bliss list ~ july

I really enjoyed July.  Having time off doesn't make the days or weeks go any slower.  If anything they zip by at an astonishing pace.  Still, I was able to enjoy the month and here are a few things that made it so:

Redbox
Summer is plagued with repeat television so Hubby and I loved the option to run up the road to the Redbox.  You really can't beat renting a movie for $1 and with all of those titles to chose from, we were able to see many of the movies we had wanted to see but didn't make it.

Lemonade

Since I'm not able to enjoy a summer beer or glass of wine on the deck, lemonade has become my summer beverage of choice.  When I've been out running errands I'll even make stops of various establishments (Panera, Sonic, Chic Fil A...) to grab one.  Love that tart and sweet taste!

{via sma_kee}

Bravo

Yes, I will admit I have a sickness fondness of Bravo TV.  I just can't help it.  The Real Housewives, Flipping Out, Bethenny Getting Married?, The Rachel Zoe Project...I'm a Bravo reality TV junky.  In my defense, there have been a few weekend days when I haven't felt the best and have needed to rest and this was the only channel that kept my interest.  I know, I am pathetic.  But that's fine, you can judge, I have no problem admitting my vices.

Baby Kicks

While I don't necessarily enjoy being kicked in the ribs and other organs when I'm trying to sleep, there is something reassuring and fascinating about feeling baby movements in utero.  The Babe has really become active this past month and it's rare that I go for a long stretch of time without feeling her kick or move.  I've gotten to the point now where Hubby can see her moving and I can feel her little bum when she's being still.  It will be fun to meet her in a few weeks and see her movements on the outside!

{via aussiemidwife}

Blueberry Pancakes

Pancakes have been a favorite of mine during pregnancy and I always love fresh blueberries in the summer.  Thus, a wonderful experience has occurred:  blueberry pancakes.  I have made them one or two times but the best blueberry pancakes in the world are at a little breakfast and lunch spot in our town.  It's not rare that about 3 out of the 4 Saturdays or Sundays in a month, Hubby and I head over to Ginger Sue's to grab some homemade breakfast.  I'm sure it would be great to branch out and try some of their other fabulous breakfast items but I am sold on those blueberry pancakes!

{via Pabo76}

Time with Hubby

This is the last month for a long time that is will just be Hubby and I in the house.  I've really enjoyed spending time with him this summer.  We went on a little vacation together, have worked on some projects, seen some movies, gone to the Farmer's Market, ate some great breakfasts out, and laughed a lot.  I'm glad we've had 5 years together and think we're both ready and excited to see how our lives are about to change.  Soon we'll add another person to all of our dates.

{photo of Hubby and I at 35 weeks}

To see other Bliss Lists, please click on the Bliss List link to the left.

hubby, me & babe ~ week 38

I have been officially full term for one week now and I am feeling very full!  My baby update this week says I'm supporting a watermelon and while I actually thought I would look and feel much bigger when I reached this point I do feel like there is a decent sized (and very active) melon in my tummy.

We're playing the waiting game now...

Heading to the doctor each week - as of last week (week 37) only dilated a finger tip - we've got time, people!

Baby/Birthing classes are complete - we think we know what we need to know...

Nursery ready and stocked - check; car seat installed - check; bags packed - check; mentally ready...maybe...

It's still quite surreal that in two to three weeks we will have a baby.  It will no longer just be Hubby and me.  Although a huge life change is approaching, I think we're both ready for this change and are very ready to meet our daughter.

I've started work again this week.  All day meetings have proved to be exhausting but are also making the days fly by.  Next week I have an off week - no meetings and a full week off before I am back on contract time.  I am really going to try to savor that week - naps, movies, books, more naps...it will probably be my last quiet week alone!

