Crafting, Cooking, and Cleaning OH MY!

I took a hiatus from blogging, mainly because I had a baby and could barely think let alone write. But alas, Luke is sleeping through the night and I am no longer working; all is right with the world. Since I am staying at home I have taken up the hobby of crafting. Now this is not typical Rachel crafting...I did not go to Nordstrom to buy a thing. :) Rather it's Hobby Lobby, Estate sale finds, random antique stores, and even places like The Dollar Tree. Thanks to my new addiction http://www.pinterest.com/ I am able to replicate fashion, crafts, and really just about any and everything I desire! I LOVE to make things. This is coming from the queen of paying other people to do things for me. ;) Currently I am getting things all greared up for L's first birthday! Yes I know it's 3 months away BUT I must get started on collecting things!

So God must have known that I needed a crafty mommy companion because I recently met a dear friend (Libby) with a little boy named Mason whom is only a few months older than Luke. We started a crafting night once a week. Last night was our first craft night and I have not laughed so hard in a long time! You would have thought we were drunk while crafting...not the case. Totally sober but hilarious!

Continue to follow as I post our crafting adventures! I am also working on finding/refinishing furniture pieces for the house, sewing projects, and lot's of other DIY projects! The pictures above are for a birthday banner and a birthday milestone clothes pin project...stay tuned for the finished project!

two down...one to go!

I am officially in my third tri-mester-woo hoo! Things are going well. I am still tired at night...my days consist of teaching, sleeping, and watching football and reruns of the New Jersey Housewives. Not really feeling myself lately, I am attributing that to hormones and the fact that I have a bowling ball for a stomach now.

Rob and I recently traveled to Wichita for Labor Day weekend. We had a great weekend seeing my family and friends. We went to baby waves and got to see 3D/4D images of Luke. It was AMAZING!!! In one of the pictures you could see him sucking his thumb...my heart melted...then I thought about him needing braces when he's older. :)

I am starting to see the doctor every two weeks which is hard to beleive. In fact I can't even beleive it is mid September! I am going to start my Christmas shopping this weekend. :) There is no way I am heading to the mall in November when I can barely walk and tie my shoes. ;)

I have pics from the 3D sonogram and will post them as soon as Rob scans them into the computer!

Overall things are great. I think Rob and I are going to take a 5 hour newborn crash course class-ha everything you need to know about babies in 5 hours minus an hour lunch break...we'll see how that goes. :)

Home

I used to laugh when my parents would tell me that some day I would miss Wichita or someday I would want to live closer to home. The moment I graduated from KU I could not wait to explore the world on my own, and I did. I have met interesting people and lived in different places. I had become what I had always wanted to be "independent."

Looking back it seems hard to believe that I was that same girl. As I drove into Wichita Wednesday afternoon you would have thought I was about to reach Hawaii or my favorite store Nordstrom's. The pure excitement and familiarity ensued and it felt so good to be home.

I stayed with my mom and stepdad the first three days. My mom and I spent Friday together shopping and eating at our favorite restaurant Il Vicino. It was such a great day. Later that night we went to dinner and played Mad Gab with my little brother and stepdad.

Saturday morning I ate breakfast and then headed over to my dads house. The first thinng my dad says every time I see him is "hi Rachie." I used to find it annoying, however now, it is somewhat endearing.

The time at my dad's house was great. I stayed up and watched Goonies with Grace all the while trying to remember what it was like to be 13 years old...seems like so long ago. The next day my family swam, including our dog Missy.

Throughout the trip I also got a chance to catch up with old high school friends. It was so fun to see what God has done in their lives and the wonderful women they have become.

I left Tuesday morning to head back to Texas. As I drove down the long gravel road over looking the lake at my dad's house, tears streamed down my face. Not tears of sadness, but tears of longing to be closer to home. It's amazing how your thoughts and feelings can change when you begin a family of your own. I had always envisioned my parents spending a great deal of time with their grand kids. And by living two states away I feel somehow that I am robbing my parents of this. Maybe, if it's God's will, we will one day live closer to my family.

