tattletale.

So now that I am beyond 20 weeks (officially 21, when/how did that happen?), I was reading up on what my child is up to. He is the size of a banana*. He can hear us. When I heard this I thought two things:

1- I should watch my mouth in traffic
2- My kid is going to hear the music I listen to

So more about #2. I feel like now I not only have the itunes 'most played' working against any kind of musical cred I have, I now have another witness to my secret musical desires. For example:

Here is a playlist that I enjoy listening to:



Create a playlist at MixPod.com

and here is a playlist I REALLY enjoy listening to:



Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Time to surrender and embrace the cheese. Apparently, I will always be a pop punk/eighties girl at heart.


* I was talking with my best friend the other day and we were talking about the listeria outbreak. She said when she heard them talking about it on the radio, she really wanted a cantaloupe. I love her. Also, the last couple weeks babble has been suggesting my baby is a pile of fruits. 3 limes? 5 tangerines? What the heck is that?

One more thing, CONGRATS SARAH!!!!!!! So happy for you and Tony!

a baby is my fave

(a picture of a baby who has way more hipster cred than me for sure)

Sometimes the internet can be an awful, soul sucking, terrible place full of people who leave horrid comments on blogs, news articles and opinion pieces.

Other times, it is a wonderful place that makes my heart sing.

Today is one of those days where I think it is totally awesome.

A HUGE congrats to Melanie!* She has been on my mind throughout my whole pregnancy and I could not be happier for a person I only know through the world wide web. I don't know if she even remembers but she responded to a comment I left on one of her babble posts after my miscarriage saying that I was in her thoughts and she hoped this year would have a miracle for both of us. I love that that came true.

I really cannot thank the blogging community enough for their support, good vibes and sweet emails during my highs and lows this year. I am so lucky and so appreciative for you guys. Sorry if I don't say that enough!

And finally, on that note, happy belated birthdays to two very special girls.

* also, I am waaay too pumped to read about all the cool baby stuff she will (hopefully) post about.

day off

(art by the awesome jamie shelman)

So I find myself with an unexpected day off. There is something in my wiring that will not let me just relax and enjoy the day* (aka nap). So here is my to do list:

1- make applesauce! lots and lots of apples leftover from apple picking.
2- make vegetable stock! crappy rainy days are excellent for soups.
3- do lots of laundry/change the bedsheets! warm clean sheets are also excellent on crappy days
4- revamp etsy shop! just created a made to order section. update pictures, etc.
5- sew! either stuff for etsy or baby stuff
6- catch up on my google reader's 'check out later' section! this tag gets used a lot
7- catch up on blogs! again sorry, I'm the worst
8- prep a couple blog posts! so I can post maybe more than once a week?
9- make cookies! no reason needed
10- wear cozy socks/jams/drink cocoa**

wish me luck!

* anyone else like this??
** I wouldn't be surprised if this is all I get done.

it's a...

...cat! No, not really but I did get this sling* I ordered in the mail today and inspired by Shannon, I tried it out with 2 of the 3 of our cats.





In all seriousness, this belly:



has this inside:



The poor ultrasound tech was having a hard time getting a profile shot of the little guy. She kept saying "he just keeps showing me his penis". At one point, when she took a photo of his arm and it looked like he was flexing.

God, I hope our kid doesn't use these moves outside of the womb.



* on super sale! these slings are usually $70+ and I got it for under $40. yeeesssss!

now back to the good part

In lieu of posting about what's going on in my head lately (thoughts of brownies, sleep) I thought I would post a mix of songs on my mind recently and why.



