Etsy Sunday

CHRISTMAS!!!
Skull and Crossbones Kitchen Towel
Wood Snowflake Ornaments
Rustic Wood Burned Christmas Tree 
Log Cabin Throw/Quilt
"Hell yeah I've been naughty" Ornament
Coffee Bean Burlap Stocking

Pregnancy Lingo

Epidural- anesthesia produced by the injection of an anesthetic into the lumbar area of the spine in the space between the spinal cord and the dura, which eliminates sensation from the point of insertion downward
Spinal Block- interruption of conduction of nerve impulses by the injection of an anesthetic into thespinal canal that reduces sensitivity to pain

Episiotomy- an incision into the perineum and vagina to allow sufficient clearance for birth

Perineum- the area in front of the anus extending to the fourchette of the vulva
Perinatologist- an obstetrical subspecialist concerned with the care of the mother and fetus at higher-than-normal risk for complications

Preeclampsia- a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances
Breech- the delivery of an infant with the feet or buttocks appearing first
Vertex- the delivery of an infant with the head-first
Station- the descent of the baby into the pelvis
Dialated- the process of the cervix opening in preparation for childbirth
Effacement- refers to the thickness or thinness of the cervix
Mucus Plug- a plug that is located in the cervical canal that protects the fetus from bacteria during pregnancy, and is expelled some time before labor
Braxton Hicks-  called “practice contractions” because they will prepare you for the real thing
Gestational Diabetes- high blood sugar that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy
Jaundice- the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood
Bilirubin-  a brownish yellow substance found in bile produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells
Non-stress Test (NST)- non-invasive test that measures fetal heart rate and contractions
Group B Strep (GBS)- a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum
Monoamniotic-Monochorionic (mono mono)- twins that share both their amnions, chorions and placenta
Monochorionic-Diamniotic (mono di)- twins that share the same placenta
Dichorionic-Diamniotic (di di)- twins that have separate chorions and amniotic sacs


Here's a helpful link for signs of labor.

I'm a Freak of Nature

Moms of Multiples- Amazing YouTube Video

Just Plain Ridiculous II

Add this to the list of super ridiculous baby items:  Radiation Dress
The description reads "99% Radiation Proof (Radio/TV/Cell Phone/Microwave Oven)."  So are you supposed to wear these dresses everyday for nine months?

The Babies Update: 36 weeks

I went to the OB today and things are still looking good. I did test positive for the GBS test and she explained I'll have to be given an IV while laboring, every four hours.   They can run the antibiotic for 30 minutes and then I can be mobile again, laboring.  This means I can still stick to my plan of a natural birth and be up and moving.  I won't even have to drag around an IV tree.

And, at today's visit, I was put on official bed rest. My blood pressure, which has been super, was a little high today. 

The OB also checked my cervix....I am 2-3cm dilated and 70% effaced. (My mother has a feeling it'll be Thursday.) The instructor of my natural birthing class thinks it'll be very soon. 

I don't know if I'm more anxious or excited!

Happy Birthday, The Pope!

I love you, always.

Ridiculous Baby Items

I am sure there are things that I have already said, "Pssh!  I'm not doing that with my kids" that I'll totally end up doing later.  (It's easy to plan how you'll raise your children while they're still just two little aliens moving around in your belly.)  I am open to a few things changing, despite my OCD-Type A Personality.
While browsing Babies R Us I ran across this ridiculous thing.  Seriously?!  I can't imagine ever using this.  Now I know the metal pieces of the buckle get super hot sitting in the car but the whole seat?  It looks like an astro-baby carseat or a ginormous baked potato.  Wow. 
I have to go right now in search of more absurd baby items to add to this post.