{baby bump - 38 weeks}

chocolately goodness

I needed to make cookies last night for a school meeting and decided this would be a great opportunity to make some extras for upcoming visitors once the Babe arrives (and maybe a few extra for Hubby and I this week...).  I could have gone the easy route with the packaged cookies you just pull apart and throw in the oven.  Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with this and often use the packaged variety when I'm in a pinch but there's just something comforting about mixing the ingredients, turning on my Kitchen Aid mixer, scooping out the raw cookie dough, and the gooey goodness of the chocolate chips when the cookies come out of the oven.  I use my mom's chocolate chip cookie recipe, which has never steered me wrong.  The only problem is not eating them all when the are warm!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. shortening

1 c. white sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

**Cream together and add remaining ingredients:

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. flour

2 c. chocolate chips

**Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheets, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes

**Let cool on cooling rack...if you can!

baby boudoir

Several weeks after I published this post on our inspiration for the Babe's room, I finally have pictures.  Her room was actually finished about 3 weeks ago but I was waiting to take pictures until our new camera arrived.  On a side note about the camera, I'm still learning and playing with its features so this is the first photo "project" I've done with it.  Probably not quite perfect yet but I wanted to get pictures taken before she gets here!

Here's a peek into where our little girl will sleep:

{These quilts were made by my aunt.  The first is a gift for our baby girl and the second was actually a gift to me for my high school graduation.  Both fit our color scheme and room personality perfectly!}

{Our gDiapers and pre-folds.  A step towards being greener.}

{The abacus was Hubby's impluse buy from IKEA.}

{LOVE these wall flowers from Bed Bath and Beyond!}

Toys in the basket, sleepers in the drawers, dresses in the closet, car seat base in the car, bottles in the cupboard...I think we're close to ready!

If you'd like to see some more super cute nurseries, head over to Design*Sponge and check out this recent post.

rolling back

This makes me laugh:

How to Cuff Jeans Stylishly

I knew one of these days we'd see this style from the 80's reappear.

{via Real Simple}

maybe not our best idea...

In the middle of my 36th week, I was feeling pretty good.  While I get tired more easily and seem to have a decreased amount of oxygen in my lungs, really, I had been doing pretty good.  Here's a photo of me at 36 weeks:

My belly definitely feels bigger but I haven't really swelled and the rest of me is fairly normal-sized.  So, I felt pretty good in this photo.  Right after this photo was shot, we jumped in the car and headed to a baseball game.  I knew it was hot and humid but I was in no way prepared for what I would experience.

Traffic to the game was terrible.  What should take 15 minutes took 50 minutes.  But, we were nice and comfy in the air conditioned car.  By the time we arrived at the parking lot, the game was already beginning so we had to walk blocks and blocks to the stadium.  Oh boy.  We planned to buy tickets at the gate.  Many others had that plan as well.  Bummer.  We waited in a LONG line in the HOT sun.  When we finally got inside the stadium, I was hot and a little dizzy but was definitely glad to be at our destination.  The we started the trek to our seats.  Instead of thinking and going the fastest route, we decided to walk ALL THE WAY AROUND THE FIELD.  {really, I don't think any of us realized how close our seats were to the gates we entered so it's either no ones fault or everyones fault!}  After walking up four flights of stairs to our ticket level, walking even further to our section, I was the horrified to see our seats were at the very top of the stadium.  We're talking very top.  Here's a little map to show you where we were:

 

Even though I didn't think it was possible, we finally made it to our seats.  {I swear some people were staring at me wondering if I was going to deliver right there on the steps}  I did cool off after some water and of course, a hot dog and some peanuts.  And once we were settled, I actually enjoyed the game, the company, and the finale fireworks.  Unfortunately, after it was all over we had to make our trek back down, out of the stadium, and to the car. 

I felt pretty good that night when we got home but think I may have suffered from slight heat exhaustion the rest of the weekend.  I was really tired and had some mild contractions throughout the day.  Whenever I have contractions, I get very nervous.  I'm just not quite ready for her to get here.  There's still some things I want and need to do and while I'll obviously be thrilled whenever she arrives, if should could wait until at least August, I'll be a happy lady.

On a more positive note, I'm feeling much better after some naps, water, and a good night's sleep.  Now we'll see if I make it through the major league soccer game we're going to next Sunday.  Obviously I hadn't experience the end of the third trimester when I agreed to go to all of these outdoor sporting events in July.  Oh well, makes a girl tough!

personalized prints

We've had the Babe's room done for about 3 weeks now but as we were debating what her room might look like, I did a lot of browsing on Etsy.  I found many cute prints that would be great for a baby's room but didn't find anything that matched the picture I had formed in my mind.  Still, Etsy has TONS of fabulous prints for a little one's room.  I especially like some of these personalized or monogrammed options.  Since we're keeping the Babe's name a secret, we opted to leave anything monogrammed out of the design but some of these options are pretty cute!

