I was determined

Determined, I tell you, to have everything done for Christmas before Ginny Bug arrived.

I was unsuccessful.

So while my lack of posts is also due to the fact that our little lives have taken a whirl with a newborn in the house, it's mostly due to the fact that every time I have a moment to myself I'm trying to finish Christmas things. Or I'm taking a nap. Or I'm watching a movie with Jeremy. Or doing the laundry and the dishes.

All of which has taken a much higher precedence than just about anything else. Even taking pictures of Miss Virginia. (Have I mentioned that picture taking is just not my forte? Yeah.)

But the good news is, I'm just about done with Christmas. And what isn't done has mostly been crossed of the To Do list (because, man, I'm tired).I just have a few more things to wrap and a hope to make one little thing for Raymond. But, you know, if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I can always make it after Christmas (heaven forbid!), and he probably won't even know.

And the other good news is that Ginny is a perfect little baby. A few days ago I started (but didn't finish) a whole post about how good she is. At eating. At sleeping (ok, well better at this than Raymond anyway). At looking good in pink. At puckering those rose bud lips for mama kisses. She's an angel.

And someday someone who's better at taking pictures than I am will help me get more shots of her chubby-cheeked sweetness for all of you to melt over.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas!!

Pictures for Aunt Tasha

Hair bow made by Aunt Tasha.

Dress made by yours truly.

Socks hand knit by Grandma Torgerson.

We were all sad to see said Grandma leave yesterday (who knit three pairs of Ginny socks while here!). It was a perfect first week of transitioning to two little ones. I love my mom. I'm not sure if the advent calendars around the house are counting down to Christmas or getting to see "Na-ma" again.

1 week old

I truly find it hard to believe this little ladybug is already a week old. She is still sweet and cuddly and sleepy. So sleepy. I didn't know babies slept so much. (Knock on wood)

Today we took pictures of the bath. She is a little fussy at first, but settles right in and does great.

And we took pictures of her in a rare moment of being awake and calm. Usually if she's awake (which is a rarity itself) she's eating. But today she took a little more time to enjoy the world around her.

Today I am most grateful for

the safe and healthy arrival of

Virginia Ruth

8 lbs 10 oz

20.5 inches long

She is sweet, chubby cheeked, and cuddly.

I honestly don't even know how to begin to describe what a sweet and tender experience the last few days have been. She came less than two hours after my water broke, and less than an hour after arrival at the hospital. I feel like her labor and delivery were in every way a sweet and tender mercy. And little Ginny is herself the most tender part of all.


I am in love.

And so is Raymond. He wakes up from nap and sleep saying, "baba" (baby) and going to find her. He wants to hold, kiss, touch, and look at her as much as we will let him. 

Virginia is (so far) a champion eater and sleeper. She cuddles and snuggles and begs to be loved. And without doubt ever person in this house is smitten.

 

ps These photos just don't even begin to do her justice. She has the sweetest, roundest little face with a rosebud mouth and kissable cheeks. Her hair is dark with bit of blonde, and about as thick as Raymond's is currently. Long fingers and toes and a little body that is more ball than anything else. Someday we'll live by one of our photography siblings so we can post better pictures, but until then, these are taking with love.

Do It Yourself mixes

As I've mentioned before, we (aka Raymond) eat a lot of oatmeal and waffles in this house. (Disclaimer: I eat a lot of cereal. A ridiculous amount, actually. Sadly, I really can't eat oatmeal. It's a texture thing.).

Anyhow, oatmeal and waffles. Raymond even knows where the waffle maker is kept (above the fridge) and will reach frantically for it if he gets it into his head he wants some. And being the mom I am, I usually comply even if it's well past "breakfast time." Leftovers are frozen and whipped out at all hours of the day.

A few months ago I realized these two foods alone were costing way more than necessary. All those little oatmeal packets. And Bisquick is pretty pricey if you ask me. So I started doing some internet research for homemade Bisquick and instant oatmeal recipes. I thought I would share what I've found. Just in case you have a one-year-old who loves these items as much as mine does. Sadly I don't remember where I found these recipes, but I don't take credit for them. Someone else out there was wise enough to figure it out. Here's what we do...

Instant Oatmeal
In a big bowl sift together:

• 1 cup quick oats turned to dust in the food processor or blender (if using blender, do no more than 1/2 cup at a time)
• 5 cups quick oats 
• 1 1/3 cup powdered milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 T cinnamon (original recipe called for 1T but Jeremy says it's too strong)
• 1 cup dried fruit (optional. I've never added this)

Store in an air-tight container. 

I really like making this is bulk rather than "packet" size. Some days Raymond wants a banana before oatmeal and so I make a little bit smaller bowl. Other days he eats later and appears famished, so I made a bigger bowl. It's been great. 

Disclaimer: I have no idea if this tastes good because the idea of putting oatmeal in my mouth makes me want to gag. Raymond seems to like it. Maybe it has lots of sugar? Maybe it's less than Quaker Oats instant packets? I really have no idea. Let me know what you think if you try it.


Homemade Bisquick
Sift together:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups wheat flour
• 3T-1/4 cup sugar (I mixed two recipes here and do somewhere between 1/8 and 1/4 cup)
• 1 1/3 cup powdered milk
• 1 T salt
• 1/4 cup baking powder
• 3/4 cup shortening
• (1 t cream of tartar--one recipe I have called for this, and I used it the first time but not the second with no noticeable difference)

Now you are going to need to cut in your shortening. I do this a little at a time in my food processor with just the flour since I don't have a pastry knife. Either way (food processor or pastry knife) cut the shortening into the flour before adding and sifting the rest of the ingredients. Then store in an airtight container. It will last longer if stored in the refrigerator or freezer. We eat it fast enough that I don't bother with that.

Disclaimer: I have only used this mix to make waffles (mix about equal parts Bisquick mix with water--until it's a good consistency--and add a splash of vegetable oil). I have no idea if this would make good biscuits or not, but I do know it makes great part-wheat waffles!

Next up on my To Try list: homemade hot cocoa. I'll keep you posted.

A season of thanks

As a little girl I think my favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas. In college I fell in love with Valentine's Day, and Halloween took a back seat. In recent years Thanksgiving has steadily moved up in the ranks.

I love that this holiday seems to be almost completely unsullied by the typical commercialism of the holidays. In fact, except for the turkey vouchers and advertisements for cranberry sauce, most stores have moved right on to Christmas trees and reindeer.

