I have an obsession with Etsy. There was a point last year in which I was buying things constantly, and I had to literally stop myself from even going to the site so that I wouldn’t buy anything else. I don’t buy from Etsy as often anymore, but when I see something that might be cute for my nephew (this goes for anywhere–not just Etsy), I sort of can’t help myself. So, when I found out my cousin opened a new Etsy shop, I was more than a little excited.

Hayden is at the point where he’s constantly drooling. We can see a little white spot on his bottom gum, so I think he’s teething. He likes to chew on everything. He chews on his hands, his toes, his toys, my shoulder when I’m holding him. He even tries to grab necklaces and chew on them, so I’ve stopped wearing necklaces when I know I’ll be around him. I don’t want him hurting his gums or choking! This is where Ashley’s shop comes into play.

Ashley has two beautiful children, Gavyn and Olivia. Olivia is about a month older than Hayden, so they’re going through similar milestones close to the same time. Ashley created these beautiful bead necklaces covered in fabric so that she could still wear accessories that would benefit her daughter as well. Ashley also makes a point to say, “You don’t have to be a momma to sport one of these,” which is true. They look great regardless of whether you have a teething infant or not.

Ashley describes her necklaces as:

All necklaces are made of 100% designer cotton fabric and ¾ inch unfinished natural wooden beads, the perfect amount of resistance to help soothe baby’s gums while cutting teeth. A great remedy for mommas who prefer natural relief methods!

Each 24 inch wide necklace is handmade from a unique pattern that’s sure to catch your baby’s attention. Now baby can pull on this chic necklace instead of your hair, and you’ll never have to worry about it dropping on the floor like traditional teething toys!

The necklace slips right over your head for immediate teething relief or a quick accessory to spruce up an outfit. The secure, sewn and braided enclosure allows baby to pull and chomp all they’d like while the necklace stays put and the cotton absorbs drool.

To clean, handwash and hang dry for best results.

I absolutely love the fabrics Ashley uses for her necklaces. She is also willing to do custom designs–just send her a message with a design pattern you like and she’ll see if she can find it! At only $12, her necklaces are a steal. There are so many teething necklaces out there, but they come at a higher price, usually. Plus, these necklaces are homemade with care by a mother. It’s always great to support homemade!

You can like Sew Intricate on facebook, which is where she posts pictures of the fabrics she has in stock. All images on this post are from the Sew Intricate Etsy shop.

P.S. I’m going on vacation next week, so I can’t promise any blog posts. Here’s a cute photo of Hayden to hold you over until I return. You can find more on my flickr page.

*I’m grateful for weekends spent with family. I spent the previous weekend finishing up a paper, but I allowed myself to take some time off homework for Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday. I took my siblings, nephew, and cousin out to lunch and Starbucks on Saturday afternoon, then Husband and I went to lunch and the movies with my brother-in-law on Sunday. It was a good weekend!

*I’m grateful that my nephew is healthy and that he has a family that loves him. (Isn’t this picture of my sister and Hayden adorable?!) I can’t believe he’ll be two months old on Sunday. I really adore that boy.

*I’m grateful for conquering my procrastination last week. I finished and turned in my 5-page Alzheimer’s Disease research paper ten days early, and I made a 100% on it, and my professor called it a “top-notch paper.” (Now if only I could have that motivation for my 2,000-word physics paper that is due in five days–the one I haven’t even started on!)

*I’m grateful that I only have a couple weeks left of school. I mean, I’m also taking two summer classes, but they don’t start until the second week of June, so I’ll have about a month off!

*I’m grateful for new shoes. I ordered Classic TOMS (in Ash) last week, and I got them yesterday. I immediately tried them on, and I love them! I’m sad that I couldn’t wear them today. (It’s stormy, and I didn’t want to ruin them in the rain.)

What are you grateful for right now?

*My nephew is five weeks old today. FIVE. WEEKS. That’s just insane to me. He went to the doctor on Tuesday, and he weighs 9 lbs, 15 oz and he’s twenty-two inches long (at birth he was 8 lbs, 9 oz and 20.5 inches long). He’s growing! Proof:

*I won’t be working seventy-two hours a week for the month of April. Instead, I’ll be working about forty-eight hours, give or take. They told me they’d like for me to work Monday through Saturday, but if I have school obligations, I shouldn’t put them on the backburner. I’m thankful that my job allows me to put school first.

*I’m making straight A’s in my classes right now. Yes, even in Physics! I’m so proud of myself for doing well this semester.

*My grandparents are in town. They came to meet Hayden, so I’m excited to see them this afternoon! I’ve seen them probably around 3-4 times in the past four years.

What are you grateful for this week?

