projects for nicola: his quilt

One of the few things I managed to make for Max was a quilt. So of course Nicola gets one too. It took me longer than I thought to figure out what exactly I wanted to do this time around. I knew I wanted it to be different than your typical baby quilt. And colorful. So I was really excited when I found the fabrics at IKEA. But then I still had to figure out what it would look like. Then I remembered seeing this quilt. That she just happens to sell the pattern for! The story and symbology of the quilt are awesome, so I'm sure I'll make one someday that really showcases the pluses. But for this one, I wanted one that was "busy" (for lack of a better word). And the wonky plus signs with the crazy patterns make my heart happy. It turned out so fun, now I can't wait to see it in use!

For those that don't know, my mom is a long-arm quilter, so she quilted it for me. I saw some trucks in one of her books and told her that's what I wanted... she does it all completely free-hand (doesn't follow templates) and is simply AMAZING, so her little trucks and cars are EXACTLY what I was hoping for. (I'm sorry they're hard to see in these pictures) If you need anything quilted, call up my mom!!

I love the back just as much as the front. Those colorful stripes are awesome.

A close up of the little vehicles.

projects for nicola: tie-dye

I love handmade things. SO much. And unfortunately for Max, I wasn't able to make much for him when he was a baby because I was in school. But this time around I have more time for that sort of stuff so I was determined to make things for this baby.

So, the first project I'm sharing with you are the tie-dye onesies my sister-in-law Amber and I made. She studied tie-dye for her senior project so I asked her if she'd be willing to do this with me. Lucky for me she said yes! (I must confess, there is some hippie in me. Tie-dye and moccasins make me happy.) Now, Amber is a MASTER at this tying thing. She tied all the spirals and v's and circles. Basically, all the really cool stuff. My claim to fame are what I call the "octopuses" and accordion fold. You know, the easy stuff. But while the tying is not my forte, I LOVED the dying part. Color makes me happy too, and the "unknown" of tie-dying is so exciting. I think the true masters of the craft know what happens when you put the dye in what places, but for me it was all a mystery. So when it came time to untie them and rinse them out it was like Christmas morning!

Anyway, here are the results:

We made 3 different sizes so hopefully he'll have tie-dye all through the summer.

We did a couple experimental ones: for this one Amber tried to get a smiley face. Can you see it? I think it would've turned out perfect if it weren't for the fact the black dye bottle kept getting clogged, making the stream a little unpredictable.

Here's the other experiment: I just balled up the onesie and put rubber bands around it. I LOVE how it turned out.

So I absolutely love all of them, but this one is probably my favorite out of them all. It just looks SO cool.

My "octopus" tie

And then we made a few for Rob. One, because he's shrinking so most of his shirts are now baggy on him. And two, so all three of my boys have tie-dye shirts (Amber made Max a bunch as part of her senior project and they were big enough he can still wear them).

Another "octopus" tie

Unfortunately I took the pictures late enough that the colors don't pop as much as they do in life, but this one is my favorite. It looks AMAZING.

I still can't believe how much fun it was to do this. And people, I am trying to convince Amber she needs to start making and selling tie-dye stuff. I mean, did you see those spirals? Uh-mazing. So if you think she should too, leave her a comment saying so. I don't think she believes me.

And that concludes the tie-dye project. Stay tuned for more!

Nicola's Namesake

This baby I'm about to birth is named Nicola Anatoli Harmon. Certainly not the most unusual name out there, but it definitely isn't common. Anatoli has no particular significance other than Rob and I like it. But Nicola has meaning behind it.

First, Rob idolizes Nikola Tesla. But that just happened to be more of a happy coincidence.

The real namesake is Nicola Lucci.

Here's the story... (and this is from my memory; so Rob, if I get stuff wrong I'm really sorry. Please correct me)

For those who don't know, Rob was in the Air Force. This was before I met him (and it's a good thing we didn't know each other then 'cause I was really young and not so attractive...), he joined when he was 19, had his basic training, then his schooling, and then was stationed in Italy for four years.

From what I've surmised, those four years involved a lot of change and growing up for Rob. Lots of good stuff (like the food and culture), but also some tough stuff. And at a time when Rob was sort of down and perhaps even struggling, he met this guy and his wife at a motorcycle rally. And became friends. That guy was Nicola.

