It's a GIRL! Life is Good!!!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Katie and the baby!  She has arrived and all is well.
Katie was induced Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.  The specialists were there to make sure everything would be alright for both of them.  Praise the Lord---Everything went perfect.

Jessica Lynn arrived on Monday evening.  She weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 19 inches long.  She was breathing great on her own and didn't need to be taken to the NICU.  Katie was fine also. All the complications that were feared did not occur. Praise to the Lord for the answer to our prayers. 

They arrived home on Wednesday afternoon. I know I am prejudiced, but she is a beautiful little girl!

We are so blessed!!!

Life as I know it--Or Yes, I am still here!

I realize it has been almost a month since I wrote a new post.  Let's see:

1.  I finished both baby quilts for the new baby--I finished the John Deere Green and Gold while watching the Packers win the Super Bowl!  WHOO HOO! 

2.  The "If this baby is a girl" quilt was finished about a week ago. I do love it.  It is the same pattern I used for Baby Elna Ann's quilt.  I like the look that Prairie Points give a little girl's quilt.

3.  Katie has not had the baby yet.  Both the OB Specialist and her Rice Lake doctor are very surprised.  Chad and Katie have made the three hour one way trip once or twice a week since January 5 for ultra sounds and measuring the uterine fluid.  They have some awesome pictures of the baby.  This week she had two non-stress tests measuring the contractions and baby's activity.  One for 30 minutes and one for an hour. They return to Marshfield on Monday and are expecting to be induced this coming week. Please pray for a safe delivery for the baby and for its health concerns during and following delivery.

4.  We have been taking our turns taking Conner and Tatum for the weekends or overnights during the week. It has been difficult for Katie being away for her kids so much.  It has been many years since I have taken two preschooler to day care before going to work in the morning.

Warning a couple of grandma stories: Tuesday night  just before filling Tatum's bottle I had mixed a glass of chocolate milk for Conner. She saw the Nestle's Quick on the counter and asked while pointing for "ockit." She wasn't happy when her "ilk" was white!  On Monday night Conner woke up about 4:00 a.m. and called, "Grandma Linda I need to go to the bathroom. Will you come with me?"  We were almost there when he asked, "Do you have bears in your bathroom?" --I told him,  "No I don't think so."  He  responded, "Will you check first?" 


5.  DH was diagnosed yesterday as being in Atrial Fibrillation.  His doctor wanted to admit when to the hospital yesterday.  DH refused--sounds like a farmer doesn't it.  He came home with three new medications.  The doctor told him to contact his cardiologist.  I called her from school this morning and spoke with the triage nurse.  She said to take him to the ER immediately.  So I flew out of school, went home and forcefully told him we were going.  He is now in the hospital on monitors and a IV drip. They will be doing more tests and medications tonight and on Saturday.  They are expecting to shock his heart to attempt to return it to normal rhythm and to stop the Atrial Fibrillation.

6.  My farm bookwork and taxes all had to be complete by February 28!  I spent two late nights after Conner and Tatum were asleep trying to finish.  I made it--I was at the accountant/ tax preparer yesterday after school with all my numbers for him to put in the right spots. Every year I tell myself I will keep up better during the year so it is not so difficult in January and February.   This year I will do it!!!!


7.  Being a teacher in Wisconsin is very challenging politically this week.  We have no idea what types of financial cuts are in store for our schools, how many teachers will be losing their jobs,  and what the future holds for us as teachers.

8.  However,  through it all--I am held together by prayer and faith. I have no idea where I would be without the strength I receive daily from the Lord.

Word up Sewing Party--Update

Today is the "Word Up Sewing Party".    My word for the year is "time."  I have been working to be more aware of how I use my time.  However, the newest grandbaby could come anytime.  I posted earlier that I spent New Year's day making the flimsy for the baby if it is a boy.  So this afternoon I pulled it out to pin baste it together. 

Katie has had a good week. She and the kids were at her parents Tuesday through Friday.  Chad is bringing them up this afternoon to stay tonight and tomorrow with us. They go back to Marshfield for another 3D ultrasound on Monday.   So until they arrive I am working on the John Deere baby quilt.  Hopefully it will be machine quilted this afternoon.

Until my update!!

 All that is left is the binding--That I will be able to finish one night after school this week.

 My if she's  a girl--is sandwiched and pinned.  Maybe Sunday night I will be able to quilt it.  Monday is DH's birthday.  He hasn't decided yet if he wants apple pie or a layered German Chocolate cake.

