sometimes

fun times with daddy

  turn into sad times

but daddy always cheers us up

melts my heart

it's the little things

like having an extra pair of tiny hands helping with the Christmas tree this year

A hot cup of coffee on a cold day

A peaceful sleeping face

a new toaster when you might have accidentally started your old one on fire last week

A happy, healthy little man that brings a smile to your face every. single. day

something for me and ~giveaway~

I am always crocheting things for my shop or for Mason. Last night I decided I wanted to make something for me. As the weather is getting cooler I was interested in a warm scarf or cowl. 

I really wanted a cowl but wasn't sure if it was for me... Could I pull it off or would I look silly in it?

Lucky for me I grabbed this massive ball of yarn at Hobby Lobby a few months back when they were clearancing it out. It was only $10 and a million yards long. I had no plan for it but couldn't pass the deal up. Austin called it a basketball of yarn. What better way to try out a cowl then with already bought yarn? 

No trip to the store and if I didn't like it I wasn't dishing out any money I already hadn't dished out

I sat down and began crocheting, I had no pattern but cowls are simple and you can basically crochet rows however you want then sew them together to make a circle.

When it was finally done and on me I loved it! It was warm and neither too thick or long!

I want more! I know I want a mustard yellow one but I can't find the right color/thickness of yarn I am picturing in my head anywhere! I might have to break down and order it  =(

With that being said I want to let you guys in on the awesomeness of this cowl, that's right I didn't use the whole basketball of yarn and I have plenty more to make one of you lucky readers one as well. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you like best about Fall time; the Holidays? Warm tasty drinks/treats? Being with Family? Wearing cute scarves/cowls? Whatever it is I want to hear!

I will randomly pick a winner Friday Nov. 11

First Fish

On the what could be the last decent weather day of the year we took Mason fishing for just the second time. And he caught his first fish

  

Austin loves to put Mason in his pack and wanted him to be right there when they caught a fish. As you can see Mason was less than thrilled when they reeled one in

A man stopped and smiled at us and said "starting him young" We both love fishing and spend many days and evening out doing so, so we hope Mason will enjoy it just as much

Mason spent most of his time with his tongue out or making silly faces in the wind

The weather, other than the wind, was perfect fall weather. The trees were turning colors and the sun was just warm enough to keep us comfortable in light jackets.

My favorite Days

If any of you have been following me for awhile you know how I felt about working and being a mama pre-Mason. I thought it was going to be totally awesome to work full time and be a mom. I didn't want to stay home all day when I had a little one, I wanted to contribute.

That being said I went and had me a baby and my feelings could not have changed more. I am lucky that I work only 3 days a week and only for 3 hours a day.

Now that Mason is here I have no idea what I would do if I worked full time. I love being home with him, playing with him, seeing him smile, hearing him coo, watching him grow.

My favorite days are my days off and the weekends when Austin gets to spend the day with us. I am also grateful that when I do work my mom is able to watch him 2 days a week and on Mondays Austin keeps him. I think it is good for him to spend time with his daddy and his grandparent so he doesn't become too much of a momma's boy and not allow me time to myself later down the road.

Being a mom is special and awesome. Looking back on the idea of working 40 hours a week and having someone else care for Mason almost all day everyday seems crazy. I am one lucky mama to be able to work enough to contribute but stay home enough to love on my little man

Growing

Mason is only 7 weeks old but has grown and changed SO much lately.

He is out of newborn clothes and fitting 0-3 months and even plain 3 month outfits!!

He now wears size one diapers

He smiles all the time and LOVES to be talked to

His sleep schedule is developing nicely as he tends to make his stretches about 4 hours long =) This makes for a happy mama

He is getting strong too, he loves to use his legs to push off you and can almost hold his head up regularly

He is constantly pulling his poor little hair and can't seem to connect that to the pain he is causing himself. I finally bought him a little toy so he could grab onto that instead but he doesn't like it yet.

He is big on hand holding which I love!

He likes to explode his diaper and smile while you change it

He loves to look at ceiling fans and is very curious of his surroundings at all times

He grows more handsome everyday and we adore him more and more everyday

Bath Time

Our nightly routine involves daddy giving Mason a bath

I like how involved Austin gets at night since I care for him throughout the day

Like Daddy

Austin sleeps the same way every night, one hand up and across his head.

The other day I noticed that Mason always has a hand up when he sleeps. He is already taking after his daddy and he doesn't even know it.

I hope he continues to take after Austin

Our first Days

Just a few pictures I snapped on my phone of the first 2 days with Mason.

He is a good baby, sleeps most of the day. We are working on sleeping at night still =) The first 2 nights were rough but now that he is getting the hang of nursing he isn't so grumpy at 2 am

Mason's Story

Mason is finally here and we couldn't be more happy, grateful, excited, tired, loved (I could go on and on ).

Mason was born at home Saturday morning at 4:50 am. He weighed 6lbs 14 oz and was 19.5 inches long. Although he wasn't a big baby he was a lot bigger than we thought he was going to be

Here is his story and some pictures


Thursday I went to see the midwife and she checked me for the first time, I was 39 weeks and anxious to know if anything was going on. I was 1 cm and 80% enfaced. She said baby was in good position and low enough that he should give me a good labor.

Friday morning when Austin got up for work at 3 am I felt some cramping and for some reason I just knew today was the day, as he left I told him "Mason is coming today, I know it" I have told him this often so he just brushed it aside and said I say that all the time. This time I knew.

