A Halloween and Thanksgiving Special

Our Halloween left much to be desired. I bought Sammy the BEST Sammy costume ever. A dinosaur (of course). We took great pictures at the local pumpkin patch but when it came time to put on the costume to go trick or treating..... Sammy lost his mind! Screamed and cried, would not put on the costume. We did not go trick or treating. It was a HUGE bummer!

On a brighter note...

Another great thanksgiving this year! Jesse wanted it to be part thanksgiving celebration and a festivis celebration. We had a mighty feast. Our second year making a tur-duck-en. We also had sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and home made pumpkin and pecan pies. YUM! Then came the airing of grievances. That was mostly just Jesse venting. Haha. Then came the feats of strength. We played Monopoly. We invite grad students who are from out of town and can't go home for break (a lot like us) to celebrate with us. This year Gabe (from Alaska) and Adam (from California) came over. Gabe won the Monopoly game. Sammy behaved himself and Jake made lots of cute faces.

3 months...

I'm a little behind because we've been sick. Jacob turned 3 months old on the 10th! Where does the time go?!?!

Here's and update on us:
Jacob now smiles AND giggles!! It's the best. He loves to watch his brother play. He's been putting himself to sleep at night. He's still breast fed!! This was one of my goals. The first goal was to bf for at least a month, then 3 months, now lets see if we can make it to 6 months. I may or may not go a full year but I'd like to go until the end of winter.

Sammy can put himself down for a nap and bedtime all by himself. He's such a big boy. He loves Jake and tries to give him toys to play with. I can't wait until Jake is big enough to play with Sammy. It'll be so great. His favorite show is Dinosaur Train. I actually really like it myself, I've learned a lot. You can def tell he's 2! His communication and sentence formation is growing everyday! He's awesome!

I've been teaching activity classes at UND. I've started my research for my thesis. I'm back to pre-baby weight and my wedding ring fits again!!! I also got a new car!

Jesse's been working hard! We appreciate all he does for us! Because of him I get to spend time with my babies!

We are gearing up for the holiday seasons. Thanksgiving is coming up next week, and we are having a tur-duck-en again this year!! And that means Christmas and a trip back down south is right around the corner. So much to do!!

What a difference

I really wish there had been a person blogging about the first month after Sammy was born. Just so that other first time mommies could see that they aren't alone.

If I had been able to blog in that first month of Sammy's life I would have had bogs that talked about being awake All. Night. Long. I'd have had frustrations about not being able to put him down without him crying. Failures in breast feeding. WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!?!?

I remember asking Jesse (my husband) "who's bright idea was it to let us bring this child home??" I had no clue sometimes. I literally changed my first diaper (yes that's EVER) in the hospital with Sammy. It was Jesse's first as well. My mom just sat back and watched us get poop everywhere and then get peed on. We learned a lot during that first diaper change. And I mentally thank her for letting us learn on our own. Then offering tips afterward.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you are a new mom or an already mom with a new baby, it's ok to feel overwhelmed. There is always help, just ask. It's ok to cry as loud if not louder than your baby. Take advantage of advice from mommies. Also take that advice and make it work for you.

We all have to start somewhere and we always have room to learn more.

Moms are HUMAN!

I read a blog called even moms make mistakes... After reading it I think it should have been titled Even mom are human. I didn't think they look like mistakes so much as how people deal with things that happen.

Have you ever forgot to pack the diapers?

I have! I have gone places with Sammy without extra diapers in my bag. And once we are at a doctor's appointment and I smaller something stinky and had to run all the way home to change him. I've also for got to bring diapers when daddy had to watch him for class.... He had to ride home with no diaper... And mommy crossed her fingers for no accidents. It happens... And they survive.

Have you ever given your child a cookie just so they'll eat SOMETHING?

I have! "mommy, I hungee to eat" it's lunch time so I fix some chicken and bananas and he won't touch any of it. I try crackers and he eats those but they don't fill him up. I offer something else "no way" ahhhh!!!!!!! stopping at the drive through for chicken nuggets...when he eats it I'm happy. And he survived.

Have you ever been so busy that washing dishes or laundry is LAST on your list of important things?

I have been! The dishes are piling up, Sammy's on his last clean t'shirt. And I've been wearing the same pj pants for 3 days.... It happens. But eventually dishes get washed, clothes washed folded and if you are really ambitious put away! And we all survive!

