More nursery progress! We are getting there!

Well, Robert has almost finished the nursery. If you haven't heard the story, we didn't plan on a baby this quick, and we don't have a lot of extra space where we are now. We are in the middle of starting/planning to build and we are currently a little limited on space...so Robert had to build Lexi a room. It's turned out great and I love it! We have the knotty pine wood on the walls and ceiling in our house now, so we decided to keep the theme in Lexi's room. Robert has worked really hard on  it and it looks great! He laid the tile and we had someone lay the carpet for us...but here is what it looks like!

After he made the final touches on the room, then we put together the crib. (By we I mean Robert.)

Ellie tried helping...by chewing on the Styrofoam.

And here it is!

This isn't where it will actually go in the room, but we aren't for sure where it will end up. 

We still have to pick up the mattress from my parent's house. 

Getting this put together was pretty exciting! It made me realize that it won't be long and we will have her here to put in it!

While I was snapping pics, I thought I'd snap one of how large my stomach is getting. I hate to think how big I'll be by 40 weeks. Yikes!

{Please ignore the nasty bathroom mirror...I know I need to clean it!}

Twenty Questions

Kelly over at Little Looman Log tagged me in this Twenty Questions game. I've never really done one of these but I'll give 'er a shot! If you haven't checked out her blog, you should! All you soon-to-be-mommies will enjoy it! So, here we go...

Rule #1: The tagged person must write their answers on their blog and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

Rule #2: Tag 4 people to do this quiz; they cannot refuse (ok, so nothing bad will happen if you don’t participate but I would love to see your answers). The tag-ee must state who tagged them.

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?
We have one furbaby, Ellie, and I have to admit we treat her somewhat like a kid. We don't leave her at home over night and she's inside with us most of the time. She's very spoiled...but with such a cute little face how do you resist? (I guess I just block out all of the times she drives us nuts! LOL!) My parents think we are crazy, but I think things will change once the baby gets here!

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be? 
Hm...really I have always wanted a baby...and that's happening...so I guess you could say my dream is coming true!! (mushy, gag, sorry!)
3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Pay off everything, help our families pay off all of their mortgages, build our dream house, save some, and then probably donate. This will never happen, but it's sure nice to think about!
4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood? 
If I am in a bad mood, I usually just find something to get my mind off of whatever is bothering me. I'm really bad about dropping things (and my husband reminds me of this constantly) but I try to just let things go. 

5. What is your bedtime routine? 
Pretty simple...shower, brush my teeth, turn on the fan, strategically wedge my body pillow between my legs, prop myself up, kiss the hubs, and try to make it through whatever 9:00 show we are trying to watch! Ha! Usually, as soon as I get horizontal--I'm out. 
6. What activities did you do in High School? If you could go back, would you do the same stuff or something different?
I played basketball, softball, Student Council, NHS, and a lot of other clubs. I did pretty much everything that I wanted to do in HS, but secretly I always wanted to be a cheerleader or on the dance team. I

7. What kind of books do you read? 
I like anything Nicholas Sparks...recently I read The Help (awesome)....and I'm pretty open to whatever as long as it is something that could actually happen. I'm not big on Twilight, HP, etc. Since I was introduced to blogging, I'm addicted. I read blogs most of the time! 

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Hopefully we have our complete family. I will probably still be teaching and things will be great!

9. What’s your fear? 
Being a mom is pretty scary. The amount of responsibility is overwhelming, but I know that it will be worth every second! I just want to be what I should to our little one!

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space? 
Who thinks about this? For one, I probably will never have the opportunity to see outer space...so I'll take my junk and stick here on earth.
11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Turn on the shower and brush my teeth. Can't stand the way teeth feel in the morning!
12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
Yikes. If I had to some one thing, it would probably be that he's always (99.9%) right. I hate it. I wish I could prove him wrong just once in awhile. Dang engineers.
13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be? 
I pretty much like my name. It's not the most common, but it's not totally strange. I do wish people wouldn't asked me if I was named after the president. Come on people, they aren't even spelled the same.

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose? 
Sun. Duh. Who would want 6 months of rain?

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
It cracked me up when I read Kelly's version because she said turkey sandwiches. I would totally agree. I have wanted a deli sandwich so bad this entire pregnancy (I have ate a couple). Or possibly sushi, that's another major thing I've wanted. 
16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most? 
I'm such a dweeb. I don't do the Facebook thing so I think this is my alternative. I love I get a comment or when I get in contact with other bloggers! It's so fun to read and see other people going through the same things I am and to build friendships with people I have never even met! I wish there was a major blogger convention where we could all get together!