Create a playlist at MixPod.com

1. The Heart and the Head- Cats & Dogs
how good is this cd??? answer: super good. buy it, if you like what you hear here. It is my morning jam on the way to work and my mid day jam on the commute back.
2. The Lonely Island- Jack Sparrow
After seeing Jorma Taccone on Up All Night, we made the wise choice to listen to/watch this song on repeat. Love it. The best part is when Andy Samberg says 'what'.
3. Foster the People- Helena Beat
'Pumped Up Kicks' drives me nuts. However, this I like.
4. Sleeper Agent- Get it Daddy
Awful title, great song.
5. Frank Turner- If Ever I Stray
Great commute song. I'm sure other drivers are jealous of the awesome time I am having while singing this.
6. Wilco- I Might
New Wilco cd is very very good. Once, I play The Heart and the Head to death, I'm going to overplay this one.
7. Deer Tick- Miss K
Didn't think I liked Deer Tick? I do like this tune though.
8. Regina Spektor- Eet
I forgot how much I love this song. Ryan and I listened to this cd over and over on the way to a wedding last weekend.

listomania

No, not that song* (though I have to admit I love it and rarely change the station when it comes on)

What I've been up to.... since I last updated almost two weeks ago (oops!)

Here goes:

1. I'm cooking again (hip hip hooray!)
(for example: pumpkin banana bread, peanut butter cookies, curried lentil soup, vegetable stock, chicken stock, chicken with chickpeas, tomatoes and paprika, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin puree, etc etc etc.

2. Sewing (I can post these pictures after people get them, they are all gifts. hint: they are mini + some are Halloween related)

3. A bit of a belly**
Typical conversation:
Me: I feel like I am pregnant now
Ryan: you ARE pregnant
...and repeat

4. My skin is clearing up! Thank you burt's bees facial scrub!

5. Next Friday, we can find out if we are having a James or a Margaret (that is if the baby keeps it's legs uncrossed...)

6. Lots of wonderful fall things: scented candles, decaf pumpkin lattes (which seems like an oxymoron? regardless, super psyched they exist), apples that taste good, sweaters, light jackets...

7. I have tried to switch out a lot of products I use for more natural or diy versions. some positives: the other week I made my own detergent. not scary and it smells good! some negative: think I may have to switch back to regular deodorant. I am convinced I smell awful (sorry everyone I have any contact with)

8. Everyone is sick. Please don't get me sick. I am already crazy and nervous enough (also, I ate a cantaloupe like 3 weeks ago and even though my state is not one the recall is in, I freaked the eff out about it)

9. Ryan bought me a pair of Toms shoes. I have been wearing them almost everyday. I love them.

10. I thoroughly enjoyed the premiere of Parks + Rec. Also, I have a good feeling about Up All Night. I need more Will Arnett in my life, I even suffered through 2 viewings of 'Let's Go to Prison' to get my fix.

11. I'm actually dressing up for Halloween this year! I'm thinking this, this or this.

12. Thinking of all of you but some special thoughts for these ladies.


How about you? What's new with you???


* pardon me, while I hyperlink the shit out of this post
** I'll post a pic soon, if you're interested. Last night with wild hair in my pjs was not a good photo opportunity

1, 2, 3

(still from the commercial...found here)

Today me and Ryan were sitting in the waiting room at the doctors. We were talking about lots of different things like my day at work and Ryan's schedule tonight. At some point, we referred some Simpsons episodes. In an effort to not be discussing Milhouse when the doctor walked in, we decided to change the subject. Somehow the subject of a certain commercial came up.

Has everyone seen that Slate by Chase credit card ad where the woman surprises her husband and tells him they are having triplets? And he faints and says 'triplets' as if we couldn't figure that out on our own?

Ryan and I had many questions: Why was he just finding this out now? She is pretty far along. Has he not been attending her doctor's appointments? Has she known this whole time? Why was she hiding it? This joke is pretty lame for her big reveal. Is she playing a trick on him and really let her 2 pregnant friends hide their purchases at their house?

I am so glad I married this guy. For many reasons. But hating on the same commercials is definitely one of them.

I'm old.

So I went to see my sister yesterday in the city and our conversation went a little like this:

my sis: "So I made a stumble upon"
me: "Really? That's so very crafty of you"
my sis: "What? Do you have one?"
me: "Ya, I made one like a million years ago in girl scouts*"

She of course was referring to this:

(image from here)


I thought she was talking about this:

(image+ directions on how to make your very own from here)


When I realized my mistake, I realized I am very old and uncool.


