bouffe e bambini: December 2010

Ginger's Birth Story

I was two days past my due date when I went into labor. It's hard to say wheather or not "I knew" I was going into labor that day or not but it certainly seemed that way. When your waiting for a baby to arrive the nesting instinct really becomes profound. In the days leading up to Ginger's birth I had cooked a few meals, baked brownies and cleaned everything in sight several times over. I spent most of the day I went into labor tending to my sick little Milton but did manage to take 2 showers and go to the grocery store just in case I went into labor.Pregnant woman are so odd. The circumstances surrounding the night I went into labor were anything but ideal and I think that's why I was fairly sure that was going to be the night. That morning little Milton woke up with 102.5 fever. It was the first high fever he'd ever had. My mom, who was also little Milton's on call caretaker when I went into labor, also woke up sick that day. My husband, who is a working musician, had a gig an hour and a half away that night. Most of you probably don't know this but we are a one car family so that meant I was at home alone with no car and to top it off there was a snow storm coming. I knew there was a chance that I would go into labor while my husband was out of town playing his gig and that I would have to take a taxi to the hospital but I assured him it would be okay and sent him on his way. Oh and I forgot to mention it was a full moon! He got home from his gig, crawled into bed and 15 minuets later I woke him with my first contraction. I am so grateful she waited for her daddy to come home because had I gone into labor a couple hours before, he likely would have missed her birth. It was a very close call. I am so pleased to report that I was able to have 100% natural childbirth with Ginger which I was really, really hoping for and not only that but she was born just 2 hours and 16 minuets from my very first contraction. I only pushed twice. Isn't that amazing? In fact she came so fast she missed the doctor who was in route to the hospital when Ginger was born so the wonderful nurses delivered her which suits me just fine. I am a nurse and really respect our profession. They did a great job. I thought the labor pains hurt just as bad as my first labor but I was much more prepared to deal with it this time around. The body is so amazing. I am in awe at how it knew exactly what to do this time around. I was in labor with Milton for 17 hours and Ginger for 2 hours. WOW! Amazing!!! I went into labor at 1am, Ginger was born at 3:16am and we were home by 4pm that same day. We only spent a total of 12 hours at the hospital which was perfect for me. I couldn't wait to get home to see little Milton. I didn't even miss a single bedtime! Perfect! So far Ginger is a lovely baby. She is very sweet and easy. She has a wide array of adorable coos and squeaks that she entertains us with. We are definitely still adjusting to being a family of four but I couldn't be happier or feel more blessed ot have two beautiful, healthy children and a wonderful, loving husband. I am truly blessed and grateful. Here's a cute photo of her at just 2 days old and wide awake. I will try to get some more photos over the next week and post them soon.

Handmade Gift Guide

Every Sunday I like to post a gift guide that showcases my amazing sponsors and the beauty they create.
The next time you have a gift to buy I hope you will consider buying handmade!!! I adore this vintage jeweled bobby pin from Hand Made and Lovely

This adorable tea pot necklace from Jewelry 4 Change

These gorgeous heart and ruby earrings from Annali's jewelry. Perfect Valentine's Day gift

This super snuggy knit cowl from Happiknits

This adorable tunic from lil blue boo's new spring line. Be sure to check it out soon. This stuff sells out fast.

These amazing apple pops from Nicole's Homemade Treats

This tiny star ring from Cherry Creek Designs

This adorable tutu from Up To My Knees In Crafts

This gorgeous "Liz" bag from beso handbags

These adorable baby shoes from KathyDee's Cozy Toes

This beautiful puzzle from The Puzzled One

This adorable matching onesie/legwarmer set from B:Mod Designs

This adorable pacifier clip from lillybelle Designs

This adorable bonnet from Creative Dragonfly

I'm back.......

