wordless wednesday

one week

Hi everyone!It's hard to believe our little girl is already a week old. This week flew by. We have had visitors every day since we've been home, which has probably contributed to the time passing so quickly. We've settled into somewhat of rhythm with two little ones. We've sure been having fun, if nothing else! I'm so thankful for this time with nowhere to be and nothing pressing to do. It's been great to just spend time with our newest family member!

emma marie

Welcome to our family, emma marie. Our sweet girl was born on Monday, March 28, 2011 at 4:18 am. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

Big brother Proud daddy Mommy We are home now and getting settled in. We have had so many wonderful friends and family stopping by both at the hospital and at home. We have been blessed with meals, hugs, and great memories already.

my boy

Well, my due date has come and gone. I guess that's the way I do babies since the same thing happened with mason. Speaking of the cutie...we spent the day doing boy things. Well, after we went to the library and had lunch with some friends. Mason got to play with his friend Ella and mommy got out of the house to help pass the time while we wait to meet this little one.After his nap we pretty much spent the entire afternoon playing cars.
We lined them up and zoomed them down the ramp. Then we parked them in the garage. I love his little "zoom" and "vroom" sounds.

He kept trying to fit the bus up the ramp and it just wouldn't work. Everytime he would say "too big" but he wouldn't give up. Thanks my sweet boy for a fun day. Maybe little sister will be here soon to play with us. We have so many fun things to teach her.

cousins

When I was pregnant with mason way back in 2009 we took this picture with my cousins and my sister. It was easter time and I still had about two months to go. We decided that we needed another one this time around. Only my sister was home with her sweet little one and we tried to get mason in on the tummy shot. He was slightly interested. Maybe it was a little too close to his bedtime.

I love my cousins so much. We've been spoiled lately having them home for spring break...a whole three week process since they all have different school schedules. I'm thankful for the time they get to spend with mason and I know they are looking forward to meeting this little girl as much as we are:)

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!)