Thank you Kelly from Charming Girls and Kris from Dandelion Quilts for sponsoring the "Word Up Sewing Party!!

Sunday Stress Relievers and Katie's update

Saturday they removed the IV and the medication to see if the contractions would start again.  Saturday went fine.  On Sunday morning she started contractions again.  One nurse told Katie, "We just may have a baby today" and left the room.  It was enough to panic Katie.  She called Chad in tears and he left again for Marshfield. By the time he arrived all the contractions had stopped. Another nurse told her she was now considered a "high risk" pregnancy and would in the hospital until the baby arrives.

  On Monday they had another 3D ultra sound.   No additional fluid has been produced since the amniocentesis on Thursday.  The doctor does think the baby will arrive early.  However, she sent Katie home on bed rest.  We are all taking turns having Tatum and Conner.   Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.  For anyone who wants more details on Katie, the baby, and answers to prayer check my other blog.  Linda's Faith and Friends

In my concern that this baby maybe coming quickly I had to stay busy on Sunday afternoon.  I started looking for quilt patterns for preemie's.  I found a pattern for NICU quilts on Quilts For Kids. 
I cut out and sewed two easy tops.  One for a boy and one for a girl.  I thought if the baby doesn't come extremely early I will send them to Quilts for kids.  I am going to finish them and wait to see.


 I also need to finish my "official" new grandbaby quilts yet.
The 3D ultrasounds are awesome.  We are making a prediction that the baby is a boy.  The tech's have been careful with the pictures because they know that Katie and Chad don't want to know if it is a boy or a girl.  The size of the hands and feet-we are sure it will be another boy!!! 

Friday Night Sew In Results

During Friday Night Sew In, I was able to piece and finish the flimsy for the baby quilt.  Katie's contractions have stopped and the IV has been removed.  They are watching now to see if the contractions begin again.  She is really hoping they don't have to do another amniocentesis.  She will know on Monday after another ultrasound if she is able to come home.

I hope to baste and quilt it during the Packer Victory  over the Bears tomorrow afternoon.


Tonight Cole and Kasey were over while DS-1 and DIL-1 went out on a date night.  They had dinner at Applebee's and went to see "True Grit" .  DH asked DIL-1 if it was as good as the original with John Wayne.  She didn't know it was a remake!!! 

                            Go Pack!!!!!!

Cold Morning Moon BBRRRRRRR!

This was the view of the morning moon from our driveway when I left for school this morning.  The temperature was -33 degrees.  That doesn't include the windchill. The tires felt as though they were square as I drove.  I tried for a second picture, but the lens of the camera had frosted over!!
We have had snow on the ground since November 11.  It is making for a long winter.

DIL-2 is on best rest at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.  She started contractions after the amniocenteses. She is on medication and an IV to stop the contractions.  DS-2 is driving home tonight.  He has been there since Thursday morning.  They had not expected to be admitted when they went over so they had nothing with them.  Conner and Tatum are at their other grandparents until Sunday afternoon.  They will be here after that during the week.  If the contractions stop and don't reoccur, Katie maybe allowed to come home on Monday and will be on best rest at home.  The doctors are being very careful, if the baby would arrive this premature it would be airlifted to Marshfield, so they would like to have her there if she goes into labor.  They are equipped to take care of the baby immediately. She is at 33 weeks now.  Thank you for your continued prayers and  thoughts.

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-in.  I have been working on the quilt for the new baby "if" it is a she.  I will post pictures tomorrow when I have more accomplished!

DIL-Update

 Please continue hold  Katie and the baby in your thoughts and prayers. They were called back to Marshfield  this morning.  It is about 2 1/2 hours from their home. The doctor looked again at the ultra sound taken on Monday and didn't think they should wait until next Monday for the next ultra sound. They did the amniocentesis  to remove some of the excess amniotic fluid. They removed 1.7 liters. The doctor said she could have removed twice that much but didn't due to the contraction of the uterus.

As of Thursday afternoon,  Katie was hooked up to an IV and monitor. She is having contractions but is not dilated. She told the doctor she has been having pains like this since before Christmas. They may be keeping her over night.

The kids are at Julie's (Katie's sister in Spooner) this afternoon. Tonight they are going to Hayward to Katie's parents. On Saturday the kids will be here and probably over night. Katie said the amniocentesis  was very painful.  The doctor talked as though they will need to go back to Marshfield every week until the baby is born to check on the fluid and the status of the baby. They will be going back on Monday for another amniocentesis.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

New Year Starts & Friday Night Sew In

While others are posting their New Year completions, here are my New Year starts.

