Is this considered nesting?

I have been busy lately making a mental list of projects for me to do which will keep me busy for the rest of the summer. I've lately run across a bunch of great ideas for sewing boys clothes. I would like make some of these racer shorts from www.dana-made-it.com for the older boys.

For Will I would like to try to make some of these cute t-shirts call the 90-minute shirt. The tutorial is also from dana-made-it.com and the boy in the picture is her son. So cute!

Next I have projects for the new baby. I have been noticing a lot of women in my ward using various slings to hold their baby while they are at church and I'm sure they use them at home and elsewhere. So I've been researching the different kinds of slings and how difficult it is to make them and I'm probably going to end up making 3 different kinds.

Now the term I guess people use is called "baby wearing" since instead of holding the baby you are wearing them, duh. Here is a link to a post about the different kinds of slings/carriers for baby wearing. Some are easier to use but don't offer a lot of support/comfort and others are comfortable and supportive but use a lot of fabric. A neighbor gave me her extra pocket sling so I already have one of those.

I am planning on making a ring sling and a wrap sling by buying a bunch of yards of fabric, cutting it lengthwise, do some hemming and voila. They are pretty easy to make.

At first I ignored the mei tai, but then I started looking at them more and found them to be a compromise between support and not too much stuff wrapped around you like the wrap. You can also easily put the older child on your back. The only downside for the mei tai is that it doesn't seem as supportive and comfy for the newborn/little baby. I found some good tutorials for the mei tai and I believe I could fairly easily sew one up.

I'll probably end up using the pocket sling for times when I am sitting a lot, like at church. Or for quick baby wearing. I would probably use the wrap and ring sling for longer periods of time especially for the baby when she is little. Then the mei tai will be used when the baby is a little older and for longer periods of time.

Motherhood and Guilt

I was talking to KC the other night and told him that some days I feel like I can only do a few things at a time well. It's like each thing is a ball to juggle and if I add one, then invariably I drop another so I can concentrate on the new one for a while. Some days I can handle just one or two balls at a time, other days I can handle 5. Some days I let myself feel guilty for not being really good at everything I want to be.

Today I read a blog post about guilt from Diapers and Divinity, written by Stephanie, a funny LDS mom of 3. When I finished it I felt that I needed to share it with other moms I know. Please, check it out.

I am going to finish with a poem I was emailed earlier this month. Ironically I sometimes feel like a lot of this is expected of me.

The Girl in a Whirl

by "Dr. Sue" (aka Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!

You could do what I do if you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;

I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;

I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classroom! I sew all they wear!

I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!

My toilets all sparkle! My check books all balance!

Each week each child gets a one-on-one date;

I attend all my meetings (on time! never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,

But, that is not all! Oh no, that is not all.

I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;

Our t-shirts are ironed! My toe nails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;

The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too,

It's easy to do all the things I have to do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;

I know all the names of each youth in the stake!

I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!

I bless the community, too with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;

My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.

It's the least I can do for my cherished ward Sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;

I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!

Each day, I write "thank you’s" to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!

My kids got straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean.

I have a home business to help make some money;

I always look beautiful groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;

I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!

I grind my own wheat and bake all our bread;

I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-year supply

My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;

You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!

It's easy to do all the things that I do!

If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

"It's easy!" she said,

And then she dropped dead!

Safely Gathered In

After getting quite a few gems from this oft-updated blog I just can't keep it from my friends and family any longer.

Safely Gathered In is a "Step by step guide to food storage and emergency preparedness." Awesome! I just had to share this after reading a post about making your own oven with a cardboard box. After my sister endured a week or so without electricity after Hurricane Ike I think it would be great to know how to do this so you can still bake in that situation. There are often great recipes for food storage/pantry food items. They also encourage their readers to work on 72-hour kits and on a 3-month supply. If you need a little help and motivation in this area or just want some great tips this blog is perfect.

I am looking forward tomorrow to a wheat bread recipe that looks yummy.