Eleven Months

Baby Update

Her first birthday is right around the corner and Rhylie has been working hard to be ready for it. She's walking wobbly all on her own and loves to show off for anyone who will watch her. She's really grown this past month both around and up, adding on a few rolls and a full pound! She has two more teeth eager to poke through and is increasingly becoming more independent! 

 ELEVEN MONTHS

16 lbs + 4+  oz and 26.5"

• Shakes her head 'No' when she knows she's not supposed to do something...but does it anyway
• Loves playing on iPhones
• Plays hide and seek
• Has added "doggy" to her vocabulary
• Claps when she's excited
• Points to what she wants
• Loves car rides
• Is very good at sharing toys

Ten Months

Baby Update

I can't believe we're fast approaching to my little girl's first birthday! She is almost ready to walk on her own and has established herself as the foodie among her peers, she's even been known to steal food off of others' plates. She's extremely social and loves meeting new people but is choosey when it comes to who gets to hold her. She loves playing to a crowd and knows how to use her cuteness to her advantage.

 TEN MONTHS

15 lbs + 4+  oz and 26"

• Can wave 'hi' and 'bye'
• Is a water baby
• Gives high fives
• Has added "baba" "Nana" "Papa" and "hi" to her vocabulary
• Loves to clap
• Likes to make noises for a game 
• Constantly gives out kisses and hugs to loved ones
• Has four teeth

Nine Months

Baby Update

This has been a huge month for Rhy and I! So many changes and so many amazing firsts! Rhylie took her first two steps in June, she was trying to walk to our puppy London. She loves pushing her lion walker but hasn't taken any more steps on her own since. She said her first word- "Mama" much to my delight and her two top teeth are poking through. She's also made a lot of new friends this month and is quite social.

 NINE MONTHS

15 lbs + 4 oz and 26"

• Is picky about who can hold her
• Loves meeting new people and friends
• Fake laughs to get attention
• is best buds with our pup London
• Loves hanging out with Nanny and Papa
• Is fascinated with other little nuggets
• Is constantly getting in to things and pulling things down from tables
• Hates to sit still...for anything.

Eight Months

Baby Update

I've been trying to fatten her up, so she's been enjoying lots of new foods! She has the cutest little personality is really coming through and she loves to be chased around the house and play peek-a-boo. She absolutely loves going swimming and hanging out with Nanny and Papa!

 EIGHT MONTHS

14 lbs 6.5 oz and 26"+

• Is getting a top tooth!
• Loves to try new foods
• Is standing on her own without holding anything (for a few seconds)
• Can wave "HI"
• Knows the words: Up, bottle, wave hi, kiss, smile, the dog's names, more, water and biscuit
• Is constantly chatting and trying out new sounds
• giggles all the time
• gets excited when she's wearing dresses or bows

Seven Months

Baby Update

I know every mom says it, but I honestly wish she'd slow down and stop growing up! It's all going so quickly! She is in the top 75% for height and below 50% for weight. My little nugget is so active that her weight has hit a plateau, the Dr. said she's happy and healthy just burning off more calories than the average 7 month old, but things should even out here pretty soon. She's already attempting to walk which leads to face plants in the carpet or walking along holding on to furniture (or Mommy's pants!). She's still a very happy baby! 

 SEVEN MONTHS

13 lbs 8 oz and 25"

• Has two bottom teeth!
• Loves getting her picture taken
• Is walking along furniture
• Enjoys trying to take dog food from the dogs
• Loves seeing other babies
• Is the definition of a foodie
• Is picky about who can hold her
• Chases the dogs around

Six Months

Baby Update

I can't believe my baby is six months old! This feels like such a huge milestone, not only is my little girl half way to being a one year old but she has gone through so many changes in the past month. She's perfected crawling and loves to pull herself up on any furniture she can get her hands on. She is constantly trying out making new sounds and loves to hide under things. She also has two little bottom teeth that will be poking through any day now.

 SIX MONTHS

13 lbs + 8.5 oz and 24.5"

• Started teething
• Loves to pet dogs
• Is standing up on her own
• Enjoys walks
• Loves "talking"
• Can't get enough food
• Bangs her hands when she wants more
• Knows what "smile" means

Happy Easter

From My little bunny

Five Months

Baby Update

She loves her food and has tried sweet potatoes, carrots, berries, peaches, green beans, avocados and bananas! She is crawling and rolling all over the place and has to constantly be on the move. She loves to talk to Mom and Dad but can be quite shy when meeting new friends. 