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
I love both. Even at the same time.

18. What items are in your purse right now? 
Hm...wallet, iphone, lip gloss, lotion, meds, bills, etc. A bunch of crap, basically.

 
Beach, no doubt. We would live there if we could.

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t? 
Hm...We really like to watch Drive-in's, Diners, and Dives, Two-and-a-half Men, Ax Men, any home makeover shows, and the one I hate but watch it anyways is Jersey Shore. It is beyond stupid, but we still watch it. Makes sense, right?


I tag:


Lauren at Meet the Chapman's
Annie at Chapters of our Life
Jen at A Girl in Peals & A Boy With Toys
Lyndsie at It's A Love Story...Baby Just Say Yes

Come on ladies!

Decisions...decisions...Bedding Decision

One of the biggest parts of your nursery is obviously your crib bedding. There are so many questions you have to answer: What colors do I want to use? What style do I want? Do I want a bumper or not? Tailored skirt? Ugh. It's hard. I've been pondering this topic for awhile now. I started with a 4-piece crib set on my registry at Baby's 'R Us but decided that I didn't really like it. It was ok but I couldn't really get excited about it. Well, then I found this bedding here at Kelly's Korner. She had her bedding for Harper (and Hollis) made here and I loved both sets that she has. I really liked Harper's. Here is what it looks like...


Isn't it cute!! I love the zebra and I had already decided on pink and brown. So, I got on Polka Tot Designs and went to design my bedding...holy smoly...I couldn't justify spending $400 on bedding! I love ya, Lex, but DANG! So I reevaluated my options and decided that making it would be the best route to get what I wanted. So what did I do? Called my grandma. The sewing master. I asked her if this would be doable and of course, she said yes, like always :). The next move was to locate the fabric. I couldn't find what I wanted at a store so I finally found it online at House Fabric. Deciding on my three staple fabrics wasn't easy, but here is what I came up with.

We shall see how it turns out...but I am super excited to see! We just got the crib in and can't wait to put it together!!!

On another note, I ordered these for Lexi today off Etsy. Aren't they cute!!! You just iron them on to a onesie!

It's a super nasty day in MO. Rain, cold, yuck.

Crib Bumpers

Ok, I need some advice. How do you feel about crib bumpers? I think they are very cute, but how safe? I've heard that they aren't the best for when your baby can sit up or roll over...I need some opinions....

Just to give you an idea...

At 28 weeks, Lexi Belle is the size of a Chinese Cabbage. Just for a visual---here ya go...

 

She's getting bigger by the day!!!

28 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Don't know


Gender: Girl


Movement: All of the time. She's an active little girl. I'm starting to notice her kicking, or punching, high and low at the same time! She must be upside down or sitting straight up! (Hence the sore ribs!)


Stretchmarks: None yet


Sleep: I wake up frequently during the night. Seems like I can't get comfortable. I must be getting enough sleep though because I'm not dog tired in the mornings.


What I miss: Being able to sit down after I eat without feeling like I'm going to hyperventilate! It's so worth it though!


Cravings: I'm not really having any cravings lately. I've reallllly been wanting a vanilla diet coke from Sonic...


Symptoms: Sore ribs and shortness of breath (big time), sharp apin in hip (she must be on a nerve.


Best Moment this week: Just feeling her move constantly.


Random Updates: Nothing major this week...just watching her grow ( and myself grow!)


28 week belly pic:

It seems like I popped over night. People can really tell I'm pregnant now!

(Sorry for bad pic, had to take it with my phone)



Newest item for Lexi

Today I got in this adorable outfit for Miss Lexi. It was even cuter in person than online! I found it here and an added bonus: IT IS ON SALE!!! If you are having a little girl this website is something you MUST check out!

Things I've craved along the way...

This post is really for me to look back on and remember what all I craved with Lexi Belle.  Surprisingly, I haven't craved the things I thought I would crave. There hasn't been anything too "crazy" (yet) but mainly just things that sounded particularly good quite often. :) Here's the list thus far...

Green Beans

McDonald's Chocolate Shakes

Sushi (which I can't have) :( I told Robert this is the first thing I want after Lexi is born..that's if I can't breast feed..

Regular Coke...I'm normally a diet coke drinker


...

 

 

...and Bunny Tracks Ice cream. This is a new one. I just bought some. Will be eating tonight. For sure.

