We've Moved!

Check out The H-G's at their new website:


www.TugboatYarning.com

See you there!

~M, B, & Q H-G

Let's Have a Boob Celebration [PG]

Oh, Maggie!  You're so SCANDALOUS!  You just wrote BOOB in the title, and now have written BOOB two more times!

Yes, yes, prepare to be scandalized: but only at a PG-rating level.  Shirts are not coming off, no skin will be exposed, but this is a celebration - a necessary celebration - of nourishment, sacrifice, late nights, early mornings, awkward situations, and good ol' bonding time.

Sorry to disappoint, but this ultimately comes down to nursing.  Was your baby bottle fed?  Don't leave the party!  This is a celebration, remember, and everyone can join in.

I dedicate these ramblings to all the women out there that ever attempted to nurse or had just the thought of breast feeding.  You are amazing, do you know that?  This is for you, who had headaches from dealing with various contraptions - shields, pumps, pads, boppys, pillows... - to help (or possibly hinder?) you with nursing; who found odd corners of the world to whip it out so your child would not go hungry; who lost countless hours of sleep to lurch out of bed at the wee hours of the night; who cracked, and bled, and cried when nursing got difficult; who got odd looks (or harsh words) from strangers or family who just didn't understand; who sacrificed lunch hours or bathroom breaks or moments to just breathe in order to pump; who had a baby who couldn't take bottles; who had infections or inflammation; who had a baby who took bottles too well; who dealt with milk supply issues (too little or too much); who made it any amount of time nursing.  You have earned yourself a standing ovation, dear, sweet momma.

I've shared nursing tales in the past - nursing ninjas, crying over spilt milk, etc. - but I am no longer a part of the nursing crowd.  I made it a full year, and it was a splendid but difficult year.  To see how I could contribute to my son's growth so directly, was incredible.  For the first six months of his life, his only nourishment came from me, not to mention the months in utero prior to his birth.  Isn't that amazing?  It reminds me how beautifully we are made that we can provide so much to our children (just as God has provided for us), especially in their first moments of life.  And yes, I had to bring it to a point about faith, because the miracle of creation still baffles and mystifies me.  Being a mother has only heightened my awe.

As for my own nursing journey, it is just like motherhood: wonderful, difficult, amazing, and stressful.  It took a great toll on my body, at times to the point of malnourishment, and I've dallied through various cup-sizes, but I have arrived a year later with a healthy boy, and a body changed but recuperated.  And as it's easy to use Bloggieland to give you the impression that I have never struggled, I tell you these confessions:  

I have nursed in restaurants (Qdoba and Panera just to name a couple), bathroom stalls, a car dealership board room, park benches, backseats of cars, airplanes, airports, mall sofas, church lounges, an emergency room, parks, a wood shop, libraries, dressing rooms, ... and those are just the instances I can remember at the moment.

At ten months, we started supplementing goats milk with pumped milk because my supply was starting to fade.  At two weeks prior to Quincy's birthday, we swapped the goat's milk for formula to ensure he was getting the necessary vitamins, and the last time I nursed was his birthday.  He now drinks Vitamin D milk (though not as much as we'd like), and has a nighttime formula bottle because we haven't figured out another way to put him down for the night.

For those of you still nursing, know that your efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Of course I must mention to those who use formula: a big kuddos to you, too.  I'm awkward with formula.  You have to get the temperature right, mix the right proportions, and if you're doing it in the middle of the night with a wailing baby?  Ugh.  It takes time, your wallet takes a hit, and then if they have a reaction to the formula and you have to seek out other alternative(s)...?  You are doing great by providing nourishment for your child.  You are part of this celebration, too.

And finally, I don't want to terrify any future parents out there and make you think that nursing is horrible and difficult, etc. etc.  It has been an incredible journey, with some difficulties, but the positives out-weighed the hardships.  So let's turn it back to the celebration!