 FIVE MONTHS

13 lbs+ and 25"+

• Started crawling
• Loves to chew on her toes
• Is sitting up on her own
• Enjoys car rides
• Loves people watching
• Feeds herself 
• Loves to play with books
• Is constantly on the go

Four Months

Baby Update

She stood on her own while holding on to something and loves to stomp her feet when you help her "walk". She practicing crawling and is constantly wiggling around and rolling. At her doctor appointment today she got the thumbs up for food so we can't wait to see what she likes! Mommy got her first giggle out of her a week ago and have only heard it two times since- can't wait until her laugh is more frequent!

 FOUR MONTHS

12 lbs 6 oz and 24.5"

• Just started giggling
• Loves to grab blankets off the couch
• Is a drooling machine
• Enjoys to pet the dogs
• Loves chewing on everything
• Sits up on her own for several seconds at a time
• Loves to meet other babies
• Is constantly observing everyone

Three Months

Baby Update

It just feels like time is flying by! Her little personality is definitely shining through now! She's rolling and cooing all the time and loves to watch the dogs play. She isn't afraid to 'tell' you what she wants but she's usually all smiles all the time. She's working really hard on learning to crawl and I wouldn't be surprised if she masters it by the end of the month!

 THREE MONTHS

11 lbs+ 0 oz and 23"

• Is trying out new sounds
• Loves to grab things
• Likes to be held upright
• Enjoys her exersaucer
• Loves bath time
• Sleeps successfully on her own most nights
• Loves to check herself out in the mirror
• Is watching the dogs all the time

Two Months

Baby Update

I can't believe my baby girl is two months old! She's growing and changing so quickly and we have had so much fun watching her discover and learn new things every day! She's starting to look a little less bald and she's going to have her daddy's hair colour, along with some more of his traits that are starting to become more visible. Although, I do have to say she still looks a lot like a mini-me! 

 TWO MONTHS

10 lbs 10 oz and 22 1/2"

• Smiles all the time
• Can roll over
• Can't get enough of tummy time
• Enjoys car & stroller rides
• Loves funny sounds
• Is sleeping for 5-7 hours at night
• Loves to airplane w/ Daddy
• Is 'talking' all the time

One Month

Baby Update

Our little girl just turned a month old! I can't believe it's already been a month since she was born, it feels like both she just got here and as though time is flying by and we've had her for much, much longer. To commemorate her first year's milestones I'm doing the obligatory monthly photos to be able to watch her grow, but I figured I would spice them up a bit to make for some fun keepsakes later on with themed photos. Here's her very first one, she's cooking up a Thanksgiving feast!

ONE MONTH

9 lbs13 oz and 21 3/4"

• Loves to cuddle with Mommy & Daddy
• Has a big smile complete with two dimples
• Loves warm baths
• Hates the cold
• Likes to watch the dogs
• Can lift her head up on her own
• Likes to sit in her swinging chair
• Loves back rubs

DIY Baby Blanket

A Quick & Easy Project

This was a blanket I made while I was counting the days for my little one to arrive. The blanket stitching at the end was the perfect way to pass the time until my girl decided to make her debut! It's a great project to customize yourself for a baby shower or your own little nugget. 

What You'll Need:

1. Three prints of flannel (I used these great one sided receiving blankets here) 
2. Pen & Paper
3. Scissors
4. Pins
5. Needle & thread

Here's What to Do:

• Trace any letters and designs onto your first desired print and cut out. If you're not the best doodler you can print out images or bold letters and use those as easy stencils!  

                                 

• Place your cutouts as desired on the fabric you want for the front of your blanket and pin into place. 

                                                                              

• In a contrasting or coordinating thread (I went with hot pink) stitch around each cutout to securely fasten it to the front of the blanket.                    

 

• Once the front of your blanket is as desired, line up the front fabric with the remaining third fabric (wrong side to wrong side) and sew all the way around.
• With the same bold thread as before use the blanket stitch to go around the outside of the blankets, you can make the stitches as close or as spaced out as you like.

You're All Done!

Finally, gift it or wrap your little bundle of joy in it!

Happy Sewing!

Happy Halloween!

Our Little Pumpkin!

Wishing Everyone a Happy and Safe Halloween 

XoXo

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Third Trimester Wrap Up!

Baby is the size of a winter melon!

