myWaterProject - Kellene Maynard's Fundraising Page

myWaterProject - Kellene Maynard's Fundraising Page

In honor of our son Leo, we are fundraising to build a well in Kenya! If you'd like to help be part of an amazing mission, check this out!

Miracle in a Box | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

This being my 3rd pregnancy, my BIGGEST fear is holding onto 20-30lbs of baby weight. I mean, at 27 things aren't what they used to be. I have friends who mystified me by being able to wear pre-pregnancy pants within 2-3 weeks of birthing their kiddos. WTF! I mean, where is the "fat-mom" camaraderie  I dreamed about... I mean for at least the first 8 weeks for sure! Well, no luck with that one to say the least. I am one of those blessed lucky moms who got to experience the joys of being cut open on an operating table with a fairly good amount of drugs pulsating through my veins. Yes, the drugs were FANTASTIC, but the 12 week healing time on those incisions is no laughing matter! By the time those 12 weeks were up I had NO motivation to rock a bikini... probably because I was leaking through my shirt and excited to get a shower! Now, some of you are going "Awe, don't you want to try for a VBAC?" The answer is NO F#$%ING WAY! Um, PS, trauma to my lady parts is the LAST thing I want to be dealing with while nursing a new baby on 1 hour of sleep while making mac and cheese for my four year old and folding 18 loads of laundry. Let's just say that if not being ripped asunder makes me less of a woman, I DON'T CARE! 


So back to this fear of being fat  robust... I am in a pickle! How the heck can I skinny down (Or convince myself that I am doing all I can to skinny down) after baby #3 is born??? Well have no fear!! INSERT angel's singing and rainbows laced with butterflies HERE! 


Exhibit A

Belly Bandit

Now, supposedly, this sexy number (and by that I am referring to the waist whittling band around her wait and NOT the porn star-esk looking model) is going to make my wildest dreams come true! It sure would be fantastic for this magical contraption to work as well as everyone claims, but I am skeptical. My plan is simple, buy the dang thing, wear the crap out of it, take weekly progress images and pray for a miracle. Hey who knows, by the end of October I might I have found the fountain of youth weight loss and will be wrapping my entire body in these! 

You never know... it could be as simple as that!

Baby Projects | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

This pregnancy, I have a list of projects the size of a small library. We have been blessed with purchasing a new home about 25 minutes away, and though I couldn't be happier about the increase in space (3000 sq ft) and new scenery, packing is not my cup of tea. The house doesn't close escrow until June 21st, so luckily I still have time to completely trash my current 1300 sq foot home while attempting to pack and get ready to move. 

Needless to say, I have not been able to even think about nesting, since we won't be living in this house anyways. So, entering exhibit A... baby projects. With Nevaeh, I was equally enthusiastic about projects, but ditched them early on. With this kiddo, I, for some reason, have found my creative spunk once again. From custom designing my own crib bedding, to hand appliqueing a baby quilt, to sewing custom cradle bedding for the cradle I refinished, I have a plethora of serious projects all calling my name. 

crib bumper design

On top of all this, Nevaeh has decided to ditch her incredible Paris themed bedroom design and is insisting on a pink butterfly room. Though this makes me gag just a little, I suppose she is only 4 once right? So, in my crazy fashion, I've purchased an array of girlie fabrics and butterfly notions in order to create a butterfly sanctuary that I can actually enjoy as well. Here are some of the ideas I have in mind for her room....

debating about these quilts for Nevaeh's bunk beds.... SO STINKING CUTE!

 But this design is really cute too!

Fell in love with these instantly! Heck, I want some for my room!

these awesome ottomans are sure to be a hit!

Moda never disappoints when is comes to their cute fabric collections!

  As I've been exploring options for Miss Nevaeh's room, I came across this and I almost died! My heart is literally going pitter patter!

OMG!

Stinking CUTE right??? Okay so I might have to make a regular curtain version of this for her window.... Oh My Stinking Heck it is cute! What little girl wouldn't love that? 

That's a lot of sewing right? Well, details if you ask me! The house we are moving to is basically our dream house, so perfection is only fitting if ya' know what I mean. Hubby laughs at my new obsession with fabric, but likes all what he sees so far. He's even gotten in on the game and is helping me with baby Enzo's room (that's the new baby who is arriving in October for those of you who haven't heard).

Of course I am all about a "non-theme, theme"... kind of like my "non-plan, plans"... But Hubby, yet again, has to mix things up a bit by choosing this masterpiece to grace Enzo's walls...

So much for a non-theme ehhh? UGH, so yes, this clock DID make me LOL for real, but still, I hope it doesn't turn into a dinosaur monstrosity of a room. Here are a few of the fabrics I picked for the little man's room..

