DIY Baby Mobile

I love crafting! Especially during Christmas break when I have time. Josh plays his video/ computer games and I craft...very relaxing. A project I have been working on is a baby mobile for our baby girl's room. I wanted something bright and attractive that she can look at. The following sites inspired me to do a butterfly themed mobile:

http://raechelmyers.blogspot.com/search/label/Color

Raechel is such a creative person and is an AWESOME decorator! Her site is very inspirational and has great ideas.

http://heartlandpaper.typepad.com/heartland_paper/2009/08/handmade-chandeliers-on-studio-5.html

Here are the supplies I used:

I started by cutting strips of ribbon about 4 inches long. I tied them knots going around the circumference of the cardboard circle.

Next, I took clear thread and cut it into long pieces (~20 inches). I tied it to the circle and let the pieces hang down. I "sandwiched" identical butterfly piece stickers to the clear thread with hot glue. I glued 3-4 butterflies on each thread piece. I did the same with the sew-on dragonfly pieces.

***This part was kind of frustrating because the thread was like working with a piece of hair and the threads kept getting tangled. To solve this I used a black surface to work on. I put the circle in the middle of the table and had the pieces of thread spread out in different directions (like a sun).

Lastly, I used four strips of tulling to create a bow at the top for the mobile to hang from. Josh hung the mobile on the ceiling by a metal hook.

Baby Girl's Nest

First off, since Christmas is over I can tell our secret. We are having a GIRL & we are SO excited! She is healthy and moving like crazy!

It's hard to believe that Christmas has passed, and the New Year is 5 days away. It's crazy how fast time flies. Sadly, I know when our baby girl is here time will fly even faster. Josh and I have had a great Christmas break so far. We realize how fortunate we are to even have a Christmas break...and are enjoying every moment of it. Last week we painted the nursery a warm tan color. Auntie Kates came over to help...she's great! We started to organize and set up all of the baby things we have been collecting over the years and the past 5 months. Whenever I found something I wanted my future children to have, I would buy it and store it in the now baby closet... especially books!!

She already has some outfits (Grandma Nilsson gave a few years ago!) and stuffed animals. I was fortunate enough to find most of her nursery items at...I am embarrassed to mention it...Goodwill. I have so much luck there it's crazy. I found a light pink bumper for $2. I am going to add fun bows to it with my new sewing machine. The curtains in her room were $5, light pink changing cover (very soft, I might add) for $3, lamps for $5 each, orange blanket comforter $4, round mirror $4...the list goes on and on. It's amazing how much you can find second hand that looks brand new! The glider chair was a gift from my mom, which she also found at a second hand store. The changing table & pad was a gift from Katie at a second hand store near her. The only piece of furture we have bought so far is the crib & mattress and the turquoise storage cubes.

I am very pleased with how the nursery came out. It's exactly what I was going for...not matchy matchy or overly "babyish" or too gender specific- neutral walls with bold accent colors in turquoise, pink, orange, and lime green. God-willing, Josh and I want many children so this room will be very easy to adapt for a boy. I also wanted the room to be a space I could see myself spending a lot of time in, and so far whenever I walk past the room I have to walk inside and look around. I love how I was able to use little knickknacks from my childhood and Josh's to make it more meaningful.

I can't wait until our little girl is here!

1/2 Way There!!!

20 weeks 2 days! YAY!
On Wednesday we found out the sex of the baby. It was an overwhelming sense of realization & of course... I cried! The sex of the baby will still remain a mystery to family, as we are going to tell them on the most special day of the year... Christmas! So until then... my lips are sealed family!

Christmas in Chicago & still no Sheepy

Yesterday, Josh and I kept our Christmas Tradition alive by going downtown for Christkindlemarket & shopping. We wanted to find some type of security blanket for our baby, a Sheepy, if you will.
When I was a baby, my mom was changing sheets on the bed and I started holding it and sucking my thumb. I wanted to carry the sheet around with me. My mom said "That is a sheet." And I said "sheepy." She didn't want me to be dragging around a big sheet so she gave me a temporary blankie, one of my dad's undershirts and it stuck.... "Sheepy."
This was the first year that it rained...no...POURED! It was that just above freezing rain... the coldest rain you can have. We still had a great time, jumping over puddles, and trying to eat our German Brauts with our nearly frozen fingers. We went to Old Navy and found some great buys for Josh. And had the best yogurt in Chicago... in the basement of Macy's- fresh strawberry yogurt! SO good! We looked in Macy's for a Sheepy, but had no luck. Maybe Babies R Us?

