Weekly Happenings November 23-29

We had a great week wrapping up November!

1.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with our families all day long!  We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel, lunch with Kevin's side of the family @ a cabin at Burdette Park.  Everyone brings a dish or two (or more) and they end up with quite a feast.  I contributed homemade rolls and hashbrown casserole.  I had a great time chatting with his cousin's wives :) We had dinner with my family.  My mom cooked a feast.  I brought rolls to that get together too!  She's the greatest cook I know, so you can imagine that the meal was perfecto (turkey, ham, dressing, corn casserole, green beans, sweet potato casserole, gravy, cranberry jello, pumpkin and pecan pie - oh my! It was great!)

2.  Last weekend I wanted to get our Christmas Tree up.  After digging it out of the box, we realized something had chewed apart half the lights (not sure it was mice or a rotten dog, but I'm thinking it was the 2nd).  I haven't been happy with any of my prelit trees that I've bought lately so I started looking at unlit artificial trees.  I had the idea that it may be fun to get a real tree this year, (I knew that would take some convincing Kevin) and get an artificial tree after Christmas when they are on clearance.  Kevin has heard horror stories of bug infestations from real Christmas trees and always frowned upon the idea.  I ran the idea past him and he did some research and was  (shockingly) 110% on board.  We went to a friends family Christmas tree business this past Tuesday and tagged our family's first real Christmas tree.  (We've already decided that next year we want to tag asap because our first two favorites were already tagged.)  We aren't opposed to the idea of buying a precut one, but we liked walking through the field of trees in search of the perfect one.  We bought the kids their first Starbucks hot chocolates before we went looking.  We may have started a new tradition on accident this year :)

Krissy is sprouting a tree on the top of her head :-X

Looking for the perfect tree!

It was cold outside!

The tree we picked out!  We had already taken the kids back to the car to warm up.

3.  I am planning on trying to breastfeed this fourth baby.  As I'm preparing things to make that happen, I realized I hadn't purchased a cover yet.  I have an enormous pile of scrap fabric sitting in my hall closet, so I decided to see if I could make something that would do the job.  I turned to Pinterest and found several ideas.  I liked the idea of a full wrap that covers your front and back, so I picked a pattern that fit into that category.  Bonus, it also doubles as an infinity scarf when you aren't using it to cover yourself!  After making a pink and blue wrap/scarf for myself, I decided to make the kids each a scarf out of the scrap I had left.  They looked so cute in them!  Thanks Pinterest for another great idea!

4.  I started on some freezer meals for our family.  I made a ginormous pot of my chicken noodle soup, and after eating one meal from it, I put two full containers in our freezer.  It will be at least two meals that I don't have to cook!  I'm going to try to double a meal or two every week until Baby arrives so that's one less thing I have to worry about the first few weeks!

5.  I was about 3 months overdue to get my hair trimmed and was able to get an appointment on Wednesday!  I got about 2 inches taken off my ends, and it looks so much healthier!  Glad I can check that off my to-do list! 

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*I'm planning on doing a little online shopping today to wrap up my Christmas shopping! 

*Kevin is planning on going to pick up our Christmas tree, and I hope to spend the rest of the day decorating it!

*I ended my Thanksgiving day timing contractions that I kept having (some were pretty painful) but baby has decided to keep baking for now  Looking forward to my next doctor's appointment this coming week! 

Scrap Fabric Christmas Wreath

I had been looking on Pinterest for some ideas on a homemade Christmas wreath.  (The one I used for the last few years got chewed apart by our last doggy.)  I had a lot of scrap fabric from the kids Christmas outfits, so I was trying to find an idea that incorporated fabrics.  There were so many good ideas (I'm loving burlap now) but chose this tutorial from Southern Priss Designs because I didn't have to buy much! 

I cut my red and green fabrics and had a total of about 200 rectangles.  I didn't think it looked like enough, so I rummaged through my scrap fabric and found a yellow I thought would go well.  I ended up getting another 60 some rectangles and thought that would be enough.  

