...aaaand, I'm back...

Well folks, due to popular demand (actually just the gentle encouragement of one, plus really wanting an excuse to try out recipe ideas I've had) I'm back! I don't really have the time or space to fill you in on all that happened during the brief- ahem, almost seven month- break in blogging; so instead of picking up where I left off, I'll just pick up now, today. Most important: Eleanor was added to our family! I went into labor with her on my due date, and she was born the next day, November 25th, which really redeemed that weekend. She is happy, a good sleeper, a big eater, and a chatty gal. We love her dearly. I hope to post pictures of the nursery soon, as well as imporvements we have made elsewhere in the house. Also, I have been wanting to write a post on my system for cloth diapers since I started this blog, so maybe I'll get around to that one of these days. And, of course, recipes. Apparently it is even more difficult to eat out with two children than it was with one, which is great because it gives me a reason to make good food at home. Thanks for sticking with me in the absence. It feels good to be back.

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...

Test Test

a blog drama update

If you read my last post you may know that I am having a little, ahem, storage problem with my blog. As it turns out, Blogger has been keeping track of my (almost 800) photos that I've downloaded to this blog, and they are about to cut me off if I don't start financially compensating them.

Paying to blog seems really ridiculous to me, but I also don't want to have to put ads on my blog to make up for it.... Fellow bloggers: any suggestions?

Until my little dilemma is solved I will leave you with the very last photo I am allowed to download (I currently have used 99.9% of my storage, and this picture rounds it out to an even hundred).

This picture was taken when I was 21 weeks, and I am currently about 23. I feel huge now, but I know I will look back on this picture in about a month and laugh at myself for saying that... The best part of this picture (aside from James unzipping his PJs to show off his own belly) is the fact that when I asked Lane to take the picture all I said was "Hey, hun, would you mind taking a belly shot real quick?" He instantly replied "tequila or whiskey?" It took me a second to catch on, but as soon as I realized the way I had phrased the question I couldn't stop giggling.

Around this time last year: these cookies... yum!

stay tuned

Well dear followers of my blog, I have tried to post a few times in the last week, but with no success (obviously).
Although I hate to complain (but I will anyway) the "blogger" website I use has been giving me some issues lately, including this last time telling me that I have exceeded my limit of photos, and cannot upload any more to use on my posts. Which stinks because, lets be honest, you all read my blog so you can see pictures of the cute kid. Anyway, I may have to change cyber locations, or (even scarier) learn a little more about computers and this world wide web you kids are always talking about.

Thanks for sticking with me and hopefully I will be back to blogging soon... complete with color photos!

two

James turned two.

We had the big family party at our house for James, my cousins, and their son who was born just about a week after James.

I kind of did a construction theme, since James is super into "diggies" right now. We had plastic hard hats for James and his cousins to wear, but James made sure Lane wore one while he used his drill to hang up a mirror before the party began.

I also made a diggie cake using this cake recipe, simple frosting (powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla), and crushed Oreos for the "dirt."

James didn't quite understand that he was supposed to blow out the candles. He just wanted to eat the cake and play with those diggies.

I can't believe my baby boy is two! Wasn't it just the other day that he turned one?

fifty yard line

We've made it half way! As of yesterday, I am 20 weeks along with our next bundle of joy.

Truth be told, this pregnancy already feels longer than the first one. I'm not sure if it's because I was working full time and finishing my degree full time during my last pregnancy, or because now that I fully understand the joy of being a mother that I can't wait to meet our little Eleanor.

At any rate, we know that our little family won't just be the three of us (pictured here at the Corbett Fourth of July Parade) for long, so we need to soak up this special time we have.

This time a year ago: Happy Birthday America AND Happy Birthday Mom!

my maternity must-haves

In no particular order:

1. egg-less chocolate chip cookies (obviously, so I can eat the dough)...

...and a good helper who is just as enthusiastic.

2. really good pickles. My favorite are Carnegie Deli Kosher spears from Costco.

3. good moisturizers. I love anything from Burt's Bees, especially their Mama Bee line and Baby Bee line for James. I still believe that my lack of tummy stretch marks is thanks to Burt's Belly Butter. Now, if I had only known to put it on my legs...

4. pregnancy books. The Complete Organic Pregnancy is a good one if you don't scare easily (example: if you are not easily swayed into getting your wall paint and carpet tested for hazardous chemicals, even though the book insists that you should); but my ultimate favorite is The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, which gives a very laid back, informal look at all things to do with pregnancy. It is so good that I loaned it to a girlfriend about two years ago, and still haven't gotten it back (I'm lookin' at you, Becca Hamm!).

5. naps

6. a sense of humor

What about all the other Moms or Moms-to-be? What can you not live without while pregnant?

PS Thanks to my Fairy Blog-mother who has, once again, made my blog way cooler than I ever could, even though she is most likely very busy being a newly wed and blogging daily at her very own url. Thanks Jen (ahem, Mrs. Posford)!!!

This time, a year ago