7 Months In.

Seven months. I have been carrying this sweet baby in my womb for over half a year. It's so hard to believe! The second trimester really flew by with me feeling great and the weather was gorgeous.
I'm officially in my third and final trimester as of two weeks ago, and am 30.5 weeks today. I've really been noticing how I have to slow down again, and the third trimester has brought back the hormones, achiness, and occasional nausea of the first trimester. I'm hungry a lot, but because Baby is squishing my stomach now I can't eat as much, so it feels like I'm constantly eating small meals and snacks!

I get bigger daily as Baby grows, kicking and squirming around in his/her cozy little nest. I am so excited to meet my baby! Time seems to have started dragging again, and the weeks are so quickly ticked off the calender. Still, I can not help but be occasionally overwhelmed at the thought that in ten weeks or less I will will be holding my own baby, and be a mom. It's exciting but scary. I've never been that responsible for another human being before, but I will lean on my Jesus for strength and guidance.

My first baby shower is in less then two weeks, I'm so excited! My generous and sweet friend Donna is throwing it for us, and I can't wait. :) She is one of the sweetest people I know, and has been a true blessing in my life.

Besides a preterm labor scare last weekend, my pregnancy has gone so well! I have no major complaints, and am loving being pregnant more then I even imagined I would! :)

Seven month picture! :)

My sweet sister Susannah and I on her 11th birthday when I got to spend some time with family.

Kitchen Organization

If you ever need inspiration to organize, go to IHeart Organizing. Wowzers, what a beautiful blog full of so many beautiful things!

Anyway, I found my organizing inspiration for some problem areas of my kitchen. Here are some slightly embarrassing pictures of my corner cabinet...

Soup Weather! :)

It's definitely soup weather these days! :) Last night I was craving some of my moms hamburger soup, so this is what I came up with!

Hamburger Potato Soup
1 lb. ground beef
4 cups hot water
5 beef bouillon cubes
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil

In a large pan brown beef with onion. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

What are your favorite fall soup recipes?

Baby Projects: Burp Cloths

Over the last few weeks I have slowly been working on sewing a collection of things for Baby. Mainly, burp cloths and rags. :)

First I whipped up some simple flannel and chenille wash cloths. I found the flannel and chenille at JoAnn's on sale. Mine were 8x8. I decided to do a zig zag stitch around the edges because they were too bulky otherwise.
I ended up with a dozen of these, three of each print.

Autumn is coming!

Despite it being in the high seventies today, I was inspired to do my fall decorating. I adore fall. ^_^
Also, budget. I wanted to do it for under $20.

 My collection. Most of this is from the dollar store, the rest is from yard sales and thrift stores. Just look at all that prettiness. 

First up, my boring spring/summer table center piece....

Autumn update! :)

I used a leaf strand from the dollar store and two birch candle holders I already had.

Next I tackled my never-finished front entry. 

There is a matching candle/holder on the other side of this mirror. 

The wreath was from the DS, and I used burlap, jute, and fabric to decorate it. I love these little wreaths.. I'll have to grab some more before they're gone for the year!

I may or may not be very slightly  obsessed with burlap and jute. <3

Hall before...

 And after. :)

 Everything I used here I had before, except the flowers in the wall vase thingy, which were from, of course, the DS. :P

Some other random fall decor I did around the house. :)

Total cost: $16

Happy Autumn!

Updates :)

You may have noticed the new blog title and layout. :) I decided it was time to update the look and feel of my blog... I wasn't really feeling the old name anymore, and I don't think most people really got it.

The verse, Isaiah 29:3, has really been lain on my heart lately, and I cling to it daily. What wonderful promises our Father has for us...

6 Down, 3 (ish) to go!

When I first found out I was pregnant, January seemed so far away... Every week felt like a month in the first trimester, every day dragged. Of course it didn't help I had zero energy and spent many mornings in our lovely bathroom. ;)

As of yesterday, Baby is 24 weeks "cooked". We can now feel and see him/her move from the outside of my belly, and enjoy watching how how Baby responds to our voices, especially my husbands. :)

I have begun accumulating some baby clothes and items, including a huge haul from my mom. I have some clothes, burp clothes, blankets, etc. Just collecting things slowly has been a lesson in patience for me (I am SO a planner, if it were up to me I would have everything ready by now... :P), but it has also caused me to really research what I think will work best for us, instead of impulse buying. :)

I look forward to the beginning of every month, when we get to hear our sweet baby's heartbeat! I really enjoy our midwife appointments, and we always come away feeling so excited and happy about our baby all over again. :)

I love my preggo belly... even if I can't bend over anymore already. :P

January will be here before we know it, and I can't wait to meet our precious baby!!

One month, right after we found out!

           Bump
        Progress! 

Six months! :)