I purchased the wire wreath for around $3 at JoAnns.  I cut my rectangles 2.5inches by 7 inches.  (This step is super fast if you have a rotary cutter!  If you don't have one, feel free to borrow mine!)  It took me about 40 minutes to cut all my pieces and that was with the "help" of my kids.  

I just noticed my belly photo bombed the picture!  Ha!

Next I counted my red, green, and yellow rectangles then divided that number by 9 (the number of sections in my wreath).  It gave me an idea of how many colors to put in each section so the overall look would be balanced.  7 yellows + 12 green + 11 red = 30 rectangles per section.  I sorted them into stacks of 30 to make it easier since I had to stop and start a lot. 

Next, I started knotting (just a single knot).  I put approximately 8 on the inside row, 10 on the second row, and 12 on the 3rd row.  At this point I realized I didn't have enough fabric to do the 4th row, unless I wanted the wreath to look loose - and I didnt.  So, I just decided to skip that row.   

It took me about 15 minutes to tie each section.  This picture is with 2 sections completed.

The wreath turned over - you can see my empty row.

About two hours later (stopping to put kids to bed) this was my stopping point for the night. 

I kept racking my brain about what I could add to finish the 4th row, without going to buy more fabric.  I had some extra Christmas garland laying next to the wreath for a couple days and it occured to me I could cut the garland apart and add that to the empty row.  I wasn't sure how this was going to look, so I cut about 10 pieces and looped them through to see if I'd like it. 

I really like how it made the whole wreath look more "Christmasy".  About one hour and a big mess later, the wreath was just about done.  I had been looking for a red sparkly "Merry Christmas" sign to put on it, and hadn't had much luck.  I found this one at Walmart for $.98 and thought it would do the job (although I'd still love to find one about twice this size).  You just can't go wrong when it's less than $1

So here it is all done!  It cost me a total of about $4!!!  I'm the most excited about that :)  Happy Christmas crafting to you!

Weekly Happenings November 16-22

November 16-22

So many good things to report this week....

*Kevin turned 30 on Sunday!  We don't usually exchange gifts for each others birthday (mine is 20 days after his) because it's so close to Christmas.  I switched things up this year and I picked him up a few things I had heard him say he wanted:  new jeans, some Rapala fishing signs, and a daily devotional.  We spent the day with family and did a lot of eating and relaxing.  He requested strawberry pretzel salad instead of cake.  He said it was a great day, so I'm glad he enjoyed it!

*Allie and I went shoe shopping.  I haven't shoe shopped in awhile, so I went a little overboard.  We started at Target.  I found Allie an adorable pair of black boots, and a pair of black flats for myself.  I still wanted Allie to have another pair for church.  My sister suggested PayLess so we went there to see what they had.  They had lots of adorable options.  I ended up getting her a pink, black, and sparkly silver pair of mary jane style shoes.  I decided to browse the women's section before we wrapped up our trip, and I picked up a pair of gold slippers for myself.  Kevin says he's worried about my "girls shopping trips" in the future when Krissy goes too.  :)

*Hayden lost his 1st tooth!  The afternoon of Kevin's birthday, he was showing Kevin how wiggly it was and Kevin decided to pull it with a string.  (I got grossed out by trying, so I decided that was a good job for Daddy!)  Hayden was so excited for the tooth fairy to come and to show off the hole in his mouth.  It was fun to watch him be so excited about it.  In other fun teeth news, his other bottom tooth is loose now, so I'd expect that one to come out in the next couple weeks too!

*Krissy's week was less exciting.  She seemed more fussy than usual and wasn't sleeping well at night.  Tuesday morning I made her a doctor's appointment and found out she has an ear infection.  It's in the same ear she had one a few weeks ago, so I'm just assuming it wasn't completely healed the first time.  After 24 hours on the antibiotic, I excepted her to feel a little better, but she was miserable.  About lunch time Wednesday I noticed her breathing was heavy, and by that evening she was really working hard to take any breaths.  I made an appointment at our after hours clinic and they told me she was wheezing, and I'd need to do breathing treatments every 4-6 hours until she's all better.  She's done really well with them and is already feeling better!  I hope she is 100% by Thanksgiving!

