Checking In

Wow, has it really been a whole month since I last posted?! Good grief! I promise to work on getting better at this. Been a little preoccupied, of course, so I am sure you can all forgive me! :) We are doing great - loving the family life with the new little one.

Of course it is harder than we thought, but that was to be expected right? LOL. Always so many questions in my head all the time. Is she getting enough to eat, is she growing the way she should, is she holding her head up enough, do we do enough tummy time, is she bored, is she mad, is she happy? Oy! This motherhood thing is throwing me for a loop! :) But we are getting there!

3 Weeks

 

Two words for any new parents out there.

WHITE NOISE

Works wonders when rocking, eating, singing, swinging, reading, dancing, bouncing, bathing, clean diaper, not too cold or hot, walking, cuddling, burping, holding just won't quite work to calm the insanely intense out-of-nowhere screams. 

We set the radio to the static inbetween stations, turn it up so it is louder than a vaccuum and watch our screaming newborn melt into a calm peaceful babe. So nice! Especially during her fussy (aka scream for no reason time) at night (roughly 6PM-11PM give or take) and during car rides which our baby hates with a passion as well as her car seat. Oy! ;)

P.S. Thought this crying pic fit the topic perfect. :)

2 Weeks Old

Of course she will be three weeks tomorrow - but hey blogging plus caring for a newborns means a tad bit of lag time, right??

This Girl Is My World

 

Web Finds Wednesday

French Flan Tart

Slow Roasted Chicken with Cilantro Lime Butter

Sew Easy Play Tent


Waffles of Insane Greatness

Life Explained By Scientific Graphs

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

Oatmeal Cookie Granola

A Little Announcement!

 We have a little news to share with everyone! :)

Let me introduce Delaney Ruth born October 5, 2010 at 12:46AM.

8.9 lbs 21 inches

She is amazing....can't take our eyes off her.

Web Finds Wednesday

Typography Lessons for Everyone

Easy Home-made Halloween Costumes

Pumpkin Bread in a Can

Hot Chocolate Recipe

Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas


Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls


Chicken Pot Pie

Etsy Find Friday: Knit Cupcake Hat

$27 from Herbalnights on Etsy

Web Finds Wednesday

Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

Freezer Compost Bin


Cleaning Tip: Iron Set Stains Out of Carpet

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

How to Massage A Baby

Techy Tool: CleanHaven - Powerful Text Clean Up Tool

Make Your Own Toys

Made It Myself

Love me some LOL Cats...

More Apple Orchard Fun While Uncomfortably Pregnant

Lots more going on at the Apple Orchard here lately. Tons more varieties of apples are now ripe - though we still stick with our favorite Jonathon's. And a slew of other goodies are now available as well, including these fabulous Steuben grapes. Yum! Makes my mouth just water thinking about them.

Preggo at the Willard

Matt and I finally made it out a few weekends ago and dined out at the famed, historic Willard Inn in Franklin. This little dining spot is quite charming with it's history and breezy, cool patio space. Can definitely see why so many people love it! :)

Moby Wrap Test Run

When our Moby Wrap came in a week or two ago - we couldn't help but try it out! And obviously lacking the real object-that-needs-wrapping we had to improvise. Insert poor, unsuspecting chihuahua here. :) It was actually very easy to figure out - especially since we read up before hand and even watched a blog video or two about how to use it, etc. And look how well it holds a chihuahua! :)

Web Finds Wednesday

Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

Best Cheesecake Recipe

Making Candy Corn (I really, really want to do this!)

Dollar Store Crafts


Breastfeeding Resources for Rookies

Instant Business Jargon Translator - Unsuckit

Bite-Size Cherry PopTart Pops

Mod Podge Addiction

Pretty sure this is only the beginning folks. It is probably a good thing that I will soon be too tired with caring for a newborn to craft - because I am already halfway through the jumbo sized jar of mod podge I just bought. That stuff is addicting!

I got it with the idea that I would just mod podge on some of the left over fabric strips from the Heather Bailey bunting and quilt I made for the baby's room onto some clothes pins to make fun fridge clips. Especially since my mind has gone to mush and I've been told that it will only get worse from here...it helps to clip things to the fridge. Invites to events we should go to, our grocery list, bills, etc. I've even gotten in the habit of sitting down every Sunday afternoon and writing out a little "notes about this week" page full of different things going on both to remind myself and to keep my hubby in the loop.

