Wordless Wednesday ~ Springtime Fun

33 Weeks and my bags are packed...

Yep you read it right, I have 7 weeks to go and my hospital bags are all ready packed...it might seem a little early for most, but from our experience last year with being sent straight to the hospital from the doctor's office and Cassie being evicted at 35 weeks, I didn't want to leave anything to chance.

Besides last year when I packed my bags I forgot a few essentials...such as socks...and tooth brushes...and a few other items I just plain wished I had...and yet I still managed to be WAY overloaded with stuff I didn't need. So this time I wanted to streamline and make sure I had all the comforts in ONE bag with room to spare so we could bring home the extras that come along.

So what do I have going with me??

~ Comfy PJs...a pair of (purple) palazzo yoga type pants, a nursing tank and a zip up sweatshirt...last year I bought a pretty nursing night gown (and matching robe) that was the most itchy/short/freezing/uncomfortable thing ever which marked the last time I will buy something just because it's pretty...

~ Comfy fuzzy socks...enough pairs to last up to 4 days this time

~ Toiletries - my own soap, toothbrush, toothpaste etc...

~ Fuzzy pink beach towel...the towels at the hospital were just tiny and scratchy...learning this time to bring my own!

~ Wisps...you know the instant tooth brush and toothpaste thingys? Will totally come in handy just incase I am strapped to the bed/hooked up to IVs again for 48+ hours and can't get to the bathroom for anything let alone brushing my teeth because 1) I HATE that *I so really need to brush my teeth* feeling! and 2) I can erase all evidence when I sneak a grasshopper cookie (or 2) when I haven't eaten in 48+ hours and technically haven't been given the okay to have anything stronger than italian ice :)

~ (not technically packed yet) my own pillow... Matt brought this to me last year and it made a world of difference in my comfort level!

~ Chargers for my camera, phone, nook and Ipod (all on top with matching electronic for easy access still at home but they go right back in the bag at night)

~ Nook...didn't own this last year but it would have been great to pass some time! So happy I have it this year

~ Ipod (complete with favorite music & lullaby music) and speakers...again I didn't have this last year, I really truly wanted music to have playing since it's my go to calming technique but all I had was my computer and it was way to bulky/cumbersome to set up so we had sy-fy (I believe Ghost Hunters and Stargate SG-1) playing in the background on the tv...(since the Food Network would have been way too cruel) It just wasn't the same...

~ Camera...pretty self explanatory

~ Video camera...again pretty self explanatory

~ Coming home outfit for me...just jeans, nursing tank and sweater...

~ SNACKS! It was so inconvenient (and expensive) to have to go all the way down to the vending machine and hope they had something I wanted. This time planning ahead with some gummy bears and peanut butter cups and grasshopper cookies...The hospital provides all the Italian ice and graham crackers you could possibly want and their food isn't half bad either, but sometimes you just need some sugar!

~ This lovely hospital picture/coming home outfit for Ali

Figured it was the perfect spring time counterpart to Cassie's winter outfit for her pictures :)

The outfit, paci and a blanket for over the carseat are the only things packed for Ali, last year I didn't know what to expect and went way overboard packing for Cassie only to find out that the hospital provided everything we needed...diapers, wipes, hats, etc. and they sent us home with all the extras so this time not weighing ourselves down with the unnecessary ;)

Any mommies have any ingenious things that I forgot off the list???

So with that all accomplished on to my appointment yesterday! Everything is looking perfect!! Even with some stressful events taking place in the last couple weeks my blood pressure was almost perfect (124/86) my weight while getting up there was okay and the little girls heart was chugging right along in the 140s and 150s. Got the okay to go another two weeks for my next appointment which is a huge relief since this is almost the same exact time gestationaly speaking when Cassie started reeking havoc on me :)

Wordless Wednesday - Progress

Reader Mommy

Sorry, no cute picture today...just not up to it.

1. Awakened (House of Night book 8) ~ PC and Kristen Cast

2. Storm Front (The Dresden Files Book 1) ~ Jim Butcher

3. My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover if Not Being a Dumb Ass is the New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto ~ Jen Lancaster

4. Songs of Love and Death - Various Short Stories

5. A Game of Thrones (A song of Ice and Fire Book 1) ~ George R. R. Martin

6. Queen of Babble - Meg Cabbot - Very cute book excellent choice for book club! It's kinda like the Shopaholic series but better :)

7. Bloodfever - Karen Marie Moning

8. Faefever - Karen Marie Moning

9. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - Ree Drummund (excellent book!! I never read her story online so I'm not sure if its the same or not but I loved this! and now I must get her cook book...)

Currently reading -

Rereading the Twilight Saga...seriously the only thing I have the mental power for right now...I have been getting a lot of ebooks out from my library though now that I figured out how to do it. I am on a waiting list for most of the books I want to read, but I still I feel so thrifty :) no gas used and no money wasted on books I will only read once (if that! I love being able to try books out for free :) )

Finished Object! ~ Hair Bow Holders

Ahh so happy! I started and finished a project!!! The last time I did that I think was the Tutu I made for the little miss for her Cake Smash pictures. And this one? took considerably less time :)

This time I made hair bow holders for her walls...combo function and decor. Total cost of the project? $10.80. ~ The only thing I bought new was the frames (normally $15 each, on sale for $5 @ Michaels, score!), I was going to use the fabric for decorations at the little miss's birthday but never got the chance and my mom had the ribbon on hand so it all worked out! Total time to make? Less than one hour.

