Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Garden Update
Lots of plants have been blooming in the yard, but because of our culture, I am not supposed to get outside in the first month. As my strength coming back more and more everyday, and the weather being record warm (hot, 87F yesterday), I cannot control myself any more. I sneaked out and took some pictures.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Recover Highchair
Here is the before and after.
And here is the story. I found some really inspiring blog postings a couple of years ago. Nicole from Making It Lovely made 24 pins for her baby girl Eleanor's monthly photo series. And she is doing it again for her son August.
It is such a wonderful way to document how your child grows in the first two years. Well, I found it too late to start the same series for little Caterpillar, but I love this idea so much, I just have to do it for JJ, even though it might come cross as "mommy loving JJ more". No, I love both my kids, and I like girls more than boys. OK, Nicole used her Eames rocker as background. What should I use? We don't have a nice chair or rocker like that, and there is no place in the house or in our budget for a new beautiful chair.
Then I saw this post on MADE. Dana is taking monthly picture of her new baby Clara in a white highchair, very modern and clean line. Hmm, that might work.
I inherited this highchair from my best friend last year, before they moved back to China. It has been in the basement ever since. I cleaned it thoroughly, and washed the cover, but still cannot remove lots of the stains. I need a better background for my JJ, so after digging in my stash, I found the perfect piece of remnant (about 1/4 yard of fabric). Using the original cover as template, and an hour later, I made a double sided new cover. Ta-dah! What do you think? I love it! I might make another one in solid color, but for now, I like the blue and red and white! Floral design for a boy? Why not?
And here is the story. I found some really inspiring blog postings a couple of years ago. Nicole from Making It Lovely made 24 pins for her baby girl Eleanor's monthly photo series. And she is doing it again for her son August.
It is such a wonderful way to document how your child grows in the first two years. Well, I found it too late to start the same series for little Caterpillar, but I love this idea so much, I just have to do it for JJ, even though it might come cross as "mommy loving JJ more". No, I love both my kids, and I like girls more than boys. OK, Nicole used her Eames rocker as background. What should I use? We don't have a nice chair or rocker like that, and there is no place in the house or in our budget for a new beautiful chair. 
Then I saw this post on MADE. Dana is taking monthly picture of her new baby Clara in a white highchair, very modern and clean line. Hmm, that might work. 
I inherited this highchair from my best friend last year, before they moved back to China. It has been in the basement ever since. I cleaned it thoroughly, and washed the cover, but still cannot remove lots of the stains. I need a better background for my JJ, so after digging in my stash, I found the perfect piece of remnant (about 1/4 yard of fabric). Using the original cover as template, and an hour later, I made a double sided new cover. Ta-dah! What do you think? I love it! I might make another one in solid color, but for now, I like the blue and red and white! Floral design for a boy? Why not?
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Back As Mom Of Two
Sorry for disappearing for so long. I got a very good reason.
Well, I was too tired at the end of pregnancy, then got even more tired after he was born. Better late than never. Here is our son, JJ, born about a month ago. I was crazy enough to do that much yardwork, after 5 months bedrest. I blamed that on the warm weather and spring fever. Anyway, I didn't notice my water was broke, which caused infection in both of us. Poor JJ had to stay in NICU for 10 days! Now we are both healthy and adjusted to the new life, and I am almost out of the traditional first month rest period, I can start working on my to do list! Tomorrow I will share with you my first sewing project after JJ was born.
PS. Just tried another trick to displine little caterpillar, and was surprised it worked really well. I calmly told her to pick up all the toys and books and clothes off the floor and put them away, otherwise I will give them away. After repeating this new rule 3 times, she finally got it, and quickly cleaned up the entire the second floor! And I used the same trick made her go to bed before 9pm! She can run around till 11pm normally. I just simply threatened to take away her favorite dress! Haha, why didn't I try this earlier? Maybe it's wrong to threaten your child, but after taking care of an infant all day and night, I just don't have the energy and patiency to fight with her. Let's see how long this trick can last.
Well, I was too tired at the end of pregnancy, then got even more tired after he was born. Better late than never. Here is our son, JJ, born about a month ago. I was crazy enough to do that much yardwork, after 5 months bedrest. I blamed that on the warm weather and spring fever. Anyway, I didn't notice my water was broke, which caused infection in both of us. Poor JJ had to stay in NICU for 10 days! Now we are both healthy and adjusted to the new life, and I am almost out of the traditional first month rest period, I can start working on my to do list! Tomorrow I will share with you my first sewing project after JJ was born.
PS. Just tried another trick to displine little caterpillar, and was surprised it worked really well. I calmly told her to pick up all the toys and books and clothes off the floor and put them away, otherwise I will give them away. After repeating this new rule 3 times, she finally got it, and quickly cleaned up the entire the second floor! And I used the same trick made her go to bed before 9pm! She can run around till 11pm normally. I just simply threatened to take away her favorite dress! Haha, why didn't I try this earlier? Maybe it's wrong to threaten your child, but after taking care of an infant all day and night, I just don't have the energy and patiency to fight with her. Let's see how long this trick can last.