But I refuse to let my fall move too fast. No Christmas lights in early November around here. I love focusing November on the quite calm of gratitude. It is the perfect prelude to the busy season ahead.

For the past two years I put a piece of fall-colored cardstock on our fridge right around the beginning of the month with the heading "I am Thankful For..." and we spent the month filling it up with our large and small tidbits of thanks. This year I wanted something a bit more central, more visual. So I created a "gratitude tree" out of brown paper and cardstock, to become our table "centerpiece" for the coming weeks.

I love the way it is becoming a constant reminder for me to mentally note and verbally say the things I am grateful for all day long (even if it's just Raymond listening!).

I started with just a few leaves with quotes or scriptures about gratitude...

And we have been adding leaves each night at dinner of the things we are grateful for. 

I feel an "attitude of gratitude" already sparked in just the past few days. There is so much to be grateful for!

The boy lovingly refered to as "The Man Child"

 
Well poor little Raymond certainly hasn't made the center stage on this blog for quite some time. But that doesn't mean he isn't large and in charge around here. Somehow over night he went from a baby to a toddler. That's not to say he's lost all his baby-ness. Because I'm pretty sure his cheeks are as kissable as they were on day one. But he has mastered the art of puckering up himself... which is just about as tender as it comes.

Before I lose my head, I want to record some of the latest and greatest of the Life of RayJ.

1. He (as always) loves books. We went through weeks of reading (for hours, literally) the Jazz book. Random, I know. Now we read the Fisher Price Baby magazine over and over. And flip endlessly through the pages of Gyo Fugikawa's ABC book and the Julie Andrews Songs, Poems, and Lullaby collection.

2. But actually, what we spend most of our time looking at (at Raymond's request) is the Church's spiral bound Gospel Art Book. Really, the boy knows where this book is at any given time. He can say Jesus, Moses (probably the cutest thing I've ever heard... it's more like Mooo-ses with his little lips puckered for the long ooo), and prophets (more like sa-sets). He can point out Jesus in any given picture and randomly throughout the day points at the picture of Christ on our wall saying, "Jesus" over and over. It's quite humbling, in fact, to witness his sincere and completely voluntary interest in all things "Jesus" or "prophets" related. He regularly flips through Preach My Gospel, the hymnbook, the Children's Songbook, the Gospel Principles manual, the Temples Ensign, and of course the Gospel Art Book. If I try and put any of these books out of reach, the boy knows and lets me hear it.

3. He is our little explorer. I swear he wants to get into every cupboard, nook, and cranny of this apartment. It might just be a long winter, folks. He is happiest when let out of doors for his explorations.

4. He is as social as ever. He smiles and charms anyone (particuarly in church) who looks his way. He's never happier than when he has a captive audience. With that said, he still takes a considerable amount of time to warm up to new situations and people... and will give the blank stare for quite some time before the grins come out. But once they do, watch out! He is a champion at the institute nursery--always happy and playing. But, I must admit he's a mama's boy to the tee. He won't even always let Jeremy carry him when we are out and about. He loves to be held by Mom, that's for sure.

5. If I let him, he would subsist on Marshmallow Maties alone. He stands at the pantry door banging his heart out to get them all day long. Other favorite foods (do I even admit this?) are "nanas," yogurt, (ahem) hot dogs and corn dogs, tater tots, and waffles. I do make him eat oatmeal every morning (gotta start the day healthy at least), and I squeeze some peas into his diet occasionally (the only vegetable he really likes). Healthy eating is a work in progress, right?

6. He would color (aka throw crayons and colored pencils around the house) all day long if I let him. But, sadly for him, I don't. He is slowly getting the hang of actually "coloring." Man, he loves his crayons!

7. He is a jabberer to no end. And, happily, he is finally saying more words with more clarity. The running list includes: eat, out, up, off, ball (ba), bath (ba... much like ball, but usually pretty clear when used in context), dada, mama, leche (milk), baby (baba), soft (saaaa), night night (nana), yeah, all done (a da), hot, toast (tost), bye bye (surprisingly clear!), and (as mentioned) nana, Jesus, prophet, Moses, and I'm sure there are more I can't think of... he also says quite a few animal sounds (baa baa, nay nay, hee haw, ssss (snake), mooo, roar, buzzz, meow, fish sound, oo oo ee ee aa (monkey), yippee dee (pea cock), cheep cheep (chicks), woof woof...)

8. By and large, he is a very happy boy. Despite the trantrums he likes to throw when he doesn't get his way (which seem to be diminishing as I simply ignore them and him while he bangs his head on the floor or wall), he mostly is smiley and happy. We certainly have fun together... although (of course) the most fun is had when Dad is home. Mom is much calmer with him than Dad, that's for sure! (Who else will tickle and tackle and throw balls in the air to no end?)

I certainly admit I love, love, love this stage. He is always doing something new and exciting. I love watching him make new connections and say and do new things. I love seeing the little person he is becoming. I am excited to see how he reacts and changes to a new baby sister, and I'm confident he's going to handle it beautifully.

Pictures taken by Stanford Richens last Friday. Hooray for photographers in the family!

Things I love about being pregnant

I'm definitely feeling that this pregnancy is winding down, slowly but surely. Come what may, in at most six weeks or so there will be a lovely little lady in our house.  And actually my fingers are crossed (and you can cross yours too!) she comes more around Thanksgiving.

On Wednesday I had an ultra sound to double check that an ache/pain I've been feeling wasn't anything serious. I tell you, it filled me right up with Thanksgiving gratitude to hear the nurse tell me everything looks "perfect." It was strange to see that squished little body in the ultra sound (so different than at 18-20 weeks when you can actually see the body and body parts!).  She's weighing in at 6 lbs 9 oz already, and growing beautifully.

The whole experience has made me think about why pregnancy is in so many ways a joyful time for me. (Minus, I must admit, those weeks of nausea in the beginning. I don't cherish those weeks very much yet. Maybe someday). But on the whole, I really love being pregnant. And for so many many reasons...

