Today's Afternoon Project

Before Christmas I had all intentions of making Aidan his very own Phillies blanket. I bought two yards of coordinating fleece, fairly good fabric scissors, and was ready to DIY a gift for one of the biggest little Phillies fans. Unfortunately, time got the best of me and I never got around to making it. Now that we're trying to clean up the bedrooms and eliminate things that are in the way to make room for baby, that bag of fleece finally needed to be taken care of. No longer could it be moved from steps, to room, to another room. It was time to get to business. So today after a trip to the pool, and while little man napped, this is what I did: 

{3/4 sides have fringe cut, no knots yet}

I started by laying both pieces of felt with the "good" sides out. Then I cut 5" (later turned 7") squares from each corner. I cut my fringe around 1.5" apart by cutting perpendicularly through both layers along one edge of the blanket, stopping at 5" in (later turned 7" to make tying a little simpler since my fleece didn't have the stretch that I expected it to) and then worked my way around the perimeter of the blanket. Once all four sides were cut, I tied the two layers together making a loop around my finger, then pulling the ends of both fringes through the loop. You could also take the quicker, easier way out by tying the top piece to the bottom piece, and double knotting it, but this way isn't quite as neat and uniform. Finally, once all of the knots are done and your fingers are completely exhausted and in need of a hand massage, gently tug on all sides and the corners to get some of the bunches from knotting out. No worry if you hear teensy ripping noises. It's simple, cheap (especially if you have a 40% off coupon to Joann's or another fabric store), and pretty foolproof. Took me less than two hours to make including the stoppage for checking my phone and a quick snack.

{Aidan found it quite comfy}

My thoughts on life right now:

If only I could be this productive every afternoon...my house would be spotless and the nursery might be done! {okay, so I have to wait for the floor to come in and be installed, but once that's done it's productivity central}

Another project I may try, in coordinating colors to the PBK Penelope, of course: baby mobile

10 on Tuesday

1. What’s the perfect meal?
One that I don't have to cook! Really though, I'd have to go with pizza and fries.

2. What are the perfect pair of shoes?
Anything that is comfortable. I generally live in Bass shoes during the school year.

3. What is the perfect afternoon?A beautiful day at the beach with my family. Or a day when my house is straightened up and we can lay around and do nothing together.

4. What’s the perfect house?
Something that feels like home, preferrably with four bedrooms, an office, finished basement, more than 2 bathrooms, a kitchen perfect for entertaining, and an open floor plan.  

5. What is the perfect outfit?
Something comfortable that doesn't make me feel frumpy.

6. What’s the perfect wedding song?
my own, of course

7. What is the perfect job?
I'd love to say stay at home mom, but I guess it's one where the family is happy and taken care of.

8. What’s the perfect hairstyle?
I'm not sure since I don't have it.

9. What’s the perfect music festival?
A fun one with lots of friends.

10. What’s the perfect day to yourself?
Sleeping in, reading a good book before getting out of bed, my laptop, some snacks, and a good nap. 

30 weeks!

{29 weeks, 4 days}

Pregnancy: 30 weeks

Weight Gain: 20 pounds (depends on the day, time, and scale), but feeling great  

Sleep: Not enough, but now that school is done I'll be getting more. Well, unless I continue to have nights like last night where I got up to pee 4, yup, 4 times. 

Gender: It's a girl!

Name: She's got a name. :)

Feeling: Pretty tired. I have a foot in the left side of my rib cage and heart burn, but it's all so worth it. I'm also feeling pretty bummed that I'm already at 30 weeks, since that means I likely only have 9 weeks to go. :( It's gone way too fast. I'll admit, I love being pregnant. Maybe I can quit teaching and become a surrogate? ;)    

Health: Also great. My blood pressure was 120/72 at my appointment this week. Another great week of blood pressure, although I have started retaining water and gained 3 pounds in two weeks. So that's not cool. I bought some compression socks to wear but it's so much work getting them on and off that I don't wear them as often as I should. 

Movement: The party is on in my belly. Yesterday I had my shirt above my belly because well, when don't I at home at this point?  because I was hot and it felt good to cool off. Aidan was playing with his Silly Bandz bracelets and starting putting them on my belly button area. We all got a good laugh when my belly started to wiggle and bump out as she was rolling and kicking. I guess she didn't like those being on my belly very much! Sean has really felt her move now, which I love, because in the beginning every time I'd tell him I was feeling her kick she would stop the moment he put his hand on my belly. Already being difficult!

