What I Wore {Easter}

Do you read Camp Patton?  Seriously funny.  I may or may not laugh aloud alllll the time.  Love Grace's sense of humor.  And her style.  And her hair.  Okay, creepy part over.

Grace is hosting an Easter Outfit link-up, so I figured I'd join in since I made the kids' outfits.  Ella's preschool had a fundraiser last month {well, they have one every stinking month} that involved professional photos.  As a photog myself, there's not much I love more than paying too much for sub-par photos of my children.  Le sigh.  They suggested Easter dresses for the photos, so I whipped up these threads for the kidlets.

This was the best we could do for photos.  It was a balmy and breeeeeeezy 30 degrees, so I'm not sure why we weren't all smiles.  I just wish you could see Ella's dress better...it's so darling.

For Ella's, I didn't use a pattern.  I wish I'd have at least written down how I made it, because it fits her so well.  The gathered neckline and sleeves make it so forgiving!  I'd love to make a few more.  For Henry's tie, I kind of used this pattern.  It turned out really cute, and fits great.  He was quite possessive of it today, so I think I'll make him some more!

As for me, here I am at 12 weeks with the No. 3.

Why am I inhumanly large for just passing the first trimester?  I'll never know.  My body loves to grow, I guess.  My dress and sweater are from Old Navy {dress, maternity}.

Our Easter was great.  We spent the weekend with Nic's fam, and then headed to my parents' after church today.  It was a nice, low-key way to end the weekend.  Ella stayed overnight, and I celebrated by de-junking her room.  She's a pretty serious packrat.

As a side note, I did a variation of Resurrection Eggs with my primary class today, and loved it.  Then they did the same thing in sharing time...sorry kids!  Seriously, though, it was great.  I modified what I could find online, adding Christ's visit to America and also mentioning that He hung out with us on Earth for 40 days before the ascension {should that be capitalized?}.  I'm absolutely crowning it a new family tradition.  Google it and check it out...a pretty cool teaching idea.

Happy, happy Easter!

Three's Company

Check out this cute little belly bean!

Okay, this actually takes the award for worst ultrasound pic ever, but it was with the doctor on the little portable machine.

We're super excited!  I'm 11 weeks, and due on October 13th {so sorry abby...they've changed my due date}.  We've been able to have 2 ultrasounds {thank you, crazy pregnancy history} and see the heartbeat twice.

Close friends and our parents have known for a few weeks, and it became 'facebook official' last week. I love that that's a thing now.

Q&A fashion, here's a rundown of the most requested information:

1. 3!  Wow, are you done?  Honestly, I don't know.  And I'm okay with not knowing.
2. 3!  Was it planned?  This question cracks me up!  Totally don't mind/not awkward when friends/family ask.  Definitely awkward when, um, my chiropractor asks.  And yes, we wanted a third baby.
3. How are you feeling?  Pretty gross until this past week.  Hopefully I'm nearing the end of the gross.
4. Are you finding out girl or boy?  NO!!  And so excited about it!  I've always wanted to be surprised, but Nic never does.  I'm putting my foot down this time.  'Team Green' all the way!
5. Are the kids excited?  Ella sure is.  She can't wait.  Henry spends most of his time picking his nose and making large messes, so you'll have to discuss that with him yourself.

So now when you see me you'll know I'm not fat...just pregnant!

Favorite Granola

A dear friend of mine {why don't you blog, Lisa?!?} introduced me to this recipe years ago.

It's just so good.

And it's simple.  No stovetop cooking, just dump, stir, and bake.

I made this batch during naptime and Ella and I had a bowl {or five} as our afternoon snack.

8 cups whole oats

1 cup coconut

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup sesame seeds

1 cup dry milk

1 cup honey

1 cup canola oil

mix in roasting pan & bake at 350.  stir every 10 minutes.

I  just bake it until it's brown enough for me.  Maybe 30-40 minutes?  I eat it by the handful, on yogurt, with milk, on ice cream...it's so good any way you have it.  If you want to get crazy, add cranberries or raisins.  Adding Trader Joe's blueberry/cranberry/raisin mixture is particularly delightful.

Enjoy!

Recently

Here's what we've been up to:

• Henry broke my phone yesterday.  Shattered the Gorilla Glass.  I thought that was supposed to be impossible.  Well.  I scampered right out and came home with an iPhone 5 and an Otterbox case.  I didn't think I'd be super impressed with the iPhone 5 vs. the 4 that I had, but let me tell you...that is one amazing piece of technology.  I'm not so mad at Henry anymore.  :)

• We had about 10-12 inches of snow, all in about 12 hours.  It was fun.  And it's still pretty.  School was cancelled that day, and it was Ella's snack day.  She was very sad {and so was I...after having bought enough fruit for the whole preschool}, so we made our snack at home.