• I love the wonder of it all. The absolute miracle of a baby being created inside of me. I simply stand all amazed that this body of mine knows what to do and how to do it. That somehow, a little human life is taking shape. It is truly godly.
• I love the way pregnancy causes me to reflect on my womanhood. It seems that these months stir me up into deep reflection about what it means to be a woman, a mother, a daughter. I become very introspective about my identity in a calming, soothing way.
• Pregnancy pushes me to be more selfless, something I always need help with and for which I am so grateful.
• I love (even as I struggle) the hard work of getting ready for labor and delivery. With both of these pregnancies--for differing reasons and in differing ways--I have worked really hard to be prepared for the climax event of birth. It is soul searching, faith building, and in every way stretching. I am a better person because of it.
• I love the growing belly! It amazes me sometimes that it can get bigger (and yet I know it can!) I smile to see my shadow on the sidewalk or my reflection in the mirror. 
• I love the connection that is made between mother and child during the womb stage. I love the kicks, the little games we play, the imaginings of who and what she'll be. 
• I love the nesting. I must admit, my nesting urges have slowed considerably in the last week or two (even though I still have so much to do!), but on the whole, pregnancy gives me drive and motivation to go, go, go. And I love it. I love the creativity that comes of it all.
• I love the smiles from strangers I get in the grocery store. I even love the random comments from people saying I must be having a big baby (!) 
• And for all I wince over them, I am grateful for all the little aches and pains of pregnancy. The reminder that this body is not my own. I am grateful to be an instrument in the creation process.
• I even love the struggle to eat well (sometimes failing miserably), and to eat as much as I need (which isn't always "for two"), and to not worry about weight gain, but being healthy and enjoying food.

I know a lot of women moan and groan about pregnancy, and I've met my share who decide during their first pregnancy that one is enough. Break my heart. But I also know I have been extremely blessed to be mostly healthy, only really sick for the first 16 or 17 weeks, and to have normal amounts of aches and pains. I have nothing to complain about. In fact, someone commented to me this last week, "You sure smile a lot for being pregnant!" It took me totally by surprise and made me glad. I hope I always smile when I'm pregnant.

As this pregnancy is ending, it makes me grateful and glad to think that this is mostly likely (hopefully!) not my last. We have a few to go, I'd say. I hope that each one is as wonder-filled and faith-building as this one has been.

Taken this morning: 35 week, 5 days

¡Éxito! (That's Spanish for "success!")

(Side comment: Tede Baker, do you remember how every single day in Larque we would leave the house and, putting one fist in the air, say, "¡Éxito!"? Happy memories.)

So last Wednesday at our Wizard of Oz dinner I mentioned to a gal in my ward that I have never been successful at making rolls. They always are hard and small and yeasty. NOT light and fluffy and delicious. It has been one of the woes of my baking life. I aspire to being able to take a basket of perfect rolls to a sick neighbor's house. Or "whipping" them up for a Sunday dinner. Or even just once a year on Thanksgiving would give me satisfaction and peace of mind.

But up to this point I have always failed in my attempts. That is, until this past weekend.

I made rolls, my friends. And they were good enough that Jeremy ate four of them. Light and fluffy. And good. Mmmm.  And not just any rolls... I made (are you ready for this?) Lion House Rolls. You know the ones you smell when you are walking through Deseret Book and you want to buy some (along with that honey butter) but you know they have to be worse for you than a pan of brownies. Those rolls.

And I think it was because I didn't roll them out. I followed this tutorial (which is actually easier than it looks). The recipe is posted online at melskitchencafe.com here. And because mine turned out just as pretty as hers did, here's a picture (of hers--I take no credit for the photography or the goodness of the rolls. I give all to Mel).

And since you probably should have something else with your dinner other than rolls (although if you eat four of them I take that back), you should also try this amazing recipe for Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup (in the crock pot). Jeremy told me three times (while scraping his bowl clean) that I should blog about this soup. It was that good. And it might have even been better if I had made the rolls on the same night.

So soup and rolls. Does fall weather get any better than this?? I think not.

My little lion cub

So I decided I loved celebrating Halloween a day early (which is just what Utah does if it falls on a Sunday. Awesome).  We were just going to do a little bit of trick or treating in our neighborhood, but last minute called Jeremy's sister, Jeanine, and went with them in their neighborhood instead. It was so much fun to be in a real neighborhood with all the decked out houses and kids running up and down the street.

The only bummer was how seriously cold it was. I forget that Halloween is cold in some places since growing up in California, we were usually sweating hot in our costumes. Not this year. Jackets were a necessity.

Oh and that I forgot my camera. I know, I know, but we were in a rush getting out the door since we hadn't planned on even going until the last minute! Good thing Jeanine took one before we left. This morning I completely redressed Raymond in his costume (nose and whiskers and all) so I could take pictures of him. Only to discover (of course) that my camera (which I had to spend 15 minutes even finding) was completely out of batteries. And since our house was heated up to some 80 degrees (someone whose name shall remain anonymous likes to turn the heat WAY up each morning. Raymond and I proceed to roast until I turn it back down and open doors to cool the house down to normal temperatures), Raymond didn't want to wear his warm and fleecy lion costume while I scrounged for batteries.

And thus the bad phone pictures that follow. But I tried, right? I really did.

This one was taken by Jeanine. He always gets really shy and won't smile when we first get to a place we haven't been in a while. Thus the droopy-eyed stare at the camera. He actually wore this look most of trick-or-treating too. The whole thing was pretty overwhelming for him, I think. He occasionally would "roar" for someone or say "bye-bye," but most of the time he looked pretty bewildered. Despite it all, I think he was pretty cute!

And these are my sad attempts to get more pictures this morning. You can kind of see his little tail poking out the back. Oh and the dead camera in his hands. Yep, I'm going to work on stocking up on batteries (considering I have three clocks in need of them as well, you'd think I'd make it a priority).

Hope your Halloween was fun too!
And hooray for November to be here!

Off to see the Wizard!

So I'm pretty sure I sat down at least three times yesterday to write this post. And I'm pretty sure I have at least three or four versions of it at this point. (We won't talk about how many unpublished posts are in my "edit posts" box.)

But somehow I'm feeling a bit distracted, or forgetful, or something. I can't seem to ever remember what I was going to say or why I walked into a room or what made me stop writing this post. Only that every time I come back to it, I can't seem to pick up where I left off. Or be interested in what I had already written.

Alas.

So some highlights of them all might do:

(from yesterday's ramblings:)
Last night was our Fall Relief Society dinner. The theme was the Wizard of Oz (seriously doesn't get much better) and the focus visiting teaching. Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion (the vt supervisors) all made an appearance. And there were ruby slippers in abundance.

Sadly I didn't take any pictures of how cute it turned out, but here are some of our "inspiration" pictures (as taken from the World Wide Web).

(I was going to put the links in here. So much work. If you really want them, put it in the comments. This one came with a template. So cute).