Well, what started with fridge clips soon spread into dresser drawer liners for the nursery. We bought the dresser on craigslist and yes, I cleaned out the drawers, but a nice drawer liner seemed just the thing to make it seem brand new, clean, fresh and ready for baby clothes, etc. So, in addition to the gigantic jar of mod podge - I also bought 18 sheets of 12 x 12 pink polka dotted scrap book paper.

Here's the before shot:

I was really hoping to find a nice roll of wrapping paper in the same sort of theme - but alas no. And plus, Hobby Lobby had a 50% sale on the scrapbook paper so for under 50 cents a sheet I couldn't go wrong.

And the after!

Quote to Ponder

“...Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person...If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."

~ Luke 2: 27-30

Preggo at the Apple Orchard

Since preggo at the pool gets a little too many stares these days, and since it's been a tad cooler anyways, apple orchards have been my stomping grounds of choice here lately.

 

Our favorite place to visit is the Pleasant View Anderson Apple Orchard. No visit is complete without at least a 1/2 peck of Jonathon apples and one large apple cider slushie. Maybe add in a caramel apple or a handful of candy corn and you're golden!

P.S. Don't drink the slushie too fast. Ice cream headaches will ensue - delaying caramel apple consumption. :/

 P.P.S. It helps to have a hubby who isn't that into caramel apples. this means more caramel apple for you! :) I was able to get a decent shot of him actually trying it - but he was pretty much not having it. Something about the caramel being too thick and chewy - jeez that is the best part!!

38 Week Bump Update

How far along? 38 Weeks

Food cravings: Random craving for Yoohoo - though once we bought it didn't taste as good as I imagined. Think my taste buds are a little off kelter though because we went to the apple orchard and the slushie was just eh...and nothing really sounds that horribly good right now. Though my husband did made some killer chocolate chip pancakes yesterday morning - yum!! And milk - I am downing milk like crazy!

Milestones: Picked up sensitive wipes and newborn diapers to be ready and washed her going home outfit! 

Oh, and this: Delivery date predictions are starting to roll in - random stranger lady at TJ Maxx said Sept 27 - coworker says Sept 24. Due date is October 3rd - though my ORIGINAL due date according to the calendar/cycle was supposed to be Sept. 18! Dr. pushed it back since I was measuring small.

T-Minus 15 Days

Yup, we are gearing up here in the final weeks/days. Bags are packed, going home outfits picked out and washed and ready to go, maternity pics taken, camera charged, memory card cleaned off, ipod located, car seat installed, etc etc. Getting excited!!

Boppy Cover of Cuteness: Emily's Garden

Sorry for all the baby posts here lately. Some of you are probably pretty sick of looking at every little nook and cranny of our nursery...I am obsessed I admit. :)

Since I plan on breastfeeding I knew this little pillow was going to be a must! And what is a Boppy without an adorable cover?? I found this cover - called Emily's Garden - on Target.com but it said it was only available online not in stores and then it was sold out or out of stock. So I finally gave up on Target and just ordered one off Amazon. I washed and dried it and excitedly put it on my Boppy. Then two days later make it out to a local Target and WHAT DID I FIND?? 6, oh yeah, six - of these on the shelf. NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES, huh?! ONLINE ONLY, huh?!?! Yeah, well - way to tick off a hormonal preggo lady Target! :/ Seriously, I could have saved like $5 in shipping. Whatever. I will get over it - I still love you, Target.

Plus I may just use the opportunity to grab another cover in the same pattern - so when one gets dirty and has to be in the wash - I can still gaze happily at the birds, bunnies, bumble bee and turtles! :)

For more info about the Boppy Pillow - visit their website http://www.boppy.com/. It's great for feeding, lounging, play and sitting!

Meet Sophie!

So excited to have this little gal for our little gal! :) I used my 20% coupon at BuyBuy Baby and got her for $4 off the original price! Not too bad! Now, my only worry is that she squeaks - and as a result looks AND sounds like a dog toy. I accidentally squeaked her and our dog Showbiz went crazy - should stop staring and whining no matter how many "no's" I said. :/

There is a lot of hype around this little giraffe. Honestly I think it is just plain cute. But here's the whole back story on this 46 year old Parisian toy - Sophie the Giraffe.

