YUCK!

Our cute pumpkins didn't last long...

In Utah it seems like we could carve pumpkins and they would last like a week or so... is my memory wrong? We carved these babies Saturday, the day before Halloween, and this was Wednesday..... GROSS!!!

On a side note, I got this beautiful plant, called a Wandering Jew, the day before Halloween at the farmers market. I saw it and thought it was cool and gorgeous. You cannot really tell in the photo, but it sparkles. (: AND I hope I cannot kill it, the farmer told me I just water every 3 days and leave it out in partial sun, it "should last forever." Here's to hoping I can keep it alive!

Pregnancy Woes

Overall I am healthy and things are progressing. I am at 1 cm, but know that doesn't mean too much. I haven't been good at noting my progress anywhere so I thought I would jot down a few things while I am thinking about them.

I didn't realize until this week...

I have a LOT more water weight than I thought. I keep getting indents in my legs. Today I wore long socks for 2 hours and had 1 inch indents! Ha ha.

We just looked at pictures from Anna's birth and I was SOOO swollen, especially in my face. Glad I don't look that puffy, though this pregnancy I have gained more weight so I wonder where it all is, oh yeah, in ALL the problem areas.

Contractions hurt. I have been having some cramps here and there over the last few weeks, but didn't realize until this week that they were contractions.

Sleeping? What is that? I lie awake at night worrying about too many things... like my water breaking. Luckily our waterproof mattress cover just came yesterday!

Lifting. NOT so easy. I wish I could pick Anna up more.

I hate coughing or sneezing, for you moms out there you understand!

My hands were already dry before, but because I am frequenting the ladies room more than I want, and washing my hands more than I want, I cannot keep up with the dryness!

I am constantly worried about keeping my house clean so if I go into labor it isn't a total wreck! This is because when I had Anna it was a MESS! After 3 weeks of bed rest, and inability to to anything it had gone to the dogs... luckily I had awesome sisters to surprise me with a clean home.

I have sooo many nerves that I don't remember having with Anna, probably because I wasn't playing the waiting game.

I have a "to do" list a mile long, but find that I add more than cross off. However I did cross off 4 things yesterday and a couple today! yippee!

Walking to the park today I was SOOO excited to have my body back to myself and be able to exercise again. I cannot wait to run, do Jillian Michael's workouts, and do a sit up. Heck, I cannot wait to be able to stand up quicker than 5 to 10 seconds. I tell Anna I will race her and she is to the spot I mention before I am even up out of my chair! Ha! It will be fun when I can actually roll around with her more, dance, and perhaps win a race.

I cannot wait to meet this little one! The other night I was thinking about when they give her to me for the first time and I got chills and butterflies! What a moment that will be... However that excitement wore off too quickly and I thought about labor.... I am a LITTLE okay A LOT nervous about it. Though thank you to Dave, he keeps reminding me that I did great with the first one.

I am going to be a Mother of 2 and we will be a family of 4! Crazy and SOOOO EXCITING!!

Oh, so many thoughts... I hope that she comes early next week, preferably Tuesday. Anyone know where to send a request? (:

Nesting and Projects

So I have been totally inspired by others who actually finish projects and have tried to be better at my own. My newest favorite blog is by two sisters in my ward. http://beeinourbonnet.blogspot.com/ They are not only wonderful Friends and Mothers, but are simply amazing and talented. They threw me a shower, which I need to post about once I get some more photos, and are in a craft contest, and accomplish awesome things in the mist of all they have going on... I think they secretly have a way of stopping time in the middle of the night when we don't know about it.

I have LOVED being a stay at home Mom, being able to enjoy Anna, but also do the many things I wasn't able to when I was working. So to remember the time I had just me and Anna these last few months, here is what I have been up:

Repainting outside furniture -though this one is only half done... I need Dave's help!

Trying to find bedding. WHAT A HASTLE! This is actually one of the sets I bought and took back, because it was horribly made, but I miss the blue pillows! We are now on our 4th round of trying something out. (One was too old fashioned looking, another was horribly sewn as well with black threads under a while comforter, and now a simple one we have for now.) I just cannot make up my mind. I will post the final product, hopefully by the end of this week, and we will hopefully be happy with it!

Making Sugar cookies (another inspiration from the previously mentioned blog). My friend Kristy and I have had a lot in common, including cravings. We have both wanted to be better at baking (though she took a cake decorating class over the past 6 weeks and is now Amazingly much more advanced...jealous!) We made these cookies on a craving a month or so back. They aren't gorgeous by any means and the ones that are are because of Kristy, not myself, but they were fun and VERY yummy!) Thanks to our guest, Ashleigh who got us started as well! And our other guests who helped us eat them, especially the football ones... (; Right Kristy? )

I have been so proud of my little sister, she has finished her teaching degree and is teaching elementary! I wish I could see her in her cute classroom. I know that she will have a huge impact on all the lives she meets! I made this for her to put up somewhere.... Love ya Nats!

Decorating Anna's room... I don't think I'll ever be happy with it. Dora toddler bed is throwing off any style points. (I have never been a fan of character furniture - besides Anna's Princess table). I tried to repaint this magnet board, it works a little better, but other things are just struggling! One day...

T.O.M.A.T.O.E.S - If you know my family you know we are not tomato people. However over the years I have come to the light, however, I still don't like them plain, but they are yummy in all sorts of things. If I had more energy our cupboard would be FILLED with all sorts of stuff. We have had a bowl of tomatoes on our counter since July . They have been overflowing thanks to our lovely landlords who I should have brought a bag of tomatoes to every week ( and spaced it most weeks!)

One of two batches of yummy salsa... Tried to dehydrate tomato paste, but it stinks so bad I don't know if I want to use it. Perhaps it will work for food storage one day, but for now being pregnant I cannot go near that junk.

Fresh Pico de Gallo ala Chevy's online recipes. SOOOO yummy. We made this so much for a while that we had to take a break, but I bought a jalapeno today and will hope to make it again tomorrow! (:
A goal of mine is to become a better thrift shopper, there are some amazing finds out there. I got Anna a kitchen (and a cute one) fully stocked with tooo much food and a shopping cart for $10. I found some decor for her room for $5 -though they are the hassle of not getting her room decorated. Also, I found this basket for $3 and repainted it for the baby's room.

That isn't all, but it is enough for me for right now. Now for this last week before my mom gets in town and we hopefully deliver a baby I hope to finish a lot off my way toooooo long of a list! Or just cuddle with my little one who will soon be a big sister.... either way I should be happy!

What do you do in November in California?

Run in the Sprinklers of course! For those of you who are natives this may seem like a silly post, but if you grew up in Utah, Michigan, or anywhere else that have colder seasons you'll understand my shock in what we are able to do at this time of year.

Last week we had BEAUTIFUL weather. We got out many times, but one evening Anna asked if she could run in the sprinklers. We were already out in our shorts so why not? Though it is a little colder this week so this is probably the last. We will miss having snow, but I have to admit it is nice not to pull out the winter coats just yet. (Though some in Modesto seem to think that 60 degree weather required beanies, winter coats and boots.) (:

This was her way of drying off afterwards, she did it all on her own, getting the towels, laying them out and everything. When she asked for one more towel for her feet I told her she didn't need the yellow one where is was... her reply, "but it is my favorite color!" Oh, didn't realize it had to be on top! (: Particular, particular!!