It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like......

Christmas!!

We finally got around to getting our Christmas tree on Saturday.  The lot close to our house only had 10 trees left and we were lucky enough to find the PERFECT tree.  It's so pretty and smells so good.  

We drank hot chocolate, listened to Christmas music and had a nice night together decorating the tree.  The task of decorating is always a little bit daunting but once those lights start shining on the tree it's always fun.  

Here are a few of my favorite ornaments that we've collected over the years.

This is RD's from childhood.  I just love it.  All of my childhood ornaments are still with my parents...I might have to steal one or two next time we're at their house.

We like to call this guy Vegas Santa

This is nutty

This is going to be our "Elf on the Shelf" starting next year for the little man's first Christmas.  We'll move him every day and remind him that the elf is taking notes and reporting how good he is to Santa.  It'll take a year or two for him to "get it", but i'm excited to start the tradition.

This is "Pearl the Balancing Christmas Pig".  I love her.

Merry Christmas!  

xoxo

A Peek Into Our Future

I spent the day today organizing the little mister's nursery.  It's the most fun i've had in a while!!  I had forgotten about this adorable little down vest that we found at garage sale over the summer for 25 cents.  It'll be a couple years before he can wear it....but isn't it the cutest?!  I can just see him now out in the back yard with his daddy wearing this vest over a little plaid flannel shirt and some worn in jeans.  Those two are going to be the best of buddies.

Love,

Chels

New Bangs Friday

I just downloaded the pictures off of my camera and had forgotten about this baby bump picture.  It's from over a week ago, but we'll just pretend it's from yesterday :)  Note the loooong hair??

Well.....I got a haircut!!  Now I have fun new bangs.  I love 'em!

And I still have a sideways baby.  Happy Friday!!  

xo,

Chels

Oh No ~ Sideways Baby??!!!

We found out last week that our little mister is laying sideways.  This is not great news.  Apparently this happens in only 1 out of 2500 pregnancies and can be more problematic than a breech baby because your uterus forms around the baby in that position, making it difficult for the baby to turn.

We have been trying some wacky things to help the little guy out.  I found a website called spinning babies that has all kinds of suggestions.  So far we've tried:

1) Inversions off the couch ~ this entails kneeling on the side of the couch and hanging upside down while supporting myself with my forearms for a couple minutes a few times a day.

2) Acupuncture.  Before 34 weeks they suggest something called "moxabustion" which involves burning a moxa stick (like a big incense stick) by a certain acupuncture point on my little toe.  10 mins a day for 10 days.  If that doesn't work we move on to needling the toe point next week.

3) Peas and carrots.  Place a bag of frozen veggies or ice pack above the baby's head and put a heating pad on the lower on the pelvis where you want the baby to move.  The baby doesn't like the cold so he moves toward the heat.

4) Music and light.  Play music and shine a light low on the abdomen to entice the little guy to move downward.

5) Chiropractic.  I had a consult and an exam with a chiropractor this week.  There is a special technique called the "Webster Technique" that adjusts the pelvis and is supposedly effective in helping the baby turn.  My first treatment is next week.

6) If none of these things work we move on to having a doctor manually turn the baby from the outside using ultrasound as a guide.  Apparently this is pretty uncomfortable and doesn't come without it's risks.  We'll look more closely at this technique if we have to.

7) If NONE of these work, I have to have a c-section.  My midwife told me they don't even let you go into labor naturally if the baby is still in this position because it's too risky.  I don't even want to talk about this option yet.  I am hopeful that he WILL turn around so we don't have to go this route.

So far he is pretty comfortable where he is and hasn't budged an inch.  I can feel his hard round little head right under my ribs on the right side and he keeps kicking me straight down.  He also really loves to sit/kick/punch the nerves in my hips sending shooting pains through my body all day long.  

PLEASE MOVE LITTLE GUY, PLEASE!!!! 

Spring Preview

I just closed Lola Miren for the next few months, but couldn't stand to NOT share this adorable new print!  I'll be adding this to the line just as soon as I open back up in the early spring.  One lucky little lady has this on the way to her in the mail as we speak.

Isn't it adorable??!!  And it was fun to use the little mister's new crib as my photo backdrop.  And don't worry ~ those aren't his sheets.

xo,

Chels

31 Weeks

Last weekend we went Christmas shopping.  We drove out to VA to go to my favorite mall (SO much nicer than the malls around our house) and let me tell you....I hope this is the last time I have to see the inside of a mall in a WHILE.  We had fun, but by the end of the day I was feeling pretty lousy (but I DID get to have mexican food, which is not easy to come by where we live).  This little guy is starting to take up so much room in my belly that i'm not sure where 8 weeks more of him is going to fit!  I'm sure that he's getting bigger every single day and my belly is already bigger than it was in this picture from last weekend.  My belly button still hasn't popped out yet.  If it hasn't by this point i'm not sure if it will?  I guess i'll find out soon!

Christmas shopping is almost finished...thank goodness for the internet!

Love,

Chels

Closing Up Shop (sort of)

With the holidays and my due date quickly approaching, i've decided to close Lola Miren this Friday for Christmas break and subsequent maternity leave.  My mom, dad and (not so) baby brother are coming to visit for almost 2 weeks and I am looking forward to spending lots of quality time with them.  This little man could easily make an appearance any time after they leave and with a two week turn around time I don't want to promise any orders I can't fulfill!

If you are thinking about a "Bundle of Joy" for a new little person expected in early 2011 please let me know soon, I can still squeeze you in!

Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory will remain open indefinitely....pretty much as long as I can pack, ship and run orders to the Post Office.

Thank you so much to my amazing and loyal customers....you are the reason i'll be able to stay home with my baby boy which is the greatest gift I can imagine.

Love,

Chels

(Photo via)

If you want to smile, you should watch this

This MIGHT just be the most precious and beautiful little piece of love i've seen in my whole life.  

Dear Everyone from Melissa Jordan on Vimeo.

I've gotten to know Melissa over the last year or so through her sweet blog as well as through my little business Lola Miren.  She is such a sweet and pure soul and I am bursting at the seams with joy at their news.

Congratulations Jordan family!

Love,

Chels

Wish I Was There

This is my Aunt Farrah  Aunt Kathie.  Her hair doesn't look like this anymore, but I kind of wish it did.  Isn't she pretty?  She is visiting my Mom this weekend in Colorado.  I'm soooo jealous.  I wish I was going to be there for girl talk, long lunches, shopping and lots of Auntie love and hugs.

Miss you bunches.

Love,

Chels

Baby's First Christmas Present

Just ordered these sweet little moccasin booties for baby boy.  

Aren't they adorable??!!!

They are handmade by Pleasantly Plump Knits on Etsy.  

Love!

Isn't This Neat?

This cool product is called the Glo.  It's a nightlight by Boon.  Sadly, it doesn't come out until spring 2011, but I need it soon because it says it's 95% effective at keeping monsters away all night long.