Another Step Closer to Crafting My Heart Out

Since we moved, most of the non-necessities have been living in boxes. This includes the bulk of my crafting items, which means that mama can't play! We decided to use a little nook in the basement as my "craft area". The rest of the basement is going to be set up as a playroom for the childrens. Naturally I needed a surface to work on if I were going to have a craft setup, so off to my favorite thrift store I went. And came home with this gem. Only $14.41! I liked the detailing on the bottom of the table, and figured it would be the perfect table to love, and use and abuse simultaneously.

So, I bought it, brought it home, and asked Scott if he could make it prettier. Of course he agreed, since I'm pregnant, and pregnant ladies shouldn't be playing around with paint fumes ;)

So the yucko, chipped, blue paint was covered with a couple coats of white.

Here it is, in it's new home in the "craft nook"

 After the bottom was taken care of, it was time to make the top look nicer without putting too much work into it. So I picked out a sample paint color that I liked, bought a can, and WHAM! 3 coats later, table is finished :)

And then we replaced the table top, and once again, put the table in it's rightful new home.

Paired it with an old chair (also thrifted) for $5

The first step of completing the basement! Hallllllllelujiah!

I also was in the market for 2 more small, wooden, child size chairs to refurbish, to put with the set we already have down in the play area. Instead I lucked out and found 2 matching, perfect condition chairs with the seat the same height as the current ones, for $3 each!

So while there is no project there, WHAT A DEAL. Coloring table can now seat 4 beebs!

Bloglovin!

 Finally getting with the times, and signed up on Bloglovin! Would love some more followers on there!

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Nightstand to Glider Side Table - A Transformation!

Since my early 20s, I've always loved thrifting. I like to decorate things, and make them my own, and it's easiest to do that with cheap items from thrift stores, garage sales, etc.

We got this eyesore nightstand.

Looks pretty rough, doesn't it? But it's a really cute shape, and a sturdy piece of furniture, so I decided to rescue it!

We decided to turn it into a side table to put in Ian's nursery next to the glider. Since the theme in Ian's nursery is Finding Nemo, we went with a turquoise and orange color scheme in there. And since it's a small piece of furniture, I decided it needed BADLY to stand out. So we (ok, Scott) slapped a coat of paint on it.

And then another coat, and then another coat. (We bought a full quart for $9)
(Paint color is : Caribbean Sea by Glidden)

Once we were happy with the color and the coverage, the project was brought to me for it's finishes!

I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a paper that I thought would be fun to use to the accents, and wound up with an orange chevron pattern. I lined the inside of the drawer with it, as well as put it on the very back of the open cubby on the bottom.

We bought a two pack of wooden drawer knobs, from Menards. ($0.99) We dipped the knob so it was all white, and I then Mod Podged the same chevron paper over the front of it to tie it all together.

And here it is today, in it's home next to the glider!

Nighstand : FREE

Paint : $9

Knobs : $1

Paper : $2

Mod Podge (already had on hand)

Grand Total?

$12!

Linking up to:

Baby Love

Today I am officially 30 weeks and 2 days pregnant with my son. I cannot believe time moved so fast, and now it feels like these next 9 weeks will never end. I cannot wait to meet this little guy (and subsequently get my body back!)

We are going in for a 3D/4D ultrasound session this Saturday. I've never had one done before, so we figured it was due time. Bonus since the elective place we go to offered us a discount on a return visit!

But everything hasn't been all sunshine and roses. on June 20th, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, something I never had to deal with in my previous pregnancy. I took the news hard, felt like my body was a failure, and my labor and delivery was bound to be awful and optionless. I felt like maybe if I had done this differently, or just been better in general about this or that, I would not be in this situation.

I didn't understand, how if all of my numbers during monitoring are WELL under what they are looking for, they still gave me this diagnosis based on (what I feel) is an antiquated test. I mean, come on, what pregnant woman starves themselves for 12 hours and then drinks 100 grams of sugar water and sits in a hospital waiting room for 3 hours for hourly blood draws? Definitely NOT this one!

But alas, I have to deal with the diagnosis. If anything it gave me a reason to quit my Coca Cola habit, which isn't really a bad thing. And as long as everything goes smoothly, I'm okay with it.

It did depress me greatly, and while there are risks, it's also a pretty common diagnosis. A good friend sent me this link to help me cope, and it helped reading it, and then having a sit down with my doctor.

http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2013/06/24/the-truth-about-gestational-diabetes-and-why-its-not-your-fault/

 

Have a few more exciting posts planned in the near future, but for now, here is my 30 week bump in all it's glory!!

Pinterest Win! Artichoke Spinach Cannelloni With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

While looking for inspiration for dinners, I came across this pin.

Artichoke Spinach Cannelloni with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. 