(I for-realsies made a cake that looked (almost) just like this. Except mine was a leaning tower of cream cheese frosting. But the inside did look as cool as this. Somewhere over the rainbow I might thinking about putting this much work into a cake again.)

I also wrote an almost whole (very long) post about how warm and fuzzy I feel inside when I think about the friendships that are budding up in my life. But it was quite long. And so it will have to be recycled another day. But there was a shout out to Lew and to Katie. Two people who make me happy to be at Relief Society Wizard of Oz dinners. (And a slew of others who don't, I don't think, visit here.)

So it's Halloween in a few days. Tomorrow? Sunday? Utah is the land of "celebrate Saturday!" so I do believe we'll be trick-or-treating tomorrow. Little Lion in tow.  Will I take pictures, you ask? I hope so. More for my sake than for yours, although the guilt you place upon me to post pictures is usually much more motivating than my urge to look back on happy events with fondness. So fingers crossed one or the other will get the camera snapping.

Which reminds me why I came in my room in the first place. To sew, not blog.

So I'm off!


Much scattered love and happy Halloween thoughts to you--

cj

A whoot whoot!

So you may recall me posting about our "Master Law School List"... a list that quickly was overturned as the application process really got underway. We suddenly applied to some schools we'd never even looked at because they offered a fee waver. And we declined to apply to others for various reasons (waste of money, bad weather there, no longer has an appellate program, etc).

In the end, however, we applied to 22 (!!) schools. Large and small, near and far, expensive and dirt cheap. The vast majority of them are schools we have a 50/50 shot of getting into. There are a few long shots and a few givens. And, as before, they all have their pros and cons. There honestly isn't a single school on the list that we would hands down, drop everything, accept if we got in.

That said, there are a few that are more tempting than others, for various reasons--location, programs, clerkship placement, cost, etc.

And Baylor has always been in the top half of our would-like-to-actually-go-there list. They run a very competitive school, mostly due to the required moot court program the third year. They run on a quarter system, meaning we could theoretically finish in as little as two years (instead of three). It also means Jeremy could do internships or externships during the fall and winter instead of only in the summer--when virtually every other law student in the country is trying to get the best positions. They are located in Texas (Waco, in fact)--which is ironically the last place I've ever wanted to live. And yet, the size and general location of the town is appealing. Not to mention the living is cheap.

And as of today, we know that they would be pretty cheap tuition too. The price just dropped to less than even the cheapest school on our list due to a decent little scholarship offer.

As you may have guessed, today we got our FIRST law school acceptance letter (to Baylor) with a scholarhips no less (so long as Jeremy stays in the top two thirds of the class)!

Such a relief. Seriously everyone, breathe.  So while we hope and anticipate many more acceptance letters to come (and a healthy number of wait-lists and rejections), and the decision of where we'll actually go to law school is by no means made... if all else fails, we are going somewhere! And without $200,000 of debt. That's happy.

You can read a pretty good summery of Baylor here. Or go to their website here. Or see a video (I always like the videos) here.

Pumpkins and Finger Paints

Ok, so I feel like I need to clarify here. I actually really like Halloween! I think (tragically) I've sullied my holiday-loving name forever with that last post.

I hope I didn't inadvertently give the impression that I'm anti-Halloween. Because goodness, no! While I do think we crazy Americans go to some funny extremes for our holidays, we have fun while we're at it!

To show that I do, in sincerity, have no ill will towards this pumpkin day, Raymond and I did some pumpkin painting this morning.  I've been wanting to do finger painting with him for weeks, and decided today was the day.

I taped wax paper to the kitchen table. Drew pumpkins and leaves all over it. And made some orange, red, and green finger paint (aka mixed flour and water and food coloring to the desired consistency and hue)

 Raymond didn't know what was happening, but he was excited!

It definitely took a few minutes of practice for him to get the hang of getting his hands dirty. But once he started, he didn't want to stop!! Oh the fun we had!

So I've been thinking of late

That Halloween is a weird holiday.

When I was a little girl, it was one of my favorite holidays. Loved it. (What kid doesn't? Honestly). I loved having an October birthday, and I loved the oft-Halloween-themed birthday parties that accompanied. Seriously what is better than costumes and free candy?

But this year I've been really thinking about it, and I decided the whole thing is strange. Downright strange. We celebrate witches and pumpkins and ghosts?? We decorate with skulls and spider webs and creepy candles??

I definitely plan to still celebrate Halloween, don't worry about that! Maybe it's because I'm in TOTAL DENIAL that October is half over already that I can't get into it this year (although I just got some candy corn and I'm definitely getting into that...)

But where does this holiday come from? Really? I honestly don't understand why we celebrate it. And with such enthusiasm. It's weird, I tell you.

Maybe once my kids are older and can get into it more, I'll swing back into full Halloween mode. Have no fear, I plan on making Raymond a killer cute lion costume this year. We certainly are going to try to get into it. And I'll definitely be carving a pumpkin and making some pumpkin muffins. Even if it doesn't happen until November. (Is October really half over? Really?)

But is it just me, or is the whole premise of this holiday just a little strange? Be honest.

Image source

28.

I'm 28 today, my friends. Such a lovely age to be! I hope I never grow out of loving my birthday and the newness of a new age.

Twenty seven was a good year. Full of baby-turned-toddler, new skills, new friends.

But twenty eight.

Twenty eight will be a great year. I can already feel it in my bones. So much living is going to happen at twenty eight. A baby girl, law school decisions and decisions, moving, reestablishing, growing, loving. More than I can now foresee.

It's thrilling just thinking about it.

And you know, today I feel beautiful. Not just outward pretty, but deep down good about me. Glad to be me. Grateful for my ever growing belly. Glad for my strengths and talents. And glad that there is so much more to become and improve on. Birthdays always remind me that I am glad I am alive. Oh so glad.

32 weeks today.

Carry on!

This morning Jeremy's alarm pulled me dramatically out of a dream (nightmare?) in which I was in labor. Two months early.

I must say, that while I am excited, thrilled, and eager for the little lady to make her grand debut... pretty please, I don't want it two months early.

I'M NOT READY YET.

Exclamation point.

Most days lately I have to hold off the creeping feeling of panic that wants oh so badly to surface.  There is so much to do! Can I get it all done??

Of course I can. One calm creative day at a time, right? Just keep plugging away. Even while the projects pile higher and higher. It's going to be ok. I'm not sure if my To Do lists help to calm me down or feed the panic.