*I took Christmas card pictures this week (and made our card that I'll order on Black Friday).  Last year I had decided it would be a fun tradition to take our yearly picture somewhere in Santa Claus, Indiana.  My parents have a house in Christmas Lake Village and that's where we took last year's picture.  I had my eye on an outdoor spot in their yard I was hoping would work, and it worked perfectly!  The kids were so great - we got there, changed clothes, took pictures, cleaned up then left in less than 30 minutes!  Kevin and I were expecting the worst and were ready to stay there hours to get the perfect shot.  I ended up getting 5 pictures I loved (I took about 130 in 15 mins) and had a hard time deciding!  I'll post all 5 of the pictures after my cards go out in a few weeks.  The girls were dressed in clothes and bows I made.  I decided at the last minute to make Hayden a bow tie and suspenders to match the girls.  I love how it all turned out!

*I made a super fun Christmas wreath this week.  I will post the tutorial this coming week once I add a few finishing touches.  It was very very easy to make and didn't cost me much.  :)

*Wednesday I was feeling down in the dumps (long to-do lists {I should add that none of my list are things that HAVE to get done, it's just projects and tasks I want to do before Christmas and before the baby comes} and being tired with a back that's aching don't add up).  Krissy was at the peak of her fussiness from being sick and none of my Christmas decorating was going as planned (all my Christmas lights had burned out).  To add to those little things, Kevin was working 12s all week.  I felt like I was close to melt down mode, and then my door bell rang.  Kevin had flowers sent to the house for me.  It put a smile on my face and turned my day around. I keep telling myself to do one thing at a time, as I can, and not to stress. 

*We got a little baby gift in the mail this week :)  It's always fun when something unexpectedly arrives in your mail, especially when it's this cute!

Weekly Happenings

November 9-15

1.  Last week I said I was going to pick one day a week and sew.  Well, I had a hard time stopping at just one day.  I spent four days sewing every free second I had.  I got a lot done!  I made the car seat blanket/cover, a couple mini buntings for the hosptial (I'm thinking one to hang on my door, and one for his crib.), AND the girls Christmas outfits!  You think I'd be ready to call it quits for a bit, but I feel like I'm just getting warmed up!  Hayden seemed a little jealous I was doing all this sewing for the baby and the girls, so I've promised him new pj pants.  He's also requested a scarf?  I guess he remembers Kevin wearing one last year.  Anyways, it was a very successful week of sewing!  Here's a few pictures of my projects, but I'm making you all wait on seeing the girls Christmas outfits!

 I had 110 pins in this little blanket - I was told it's the key to sewing with minky fabric - and it worked!  I'm going to get his name or initials embroidered on it soon!

Buntings made from scrap fabric.  One of them has his name ironed on it, but I turned it over for the picture!

I let the kids destroy the house so I could sew for a bit in the evenings.  They made a "cave" out of the table, where I happened to be sewing.  It cleaned up quick and made them all content, so we were all happy!

2.  We had a lovely visit with my sis and her family over the weekend!  We were able to do lunch and an early birthday dinner and tell them bye one last time before they left.  It's always fun seeing my little niece in person and she even let me rock her to sleep :)  I'm already looking forward to their Christmas visit! 

3.  I baked my first batch of gingersnaps for the season!  They have been sounding good to me and Kevin.  We shared about half the batch with family and neighbors.  Kevin, Hayden, and I took care of the rest of the batch!  Hayden said they were his favorite cookies ever.  Allie tried them two different days but decided she didn't really like them.  I gave Krissy a few bites here and there but since I don't know what foods upset her belly, I'm always hesitant on giving her new things.  (P.S. She's doing great on almond milk.)  I'm hoping to get a couple more batches made before the baby gets here! 

