Jemimah Rose

I can hardly believe it was two weeks yesterday since our dear little girl was born. The time has just flown by! First of all I want to thank all of you who have kept us in your prayers! It has meant so much to me.

 The LORD truly blessed me throughout the labor experience. It is a long story, but since I was late my doctor decided to induce labor. As I felt labor begin I read over the Scriptures I had written down and prayed the verses. This really helped to strengthen and encourage me for the time ahead.

I was in labor 12 hours, and everything went really well. I had been praying that I would be able to go without an epidural and the LORD was so good as to bring me through without one. At the point when I was ready to give birth I was very weak and tired. I was worried I would not be able to, but at that time I called on Jesus and within minutes our baby was born!

Adam was with me the entire time and was an immense encouragement. He would cheer me on and would remind me that I was making progress.

We named our little girl Jemimah Rose. The LORD gave Adam the name Jemimah before we were even married. : ) We knew if we were ever blessed with a little girl her name would be Jemimah. Jemimah means dove and was the name of Job's eldest daughter after God restored his wealth (Job 42:14).

Jemimah weighed 7 lbs. 5.8 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. I cannot begin to describe the delight I felt to see her for the first time! After dreaming about her for nine months, wondering what she would be like, I was thrilled to hold her in my arms at last!!

She is a very sweet baby and loves to be held and cuddled!

Jemimah all bundled up to go out. I thought her expression was adorable. : )

 I am so grateful for our dear little Jemimah and this blessed opportunity to be a mother!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Preparing...

 My baby's official due date was the 17th, but as I have been told first babies are often late and our little one is no exception. This past week I have kept busy with last minute cleaning and preparations, even though I have been ready for about a month now! : ) I always seem to find one extra thing to sew or organize.

The photo above is our baby's room. If only you could have seen how this room looked a year ago, even less than a year ago, you would be surprised. When Adam purchased our house and began renovations he discovered that many of the old plaster walls were crumbling. This room was truly the worse! Adam spent countless hours re-plastering the walls and ceiling of our baby's room, then painting, insulating the ceiling and he even had the old window replaced. I am so pleased with the end results.

 Last month my sister Rachel hosted a perfectly fabulous baby shower for me. The day following the shower I had so much fun washing the little clothes and tucking them into the drawers.

 Here is the view from the baby room window. I sewed the curtains from some lovely lace I found last year. The lace pattern is flowers and butterflies.

 One of my recent projects has been to hem piece of flannel and make receiving/swaddling blankets. After quickly hemming the edges of the pink blanket I decided to add a little embroidery. I had been given some vintage baby iron-on transfers and thought they would be just perfect!

Another way I have been preparing is by praying for our baby and collecting scripture verses to take with me the day I go into labor. Here are some wonderful resources I found: 14 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Unborn Baby and Preparing for Childbirth: 12 Scriptures of Comfort & Encouragement

Another way I have been preparing is by trying to eat healthy, take my vitamins, walk and drink red raspberry leaf tea. Here is a link to an article I found very interesting: Red Raspberry Leaf Tea ~ Danger Or Help?

 

 Isn't this fabric adorable! I have always loved the artwork of Beatrix Potter, so when I found this fabric I could not resist! It is a simple cotton that I decided to quilt. I like the extra texture the quilting adds.

You may have noticed the little rocking chair in the first photo. It is a barn sale find that Adam and I purchased quite awhile ago for $5. It sat in the garage for about a year in need of some repairs. Adam did a great job fixing the loose arms, cleaning the wood and giving it a good polish. Once I found the Beatrix Potter fabric I knew that would make the perfect seat cushions. : )

And to close this post a photo my sister Hannah took the day of the baby shower.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."  Psalm 127:3

Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater

Recently I completed this little baby sweater.I found the pattern through Pinterest and was delighted to discover it was being offered for free! Here is a link to the pattern: Seamless Yoked Cardigan

The pattern was easy to follow and I really enjoyed the "seamless" design. I did however, have to do a little stitching under each arm, which I believe is normal for the raglan design.

I loved the decorative stitch pattern, and how easy it was to achieve! The yarn I used to knit this sweater was from Patons, their Beehive Baby Sport collection. Unfortunately the fiber content is acrylic and nylon (I had hoped to use natural yarns for baby clothes), but it was irresistibly soft, and pink! : )

A photo of the back. The sweater is knitted on straight needles from the top down. The sleeves stitches were saved out on stitch holders then worked with double pointed needles

Although the size I knitted was newborn, I think it will be too big for the first couple months. Better too big than too small though!

I found the buttons at a Mennonite fabric shop over the summer; they were made in Germany. First thing I saw these buttons I knew they would be perfect!

