Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Happy (Birth) day!

Oh my goodness!  Hubby's sister just gave birth to a super cute baby boy!!!  We are bursting with excitement for them. :)

White flowers

I noticed these small white flowers growing on one of my basil plants.
Why, hello there!

I've never seen basil flowers before.  Have you?  I think I'm supposed to pinch them off to keep my basil plant growing, but I've decided to let them stay because they're just so darn pretty! (Plus, I'm curious what will happen next....)

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Ladies' room

As a pregnant gal, I'm always on the hunt for the nearest bathroom.  I never know when Nature will call.  But I do know that when she does, I only have only a small window of time to answer.  When I saw this set of restrooms at Red Dock (a casual local eatery with great sandwiches and water views), I was definitely thrown for a loop :

Uh-oh.  Which door to choose?

Note:  Not to worry.  I successfully answered the call.

Glorious peaches

It's now peach time in Michigan.  Hubby and I purchased some of the yummiest peaches from the Farmers' Market.  Three cheers for peaches that don't taste like hard sponges!

(Left) Strawberry and peach pastries 
(Right)  Banana and peach yogurt pop


Monday, August 29, 2011

Me against the machine

Even though hubby and I purchased the sewing machine awhile back, I must admit something.

I've been too scared to use it.

Sure, I helped hubby tackle sewing projects, but I always took on the non-sewing roles. I created patterns, pinned fabric together, or cut cloth.  I never used the machine.  


Ack!  Make the scary machine go away!

Why was I so scared?  Well, with ten clumsy digits and one very sharp knife needle, I was afraid of sewing through my fingers.  Plus, I didn't care for all those new-fangled knobs and handles.  (Give me an old-fashioned needle and a spool of thread and I'm set.  Really.)  Lastly, using the sewing machine required me to move my hands and feet at the same time.  Eek.  I'm terribly uncoordinated.  Ask any of my gym teachers.  (On a semi-related note- I apologize to all previous gym teachers.  I didn't mean to hit you with the basketballs, tennis balls, footballs, kick balls, badminton birdies, or soccer balls.)  

As we waited for Baby Chuck Norris's arrival this past weekend (he's still not here), I realized something monumental:  Giving birth is way scarier than sewing on a machine.

Duh.

And with this very obvious realization the heavens opened and I became inspired to sew.  Using this set of directions I set to work sewing a nursing cover.  Although the directions said that the entire project could be completed in 30 minutes, it took me a tad bit longer (2.5 hours.)  But, I'm proud to say that after a lot of ironing, measuring, re-measuring, re-ironing, cursing (silently in my head), sewing, and re-sewing I did it!  Here's the final result of my labor:

I chose this fabric because the pattern reminded me of Charlie.

Ooooh!  What lovely boning and d-ring details!

Oooh!  Look at that terry cloth corner (to wipe Baby Chuck Norris's mouth).

And so, I'm proud to say yes, I can!  Yes! I defeated my fear of the sewing  machine.  Yes!  I still have all 10 fingers.  Yes! I know how to sew three pieces of rectangular cloth together!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

6 years

"I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you."
~ Roy Croft

Hopefully one day we'll walk Baby Chuck Norris down that aisle.


Photo taken by our friend

Friday, August 26, 2011

Doggy greetings

Hi everyone! It's me, Charlie.
Happy National Dog day!

Delivery room advice

Hubby's colleagues love sharing their delivery room horror stories experiences with us.  One colleague told him to make sure that my fingernails were clipped before we headed to the delivery room.  Hubby asked him why, and the man responded, "She's going to squeeze your arm so tightly and her nails will dig into your flesh."

Yikes. o____O 

(Btw, my nails are clipped, so my hands are ready!)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Question about baby

According to the doctor, Baby Chuck Norris is in the right position for birth:  head down and facing my tailbone.  While that sounds wonderful and good, I'm also a bit confused. 

Why doesn't Baby Norris get dizzy lying upside down for so long?