Baby has officially reached full term but will continue to beef up each day she decides to stay in there! I am only 18 days away from my given due date but have already had several signs of labour starting so we could be meeting her any day now! As we impatiently wait for her arrival it feels so surreal that after all this time she's finally going to be making her appearance so soon!

 

SYMPTOMS: The third trimester has been the hardest by far, which I knew it was coming considering no one gets to sail through pregnancy! So I was fortunate to have two trimesters of easy-going so I had the energy to deal with this one. I was exhausted and didn't have any energy, my new Dr. found I was anemic so once I was put on iron supplements thankfully this changed! I stopped sleeping at night, a combination of it being impossible to get comfortable, overheating and the past two weeks I've been having contractions from about 10 PM-4 AM so I have to wait it out then my body crashes around 4 each morning and luckily I get to sleep in now to catch up on some much needed sleep. As of two weeks ago I have begun to dilate so technically I am in the first stage of labour, just waiting for the 'active labour' part to kick in so I can actually have her! 

CRAVINGS: One day I woke up and was just craving meat. . . being vegetarian for 15 years this was extremely bizarre. Before getting pregnant I'd talked about it with my husband and always said if I craved it or the Dr told me I needed to I would eat meat, because the health of our baby is more important than being vegetarian. The boy was so excited when we found out I was pregnant thinking it was time to share all his favourite meals with me, but I never craved it until now! (I almost made it home free) So after a week of this craving I gave in and ate meat. I don't think I've seen my husband grin as much as I did that day. And not going to lie, it wasn't that bad. It was soon after this we found out I was anemic, so my baby and I indeed did need some extra iron! It's obvious our little girl will be a meat eater like her Daddy but the jury is still out on what this Momma will do after she's here and my hormones balance back out again!

WEIGHT GAIN: I've been fluctuating the last couple of visits, but I've definitely gained a chunk! I think I'm done gaining since she'll be here anytime now, so the looming weight loss challenge is not far off in the distance. But as always as long as she's healthy it'll all have been worth it!

 MATERNITY CLOTHES: I caved and bought one pair of skinny maternity jeans as the weather started to turn a bit chilly. So I've been set between those and my maternity dresses paired with cardigans. Most days I lounge around in my husbands t-shirt and athletic shorts, but I have plenty of pieces that will last me through the last couple of weeks and until I start to shed the baby weight after! 

BABY IS A. . . : A Perfect Little Princess

BABY IS DUE: October 18th marks the end of the 40th week, but with early labour already here, it's hard not to think she'll be here a little sooner! 

BABY NAMES: We for sure have her name, and after much debate decided on a spelling we liked. Since we're horrible at secrets our families both now but we haven't officially announced it yet so stay tuned ;)

DO STRANGERS NOTICE: Yes! Taxi drivers even avoid potholes because they're probably afraid I'm going to pop! All my neighbors always ask if it's time yet every time they see me!

BABY BUYS: Our car seat is installed we have a sleeper by our bed for the first few months and the nursery is fully stocked, just waiting on her!

PREPARING FOR BABY: We've stocked up on easy to make food and I've even frozen some homemade meals so we can focus on the baby rather than meals, we have a supply of household essentials like paper towels, cleaner, soap, toilet paper and dog food so we won't run into any unnecessary errand runs!

A Few More Days to Go!!

DIY Owl Costume

A Simple Halloween Costume for Your Little Pumpkin

With the air starting to turn crisp it's finally starting to feel like Fall, I can't believe October and Halloween are just around the bend. And for me, Motherhood! My little one is going to be here any week now so I wanted a simple fun DIY costume I could make for her while I (not so) patiently wait for her arrival! 

Here's What You'll Need:

• A onsie in the colour of your choice
• At least four varying colours of felt (don't have to match your onsie-mine didn't!)
• Scissors
• Pen
• Needle & Thread or hot glue, whichever you prefer

Let's Get Started:

1. We're going to make the top 'tuft' of feathers. Lay the felt of your choice over the neck of your onsie. Trace the neckline on to the felt, under the neck seam and up to the top of the shoulders. Make a wavy line underneath or however you prefer and cut out! *TIP: only draw half of the bottom then fold in half and cut so it's perfectly symmetrical.  
   
