Getting Ready

We have been doing some home improvements to get ready for Anna Claire's arrival but I have also been doing some sewing.  I thought I might share a couple of my projects.



I seriously love sleeper gowns.  They are just so easy for newborns!  I added the minky to the bottom and then the applique up at the top.

 I did a matching shirt for the big sister.  I thought they could wear these for Valentine's Day.

 I needed some new burp rags...

 so I made them up and decided to make them into door decor for the hospital room too!

Bath Remodel

Ok, the spacing on this post is really messed up and I can't figure out how to correct it.  I wanted to post some pictures of the hall bath remodel we finished.  The hall bath had some pretty bad wallpaper and one day I got adventurous and thought I would remove it myself.  Needless to say, I didn't finish that little project.  So we got the handyman to come in and finish up my project, float the walls and paint everything.  I am so happy with how it turned out.  This is the bathroom that the girls use but also the one that guest at our house use do I didn't want to make it too much of a kid theme. 

Before Pictures:

After Pictures:

Ice Cream Cones

I picked up a little treat at the grocery store this week.  I usually get ice cream because Bradley loves to have it for a snack at night.  I don't think I have ever bought cones and I saw these cones that had been dipped and chocolate and thought Emma might like them.  I can't say that she loves the chocolate dipped cones but she really likes eating the ice cream out of the cones!  She is yet to eat a bite of an actual cone.  We did have one little "melt down" when she went to take a lick and her scoop fell off.  After some tears and daddy putting it back on the cone everything was good again!

The Pillow Pet

Our dogs don't get near as much attention as they used to, but sometimes after little bit is asleep we do find time to take a few pictures of them.  Who can resist this pet putting Emma's Pillow Pet to good use!

Anna Claire Update

I had my doctor's appointment this morning and got some updates about Ms. Anna Claire.  Last week we did an ultrasound and she is weighing in at 6 lbs 7oz, which is in the 55th percentile.  My blood pressure is a little high-which happened with Emma also so I am suppose to be taking it easy.  We went ahead and scheduled a date to be induced in case she doesn't come before-February 4th is the day!  She gave me the choice of Feb 11th or 4th-of course I picked the 4th.

I have been in search of a good Big Sister gift to give Emma when the baby comes.  I finally made a decision and ordered last Friday.  I was getting nervous that if I didn't get it ordered Anna Claire would be here before we got it.  I went with the American Girls Bitty Baby.  It comes with a little backpack that is also a baby carrier and I think she will be totally into this-for some reason she is really into backpacks!  Right now I am planning on giving it to her when she comes to the hospital to meet AC.  It is going to be really hard to hold on to it and not give it to her before then.

Snow Day Take 2...Snowman

We promised a snowman session after nap time.  We ended up with a snowman and a snowball fight!  Emma was the one with the great idea to make the snowman's eyes and nose with cheese its.  She asked where the carrot was but I didn't have one.

 When we went back out this afternoon I checked the mail and was very excited to find these!

Snow Day...Take 1

I title this take 1 because after nap time we have promised to make a snowman.  Yes, we were that family that went out at 8am because the first thing our child wanted to do was play in the snow!

 There is that snow angel she has been wanting for so long.

 She was very concerned about the snow on top of the mailbox.

 The furry child had just as much fun running around!

Bring on the Snow!!!

After listening to the news talk about snow for the past couple of days, it finally started snowing around 6 tonight.  And after it started, it really hasn't let up!  I bet we have between 1-2 inches here.  Bradley went out and measured an hour ago and it was at an inch.  We have a bowl going to make some snow cream and he measured there!

I went out to take some pictures and it is just so peaceful outside.  I wish I had a heater on our screened in porch and I would sit out there and listen to the snow.  The snow really hadn't built up before Emma went to bed but I bet she will be so excited in the morning.  She has been watching this cartoon where they talk about making snow angels and that is all she talks about.  I think we are going to have enough to make that angel.

It has really been pretty cold all day so I took the time inside to do some cooking.  I wanted to make some stuff to stock the freezer before the baby came.  

I made spaghetti this week so I packaged up some smaller containers of sauce then.  I figured this would be good to have spaghetti or even if I wanted to make a baked ziti.

 I made two mini hash brown casseroles this afternoon. 

 My new favorites are these little stuffed new potatoes that I found on the Pioneer Woman.  I had to do some prepping today and then I flash froze them and now all I will have to do is take however many I need out and warm them in the oven!  I actually have made these before and keep them in the freezer to pull out when I need a quick side for dinner. 

Does anyone else have any good meals to make and freeze?  I am doing some chili this week but after that I am running out of ideas.

The Playmates

Emma adores Cassidy and loves playing with both of our dogs.  Delilah not so much into playing with Emma!  I think Cassidy enjoys playing with her, if she doesn't she at least humors us some.  Don't worry, we are always right there while they are playing to make sure everyone is safe.

Here is the extent of our interactions with Delilah

Maybe next year...

This scene happens in our living room every year.  The snowboard comes out, the owner plays around with it and usually packing starts for an upcoming trip.  This year there are two differences...there were two people playing and there was no packing.