oops.

(this is a common sight in my studio when I'm in the middle of a project. Nick is my puppy.)

So far I have made all of my children (yup, all 2 of them) a baby quilt. So there was no way I was going to skip out on Oskar. (despite the fact that we already have 10 million blankets in this house...) It does help that I firmly believe one can never have too many quilts. (I get my love of quilts from my mom) Although it's funny, as a kid I never would have guessed I would end up sewing just like my mom. (But I have nowhere near her brilliance when it comes to quilting.)

Anyway, I bought the book Handmade Beginnings by Anna Marie Horner a few months ago, mainly so I could have the pattern to this beauty:

Her Sixth Times the Charm Quilt. I fell in love with that quilt the first time I saw it so naturally I was soooo excited to make one myself.

And everything went beautifully until it came time to cut the triangles. And I realized I hadn't actually thoroughly read the pattern before jumping in. Or, at least all of the pattern. I read the first half really well, then skimmed the rest because I figured I could get the rest of the details when I got to that point. So when I sat down and read the rest of the pattern I realized I had missed a crucial part (in addition to some details not making sense, but after googling it found out there were a couple mistakes with the math so I wasn't as crazy as I thought I was). You see, what I had done up to that point I had to do two more times. Oops.

I did not have enough fabric cut out to make two more rectangles. Nor the time to cut more fabric and put everything all together. Not if I was going to be able to ship the quilt top off in time for my mom to quilt it before coming out to visit this summer.

So I had to figure out what to do. And I decided to use what I had and just make up my own design from where I was.

Yes, it required some math. And I pulled out my drafting triangles and graph paper and made templates and roped Rob in to help.

But I did it! I have a beautiful quilt top that I love! Granted, staying up as late as I did to get it done was not the best idea knowing I had a 7:30am doctor's appointment for Nick the next morning. Priorities, you know.

So, the moral of this story?  READ THE ENTIRE PATTERN FIRST.

And Sixth Times the Charm Quilt? I'm not giving up on you yet. I WILL have you someday.

i am an introvert.

(photo is not mine, and I'm not sure of the original source. But it is fabulous so I'm borrowing it.)

I recently saw this photo somewhere online and screamed "YES!!!" in my head. Pretty much everyone knows what an introvert is, but few understand what that means. It goes beyond simply being a "homebody" or "quiet." Some of these things I didn't even know, but after reading it was like parts of me and my life suddenly made sense.

In addition to being an introvert, I'm also really shy. Which I think is typical, the two seem to go hand in hand. But I'm finding more and more that it is no longer socially acceptable to be shy or an introvert. Or at least, not the first thing people think of when they meet someone who is. Instead people automatically assume you are "haughty" or "aloof." When in reality you are just afraid of them. And just need time to warm up to new people and places. So don't give up on us!

Anyway, I hope this poster gives some insight into how to deal with us quiet folk. As the mom of a couple children who are proving to be just as introverted and shy as I am reading a few of these points came at just the right time.

sunday best: pregnancy edition

I tried wearing this dress a few weeks ago and it fit me like a potato sack. But I've grown a lot recently so when I tried it on again last week it fit!! It is perhaps my favorite article of maternity clothing I own. And is also pretty versatile; I first wore it to the OCS ball (I fancied it up with accessories), but it works great for more casual settings than even church.

dress: Gap Maternity
shoes: Target
belt: Forever 21

p.s. This is my 28 week belly!

thank you veterans!

Despite the fact that I am not a holiday person (and often forget about holidays until they are right upon us), I am grateful for the opportunities they provide to reflect on things. And today, on Memorial Day, I'm glad to have a reminder of just how lucky we are to live in this country. There are so many things I take for granted and forget aren't available to everyone in the world. I'm not sure what I did to deserve being born in the United States, but I am grateful I was.

And, of course, a HUGE thank you is owed to our veterans and military. It's easy to think that they're "just doing their job," but without them I know we would not be able to continue to enjoy life the way we know it. 

I've been lucky to get a more intimate? view of what our soldiers do as a military spouse (although even that is still woefully inadequate to get the full picture). And I can tell you that the need for a job alone is not enough to sustain these guys (and gals) through all that they go through. More, much more, is needed, so rest assured that they are out there in the dirt and sand and endless MRE's and no porta potties and blistering heat and smelly bodies and heavy gear and equipment because at least a little part of them knows that what they do is important. And keeps the ones they love (and those they perhaps do not love) safe and comfortable. And our country free. I hope they understand how grateful I am for them.

And I think it is appropriate today to share some images a photographer friend, Christopher Wilocki, shot for Honor Flight Chicago. Honor Flight provides flights for WWII veterans so they are able to visit the WWII memorial in Washington DC. Christopher was able to volunteer with them a couple of times.

The first was to photograph the send off and return.

The second was the entire days' experience.

I hope you enjoy what he captured and that it moves you in some way. 

bleh.

I've been feeling very under the weather the past couple of days so the weekly interrogation will back next week.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!

just a little confused...

(image from here)

Was anyone else taught as a kid to not release your balloon into the air because it will end up in the ocean where a sea turtle will think it's a jellyfish and eat it and then choke and die?

Well, I was and as a result losing a balloon was not only devastating because I was not only balloon-less, but I was killing a sea turtle too.

Nowadays, after seeing balloon releases ALL. OVER. THE. PLACE. I'm curious about the sea turtles... Was I taught wrong? Do balloons not end up in the ocean? Does anyone know where balloons do end up? I'm sure there's a science behind figuring out how long they stay afloat. Or have we just gotten to the point where we don't care about trashing the planet?

And a disclaimer: I'm not trying to knock on people who do release balloons (I actually think they're pretty, which is why I'm sure people do it), I'm just curious if this is just another vague thing from my childhood that isn't shared with others.

just a little face shot

So I recently switched from the Army hospital here to an off-post provider and it was the best decision ever. It wasn't something I had planned on, but after asking questions about the birth and getting some unsatisfactory answers, along with the sub-par ultrasound experience I really felt like it was time to get the heck out of there. So I did, and I found a midwife!! That I absolutely love and puts me completely at ease. It's a good feeling to know you're in good hands. (and the brand new women's pavilion the hospital just opened helps too...)

And I was SO excited when she ordered another ultrasound done just to make sure everything was good to go! It was yesterday and I got to see the screen the entire time and the tech told me everything she was looking at. And I finally got to see Oskar's profile. 

(he's got his lips pursed)

He even smiled for me at one point!

Unfortunately, we didn't get any awesome shots of his face because it was smashed into the placenta and both arms were up over his head (signature Harmon boy move). But I did find out he's got some big feet (just under 2 inches already!) and a big head (guess we'll see if it's still big when he's born). And while I'm 27 weeks, he's measuring 29 weeks (and is almost 3 pounds). The tech said that's normal, they'll go through growth spurts while in the womb too. I just hope she's either right or he comes early... we all know how tiny my body is so the last thing I need is a big baby. But since I'm really really hoping to deliver on Harry Potter's birthday, maybe the chances of that are higher? Guess we'll find out.

Also, only 10 weeks until I'm full term. This whole third baby thing is becoming more real all the time. (yes, I'm still wrapping my head around this pregnancy. Some days I really can't believe I'm pregnant again.)