The countdown winds down

11 days to go.  I'm at the point where I want to be done being pregnant.  I don't long for the painful recovery but I'd rather it be over sooner rather than later.  I'm trying to tie up all my loose ends and gets all my ducks in a row.  I've planned my bulk shopping trip, cleaned out and organized my pantry, fridge and freezer in preparation.  I've begun meal planning but if I find some awesome deals while at the store, they might need some tweaking.  My hospital bag is mostly packed.  My childcare plan is set for everyday the week I'm in the hospital, even though they keep changing Danny's schedule.  So whatever he's working he's covered and somebody might get a break in there somewhere.  It's all coming together and I am feeling the homestretch coming up! WOOT WOOT! I am excited.  Can't wait to meet this little girl. 

We had Joey's birthday party last weekend and it was a blazing success.  Danny made duct tape crowns for the craft.  The kids (and adults) all decorated their own cupcakes.  (I totally picked that as to not have to figure out how to decorate a cake).  It was awesome and the kids loved it and I got to be a lazy momma and enjoy the party. 

joey decorating her b.day girl crown (check her out in that dress too!!)

 

she loved the beading at the bottom and we only lost a couple strands by the end of the day.

presents!

preparing for cupcakes

and blowing out the candles

Fun was had by all.  And even though it was a 90 degree day, there was an awesome breeze and we all were able to sit in the shade.  It was actually cooler feeling outside than it was inside (can I just say, I love summer days like that). 

Projects Projects Projects

I've been up to so much lately.  Prepping for baby is fun stuff though. I've made lots of cool stuff for both girls.  And I've finally got pictures! Woot Woot!! So, here they are!!

Joey's Birthday Dress, I've added a little purple fabric flower since this photo!

Joey's back pack for school! She is very excited about this one.

Changing pad cover that used the leftover fabric from both girl's baby blankets. 

Another diaper bag.  I think I like this one almost better than mine!

diaper bag again

and again!

I've only got a few more sewing projects left on my nesting agenda.  I want to make new curtains for our living room.  I need to make bench cushions for our kitchen corner unit.  I use our kitchen table as my sewing area and it really digs into the back of my legs after a while so, it needs cushions.  I also want to make a changing pad for on the go use.  I don't know what I want that to look like yet and I feel like I may even have our old one lying around somewhere, even though, I don't know where that might be at the moment.  I'm also trying to meal plan in advance for while I'm laid up from my c-section.  I want to have lots of frozen meals ready to go, and lots of crock pot meal ideas but I haven't been able to stock up on anything yet but I have been printing out recipe ideas.  Well, I'm off, I have some inquiries to make about grocery delivery options.  Tootles!

Nesting Fun

So I know I've been amiss in my blogging lately.  I've had a lot going on.  I've been nesting like crazy.  Everything is getting cleaned and organized.  Projects are getting completed.  Plans are getting in order.  I've got 3 weeks left before this baby is getting evicted!  I'm getting all my ducks in a row.  Now if only I could find the battery charger for my camera battery and take photos of all of my accomplishments.  :-( I had it in the diaper bag the other day and I'm afraid our little one thought it a toy and now I can't find it.  I have not given up though, I know it has to be somewhere! I shall find it!!  I must find it, I'd really like to have it ready to go for the hospital. 
We have this baby scheduled for C-Section on August 15th at 1:30pm so, prayers would be appreciated for that for sure.  I've had so much going on that I haven't even had time to blog from work and we are still internet free at home which is really proving to allow for much more room to prepare for baby.  I have been slacking on my meal planning though since I've been without online recipes and inspiration for new things.  I've also been feeling less and less like cooking with the extreme humidity here (the only downside of living only a few miles from the beach). 
I've been truly blessed with hand me downs! Norah has all of Joey's old things that weren't totally stained and gross and with hand me downs and gifts Norah already has a complete wardrobe for the first year of her life.  And then I get to pass them on down to a lovely friend of ours who is having a little girl in a several months.  I love it!! It's also going to be perfect for us because then I won't be tempted to haul baby things across the country when we move. 
Danny has recently found work!! PRAISE JESUS!!! I'm so excited for him.  The company looks like such a good fit for him.  He's going to be part of a flagship team taking over merchandising for the local Best Buy.  The best part...The company is a National one and they have locations in Colorado.  So, here's hoping that it's just part of the amazing set-up that I foresee for our moving.  I've been being blessed with little snippets of hope, in a bunch of people that we know all talking about moving to the Denver area which is where I've been feeling like we're supposed to be going and Danny is now starting to feel a little more as well.  WOOHOO! It's so nice to be on the same page as your spouse about big things.  The small things too, but the big things really do tend to be the conflict starters don't they?
Ok, well I've got some more calls to make and emails to send to get everything all set for this baby's arrival so I'm going to be off!

