17 weeks

Some days it feels as though this pregnancy is dragging on. The weeks between appointments seem to take forever.

Other days, it feels as though time is rushing by. There are so many projects, so many things I want to have done before this baby comes home.

Tuesday, June 15th marks the beginning of the 17th week. Time for another blood draw - the last of the genetic testing series, which included a blood draw at 11 weeks, the nuchal translucency ultrasound at 12 weeks, and now this second blood draw. After the NT ultrasound, the perinatologist told us our chances of the baby having Down Syndrome were a scant 1 in 1500. I didn't really feel like there was anything wrong with the baby, and mostly just okay'd the testing because I knew it meant another ultrasound... another peek in at our little one that I have been so nervous about.

It still doesn't quite feel "real" to me. Over the past few days, I have started feeling the tiniest of flutters that didn't seem like gas though, and so I am hoping that it truly feels "real" soon.

In two weeks is our big "anatomy survey" ultrasound, where they do all of the measurements and check the baby's heart and all of that. I am really hoping the baby isn't shy and we can find out if it's a boy or a girl.

This is not one of my ultrasounds, but I thought this picture was pretty neat, and gives an idea of what our little one might look like today, if we could see inside:

Tutorial links

I have been doing lots of searching for cute and easy tutorials & patterns for sewing kids' clothes and other things. I thought I would share them here with you guys!


Skirts:

Cup Day Skirt Tutorial from Thornberry

Drop Waist Twirl Skirts from Going Sew Crazy

Lazy Days Skirt from Oliver and S

Patchwork Circle Skirt from IndieTutes

Ruffled Skirts Tutorial from Grand Revival Design

The Chesney Skirt Tutorial (double ruffle) by Piece N Quilt


Shoes:

Kimono Baby Shoes (0-6months) from Homespun Threads

Cloth Baby Shoes from Stardust Baby Shoes

Elf Slippers from Maya Made

Soft Baby Shoes from Family Centered Life



Dresses:


Itty Bitty Baby Dress (newborn, 0-3months, 2-3T) from MadeByRae

Simple Bandana Dress from Joy's Hope

Sunny Day Dress - and top - from House on Hill Road (shirring)

Sunshine Dress tutorial from A Lemon Squeezy Home

"In the Garden" Shirred Twirly Dress from From An Igloo

One Hour Sundress from From An Igloo



Tops:

Peasant Blouse from IndieTutes

Smocket Top from MayFly

Toddler Halter Top (size 24mos/2T) from The Green Wife

Kimono Top from Habitual

Snappy Toddler Top from Prudent Baby

Ruffle Sleeve Top from Sparkle Power

Tutorial for "Sundress" Top (layers/ruffles/shirring) from 7 Layer Studio


Bottoms:

Heirloom Bloomers from U Create

Reversible Baby Britches from I Make Stuff



One pieces:

Baby Sunsuit Tutorial from Made by Rae



Hats:

Reversible Baby Bonnet from Prudent Baby

Laney's Emergency Summer Hat from The L-T Experience


If you notice any errors, like dead links, please let me know at smrfchic @ gmail . com

And if you make something from one of these tutorials, please leave me a link so I can see what you made! I am only posting links to pieces that I personally like and would make. ;)

My 2nd Itty Bitty Baby Dress

IMG_1672
Originally uploaded by smrfchic00

I made this dress for my friend Dani, who is due with a little girl at the beginning of September. It's a hot pink and black zebra pattern, with a black lined bodice, black rick rack trim on the bodice, and a black band around the bottom.

IttyBittyBaby Dress #2
Originally uploaded by smrfchic00

Gender tests

My big anatomy ultrasound is coming up in a couple of weeks, and we're hoping to find out what this baby is. Our last two children were "surprises", but because it has been so long since we've had a newborn.... we have a lot of shopping to do! Unfortunately, there isn't very much gender neutral stuff available for purchase so finding out if this is a boy or girl will make things a lot easier.

I decided to try out a few of the Old Wive's Tales for gender prediction, and then we can see how well they worked for this little guy/girl!

You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived.
~ If the sum is an even number - It might be a boy.
~ If the sum is an odd number - It might be a girl.
I was 30, and according to the due date calendar, we conceived around March 2nd... so 30 + 3 = 33. Odd = GIRL.

Another one states:
"This an easy baby gender prediction method to try. Take a pin, needle, or wedding ring and attach it to a thread or strand of hair. Hold the dangling item over mom to be's belly while she is lying down. If the needle or wedding ring swings in a strong circular motion, you will be having a girl. If it moves in a to and fro motion like a pendulum, you will be having a boy."

I tried this 3 times with a needle and embroidery thread, and all three times it swang in a circular motion, which means GIRL.

Another Old Wive's Tale claims that if the baby's heart rate is >145 bpm, it's a girl. <145 bpm, and it's a boy. This baby's heartrate has been 160-165 each time, which says, GIRL.

Have you heard of any other old wive's tale that predict whether a baby is a boy or a girl?