So Sweet!!!

It's no secret, that this is our 3rd baby. In our family, we have 1 baby shower. For the first baby. After that, people are still happy for you. With each additional baby. But everyone feels like, now you know what to expect. You should have things from your previous babies to use. A little more on your feet. And your now a mommy, and know a little more about what's ahead.

I think this is a good thing. You celebrate with family, and get advise, the 1st time around. After that, people still bring gifts by. But it's a little more low key. I really like that. Our other babies are not loved less. It's just more low key.

So what happened yesterday, really surprised me! Lola has been in town. Her uncle past away over the weekend. But while the family has been trying to make arrangements, I've gotten to spend some much needed time, with my friend. Who has also been working on baby girl's nursery. :)

Yesterday, I had already agreed to be out of the house. So Lola could finish the nursery. I figured that, as a family, we'd get to see it complete after dinner. The girls and I, left early in the morning. Met my FIL for breakfast. And then we went shopping. About an hour into shopping, Lola called me. And asked if I could come home. I thought, oh no! What happened?

We headed home.When we got here, I was shocked! Lola and Lorenzo planned a "Baby Tea Party" for us! I'm pretty sure that I've said it before, but Mark's family owns a business. Lorenzo runs it. Mark, his brothers, and cousins all work for it. So they got to take the day off, with no problems. My MIL took the day off of work. As did Mr. and Mrs. S, lots of friends, and more family!

This was such a nice and unexpected surprise. It wasn't about the presents. But we really did appreciate those! All of them. :) It was about getting time with our family and friends. Seeing how happy they are, for us. Starting this new chapter, in our lives.



The food was plentiful. Something tells me, Lola spent all night cooking! This was definitely my favorite! If you haven't made it yet, run out and buy all the ingredients. It's super simple. And so delicious!

The day was perfect! Lots of food, friends, and family. An easy going day. Nothing too complicated. Lots of celebrating our baby girl. And our big girls too! And to top it all off, Lola and Lorenzo finished the nursery. Little did I know, it was finished the other night. When they came over, with a few friends. And let me tell you, it's beautiful!

Now I really can't wait for our baby girl to come! This is such a special time in our lives. And we have so many wonderful people, in our lives. We are blessed! Yesterday showed Mark and I, that we picked the perfect Godparents for our daughter. It was not about the gifts or party, but about the love, that they showered our family with! A

If Only I Had Time...

This is today's free crochet pattern, at Free Crochet. And I really like it! If only I had more time to make it. Something tells me, our baby girl is going to come, sooner rather than later! But I still printed out the pattern. Maybe tomorrow, I can convince my MIL to go to Wal-Mart with me. Can you just see it now? Me waddling through the yarn aisle! A

Little Duckies

I've been working on this blanket. And I've been an active part of Lola and Mander's Crochet Along. It's been a lot of fun. Keeps me motivated on my project. And I'm now hopeful, that by the time our daughter arrives, she'll have another cute blanket! What kind of projects are you working on? Is there something that I should try too? A

We Finally Picked One!!!!

A name!! Mark and I finally agreed on a name. With only a month before her arrival, it's nice to have a name picked for our baby girl! We decided to follow our past behavior, and to not tell anyone. :) Except Lola and Lorenzo. Because they are going to be our baby girl's Godparents. And well, they need to come up with a middle name! But we're excited!!!

And a little sad at the same time. Since we're 99% sure, that this is going to be our last pregnancy. We're trying to soak up all the little things. To not anticipate them. Rather, live in the moment. And enjoy everything! But in one month, at least our daughter will have a name!!! A

Our Inspiration

I don't think it's a shock, that I like purple, pink, and turquoise. I just adore these colors! In some way, I wanted to incorporate these colors into our daughter's nursery. I found inspiration here. In this fabric. In a more soothing, relaxing, and inviting color palette.



We've decided on lavender walls. White furniture. And Lola tells me, she's picked the perfect fabrics! I'm so excited to see them. :) But the nursery, will be off limits, until late March. Wow! But I trust my dear friend. I know, most of the nursery is going to be handmade. Many of the items going in, are going to be collected, over many different stores. I know, that Lola knows me well. And now, I'm feeling a sense of relief. We're going to be ready for our daughter's arrival! A

One More

I'm almost finished, with another blanket, for our baby girl. And I'm so excited about it! Do you like this one? I made it with lavender, grey, and white yarn. It's turning out really nice. And I only need a few more rows.



It's been so fun to crochet! To make our daughter, some special little gifts. Do you remember when I first started? I'm still pretty slow. But I've had almost a year, to work on these projects. And I think, I only need to make one more blanket. This one. Probably in a bright pink, purple, and white. Because Elena and Ofelia already have one. I don't want our new daughter, to feel left out! A

Nursery Ideas....