{umbrellakids}

{barkingbirdart}

{babybyrds}

{SweetpeaKidPrints}

{InkTreePress}

And then there are these more customized options.  I really like these...once she's here I may have to create one for her...

{babybyrds}

{LittlePigPress}

{trendypeas}

{mosieposies}

There are so many cute options out there...pages and pages of options.  One really could spend all day searching.  I'm glad others have talent so I can browse and drool over their creations.

it's coming!

We ordered our new camera last night!  It's nothing fancy but think it will be a nice improvement over our current and older camera. 

I can't wait to get it and try it out before the Babe arrives.  And once it is here I'll post some pics of her nursery!

slow days

I haven't had much ambition to be thoughtful about writing lately.  Don't get me wrong, I've managed to keep quite busy and my weeks are going by faster than ever but my days have been quite random. 

Random musings...

This book has done two things - informed me and frightened me.  But after a baby class, breastfeeding class, and our first childbirth class, I can confidently say the info in this book was valid and helped me feel like less of an idiot in those classes.

I've given Harry Potter a rest and my next to-read is this book, brilliantly gifted to us from my sister:

She said doctors at her hospital have sworn by it.  I was sold when they showed us part of the video in our baby class.  You wouldn't believe how quickly those babies calmed down!  Granted, Hubby and I did snicker a little at the "shushing".  Hopefully we can do that with a straight face!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I've been wanting to post pics of the Babe's room but the weather hasn't so much cooperated for getting quality pictures.  Hopefully sometime next week.  I see the sun is finally poking out today so maybe I'll have some luck.

Speaking of pictures, we're in the process of choosing a new camera.  We've been using the camera Hubby bought around 4 1/2 years ago and while it has worked fairly well for us, we sometimes get frustrated with the quality.  I've been doing some browsing and think we've landed on this guy:

I'm not out to become a professional photographer and truthfully, those big cameras with their large lenses kind of frighten me.  I just want something I can grab, aim, and shoot.  And guy this has12 mega pixels, trumping our current 5 mega pixel camera.  Think I'll be putting this into my Amazon cart.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sleep...something I used to look so forward to.

This is what I typically wake up to these days (with the exception of the past week, which has been gloomy).  Sleep is difficult.  Or should I say sleeping comfortably is difficult.  I wake up about every hour or two and sometimes can't fall back to sleep.  Sigh.  The benefit is I'm up early and ready for the day and I guess this is my body's way of preparing myself for those frequent late night/early morning awakenings I'll soon be experiencing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On a brighter note, I'm looking forward to my sister visiting, spending some time with both my siblings (bro lives here), and gathering with some friends at our couples baby shower this weekend.  And the weather looks to be great...I will be waking up to some beautiful sun so really, I can't complain!

the dirty dozen

The summer is my favorite time of year to buy produce.  Everything seems so much fresher and I can buy lots of my favorite fruits and vegetables at a reasonable price.  In the last few months, however, I've been listening to some food news and have been interested in The Dirty Dozen.  The Dirty Dozen refers to 12 foods that you really should buy and eat organically.  Hubby and I have attempted to make some changes in the foods we've eaten and I was interested to see how we stacked up to the list.

1) Celery

I'm not really a fan of celery - I can take it or leave it so it's not an item that I frequently put into my shopping cart.  But because it has no protective skin, it is recommnded you buy organic.  I've seen organic celery in the store and it's really not much more than the non-organic.

2) Peaches

Because of their delicate skin, peaches are often sprayed with chemicals and pesticides.  Just think about the fruits and vegetables that have soft skin you eat - it would be nearly impossible to scrub off those chemicals without damaging the skin.

3) Strawberries

Similar to peaches, these fruits are often suseptible to pesticide sprays.  I've also recently read about them being laiden with small bugs.  Eww.  I cannot turn down a strawberry in the summer and the organic are quite expensive.  I try to thoroughly wash but know even the most vigorous washing can't get those icky pesticides away.

