Projects #1 & 2

So, I was super lucky and blessed enough to get to come with AJ this time. Instead of being stuck at home all alone I sit in an Army barracks all day, waiting for my Soldier Boy to come home... but it definitely beats a couple text messages, possibly a phone call and lots of lonely nights. However, in order to not go completely insane in this little room, I brought along several projects to entertain myself durng the day.

Project #1:

I want a nursing pillow for after our baby is born... but they can be quite pricey. Since I don't have $20-$85 to spend on a little pillow I decided to try crafting one with my own two hands. I wanted one that was made with a sturdy cover and then had cute little slipcovers that go over it, so they can be washed when they get dirty. I searched everywhere for study, pillow-like fabric... you'll never guess where I finally found what I was looking for. That's right, on a pillow! We found a two pack of jumbo size pillows at Wal-Mart. I cut the tops open, took all the stuffings out and shaped the cases the way I wanted. I used the original stuffings in my newly-formed nursing pillows. I have the pillows made, but still working on the slip covers. The first one I did in a traditional "Boppy" c-shaped pillow, but it turned out a little small, especially for AJ. The second one I did in more of a u-shape. It turned out bigger and AJ should be able to use that pillow a lot easier. For bottle feedings... that is. He already pointed out to me that he wouldn't be using either of them for nursing. What a little smarty pants. So, I ended up with 2 nursing pillows for what a single, cheap one would've cost me. That makes me happy.

Project #2:

AJ and I wanted to take a childbirth class before our baby decides to make an appearance, since neither one of us have ever done this before. Unfortunately, the classes the hospital offers are once a week, for three weeks. And, of course, all the available classes fall on a three-week span in which AJ will possibly have to be gone for at least one or two of the classes. What to do, what to do?

So, the solution we came up with... I am researching all the basics on the topics they cover in a childbirth class and then will present my information to AJ. I told AJ there's nothing like 'the blind leading the blind'. He claimed he was used to such arrangements. So, I guess that's what we'll do. I've been working on it and decided that short of saying "here, read this..." out of several books and such a powerpoint would be the easiest way to organize, as well as present, the mountains and mountains of information. AJ has made fun of me for putting a little more than just basic text and such on some of the slides, but at least it's giving me something to do.

AJ has AT the three weeks before and during our little bean's due date... hopefully, he'll be able to be there for the birth. Although, I'm not thrilled to have to go through labor alone, either. Well, I won't really be alone, my mom will be here... but AJ helped get us into this, it would be nice if he were there to help get us out of it too. At least he will be in Boise, not Iraq or Afghanistan. The most he'll miss would be three weeks of midnight, 2am, 5am, and 8am feedings, those yucky meconium diapers, breastfeeding by trial and error (possibly with crying from both baby and mother), the yucky umbilical stump, however many times I may get peed on cuz I'm not used to having to clean little boy parts and, of course, hours and hours of pain during labor.