Baby Quilt

I DID IT!!  I finished the quilt.  I started yesterday afternoon, after baking a cake (ahh, those pregnancy cravings).  And then, I kept truckin' away until 10:30 and got it DONE!  Yay!! So here's some pics of the quilt along the way.

my pieces and backing all cut out

my kitchen table complete with Mother's Day Flowers from the hubby

my first block

next step, lining up all the little blocks

all pinned to the backing and ready to quilt

all quilted now just to do the edging

 

 

 

DONE!

 

 

Joey helped me pick out all the fabrics.  I tried to keep it in the same color family as Joey's baby quilt.  Joey's is pink and brown with hints of green so we went with pink and green with brown accents for Norah's quilt.  Norah's blanket also has some gold threading in two of the fabrics.  Joey liked them best because they were sparkly. 
Danny said he thinks that it's better than Joey's baby quilt.  I tend to agree.  I made Joey's quilt 3 years ago and I've since learned some things about quilting since then.  I also have a rockin' new machine to quilt with now. 
Now, Joey's asking me to make a blanket for her baby(her cabbage patch kid).  I think I'll make that one out of something else but I'm planning on using the scraps from Joey's quilt (yep, I still have some) and some of the scraps from Norah's quilt to make a cover for the changing table.  Something patchwork-y.  I think it'll be fun.  But that's a project for another day!

Cravings & Gender surprises

So for the most part, I have been much lighter on the cravings this pregnancy than I was with our precious Joey.  With her I craved Taco Bell & ice cream all through the pregnancy and on through nursing.  This time, I haven't had any serious cravings really.  A few bouts of, 'you know I could really go for some guacamole' or 'hey, i don't feel like cooking can we go out.' but no, 'I need such and such right now' kind of cravings. But today, I am craving a cocktail (total no-no), I know.  Luckily, I am a bartender by trade (or at least I was until recently),and I have a few good tricks up my sleeve for good 'mock'tails. So, since the hubby is out anyway, I sent him for provisions.  Simple 'mock'tail recipe: equal parts pomegranate juice and club soda, & a splash of fresh lime juice or if you have sour mix around, that works too.  So, hopefully, I can top off my night with one of those and I'll be a happy lady!

So, both Danny and I have been feeling like we were for sure having a boy this go around and we've been planning for what we'd do since most of our baby stuff is pink or girlie in nature.  So we went into our ultrasound yesterday expecting to see some little boy parts.  We were surprised to find a very showy little girl hiding in there.  She flashed us her bits a couple of times just so we'd be sure, I think.  So, in about 19 weeks or so we'll be welcoming our second little princess into this world.  Norah Dawn is our working title.  Joey's certainly excited about it though.  She's been pretty consistent about wanting a girl baby.  Though, thankfully, she's given up on wanting to name her Mary Poppins. 
Now, I'm trying to explain the concept of hand-me-downs to Joey since all of her things will be passed down to her little sister.  I am excited about not having to buy all new things for the little one on our already tight budget.  And plus with their birthday's so close, I should (in theory) be able to use all of Joey's things again since they'll be in season at just the right time.  I know that this little one could be built totally different from Joey or I could go into labor way early and render this plan useless but I'm hopeful.

Early Mornings

Looks like I'll be having some caffeine in a few hours to stay awake at church.  Ugh.  This little one has decided to wake me up nearly every night this week around 3 or 4 in the morning.  I hope this isn't a pattern that continues after he or she is born.  I may have to relearn to caffeinate regularly if that is the case.  It is a nice quiet time though.  The birdies are chirping outside just a bit and the only sound from inside is the click-ity-clack of the keys as I type.
In two days we find out if we're having a girl or a boy, should the baby prove cooperative.  I find myself wondering if this little one will be a thumb sucker in-uetero like his/her big sister.  Every ultra-sound picture we have of Joey, her thumb is in her mouth.  Ahh, good times!
I spent a good 5 hours putting together Joey's big girl bed yesterday and Joey loves the thing. That makes me so happy.  She helped my organize her things underneath the low loft after her nap.  It's such a nice little nook for her.  She can't quite climb up or down the ladder yet but that's OK since, she won't try without me there to watch/help her.  It just makes nap time that much easier, she has to either lay there and sleep or not sleep but she can't just wander out on her own.
Now, I just have to get her new dresser (my old dresser) organized with all her things and re-adjust the height of the crib for new baby and we'll be ready to set up for this little one.  I just keep having to remind myself to take things one step at a time.
There's just so much to do.  I also, have to keep reminding myself to let Danny handle the planning.  I keep trying to plan and do all the stuff and it's just too much.  I'm such a control freak.  Danny's here trying to plan and help take stuff off my plate and I keep cutting him off at the pass.  I need to learn to let go a little bit.  I can allow myself to handle the doing of stuff and let him handle the planning.  He's a better idea person anyway.  I'm better at the getting a plan moving.  I know this, logically, in my head but I can't seem to get the thoughts through to my actions.  How do I get that part to work?