Today I started sewing on the McCalls Quilting BOM "America the Beautiful." I pieced the Shining Sun Block:  I couldn't believe it--When I finished the block and went to square it up. It was an exact 12" X 12"!


Then I worked on the "Fields Block". It is sewn "on point"-(Is that the right term Amy?) It is 8 1/2" X  56".  Now I need to set my mind to the idea--that, "Yes, Linda, you can cut templates and sew the pieces into a block!"  I need to use templates to make the "Barn Block."

On New Year's day (while DH watched football) I pieced the quilt top for the baby due in March if he is a boy.  I know---It is almost just like Cole's.  Well at least I changed the border colors.  I have the fabric cut to start on the "If the new baby is a girl" quilt.

At school this week there are two new referrals for students that need to be tested to determine if they are Students with a Specific Learning Disability.

Friday Night Sew-In is coming this Friday night.  A Virtual Sew-in to work on all those MUF's, UFO's, or projects that we want to work on!!!  I am looking forward to it. How about you?

I would like to finish the new baby boy quilt and work on piecing the baby girl quilt.

A little More Potpourri

It has been total withdrawal!!  DH took my sewing machine in to the local Janome dealer to be serviced on January 4.  He drove down to pick it up on Friday.  That is 10 days without it!!!  Oh my--instead of sewing during last week's  Packer game I tried to cut fabric--didn't work.  Tonight I have the machine set up ready to sew and cheer on the Pack!!!!

Update on DIL-2:
To summarize: DIL-2 has a tumor in the placenta.  It has caused excessive amniotic fluid in her uterus.  She is measuring much larger than she should.  She was at a Medical Center 2  1/2  hours away last Monday for a 3-D ultra sound.  It showed the baby is alright--which also was in question.  She goes back again this Monday for another 3D and more tests.  The amount of fluid will be remeasured to see if a tap off is needed.  She will need to have an ultra sound every week until the baby is delivered to make sure the baby continue to develop and measure the fluid.  (Due March 15)  She is extremely uncomfortable.  There is such pressure on her stomach that she is sick at least once every day. Please hold her in your prayers as she tries to follow the doctors directions and continues to be a mom to a busy 18 month old and an eager 4 year old.

The positive--the 3D showed the baby looks like Conner.  Also we have had over night one day and  night last weekend, again last night and today.  It gives Katie a chance to try to rest.  When putting Tatum to bed last night she climbed on to the mattress with Conner and thought she should sleep with him.  It didn't take long to rock and sing her to sleep. She made the entire night in the Pack n' Play last night.  Last weekend she spent most of the night cuddling in our bed.  I loved every moment of it.

New use for a quilters ruler

 

Last weekend when I walked into the living room I noticed Conner had found--what he thought-was the perfect bridge to race his cars and truck. Not only did he use the ruler he also took a basting pin to hold the ruler to the couch.    

An Outstanding Giveaway!!!

Maria,  of Life on the Block, had a link to this outstanding Give Away from Gum Tree Designers .  They are giving away all the BOM from a beautiful quilt.  Take a minute to check them out!  Wouldn't it be great to receive a giveaway from quilting friends another continent.

A "Time" For Everything

 

 Sheila, is a friend I have met through blogging. She selects a "word" of the year. She challenged each of us to find a word. I have been trying to decide what do I need to work on in my life. My word is "time".  Kelly, from Charming Chatter has also posted a challenge to find a word.  Since I chose my word. I have been more aware of the way I use my time and the importance of setting my priorities.

When I was in  elementary school,  there was a song recorded by The Byrds, "Turn, Turn, Turn." It had been written by a folk singer, Pete Seeger. It was used as a protest song against war and for seeking world peace.  The lyrics of the song were taken from Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build, 

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

I have 24 hours each day, 168 hours in a week, and 8, 765 hours in a year. There are many things that I need to do such as  teaching, cooking and cleaning , farm record keeping, and many more things.  There are things I  like to do such as spending time with my family and  grandkids, taking part in my small group at church, being with or talking to friends, quilting and reading. I guess I could keep my list going.  

One area I need to work on is taking the time to relax and not putting as much pressure on myself.  When I am able to take "time" for myself. I will be able to give more quality  "time" to the things I must do and the things I enjoy doing. In Jennifer Rothchild's book , Self Talk Soul Talk, one chapter is entitled,  "Chill Out: Be at Rest, O My Soul."   In order to be the person I need to be and desire to be, I need to take care of myself.  To do that I need to take "time" for myself.