Blow out a candle, raise a glass, stuff a piece of cake in your mouth, for there is much to celebrate!

Go Boobs!

~M

Time Hysteria

Did you know the word hysteria originates from medical disorders attributed to women caused by "disturbances of the uterus", and is further part of a class of ailments that afflicted women, involving the movement of the uterus throughout the body (if this both intrigues and disturbs you, read on here).  I of course take this to mean that all of the Life, Hyphenated readers - men and women alike - often find their uterus traveling rapidly throughout their bodies due to the hysterical state in which the writings of this blog put them.  No harm was meant to you; our apologies for any uterine injuries this has caused.

Historical word play aside, I find myself in a perplexing Time Hysteria.  I have neglected the keyboard, and therefore neglected you, Dear Reader.  Apparently, my uterus has not gone running to my fingertips recently, and thus has left the canvas of this blog empty for far too long.

This Time Hysteria in which I am consumed, is a feeling of having much to do but no time to do it.  Time passes rapidly when you crave:

This is not to say I don't enjoy my time as a Stay At Home Mom (which I shall refer to as S@HMomma from now on because I'm trying to be trendy), in fact I do enjoy it.  I love it.  It is the perfect combination of inspiration, chaos, joy, tears, overwhelming stress, kitchen dance parties (it bears repeating; I make sure to get a few in while he's young and doesn't know his mom is lame), burps, gurgles, and laughter.  I love my baby who isn't quite a baby any more.  So no, I am not negating the importance of S@HMomma-hood.  This is a DECLARATION that time goes too quickly.  Blinking is the new breathing.

On this date one year ago, I was one day past my due date and heading into the hospital after having consistent contractions.  If this is not proof enough that a lot can change in one year, I'm not certain what else could be given as proof.

The Last Pregnancy Photo

Tomorrow Quincy will be ONE YEAR old.  He started as a squishy, tiny baby, and now he can do this:

In True Time Hysteria Fashion, I shall be doing a bit of a summation of recent events, since none of you follow me around with every move I make (though if you are in fact following me around to observe my every move, consider yourself skilled and successful; kudos).

We Celebrated Quincy's First Birthday

(yes, it was early to avoid Christmas Chaos)

Quincy wasn't a huge fan of the Birthday Cupcakes.

He eventually had a few bites with some assistance.

Handmade Birthday Banner (one of my 2:00am projects) 

Jazzed Up Birthday Shirt - I was going for a Reverse Mullet Jersey
(Business Tie in Front, Party Jersey on Back)

Ever had a Q-Cupcake?  They were delicious.

Our Closet got an Ikea Face-Lift

The Closet - Before

After Brad pulled out the old closet components, primed, painted, and added the framing

New Closet Organization - Left Side

Right Side

And the Finished Closet (including 24 pairs of shoes with room for more!)

I filled many a late night with Etsy Orders,
Christmas Gifts, and other Fun Projects

Chunky Knit Scarf - Black on Black

Chunky Newsie Hat with Chunky Flower

Shell Stitch Hat with Button-on Flower

Neon Dragon Hat and Booties (New Baby Lincoln!)

Chunky Knit Scarf with a Big Ol' Pink Button

And my biggest ticket item: The Thankful Cowl.
I made about two dozen in three weeks!

Holidays always bring about a Happy Hysteria.  My uterus may not be running rampant through my body, but Time sure is.  Are you affected by Time Hysteria?


Hysterically yours,

~M

The Thankful Cowl

I am sorry to say, but I don't think I've written this before:

I am so thankful for YOU.

I've been more than surprised when people have come up to me and said, "I love your blog", to which I turn behind me to see if a more qualified blogger is peering over my shoulder.  My blog?  Little ol' me? I've had people quote things back to me, or laugh with me as I recount writing about a specific post.  Or even better, it has inspired others to share their stories with me; something that makes me feel like there is one big community out there that just wants to hang out and be friends.  Very cool.

