Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saying goodbye to '09.....and "Hello 2010!"
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The nursery....
This is the new baby's room....stuff is just thrown everywhere! I need to go through clothes, wash, organize, figure out what else we still 'need', etc, etc, etc.
Not really. But we do have some plans.....which should hopefully commence tomorrow about mid-morning sometime!
The deal is...I have this issue with color. I get tired of colors easily and I have trouble committing and really....I don't even have a favorite color because it wouldn't be fair to all of the other colors.
I digress.
But anyway....I have this vision in my head and I hope it turns out. And anyway...it's only paint and it can be fixed! Right?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
36 week belly.....and update!!
I had my 36 week check-up this morning. They did the 'fun' group B strep test. I thought she was going to check to see if I was dilated any, but she didn't. I know it doesn't matter....me being a repeat c-section and all....but I was still curious! She said that she doesn't do it because sometimes it can trigger contractions...so I said ok....it's not a big deal.
She felt around on my belly.....the baby is head down. Which the doctor said is still a good thing eventhough I am having a c-section because she said it is just easier on the uterus? Ok...sounds good to me!
And that this baby is already a "good 7 pounds!" She said, "Ya'll just make big babies!" Parker was born at 40 weeks and 3 days at 8lbs, 4oz....and the doctor said that this baby will probably be right around that same weight...even though they are taking her at 39 weeks and 1 day (which will mean that I will carry this baby for 9 days less than I carried Parker....yet could be bigger than Parker!).
I go back next week.....then the next week.....and then the next week is d-day {delivery day!}. So...in at least 3 weeks from today we will no longer be parents to one, but to 2!
And in keeping with tradition.....my huge belly for all to see.....
Click here for all of my past belly photo posts.
I think it's pretty hilarious how I thought I was big here at 27 weeks....Haha!!!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Better late than never.....
"Better late than never...."
I feel like that is becoming my daily life motto. I have so many things that I want to get done....and no matter how much we actually do get done....I feel like we cannot seem to catch up. I have officially diagnosed myself this morning as nesting. But that's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day.
Today....I am posting about the swing set that
If you'll remember....we got this swing set for Parker back in September....for her 2nd birthday.
Only...we didn't really 'get' it until November due to our schedules and then the rainy weather. (there I go with my excuses again).
Then one thing after another....
Fast-forward to December 19th....and Geoff begins construction.....
Then...onto Monday, December 21. He spent all morning and part of the afternoon working on it again.....
Then Tuesday, December 22.....almost finished!!
Parker was supervising with the waterhose.
Not really....but I wanted to show a picture of her and her face....with M&M residue all around her mouth....they're potty training rewards, you know.....
But on this day....Parker did get to at least climb on the 'fort' part....
And the fourth and final day....yesterday. Phil and Kristin came over (thanks guys!) so that the guys could put a few finishing touches on the swing set (Geoff needed help lifting and holding and blablabla...stuff I was useful for)...and then the girls could play!
And here it is....complete!!!
I am so proud of Geoff for his hard work! That may sound corny....but he put in quite a few hours, and with the exception of just a couple of hours yesterday....he did it alone!
And then here are just a few of the girls enjoying the swings!
And yes.....that is M&M residue all around her mouth....again. ;)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Adventures in Potty Training
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Our visit with Santa.
When it was time to go.... she, of course, did not want to and tried to run away.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Baking Bananza
This past Friday and Saturday I had a major baking ordeal going on in my kitchen. I had been itching to do it for a while...but just didn't because of lack of time and motivation. However....I think it is now safe to say....it is totally out of my system.
I think.
The first thing I made were Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls. I made them last year and made a few mistakes. Then I made them this year...made some similar mistakes. Maybe next year I'll remember and NOT make those mistakes.
But let me tell you this..... It's pretty hard to mess up something that is made of dough....about 3-4 cups of butter....and a whole lotta sugar!!! They were still dee-licious!! I had 4 for my dessert after lunch on Friday. I couldn't contain myself. They were still warm and all.
(CAUTION: Do not try this at home. Eating 4 in a row for dessert after lunch and then 2 for breakfast the next day....your stomach will not be happy. This is not from personal experience or anything.)
The recipe makes about 7 pans if you do it right (mine only made about 6 and they didn't rise to be as fluffy as hers)....so I knew that we could not keep them all. So Friday was perfect because I had my pinning ceremony and I sent a pan home with each of our parents.
We interrupt this program...
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A funny story.....about the cinnamon rolls...
So Saturday night we had Christmas at my dad's house. They had their pan of cinnamon rolls sitting out on the dessert table and I noticed that there were only 3 missing.
I asked, "You didn't like them?" They said that they did....and almost immediately...my sister piped up and said, "Marla....some people can't sit there and eat the whole pan like we do." I had no rebuttal. She spoketh the truth.
And I laughed.
On the inside.
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Oh...and Parker liked them, too. Well...she really only licked the icing off...
OK....on with the other goodies.
I made these super easy pretzel turtles. I got the idea from here.
Then I made Pioneer Woman's Best Chocolate Sheetcake. Ever. I really liked it...however...next time I think I need to only bake for 15 minutes instead of 20. I'm still trying to figure my oven out. But still....it was good. And I am still eating it.
And lastly....I made these cupcake cake balls. You can see how to do it here. I am almost embarrassed to be posting this picture because they are pretty sloppy....I was running out of steam....and they look easier to decorate than they really are!! Kelli does such a great job with hers!
And I also made a cheesecake......and to make more excuses for myself....I have not made a cheesecake in SO long.....and it did not turn out. I thought I took a picture of it, but I didn't. Only 1 and half slices of it were eaten at my dad's house. Then when we got home...Geoff said it was ok to throw it away....."but it was still really good" he said.
Uh-huh....sure it was.....we usually throw away decadent desserts that we really like. :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
what to do with all of this 'stuff'?....The Answer
This was one of my pee-wee drill team uniforms. She loved it!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
And so ends another chapter.
I'm done. No more courses. No more clinical. No more weekends where I have to pawn the kid off on Geoff to sneak in some much needed, but dreaded, study time. No more papers. Done. There's not a break and I have to return after a few weeks. It's over.
"I would like to thank God for giving me the strength and courage to survive nursing school. I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me through this long journey. To my daughter—thank you for being the blessing that you are and making me smile each day. To my husband—thank you for your unwavering support of me. Thank you for putting up with me when I was difficult (which was very often). Thank you for being such a great father. Thank you for keeping the house clean so that it would be one less thing for me to worry about. Thank you for turning your life upside down to make this possible. Thank you for being you."
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And here are a few of my dear friends from school...we went through this together every step of the way....laughed and cried together...ranted and raved together. Survived this little thing called nursing school.
And with all of that being said....I can officially say I am no longer in nursing school, but rather....a graduate nurse. I plan to take the NCLEX-RN examination (for my license) within the next month to hopefully pass and officially become a registered nurse!!
And so begins another chapter.....
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Christmas Card Past.
I think it's fun to look back over the years at how our family has changed. One good way to do this, in my opinion, is by looking at our Christmas cards (or at least the pictures that we used on the cards). I did this last year, and so I am doing it again this year!
Here's how our family has changed....
I'm not 100% sure this will be our Christmas card. I made it this afternoon during nap time. Still trying to figure out where to get them printed and then the whole envelop situation. But you get the idea! :) (this card was made using elements by Rhonna Farrer)
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Hop on over to walk with me by faith where she is hosting a Christmas Card Carousal!