Bedding

My mom is seriously one of the most talented people I know. You know those really domestic women that do it all? Cooking, sewing, etc...that's her! I on the other hand can't hem a pair of pants--sigh...one day I'll learn!

She made this beautiful bedding for Charlie! It came in the mail yesterday and I have been staring at it ever since. It turned out perfect!

The quilt
You can't tell from the photo but the stitching is in the pattern of frogs sitting on lily pads--too cute!
We just love it!

THANKS MOM!!!

Wishing Wednesday

Autumn Days Outfit from Janie and Jack

Eagen Multipanel Mirror from Pottery Barn

Ruched Sleeved Cardigan from Ann Taylor Loft

Anyone Hungry?

Doesn't this look delicious? Well guess what...that's NOT beef. THAT IS PLACENTA! I'm not kidding!

I first heard about this from my mom's friend who delivered her baby while living in the south. I didn't believe her at first! People really save their placenta and eat it later? What in the world?!
A friend here made me feel much more comfortable when she told me it isn't common here (phew) but it wasn't the first time she had heard of this. She said she heard it's mostly women who do the whole home birth thing that are into this.
Don't worry, we won't be feasting on placenta dishes after Charlie is born. I tease Tony about this all the time.

I read an article about this on babycenter.com (the pictures came from there) This is part of what it said...

"In some cultures, women eat their nutrient-rich placentas to restore postpartum hormone levels, thereby warding off depression; however, no scientific studies have proven that human-placenta ingestion prevents the baby blues."

The mom who made the pasta and sandwich said this...

“The energy levels I had before and after the [placenta] consumption were immediately noticeable to me.”

So there's a reason while people do this...what do you think?

Pregnancy Cravings

I wouldn't say that I've had too many but Tony would tell you otherwise. I decided to dedicate a post to them...maybe you've had some of the same?

In the beginning:

String cheese

I ate this every single day and often had it for mealsFruit (mainly strawberries)

yogurt

I was so proud of myself for wanting and mostly eating healthy food! No way I would gain any extra pregnancy weight! If only these would have stayed :(

In the middle:

Maria's Chips and Salsa

There's a mexican restaurant here called Maria's. They serve free bottomless chips and salsa and they are seriously heaven. Tony was so sweet and would order take out of just the chips and salsa. I even ate them for breakfast a few times :) I loved these then HATED them. Looks like we're back on with loving them because we had to each lunch there yesterday!

Chocolate Milk

Banana Pancakes
I'm not sure if I heard Jack Johnson's song "banana pancakes" or what because I had never had them before. One day I was watching tv and all I could think about was banana pancakes--I didn't even know if I liked them or not! I found a recipe online and made them that day.

As of late:

Pop tarts
My one complaint about pop tarts is this...they don't individually wrap them. They put two in each wrapper. So naturally I rationalize that two should be a serving size. I know it's not but it makes me feel better!

Vanilla Ice Cream Cones

Peanut butter and jelly

This craving is long gone! Just looking at this picture makes me want to gag.

Doughnuts--mostly maple bars

I proudly can say I have avoided eating any doughnuts so far... I just think about them constantly.

I think that's about it! I'm curious how everyone else compares! Are these normal?

Getting Close!

We're 30 weeks! Can you believe it? I can but can't at the same time...I don't know how to explain it.

We have two hospitals within 15 minutes of our home and my doctor delivers at both. So that means we need to decide which hospital we want to deliver at. I've been asking around to figure out if one hospital is better than the other but I've heard good things about both. We thought we'd go see both hospitals and decide which one we like best.

This afternoon we took a tour of one of the them. It was so exciting! When the nurse (who gave us the tour) heard how far along we were she said, "oh that is so soon!" For some reason, it was just so nice to hear that. I wanted to give her a hug! I'm ready for this to baby to get here!
The first nurse we saw asked if I was having my baby today... Um no, but glad to know I look like it! She covered it really well by adding a nice compliment after that question haha.

I really liked the hospital. The rooms were really big and had a nice feel to them-- I didn't feel like we were in a hospital. We'll see how our next tour goes!

Pickin' on the Square

Now that this blog is private, I can include more personal information and not be nervous!

After 8 months of living here in Arkansas, I feel like we're finally starting to get in the groove of things around here. It takes time to learn about all the different things that are available to you. We are really starting to love this area!
Downtown Square

Last night we took a recommendation from a local and went to the Square for "Music on the Square"--an event that takes place every Friday night during the summer. I'm so bummed that we've missed this all summer (luckily it goes through September so we still have some more Fridays left). The first "walmart" or store run by Sam Walton is located on the square. Sam's five and dime store is now the walmart visitor's center--looks just like it did years ago. I think it is cute so here's a picture! (If you didn't know, Bentonville is Walmart's headquarters)

Different groups set up on the four corners of the square and play their music. Lots of people were there with their lawn chairs, sitting in the grass enjoying the music. I think all of the senior citizens in Bentonville were there. The music was oldies and bluegrass, which I loved because my grandpa used to play that kind of stuff for us when we were little.
The group we stayed and listened to had several guitars, harmonica, bass, fiddle and all the players sang along. All the groups were older men and they were just too cute.
We got ice cream cones at a little cafe on the square and enjoyed the wonderful non-humid (amazing!) weather while we listened to the music. We had such a blast!
On our drive home, in the dark, we realized that our headlights burned out--completely. We had to drive all the way home with our brights on...it was so embarrassing haha. Pretty sure we ticked a lot of people off. Besides THAT, it was a great night!

Can't Believe It...100 Days!

Yesterday my mom told me that Brian only has 100 days left till he comes home from his mission! Can you believe it?!

He entered the MTC Nov. 14, 2007 and has been serving in the Orsorno, Chile mission. He has been working so hard!(I love this picture because I know Brian will cringe when he sees it now. He had to grow his hair out every year for the high school musical and he loved the way he looked)

Brian and I always had a special relationship. Being only 14 months apart, I don't remember him ever not being in my life.

Since he's been gone my life has COMPLETELY changed!

- got married
(Cutout of Brian at my wedding...:))

- finished school
- moved to Arkansas
- got pregnant AND will have the baby (Charlie is due about a month before Brian gets back)

So pretty much every big thing in my life has happened since he's been gone.

Tony and I will be going home for Christmas so Brian and I will see each other then. I can't wait! It will be so wonderful to have my whole family together!

Gotta Love Arkansas

Ok so it probably isn't just Arkansas...maybe just the south?

Children's Books

I was out shopping today and couldn't help but look for children's books. I love, love, love kid books! Especially the ones that I remember reading when I was younger. I was looking through the bargain section and had to pick up these:

I love the frog and toad books. I was laughing out loud while reading them in the aisle. Toad cracks me up.
There are lots of different books of Frog and Toad. Each Book has several stories in them and they are just darling.

I just like this book. I can't remember if I read it when I was younger or not but it seemed so familiar. I love any book with a funny little dog as the main character.

I also bought this cute hard book. Oh my goodness, so cute.

Looking at the kid books made me realize I should start writing kid books! Honestly some of these books have less than 20 words in them and cost around $20! That sounds like a great market to be in...maybe someday :)

*What are your favorite kid books?

Going Private

Yep, we're doing it. I read this article today and I figure you never can be too careful!

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20247430/detail.html

Leave me your e-mail address (either here, through e-mail or facebook) and I'll send you an invite!