So for today, with the approach of Thanksgiving, I'd like to tell you THANK YOU, from the very bottom of my heart.  This community of joy and love - that has been there even when joy and love seemed out of reach - has made this blog possible.

This post is not meant to toot my own horn, but to trumpet from the rooftops that YOU are AWESOME.

With all this mushy gushy stuff in mind, I wanted to "gift" you a simple crochet pattern.  I realize not everyone out there crochets, but if it brings a bit of love and warmth to you, then it has done its job.  I call it, simply enough, The Thankful Infinity Cowl.

 

Please enjoy, and know that YOU - yes, you who are taking the time to read my strange musings and give me encouragement in the things I write about; you who have known me forever or just by reading this post; you who have written comments, liked things on Facebook, or have encouraged me in person; you who related to my struggles and my joys; you who came back a second time to read - you, are such a blessing to me.

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Thankful Infinity Cowl – Crochet Pattern

Materials

• Worsted Weight Yarn
• Crochet Hook Size Q
•  Darning Needle (for weaving in ends)

Abbreviations

• r = row
• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• st = stitch
• sl st = slip stitch

Sizing
Listed are instructions for small, medium, and large based on the number of chains that are added in the beginning.  So, for a smaller size (think teenager or a thin-necked adult) chain 50, for a medium chain 55, and for a large chain 60.

Directions

R1:  Using two strands at once, ch 50 for small, 55 for medium, or 60 for large,  sl st to first ch. (note: be careful not to twist the chain at all!)

R2:  sc in same st as sl st from round 1, sc in ea st around using only the top loops.

R3 – R7:  ch 2, dc in ea sti around, sl st to join.

R8:  ch 1, sc in ea st around, sl st to join.  finish and weave in ends.

Permission to Use this Pattern

My only guideline for using this pattern is that you make it for someone in whom you are THANKFUL.  If that means you are thankful for your customers at a craft show or your Etsy shop, then by all means sell it!  I ask that you please reference this site when using the pattern, and let the receiver know that it was made in a mindset of thanks and love.

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A quick shout out to my amazing husband, Brad, for whom I am also so very thankful.  And of course, my sweet baby boy, Quincy.

And to YOU:  Thanks again, friends.  You mean the world to me.

~M

P.S. To all of  my Ravelry Friends - thanks for stopping by!  I'd love to see pictures of your final projects, so please post through your projects page or email me a photo (and let me know if I can share it on this blog!).  

The Brag Board {Tugboat Yarning}

I'll keep the words short and the photos big for the Brag Board.  Check out these adorable kids and their Tugboat Yarning gear!

Baby Emilia - Magenta Baby Cocoon

Baby Judah - Grey & Teal Newsie Hat

Baby Judah - Navy & Orange Dino Hat

Baby Ahren - Green & Navy Dinosaur Hat

Baby Drake & Big Sister Kierstynn - Blue Newsie Hat with Teal Button 

Baby Isaac - Grey & Blue Newsie Hat with Red Button

Baby Jonah - Slate Blue & Navy Giraffe

Zac - Fiery Dragon Hat

For those of you out there that have a Tugboat Yarning product and would like it featured on the Brag Board, please email photos here.

Now, didn't this post make you smile?  There are sure a lot of beautiful kids out there!  Thank you to everyone that shared photos!

~M

My First m-DIY Baby Shower

It wasn't too long ago that I had to type this into a Google search:

WHAT IS DIY?

I'll spare you the key strokes if you, too, are unfamiliar with this acronym: it means Do It Yourself.  Not in a No-I-Won't-Help-You-Make-The-Bed kind of Do it Yourself!, but a Let's-Be-Like-Martha-And-Make-It-Ourselves kind of spirit.  This is the latest lingo for The Crafters and Creative Types out there.

You may be wondering (based on the title of this post), what m-DIY means, to which I will answer: Mostly Do It Yourself, extra emphasis on the M.  This is a new acronym I'm trying to coin, mainly because I don't always hit the standards of Full DIY, and I'd hate to misrepresent myself.