Belly: It's all out front and quite a few people have commented how little I am for this far along. Doctor said I'm measuring "right on the money". 

Next Appointment: June 27 

10 on Tuesday!

And it's still Tuesday! Woohoo! Go me! :)

1. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t'?
It rhymes with “can’t” and I think the other way just sounds weird. 

2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?
Yeah, most of the people in my life know I blog. If they don’t it’s not because I’ve hidden it.

3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?
I'm very organized in the way I place my goods on the belt, so they get bagged together the way I want usually. I generally bring reusables, but lately I've needed to stock up on plastic (perfect for containing dog poop and poopy diapers--I know-so NOT green of me.)

4. Do you have a green thumb?
Not really my area of expertise unfortunately. Just yesterday as I was weeding (why does the best grass grow where it shouldn't?) I told Sean I was ashamed with how my flowerbeds looked...they definitely need some color. This is the first season since we've lived here that I haven't planted annuals. Maybe this weekend if I can find some on the cheap?

5. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?
Don't really watch it, except for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, which is entertaining. 

6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?
I do like to take baths occasionally . I took them more before I was a mommy, and then sometimes with Aidan, but now it's a lot of work to get in and out! One day I'll have a nice, jacuzzi tub where I'll read trashy novels with a glass of wine. One day. 

7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?
Blue. And there's a awful, ugly, terrible looking tile backsplash that makes me want to puke win a kitchen makeover.  

8. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?
If it’s actually nice outside, which is rare, I love eating outside. But most of the time it’s either too hot or there are too many bugs.

9. Describe your ideal weather.
Sunny, 75, low humidity.

10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?
Spanish, especially since I've got one or two kids a year in my class whose parents don't speak a word of English. 

My thoughts on life right now:

I need to blog more!  {and maybe it's time for a background update?}

28 weeks

Hello 3rd trimester!!! I can't believe you are here already. This is going too fast!

{28 weeks, 3 days}

Pregnancy: 28 weeks

Weight Gain: 15-20 pounds (depends on the day, time, and scale), but feeling great  

Sleep: Not enough, but that's still my own fault for going to bed late. I can't wait until school is out! 

Gender: It's a girl!

Name: She's got a name. :)

Feeling: Great! And even better since Sean will be painting her room this weekend. We also have the floor picked out and just need to determine who will be installing it, probably Home Depot since we're not exactly skilled DIYers. Also feeling quite blessed to work with a great group of ladies who threw a little sprinkle for me at work on Wednesday. I got a few outfits, some diapers, wipes, and gift cards.    

Health: Also great. My blood pressure was 120/60 at my appointment this week. I was thrilled! Oh, heartburn may have just arrived though as of yesterday...not cool. 

Movement: Baby Girl is still hanging out down low, but every once in a while I feel her shift around a little higher. A foot or hand is starting to find its way right under my ribcage on the left...right where Aidan used to get comfy too.  

Belly: It's all out front. 

Next Appointment: June 13! Already starting my every two week appointments. Crazy! 

My thoughts on life right now:

Can't wait to get this room painted and the floor down, then the real fun of decorating will begin. 

I'd love to have the floor done by July 4th, is that even possible? 

10 on Tuesday (on Wednesday)

1. From your childhood, what do you miss most about summer vacation?
The carefree feeling of sleeping in, riding bikes and playing all day, and spending the night with friends.

2. Are you going anywhere on vacation this summer?
Our annual trip to North Wildwood.

3. What foods do you like to barbecue?
Chicken or london broil, both that have marinated over night preferably. I really love to do veggies with a little bit of seasoning in a foil packet, yum. 

4. How do you celebrate the fourth of July?
Down the shore, watching the fireworks from the boardwalk...but maybe we'll watch from the beach this year since Aidan doesn't like how loud they are. 

5. What’s your favorite beverage to drink in the summertime?
Water with lemon, lemonade, tea. 

6. What movie are you looking forward to seeing this summer?
Hangover 2 and Cars 2...pretty different ends of the spectrum, right? 

7. In the car: windows down or AC?
Oh how I love the AC. Windows are rarely down because it's too darn hot or loud. 

8. Have you ever had a summer fling?
Not that I remember.

9. Do you wear sunscreen?
Absolutely, and after this weekend, I'll be applying 30 minutes before I go out and then reapplying much more frequently. 

10. Do you have any favorite summertime activities?
Definitely being at the beach. Everything is better there. 

My thoughts on life right now:

I need to get back into blogging more often. 

And make the blogs a little more meaty and less Q & A.