Go away already...

Where is spring you ask? I can tell you that it's NOT in Minnesota... Although, if you lived here you just might THINK (for a minute) it was spring when you saw the weather forecast. I'll admit, we've had a warm up, and yes, it has been nice. We might even get up to 40 today (We haven't hit the 40 mark since Dec 1st). But I am quickly reminded that it is NOT spring, and that winter is NOT over when I look out my window and still see a 3-4 foot pile of snow in my front yard. GO AWAY ALREADY! It's trying to at least... We've been "thawing", as they call it here, for several days in a row now but when you begin with a solid 4-5 feet of snow everywhere it takes a while.

Chloe is also ready for the snow to be gone... No snow means more walks for her! This weekend we were able to take her both days. Her paws are now a slight grey color from trudging through all of the muck that snow leaves behind... When we got back from our walk on Sunday we were standing in the driveway trying to break up ice chunks (there should be a special tool for this) when James says, "Well, I guess this is good enough...unless you want to have a snow ball fight." Um... No thanks James. When I look over at him he's already got a snow ball in his hands and he proceeds to throw it... Not at me...at Carson! haha Don't worry...it was a loose snowball and he didn't throw it hard. James starts laughing and says, "There, Carson just got hit with his first snowball!" Carson and I are both hoping that's the last snow ball he sees for a while...Maybe next winter we'll be living somewhere too warm for March snowballs?

Cheap Eats

This weekend James and I sat down and discussed money and budgets, yet again. He’s had our monthly budget on a spreadsheet for the last two months. Every swipe of the card has to be recorded, YIKES! It’s amazing how fast little $5-10 purchases add up. I was not AT ALL excited about this budget when James first told me about it but I have to admit (Yes James, I’m not afraid to admit you are right! Haha), but it’s definitely been an eye opening experience. I’ve become a lot more cautious about EVERYTHING that I buy, and I’m sure I’ve spent a lot less lately because of it. Yesterday during our discussion James asked me if I ever thought about making our own baby food. Well, honestly no I had not. We aren’t really the hippy, go green, organic eating type…So I just never thought about it. We did lots of research about it and we both decided that I might actually enjoy making Carson’s baby food! It’s easy, cheaper, and it has to be better for him considering all of the preservatives that are added to baby food.
I’m SO glad James had this idea because after doing lots of research about it I really think this is something I will love to do. As most of you know I love being in the kitchen, and since I will be at home anyways there is no reason why I can’t give it a try! James found me a great website (http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm )with lots of tips, recipes, and information that I will for sure be referring back to! Even if you are someone who isn’t staying home this would still be an easy task. All of the foods can be frozen for up to 6 months! It’s AMAZING how much money you can save by making your own baby food. Take a look at this chart to see for yourself (click chart to enlarge)...

So after seeing this we did a little price comparison ourselves. We looked at a Stage 1 package of Gerber bananas (40 oz.) at Target for about $10. If I made 40 oz. of bananas at home it would cost me under ONE DOLLAR. Crazy right? And, Carson would have the benefit of eating fresh fruits and veggies! You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, sounds nice but who wants to mess with that?" Well the recipes are so easy. For example: Here’s the applesauce recipe:

Apple Baby Food Recipes - Puréed Apples/Applesauce (4-6 months old)
Ingredients
Any amount of apples you desire - we recommend using 5-10 large apples (try Macintosh, Gala or Braeburn.)
Directions
1. Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
2. Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
3. Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir, That's It. Easy Peasy.
4. Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 - 7
5. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
6. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
7. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
8. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the
9. Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes.

Last night I found a baby food cookbook on Babies R Us' website that I added to our registry along with some food storage trays… I can’t wait to get started!!!

Just an FYI... James just asked me what I was writing about and when I told him he said, "Well did you give me the credit for coming up with the idea?" Yes James, all credit goes to you! haha He must be jealous he didn't think of the curtain in the closet idea...