Okay, what about the movement monitors?  Aren't you already freaked out enough having a new baby, especially as a new mom?  I don't need some thing beeping at me everytime The Babies aren't moving.  Good grief, I'd be a nervous wreck!   
Speaking of monitors, I don't get the video baby monitors.  A girlfriend and I discussed the pros of having an audio and visual monitor.  I still don't get it.  Not to mention, they ain't cheap.
The Tummy Tub, have you seen this?  I think my first response when The Pope and I saw one was, "umm, that's a bucket."  It looks dreadful for the baby.
Here are a few more lists full of random, sometimes scary, baby items.

Etsy Sunday

Bags, Bags, Bags!
Monterey Bag  Love this fabric.
Handcrafted Leather Tote
Regina Hobo Hippie Steph likes this one.
Stripey Stripes Sweater Bag  It's repurposed!
Birds and Flowers Shoulder Bag

Things The Pope Doesn't Want To Hear

Pregnancy definitely changes your marriage.  Like a rollercoaster, there are ups and downs.  Take our situation for instance.  We had a little scare at about 7 weeks.  We went to the OB not only to find out it was a viable pregnancy but that we were pregnant with two babies.  Feeling completely thankful and blessed, we started planning.  The next few months felt like falling in love all over again.  The Pope and I had created two beings.  Cra-zy!  This feeling of oneness brought us closer together.
As I got bigger, pimplier, and more hormonal things changed again.  And the transition from working full time to permanent maternity leave was difficult.  I was staying home but unable to do most of the necessary housework.  Steph the Pregzilla assumed The Pope resented her for not getting things done when actually it was just my own guilt making me feel that way.  We sort of got a new routine figured out and things got better.
Then later in pregnancy everything becomes very real.  We started talking about things we had never talked about before.  I was actually even showing The Pope pictures of women's breasts in books and sharing way too much information.  Here are some actual conversations heard in our house.

*Some subjects may be too much for male readers.  Reader discretion advised.*
"Hey baby, I need you to come here and shave this for me."
"You probably don't want to know about the big poop I just took, huh?"
"This says later in the pregnancy women have a hard time reaching to wipe their butt."
"They say you can have sex six weeks after delivery but most women think six months.  (I laughed)"
"Women on the forum refer to the state of their vagina after delivery as hamburger crotch."
"Would you please rub this on the pimples on my back?  I can't reach."

In addition to not being able to breath, super oily hair, acne, heartburn, and the occasional nosebleed, I am now snoring and drooling in my sleep.

Ready Or Not

Our sweet babies are doing great and progressing fabulously.  They each weighed almost 5 pounds at 33 weeks and are already head down.  The Pope and I are stoked! 
I thought it might be fun to host a contest for our friends and family to participate in.  The goal of the contest is to give your best guess for when the babies will arrive.  The person that comes the closest to the actual time and date will receive a surprise.  There will also be a second prize given for guessing how far apart the babies are born.  (Don't count on too much.  Come on, we are expecting two babies!)  Our official due date is October 24th.

The Rules:
-Post your guess below as a comment.  Guesses posted anywhere else will not be entered into the contest.
-Remember to include date and time and how far apart between babies (ie Alex will be born 12 minutes after Ayden).
-Obviously there is no deadline to the contest; that's what you're guessing!

Etsy Sunday

This week's Etsy Sunday was inspired by The Pope, the manly man that he is. 
He really likes the website The Art of Manliness.  The site focuses on the masculinity of men and most of the time, the old ways of doing things, which we love so much.  The Art of Manliness actually did their own version of "Manly Etsy Wednesday" and posted a whole list of masculine things.  Check out their post here.  I really liked several of their picks so I included them in my list, too.
Vintage Shaving Kit  Isn't it beautiful.
Chocolate Covered Oreos, Vegas Style
Leather Head Football Amazing!
Hollow Book Flask Safe
Vintage Inspired Handkerchief

It's Been Nine Years

picture found here

My Attempt At A Grammar Lesson

I hate hearing bad grammar, I instead of me, "Bring me to the store," then and than.  Oh, it kills me!  Not that I use purfect Engrish all the time, you read my blog, you know.  I type like I talk.  And honestly, some of these, I'm not too sure about myself.  So consider this a refresher course for us all.