First of all I would like to thank you all so much for all your warm sentiment and wonderful heartfelt comments on the arrival of our precious Ginger. I fee so blessed to have so many warm, wonderful prayers and thoughts coming my way. Thank you!!!I would also like to take a moment to thank my lovely friend Jessica from {civetta} for not only announcing the arrival of Ginger but also for her lovely guest posts.I just wanted to pop in and give you all a quick update on our new family of four. I will be posting Ginger's birth story as soon as I have the time to write it up. I am currenty typing one handed:) I'll also try to get some pictures of Ginger posted too if I can manage to find s moment to take a few. So far it's all been one big whirlwind. We came home from the hospital shortly after she was born so we could share the joy with Little Milton. He loves her and so far has reallt enjoyed admiring her tiny features and pointing them out to everyone.I must admit I am struggling with the transition a bit. Before Ginger's arrival, little Milton was my ENTIRE world!!! So, I am of course loving getting to know little Ginger, but I am also really missing all my alone time with Milton. Being only 14 months old himself he is still a baby too. Obviously I knew having them so close would be challenging buy didn't know I would feel such a hard tug at my heart strings. I also just wanted to mention that the first few months I am really going to concentrate on making time for BOTH my kiddoes and this means that I will have to put the blog on the back burner a little bit. I L*O*V*E my blog so much and adore this community and I will certainly still be here but it just may mean I only post every other day or every third day instead of everyday. Before now I was VERY dilligent about posting everyday but with the arrival of Ginger I have decided my family really needs all the extra time I can give.That's it for now. I promise I will post Ginger's birth story and more pictures of the little beauty as time permits. I also wanted to mention that I have some absolutely A*M*A*Z*I*N*G gi veaways posting over the next few weeks from some of my most treasured shops. So you will have plenty of handmade goodies coming your way as always!!!! Thank you again for all the loving support!!! Hanna

Cute Finds

Hi friends! It's Jessica again, trying to entertain y'all while Hanna spends some quality time with her sweet Ginger Grace. If you read my blog, you may know that I don't have kids, BUT I have been a nanny and a pre-school teacher for years and adore children. So I thought I'd post a few things I've come across recently that I would snap up in a heartbeat, if {when} I have my own little bundles! This is a letterpress poster, a collaboration between father and son. So beautiful for a nursery or playroom! Studio on Fire.

In the "In my size, please", category, these flats from Crewcuts.

I know Hanna loves her Etsy, so I wanted to include one of my favorite sellers- Miniature Rhino. I love all their stuff, but I think these Zodiac constellation embroidery would make a GREAT baby gift.

You gotta love affordable cuteness! A collaboration between LA based boutique Splendid Littles and Target. I was there the other day and they are SUPER soft and adorable.

And lastly, my picks from good 'ol Gap Kids.

Ginger's First Portrait

Here she is!

She Has Arrived!

Hello dear readers, it's Jessica from Civetta and it is with great delight that I announce the arrival of Ginger Grace3:16 a.m.7lbs 8oz20 1/2 inches

Hanna and Ginger are both doing fantastic, and by all accounts, the labor went very quickly! I will be back with another post soon, but I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, by one of my favorite authors. "She discovered with great delight that one does not love one's children just because they are one's children but because of the friendship formed while raising them." Gabriel Garcia Marquez

DyNamo GIVEAWAY (NOW CLOSED)

As you all may remember last month I had the pleasure of introducing you all to the lovely handmade boutique DyNamo. Shop owner's Dana and Melissa offer some G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S handmade accessories that are perfectly boho chic and I love, love, love them!!!! Well, I have some amazing news for you, Dana and Melissa have so kindly offered to sponsor a giveaway right here on Bouffe e Bambini!! Thats' right, one of you lucky ducks is getting the chance to win ANY hair accessory OR ANY pair of earrings in the shop!!! Here's a few of the gorgeous hair pieces you could win.

AND here's a *peek* at a few of the gorgeous feather boho earrings you could win.........L*O*V*E.......L*O*V*E...........L*O*V*E these

BUY IT.................Head on over to DyNamo and shop till you drop.

WIN IT........ENTER TO WIN THIS GIVEAWAY........RULES TO ENTER:

THE PRIZE: Any hair accessory OR any pair of earrings in the shop!!! OPEN USA/Canada ONLY!

MANDATORY ENTRY. Go visit DyNamo and tell me what your favorite item in the shop is.

WANT MORE CHANCES TO WIN? for addition entries:

1. Become a fan of DyNamo on {FACEBOOK} and leave them a comment so they know you stopped by
2.Become a follower of DyNamo on {TWITTER}

3.Become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect

4. Become a follower of bouffe e bambini on {TWITTER}

5. Become a fan of bouffe e bambini on {FACEBOOK}

6. Tweet, blog or facebook about this giveaway

6. Purchase something from DyNamo and comment back here afterwards. (good for 3 entries, leave 3 comments)

You MUST be 18 years or older to enter

Giveaway OPEN USA and Canada ONLY!!!

