Pregnancy Q & A

Q: When did you find out?
J: Just three days after E's birthday! Such a wonderfully, eventful last few weeks of December!


Q:Awww, did you tell W in a cute way?
J: Naturally, when I found out I immediately thought "This is WAY TOO perfect! Christmas! A special gift! A total surprise! So cool!!" That lasted all of A day. W caught me with a test Tuesday morning and I had to fib myself out of that one while trying so hard not to smile. I am absolutely horrible when it comes to keeping things from W. I acted fast and put the test on his breakfast plate {with the cap on!!} while he took the dogs outside.

W: I was wondering why she wanted me to have breakfast so bad. Right at that moment. She asked me like four times if I wanted to have breakfast. I had to wash my hands!


Q: Was this planned?
J: Sure, in the fact that we weren't stopping it from happening. I haven't taken meds for that since after seven months into marriage. Hated the pill!! But I really think breastfeeding was a natural protection for us, because December was the first full month where I wasn't nursing. The truth is, we'd be happy if we found out another was on the way months before. ;)

W: She about covered it.

Q: How are you feeling?
J: Pretty good now. There was definitely the stage of queasiness and extreme exhaustion. But I found that if I get some good protein like eggs first thing in the morning, I do so much better. The few times I actually felt like I would toss my cookies was when I skimped for a bowl of cereal. The exhaustion seems more this time around but that's probably because I already have a baby to care for!

Q: Notice any differences yet?
J: YES! The biggest is my desire for sweets. With E, I could not touch them, especially chocolate, with a 10 foot pole. Now I'm eating them pretty regularly and sometimes it feels like they help my stomach calm down. Also I'm craving fruit more than last time. Before it was all about salt! I remember drinking the remaining balsamic vinegar in my bowl after I finishing a salad. So gross! But it tasted so good! Also the queasiness and exhaustion seemed to kick in so much earlier this go around. Like week 5 or 6. And I feel it the worst at night; opposite of E.


Q: Are you going to find out the gender?
J: We've been talking about this lately. I loved not finding out with Ezra!! It was one of the sweetest moments when W told me. Now, I'm up for a new adventure. But I still want it to be special. My mom shared the idea that's been going around. I like that. But we won't decide on a name until birth, we've got to meet 'em first and see what s/he looks like. Plus we can never agree until we're under pressure.

W: Probably. But truthfully, I'd rather not. It's one of the very few real good surprises left in this world.

Q: Gender Predictions?
W: Whatever J says, I go with the opposite.

J: Honestly, I have no clue. I'll just say boy. I've already had a dream it's a boy. But, last pregnancy I had two dreams about having a girl. Clearly, I can't quiet down my presumptions long enough to figure out what my gut is saying. ;) It'd really be fun and great to have either for different reasons. Although, I've been eyeing the adorable girls' clothes at Target lately!

W: Alright, I'm going with girl.

Q: And...what about a home birth?
W: If we can find a midwife we like, trust and can afford, we will certainly, prayerfully consider it. If it's a viable option, I'd really like to go for it.

J:Yeah, me too. It's a honest desire of my heart and God's put it there for a reason. It's all about having him/her naturally really, like E. I'd just love to do it in the comfort of my home if at all possible. Actually, I'm really digging the idea of a water birth this time!! Again, up for a new adventure!

Oh, Brother!

That's right. We have one. Debuting September 1st, 2011.

And we're all VERY ecstatic!

{Have I been a hot mess?! Sure. Have I already swapped in my buttons for elastic waists even if I'm only 10 weeks? HECK YES!}

I've been Tagged...

Tiff tagged me so here's what I got! :)

1. What color are your socks right now?

Light blue. I stole them from my mom's stash a few years ago...but shhhh, don't tell her!

2. What are you listening to right now?

Silence. It's really nice every once in awhile. 

3. What was the last thing you ate?

Jumba Juice pomegranate thingy

4. Can you drive a stick shift?

YES! Well, not with much confidence. But that's only because W's truck is HUGE compared to my little Cabrio. I don't like driving it. But he was a very good teacher. 

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone.

Michelle. The mom who's son I teach.

6. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Sure do!

7. How old are you today?

27...but I honestly have a hard time remembering my age nowadays.

8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

The kind where the TV is off.

9. What is your favorite drink?

 Lately I've been craving vanilla lattes with whole milk. Yum!

10. Have you ever dyed your hair?

I went through a blonde stage like 3 years ago, but I always fall back to my love: dark dark red

11. Favorite food?

Thai, Sushi, Indian, and Ethiopian

12. What is the last movie you watched?

Salt. It was entertaining.

13. Favorite day of the year?

The ones that include family time!!!

14. How do you vent?

This outward processor talks to her hubby, wise friends, and journals. I use to run too, but I've given up hope for that any time soon.

15. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Ehhh, the classics: my little ponies, barbies, and popples

16. What is your favorite season?

Fall with summer in close second.

17. Cherries or blueberries?

Blackberries...I eat them by the Costco-sized case 

18. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

Sure. But I guess I'm old-fashioned, I love a great phone conversation or ::gasp:: in person contact! Of course, that was easier before E. ;)

21. Living situation?

Beyond blessed!

22. When was the last time you cried?

Tuesday

23. What is on the floor of your closet?

You don't want to know.

25. What did you do last night?

After a really long day, I had a bubble bath and body massage courtesy of my awesome hubby. Then went to bed really early!

26. What are you most afraid of?

Anything happening to those I love.

27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

cheese.