Yikes.

ew.

(image from here)

I'm breaking out (feeling like a 'before' picture in a proactiv ad)

I'm bloated (think 'she better cool it on the nougat' rather than 'wow! that girl must be pregnant')

I'm burping.

I'm farting.

I'm hairier? (am I making this up or am I just getting worse at shaving/plucking?)

I'm still nauseous.

Sexy trimester*, my ass**



*I'm about 15 weeks now
**my ever expanding ass

a tiny gymnast

(image from here)

We recently went to the hospital for an ultrasound. They were testing for Downs Syndrome and Spina Bifida amongst other things. We were told they needed to take measurements of the neck and spine. The baby had other ideas. He/she kept turning around, rolling, doing somersaults and a baby version of handstands, putting hands in front of their face. I changed positions, went the bathroom, even had to take a walk down the corridor, in the hopes they would 'settle down' into a position they could take a photo of. Eventually, about 2 or 2 1/2 hours later, we got the picture. After we were done, Ryan said to the sonographer, 'When you asked earlier if we had any family history you should be concerned about, I probably should have mentioned then that I have a history of being a pain in the ass'.

I may have my hands full here.

you guys sure write a lot.

(image from here, comic from the always awesome toothpaste for dinner)


So I got a surprise day off yesterday.

The power was out at the college I work at for most of the weekend and school was cancelled on Monday for 'non essentials' (which means me, which I don't exactly like being referred to but that's another topic for another day). The rest of the week may be a little nuts since the freshman are here, the upperclassmen are back, classes start and general insanity ensues for a couple weeks. Then it is the lull before students start being reported to our office for not attending class, not doing assignments, etc.

Anyways, I am way off topic. My day off, that is what I meant to write about here. So I decided that I wanted to spend it either sewing or catching up on blogs (I spent the hurricane with power, so I played on pinterest and did some sewing). I ended up playing on the internet, I even wrote a couple posts for my blog which I've neglected all summer. I did tear myself away from my reader and facebook long enough to get to catch up on some of your blogs though.

In conclusion: you guys write a lot. I'm impressed. Also, I'm atleast 2 months behind on commenting. I am now up to date on a couple of you and will hopefully finish the rest this week.

Feel free to skip posting a couple days to help me out*



*I kid, I kid. I really love your posts!

crunchy cakes + shopping trips

(image from here)

Confession: I have a been a little nervous recently.

Now don't get me wrong, I am so so very excited. But after having a miscarriage, I am constantly anxious I will have another. Or that something will go wrong. I know I am doing everything I should: no alcohol, no caffeine, no soft cheeses, taking vitamins, trying to avoid scary websites. I am even pretty excited that I feel nauseous because I know that is a good sign. And now that I am over 13 weeks, I am slowly letting myself get more and more excited about the fact that we will have a son or daughter in March. While I have been bookmarking little items I love for a while, I recently started looking at all the 'stuff' in stores. Me and my mother even made a trip to IKEA and I swooned over all their adorable items. I am partial to the greens, rather than pinks or blues, and IKEA has some great designs for any gender. I didn't end up buying anything, just browsing, but my mom did buy a package of the frozen princess cakes for us to eat. She suggested we break them open in the car.

My mom: 'Hey! This is still crunchy! They should really think twice before freezing these!'
Me: 'I think they assume most people can make it home before breaking into their princess cakes'

It was totally worth it though. I am really glad I had napkins in my car too since my fingers were covered in lime green marzipan.

being nice.

