Week 28...

We've hit the 3rd trimester!!! Whoo Hoo!!!  Only 12 weeks until baby girl is here.  I know with the holiday time will fly and I can't wait!

Besides nesting and cleaning out every room and drawer in the house, I've also been baking up a storm! Pics to come soon on some of the incredible holiday recipes I've been whipping up. Here's the latest update:

Cravings This Week-  CUTIES( you know the little oranges/tangerines)

Sleeping Patterns-   I now dread nighttime.  I know when I get into bed that I will only sleep half the night and the other half will be spent starring at the wall, or at my LOVE, who is fast asleep in lala land. 

 Biggest Change-  I can no longer bend down to tie my show or put on my socks.  It's now a task to do either of these things.  I have to sit down first, then huff and puff for a second, then complete the task, another huff and puff, and try and stand back up.  Pregnancy is definitely a balancing act.

Nursery Update -    The nursery is complete!!! It is absolutely beautiful and exactly what I was imagining.  It's fit for a little princess:) 

Here's a sneak peek of how the stripes turned out.  I'll post more pics at another time. 

 

 

A New Life Planner...

I am very old fashioned about some things in my life.  Daily planners are one of them.  Now, I am trying to be better about putting my appointments and tasks into my phone, but there's just something about writing everything down.  I like to be able to go back and look at my planner and highlight items, take notes,  and just write things down.  I am always in search for the perfect planner and I think I've hit the jackpot!!!

One of my girlfriends had this incredible planner and I just had to get one!  They are Daily Life Planners from Erin Condren. 

The best thing about the planners is you can customize to your life! You can even design the front cover with pictures of your little ones, your initials, and even your name.  I choose to do one with my initials and name. 

The inside of the planner has everything you would want to keep your life organized:

Double page monthly spread

Weekly double page spread

Even pages to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries which I definitely need help with!

There's also room for notes, a handy plastic pocket to keep receipts or whatever you might lose, and the front and back covers are even laminated!  

There's plenty of designs to choose from:

 www.erincondren.com

The planners are a little pricey at $50 and there are options you can add which cost extra, but if it helps keep me on track then it's worth the little extra.  Plus, it's super cute!  I am counting on this planner to help me stay on top of my life for the next year.  Check back with me at the end of 2013 and I'll let you know how it goes!

Week 26...

                                           

                                                               

Cravings This Week- Cold drinks.  My love made this weird concotion of orange juice and sprite the other night for himself.  He ended up thinking it was disgusting but of course I thought it was great!  I just loved the coldness of the drink.  I have also been wanting cold glasses of milk which is very strange.

Sleeping Patterns-   I resorted to the reclincer several nights this week due to comfort. However, we just got a new bed and it felt like heaven last night.  I actually slept the whole night through!

 Biggest Change-  My belly is BIG! I put on one of my night shirts the other night and it rode halfway up my stomach! Even my love made the comment last night,"wow, you're belly is big"  "Thank you, I am aware of my stomach- now please give me a back rub," is what I said.

Nursery Update -   The room is finally painted!  Corbin-aka- decorator extraordinaire is coming back this weekend to do a little touch up and add some spectacular stripes! I am hoping we can also get some decorations done as well.  Her bedding came in this week so can't wait to see what it all looks like together!

P.S. I am going to see Twilight tonight- besides being super excited, I am excited for her first Twi-experience. I hope she loves it as much as I do!

Surprise visit from MOM...

Last week was an extra special week for me and I was so busy I didn't have time to blog to all of you! My mom came for an unexpected visit. My love was out of town for work so it was an all out girls' week! We both figured it would probably be one of the last times we would have together just the two of us and we definitely spent the time right.  Shopping & Eating! My two favorite hobbies. 

Mom started the week off with a new outfit she brought for baby girl from Janie and Jack.

A beautiful rose floral bodysuit with matching socks.  If you've ever been in that store then you know it's to die for!  Thanks mom/grandma

http://www.janieandjack.com/index.jsp

Next up we visited one of our favorite stores for everything- HomeGoods

I found this incredible stone cheeseboard that I needed.  Let's be honest, I don't need a cheeseboard- I have 4 of them already but I love to make cheese plates and I love anything French, so it only made sense to buy this one. 

Since it appeared I was on a French kick(when am I not) we also purchased these insanely gorgeous chocolates from Maxim's Paris.  Now, my love wanted to know why I would spend money on a box of chocolates when I don't even like chocolate, but these are not just any chocolate I told him.  These are Parisian chocolates all the way from Paris just for HomeGoods and meant to be eaten by moi! 

http://www.maxims-de-paris.com/

Next up was Nell Hill's in Briarcliff. Of course the store is always beautifully decorated but this time of year it's at its most magnificent with all of the holiday decorations!  We could have spent days in there envisioning our houses looking like the rooms in the store.  Here we are having a little fun after wandering around and around.

Mom & a giant sock cow

http://nellhills.com/locations/kansas_city.html

Last but not least to cure our aching feet from all of the walking around and shopping, we had a pedicure! I had been wanting to try out the new shop HOOPLA in Fairway so that's where we headed!  The one thing I love about HOOPLA  

and what makes them so different from other nail salons is how clean and fresh the atmosphere makes you feel.  There's no other salon like it in Kansas City.  HOOPLA prides themselves on being super hygienic and much safer all around.  They don't do acrylics here so no yucky smell which I loved! 

Another perk is with your mani or pedi you get to take home your color of nail polish for touch-ups! It's a little more expensive than those other places out there- $40 for a pedicure, but this will definitely be my go to from now on!  

                                                                 The pedicure station

                                                                       The mani bar

http://www.hooplastudio.com

All in all it was a wonderful week spent with a wonderful lady.  Come back anytime mom!

Best Chocolate Chippers...

One of my cravings this week is still homemade chocolate chip cookies.  There's nothing like a fresh hot cookie right out of the oven with a glass of milk(almond milk in my case).  I like to consider myself a pro chocolate chip baker as this has always been my go to dessert when I need to make cookies.  I've made them for my family growing up and now I make them for my love and my pregnant self.  I've searched the internet for that perfect recipe but always come back to the most simple yet delicious one out there.  

Chocolate Chippers

from: Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

...

1 cup sifted flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon soda

1 6-ounce package chocolate chips( I prefer Nestle milk chocolate chips)

...

Cream shortening, sugars, egg, and vanilla till light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture; blend well. Add chocolate chips.

Drop from teaspoon 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. 

ENJOY

Two of my absolute favorite baking tools are:

1. A cookie scoop- will give you the perfect shape of cookie and makes it easier that using a spoon.

Oxo Good Grips Cookie Scoop from Bed, Bath, & Beyond $13.99


2. A small flat spatula- This small design makes it easier to take cookies off the cookie sheet and helps to prevent them from breaking apart. 

Oxo Good Grips Flat Spatula from Bed, Bath, & Beyond $6.99

What are your favorite cookies???