This is all I think about.

Well, that's not entirely true. For the most part, however, preparing for this sweet little girl (7 weeks to go!) is the main subject on my mind. So.. if any of you are interested in our weekend progress, here goes!

I managed to wash and organize all of her clothes! Jeremiah and I picked out the fabric for her blackout shade (although that sheet has been hanging there so long I forgot how tacky it was until I looked at this picture!!). On my to-do list for this week is buying a table to go by the chair for her cute lamp.

And on the subject of blackout shades, Kat finished them for the rest of the house and they are up! Thank you, Kat!

The crib now has her bedding and is full of the clothes I am waiting to put in her changing table. Once Jeremiah fixes a couple more things on it it will be done!

And the changing table! Thanks to all who gave their input! We went the safe route.. pink. But aren't those knobs cute?! I just love it. Once Miah works on the doors I can start filling it!!

Now all we need is about a million cloth diapers and we will be set! Oh! And we bought these to go on a wall, too. I love them! The next time you see this nursery it should be all set up and waiting for the little Miss.

True story. Blog worthy.

Today I was at Target, minding my own business. This woman was walking past the aisle I was on looked and glanced at Moses and I. She stopped dead in her tracks and asked me how far apart my babies will be. I told her about 16 months and she proceeded to tell me her life story - happens right? Here's the kicker. The woman says to me: You know what I don't understand? How you young mothers keep all that weight on you. I didn't get fat until I was in my 60's!

I'm.not.joking.

Hayes Happenings

Yesterday the crib arrived. Baby Girl is getting b-i-g and I'm starting to feel feet and limbs, not just movements. My back's starting to hurt. All of these things are making this much more real: my second child is due next month. Whoa.

First of all, here is my first born. His favorite game is peekaboo and he doesn't mind if his hands are covered in spaghetti! His eyebrows are still orange.

My men preparing to put together Baby Girl's crib!

I had one of those "whoa" moments passing by the nursery this morning. I have TWO cribs set up in my house! Awesome!

Another "whoa" moment. Nothing makes it feel more real for me (well, I guess going into labor..) than a laundry basket full of little people clothes!!

These are Mo's clothes that he has OUTGROWN! What?!

And isn't the bouncer cute?? Thanks Jamie!

Today I have managed to organize and store all of Mo's clothes that no longer fit - thank you nap time! Tonight Jeremiah is starting on the buffet/changing table. Things are really moving along! I just need to buy some sort of storage unit for Baby Girl's wardrobe and pick out some fabric for her shades!

Fun visits with friends and family!

I am not keeping up with blogging about all the adventures we've been having! I'm just too busy 1.) soaking up Moses 2.) preparing for #2 3.) being a housewife. It is no small feat!

A couple weekends ago we ventured out to Colorado Springs to visit the wonderful Paxson family! It had been too long since we had seen each other and we had yet to meet the newest addition to their family. We had a lovely time catching up! On Saturday we ventured to Focus on the Family so the kids could play. These are the only pictures I have of our time there. You can read more and get Stacey's delicious soup recipe HERE. Be prepared for a picture of yours truly looking like a cheese ball.

Miss Hope!

We also had a visit from Uncle Gary, Aunt Emma and cousin Leo. They flew in from England a few weeks ago and stopped by for lunch on their way back from skiing in Durango. I have never seen Moses warm up to people so quickly. He LOVED his cousin Leo!

Hanging out with Aunt Emma.

Spending some time with Uncle Gary and Leo. (Not to be confused with my brother Gary! This is my uncle, also named Gary.)

It was so lovely to spend some time with them. I have already finished the chocolate they brought (why is English chocolate so much better?!) and I am ready for another visit :) Come back soon!!

Baby shower!

What a wonderful weekend! Thank you, Cris, for throwing such a wonderful shower, and thank you, Carol, for hosting it in your home. Jeremiah and I were overwhelmed with everyone's generosity and we are now well on our way to being ready for Baby Girl!

I don't know how.. but this is the only photo I have from the shower!

This will be my project for the next 5 weeks! I want to have her room done by 37 weeks.

And on to the "new" changing table!

Jeremiah is going to start the sanding the changing table this week and I need to pick out the color. Here is the bedding, and the crib and chair have a cherry finish. I'm wondering what color you all think would work? Can't wait to hear your ideas!

Now.. I need to go sort some cloths!

Month of Meals.. March!

Here we go again! This month I have the entire month planned, but I'm not making and freezing everything ahead. I'm doing the shopping for the first half of the month, and then I'll do a second trip on the 15th. I think this is working out great, and we are saving money! Here is what this month looks like. (I will link to the recipe when I can. There are a lot of recipes that are new to me this month, and if I come across some winners I will be sure to post them on chowcity.blogspot.com!)

1 - The Mirabal's are making us dinner!

2 - Steak, rice, veggies

3 - Spaghetti

4 - Help yourself night

5 - Meatball soup and bread

6 - Leftovers

7 - Dani's pizza

8 - Huevos

9 - Chicken packets and veggies

10 - Chili hamburgers and fries

11 - Help yourself night

12 - Dinner at the Frost's

13 - Easy chicken and rice

14 - Philly pizza

15 - Salmon and veggies

16 - Chicken with wild rice and salad

17 - Pot roast

18 - Help yourself night

19 - Tetrazzini

20 - Left overs

21 - BBQ chicken pizza

22 - Breakfast for dinner

23 - Swiss steak, potatoes, veggies

24 - Teriyaki burgers and fries

25 - Help yourself night

26 - Dinner at the Donaldson's

27 - Easy peasy jambalaya

28 - Turkey pepperoni pizza

29 - Stacey's hamburger soup

30 - Sweet soy chicken, rice, edamame (take a deep breath and think about my sweet baby girl, due one month from today!!)

31 - Crunchy chicken crescents

Projects. 10 weeks and counting!

I don't know if I would call this nesting. I think it is more like I have 10 more weeks of knowing what to expect and then life changes for a few months. Here are a few things that are on my radar before Baby Girl makes her debut.

Here is the exercise room. In a perfect world I could fit a futon in here so guests wouldn't need to sleep on the couch. Doesn't look like there is room for one, huh?

Prepare thyself.

Here is Baby Girl's room. This buffet needs to be painted (not to mention, cleaned off!), and then it will be re-purposed as a changing table.

Sigh, here is the rest of her room. I've got my work cut out for me, huh?!

AND! Our backyard! I'm looking forward to this project. This spring we are going to get on the landscaping. I'm hoping to keep the front yard low key and turn the backyard into a veggie growing paradise!

This will be a little place for flowers! Unless I think we need strawberries.. they would have to go here, it's the shadiest spot.

I am putting in raised beds this year. I don't think it will be a permanent thing, but until we install an irrigation system raised beds it will be!

10 weeks should be enough time, right?!