Urgent Prayers Needed!

I wanted to let you know that we just got news that Cory's dad, Gene, has several cancerous masses on his brain.  He had an MRI today and they didn't even wait the standard time of a few days before giving him the results.  They are so bad.  They said they couldn't believe he was still alive.  As you can imagine, Cory is a mess (as we all are).  We are expecting a new baby any day... and now we have this news of his dad... the only thing left is a miracle.  Please keep Gene (and I guess all of us) in your prayers.  I know Cory isn't sure if his dad is "saved" - and I think that scares him most of all.... but I know he doesn't want to physically lose his dad either.  Thank you.

I'm Still Here...

... and coughing to boot!

UGH!

 Please pray that I can kick this cough... 

Also, I ask for prayers for Cory's dad.

You may remember that he had Esophageal Cancer in 2011.

He successfully got through that.... 

but...

there are now concerns that he may have a tumor on his brain.

He goes in for an MRI on Monday.

We are on the edge of our seats waiting for the baby...

and also waiting for the test and results for Gene.

As celebratory as it is to bring a new life into the world, 

we can't help but feel anxiety over the possible test results for my father-in-law.

We are praying without ceasing.

We Be...

... Drawing (sort of)...

... Popping bubble wrap in our PJ's...

... Reading (how appropriate is El's book!)...

... Gettin' ready to POP!...

Getting Ready!

Christmas is fast approaching!  Eloise and I have been working on some projects to get ready for it... but I've been weighing back and forth about posting them because you just never know who might happen to read this here lil blog!  

But, I decided to take a slight gamble... (assuming my sister doesn't let my nephew see the little "peek" I'm going to post... and also that my one aunt won't cruise by before the holidays as well)!

Eloise was so excited to make some Salt Dough ornaments.

Though, baking at 200* took a lot longer than 3 hours!

Perhaps next time I will roll the dough a little thinner!

Besides the excitement of making a hand print...

Eloise enjoyed painting!

 

 Our aunt has a white tree with all sorts of blue, green and silver ornaments.

I think most of it is peacock-related.

Funky and fun... and well...
perhaps this will qualify to hang up there with all of those shiny glass ornaments! 

(Hey, we used glitter!)

My on-going project has been a fun hoodie for my Volkswagen enthusiast nephew!

I am not going to post a full picture, in case he were to glance at my sister's computer screen...

But that shows you that I am hand-stitching all around the patch!

I had a little trial and error... figuring out how to make a (HUGE) patch using Wonder Under...

Then I did a little trial and error of using my sewing machine to see if I could zig-zag around it.

Ultimately, the decision was hand-stitching.  

It will take me 5x as long, but will hopefully hold up better in the end!

(A shout out to Ms. Conway from 7th grade Home-Ec who showed me the blanket stitch!)

And lastly... 

we are getting ready here at home for the new baby to arrive.

This is Eloise's "camera".

It is, in fact, a tape measure.

But she pretends it is a camera.

So, for Christmas we got her a toy camera of her own

to "help take pictures of the baby".

We also ordered a couple of books about bringing home a new baby.

Eloise has taken a liking to them...

... especially "A New Baby at KoKo Bear's House"!

I had an appointment yesterday and I am 1cm.

The doctor doesn't think I'll go soon... but perhaps around Christmas!

So, in the meantime...

we're just Getting Ready!

And praying for a safe and healthy delivery, mama and baby!

This girl is the highlight of our lives...

Hard to imagine how this little one can compare...

 

But I know it will all come together...

2-5 weeks to go!

I look like a Weeble-Wobble in those overalls... but they are nice because they don't put pressure at my waist line!  Cory and I are trying to prepare ourselves for the big changes that are soon to take place.  I don't think either of us will REALLY be ready.  And I don't know how I'm going to leave Eloise for a couple of days!  That will be the worst!

Poor girl doesn't know what is going to happen... 

though when we talk about bringing a baby home, she is genuinely excited! 

We are praying each day for peace, comfort... 

and sanity!  :)

Thanksgiving is over... but there are always things to be thankful for!  

Sometimes we need a reminder of that. 

