Nursing Cover DIY

Now that I'm back in the world of nursing, I remember how important it is to have a good nursing cover.
Being at home is one thing, but public places is another.
Like at the zoo or in the car.
Or at my dads.
His eyes always drift to the ceiling when it's time for Lucas to eat.
I think it scares him!
Even though I do have a rather large blanket covering me. haha! Poor guy!

So in order to keep my "business" covered, I decided to make my own.
Because buying one is expensive and I resolved to sew more this year.
I found a great how to on Prudent Baby. Take a peek...

On a side note: I'm a wacky sewer. I don't do every step, and it'll probably disgust a novice seamstress but I'm self taught and I get by just fine.

What you need:
1 yard of fabric
Sewing machine
Thread
14" of boning 
2 D- rings 


Step 1:
Wash, (washing is important to keep your seams from pulling but I'll be honest I don't sometimes! I'm just way to impatient.)
dry & iron your fabric.



Step 2:
Cut your pieces-

• Body piece: 26 x 38 (really though take the fabric and cut it to fit your body, some prefer more coverage then others).
• Strap: 30 x 3
• Other strap (which holds your D-rings): 7 X 3

Step 3:
Now take your cover piece.
Fold over the bottom edge 1/2 inch, iron and then fold over another 1/2 inch.
Iron again.
Sew in place.

Step 4:
Repeat step 3 for each side.

Step 5:
Now for the top part, fold over 1/2 inch, iron and then fold over another 1/2 inch and iron.
Fold the entire cover in half and mark 7'' from the center and mark each side with a pin.
Now sew with a straight seam in between your pins.

Step 6:
Now insert your boning into the space you just sewed. Make sure your curve is pointed to the right side.
Sew up the sides of your seam to ensure that your boning stays put.

Step 7:
Sewing your straps:

• Fold them in half with the right sides facing each other.
• Sew them together with a 1/4'' seam allowance.
• Turn them inside out. (Attach a safety pin to one end and pull thru)
• Iron flat once they've both been turned out.
• On the short strap, take your D-rings and fold the fabric over them & pin.
• Sew in place. Use a strong stitch.
• Now take your longer strap, fold over one end and sew.

Step 8:
Now insert your straps on either side of the boning up under the hem.
Fold the strap up over the hem, iron and pin in place. (Do this for each strap on each side of boning).
Now sew each strap into place.  (A straight seam in a box form will keep it secure)

Step 9:
Now just finish sewing your straight seam at the top of your cover on either side.
And your DONE!

If you don't count washing and drying time for your fabric, this project takes less than an hour and it's really easy.

Ick

While reading our library book, "Muncha Muncha Muncha" before bed, Ayden came up to me and places something in my hand.

What I thought was a small lego was in deed not.
Not even close.

It was however a large, dried, green, booger!

He looked at me & smiled.

And I was left with this nasty crunchy (graphic, I know - I'm sorry) booger in the palm of my hand...feeling seriously grossed out.

Boogers really do gross me out.

That's one thing about being a mom that I just can never get use too.

My Baby Thinks He's Batman

Sacrifice

I started reading this book called, "The Mission of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson.

It has transformed my outlook on being a mom.

We mothers have the opportunity to influence eternity by building a spiritual legacy in the lives of our children!

Yes!

As we tenderly care for our children, meeting their needs, teaching them and guiding them, praying for them and modeling our faith, we are also anchoring their hearts to our home, our values, and our beliefs.

Instead of seeing fusses and messes as irritations in my day, for instance, I am more likely to see them as opportunties to train my children to be peacemakers and to learn to be responsible for their own messes.

Instead of resenting the interuption in my schedule, I am more likely to accept them as divine appointments. More and more, I have learned to see my children through the eyes of God and to accept the stages of growth through which he has desgined them to grow.

I've learned that when I serve my family even when I am doing the most mundane of things (like laundry, dishes, making beds...something we do over and over and over again) I am serving God. I am being what he created me to be.
He created me to create life, to nuture, love & protect but also to raise them up to love him and to share his love.

I see this now.
And it's not about being a perfect mom, because we just can't be. But it's taking those imperfect moments and building something beautiful.

It's the way you respond to your children in everyday moments that gives you the best chance at winning their hearts. If I have integrity and patience in the small moments of life that are so important to my children, and if I approach them with a servants heart then I have a far better chance of influencing them in the larger and more critical issues of life.

"Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." (John 13:4-5)

I literally can feel a change in my soul.

LBC

Every New Years Eve we decide to take an adventure.
Why not right?

Last year it was Yosemite, and this year it was Long Beach.
We have friends that have an amazing apartment right by the ocean & they graciously let us all stay at their place. (Brave souls!)

The Big Guys Bday

Today my dear ol' dad turned 54.

So we drove down and spent the day with him.
And of course it meant eating tons of bad food
(insert: pastrami sandwichs from
The Hat, red velvet cupcakes & grandmas brownies)!! Yikes.


Diets optional & ignored!!



I remember once he woke me up early in the morning to have breakfast, just me & him. Isn't he sweet?

He makes the world's best chocolate chip pancakes, the best bacon, knows everything about computers, loves old black & white movies, & can still tickle my feet until I pee my pants!

Happy birthday dad!
I love you.

Ps-
(I'm pretty sure you are reading this at 3am because you can't fall back to sleep.
Sweet dreams dad! We had a great day today!)

2 months

The many faces of Lucas...

He giggles, snorts and is a lil' piece of heaven.