As I converse with my parents it is apparent to me that they are no longer the 35 year olds that I had always viewed them as. They are getting older, and now more than ever I am yearning to spend time with them and to let them know how much they mean to me. I used to feel sorry for myself that my parents had divorced, however, looking at the situation now, I have more people to love and to love me and my new family.

If you haven't done so recently tell your parents you love them and how much they mean to you. Some of this emotion is partially due to being pregnant, the other is part of growing up and realizing what is truly important, and that is relationships. Relationships with God, your family, and those you love. I never want to look back and wish I had told someone how much they meant to me, however in some cases words are not enough and I need to start showing as well as telling.

Half Way There...

This week marks the 20th preggers week! Things are going good. I am leaving for Wichita this week to visit my family and friends-cannot wait!

Luke update: Moving around all the time

Mommy update: Still tired at times, shortness of breath...otherwise doing great!

Daddy update: still excited to have a little boy ;)

Here is a picture of me a little over 20 weeks along...YES there is a definite bump! :)

Kicks and Flutters

Updates and Such

Baby Name: Luke Turner Woods
Baby News: Luke has been moving like crazy and kicking a great deal, especially after I eat

Mommy Updates: I am feeling good, just tired sometimes. I am not on a regular sleep pattern which is causing me to be tired more often. I think I am like a newborn...I need a schedule and I need naps ;)

Cravings: baked potatoes, frozen yogurt, pizza, and fruit

Daddy Updates: Rob is so excited! He has already been devising future camping trips in his head. ;)

Things coming up-I am headed to Wichita the July 21-27 and cannot wait to see some of my bestest high school friends!!!! I also can't wait to see my family. Might I add Luke is going to have the most fabuolous grandparents! He is going to be one spoiled boy. ;) My mom and I are also going to Baby Waves to have 3d sonogram pics/video taken and I can't wait!

The day after I return from Wichita we leave for Playa del Carmen. A little nervous-my physician game me a list of things not to eat or drink. We are staying at a five star all inclusive resort so I am hoping the food will be fine...I am going to be envious of all of the people on the beach with a fun drink in their hand ;) Looks like it's going to be a Shirley Temple kinda week! :)

Productivity and Progress

In the last three days I have ordered the nursery furniture, ordered bedding, hired painters and set-up my registry! Wish I could be this driven to clean the house. ;) I really just want to get things done before August, because I know once school starts the baby stuff will be put on the back burner.

If you or anyone you know is looking for reasonable custom bedding, check out http://www.etsy.com/. For those of you unfamiliar with Etsy, it is equivalent to an on-line craft show. Everything on the site is custom/hand made. They have anything from dishes, to furniture, to candles. I found a woman named Melissa who has a shop on Etsy and she has hundreds of fabrics to choose from. Above are the fabrics I chose. I am going with blue paisley, white with baby blue polka dots, blue and white stripes, as well as a soft baby blue chenille fabric. If you want more info about where I ordered the bedding from I will give you here contact info. Compared to all of the other custom bedding places/sites I found, she is 1/5 of the price!

Boy oh Boy!

So excited that we are having a boy! I lost the bet...I was certain it was a girl. It was really amazing seeing the sonogram. Still so surreal that the baby is in my belly! The sonogram took almost two hours because he would not stay still and they couldn't get any accurate measurements...hope this isn't foreshadowing of what's to come. ;) Truly though, I really feel blessed. I can't wait to meet him!

Now the fun begins! After the sonogram Rob and I grabbed dinner and headed to The Galleria. We went to Baby Gap and The Children's Place. We picked out a few things...it was on sale so I had to get it! :)


I think we have a name...for now-Luke Turner Woods

I have painters coming next week...any suggestions? We have a chair rail in the room separating it in half-I was thinking navy on bottom and the ever popular baby blue on top. I am open to suggestions though!