Holy CRAFT!

My poor pathetic blog. SOOOOO sad!

With 30 shopping days left, and only 33 pregnant days left... I am so blessed to have my parents in town! They are here for the Thanksgiving holiday, but more importantly, they are here to get me ready for all the upcoming happiness! I finally realized, that I can craft! With help from all the crafty bloggers, and being too tired to do anything but sit or lay, I have been able to get a few things done. I am really proud of my accomplishments, and therefore, I must blog about it! There is not much I am getting done in my world right now, so these things make me feel completely useful!

First, my Christmas wreath! I am having a very untraditional, color theme going on here. But, I love it. It was so easy, and fun to make, and I love pulling up to my house to this. I used leftover scrap book paper, glue, hot glue, and a styrafoam wreath. I think is goes great against the dark colored from door. I haven't noticed the neighbors stopping in the tracks yet... but I have a feeling, this baby could stop traffic. (HAH!!!)

This next craft is more traditionally colored, but untraditionally assembled. Papa, and Nora, made this craft possible. Some hot glue, craft wire, an old frame from the thrift store, and cute little Christmas balls were all I needed to make this work of art. I am thinking I can leave the frame up, and Change out the center based on the seasons? We'll see how motivated I am in January??? But, just be looking for updates on the frame.



There are a few more that are in the works, and maybe will be posted at a later time. I will make sure to take a belly picture when I inhale a half of turkey. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Getting closer!

We are almost there!!!

Pumpkin Spice YUMMEENESS!!!

It seems like every moms group I go to, I hear all about, "Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes". One of my "besties" almost put her family in financial ruins because of the "Fall Favorite". Since, I am not a coffee drinker, I decided to make my own, "Pumpkin Spice" concoction. I shared this with my bestie, and she is now on her way to financial freedom! Hahaha... Really, she told me it tastes "Exactly Like Starbucks". So for all the moms that love this drink, try it today. I love it even without the coffee. But, if you must, and I understand that people must have a, "MUST", (mine is my cold Diet Coke from a can at 4pm.) then go for it. But, if you aren't a coffee drinker, like probably 75% of my readers, then, "Cheers" for a non-coffee yummy treat. I will be making this for all my "Holiday Visitors".

2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin puree
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
2 Tablespoon of white sugar, OR I hear Splenda is good too
1 cup of milk, I used 2%, but skim, or whole, whatever your hips can afford
1/4 Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Mix this all together in a small saucepan. Whisk constantly for 5 minutes, then it will be nice a frothy, and ready to drink. Or, poor over your liking of coffee.

30 going on 50

I really didn't think I would need to make this purchase until I was at least 50! Well, a recent doctor visit indicated otherwise. It is ironic, that someone in my condition (33 weeks pregnant) would need to be on so many pills! It is hard to keep track of. Is that because there are so many, or because I am getting so old, I can't remember which ones to take when?

Prenatal Vitamin 1/day
Iron Supplement 1/day
Stool Softener 2/day
Acid reducer 2/day
Pepcid 2/day
TUMS use in moderation, no more than 10/day!



This better be one healthy baby.

Did I mention that...

I have heartburn radiating out of my ears?

I feel like I ate a 20lb. turkey, and now I can't pass it!

it feels like I am wearing a fat suit that I can't take off?

I am never ever hungry, but would love to eat everything I see?

I want nothing more than to crawl in a hole, and come out in 9 weeks?

I love Halloween?

I have the best daughter in the whole wide world!!!?

I have a miracle taking over my body?

I can't find my rib cage?

I am less then 9 weeks from having our baby?

I have neglected my blog a lot? I don't feel bad about that, but I feel bad for the poor grandparents, that only want to see their grand daughter.

those poor grandparents nag me to update my blog every time we talk on the phone?

I have turned into a BIG, FAT, pregnant couch potato, ever since the new seasons started?

I get up to pee 4-7 times per night?

Nora makes me laugh at least a dozen times per day?

my husband is learning the hard way how to put up with me being pregnant?

he is the greatest thing that ever happened to me?

everyday, I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings that he continues to pour upon me? I am not sure why he does, and I am constantly feeling inadequate, but I am truly blessed.

And, because I do love the grandparents of my daughter... here are a few get them through the week...

OH... she never seems to disappoint!

Just when I thought today was not going to be a funny cute day, I found this...



When I asked her, "Where is the candy?"



How she managed to find my stash of kisses, and eat... 18 Hershey Kisses without me knowing, is beyond me. It's not even like I left her alone while I tried to nap today. WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

Whats even more funny, is she keeps asking me for more, and I keep saying NO. And she says, "You say, NO, and I say YES!" Then she says, "You happy mommy?" YIPES!

Almost 3!

Nora will be three this week. Since every day she does something pretty funny, this week, I will attempt to blog about it!

