Last Day of August

I had gone to lay down and rest one evening early. That lasted about two minutes before I had company.

I thought August would drag by, but I am sitting here amazed that it is the last day of the month already.

We've kept busy trying to see friends, run errands, start homepreschool and generally get ready for the new family member. I've been cooking up a storm so that we have food to eat after the baby arrives. Sweetheart really doesn't cook unless fire is involved. So I've made up a bunch of stuff that just needs to be baked/reheated and bought a bunch of meat for him to grill.

I've been doing some of the work over several days unlike last time when I had my Mom over and we did a cooking frenzy all in one day. I just don't have the energy for that right now. Plus, this house isn't as conducive to that sort of thing. Making dinner for the eight of us in my Bunco group that met here last week was enough for one day! This week my focus is on trying to bake as much as I can to freeze. I want to have enough bread and other stuff like muffins and banana bread to make meals easy.

I am planning on making and freezing a bunch of my easy quiches, but am struggling to find eggs. All the local ladies that sell them are swamped because of the salmonella scare. Even the stores around here are out. I am on three waiting lists, so I will probably have more eggs than I can cook at the end of the week!

In other news: I am excited to announce that my cousin had her baby yesterday- a little girl--Eleanor Grace, named for our Grandmother. I am so happy for her and glad to hear all is well! (Must admit to wishing I had had our baby yesterday. I would really like to have this baby.)

I am also asking for prayer for two friends. Bonnie, a virtual friend and loooong time reader, is due soon , but the baby is footling breech. I am praying that baby will turn asap. Also, I have mentioned before my friend Wendy who has been battling breast cancer. She finished her chemo two weeks ago and is scheduled for a double mastectomy today. Please pray for her and her family.

BTW-The baby's due date is September 11th so we are down to the final weeks. Here's to hoping this one is closer to being born on time.

Take Joy!

Just saw a reminder about Tasha Tudor Day this Saturday. We'll have to see what we can come up with this time. Visit Storybook Woods for more info. Thanks Brenda for the reminder!

Fleeting Summer Days

Today's Project

I love how the trees here dapple the light. It is so lovely.

This idea for a large bulletin board is just what I've been looking for! I love google. I had been looking on craigslist for a used one, but they were still too expensive or too far away. The camouflage fabric is so not us, but we'll head to the fabric store and find something.

I wasn't really planning to start more directed learning with Pumpkin until the baby arrives and we settle into life with that, but he is more than ready RIGHT NOW and wants to learn everything TODAY. :) I'll post pictures when I get it all together. (Ok, when will that happen? Luckily, I am just talking about the bulletin board.)

I finished up all my sewing of baby things and used up all my flannel. I made about 10 washcloths, 6 cloth diaper burp rags with flannel decor, and a bunch of all flannel burp cloths, and three blankets. LOVING the softness of it all. So does Dumpling. He's got a little square of the flannel he loves to rub on his cheek and play with. Of course, then Pumpkin wanted one. He's not as tactile as Dumpling so his square has become a car cover for the lego convertible he made.

Tomorrow night is my home visit with the midwives. I was hoping to have the nursery all set up, but it hasn't worked out. The crib I was going to borrow ended up not happening. Back to craigslist! I should be able to get most of the things I am planning to borrow when my Bunco group comes over next week. Crazy, I know, but I will keep it all realllly simple.

Plus, I may get company tomorrow as my Dad and Stepmom may be coming through town to see us. I hope so! I miss them.

And, I was able to make plans to meet up with Janna next Friday. We haven't been able to get together due to moves and babies. Her having a baby while I was moving and now her moving while I am having a baby just have complicated it all. I am looking forward to meeting her little Beth.

Pumpkin and Dumpling are finishing up breakfast as I type. Pumpkin asked for some Banana Dippers. I had to ask what he was talking about. He said, "Get some yogurt and honey and raisins and cut up some bananas and you dip it." No problem, we've got all that. So I mixed it all up for he and he is over there, "Mmm! That's good stuff!" Sounds good to me.

Now here is Dumpling wanting some. I love that they love good food. Reality check- Pumpkin ate his while wearing the Krispy Kreme hat he got yesterday from the donut store. It's not all perfect. ;)

Yesterday's Work

I spent moments yesterday in between the usual things cutting and pinning and sewing stuff for the baby. The pile in the center picture is all I completed. One blanket, four flannel burp cloths, four decorated diaper/burper cloths, and a pile of flannel/terry wipes. Here's to hoping the rose pattern shown on the bottom right can see some use and not end up all as gifts. :) The farm and ducky prints are pretty gender neutral, the roses not so much! It was a fun day even if the laundry, dishes and baking didn't get finished...

Bittersweet Time

I have been working in the baby's room this week. Trying to discover what I have, what I need, and how to arrange it all in this new space. Smiles and tears flow as I finger all the little things. I have come across several things that were given to me while pregnant with Jimmy.

They've sat boxed up waiting. Now is the time and yet I find it hard to know what to do with some of them. So many hopes and dreams were lost then. I know, each child is a different child and each pregnancy and birth their own events, but it is still hard.

I found the laboring verses cards I made while pregnant with Dumpling yesterday. Guess it is time to be reading them again and renew my mind with His Word. Worry comes more naturally for me. Slow learner, I guess. The cards themselves are a bit worn on the edges, so I may rewrite them. Rewriting things helps me to remember them better anyway.

I am going tonight to gather up some things we need to have on hand for the birth and the first few weeks. Though both Pumpkin and Dumpling were late, I feel more at ease when I am prepared.

I was given a list of things from midwife to have on hand and know that I need things like diapers as well. Some things have simply worn out from use. Other things are packed and will be borrowed from friends. I sent out an email and have friends that have all I was looking for. Blessings indeed.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week. Thanks for stopping by.