28. Favorite dog breed?

Don't have one.

29. Favorite day of the week?

I guess all but Tues & Weds...they usually move the slowest?!

30. How many states have you lived in?

Two. This one and Colorado.

I tag: Mexican burnt, Crafty Buddy, Baby Jack's Mama, & My resident L&D Nurse {Ams, this would be a great way to update that blog of yours!}

What I Wore Wednesdays

Eh, leave it to me to commit to a new project then completely ditch it for a whole two weeks. Yeesh. Anyway, W and I dated this weekend. It was super low key because both of us were waaay exhausted. {it's low key when you just go with the first thing you throw on.} Just can't say no to a dinner out when you've got a great babysitter and a gift card. :) But we hustled home to a Redbox movie {Salt} in bed with pajamas on. 

Here's my dinner attire:

brass earrings: XO, twisted silver

three leaf necklace: forever21 {i think??}

striped tank top: isaac mizrahi for target, thrifted

skull imprinted cardigan: forever21

denim: paige jeans, macy*s

gold flats: american eagle, payless

Tutorial.Love.

Inspiration for more craftiness found here. 

{photo credit: here}

Baby Burp Cloths

I've been admiring these homemade cuties for some time now and have finally tried my own hand at them. And they are super easy, just like everyone says! It's a great beginners project since it's all about straight lines. I made a set of 3 in about 2-3 hours a few nights ago for baby L's shower this coming weekend. 

I made two using this tutorial. Loved it the best! And you get to use more of the flannel print which is fun.

 I made one using this tutorial. It was quicker to make and I actually had to change some settings on my machine to find the right zig-zag stitch. One that was small and tight. Yay for being forced to learn something new. 

 So now it's time to raid my mom's supplies for some blue tulle ribbon so I can bow these puppies up and put them in baby L's tote bag!

Muir Woods

This past weekend was our last with Flat Stanley. I've been working on a hardback photo book of all Stanley's adventures {since Shutterfly so kindly offered me a free one.} But I still needed a few more pictures to finish off the book before finally sending it back to Indiana. W has been aching to go hiking for awhile now and we've both been talking about Muir Woods since we moved up here. 

So, we were up by 7:30; out the door with a good breakfast in our tummies, lunches packed, and on our way to coffee by 9am. Very rare for us on a Saturday morning! But it was so worth it. Little traffic and the mist only turned to a light rain when we were leaving the park...but it was so refreshing! 

I wanted to share some of my favorite things from the day. The first: At the start of our hike, we saw some saplings. I loved it. This will eventually become a Giant Sequoia. Something so small will become something so grand and enormous. Unbelievable potential. 

Reminds me that my thinking and perspective are so limited compared to God's.  And that eternal perspective is what encourages me when I can only see the sapling in a situation, but God knows all about that Giant Sequoia in the future. Just thought it was a sweet analogy...

Stanley learned about tree rings. 

 The second: this tree had beautiful fern plants growing up the trunk and every branch. It was gorgeous to see in person with the sunlight making the ferns look glowing green.

Giant redwoods

We took the Fern Creek trail and the longest loop on the boardwalks. So we hiked about 3.6 miles total. Did I mention the ferns were beautiful?! All the greenery and giant trees were breath-taking.

The third: the creek that we hiked along. Perfect white noise. It was so peaceful.

 Lastly: the cool bridges we had to cross while on our adventure... 

And the few obstacles we faced along the way.

So wonderful to be outdoors! Even if I am still so out of shape!

It's Done!

Well, ok. Almost. I'm one quick step away, but I wanted to post anyway. :)

Here's the outside of the tote bag:

 I embroidered around the L to outline it.

Here's the inside:

So, our local fabric store is moving...in April to a location nearby. But I discovered this week that they are no longer receiving any shipments. Ugh. I was forced to pick another fabric and tried to find one that remotely went with my shark print. It was a Tim-Gunn-make-it-work-moment. 

I tried a few new things with this project. One being the ric-rak trim. Started out as a really cute idea. But that stuff is dang hard to sew as a first-timer. I called it heart attack by ric-rak. Somehow it turned out...if you don't look too hard at it. I also used fusible webbing with the monogram letter. It made the fabric stick without sewing it on. Super easy steps to follow. I'd definitely use it again. 

I used this adorable tutorial for the tote. And may just have to use it again. Could be my new gift bag for presents. Now, time for the last sewing step and then finding some fun stuff to fill it with!

{Finally} In Progress

Finally sat down tonight to get working on a gift: a book tote bag.

I'm using my left over materials from Ezra's stocking since it's for another little boy. But now I'm at a stand-still until I get some more supplies. Hoping to be complete by next week. 

Park Days

We pretty much spent all last week at the park..well, at various ones around us. The sun has been delightful and the Vitamin D is just asking to be absorbed. Our town has 25 play-structure parks and I'm thinking we should try each one out. Most of them have been updated since I was a kid, but a few still hold some memories. Last week, we spent time at the three closest to us.

 

Recently, Ezra has been brave enough to go down slides by himself. He's also crossed the threshold of not looking back. You know, when the kid just takes off running to go explore and be adventurous, and doesn't even take a second to look back at his safety net. Yeah, we're there. Didn't think it was possible, because he normally stays so close to us. Starting to spread those wings, I suppose...

Thankfully, he still allows for the occasional Mama snuggle time throughout playtime, if I'm sneaky enough.

On the weekend, Papa got to join in on the park fun.

 Static-Boy Hair!

{photo credit: K.Jenkins}