Our New Office

I know I've already posted about the office transformation here, but now that it is officially finished (except for the cradle sitting on the floor), I figured I could show it to you again but in more detail!

So, here we go. This space used to be a grungy, dark and dingy hallway with studs and shelves and clutter...not much else and really no usable space.

Now, when you first walk in you'll see our IKEA spice rack book shelves for visitors and eventually for our little one. You'll also notice the deer antlers and some artwork I made last year displayed.

 As you turn to the right, you'll notice the real "office" area.

I love having my sewing machine at the ready and plenty of space in that top drawer for sewing items in one and office items in the other. I also have some of my favorite pictures displayed here... wedding photo, art from Norway, BFF pictures, my "praying dog" Goodwill find of a lifetime and the sheep with a wool hat on. It's so fun to be working and see your favorites right in front of you.

And, speaking of favorites, my wooden shoes from Holland have been tucked away in a tupperware box since 2001... yes, 2001!!!! That is a DECADE!!! I decided that I needed to display them for all to see, or at least for me to see, so I did! I let J drill holes in them and screw them to the wall. Since I've only ever worn them in Amsterdam, I doubt I will really ever miss wearing them but I do really love seeing them all the time. What history!

Since this office is really just for J and I, I decided to fill it with things I love. Not only is the space now functional and practical, it also holds a lot of treasures. I love that everything has its place and there is a place for everything!

Now if I could only finish organizing the laundry area!! We all can dream, right??

Benton -- the Babysitter

My Benton wears lots of hats around our house... the gardener, the protector, the loudmouth, etc. Now, apparently, he's trying out a new hat... one as a babysitter.

His new favorite place to sleep is under the crib in the nursery and he loves that little orange lion he has beside him.

He even hides way under the crib to get all cozy, too.

Sometimes he likes to peak more of his body out, too, but he just loves sleeping under the crib. He will be such a great protector!

He even has Phinneas doing it! My Benton is such a trendsetter.

I'm Hip -- Hipstamatic

I'm still not up on the times. I now have an IPhone, but to say I know how to use it might be an overstatement. I use it but don't take advantage of all of the applications and such that are available. Anyway, this weekend I played around with the Hipstamatic App. It gives all of the pictures an old-timey hue. Kinda funky.

Random-ness.

So, to be honest, it was 10pm last night and I told J that I didn't have a post ready and had no idea what to post on. I slept on it and still have no idea what to post. Consider this a random post kind of day...

Here are our stockings hung by the chimney with care... and yes, they are already filled!

Here is my Phin trying to take a nap...

And our Christmas tree!

And,finally, the Thanksgiving gifts on their way to Illinois. I think the wrapping turned out SUPER cute.

And, here is an awesome Holiday Guide by Emily Henderson (winner of Design Star last year)! There are a TON of great ideas. I was amazed at the quantity and quality of the ideas. Awesome!!

26 Weeks -- Welcome to a Growth Spurt!

We are definitely in a growth spurt! I'm exhausted, forever starving and feeling some major growing pains... not to mention the lovely itchy belly! I know it must sound crazy, but I love knowing that he is growing big and strong each day, despite my minor discomforts. I am so very blessed.

Here I am sporting my 26 week bump!

How far along? 26 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yep.
Sleep: Still sleeping great!!
Best moment this week: Celebrating Christmas early with my sister and nephew from Indiana. And having my nephew ask all sorts of pregnancy/baby questions and want to feel my belly over and over! So cute! What a blessing they are to us.
Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach and my back.
Movement: Yes!
Food cravings: Egg muffins and cereal.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: Yes.
Gender: Boy!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, happy, happy!
Looking forward to: Arizona! Seeing my mom and dad!! Seeing their reaction to how big I will have gotten! :)

Christmas in October!

I wasn't fibbing when I said I started shopping for Christmas in August, I also wasn't fibbing when I said our first Christmas celebration would be in October! I think this post is best shown through pictures.

Opening presents. Cereal for everyone!

Steph got popcorn, too!

The boys loved Christmas time ...

 ...and Christmas presents!

Christmas snuggles!

J is gonna "back that thing up."

 Nick (FINALLY) excited over a non-cereal box gift!

Not-so impressed with a Cisco box... did he honestly think he was getting cereal and an office phone? Come on, now! 

Family posing...

 ... and gaming

 Christmas time in October... (sang to Christmas time in the city... )

Lots of fun. I can't believe Christmas #1 has passed already. This year is just flying by!

She was cookin' and bakin'!

What do you do when you're sad/lonely/upset/etc? Well, typically I craft or read, but my new book doesn't get delivered until this afternoon and I didn't have the energy to craft so I cooked and baked instead. J came home to find me with the Disney TV Halloweentown movie marathon on, the sink full of dishes, the dishwasher running, the oven full of goodies and a counter full of chickpeas. Whoops. He might've regretted leaving me alone!

I was craving crunchy and sweet... separate not together... so I decided to make red velvet cookies, roasted chickpeas and an ooey-gooey butter cake. J made me puppy chow a few days ago so I had that to sustain me while I was baking away... and puppy chow IS both sweet AND crunchy.

I figured I'd share the ooey-gooey butter cake recipe, since I've already shared the other recipes with you previously. I like Paula Deen's recipe the best. You can find her full ingredient list and instructions here.

First you gather and get out all the ingredients.

 Then you mix together an egg, the butter and the cake mix. Then you press it into the base of the 9x13 pan.

Once the base is in the pan, you can start mixing up the "gooey" part, which involves cream cheese and lots of sugar!

Pour the "ooey-gooey" mixture onto the base.

Bake, cool and eat!

Then send the leftovers to work with your husband because you really only wanted a taste! :)