sew no!

I like to think of myself as being pretty crafty.

But I'm finding this project a bit of a trick.

Maybe it's that I'm trying to sew at 11pm or maybe it's the stretchy fabric.
I'm trying to make project B out of the green and white striped fabric. There is binding involved. I've never done that before.

Sorry baby. Mama needs grandma to help.

Come thou long expected Jesus

Image Credit- Amazon.com

Christmas is on Saturday. Only 5 sleeps till we celebrate the birth of our Lord.

A fantastic book to read to prepare your heart and mind for Christmas is "Come thou long-expected Jesus." It's a series of sermons preached about Christmas over time. There are some old ones like one from Martin Luther and newer ones such as John Piper and Joni Eareckson-Tada.


It's really great to focus your mind on God in a time that goes a bit present crazy. There are some really great insights on the different parts of the Christmas story. There is a reading for just about the 24 days of advent. I wish I were disciplined to read one a day but alas I am not. I really enjoy sitting down and reading one with Myles every now and then though.



On some other Christmassy notes.

Here is my tree for the year. I like to go for the non-traditional tree.

Kinda looks a bit like a scary spider. Oh well.

Here are the Christmas cards I made this year... well I'm still making them. And then I'll send them. They should arrive before Christmas.

PS. I made a facebook group to see who is reading my blog. Go ahead and like it. :)

Sling it baby!

I'm a bit of a fan of the old baby wear.

By the time the little one comes along it should be getting cooler so it will be lovely to have all day cuddles.

There are so many ways to go about wearing your baby.

Backpack Carriers

A particular style of wrap that can be purchased in ready stitched position. The Mei Tai is one of these.
 

Pros

Good for your back

adjustable

looks nice
Can be used on front or back
Liked by Dads

Cons

Expensive (in ready made)
not as versatile 

Examples

Mei Tai baby (image)
ABA Mei Tai
ERGO baby carrier

Wraps

One long piece of cloth tied in an amazing way to keep baby in place.

Pros

Uses your whole back good support

No buckles or fastners

One size fits all
Stretchy

Cons

May be tricky to figure out how to tie.

Examples

Moby Wrap (image)

Hug a Bub
Storchenweige

Baby Bjorn

Ergonomic and high tech baby carrier.

Pros
Specially designed to be good for your back.
Fancy pants brand
Easy to fasten
totally hands free
Cons
More fancy pants less earthy mama
Need to make sure baby's neck is supported.

Examples
Baby Bjorn(image)

Ring Sling

A big piece of cloth with a ring in one end.

Pros 

Easy to put on and wear.

Looks pretty

Handy for breastfeeding

Adjustable

Cons

Can't use it when baby gets too big

Baby is able to wriggle round more

Examples

Maya Wrap (image)
Breeze Baby Sling

Which one is your favourite?
Do you use a sling?

I'd love to hear some thoughts. 

I've got no class.

Parenting and Childbirth class that is. I've had the sheet of available classes for such a long time but never really got around to calling the number.
About two weeks ago I called. It went straight to the answering machine.
Two weeks later nobody has called back.
So I called again. Answering machine.

Am I calling at the wrong time?

Hopefully we can get some classes before March. Whoever heard of taking your baby to preparation for childbirth class?

Other things on my seemingly endless to do list.

- Book a bed at the Maternity Ward. (Not too worried about this one as I want to go straight home.)
- Book a 34 week ultrasound. Got the answering machine.
- Have a blood test before Christmas.
- Fold large pile of clean laundry so that I can...
- Clear a space for the cot in our bedroom so that I can...
- Build the cot so that I can...
- Get a mattress/sheets etc for the cot.
- Clean out the study to make nursery area.
- Set up nappy change table
- Wash all the baby clothes
- Take a trip to ikea to get baby things. My list so far is under $100!


Granted a lot of this stuff can get done later. I've got till March after all!