4) Apples

This is one fruit Hubby and I have been buying organic for quite some time.  Awhile ago I read about the multiple pesticide spays done on apples and like peaches, their delicate skin makes it nearly impossible to scrub those chemicals away.  I'm willing to pay the 10 cents more per pound for organic apples and feel good about sinking my teeth into their skin.

5) Blueberries

I LOVE blueberries and buy them any chance I get.  And I will admit, this is not something I typically buy organic because of the price.  But then I read that these lovelies can be sprayed with as many as 52 pesticides.  Gross!  Buleberries are supposed to be a great boost for the memory and the mind but is that boost really going to counteract the negative impact of ingesting pesticides?

6) Nectarines

Like peaches and apples, these little guys are sprayed multiple times with harsh pesticides.

7) Bell Peppers

These veggies are heavily sprayed and their skins don't offer much protection.  My grocery store doesn't sell organic so when we do buy, we don't have a choice.  We did plant two bell pepper plants in our garden so here's hoping we'll have some fresh pesticide-free peppers to enjoy this summer.

8) Spinach

This super-food is typically sprayed like crazy.  I've found the price of the organic option really isn't much more (and sometimes cheaper) than the non-organic alternative.  When we eat spinach and lettuce, we're eating the leaf; the very part that was sprayed so there's no protection from chemicals.  Even those that are bagged and pre-washed have been sprayed.  I'll stick to the organic, thanks.

9) Kale

While it can withstand a bit more, this leafed veggie has still been subject to sprays.

10) Cherries

Oh, this one makes me sad.  Cherries are my special treat during the summer and even when I do buy them, they are pricey.  I know the organic cherries are even more outrageous.  But, they are something to consider with more than 42 pesticides sprayed on those red little tarts.

11) Potatoes

This was actually a surprise to me but these spuds don't escape the pesticide spray either.  I wonder how sweet potatoes fare because those are a staple for Hubby and I in the fall and winter.

12) Grapes

Another summer must-have and when I can buy the non-organic at less than a dollar a pound, it's often difficult to even consider the organic version.  What is reassuring is grapes sold domestically fare better than those that are imported.  Still, they have soft, edible skin and that is something to consider.

Other organic foods to consider - Beef, Coffee, Leafy Greens, Carrots, Tomatoes, Pears, and Milk

Hubby and I made the switch to Shatto Milk, a small, family owned company not too far from where we live. They sell all of their products in our local grocery stores and range in various flavors from whole to skim to chocolate to rootbeer. They even make and sell ice cream and butter. We do pay a bit more than we would for the regular gallons of milk but to us, it's worth it.

Now, just because I've posted this list doesn't mean that I buy only organic or believe you shouldn't eat any of these items if they're not organic...the last thing I want is someone to think, "Oh, I can't serve _______ because Nicole won't eat it."  Not the case.  I just think it's interesting that so many of the foods we consider to be healthy are sprayed with very harmful chemicals.  One way to help with this problem is to buy local and support your farmer's market.  There are also many healthy foods that are fairly safe to buy and eat as is.  To see that list, click here.  And to see the complete list of The Dirty Dozen and some safe alternatives, click here.

{Resource and photos via here}

hubby, me and babe ~ week 34

We've made it to week 34.  Not quite in the homestretch but with our due date around 6 weeks away, our minds are headed toward the finish line.  Physically, I think we're fairly prepared.  We've had several wonderful showers and have everything we could possibly need for this little one.  Her nursery is ready (pics to come) and we can't help but go in there and just stare.  It's hard to believe someone will live in there!  We started our first series of baby preparation classes last night.  Baby basics was our first session and I think we both feel a bit more prepared yet shocked that this will soon become a reality.  There's no stopping now!

I continue to feel quite good.  I have my bouts of uncomfortable moments but overall, I really can't complain.  I haven't posted a baby bump pic in awhile so here I am at 34 weeks.  Quite a difference when I look back to our first weeks!  Will I ever be able to comfortably bend over to put on shoes again?

And here's a recent pic at 32 weeks from one of my showers.  Two of my best girls (one of them pregnant herself).