Merry Chirstmas Eve to you, and Happy End of The First Trimester To Me

So, after 2 full days of work my NASTY habit of procrastinating with the best of them reared it's ugly head. Therefore Jay and I had an assembly line at 9:30 pm on Christmas Eve wrapping our precious Sam's presents! WHY NOT... sure I am NOT EXHAUSTED or anything.  Like I did not have over a month to do the wrapping after I bought the presents?  Sure Laura...WAITING ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a transcript of the evening:

 A banter back of forth of Jay and I saying the same things over and over again.

"Here, wrap this... Give me the tape...Can I have the scissors NOW?...WHERE IS THE DAMN STOCKING?"

Finally all the presents are wrapped, and stacked beneath the tree.  Sam also kindly bought us some presents at a school shopping day (those are in the brown paper in the forefront of the photo). He was so adorable placing the bows on each gift for us. He is so excited!

The stocking was never found (boo hoo), so we boxed up his numerous stocking stuffers in one box, and wrapped it "From Santa".  We are sure we will have a happy, excited boy in the morning.

Today is also special because it marks the end of my first trimester with my little bundle!  I heard the heartbeat today for a full 5 minutes, and I think I could have made a soundtrack out of it.  MUSIC TO MY EARS!

Here is a 12 week belly picture of me tonight.  

Adorning me is an AMAZINGLY soft PJ set from my mama!  It is tradition to receive a pair of PJ's or a Nighty from my mom every Christmas Eve, a tradition she continues from one her mother started long ago.  Since she has passed Mom took the reigns, and has bought the boys jammies every year also. 

Did I mention she rocks?   P.S. Mom, if you read this...This pair is my favorite pair by far.  

PINK and FLUFFY!  In love!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours

~Laura~

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

Today I can honestly say Winter is falling!  The snow is coming down with a furry, and it looks so lovely!

The boys, Jay and I put up the Christmas Tree yesterday, and I must say...I love how it looks with our new floors!

Ella has taken to a new resting spot beneath the tree.

I also brought out the slippers I made for Sam (the first thing I have ever crocheted for him).  Yeah I know..LAME mom alert!

He loves them, and I am glad!  It makes me smile. 

I used my adult slipper pattern and just shortened the length to fit his foot.

If interested, you can buy the pattern in our shop (at right).

GingerBread House, and a belly shot (10 weeks)

 Of course I had to have 2 evenly divided bowls of decorations ready for the troops!

They really enjoyed picking where to put their own decorations

All done, and looking fabulous if I do say!

Here is my 10 week belly shot.  As of this AM I have gained 3.3 lbs!

Christmas Cookie Time

Today, the baby and I had a craving for cookies.  All I had were stale raspberry filled ones that would not due.  With my car in another town, and not at home I decided to make some.

I found an awesome, delicious, easy recipe at the ever handy MarthaStewart.com, and proceded to make some yummy cookies for my boy and I to decorate after school today for the first Holiday task.

I ate 4 straight out of the oven, suited my craving just fine ;)

My boy was as excited to show me something when he got home as I was to tell him of our cookie adventure ahead of us.  He made me this lovely little man in art class. 

Seriously, could it be any cuter?

After I OOOHHHHEEEDDDD, and AWWWWEEEEEEDDDD

at our newest little Christmas decoration, I frosted, and Sam diligently sprinkled.

He did an awesome job~I love him so!

We are CRAFTY!

I am the first to admit it, I am not one of those arts and crafts moms.  Point blank, the current project shown in this post has been in a box waiting to be put together for TWO years...you heard me!

So, when Sam asked me if we could put together the bird house, and he could paint it, I relented. I am so glad I did!

I basically put it together because believe it or not...it was a BITCH!

He had full painting responsibility, and did it all himself.  He did a GREAT job, and is so proud!

 

I am so proud.

Ravenous, and another U/S, with a heart rate!

So excited, yesterday I had another U/S to check on the babies growth since I am still spotting, and have been for 3 weeks now.  

Here is the picture they gave me!

The head is in the lower right hand corner, and the rump is in the middle of the picture.  Measured 8 weeks 3 days.  I am 8 weeks 5 days as of yesterday.  MD says it is fine if the U/S measures 2 days + or - the actual gestational age.  Heart rate was a strong 167, and it was pure bliss to see that little babe! Poor thing was smooshed in my uterus because I am LITERALLY full of food.

I have been an EATING MACHINE!

Be prepared now...here I go!

Here is a tally of the food I ate yesterday.

3 glasses of juice

entire 32 ounce can of fruit cocktail (in one sitting)

1 peanut butter sandwich

1 chocolate icecream cup

2 biscottis

1 ham and cheese sandwich with mayo and mustard

1 large piece of chocolate cake

1 small diet pepsi

1 small diet gingerale

2 heaping scoops of REAL macaroni and cheese

WATER throughout the day

probably a grand total of 3000 calories, YIKES!