Has your child ever hit their head on the floor and said "shit" because he heard you say it earlier??

Mine has! I have a potty mouth (so does daddy) it's something I try to watch... But when he repeats those words I try not to laugh (so hard to do) and shake my head. He rarely repeats what I say but it happens... And we survive!

Have you ever felt like pulling your hair out?

I have! I've had to put a crying baby down walk away... Take a few deep breaths... Cry.... Then back to being mommy... We've survived.

Mommies are human! If you arenot a mommy, be nice to them... If you are a mommy, be nice to yourself!

Things happen for a reason...just believe.

It's October. It's also infant and pregnancy loss awareness month. I was not sure I'd ever really be able to talk about our struggles and losses. I usually (if I have to) mention it very fast, then on to the next subject. So I'll say it now. Before having Jake we had 3 miscarriages. All in one year. P

In January of 2011 we decided to start trying for another baby. With Sammy the only person who knew we were trying to have a baby was my best friend Robin. With this baby for some reason we told everyone, at least that's what it felt like. It took a couple months but in march of 2011 we found out we were pregnant. I announced it on Facebook and called our families. It was a happy time indeed. It was almost Sammy's first birthday too. There were a lot of happy things going on. About a week after finding out I was pregnant I woke up with awful cramps. Called the doctor and they ordered lab work. Confirmed that we had lost our baby. I was so lost. I didn't know what to do. The doctors up here were no help. A receptionist called to tell me I'd lost my baby I never even saw a nurse. And worst of all I called all my close friends to tell them what had happened. It was then we decided that we would wait to announce a baby if we get pregnant again. We didn't realize how fast it would happen. In April (yes one month later) we were pregnant again.

This one, I thought, had to be my miracle baby. It was my birthday baby. But the same thing that happened with the last pregnancy happened again. Woke up with cramps, blood work, receptionist called with bad news. I remember thinking that I wanted to stop trying because there was no way I could go through this again. I started seeing a family physician who said he would stick with me if I were to get pregnant again. Promised he'd tell me of I lost a baby not a stranger on the phone. I had him put me on a birth control pill. Because I was done. My husband and I did a lot of talking and we knew we didn't want Sammy to be an only child. We wanted another baby. In July we tried again and again we got pregnant and again suffered a horrible loss.

After this loss my doctor sent me to an OB/GYN. They ran loads of tests. Took vials and vials of blood. I had a special ultrasound done to see if there were any abnormalities. After about $2,000 worth of tests ($500 of which wasn't covered by insurance) it was concluded that I am fine and we just have a serious case of "bad luck." We were told to wait 3 months to allow my body to heal and try again. I'll admit I was beaten. And Jesse, I'm sure, was at a loss of what he could do.

I threw myself into school, Sammy, and throwing a bridal shower for my best friend. I tried to keep extremely busy do that the 3 month count down would go faster. It was horrible. The happy ending of the story is we did (finally) get pregnant, and stay pregnant! Jake is the miracle baby. And I am so very thankful for him. But what an awful year I'd love to forget.

I think we are done having babies. I would absolutely die if I had to go through that again. A long time friend of mine sent me an angel that said "things happen for a reason just believe" and as mad as it makes me that something so horrible had to happen I wouldn't have my Jake if it didn't.

I believe that the people who go before us watch over us and I feel better knowing my sons have 3 siblings to watch over them.

Little Jake

Jake's full names is Jacob Duke Rhoades. This name is a long story. I've always had a great obsession with John Wayne "The Duke." after we had Sammy I told my hubby that I thought the name Duke was great and we should save it for our next baby. He agreed. The name was Duke James (after one of my favorite great uncles). Some people liked it most didn't. I was CONSTANTLY told how it sounded like a dogs name. Although this is not a good argument considering I have 2 cats named Jerry and George and I've seen dogs named Sophia. But this is why you should keep names secret until the baby arrives.

My mom was always giving alternate suggestions for names. But we held fast to Duke for a while. We had 3 miscarriages before finally getting pregnant with Jake and each one was going to be Duke if they were a boy.

When we got pregnant with Jake my mother suggested the name Jacob. And I though Fine I'll change the name. She was not the only one feeding me alternate names and everyone I met seemed to comment on it being a dog name. UGH! Well since my inspiration for the name was John Wayne (but I'm not a fan of the name John) I picked Jacob from one of my favorite John Wayne movies. And his middle name was going to be Luke (my Dad's middle name and my grandpa's name). After we found out he was a boy my poor husband asked, very cautiously, why I was crying. I was so in love with the name Duke and was worried I'd regret my whole life not naming him that, but was devastated (give me a break I was pregnant) that no one liked it. So Jesse said we should just make Duke the middle name.