I recently had the pleasure of throwing a baby shower for my sister, and it was a great opportunity to do a little DIY-ing to keep my creative side happy, and shave off some of the cost that can come with showers.  I have realized through the process of getting married and later having a child that anything marked as WEDDING or BABY has a 40-80% mark-up.  Find just a plain white candle at the store?  It may cost a couple of bucks, but once it even smells of a white veiled occasion, it's at least seventeen-ninety-nine-plus-tax-and-your-first-born.  This whole DIY'ing was great to cut out not only the middle man, but also the overly-priced-oh-but-it's-for-baby-so-of-course-I'll-pay-too-much mentality.

But, I digress.

What does a baby shower consist of these days?  Typically, food, an activity or a few games, dessert, and gifts for the mother-to-be.  I researched online to find other people's baby shower ideas, and decided to write this post to share with other Would-Be Shower Throwers some of the things I attempted.  I hope this is helpful to you!

nom nom nom FOOD nom nom nom nom...

Because you may not personally know all of the guests invited to the shower, you'll want to offer a variety of food that can suit a variety of palates (think: vegetarians, people with dairy or gluten allergies, or your general picky eaters).  I opted for easy to prepare, but delicious all the same.

Pig-in-the-Blankets
Crescent Rolls + Beef Sausages

Cheese Broccoli Quiche
Find the recipe here, substituting broccoli for bacon

Veggies with Ranch // Yogurt, Strawberry & Granola Parfait
Ranch was creamier than veggie dip (and already in my fridge)
 and I used recyclable cups for the parfait.

Chocolate, Chocolate Cupcakes with Blue Sprinkles
Cupcake recipe here, chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe here

Decaf Coffee, Regular Coffe, Cream & Sugar, Orange Juice & Water
Not as glamorous as the cupcakes, but oh so necessary

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

I was left with one stipulation: NO GAMES, to which I said, NO PROBLEM!  Instead, I opted for a fun activity that also could be both a great memento of the shower and a gift for baby: A Thumbprint Wishing Tree.

I found a great template for the tree at this site, traced it onto off-white cardstock, and then wrote a poem to accompany the tree.

This is a photo of the tree partially filled out, but it will be cute once framed and given to Mom-to-Be!  (Photos to follow once the frame is finished!)

Wishes for Baby

DIY'ing THE DECORATIONS

I previously wrote about my absolute FAIL at making a cupcake stand (really, I blame the floor for not being more receptive to falling plates), but I didn't let it defeat me!  I went back to the thrift store, picked up some cooler plates and a pretty vase, and got new glue from the hobby shop.  

Cupcake Display Stand
Tutorial found here

This flag banner was great to double as a decoration for the party and a gift for Mom-to-Be in case the nursery needed a splash of color.

Pennant Flag Banner
Tutorial found here

AND A PRIZE FOR ATTENDING

To thank the guests for coming out, I made coffee cozies (you can find the tutorial here), and wrapped them around mason jars filled with homemade hot chocolate mix.  I'm actually selling the leftover cozies I made at my Etsy Shop while supplies last!  Check them out here!

Cozy Hot Cocoa

I got the recipe from a friend of mine, but you can find a similar one here.  Warning!  Delicious Sugar Crashes may occur that will end in a much needed nap, but it'll be the best nap you've had in ages, at least in my experience.

Have you had any m-DIY projects you've worked on recently?  Had a successful baby shower?  Share in the comments below!

The leftover hot chocolate mix is calling my name, so I shall say farewell for now.  Don't worry, I should be able to mostly drink it myself.

A quick shout out of CONGRATULATIONS to my sister, the beautiful mother to be.  I can't wait to meet my nephew!

~M

P.S.  Overwhelmed by all the links?  This may help:

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Follow me on Pinterest, and check out the Baby M. Board.