This and That

Wednesday morning my neighbor, Michelle, invited me over for coffee.  She had said something about eats, too, but it didn't really matter if she had food.  Good company and decaf works for me!  But, to my amazement.... there was food.  And I have now found my ultimate craving of this pregnancy.

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

These were delicious, people.  I'd have to venture to say "the best" pancakes I have ever had.  Call it hormones, but I LOVED them.  They were amazing.

And it had been a while since I'd seen Michelle.  I really missed her.  She had some neat, new wedding things, too.  Like these adorable mugs from Anthro.  And the eclectic green syrup thingy (lack of better words) was more than I could take.

Did I mention the biscotti???  I don't want it feeling over-shadowed by the pancakes.  Michelle makes homemade biscotti like it's nobody's business.

She made these little mounds of heaven I devoured on her nifty new griddle, too.  Which... I now must have.  (take note, hubby)  Maybe this was another reason why they tasted oh so yummy.  Why did I not register for things like this???

After eating like I've never eaten before, I headed off to grab "A" cupcake.  I say this in a humorous way, but really - I'm serious.  We have our family photos tomorrow and the photographer mentioned it might be a good idea to bring "props" or something yummy for Bianca to eat at the end of the shoot that would make a cute pic.  The girl LOVES cupcakes and asks for them everyday (what girl doesn't) - so I decided to splurge and get the most adorable cupcake I could find.  We have a new store down the road called CamiCakes so I went there.  Big mistake.  Maybe I had subconsciously went there thinking I would buy "A" (one, uno, solo) cupcake, but that didn't happen.  Look at these beauties.....

What normal person who's NOT pregnant could avoid these?  And they were "only" $2.50 a cupcake.  This is actually a really good deal - cause most cupcake stores I've been in are around $3-5 and the cupcakes are a joke.  Meaning.... they are "normal" sized.  These beauties had WAY more frosting than most and one was enough to feed two appropriately-proportioned eaters (present company writing this is not appropriately-proportioned in her servings these days).  

Moving on.  Yes, it was a good-eats day for Liz.  

After church this week, I decided to stop by a newly discovered play area.  It was still pretty early in the day so the sun is killing my poor iPhone camera.  I gotta start packing my Cannon everywhere I go.  

she almost insists on wearing jewelry if I have some on

the slides are VERY wet.  you can't tell here, but they really took a toll on her pants

here it is, the wet bottom.  poor thing.  i had to go to the grocery store afterwards.  she didn't seem to mind.  

This Baby

I feel like I've seriously neglected this pregnancy.  Not that I have done anything wrong or intentionally "bypassed" the fact that I am pregnant.  It's just been different.

Totally different.

Let's start at the obvious.  I think this is easiest to do in list form:

Then, there's the not-so-obvious that I try to hide everyday.  I don't like talking about negative things or dwelling on the past.  My friend and "spiritual guider", Kinze, tells me a blog should be not only informative for others, but also therapeutic for myself.  So therapy 101: I've been sad.  My family dealt with the biggest, most traumatic, and saddest event we've ever had to deal with.  I'm still healing with them.  It's tough and I feel terribly lonely at times, but I'm working on it.  This poor baby I'm carrying has had to deal with it's momma's emotional roller coaster for the last 5 months - and it's been a ride.  But like any roller coaster: sometimes you just have to hold on and hope you don't puke.  I'm just so thankful God has been there to really lift me up and make sure this baby survived and has stayed healthy through it all.  I honestly had to stop myself (and my parents/brother Matt have done a great job of reminding me) and say, "Liz.... calm down.  You have a baby inside."  I think maybe this little one is what has kept me calm and helped me stay grounded.  Right now it needs me to stay calm.... and quite frankly - it's what has held me together.

This baby is special.  I love it already so much.  But there are times when I think, 'How on earth am I going to love it as much as I love Bianca?  How can I possibly split my love?'  But many moms have told me - my love does not "split" - it merely doubles.  Impossible, I swear.  But I can't wait.

I can't wait to hold that slippery little body and see if it has hair on it's sweet little head.  I can't wait to look into it's sweet little face and tell it "Hello, I'm your mommy and this is your daddy."  I can't wait to see who it looks like.  The first thing I said after meeting Bianca for the first time was (turning to look at Derek with tears pouring down my cheek), "SHE LOOKS LIKE YOU!"  He smiled so big and was so proud.  She really did look just like her daddy right away.

And the other day Derek did the cutest thing.  He said, "Can I show you something?"  He took my hand and led me over to the framed ultrasound picture of Baby #2 we have in our kitchen.  He said, "I think it really does look like me already.  The shape of this baby's head is just like mine."  Oh.... he knows how to push my buttons!

But looks and traits and body types and hair and gender.... all just "things."  I just hope this baby is healthy as can be.  I hope and pray every night, "God, please help me to raise good, Christian children.  The way You want children to be raised.  Help them to be good people."

That's really all I want.

Nana comes to town

A certain little girl named Miss Bianca Dee was sure spoiled last week when her Nana came to town.  Funny - cause it was Nana's birthday last week, so you'd think SHE'D be the spoiled one.  Nana did say just being with her little lady was the best present she could receive.....