Will definitely want to be sure to pick up a few of these toy clips to make sure we don't lose it though! It's like a pacifer clip that goes on the baby's shirt - but this straps one end around the toy and the other to the stroller!

Showbiz: How She Got Her Namesake

We didn't name our pup after a pizza place, oh no, she was a show off from the start. Just look at her hamming it up with my Grandma Wally who came to visit along with my Aunt Linda few weekends ago. What we call her: Showbiz, Showbuzz, Show, Biz-dog, Biz - and the occasional slip-up of Showla (a mix of Showbiz and Lola when we are tired and can't figure out who to yell at for being ornery. :) )

37 Week Bump Update

How far along? 37 Weeks

Food cravings: Famous Amos cookies, blueberry muffins, sweet tea, cold milk, apples.

Milestones: Finished up our classes and had our maternity shoot taken by the wonderful Jessica Limeberry from Lemongrass Photography - can't wait to see the pics! Had my first cervical check at the doc last week - oh fun. Not dilated yet, but cervix is softening. Woot.

Oh, and this: I feel like crap a lot of the time now. Tired and my feet, legs, knees and back hurt - plus Braxton Hicks - I think. Fun times! :) I still sleep really well, just wake up with sore hips and back. Somedays I feel like I am coming down with some awful cold - but then I don't. Stuffy nose, sneezing, etc.

Etsy Find Friday

There is something charming about vintage enamelware bowls that I just cannot resist! Would love to have some for the laundry room and maybe one for the kitchen...lovely!


From funkeyfinds on Etsy

Library Hold List

Do you think the library staff will catch on? These are all the holds I have right now - :) Some reading material to help keep me off my feet in the last few weeks here.

• The happiest baby on the block : the new way to calm crying and help your baby sleep longer 
• Secrets of the baby whisperer : how to calm, connect, and communicate with your baby
• The nursing mother's companion
• On becoming birth wise 
• On becoming babywise. Book one : learn how over 500,000 babies were trained to sleep through the night the natural way 
• Heading home with your newborn : from birth to reality 
• The baby book : everything you need to know about your baby--from birth to age two
• The no-cry sleep solution : gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night
• The attachment parenting book : a commonsense guide to understanding and nurturing your baby 
• Father's first steps : 25 things every new dad should know
• Let the baby drive 
• Your amazing newborn

Web Finds Wednesday

PureClean Kitchen & Porcelain Cleaner Stones
On my shopping/wishlist. 

Craftzine.com blog : Crochet Broccoli and Cauliflower
Crafty goodness to make for our little one...

Craftzine.com blog : How-To: Roll-Up Nap Mat With Pillow And Blanket
Pretty sure my to-sew list is getting a little long now...

Gownies Delivery Gowns by Baby Be Mine Maternity

36 Week Bump Update

 How far along? 36 Weeks

Food cravings: Orange juice, cereal, sweets, jonathon apples, apple cider slushies, caramel apples, raspberry sherbet, salt water taffy - still!

Milestones: Carseat is installed in the car, first load of baby clothes and blankets have been washed, I am almost finished lining the dresser drawers with pretty pink polka dotted scrapbook paper. Our rocker came in the mail and it put together in the room! We have a hamper now...almost all complete! Might need a diaper pail of some sort to squeeze in the room yet - but we are almost ready!! Boppy cover came in the mail, so did our Moby wrap...things are looking ready! If only I felt as ready as everything looks!

Oh, and this: Energy levels really ebb and flow. One minute I am an insanely tired grouch monster who just needs to go to bed no matter if it is 3 in the gosh darn afternoon and the next day I am little miss sunshine with enough energy to organize my bathroom drawer, fold up the tissue paper sheets and make dinner. I get two insanely exhausted days to one good one - go figure.

Quote to Ponder

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people."

-- Zig Ziglar

Tiny Fashionista

My husband and I's nightly ritual has come to include a nightcap spent just sitting in the baby's room. We sit and gaze about at everything and try to imagine what life is going to be like in a few short weeks. So hard to believe.

P.S. Totally amazed at how wrapped around her finger this little girl has her daddy already. And he hasn't even met her in person yet. I've never seen him so interested in clothes in my life - made my heart melt watching him stand in her closet looking at each little onesie. I also recently found a mysterious pair of fashion tights with little purple hearts on them in one of her dresser drawers that I had never seen before. He later told me that he had seen them at the store and got them for her - swoon! My little girl is so lucky to have such a doting daddy.

