If you know me well, you know I start scouting out Christmas gifts around late October in hopes to have all of my shopping done by the end of November and ready to ship out to family in IL in early December.  Yes, I know, I’m a bit strange, but I’m ok with that.

With the baby coming at the end of October or the beginning of November, I’m afraid I’m going to either let a birthday or Christmas gift slip by me or just not have time to tend to it.  So, last night, I made sure that both nieces and both nephews were taken care of.  I purchased birthday and Christmas gifts for them all and hope to have them in within two weeks, wrapped, and ready to ship out when that time comes.

The birthdays are in October, November, December, and January (yes, they spaced themselves out perfectly and our child will go smack in the middle).

Have you caught on yet that I haven’t taken time to worry about gifts for the siblings and parents?  I figure if I let them slide this year, they’ll understand and can be adults about it, but the kids…that’s a whole other story.  You can’t let them down.

So, I pretty much have my Christmas and birthday shopping done, except creating some handmade items for my niece.  She’s requested all handmade things for gifts from now on (my kind of girl).  I’ve ordered some supplies and have the ideas in mind already, so I just need to make them when the supplies arrive.  Trying mostly new things I’ve never created before.  I’d list them, but my niece reads my blog.  I will try to post pictures when they’re created (as long as I can get my niece to not peek).

I had Jason take a quick picture of me before running out the door to meet with my friend Susan who had set up the most amazing day for me.

Almost 4 years ago I had shoulder surgery and she and another lady (Mary Margaret) in our Bible study brought over food for Jason and I.  Mary Margaret made me a chicken pot pie.  It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever had and I’ve requested this recipe since, but did not get it until yesterday.  And to clarify (in case you’re wondering), I also loved what Susan brought me and requested that recipe, but got it within the same week.  LOL!

So, my amazing day yesterday started with heading to Susan’s house and going together to Mary Margaret’s house for the three of us to each make a chicken pot pie.  We all had so much fun together!  We spent time getting each thing ready and Susan also took time to write down the recipe as we went along.  After seeing Mary Margaret’s recipe (the original and the four sections of notes with addendums to the recipe), I realize now why I have never gotten the recipe from her (it was all over the place in tiny notes that she couldn’t even read herself).  She is a complete natural at cooking and just throws a bit of this and a bit of that in, to come up with her creation.  This is why Susan was making sure to write down the recipe.  Smart girl!

I now have my recipe, enjoyed some great time with both Susan and Mary Margaret and was able to eat lunch with them yesterday (tasting the fruits of our labor that morning preparing the chicken pot pie).  Last night I baked mine and Jason and I enjoyed it (and um, finished it up today).  YUM!

Thank you Susan for arranging such an incredible day for me yesterday.  What an amazing gift you gave me!

And, in case you’re wanting this amazing recipe, you can print it out here.

We are registered for a “man-ish” diaper bag (yes, I know there is no such word as “man-ish”).  It’s gray and black with green accents.  I wanted to choose something that both Jason and I could use and felt this fit the bill very well…BUT…the more I thought about it, I don’t want to carry both a diaper bag and a purse and I don’t want this “blah” diaper bag to be my purse.  It has no style at all (not that I’m a stylish person to begin with anyway).

So, after searching online last night and this morning, I’ve narrowed my personal diaper bag (yes, we’ll have two….a purse one for me and a “man-ish” one for my husband) down to two options.  Both are from the same designer and both have the exact same amenities and features.  It just comes down to style.  I will be getting black for sure (goes with everything).  So, out of the styles below, which one would you chose (A or B)?

We had fun yesterday seeing our baby boy again (4D ultrasound).  He is so cute and looks just like his Daddy!  He was extremely active and not very cooperative either, so we do get a free rescan or I guess you could say that yesterday was free and we’ll pay for the rescan.  We’ll head back this coming Tuesday to do the rescan.  When we left yesterday, we received 4 black and white photos, 9 colored photos, a CD of the photos, and a DVD of the scan.  We’ll also receive everything again when we have the rescan, so we’re getting quite a bit more for our money and we get to see our baby boy again.  Bonus!

We went to Triangle Imaging Center in Cary, NC.  The office was super nice and comfortable, and the staff was amazing!  We both highly recommend them!  They’re very personable and make you feel completely comfortable.

Our little one had his hands and feet up next to his face practically the whole time.  He also loves to play catch with his umbilical cord and hold it close to his face (can you say Linus from “Peanuts” with his blanket).  He has very long legs (just call him grasshopper boy) and we got to see both hands, feet, ears, eyes, nose and mouth (more of the hands and feet than anything else…that stinker).  We tried everything to get him to put his hands and feet down.  I drank juice, ate some chocolate, got up and down a million times, changed positions for the scanning, and even emptied my bladder one more time.  Nothing did the trick.  I’m thinking we’re going to have a strong-willed child on our hands (just like his Mommy).

The Ultrasound Technician was extremely knowledgeable!  She answered all of our questions and even went further to explain things.  She was so patient and as sweet as can be.  I hope we get the same person again on Tuesday.  I’ll post another picture of our boy if the pictures are any better than what we currently have.

On a side note, I’ve had a few people ask me what the difference is between the 3D and 4D ultrasound.  I had to look it up, but wanted to post the answer in case you had the same question.

What is the difference between 2D, 3D, & 4D Ultrasounds?

2D technology is the black/white technology and is used for gender determination and to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. 3D produces color still shot pictures. 4D, in simple terms, is 3D in movement. So if your baby is sucking his/her thumb, crying, yawning, etc. you will see his/her movements and gestures in the color technology.

We were on our way to pick my in-laws up from the airport and got a quick shot of my belly before leaving.  Today marks week 30 for me.  Tomorrow we’re having a 4-D ultrasound done, so I’ll post pictures and comments on what we thought soon.