Lilacs in September

The other evening when Adam I were returning from a walk we discovered that one of our lilac bushes was in bloom! We were very surprised to smell the beautiful fragrance of spring on a September evening.

The following day I decided I should take a couple pictures and pick one of the lilacs to press in a book.

Never before have I seen a lilac blooming in September, but it was a delightful surprise!

Vintage Smocked Baby Dress

 Recently my mom and I spent a lovely afternoon visiting some antique shops in a nearby small town. While browsing one shop my mom came across a rack of vintage baby clothes. They were so delicate and lovely! Little embroidered slips and dresses, mom had a hard time deciding which she liked best. But this sweet little smocked dress finally won as a favorite with us both. Mom said she had to purchase it for me as inspiration. : ) I enjoy smocking, but it is one of my hobbies I haven't kept up with, I am sure that will change soon!

Isn't it just precious?! I love all of the details, the delicate lace on the collar, placket and sleeves. The smocking is so pretty, as are the rose bullion stitches! I must say it does inspire me to smock again.

The lady at the shop guessed that the dress dated somewhere around the 1930's or 1940's.

I was very taken with the scalloped hem. The dress appears to be completely hand sewn.

And completely french seamed. It will certainly be a joy to see our baby girl in this little dress!

The Sunflower Blogger Award

 Recently my dear friend Jazzmin from Blessings n' Sweet Tea nominated my blog for the Sunflower award. Be sure to stop by her blog, as I find that I am always encouraged by her posts!

Here are the questions Jazzmin created for those she  nominated for the Sunflower award:

1.  What is your passion in life or your most favorite hobby that you are passionate about?

I have several hobbies, but sewing is my favorite and I spend a lot of my time each week sewing for our family business. 

 2.  What is your favorite bible verse that most strengthens you?

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse has always been my favorite! It has comforted and encouraged me when I was unsure of what the future may hold.

3.  Where in the world would you like to travel to for your next vacation?

When I was about ten my parents took my sisters and I to Williamsburg, VA. I would love to visit Williamsburg again.

4.  What about blogging do you most enjoy?

It has been such a blessing to connect with like minded ladies around the country! So many have become special friends and truly a source of encouragement.

5.  Your favorite style of music?

I love classical music, hymns and music from old musicals. I can't really decide which is my favorite though. : )

 6.  Do you know what your name means?  

Sarah means "princess" and when I was a little girl I was thrilled to make that discovery!

7.  What type of landscape do you find most beautiful: mountains, prairies, canyons, beaches, etc.?

I love the rolling hills and farmland in our area, also the lakes. We live in the finger lakes region, and it is beautiful.

8.  What is something nostalgic to you about your childhood that you cherish in your memories?

Oh, there are so many things! I loved growing up in the country, raising chickens, bringing home kittens, baking blackberry pies with my mom. I guess it is a lot of little things. : )

9.  Which season is your favorite?

Definitely spring! I love the flowers and new life everywhere.

 10.  If you could be a prodigy at something, what would you want it to be?

Probably playing the piano. I can play a little, but I wish I were more accomplished at playing.

Thank you Jazzmin for including my blog. : ) 

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely week!

Diaper Covers

 Back in January when I found out that we were expecting I purchased this diaper cover pattern offered by Green Pepper. I tucked it away for a few months, but then recently while shopping at JoAnn's I became re-inspired when I discovered their sweet little section of diapering patterns and fabric. I couldn't resist this package of super girly PUL fabric; to be honest I think the cupcake fabric sold me. : ) In the future I will probably sew the covers from solid white PUL as it is more cost efficient and sensible to wear beneath light color baby outfits, but still these three fabrics were fun to work with.

I lined the covers with flannel, as I had read somewhere that flannel made a good liner. Any suggestions on fabric for lining diaper covers?

 Several patterns I have found recommend using snaps, but this pattern suggested velcro. The velcro used on the exterior is the soft side and spans the entire front of the diaper so you can adjust the fit of the diaper as your baby grows.

One construction feature I found to be interesting was how the elastic was attached. In the past I have always created a casing and then pulled the elastic through the casing. This pattern recommended that you stitch the elastic directly to the seam allowance with a zig-zag stitch pulling as you sew. Then you pull the cover right side out and top stitch around the elastic sections, once again pulling as you go. It was a lot easier than I thought it might be, and I was pleased with the results.

Overall it was a fun, easy, and quick project. I look forward to purchasing some white PUL fabric next time I visit JoAnn's, as I hope to have a nice little collection of covers to accompany the fabric diapers we have purchased. But most of all I am looking forward to the dear little girl who will be wearing them!