Childbirth Prep Classes: Complete!

Wow, those four weeks flew by. I was joking with Matt on our last day this week that I don't think I feel ready to be done with the class - I don't feel quite qualified after those four 2-hr long classes! The first class was about the birthing process, the second about different laboring positions and comfort measures, the third about the hospital experience and included a tour at the end and the fourth was caring for your newborn.

I am glad we did the classes, but really could go longer I think. Maybe an optional extended classes for those really have no clue. :)

No, in all seriousness I think they did help. If anything are we familiar with driving to the hospital from our house, parking, what floor to go to, which button to push to make the elevator go up (the new elevators are designed funny - the up button is kinda hidden), how to get in and out of the maternity wing without setting off the alarms. Where the snack machines are, that there are complimentary cookies by the front desk, how to use the valet parking service, etc. Not to mention that there was a lot of good information we went over. I think it helped both Matt and I to be just a little more prepared and to be more comfortable in the hospital - as much as we can be anyway. :)

Next class - Breastfeeding Basics! Then we are done with classes - only how many more weeks till the baby gets here?! It is a little overwhelming to think about! Time has gone by so fast!

35 Week Bump Update

Again a little late with the post! 


How far along? 35 Weeks

Food cravings: Concord grapes have really hit the spot, still loving my honey dew for breakfast, cold cereal is always fabulous (honey nut cheerios and frosted mini wheats). Pizza has always sounded good. I've pretty much shunned of anything really salty - like chips and salsa (a normal summer staple for me) and I practically gag on anything I consider too salty! Kinda crazy! Not as hungry as I have been in other months - definitely less room in the belly.

Milestones: Stroller is officially put together! And we have a carseat! For some reason this has been a big issue for me. I have been feeling a little panicky because we didn't have a carseat. And the hospital won't let you take her home without one - so something in my mind just kept saying, "we need a carseat, we need a carseat, we need a carseat." I am resting fairly easy now with that out of the way. Though I will be 100% better once it is completely installed in my car...

Oh, and this: Pretty sure I am having braxton hicks contractions. Very tight, very unpleasant and almost painful. Oy!

Web Finds Wednesday

How to Make an Awesome Orange Julius

Top 10 New Mom Must-Haves No One Tells You About

Homemade Mallobars - Yum! Marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers - where could you go wrong with this recipe? Must try it!

5 Homemade DIY Natural Fabric Softeners | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
Been noticing a significant improvement in the sensitive skin department (due to pregnancy hormones) after not only switching out my face-wash and body wash to sensitive only - but also switching our laundry detergent to a dye and fragrance free (so painful - I love my lavender scented stuff) version. Now looking to replace our fabric softener too. Either going the free and clear route from the store or these DIY ideas.

Free downloadable swing set plans :: Money Saving Mom℠
Can we say - hubby weekend project??

5 Reasons Why To Bake These Cupcakes « Slow Like Honey
More marshmallow and chocolate recipe loveliness. Sweet tooth, what??

Pulling At The Heart Strings

I have no idea what overcame me, but there was no-way, no-how I was leaving the store without this slightly smudgy, no tag, clearanced out teddy-bear. I couldn't put it down. I had this insane tug at the heart strings about it...like I was going to actually cry just looking at it.

Maybe it's the hormones, but pretty sure my husband now thinks I am crazy.

P.S. I sneak upstairs to the nursery just to touch it's soft ears...maybe it will be our little girl's favorite teddy, I don't know, but this little bear won't let go of my heart.

The cute little pink booties match it wonderfully - they are from Babies R Us.

Pouting Pups & Paparrazi

The dogs' latest favorite spot in the house has been the very top step going up to the second story. They can look down and see what is going on in the living room - which is normally just one of us sitting and typing away on the laptop but still be near enough the upstairs window to peek out and keep an eye on the neighborhood. Such pouty faces - but always the happy wagging tail! :)

Baby Preparations Are Underway!

My husband has been exhibiting signs of pregnancy sympathy symptoms. And I am not talking about a sympathy belly. Nope - he has to pee when I get up and go in the wee hours of the morning, he has insomnia and is even nesting! :)

Usually I have to bribe this man to help me put together anything. If he had it his way it would sit in the box for ages. I am always a much too excited let's put it together right this second kind of person. But he did this all on his own - and the stroller, carseat and bouncy seat too! I think he's getting excited - we're down to 37 days to go!