Bring and Take
From your perspective, things can only be brought to you, not taken to you. 
Someone brings something to your location.  You take something to someone else.

You're and Your
You're is a contraction of you and are.  Easily replace you're with you are and see if it makes sense.
Your is a possessive pronoun.  "Your dingo ate my baby." 

Their, They're, There
Their is to be used when you're discussing people.  "Their grandma just threw up on me."
They're is a contraction of they and are.  Again with any conjunction, replace they're with they are and if it works, use it.
There is referring to a place, a location.  "I think I see a bear holding a shark over there."

I and Me   
Oh, this one hurts.  There are tons of folks on Facebook that caption their photos, "The Pope and I."
The easiest way to remember when to use I or me is if you take out the other person, and it makes sense, use it.  For example, if you take out The Pope..."This is a picture of I."  NO.  "This is a picture of me."
Other examples:  "Do you want to go to Memphis with Carlene and I?"  (take out the other person) "Do you want to go to Memphis with I?"  NO.  "Do you want to go to Memphis with me?"  Correct!
"Carlene and me are going to Memphis."  (take out the other person)  "Me (am) going to Memphis."  NO.  "I (am) going to Memphis."  "Carlene and I are going to Memphis."

Its and It's
Its is the possessive form of it.  Use it instead of his or hers.  "The dolphin shot air through its blow hole."
It's is a contraction of it and is or it and has.  What's the rule?  Replace it's with it is and listen.  "It's a great time for fresh tomatoes."  "It is a great time for fresh tomatoes."
Another example:  "The restaurant was nice but it's ambiance was terrible."  (replace it's with it is)  "The restaurant was nice but it is ambiance was terrible."  NOPE.  "...but its ambiance was terrible."

Next time maybe I'll also post when to use lay, laid, and lie.  I have to learn the proper usage first.  Tricky.

Etsy Sunday

This week's Etsy Sunday is full of pretty vintage things.  I do love my 50s turquoise!
Pickpockets & Loose Women Sign
Canister Set Oh how I love these!
Redheaded Mirror
Yellow Diner Napkin Holder
Canister Clock

My So-Called Creek

I've been watching My So-Called Life on Hulu.  Do you remember that show?  It was on MTV years ago, with Claire Danes and Jared Leto?  The show was about a teenage girl, Angela, that has a great life but is never really happy.  I think she was emo before emo was cool.  And all the kids in the show say "like" one thousand times an episode.  It is sort of an awful show but why do I like it so much?
Some of you may know my all time favorite TV show is Dawson's Creek.  Oh my gosh, amazing!  I never got tired of the Pacey, Dawson, Joey love triangle.  I mostly only got tired of Dawson in general but it was his show.  (shrug)  This show was about a teenage boy, Dawson, that has a great life but takes it for granted.  He's such a girl.  (Can you tell I'm a fan of Pacey?)
Going back and watching My So Called Life (and being obsessed with Dawson's Creek) got me thinking.  What would it be like if the characters from both shows went to the same high school?  (You're laughing at me, aren't you?)  Well this is what I came up with....

Pacey might have to fight Jordan Catalano for Joey's attention.  She does like the bad boy, needs fixing types.
I wonder if Angela would be into Pacey.  He's not as much of a looker or as mysterious as Jordan Catalano.
Jen would definitely be besties with Rayanne, at least until she found someone cooler.  Jen is always trading in her best friends for new ones.
I think Rickie might be a little too effeminate, flamboyant for Jack.  Rickie might have more luck with Jen as a gal pal.
Brian Krakow would definitely be head over heels for Joey.  He would follow her around like a puppy, but Joey would absolutely not be interested.  He's too nice.
I'm pretty sure that Dawson, at least for a little while, would be interested in Sharon.  But that wouldn't last more than a few episodes 'cause Dawson likes Joey or super hot girls.  Just sayin'.