After a long weekend, I decided I REALLY needed a nap! I put Nora down for her nap, and today, she wanted NOTHING to do with it! So, I locked the front door, locked the back door, and told her that she needed to play quietly in her room. So, while she was "playing quietly" I got to take a little snooze. That was until...

Nora: "Mommy, wake up! You need to put Mulans dress on her!"
Me: NORA, you need to play in your room, while mommy takes a nap. Please don't come out of your room.
Nora: UUUGH!

So, after less then ten minutes, I was feeling too guilty to sleep! So, I just laid there, and listened to her play with her toys. She never ended up taking her nap. When daddy came home, we talked about her day. I asked her,
Me: Did we have a good day?
Nora: Daddy, mommy was very ANGRY at me.
Daddy: Really, why was mommy angry?
Nora: She made me sad.
Daddy: What happened?
Nora: She wanted to sleep.
Daddy: Did you let her sleep?
Nora: Nope, and she was angry!
Daddy: Why wouldn't you let her sleep?
Nora: UUUGH!
Daddy: Nora, Mommy is trying to grow a baby in her tummy. She needs lots of rest, and if she doesn't get rest, then she may become angry.
Nora: But mommy didn't put Mulans dress on her!

Anyways, the conversation went on and on. And all I could hear was my mom saying, "Oh yeah, I'll show you angry!"

I also got to thinking about how tired I have been. I realize that when I have a newborn, I will be tired too, but I really hope it is a different kind of tired.

Speaking of the newborn... he is due to arrive in eleven weeks! I have been feeling great, and only gained 10lbs so far! My new doctor is ecstatic every time she measures me! The baby makes a great mouse pad, and plate rest. I retract any statements that I have ever made about him being so gentle. As of the last few weeks, he doesn't want me to forget how snug he is in there. I'm thinking in the next few weeks, we will start making a few purchases for this guy. But for now, I think I will try to take a nap.

Disney... YIKES!

Halloween at Disney World is a crazy, fun experience! We are so lucky to have been able to go to their Halloween Party again this year. Joel's company comes with a few perks, and one of those perks, is an apartment to stay at right by Disney World in Orlando. We thought it would be a good time for us to go, before the baby comes. I was highly impressed with myself... which isn't really saying much, because I was worried weather of not I would be able to walk around so much. I guess when you apply a little bit of magic you never know what could happen.

Before we went to the parks, we were able to take Joel's dad, and brother to see Joel's Grandpa. He has been really sick, they are moving back to Michigan this week. So we stopped by to see them, and we are so glad we did. Nora was in true fashion, entertaining and sweet. I think Grandma Patsy, and Grandpa were glad we stopped by. I was glad to get some family pictures for posterity's sake.



Our first day at Disney we went to the Magic Kingdom. The weather was amazing. The rides were a BLAST! And those darn characters... NEVER disappoint! Nora didn't really care who she met... she just loved them all. She did talk about meeting Ariel for a while, so we made sure to take care of that one first. And it worked out, because she was wearing her Ariel dress. Ariel wondered why she hasn't seen her is so long, and told her, that she really missed her, and LOVED her dress. Nora told Ariel that she loved her BRA. Ariel doesn't wear the most modest clothing, but she lives, "Under the Sea", so she wears more clothing then some of the fish do.

Here are a few shots of some other meet and greets! All were very special, and worth any time we had to wait for them. Her happiness was priceless.









There were a lot of pictures with my belly sticking in the picture. Because I didn't know if Joel was actually trying to get my belly in there, or if it was just sticking out, I thought I would post a tribute to the "Baby BUMP".





The second day we went to Epcot... which I LOVE IT THERE! That is where we were able to email our video of our Future World. We met some other characters, and saw an amazing laser light, firework show! Disney doesn't spare any expense! They are amazing. I received a button for a lil' baby on the way.


And Nora met some more friends, and got a kiss from Snow White, that I think is a permanent fixture now. We have scrubbed and scrubbed at that thing, and there are still traces of that BRIGHT RED lipstick right on her forehead. Her first tattoo!








The third day we went back to the MK, because we were celebrating Halloween with them. Lulu and Papa, made the MOST AMAZING Tinkerbell Costume for Nora, and it was mainly for the purpose of this party. Of course we had to meet Tinkerbell, and when we did, she said that Nora had the best looking wings she had ever seen! We were also there to take care of some personal business with Tink. When Nora got rid of her Binky's she left them for Tink to take to the other babies. Lately, she was wondering if Tink would give her back her Binky's so that she can give them to her baby brother. That will have to continue onto post Part II.

Noras Future!

I thought this was too funny not to share.

6 MONTHS!!!

I wonder how far I can get this hair tie to stretch!

WHAT! A blog post? NO... Yes...

It really is true. I seem to have an excuse for NOT blogging, every time I blog. So for this blog post, the excuse is LACK of pictures! I just haven't really been photographing lately. There is three months left in the life of the 3 Evans', and we are soaking it in. At this point, I am not rushing this pregnancy, at all, unlike the first time! But this time seems to be going by so much faster. Here is the most recent belly picture... taken at 5 months. Today I am at 6 months. So I have gotten a lot bigger. YAY!!!