Before leaving Chicago, we made sure to get another braut for dinner. Yes they are just THAT good! For dessert, our favorite is the Warm Cheese Strudel.The cheese strudel is very messy but when you are already soaking to your bones, you just don't care what your powder sugared lips (or in my case, cheeks and forehead too) look like, plus is is so good.

We left a little earlier than we normally do, because we were soaked and I was sore and tired. For the first time ever, we did NOT have to run and catch the train...10 minutes to spare. Getting home early was nice because we were able to change into dry clothes, cuddle in blankets, and watch some Christmas movies.

Baby Update: 19 Weeks

It's so hard to believe that I am almost half-way there! Next week we will know the sex of the baby & I can't wait! We have both of our names picked out, now we just need to know which one it will be. This week I am feeling the baby move a lot more. Josh felt the baby kick three times the other night...we were so excited! The baby is very strong-This week I have noticed that I am starting to have some minor braxton hicks & continue to have round ligament pain. Other than that I feel great and am enjoying every moment with child! I have been feeling kicks since 15 weeks, which is early for first time mamas;-) Sometimes it is all still surreal... almost like it's a dream. I am so blessed to have a healthy baby and pregnancy. All blood tests have come back negative and the doctor's words are "Everything is perfect"... THANK you LORD!! Thank you to all of my readers and friends who have been praying for the baby and I during this process. God is answering those prayers & this pregnancy has been a huge blessing to me.

Now I need to go get ready for our Christmas party for work!

Baby Update: 18 Weeks

Last week's picture at 18 weeks (I'm now 18w6d):

I'm late on this post... as I will be 19 WEEKS tomorrow!!! I didn't get a 17 week picture since we were visiting family in Ohio for Thanksgiving:-(

Since my last post I have been feeling the baby move a lot more! Sometimes I can even feel the baby's kicks with my hands. Everytime the baby kicks I wish Josh could've felt it...he seems to miss it everytime! I think God has the perfect day planned when he will first feel the baby kick & I can't wait!

Baby Update: 16 Weeks

(Not crazy with this picture, by the way...)

This was a fun week as we had a doctor appointment. Everything looks great... baby is healthy and strong! Thank you God! We also got to hear the heartbeat... it ranged from 147-152 beats. An old wives tales says that if your baby has a lower heartbeat it is a boy. Josh and I have really been thinking it is a boy. We don't care what it is, but we just decided on our boy name (we had like 6 to choose from) and I think because of that we feel like its a boy now.

At our appointment, we set up our 20 week ultrasound! It will be on December 15 at 5:00 and God willing, we will find out the sex of the baby! We can't wait to be able to pray for this baby by name. Josh and I have decided that we will wait until Christmas Day to tell our family the name/ sex of the baby. We want to tell them in a creative way. So far we have thought of cupcakes, with the inside dyed to match the gender or something with a colored ornament.

Does anyone have any ideas that they would be willing to share?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's on! That's right, the Christmas music has started here in Chicago, and I must say.... I LOVE it! Josh is a little bit of a Grinch before Thanksgiving, and I see where he is coming from... but I can't stop myself. I love Thanksgiving and think that it is a beautiful holiday as well, focusing my mind on everything that I am so grateful for! To me this is a part of Christmas too. I am so grateful for Jesus coming to this earth as a baby, only to be sent to death on a cross for us!!

I am a sucker for traditions and making memories during each of the holidays. Four years ago, when Josh and I celebrated our first married Christmas together we talked about what family traditions we wanted to start and share with our children. Here are some of our Christmas traditions and "must-dos" (aside from the norm):

1.) Bake a Jesus cake and sing "Happy Birthday" Christmas morning. We have decided Jesus' favorite cake is either Pineapple Upside-Down or Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting. A new tradition we are starting this year is making Tea Ring for our Jesus cake. Tea Ring is a recipe from my Great Grandma Kuertz. It's like a fancy cinanmon roll before it's sliced. It is WONDERFUL!