Just got back from a week long vacation in the Smoky Mountains and trying to get back into the swing of things.  It was fun!  A lot to see and do.  We’ve already decided we’re heading back some time.  There were quite a few things we wanted to do but couldn’t due to me being pregnant (zip line, The Zorb, bungee jumping, major hikes, etc…).

I was able to finish my niece’s quilt.  I’m washing it now and will soon get pictures of it to post on my blog.  I’m very happy with the way it turned out.  Great colors, fun patterns, and it’s very comfy and soft.

Ok…you knew these were coming.  I used some of the fabrics left over from the baby quilt I made and added them to some burp cloths (or cloth diapers, whatever you want to call them).  This was the simplest thing I think I’ve ever made.

I first saw these on Etsy, then Googled to search for a tutorial.  I found a great (and easy) tutorial from Chickpea Sewing Studio.  It took maybe 5 minutes to make each one (which includes ironing seams on the fabric so it’s the right size to sew onto the burp cloth).

I only wish I would have thought of these first.  I could be making some big bucks on Etsy.  Not sure if there is a market for another burp cloth maker.

This past Friday morning I had my Glucola test.  Based on everyone’s experience and the horror stories I’ve heard, I’ve been dreading this day since I found out I was pregnant.  To my surprise, I was nervous for nothing.

There were only three of us taking the glucose test on Friday.  We each had to drink the glucose drink one at a time (I was last…and not by choice).  The first person gagged her way through it stating that she doesn’t drink any sugary drinks (she must eat a lot of sugar in other things then, because she wasn’t thin by any means).  The second girl drank hers and ended with saying that her friend told her to just drink it as fast as she can.  So now it’s my turn.  Of course I’m freaked out.  I love my sugar though and was told by a nurse ahead of time that the drink tasted like a flat orange soda or like the orange drink that McDonald’s use to serve when I was a kid (which is probably the last time I had an orange soda).

Ok, so it’s my turn.  I take a sip (expecting the worst, of course) and to my surprise, I actually like it.  I had no issues drinking it.  It tasted just like an orange soda.  Mind you that it’s a new glucola drink that has recently come on to the market, so I’m not doubting that people in the past who have had a glucola drink have thought it was disgusting.  So, no issues at all.

We watched a movie about being in your third trimester and the beginning labor pains, as well as time in the hospital, then waited until our appointed time to get our blood drawn, then seen by a doctor and on our way out the door.  It was a good day I must say.  I definitely was on a sugar high for quite some time (very giddy).  Glad it’s over though.  Still waiting on the results, but should find out this week.

I’m thinking of putting a wall saying on one of the walls in the nursery.  Here are some sayings I’m interested in.  Which would you pick or do you have another saying that you like better (not listed).

Option 1:
Before you were conceived
I wanted you.
Before you were born
I loved you.
Before you were here an hour
I would die for you.
This is the miracle of love.
~Maureen Hawkins

Option 2:
Child of God;
an unrepeatable miracle

Option 3:
Every good and perfect gift from above.
~James 1:17

Option 4:
Wee little baby fresh from God’s arms,
You light up the world
with your sweet baby charms.
May God ever bless you
with love and with grace,
And may joy always shine
on your dear little face.

Option 5:
Sometimes the smallest things
take up the most room in your heart.
~Winnie the Pooh

After receiving my baby book and flipping through it, I noticed there are eight places to put belly progression pictures.  As of two days ago, I only had taken two (one at 14 weeks and one being the one my Mom took of me while visiting, at 19 weeks).

I had my husband take a picture of me last night (at 25 weeks).  I have another five pictures to take in the next possible 15 weeks (I think I’m going to need to mark my calendar to make sure I get these next five pictures taken…easy math though…every three weeks).

I’m not one for the “cutesy” stuff when it comes to kids.  Sure, I’ll have some things (it’s a kid), but I like to purchase things that grow with a child (my kids bedroom decor is not changing when he’s two).  So, it makes sense that the baby book I would purchase would be more grown up too.

I found it on Etsy and did a ton of research before purchasing it.  I scoured the internet to find just the right thing.  I wanted it to be “boyish”, but not “kiddish” (if that makes sense).  I found an amazing seller on Etsy who created the most beautiful baby book I’ve ever seen.  It’s just perfect and so me.

I’m not sure about you, but I have my baby book and I do look at it occasionally.  I’m guessing since I’m having a boy that he won’t care to ever look at it, but I’m guessing his wife might want to or his kids (yes, I think way into the future).

So, here come some pics (horrible quality, so I apologize)….

The front cover (above) says “Everyday Moments” on it, but once we come up with a name, I’ll replace it with a personalized insert (which the person will create for me who I purchased this album from).

Here is the inside of the album as I opened it up for the first time.  It’s all strapped together and sealed with the Etsy sellers name “Edna Mae Baby”.

Here’s a picture of the “family tree” page with a journaling page next to it to talk about who everyone is that is listed.

Here are a couple of photo pages where I can put pictures of me with my pregnant belly and list what week it was taken (which reminds me that I need to take another picture of my belly and update you all on my size).

Here’s a blank journal page and a page to record some milestones (held head up, turned over, first tooth, slept all night, reached for object, first steps, crawled, pulled up, sat alone, etc…).

A page for “hopes, dreams, and prayers” for our child and a couple of photo inserts for when the baby is one month old and two months old.

Here are a couple of pages for certain ages (particularly ages three and four for what’s pictured).  As I’m sure you’ve figured out, I only took pictures of an extremely small portion of this baby book.  There is so much more included!

I’m so excited about this book and cannot wait to start filling it up.  What a great way to journal and keep track of such monumental moments.