My Christmas Miracle

So you might or might not know by now that I was in the hospital last week delivering my 4th child 7 weeks early.  It was a roller coaster of a day starting with trying to get the 3 kids out the door to school while the big guy was in Texas at a business meeting.

Needless to say, once my water broke and I realized the baby was really on his/her way I went into survival mode.  Called my mom to take me to the hospital, my mother-in-law to watch the kids and my husband (who I had to convince that I was NOT joking and he needed to get on a plane and come home).

Once all the calls were made, I packed my bag, cleaned the house ~ my mother-in-law was coming over.....I didn't want it to be a disaster area when she got here....I leave that kind of mess for my mom (:

Bryn Emily Leader arrived later that day.  She weighs 4 lbs. 13 ounces and is 16.5 inches long.  She was immediately escorted to the NICU to get help breathing and I anxiously awaited the big guys arrival.  (Sad to say he missed her birth but fought horrible traffic and flight delays to get there ~ I felt so bad for him once he arrived more than 12 hours later).

I knew she was little, I knew she needed help breathing, I knew I needed to wait to see the big guy before I got myself crazy...and so I waited.  As soon as he got to the hospital I sent him in to see Bryn.  I knew I would know by the look on his face when he got back if she was OK or not.  As soon as he came back, I knew everything was going to be OK. 

I am thrilled to say, she is doing very well.  It is going to take her some time to get her lungs together and learn how to regulate her temperature and learn how to eat, but what a wonderful Christmas gift.

This morning I woke up at 4AM so I could get to the NICU to spend some time with Bryn.  There was a post it note on the front door telling me to look under the tree.  There were 2 small boxes: 1 with my name and 1 with Bryn's.  Each box contained a small charmed necklace with Bryn's name and mine with Mom.  The note in the box read ~ To the love of my life and my Christmas Miracle.

My husband had contacted my girlfriend Layne Freedline of Layne Designs right after Bryn was born.  He wanted to get Bryn a necklace to match her sisters. Layne (she is just incredible), was able to make the necklace and ship it so the big guy could put it under the tree in time for Christmas.  She even included a Mom necklace for me.

I'm filled up just writing this blog post.  We have a long road ahead and a lot of waiting to do before we can bring little Bryn home...but I could not have asked for anything more this Christmas.  I have an amazing husband who is already making sure his little girl is taken care of, an amazing family that has pulled together to help us with my other 3 children, and a wonderful friend who jumped thru hoops to make sure my little girl has something under the tree on her first Christmas.  This is what Christmas is all about!

Run Run as fast as you can.....

.....you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man.

This has nothing to do with stitching but as soon as I saw this shot I knew I had to blog about it.  I mean how fabulously  funny is this?  From the terror on the Gingerbread Man's face to the little kids fingers reaching out to devour the cookie.  

What a fun shot and puts me in the mood to make some Gingerbread cookies myself.  I found this one and since it has 4 stars, I am thinking of giving it a try.  We'll see how it turns out.

MKC Photography is the genius behind this shot and Winter Stars below.  I love the story behind Winter Stars ~ you can read it HERE .

4 Hour Gifts

The holiday season is almost over and the countdown has begun for last minute gift ideas.  Still dont' know what to make for that crafty person in your life?  The BagSmith has the answer!

 

Here's a FABULOUS cable and ribbed shawl that will keep your BFF warm and fashionable thru the rest of the winter months.  This project can be completed in less than 4 hours.

Don't have 4 hours to spend?  How bout 2 hours?  This fun and funky hat and scarf combo can be easily stitched in less than 2 hours and with unlimited yarn choices it is the perfect personalized handmade gift this year.

To find more project ideas check out The BagSmith website HERE