For once I'm not rushing

~29 weeks~

Patience has really never been my virtue. It's definitely not my strong point.

I've noticed that over the last couple of weeks I've found myself eager to have Peanut here. I'm eager to see his face, to kiss his cheeks and smell his skin. I can't wait to see what he looks like and find his personality traits.

Tonight as I lay on my bed reading a book I found myself distracted. This little man kept catching my attention as he poked and prodded and kicked and squirmed. I was sitting with a pillow on my stomach and my arms on my pillow. Even trying to hold the book still wasn't working as Peanut's movements were causing my book to bounce and sway. It made me laugh and he calmed as his father rubbed my stomach and we talked him into temporary submission. I'm sure he just tired himself out.

Trying to wrap my mind around this growing being inside me...it's too overwhelming. It's bizarre, this creating of a human. It's bizarre and natural at the same time. We see it every day and I'm still floored by the entire experience. Have I told you yet that I love it?

I realized that as much as I'm eager to meet him, I am also content to have him stay where he is until the time has come for him to enter the world. We will never be as close as we are now. So physically close that this child is actually inside me, part of me. The connection will never be the same as it is now. It will be wonderful and powerful I'm sure- but it will be different after he is born. There is a quiet ease between us now.

I wish I could share this with B. I wish there was a way for him to experience it. It's so magical and I know he would love it.

Life can be so sweet.

Oh, gotta go.... I think the chocolate chipotle brownies are ready...

Nicole's Baby Shower

This shower for baby Ella was just full of sweet details at every turn. The cake matched the invitation completely and I love the doilies that have been turned into cones filled with chocolate chex mix off to the side.



The present table was overflowing with the most precious baby girl things you've ever seen.

Just look at that gorgeous quilt underneath.



These name tages were adorable! Layers of streamers made into circles with the perfect little accents for each person.



Even the dogs matched the decor. I didn't get a picture of her brother Buckley who sported what may have been a bow tie.



Lovely roses in tones of pink, peach, yellow and white in vases of sliced lemons and oranges.



I loved these tissue paper poofs. Inspired by a Martha Stewart kit, these were floating everywhere. They were all over the back yard hanging from the pergola and the trees. It created such a sweet ambiance.

I tracked down a tutorial HERE. Your welcome. Now we just need to find a reason to make a bunch of these and put them around.



Croissant sandwiches (oh how I love croissant), fresh fruit, different salads and cheeses. Oh and somehow I missed pictures of the cookies. Simple circular soft sugar cookies frosted in colors that matched the decor.



I how simple the hanging tissue circles were. Nicole likes simplicity and this had such impact.



The decorations were all made by Nicole's sister-in-law and I think she did such an amazing job.




The only man at the shower was Liam my other cousins boy. Adorable, no?



Opening gifts in front of a group of people always makes me a bit uncomfortable but I do love watching someone else open baby gifts.

This quilt, oh my, handmade and there is a bright polka dot pattern on the other side. I will never understand the patience and talent of quilters.



Nicole is a graphic designer and very stylish. She likes simple and modern. Her nursery is going to be more Scandinavian in design (I do hope she'll share pictures) and she is really not into the whole frilly girly stuff.



This little top came from a friend and really seemed her style.



But what I was really looking forward to, was seeing her open presents like this. I mean, it's a baby shower for a little girl- you are just bound to get foofy dresses!

She thought this would be perfect for Ella's wedding.

Just look at her expression.



Then the little Tinkerbell costume came out and I was laughing so hard my camera was shaking. I absolutely love this outfit. I really do. It came from my mom and we both knew Nicole would just die when she opened it. Receipt in the bag.... but I almost stole it from her just to keep.

I've never seen anyone get so much baby clothes. What is it about little girls that make you want to buy the whole store?

Knit baby booties

A little preview of the baby shower I'll be posting later today.

These teensy tiny little booties were purchased off of Etsy. Are they not adorable?!



The shower is for my cousin Nicole who is expecting a baby girl September 27th. We're 4 weeks apart and wish we lived a bit closer.

I'm eternally jealous as she lives in San Francisco!



There are some similarities between us... and some differences.

Notice that even though I'm standing on the fireplace I am still shorter than her.

Just wait until you see the details from the shower!

Bubbling, babbling

Still round the corner there may wait,

A new road or a secret gate.

-J.R.R. Tolkien

I've been up for hours with excitement for the new adventures we're about to have. You just never know what waits just around the next corner. My mind is running a mile a minute, so I apologize for the jibberish you are about to read. I've been thinking about a jumble of things I'm looking forward to in the coming months.

This time of year I always think about the holiday season and how much I love it. I've been fantasizing about baking for fall. All of a sudden I have an eagerness to start putting together Peanut's room. Its just an empty slate right now. Call it nesting but do you know I actually made a pillow the other day? Made it.

I've started brain-storming cookie recipes for various events. I'm presently perfecting an almond joy bar. Yesterday I actually jumped up and down about what it will be like to celebrate the coming Christmases with a little one. B just laughs and shakes his head. I'm a spaz.

The apartment is in a constant state of momentary perfect cleanliness and utter disaster. It seems as soon as something gets cleaned I find another project or memory box or stack of inspirational magazine clippings that need to be spread across the floor and furniture. When B comes home I proudly announce that the entire apartment was clean. Just check under the clutter and you won't find a trace of dust!

I have lists everywhere. Lists of lists. I'm trying to focus my energy on one project at a time but that is so much easier said than done. I feel surges of excitement pulsing thru me. I'm motivated. To do what? I'm not quite sure but I'm gonna get something done. Something.