Bianca enjoyed her love'ens.  Lots of tickles, kisses, and hugs.

Thanks so much, Nana, for coming to help out and see Miss B.  We hope you had a great birthday.  (I didn't want to tell you, but when we got home from the airport and I had to get her out of the carseat, she started crying, "Where's Nana?!"  Terribly painful for us to see you go.).

On another note, "official" family pictures are this week.  I booked the ever-so-talented Katie Bower to do some family photos, and more importantly Bianca's 2-year-old photos.  Check out her website or her blog.  We haven't had family pics in a long time - so this should be good.  Let's just hope the weather and lil Miss cooperate.

I can't believe it's goodbye to September and hello October this week.  I'm counting the days.... pretty soon I can say I'm due "next month."

Happy Monday!

More Photobook Stuff

I had a good streak of blogg'n and then I kinda got slow again.  I guess between planning the upcoming birthday party for B (sneak preview soon....), work, and pregnancy I've just been behind.  It seems to be my standard now-a-days.  Here's my excuse..... more pages for the 2nd year album.

Is this a good enough excuse?  Not really.  I'm gonna try to be a better blogger.  But I took my friend, Kinze's, advice... and took a little time to dig deeper into my thoughts.  I've been reading more at night and just finished the Heaven is for Real book (thanks to that same pal, Kinze, who sent me a copy):

It was a really touching story and a quick read.  I've also been reading more of The Word and trying to put scripture into my everyday life.  Bianca seems quite intrigued by prayer.  She is very quiet, puts her little hands together, and looks at me so innocently when we pray.  She really focuses, too.  Even when we go to church, she is such a good little girl and really loves being there.  She asks me, "Church?"  Yes, Miss B.... we can go!  She asked again tonight before dinner.  So, as Matthew 19:14 says, 'Let the little children come to me....'  I will not hinder and we shall go.  Tuesday morning church-outing it is!

The "new" nursery

My baby girl is not feeling well this last week.  She's got those dang molars coming in on the back of her mouth.  She's cranky, snotty, fevery, and just not up to posing for the camera.  So, instead, I'm posting some photos of her room.  Augh..... THEIR room.  

Yes, Bianca will be sharing her space with #2 when it comes around.  I'm personally excited about this - I think kids nowadays need to share things more and spend some time leaning how to co-habitat.  There's too much freedom and too many walls in some households.  Call me old school.  Even if we move to a bigger house, I'm still going to have them share - if both the babies are girls!  (if my brothers are reading this.... they are laughing now because I ALWAYS had my own room growing up - and THEY had to share).  

Well, the room is not done yet.  Which is why I was holding off posting photos.  But, you get a general feel for what it is about - color.  Generalized decor with bunches of bright, happy colors.  I got tired of the pink in her old nursery.  (click to view nursery #1)

changing station assembled in 3 hours, not 30 minutes, thank you: Walmart.  I found orange handles at Hobby Lobby.

my 1 splurge, the abacus

bins made from old magazines: Hobby Lobby

B's motto:

(i really need a wide angle lens - take note honey)

same old shelves as before, painted.  we need to take down the holding bars underneath

print from Children Inspire Design, clearance at Totsy.com.  Framed with Hobby Lobby scrapbook paper and an Ikea frame.

hello there, birdie

groovy mirrors: Ikea

much needed drapes.  i definitely am not a seamstress.  mom - don't ever let me make my own: Pottery Barn Kids

Bianca's new favorite thing to do is play doll house: Land of Nod (well....acrtually c/o Nana & Grampy)

look, B - she's going potty like a big girl!!!

Bianca's play house - where crib #2 will be stationed several weeks after baby's arrival.  It's the only pink left in the room right now.

The baby's "crib" for the first few weeks.  Stationed in mom and dad's room. (disclaimer - for those of you who invested your life away on an Uppa Baby stroller - or any stroller with a bassinet - yet refuse to pay another fortune on a bassinet holder...... may I introduce Jolly Jumper bassinet holder.  Amazon.)  You won't be disappointed! 

i was totally delighted and in awe when i got this little baby gift in the mail this week.  it's a hand knitted baby blanket from Derek's Aunt Theresa.  love, love, love me some handmade baby blankets.  thank you so much Theresa!  

the bathroom is still a working progress.  this curtain i bought on clearance during a standard TJ trip with nana.  

and now the boring part.  i've gotta get something for this wall.  

here's what i'm thinking of:

and my "wish" for the room...

rug: dream menagerie, Anthropologie.  Um -two please!

But who can justify the $ for a couple of rugs?  

I'll settle for this:

My baby is asleep so it's time to prep dinner work.  It's hot again here, folks.  High 80s.  What happened to the near-Falling???  The leaves are DYING to turn colors!  I don't care, I'm cooking like it's late October. Meatball sandwiches and German Potato Salad.  Get excited, dear.  

I've leave you with some "happier" times of Miss B last week.  Who is now "too big" to be pushed - she wants to push herself!