Hello out there

Hello.  Who knows if anyone is still even checking this darn blog.  I have abandoned it the last few months.  Life has been full of stress and joy in equal measure.  I've had this post in draft mode for months, but have had a hard time finding the right words to accurately describe what the last few months have been like for me and my family. 

Before I get started...let me tell you that everything is ok now and we are now a happy family of four...but it was a pretty bumpy road to this point.  So...if you were hoping for a craft project, sorry.  The only thing that has been more neglected than this blog is my craft desk.  Cobwebs and dust bunnies have taken over.  I am happy to report that I am in the process of clearing out my craft room and am looking forward to crafting in the very very near future.

The last time that I checked in, I was on bed rest awaiting the birth of my son.  During what I thought was a fairly routine appointment with my maternal fetal specialist, she determined that my little one needed to be delivered as soon as possible.  My husband and I stopped by the house and quickly picked up my hospital bag and headed to the hospital.  In my head (and out loud) I just kept saying, "this is too soon."  My OB tried to give my little one the benefit of at least another 24 hours so I could have two steroid shots to help boost his lungs, but it was just not meant to be.  While we were hooked up to the monitors, the baby's heart rate started dipping...drastically.  Within minutes I was in the operating room, and my little one was born nine weeks early, while his mommy was out cold under general anesthetic and his poor daddy was waiting in the hospital room for someone to come and bring him to the OR.  Not only was there an underlying problem, Gavin had managed to wrap his umbilical cord around his neck and arm multiple times, so it really does feel like a miracle that I was even at that appointment.  (Random fact: my OB has only ever performed ONE other c-section while the mom was under general anesthetic.) (2nd Random fact: my OB could watch our monitors on her iPhone while she was supposed to be enjoying her day off, so when she saw the heart rate dip - she  headed back to the hospital.) 

First time holding Gavin - 4 days after he was born.

December 3rd was the first of 53 of the longest days of my entire life.  The best way to describe it is that if you happened to see me or talk to me during one of those days - you were seeing me and speaking to me on the worst day of my life...over and over again.  I know that probably seems like an exaggeration to most of you, but you'll just have to trust me.  Our journey taught me many things.  It reminded me again that I cannot control everything.  I did everything humanly possible to stay pregnant  and give my son as much time as possible, but I still couldn't carry him to term.  When I hear other moms talk about their "birth plans," I always think to myself...do you REALLY think you can plan that?  Let me tell you...the baby is in charge of the whole thing.  I know that LOTS of women have babies without the aid of modern medicine, but without modern medicine I wouldn't have survived my daughter's birth and I KNOW Gavin wouldn't have survived.  That is a sobering thought.  Gavin's doctors and nurses were all amazing.  Gavin's hospital stay also taught me that sometimes you have to ask for help.  There is no way we could have managed to keep everything going without help.  It was vital for me to spend as much time as possible at the hospital with Gavin, but I also had a five year old that needed her mommy too.  Brandon's mom helped out so much with Nicole and helped us keep everything running at home.  I will also give you a tip - if someone you know has ANY kind of crisis, the nicest thing you can do is bring dinner.  Even if you don't cook - take-out is appreciated.  I cannot tell you how much we appreciated NOT having to worry about what to make for dinner.  Finally, I think the NICU taught me to try and enjoy EVERY moment.  I was happy for ANYTHING that I could do for Gavin while he was in the hospital.  I happily changed diapers, bathed and fed him any chance that I could.  I am trying to keep that going...up at night with a baby - who cares! He'll only be a baby for such a finite amount of time.  Screaming fits - oh well!  He's my last baby, so I'll never have another screaming baby.  I just want him to stay healthy and happy.

On our way home! 

Gavin is now 5 1/2 months and is doing great!  His little personality is really starting to emerge and I cannot wait to see who he becomes.  Nicole has been the best big sister.  The last year has been filled with so many changes and stresses, but she has weathered everything really well.  Gavin loves her so much and thinks she's pretty much the greatest thing ever.  I am so lucky to be their mom.     

If you are still reading this, thank you!  I am hoping that my next post will include a craft project.  Fingers crossed!!!

New Twine from The Twinery!

Did you see that The Twinery released TWO brand new twine colors?  Platinum and Gold Shimmer!  They are beautiful and add just the right amount of sparkle to your projects.  I FINALLY had a chance to use some, and I combined it with my favorite Maraschino twine.  The Platinum Shimmer adds a lovely sparkle!

I used my Silhouette design software's rhinestone feature to add holes, so I could thread the twine through.  Super easy!  I've had this image from Mo Manning for a while, but I kind of forgot about it.  It reminds me of my sweet little one...

Ugh...I can't believe that she's going to be 5 next month.  

Don't forget that tonight is Peachy Keen's December Release Party over at the Peachy Keen Connection!  It starts at 6pm CST!  Hope you can join us for lots of crafty chatter, challenges and prizes!  

Scrappy Moms Terrific Tuesday Challenge!