So there you have it, Jacob Duke! It's perfect for him. And that's how Jake became Jake.

Why Sammy is Sammy...

I just read a blog about how a mommy picked out the name of her baby and thought I'd do the same! This one will be about Sammy!
Sammy's full name is Samual Lee Rhoades. When Jesse and I first found out we were going to have a baby we decided we'd pick out both a boy and a girl name. The girl name was quite easy. I'd mentioned how I like when a first and middle name can come together to make a popular first name like Abby Gail or Emma Lee. My husbands middle name is Lee(it is also my father-in-law's and my mother's middle name) so he loved Emma Lee.

I decided to stick with Lee as the middle name for the boy's name as well. And after Jesse vetoed every name I had picked out since I was a little girl, he mentioned that for the last few generations in his family the first born son had an "S" name. And he liked that idea. Thus, my search began.

Surprisingly, there aren't a lot of "s" names. I looked through all kinds of baby name apps and books. So I went to our family tree. I figured if I found a name I liked it would have some meaning behind it. Well I did....Samuel. Lots and lots of Samuels on both sides of the family. And Jesse really liked the name. I of course decided that since we had so many in the family he needed a bit of a change so that he could stand out. So I took it and spelled it a little different. Samual.

We had to battle a few individuals who didn't like the "misspelling" of the name. But they can kiss my fanny. They said that people would constantly be spelling his name wrong. I said that it's better than pronouncing it wrong which wouldn't happen. He's already going to always have to spell out his last name for people. Why not his first, too?

Now we call him Sam or Sammy. I actually don't use a nickname most of the time. I thought I would. I'll be interested to see what nicknames he acquires throughout school and as he becomes an adult. I personally think that Sam Rhoades would make a good name for a lawyer or scientist. :-)

The many hats I wear...

I actually don't wear hats but I do carry many different bags... And it's the same general idea. It's sometimes a tad overwhelming so some of them don't nessicarily get the attention they deserve. That makes me quite sad sometimes. I am a wife, a mom, a student, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Not to mention a cook and a maid,

Since becoming a mom almost two and a half years ago, I have struggled to find a balance between wife and mom. I sometimes treat my husband as though he's another one of my children, and its mostly because, as a stay at home mom, I play mom all day and it's hard to turn it off. Jesse is quite understanding and I do appreciate his presence and conversation. Although I feel sometimes that he'll drive me crazy, I know for a fact I'd go crazy without him.

I'm now a mom of 2. Two BOYS! My everyday is consumed by them. My struggle? Making sure they both get enough attention. The attention they deserve. Jake nurses every few hours, and of course that is always when Sammy decides to tell me he's hungry or needs a diaper change, so he has to wait. Some days it fees like the only attention Sammy gets is when hes getting into trouble. And I'm sure the reason he's causing so much mischief is because he wants more attention. I try to keep my house nice and clean as well. So that is another thing that takes me away. If I don't keep at least the living room clean Sammy trips over the stuff on the floor and hurts himself. I'm working on spending enough time giving both of my boys the time and snuggles they need and deserve.

Did I mention that I'm in my second year of grad school? I feel as though I'm spreading myself too thin adding this to my life. My school work probably doesn't get the attention it deserves. I have weekly readings that, for the most part, don't get read. Skimmed over perhaps, if I'm lucky. I need to start on my proposal for my thesis and choose a committee but that has all taken a spot on the back burner. And the longer I leave it there the worse it will be. In a few weeks I'll need to add teacher to my list of bags that I carry. Oh lord. This load is getting quite heavy...

As a daughter and a sister who lives far away from her family, I do try to stay in touch. We use Facebook, facetime and phone calls. Plus 2 week long trips home a year. God bless FaceTime or i'd feel like a failure in this arena too. I do struggle to make sure I call my mother in law as well. Jesse is not a phone guy so that responsibility falls to me. But that's ok I love talking to my mother In law. It seems as though this is the only area where I have found a good balance.

