The Long Awaited (awkward) Belly Shot

22 weeks.. over halfway there? REALLY? Yikes.
I made this wrap shirt. Love. Love. Love how it grows with my belly.
And just for fun, this was 22 weeks with Norah:

The bug and I

These are stretchy capris and a ruffle t-shirt I made her out of the scraps.
A little clown-ish but what can I say,
I love me some baby ruffles!

And this picture just makes me laugh,

you have to click on it to get the full effect:

Twiners

This weekend Norah and I had a sleep over with two of our friends while our husbands were out doing "business." Norah and Kylia happened to be wearing the exact same PJs and since they are only 5 months apart and both have blonde hair, they looked like twins! Unfortunately I didn't get a great picture. This one was taken right after they hugged:

I don't know if I ever mentioned how much Norah loves Owen. Every morning she comes out of her room and the first thing she says is "hi Owie!" She really gives him a lot of love. A lot of times when he is just laying around she'll go and sit in between his legs (on his "lap") and read him a book. He is a great dog. He'll just sit there and sometimes sniff her neck to make her giggle. Here are a couple of times that we were able to capture. She really has a great "say cheese" face, doesn't she? I'm hoping she grows out of that soon!

We're going private soon so if you haven't done so already,

make sure you leave your email address on THIS post!

Also, check out the new post on my other blog found HERE!

When It Rains It Pours

It's been a crazy couple of weeks! Without going into detail, we've had some unexpected trials come up. After some time, we have found that they are really huge blessings in a really ugly disguise. Tricky tricky! Anyway, my reasons for writing this post is to inform you that:

1)We are alive and well.

2)Remember my items of the week? Yeah, I'm two weeks behind, but no fear, they're coming.

3) I've started a craft blog called Keep Calm and Sew On to document all my crafts (I realize that they have been taking over this blog)! Hey, maybe I'll do a tutorial or two. And just for fun, I'm kicking it off with a yummy giveaway (but really, there is nothing yummy about it), so head on over here!

BUT, wait!..

..before you do! Since I've started a separate craft blog, this (our family blog) will be going private effective March 5th. So leave your email address in the comment section if you want to be able to continue to read about our eventful life. HA!

Yep, It's a BOY!

Throughout this pregnancy I totally thought (and apparently so did you; a whopping 18 vs. 7 in the polls!) and was hoping it was a girl, mostly for convenience reasons (you know; same clothes, same toys, etc). However, on Monday I read THIS post on one of the craft blogs I follow and it made me CRY. This wouldn't normally make me cry (although, it is very sweet). Anyway, at that point I had an inkling that it might be a boy. I'm excited to have a little man and so excited that Joe gets a mini-me (Joe is beyond thrilled, by the way). We can't wait to meet him in a few months! It's time for me to get sewing. All I know is that I'm gonna have to make some of THESE. Oh and names? Yeah, we've got none. Suggestions are welcome!

It's A... (for real this time)

Well, you tell me.

Custom Order

Last night I did my first custom scripture cover order. It was for a Bible with a Triple Combination (so I added a new listing here). It's basically two covers sewn together and I think it turned out nice! Tonight I'll be doing a Mini-Quad (so cute) and a Jumbo Quad!

Oh and I also added these lovelies as fabric choices:

If you're looking to find out the gender of our new baby, you'll have to come back later for that!

Last Change!

I had an epiphany while laying in bed the other night. Why not make the crocheted flowers detachable so you can wear just the headband, just the flower, or mix and match colors?! So now all the flowers will be attached to an alligator clip (they were previously sewn on). Each headband will come with one flower and individual flowers will be sold separately. OK, those are the last changes I will be making to my headbands (other than possibly colors down the road), so I'm done! HERE is the shop.

Item of the Week: New and Improved

I changed the design of my headbands and I'm so glad I did. Here's why: (1) I'm now using 100% cotton yarn which doesn't fray or wear, is more durable and just makes cleaner lines. (2) These headbands tie behind the neck so you don't have to worry about it ever stretching out or falling off. (3) The flower is a slightly different variation which lies flatter on your head. Plus, I love 'em! So these are the "item of the week" in my Etsy shop found HERE. I've listed 5 of them for $5 each which (I think) is much less than they are worth so get one before they're gone! I know, I know, the pictures aren't that great (I really need to find a new model) but I was rushing to take them so I could get these listed this week.

This Day in Brown History

It has been almost exactly a year since we packed up everything we owned (again) and moved across the country to this blessed land of Utah. OK I could go on and on about the things I don't like about living here (INVERSION, cold, desert, no trees, inversion, cold, did I mention inversion?), but I won't. As I reflect on the past year, I am grateful. I'm grateful for the good people we've met and great friends we've made. I'm grateful for employment. I'm grateful to be a mother. I'm grateful that I can stay home with my children. I'm grateful for our growing little family. I'm grateful for extended family. I'm grateful for the SUN. I'm grateful for all the challenges, the joy, the ups and downs. I'm grateful for the Lord's hand in our life as we look back and think, "How the heck did we make it?!" It's not always easy, but I have everything I need and more, and I am grateful.

Here is a picture of the bug taken exactly a year ago, just before we left New Jersey:

Oh, the bug. She makes me so happy. Everyday with her is just more and more fun. I just have to add a recent little story. The other morning, I was taking my time getting out of bed. I have to if I want to keep anything down. Anyway, Joe and Norah were on his side of the bed and Norah was looking at a picture of us from when we were dating. She pointed to Joe and signed "hat." Joe responded, "Umm no that's not a hat. That's Daddy with hair." LOL. I just about died laughing. (Did I just use "LOL?" First and only time folks.)