Happy Tuesday!  Today is the start of a brand new Scrappy Moms Terrific Tuesday Challenge!  This week's challenge is to create a Christmas themed project - it can be a card, a craft - ANY new project!  I hope you can join us!  Just link up your project to the Scrappy Moms site!  

Here's a closer look at my card.  I love these sweet carolers and I thought they worked perfectly with the "Falalalala" sentiment from the newest Christmas stamp set from Scrappy Moms - Christmas Cheer!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  

Peachy Keen December Peeks!

Happy Monday!  I can't believe that I actually have a project to share!  I know...it's super simple, but let's just say that it's CAS style.  Ok?  It's my newest Copic technique...coloring in bed, while lying on my left side.  LOL!  I don't necessarily recommend it.  :)  Peachy Keen Stamps has done it again - another month, another amazing set of images and sentiments!  This cute little snowman is from one of the newest add-on sets.  You probably saw him yesterday too...I think quite a few of us have fallen in love with him.  

I hope you will head over to the Peachy Keen Stamps blog to see even more amazing peeks of this month's Stamp of the Month set AND some of the adorable add-ons.  All of the sets will be revealed on Wednesday, December 5th.  Make sure to join us for the last release party of the year over on the Peachy Keen Connection - December 5th @ 6pm CST.  As always there will be lots of crafty chatter and some really fun challenges!  Plus...giveaways!  

Skating by to say hi!

Hey crafty friends!  I have a quick card to share with you today and a few things to share!  I actually finished this card before the doctor put me on bed rest, and I finally snuck into my craft room for about 5 minutes yesterday to take some pictures of a few projects.  This little penguin is from the Skatin' By set from Peachy Keen Stamps that was released last month.  It's such a cute set, and it's a great deal - 2 adorable images and 3 sentiments!

I've been able to finish a few projects to share this week.  I've figured out that I am able to color images while laying on my left side.  Just to give you an idea of how bored I am...I continued to color even though my left arm kept falling asleep.  Dedicated or crazy?    

Make sure to check back tomorrow - I have a peek of this month's Peachy Keen Stamps release!  I should also have a few more cards to share...I will warn you - they are not super elaborate, but at least I'll have some projects!

Hope you've had a good weekend!  See you tomorrow!!!

A post about not posting...

So...by now I think I've established that Lauren and pregnancy do not get along.  Here are a few things that I've been up to...unfortunately none of which involve new projects.

My feet minus bones.  Ok...there are bones in there, somewhere underneath all of the swelling.  Normally I wear a 6 1/2, but since my feet decided to double in size - I broke down and bought a pair of cheap flats in an 8 1/2.  For real...sad times.  So...two days after I took this picture while sitting on our patio watching my little munchkin play on her swing set, my doctor put me on bed rest.  I knew it was more than likely coming, but I was still hopeful that I would be able to avoid it for a bit longer.

First I did a lot of crosswords, which tended to be geared for a slightly older demographic.  (I learned that I'm not so knowledgable about Gunsmoke or big bands from the 40's.)  I balanced crosswords out with some mind numbing television.  There may have also been a lot of tears mixed in with all of the crosswords and TV...maybe even a full blown pity party.

Last week I got super ambitious and did a bit of crafting for my daughter's class party.   

I got stuck bringing veggies to her preschool Thanksgiving feast, so I decided to make them as cute as possible.  I just taped the little turkey bodies to a small plastic cups, added some ranch dressing to the cups and then the cut up veggies became the turkeys' tail feathers.  My mom cut up the veggies for me, so they were super easy to put together.  

I hate posting about why I'm not posting, but I didn't want anyone to think I had just disappeared.  Right now I'm just taking things day by day. I am still seeing my doctor weekly, so she can monitor me and the baby.  So far my sweet baby boy is doing well, and all of this resting IS paying off.  My swelling is way down and my blood pressure is finally responding to the medication.  

I hope all of you have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Scrappy Moms Terrific Tuesday Challenge!

Happy Tuesday!  It's time for a brand new Scrappy Moms Terrific Tuesday Challenge!  Today's theme is "Teddy Bear Picnic!"  I know a ton of you probably already have the new Teddy Bear Parade Cricut Lite cartridge, so this is the perfect opportunity to put it to use.  If you don't have that one, don't feel bad - I don't either.  Just use your favorite teddy bear cut on any Cricut cartridge or SVG file and create a NEW project. 

Link up at the Scrappy Moms Stamps site!

Scrappy Moms Guest Designer Call

Would you like a chance to guest design along with the Scrappy Moms Design Team?  Here's your chance!

Requirements

• At least 2 projects from each new stamp set during the release week during your month 
• Promote Scrappy Moms Stamps products on your blog and social media during your month
• Participate in the one or both of the 2 Terrific Tuesday Challenges during your month. 

Send a picture of your project or projects to - scrappymoms.stamps@gmail.com by 12 midnight on 11/10/12.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!