Most of my friends live far away. So Facebook and phone calls are how we keep in touch. But I don't have a lot of time left after everything else, and when I do... I can't seem to time it right because I rarely get answers. So Facebook is where my friends live. Yet another part of my life I wish I could devote more time and energy to. But there's just nothing left of me. I have made many local acquaintances and one awesome friend. I find it difficult to even find time for them.

I feel bogged down sometimes with all the bags that I carry. They get heavy. In time, I hope, I can find a balance that I'm satisfied with. hopefully I can lighten my load.

On a mission

I have mentioned before how I am on an app called instagram (ig). I describe it as being like twitter with photos. I use it to connect with mom's from all over the united states, and the world actually. I have a few mommy friends from England and even Australia. These ladies have supported me when my family and I were coping with frequent miscarriages, during the time we were trying to conceive, and all through this last pregnancy. Each mommy I have is so different and I learn a lot from them. Through ig I found a very strong support system for breast feeding. I'll be the first to admit that with my first son I was under informed and had no clue what I was doing. Through my 9 months of pregnancy I asked questions and learned from those who were successful, I even learned from those who weren't. I was on a mission to make breast feeding work this time. I did my research and bought an affordable pump. I pump everyday to make sure we h ave a decent stockpile for Jesse to use when I'm in class. We have quite the stash going right now. These first few weeks have been difficult. Figuring out the proper latch. Getting on a schedule. Then realizing that that schedule doesn't mean jack. Loving the fact that I don't have to wash bottles but then realizing that ONLY I can feed him. I've also been learning to breast feed in public. We are still quite new so I use a cover otherwise it would be quite the show. But my goal is to not need that cover anymore. There is no debate that breast milk is best, but my urge to successfully breast feed Jake is more like a mission. I not only CAN do this I WILL do this. And go to school and teach classes and take care of a 2 year old and be a loving wife...... I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

The first 2 weeks

Lord have mercy! I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since Jacob was born. I can remember what the first few weeks were like with Sammy and the experience with Jake could not be more different.
With Sammy, I never slept. I rarely ate. I didn't breast feed because of the added stress, which I could not take anymore of. I remember feeling like I was in a panic the whole time. Totally lost, and out of my element.
With Jacob, I got to sleep, even in the hospital. We have good nights and bad nights, but even on the bad nights I get sleep. I eat 3 meals a day. I make sure I have a snack at night because breast feeding makes me hungry and thirsty. We are doing AMAZING with breast feeding, and with pumping enough so I can go to class. I'm still working on getting chores and things around the house done with 2 little ones, but I'm sure I'll adjust.
I am a much more confident mommy! And I think Jake and even Sammy can sense it.
Tomorrow my mom leaves and we will be on our own as a family of 4. I can't wait to see how we handle this. I haven't really experienced much in the way of the "baby blues" this time around but I think I may feel it more in the coming weeks when I will be spending more time by myself. Stay tuned.

A family of 4!!!!

Well I am no longer pregnant!!!! I'm so happy that this baby is OUT!! I'm a pretty good pregnant lady, but I am an awful "3rd trimester, almost to my due date pregnant lady." This pregnancy was fantastic as far as pregnancies go. No complications! And considering our last year of trying get (and stay) pregnant I am very happy that my pregnancy was uneventful.

Jacob Duke is beautiful! He was born 2 days before his due date! Sammy is an amazing big brother already. He loves Jake. He gives him kisses all the time. It's adorable. The only thing Sammy is not a fan of is our change in bedtime routine. Since Jesse will be waking up and taking care of Sammy at night if he wakes up (so I can wake with Jake) we decided it would be best if Jesse also put him to bed, instead of mommy. It's quite sad but he will get used to it. Mommy still does nap time.

I had my last doctor's appointment on Thursday (Aug. 9th) and I had not progressed much at all since the week before. So the doc was pretty certain that we'd be seeing each other in another week for another appointment. I was soooo bummed. I asked him about size of the baby. He felt my belly and measured it and said " oh he's small. I wouldn't be surprised if he was about 6 or 7lbs when you finally deliver." Jacob was born 9lbs 0.9oz Take that Dr. Trottier!

I went home that day making a mental list of everything I needed to do for the next week. Throughout the day, Sammy and I went about our normal routine. I had a horrible back ache all day but figured hey I'm super duper pregnant why shouldn't my back be hurting. That night I went to bed and Jesse rubbed my back. At 10pm I had a contraction. I really didn't think anything of it because well I'd been having all kinds of contractions. About 20 min later I had another. Then another. I made Jesse get some sleep because they weren't anywhere near time for hospital and I was sure they'd stop soon. But they didn't... They got closer together, and STRONGER! When they were about 5 min aparrt I woke up Jesse, we called the doc then our friend to come over and watchrr Sammy.

