Introducing J. Lea Designs....

I am proud to to announce the opening of my online shop at Etsy.  I began pondering the idea of what I could do to help support our family soon after I found out I was pregnant with baby number two.  It wasn't until after our Sweet baby girl was born, that an idea sprouted out of trying to make do with what we had.

I had to try and figure out how to reuse my burp clothes from my son Jackson who had severe reflux.  Those of you that know us, know when I say severe I am not joking.  So most of them had a few stains and others were almost not salvagable.   So, I got the idea to use fabric to cover at least one side of my burp clothes, from a gift that was given.  This at least made one side for the cloth clean and also trendy.   This was absolutely a fun idea especially when I new I was having a girl.

       My darling daughter brought about another idea that I have in my shop as well.  We all know that there are some super cute receiving blankets on the market, however even I who is a mom of two preemie babies, think they are way to small.  Avenlea was a pretty cranky child for the first three to five months of her life.  We won't say the C word but you all know what I am talking about.  So I learned from a family member, the burrito wrap.  I am telling you it is a miracle done with a blanket.  This was great until we had a normal size baby and you couldn't get a blanket big enough to work.  So I decided with the help of my mother in law to make a few.  She went with me and helped me with the amount of fabric I would need and we went on the adventure of matching fabrics and trying different combinations.  This is what we have come up with.  I personally have four of them and I can't tell you how fun it was to get some sleep.

The next thing we carry came from a gift I got was from my dear friend Kara...she introduced me to the pillowcase dress.  I can't tell you how much fun these are to accessorize and make.  The coordinating of fabrics and acessories never ends.  They are adorable as a dress, but common how cute is it with a pair of jeans and a crocheted hat.  I also had a great time adding leggings, jean jackets, and many other cute combos I am sure we will show you in the near future. 

The great thing about these dresses is that you can make them work year round and to top it off if you wear them a little wide when they are young, they work great as a top later on.  So it is the gift that keeps on giving.  I have found them to be a stylish addition to Avenlea's closet. Oh and speaking of accessories....we thought we would offer you some.

WE, my sister in law, and I are crocheting hats.  We have been working on some boy hats, these adorable little girl ones, this newsgirl one, and some others we have in the works as well.  We have all kinds of options for color combos, you just have to ask and we can probably due it for you...so if you have a favorite team you want to support or just a favorite color combo...let us know.   We would be happy to make one for you. Don't let these fool you, they aren't just for the fall and winter. 

I had another idea after I began making outfits for my daughter and the ideas just keep on coming. So continue to check back for more ideas at our website.  We are working on cloth diaper bags, crocheted blankets, ruffle pants, a variety of different tops and baby bundles for your next baby shower.  Whether you have a friend who is expecting or a mom that could just use a little something to brighten her day I am sure we have something that would work.

We have been blessed in Fall of 2009 by some of our close friend that found out about what I was working on through word of mouth and it has since found its way to an etsy site. Etsy is a great place for individuals like myself. Most are stay at home moms, individuals who have had a life altering experience whether it be medical or otherwise and all of us are there to try and make a living.  I can't tell you how excited I am to see where this goes.  COME CHECK IT OUT!!!  J. Lea Design at Etsy.com 

Happy Birthday to me.  I got admit.  I thought each of  the birthday's in the thirties would be rough but it has been smooth sailin'.  Or maybe I just have other, more important, things to stress about.  So it doesn't really bother me. 

this year i have no real big plans for my birthday.  Do we ever really after about the age of 12?   I am looking forward to hangin out with some friends and getting my kiddos to bed early, so I can enjoy some me time. 

Here are a few of my surprises so far: 

Adrian brought home flowers last night and had Jackson walk them over and give them to me.  I wish I could  have captured Jackson's delivery for you all.  It was the SWEETEST site you have ever seen.  I also got to enjoy a delicious yogurt and Brew Granola for Breakfast with some of My left over Chai Latte.  SO far it is a great day.  Oh and How could I forget the best gift ever:  ................wait......................wait ..........wait for it. 

MY Daughter slept from 8:30 to 6am this morning and then my wonderful hubby got up with her to feed her and she is still sleeping now at 9 am.  :)  I can't tell you how sweet this is.  It is also nice to give Jack some one on one time.  HE also gave me a Great Big Birthday Hug this morning.  I have such sweet kids. 

7 months a couple weeks late!!

ok so pardon the bad pictures but these are all I have.  I guess when you spend the first week of your babies 7th month in the hospital with her brother there is little chance for new pictures of her.  She is growing like a weed.  She was weighed the week after christmas and she weighed in at 19 lbs 2ounces.  Holy Guacomole!!!  She is also like 27 and a half inches tall.  Holy Cow Batman.  After my first preemie child I never would have believed at 7 months my second would be in 12 month clothes.  Her closet is looking pretty full of dresses, but not much else.  I wouldn't complain if we were made of money, cuz this girl loves to shop, but unfortunately it will have to be a little at a time to fit in the budget.  She did get some adorable clothes from Grandma Tims for Christmas. 