4.  Allie had a successful orthopedic checkup yesterday.  It had been several months since her last visit, so I was anxious to see what the doctor thought of her progress.  She currently wears her corrective shoes 16-20 hours a day.  I usually let her sleep one night a week without the shoes on.  The doctor thought the shoes were doing their job, and he wanted her to wear them at night only.  He will see her back in 6 months to check if her feet have stayed the same, or regressed.  I'm going to keep an eagle eye on them and if I start to notice them turning back in, I'll make the call to put her back in the corrective shoes.  SO, this weekened, I'm taking her shoe shopping (first time in a long time) and we are picking out a couple cute pair of shoes!  She seems just as excited as I am!

5.  I had my first non stress test on Tuesday.  I had some idea what to expect because my sister had to do these tests too and she filled me in this weekend.  My nurse was super nice, maybe the nicest nurse I've ever met.  Baby must have liked her too because he did exactly what she wanted in the first 20 minutes.  He kicked and wiggled non stop, and even got the hiccups in that short amount of time.  My doctor was pleased with his movement in the first test too.  Here's to hoping next weeks test is just as quick and easy

Other fun things:

• We lowered the crib mattress, and got the bedding put in place!  It's all done and ready for a baby.
  
• I've been nesting like a mad woman!  I have been vacuuming 2+ times a day and picking up non stop.  Normally I frown upon unexpected vistors (because my house is usually a wreck), but now I'm not so worried about it.  Kevin said a few nights ago he hopes this nesting instinct never stops because he loves a clean, organized house. 
•  I recieved an online order that is a Christmas gift for all 4 kids!  I can't wait to spend Christmas morning with my little family!  I'm going to try hard not to slack on much this year... 

Weekly Happenings

Nov 2-8

1.  On Sunday evening, Hayden told me and Kevin his tooth hurt.  I had no clue why he would have a tooth ache.  He pointed to his front bottom tooth and I thought maybe he's already getting a loose tooth.  I was right.  The left bottom front tooth is wiggly!  He has had his hands in his mouth all week moving it, and keeps asking me to wiggle it too. I was feeling extra emotional Sunday evening after we put him to bed.  I can't believe he's old enough to be losing teeth!  Where does time go?

2.  Last Saturday, my friend Brandie texted me to say she had found a crib combo for sale.  I was grocery shopping, but stopped dead in my tracks to call this girl and figure out when I could come see it.  She didn't seem super anxious to get back with me, and being half crazy and nesting, I texted her until we had a day and time worked out!  Sunday afternoon Kevin and I went to look at it, and she had lowered the price because she had noticed a few scratches on the crib.  I was going to pay her asking price (of $115) but got it for $85!  We are thrilled we got such a good deal and it's exactly like I wanted!  Once we got it home, we got it cleaned up and put together.  It's been such a weight off my shoulders AND I really love our new room set up!  (I thought it may be cramped with all the baby stuff, but it's not at all!)  Sidenote: I've washed the crib bedding and got it all put together.  I also washed the tub of orange clothes that's next to the crib.  It was fun going through all of Hayden's baby clothes :)  Also, I didn't notice any of the scratches that she saw.  I still don't know where they are at!

3.  We had no plans Tuesday morning, so I took full advantage of that and started my Christmas shopping.  In 3 hours, I made 7 stops, and I'm about 75% done with my Christmas shopping!  We don't buy a ton of gifts for our kids (we are doing the 4 gift rule again this year... something they want, need, can read, and wear) and my side of the family had scaled back their Christmas gift giving this year (just buying for nieces/nephews and our parents) so my shopping list wasn't a mile long.   Regardless, getting my shopping done before November ends has been a goal of mine, and I'm well on my way.  I'm waiting on a couple last minute gifts to see if I can get a deal on black Friday or cyber Monday :)  Oh and I did happen to find an adorable going-home outfit for Baby!  It was on my list of things to buy, and I can't wait to see the outfit on him!