*I know I said this last week, but I am so, so grateful to live only fifteen minutes from my family. Yesterday, I didn’t have a lot of time on my hands (because I wanted to spend most of the evening reading for school), but I made a quick trip to see my nephew after work. When I walked in, he was fussy (as my sister was putting him in his carseat–she had probably just changed him, and he gets so upset when being changed!), so my sister handed him to me, and he immediately stopped crying. He laid his head on my chest and just looked up at me. I only stayed for about twenty minutes, holding him the whole time, but I just love having those moments. He is just so precious to me, and I’m already dreading the fact that, one day, he won’t want to be held anymore. So, I’m savoring those moments while they last! (And can you believe he’ll be THREE WEEKS OLD tomorrow?!)

*I’m grateful for my job. Not many people have jobs (or even good jobs) right now, so I’m glad I have a good, full-time job. Next month, though, I’m going to have to remind myself of that fact, as I’m probably going to be working 72 hours a week for the month of April. I know, right?! Yeah, I’ll be working 12-hour shifts for six days every week. (Not sure if this is completely set in stone, though!) It’s going to be intense. Not only will I be working 72 hours a week, but I’m taking thirteen hours of classes, and my finals are the last week of April. I’m going to be busy, busy, busy. The money will be very much appreciated, though, and I’m hoping to put the extra money I’ll be making into savings for when Husband and I move back to Chattanooga (possibly this summer!!!).

*I’m grateful for my marriage. Lately, I’ve felt overwhelmingly in love with my husband. Since we’ve been married for nearly three years, the “honeymoon phase” has been long over, but we’re still very much in love. I know many people my age that get married and get divorced (not that divorcing is always a bad thing!), so I’m grateful that my husband and I are still in love. It’s refreshing to me that, even though I question many things in my life, I never question my marriage. My marriage is the one thing in my life that I’m always optimistic about. Right now, I’m reading The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate for a psychology class, and it’s extremely mind-opening.

*I’m truly grateful for life. After the earthquake and tsunami last week, I took a step back to remember just how short life is. (I know, it’s so heartbreaking that it takes such a tragic event to remind us of the shortness of life.) I’m so appreciative of being given another day. I feel horrible for the people in Japan and what they’re going through as they have lost their homes and possibly their families. I just can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through. All I can do is be thankful for my life and try to do what I can to help them. (If  you want to help in the relief efforts, please consider donating to the Red Cross. Even spare change can make a difference.)

What are you grateful for this week?

*Vacation time with Husband. We’ve been on vacation in the mountains since Monday, and we’re coming home today. I love relaxing with him, even if just for a few days.

*Living fifteen minutes from my family. I’m able to see Hayden every day if I want, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

*Spring Break. It’s nice to not have homework for the week. It’s also nice to work on some of next week’s work to get ahead of things!

*Good gas (well, diesel) mileage. I’m so glad my new car gets 40+ mpg. It makes taking trips that much nicer.

*Springtime. I know it’s not officially here yet, but we’ve been getting sneak peeks of it, and I love it.

Where have you found grace this week?

1. NSYNC | I Want You Back [The first time I ever saw NSYNC was on the Disney concert special. I instantly fell in love.]

2. Spice Girls | Say You’ll Be There [My sister saved and saved for the $14 Spice World movie and then watched it every single day for months. We also had an unhealthy obsession with platform shoes.]

3. Simple Plan | Perfect [This was my absolute FAVORITE band as a freshman in high school. I was obsessed.]

4. Something Corporate | Space [Another favorite in high school. This was the first video I saw. It came on during a commercial between episodes of Degrassi.]

5. Copeland | Brightest [Another favorite in high school.]

My musical tastes have definitely changed, but I love looking back at my favorite music. What was your favorite music as a kid/teenager?

*A healthy nephew. I love that baby so much. He’ll already be a week old tomorrow! I’m glad my sister had a good delivery. I also love receiving texts from my sister that say, “I’m so proud to be his mommy.”

[Seriously? Too much cuteness! (5 days old here)]

*Holding Hayden in my arms for forty-five minutes while he sleeps. I love smelling the top of his little baby head.

*A mini-vacation with Husband next week.

*March. I’m so, so glad it’s March. Warmer weather is on its way! I’ve never been so happy to see spring on the horizon.

*My brother. He’s fifteen-years-old today. I remember the day of his birth! I just cannot believe my baby brother is fifteen!

*The lack of homework this week. I’m catching up on a few things, but I don’t have too much to do. I have a physics mid-term Friday, and then it’s spring break!

Where have you found grace this week?

1. The Bird and the Bee | Again & Again

2. Chairlift | Bruises

3. Muse | Supermassive Black Hole (Um, yes. Sorry, it’s on the Twilight soundtrack.)

4. Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg | California Gurls (Sorry, not a fan of the video.)

5. Dakota Fanning & Kristen Stewart | Cherry Bomb (from The Runaways soundtrack)

[N is for Nephew--Part of the Alphabet Project]

Hayden Riley, born at 2:08 p.m. on February 24, 2011. 8 lbs., 8.5 oz and 20.5 inches long.

Birth story (from my perspective) to come.