Cute!!!!

Elena is loving her new play kitchen! And I want to start giving her little things, to use with the play kitchen. I know that Lola makes a cute tea set. A crochet tea set. I knew there was a pattern out there. Somewhere. Before calling my friend, I took to searching Lion Brand.



I found this cute little set. Much simpler than the one Lola makes. That's good for me! The teacups and saucer pattern is here. And the pattern for the larger plates, can be found here. For now, I'm going to try my hand at this. If I get better, I'll call Lola. For the actual tea set pattern. Do you think I can have this ready, by Valentine's Day? 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

Happy 2012!!!!

Happy New Year's! I can't believe it's already 2012. Time just seems to be flying by. I swear, I still feel like it's the 90s. When Mark and I first fell in love. :) Now here we are, excited to meet our new daughter. Making so many changes for the coming year.



I always wonder, how we'll make the next year, better than the last. How can it get better? But it just does! And I feel so blessed! I can't wait, to see what 2012, has in store for our family. A

Say It Ain't So!!!!

My boyfriend got cancelled! I just read about it here. And it saddens me so! The Nate Berkus Show, is probably the only show, that I watch regularly. I know. Call me a nerd! But I love me some Nate. There are so many good ideas, recipes, and sources that are shared. I will surely miss my daily date with Nate! 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

Sewing Inspiration

If I was more skilled, I'd make Elena one of these. For Christmas. She'd love a little house for her dolls. It would be so fun to play with! But I haven't been sewing long. It still takes me, a very long time, to make a simple dress. For my daughter. This will definitely go on my "make in the future" list.



Have you ever visited out Stacy's blog? It's so fun! Not only did she make this beautiful gift. She also sells the cutest vintage clothes! For kids. :) I go to Hart + Sew, when I need to smile. When I need a break. To just soak up all the inspiration, that Stacy puts out there! 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

Did You Say ABC's?

Recently, I was searching through Project Nursery. For a little inspiration. We're still not planning out our nursery. But I was looking for ways, to update our Play Room. I don't want to do much to it. But add in, a few pieces, that will make it more fun. Something that will catch Elena's eyes. Since she's getting older, I feel like she needs something to challenge her.



I found this picture. I know it's a nursery. But I like these letters. The idea behind it, is so fun! And I want to try something like this. I was actually pretty shocked, when Mark liked it too! Because my fuzzy white rug, just got a weird look! I guess I better get to Hobby Lobby or Michael's. I really want to get started on this project! A

For Me

I've never made myself anything. I've only been crocheting, just over, 8 months. I've made many things for my daughters. But I've been wanting to make myself something. I spent hours, looking through Lion Brand. And I found something.



I just adore this shrug/sweater! It's super easy to make! And maybe after all the crocheting, that I'm planning to do for baby, I'll make this for me. For next Fall. Because it would be perfect, over a t-shirt and jeans. With boots. I'm going to print this pattern. And maybe, go buy some yarn. There's just something about this picture, that makes me want to enjoy a Fall evening outside! 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