I'm pretty dang happy so far with what I've designed. I found this pattern on the Amy Butler website and modified it to create a crib bumper. For some incredible free patterns, check out: http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/free_patterns.php and http://www.modabakeshop.com/p/recipes.html

I'm still trying to decide on a quilt for Enzo's crib. I am currently making a version of this quilt design in Eric Carle fabrics (I found the pattern on Etsy) just as an every day play quilt.

To say I have a lot of projects in the works would be a serious understatement, but I don't mind. I am super excited about them all, and more importantly, they are helping to keep my mind occupied during these next critical weeks of our pregnancy. I am just thankful I found something to throw myself into that is actually productive :-). Let's hope the next time you hear from me I haven't gone over the deep-end hoarding fabric or anything weird like that!

It's a BOY!!! | Rating, Laughing, Crying

We had our first high-risk ultra sound this past week and found out we are expecting a baby BOY! WOOHOO! Hubby and I are STILL were shocked! Just about everyone we spoke to predicted that this baby would be a girl, but low and behold.... he is DEFINITELY a boy!! 

So hubby and I were tasked with choosing a name for this new addition to our family party. Choosing names is tough for us, as our taste in most things are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. You can imagine the list of names H wanted in the running. For instance... He REALLY liked Ryker.... as in the Star Trek guy? UMMMMM I DON'T THINK SO! Scottson.... please please please can we live this one down already?? And of course, Nevaeh had to get in on the action too, picking Raleigh (which I actually like but hubby doesn't). 


We were in a good spot with 3 names in the running: Raleigh, Rylan, and Ryker. I was CONVINCED I would be taking a son home from the hospital sporting Star Trek gear, because honestly, that is just how my life is 99.9% of the time. But then, to my utter shock and surprise, Hubby calls me from work the next day and goes, "So, I'm really liking Enzo!" SAY WHAT? HOLD THE PHONE..... Did you just admit to liking a name that I picked? Lord, write this day down in history and PS can we make it official already so there is no going back?


So, despite Nevaeh screaming and crying reluctantly giving up her FAVORITE name Raleigh, we have finally decided on:


Enzo Anthony Maynard


I'm thrilled that our little man is gonna' have such a killer name and that he will have his brother Leo's middle name as well. These are bittersweet times in our world remembering our little one in heaven and being excited for baby Enzo to arrive in October. 


Enzo is way cool right? I mean, considering my family dates back to mafia on both sicilian sides, I certainly couldn't have gone with something less "cannoli friendly." For those of you who know my father, you understand what I mean. I am sure we will be hearing some rude, disappointed, angry interesting commentary about our choice of Enzo, but I think I am at the point where I will tell them to SUCK IT  thanks for your input. It is now one of my life goals to piss off as many people as I can with baby names, and frankly, I'm getting rather awesome at it! 


I just hope Enzo likes his name as much as I do! Thank goodness I got my way and let my italian/sicilian heritage run rampant yet again. :-) 

It's how much????? | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

Ahhhh, the joys of expecting a new baby. Pondering nursery design, picking out tiny layette, and folding precious little socks and hats are just the tip of the ice-burg when it comes to fun baby preparation. Who doesn't love "ooooooo-ing" and "aahhh-ing" over some of the cutest stuff you'll ever see? Am I right or what? 


As my next ultra sound quickly approaches... 2 weeks from this morning; not that I'm counting or anything... I am pondering nursery designs in my head. Needless to say, I am a pathological dedicated designer. I planned about 8 different weddings in my head when I first got engaged, and though that might seem excessive, it wasn't NEARLY ENOUGH! I just get so wrapped up in details and fun design elements that I have serious trouble committing to one design. After our wedding in 2005, I suffered from "acute wedding fall-out" ... yes this is an ACTUAL thing! I nearly lost my mind not having a project to plan, decor to pick out, or details to obsess over. It took me months and months to regain normalcy.


Then I got pregnant in 2006 and the fun planning began again. I pined and pondered the "ultimate nursery", which ate up most of my 9 month journey into motherhood. Luckily I didn't suffer from "acute nursery fall-out", probably because I had an infant strapped to my boobs for the next 12 months and sleep was something I would have paid for.


So here I am, baby #3 and it is time to plan the next nursery. Decisions, decisions, decisions..... It is SO hard for me to choose which direction to go in this time. Things I need to remember this time around: 


A) really should find out the gender of the baby BEFORE I spend countless hours obsessing exploring nursery options 
B) Set a budget.... cuz' ummmmm DUH 
C) Take a deep breath and ACTUALLY COMMIT TO A DESIGN


Okay so yes, these things are common sense, but I seem to refuse struggle with these 3 KEY ideas that are the basis to any successful design project. Already I am in over my head. Why you ask? Hmmm, well let's just say that my "google machine" is on overload with the amounts of crib bedding, wall decor, and paint options it's been researching. To top it off... the average price of the bedding sets I'm falling in love with debating over are $350! Note to self, MY OWN BEDDING DIDN'T COST THAT MUCH! 


