Always Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Big Shot & dies mentioned above

Supplies

Stamp sets- Snow Burst

Card stock- Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Ink- Brocade Blue classic pad

Accessories- Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Scallop Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Big Shot & dies mentioned above