 

So far that's really it....I still have 12 weeks though...watch out :)

3D/4D Ultrasound

Here are our pics of Lexi Belle. She was a little modest and hid behind her hands, but if you look you can see some good shots of her nose and lips. She does have my nose, big lips, and long legs. Her hands and feet looked big, too. She opened her eye and looked right at us. It was so amazing! She also yawned and sucked her thumb. Enjoy the pics of our little sweet pea.

This is hard to see, but she's got her lips puckered up!

This is her foot. :)

You can see her little fingertips here! Right beside her tiny nose!

The 4D is awesome. I highly recommend!

27 Weeks

This is just a quick update. Today we are 27 weeks. Nothing really new this week, other than leg cramps. Oh my goodness. I've had at least 3-4 bad ones in the last few nights! I read that this is normal but dang! Those suckers hurt! I am also feeling a lot bigger it seems. I know there can't be that much of a difference after one week, but I really feel bigger! I'm not sure on weight gain. I quit weighing. It doesn't matter so why do it? That's my theory anyway (maybe I just don't want to know).

Lexi Belle weighs as much as a head of cauliflower and is around 14.5 inches long! That's so crazy to think about! She's really starting to put on weight and I read that she's opening and closing her eyes now! What a miracle.

Tomorrow is our 3D ultrasound. I cannot wait! I think my parents and sister are coming since we are having it done in my hometown. They are excited, as well. We will be able to tell somewhat of what she looks like! I think that this will really make me wish she was here even more! I am getting so excited I can hardly stand it.

The room is about done. We just lack the carpet/hardwood and closet door! My mom and dad got Lexi's bed for her (thank you again!!!) and it should be in this week. I can't wait to get everything set up!!!

Well that's about it for now...I'll post pics of the 3D ultrasound tomorrow evening.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I passed!

Whew! What a relief! The doctor called today and said I passed my GD test. I was so glad to know that I didn't have to take the 3 hour test.

Back to work tomorrow...then next week is the 3D ultrasound. We are really looking forward to it!

Well, that's it for today.

Snow Days = Bow Days

Since I was home today because of the snow, I decided to make Lexi Belle some bows! I made her one to wear to Bulldog games, one to wear with her outfit we will take her home from the hospital in, and one to go with another outfit we have. Here's how they turned out...

Here is the outfit that we will take her home in...

I just found out that we don't have school again tomorrow, so maybe I'll try to make Lexi something else..besides bows :)

26 Week Check-Up

Yesterday we went for our monthly visit to the doctor. We started with an ultrasound to check and see if the placenta had moved up. Luckily it had and the tech said everything looked great! We were so relieved. We should be able to have a natural delivery like we planned. We also got to get a good look at our sweet girl. The tech got some great shots of her "girl parts" to ensure that she was, in fact, a girl! Whew! We have a lot of little girl stuff already so we were glad to know they were right! We saw her little face and we could really tell that she has my nose...and her daddy's legs. I'm only 5'3 and he's 6'0....and she has long legs:) The ultrasound tech said she bets she looks like me. Who knows? I'm sure she will get a little of me and a little of Robert. We just can't wait to see her and have her here safe and sound. Here are a few pictures of the sweet pea.

The ultrasound was at 1 and our appointment with Dr. Mou wasn't until 2:45, so to kill some time Robert dropped me off at Michael's to get some bow making materials and he went to Lowe's. We got what we needed and then headed back to the doctor. We had to wait awhile because the doctor ended up having to do a quick procedure on another patient. While we waited...we were both messing on our phones...I was texting ultrasound pics and I'm sure he was either on Craigslist or checking work emails...

The check-up went great. Dr. said I had gained 10 pounds total but I know it's at least 12. She measured and said I was measuring big but that was good because it meant the baby was growing. :) I ended up having to do my gestational diabetes test which consisted of me chugging this nasty orange stuff that tasted like flat orange soda. It wasn't terrible, but the worst part was that you have to take it down in 3 minutes. I did it and waited for an hour so they could take my blood. I won't know the results until tomorrow but I'm REALLY hoping that I don't have to do the 3 hour test. Let's just hope I pass!

We ended the day with dinner with our friends Kenny & Becky. They were in KC with a family member in the hospital so we met up for dinner. On the way home it started snowing...and this morning we have 3-4 inches, and NO SCHOOL! Looks like I'll be making some bows and taking it easy :) I love being a teacher!

26 Weeks

Yesterday we were officially 26 weeks. Here are the stats:

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  13 lbs. (I'll update after appointment today)

Gender: Girl

Movement: All of the time. She's an active little girl. I'm starting to notice her kicking, or punching, high and low at the same time! She must be upside down or sitting straight up! (Hence the sore ribs!)