Wordless Wednesday

Etsy Sunday

I doubt I'll be doing much decorating this Halloween season, oh but I do love this holiday!  Here's a nice Halloween/Day of the Dead themed Etsy Sunday for your viewing pleasure.
REDRUM decal  (redrum reference, totally creepy)
Paw Readings signage
Zombie Artwork with frame
Day of the Dead skull garland
Bad Witch Shoe Sign

Whatever You Give A Woman...

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.
Give her sperm, she will make a baby,
Give her a house, she will give you a home,
Give her groceries, she will give you a meal,
Give her a smile and she will give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges what she is given.
So if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.
-Author Unknown

Wordless Wednesday

Etsy Sunday

Soooo, I got babies on the brain, imagine that.  It seems like everyone is pregnant or has just had a baby....this post is for you (and all the other folks out there that just like babyness and Etsy.)
Tegwyn the Tooth Monster (because fairies are for girls)
Alphabet Soup- hand embroidered
Hand Painted Tea Set
Recycled Lego Crayons
Baby Nunchucks
Traveling Family House- hand embroidered

"Gotta Be Careful When You've Got Good Love"

This is the song my friend Tyler played as I walked down the aisle.  I love Jack's mellowness. 

Angel by Jack Johnson
I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that can melt my own
She wears a smile that can make me wanna sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home

She could make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause the angels will just keep on multiplying

But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile can change all of mine
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Umm umm umm uhhhhhhmm

Our Must Have Baby Items

Maybe I should wait until after The Babies are here for a post like this but, hey, I'm excited about all of our cool baby stuff.  These are just a few of the great things we have chosen for The Babies.

Puj Tub- This thing is ingenious!
Moby Wrap baby carrier
The First Years Infant to Toddler Feeding Seat- You can use this in your dining room chairs.
So Easy breastmilk and baby food trays
Sing-A-Ma-Jigs- These are hysterical!  Here's a video.
Snappi Diaper Fastner- Yes, we're cloth diapering two.

I see lots of baby/twin posts in my future.  Oh how quickly life changes.

Missed Connections

Relationships are so different than they used to be, especially the way folks hook up.  For example, my grandparents (Maw and Paw) met on the way to church.  Paw and his friends were hitching a ride with some other teenagers.  The car was super full and Maw, even though Paw had a girlfriend at the time, offered for Paw to sit on her lap.  Gasp!  Then take The Pope and me;  we met on the internet.
I've read articles about how it is more difficult for singles to get together even because of cell phones (one of my pet peeves!).  A dude might notice an attractive woman in the grocery store but he can't approach her because she's yacking on her cell phone.

Here's a blog that posts missed connections, like the old personal ads, and makes a drawing depicting that scenario.  Some are really super sweet and some are just really random.  Isn't it cool to think people still meet this way?  This is my favorite one thus far....

Coupon Class

Tonight I went to Couponing 101 taught at church by our friend Jodi.  I left slightly overwhelmed but excited by the challenge of saving money.  With two babies on the way we need to save in every way possible.
Here are a few tips Jodi shared with us (I'll just give out a few, she gave us tons!):
-Buy a big city newspaper every Sunday, maybe two (for us that means the Raleigh paper)
-Check out SouthernSavers.com for a list of weekly sale items at several different stores and where to find coupons for each of those items.  That's how you save your money, using coupons for sale items!
-Make sure you know the coupon rules for your store (ie double coupons everyday, 20 coupons per day limit)
-Just because a coupon says "Do Not Double or Triple" doesn't mean it won't double or triple at the register.  If the first number in the bar code (on the coupon) is a 5 it will usually double, if it's a 9 the coupon will probably not double.

Thank you Jodi for lots of great, useful information!