Frozen summer

During a weekly thrift store run I spotted a cute set of Popsicle molds and snatched them up.  I'm going to try to make tons of Popsicles before summer whizzes by.  Here's a photo of my first attempt:

(1)  I chopped and pureed watermelon,
(2) placed the molds into the freezer,
(3) struggled to pull the pops out,
and then (4) finally enjoyed the frozen treats

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

My funny sister

Here's a snippet from a funny email that I received from my sister last Saturday: 
 
I hope you don't give birth until at least Tuesday! I won't have my phone charger until then!!! ): So you can't call me and tell me what a gruesome experience--I mean WONDERFUL WONDERFUL (: experience it was to give birth!!

She's so funny.  Here's my response:

HAHAHAHA!  I'll be sure to keep Baby Norris in until then.

Capturing summer in an instrument

Summer is swiftly rolling by, as evidenced by the shorter days, cooler nights, and the abundance of "back-to-school" sales.  Hubby and I are trying to savor these last weeks of good weather and freedom by stuffing ourselves with Michigan fruit and ice-pops.  Lately, I've also been listening to people play the ukulele.  Whenever I hear that happy strumming, I think of smiling people and summer island living.



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Tee hee hee

I love scrolling through the New York Times Readers' street style photos.  Look at these funny sunglasses:

Now you can feel like a celebrity (or a criminal) too!

Salsa showdown

I love salsa, especially the not-too-spicy-fruity kind.  When we found out that our town was holding a Salsa competition and Jalapeno eating contest, we hopped into the car and drove right on over faster than you could say "cilantro."  Sadly, the crowd around the Jalapeno eating contest was so large, we couldn't see the contestants.  But, we were able to sample the spicy and mild salsas offered by the competitors.


Some of the salsas were so spicy, I joked that I would give birth later that night.
(I didn't.)  
  

Monday, August 22, 2011

From patio to plate

It's harvest time!  Hubby and I plucked more tomatoes and basil from our deck farm and finally got to enjoy the fruits of our farming labor.

Cheese + tomatoes + basil = heaven *drool*


Thursday, August 18, 2011

The usual suspects

Last month marked our one year anniversary living in our new town.  Hubby and I really like living here, but sometimes we wonder whether we'll ever find our niche and develop deep roots.  Whenever I find myself on this train of thought, I try to remind myself that relationships take time and effort to build.

Fortunately, I was reminded during a recent visit to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant that we are making some connections.  Here's what transpired:

((Hubby and I walk in the restaurant.  Waitresses 1 and 2 look up.))

Waitress 1
Do you need to see a menu or do you know what you want?

Hubby
((Surprised)) We'd like to see a menu, please.


Waitress 1
((Hands us menus, walks away, and then returns))
What do you want to drink?

Me
Water

Hubby
I'll have a water too.  I think we also know what we want to get.  I'll have VR1 (porkchop with broken rice).

Me
I'd like VPH1 (pho noodle soup).

Waitress 2  
((Walks by with a smile on her face))
You always get the same thing.  The baby must like soup, huh?


I loved that they recognized us and baby.  It just made my day.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Reserved parking

Yesterday hubby and I visited the mall to do some window shopping, work at a cafe, and exercise. (Walking around the mall is great exercise for preggos.  ;D)  When we arrived, we were fortunate to find this perfect parking spot.

Our spot

Yup, that's me!  I have the belly and the

car seat (unused, with tags still attached) to prove it!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A guitar, a harmonica, a saw, and...a recorder?

This past Sunday hubby played the recorder during worship at our local church.  After hearing hubby play, one congregant commented, "It sounds like we're having church in Gondor."  Another church member (an older gentleman in his 70s) had this conversation with hubby:

Churchgoer:  
What instrument are you playing?  A sweet potato?

Hubby:  
Uh, sweet potato?  You mean an ocarina?  No, this is a recorder.

Churchgoer:  
I like the way it sounds.  Do you want to be in my band?  We go around and play for people in nursing homes. They don't have good memories.  Right now we have a guy that plays the harmonica, a guy that plays the saw, and I play the guitar.  

Hubby:  
Um, sure.

 
Perhaps Baby Chuck Norris and I will be the group's first set of groupies (below retirement age)? 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Clothing modification surgery

Ever since we purchased the sewing machine, hubby and I dreamed of sewing bow ties.  (Hubby loves wearing them to work, but they're so pricey to purchase!)  This weekend we visited the thrift store, found a tie, and transformed* it.