2.) Read about Jesus' birth in Luke

3.) Eat a slice of Jesus' cake pre-gift opening for breakfast. This is a birthday tradition that Josh's parents had for him growing up. They always ate a slice of birthday cake for breakfast. What a great excuse for 2 diabetics to get their sugar!

4.) Eating Christmas dinner with both of our families. We are fortunate that not only do our parents live in the same town, but they are friends! With Josh being an only child, and our extended family living out of town this tradition works out perfectly! It's hard to believe it will be our 9th annual Christmas dinner together... wow! Isn't that crazy that we started it when we were just dating in high school??? We all knew Josh and I would get married and this would be a long-lasting tradition!

5.) Participate in Operation Christmas Child http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ and/or Feed My Starving Children http://www.fmsc.org/

6.) Go downtown a few weeks before Christmas to see the window displays, Christmas tree at Daley Plaza, and eat brats at http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/, shop at the stores on State Street, and sip our coffee/ cider while reading books and magazines at Borders. (This is us 2 years ago in Chicago for Christmas!)

7.) Have a baking day! A chance for me to sport a few of my aprons... one handmade by Cindy;-)

8.) Drive around the neighborhood to see the lights!

9.) Enjoy a Christmas production of somesort.

10.) Make a Christmas craft (A few years ago I made the "SNOW" frames)

Baby Update: 15 Weeks

15.2 Weeks already! Time is flying, and in just one month we might be able to find out the sex of the baby! I feel great, with absolutely NO morning sickness!! Josh and I are VERY excited to meet this little one that has been treating mama so well.

Baby Update: 14 Weeks

Hello 2nd trimester! I am so excited to be entering the next "phase" of my pregnancy. I am feeling great, with occasional morning sickness. Here is this week's picture:

Baby Update: 13 Weeks

Next week at this time I will be heading into my 2nd trimester... and I can't wait! They say this is the honeymoon of the pregnancy, although I've felt excellent this whole time. Morning sickness hits from time to time, but preggie pops, seabands, Quesy Mama's Tea, and peppermint altoids seem to help greatly! I am very fortunate. Praise God that the baby is healthy and that I have been feeling great.

Healthy & Yummy Enchiladas

So my hubby LOVES enchiladas. I was never too impressed with the canned enchilada sauce...too salty and not enough flavor. Last week I went to a fiesta with some girlfriends and one of the girls made yummy enchiladas. And guess what? I loved them! So fresh and healthy...just what I like:o)

So here's the "recipe":
-Brown ground turkey, drain fat
-add paprika, cumin, cheyenne pepper, chili powder (I add a TON of this!)
-slice large carrots with a peeler into the ground turkey (one was enough for me)
-drain and rinse one can of black beans (or kidney if you have that one hand) then add to turkey
-add spinach to turkey (I sliced up fresh, you could also use spinach... as much as you'd like)
-add white or red onion
-stir over low heat
-fill soft tacos with about 1/2 cup of turkey mixture, roll up and place in 9 x11 dish (I used multi-grain tacos)
-spread a thin layer of salsa on each enchilada and sprinkle cheese on top
-squeeze lime on top for fresh zest

bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes
Serve with Spanish rice, sour cream on top, and fresh salsa (diced tomatoes, cilantro, onion, lime juice)


After eating these, I can now say that I love enchiladas!
I hope you enjoy too!

What are your favorite Mexican recipes?

Week 12

Yes! I've made it to week 12! Almost onto my 2nd trimester... Praise God! We had our 12 week appointment yesterday and the doctor couldn't find the baby's heart beat, so we got to get an ultrasound. The baby was wiggling like crazy!!! It was so exciting to see:-) This week I am feeling more morning sickness that I have in other weeks. Everyday before lunch I feel nausious, but I know that just means that everything is going well! This week I haven't had any cravings or any other symptoms other than falling asleep right away at night (8:00).

The baby is the size of a lime!

Baby Update: 11 Weeks

I'm pretty sure the baby is going through a big growth spurt this week. I was very hungry Wednesday-Friday and couldn't seem to eat enough! I was also feeling mild growing pains and can tell baby is growing. My pants are starting to feel a little snugger, but still fit in them... now I just don't need a belt.

I am still so blessed to be feeling great. At times I feel nausious when I have an empty stomach (most of the time it isn't in the morning though) and when I smell something gross!

Please pray for the development and health of our baby!

Thank you!