The Closet Debacle

Luckily, Carson's room is equipped with a large walk-in closet. If it wasn't for this closet we would honestly have NO WHERE to put our junk. For the last two years it's nearly been packed full of stuff that didn't have any other place to go. I bet in the two years we've lived here I have cleaned that closet out at least 10 times. Each time getting a car load of stuff for Goodwill. So you're probably thinking...the closet has got to be about empty right? Well... Not hardly. I have however seemed to make space for some of Carson's things. The closet is kind of a strange square shape with a long shelf in the back and two small shelves on the left and right when you walk in. The other night while trying to fall asleep I come up with a fabulous idea: If I can get all of our junk against the back wall maybe I can hang a curtain in front of the back side to close-off our mess, so that Carson can have the left and right sides all for himself. I ponder the idea for a few days before bringing it up to James because I knew he wouldn't be excited about this project, mainly because he'd be the one doing it. Yesterday while at Target I bought a cheap curtain rod for $4 and decided we were going to give it a try. I had an old set of cheap tan curtains that were here when we bought the place that I figured would work perfectly. So basically I'm thinking for $4 we can make this closet look MUCH more organized....

Over a lovely Friday night frozen pizza dinner I told James I had a project for us to do. He was thrilled. haha When I finished explaining he thought I was crazy. "Why would you hang a curtain in the closet? It's a closet, it's supposed to be full of stuff. Carson isn't going to care what it looks like. It's not like we are going to be living here forever, why does it matter what it looks like." Then he finishes off with a bold statement, "I mean, that's just ignorant." Ok... First of all, ignorant is a strong word, and who uses it anyways? haha I explained to James that word wasn't really necessary so he then just referred to the idea as "stupid" much nicer I guess? haha SO, luckily for him my mind was already made up. A curtain was going to be hanging in the closet, even if the pregnant lady had to do it herself. Of course James is too sweet of a guy and loves me WAY too much to say no. He marches up there and hangs the dang rod...thinking I'm crazy the whole time. My idea worked perfectly, of course! It turned out just like I envisioned and it doesn't look "ignorant" James. I'm pretty sure he would agree that it looks SO much nicer in there but he'd never admit it :) Of course I took a couple pictures to show you our handy work.
Here's the closet without the curtain...



And with the curtain...


Yes, a HUGE improvement! I gave James another little project today... We added another little shelf to one side for some more storage. We're ready for more stuff! haha

As requested...

I've told a few people I'd post a new belly picture so here it is :)
26 Week and 3 Days... It's getting bigger every week! It's hard to believe how much it's grown just in the last two weeks! I'm going to get HUGE!

I'll settle for a slow down...

The next couple of weeks in the Harper house are going to be a little slow. Good thing, or bad? I guess a little of both. We have SUCH an exciting March, April, and May coming up that these next two weeks leading up to it are going to be a little slow... We have our next doctors appointment March 9th so until then we've pretty much got nothing going on. Except for NOT spending money, as James would say. haha So basically we're just "taking it easy" and being lazy. I suppose all of you are probably thinking, "You better enjoy it while you can!" haha This is true I know,and we will enjoy it I'm sure :) Coming up in March I also have a lot of days off work which I am totally looking forward to. As most of you know I will not be coming back to work after Carson is born so I'm having this whole "senioritis" thing with work right now. It's like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I just wish I could reach it already! haha
Check out our exciting plans for March & April:
March 9th- 28 week check-up AND ultrasound! Yay :)
March 18th- I leave for Kentucky!
March 20th- Baby Shower in Owensboro!!!
March 21st- Baby Shower in Owensboro!!!
March 22nd- Heading back to Minnesota (another day off work! yay!)
March 27th & 28th- Birth & Parenting Class (SO excited about this!)
April 1st- We leave for Kentucky again!
April 3rd- Baby Shower in Benton!!!
April 4th, or 5th (not sure yet)- Heading back to Minnesota
April 6th or so we'll be heading back to the doctor for our 32 week check-up!!
April 19th- Breastfeeding class (James is SO excited about this!) haha
And by then Carson will only be about 6 weeks away... Ohmygosh! We JUST can't wait!!