I got up later that morning to go to work, I normally have Fridays off but I picked up a shift because I knew I would be having this baby anytime and I wanted the extra hours, plus I wanted to keep occupied and moving as much as I could. I went to work still having small cramp like feelings all morning, some hurt a lot and others were just uncomfortable. When I got off work I started feeling my first real contractions. They hurt. I went home and tried to take a nap but couldn't fall asleep. They were still super far apart, about 30-40 minutes apart, so I thought nothing of it. Austin worked a 12 1/2 hour day and came home exhausted, he decided he was going to skip a nap and go to bed super early. The contractions started getting worse but still only twice an hour.

I decided we would just pick something up for dinner and I would let Austin go to sleep. While eating I was noticing the contractions getting stronger and varied closer in time anywhere from 12-30 minutes apart. About 8:30 I told Austin to lay down and if any change happened I would wake him. At 10 I woke him up because they were getting super painful and only 7 minutes apart. I told him I wasn't sure if they would go away or what; this was our first go at labor and I had no idea what to expect. I kept thinking this was a false alarm because every story I have heard or read always seem to have a false alarm.

Between 10 and 12:30 the contractions continued to get stronger and still remain 3-6 minutes apart. We decided to time for another hour then call the midwife. at 1:30 I was unable to walk, talk, move and barely breath through them. I was hunching over in extreme pain every 3 minutes contracting. We called the midwife and my mom. My family showed up quickly before 2 am and my mom was a super help keeping me calm and reminding me to breath. Austin and my sisters set up the pool and got things ready.

Just after 2 am Kathy (our midwife) came. She checked me and I was already a 7! I laid in bed during the transition. This was an unpleasant time, I was uncomfortable and throwing up. At one point it was coming out of my nose, TMI?? I remember saying, "it's coming out of my nose, make it stop!"

Finally I moved to the pool. This was the most relaxing thing EVER!! I hurt still, I hurt bad. I was crying and trying my hardest to breath. The pool was amazing, the water was warm and allowed me to move into positions freely. Kathy checked his heartbeat and measured me again. I was a 9 and in a matter of time could start pushing. I was ready, I had the feeling to push but waited. Finally it was time. He was coming and I was ready. Austin positioned behind me supporting my back and whenever I contracted I pushed and pushed.

He began to come and all everyone could say was "look at all the hair" "honey he has so much hair" "oh Sarah his hair" Finally his head was out but his cord was tight around his neck. Austin said Kathy looked concerned but calm, she continued to tell me to give one more push. After a push or 2 she said out loud his cord was tight and he needed out. I was exhausted, hurting and had no energy but upon hearing that I was determine to push so hard, my baby needed out and NOW. With just 2 more pushed he was freed and placed in my arms.

He was perfect. His mouth and nose were suctioned and his little cried filled the room. Our baby was here and in my arms. I looked at him and then at Austin, I couldn't have been more happy. Austin immediately checked to make sure he was a boy, which of course he was =)

The cord was cut and Mason was handed to grandma while Kathy and Austin helped me out of the pool and to the bed. I was then given Mason immediately and was able to love him before he was bathed and clothed. The time was just before 5 am and everyone was surprised I went so quick. At the time it sure didn't feel quick to me but looking back it all went pretty fast. Kathy was certain when she got there that it was going to be another 12 hours before delivery. Man, am I glad it wasn't.

Mason is perfect in every way and the home birth was amazing.

I am in love

with this awesome camera bag from Jo Totes

and this breast feeding watch from Con Leche Watches

Austin has been excited to get one of these for when Mason is older

And after 2 weeks of looking at this pattern everyday I finally purchased it because it is too cute not to have.

This for That

I have been looking at thrift stores for an old sewing table to put my sewing machine on. I knew exactly what I wanted but couldn't seem to find one anywhere. The other day as I was leaving my mom's I noticed she had her old one out on the front steps. I figured it was because they were in the middle of remodeling but decided to ask anyways. Come to find out she was going to throw it out with the trash!

I made Austin go get it a few days later. I cleaned it up and couldn't be more happy with it. It's the exact one I was hoping to find. I love the wood colors of the drawers and the convenience of having all my materials nicely where I need them.



I use to have my machine just sitting on the table and all my materials scattered out across the whole table. It looked messy and I never kept it organized. I traded my sewing materials for Austin's car. I guess now that we have more room on the table it was the perfect place to work on his little car =)

Things I love...

More so now that I am pregnant

1. Slippers- easy on and off. No bending over to tie or put on

2. Austin's t-shirt collection. Nothing more comfy than a bigger shirt that actually covers your belly without constant need of pulling down

3. ANYTHING with an elastic waist-enough said

4. The snack cupboard. I feel better about putting this up because I made the picture so small =)

5. Ice tea and bottled water. For some reason tap water just doesn't do it for me these days and I never had a problem drinking it before.

Things I don't like so much now that I am pregnant

1. Walmart- Wears me out. I have discovered that it is a much more pleasant place on Mondays than it is on a weekend day. Upside to not working.

2. Bottom drawer where I keep tupperwear lids. Each night is a hassle to put the leftovers away.

3. Bottom shelf of dishwasher

4. Reaching into the bottom of the washer to pull out clothes. Being so short probably doesn't help much either

Pretty much anything low that I have to bend over to reach.

What are some things you loved and didn't love so much while pregnant?