ABC Post

Lets get this year started off right. I like getting to know all of you out there so let me tell you more about me and not just my family. I was over at Cait's checking out her new years and reading about her one month blogiversary ....since my one year is coming up!!

With No Further Adew

A. Age: 34

B. Bed size: Queen and I still like having my husband close.

C. Chore you hate: I HATE folding laundry...I love clean clothes, I love the smell of clean clothes but I HATE to fold laundry. It must be in my DNA BC my girls HATE to fold laundry too.  

D. Dogs: I have a miniature Dachshund Bailey who sometimes drives me crazy and taps his feet all the time so his nickname is Happy Feet.

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee. Preferably in our French Press made by my sweet husband.

F. Favorite color: Green...and Blue

G. Gold or silver: Silver – Gold…I am trying to bring back the gold in 2012 thanks to my Christmas present!! I even mix n match.

Michael Kors from my sweet husband

H. Height: 5’6”...even if my Dad says 5’ 5 ½” we all measured ourselves on my parents wall over Christmas and added the kids too.

I. Instruments you play: Clarinet through High School only … shout out to the Lassiter High School Marching Band … and yes I get the “one year at band camp” jokes.

J. Job title: Customer Service Representative at Nucor Steel aka… inside sales person for Coil. I am not a titles kind of girl.

K. Kids: 3 for now. LilMissJ 10, BigGirlH 9, and LittleMan 3 months

L. Live: Charleston, SC .. Yes at the beach and yes it was 70 degrees on Christmas

M. Mom’s name: Connie

N. Nicknames: Kel (hate this one), Honey, Baby, Babykins (when MrM is in trouble) and favorite Mommy

O. Overnight hospital stays: Only when having my babies

P. Pet peeve: People who lie or gossip and leaving the Toilet Seat up!!

Q. Quote from a movie: “No one puts baby in the corner” (Dirty Dancing) and from my all time favorite movie “Every party has a pooper, that why we invited you! Party Pooper! Party Pooper! Every party has a pooper, that’s why we invited you, George Baaanks!” (Father of the Bride)

R. Righty or Lefty: I am a Righty

S. Siblings: I have a Twin Sister – who still copies me and a younger Brother.  

T. Time you wake up: 5 AM on weekdays – ugh, 8am on weekends :) after I get up at 6AM to feed Little Man and hope I can go back to sleep. Today was not one of those days.

U. Underwear: Victoria Secret … always makes a woman feel sexy even when pregnant

V. Vegetables you dislike: Squash and Sweet Potatoes

W. What makes you run late: My kids, my husband, me…. I can’t seem to get it together.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Dentist and a few for bad colds of my lungs

Y. Yummy food you make: ok I just asked the girls and I got a lot of options but my husband makes those. Here are mine… salmon with the lemon sauce (I make the lemon sauce) and spaghetti. I actually love to cook and do most of it.

Z. Zoo animal favorite: the Lions at the LincolnPark Zoo Link  and the Polar Bears at the Shedd Aquarium

Now I want to hear from YOU!

J. Job title:

P. Pet peeve:

Q. Quote from a movie


link your blog to share!

More Mini Blankys.....

I had an idea -- since we live at the BEACH!!! My girlfriend is having a boy. And this looks cute -right? Found these fabrics off of Me Sew Crazy and they are adorable!!

Here is a closer look at each fabric:

Fabrics:
Emily Herrick Going Coastal Bottle Caps Multi
Emily Herrick Going Coastal Crab Walk Orange
Emily Herrick Going Coastal Sand Dollar Blue
Emily Herrick Going Coastal Sea Kelp Navy
Emily Herrick Going Coastal Sea Star Green
Patty Young Grand Bazaar Persian Wall Breeze

I did not make it past page 1 of their fabrics before I was swooning. $5.25/ half yard is not too bad a price. Have a fantastic Thursday.

Don't forget  the Charleston Blogger Meet Up tonight at Social see you upstairs in the Loft area.

Week 34

Hello Everyone!! I am 34 weeks ~ 28 lbs heavier... yes I said it out loud. I am happy with my pregnancy. All of it!! I had someone at Dick's ask me yesterday if I was ready to POP. Umm No - I have 6 more weeks. Really do I look that bad? On top of all this, I hurt myself last week. Hence the pregnancy to be parking. I could not handle the long walk. Shockingly I was not being clumsy when the injury occurred. I think I have had a scare with each of my other girls. This time I was just working out. Nothing crazy - just 100 squats. This makes me smile when I say it because it is comical. In all honesty I was really focusing on my form. I focused a little too much. I over extended on my squats. I knew I was in trouble when the workout was done and I couldn't walk. I love my trainer Tina . She is a great friend and would never do anything to put me or the baby in jeopardy. I was put on strict rest for the weekend. Of course my family took that to heart. I was pampered with breakfast in bed. AND MrM. did all the back to school shopping for me. Let me just show you how this turned out:

Aren't they adorable? Um No -- they are not. I almost fell out. All in all he did a great job and this was all for shock value. On another down note, we did not get to do our family photos. I was on rest and it was storming in Charleston. Hopefully we can reschedule. MrM. did find one picture that he definitely wants when he/she is born...

UNFORTUNATELY, my doctor advised me no more Crossfit until after the baby. Tonight I headed to the pool to do low impact water aerobics. Not as fun as Crossfitting. Good news is that I will be  getting that Eliptical that MrM has been wanting to get me. One last tid bit from the visit today is that our doctor was really playing up the whole boy theme. I really wish she would no encourage Mr.M any more than needed. This little baby COULD come out a girl.

Lastly -- MrM did  buy me something extremely nice.