(image from here)

Last night we went out to eat at Chipotle (side note: can't do beans (I tried) but I think they might think I'm gross if I order a burrito with only sour cream, lettuce, guac + cheese in it). When we pulled into the shopping plaza, we saw the guy who usually rings us up there, trying to cross. I turned to Ryan and said 'hey, there's our friend!' we stopped and the other line of traffic kept going, going, going. Eventually someone stopped for him going the other way, he waved to us and crossed. After we ordered our food, he refused to charge us, gave us an extra bag of chips and thanked us for letting him cross.


it's nice to be nice and even nicer when it results in free burritos*



*and a chocolate milk!

heroes & dog shows

I was actually going to post about the baby but then I was distracted by two things:

1. deputy butterbean
2. the purina dog show

#1 is a show about a pro wrestler or boxer or fighter of some kind who goes back to his home town to become a deputy. yes that's right, deputy butterbean. they are currently trying to set up a drug suspect. I love that his fellow deputies call him 'bean'.

#2 my husband just said to me 'I hate dog shows but I love you' kissed me and went into the room to read. I don't blame him. I think dog shows are a blast but can see why people don't love them as much as me. my personal favorite category is the toy category because it contains the most ridiculous breeds like this:


(pomeranian from here)

or this:

(maltese from here)

but nothing compares to the sheer insanity which is a show pekingese. please watch this video to truly appreciate it. the best part is the first minute or so. also, the soundtrack is key here. this dog truly is a hero.

a very sweet day

(found on pinterest*)

While on vacation last week, I had the pleasure of hanging out with a dear friend of mine and her now three year old son. We went to Dairy Queen. We got blizzards (chocolate xtreme and french silk pie if you're wondering) and her son got an artic rush (cherry?). In between our ice cream melting all over us (it was a very hot day) and her son taking sips of his sweet drink and running running running, she sat him down to whisper a secret to him.

"Guess what?"
"What???"
"Lisa is going to have a baby. There is a baby in there!" (she said pointing to my belly)
"Oooh! There's a baby in there with the ice cream!? The baby is eating the ice cream?!"

Then he agreed he would play with the baby, drank more artic rush and continued running laps.

So yes, there is a baby in there with the ice cream.

And yes, Meghan, your kind words and well wishes were very helpful. Thank you.



* I know this is not dairy queen-esque ice cream. However it is pretty.
** Please forgive me for being so very behind on commenting on your blogs. I am hoping to be back soon now that I feel less like vomiting every moment of the day.

3-2

My better half turns 32 today.

I spent the morning looking at photos; of the two of us, of him in high school, of him as a baby. Seriously, look at this guy! I can't get enough.

So happy birthday, Ryan. Me and the cats love you to pieces.

1 year? for realz?*

*yes for realz.

(I guess that's a good sign because it flew by since we are having so much fun. Also, the lack of fabric flower garlands I have made lately should have been a tipper too.)

Ryan, thanks for being such an awesome husband and for loving, me even when I am completely ridiculous and trying. I adore you so much and cannot wait to see what the next years have in store for us!


(by the lovely Kate Rose)

...and a happy anniversary one day late to Angie + Josh too!

by product meal, a dilemma

(snoozers, at the old apt.)

So I'm thinking about changing the type of cat food I buy our cats. Woah, I know right? Can you even prepare yourself for the awesomeness of this post??? In all seriousness, I am trying to make more of an effort to be more green and natural, switching out our toothpaste (Toms), my deodorant (also, Toms brand), cleaning products (Method). I have always tried to buy pretty healthy foods for us and love shopping at Trader Joes and buying an item or two at Whole Foods. When I go to the bigger chains, I try to buy the cheapest organic or atleast more affordable healthiest options. So now I'm onto trying to buy better food for the furry members of our family. I was a total crazy person at Target the other day, reading the ingredient labels of all the cat foods and I don't know if it is just me but they all look the same? They all seemed to have by product meal as their first ingredient and that sounds like bad eats to me. I ended up buying a small bag of Purina One 'Indoor Advantage'. I don't know if I like the sound of it, with a name like that it seems like it will give my cats super strength and if we got into a fight, they would win.

What do you feed your animals? What do you recommend? And do I have to spend $30/bag to feel good about their food or am I just being silly?

Tinker, Beto and Pirate thank you for your feedback.

droppin' beets.