We were monitored for a few hours at the hospital and my contractions were regular but I had not dilated at all from when I was checked out in Dr. Trottier's office. So Jesse and I walked the halls to see if we could get things moving. And when I was checked again we had progressed to 3cm so we were admitted! That was at about 5:30 am.

I labored for a few more hours. I was given pitocin to regulate my contractions and get them closer together. I had to get my epidural shortly after. By that time I had been awake for over 24 hours. I was just going to bed for the night when my contractions started so no sleep since the night before. At about 9:30 am they broke my water (4-5cm) and the nurse had me rotating laying on my sides. 45 minutes on each side. By the second turn I was 9.5 cm. then ready to push. It was all very calm. Like I've done it everyday. Until I actually had to push.

I pushed about 30 minutes and Jacob was delivered! The first thing the doctor said was "wow he's a big boy!" they put him on my chest and it was just the sweetest moment! They took him to clean him and weigh him so I sent Jesse over to that side of the room with the camera. It was an amazing day. After all the excitement had died down Jesse left to get big brother, Sammy. And Jacob and I did our recovery process.

Sammy enjoined meeting his baby brother for the first time. It was like he completely understood what had happened. Jesse was a fabulous coach and I really could not have made it without him. My cup is full... My boys!

Jacob Duke
Born: 8-10-12 @ 11:12am
Weight: 9lbs. 0.9oz
Length: 21 inches

Still pregnant, STILL!!!

Well it has started... the contractions that are false alarms, looking up every old wives' tale to induce labor, bouncing on a yoga ball, walking, driving on bumpy roads (none of that works by the way). It's almost as though the first 8 months of pregnancy are the growing part, and the last month is just waiting... And waiting..... And waiting.... And waiting.
Last night I got very emotional that I'd have to leave my oldest when we go to have this baby. I feel so bad that we may have to leave him in the middle of the night. It's so sad. It's exciting that we'd get another great little boy. And Sammy won't remember how scared he was when mommy and daddy were gone but I worry.
If we have no baby by Thursday (I doubt we will) I have another doctor's appointment and he said we may discuss induction then. The end is near! The end is near!

20 Chore Tuesday

I have been working on organizing my house to get ready for baby number 2. While doing this I have enlisted the help of many devices. I have an earlier blog on my dry erase boards. Which have been SUPER helpful. We cut our weekly grocery bill by at least $40 by making a menu. And we also got a Sam's Club membership which has cut the bill even more. I've been working on making a recipe book, if anyone has any good ideas for that I'd love to hear them.

And because being a mommy is so crazy and hectic we use a dry erase calendar to mark when bills are due. I'd like to get a box or basket to keep monthly bills in.

Another tool I use to stay on track is an app called Cozi. It is PERFECT for listing all I have to do in a day. I even like putting things on it like make lunch and nap time. I am a regular on the app called instagram ( or IG), and Tuesday's are 20 chore Tuesday. You can read more about it here. I don't always come up with a full 20 chores but I try to get a good deal done on Tuesday! Why Tuesday? I say, Why NOT Tuesday?!? I also like to post before and after picture on my IG account so that my friends can keep me motivated. It's also kinda nice to see the difference I've made.

 This is my chore list for today that I made on My cozi app! 

Tickity-tock

Tick tock, tick tock! As D-day gets closer and closer I have been busy busy busy! We have pretty much everything we need, except a few odds and ends. I need to buy my breast pump and I want to buy new bottles (actually I have the bottles but I need the nipple parts). I have everything I'llneed for when school starts (except books). I need to check with my instructors to see if I'll need them right away or not. But I am registered and supplies are bought and in a bag ready to go.. I have started some organization for the classes that I will teach later in the semester. So I can somewhat relax about that.

I REALLY want this "little" guy out!  HE has dropped. I am waddling. It’s uncomfortable so let’s get this show on the road. I am very happy that my friend Karyn is available to help us with Sammy when ever the time comes for baby to come.  