Jackson is still totally loving his sister.  He even talked to her while we were gone...Saying: wub oo abenee...translation:  Love you Avenlea. 

So we have accomplished a few things in the last month:
- rolled over
-started baby foods-loves them...
- began assisted sitting
- started to chew on everything
- started grabbing things and reaching in front of her on tummy time
- still hates to be on her tummy, who would have guessed she use to ONLY sleep on her tummy
- out grew 6 month and most 9 month clothes
- grew to 19 lbs and 27 1/2 inches
-eats a ton
- loves to watch her brother run around
- eats her hands whole
- loves to be read and sung to
- kicks and splashes in the tub
- attempts at all times to eat her feet and hates socks and shoes (makes living in the winter difficult)
-seems to permenantly have contracted abs as she is always trying to sit up
- we found who she looks like....proof to come later
- she is still happy, content and loves to be independant...just started holding her own bottle some of the time to eat. 
-did I say she liked to eat
- smiley, as the most hilarious laugh
- plays peek-a-boo
- has this high pitched scream and it means she is happy.  totally funny when Jackson screams back like they are having a conversation

I am so looking forward to seeing what this months brings.  Can't wait to have her pictures taken again at 8 months.  I know strange to have them at 8 months...but it is when she would be about 6 months old.  since she was 6 weeks early.  Following are own schedule.  plus I have some ideas.  I am sure I will take some 7 month ones too.  We will see. 

Happy 7 month birthday Sweet Pea!!!

Who says you can't ride a tricycle in the winter?

So daddy and Jackson decided to head out in the fluffy snow today. I suggested making a snowman, but Jackson wasn't keen on being in the snow. being the great dad that Adrian is he figured out a way to make a sled out of his tricycle. Jackson loved it. He didn't want to come in when we said it was time. I don't think his little cheeks could get much more red.

They made a track in the back yard...if you stayed in the track it went pretty well. Adrian said they took a few spills but Jackson took them like a champ and got back on wanting more.

I am pretty sure Macy had just as much fun bounding around in the snow too.

Well I had a video but It doesn't seem to be letting me upload it.  Since I upgraded this blogger thing...I lost my video loader button...if anyone knows how to get it back or how to upload with the upgraded blogger let me know.  Thanks...Enjoy the pictures for now. 

Christmas 09 X4

ok.  So this year we started Christmas the weekend before with Christmas at the Schrocks.  we had a glimpse into life with three kiddos.  This year our time was spent eating, entertaining kids, eating some more and sleeping whenever we can.  It was a drastic difference from years past when we spent time doing puzzles and playing games.  I think it is only the beginning.  next year we will have three getting into everything. 

we then got home and spent the evening doing Christmas with the kids.  Each of them got to open there present or should we say Jackson opened there presents.  Avenlea got her first Baby Doll and Jackson got his train set.  Have to say I think Jackson likes there two gifts equally.  We then took the Christmas tree down and put away the decorations.  Don't worry we really aren't scrooges.  We just had plans to leave town.  We were headed to MN on wednesday and this was the last chance I had to have help.  plus we had therapy and packing to do the rest of the week.

My mom called Monday and weather was not looking promising for our trip to MN.  She basically said we shouldn't come.  I decided to wait and call on Wednesday morning.  However the outlook was still BAD!!  my dad said don't come.  Adrian decided if we got on the road by 10 we would be ok.  So we headed out.  We had great travels, good kiddos, and then we hit MN.  My older brother made it through white out conditions the next day, but we MISSED My younger brother greatly.  We will have to see him next time we are in MN.  Hopefully in february

to give you an idea of the amount of snow, here are some pics of the kids outside.  there was a good foot almost two everywhere. 

 we had hopes of a snow man but it was so crusted with ice, there was no moving it. we did find out one thing, that is Jackson is not a fan of being bundled up..We had a great time with my immediate family and we opened gifts from Grandma.  Jackson got an Allis Chalmers D45 tractor the same tractor that Grandpa drives in his tractor pulls.  One of these days we will be home in the summer and he will get to ride on the real thing.  but till then this is what he will have.

He Loves it.  Avenlea got another babydoll and some adorable outfits from Nana and Papa
(see the sweater below).  We got an updated picture of the grandkids and Nana and Papa.  it is amazing how often we have to do this with little ones.  They are all growing up too fast. 

we all headed north to the twin cities for our fourth celebration with the Christensen Clan.  My mom side on Saturday.  It was great to see everyone.  this was the first time for Avenlea to meet everyone and even the first for some to meet Jackson.  My cousin Jason has been serving as a pilot and said this is the first year in 7 he has been home for all of Christmas.  It was great to see him and have him there.  We did miss those that couldn't make it too.  These days we take who we can get.  Thanks Judy for hosting. 

the greatest Christmas present this year (after the birth of Christ off course) is seeing all these people and having a great time and coming home with two healthy kids.  God is good!! 

