11.26.2011

Traditions

Jackson now has the duty of putting the star on top of the tree.  Growing up this was my "job" and I still even have to do it when we're at my parents for Christmas :)   Jackson did a great job!  He didn't want to let go of it right away, but I was a super proud Mommy and it was a VERY special moment to see him carrying on the tradition.



success!

Santa beard I made for Jackson
our newest "friend' in our front yard display

32 Weeks

Time is FLYING by and Lincoln will most likely be here in less than 7 weeks via C-section.  I better hurry up and get the to-do list finished!!  This pregnancy has been very different. I have gained WAY less weight with Lincoln and he was breech until this week so I've been carrying him much differently.  I actually have a picture of my belly with Jackson at this point exactly so another side by side is below.

Me with Jackson                                                                                       Me with Lincoln

 


Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 32 Weeks

Size of baby: 16.7 inches long and weighs about 3.75 pounds on average.  Lincoln measured about 4.5 lbs this last week via ultrasound

Total Weight Gain: 22 pounds 
 
Movement: Constant.  he is a very strong kiddo.  He makes very large and intense movements that you can see from across the room!
 
Sleep: Sleep great most of the time (thank goodness!) Just have to get up for a potty break around 3AM 

What I miss:  Walking normally, being able to paint my toes and just in general not being so tired!
 
Cravings: None really.  I really am not very hungry right now and pretty much have to be reminded to eat.

 Symptoms: heartburn (just started this week), a little swelling at the end of the day.
 
Best Moment this week: Got to see Lincoln via ultrasound again and he turned! Way more comfortable now that he isn't breech.  



Thanksgiving as Our Family of 3

We started the day with pumpkin pancakes

 Jackson helped decorate the tree

Hung up the stockings on the mantel

Made some yummy Thanksgiving dinner for our family of three.  Green bean casserole, mac n' cheese, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, wheat rolls and cinnamon butter.

Jackson enjoyed the feast

 Pretzel Salad for dessert

11.21.2011

Chewy Vegan Choc. Chip Cookies

Rob forwarded this recipe to me from one of his fav. blogs Daily Garnish.  I felt like giving it a try tonight.

They were great and with 1/3 of the sugar, no cow's milk butter, 1/4 of the choc. chips, no eggs as well as whole wheat flour it made the cookies much lighter and yummier than one would initially expect!

Ingredients:  (makes 2 dozen cookies)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup Earth Balance
  • 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
  • 1 medium ripe banana
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
(Note: you can easily make these un-vegan by swapping in regular milk or butter too.  Whatever you prefer!)

Boy's "Fixin" Things

Jackson is obsessed with helping, and obsessed with tools. He also wants to "fix" everything.  So, Daddy decided to let Jackson help him finish putting the hinges on our new storage bench on the patio.  Jackson had a blast and it killed time after dinner before bath & bed.

Jackson would've stayed and helped Daddy ALL night if he would've let him. He even helped put the tools back when he was done.
haha

yes he is IN the storage bench :)




Also, I went with crazy bright green KEY LIME for my rattan chair. See below (it needs another coat of paint though).  Its really bright but it'll look better with a new cushion on it and it looks great out there because everything else is so brown/khaki.  I'll post pictures once we are done with the patio.

11.13.2011

Professional Pics of Jackson

We seem to be getting a lot of pictures done of Jackson lately.  A lot of it has to do with him modeling for my Rose is a Rose business, but here are a couple from Halloween and one from another session with another Houston photographer.

these Halloween pics are from Fabulous Occasions:




This one is by Nena Metcalf Photography

11.11.2011

Teething & Sickies

This is what teething and sickies looks like...and for dramatics..he was "BEHIND BARS" a.k.a. on the other side of the gate.



I know...sad, pitiful, meltdown moment caught on camera. I'm a mean mom!  I promise, no child was harmed in the process of these photos. He was just VERY mad that he didn't have his lovie and was throwing a bratty fit!

And now, after getting his lovie and taking a deep breath...


Jack: I love you...and I DO hope you feel better soon my sweet boy!

My Favorite Train Conductor

A New Tutorial on my Business Blog

Go check it out here:

If you want to see tutorials that I put on there (more to come) and be kept up to date on deals and giveaways then, feel free to subscribe by e-mail (on the right margin you'll see a place to do this!)

If you don't want to read the whole tutorial, here is the final product:


11.06.2011

Lincoln's "Custom" Crib Sheet

Lincoln's room is definitely a lot more custom and has a lot more true handmade pieces.   (Sorry Jack!)  One thing I've been talking about and wanting to do for MONTHS is make him crib sheets out of designer fabric that I liked, not just had to settle for from the baby stores.

Here is the first fabric I wanted to use

I followed this tutorial to some degree.  I did a little more finishing on the inside seams but pretty close.  I love Prudent Baby for all things sewing!  Here is a pic of how the sheets turned out....I will post more ROOM pics soon but its not quite finished so I'm going to keep giving you piece by piece!



 Whatcha think?!

29 Weeks

This Pregnancy:
Jackson's Pregnancy:

They are definitely carrying VERY differently. I have also gained only HALF the amount of weight thus far that I did with Jackson!  Jackson carried high and was always balled up.  Lincoln is breech and doesn't seem to stick out as far.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Size of baby: A little over 15 inches and 2.5 pounds (size of a butternut squash)

 Total Weight Gain:
19 lbs
 
Maternity Clothes: Yes, but all my maternity clothes from Jackson are too big, so luckily have had some great gal pals lend me some smaller stuff! Great to be able to say that at week 29!

Gender: It's a Boy. Lincoln MacGregor

Movement: When is he NOT moving! He is a crazy wild man though at about 8PM-midnight

Sleep: surprisingly great, except for the sometimes interrupted sleep from charlie horses!
 
What I miss:  being able to paint my toes (or see them), really being able to work out hard, and a glass of wine!

 Cravings: None really.  Not as hungry lately, surprisingly. However, when I DO want something, I WANT it!

 Symptoms: Still issues with my sciatic nerve, a lot of lower discomfort (cause the boy is still breech).

Best Moment this week: Making a lot of progress on Lincoln's nursery.  Pics to come of course! 

*** Feeling pretty good and very nervous and anxious that the little guy will be here before we know it.  If we have a C Section, he'll be here in 10 weeks!!!!***