I Heart JJ Cole

A couple of days ago

I posted a list of 10 things

I loved at Dwell Studios.

With baby coming,
I love "Imaginary Online Shopping".
It's so fun to make "I Wish" lists.
Today I am going

to post some things 

I love at JJ Cole.

I first fell in love with JJ Cole

when I received this blanket

as a gift from a dear Karla B.

I loved the pattern so much

that I decided to see 

what other products they have...

1.  Swaddle Pouch in Primary (the little elephants)

2. Wearable blanket in Primary

3. Burp Cloth Set in Primary or Bright

4. Nursing Cover in Lemon Posy

Ellen Makes Me Laugh

Ellen DeGeneres

makes me laugh.

I follow her 'tweets' on Twitter

and she is always posting something clever.

My favourite are the pictures

with a smart alek comment underneath.

Or the photos with something

funny or wrong with it.

Here are some of my favourites:

My Encyclopedia - A

So you know 

(or maybe you don't)

how you are surfing the net,

and all of the sudden you don't know

how you ended up where you are,

but you like what you see.

Well,

I came across this blog idea.

An encyclopedia of things I like.

I thought it would be a fun thing to do
now and then...
So here we start today with
the letter
"A"

My dear friend Angela,
Red Delicious apples (with peanut butter),
avocados
and Autumn Wheat Dress at ModCloth.com

A Place to Sleep

 Considering we had to use an alan key,

considering it is from Ikea,

and they are Swedish and therefor make their

furniture a bit more difficult,

it was really easy to put together!

 And here it is.

The bedding is all clean,

and now it's made 

and ready to keep Little One 

as snug as a bug in a rug.

{Did you know that this is the same bedding

that Spencer (and his brothers)

used when they were babies? 

Kind if a fun hand me down

and it makes it truly vintage! }

Dwell Studio Love

Loving Dwell Studio.

Designer baby items that make my heart sing.

Here are some of my favourites...

1. Bookshelf - Elephant Lemon

2. Roman/Flat shade in Gate Charcoal

3. Luggage - Dots Chocolate Weekender

4. Sleep sack - Dots Chocolate

5. Soft Blocks

6. Newbie Gift Set in Gio Lemon

7. Fitted Crib Sheet - Squares Dove Grey

8. Boudouir Pillow in Ovals Grey (this one rocks, too!)

9. Stacking Rings

10. 5x8 Facet Rug in Cream/Citrine

30 Weeks

30 weeks...

10 weeks left...

69 days....

All of this is approximate.

Which kind of drives me crazy

for a girl who is not a fan of surprises.

Either way,

we are on the home stretch.

My feelings are mixed.

I am enjoying being pregnant,

and right now I think I will miss it.

At the same time

I am so ready to meet this little girl!

To see what she looks like,

to see how her personality unfolds &

sing cheesy love songs to her.

This morning I had another check up

and baby is looking good.

I was so relieved to hear

that she has flipped and is now head down.

That would explain the rib jabs.

I was quite nervous about her 

being breech,

as a C-Section is something I would 

like to avoid as much as possible.

Everything else looked good too,

and with another little tweak of my

thyroid medication,

we are on the right track.

Sleep is few and far between,

and I am finding I need a little 

pick-me-up nap around 3.

Other then that, 

I am feeling great physically.

Mentally,

I am trying to wrap my mind around the delivery,

what my expectations are,

what we want for myself and the baby,

and trying to comprehend what it will be like to take her home.

Emotionally,

I cry a lot easier.

Every commercial,

song,

sweet words,

pictures of babies...

I get "shiny eyes".

10 more weeks 

and we will be leaping 

feet first into the 

world of parenthood. 

I just hope I don't cause any

long term damage. 

As Promised...

As promised, 

here are some more photos from our camping weekend.

Thanks to Alyx and Michelle for the extra photos.

{ you can click on the images to make them larger }

                                                        

Photo of above courtesy of Michelle Cervo Photography

Sneak Peak

Here are a few pictures from our camping trip this weekend.

The rain managed to hold back for the most part,

and Friday was a really nice day.

It was mostly friends from school,

as well as Tyler and Travis.

So much fun and it made it feel like

summer is well on its way!