Either way they are getting longer not shorter. Alas.

Yesterday, for example, was the third rainy day in a row. Raymond, bless his sweet heart, had chattering teeth during both breakfast and lunch.  Fall rain brought chilly weather (hooray for fall!).  Don't worry, I did succumb and turn on the heater for a few warm minutes as a temporary fix. And then I got to work.

You see, the boy doesn't have many (any?) long sleeved shirts. Warm PJs? Yes. Shirts to wear all day? No. He does have a jacket, but manages to wiggle out of it far too fast. Since we are a one-car family and running to Wal-Mart wasn't an option, I decided to make some. I took one of his PJ shirts (that fits great, although a little short) and made a pattern (a la Dana's directions). Then I dug in our closet and found some old shirts that never see the light of day anymore. Because re-purposing is the thing these days, no? Yes.

For my first attempt, it didn't turn out half bad. I did fix the neck after he went to bed, however (hello baggy boat-neck), and made another in grey. Today I'm going to make more pajama pants (the boy is a heavy night wetter... he soaks through disposables, double stuffed cloth diapers, you name it) and shirts today. They were shockingly easy (for raglan shirt or dress directions, see this tutorial over at ikat bag).

And wala! New shirts for free. Free is my favorite price.

New additions to the To Do list: making flannel sheets (tutorial here). And the shirts and PJs of course.
Long time must-finish-now-for-peace-of-mind portions of the list:  finishing the small pocket diapers. I'm getting closer. I have 13 completely done, 4 just needing snaps put in, and seven needing elastic, top stitching, and snaps. I can do it!
Other fun project I accomplished this week: canning tomatoes! My mother-in-law brought over a BIG (laundry) basket of tomatoes from their garden. I spent all of Tuesday making tomato sauce. Thirteen and a half pints later my pantry is happy.(And so is my husband who doesn't like the store-bought stuff).
Confession: Because my To Do list is so ridiculously long and the panicky feeling is getting harder to curb, blogging has taken a backseat lately. Alas.
Goal: don't go into early labor. Shudder.

POST EDIT: Pictures of the PJs. I used a much-too-small, but oh-so-cute receiving blanket that I had never used much when Raymond was a baby. Of course there are things I will do differently next time... but for this time, I'm super happy with the result!!

Because I'm sure you're curious

Just how cute these pink and white and yellow diapers are...

Pretty darn cute if you ask me.

First stack done... many more to follow.

Facebook

When I was planning my move from Provo (aka college) to Blanding (aka first year teaching), I had a lot of friends and coworkers asking me if I had a facebook page or would be starting one. This was a whopping three years ago when the social networking world was just starting to get big. I knew what facebook was, but by no means was everyone doing it (yet).

I made the conscious decision to start a blog instead of a facebook page.

And thus blandingadventures was born (it's been three years, folks!). I've never looked back with regret on that decision. And I've held firm. I still don't do facebook.

Now I'm not here to say that facebook is evil or wrong or bad. By any means! But it's not for me. I still have no desire to do facebook. (As if blogging wasn't time consuming enough. Let's be honest.)

There are times, I admit, when I'll think back fondly on a high school or college friend and wonder where they are in life, what they are up to. And then, with a jerk, it'll dawn on me that I probably could know if I looked for them on facebook. And occasionally I've used someone else's account to do just that. But for the most part, I let it alone.

I'm ok with letting some people stay and tender, fond memories from my past. I don't feel the need to know what the latest thing written on their wall was.

I've been thinking a lot about why I feel this way. Because pretty much I think I'm an anomaly of society right now. Nothing is more "in" then having a bazillion friends on facebook. Knowing the minute details of their lives. So why don't I jump on the bandwagon? Why don't I want to?

I'm not sure. But the whole idea of it all overwhelms me. Too many people. Too much time. Too many advertisements on the sides. Too many details. Too much of an obligation to keep track. And (don't judge) I think the set up is too confusing. I'll pass.

I like life being a little more on the simpler side.

So, perhaps, I am a freak of nature. But I'll stick to blogging. And if I knew you once upon a time, don't take offense that you can't find me in facebook. But my blog isn't private (and hopefully won't ever be), so feel free to stop in and say hello. We can still be friends. I promise.

Oh baby!

I finally managed to order the rest of my diaper-making supplies (pale pink! butter yellow!) and knew my fun baby clothes sewing would have to be put on hold. So last week was my mad dash to finish enough projects that I would feel good going back to diaper making. (Side note: is nesting supposed to last the whole pregnancy? Because it hasn't let up around here).

I kept that little machine a-whirring all week long. Here are the fruits of my labors:

This jumper is a combo of a pattern I bought (my first time buying and sewing from a commercial pattern! verdict: tutorials online are usually clearer and more detailed) and a tutorial I found. The booties make the outfit, don't you think??

This little jumper is the next size up of the newborn ones I already made. (Side note: I'm worried those first ones will be more like shirts than dresses...). Oh how I adore this cherry fabric. The booties from above are lined with the cherries and are intended to match both jumpers. (ps. Please forgive the fact that I still haven't put on buttons. I have super struggling to find buttons I like these days.)

One thing I learned with Raymond: you can never (ever) have enough bibs. You would think I could just whip out these bibs... but I tell ya, the set of six did take me a few days. I liked getting to be a little more creative with the rick rack, ribbon, and buttons. Jeremy commented that I seem to be giving the lady bug the royal treatment. I responded that he would have been upset if I had tried to put anything decorative (like ribbon and buttons!) on a bib for Raymond. He conceded.

And lastly, for you out-of-towners (pretty much the majority of you), I am definitely looking pregnant these days. Don't you agree?

I'll be 30 (THIRTY!) weeks tomorrow. I tell you, this pregnancy is flying right on by. It's shocking actually. Yesterday Jeremy and I discussed the way we will rearrange our bedroom to make room for the new addition. I can't believe there are only about two months to go.

I'll be honest, I don't feel ready.

Once I get the diapers finished, I might feel more prepared. But I still have Christmas sewing and projecting to do. And one-on-one time to spend with Raymond. And more baby sewing. Definitely going to need all two months. But do not fear, I am confident that slowly and steadily I'll get it all done if I work on a little here and a little there each day.

In the meantime I'm enjoying my bulging belly. I might be the weird one, but I really love being pregnant. I love the belly. I love the kicking. I love the planning and scheming. I've been working every day for the past week to mentally prepare myself for the lady bug's labor and delivery. It's becoming a peaceful and calming part of each day. I am so grateful to be a woman and to participate so actively in this beautiful process. It truly is miraculous.

