Happy Easter

Hope your day is filled with blessings!

Photo Friday {Hippity ~ Hoppity ~ Easter's on the Way}

Easter is just around the corner, so I thought I would share the results of Lyvi's recent Easter/18 month photo shoot. She wasn't the least bit interested in sitting still, or smiling, or cooperating in any way, but the photographer did a good job and we were still able to get some really good shots!





All Pictures by JC Penney Studios

Where my peeps at?

Let's pretrend that I posted this several weeks ago (when I actually made these goodies) instead of a few days before Easter. You could always file the idea away until next Easter or at least until the next Peep-laden holiday. Which I believe is The 4th of July…these would be soooo cute for 4th of July! Anyway…When these popped up on my Google Reader (don't recall where exactly) I new I had to whip some up…and when I locked my keys in the car (and myself out of my apartment) and my neighbors came to my rescue, I had the perfect excuse to craft/cook these up as ‘Thank You’ Gifts.

Peep S’mores in a Jar

Ingredients
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (equivalent to 1 sleeve)
8 - 12 peeps
1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 ¼ cup M&Ms (or chocolate chips)

Assembly
1. Place graham cracker crumbs into quart-sized canning jar. Use a meat tenderizer to pack crumbs tightly into the bottom of the jar.
2. Place Peeps candies against the glass on all sides of the canning jar. Press lightly to create a well in the center of the jar.
3. Add brown sugar to the space in the center of the Peeps, pressing gently to pack.
4. Gently add chocolate chips or M&Ms to the top of the canning jar. Seal jar with lid and sealer ring.
5. Embellish jar with fabric circle, ribbon or raffia.

Recipe1. Pour contents of jar into mixing bowl. Using scissors or kitchen sheers snip Peeps into smaller pieces.
2. Combine dry ingredients with 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well.
3. Press mixture into a greased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350˚for 15 minutes.
4. Let cool completely and cut into bars

So cute! So easy! I’m sure these will be created again and again for various holidays!

35 Weeks

35 Weeks! YIKES!

5 Weeks until our due date...likely less until we get to hold Miss Sadie in our arms for the first time.

Sadie should be around 5 pounds now and will spend the remaining weeks plumping up.

Next week marks the start of weekly doctors visits and the first check to see if I am dialated/effaced. (With Lyvi I was 1-2 at this point). I still can't get my head around how fast this pregnancy has gone. I'm still feeling pretty good, but the contractions are coming more often (OUCH!), the heartburn is ridiculous, and Chris has resorted to sleeping on the couch in an effort to avoid being awaken by the repeated bathroom trips and the flailing process that is rolling-over/getting comfortable. Truthfully we both sleep better with this arrangement. While I don't feel totally mentally prepared for her arrival, I am hedging towards being ready to have my bady back. Of course, aches and pains aside I want her to "bake" as long as needed and for her to arrive healthy and safely when the time is right.

Relax

I realize that life is not all sunshine and roses, generally I try to keep my not so sunny/rosey moments private...sometimes just 'cus that's how it should be and sometimes its out of a misguided attempt to appear a certain way to the outside world but right now I need to be real...


I am nervous and worried

...I am worried about being ready for Sadie

...I'm worried about when she will get here...what if my water breaks while I am home with lyv and I can't get in touch with anyone? What if I go into labor in the middle of the night...what will we do with Lyvi? (It should be noted that I am worried about the logistics of her arrival, but not at all about the actual delivery)

...Who will watch lyvi during delivery, what about after while we are in the hospital?

...I am worried about dreading breastfeeding. I was hard enough with Lyvi...how on earth will I chase a toddler while serving as a milk bar?

...I am worried about how to take care of my 2 girls...how will I be enough?

...How will we find balance?

I am a planner by nature and there is so much that I can't plan for right now...I understand and accept that. I cope with that by voicing my worries and concerns to those closest to me...and if those closest to me (or anyone else for that matter) tells me one more time 'to relax' I may just come unglued.

Photo Friday {Farm Girl}

34 Weeks

6 weeks to our due date! More likely 4 weeks until her arrival!