I turned this....

Into this...

I completely neglected to take during photos, sorry bout that I was sitting on the floor which is where the outlet for the hot glue was and watching X Play with Daddy (yes crafty mommies can enjoy watching geeky tech shows) ... but essentially all it took was gluing the fabric to the back of the frame and doing the same with the ribbon. It was really super simple! Now I just have to get making bows to hang up on there!

Next up on my list? Curtains for the Little Miss! And anyone who watches Big Bang Theory should really find this fabric amusing...I know I did :)

Wordy Wednesday

Sorry no wordlessness today.

Yesterday after Daddy got home from work we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and head out to discover our newly uncovered lawn.

Cassie had a blast investigating everything.

And running around the yard!

Today wasn't really the best of days weather wise to start out, it was really pretty rainy...not cold per se but wet and damp. I saw alot of people complaining that meant they were stuck inside the house...but I say rain is a part of spring and a little water never hurt anyone, infact it opens a whole new world of things to explore! No rain would mean no melting snow right?

So we headed out on our (fabulously large) front porch. Daddy was kind enough to install the gate last night so we could go out there and play with her toys that wouldn't work out on the lawn.

Even Sirius got to come out and join us leash free since we had the gate!

He loves his girl.

I'm counting this one as a sensory activity for the little Miss...she got to investigate the ice, stomping on it, listening to the sound it made, picking it up feeling how cold and hard and wet it was...

Even taking it out for a taste test...

All in all it was a pretty great time. I just love watching her explore everything around her! And I hope to never let the rain keep me inside again. As long as it isn't pouring or hurricane type winds it's bound to be fun and a great time to see new things that you don't get to see when the sun is shining...I mean how many worms or mud puddles or birds hunting for those worms do you see when the sun is shining??? Plus with out the rain how would you go chasing rainbows??

Katie V Designing!

I ordered some new molds last month for my Katie V Designs, but haven't yet had a chance to try them out. Well with my last order I decided to go ahead and give my new oval mold a try. Turns out pretty awesome! The only thing is I didn't end up getting a pendant out of it. Mr. Matt asked if he could have it to put up at his desk at work. So I said sure...but really what guy wants to hang a necklace at his desk?? So I made it into a magnet!

For more of my creations head over to my Katie V Designs Facebook page!

March is Craft month!

Huh...half way though the month and I am just now figuring out March is Craft month? Ah well I have been a little busy :)

Anyway I thought I would share some of the crafts I have on my plate...(pictures to come once I have finished products!)

A couple of Katie V Designs...

A birthday present for Matt...

A no sew pillow for the Little Miss for when she gets her big girl tot bed...

Some curtains for the Little Miss since it is staying lighter later than her bed time now! and since it is high time she gets some color in that room...

A hair bow holder for the Little Miss...Did I mention it was high time she got some color in her room???

Some hair bows to go in that hair bow holder! Soooo excited that she is getting hair in now so I can put bows in it :) now if only she would leave them put we would be all set.

And an *attempt* here at teaching my self how to knit to make a hat for Ali for her hospital pics since I can't find one I like to match her cute little hot pink outfit!

And let me just say that I may just lurk over there right now, but I have been SUPER inspired by the ladies over at Thenest.com on the crafting board. They are simply amazing!

Cooking Blog

I separated a kitchen blog off of this one. To review recipes and menus and gadgets and anything else kitchen related... Follow if you like!

http://ktlooskitchen.blogspot.com/

31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 Weeks

Size of Baby: My Bump Ticker says about the size of a squash...Fit Pregnancy says about as long as a laptop... (16ish inches.)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I don't even know right now...gained but still under 10 pounds I think...

Maternity Clothes: Ugh...NOTHING fits anymore not even my maternity clothes from last year. Ali is sitting too low in my belly for any of my shirts to properly cover everything, my ta-tas are expanding at the speed of light and none of my jeans ever really fit. I am so ready to have my body back so I can be comfy in my clothes again (because I refuse to buy new clothes I am only going to wear for another couple months)!

Movement: All day, all night, she is a mover she is!

Symptoms: STILL with the acid reflux...it just sucks. Morning sickness is rearing its ugly head again (thought I was done with that!). Night time breathing is becoming a hassle again (it was like this with Cassie too...) Either I wake myself up by not being able to breath or I keep Mr. Matt awake because I am gasping for air so loudly, hopefully it goes back to normal soon! And on top of all that I have been having the normal Braxton Hicks contractions fun fun stuff!

Something new however with this pregnancy...the back pain! oye, I didn't have anything like this with Cassie, but this time around it has just been awful. Thank goodness it wasn't like this the first time around, Ali wouldn't be on her way if it was! I probably would have been on the "one and done" team rather than the "two under two" team :)

What I Miss: Sleeping on my back...actually I miss sleeping period.

