Tuesday, August 30, 2011

On Second Thought...Christmas Fabrics

I'm kind of digging these instead...

Michael Miller's Quarter Dot Red


Christmas Candy Diagonal Stripes Green


Christmas Candy Damask Green


Christmas Candy Damask Red


Michael Miller's Little Flakes Green


Michael Miller's Holiday Yule Trees Aqua Tree Trimmers Multi

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Michael Miller's Play Dot Santa Red/Green

Moda Flurry Wonderland Evergreen

Moda Flurry Frost Chill

Moda Flurry Glitter Gumdrop

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Kid's Table and Chairs

Could I even do this myself?

Of course, it would wait a few months until I am settled in with Norah...but I think I could get really excited about a project like this!

What am I saying?  I AM excited about this project!


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Fabric Picks for Christmas Projects

Amy Butler's Lotus Wall Flower Cherry

Amy Butler's Lotus Full Moon Polka Dot Lime

Heather Bailey's Pop Garden Sway Brown

Heather Bailey's Pop Garden Zag Stripe Red

Heather Bailey's Pop Garden Sway Ivory

Heather Bailey's Pop Garden Peonies Red


What are your favorite Christmas fabrics?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Baby #3: 34 weeks



How I'm feeling:
Bigger every day!


Baby Center says:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Caleb's First Day of Kindergarten

No pictures.

That was the first failure.

Or, make that the second failure.  The first was the batter in the minivan.  Thank goodness Jadie and I were leaving at the same time so he could give the van a jump start.

Sarah and I walked Caleb to his classroom.  He stopped at the door and turned around for good-bye kisses.  And that was that.  He was in the classroom in the blink of an eye.

What did I do with my time today?

  • Sifted through some of Caleb's fall clothes from previous years to take to Smarty Pants.
  • Worked on some hair clips for the Etsy Shop!
  • Had the neighbor jump start the minivan (again).
  • Spent an hour at Casey's Auto Shop getting the minivan's battery replaced.
  • Made a quick visit to the hospital to take a friend our pack-n-play.
  • Got some lunch.
  • Decided to wait on Smarty Pants until tomorrow.
  • Completed the hair clips for the Etsy Shop!
  • Time to pick up Caleb...and try not to cry about it.  Why did I choke up when picking him up and not when dropping him off?


Caleb wasn't much of a story-teller this afternoon, but I got a few things out of him.
  • He did get to go to the playground.
  • He went to PE today.
  • He ate a good lunch.
  • He earned lots of "Best Bucks."
  • He earned one of his "Best Bucks" by telling someone thank you for opening his applesauce at lunch.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Caleb Meets His Teacher

Caleb at his "desk"

Mrs. Fajardo and Caleb

Last night, he said she was the bestest thing in his whole classroom.
This morning, he said she was the bestest thing in the whole world.

Even though he's excited about his teacher, he says he's not excited about going to school.
Here's to hoping that will change!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Sarah's 2 Year Check-up



No vaccinations today...Horray!  In fact, we are up to date and she's not due any shots until she turns 4 years old.

How does she stack up against other American babies?  Well, I think you may already know the answer to that question...

Height:  32 inches (8th percentile)
Weight: 21 pounds (0.71 percentile)
Head Circumference: 18 inches (10th percentile)

Boy, do we have a dainty little girl on our hands.  She makes up for it with her sass, though.  Watch out, world!

Baby #3: 33 Weeks



How I'm Feeling:
Hot!  Today's high temperature is 109!  I cannot believe it, except that I can feel it.  Nonetheless, I still ventured out of the house for about 4 hours with the kiddos.  Sarah had her 2 year check up and I had a few things to return that were duplicates from Norah's baby shower.  I guess I'm just used to it, because it felt the same as every other day this summer.  Just plain hot!


Baby Center says:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Chicken Tortilla Soup

As I sit here devouring a homemade mish-mash of fajita leftovers, I can't help but think of chicken tortilla soup.  I can't wait until cooler weather.  Cooler weather is, of course, soup weather.  And I do love me some soup!



Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks...

From The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Although I've copied the recipe here, you should really go to her site via the link above...it's so much more fun to "watch" her cook as you try to follow along!


Ingredients

  • 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Diced Onion
  • 1/4 cup Diced Green Bell Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Red Bell Pepper
  • 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1 can (10 Oz. Can) Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies
  • 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Chicken Stock
  • 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 4 cups Hot Water
  • 2 cans (15 Oz. Can) Black Beans, Drained
  • 3 Tablespoons Cornmeal Or Masa
  • 5 whole Corn Tortillas, Cut Into Uniform Strips Around 2 To 3 Inches
  • _____
  • FOR THE GARNISHES:
  • Sour Cream
  • Diced Avocado
  • Diced Red Onion
  • Salsa Or Pico De Gallo
  • Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Cilantro



Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on chicken breasts, then sprinkle a small amount of spice mix on both sides. Set aside the rest of the spice mix.
Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.
Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.
Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water. Pour into the soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed---add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips.
Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced red onion, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Baby #3: 32 Weeks

A jicama?  Really?




How I'm Feeling:
Large and overheated.  That is all.


Baby Center says:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Nesting and Other Thoughts

Apparently my version of "nesting" doesn't involve shopping for new items, but shuffling around every piece of furniture in the house...even the non-baby related furniture.

Thinking hard about how to get this baby weight off already.  I hope this "motivation" still exists after Norah's here!

I'm thankful that, even though Caleb likes to play with bracelets and craft with flowers, Jadie isn't one of those dads who's freaking out about it.

Is is ok to wear maternity clothes when you're not pregnant?  There are several things I've bought that I could totally see myself wearing long after Norah's born.

I apparently have a body wash fetish.  I started a new, and different bottle yesterday and I think I'm in love...all over again.

Will I ever use all of the gift bags in my stash?

Friday, August 5, 2011

Buttercream Icing Recipe


Let's be honest, who likes "Whipped Icing" anyway?

Source: http://sparkcloud.posterous.com/cupcakes-and-inbound-marketing


Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate.

Recipe Source: Allrecipes.com

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Baby #3: 31 Weeks



How I'm feeling:


Motivated to accomplish things, but worried I'll take on more than I can handle.


Baby Center says:


This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.