39 weeks

Here I am in between 39 weeks and 40 weeks. Only 3 more days of work. I guess I couldn't have timed that better. Our last day of school before spring break is Thursday and I'm due on Friday. I'm fully expecting to go past my due date if this little girl is anything like Mason. And if my past few doctor appointments mean anything.

We'll see what happens this week.

I'm feeling pretty good! Besides mason using my belly as his personal jungle gym, I can't complain. We finally packed our hospital bag. We've decided on three name possibilities. We have cousins on hand to watch the dogs. A couple meals are in the freezer. So, now we're just playing the waiting game.

from the window

Mason and I spent most of the morning yesterday before church looking out the window. When we woke up, the huge herd of elk that hangs out a couple months out of every year was right across the way. We kept counting them over and over. Then some started jumping over the fence and mason kept chanting "1, 2, 3...jump!"
When we weren't watching the elk, we kept looking for airplanes. And trains. He has a sudden obession with both. I love our mornings together, especially on the weekends. I know that is going to change soon, so we're just soaking up this time with our little man.

nephew

Our new little nephew is here! Jackson was born last weekend and we were able to go visit him. It's hard to believe he is already over a week old.

There was a little confusion when we arrived at the hospital to visit them. I walked in carrying mason and we made our way to the map, trying to figure out where maternity was without looking completely clueless. We couldn't find it on the map and this nice looking older lady at the information desk was watching us so we headed her way. She asked how she could help. We told her we were trying to find maternity. Then she started freaking out. "Oh my goodness! Are you ready to go up now??" she frantically asked me. I started cracking up and explained that we were actually here to visit someone. Yeah, I hope when I go to the hospital and am about to give birth that we just casually walk in, me carrying mason, smiling like we don't have a care in the world.

We finally made it to my sister's room. It was awesome to see their new little family. My little sister is a mom. And Jackson was just as precious as could be. A true blessing.Mason wasn't so sure about his new cousin. Especially when I was holding him. He kept saying "no baby, no baby." He really has no idea what's coming:) He did eventually warm up to him and gave the official inspection: pointing to all his facial features...nose, eyes, cheeks, ears, chin, and hair (which he has a ton of!). Uncle Ryan! When ryan wasn't distracting mason so I could hold the little bundle of joy, he was getting his baby time in. We both forgot how little and scrunchie they are.

Congratulations sister! You have a beautiful baby boy and we love our little nephew so much!

wordless wednesday

37 weeks

We spent the weekend traveling across the state visiting newborn babies and attending a birthday party. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures at my bf's little girl's party. She turned one this week and we were able to celebrate with her. Another friend had her baby and so did my sister! Yeah for a new nephew. I did take plenty of pictures of him, which I will post later. I'm pretty sure I should be staying close to home for the next few weeks though as my turn to do the whole labor and delivery thing will be here soon.

oranges

We've really been into oranges around here lately. They just taste so good on a cold, windy day. They feel a little bit like spring.

I recently made orange yogurt muffins which were delicious. The glaze is the perfect touch.

Orange Yogurt Muffins

From Light & Tasty

1/2 c. sugar, divided

2 Tbsp. grated orange peel

2 Tbsp. water

5 Tbsp. butter, cubed

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

3/4 c. plain yogurt (we used greek yogurt)

3/4 c. milk

Glaze:

1 c. powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. orange juice

1 tsp. grated orange peel

In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 c. sugar, orange peel and water. Cook and stir over low heat for 3-5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Add butter; stir until melted. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and remaining sugar. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, yogurt, milk, and reserved butter mixture. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Coat muffin cups with cooking spray; fill each with about 1/4 c. batter. Bake at 375 for 13-18 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients and spoon over warm muffins. Yum!

Mason has been surviving on oranges the past few days. He eats them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And Mr. Independent will only eat them if he gets to peel them himself. Then he says "pull apart" as he pulls apart each little segment. He sure is a cutie enjoying his Cuties:)

right now

Just a few things I'm loving right now:

~ice water...I can't seem to get enough

~doing puzzles with mason

~dark chocolate

~squeezing in time for knitting and sewing

~browsing the seed catalogs and planning our garden

~lots of time with friends and family last weekend and much more this weekend!
~oranges, or anything citrus really

~mason patting my belly and saying "nice baby"

~watching mason learn to count (1 to 10, yeah!)

~little baby girl keeping me company all night with her kicks and punches

~ryan taking over all of mason's bath time duties

~our cozy, warm house (that still needs some pictures or something on the walls)

~antique shopping

~getting letters in the mail

~5 more weeks until my due date:)

wordless wednesday ~ english muffins

snow day

School got cancelled today, which means I get an extra day with this sweet little boy:
And my big boy too. We started the day with banana walnut pancakes. I love when we get to eat breakfast together. Almost as much as I love pancakes.

Then mason and I read every book he owns. Twice. Then we did all his puzzles about five times. I love playing with him and watching him learn new things. Today we've been working on all the animals and the sounds that they make. I think the rooster has got to be my favorite.

During naptime ryan and I both tackled our evergrowing to-do lists. Ryan's been working in the garage...hanging boards for the ceiling and lights that will be put up next. I've been working in my craft room. Still organizing and rearranging. It's almost done though and it will be nice to cross that off the list.

Homemade pizza for dinner makes for a pretty great snowy tuesday!

cold

It's been cold and snowy around here. I think I've had my fair share of driving in it. I headed out on Wednesday afternoon to a reading conference in Denver. This is by far the best reading conference available and I try to go every year, plus I get to see my mom. I was not disappointed. I came back with several new ideas for my classroom and renewed energy for the rest of the year (ok, the rest of my time until baby girl is here!) Mason got to spend some time with Nana and he had a blast painting, reading, coloring, and playing with all the toys at Nana's house. We didn't head home until Saturday. Let me just mention that with all this driving (and the slower pace due to the weather...) I am in love with books on tape. I "read" one and a half books during this trip and am almost done with the second one just driving around town back at home.

