It's time

Hi everyone,

Just fyi- I'm unable to upload posts for a bit because hubby and I are off to the hospital.  Our long-awaited guest has finally decided to arrive.

Pink Stripey Socks (a soon-to-be-mommy)

Prunes

I don't like prunes.  I've never liked prunes.  However, if you visit our apartment, you'll seen many homages to this sweet and sticky fruit.  Why on earth would I eat something I don't like?  Well, they're great for digestive health and nowadays, I'll eat anything to get me "going."   

Here are the different ways I've incorporated this yucky special fruit into my diet:

• Initially I tried eating prunes straight from the jar.  (Bad Idea.  They're  so yucky  sickly sweet a tad too full flavored.)
• Then, after gagging struggling with that option, I tried drinking prune juice. (Unfortunately, prune juice was still too nasty full bodied.)
• Then, I tried diluting prune juice with iced tea. (Prune tea was certainly more palatable, but I needed more prune power.)
• Recently, I've tried incorporating them into my cooking. 

 I made prune bars (using the basics ingredients in this recipe):

You can't see those sticky suckers, but I guarantee they're in there!

Hmm, what prune dish to make next?  Prunes and chicken?  Prunes and pork?  I'm hoping that Baby Chuck Norris comes soon, so that I don't have to get too creative....

   

The answer is no

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a strange rhythmic thumping in my belly. It almost seemed like Baby Norris was keeping time to music.  After noticing this strange phenomenon several other times I started to wonder... was Baby Chuck Norris a musical prodigy?  Is he taking after his namesake?

They do say that (the real) Chuck Norris:

• can play techno music with his heart
• can stop the music
• taught Jimi Hendrix to play guitar
• can conduct an orchestra using subtle variations of roundhouse kicks

Hmm.  Well, after some extensive internet searching, I found out that sadly, Baby Chuck Norris is not a musical prodigy.  He just has baby hiccups.   :) How cute is that?

(By the way, Baby Norris is still not here.)

Happy (Birth) day!

Oh my goodness!  Hubby's sister just gave birth to a super cute baby boy!!!  We are bursting with excitement for them. :)

Ladies' room

As a pregnant gal, I'm always on the hunt for the nearest bathroom.  I never know when Nature will call.  But I do know that when she does, I only have only a small window of time to answer.  When I saw this set of restrooms at Red Dock (a casual local eatery with great sandwiches and water views), I was definitely thrown for a loop :

Uh-oh.  Which door to choose?

Note:  Not to worry.  I successfully answered the call.

Me against the machine

Even though hubby and I purchased the sewing machine awhile back, I must admit something.

I've been too scared to use it.

Sure, I helped hubby tackle sewing projects, but I always took on the non-sewing roles. I created patterns, pinned fabric together, or cut cloth.  I never used the machine.  

Ack!  Make the scary machine go away!

Why was I so scared?  Well, with ten clumsy digits and one very sharp knife needle, I was afraid of sewing through my fingers.  Plus, I didn't care for all those new-fangled knobs and handles.  (Give me an old-fashioned needle and a spool of thread and I'm set.  Really.)  Lastly, using the sewing machine required me to move my hands and feet at the same time.  Eek.  I'm terribly uncoordinated.  Ask any of my gym teachers.  (On a semi-related note- I apologize to all previous gym teachers.  I didn't mean to hit you with the basketballs, tennis balls, footballs, kick balls, badminton birdies, or soccer balls.)  

As we waited for Baby Chuck Norris's arrival this past weekend (he's still not here), I realized something monumental:  Giving birth is way scarier than sewing on a machine.

Duh.

And with this very obvious realization the heavens opened and I became inspired to sew.  Using this set of directions I set to work sewing a nursing cover.  Although the directions said that the entire project could be completed in 30 minutes, it took me a tad bit longer (2.5 hours.)  But, I'm proud to say that after a lot of ironing, measuring, re-measuring, re-ironing, cursing (silently in my head), sewing, and re-sewing I did it!  Here's the final result of my labor:

I chose this fabric because the pattern reminded me of Charlie.

Ooooh!  What lovely boning and d-ring details!

Oooh!  Look at that terry cloth corner (to wipe Baby Chuck Norris's mouth).