It looked pretty easy to make so I opted to give it a try, with a few modifications, so all the ingredients were to my liking! I skipped the sauce entirely, using a favorite jarred red pepper/garlic pasta sauce from Meijer.

Ingredients:

12 fresh lasagna sheets (about 3" by 8")

10 ounces frozen spinach, squeeze all the liquid out

14 ounces cooked artichoke hearts, chopped

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese

Sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to taste

1 cup fresh parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 Start boiling your Lasagna noodles, since they take a little time

 Combine artichoke, spinach, parmigiano reggiano cheese, ricotta cheese, and  cream cheese. Season with sea salt, garlic powder and black pepper to taste.

I then put some of my sauce in the bottom of my casserole dish to help with sticking.

Spread spinach artichoke mixture along center of each lasagna piece.

 

Roll up to enclose filling.

 

 Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Cover with remaining sauce, and cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 40-50 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown.

Enjoy!!

A Change Of Scenery

As I mentioned in my previous post, we are moving! It's true. We're packing up the kids, cat, and dog and heading about 20 minutes away from where we are now. Is it a far move? No. But I think having our own space, and the ability to live our own lives, will making our lives much easier.

We started moving some boxes in this weekend, and will slowly continue to move more through the evenings this week, but this weekend, is officially it. MOVING DAY! I snagged some pictures of what we're working with when I was there the other day, because although it's not purchasing a home, like we were hoping to be doing about now, it's beautiful and will contain our family nicely.

View Of The Front Entrance

Loft area on the second level

Deck off the main level

Kitchen and Dining

Full Finished Basement

Deck and swing from the walkout basement

2nd Level Main Bathroom

Piper's Big Girl Room! (We freshly painted the walls)

Laundry Room Complete with Washer/Dryer from Craig's List

One half of the master bedroom

Master Bathroom

This is it! I didn't put up a photo of every room, but we also have a living area with fire place, half bath off the kitchen, walk in closet in the master bedroom. We are looking forward to making this space our own.

And having my own place to make beautiful will bring this blog back in action.

Welcome To My Life!

I felt the need to post an update!! Life has been going well, this pregnancy is the polar opposite of my pregnancy with Piper. I am 18 weeks today, and cannot believe how fast the time is flying this second time around.

I am feeling wonderful and inspired in general. I plan on starting up this blog all over again.

We are moving on May 1st!!! We didn't find somewhere to buy, but we did find an AMAZING rental thanks to family. It's a beautiful townhouse with 2 beds, 2.5 baths, loft, deck, finished walkout basement, and 2 car garage. Everything we could have wanted! 

So, this next few weeks may be light still, but be prepared for a re-emergence of myself in May and beyond!

The Moment You've (Okay I've) Been WAITING For!!

Baby #2 is a :

BOY!!!!!

Above Photos Courtesy Of : Kara Schultz

Meet Ian Seamus aka Baby #2

Who Were The Old Wives? And Where Did They Come Up With This S*$@?

Patience. It's never been my strong suit. I don't like feeling like I'm not in control of whatever situation I might find myself in. The best example of this of course, is when I've been pregnant.

It's a LONG wait to 20 weeks. You grow attached to this little womb invader QUICKLY. You wonder who they will look like? Will there be recessive genes? Are you the family member who will have the red haired, freckled recessive gene baby? What kind of personality will they have? How big will they grow before you  get to see them? You want to talk to him/her. This is where my problem is formed.

I don't WANT to wait to know what I'm having. I have a burning NEED to know the sex of the baby at the first possible chance. Of course now there are all kinds of tests out where you can find out through blood work, but if you aren't advanced maternal age they want at least $800 out of pocket for those tests. And spending that amount of money on something that isn't a necessity when I know that I will be having a much more expensive situation later on, just isn't an option. 

This leads me to old wives tales. We've all heard them, for various things. And I've decided that I will be trying each one that I can find to figure out who is in my belly.

Let us begin:

1.) If you are carrying high, you are having a boy. Carrying low, you are having a girl.

If you compare this pregnancy to my last one, I am definitely carrying higher. In fact, if this baby sits any higher, my lungs will cease to exist. Or so it feels.

2.) A girl steals your beauty : therefore if you are carrying a girl you will have acne or other not-so-pretty skin blemishes. If you have dry hands and cold feet, you're having a boy.

The verdict is out on this one. I am lucky enough to look like a teenager in terms of pimples during pregnancy, my hands are dry due to work, and my feet are always cold. I'd say this isn't a viable test.

3.) Take off your wedding ring, tie it to a piece of string, and hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle, you are promised a boy; back and forth indicates a girl.

This test indicated a boy.
 

4.) There is one involving peeing in a cup and mixing it with Drano, but I opted for the safer version: Pee in a cup, and mix in a tablespoon of baking soda. If this mixture fizzes, you are having a boy, if not, you are having a girl.