I've also started packing my hospital bag. I don’t have everything in there, like camera and chargers and some of my clothes, but that is because we are still using some that stuff. But we have a coming home outfit for jake i have some comfy clothes to wear after delivery. I have travel shampoo and soap and all of that ready to go too. I need to pack a few things for Jesse so that he has a change of shirt and stuff for if he can stay with me. And I need to pack a little bag for Sammy as well. With diapers, pjs, and some play clothes. Wow after seeing it written down it makes me feel like I have NOTHING done. Ahhhh! I need HELP!!!!!!!! I am doing all this today. I am starting to get very nervous that it’s almost time for baby Jake, and I’m so far behind. I keep trying to keep my house clean but with a 2 year old that is impossible.

I cannot get the urge to craft out of me! It's almost maddening. Most recently I made some burp cloths. I have an awesome idea for Christmas presents! So I'll be working on that next. I have to keep busy or I'll go out of my mind. I also find that the more tired I am come bed time the better I sleep. Except for the 3,000 times a night I get up to pee.

No pictures for this blog except an awesome comparison picture of my belly. These photos are about 4 days apart, and look how much he's dropped.

The Nesting Continues!

With a month left of my pregnancy its time to get cracking (Not that I haven’t already been going). CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? ONE MONTH!!!!! I finally bought a package of diapers…Until you are pregnant you don’t realize how much of a relief that is. I now have diapers ready for when we get home. I have the bassinette set up in our room. I washed the cover for the car seat. So now we can bring home baby AND he has a place to sleep.  I have baskets for organizing the things that have to be in our room for Jake (diapers, wipes, Burp cloths, bibs, extra night gowns). We are using a 3 drawer organizer for Jake’s clothes. I revamped it a little bit.

Some of my other DIY projects have been to cover and line boxes for storage. I made one for Sammy’s room for his books, and I made one for our room for Jake. Not sure yet what I’ll use it for but I have it for when I need it. They used to be old Luvs diaper boxes. Cute aren’t they! I found the idea on pinterest.

I have also cleaned out all the closets in the apartment. They are by no means empty, but they are clearer and more organized. I still need to get the master bedroom more organized, it seems to get messy very fast and I want to avoid that if I can when the baby comes.

Is it just me or does anyone else’s kitchen table ALWAYS cluttered! I can’t seem to keep the junk off of it! It drives me nuts. If anyone has any Ideas for that I’d love to hear them!

I think my next mission will be to go through some of my books and give them to the used book store in town. So I have a bit more room for new stuff on the shelf. And I have a box of clothes and a bag of shoes to donate to the Salvation Army.

Here are some growing bump pictures!

Take that Martha Stewart!

So I've done some more crafting. This baby has got everyone in a very DIY mood. My latest project was a mobile for his crib. I had on picked out that would match his bedding but it was $45! And I'm rather thrifty (cheep) so I wasn't about to pay that! We have a mobile from when Sammy was a baby but the colors just didn't go... But I tout if I made my own hanginng characters then I could reuse his old mobile. So this is what I did...

I picked out my characters. I chose to stick with a blue and brown color theme and I picked out wild animals to make. A giraffe, lion, elephant, and a turtle. Using Google images I googled "Giraffe outline" or "giraffe outline template." I did this with all the animals. The hardest part was getting them to be all about the same size. I printed out each template then cut them out.

i cut out the shapes out of felt. Then using the opposite color felt I cut out things like spots and eyes and ears. I used fabric glue to attach everything but to tell you the truth it didn't work at all. Which is why I hand stitched around the edges. A hot glue gun would work MUCH better. And when I find mine I am going to go back and make sure all the spots, ears and eyes and such are secure.

I stuffed them all with this filler that you can get at Walmart but this was WAY more than I needed. I would recommend cotton balls (our Walmart was out, COMPLETELY out of cotton balls) because it's cheaper and less waste. I may have to make something else just so I can use up this filler... A pillow maybe?

 And I picked this cute inexpensive (47 cents) ribbon to attach each character to the mobile. In light blue, of course, to match. I have a lot of it left too!

Like I said before the fabric glue didn't work well with the felt so I hand stitched the edges (which turned out really cute). Stuffed with the filler and hung on the mobile. I only spent $6.50 because I already had thread and fabric glue (and hot glue when I find it). Way better, I think, than $45.

I bought 6 pieces (8x10) of felt- 3 of each color (i ended up with one untouched sheet of each color left over)= 27cents each
Ribbon= 47cents
Filler= $3.50 ish

My brother-in-law made wooden letters for the wall to spell out Jacob's name. And his wife painted them light blue with brown polka dots!