• We went up to Cabela's with my parents.  My little hillbillies had a great day.

• I've been trying to find some inspiration for decorating the new addition.  I saw these pillows {on clearance!}, and liked them a lot.  So now they're looking fab on my couch.  Oh, and here's the latest and not-so-greatest on the house work.  

• Henry really loves his Bampa {my dad}.  The other day, Bampa was coming to pick up the kids, and here was Henry, ready and waiting.

• Lastly, I came across this quote and kind of loved it.  I love being a mom, but truer words have never been said...

Bump on the Head

So Henry's had a little bump on his head for awhile.  I first noticed it around 9 months, and finally brought it up at his 12-month {more like 14-month...} appointment.  Being mother of the year that I am, I just assumed that it was from one of the 10 million times a day that he crashes into something.  You can see it in these two photos, above his left eyebrow:

His doctor took one look and proclaimed it a dermoid cyst and sent us to a plastic surgeon.  This surgeon got rave reviews, and their office was seriously fancy.  Like, free Dove chocolate on glass plates.  Yeah.

Anyway, today was surgery day.  Henry needed to use general anesthesia because of his raucous behavior {most kidlets do}, and the doc recommended we do it now, rather than wait until he's old enough for an in-office procedure.

We got there, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, at 5:45am.  He last ate at 6pm the night before, so I was overall very impressed with how well he did waiting until the surgery at 7:45.  I really can't say enough about everyone who worked with us.  They waited to do anything {even the IV} until he was asleep, and they let him just stay in the clothes he was wearing instead of changing into a gown {so helpful!}.

After the anesthesiologist came to talk to us, she gave him some drugs to settle him down.  I was so, so thankful for that.  This kid won't let anyone other than Nic or I even look at him if he's scared or tired.  After the magic drugs took effect, he was happy to go back with the nurse.  She said she'd hold him while he was being put under, and then after that, they'd put in the IV, attach the monitors, prep the area, etc.  Just so child-friendly, which I'm not sure I expected.

Even though he went back without a peep, I was a hot mess.  There's just something heartbreaking about sending your baby back to the surgeon.  It didn't take long, and he was done.  While I wasn't a huge fan of the doctor's bedside manner at the consultation, he more than made up for it today.  He was so sweet and kind, and kept telling me Henry was a beautiful child.  Honestly, is there anything a mother wants to hear more?

As for post-op, Henry made up for his lackluster performance earlier.  We were there for maybe 30 minutes, and he screamed like a banshee the whole time, stopping long enough to suck down two adult-sized glasses of apple juice.  Those nurses unhooked him faster than fast and we were on our way.

On the way to retrieve our car {from the free valet parking}, we happened to pass the full-service Starbucks in the hospital {we live in the battleground of two major hospital systems, can you tell?}, and our little monster eyed a container of grapes and cheese.  He *had* to have it, and had the whole thing gone on the 5-minute trip home {probably 3-4 adult servings of each}.  So cute.  And so mad about the photo op.

He rested on and off the rest of the day, and ate everything in sight.  The spot looks fantastic today, but we were told it may bruise tomorrow.

Not sad here, just mad that I'm trying to document the day.  So I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief tonight.  So happy this day is over!

Discovering America

As a household of red-blooded Republicans, we love this country {not that you crazy Dems don't}.  Total bummer, though, we haven't seen much of it.  We've each made the trek from Indiana to Utah by car {though not together}, been to Florida and other various east-coast destinations, and I once even had a layover in San Jose.  

I recently started doing the shipping for a friend's etsy shop {check it out...cute stuff!}, and they sell a ton of these National Park prints.  Nic and I think they're totally cool, and just love the idea of exploring the beautiful things that our country has to offer.  We love a big city as much as the next guy, and usually base our trips and vacations around a city.

We've now made it our goal to visit all of the National Parks as a family.  We've each been to a few, but it only counts if we go together.  How fun will this be?!?

Obviously some of them will be more enjoyable than others {I'm thinking the ones in Hawaii will be more exciting than the one in Ohio, just a guess}, but we want to see them all.  And at 59 parks, it should keep us busy for several years.

We're kicking things off this summer with our trip to Isle of Palms, South Carolina.  We'll hit up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Conagree National Park.  I've been to the Smokies several times, and have always loved it.  These stops will break up the drive to the beach, too.

Are you planning any fun trips this year?

Hey Girl....Happy V-Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Whilst perusing the internets today, I came across an awesome 'Hey Girl' link-up party.  Few things get me going like the 'Hey Girl' meme, so I had to make a few with my Valentine's cute mug.

Linking up to Decor and the Dog.  That act alone should speak volumes of my love of this meme...normally I'm far too lazy to actually 'link up' in a linky party.