   
   
   
   
2. Next, cut out little 'feathers' from the varying colours of felt. Mine were about an inch wide and I had 17 feathers. 
   
3. Arrange them on your onsie fanning out as you go in the order of your liking. You can pin them into place once you settle on a design and stitch across the top of each to hold them into place or hot glue them down. *TIP: If you're using glue make sure to put a piece of cardboard or something on the inside of the onsie so the glue won't seep through to the other side.
   
4. Next, tack down or glue three little feathers on the backside to make a cute little tail  
   
5. Accessorize as you wish and you're all done!

I accessorized with a knit owl hat from The Daisy Baby and these sweet little lace leg warmers from Huggalugs!

Cutest little owl you'll ever see!

Ultimate Hospital Packing List

Ready or Not Here They Come!

As the "due date" of baby creeps closer and closer the uncertainties and nerves are endless! I'm not sure why the Doctors even bother with a "due date" because let's face it babies come when they feel like it. Only about 5% of women deliver when they were expecting to! When so much is up in the air from when, and where and when family can coordinate a visit it's nice to have some other things ready to feel a little bit more prepared for the moment your baby decides it's time!

I've scoured tons of packing lists and asked family and friends until I came up with the ultimate hospital packing list for me. I divided it up into two, one bag for baby and one bag for mommy. Here is the list for your hospital baby bag. 

• Hats (I packed two for warmth and one strictly for cuteness factor)
• Headbands (Who knows how much hair she'll have- if any, so it's nice to tip people off it's a girl!)
• 1 Preemie onsie (just in case she's early or super tiny!)
• 2 footed sleepers ( NB size and 0-3M)
• 2 onsies (NB & 0-3M) and matching pants
• 1 Sleeper gown
• 1 zip-up swaddle pod
• 1 blanket
• 2 swaddle blankets
• 1 burp cloth
• 2 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of mittens
• newborn pacifiers
• charged camera w/ memory card
• All packed away in a nifty diaper bag!

Now my baby girl's bag is packed and ready for her arrival!

DIY Furniture Make Over

A dresser into a changing table

I'm dubbing it "Make it-Monday" here at Midwest Girl as a designated day to post all my favorite DIYs. So for the first official 'Make it-Monday' project I'm bringing you an easy up-cycle technique you can use to create the perfect changing table for your baby out of an old dresser or use the idea to make over any of your worn but loved furniture pieces for an updated, fresh look!

We had an old dresser from the 70's I found in a little shop that I took the back mirror off of and painted black to make into a coffee bar which we have used and enjoyed for a few years. As you can see below it was pretty worn and battered from several moves.  

I removed the wheels on the bottom, because as convenient as it was to have a rolling bar, I didn't want baby going anywhere during a diaper change! Depending on the type of finish you have on your furniture you might need to sand everything down to get a clean application that will stay. Remove all drawers or moveable pieces and paint them separately so nothing will stick together. I invested in a white paint that was both paint and primer (great for less coats) and that was wipeable for easy cleaning.  

I gave everything a thick two coats and let dry for a full day. The bottom set of drawers look like they are two but really it's just one deep drawer. I didn't want up to six drawer pulls for one drawer, I thought it was a bit excessive, so I used wood filler to cover the bottom row of holes. Follow the directions and let sit as long as needed. Sand down smooth then paint over and viola, no more holes!

I picked up an array of drawer pulls at Hobby Lobby and Lowes. I wanted it to look shabby chic, so I went with an assortment of crystal, white, pink and turquoise to match the rest of her room. And I decided to get all single drawer pulls instead of any of the traditional 'handle' pulls.

Helpful Hint: Can't find ones you like or that match your room? I bought some plain knobs and pasted on fabric that was used elsewhere in her room with mode podge for an exact match!

And there you have it, an old coffee bar getting a brand new look and a great new purpose!

Happy Make It-Monday!

DIY Baby Mobile

an easy DIY for the nursery!

One of the crazy and fun symptoms of pregnancy is that urgency and the undeniable need to nest. Luckily for myself and moms-to-be everywhere getting the nursery together is one of the best parts of pregnancy. Additionally it allowed me to scratch that DIY itch as well! So here is step-by-step instructions on one of my latest projects.

Here's What You'll Need:

• A small loom or hoop
• scissors
• scrap fabrics in colours of your choice
• a piece of felt in colour of your choice
• glue gun
• ribbon
• extra trinkets you may want to include

Let's Get Started:

1. Start with your loom, hot glue the ribbon to a point, wrap it around on itself to make it extra secure then glue it straight across to the other side to cut the circle in half. Repeat this step again cutting the circle in half again to create a taunt ribbon + where you will be able to hang it from the ceiling later.
   