It can be so easy to get caught up in what we think we want or need...

instead of being grateful for what has been given to us already.

One of the very reasons I don't go Black Friday shopping.

Not only do the crowds deter me... 

(I am a very impatient shopper, ask my sister!)

But, there is nothing I truly can't live without when it comes to

all of those "great deals".

One of the things I am most truly grateful for is the opportunity to stay home with Eloise.

We are by no means rolling in the dough, but we live within our means

and it has been such a blessing to be able to be there every 

step of the way in Eloise's journey so far.

Last Saturday was the first time I was away from Eloise for more than 4 hours.

It was a stressful time as I was in the hospital for dehydration,

getting fluids pumped into an IV for 2 hours.

(Oh my... if you could have been a fly on the wall seeing the first attempt at getting the IV port in my arm.  I guarantee you would have been laughing hysterically.  I was so embarrassed - let's just say, I passed out.  I'll leave it at that!)

The baby and myself are fine.

Another thing I am grateful for!

Eloise had a rough time of it when my mother-in-law put her down for a nap.

(We have a daily routine that rarely gets interrupted)

But the reaction Cory and I got from her when she woke up made it all better!!

Though I did feel guilty for being away so long!

So, now I am drinking 80-90 oz of water a day trying to stay hydrated.

Sloshy Sloshy!

Thanksgiving was spent part of the day at my parents and then the evening at Cory's folks.

I'll leave you with some pictures!

Walking up to see Grammie's horses...

Heading back to the house for lunch!

 

 Hanging out with Uncle Chris.

Sitting with Pop Pop.

 

The week before Thanksgiving, my stomach really popped out!

I'm 34 Weeks!

(My husband is not on drugs, he just looks like it by his expression!  HAHA!)

The "Light Up Night Parade" took place last evening in my parents town.  

Eloise and I came to help decorate... sort of!  

My sister and her kids did most of the work!

 I didn't get to stay for the finishing touches... I believe my sister has those pictures.  

We had to drive the hour home and didn't get to watch the parade.

Yesterday also was a milestone for Eloise!

22 Months!

 So many things and people to be thankful for!  

At Thanksgiving and all year round!

So Thankful

 I am so thankful for a husband who truly spends time with his daughter... every. day.

I will never tire of seeing these special moments.

And I am thankful for a genuinely happy child.  

What a blessing she is to many!

God has blessed me more than I ever imagined!

And So It Goes...

My hormones must be all out of sorts these days. 

I keep having one melt down after another.

Except... 

I'm having melt downs about my cat, Weezer.

I know, I know...

GET OVER IT ALREADY.

But, like I said... it must be my hormones or something!

Yesterday I saw the vets phone number written on the calendar.

I had written it there when Cory and I made the decision to have Weezer put down.

For some reason...

Seeing it yesterday just made me break down.

I've seen it a million times.

Eloise often talks about Weezer.

She even ASKS to wear her "Weezy Neck[lace]"...

EVERY DAY.

Sometimes those moments trigger my tears.

Or of course, looking up at her picture on the wall.

I just get this big ball of regret in my chest...

and I pretty much lose it.

Today, I used a big fat marker to scribble over the vet's phone number.

But... that big scribble will probably set me off at some point too.

It's been 3 months.

Still just feels like yesterday.

So forgive me as I write about her AGAIN.

I never expected to feel such a loss.

Writing about it helps me to get my feelings out.

It truly does make me thankful for what I have though!

My family, my husband, my babies.

And I can always hope that there will be pets in heaven!

What a JOY that would be!

 

 

Real Quick...

Here's my plan... 

Post my 32 Week picture... 

Run (ok, I'll walk... I'm too embarrassed to run in public!) to the mailbox...

Grab my current read (A Garden to Keep by Jamie Langston Turner)...

Read myself into a sweet nap...

All before Eloise wakes up!

Hope you're having a great day!

6-8 More weeks to go! 

WOOT!

Comments...

Unfortunately I have been targeted by Spammers.... so I turned on the word verification option for commenting.  It's a pain... but hopefully it will cut down on the Spam.  You'd think people would have better things to do with their time!

Who wouldn't want to vote for this face?

Right now, I should be sewing.