I NEED TO GET A GRIP!  There, I said it. Enough said.

That is all.

HEHEHEHE

Rhythm of the Home Winter edition is here!

So excited to have my reversible hat pattern in this issue of The Rhythm of the Home!

Please hop on over and see all of the other AMAZING contributions.  Sure to make your Holidays, and festivities even more family centered!

Here is the link to my pattern:

Pattern

Enjoy!

An appetite renewal, and a baby sleep sack / gown

Today I was happily whisked on a road trip with my good friend Martha.  We went on a 2 1/2 hrs galavant through the countryside and enjoyed ourselves immensely.  I finally have my appetite back, and was in love with my lunch today.  A huge plate of DELICIOUS nachos with spicy chicken.  AMAZING!  I was very gluttonous, and poor Martha had to watch.  Poor thing, she was VERY cute, and understanding.  We joked that if I had gotten the El Grande portion I probably would have finished those too, and not just my "single".  I got some amazing yarn, including the ones featured below which is a silk blend.  SO SOFT!

This little ditty I love so much!  It started as a vest, and then continued onto become a gown of precious proportions.  

Thoughts?

Open

 

THE EASIEST REVERSIBLE BIB TUTORIAL EVER, WITH LOTS OF PICTURES

I have made over 100 or so of these bibs from my original pattern, and sold them at our shop, but now I am sharing that pattern for those wanting to make their own!

Check out our shop for the $3.00 pattern, and make some little bibs for those little ones!

Tutorial includes 20 full color pictures step by step, and concise easy to follow instructions!

LINK: Adirondack Patterns

First Ultrasound Today!

(Sorry it is so blurry...The OB really zoomed in)

After a bit of spotting my OB wanted to do an U/S.  So Julia (my biggest champion and support), Jay, and I went in for the babes first photo shoot!

Julia held my hand through the whole thing, and was so sweet.  Jay kept smiling at me and the screen.

We went to my OB where I felt like I was at a spa...literally.
Heated seats, aromatherapy, soothing music, ambiant lighting, and the option of a foot massage while I waited.  Man a lot had changed since my last OB appt there 7 years ago!

At anyrate our little babe was present, and measuring 6 W 0 D which is the exact date it should, and it is in the uterus.  I have a cyst on the R ovary, but otherwise the babe is healthy and we saw a very prominent flicker of the H/B pointed out by the MD (we did not get a rate tho).  We are relieved and excited, and optimistic beyond words can express. I have a repeat U/S at just under 9 weeks, and I can not wait to see the babe then. I am sure I will be spotting more from the probe and U/S but I am on cloud nine, and this puts my mind so much more at ease.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Hello friends, my sister Julia is having a giveaway on her blog this weekend for an ADORABLE doll that she designed.  

LINK: BABY DOLL

Stop over if you are interested and try your luck!

There is a bun in my oven!

It is very very very early, but I am pregnant with our second babe, due July 10th 2011!

Proof:

(I have taken 6 tests so far) LOL

I made the little one a little unisex sweater vest.

I have to stay ahead of the crafting curve that Julia is already crafting for this little one! SHE ROCKS!

 

Seriously, look how tiny!

I am soooooo excited!!!!!!!!

Can you hear my squeals?

Trick or Treat?

Here is my love on this Halloween

He was Mario (Eben was Luigi)

He refused to wear the AWESOME mustache, but I think he looked like a million buckeroos!

Fall Photoshoot 2010

Lala's Purple Pepper Pulled Pork

Came up with this recipe today, hope you like it!

Ingredients:

1 1/2-2 lbs Pork Roast

1 1/2 cups Barbeque Sauce

1 cup water

2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

Salt/Pepper

Purple Bell Pepper

Directions:

Salt and pepper the pork, then sear the pork roast in a hot pan on all sides, then place directly in a crock pot on low setting.  Then pour in the barbeque sauce, wocestershire sauce, and the water.  Dice the pepper, and add to the pot.  Cover, and cook for 5-6 hours on low.  

Place pork alone in a shallow bowl, pull the pieces apart with a fork, or two.  

Pour the broth from the crock pot into a blender, and puree.

Pour the broth over the pork, stir, and cover for 30 minutes

Reheat, and your pulled pork is ready!

Lala's Carrot Zucchini Cake

Lala's Carrot Zucchini Cake

Ingredients:

3 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3 tsp. cinnamon

3 eggs

1 c. oil

2 1/4 c. sugar

3 tsp. vanilla

1 c. water (as needed)

1 c. grated zucchini

1 c. grated carrots

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Add all ingredients except the water, zucchini, and carrots to a large bowl.  Beat with a mixer, and add the water slowly until a loose batter forms.  Then add in the zucchini and carrots.  Fold them into the batter until well combined.  Grease a 9X11 pan, and place in the oven.  Bake for 30 at 350 F, then decrease temp to 325 F. for 25-30 more minutes (until a tester inserted in the middle of the cake comes clean. Cool, and glaze if desired.