2. Next cut all your desired fabrics and the felt into circles. These will be made into your flowers. I made all mine the same size about 1.5" circles, but you can make them varied if you wish. You will need one felt circle and 4 fabric circles to make one flower.
3. Put a dot of hot glue in the center of a felt circle. Fold a fabric circle in half and stick on one half of the circle, fold a second piece of fabric in half and do the same to the other side. Press and let dry. 
4. Move the fabric corners out of the way and put another dot of glue close to the center, adding a third folded piece of fabric to it. Repeat on the opposite side. Press and let dry. Your fabric flower is complete, "fluff" to get the full effect. Repeat for as many flowers as you want!
5. Next tie ribbon onto the loom cutting at varying lengths. Hot glue the felt to the bottom of each ribbon so the flower faces outward. (You can also glue a matching flower to the back of this to have a more 3D or full flower effect)
   
6. I glued extra flowers higher up on the same ribbons at varying heights. I wanted mine to have an ombre effect going from white to pink to turquoise so I glue accordingly, but you can mix it up however you want! You can also tie on keys or other trinkets to add to your mobile, just make sure any beads or pearls are very secure because they could pose as a choking hazard if they came lose!

Just tie another ribbon to the cross on top and hang from your baby's nursery ceiling!

Stay tuned for more easy DIY projects

Second Trimester Wrap up!

Baby is the size of a large coconut!

Baby has fully developed taste buds and can not only hear the outside world but can cry! The second trimester was a breeze, it's as I near the last trimester that things are getting a little harder! I think I can kiss my solid sleeping good-bye as I round the corner into the home stretch with my very active little one.

SYMPTOMS: I sailed through my second trimester I had my energy back and I felt great! But in the last week of the second trimester fatigue has hit me hard again, a heavy belly, backaches and extreme rib pain. She moves all the time and I already know she's going to be full of energy! Headaches are back and at night it's impossible to get comfortable and my sleep is very interrupted. I'm finding myself more moody than usual and it's hard to tell if it's from all the unpleasant symptoms or just the increase in hormones. 

CRAVINGS: In the beginning of my second trimester I craved chocolate ice cream. Which before being pregnant I was more of a vanilla girl, but it had to be plain chocolate. No mix ins and vanilla wouldn't cut it, had to be chocolate. Near the end I haven't had any cravings at all.

WEIGHT GAIN: At the end of my 2nd trimester I've gained a total of 30 lbs which sounds like a ridiculous amount but to be honest I don't even care. I know everyone is different during pregnancy and my body is doing what it needs to prepare and support my little one. As long as baby and I are healthy I'll worry about the weight gain after she gets here!

 MATERNITY CLOTHES: I bought maternity shorts and love wearing my Target maternity dresses, I also still fit into a handful of flowy pre-pregnancy tops and dresses. So in combination with t-shirts and leggings I have enough to last me until the end so I'm pleased I spent less than $50 on all my maternity purchases and the dresses I can wear after pregnancy too. 

BABY IS A. . . : A beautiful, itty bitty, baby girl 

BABY IS DUE: Still waiting to see my new Dr. so we only have the due date my previous (and not so great) Dr gave us: October 20th. Although, I wound up being held overnight in the ER last week because I was having irregular contractions and they needed to monitor me for preterm labour. I was released after the contractions stopped and just need to take it easy and keep a watch out for preterm labour signs. Fingers crossed this little active girl holds out at least a little longer!!

BABY NAMES: We've had a boy name and a girl name picked out since the beginning (the girl name before we even knew we were pregnant!) but as it's nearing the end I think our minds have changed and we've settled on a new one :) 

DO STRANGERS NOTICE: Yes! Almost everyone now can tell I'm pregnant, I've had some strangers offer help if it looks like I'm struggling with something which is really nice, but still get the occasional server who offers me the wine menu or offers to 'spike' that lemonade I ordered! 

BABY BUYS: Stocking up on diapers and wipes, preparing for her arrival! Still on the search for the perfect car seat and stroller.

PREPARING FOR BABY: The nursery is almost done! All her clothes are organized, toys and blankets have a place, just a few more small items need to be purchased and a couple finishing decorating touches. I love sitting in her room and can't believe we'll have a new little resident in our back room soon!

2/3 of the way done!!