Besides the conference, the highlight of the trip was a scrapbooking night with my bf, mindy. We met at Archiver's for one of their crops. I haven't stayed up until 11:00 scrapbooking in a long time, but with mindy the time just flew by. Just another reason I wish we lived closer...so thankful for her friendship.

Mason loves this weather. Everytime he looks outside he says "brrrrr" and shakes his body. I don't know how many times he repeats the word "snow" in one day. He is so good about bundling up and heading out. Plus, he's just too cute in that hat (thanks mindy!)

who knew?

We got the Cabela's catalog in the mail a few days ago. I'm talking the huge hard cover bound catalog. The one that weighs about 5 pounds. It wouldn't fit in our PO Box and when Ryan went to pick it up from the ladies behind the counter, they were laughing about the huge stack they still had to disperse. Apparently those are pretty popular around these parts.

Well, who knew that it would become Mason's new favorite book. We've probably looked at it at least 20 times a day. He tries to carry that thing over to your lap and wants to "read" it with you. Every single big game animal in there is referred to as "moose" and all the black labs are "Java". He also loves to point to all the shoes and hats and repeat to words over and over. He's very picky though. Sometimes he wants you to turn the pages and sometimes he doesn't want you to touch the book at all....he will do it himself.

Thanks Cabela's for the hours of entertainment. And the dent in our bank account since ryan has had so many extra opportunities to peruse through it.

32 weeks

Ryan snapped this picture of me last thursday and then took the camera and left it at work until yesterday. So here I am at 31 weeks.

And here is 32 weeks. I have no idea what's going on with my hair.

It's really hard to believe that I have less than 10 weeks until my due date. I am loving being pregnant. Everyone keeps asking me how I'm feeling and actually I feel really great. Sure, I'm not sleeping well. Sure, my back is super sore. Especially after hanging out with second graders from 8 until 4 everyday. But, overall I really can't complain. Being pregnant is one of the most amazing experiences. Ever.

Plus, my doctor informed me yesterday that I've actually lost a couple pounds (I guess I'm just making up for the 6 pounds I gained at the appointment before that). So I'm not feeling guilty at all about the bowl of ice cream I've had after dinner every single night this week.

We've made a little progress in the name game. That is, we have a couple names that might be good options. At least we have a few that we've both agreed on, but we are not really close to a final decision. We'll probably just have to meet little baby girl first.

I think baby girl is doing gymnastics throughout my body. She pretty much moves all the time, every day. I don't remember mason moving this much...he seemed to have more of a schedule. I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come.

In other pregnancy news...I've been nesting like crazy. No room has been left untouched. I've been organizing, purging, rearranging, and cleaning up a storm. Ok, maybe not so much emphasis on the cleaning. My floor needs mopped in a serious way, but all the kitchen drawers are sure orderly:)

So, I'm pretty much planning on enjoying these last few weeks (ok, months) of pregnancy as much as possible. But we are sure looking forward to March!

knits

These are a few of the projects I've made this winter. Most were Christmas gifts (working towards all homemade gifts...maybe next year:) and one birthday gift. I guess I'm on a scarf kick (and I didn't even get pictures of them all...there are four more...)

I made this one for my mom. At first I didn't like how wide it was, but when it was all done I almost wanted to keep it for myself. It's so warm and you can fold the whole thing in half. Plus, I love the self-striping yarn. This one was for a four-year-old who loves accessories. I actually got it done in one day. I may be addicted to making these little ones.

For my cousin karly, a pair of fingerless gloves. I told her they make awesome driving gloves, but that may be better suited for the fall and spring since your whole hand doesn't quite stay warm:) And since when is my "little" cousin driving anyway?

This striped scarf went to my cousin, lacy. I need to get some circular needles and try the stripes again. Lots and lots of weaving in the ends my friends.

I wish I had pictures of the other little gifts I made. It felt so nice to make something for the people I love. And later this week I am totally going to a learn-to-knit-socks group. I heard all the other ladies are retired, so I'm sure I'll fit right in:) I'm planning to make a tangled fool of myself, but I can't seem to stop with the knitting needles and the yarn.

hello

It's been awhile. I've missed you. I haven't been around the computer much, and while I've enjoyed the break, I miss documenting the little things that fill our lives these days. And the big things. Like two preggo sisters. I've spent most of my free time (read 20 minutes here and there) working on a little project for my soon-to-be nephew. And I finished it just in time for my sister's baby shower this past weekend. Can I just say I love being pregnant together. My sister is such a sweet, special, awesome girl and I loved being able to throw a shower for her (along with my mom and help from my cousins!) and celebrate this new stage of her life.

The whole fam. We got a lot of pictures with our friends too, but this one is my favorite. All the cousins and aunties.

Good food complete with chocolate dipped pretzals (thanks karly and ryan who did the last batch while I worked on the blanket) and a rice crispy boot (thanks lacy and marylin for your last minute assembly).

And the labor of love that kept me busy for the last few weeks. I have been wanting to make this blanket ever since I saw it in a book that my bf mindy gave me years ago. After I saw my sister's nursery (totally cowboy) I knew it would be perfect.

That's just a small slice of what's been going on here lately, but it's a good start. Hopefully I'll be around here a bit more. I still have a ton of projects I'm in the middle of and I am on an organizing kick. Plus, one of these days we'll start hanging some things on the bare walls and finish all the little details of the addition. I'm having fun dreaming and planning...

wordless wednesday