Elle’s Niche

…of wearing cloth diapers…..well, we are trying several to see what we like and don’t like about them.  So far so good!  the three we are trying today are:

bumGenius 3.0

Happy Heinys One size

and Kushies.

The Kushies is the only one that is not a one-size, but this particular one is made for babies that are 10-22 lbs.  I had always planned on using disposables for a little while….I want to make my own cloth and wanted to make sure Bug was a certain size so I could make one-size diapers that didn’t swallow him! 

So far I like them and he seems to be comfortable in them too!  Over the next day or two I plan to gather my likes and dislikes and devise a plan.  I have purchased several patterns and also have a few free ones that I have found online.  Between the pros and cons of all of these I should be able to devise a diaper that will work for us.  My deadline is Friday!  There.  I have said it!  Looks like my old (well, actually new) friend will be making an appearance this Saturday to help….I love a good sewing machine.  She will be joining my old standby serger and between the three of us – we will be diaper warriors!

A lot can happen in three months.  In our household we have had lots of adjustments!  Good adjustments for the most part.  Bug is three months old today!  In that time the weather outside has changed from warm to cold, we have seen sun and snow and had a lot of firsts. 

First there was Homecoming, then Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!  How about that?  A White Christmas for Bug’s first one!  And we can’t forget a first New Year’s – which he slept right through! 

And in between all of that he has managed to learn to smile, laugh, coo, gurgle and blow bubbles!  He loves is bath and watches J play.  He loves to stand and smiles when sung to.  Loves to read books with Mama and even helps her cook dinner in the evenings – with the help of the baby wrap.  It is actually his favorite place – happens everyday at 5pm sharp!

He likes to sit with Dad and J to watch old cartoons.  Loves to sleep on his tummy, but gets frustrated during tummy time!  Most of all he loves to just hang out and soak everything in!

I have been getting a lot of requests for the recipe I use for Cheese Straws.  There are many ways of making these I am sure, but for me this is the easiest (and tastiest) recipe.  Here goes (pictures of finished straws tomorrow).

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional – add a little more – up to 1/2 teaspoon -  according to how spicy you want them to be)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixer/food processor, add the butter, cheese, flour, salt and cayenne and process until a smooth dough is formed.

Scoop it into a cookie press, fitted with a flat ridged tip.

Pipe the dough in 2-inch strips onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool. Makes ~ 5 dozen.

Alternate Directions: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes and roll on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick.

Cut into smaller rectangles, about 2 by 3-inches, with a pizza wheel or sharp knife. Shape the straws by twisting once or twice before baking.

Bake using the original directions.

After a long blog absence, taking the time to enjoy and adjust to the new wee one…..this is not how I intended to re-enter Blogworld.  Today we lost a really dear part of our family.  He was with us for nine years and brought so much joy and happiness into our lives!  He will be sadly missed, but has his place in our hearts forever!  Godspeed our dear sweet Onyx!  Thank you for keeping us company!

Today’s doctor’s appointment went well - only two pounds gained this time!  Whew!  Of course I complained and said I was ready to deliver and my doctor promptly told me (in front of Mister) that basically, I just need to suck it up and take it easy!  Easy for him to say!  I bet he gets at least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.  NOT ME!  The wee one has kept me awake with contractions and crazy movement for the last two weeks.  I think I will get more sleep after wee one arrives!  My three hour glucose came back with flying colors (thank goodness) and I have another Specialist appointment Wednesday.  Will have a more recent picture and better knowledge of an estimated arrival time.

On the nursery front the painting has been done and the fabric should be arriving any day.  Tomorrow’s project is to prime and prep the floors.  New floor this weekend – if delivery goes according to plan.  So the nursery is almost finished – except for the sewing and the floor.  It might help if I could make up my mind once in a while! LOL

And for a little inspiration….i have been smitten with Gretchen’s Redwork Dollhouse that she did for a quilt project.  It is absolutely beautiful!  I am so inspired by this…I think that I might have to make one of my very own!  Maybe one of our  house!  What do you think?

She has a few more pictures – hop on  over and check them out!

ME!

at 36 weeks!  How crazy is that!?

Things are going well with the pregnancy.  I have been having contractions now for about 2 1/2 weeks – just not productive ones…..  Since my last entry about being preggers, I have only gained 1/2 pound, but almost 3 inches.  How does that work?  I am not complaining though with 27 pounds total gain there will be less to lose after the baby arrives.  That is always a good thing!

We are working hard on the nursery – Goodbye sewing room :(  Mister has patched the walls and we are painting this weekend.  I changed my mind on the fabric for the room at the last minute so I have some sewing to do, but all in good time.  The mattress have been ordered, the cribs are here and we are sure to be done by Monday.  Here is the fabric I have chosen and the quilt I will be making…

So since my last entry I have had plenty of time to be off my feet and relax – Mister makes sure of that!  I have had some crafting going on and have plenty of items to add to the shop.  I will be getting to all of that in the next couple of weeks, providing the new wee one cooperates.  I did manage to finish 4 embroidery storyboards.  The patterns were by Aimee Ray.   I have done them in two shades of green and will be stretching them over canvas.  They turned out really cute.  Pictures soon to follow.  I am now turning to diapers!  I have received all the necessary supplies – so next week I will start sewing them up.  I have decided to try the cloth route for several reasons and will update about the decision as time moves on.  I am hoping this will be a good decision all around!

We have had a lot going on…J started school and is doing really well.  He loves his teacher (always a plus) and is adjusting well to the new schedule.  Z is growing like a weed and is almost standing on her own. She hates to sit still!  and as always, Mister is busy working and taking care of all of us!

Take care until next time!

On Zakka Life.  I am under the Facebook Fan Fridays!  Each week she has a new feature fan!  What a great idea!

  I love Jessica’s blog.  She always has great tutorials and recipes along with the comings and goings of her life.  Check it out!  I am sure you won’t be disappointed!  She has a cute little mushroom button too! 

Thanks Jessica!