The First Day of Fall.

And would you know, in true fall fashion, I woke up this morning and was cold.  I changed out of my summery pajamas into warmer ones right after eating breakfast with Raymond. (What, don't you eat at 6:30 in the morning too?).

I have all sorts of fall-focused plans for today.

Baking. Something worthwhile will turn on that oven today. Muffins? Wheat thins? Cookies?

Long sleeves. Ok, maybe three quarter length... let's remember I have an internal oven keeping me toasty.

A nature walk. While I don't think the leaves are changing around here yet... we are going to get out there are check!

Maybe some sort of artwork with leaves. Raymond has become an avid colorer. Crayons, pencils, markers... the boy is in heaven if I let him get his hands on any of the above. Today we might, just maybe, see what we can do with a some paint. Wish us luck.

Soup for supper. Taco soup? Chicken corn chowder? Creamy tomato?

Some fall poetry reading. Raymond mostly just ignores me when I pull out a poetry book and do a dramatic reading for him... but I know deep in my heart I am helping to instill a love of poetry in his little soul. And I have a book with a whole section on seasons. Hooray for leaves falling in rhymes!


I hope your day is full of fall festivities too!

A little light Monday morning reading

Sometimes it's a wonder to me that I passed the US Government AP test as a senior in high school (!!). I'm sure I studied hard and I know I worked hard, but honestly, I didn't take nearly enough away from that class. The specifics of what our constitution says, means, and does is sometimes still pretty evasive for me.

For years--all through college--I felt the need to become more politically informed. I had a hard time following issues, researching candidates, weeding through professed stances. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Marrying Jeremy has improved my know-how of politics considerably, but I still could use some work.

Maybe you could too (it's a bit overwhelming sometimes, isn't it?)

Anyhow, I just read a talk given Elder Dallin H. Oaks at Utah's Constitution Day Celebration (last Friday). While, as many of you know, he is a prominent religious leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he is also a previous law professor and Utah Supreme Court Judge. In other words, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the constitution.

I recommend reading it because he spells out in (more or less) plain language some of the basic fundamentals of our constitution. I appreciated the refresher on what our constitution is meant to do and how it is laid out to succeed.

It is applicable information despite party affiliation or opinions. He's pretty neutral here.

At the end he also talks about five things we, as citizens, can and should be doing to uphold the constitution. I always like direct application.

Full text here. Newsroom report here. Enjoy!

I have a thing for Sister Beck

the General Relief Society President. Back when the monthly visiting teaching messages were a collection of quotes, it became a standing joke between my visiting teachee and I that I always, inevitably, characteristically, unabashedly shared her quote.

She just has no problem saying it like it is. And I like that. No need to beat around the bush here.

She's a classic defender of homemaking and motherhood without the sugar coating and back patting. She knows it's hard work, but necessary (commandment type) work, and she won't back down from her high expectations for women around the world. It makes me feel respected and valued to be held up to such a high standard. It is empowering.

So when our new Stake Relief Society President mentioned some new training videos Sister Beck has done on the Relief Society page of lds.org, you better believe it was on my to-do list today to see what she had to say.

As always, she didn't fail me. I love this video about priorities. I love that idea that there are essentials, needs, and "nice to dos" in our lives. Especially as women and mothers. And I agree that it's easy to spend too much time in the "nice to do" category and not enough sincere and lasting time in the things that will bring salvation. As my Stake RS President said last night, when we do the essentials first, we find more joy in fulfilling our needs (cooking, cleaning, etc) and more time than expected getting to do the "nice to dos."

I've found this to be true. I am most dissatisfied with my life when my prayers are short and careless and when my scripture study is easily and often interrupted (or worse yet, constantly postponed). Truthfully, the rest of the day I feel guilty and uneasy about it.  On the flip, I am most content and energized when those essential things are done early and sincerely in each day.

Watching this video clip made me that much more excited for the upcoming General Relief Society Broadcast (on the 25th this month). And General Conference the next week. I just feel ready for the boost that comes with conference.


As a footnote: Episode 15 of "Conversations" (interviews with Sheri Dew) on the Mormon Channel (a radio station/website) is of Sister Beck and her two daughters. It's fun. You should tune in sometime.

Sugar and spice and everything nice... including pleats

Gosh don't you love it? I made this little jumper yesterday, and really I want to dollop some whipped cream on top and eat it up.  I love how simple it is. Somehow feminine without a ruffle or bow.

I have jumped back into sewing full swing again. Today I made a few bibs. More booties are on the agenda. And some bigger sized dresses (so far I've made three 0-3 month). Maybe a daygown or two (like these... I tell you I wake up in the early morning hours thinking about making these). I still want to make a new carseat cover, but I'm scared.

We'll see what a little fabric, inspiration, and hard work can do!

A slow kind of busy

I have a lot I keep meaning to blog about, but haven't. Alas. But because I have my doubts that any one of them will hash out into a real live post, here's a snippet of them all...

1. Monday was our two year anniversary. We spent most of the day traveling, taking all our energy from anything celebratory that could have happened that night. We did get a movie from redbox, however, which was a treat.
2. We went to Blanding over the weekend with the primary objective being canning. My mother-in-law cranks out dozens of jars of produce each fall (all from her garden, peach, pear, and apple trees).  I've been itching to learn from the professional herself. We did pears, pear butter, pickles, and jams.
3. I also brought home some peaches so I could put my new skills to the test. Today I did my first batch. I think they'll be shelf-worthy.
4. Law School applications are in full swing. A handful have gone in, and, except for one, we probably won't hear a thing for months to come. Ahhh! Stressful!
5. Did I mention we've been married for two years? Does that seem crazy or what? I can't decide if really I've been married for forever or if these last two years have flown by.
6. I do still sew on occasion. I made another jumper and a sweet little set of Mary Jane booties. I also whipped out a bowtie for Jeremy's Professor Plum costume for our ward activity tonight. Fun fun.
7. A few of us in my ward have started a little playgroup. It adds a nice diversion to the week. I feel lucky to be surrounded by such great ladies.

 Well, that's all for now, my friends. I'll do my darndest to be back soon!

Love,

cj

Come what may

Jeremy and I frequently ask ourselves what we think life will be like once the LadyBug comes along. It's a little mind-boggling, actually.

Because I honestly don't know.