3 months from today, is my due date! Where has the time gone? I swear, this pregnancy is flying by! And we're not really ready. I've managed to get the girls' baby clothes out. And washed. For the most part. I've made a little list of things, that we're going to need. As our babies, have all been born in different seasons.

Mark and I, did manage to buy the carseat today. We are completely OK with using "hand me downs." Just not with the carseats and cribs. I think those need to be repurchased every time. For safety reasons.

But we're stuck on nursery ideas. Lola and Lorenzo are incredibly generous! They've offered to cover the expense, of our baby girl's nursery. Such amazing Godparents! Lola has helped me in the past. She could have been an amazing interior designer. She is just a natural at it! And she helped design Elena and Ofelia's nurseries. And now, their "big girl rooms!"

Ideas? I'm lost on those. For the nursery. And I need some! Soon! As Lola has a very busy schedule. And I'd like to give her some ideas. Before much more time goes by. I've been staying up late, looking through so many nursery websites. Do you have any ideas? For our baby girl's nursery?



Where not much into "matchy, matchy" things. We like that "collected over time" look much better. Mark and I want something that our daughter can grow with. So not too "babyish." No cartoons. Something simple, girly, and inviting. I'd love to hear your ideas! Please! A

We're Getting Old

I'm getting old. So is Mark. Just don't tell him! Why am I saying this? There was a time, when we'd have gone out. For New Year's. Spent the entire night, with family and friends. Dancing away. Celebrating the passing year. And the coming year.

Mark's brothers, with their wives, my siblings with their significant others, and a handful of friends. We'd go out. Find a good, and safe place to celebrate. Have the time of our lives! Dance until the sun came up. Then we'd all go out for breakfast.

If we were lucky, we'd head home for a 2 hour nap. Then to church. And a day full of family fun. Nowadays, we're homebodies. 100% On New Year's Eve, we had a little "dance party" with the girls. We've been doing this, since Elena's 1st New Year's. The girls stayed up later than usual. But we're still in bed, before 11pm.

Mark and I, stayed up to ring in the New Year. Low key. Yummy snacks, a good movie, then the "Ball Drop." I'm pretty sure, we were in bed, before 1am. Happy as can be! Us, and my big 'ol preggers belly. :)

Yesterday morning, was like pulling teeth! We almost didn't make it to church. Because we unexpectedly overslept. So did our daughters. You'd think, we partied all night! Both girls fell asleep in church. That never happens! We'll chalk it up, to all that dancing. :)

Then we went to my in-laws' house. If you haven't realized it by now, we spend a lot of time with them. I personally, love it! Mark's family is so close! And I think it's the perfect environment, for our daughters, to grow up in.

Since we woke up late, I didn't get my cooking done. But we had the groceries at home. Mark lugged them into his parents' house. Where I was going to do a little cooking. When my MIL told me to relax.

My SIL actually whipped up, my mashed potatoes, salad, and dessert. She is a sweetheart! While my BIL entertained the girls. Taking them on horse rides. While Mark, my other BIL, and FIL were working in the barn. I'm still not positive, what they were doing. But it was some "guy thing." That kept them, and all our nephews entertained!

Meanwhile, my MIL, SILs, and I spent the better part of the day, watching the Hallmark Channel. What else would you expect? We're addicted! I'm pretty sure, that I took a 2 hour nap. Sometime during our movie marathon. I just can't shake this exhaustion!



We eventually got it together. Later in the afternoon, many other family and friends came over. And we had the best dinner! My MIL is a genius in the kitchen. No lie! And we watched more Hallmark. As the guys caught up on their games.

Let me tell you, I'll take Hallmark, family, friends, and good food, over going out. Any day! This is the life! Even if, I seem to now, require 10 hours of sleep a day! And cry every 15 minutes, while watching Hallmark. Isn't that where the fun is? That and playing dolls with my girls! How was your New Year's? A

Love 21

Right around my last pregnancy, Forever 21 came out with a maternity line. Love 21. At the time, it wasn't too fabulous. I can't lie. But I did pick up some leggings. And a few tops. Pieces that got me through my last few weeks of pregnancy. Over the last year and a half, I've picked up so many more things!! I knew, that we'd be having more babies. And I just couldn't pass up the value.



During this pregnancy, I haven't spent a whole lot of money on my clothes. When I first found out I was pregnant, I headed to Forever 21 again. I stocked up, on a few more things. And to be honest, I have a lot of things, from my 2 previous pregnancies. :) I just wanted some more updated items. And a few pairs of jeans. You can't pass up $15 maternity jeans!!

But I've been pregnant at different times of the year. With Elena, at this time of year, I wasn't really showing. With Ofelia, I was ready to pop. At Christmas, I was as big as a house. This is posing a bit of a problem. Or it was....

Mark and I went to Las Vegas last week. And I needed some nicer clothes. Something much more dressy, than my leggings or jeans, with cute tops. But, knowing that I wasn't going to be needing them to last a long time, I didn't want to invest a lot of money.