And so, I'm proud to say yes, I can!  Yes! I defeated my fear of the sewing  machine.  Yes!  I still have all 10 fingers.  Yes! I know how to sew three pieces of rectangular cloth together!

Delivery room advice

Hubby's colleagues love sharing their delivery room horror stories experiences with us.  One colleague told him to make sure that my fingernails were clipped before we headed to the delivery room.  Hubby asked him why, and the man responded, "She's going to squeeze your arm so tightly and her nails will dig into your flesh."

Yikes. o____O 

(Btw, my nails are clipped, so my hands are ready!)

Question about baby

According to the doctor, Baby Chuck Norris is in the right position for birth:  head down and facing my tailbone.  While that sounds wonderful and good, I'm also a bit confused. 

Why doesn't Baby Norris get dizzy lying upside down for so long?

My funny sister

Here's a snippet from a funny email that I received from my sister last Saturday: 

 

I hope you don't give birth until at least Tuesday! I won't have my phone charger until then!!! ): So you can't call me and tell me what a gruesome experience--I mean WONDERFUL WONDERFUL (: experience it was to give birth!!

She's so funny.  Here's my response:

HAHAHAHA!  I'll be sure to keep Baby Norris in until then.

Reserved parking

Yesterday hubby and I visited the mall to do some window shopping, work at a cafe, and exercise. (Walking around the mall is great exercise for preggos.  ;D)  When we arrived, we were fortunate to find this perfect parking spot.

Our spot

Yup, that's me!  I have the belly and the

car seat (unused, with tags still attached) to prove it!

36 weeks

Question:  Just how big are you?

Here's my answer (shown 3 different ways):

Answer 1:  Take a gander at my belly.

Answer 2:  My belly circumference is about 46.5 inches.

Answer 3:  
I'm big-big.  I'm so big that I have to balance myself against a wall to put my shoes and shorts on.  I'm so big that Hubby can only hug me from the back.  And, I'm so big that strangers are now stopping me on a daily basis to chat about my due date and pregnancy. 

Diaper bag

Hubby recently finished his latest sewing creation for Baby Chuck Norris.  Here's Charlie examining Hubby's creation for the first time. 

What is this thing?

A bag?  But it's too big for me to carry.

Ah, it's a perfect size for resting on.

Funny Parenting advice

This weekend hubby's colleagues threw us a lovely baby shower.  We had a wonderful time and received lots of goodies and advice.  Here are some of their hilarious words of wisdom:

(1)  Don't let your children become teenagers.
(2)  Don't let your children grow up to be cowboys.
(3)  If they want to run away, help them pack.
(4)  If you have lots of children, make sure to count them when you leave the store.
(5)  Everything costs more than you think it will.

Hand painted onesies

Yesterday, friend and I went to a onesie painting party.  Below are the lovely hand painted goodies that the ladies made for Baby Chuck Norris.

Click to see captions

Feeling crabby?

A couple of weeks ago, hubby and I spotted a used travel changing pad at the thrift store.  It looked just like this one:

We didn't purchase it because it was a already stained.  But, the idea of using a cute patterned changing pad stayed with me.  So, when hubby bought a sewing machine, I suggested an idea for his first sewing project.  Here's how hubby sewed baby Chuck Norris's changing pad:
   

First, we picked out the fabric.

Then, hubby followed this blog's directions and sewed this pad.

"It's soft to the bum.  Four paws of approval."   

Falling asleep or waking up?

This baby is just too cute.

Check

We just finished putting away the Baby Chuck Norris's clothes.  Hooray!  .

Inside this dresser (mod podged with wrapping paper) lies a ton of gifted outfits... thank you!

Scrabble baby decor

The area above Baby Chuck Norris's crib was looking a little bare, so I decided to decorate it.  I wanted to put up something fun and not too heavy (just in case it fell and bopped baby on the head.)  After wandering through the craft store aisles, I finally decided on this homage to Scrabble:

12 points! (Hmm... was I subconsciously inspired by this book?)

Oh the wonders of card stock, cardboard, and ModPodge!

How big is baby Chuck Norris?

See for yourself!

Should strollers...

wear costumes?

I'm inspired. Halloween is just around the corner...

(Thanks for the link, Esther!)  To see this photo and other rocking strollers, click here.