Stretchmarks: None yet

Sleep: I wake up frequently during the night. Seems like I can't get comfortable. I must be getting enough sleep though because I'm not dog tired in the mornings. 

What I miss: Being able to sit down after I eat without feeling like I'm going to hyperventilate! It's so worth it though!

Cravings: I'm not really having any cravings lately. I've reallllly been wanting a vanilla diet coke from Sonic...

Symptoms: Sore ribs and shortness of breath (big time)

Best Moment this week: Just feeling her move constantly.

Random Updates: We go to the doctor today for an appointment and ultrasound. Next Tuesday we go for our 3D ultrasound and we can't wait. It will be so neat to see what she is looking like!


And here is the 26 week pic:

...and I thought I was big at like 12 weeks...ha!

Fist time with the self-timer & boy will Lexi be spoiled!

Our good friends Emily and Renee are throwing a baby shower for us! It is so nice of them and I absolutely can't wait! They asked us to take a picture of my belly with our hands on it and I don't want to ruin their invitation but here is what the picture looked like...

...and it only took 2 tries!

Lexi's Gigi {My grandma} has been a sewin' fool the past few days...here is a little taste of  what she's been making for Miss Lexi.

Won't that look so cute on her this summer?

Little black Mary Jane's

My Grandma Kathy made these for LB today. Aren't they darling!!?!??!?! I think I'm going to make a little zebra bow to put on the toe, or possibly a little red flower. We decided to kick them up a size because we already know she's going to have big feet (from her daddy). I just thought these were too cute not to post!

A couple of new items for Lexi & TLC's A Baby Story

 Here are the two newest things I've gotten for Lexi. Isn't this cute!!! I found it on Etsy.com (quite possibly my favorite website EVER). They had a million different patterns and colors, but I couldn't get away from the zebra. Robert said, "What's that for?" and I told him it was a wipes case...and he said, "Well, we probably need like 3 of those." He was being sarcastic. I think he thinks I'm addicted to ordering things online. Maybe I am :)

And here is her baby book. It's not very "girly" but I loved the cream polka dots and black and white ribbon. I started writing in it since we have been home for 3 days now due to the snow!

Today Robert had to go back to work...so it's just me and Ellie at home. Here is what she does while I'll blog. :)

On another note...has anybody watched TLC's A Baby Story? 

Since we've been snowed in I have got to watch them and I cry every stinkin' time. Is that hormones or am I just a crack head? I'm not sure. :)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Well, it's a cold, snowy night and what better to have for dinner than a good soup. I read Kendall's blog at www.kendallandkeith.blogspot.com. She always has the BEST recipes and this one has sounded good for awhile. We tried it tonight and she did not lead us astray! It was great! I stole this from her blog...

(Here's a newer/better photo!)

Here's a recipe for a delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup. It makes a whole bunch, so be prepared to share and freeze some.

The cast of characters.

In other words, a whole bunch of stuff!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup
(click here for printer-friendly version)

Ingredients

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 4 cups half-and-half
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 
• **Recommended addition from my mom: 1 small can of tomato soup**
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 (15 ounce) can creamed corn
• 3 cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fajita seasoning mix
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 16 ounces tortilla chips
• 8 ounces monterey jack cheese, shredded 
• Bread bowl - optional 

First: cook the chicken breasts. I didn't photograph this. Sorry, it wasn't all that exciting! I boiled mine in water in a sauce pan with a bay leaf. Then, Keith shredded it and set it aside.

Chop the 3 cloves of garlic and one onion

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a big soup pot. This is going to get really full, so use the biggest one you have!

Add the garlic and onion to the melted butter. Saute for 5 minutes.

Add 2 tbsp flour and stir well, cooking one minute more

Next, you're going to add the chicken broth and half & half

Broth

The good & evil. Half & half.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low

Add the condensed soup

1 cup of your favorite salsa

Can of creamed corn

All that shredded chicken

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 package fajita seasoning

Chop up the cilantro

And add 2 tbsp to the soup

{sorry some of the pics are blurry, my handy assistant snapped these in a hurry}

Stir and continue to heat for 15 minutes

We didn't put it in a bread bowl. We just crunched up some tortilla chips, added a little monterrey cheese, salsa, and sour cream! Yum!

{I also halved everything since it was just the two of us. We had some left even at that!}

Give 'er a try! You will LOVE it!