We have  been cleared to travel for Labor Day weekend as long as I do not start dililating. The doc also said the baby can come anytime after 35 weeks!! That was a dose of reality since next week is 35 weeks. Stay in there baby ~ we are not ready. We cannot wait to meet you but you can cook a little while longer.

The Challenge

Intrigued?? I am. Anyone who wants to participate head over here to see Kayla at Freckles in April. It looks super easy and fun. Who doesn't need help in this area? I know I am sick of what I am wearing.

Starboard Shorts for Back to School

Thank you Kojo Designs for this idea that led me to this great Tutorial. This is from Simple Simon & Co which are 2 creative women who are both named Elizabeth that married brothers!! I have lots of baby/nursery items to finish this weekend BUT Summer is not over so look for me to create this skirt for the girls Back To School.

Come check me out at Kojo Designs where I am participating in their Friday Fun Finds contest!! I am number 90 on the list of FANTABULOUS ideas.....

Windows Live?? What is that.

Thank you to Jill from Made It On Monday for the inspiration to try a new format on Blogging. Using Windows Live Writer. I am open to try anything especially if it is more user friendly than Blogger. I have always  hated that I had to use Word then copy paste into Blogger to have a more creative look. So far post # 2 into this and I am not SOLD yet. I am not giving up yet.

I like the Windows Live Photo Gallery options as well. I am not set on one specific photo editing software. As you can already tell if you have looked at any of my pictures. I really have  not spent a lot of time editing my photos. I do like that I can manipulate them a little easier here. I am totally green on this area.

 

So here is to try something new. I will not give up easily so wish me lots of patience.

 

Giveaway Bari J Online Sewing Class

Thanks to Polka Dot Chair for hosting this giveaway. Please go to here to register to win. Hurry Giveaway ends July 18th at Midnight Eastern time!

This class is being taught by Bari J and is being offered by Rick Rack, thread therapy for sewers.

What You Get

• 1 autographed copy of Bari J. Ackerman's book, Inspired to Sew
• 1 downloadable Inspired to Sew Patchwork Rose Zippered Bag how to sew video demonstration;
• 1 downloadable project instruction sheet w/step-by-step color photos (PDF);
• Fabric.com 15% discount off entire order (no minimum);
• Supply list; and
• 1 hour live chat with Bari J. Ackerman

What You Will Learn

• How to create a zipper placket
• How to piece and sew patchwork
• How to create inside and outside pockets
• How to make ribbon rosettes
• How to make and attach bag handles
• Lining techniques
• Basic handbag construction

Head on over and check it out!!

Who wants some Grapefruit Lemon Salt Scrub???

I do!!

I am heading to my Whole Foods this weekend to get some oils or order online at Hobby Lobby

Laura over at Live.Laugh.Photograph shared her inspiration and I am in Love. Here are the directions to soft skin bliss:

Ingredients:

Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, Plain sugar or Mr.M’s personal fav (for coffee), Sugar in the Raw!

Olive Oil

Lemon Juice or Real Lemons

Fragrance Oil {I used grapefruit blush}

There are no measurements provided so just go with your sense of touch and smell.

Add the Salt (or sugar) 

Next Add the EVOO – I feel like Rachael Ray here….

Now you can add some lemon juice or real lemons. Again, it's up to you. I prefer Real Lemons since they are ALWAYS on hand at my house.

Mix all these ingredients together until you get the consistency you are looking for then Add:

This amazing grapefruit blush fragrance oil!! can be found at HobbyLobby

Once complete it should look a little something like this …

Bottle up all this goodness and share with family, friends, neighbors or just keep it for yourself!!

Other Scents I cannot wait to try:

Good Luck Creating!!

DIY ... Desk Wall or "future" wet bar in Kitchen

All I need to do is convince MR.M

Cork Board Wall

Think we can consume enough wine to accomplish this? Maybe, once this baby is born. I sure have dreamt about some wine.... not this much wine but a nice glass of RED.

Check out the steps here. 

Happy dreaming.

20 weeks Embrace thy Camera

Finally pictures of me along my journey! Oh and my 1st REAL Maternity outfit to work. Inspired by this BLOG to share me and my little on growing happily inside me. Thanks to everyone for the sweet Embracers!!




Move over world I'm coming



Today I am linking up with Emily!



20 Weeks Down

I am so Happy to report I have made it half way through my pregnancy. I posted / shouted this on Facebook yesterday and got the overwhelming response "Wow that was fast". Yes it was fast, once we got through the 1st 12 weeks of YUK. I feel great now. The baby is poking out and Moving A LOT. Mr M and the girls all got to feel BabyShaw moving this weekend. I like to play a lil game of cat and mouse. Kind of and interactive stimulation. So Fun.

On to the down side for most women except when you are pregnant. The weight gain. I feel like every time I get on the scale I gain 2 more pounds. Every time I see my friends they are like "OMG you are getting a bigger." Trying to remind myself that no one except work, daycare, and gym people have seen me since last weekend so growth is good. This includes my Hubs who only sees me on the weekends.

Not True to Size ...yet

Reminding myself this is my reward

I came across a little treat that I CANNOT wait to try because the cupcakes on top of my refrigerator are getting harder and harder to resist.

Guilt Free Mouse

Photos: Twig & Thistle

This baby has made me INSANE for sweets. I know I have said this numerous times already. I believe I can have my sweet tooth and manage the caloric intake whether I am pregnant or not. I also have found I need to change it up and add variety. Why?? Because 20 weeks of Fruit with Whip Cream is now old. And NO Yogurt will not satisfy me, actually I cannot bring myself to eat it at all. So here is the perfect little treat! 

Just fold 2 tablespoons of  fat free cool whip into a 60 calorie pudding snack and you’ve got 75 calories of filling and deliciously indulgent mousse! It totally hits the spot and no remorse included! Yummers, hope you enjoy!