23 weeks and something non-baby (FINALLY!)

23 weeks and getting BIG!

So, here's one of the crafts we've been working on. Our little coniferous advent calendar. It was so easy and actually turned out cuter than I'd expected. I'd still like to get some "snow" and lights to put around the trees, but I kind of like it. There are a few drawbacks though... With the "calendar" itself - the tape I used to form the cones isn't strong enough to hold them, they're popping open. Second, I can't imagine how I could possibly pack these up and have them come out next winter. That means next year I'll be doing something differently. I think I'll do a felt stocking garland advent calendar. I'd like it to be something that will hold up through our girls growing up so they remember pulling it out each year.

I need to get to work on what we're going to use for the treats though. I don't want to use all candy, but anything more is going to get awfully expensive. The 1st is one week away and I only have a few things so I need to get moving!

Finally, here's the little Stinker's 23 week belly! :) We can't get enough of this little character!

22 weeks

I've been meaning to do house posts, things have just been crazy! We had a little wind storm Monday night - Jim told me that the neighbor said they haven't lost power here for years. That was music to my ears since we lost it several times a year at our old place. 30 minutes later and we were in the dark. It didn't come back until 9am Tuesday morning. I think we've jinxed our new little neighborhood. I hope they don't force us out!

I got a new camera that I am in LOVE with, but I could spend days online looking at tutorials to better learn how to use it. We got the Nikon D3100 - I already have a few lenses on my wishlist. Maybe the rain will stop long enough I can take Stella out for a little photoshoot. It's too bad that all of the leaves have been blown off the trees in the storm.

Monday Jim got his 'monster' truck back. They still have some work to do, but it already looks amazing and he's crazy about it.

We also got new carpet Tuesday. It's wonderful, but... I'm not too thrilled with the color we chose. That's kind of sad. I'm hoping that it will grow on me soon.

Finally, Jim has strep. Stella might have strep. I'm thinking that means I'm next. YUCK! So, house posts are on the back burner for a bit.

I have a few holiday crafts too so maybe I'll be able to sneak them in! I'm SO ready for the Christmas season and all that it entails.

21 weeks

In house news - we're out of school tomorrow so the plan is to make some decisions on flooring. Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away, and I want at least the front room carpet done before then. (I want my tree up the day after Thanksgiving and don't like the idea of putting it up and then moving it for carpet). Jim and I will be doing the laminate ourselves again at this house. It's about 450 square feet and was going to cost more than $5K to have it installed! I'm not sure if we'll get to that over Thanksgiving break or if we'll wait until Christmas. I'm all for taking a day off work and just getting it done, but it's not as easy for administrators. I'd like to get it done sooner than later so there'll be less interference from the belly! I just cannot wait to get all of that nasty old flooring that someone else has gotten dirty OUT of my house!

Week 20