Did this ugly polyester tie know that it was destined for bow tie cuteness? 

*Please note:  I felt like a mad Frankenstein-like scientist.  Before this successful bow tie surgery two other patients died on our operating table.  RIP tie 1 and tie 2.  They were butchered in the name of fashion.   

Sunday, August 14, 2011

funny shirts --> funny cakes

My friend Alice showed me this awesome website and I was amazed by the funny t-shirt designs and the cakes they inspired.  Below are some of my favorite shirt-cake combos.  Which one is your favorite?








 

Friday, August 12, 2011

An ode to Charlie



Happiness is having a dog for a pet
If you’re looking for a good friend, then he’s your best bet
He welcomes you home with a wet nose and a lick
He snuggles you at bedtime; he’s good company when you’re sick
He helps with the housework, with crumbs and dinner scraps
And he keeps you warm at nighttime, sleeping soundly in your lap
Yup, a dog is a good friend; he’s always loyal and always true,
Much more than a companion, he’s family, and he’ll always love you.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

I be jammin'

It's blueberry season here and we are enjoying nature's bounty.  Tonight I attempted to save these summer berries by making blueberry freezer jam.    


Right now we have three jars resting on our kitchen counter.  They're supposed to sit out for 24 hours to set.  Hubby and I are crossing our fingers that they taste alright.  

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

36 weeks

Question:  Just how big are you?
Here's my answer (shown 3 different ways):

Answer 1:  Take a gander at my belly.

Answer 2:  My belly circumference is about 46.5 inches.

Answer 3:  
I'm big-big.  I'm so big that I have to balance myself against a wall to put my shoes and shorts on.  I'm so big that Hubby can only hug me from the back.  And, I'm so big that strangers are now stopping me on a daily basis to chat about my due date and pregnancy. 

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Diaper bag

Hubby recently finished his latest sewing creation for Baby Chuck Norris.  Here's Charlie examining Hubby's creation for the first time. 

What is this thing?

A bag?  But it's too big for me to carry.

Ah, it's a perfect size for resting on.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Savage Beauty

Sometimes I find myself wishing I was back in New York.  Don't get me wrong, I'm growing to love our new home, but sometimes I miss ethnic food, people watching (one of my favorite hobbies), subway rides, and artistic and cultural opportunities.

Yesterday was the last day of the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met.   Hubby and I never made it back to see the exhibit, so I was thrilled that the Met posted photos of selected objects online.  Now even though I'm far away, I can still experience some of that McQueen magic.

“I try to push the silhouette. To change the silhouette is to change the thinking of how we look." ~ Alexander McQueen

He was an amazing artist.   

Saturday, August 6, 2011

3223 Wedding bells

Today a college friend is getting married in Chicago.  I wish I could be there, but I can't attend because it's too far away from our doctor.  So I'm sending them all my good thoughts and wishes.

Isn't this quote lovely?

This beautiful photo and card were seen here

Friday, August 5, 2011

Top 50 delicious foods

CNN compiled a list of what they consider to be the World's 50 most delicious foods.  Go check it out and see if you agree with the winners and rankings.  (Warning:  Looking at the list will make you VERY hungry.)

Number 14 on the the list

first read about here
doughnut photo taken from here

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Street performers

Every Thursday night local musicians, artists, and dancers perform downtown.  Today hubby and I took Charlie to enjoy the local sights and sounds.


I'm so proud of my two boys.  Hubby did a great job handling Charlie and Charlie was so well behaved.  It's a Holland miracle!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

2COOL4U

Hubby and I enjoy seeing the creative ways people customize their license plates.  Here are some plates that we recently spotted around town: 

If Hubby had his way, our license would read "DOGLUVR"

Funny Parenting advice

This weekend hubby's colleagues threw us a lovely baby shower.  We had a wonderful time and received lots of goodies and advice.  Here are some of their hilarious words of wisdom:

(1)  Don't let your children become teenagers.
(2)  Don't let your children grow up to be cowboys.
(3)  If they want to run away, help them pack.
(4)  If you have lots of children, make sure to count them when you leave the store.
(5)  Everything costs more than you think it will.