You know, when I look at these belly pictures each week (or when I look in the mirror) I am struck by how big my belly looks...then when I look at other pregnant women (there seems to be a bunch around) I am struck by how tiny I look by comparison. Funny how everyone carries differently. Big or not my this week I have felt the overwhelming sensation of "heaviness" in my belly.  Not sure that's very clear, but not sure I can explain it any other way.

Sadie should be about 4 3/4 lbs (think average canteloupe) and around 18 inches long. She is plumping up and her central nervous system and lungs are maturing.  She has been working her lungs with regular rounds of hiccups...typically around 6am. I love watching my belly bump each time she hiccups.  These days her movements are much more visable. You can regularly see my tummy shift from side to side as she rolls around or if you are watching closely you may catch a glimpse of baby foot or elbow as she jabs at me.

In addition to 3rd trimester tired I have been battling nasty allergy/cold symptoms. In fact I was so sick on Monday night that my sweet hubby took Tuesday off to watch Lyvi and take care of me.  (It's the least he could do after saying I looked worse than 'hammered dog meat') It's amazing what sleep and regular tylenol can cure.  I'm feeling much better today and hope that it stays that way.  We have a busy few weeks ahead of us, trying to finish up preparations for Sadie's arrival.

Maternity Pictures

Last week I mentioned our awesome maternity shoot with Janica Boles.  She is just plain F-U-N to work with and this is only made better by how talented she is.  She got some great shots of our family...don't take my word for it....seriously, click HERE and see for yourself!

Photo Friday {Chores}

32 Weeks and 33 Weeks

We've already reached 33 Weeks and somehow I never got around to posting the 32 Week belly pictures so let's start with those.

Okay, now onto Week 33!

Sadie is around 4 pounds now and over 17" long.  Her little skeleton is hardening and you can regularly see my belly shift and move while she rolls, punches, and judo chops my insides.

I'm having a little more back pain and general discomfort, but overall I feel pretty good still.  Chasing Lyvi takes a lot of energy and it is getting harder to pick her up. I managed to miss my doctor's appointment on Wednesday (even after calling to confirm on Monday) and had to reschedule for Thursday...is it too late in the pregnancy to blame it on 'Baby Brain'? I find myself napping when Lyvi does and heading to bed pretty early (or falling asleep on the couch while watching tv with hubby)...tired!

I'm feeling more ready for her arrival (mentally and otherwise). All of the furniture is in Sadie's room and we stumbled across a great sale at Michaels' this weekend that provided all of the bird houses and pretty room decor that I have been dreaming of for my sweet girls space.  Just need to order the bedding!

We had an awesome family/maternity photo shoot with the awesome Janica Boles (JBo Photo). Can't wait to see the pictures. I will share them here when I get them....in the meantime, here are the maternity pics and newborn pictures of Lyvi (can't belive these were nearly 2 years ago).

Jellybean Buddy

We Heart It

It's Springtime! Around these parts that means temps in the 80s, wildflowers, singin' birds and store isles lined with Easter Goodies. I love Easter goodies...especially jellybeans...especially Starburst Jellybeans!

I have tried hard to resisted the urge to buy a bag, but a late night run to Wal-Mart for diapers and milk was all the reason I needed to snag a bag this week. I poured the bag into a mason jar (some people use fancy candy jars, I use a mason jar....don't judge) and started to pick out my favorite colors (Green, Pink & Orange), eating a few yellow ones and being careful to avoid the red and purple. My husband came across the jar of rejected jellybeans today and was thrilled that I had left all of his favorite colors/flavors for him.  Just another sign that we complete each other.

He is spontaneaous while I plan to make plans
He is the voice of reason when I am consumed by the voice of worry
He is silly when I take myself to seriously
He is my best friend, my partner in crime and my Jellybean Buddy

Things may not always be easy, but I can guarantee that journey will be amazing and that no jellybeans will go uneaten in our home

Photo Friday {CuddleBugs}

Not a bad way to start the day - No Foolin'