Madhuri Mini

Last year I was lucky enough to go to Market. And meet The Butlers. It was awesome. 

This year I couldn't go because I had a baby. I mean, I love her and everything, but I was sad to miss out on Market. So I sent a mini quilt out of Amanda's new line Madhuri. She hung it in her booth and it was admired by millions.

 I'll have a tutorial on it coming up. It was fun to figure out, but I have to say my sleep-deprived brain can only handle small projects right now.

Amanda's booth won an award -- second place for a double booth. It's a pretty big deal. I'm sure my mini-quilt had a huge impact on that. You're welcome.

Lessons from Tim

I am a huge fan of Project Runway. I have watched since the first season and I love it more than I should. I love the catfighting, I love when there are alliances, I love every crazy outfit made out of plumbers tubes and fresh flowers. Love. It.

But this year, I learned something profound as I watched. Each season, the incomparable Time Gunn visits the finalists in their homes. He meets their loved ones and shares a meal. I love it. I want him to come to my house and share a meal. But I digress. On this season, a Native American woman was a finalist. Tim visited their home on the reservation. As he came in, her mother proudly gestured to the feast on the table and declared, "We made all of this for you."

"I am honored," was Tim's reply.

I am honored.

I love that.

My Grandma Jeanne had the unique opportunity to host leadership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattery-day Saints in her home. She made a huge fuss over them. Dinner was served on her best dishes with her beautiful silver to accompany it. How did they feel? I am sure honored.

My Grandma Jeanne also has hosted family gatherings large and small at her house. She served delicious home cooked meals on her best dishes, quite often her best with the beautiful silver. I never once thought to  myself, "Oh, she shouldn't have gone to all this trouble!" and I certainly never said it. Why? Because I felt honored. I knew that she felt I was important enough to fuss over.

So now that I am a grown-up girl with 5 children to care for, I occasionally have people over to my home. I serve them on my prettiest dishes. I don't always use my beautiful silver that matches my Grandma's, but sometimes I do. I think about the menu well in advance and serve something homemade and delicious that I think my guests will like. It is my way of saying, "You are worth my time. I want to fuss."

And what do I hope my guests say? "I am honored."

6 Weeks

It's been six weeks since baby girl arrived, and life is a little upside down. I'm getting back in the swing of things bit by bit. Clothes are washed and bathrooms are clean and dinner is served every night. I have even managed to sew a bit. Hooray for me!

Here is my new crew:

 I love all 5 so very much.

And here is the mini I made for Market with Madhuri!

It's just the back. I'll reveal the front after Market.

Spring has sprung and we have had 6 continuous days without rain. It's been a large slice of heaven. Pittsburgh in the spring is lovely.

What I've Been Up To

At 5:06 am on March 24, this darling bundle of joy hurled into the world. She weighed a whopping 9 lb 3 oz. That's 4 oz bigger than Patch was. That's a hefty baby. But isn't she lovely? We named her Maeve Marjorie. "Maeve"  because it's a beautiful Irish name. "Marjorie" for Curly's paternal grandmother. Maeve's hair is brown and her eyes haven't chosen a color yet. Sometimes they look blue or brown or green or gray. She is a little love and we are enjoying every moment with her. Even the moments when we are a little too slow with the new diaper and she poops all over the place. Even those.

The Post in Which I Whine. A Lot.

*cue super sad violin music*

I went to the doctor again today. Apparently when you make it past your due date, they make you come in twice a week. That's a lot. The short version is that gone are the high-flying days where they would induce you just because you were close to your due date, carrying a big-ish baby, and about to have a very public meltdown. Now it seems it's healthier for everyone involved to keep the baby in your belly as long as you can. It's kind of like a contest. And while the baby stays in and keeps growing into a toddler, they hook you up to machines and make you have expensive tests to make sure the baby is still okay.

In case you're wondering, they really don't care if mommy has public meltdowns. Trust me. I speak from embarrassing experience.

So we continue to wait. And wait. And wait. I have a million things that need doing, but only enough energy for about 2 of them. And my poor kids. You know, the ones that are already here. They are very anxious to block this whole pregnancy from their memories. And did I mention that my hands go numb? Yeah, that's a fun part of my pregnancies.

The point is, donuts are my friend.

So that's my poor, pitiful life right now. I need another nap just thinking about it. Hope your part of the world is going well. I'll unveil the most darling baby quilt in another few days. It takes long to quilt with numb hands.

*end super sad violin music*

40 + 1

40 weeks and 1 day. 

Someone help me.

Just in Case you Wondered

I am still here. I am still pregnant. To say that I hope she comes this week is a huge understatement. My hands are slightly puffy, as are my ankles. And getting up from sitting requires an involuntary "Ooomph." Curly has begun giving my belly a stern talking-to before he heads to work each day, telling baby it's time to GET OUT. Clearly this little one listens as well as her siblings.

On tap today is to clean all the sheets and dirty towels, get laundry caught up, and clean the kitchen. And go into labor. But once the sun goes down, this little chica can sit tight. I hate the idea of going into labor in the middle of the night. It worries me so.