I headed to Forever 21. And my little world was rocked!! One, I found some of the cutest dresses, tops, and bottoms. For dirt cheap!! They were all on clearance. Serious clearance!! I picked up, much more than I should have. But in the end, I didn't spend very much money. You've got to love Forever 21!! :)

Eventually, I made it up to the register. After stopping by the jewelry. :) It always tempts me!! When I got to talking to the cashier, she told me, they are discontinuing Love 21. Well, not really the name. It will be used for another line. But the maternity line. It should be out of the stores, before Christmas. So ladies, if you are expecting, or will be soon, go stock up. Immediately!! While the prices are great, and so is the supply. Because online, there is nothing left!! Not a thing!! A

For Our Baby

Yesterday, we shared with our family and friends, and you too, that we're expecting a baby girl! Honestly, we're thrilled! I always thought, in the back of Mark's mind, that he might want a little boy. But he honestly doesn't. He cried, when we saw her, for the first time. Every ultrasound picture we've gotten, he takes and frames them. Makes a copy, to put in his wallet. Yes, my husband is a "Girl Daddy." And he loves it!

I'm so excited too! I wasn't sure, how I'd handle a boy. I think it would be fun, and interesting, to have a son. I watch my BILs and my own brother, with their sons. It blows my mind, just how different girls and boys are. But I'm so excited, that we're having another girl. Our daughters, are over the moon! As much as a 3 and 1/2 year old, and 22 month old can be. :)



In the back of mind, over a year ago, I'd seen this pattern. Lola was making it. And I always hoped, that I'd have another daughter. And I'd learn to crochet. Just so I could make it for her! The first thing I did this morning, was print out this pattern. I have just over four months, to finish this project! I've dreamt about it for so long! And now, I can't wait to meet our little girl! A

What I've Been Up to....

Besides growing a new baby, I've been pretty busy around here. Doing what? Crocheting. I'm becoming an addict! But this is a good addictions to have. :)

Since it will be months, until we know if our baby is a boy or a girl, I needed a gender neutral pattern. And I found one! For a cute little blanket. That I had to change the colors of.



I'm making the Delicious Colors Baby Afghan. But in white, grey, and a light green color. Simple. But so cute! I started this blanket, when we were "trying" for baby. We got pregnant quickly, and my blanket, hasn't been going so quickly. I've just been trying to keep up with life. With lots of morning sickness. But I'm almost done! That makes me very happy. At least our baby, will have one blanket. Made by mommy! A

Time for a Nursery!!

Since we now know, that we're having a girl, it's time to start getting her nursery ready. :) I've had a ton of questions, floating through my brain. I didn't know where to start. But Mark and I had some decisions to make.

Were we going to buy Elena new furniture? Did we need to buy new nursery furniture? What colors would we use? You know, all the regular stuff. That stressed out parents, waiting for their 2nd child.

When we bought Elena's furniture, we knew, we wanted something to last a while. We didn't mind investing in good pieces. And in pieces, that could change and grow with her. Her crib, can change into a toddler bed, then a twin bed. Eventually, a full sized bed. Her changing table, has another piece. That can be made into a large chest. It's a nice set. That one day, she can really grow into. We even bought the desk, for down the road!!

Elena loves her room!! And her furniture. Just after Elena's birthday, we made adjustments to her room. Changed it up a bit. A fresh coat of paint. Made it into a big girl's room. And we don't want to disrupt this. Elena loves her room so much.

That means, Mark and I, are looking for another set of furniture. In the end, we think this makes sense. Each of our girls, will have their own furniture. For their own rooms. It makes a bit more work for us. But in the end, I'm positive, that this is the best possible solution. Now I need some ideas!!



To be honest, I love this crib!! How fun would a round crib be? But, I just don't think, it's right. It won't "grow" with her.



I'm really in love, with this color palette!! The purple, is just a fun color. That bright pink, makes my heart smile. I really like this. :)



We could go with something completely different. Something very different from Elena's room. Yes, Elena has white furniture. But her bedding was bright and fun. We could go with a bit more "babyish" style. Something more traditional of a nursery.



How about dark furniture? I love this!! More of our style. But with pastel baby girl colors. :) Something a little different from the "expected" girl nursery.



This is more of our style. At least for our kids' rooms. I like the simple lines of the furniture. The brightness. The fun colors. I'm almost positive, that this is going to be our inspiration.

Next weekend, we're going shopping for furniture. And hopefully, we'll find some bedding. Although, I like that last picture, it's very similar to Elena's nursery. Pink, green, and white. I'm hoping to find something in peach, green, and white. Or even pink, turquoise, and white. No matter what, we're going to be picking up a rug like this. I've seen a similar white rug at Target. Perfect, for when our daughter starts crawling!! If you have any ideas, please leave us a comment. Or send us an email. A