This did not fizz at all for me.
 

5.) If your baby has a heart rate of 140 or higher, you are having a girl. Under 140? It's a boy!

Either or! I've had appts where it was both higher, and lower than 140.

6.) If you are craving salty or sour foods, you are having a boy. Sweet Tooth? It's a girl!

Just like last pregnancy, I am a salt hound right now. 

7.) If you are greatly affected by morning sickness, it's a girl. If you have a pretty easy ride in terms of this, it's a boy!

Compared to my pregnancy with Piper, I have BARELY had any morning sickness at all. Thank god.

Liebster Award!!!

I was pleasantly surprised when I logged onto my blog today and found that Crissa from Craving Chocolate And Lazy Days nominated me for a Liebster award!

Liebster Awards are given to up and coming bloggers with 200 or fewer followers.  I have a tendency to sometimes go MIA from the blog world, and I just started this one late 2012, so I'm not surprised I don't have a boatload of followers yet. But I would like to! :)

The rules of the Liebster Award:

The nominee must list 11 facts about themselves

The nominee must answer the 11 questions the nominator asked

The nominee must nominate 11 other bloggers with fewer than 200 followers

11 Facts About Me:

1.  I am currently 10 weeks pregnant with baby #2. Baby #1 just turned a year old. I wanted this, but sometimes I question my sanity a little bit having 2 so young. I think it will be a blast.

2.When I was in kindergarten I won a Young Authors award for writing a short non-fiction story about seals.

 

3.  When I was younger I wanted to be a marine biologist/zoologist.

 

4. For a long time in my life, I was sure that I didn't want any children at all. Funny how time changes things!

 

5.  I am a huge Twilight nerd. I'm talking cried when it ended kind of nerd. And I'm proud of it. I will however acknowledge the horrible writing in the books.

 

 

6. I regret not going to college when I was younger. I could be doing a more fulfilling job if I had the right degree.

 

 

7. I am currently at my fattest (aside from when I went in to deliver Piper), and I actually cried at the OB when they made me get on the scale.

 

 

8. I'm already planning a tattoo for baby #2, on the opposite arm from my Piper tattoo.

 

9. At one point in my life, I had a total of 12 piercings.

 

10. I sometimes wonder whatever happened to my ex boyfriends. And then I begin to hope they are completely miserable and alone somewhere. Spiteful much?! lol.

Questions from Crissa:

1. What is one talent you wish you had? I wish I could dance. I am the worst dancer on the planet.
2. If you had to watch one Disney movie everyday for the rest of your life what would you pick? Alice in Wonderland!
3. What is your most embarrassing moment? I have so many embarassing moments, I don't know if I could even pick the most embarassing one if I tried. When I was younger (think 21 or 22) we used to always drink at one of my friends houses. And I would always pass out. On the top step, with my arm hanging over the side. There are photos of me in the same position and the same spot in different clothes, from different days and seasons. It's nuts!
4. What is your favorite holiday? I like Christmas. It's nice to get the whole family together.
5. Is there a place in your home you would like to redo? We don't have a home, we are shacking up at my mother's while we wait to find the right home for us!
6. Do you have a bad habit you wish you could break?  If so, what is it? Biting my nails. I go through phases. Currently I'm not biting them.
7. Smores or Pumpkin Pie? Smores! Pumpkin anything is ick.
8. What is your favorite workout tune? I don't work out. I would think something fast with a good beat. Maybe some Lady Gaga Just Dance.
9. Who is your celebrity free pass? Ian Somerhalder, Paul Konerko (from the Chicago White Sox)
10. What is your best childhood memory? I cherish all of them now that my father is gone.
11. If you won the lottery what would you do with the money? I would : buy a home, put away a bunch for the kids college funds, get new (more reliable in his case) cars for each of us, pay off all my family and friends homes, donate a bunch to varying charities, and travel a lot.

Questions For My Nominees:
1. What color do you think best represents your personality?
2. If you could only listen to one band/singer/musician for the rest of your life, who would you choose?
3. What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year?
4. What is your favorite season?
5. If you could have any job in the world, what would you choose to be/do?
6. Where is one place you'd like to travel before you die?
7. Do you like your given name? If not what would you change it to?
8. Would you rather eat raw eggs, or burnt veggies?
9. Cupcakes or muffins?
10. Favorite fruit or vegetable?
11. How much sleep a night do you think is ideal for you to feel your best?

And my nominees are:

Mary from Rollin' down the river with Proud Mary and her krazy krewe!

Krystal from Life of Travels and Adventures

Jen at The Accidental Wallflower

Mary at Cherry Blossom Love

 Cassie at CASBa Creations

Laura at Crazy Train Called Life

Sara at Our Little Northern Life

Kaydee at The Sweet Life

Feel free to head on over to their blogs and congratulate them and follow them!