Raymond, I'm not going to lie, is a pretty active little fellow. Not to mention, he was--during his first few months--what might be termed a "fussy baby." At the time, I didn't really want to believe it. I focused on the happy boy who did surface for chunks of time each day. But in between was a lot of crying and rocking and swaddling and nursing and very very little sleeping (by either of us). I hate to admit it, but those first three months were rough for me.

You would think the (very fresh) memories of that would make me nervous about doing it again... this time with an 18-month-old at my heels. An attention-loving, hand-on, busy little fellow.

But you know, call me crazy, I feel extremely calm about the whirlwind that will hit this house in just about three months.

I've decided that if somehow this little Lady is a crier like Raymond, well, I handled it once before. But I think she'll be a little bit calmer. She's not nearly the kicker Raymond was in the womb anyway. I think she's going to bring her own special peaceful presence even while turning our world upside down (or Raymond's anyway).

I feel absolutely sure that this is when Heavenly Father wanted us to have another one. Which means He is absolutely sure I can be the mother of two little ones right in a row. It's a good feeling.

As Jeremy frequently reminds me, I'm made for this.

 26 weeks, 1 day and going strong.

The funny thing about summer

is that suddenly--just when you think you can't take the heat one more day--you wake up and have to snuggle under the covers because you're just a little (dare I say it?) cold.

And even though it's still hot most of the day, you find yourself putting on your pajama pants instead of capris at night (and being glad with the decision).

And suddenly it's ok to take a walk a little later in the morning (than 7am) because there's a breeze coming in from somewhere that takes just enough of the heat off.

Mmmm fall. Autumn. My favorite season of all. I can smell and taste and feel your stealthy approach. Our front door is open and we've set a place at the table just for you. So come on in!

Today I am grateful for:

1. Toys on the living room floor. Really I am. I love watching that little boy put his blocks in and out of the bag they came in. And then throwing them across the room. 
2. The fact that I only gained three pounds in the last four weeks. I was sure the amount of ice cream, brownies, and marshmallow maties I have eaten in the last week would have done more damage. Here's to a healthier week!
3. Kind words. A friend gave me a little thank you note (for nothing in particuar) on Sunday... and it's still making my day.
4. Living en route to Provo. It means we get to be a designated pitstop for family going back and forth to California. It's seriously the best.
5. Good books. I am reading The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings--a book I remember loving in my youth (but remember very little else about). The father and son have the most tender relationship. The simple beauty of their lives and their relationships is inspiring.
6. My pioneer heritage. Yesterday my dad brought me ALL of his family history stuff. I have been wanting to get my hands on it for a while--to make copies of the stories and start helping him weed through all the many (confusing) pedigree charts. I learned yesterday that Ann Roberts (my great-great-great-great grandmother had 15 children--five single births and five sets of twins (there is hope for me getting a set of twins someday!!). Her husband died when the oldest was 16 and she was three months pregnant with the last set of twins. Talk about a righteous and faithful woman.
7. The fact that Raymond's blood type is O Negative.There seems to be significant confusion about what my and Jeremy's blood types are (new tests are pending). And when you're pregnant, the Rh factor matters. But I have the feeling I should have gotten a RhoGAM shot while pregnant with Raymond, and didn't. It's just lucky that since (I think) I'm A negative and not positive, he also ended up having a negative Rh. Or it could have been fatal. Long (confusing) story. But I'm glad. What would I do without that little fellow?

And oh so much more. Life is good. I am happy.

Namesake

I love that Raymond is named after his Great Grandpa Raymond (Johan) Christiansen. I love that there is already a picture of Grandpa Raymond in his room. I hope his whole life long we (as in Jeremy, since I never met Grandpa Raymond) will tell him stories about his namesake. I hope it helps to instill a love for his ancestors--that little Raymond's heart will turn to his fathers, so to speak. And that he will have some of the characteristics that make all the Christiansen children talk fondly of their gandpa.

So as one of our Summer Break activities we planned to visit Grandpa Raymond's grave (and Grandma's, as they are side by side). Yesterday, after a very fun picnic in the park, we decided to head out to the Enoch cemetery where Grandma and Grandpa Christiansen are buried and to see a little bit of the town where they spent their whole married lives.

Unbeknownst to us, it was Grandpa's birthday. He would have been 97 yesterday. Raymond enjoyed leaving flowers. Jeremy joked about how Grandpa had hands like a compass. And Grandma loved Fiddler on the Roof just like we do.

It was a lovely afternoon.

Cloth diaper report: one year later

It was the last week in July 2009 when our first package of  (six) cloth diapers arrived and I mad-dashed to get them prewashed and on Raymond. A few weeks later we ordered twelve more and jumped in with both feet.

Since my last report I've gone from Fuzzibunz to homemade. We've battled the Yeast Monster and the dreaded Ammonia Smell. I've had my doctor fumble over the snaps (as we're his only cloth diapering patients) and gotten a few weird stares from neighbors as they look curiously at my diapers hanging on the line outside my apartment.

But all in all, I'm still on the bandwagon. Still glad we made the decision to go cloth.

It's funny to me that during probably the worst part of "how do I get this stink out of my diapers/bathroom/house" I also started cutting out some 30-40 more diapers. Still confident that I would figure it all out and that gearing up for the next sizes was the only option.

Let me remind you that I am not on a convert-the-world-to-cloth crusade. By any means. But for those of you curious about the whole program, here's my one year report:

