Logan Newborn Photography

I love babies and Logan was no exception.  He was so sweet and great for the pictures.  This first one was especially fun to take.

Logan's Dad is in the Navy and so this next one was extra special.

Newborn/Baby, Toddler/kid, and Adult Skinny Tie Tutorial

Now that I have two little boys I like to make matching Ties for them.  And I thought hey, since I am making ties why not make one for my husband as well? So I did.  This has got to be the easiest way to make a tie.  So if you want to know how to make a newborn or baby skinny tie, a kid sized skinny tie, or even an adult skinny tie check out this tutorial.

This project is very easy and it could be the perfect father's day present.  What dad doesn't want a tie for fathers day?  I think some of them expect it.  I like how much more variety you can get when you make your own ties.

Materials needed:

1/4 yard fabric (I used cotton)

sewing machine

elastic (child/newborn size only)

1) Cut your fabric.  You will need three pieces for the elastic ones (a front and back for the tie, and one for the neck piece) or just a front and back if making the adult size.

Sizes:
Neck Piece- 3" by 6"
newborn/toddler- 13" long, fat end 1 3/4" wide skinny end 1" wide
kid- 22" long fat end 2" wide skinny end 1 1/4" wide
adult- 66"long (or use half pieces hooked together) fat end 3" wide back end 1 1/2" wide

Once you know your measurements just draw straight lines from the front end of the tie to the back end. It should taper.  Then ad in a point in the front or just leave it square.  Your pieces should look like a regular tie shape.

2) Pin right sides together.

3) Sew three sides of the tie leaving the very small end open.  Then sew along the long part of the neck piece leaving both ends open.

4) Turn both pieces inside out, so they are now the right way.  Iron it flat.

5) Fold the ends in and sew it shut.  I just used the machine because no one should see this part anyway.

6) Figure out how long you need the elastic (I did about 8"), tuck it into the ends and sew them shut.

7) Tie the tie onto the neck piece.

Now I just need to make a few more.

Baby Shower

Last week some of the girls in the ward threw a baby shower for Leon and me.  It was fun and we played what has got to be my favorite baby shower game.

In case you don't know the Diaper game it goes like this, there are several diapers filled with melted mystery candy bars and everyone has to guess what kind of candy bar is in which numbered diaper.  It is pretty gross but fun to watch everyone testing out the diapers.

Thanks you everyone who came and helped with the shower!

Leon's Birth Announcement/Photography

Can you believe Leon will be a month old in just two days?  I can't.  It seems like during the last couple months pregnant time slows down only to tripple in speed once the baby is born.  Last week I got the birth announcements sent out so now I can post my very favorite newborn pictures.  (I only had a few announcements so hopefully you don't feel left out if you didn't get one.  I really wanted to send them to family who probably doesn't read the blog so just the fact that you are reading this means you shouldn't feel bad about not getting one :-))

Don't you love this head propped up on hands picture?  I hope so because it was a very hard shot to get.  And wouldn't have been possible without the space heater and Bob's help.

 I finally got to use the doll bed and mattress that I made.

I like this one because he face is so relaxed you can easily see what he looks like.  Not to mention all that hair!

I know I said the first picture was hard, but the ones with all the kdis might have been harder.  Scarlett refused to cooperate.  I still love the picture because it shows exactly what they are feeling, Penelope looks excited, Tucker looks overwhelmed but happy while trying to hold Leon and Scarlett looks grumpy.

Here is the announcement just in case you didn't get one in the mail!

Baby Sling Tutorial

Now that I have four kids I really needed a way to walk around with them all.  We have a double stroller that Penelope and Scarlett ride in.  Tucker walks but I still needed something for Leon.  My first thought was to make Penelope walk and put Leon in the stroller, the only problem is that we need to walk along a busy road to pick Tucker up from school.  I tried walking with her along the road and she just got really scared and cried.  So I knew that wasn't going to work.  Now with the sling, I have one walker, two in the stroller, and one strapped onto my chest.

This sling is supper easy to make; it is basically a large rectangle with rings on one end.  And it is perfect for newborns.  They can sleep comfortably in it without having their arms and legs sticking out. Plus it makes keeping them warm outside easy.

Materials Needed:

2 1/2 yards x 33 inches of thick non stretchy fabric

sewing machine

2" steel rings from Lowes

 1) Fold the edges over two times and sew around the entire thing making a large rectangle.

 2) On one of the shorter sides create 2" pleats.  Iron and pin them.

 3) Sew along the end just below the fold.

 4) Fed the fabric through both rings.

5) Fold it back over both rings and sew it in place.  I went over my sewing here two times because it will hold a lot of weight and I wanted to make sure it wouldn't rip.

You are done!

To use the sling, take the end without the rings and put it through both rings and over then back through just one ring.

When I wear it I put the rings up by my shoulder and the babies head goes near there.  Then your baby should be sitting in the fabric.

Newborn Photography

I hope you aren't getting tired of newborn pictures because I still have plenty more.  I even got my baby announcements in last Friday so I am waiting for those to get mailed out before I share my very favorite pictures with you.  The ones up today are also my favorites, but I just couldn't put them all on the announcement.

Leon is a pretty good baby.  I think he is the quietest one in the house.  The hard part is dealing with the other kids when I am taking care of Leon.  That, and he is still pretty back and forth with his sleeping.  Some nights he does great and we all get a lot of sleep.  Other times it feels like we are all up all night.  Good thing I have lots of help.

Which picture is your favorite?

Leon Newborn Photography

I wanted to make sure and get newborn pictures taken of Leon while he was still a newborn.  To me that meant in his first week.  It is really amazing how much they change in one month.  Here are just some of the pictures Bob and I took.

This next one was supposed to be like a picture that has been going around pinterest but I couldn't get it to work out near as well.  Getting four kids to make nice faces and look at the camera was virtually impossible.  Especially since Scarlett was being so difficult about the entire thing.