Making Time

Time is sparse, Baby is healthy, Boys are, well the boys. We are playing in the rain, painting rocks, making Popsicles, and enjoying the summer. I rarely have a moment to use both hands at the same time, but this is not a complaint as we are all so in love with our new daughter/sister. I am inspired to continue to knit for our family, even during the summer heat. My goal today is to remain content and fulfilled in each moment of our lives fully knowing there is plenty of time to get "things" done. For now, who cares if its pizza night again, the dishes are in the sink and laundry scattered about? At least we're having fun!

June First = Summer Celebrations

Well, its almost summer anyway. I meant to keep up with blogging at least every month, but these last few have slipped away from me. Being 9+ months pregnant and finishing a Bachelor's degree will do that to a lady! Sometimes I really do amaze myself and others I feel like I need to be doing more. Life continues to be about finding that balance.

We had a blast celebrating spring and enjoyed a long one here in the desert. Lots of rain brought beautiful desert blooms all around. Now that June is here the temperatures still haven't really hit 100, which is rare for this time of year. So we are enjoying the outdoors still before we escape into the AC or mountains or some other place of coolness. We continue to anticipate the birth of baby #3 as well as the days of Popsicles and swimming. Also trying to talk hubby into buying a tent and traveling close to home for camping this summer. The new REI just opened up here so my fingers are crossed and the outlook appears optimistic.

I knit three baby hats in three days when I thought I was going into labor last week. Now the contractions have died down and so has my desire to knit. More is surely to come though!

You eat her?

Just a quick note, so I don't forget!

My oldest saw me looking at BabyCenter.com and recognized the baby on the homepage illustrating my progress at 30 weeks today. His innocent response was, "I see baby in your tummy. You eat her?" Ah, to understand the innocence of the 4 year old mind! So sweet.

It's a Girl!

So I am about 7 months pregnant now and still in a daze since finding out the news that baby #3 is a girl. The mind, being the funny thing it is, begins to play tricks on you and after 2 boys for some reason I thought that was all I could create. Needless to say, this is a fallacy for the sonogram picture is crystal clear. And with two grandma's in town she is already becoming the spoiled little princess we all envision her to be. The excitement has grown to such a level that I find myself dragging out the boys' baby books to compare the sonogram pictures, in fear for what would happen if this baby truly is a boy. So, the baby shower is scheduled three months out, when for baby boy #2 I wasn't even sure we were going to have a shower. Does a mother throw her own shower? I didn't think so and waited in fear that the delivery would happen before any mention of a shower. But now that its a girl, the whole experience for the rest of the family is night and day. Of course, daddy and I would have been completely find with three boys, brothers! But I cannot say the same for everyone else. Also, finding it much easier to knit for baby girl, much like shopping for a girl there are too many options to fathom. Today I have about 4 projects on my needles with a few more piled up in anticipation. I regret to say that I did not have this knitting excitement for the boys and they have a few boring hats and hand warmers. Perhaps I will feel inspired to find some matching boy knits to conjure up in the mean time. I don't know...

belly

black & white
Originally uploaded by peace & love photography

I was honored to photograph my dear friend Lauren for her pregnancy. It was my first official pregnancy shoot and we had a blast. I learned so much about posing, lighting and so much more. Four hours into it the day seemed a blur and my head was spinning from so much creativity going on. Another friend was there to photograph as well so we had fun learning from each other. When I got home I realized I had taken 358 photos! My eyes have been stinging each day as I go through and find my favorites. It was so worth the effort and I can't wait to meet baby and get some newborn shots too!

A sad farewell to baking...for now

My husband and I recently had an argument about butter. I know it seems silly and even more so since we don't really fight. We usually just debate until one of us cracks a smile thereby admitting defeat. This time around I guess it was more serious that I thought. It all happened one late night as he was returning home from the gym and was making himself something to eat. When he realized I had once again used the last of the butter he lost it. Maybe it was his post workout low blood sugar or maybe it was our new slowed pace of lovemaking due to baby number 3 on the way? I don't know. All I know is that from now on I will promise to always leave at least 1/2 a stick in the fridge no matter what my pregnant mind would like to bake. I argued that good butter was the cornerstone of good baking and that I made more oatmeal raisin cookies for him this year than ever before, but this was not enough to spread on his late night snack and so I lost. I suppose I came to the sad realization that with the holidays behind us so too are my baking days. People just aren't that excited to get half a dozen of whatever I baked when they are trying to lose those extra holiday pounds.

Also, I finished the pencil cases (photos coming soon) and the lucky recipients were thrilled, but they're 4 so that's not hard to do. I also finished a hat for each of my boys and a pink one just in case this baby is a girl. If its another boy, the hat will soon be for sale on Etsy. I just had to knit something pink.

Banana Bread

This time of year I seem to be baking nearly everyday, but cookies get tiresome so I love to add in breads to the variety. Plus we had a few brownish bananas today so I baked banana bread. I found this simple recipe and my copy is getting quite loved so I thought I'd share it here for safekeeping. I originally found it on allrecipes.com submitted by Libby:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2- 2 cups mashed banana

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

Optional:

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour one 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, then bananas. Add flour and soda, stirring just until combined.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for about an hour, or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pan and let cool, store in fridge or freeze.

Slice and enjoy!

Hope you love it.