All the extra help with these things has taken so much worry off my shoulders - it is amazing how much just seeing the swing set up in the living room and the carseat installed in our car puts me at ease knowing things are ready!

Etsy Find Friday

Loving this Large Amy Butler Weekend Bag from Itsch's Etsy shop - definitely on my wish list! :) That and a weekend getaway of course!

34 Week Bump Update

A little late in posting this - almost 35 weeks now! But the photo is from last Sunday when I did turn 34 weeks.

Recipe Round Up

I go back in forth from being the mood to cook and then not. Thankfully my hubby fills in when I am not in the mood. Lucky for him my energy has spiked back up a little after the baby shower and I have enough oomph to get dinner going. I am really getting into the idea of crock pot dinners, too. So that it is done by the time we get home from work - sounds so lovely!

Anyways we had some pork chops in the freezer and I ended up making some in the stove but thought I would save these ideas for later!

Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce

Maple Orange-Glazed Pork Chops

Crock Pot Pork Chop Dinner

Paula's Easy Watermelon Dessert

Web Finds Wednesday

This To That - Glue Advice

Pineapple Whip Ice Cream - further proof (to my husband) that we need an ice cream maker


Marshmallow Fluff Icing - my new favorite icing! pipes beautifully and is easy to make!


Slouched Beanie Knit Pattern

Coconut Cake with a Twist

Strawberry Cake

Adding to the Pregnancy Survival Kit: The 3rd Trimester

I have been in the third trimester for a few weeks now  I am slowly beginning to catch on to a few new things that I haven't quite experience before.

Leg Cramps
Yup, waking up in the middle of the night gasping in pain with charlie horses. No fun! I can never remember what move helps - pulling your toes back or pointing them forward. One makes it worse and the other relieves the pain. But at 4AM when you're in the very grip of that excruciating pain you can't remember for the life of you which it is!

Bloody Noses
I've had them off and on - but now they are pretty frequent.

Insomnia
I have had this for a few weeks now - if I wake up near 4AM or 6AM to use the restroom I can almost never fall back to sleep. Thus resulting in very productive mornings, me arriving at work early and then getting exhausted around 8:30 or 9:00pm.

Sore Feet
And the newest addition to the treasure trove of third trimester symptoms - sore feet! Not swollen feet, thank goodness, not yet anyways. But my poor tootsies hurt! I can barely stand up barefoot on the kitchen floor to do dishes or cook very long my soles start aching so bad. Feels like I have been standing on my feet all day when in reality it's only for 30-40 minutes. I have resorted to wearing my tennis shoes if I am going to be in the kitchen - the arch support helps - but in this 95+ weather we've been having I'd much rather be keeping my tootsies cool in a pair of flip flops or no shoes at all! I've started wearing shoes with good support to the store to - long shopping trips are exhausting enough without having your feet hurt.

I've had a pretty easy going pregnancy so far - so if this is the most I have to complain about - I'll take it! :)

Without further ado - here's my updated pregnancy survival list - third trimester edition!

- Ocean Saline Nasal Spray
- Kleenexes with Lotion
- Bananas
- Peppermint foot soak
- Peppermint foot & leg mist/spray
- Shoes w/ good arch support
- More pillows! To put between your legs as you sleep on your side, to prop your feet up when they hurt AND to elevate your head a little to help keep you from getting too stuffy at night.
- Air Conditioning/Lots of Ice Water and cold drinks

Forgot to mention that I am finally getting hot. I have heard of pregnant ladies getting insanely hot but had always just finally been comfortable. Normally I am always cold so this was a nice change, but now the comfortable warmness has been replaced with burning hotness. I am sitting under the AC vent now - which I never do. I hate the cold air blowing straight on me normally - but here I sit happy as a clam with my feet soaking in my peppermint water. :) And I now sleep with no covers at all - was down to just the sheet but now I kick that off too!

33 Week Bump Update

How far along? 33 Weeks

How big is baby? 4.2-5lbs and gaining! The size of a honey dew!

Image from The Bump.com

Food cravings: Still loving my cold cereal - moving on from cheerios and on to frosted-mini wheats minis! Love buttered bagels with scrabbled egg too! And apples - I think part of me is wishing for the cooler weather of fall - the thought of crisp apples and frozen apple slushies sound sooo good! Making a roast this week also in boycott of the hot weather! Still working on our bag of charms blow-pops. Matt likes the green ones only - I like all the flavors - but especially the grape of which there are only a few of course! 