Girl, Boy, or Team Green: Still a girl as far as I know!

Cravings: Sweets all the time...NOT good for my already expanding belly.

Is your nursery done? Not even close. Grandma is still sleeping in there! We probably wont even have it done by the time Ali arrives.

What are you really looking forward to? Seeing Cassie interact with her sister. Being able to have a drink of wine. The Lack of back pain.

Can you still paint your toenails? Probably not, haven't tried though. Although just getting socks on some mornings is a challenge in and of it self

Are you getting nervous? Most Definitely. Everything about my pregnancy with Cassie was smooth sailing (with the exception of the Pre-E at the end) even her delivery was quick and easy. This one has been the polar opposite so I am most definitely nervous how labor and delivery is going to go with this one. Especially with all this back pain. Am I ready for it to be over? Absolutely. Just as soon as Ali is done cooking though...Determined to make it full term this time!

Fun Friday - Pudding Painting!

Our new art project this week was Pudding painting!!!

What is pudding painting you ask?? Well it's quite what it sounds like. You put a dollop of pudding on a piece of card stock, add sprinkles for coloring purposes, put a child in front and let them have at it.

It's much like finger painting, only you can start earlier since it is actually edible rather than just non toxic.

I was a little worried how this was going to go at first owing to the fact that the Little Miss really does not like any icky substance sticking to her fingers and it did take her a while to get into the whole "painting" aspect. Mainly instead of making a mess she just ran a couple fingers through the pudding and then put the pudding in her mouth :) but I suppose that is why we are doing this first, rather than the normal finger paints!

But today toward the end she actually did start to get into the swing of things, it's so much fun watching her create things! And it is awesome being able to have art to hang up on the fridge!

We did this project twice this week, some things I learned were 1) the non pareil type sprinkles work much much better than the normal "jimmy" type sprinkles to add color to the pudding (bonus is that they add texture to the pudding too!) 2) make sure you put your child AND yourself in play clothes that you don't mind getting really dirty, the pudding gets everywhere and is super sticky! 3) if you put news paper down, make sure you tape it so it stays in place otherwise it becomes a slip hazard for the little one and it doesn't do its job at keeping the floor pudding free :)

Menu Planning Monday (belated...)

Sorry so late with this...I am actually working on a separate blog for all things kitchen related so stay tuned...till then without further ado here is the list for this/next week.

Thursday ~ Sheppard's Pie

Friday ~ Tomato Soup

Saturday ~ Corned Beef and Cabbage (celebrating St. Patty's day a little early!)

Sunday ~ Cheesy Turkey Pot Pie (this was so fantastic last time I am making it again already!)

Monday ~ Orange Chicken

Tuesday ~ Tater Tot Hot Dish

Wednesday ~ 7 up Chicken

Yes yes, I found another promising food blog, this time through The Bump.com... so sue me!!

Wordless Wednesday - Tired Teething Tot

I Heart Faces - Favorite February Face!

Okay! Here is my weekly I Heart Faces entry, this weeks challenge is People's Choice, best face in February. I think this is one of my favorite pictures I took in February :) I just love the expression.

It's SOOC for this weeks entry, I just don't have the energy for any editing!!

A Happy Family Sunday

Despite (or maybe because of!) the rain today we had an excellent Sunday as a family! Got the little girl outside playing in the rain testing out her new rain gear, got to fit in a couple more geocaches (real quick cache and dash ones in the parking lots of Pet Smart and Walmart :) ) while she napped in the van, and we got some Matt's Hot Dogs and had a little picnic in the back of the Van.

Now I realize most of these pictures are on Facebook, but you can't really get the whole story out there so I figured I would put them with the story here anyway.

We started the morning out at home, trying to get outside and out of Daddy's hair while he installed his computer.

She was having an excellent time until she decided to step on some ice and fall, scratching up her face...

So we decided to hit up the park (*our* park in fact) where it was a little less hilly)

And there were puddles she could jump/splash in and investigate for the first time!

She had a blast :)

Her she is watching the babbling brook that was raging on behind us

But the reflection in the puddle soon over took her attentions...

Yes! A stick to play with! Notice her feet are almost completely sunk in the mud? So glad I was able to find what I am pretty sure was the last pair of Size 5 Rain boots in upstate NY...

And our picnic set up, worked out so well...we could get fresh air, stay dry AND have Yo Gabba Gabba on in the background All wins in my book...

AND we finally figured out the trick to getting Cassie to try foods that she otherwise wouldn't go near...put them on a FORK! or Spoon...she has a thing about textures and getting her hands messy, by putting the food on a utensil it eliminates that issue.

Her first Matt Dog...and I think she liked it! (evidenced by the fact she kept coming back for more...) Which is good, because Matt Dogs is a weekend ritual for us come spring and summer, we go have some dogs and watch the fish and ducks and geese at the pond across the street. Can't wait for good weather to melt the pond and bring the ducks and geese back so we can let the little Miss feed them!!