Sunny Sunday

Sometimes, having the extra energy from not waiting tables anymore, is so nice.  As stressful as it is when folks don't show up, I was refreshed by having other people step up and help out today and fill in those gaps.  I am able to love people more the less I'm working in a direct serving role.  My job at the church is totally a serving role but I'm not being inundated by people wanting more from me with no regard for what it does to me.  I am surrounded by people who love me and want me to succeed.
And now that I'm taking the time to step back and allowing myself to take some space when I need it, I'm seeing more people's willingness to be involved whereas before I would've just done myself and then been irritated that no one wanted to step up.  I'm seeing now that if I want to have others help out, I need to express my limits and just do it all myself.  But as I'm doing this, I'm seeing more people step up and volunteer.  It's been really helpful to my view of Christian community.
Then, I got home and took a nap while Joey napped.  After that, Danny got home from is adventures this afternoon, and we had a quick PB&J dinner and were off to the grocery store.  I was able to really focus on what I was buying and got things that I really needed.  Lately, I've been finding myself one or two key ingredients short of a recipe(UGH).  But today, I had a very specific list and Danny hung out in the Starbucks and studied while Joey and I shopped.  I got all the fixin's for bean burritos,  chicken tikka masala, grilled cheese and tomato soup, spagettios(sp.) were Joey's request for the week and some other little leftover makeover meals.  Yay me! I feel like I'm getting my brain in order.  I even got a laundry bag so that I can do laundry again and actually get the laundry down the stairs without Danny's help.  So that's my little victory for the day, a successful shopping trip.  Woo Hoo!

Can't sleep

It's 5am and I can't sleep.  The cat woke me up by getting stuck behind the TV.  Now I'm up.  It feels too weird to go back to sleep.  The apartment is so quiet and Joey's not here.   Ugh. I'm sleepy and sappy and I want my little girl's good morning kisses in a few hours and she won't be here.  So, now, not only am I up at 5 am but I'm up at 5 am and crying because I miss my little girl.  I'm going to see her tomorrow and I know rationally that it's not that far off but I can't stop crying.  I'm such a sappy lady today.  Grr, hormones: Just let me go back to sleep and stop crying, Please.

Windows Open

Isn't it a lovely day today.  The sun is shining, the weather is warm.  There's a nice breeze of fresh after rain air.  I love days like today.  The winter is gone and spring is here.  I love the smell of a freshly rained on earth.  Everything smells so clean and bright.
I had a lovely afternoon outing with the hubby and the little one.  I was on a mission to find maternity jeans since I think I donated my old ones to relieve myself of wearing them to long after Joey was born.  But sadly the maternity store in the mall is no more and I've only been able to find dress pants in Target's maternity section.  I need a pair of jeans, they're so crucial to my wardrobe.  At least this go around, I can stick to mostly yoga pants but I still need just one pair of maternity jeans.  They have to be around here somewhere, I'd really like to be able to try on a pair instead of ordering them online.
But I digress, Danny and Joey and I went to the mall and had a lovely lunch at Panera.  Joey and I got new sunglasses since I recently lost my pair somewhere and I just can't go out on a day like today without sunglasses without coming home with a massive migraine.  I actually had to keep my hoodie over my head and my eyes closed just to make it to the mall.  We also got Danny some new plugs and a cigar for his first official boardwalk-God walk of the season and to celebrate the end of mid-terms and the start of his first spring break.
I'm so proud of my hubby.  He's back in school and loving it.  He'd been out of school for 10 years and he's on the Dean's list at Gateway.  He may be stressed about some of his core classes but he always comes home from his Early Childhood Ed. class feeling renewed in his calling to open a bi-lingual daycare center.  I just know he's going to do so well.  The class even organized a group trip to a local Christian Day care during their spring break, separate from the curriculum, just because.
Danny's all excited to go because he was encouraged to take Joey.  And now Joey's all excited because she's been asking to go to school and now she gets to try one out.  She loves to learn and I'm so hoping that we can get her into the program at Gateway.  It'll be nice for her to have her school where Daddy has his school, especially since we can get the Grant for it for her.  I love her vibrancy and excitedness to learn.  Even when she starts to lose focus when I do school with her, she still hates putting it away and just wants to keep going.