Michelle, Marissa, Alyx and I.

Spencer, Little One (who is not so 'little' anymore) and I.

Sibling love.

I will show you more photos once the others

post their photos on Facebook.

Made In His Image

This morning at MOPS

they had a panel of moms

asnswer questions on a variety of topics.

It was so interesting to hear 

each woman's journey into motherhood

and the ups and downs that it has brought.

Each mom said some profound things

that really made me think.

However, this one mom in particular

said something that hit home with me.

She is expecting twin girls in 5 months.

After having a son already,

she said the biggest difference 

expecting daughters is how she has 

been thinking about her own insecurities

and praying that her daughters won't have the same

struggles she did.

The examples she gave were of

how she always thought she had big thighs,

her struggles with acne in high school,

and how far apart her eyes are.

She says she thinks these things throughout the day:

"I hope they have their dad's eyes, I hate mine."

"I hope they don't have to work so hard at being thinner like I have had to."

"Oh, I hope they don't struggle with acne. That will be so hard for them in school."

"I hope at least one of my daughters is tall and lean like her dad."

All these thoughts swirling about in her mind.

She talked about how she has fallen into these

lies that the enemy has told her.

And ultimately,

the thing she hopes for the most,

is that her girls will not fall for the same lies.

But be confident in who they are,

and who God made them to be.

And if they do inherit mom's 'thunder thighs',

that they will know that every part of them

was made by a God that loves them.

And they were made in His image,

just as she (the mom) was.

It was interesting,

because I have found myself thinking

from time to time that I hope Baby Smid

doesn't inherit certain physical attributes

that I do not like about myself.

But it is so true,

because no matter what,

she will be so beautiful

to her dad and I,

and to her Heavenly Father.

And it doesn't matter what she looks like,

or what she does,

our love for her would never falter. 

{Fake} Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Oscar Meyer Wiener fingers... Fat Lady fingers....sausage links....

I've heard it all. And, oh dear, it's only May! What will I do in July, when temperatures reach the summer highs and I retain water like a camel?! 

My wedding ring has left a distinct and defined

red indented line on my finger.

Which once fit comfortably,

even loose some days,

is now cutting off the circulation to my left ring finger.

After fearing I would dislocate my finger trying to take

my ring off one day,

he decided it was time for me to get a new ring.

So today at Target

I was proposed to for the second time

with a band made of precious plastic gems

worth a whopping $10,016.

{Minus the 10,000}

I said yes.

But only because I am bearing his child.

Truths for Mature Humans

Truths For Mature Humans

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. 

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong. 

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. 

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? 

6. Was learning cursive really necessary? 

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. 

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died. 

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired. 

10. Bad decisions make good stories. 

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever. 

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? **** it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. 

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well. 

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option. 

21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in. 

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text. 

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger. 

25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever. 

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year? 

29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is. 

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet my *** everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

via RUMINATIONS

Much TO DO About Nothing

• made this jam last night. What a tasty treat. 
• making this for dinner...yum.
• and hoping to make these tomorrow.
• going to Skype with the girls tonight, including Angela in Haiti
• and finally, going to see this movie tonight. I am extatic. I love it when they make movies out of favourite books. I just hope they don't butcher it like the did with Confessions of a Shopaholic (great series, terrible movie.)

Week 28

Round Three

(for me and the Canucks!)

the Home Stretch,

the last third...

call it what you will 

but I have officially entered

my third trimester.

There is a bit of a grey area

between week 27 and 28

as to which one marks the beginning 

of the third trimester

(according to what I read.)

But this is it.

When I say 12 more weeks

I get a tiny bit of a panicky feeling.

It is coming so soon! 

What if we're not ready!

Am I able to do this whole labor thing?

But when I say 3 more months,

it makes seem a bit longer

and a breathe a bit easier

(as much as my shrinking diaphragm will let me.)

Silly, isn't it?

You don't have to answer that,

I know it is.

Mind games.

This week emails and updates

tell me she is about 2 and a 1/2 pounds

and anywhere from 14-16 inches long

head to toes.

Her brain is changing from

smooth to developing some bumps and grooves.