Not One, But Two Babies

Having been married for almost two years, I was ready to begin the next part of our life together.  It got to the point that I would get teary eyed when I saw other women with babies.  (I can be such a silly woman!) Even though we had planned for March, The Pope and I decided it was time to start trying.
The weekend of Valentine's Day I took two pregnancy tests.  The first one just had a very faint second line (indicating I was indeed pregnant).  Then The Pope went out and bought a digital test.  He much preferred the "pregnant" "not pregnant" reading.  Yep, we were going to have a baby, just one.
Then I started bleeding.  Every few days I would spot a little and sometimes I would bleed a lot (sorry if this is too much information for some of y'all).  Since my first OB appointment was still a few weeks away, I called to get their opinion.  The triage nurse kept saying things like, "We need to make sure it's a viable pregnancy.  If I were you, I would go to the ER just to be sure."  She must have said "viable pregnancy" five times.  I freaked out.
I called my GYNO and was able to be seen that day, since I was an established patient with them.  The best phlebotomist ever (I asked if I could put her in my pocket and take her with me) took about eight vials of blood to be tested for various things.  Then we went upstairs to get an ultrasound.
The Pope and I had no idea what we were looking at on the big screen on the wall.....just lots of black and white swirls.  The technician got very quiet, which of course worried me.  She asked, "Do twins run in your families?"  We just started laughing and I asked The Pope, "What have you done to me?!"
Now we are reading and researching all the we can in the next 7 months, getting prepared for not one, but two babies!

Etsy Sunday

One day while perusing Barnes and Noble, with my tall nonfat green tea latte, I stumbled upon Sublime Stitching's newest book Embroidered Effects.  I fell in love with the idea of coloring with thread, hand embroidering scenes and pictures.  I've finished a few projects and find it to be a fun and relaxing hobby.
So here, today's Etsy Sunday, ode to hand embroidering.

Princess and the Pea
Felt skull garland
Two squirrels lunch bag
Cherub in a frame
Sugar skull
Sweet Sophie
Tree of Life

Potato Stamps

I wanted to share the old, really old craft of making potato stamps.  You can use these to stamp everything, and they are super easy to make and much cheaper than store bought rubber stamps.
What you'll need:  a couple of potatoes, a knife, ink pad or paint, pencil, dish cloth

Cut a potato in half (not lengthwise), then use the dish cloth to dry the cut end of the potato.  This will help the ink stick better.

Use the pencil to draw a shape on the cut end of the potato.  Then use a knife to very carefully cut around the shape.

Making sure your potato is pretty darn dry, press your potato stamp onto the ink pad and transfer it to the article of your choice.  I used the backside of Christmas wrapping paper to wrap a Valentine's gift for The Pope.  Then I used my stamps on blank note cards.
(The "all you need is love" stamp is leftover from our wedding.  I used it to stamp takeout boxes for our candy buffet.)

Nicolas Cage As Everyone

Have you seen this website?  I found it one day when I went to AIM to check my email.  (There are so darn many bull crap articles, I have to read them all!)
The blog entitled "Nic Cage As Everyone" is nothing but endless pictures of celebrities and movie characters.  The pictures are photoshopped by readers to look like Nicolas Cage.  I would love to have posted 20 or more but here are a few of my favorites.  You should be able to tell who was in the original picture.  So stinkin' hilarious!

The Pope loves this video (below).

Etsy Sunday

I love this time of year.  My birthday is February 3 (I'll be twenty-eight this year) and then just a few days later is Valentine's Day!
Honestly, I expected more Valentine's Day goodness on Etsy.  It was a little lacking.

Flour sack kitchen towel
Will You Be My Valentine wreath
And They Lived Happily Ever After wall decal (you know I love these!)
Angel wings paper sculpture

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

I have to listen to music while I'm cleaning, it makes things more fun and less disgusting. Today I'm listening to MJ on Pandora. Maybe with his help I can finally get Christmas-ness put away. Yes, our tree is still up!
Here's some Michael for your weekend cleaning.

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
The Way You Make Me Feel
Billie Jean
Rock With You

The Pope's Irish Coffee

The Pope's favorite winter time drink is Irish Coffee.  After a few attempts, he's gotten pretty darn good at making 'em.