Going home outfit for Baby

4. Wednesday I had my 32 week check up.  We had an ultrasound to check on baby's growth and he's thriving!  They measured him to be 5lbs, which is 82% (according to my weekly emails, the average weight now should be 3lbs 12oz).  My doctor said to expect an 8 1/2lb baby.  Seems like a perfect weight to me!  He was being camera shy and didnt want to move his arm from his face, so we didn't get any great ultrasound pictures.  It was still fun seeing him. 

5.  I have a million and one sewing projects I'd like to do - before the baby gets here - and I know that's not very realistic.  I did make some more hot/cold rice packs for family and friends, and I made Hayden a tooth fairy pillow this week.  Both were bugging me that I hadn't done them, so while the girls napped on Tuesday, I sewed.  I'm hoping to once a week, get my machine out, and sew while the girls nap.  Things I'd still like to make:  Christmas outfits for the girls, Christmas pj bottoms for the kids, new stockings for our family, pj pants for Kevin, a bunting for the baby's hospital crib, and a car seat blanket/cover for the baby.  The only two things I know I'll get done are the two things for the baby.  The others are just on my wish list!

Weekly Happenings

(I just realize this didn't post on Friday like it was supposed to!  Sorry!)

October 26 - November 1

This week was filled with greatness!

1.   Kevin and I had a date night, well actually it happened during the day, so a "date day".  My cousin was getting married and her ceremony was during the girls nap time.  Kevin's parents were available to watch the kids, so Kevin and I had lunch together at China Bistro, did a little shopping, then went to the wedding.  After the wedding, we did a little more shopping, then went to the mall to get a cookie, which was delicious.  We also did our good deed for the week.  When we went to sit and eat our cookies, we found a man's wallet.  We asked the people sitting around if they knew what this guy looked like, and one man said the guy was wearing a maroon shirt and his wife was pushing a stroller.  We opened his wallet and looked at his picture and we tracked him down in the mall.  He was very thankful we returned it!

2.  Nut Night was Sunday at our church.  The kids were really looking forward to it and I was just excited to see everyone in costume for the first time!  It was a cool evening but none of us froze.  The kids played tons of games, won lots of candy, rode a couple rides (they were done after the kid sized roller coaster - a neighbor friend talked Hayden and Allie into riding it and I told them both they wouldn't like it, but they didn't listen to their momma, so they learned the hard way).  They even got their faces painted (Krissy didn't) before we left.  Fun evening, cute kids, good food.  Definitely a successful night :)

3.  It was my tables turn to bring a snack in for DOK (my weekly bible study group), and I had planned on making cinnamon rolls.  I took my sister's advice and iced them like little pumpkins.  Sometimes colored icing throws people off a bit (they think it's flavored), and I got to class just after everyone had filled their plates, so I ended up bringing half of my pan home, and we ate them for breakfast on Halloween!  They were delicious!

4.  I had a quick little doctor's appointment this week.  I just got my belly measured and blood pressure checked, etc.  Everything was good.  After the appointment, Kevin told me to get a little time to myself, so you can guess where I headed... thrift shopping!  I scored big and got lots of nice clothes!  Kevin had mentioned he wanted some more nicer button down shirts and ties, so I found him 3 sets, and 2 nice short sleeved shirts for the summer, and two sweaters he can wear this winter.  I got the kids all something a few shirts for myself that I'm hoping to wear after I have the baby.

5.  I preregistered for my hospital stay!  Not much has changed since I had Krissy last year.   They did say that they encourage the mothers to keep their babies in their rooms overnight and not send them to the nursery, but I had planned on doing that this time anyways.  I asked about the visitor restrictions with the flu season, and there isn't a certain date they restrict visitors.  It all just depends on how bad the flu is this season.  I'm hoping there are no restrictions when I deliver because I REALLY want my kids to meet their brother before anyone else does.  

Looking forward to the next few busy weeks - getting ready for Christmas and Baby :)