Happy New Year everyone!!!  not sure where the last one went, hope all is as great in the next decade of  2010. 

happenings in the Schrock house....

lots has been happening in the schrock home over the past few months. So I will try and give a quick update. Jackson trasitioned into his big boy bed. he looks so tiny in it. Eventually he will fill it up. then on Thanksgiving weekend Avenlea was dedicated. It was great to have my Mom and Dad out here and we took advantage. It is kinda neat that both our kiddos were dedicated on the same weekend, two years apart, on the first Sunday of Advent each year. It is the Sunday of Hope. Every since Jackson was born, Hope is something we have alot of and it is because our our Savior that we have it. So pretty special.

Jackson has become quite the mover and shaker. Which has added a new level of supervision to our daily activities. he is into everything. although frustrating, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I smile everytime I see him do something new. he has started to climb, sit on his own, and he can even touch his toes while sitting. He is bending over and and picking things up off the floor in the middle of a room. You probably think these are normal things, and they are. However for Jackson they are developmental things that we have skipped over or struggled with due to his medical complications. He also is talking a mile a minute and most of it you can't understand. But he has about 200 words that we can get. Including McDonalds and French Fries. Odd for a kid that doesn't eat it. HAHA!!

Speaking of eating. We about two month ago agreed with our Nutritionist that Jackson was getting a bit ROTUND!! he had increased to the 95% again and he was finally to a good weight so we said we would like to decrease the calories in his diet. So we did. in November we started to notice a correlation with this and his throwing up. We are happy to report that since mid November, so about a month, we have thrown up maybe four times. This is crazy exciting when you think that since birth he use to urp almost 9 times a day.

We have also noticed since this started he has been asking for and tasting different foods. He asks for cereal, crackers, he went to town on some pizza sauce the other day, and overall if you let HIM DO IT, he will try most things. We still get a little freaked out when it gets in his mouth and he doesn't know what to do with it. so that will be a little bit challenging. We have Drs behind us too for the first time in a long time. They have planned some testing and are going to do a feeding evaluation of him in Feb. So we look forward to some outside opinions and ideas.

Speaking of Eating. Little Miss Avenlea is eating too. She started Cereal about four weeks ago, but only in the past two weeks have we decided to start on a schedule. this is new to me...so if you have any advice on best times to try it that would be great. we have been mega frustrated. I think she is too hungry when we are trying, so she is impatient. Also we don't have a clue what we are doing. But we are working on it. I think I am also frustrated, because we thought it would help with sleeping and it seems to have made it worse rather than better.

well that is an update in the Schrock home. A few frustrations, but lots of excitement this holiday season. it is so much fun when you can do baking with your kids and get to find special things for them.

We have so much to be thankful for and SO MUCH TO THANK OUR SAVIOR FOR. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

update:

So 6 month visit went well.
For new news: we found out that Avenlea has a growth on her head. I thought it was just a mole, but Adrian has said that it has been bigger some days than others, so we decided to ask about it today. The doc says that it is a .............i can't spell it, say it or pronounce it. So it will continue growing until she is about the age of one and then should start to disappear or fall off. He said hers is in a good place it won't get in the way of breathing or sight which some of them do. Could get in the way once we have to come her hair, but for now we are ok. He said we will monitor it, but for now it is fine.

She weighed in at 17 lbs 10 ounces and is 26 1/4 inches long. So much for being a preemie...she is in the 75th percentile on the big girl chart in both categories. WOWSA!!! I am not use to hearing these numbers. Way to GO GIRL!! They are also very pleased that her head has caught up too. she is average now. Avenlea is growing well and he said everything else is on track we just need to work on some more tummy time. She is loving sitting with a boppy but falls over quick and she hasn't rolled over since her tummy sleeping at two months. So we need to get her moving. Last time we had her on her tummy though she said forget the rolling, pushed her knees under her and I thought she was going to say bye mom and take off. I am happy I have a little more time before this happens.

Update on Jackson....

he got his flu booster today. It was quick he pulled down his pants got the shot and pulled them back up, with some help. But he was a trooper, very few tears and he even gave his sister kisses and told her she would be ok. I am not sure if I should be proud of him or if this should make me cry. HE has been through so much shots are minor too him.

We head to Riley tonight. We have appointments at 8 am tomorrow, blood work and some x-rays. We also see Dr Lubicky, our Ortho doc for the last time. He is moving south to take a position as the head of ortho surgery somewhere down there. We will be sad to see him go and we are incredibly thankful to him for what he has done so far. We have the joy of seeing him walk today, because of his talent in combo with the determination of our little man.

We are going to stop in and see the Younghans' while we are down there. We have been praying for Barrett that he gets well. Barrett was in my youth group when I first moved out here. He was like 12 then, and he is now 17 and was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, an enlargening of the heart. Please pray for his quick recovery and peace for their family in all the decisions that have to be made in the hospital.

That is the update around here. have a happy monday.