My thoughts after a year

• At some point all cloth diapering mothers will talk/complain about the dreaded Ammonia Stink. Wow. Watch out. This has been harder to get rid of that I would have thought. Partly because everyone has a different opinion about how to do it. I think I've finally gotten rid of it (mostly) with 7 consecutive hot washes (sans detergent) to strip them clean of bacterias and residue. I've also been experimenting with Tea Tree Oil in the wash. We'll see if the TTO works in the future or if I have to do the multiwash again. Either way, from what I understand this is something I should be doing roughly once a month.
• I've also changed my diaper pail set up to help eliminate stink. We are using a regular kitchen trash can with a flip lid and a liner made from PUL fabric (the same fabric I use to make the outer shell of my diapers). When I throw the diapers in the wash, in goes the liner as well. I have also sews in a little piece of terry cloth to the liner to put some Tea Tree Oil on to help cut odors as well. The pail contains the stink pretty good when the lid is closed... but watch out if you leave it open! (But isn't that the same with disposables??). I'd also love to try this odor spray sometime.  So far this system is working. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with the Little Lady's diapers as I probably will not be changing her as much in Raymond's room with easy access to that pail. I'm considering making a hanging diaper pail (much like this one) to put in my bedroom. We'll see.
• I've learned that yeast infections (or any diaper rash for that matter) and cloth diapers don't mix too well. Part of the problem is that most diaper creams you can buy at the grocery store will coat the diapers and cause repelling and staining. So you have to use liners or do disposables or use a cloth diaper friendly cream (I just bought this brand and so far am happy). The bigger problem is, however, that the yeast can continue to live in the diaper--even after it's been washed--and reinfect the baby if the diapers aren't cleaned and treated correctly. There are many suggested ways of doing this. I've even boiled the suckers. Let's all cross our fingers the yeast is officially dead (I think it is). In the meantime, I'm really happy to have a cloth-diaper friendly cream for everyday little rashes.
• While I am super glad to be making my own cloth diapers--and happy with the results (much much trimmer, much more cost effective, not too difficult, pretty cute still)--they are time consuming. It's taken me hours just to do the cutting out... let alone the sewing! But I guess I am making a lot of diapers, so that's to be expected. It sounds pretty easy to just order them though. But I'm saving hundreds of dollars by making my own, so can't complain there!
• Speaking of sewing my own, I am really happy with the pattern I bought. The diapers are probably the trimmest you can get (without doing disposables) and yet I've never had a blowout. Ever. Yes, they've leaked some when he's super wet (but that is more a problem of repelling or insert fabric choices), but no stinky diaper blow outs. The pattern designer has also been more than willing to email back and forth with me as I've worked on getting just the right fit. Seriously great customer service. The pattern is easy to read and understand and has lots of pictures. I know you can get a few free patterns online, but seriously, this one is worth every penny if you are thinking about making your own.
• I think they are much more comfortable for Raymond. While we were battling the yeast infection and in and out of disposables for about three weeks trying to get rid of it,  it seemed like the poor kid was sweating to death. Not to mention cloth are cuter. I really do think so (oh you should see the newborns I'm making. Really, they are darling).
• While I really am in this for the money saving aspects, I find that I do really feel good about the environmental benefits. I guess I'm granola that way.
• I still don't think it's that much more work to wash and fold them.My routine has changed a bit from my six month report however. Even though Raymond goes through considerably less diapers than he used to, I still like to wash every two days. Up until about a month ago this meant that every other day I threw the diapers in the wash right after putting Raymond to bed, did the cold rinse, hot wash (now using Sun Free and Clear soap, not Tide... still debating getting a cloth diaper specific brand). Then I would hang dry the diapers and throw the inserts and wipe in the dryer. While I still (mostly) follow this routine, I find I like drying the diapers in the sun because of the bacteria-killing effects, so have started washing during the day rather than at night. I'll admit, the night routine was easier. But I like the sun bleaching, so for the next few weeks I'm sticking with the day-time routine.

And there you have it. The One Year Cloth Diaper Report.

Feel free to leave a comment or even email me if you have more questions! (carlyjane35@gmail.com)

Red and White

I have a picture on my desk of me and my sisters on my wedding day. We are all in varying outfits of red and white and smiling.

I love this picture.

I love looking at it everyday when I glance up from scripture study or peeking out from behind my ever-busy sewing machine. It makes me smile in a very real-deep-down-that-makes-me-happy kind of way.

Sisters.

Heavenly Father just knew what he was doing when he made sisters, I tell ya. Those three ladies are three lights in my life. So smart. So funny. So kind and considerate. So sassy and fun.

Sara, the oldest, has always been the mold-breaker. She was not afraid to be her own self when we were kids, and she's not afraid to be it now. She is fun and spontaneous. And perhaps because she's my oldest sister, I always think of her as the experienced one. I have found in our adult years that she is infinitely thoughtful.  She has a beautiful smile. She is an incredibly good gift giver.

Tasha, the sister just older than me, is stability itself. She is generous beyond measure--always concerned and thinking about the other person. In my youth she was my model--if Tasha did it, I should too. I'm not sure if that's really changed much. She is the peacemaker. But oh so feisty when we wants to be!

Paige, the baby of the family and my little twin, is the wild one. She is not afraid to do crazy things in public or tell it like it is. She has boundless amounts of energy and opinions of equal magnitude. And yet she has us all wrapped around her little finger with her fierce love and devotion to us. She doesn't judge. She is the girl I always thought I wanted to be.

When I look at our bright smiling faces in the picture on our desk--as unique as the stark contrasts between my white dress and Paige's bright red--I am grateful to have such wonderful women put their arms around me and want to pull me in close.

Right on track

All my life (that I have noticed) I find myself following a predictable trend: I gain weight in the summer and lose weight in the winter. All summer long I crave sweets and snack foods. I want to spend my days digging around in watermelon rinds and eating popcycle after popcycle.

And then one crisp magical day my appetite dries up. I just don't want to eat as much anymore. I have to remind myself to eat lunch (rather than work to not plan all morning about what I will eat next). There is something about the fall/winter that makes me just not as hungry or something. And those five or ten pounds that creeped on during the summer months seem to come off without even thinking about it.

While annoying and frustrating during the summer, this trend always makes for a happy springtime surprise of fitting into even my smallest size jeans.

So when I first found out I was having a winter baby, I decided that as far as weight-gain/loss goes, this could be a good thing. The inevitable would happen: I gain in the summer not only from my typical summer appetite, but a growing baby belly (that cute growing belly makes it a little bit ok, doesn't it?), and then towards the end of the pregnancy slow down on the "I'm gaining way too much weight during this pregnancy" and really only gain the recommended amount for my pre-pregnancy height and weight. And then once the baby is born (in the heart of winter) more easily take it all off. Sounds like a pretty good little plan, doesn't it?

(Of course, I'm really trying hard to curtail the cravings for sweets and snacks and to keep myself healthy this summer. Just so you know. And of course I don't plan on starving myself come fall or winter. At all. But I know it will be easier to not overeat. That's always nice.)

Anyhow, I thought you would all like to know that so far things are going according to plan. I am definitely gaining some, ahem, "baby weight" during these hot summer months. And I am definitely looking forward to not craving food so often. Soon.

And in the meantime my belly is rounding itself out nicely, don't you think?? (ok so maybe this picture does not do the belly justice. I promise it's out there nice and prominent.)

I am 23 weeks today (which according to babycenter means the little lady is at least 1 pound and a good 11 inches long!).