Milestones: Could feel our little one's bony little foot or elbow - could actually push back on it she was pushing it out so far against my side. Was so amazing! Loud sounds make her jump now too - it is the weirdest thing to have something inside you jump like that at sound. :)

Oh, and this: Nosebleeds, hip pain, charlie horses, tingly feet and hands and achy feet - oh my! :) I've had such a great pregnancy so far that these mild discomforts are really taking me by surprise. And goodness I am getting hot! Coming from someone who is ALWAYS cold that means a lot! Finally stocked up on the needed third trimester goodies I didn't know I needed.

 

Random Tidbits: (from the emails I get)

 Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

You are one hot mama -- literally. A 20 percent metabolic rate increase throughout pregnancy can leave you begging for a cool breeze no matter what the weather is like. Distract yourself with an exercise in blind identification. Try to distinguish between baby's feet, fists, knees, and elbows -- all doing some major pushing and nudging inside of you.

[ tip ] Wash just a few of those adorable infant outfits before baby comes and keep the tags on the rest. Baby will probably outgrow most before she gets to wear them, and you'll be able to return or exchange for a bigger size.

Reader Help Needed! Diaper Bag Poll

Ok, ladies - especially my mommy-blogger pals - which diaper bag should I get??

A. Optic Bloom Bag...

Here is an inside view of what it would look like with stuff in it....(not the same bag but interior layout will be the same)

Pros: big bag, water bottle and bottle holders, diaper section, two hooks - one for pacifer one for keys...other handy pockets.
Cons: Will it slouch over and annoy me if I am in a hurry, trying to change baby etc - no flat bottom. I have no idea - so mom, you gotta help me decide!


B. Strappy Diaper Bag

Pros: Heather bailey fabric, stands up on its own, lots of pockets, etc.
Cons: most expensive option


C. Birdie Sling

View of pockets inside...

Pros: big, lots of room, cheapest options, made from my fav fabric...
Cons: not as many pockets, might be too slouchy?

Ok, cast your vote for either A, B or C and help me decide! :)

Our Baby Shower!

We had our baby shower last weekend and it was so great! Many thanks to the family and friends who came out to celebrate this time with us - and a huge thank you to my hostesses and helpers - Krista, Laura, Mom, Jess, Dad & Cindy!

It was so much fun visiting with everyone, giving tours of the nursery and playing silly baby shower games!

Here's a few photos from the day - many more posted on Facebook and I did a special post about the shower design and decoration over on my other blog - The Birds and the Bees.

To see the full album click here!

Child Birth Prep Class Week One

We started our child birth prep classes this week!

Everything seems to be happening so fast - first the shower, then the classes starting up - I had myself worked up into a wee-bit of a panic here in the last day or so. And of course, we show up to the class a half an hour late - and me with puffy, red rimmed eyes from crying (nothing bad happened - just hormone induced panic/crazy preggo lady tears about generally not being quite ready/prepared/etc and the thought that we have almost under 50 days to get ready - OMG).

I am sure I looked like death having cried my makeup off and with the dark circles from being tired and the swollen eyes from crying. And with a pretty pissed off expression I am sure. Lovely way to make a first impression on our fellow classmates who we will be spending 2 hours with once a day until the end of August. :\ Pretty sure they all refer to me as that pissed off grouchy lady. Sigh.

Also, so far, me and the doors to the maternity wing are not BFF. In fact we pretty much hate each other. I apparently cannot read signs and just want to make in to the damn class without further delay - the doors on the other hand have a little sign on it with too many words for a puffy-eyed, pregnant lady in a hurry - and all these things on the wall - which one is the dang button for the door? Why have a "push" guard if you can't touch the door without the alarm going off. Yeah, fun.

I should have taken the darn complimentary cookie I was eyeballing by the front desk - would have at least made me feel better. Will do next time...believe me no second thoughts about the cookie next time.

P.S. I really like the class as whole. Our instructor is a RN who is also a doula - she is quirky and entertaining. The class is broken up between mini-lectures/demos/insights from the teacher and little snippets of a dvd. Thankfully, I've exposed my hubby to plenty of birthing videos before this point - so he wasn't the one nervous guy in the room who kept nervously laughing out loud every time he saw a lady's parts or heard the instructor say something about a lady's parts. LOL. In fact, my man was pretty cool as a cucumber compared to other guys in the room who were all the fidgety, whispery and in general uncomfortable.