You MUST leave separate comments for each entry and please leave don't forget to leave your email address

Giveaway will be open until February 2nd at midnight

One winner will be chosen at random using random.org and contacted by me via email

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

If you like this giveaway....PLEASE come check out my others.......ALL my GIVEAWAYS are handmade and gorgeous

40 Weeks

How far along? 40 weeks. Today is officially my due date.

Baby’s Size: Over 7 pounds

Bellybutton: Still in

Stretchmarks: I think I found a few new ones this week:(

Maternity Clothes: I hardly even fit in those anymore.

Gender: Little baby girl! My sweet Ginger!

Movement: YES!!! She's huge. I'm surprised she can still fit in there!

Sleep: Of course not!

Symptoms: I've been sick this past week but am so grateful that I did not go into labor while I was at the peak of my sickness. I don't even want to try to image how painful that would be. I also had a little trip to the hospital this week because Ginger's heart rate got a little elevated due to dehydration on myt part. So, this week has been a little trying. I am feeling much better now and am ready for her arrival anytime. I even managed to whip up a batch of brownies from scratch and they are AMAZING. I'll post the recipe soon:)

Food Aversions: Nah

Food Cravings: fresh fruit.....I think my appetite is waining the closer and closer I get

Best Moments this week: Sweet quality time with my little Milton!!

What I miss: Oh a little of everything, my lung capacity, my body, my husband

What I am Looking forward to: Being finished with the labor and being able to hold that little sweet girl in my arms.

Milestones: At last week's doctor's appointment I was 2 centimeters dilated and 70% effaced. That was 5 days ago so I'm sure I'm 3 centimeters by now! It's not really any day now, it's more like any minuet now. I'll keep y'all posted and be sure to look for Jessica from {CIVETTA}. She will be guest blogging for me as soon as I go into labor:)

Please take minuet to have a *PEEK* at my all handmade GIVEAWAYS.

PETUNIAS' Owlet Pillow GIVEAWAY {{NOW CLOSED}

I have a lovely handmade shop to introduce to you today!!! Meet PETUNIAS'At PETUNIAS' you will find all kind of adorable handmade things like reusable snack bags, bibs, adorable pillows, blankets, key fobs and paci clips. You can even get things personalized with monograming.Here's a little *PEEK* at some of the things you'll find at PETUNIAS'

Shop owner Kelly was so generous and sent me one of her adorable owlet pillows for my Ginger's nursery AND she has offered to give you one too!!! ****G*I*V*E*A*W*A*Y******* She is giving one of you lucky readers the chance to win this adorable little owlet pillow!!! Look how cute your prize is!!!

BUY IT.................Head on over to PETUNIAS' and start shopping!!

WIN IT........ENTER TO WIN THIS GIVEAWAY........RULES TO ENTER:

THE PRIZE: The adorable owlet pillow as pictured above. OPEN WORLDWIDE!!

MANDATORY ENTRY. Go visit PETUNIAS' and tell me which item in her shop is your favorite.

WANT MORE CHANCES TO WIN? for addition entries:

1. Become a fan of PETUNIAS' on facebook and leave her a comment so she knows you stopped by

2.Become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect

3. Become a follower of bouffe e bambini on twitter

4. Become a fan of bouffe e bambini on facebook

5. Tweet, blog or post to facebook this post

6. Purchase something from PETUNIAS' and comment back here afterwards. (good for 3 entries, leave 3 comments)

You MUST be 18 years or older to enter

Giveaway OPEN WORLDWIDE!!!

You MUST leave separate comments for each entry and please leave don't forget to leave your email address

Giveaway will be open until January 31st at midnight

One winner will be chosen at random using random.org and contacted by me via email

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

If you like this giveaway....PLEASE come check out my others.......ALL my GIVEAWAYS are handmade and gorgeous

Handmade Gift Guide

Good Morning and Happy Weekend Lovelies!!!Here is another gift guide that I whipped up to help promote my love of handmade!! These are all things that I would L*O*V*E to own myself!!! The next time you have a gift to buy yourslef or a loved one I hope you will consider buying handmade!!! Here's what I want........This adorable smocked romper from Up To My Knees In Crafts