I'm having a sappy mommy/pregnant lady day in case you hadn't noticed.  :-)  Hope everyone else is feeling the love today too!  Happy St. Patrick's Day.

days go on, meal plans change

So, yesterday I did a crap ton of cleaning.  I cleaned out all the toys under the couch, I swept and vacuumed.  I did three loads of laundry, I'd have done more but I ran out of quarters.  I cleaned out the vacuum and learned how to fix it when it gets clogged.  I cleaned Joey's room and cleaned what I could of our room in spite of the mountain of laundry still in need of washing.  Then I hosted Care Group this week.  Which mad me super happy.  I've been wanting to host a care group for a while but it's never quite been the right time.  I'd love to host more regularly but with Danny's class schedule it might not be the best idea to start that just yet.
I love that I finally had the energy to get the house clean.  Clean spaces make me smile.  Second trimester, I think I love you the best!  Danny and I went out to this really awesome little Mexican Diner here in West Haven.  The food was So good.  I've had better Chicken Mole but not for as cheap as it was there.  Even at that, it was only slightly better.  And the homemade sauces were so fresh and yummy.  Danny, of course, was in heaven because the staff spoke Spanish.  Joey was being a bit of a trouble maker and we had to leave quicker than planned.  The food was so yummy.  Danny says that he might even want to have his family birthday dinner there.
I don't know what had Joey so worked up today but she just wouldn't go down for her nap.  She's been in her bed either chatting or yelling for me to come get her since 2 and it's nearly 4:30 now and she just quieted down maybe 10 minutes ago.  I can't let her sleep too late or she won't go to bed on time tonight.  Ugh.  The sucky thing is that when she's yelling for me, I can't even really go into the kitchen or the bathroom without the yelling getting louder.
So, I've had to put off making dinner.  I'm thinking that I'm going to have to switch up my dinner plans because of it.  I was planning on Chicken Tikka Masala but I can't exactly go whipping up the sauce without using the blender and waking my little sleeper.  Grr.  I don't know what to make now.  I have a meal plan for the week but maybe I'll have to tweek it a little.  But what to swap out is the question.  Oh well.  Off to my planning.

Such a slacker

I've been feeling like such a slacker lately.  I'm been so tired and just crazy wiped out lately.  I'm usually all go-go-go.  But not this go around.  Oh well.  Maybe my body is just storing up energy in preparation for being a mommy of two (I hear that can be exhausting as well).  I've been a little stressed out too which I'm sure doesn't help.  I can't seem to get myself to eat enough.  I've been losing weight this past week.  I'm trying to hold steady where I'm at.  I'm not supposed to be gaining any weight but it is not healthy to be losing weight either.  So, Danny made me brownies last night with a lovely peanut butter swirl and marshmallow chunks.  So YUMMY!! My hubby takes such good care of me.
We've been getting a little snow logged and I hear that there's more on the way but I'm just plugging my ears and singing, "lalalalalala!" We've already lost our regular parking spot to the 3 foot snow banks of the first storm.  Then we lost our back up parking spot to the 7 foot snow banks of the second set of storms.  The 2nd back up spot that Danny found will be under parking ban tomorrow and Danny's beginning to wonder weather just letting it get buried and leaving it until spring is a viable option (not really but it's nice to dream).  I've a little concerned because we've all got dentist appointments this week for the first time in 11 years for me, joey's first ever and Danny has some serious dental work to get done.  We finally got through to a dentist that takes our insurance (woo hoo!)  It's time to get cracking already.  I just don't want to have to reschedule.
I started feeling teeny tiny baby kicks this week.  I love that feeling.  It's only right after I eat and only if I'm laying still that I can pick them out but that little one is in there for sure, and boy oh boy the somersaults going on.  I so hope that I'm nearing the end of all the yucky feeling and I can start to get some of my baby prep list working.  I've got so much to do to get ready.  I can't wait to get started, I just wish that I felt well enough to get going already.  I have baby blankets to make and bedrooms to redecorate.  Danny and I are switching our larger room with Joey and little #2 so that we can fit the crib and Joey's new bed both in one room.  We've also got a bunch of crap that needs to get thrown away.  And I've decided to try and use up some of the fabrics pieces that I've got lying around to make a nice large rag rug for the kids room and to get them out of our closet.  I'm trying to not over purge but at the same time we need way more space if another person is going to fit into our little 800ish square foot apartment with us.  At least we've got the hard part (the plan) done and ready to move on as soon as I feel up to getting it going.  I've planned out the few new purchases (all IKEA) that we need to make in order to make some order to our space.  And I've been scouring craigslist to try and find the same or similar options for cheaper.  I think I can, I think I can.