She is getting a bit more plump

and her lungs are able to breathe air.

Which means if she were to be born now

(knock on wood)

she would need less medical intervention.

Apparently she is about the size

of a Chinese Cabbage.

This was my first ever Mother's Day.
(In utero counts, I make the rules.)
Spencer got me the sweetest card for a
first-time-mom-to-be.
So fitting.
I had coffee & breakfast in bed

while watching Community.

We did the second coat of paint in

the nursery/spare room.

We shared lunch at a Mexican restaraunt

where I craved a lime margarita.

Spencer studied while I took it easy,

then we ventured out for a walk

at Lewis and Clarke State Park,

where it ended up pouring on us.

We came home to Deliccio pizza and a movie.

I think I could that whole Mother's Day bit again,

but next time I want a real baby in my arms.

(Or crawling around chewing on stuff.)

Mother's Day

Today, 

I know everyone is updating their status'

and blogging about their moms

and how she really is the best mom there is.

Let me ask you this:

Is your mom Mother Teresa?

Cuz mine is.

Teresa Anne

is the most selfless person I know.

She gives, and gives, and gives some more.

She gave me many incredible things,

one of which being life

(thanks to her AND my dad.)

She taught me that it is 

important to laugh at yourself,

to pray and rely solely on God for happiness.

She isn't afraid of having fun,

and being silly.

Only now,

as I expect the arrival of my own daughter,

am I beginning to grasp how big and important her job was/is.

The relationship between a mother and a daughter 

really is a special bond.

I am so blessed to say that my mom and I

never had a period in life where we didn't get along.

My mom has always been the biggest encourager

and friend to me.

She has seen me through dirty diapers,

awkward 'Chiclet' teeth,

bad haircuts,

break ups,

becoming a woman,

teenager years (God bless her for that!),

prom,

wedding planning

and now becoming a mom myself.

Thank you Mom.

Thank you for selflessly giving up your body to carry me

(I see know just how much that means!),

for walking me to school,

accompanying me on field trips,

hosting sleepovers and birthday parties,

cuddling under the Christmas tree,

being the Tooth Fairy and Mrs. Claus.

For teaching me,

praying for me,

and being a cheer leader.

You are a fine example of a mother.

I only hope one day I can fill your shoes.

4 generations...

 Being silly

 Fun in Disneyland!

 First moments of life.

Button Letter

I came across this fun project

at this website.

It looked super cute

and pretty easy to make,

so I did! 

And I am pleased with 

the results.

No,

that is not a photo 

of the one I made.

You think I would give away

the letter that easily?

Sound of My Soul

 Do you ever hear a song

that just resonates with you?

Something about it-

the sound, the lyrics-

strikes a chord in your soul.

It triggers a memory,

is an anthem for your belief...

whatever it is,

you just need to hear it again and again.

Music is powerful.

It is healing,

encouraging,

pumps us up

or it can even bring us down.

I have a playlist

on my iPod and it is called

'This Is What My Soul Sounds Like'.

It carries a variety of artists and genres,

but for the most part I would

say it has quite a bit of

'folky' sounding music.

There is something about

banjos, harmonicas and the acoustics

that just make me want to

lie in a grassy field with a crown of dandelions.

This is another one of those songs.

I just have to crank whenever I hear it.

Turn off whatever you are listening to now

and press play.

You don't have to sit

and watch the video

if you don't want to.

But just listen to it.

Thanks to Darcy for always making us such

awesome mix CDs for our drives home.

And for re-introducing me to this song.

Thursday's List

1. Today I tackled the spare room
... again.
It's kind of a one step forward, two step backwards kinda thing. Y' know?
Eventually I will take some pictures of it. We are hoping to paint this weeked. Maybe after that?

2. The Canucks won
...again.
This makes the series 3-1 for the Canucks. Win one more game and we are onto the Western Finals.
{In other news Brian, our dear neighbor, so kindly bumped me from my first place in the hockey pool.}

3. My Easter flowers Spencer bought me are on their way out.

This Star Gazer lily remains.

4. Everytime I see a new baby I want to hold it...
and kiss it, and call it mine.

5. Can we all just agree on one thing?
Tea makes everything better. Even good days better.
I believe that World Peace will be achieved over a cup of tea one day.