Irish whiskey
coffee
granulated sugar
heavy cream

Add two teaspoonfuls of sugar to the glass.  Then add the coffee (The Pope adds coffee until it reaches the top of the handle of the glass).  Add a shot of whiskey.  This is the tricky part.....to get that great layering effect, pour the heavy cream into the glass over the back of a spoon.

Green Graffiti

Today was a great day.  I was off work and spent the day much like I would a Sunday, taking my time with the day.  In other words, I slept a lot and spent way too much time on the internet.
I ran across an article about this company Green Graffiti.  Based in Amsterdam, the company uses pressure washing to make "graffiti" on sidewalks for companies.  I'm sure it costs less than regular paper or television/radio advertising, plus it probably lasts longer.  What a nifty idea, right?!

Etsy Sunday

I missed browsing Etsy over the holidays.  So, to make up for it, I have hand picked lots of things to share with you today.  Maybe next week I'll shop for all warm and cozy items.  Wow is it cold!

Superbowl beer cupcakes
Wool circles pillow
1950s book set
dog/cat bed-bag
Zombie defense bumper sticker
3" gnome
LOVE burlap banner (I'm adding something like this to my project list.)
Reclaimed wood picture frame
Let's Make Out pillow
Bacon and eggs catnip cat toys

Can't Help Falling In Love With These Cupcakes

January 8th would have been Elvis' 75th birthday, bless his heart.  I had to work so I couldn't celebrate too much, but at the end of the day I had the great idea to go home and make cupcakes in observation of the special day.  I left work and went straight to the grocery store picking up some bananas, peanut butter, and cake mix.  My plan was to turn a box of Duncan Hines into a dessert Elvis would die for.
The Pope was working nights so I had the whole house to myself.  I unpacked my groceries, set a stick of butter out to soften, pulled out my new mixing bowls, and went to the cabinet to pull out the bag of powdered sugar.  But there was no powdered sugar!  I ripped the cabinets apart looking for the sugar.  I am slightly OCD and know exactly where everything is in my kitchen at all times......the ketchup sits next to the mustard, in the fridge, right next to the salad dressings on the bottom shelf.
Apparently The Pope had used all of the powdered sugar a few weeks ago to make buckeyes and "crack balls."  So then an argument ensued.
I was not about to go out in 20 degree weather especially when The Pope should have let me know he used all of the sugar.  And he argued that we rarely use powdered sugar so he didn't see the reason to mention it.  I explained that when I have the urge to bake, cook, and create in my kitchen, I expect those staples to be there.  I went to bed with nothing to show for my love for Elvis.
I woke up this morning with a fresh 2 pound bag of Walmart brand powdered sugar laying on my cutting board.  The Pope is too sweet (pun intended).  So here's my recipe for Can't-Help-Falling-In Love-With-These-Elvis'-Belated-Birthday-Cupcakes with peanut butter frosting.

For the cupcakes I used a boxed yellow cake mix and added a few mashed bananas before pouring into cupcake tins.  I got the basics for my frosting from this recipe and tweaked it a little.

Peanut Butter Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened not melted (don't use margarine)
1 1/2 cups peanut butter (natural peanut butter has a stronger flavor)
2 cups powdered sugar
enough milk to make it creamy, about 1/4 cup
a little vanilla extract just 'cause

Cream the butter and peanut butter, then add the vanilla, sugar and milk a little at a time.  Remember only add enough milk to make it creamy.  This frosting would be absolutely yummy on some chocolate cupcakes or for the peanut butter fanatics try it on some peanut butter cupcakes.

Retro Teal at Target

I found these retro inspired items at Target.  I absolutely love this 1950s aqua!

metal bread box

utensil holder (I would use this to hold colored pencils and scissors in my craft room.)

set of canisters with peek-a-boo windows

They also have a paper towel holder,  a cookie jar, and a "beverage tub."