Due Date

It's hard to believe today is here.  April 17th seemed so far away when we first discussed it.  And now, the day has come.  I'm pretty sure it will go too without any big news.  But it does mark someone's arrival coming very soon (any time!).  At this point, I'm trying to just enjoy today as an ordinary day.  The good news is that we won't have to wait much longer.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Yesterday was my first ever professional manicure, and it was quite fun!

I had a hard time deciding which color to pick.  I normally go with safe, which for me is in the shades of pinks and reds.  The color I picked was Hot, Hot, Hot Pink.  I think it should have been named Hot, Hot, Hot Mama!  :)  I didn't realize it until my nails were painted that this is the perfect color for someone expecting a little girl at any time.

I keep looking at them, which could be dangerous when driving, but they're just so shiney and pretty.  I kind of don't want to do anything with my hands now... including peel my orange at lunch ... for fear of messing them up.

Jeri organized a get together for the sisters to go out before the baby comes.  It's a tradition.  Sadly, Jeanie couldn't make it because she wasn't feeling well.  But we've decided that just gives us the excuse to go again ... maybe when I need a little me time in a month or so after the baby comes.

Don't you love Jeri and Jodi's colors below?  A brown color and a sparkly purple.  Very mod and cool.  Sometime, maybe I'll be brave enough to try one of these colors too.

Can you guess where I've been?

I had a great time out the other day just running a few errands.  Come with me, and let's see if you can guess where I went...

Above: Did you know there are entire magazines devoted to aprons? 

And they're so pretty.  I loved this one called "lemonade days." 

Above:  There are also magazines devoted entirely for scrapbooking.  This one was all about Cricket. I think I could really get into the Cricket machine, but I'm not sure I want to invest in all of the extras you have to buy to use it.  Still, it is super cool what all you can make with it. 

Above: This magazine is what brought me to this location.  The Hubs mentioned that he saw it online and would really like to read it.  I wanted to get some fun things for him incase we're at the hospital for a while before the little one arrives. 

Can you guess where I am?

Answer: Barnes & Noble

I love going to the magazine section.  

It was one of the things the hubs and I would do on a date night.  

Above: I love the colors of the dishes in this display.  Aren't they beautiful? 

Above: I also love the dishes above.  They have the most beautiful shades blues and greens.  If only I had more blow money.  I think one of each of these would have made it home with me that day.

Can you guess where I am?

Answer: Crate & Barrel

 

Above: Is this not the cutest girl room and play things? I love the butterfly mobile and all of the great kitchen toys.  Needless to say, I rarely visit this store or at this point, I don't even get the magazine.  It's all too tempting right now and a bit high on the price.  But it sure is pretty.

Can you guess where I am?

Answer: Pottery Barn Kids

Above: It's tradition to make these sour cream sugar cookies each Easter.  I forgot to take a picture once they're decorated, but here's a link to finished cookies from a previous Easter.  I decided to take it easy this year, and I only made one batch.  That is taking it easy because I've been known to make triple batches before to share with everyone.   

Can you guess where I am?

Answer: Home!

Most days, I don't stay out very long.  I just don't have the energy and simple tasks seem to take more time. But that's okay. There's a little one baking in the oven, and she should be ready any time!  I'm 39 weeks today and very ready to meet her.  

Speaking of baking, here's the sugar cookie recipe I use.  

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

3 1/4 c. sifted flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. soft butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 t. vanilla

1/2 c. sour cream

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Sift flour, soda and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Add sour cream. Gradually, add flour mixture while beating. Chill. Roll to 1/4" thickness. Bake 10 to 12 minutes on cookie sheet.

** Two things I have learned that help to make this delicious.  Use the bigger cookie cutters to get nice, big cookies. Do NOT roll out the dough thinner than the 1/4" thickness.  They are better a little thicker.

Icing

Ingredients:

2 c. sifted confectioner's sugar

1/2 c. butter

1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 T. milk


Directions:
Cream sugar, butter and vanilla. Add a small amount of milk (1 to 2 tablespoons).  If frosting is too sweet or thick, add a little more milk.  

Baby Girl Nursery

I think one of my favorite things to post on my blog is "make overs" of our house.  With our baby due in less than two weeks, my attention has been on finishing the nursery.  I am really pleased with how it has turned out.  If I have the energy and drive, I might paint some of the furniture so it will match, but other than that, I believe it is pretty much as ready as possible for our little sweet one to move in.

Above: We painted the walls a light gray several months ago (even before we knew the sex of the baby).  I'm so glad we did because it allowed me to add a lot of color to the nursery without it being overwhelming.  The room is so cute and girly, but it is also still calm. 

Above:  I really wanted some sort of peg to hang a dress.  This little knob was the perfect find. The main colors of the nursery are pink and gray, but I love that they aren't the only colors in the room.

Above: I really had certain shelves with pegs in mind, but when I found these, I knew they would work out just right.  I love the verse on the cross, which says, "The Lord your God with be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9".  The little pink elephant is an old collectable that my grandma gave me when I was a girl.

Above: I love the mobile and matching sheets.  I should have made sure the sheets were in the pic.  The "Ellie" came from one of our showers and fits perfectly above the crib.  

Above: We're so thankful for a changing station.  I wasn't sure if it would fit in the room, but it is just right.  The little fabric flags were on a diaper cake at one of the showers.  

Above: The mobile is from a shower too and made by my sis-in-law.  Of course, these are the famous curtains that would never have been if a dear friend hadn't gone shopping for the fabric with me and one of sis-in-laws hadn't come over to make them with me.    Below is a quick pic of Jeri helping me make the curtains.  

It's hard to imagine that it won't be long, and we'll have a little girl to actually put into all of the adorable clothes that we've received.  Growing up, I loved to dress up.  I think our little girl will have a head start on when I began putting on dress up clothes for play on Saturdays. 

Above: We had so many amazing hand made things that I couldn't resist using them in the decorations.  The cards were made by dear friends that are on her pin board.  

I love that several if not all of these items on the walls can be used even when she's a little girl.  They aren't just for when she's a baby.  I found most of my great buys at Hobby Lobby, and thankfully, it was right when they were having a 50% off sale on this section in the store!

It's hard to believe we will soon be a family of three!  We can hardly wait, and yet, I still am having a hard time wrapping my mind around this life change just over the horizon.