LABOR!

My sweet baby decided that she likes candy so much, she wants to be born on Halloween!

She hasn't made her grande arrival just yet, but she sure is making her impending presence known. 

I now know why labor is called "labor"

It's because it hurts like no flippin other!!

Last pre-baby prego photo 38 weeks 5 days

So, in my ever cop-out nature (yeah, I'm okay with myself)

I got the drugs!!

Oh sweet heavenly epidural. 

I love you so much. 

Seriously, if a drug could win an award, you'd get it. 

Hands down.

Also awesome? Ice chips.

Me on drugs. So nice. 

Alright Zoey...You hurry up now...we're excited to meet you

and I'm sure you're curious about the crazy voices you keep hearing. 

(Don't worry...it's just us...and we're only a little crazy.)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

From the Magic 8 Ball

Yeah...My costume is super intricate. 

Better than my husband...he's Indiana Jones...

Every year.

RIP Glue Gun - I loved you the most.

The other night, I was glue gunning to my little heart's content

When all of a sudden

BAM!!

A burst of sparks, flames, and heat came SHOOTING out of my glue gun! 

For a fraction of a second, my entire living room lit up. 

I screamed and quickly threw the glue gun from my hands...

I wasn't electrocuted...or even burned...It just scared the crap out of me!

I had NO clue that could even happen. 

The glue gun was seriously FRIED. 

If you shake the cord, it sounds like a rattle. 

Needless to say, it's home is now the trashcan. 

Don't believe me? Here's a picture of the aftermath...

It's a good thing I have 3 back-ups...

A Baby "Shower"!

I have some amazing people in my life. 

Two months ago, my husband and I moved apartments

and started attending a different church congregation

Although they hardly know me, they decided to throw me a baby shower.

I know. I have amazing people in my life.

I couldn't get over how cute everything turned out! 

Did you look at those cupcakes!?

cute, right!

And did you notice all of the fun "shower" decor?

Seriously amazing

I had a blast, and felt lucky to get to know so many awesomely crafty women!

Owl Nursery Mobile!!

I must say, sometimes I impress myself.

(I know I know...I am ever-so humble)

I have wanted to make a mobile for some time...

Not only because mobiles are expensive,

but because why not?

Three Fun Facts about this Project

1. I didn't have cotton stuffing...so I used toilet paper.

2. I spent a total of 5 bucks on this. Yeah. I'm cheap.

3. My glue gun blew up during this project...Seriously. 

I'm talking flames, flash, boom, the whole deal. I'll have to tell you about it later. 

I may have peed my pants a little...

So what do you think?

Tutu Tutorial

I took ballet growing up.

I thought the word "derrière" meant underwear

Every time the dance teacher said "tuck in your derrière",

I thought she meant my underwear was sticking out, 

so I'd shove it back under my leotard

Out of frustration, I stopped wearing underwear under my leotard all together

That week, when the dance teacher said "Tuck in your derrière!" I yelled 

"I'm not wearing any!"

It wasn't for years that I found out it really meant butt...

Hopefully my daughter has more success with dance than I did. 

Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Cost: $3-5 each (You can make 2 out of the materials)

Materials:

 1 - 2 rolls of Tulle (Mine are 25 yard rolls from Joanne's Wedding section)

3/4 inch Elastic

Scissors

Stuff to sew the band

Directions

Step 1: The band

Measure you waist, and then cut the elastic 2-4 inches smaller than your waist (It will stretch out with the toole!). I cut it about 12 inches for a newborn. Overlap the edges, and sew. 

Step 2: Tulle
Cut your tulle into 16 inch long strips. For each "knot", you will need 3 strips (I used 2 pink and 1 white). Lay all 3 strips on top of one another, and fold in half. With the elastic around something (I used a vase to hold it...), slip your tulle under forming a loop at the top. Slip the bottom of the tulle through the loop. Pull to tighten. Continue this until your skirt is "full" (For my newborn skirt, it took 18 knots)

And that's it! If you'd like to add a bow, or embellishments, 

go right on ahead.

