It's how much????? | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

Ahhhh, the joys of expecting a new baby. Pondering nursery design, picking out tiny layette, and folding precious little socks and hats are just the tip of the ice-burg when it comes to fun baby preparation. Who doesn't love "ooooooo-ing" and "aahhh-ing" over some of the cutest stuff you'll ever see? Am I right or what? 


As my next ultra sound quickly approaches... 2 weeks from this morning; not that I'm counting or anything... I am pondering nursery designs in my head. Needless to say, I am a pathological dedicated designer. I planned about 8 different weddings in my head when I first got engaged, and though that might seem excessive, it wasn't NEARLY ENOUGH! I just get so wrapped up in details and fun design elements that I have serious trouble committing to one design. After our wedding in 2005, I suffered from "acute wedding fall-out" ... yes this is an ACTUAL thing! I nearly lost my mind not having a project to plan, decor to pick out, or details to obsess over. It took me months and months to regain normalcy.


Then I got pregnant in 2006 and the fun planning began again. I pined and pondered the "ultimate nursery", which ate up most of my 9 month journey into motherhood. Luckily I didn't suffer from "acute nursery fall-out", probably because I had an infant strapped to my boobs for the next 12 months and sleep was something I would have paid for.


So here I am, baby #3 and it is time to plan the next nursery. Decisions, decisions, decisions..... It is SO hard for me to choose which direction to go in this time. Things I need to remember this time around: 


A) really should find out the gender of the baby BEFORE I spend countless hours obsessing exploring nursery options 
B) Set a budget.... cuz' ummmmm DUH 
C) Take a deep breath and ACTUALLY COMMIT TO A DESIGN


Okay so yes, these things are common sense, but I seem to refuse struggle with these 3 KEY ideas that are the basis to any successful design project. Already I am in over my head. Why you ask? Hmmm, well let's just say that my "google machine" is on overload with the amounts of crib bedding, wall decor, and paint options it's been researching. To top it off... the average price of the bedding sets I'm falling in love with debating over are $350! Note to self, MY OWN BEDDING DIDN'T COST THAT MUCH! 


As I sit here, attempting to reason with myself, I have to wonder why.... WHY oh WHY do I ALWAYS pick the MOST expensive goodies? I mean, is it a learned behavior? I could walk into a store with no price tags showing and STILL manage to pick the MOST EXPENSIVE item! UGH! 


Here are a few of the "lovelies" I've fallen for:

$585

$340

$395

$340.00

So yea... I think I better head back to the drawing board and re-think my incredible ideas.... or at least until I actually know the gender of the baby. Who knew baby planning was such a tough predicament! 

Hand-Pieced Quilts | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

This pregnancy has been stressful due to the obvious circumstances regarding my last pregnancy and of course the joys that every pregnancy brings, it was inevitable that this adventure would be long and arduous. Everything from panic attacks to heartburn has encumbered me and my sanity has been on the brink of wearing a white straight jacket and taking a break in a padded room. 


I knew I would need something to keep my mind occupied during the next 48  9 months. My daughter LOVES making crafts. I mean LOVES. Here is what our crafting menagerie looks like; well way messier than this LOL

So, I started with crafting with my 4 year old. It was a hobby I took up after we lost our son Leo. For some reason glueing, cutting, and glittering everything in sight was therapeutic. From sequined covered paper butterflies, to wedding ring collages, we covered every inch of our home in crafts. 

Well, mommy is a good sport, but FYI, I am SO SICK OF GLITTER! UGH! I knew as soon as I got pregnant that I would need a new hobby and fast. Funny right, considering my livelihood is photography {ummm you still need another hobby??} Don't ask. I love photography, but I need something more therapeutic to calm my nerves. 

So, I started looking back at my past trying to find hobbies I loved. I came across my old sewing box from junior high and high school. TADA! Chalk full of embroidery samplers. WOOHOO I think I might have found my answer. So I began to start my 80th embroidery sampler {and no, I have no use for them whatsoever} After a few weeks of that, I found that sewing by hand really does have a calming effect on me, but I was bored with embroidery for the most part. So, I decided to venture into uncharted waters and teach myself hand-pieced appliqué quilting.

I own a sewing machine, and could easily bust out a quilt in a few days, but the point of these projects is to keep my mind on the task and not on obsessing over things I can't control. In my true style, I went out and spent a small fortune on everything I need to make a masterpiece.

I am a week into my first project and LOVING IT! Everything is sewn by hand and ironically it is the most therapeutic activity I have found to date! I have already scoured the library for quilt pattern books and have a laundry list of projects I'd like to begin. Luckily, these handmade masterpieces take forever, so all I need to do is choose, buy the materials, and STICK WITH IT. 

Yes, of course I know I am 27  and already taking up quilting? {cricket cricket} But I am an old soul, and after everything I've been through, I'm not afraid to give in to comforts from time gone by. 

So here's to quilting, here's to no more cleaning up spilt glitter on my wood floors, and hello to handicrafts. :-)

Menu Planning | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

My 2010 New Years Resolution was to start menu planning at least 2 weeks at a time. HA! RIGHT..... menu planning...... I'll get right on that train. So, yes, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time reading blogs like simplemom.net on how to properly and successfully menu plan. To be honest, I was hooked, ready, motivated.... and I got as far as writing 2 days worth of menus in a notebook. Huh, why am I not following through? Maybe it is because my boring blue notebook isn't screaming "fun menu planning", so alas, I gave in and purchased a fun and sassy notebook, knowing that this is all I would need to be successful. Let's just say, I got to 3 days worth of magic menus before throwing my pen down and reverting to staring into the abyss of my pantry searching for the perfect thing to make for dinner. 

Fast-forward to this evening, April 12, 2011, and still no menu plan, UGH. I call my best friend and plead with her "WHAT THE FRENCH TOAST am I gonna' make for  dinner?" She laughs and says I don't know. Ah, back to square one. I reluctantly find a plethora of ingredients and craft a dinner anyone one would be proud of, but only after wasting 4 hours of my life contemplating what to make. There must be a better way....


That is when my prayers are answered {insert angels singing here} I was perusing online recipes when I stumbled upon Allrecipes.com menu planner! OMG it only took me HOW LONG to find the ultimate menu planning tool on the planet! WOOHOO! As someone who already stores personal recipes online, this has got to be the easiest transition EVER. 


So yes, I have spent the last 2 hours entering recipes into my new profile. But, it is SO WORTH IT! All I have to do is click on: new menu, select my recipes I want to make for the week, and voile!! my menu is planned perfectly and my grocery list is ready for me to take to the store! How can it get easier than that? Oh and the other top selling point? $22.95 for a 2 year subscription. Sign me up baby!


I really think I hit the jackpot on this one, and I pray that starting next week, my hours pondering meals will be zilch!