11 months of Axel

Those chubby fingers.  Those mile long lashes.  That ticklish baby belly.  His barely there hair.  

Eleven Months.  Seriously.  I can't take that it is to this point already.  I'm not ready for 1.  

Yogi Tea

Ummmmm.  I'm just gonna come out and say it.  All of this clean eating is slowly turning me in to a hippie.   I mean, I just ordered a nut milk bag to make my own almond milk for heavens sake. I've been researching  baby wearing and gmo's.  I might even be considering cloth diapers. GASP!   I love it though.  Its a throwback to my Oregon roots. 

 So, side note I've just realized I do that a lot.  I look like a hipster?  Its cuz I grew up in Portland.  I justify every Nike purchase because they are from my hometown.  My love of sunshine comes from growing up without any sunshine.  Oregon.  Love it. 

But back to being a hippie.  Besides being "forced" ;) to eat really delicious pizza and homemade ice cream at my baby shower, which led to the return of pms and therefore the justification of frozen yogurt and a raid on my mom's cinnamon bears stash, I have done really well.  Haha!  Eating clean has become so much more to me than getting in to booty shorts, which is a whole different post.  I love how I feel and I love the effects it has had on other areas of my life.  All those cinnamon bears gave me was some zits and a stomach ache.  I think it also made me more anxious about baby coming.  

So what is a hippie to do when faced with a stomach ache and an anxious heart?  Yoga, obviously.   I've really loved doing more yoga this year.  It challenges me to be more present and focused, and gives me determination more than any other kind of exercise I do.   So Monday night I brewed some yogi tea, sat in baby's space and refocused.  My to do list shrank.  My priorities shifted back to where they need to be. 

My stomach ache is gone.  My anxiousness has been replaced by excitement and clarity. I still have the zits but with a little help from apple cider vinegar those will be gone soon too. I highly recommend being a hippie.    

And yogi tea.  

Yogi Tea

2 quarts water

15 whole cloves

20 black peppercorns

3 cinnamon sticks

20 whole green cardamom pods, split

8 slices ginger 

1/2 tsp black tea (decaf)  

Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a 3-4 quart pot. Add cloves and boil for one minute. Next, add cardamon, peppercorns, cinnamon, and fresh ginger root. Cover and boil for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, cover and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, adding more water if needed.  When ready, remove from heat, add black tea and let cool. Strain tea. When ready to drink, mix 1/2 cup tea and 1/2 cup milk of choice and warm it up.  Sweeten with honey to taste.  Can be stored in the fridge or even frozen.

Yogi Tea is a health-promoting beverage and a tonic for the whole body. It strengthens the nervous system, energizes the body, clears the mind, and is both a remedy and preventive measure for colds, allergies, and other illnesses.
via Yoga Yoga

Let the adventure begin...

Baby brother is almost here.  Its getting real.  He has a space of his own waiting.  The space is in my heart and in our arms and in the guest room/baby room.  

I feel flighty and unsure of where to start on my suddenly urgent to do list.  But I know they are just things to do.  So I think about him instead.  I think about how calm he is going to make me.  Which sounds funny to say about a baby and all that comes with one.   But its true.  

I think about us.  The different versions of us.   We have been three for so long.  But we were just the two of us even longer than we have been three.  And already it feels like there has always been four.   The four of us.  I like it.

I think about her.  And my heart hurts.  I know her heart is going to hurt too. She is strong and brave and kind and loving.  She will be ok.   I just hope she knows how much we love her.  And can 't even begin to let her know how much she is a part of us.   Part of our happiness.  Part of our story.  Part of him.

There are so many things to do.  But the quiet moments in my thoughts are what are getting me ready.  

<<<>>>

I'm ready.  Let the adventure begin.  

Happy Christmas!!

Happy  Christmas everyone!  Its been a magical day here.   It is even snowing!  We made a video for our Christmas card this year that I hope you will watch.  I hope your day is a blessed one.  Thank you for being a part of our lives.

A love note for Ivy.

Do you forgive me for one more post about kindergarten?  But sometimes I wonder if doing things like this is going to be the only time I do them so I want to love every second of it.  

Dear Ivy...

You are all grown up.  Kindergarten is a big deal but you are doing it effortlessly.  Today {the second day of school}  you went to the bus stop ahead of me and when I tried to cross the street you said Mom, you don't need to come, I don't need you.  I just chuckled when the other mom's said that would break their heart.  I laughed because I know that while you may not need me at the bus stop, that bravery flies out the window in your own home and you can't go in to the bathroom or even your own room by yourself. Especially if its dark.  It has driven me crazy all summer but now I will take the time to turn on the light in the bathroom for you.  Because you aren't going to need me for that very much longer either.  Ivy you are a strong girl with smart ideas and a beautiful smile.  Watching you go away from me on the bus I realized that I need you probably more than you need me.  You have made me the luckiest girl and I love you.  

But do you think you could stay little for just a while longer?  

A Million Words Or Just One Word Couldn't Explain.

We finally tracked down a video that we haven't seen in probably four years, lost after moving.  Lost forever we though when we switched to a Mac last summer.   Four years and I still cry when I watch it.

4 1/2 years have passed from this day and I still can't even believe I was so lucky to be able to actually experience it,  just once.  

4 1/2 years isn't even how long I begged my Heavenly Father to have those moments.  Maybe when Ivy has been here longer than I wished for her to be here I won't cry.

Or maybe someday I will only cry happy tears.

 Ivy Faith Warnick

video by Darin Warnick circa 2007

Ruffle Bum Onesie for Cate

My friend Michelle had her third baby girl a couple of months ago and I wanted to make her something and just kept putting it off.  I was in the ruffling mood on Saturday and got a onesie done.  It makes me want to go out and get some onesies for Ivy.

 

First I took a strip of this cute polka dot and pleated and pinned it in place.  I think my strip was 1 1/2 X 22.

Then I stitched it in place.

For my next ruffle I serged the edges of a black polka dot strip (2 1/2 X 42) then ruffled it down the middle.  I pinned it in place close to the seam of the first ruffle and sewed down the same stitch I used to ruffle it. 

 

Last I took a piece of zebra ribbon (1 1/2 X 20) and sewed a gathering stitch near the top and ruffled it up.  

Sewing down that same stitch I attached it under the edge of my second ruffle.  

It is so cute but I wasn't finished yet.

 

On the front I appliqued a "C" for cate and put a sweet little bow at the top.  

I don't know if Michelle reads this so hopefully its a surprise.  

Do you think Ivy would mind if I sewed ruffles to her big girl panties?!