Easy recipes, Fall Decorations, Baby Update

I just love being a wife! One of my favorite things to do for Josh is cook and bake for him!! I was invited to a Fiesta Potluck and thought I'd try out my recipe before I go in a few weeks. This recipe is from my mom, she made it all the time when I was a kid. It is SO easy and yummy!!

*Dorito Taco Salad*

-Salad (I used a bag of romaine salad mix)
-Taco Seasoned Ground beef or turkey (I make my own seasoning: cumin, paprika, garlic powder, red pepper, and chilli powder)

-Crunched up doritos

-Sweet & Sour Dressing

-You can add onions, olives, sour cream, tomatoes or anything else that you prefer on a mexican salad!

The hardest part is not eating the bag of doritos...

*Apple Cider*

I was shocked the other day when I went to Wal-mart and saw that there "fancy" apple cider was $4.00/gallon!! I decided to spoof up my generic apple "cider" and make it rich with flavor!

This is another "recipe" from my mom. She always makes it on Christmas and it makes the house smell amazing!!!

-One container of generic apple cider

-whole cloves

- cinnamon (or cinnamon sticks if you have one)

-pumpkin pie seasoning

-nutmeg

-caramel syrup

-Bring to a boil... not only does it taste good but makes the whole house smell festive! Sorry but I rarely use measurements. I just eye-ball it and taste test & add more if needed! If I were to guess at the amounts I'd say maybe 2 tsp of each ingredient.

When you come to our home, you can always tell what season it is. I LOVE Decorating...

*Our foyer ledge*

As most of you know, I LOVE a good deal! This sign was a few dollars ($7) from Burlington Coat Factory. The leaf garland was from Deals ($1).

Apparently, Charlie thought I was taking a picture of him he quickly ran over to the fireplace to get in the picture...:-)

-Mirror from Goodwill ($3)

-Bat tag from a gift bag from a student.. great way to dress it up!

Lil Pumpkin Update:

I am 10w 4d! I still feel great... although I am tired. Baby is growing and is now the size of a Kumquiat. Whatever that is! That is the size in the book, but in other words Pumpkin is 1 3/4 inch big.

Little Pumpkin is Growing!

Today I am 9 weeks and 3 days! (Yes I am including days!)
Symptoms up to this point:

• I am so blessed... I feel great! Almost as if I wasn't even pregnant!
• A tad bit nausious at times. I had it more week 5 &6.
• Sleepy at night...bedtime is at 7:30. I also napped today because I was so tired.
• Not the best complexion
• Growing pains upon standing after awhile
• Random cravings... From practically conception until week 6 I CRAVED garlic pickles! I ate an entire jar before I even found out I was pregnant. Then it all made sense!! Week 8 I craved and gave into Taco Bell. I turned down On the Border for a soft taco and Nacho Bell Grande. That will NOT happen again! Last Wednesday I craved and gave into Rosati's sausage pizza (Thank goodness my GF Jessi helped me eat this, or else I would've eaten it all!) Last night I was craving Verdi champagne... and NO I didn't give in, but settled for a Sierra Mist which was yummy. (Strange because I NEVER drink pop!!) Today I have been craving fruit: big purple grapes and apples with carmel dip! Probably my most healthy craving yet!
• I have been so moody! Poor Josh...

I can tell my little pumpkin is growing! I can feel my abdomen swelling! I can't wait to feel the baby kick!!

With God...ALL things are POSSIBLE!!!

My whole life changed the morning before my birthday. It was Labor Day, 7:00a.m and I was laying in bed, thinking what I had been thinking for the last 2 weeks... where the heck is my period?!?! I decided to take a pregnancy test, because I didn't know what else to do. I decided to clip my nails as I waited patiently (in the past I was shaking with excitement to see what it read, but I recently found out the chances of us getting pregnant was nearly impossible so I was totally anticipating a negative.) I gave in early and glanced over 10 seconds later at the test, I saw that it said PREGNANT! I couldn't even believe my eyes!!! I instantly starting screaming, shaking, and laughing... it was all so surreal. Josh who was still asleep, jumps out of bed saying "NO WAY, NO WAY!!!" I told him to test with another brand to make sure it was accurate (even though I knew you can't get false negatives). Instantly it read POSITIVE!!!

