The Waiting Game

Looks like Baby Krull is waiting to arrive on Saturday.  The funny thing is, now that I have come to accept this, the waiting seems easier.  On the bright side, Saturday is also Grandma's birthday, so what better gift than a new grandbaby?!  I am, however, dying to know if it will be a baby girl or boy... the anticipation is killing me!

The weather has been beautiful out, so we've been spending as much time outside as possible.  I love sidewalk chalk almost as much as the kids do, so we've been making a lot of masterpieces.  It rained like crazy last night, and washed away the gallery in the driveway.  A great excuse to get out and do it again this afternoon.

The next post will be a baby announcement!  Have a wonderful weekend :)

Still Here...

Still here.  Still pregnant.  But at least I'm graciously waiting for this sweet little one patiently with no complaining, right?  (You really think calling out a 10 month pregnant woman on this lie is going to end positively?!  I don't think so.)

My doctor assured me of medical intervention if I have not delivered this baby by Saturday.  So I wait.

In the meantime, I've kept busy:

1.  organizing the pantry and making new labels for it
2.  going to the library
3.  enduring contractions, that aren't "real" but certainly feel "real"
4.  preparing for Grandma's visit
5.  cleaning
6.  laundry
7.  walking
8.  delegating jobs such as installing the car seat and assembling the stroller to Gary
9.  catching up on this season's episodes of Teen Mom, a guilty pleasure indeed
10. baking
11. celebrating dealing with my 3.5 year old transitioning to no naps (super timing there, a week before we have a newborn in the house... )
12.  not sleeping

I hope that the next post I write is with exciting baby news.  Girl?  Boy?  Our household votes are split down the middle, and I'm so excited to find out!

Crazy Cake for my 3.5 Gal

Growing up, we always celebrated half birthdays.  It is still one of my most favorite traditions.  Even as an adult, on February 15th, my mom delivers half a birthday cake and frequently a gift card that is equivalent to my age (such as $31.50).  When I was seven, I got Valentine Barbie, which was pretty rad.

Today is Sweetpea's three and a half birthday.  We're having spaghetti and meatballs, her favorite, and we baked together today.  Have you ever baked with a three (and a half) year old?  Not the easiest usually.  However, today was an exception.  I let go of trying to make a "pretty" cake, because really I'm probably the only one in this household who cares how it looks, and went for fun.  We used this recipe from my friend Julie, who grew up making this with her family.  The best part about it?  Super easy, and only uses the baking pan and measuring cups... which makes for an easy clean up!

Crazy Cake (a la Julie)

You will need:
* 3 C flour
* 2 C sugar
* 1/3 C cocoa
* 1 tsp salt

* 2 tsp baking soda

* 1 tsp vanilla
* 2 tsp white vinegar
* 3/4 C vegetable oil
* 2 C water

In a 13x9" pan, use a fork to mix dry ingredients.  Make three separate wells.  In one well, pour vanilla.  In second well, pour vinegar.  In third well, pour oil.  Cover all with water.  Use a fork to blend.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

And done.

You probably have all, or most, of these ingredients in your kitchen right now!  When it's done, top with your favorite icing (we're using a simple butter cream) and enjoy!  And I forgot to mention, we threw in about half a box of junior mints right before baking, just because we're crazy like that.  So delicious!!

Happy Half Birthday Sweetpea!  You are so loved!

FYI for those of you keeping track... still pregnant.

10-10-10

So.  Still pregnant.  In the last week, I've vacuumed the walls (yes, the walls), washed all laundry (sometimes taking it off a family member while they were still wearing it), mopped, dusted, cleaned the blinds, assembled and set up all baby gear, packed the diaper bag, packed the hospital bag, made the numbered shirts for my soon to be brood of three (strictly for a photo op), cleaned every room, twice, washed my sheets, cleaned the bathrooms, and did some light yard work that included as much lunging and squatting as possible.

Now it's time to get down to business.  Tomorrow is my goal.  How cool would 10-10-10 be for a birth date?  So on my list of to-do's today?... planting a garden, going to my baby shower, eating some spicy food, and drinking this tea (among other tried and true methods for bringing on labor).  Wish me luck.

ABC's- A Collection

I finally finished a project that has been on my to-do list for quite some time.  Months.  I stumbled across several variations of this around and fell in love.

I have quite the soft spot for unique typography, and thought this idea would be perfect for a huge, empty wall in Buddy Boy's room.  So, the hunt was on for letters on the cheap.  I spent the past few months using my Michael's and Joann's 40-50% off coupons, browsing ebay, and even making a few of the letters, to complete the collection below.  After I had all 26 letters, I went to town modge podging, spray painting, and overhauling almost every letter, then practiced arranging them on the floor before committing to holes in the wall.

And here's the finished product!  I love it, and most importantly, so does the boy.  I wanted him to take some ownership in decorating his room, so he helped pick most of the colors, and even painted the "N" himself on a small canvas.  I took color inspiration from these things in his room, and went from there:

Most of the letters came from Michael's or Joann's, with the exception of a few cool finds:
H:  made from a ripped children's book and a file folder, I just cut out rectangles and assembled a 3D letter with my hot glue gun

I:  an old wooden ruler

K:  a reflective letter from a highway sign, found on ebay for $7.00

P:  wire letter from Pottery Barn Teen, on clearance for $5.00 plus free shipping... although these are long gone, *these* cute ones are on clearance!

T:  a letter from an old marque sign, $3.00 on ebay

&Z:  this antique school slate was given to me by Gary's Grandma, and I've been wanting to do something cool with it ever since... it was hers from childhood!

It's Only Fun Until Someone Gets Hurt

This phrase actually came out of my mouth... about 2 minutes before Sweetpea sent her bedroom door (knob) straight into Buddy Boy's eye. No tears, he just wanted a picture of his first black eye.  That's my boy, I guess.