Final Thoughts of a Pregnant Woman

I have often wondered if people think before they speak.  It has become very clear to me in recent weeks that I need not wonder any longer.  Needing a little comic relief, as I am quite weary of being super-sized, I began recanting a few of my favorite episodes during my final weeks of pregnancy to my husband.  I'll share:

First, I wonder how much thought goes into a complete stranger's greeting of, "You look like you're about to pop."  Well, funny that you bring that up, I feel like I could pop any minute.  Thanks for noticing.  I've only heard this countless times lately.

Secondly, as I walked up to the register at McDonalds last week, the cashier stared at me wide-eyed and simply blurted out, "Whoa!" Are you for real?  You couldn't muster up a friendly, "Hi, welcome to McDonalds, can I take your order?" I must admit, it couldn't have helped my case that I proceeded to order ice cream cones for everyone in the car.  Oh well.

Lastly, yesterday, as I was out shopping with my mom, a little old lady came along in my aisle and asked me if I could move out of her way.  She was polite about it and all, but the problem was, I had knelt down to look at something.  I wanted to say, "do I really look like I am in any position to just crab walk out of your way?  I have to find my balance and slowly attempt to get this massive body out of my semi-comfortable squat, which will likely include a few grunts." She then awkwardly went on to state, "You got down there and I wasn't sure you were gonna be able to get back up." Um, you could've thought about that BEFORE you made me move.

If I wore glasses, this would be me.

On a less grouchy note, my sweet mama came over earlier this week to do a little cleaning which is nearly impossible in this state.  She vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom floors and mirrors I can't really reach.  Thanks, Mom, you rock!

I tried to find a super cute cleaning lady to represent you.  This is the best I could do!

Hopefully the next time I am on here, I'll have adorable pictures of my sweet newborn.  Alright, Kyle, you've got 2 days to figure the way out.  I'll give you a hint.  Try heading down.

~ Abby

Homemade Double Doozies

Earlier this week I asked my husband if he had ever had a Double Doozie from the Great American Cookie Company.  Much to my surprise, he replied negatively.  So, when I was at the mall yesterday, I stopped by the GACC to purchase a couple mini ones for our Valentine's dessert.  After hearing the woman in front of me ask for the price of a plain old cookie and nearly gulping out loud, I stepped out of the line.  I decided there was no possible way I would pay upwards of astronomical for a cookie.  Instead, I would recreate them at home and have extras to share.

Here is what I was aiming for:

I am aware that mine are not quite as beautiful, but I would contend that they are equally as delicious!

I made some miniatures and some full size.  All I did was follow the cookie recipe on a bag of Nestle chocolate chips and substituted M&Ms for the chocolate chips.  For the icing I followed this recipe:

1/3 C softened butter

3 C confectioners sugar

1 1/2 t vanilla extract

2 T milk

Beat the butter and sugar together. Add the vanilla and milk and beat until smooth.

Gonna be amazing.  Hope my Valentine loves them as much as I love him.

~Abby

Lollipops

We decided a while back that Kyle would be calling my parents Lollee and Pops.  You see, my mom's name is Laura Lee.  And growing up, we were not allowed to call my dad "pops", as he thought it sounded disrespectful.  So, it only seems fitting that I get my kids to call him that for me.  He has agreed to it, probably because he is tired of arguing with me about it.  Plus, it is just too adorable to pass up - Lollee and Pops.

The fabric line we picked out for Kyle's nursery is called Lollipops.  Unfortunately, Mom and I didn't pick up on it 'cause we're not that observant.  But, once it was pointed out to us, it just made the theme all the more endearing.  I couldn't be happier with how unique and fun everything in his nursery is.

This crib we borrowed from a friend.  After a fresh coat of off-white paint, it looks as good as new.  The bumper pads were designed by me and made by Lollee.  I know it is against "code" at the moment to put a blanket in the crib with a baby, but we all survived it so, I figure he will, too.  Lollee spent too much time hand-stitching this special quilt to leave it folded on the side of the crib.  

(The back)

Above the crib hang these adorable "peek-a-boo" canvases which my sister, Holly, painted.  The animals are taken from the panel wall hanging, which is the overall theme of the room.  

We borrowed someone else's creation of the giraffe and monkey.  But, being determined to have an alligator, we were forced to dream him up on our own.  Thanks to our friend Google and some scratch paper, we think he turned out quite well.

Peek-a-boo

The curtains were also made by Lollee, from the Lollipop line.  From day one, I knew I wanted tab curtains for his room, and she did a great job capturing what I'd hoped for.

Next we have the swing.  This isn't handmade, I'm sorry to say.  But, it was given to us indirectly by Jonathan's sister, Tiffany, and her husband, Josh.  I absolutely love the colors and it's so soft I feel sure he won't want out.

On the night stand beside the rocker is a lamp I found at the Goodwill and gave a coat of spray paint.  The shade I found at Target on clearance and the monkey friend is from Hannah and her mama.  You've already met the K, but now you see where he goes.  I already have my iPod ready to go, I only need to throw some lullabies on it.  In the rocker is a pillow from Lollee for my aching back and a blanket from Lacy for chilly late nights.

An alligator. How perfect. We didn't plan that.

This is a sweet little wall hanging that our dear friends in Mexico brought to us right before we left.  The wife made it.  It says, "God bless you, baby."  I love it.  And I am so glad it was flat so we could get it back to the States easily and carry it around with me until we finally got settled in somewhere.  

Now you see the squiggly mirrors between which that nifty craft I made hangs.  

Can you see me?  I'm not quite narrow enough these days to fit in between things.

The diaper bag was created and assembled by Lollee and monogramed by a friend.  I can't wait to carry this around everywhere I go.  

There's the hospital bag in the works and the super cheap trash can I found in the dollar section at Target.

The dresser we borrowed from my parents and I painted the knobs to add a little personality.  The changing pad Lollee made (are you seeing a pattern yet?).  Above the dresser are watercolor paintings which my sister, Maggie, painted and Lollee matted and framed.

Do notice the coordinating butt paste. (It's really called that.)

Last but not least is an adorable stuffed animal my sister, Lacy crocheted for him.  It is a frog on one side and turns inside out to make a turtle on the other.  Every little boy needs a little double sided animal to play with, don't you think?  Lacy is also working on crocheting a hanger for all of his stuffed animals to go in.

Alright.  Now that the nursery is finished and ready for use, Kyle can come..... Any day now.  The Doc told me today that everything looks good and I am free to go into labor at any time.  Like I have any control over it.  I hope Kyle heard that.  I feel like a kid before Christmas.  No, I am way more excited about this than I ever was about Christmas presents.

~Abby