Today I'm out and about running errands and tomorrow I will lock myself in the house to do a project or two. And maybe start the baby's room. And maybe bake. And I may or may not have a Christmas movie to watch. I can't wait.

What's on your agenda for the next couple days?

Disneyland, July 2010

Both of the kids had been to Disneyland when they were very young and neither had memories of it. We were really excited to take them and to be able to meet up with my sister-in-law and their kids.

Disneyland is the best with kids.



Apparently Autopia isn't the easiest ride. Here you see the struggle to steer on Josh's face and Jordyn stretching to reach the pedal.

They came off laughing though.



I couldn't go on most of the rides that day. The whole experience was new to me. I sat with other preggos and other people manning strollers with young kids in them.

There is always something to do or see while you wait though. Loved these performers.



Captain EO! I have no idea what the kids thought of this but I spent the entire time grinning. Does anyone remember this from the 80's?!

It's a 3D film (and was a big deal before everything was 3D) that features a number of things I loved seeing again. First thing I noticed was a dark-skinned Michael Jackson without any freakish looking make-up tattoes. I mean, who can't appreciate that.

The 80's costuming, music and dance routines just can't be passed up. Also, when Angelica Huston popped up as the supreme leader I was floored, I had totally forgotten that part.

See it while you can!



The lines were surprisingly short, with not one going over 45 minutes (yes, that is short) and some being able to walk straight on (that's a Disney miracle).



B found ways to entertain the kids and they spent the next few minutes making shadow puppets.



Some of us just sat back and relaxed while the rest of Disneyland went rushing by.

The relaxing time was good because the in-between was a bit crazy. I am sooo not used to keeping my eye on 4 kids walking thru crowds in Disneyland. I mean, there were other eyes to help but I still felt myself constantly scanning.

....blue shirt, blue shirt, grey shirt, purple...



Once as we were walking I started to herd in a little boy before I realized that he may be Asian but he wasn't one of ours.

Do I not look totally triumphant? B new I would come back with one of these- I had to walk around half the park looking for that thing!

I looooove frozen bananas.



Did I mention that we were at Disneyland for a grand total of 11 hours?

11 hours. Jordyn and Alex actually stayed up the entire time.



They went on all the roller coasters and loved them.

Apparently the only rides they were scared of were the Pirates of the Caribbean (Are those pirates real? Is the building really on fire? Are we going to drown?) and the Haunted Mansion.

I think they just had themselves really worked up about the Haunted Mansion. It is dark. I felt kinda bad because those were B and my picks :)



We ended the day with the fireworks show and a round of treats.

Alex had 2 churros during the course of the day... and asked for another one on our way out at 11:30 pm. Then he asked for another one on Sunday at the airport. Boy does he like churros!



It was a really fantastic day.

I'm tired just thinking about it :P

Laguna with the kids

Weeeeeeee!

First off you can thank B for all the beach pictures because a) I can't be trusted with my camera on this beach while being pregnant b) I can't take multi-task well enough yet to watch kids and take pictures.



This was the first day and as soon as we got to the beach (after 30 min of looking for parking) they headed straight into the water.



They sat on the rocks and climbed around and looked for anemones and crabs.

That picture is not included here because it happened to include me in it. Me in a bikini and a very unflattering camera view of my oddly shaped body. It must have been the camera view because I'm sure I don't acutallly look chubby. Not me. Not 7 months pregnant.



Both of them completely exhausted themselves carrying heavy buckets of water up to our sand projects.

Jordyn was in charge and the design and Alex the designated water carrier. All this splashing and digging and climbing and exploring and water carrying made for some very hungry beach-goers so we sat for lunch.



This picture was taken from the apartment when I was packing their lunch. You see, earlier that day we had gone to the store and let them pick out some things to eat during the weekend.

I asked them to pick some lunch meat for sandwiches. Jordyn picked Turkey Bologna and Alex picked Liverwurst.

Liverwurst.

They love liverwurst. Are they not sooooo related to B?!



I was really impressed with these the catch these two spear fisherman made! I mean, it's no liverwurst but it's pretty darn interesting.



Afterwards they went back to the sand projects.

Digging holes. Who knew this could keep people young and old occupied for hours on end.



When we got home after 5 hours at the beach we started to prep dinner. These are the veggies that are going into the salsa. Mmmmm, tomatillo.



Here B is showing the kids how to slice and peel the avocado. Jordyn was a great help and was B's sous chef for the weekend.



We sat down to a dinner of carnitas tacos, fresh made salsa, veggies, beans and all the fixin's. They absolutely loved it. These kids will eat anything... and eat it with vigor. It's incredibly gratifying to see them on second helpings and to hear their oohs and aaahs.

Have you had a day in the sun lately?

Catching up

This picture has nothing to do with this post. I saw this beauty on July 4th and she was just so sweet.

This morning I was having major blog withdrawals. I grabbed my cereal and headed to my computer. I sat down just before 9:30 am and I am still sitting here catching up on blog emails and what you've been up to... and I haven't even finished visiting you all. I mean- it's lunch time! It's been 4 hours! I haven't even hit up PW's blog in months- thats how out of touch I am!

I feel good though, I feel revived. You all inspire me to do things. I feel a little bit more in touch with you. I love seeing what you've been doing. If you leave a comment with an email I try and respond to you but if you have questions just send me a message!

I've completely cleared out my blog email so I think I've responded to everyone. If not then send it to me again.

B took his camera with him to work so I'll have to post updates later and perhaps it's time I got out of my pajamas and brushed my teeth. It is 1:31 pm after all.

I think I should probably clean the apartment and start completing half-done tasks or something. Besides, my ever-growing bum is growing tired from sitting here.

Am I the only one in pajamas in the afternoon?