Hence my lack of posting!  

I have been sewing out the wazoooooo to finish custom baby shoe orders.  

AND, I'm still not done!

(The orders seriously keep on coming... 

which I can't complain about because the extra little bit of $ is nice!)

But as the iron heats up... 

I thought I'd take a moment to share some pictures from the past week or so.

This almost really happened.

I think she would have been a little upset if she would've actually taken a bite!

We stopped over at Cory's folks so El could "Trick or Treat"...

And... these two wouldn't cooperate for a picture!

 We visited my hometown on Friday so that El could wear her costume for my family and also for a little (late... due to storm "Sandy") Halloween party at the old folks home where my grandma used to live.  

Of course, I forgot to take my camera in for that!  But she was a hit!

Then we took off the costume so Eloise could run around and play with my sister's kids... 

she also got to sit in Pop Pop's new truck!

And... a rare shot of El with my dad. 

I don't get many of those!

 

He goes in for gall bladder surgery tomorrow... 

so we are praying for a smooth surgery and recovery!

And lastly... another rare photo... me and my daughter!  

(I only get these every so often when my husband thinks of picking up the camera!) 

Do I look 8 months pregnant in this picture?

Weird!

I better get back to my ironing board!

Have a great week everyone!!

30 Weeks

We had a visitor the other day!

Boo is doing well!  She has a long road ahead of her, but overall is doing way better than we anticipated!  You can see that her leg is [slowly] growing back it's hair after they shaved it for surgery... and odd duck that she is, look at how she is sitting on that leg!  Goofy dog!  But hey, if it doesn't bother her, then I don't care how (lazily) she sits!

And... my pea-brain remembered and then forgot that Eloise turned 21 months on the 23rd.  

I always try to get a picture to post... and I barely took any of her that day... let alone a decent one! 

It's hard to believe how big she is getting... and how wide her vocabulary is!  Not to mention the random things she says and does.  I'm sure every kid does their own thing--but it's fun to us since it happens to be our own flesh and blood!  Today she heard the paper boy open the front door and throw the paper in (we had it open since it was a glorious 75 degrees out today!).... and she yelled, "I get it!!!" and ran to the door... picked up the paper and called, "Thank You!!!" out the screen to the kid.  Then she brought the paper to me.  Made me chuckle!

And, of course... 

Today marks 30 weeks.

Yes, I am sporting sweatpants, a t-shirt, messy hair and no make up.

I. don't. care.

I get dressed up (aka: jeans and a decent shirt, etc) if I'm going out in public.

When I'm at home, I just want to be comfortable!

Especially when I'm on the floor a lot playing with Eloise... 

or cutting out Halloween costume patterns (finally had time!).

Honestly, I don't feel as big as I look in that picture.

I mean, I am big and mostly uncomfortable...

but even just yesterday my neighbor told me it was the first time

she'd seen me that I actually looked pregnant to her!

I literally see her at least every other day, if not more.

Of course, I'm not into the tight maternity clothes...

but still.  Weird!

So... there you have it. 

2 more months... that's what I keep telling myself.

2 more months.

I am not one of those "glowing" pregnant women...

I am ready to be un-pregnant! 

But I'm so thankful for the blessing that is and is to come!

MMmmm MMmmm Boston Creme! - improvised-

Tuesday was my neighbors 62nd Birthday.

We are very close and I always try to do special things for her (and her husband)... 

not only for birthdays and holidays... but just at random times.  

But since it was Birthday Time, I wanted to do something extra special.

She and I talk a lot about food.  

Neither one of us is a great cook, I admit... 

although I do make more of an effort than she does, 

which makes it even more special when I can share some 

type of goodie with them!

So I remembered that at one point, 

we had been oohing and aahing over how yummy Boston Creme Pie is.

Because, really, it is SO good.

I try to cook and bake healthy...

but sometimes I make exceptions...

especially for the neighbors.

I didn't want to make a plain old cake...

and a Boston Creme Pie seemed a little boring too.

So instead, I decided to come up with my own little rendition of a 

"Boston Creme Cupcake"

I'm sure this is somewhere on Pinterest or some other website...

with homemade and gourmet ingredients...