(found on pinterest, original from here)

The other day my good friend came over to get some vegetables from my garden. It is producing lots these days but too much for just me and Ryan. She took some squash, zucchini and some beets. I have never grown beets before so I was unsure when to pull them (like I am with all root vegetables). I googled it and learned that I can pull them as soon you can see 'the beets' shoulders'.

I thought that was just about the cutest thing I ever read.

If you're interested, I could see all their shoulders.

If you find yourself with some beets, here are some lovely recipes I've stumbled upon: here, here and here.

simple.

(image from here)

sometimes there is nothing as easy, carefree and rejuvenating as a warm bath.

and yes, I stayed in until my fingers and toes were very very wrinkled.


what is your go-to simple pleasure?

what I've been up to (in pictures)

(window cat #1)


(window cat #2)


(first lazy homemade pickles of the season! lazy= store bought pickle juice added to garden cukes)


(summer squash)


(tomatoes)


(beets)


(new custom alligator)


(new whale)

2-8

Today I am twenty eight. I have a pretty good feeling about that. Seems like a great age so far (well, 9 hours in anyways)! I got married at 27, blogged my heart out, started my etsy shop, hung out with good friends, some friends had babies, some friends got engaged, some friends got married and lots of other fun things happened that I'm forgetting. So 28, you have your work cut out for you to top last year, best of luck.

Fun birthday fact: I used to go to parades every year on my birthday when I was younger. Every year I would beg my mom for one of these:


(image from here)

Pardon my language, but these things were the shit. Every single toy vendor at the parades sold them. One year I strayed from my desire for a foam lizard friend and got sparklers. I thought they were some kind of candy. How disappointed I was! I don't think I even knew what sparklers were for years. So anyways, after that snafu, I stuck with lizards. Now my mom's attic is probably filled with them because I was bored with them by the car ride home. But the following year, they would be awesome all over again!

Have a great day today and to my American friends + readers, happy fourth!!



....and to Ms. Bunny: hope yesterday was FABULOUS + happy honeymoon!

grow garden grow

(the tiniest cucumber)


(wee berries)


(beans! I've been eating these guys everyday)


(pea pods!)

Sorry for the spotty posting, folks. Promise to be back soon! Like a champ this time!

ode to my nan

(Isabelle in her navy blue velour suit)

My nan passed away last week. It was awful to see her spend the last few days of her life suffering so I was glad that her funeral became a celebration of her 92 years instead. We told great stories. Like, how she used to scare us as kids with horrifying (and made up) animal stories and as a result, my cousin is still afraid of cows. Or how much she loved to read, especially murder mysteries. How much she loved Jeopardy (and how good she was at it). How she used to go all out on holidays and wear color coordinated outfits with tons of accessories (think Fourth of July with knee high striped socks, mardi gras beads, blue sweater, white keds, red shorts). How she loved to crochet and bake. How she let me eat cans of mandarin oranges from her stockpile that lined the walls down to her basement. How she kept a beautiful garden and canned wonderful foods. How she named the chipmunks in her yard (Charlie, in case you're wondering). How much she loved tea and sweets*. How she despised alcohol but smoked like crazy. How she loved to dance. How she used to model shoes for Stride Rite with her adorable size 4 feet.

Thanks for everything, Nana. Hope wherever you are, you're sassing someone (and if they're being fresh, giving them a pinch).

*Just like Isabelle's PB cookies

1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

preheat to 350. mix ingredients + roll into balls. wet a fork + create a crisscross pattern on the cookie (this is crucial for that 'grandma cookie' look). bake 10-12. enjoy!

hello again

(image from here)


Sorry for the blog absence all. Things have been a little crazy here. Two people in my husband's family have passed away recently and then my grandmother passed away as well as a beloved student at the school I work at. I also met a long lost relative who had been out of touch with the family for 20+ years. So things have been fraught with emotion to say the least. I promise to be back in the swing of things soon, commenting on your blogs, talking about food I like, posting about music stories. Hope all is well with you + happy Friday.