I've also starting working on finding a pediatrician for our little man. I know this is important to do BEFORE Carson gets here so I've been asking around. I got a good reference but I need to call my doctor and see if they usually refer their patients anywhere. I've read in my books that you should "interview" your potential pediatricians... Do people really do this? Anyone have any advice on the matter? Things I should make sure the doctor does, doesn't do, etc?

Carson will be here in 100 days!!

Really? Only 100 more days until our lives change forever? I've never been SO ready for anything before in my life, except marrying the man of my dreams of course! I have spent COUNTLESS hours imagining what he will look like, smell like, and feel like in my arms! He’s going to be SO sweet! I've thought about bath time, reading stories, going for walks, meeting Daddy for lunch, visiting family and friends, and waking up every day to see his smiling face! On the other hand I have spent lots of time also thinking about how little sleep we’re going to get, the pains of labor, the first time he gets sick, and hearing him cry and not knowing what to do...yikes! These are definitely scary thoughts but just like every other Mom and Dad out there… we’ll make it through, and figure it out I'm sure!

Carson is moving around like CRAZY lately! A couple nights ago we were laying in bed and I told James he should try to hear Carson's heartbeat again...So he proceeds to put his ear on my belly and we're sitting there in complete silence and James says, "I can't hear anything...he's kicking me in the face!" hahaha It was so funny!! So, needless to say he still hasn't heard the little heartbeat himself. Last night I got in bed about 30 minutes before James and for about 30 minutes I laid there while Carson was moving ALL over the place. It was like I could feel him rolling around or something. With my hands on my belly I could tell that I was feeling his back, or head, or bottom, or something pretty solid and big that was moving! It definitely wasn't a little hand or foot! It was the neatest feeling ever :)

I'm thinking that the next 100 days are going to get a little uncomfortable. I am really starting to feel the "uncomfortableness" of having a belly. Turning over in bed has become a chore, and I'm already getting tired of my kiddos at school asking me to bend over and tie their shoes! This week I started making them put their shoe up in a chair so I don't have as far to bend! haha

Here's a funny story that's sure to make you smile :) For those of you that don't know my nephew Parker he is HILARIOUS. The little guy says the funniest things. Well, we've been telling him all about Carson and how much fun it will be when he gets here. Granny and Pops have told him that he'll get to play with him and teach him things. The other day when they said something about being excited for Carson to get here Parker says, "When he gets here I'm going to put him in the trash can and close the lid." Lovely. haha What can I say....It's been all about Parker for the last three years, why would he want that to change? haha Just the other night my mom said they were in the car going somewhere when Parker said he was going to be nice to Carson and that he was going to give him "gentle hugs". He's so cute! I know when he does get to meet Carson he will love him just as much as we do :) Although...maybe at that first meeting I should keep an extra close eye on Parker, Carson, and the trashcan. haha

Some good news and some sad news....

Good news first:
Today I had my 3 hour glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes and.... No diabetes for me! WooHoo! I have to admit I was a little nervous about the results :) But it's now safe to say that both Mommy and Carson are perfectly healthy!

Sad news:
We found out last night that our neighbors are moving :( We are SUPER excited for them because they have just been dying to get out of their little townhouse, as are we, but we are going to be SOOO sad to see them go! Luckily... they aren't moving too far away (just a couple miles down the road)but we will miss having them right across the street! They are going to be breaking ground soon and should be able to move in not too long after Carson gets here! We had this whole plan worked out where we were going to give them an extra set of baby monitors, and if they heard us crying they needed to come running! haha Do they make baby monitors that work a few miles away? We do look forward to bringing our little man over to their NEW place to visit :) It will be here before we know it!!!!