But I assure you, I didn't go Googling it to find it ahead of time.

I was too lazy!

Plus, how hard is it, REALLY?

Especially if you go the box-cake route!

So... if you're looking for a quick and easy dessert...

This is it!

And let me tell you - they are SO GOOD!

Just bake Yellow Cupcakes according to whatever the directions say on the box.

(Lazy Easy, right?)

Grab a box of instant vanilla pudding and whip it up...

Put in the fridge to chill.

After the cupcakes are cool, 

cut cones out of the top of each cupcake... 

then spoon in the pudding and replace the tops!

I threw the cupcakes in the fridge while I made the chocolate...

I had no idea what kind of chocolate to make... 

so I grabbed my cookbook and browsed until I found this recipe.

Easy and yummy!

In a small saucepan heat 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 

2 T. butter, 1 T. light colored corn syrup and 1/4 tsp. vanilla over low heat, 

stirring until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth.

Use immediately to drizzle over cupcakes!

Store in the refrigerator!

Chocolate will harden and the pudding will be chilled.

MMMmmm MMMmmm... Boston Creme!

I also made "Last Minute Rolls" (thanks to my sis for the YUMMY recipe)...

and Eloise and I went over to share in a Birthday lunch of soup, rolls and cupcakes!!

(Ok, Miss Egg-Allergy couldn't eat that stuff, but she still joined us!)

It was a nice time and our neighbor even cried because she just felt so

special that we would share her birthday with her.

 (Eloise helping to open a present - with a water bottle in her mouth... silly.)

My neighbor truly is a wonderful friend and I'm so glad we could brighten her birthday,

even if only for an hour or so!

Do I Have To...?

We are 28 weeks in, folks.

That's pretty darn close to 30.

And that means after my next appointment, 

I start going to the doctor every two weeks instead of four.

That makes things seem a little more real... 

and it will just keep on getting more real the closer my due date gets!

I'm due January 4th... 

but Eloise came early and the doctor said that most women seem to

 go into labor around the same time as they did in their previous pregnancies... 

which... would put me having a baby right around Christmas.

I'm not ready for Christmas.

Not in the least.

I have ONE present bought (lucky you, Maddy!)...

and well, I am certainly not ready to have a baby around all of the Holiday Festivities!

But, alas...

It's not up to me!

So I'll take it as it comes.

Ok, and maybe (secretly... shhh!) I am hoping to have a New Years Baby 

so that I can get all of that fancy stuff the hospital gives to the first born of the new year!

Haha!

I'm a weirdo, I know!

But it'd be like hitting the jackpot!

How fun!

But really, this rambling is not the reason for my post.

I really am posting to complain that I finally am going to 

have to break down and give in to the dreaded...

Rocker Glider.

I know, it probably seems silly of me...

but I just really am not one for a rocker glider.

Not that I have "style" - trust me.

But they aren't really... well... my style!

But with that growing belly up there in that first picture...

I just can't keep on with our nightly routine with this growing girl:

And, I certainly don't want to give THAT up!

(Holding her and saying prayers, singing songs, etc)

So if we have to switch it up...

so be it.

And since we have a small house with barely room for anything else...

I can't get the nice big rocking chair that I'd like.

So, it looks like it's going to have to be a rocker glider.

I suppose I'll survive.  

And I know I shouldn't complain.

But I probably will anyway...

(at least in my own mind).

Anyone have any recommendations on a rocker glider?

Recovery

I am happy to report that Boo is recovering well!!

I have to admit, I thought she was going to be lame for a couple of months... but she is doing really well and in good spirits!!  I am so thankful for my in-laws who are keeping her for us until she is well enough to come home to a two story abode!

I haven't had much time for blogging as I have been super swamped making and selling baby shoes!  I just finished a couple of orders - to be sent today - and have 12 more orders to fill!  It has been a little overwhelming, but I am enjoying it too!

 

 

Eloise enjoying some time running around with her cousins on Wednesday!

And as always, she is sporting her Weezy Necklace!  :)

Have a great weekend!  

It's supposed to be clear and bright... but a bit chilly here!

I'll take it over rain or snow!