As I sit here, attempting to reason with myself, I have to wonder why.... WHY oh WHY do I ALWAYS pick the MOST expensive goodies? I mean, is it a learned behavior? I could walk into a store with no price tags showing and STILL manage to pick the MOST EXPENSIVE item! UGH! 


Here are a few of the "lovelies" I've fallen for:

$585

$340

$395

$340.00

So yea... I think I better head back to the drawing board and re-think my incredible ideas.... or at least until I actually know the gender of the baby. Who knew baby planning was such a tough predicament! 

Hand-Pieced Quilts | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

This pregnancy has been stressful due to the obvious circumstances regarding my last pregnancy and of course the joys that every pregnancy brings, it was inevitable that this adventure would be long and arduous. Everything from panic attacks to heartburn has encumbered me and my sanity has been on the brink of wearing a white straight jacket and taking a break in a padded room. 


I knew I would need something to keep my mind occupied during the next 48  9 months. My daughter LOVES making crafts. I mean LOVES. Here is what our crafting menagerie looks like; well way messier than this LOL

So, I started with crafting with my 4 year old. It was a hobby I took up after we lost our son Leo. For some reason glueing, cutting, and glittering everything in sight was therapeutic. From sequined covered paper butterflies, to wedding ring collages, we covered every inch of our home in crafts. 

Well, mommy is a good sport, but FYI, I am SO SICK OF GLITTER! UGH! I knew as soon as I got pregnant that I would need a new hobby and fast. Funny right, considering my livelihood is photography {ummm you still need another hobby??} Don't ask. I love photography, but I need something more therapeutic to calm my nerves. 

So, I started looking back at my past trying to find hobbies I loved. I came across my old sewing box from junior high and high school. TADA! Chalk full of embroidery samplers. WOOHOO I think I might have found my answer. So I began to start my 80th embroidery sampler {and no, I have no use for them whatsoever} After a few weeks of that, I found that sewing by hand really does have a calming effect on me, but I was bored with embroidery for the most part. So, I decided to venture into uncharted waters and teach myself hand-pieced appliqué quilting.

I own a sewing machine, and could easily bust out a quilt in a few days, but the point of these projects is to keep my mind on the task and not on obsessing over things I can't control. In my true style, I went out and spent a small fortune on everything I need to make a masterpiece.

I am a week into my first project and LOVING IT! Everything is sewn by hand and ironically it is the most therapeutic activity I have found to date! I have already scoured the library for quilt pattern books and have a laundry list of projects I'd like to begin. Luckily, these handmade masterpieces take forever, so all I need to do is choose, buy the materials, and STICK WITH IT. 

Yes, of course I know I am 27  and already taking up quilting? {cricket cricket} But I am an old soul, and after everything I've been through, I'm not afraid to give in to comforts from time gone by. 

So here's to quilting, here's to no more cleaning up spilt glitter on my wood floors, and hello to handicrafts. :-)

Menu Planning | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

My 2010 New Years Resolution was to start menu planning at least 2 weeks at a time. HA! RIGHT..... menu planning...... I'll get right on that train. So, yes, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time reading blogs like simplemom.net on how to properly and successfully menu plan. To be honest, I was hooked, ready, motivated.... and I got as far as writing 2 days worth of menus in a notebook. Huh, why am I not following through? Maybe it is because my boring blue notebook isn't screaming "fun menu planning", so alas, I gave in and purchased a fun and sassy notebook, knowing that this is all I would need to be successful. Let's just say, I got to 3 days worth of magic menus before throwing my pen down and reverting to staring into the abyss of my pantry searching for the perfect thing to make for dinner. 

Fast-forward to this evening, April 12, 2011, and still no menu plan, UGH. I call my best friend and plead with her "WHAT THE FRENCH TOAST am I gonna' make for  dinner?" She laughs and says I don't know. Ah, back to square one. I reluctantly find a plethora of ingredients and craft a dinner anyone one would be proud of, but only after wasting 4 hours of my life contemplating what to make. There must be a better way....


That is when my prayers are answered {insert angels singing here} I was perusing online recipes when I stumbled upon Allrecipes.com menu planner! OMG it only took me HOW LONG to find the ultimate menu planning tool on the planet! WOOHOO! As someone who already stores personal recipes online, this has got to be the easiest transition EVER. 


So yes, I have spent the last 2 hours entering recipes into my new profile. But, it is SO WORTH IT! All I have to do is click on: new menu, select my recipes I want to make for the week, and voile!! my menu is planned perfectly and my grocery list is ready for me to take to the store! How can it get easier than that? Oh and the other top selling point? $22.95 for a 2 year subscription. Sign me up baby!


I really think I hit the jackpot on this one, and I pray that starting next week, my hours pondering meals will be zilch!