Web Finds Wednesday

Basic Pie Dough - Tips and Tricks


Raspberry Sweet Tea

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Bicycle Bucket Tutorial

Deep-Dish Sour Cream–Apple Pie with Cardamom Streusel 

How to Install A Zipper

Simple Knitted Sheep

Pipe Cleaner Ephiphany

My husband and I have those nifty, double-walled Starbucks tumblers that we use ALL the time. They have been one of our best purchases in the whole water-bottle, reusuable cup department. But, anywho...with all that use comes a build-up of grime in the hard plastic straw.

I have been mentally whinning to myself for weeks about the bad taste coming from the straw and how looking down it causes me slight distress at the sight.

On the way to church this past Sunday I was rambling to my hubby about my dirty straw dilema - and how there should be a way to clean it out. I mean, SURELY there is a product out there that can clean it? A teeny, tiny bottle brush perhaps?

Then he asks why I don't use a pipe cleaner.

A pipe cleaner? My mouth just hangs open for a second because the first thing that enters my mind and starts coming out of my mouth is how a pipe cleaner is for crafts.

Then it hits me, um yeah, the name "pipe cleaner" pretty much denotes its intended use - to clean pipes or, in this case, straws. Oh boy....considering I have been trying to figure out how to clean this straw for weeks it is pretty embarrassing - I have a boatload of pipe cleaners upstairs in my craft area...wow. Just wow. :)

But alas, I have a clean straw now - and a whole new outlook on pipe cleaners! :)

32 Week Bump Update

How far along? 32 Weeks

How big is baby? Still the size of a squash - maybe 4.5 lbs or so. Big enough to pack quite a wallop to my poor bladder and ribs. Oy!

 

Food cravings: Orange juice, salt water taffy, strawberry twizzlers, lemonade, those suckers with the gum in the middle - charms I think...nothing really crazy - just things that sound particularly good. It isn't like I am sending out my hubby in the middle of the night for these things - but they sound good. :) Fruit - like always - still loving my blueberries, watermelon and cantaloupe.

Milestones:  Had our baby shower this weekend! Celebrating with friends and family was the best ever!

Oh, and this: Hip pain is getting a little unpleasant, I think it's from missing my prenatal yoga classes - I think they helped a lot. Will have to put them off in the next couple of weeks though for our Child Birth Prep classes. I've waken up with hips hurting - almost cramping. And lots of painful, pops and cracks just walking sometimes. Also starting to have random sciatic pain - fun.

Web Finds Wednesday

Glazed Donut Muffins

Refreshing Summer Recipe: Aguas Frescas

7,000-square-foot Titanic exhibit coming to Indy later this year
Watermelon Lemonade

How to Make a Pie Crust

Sewing Tutorial: Casserole Carrier

Strawberry Freezer Jam

101 Fast Recipes for Grilling

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Baby Quasebarth Kicking & Moving at 31 Weeks

31 Week Bump Update

How far along? 31 Weeks

How big is baby? Should be around the average of 17 inches and about 4lbs. She's the size of a squash...though a different timeline thing shows a watermelon at this stage.

 

Food cravings: Cookies, apricots, peaches, cookies, sweet corn, cookies, cheerios....cookies. :)

Milestones: Random people at stores and check out lines now notice I am pregnant. I've gone so long without anyone ever saying anything that now when they do it throws me all off guard and I just stare at them for a second before I realize what is happening.

Say what?!: So, those people I mentioned at stores noticing I am pregnant. Yeah, they are a hoot. One lady told me I would have my baby September 27 - after asking when my due date was. She said to mark her words - she was right with all her babies. She also asked if it was a boy first - so if she was wrong there then how is she predicting my due date? Oy veh.  But if she's right...holy cow. 

 

I have had a lot of, "Are you having a boy?" questions - kinda throws me off. Lady at Walmart said it was because she saw some blue stuff in my cart of decorations - it was a percentage of like 90% pink and 10% light blue  - but ok. :)

Oh, and this: Random 4AM insomnia is interesting. My eyes just pop open and my mind starts going and I am ready to start the day! LOL.