Me? I'm gonna leave mine simple.

Instant Nursing Cover Strap Tutorial

One thing with babies

Is they eat...ALL THE TIME

Once I saw this lady trying to cover up with a blanket while nursing at a restaurant

The baby up and ripped that blanket off her face, giving everyone quite the show. 

So I made this...because I may be outgoing...but not THAT outgoing. 

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 5 minutes

Cost: Less than 5 dollars

 Materials: 

Ribbon

Suspender Clips

Scissors 

Glue Gun

Fabric (optional for embellishments)

Step 1: Cut a 20 inch piece of ribbon 

Step 2: Glue around Suspender Clip

Step 3: Glue on Embellishment (Don't glue it too high, or clip won't open)

And you're done. Seriously...5 minutes...and most of that time is 

waiting for the glue gun to heat up.

Now you don't have to worry about being an exhibitionist... 

25 Years...

October 19th...

You know what that means?

I'm officially a quarter of a century old.

I may be older...

But my maturity is only going downhill.

To celebrate I may go rent a car...or adjust my insurance premiums. 

Living on the edge my friends...living on the edge. 

Less than a month...

I love this.

Brand New Camera!!

Last night the hubs and me went out and bought a Nikon D3100 camera

Totally not necessary

But so awesome.

 Look at me. I'm a frickin' photographer. Taking pictures of myself. In the mirror. Of my bathroom.

 I call this one "Big Head"

This may be a little more accurate. 

Can't wait to start taking "real" pictures...

You know...of cool crap. 

Dutch Baby Pancakes Recipe

I am a terrible cook. I mean TERRIBLE.

Just ask my husband... he eats cereal for dinner 3-4 times a week.  

But this recipe is SO delicious SO easy and SO cheap...
even the cooking challenged can make it work.

This is a dinner staple in our house (and cereal apparently...)

Dutch Baby Pancakes
Recipe from Grace Struiksma

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter

4 eggs

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

dash of nutmeg

Directions

Cut butter into smaller pieces in a 9x13 pan. 
Place in 400 degree oven until the butter is melted and sizzling. 
Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor and churn until well mixed. 
Pour into sizzling butter and replace in oven. 
Bake 20-25 minutes. 
The Dutch Baby will be browned on the bottom and sides (it looks like it'll overflow!), 
and the "puff" will sink after it's taken out of the oven. 

Cut into squares, spread your favorite jam on top and enjoy!

Nursery Reveal... on a dime

We've been hard at work...

My goal was to create a cute nursery for Zoey on a dime

Without painting AND without overly spending.

I can't even begin to express how happy I am with how it came out...

Guest Futon

Wall Decals - Target 17.99

Tissue Puff Balls - $3 for supplies

Canvas - $24.99 Target

Pillow - $5.00 London market

Futon - We've had it for a while

Crib

Frame - Free (re purposed)

Lamp - $19.99 Target

Accessories - Free (Gifts)

Owl Pillow - $16.99 Target

Headband - Free (Yeah, I made that crap)

Boppy Pillow - Free (Borrowed from a friend)

Boppy Cover - $12.99 Target

Quilt Fabric - $42.00 Joanne's 

Crib/Mattress - Free (Given to us by a friend)

Changing Table and Closet

Swing - Free (Borrowed from a friend)

Owl Blanket - $4 fabric from Joanne's (Black Friday...)

Changing Table Dresser/Pad - $45.00 Garage Sale

Changing Table Cover - Free (From a friend)

Wall Decals

Wall Decal Pack - $17.99 Target

Total Cost of Nursery...

$191.95

Total Number of Gift Cards...

$125.00

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET 

$66.95

Craziness, right?!

We are definitely blessed to have great friends who have given us gift cards, hand me downs and borrowed baby stuff!! 

I am SO excited for Zoey to see her new room...