Dentist

Shane had his first trip to the dentist! He just got his teeth brushed and some kind of cherry sealant brushed on his teeth. The dentist said, "Save for braces now Mama, cause he's going to need them based on how squished his baby teeth are!" Great. Well, I did expect it.

First steps!!!

Shane took his first real steps today...to Daddy!  I couldn't believe it. Once he started, he just kept going! He still crawls more than walks at this point, but he does walk a little! Here's a little video of him walking. At ten months old!

Shaneanigans, Part II

These are a few things I made for my friend Erin and her baby Andrew.

This is the "Newborn Block". Completely hand sewn and made of soft felt and contrasting colors this block is great for newborn vision, play, teething, and decoration!

 This is a ring sling.

Shaneanigans, Part I

Shaneanigans. That's Nathan's nickname for Shane and I think it's super cute. So I think that's what I'll "call" my designs.  Here are a few things I've made lately.

These were all made for Melissa's little niece, Lyla.

Soft name blocks are customizable by color and name, and are completely hand sewn. They are great for chewing, developing palmar and pincer grasp, stacking, throwing, and decorating!

Stretchable turtle headband. Machine and hand sewn.

Burp rag. Machine sewn.

Nursing cover. Shaneanigans nursing covers feature an adjustable neck strap and stiff boning to allow mother and baby to interact.

I also made her a ring sling; it was hot pink with an accent strip of the turtle material used in the name on the burp rag.

In the below pictures you can see Lyla's mommy using the cover to nurse a balloon at her baby shower, and to discretely provide Kangaroo Care in the NICU.

Breastmilk Donation

I donated my excess milk! I pumped thrice daily while I was working, but Shane didn’t use it all because he switched to nursing more at night when I went back to work. I eventually had the better part of a freezer full, as you can see!


I was able to donate it all to one woman who had desperately tried to nurse her son and was truly unable to produce even after herbs, teas, lactation consultants, domperidone, and other things. She still nurses her son, but has to give him formula and he is often sick. I found her on a milk donation board where I offered to donate to mama’s who can’t afford milk bank prices ($3 plus per oz, and you need a prescription). I love it when women acknowledge the value of breastmilk!

So anyway, I had about 312oz, or about 2.5 gallons. I hope it helps baby boy grow healthy and strong!

Kite Flying

I wrote before about our adventures in kite flying with the Blue Macaw. Recently Nathan thought he’d trot out his “skillz” for Shane. I think Shane was rather unimpressed at being left in his stroller while Mommy kept throwing a piece of blue plastic in the air and Daddy pulled on a string, but we had fun. And Nathan did eventually get ‘er up there! Until we ran out of string, that is. The kite also dive-bombed a truck driving by. The driver calmly stopped so we could pull the kite out of his truck bed!

Easter Sunday

 Shane wore his Easter suit from GGrandpa and GMaga Hall. Unfortunately the shirt was too small so I had to roll up the sleeve, leave the neck button undone, and ditch the tie (which was super cute)

 Swinging before church.

 After church we had a BBQ at Nathan's grandmother's house. Andrea is good at making babies laugh!

 He found fire ants that I didnt even see. :( Mommy fail.



Outside Fun

Shane loves to play outside. We were over at Melissa and Thomas' house and since they don't have a yard full of stickers I was able to let him get down and play with Malachi and the dog! He loved it. Until they put him in the wagon, haha.