6. I made Knock You Naked brownies today.
I changed the recipe slightly.
I can't be a direct Copy Cat, I need to be my own person.
Instead of using German cake mix, I used Betty Crocker's fudge cake.
Oh, and I didn't use caramels. Too much wrapping just to unwrap
(that, and they didn't have them at Target.)
So I used Milk Duds instead.

They are killer. I am practicing some intense self-control here.

7. Tuesday night during the Hockey Game
(us girls can multi-task!) Michelle and I painted our nails.
Then I spent the day cleaning, and organizing,
and now they are chipped. Humph.

8. When Spencer and I first came to Portland
we visited the Saturday Market.
We saw this onesie and it made us laugh.
Then we got pregnant and had to have it.
Okay, I had to have it.

We think we're so funny.
{Correction: I think I'm so funny. Spencer shakes his head at me.}

9. Yesterday Marissa twisted my right arm,
then my left and made me buy these Swedish Fish.
In my defense, the pack was small.
This is how many remain:

2.
That was this morning.
Update on remaining Swedish Fish.
0.
Hey, at least I'm not eating the brownies like that!

10...Is there a #10?
Sunday is Mother's Day. DON'T FORGET!

Priceless

The gift of friendship is priceless.

Sharla,

a wonderful gift to our family,

has been a wonderful support to me

throughout my pregnancy.

Not to undermine

the advise from my mom,

mother-in-law and friends 

- it is all appreciated.

But for a new mom,

having a friend who just had 

two baby girls

and is raising them

to be wonderful little girls,

I drink up her advise like

a thirsty wanderer in the desert.

She gives real, honest and candid advise

and comments on day to day life

of parenting and all things under that umbrella.

I respect her opinion

because I see first hand 

how wonderful her girls are.

I love watching her and Ben with them.

Love is very evident!

Sharla,

Thank you for 

always being so honest with me.

From pregnancy, to birth,

to raising babies and toddlers,

you have always told the truth,

and I have never felt that you have lead me astray.

You don't make out that it is all

easy peasy pumkin pie,

but you also show me how

beautiful and wonderful

day to day life is, too.

You have many times calmed my nerves

when I get overwhelmed 

about being giving birth

and becoming a mother.

You make it seem so effortless!

Camping

The sun is out,

and seems to have made 

up his mind to stay the whole day.

We plan on BBQing tonight

and watching the Canucks game.

This afternoon I opened

the door to the patio.

Time to get it ready to use!

I put out the chairs,

set up a little corner

for our charcoal grill.

It made me excited to

sit out there drinking 

Iced SWEETENED tea

(none of this American iced tea.)

and read a good book,

just enjoying the sunshine.

I also went through

our camping gear 

and made lists

(one of my favourite things to do!)

of what we have,

and some things we need to get.

All this sunshine and thoughts of summer

made me want to get out there

and use our camping gear this weekend! 

Try out our new extra roomy tent,

and eat hot dogs cooked on a fire.

We are going in 17 days for 2 nights,

but I can HARDLY wait that long! 

What are your favourite summer activities?

These photos are of Cape Lookout State Park, 

where we will be camping in a couple weeks.

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Hello May

May,

You are SO incredibly welcomed!

You mark the beginning of a sunny season (we hope)

A month that honors mothers,

and Spencer's birthday (26!)

Our first camping trip of the year

happens May long weekend,

and our first Pre Natal class

is on the last day of May.

This month we await the birth of our dear 

friends baby boy.

And are officially in the 

DOUBLE DIGITS

in the wait for our own baby.

3 more months and the third trimester!

And now, 

here are some photos of our weekend

with Matt, Lauren and their friend Dan.

As well as our trip home last week.

The weather was nice enough to play some catch in the backyard.

 Bowling fun.

Matt pretends to have a baby bump too.

Action shot - Lauren looks like a pro.

A little Buck Hunting to break up the drive home.

Cuddles with baby Axel.

 Driving range. 

First time for Spencer and I.

We have a lot to learn, but had so much fun!

We were lucky, we got in two meals all together as a family!

 Signs of spring...

*Happy voting fellow Canadians!*