Nick, his wife Alessia, and their family pretty much adopted Rob. He talks about the amazing food Nick's mother (or grandmother?) would make, the fun they had riding their motorcycles around Europe, the cool places they saw. How awesome Nick's house is (he's an architect). And I know their friendship made a difference in Rob's life. Meeting them was a turning point in who he was as a person, and I honestly believe they were a huge force for good in his life.

So for me, despite having never met them but only hearing about them from Rob, I've always known that they will always be a part of our life. We're not so good at keeping in touch with each other these days, sporadic postcards are about the extent of it. (But we dream about the day we'll be able to go back to Italy, and you better believe they will be the first thing we see when we get there:) ) I have no memory of us deciding we would name one of our children Nicola. We've just always known that we would have a Nicola.

And this child, this Nicola, I already know is going to be that same goodness in our family. I don't know how yet (I'm secretly hoping it means he'll be an easy, chill baby), but I can feel his goodness already, without even having held him or looked into his eyes. We just knew immediately that he was supposed to be our Nicola.

Rob, Nick, and Mike (Rob's room mate)

(Alessia, Mike, Rob, Nick)

And I can't wait for the day when our two Nicolas will get to meet each other. I know it will be a magical moment.

what you all have been waiting for.

Ok, I lied. I know what you guys really want is to see pictures of the little parasite, but he's still content with our current arrangement. But I have second-best; some belly pictures.

34 weeks. I felt huge then. Ha.

35 weeks. I felt like I couldn't possible get any bigger. Ha.

36 weeks. I was convinced I would give birth this week. Ha.

This child has other plans. And I guess they do not involve his mother seeing his father anytime soon.

But it's not all bad. At my last appointment I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced, and Nicola is REALLY LOW and in position to be birthed (he's just leading me on I guess). And tomorrow will be a week since that appointment so I imagine at my next visit I will have progressed even more (yay!). I just keep telling myself, the longer this baby waits to come out, the more I will have progressed without real labor, and the faster he will come. Right?

oh happy day!

OCS Graduation, in pictures...

And just for the record, the military knows how to put on a show. I was picturing us sitting on some bleachers outside a hanger or something, instead it was held at this awesome old Ironworks building:

(the graduates are the ones all the way to the right)

my soon-to-be-officer

"commissioning"

I think Rob looks pretty good in uniform, what do you think?

Each graduate stood at attention on the stage right before their name was called so we could get a good look at them. I'm telling you, impressive show.

He's laughing here because I'm pretty sure his neighbor was commenting on how many pictures I was taking. But I couldn't help it, we ended up sitting in the same row as he was so all I had to do was lean forward slightly and click away.

The two of us after the ceremony, right before I start pinning.

Trying to get those darn bars on (it's not as easy as you'd think. And I put them too far in. I failed.)

Rob held those little backs for me and tried to coach me as I struggled. What a nice guy, huh?

Me and my Lieutenant! At last!

Isn't he dashing? I'm so going to miss the green uniforms, they go so well with his eyes.

And somehow we did not get a family picture with Rob in uniform. In fact, we didn't get a family picture at all. But Max was there. This was after the ceremony, back at our "chalet." Let me tell you, this place was nicer than my own house. Because of a mistaken cancellation, we got a free upgrade from a large cabin to this baby. You better believe we were livin' it up.

And here is Max giving Nicola some love. It's moments like this that give me hope they'll be best buds. And then there's those moments where Max punches my belly and I'm not so sure.

Guess we'll find out how he really feels soon enough...

new love

Here she is. The OTHER woman in my husband's life. And why should I feel threatened? I mean, she's only gorgeous. and sleek. and powerful. and seductive. and Italian. And her name is Francesca, which is a pretty awful name if you ask me (that was sarcasm). So no, I am not jealous that she gets to see more of my husband than I do right now. Not at all. (that's what I keep telling myself)

just one for now.

We're back after a whirlwind of activity the past couple of weeks. And I can honestly say this was probably the highlight of it all:


Me and my Lieutenant sharing a moment (I'm pinning his 2nd Lieutenant bars on his uniform after the commissioning ceremony). I must admit I was a bit weepy at this point.





Although Rob might argue bringing his Ducati home was a bigger highlight. Boys will be boys.