We couldn't how good God was!! We were so excited and our entire perspective changed. I reflected on moments over the past month of what God had been teaching me, and how He used a translator in Haiti, and a girl in Arkansas that I don't even know to give me faith for children.

The first "messanger" was a 26-year old, Haitian man named "Emmanuel". He is one of the most God-focused men that I have ever meant, and considering what he has all been through with the earthquake, it's truly a testimony. This man knows God's Word so well, he practically has it memorized (they don't have modern technologies to distract them... it's awesome!) He asked me if I have children, I briefly told him our situation and he looked at me and said that I need to have faith and say that I WILL have children. He then told me that the next time I come to Haiti, I will bring my children. I was thinking he was just being sweet, and clearly didn't understand the situation Josh and I were in. He reminded me of women in the Bible who were barren and God preformed a miracle and they had children. The next day Emmanuel wrote me a long prayer letter, asking God to bless me with children. He ended his letter with "By the grace of God, I will get to meet my children, and my children's children." It was really cool!

The second "messanger" is a women whose blog I follow. Her story is such an inspiration. Her and her husband struggled for years to have children. God blessed them with a miracle- a healthy baby girl who is now 2. She found out early this summer that they are pregnant again. On her blog she mentions that she is praying for all the women reading her blog who are still waiting for their baby, and couples who have struggled to conceive. She left her readers with this verse "With God ALL things are possible" and told me (I felt like she was talking directly to me!) that the verse in context is referring to people who struggle with fertility. For the next few weeks, I kept thinking about this and little did I know... God was knitting what the world says is "impossible" POSSIBLE... my little baby miracle!!!

So, I end this way...To all sceptics out there: This story is living proof that ALL things are possible with God! May this blog be an encouragement and a blessing to you!!

*** More Baby Updates to COME!!

P.S. This picture is so embarrasing... totally like me to have something on my shirt! Yes, I do realize I am not showing yet... these are the "before" pictures!

Brand New Pencils, Brand New Books...

Anyone read that book by Diane DeGroat? A must read for young ones on the first day!

So aside from brand new pencils & books, today my wonderful SMARTBoard was installed! It was a pleasant surprise getting it installed before school starts tomorrow. I'm so HAPPY:-) I can't wait to fiddle with it and figure it out!

Wow...It is so hard to believe that tomorrow is the first day of school! I can honestly say that this summer has been so fulfilling and the perfect length. I was able to do so much (oh, how I LOVE having summers off!!) Last year at this time, I was just hired (2 days before school started to be exact) it was such a blessing and I was so excited, but stressed with preparations and everything. The start of this year has been so much more refreshing. I have been able to actually get organized in my room. I didn't show anyone my cabinets last year... because I stuffed and fluffed:-) This year in my room I have a monkey theme going. I made two, large 3-D trees in my room that are AWESOME!! I will try to upload a video of my room.

Tomorrow is an exciting day at North Grove. We invite parents to come to the school with their child, sort of Open House style. It's an awesome way to establish a strong parent-teacher connection, literally from day 1. We only have school til 11:30. Thursday will mark our first day of full day. I can't wait to meet my new little monkeys and put a face with the name!

Thanks for listening to my spaghetti tonight (jumping from one noodle to the next like normal)
To all you teachers out there... let's make this year the BEST it can be for our kids!!
Good night!

Reflections from Haiti- July 26th-July 27th

Monday and Tuesday of our trip was spent at King's Garden Orphanage. It was great to see the same smiling faces as last year, with some new ones too! We spent the morning getting to know the kids and talking to them. We had a large group time with the kids where we sang songs: "Love the Lord Your God", "Every Move I Make", "I am Free", and "Lord I Lift Your Name on High". Afterwards we played "Sharks and Minos" with the kids. Josh always does a great job with the kids. He gets down on the ground and plays with them... a big kid! We grouped the kids based on age/ gender for rotations: 1.) art- where they made journals and wrote letters to kids at our church. This is what I was incharge of. 2.) teambuilding- cup game, high rope, and other teambuilding activities. This is what Josh was incharge of. 3.) sports/ games

In the afternoon the older girls did a study on Ruth. They painted nails, made friendship bracelets, hairties, and just had fun! The older boys studied David and played sports. The young kids learned about Jonah and made fish out of paper plates, and bead necklaces with ocean beads (Josh and I were in this group). We also played limbo with our group. I'll let the pictures speak for themself...