We had my parents over 2 weekends ago. They have come to the realization, that they can't go more then 6 weeks without seeing us! And by us, I mean NORA! The constructed Noras Halloween costume, so that was their excuse for coming. To make a special delivery! I have to save the pictures for the BIG Disney reveal, but I will say, BEAUTIFUL! I am worried that the "Imagineers" are going to want to steal the design of the costume! It is amazing, and we can't thank Lulu and Papa enough for their hours upon hours of crafting.

While they were here, they took good care of me too. They took me for my Reuben that I have been craving, and then they prepared Thanksgiving Dinner for me. Two of the things I have been craving!!! It was so nice to family over. Life does get sad here, being so far from everybody I know. So, mom and dad, thank you for the sacrifices you make, to see us. We appreciate it far more then we could tell you.

The other nice things about having them here, is Joel and I get to get out! We took a day trip to the Washington DC temple. It was Joels first time there. Ahhh... it is amazing! And very special to have that day with my husband.

The only other thing that I have pictures of, is Nora and I at the zoo last week. It was our first time to the Norfolk Zoo, and it was super great! We have so much fun together! It feels like I am missing the catch! WHATS THE CATCH? Why do I get to have so much fun?






I don't imagine that I will have a blog post again this week. We realized this weekend, that we are leaving next Monday to go to Disney, and we haven't really planned our trip. It's not like us! We aren't "Fly off the seat of our pants" type of people, but this might be that sort of trip. Either way, it will be fun, and exciting. Mickey is waiting for us, and more importantly, Tink and Nora have some very important business to take care of! Stay tuned!!!

Summer is OVER!

That's right. I said it! Hate to face the music, but it is really gone. It seems as though, even if I don't have a kid in school, we still get a summer break. We get visitors, we spend time at the beach, we just chill all the time! And now, that has ceased! Well, we do have some familiar visitors coming over for the weekend, more to post about them later! But Nora and I have signed up for three play groups! Story time! And a MOMS group, that I get to drop Nora off at to play, while I get some mommy time. So, our life is about to be very busy. I have been WAY relaxed on the blogging side. I am trying to spend a lot of time with Nora, and working with her in several different areas. She is the joy in my life, and that is really all I have to blog about. Oh, and the amazing daddy she has, that will run to 7-11 in the middle of the night, because I want peanut butter cups, and will make me one of his amazing salads after he has already laid down to rest at night. Ahhh... he is great! The baby boy is doing great. I love him already. He is very gentle when he kicks, and is so respectful of me when I am sleeping. I just can't wait to meet him. I have a good feeling that he is going to melt my heart all over again. I went to the dr. yesterday, and the dr. described him as very comfy cozy. I thought that was cute! The great news she gave me was... 4lbs. is all that I have gained! WOO HOO!! I think each one of those lbs was gained in the last month, because, I have been feeling so great. I don't remember my cravings being this out of control when I was pregnant with Nora. I do remember eating chili dogs all the time! This time all I want is THANKSGIVING DINNER! And NYC Katz's Deli Reuben sandwich! All things that I can't run out at get, or just whip up. But we are managing! Sorry I don't have pictures today, I haven't taken my camera out in about 2 weeks! The camera needed a vacation too. It is going to be just as busy as we are! We are also going to Disney in two weeks. It is going to be great! See you later!!! Soon... hopefully!!

And the WIENNERS are...

Haha... although life is not yet back to normal... I wanted to announce the winners of my baby guessing contest. The rules didn't say you had to be right... you just had to guess. If you gave a name suggestion, then I entered you twice. It was all very fair. The big sister did all the drawings. Congrats. Please send me your address so I can get a special treat to you!

Winners:
Cristi (From FB)
Erin N. (From FB)
Rachel P. (From Blog)
Stacey (From Blog)
Alie Q. (From Blog)
Alison C. (From Blog)
Emily B. (From Blog)
Rachel H. (From FB)
Cami (From FB)
Meredith (From FB)

Random Thoughts... (Thanks Brenda!)

1) Having my mother in law in town is way better than I ever imagined! She went grocery shopping, cleaned, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, demands that I go take naps, she has Nora help her pick out her earrings every day, which Nora loves! Her presence makes my husband extra lovey to me! Does she have to go home?

2) Ok, what is the deal with BOYS CLOTHES! I never paid much attention, because there were always so many choices for little girls... but, this is bad! How come moms with boys have not taken a stand sooner? Where do I find the isles and isles of boys clothes? At Target today, looking for a little present for my "Scooter", and in the shoe department, Honest to goodness, one whole wall full of toddler girls shoes, and another wall 2/3 full of girls shoes, and then the other 1/3 was for boys! Then in the clothes... all the girl stuff is in the main isle for everyone to see, and the boy stuff is shoved was in the back! REALLY? Is this typical for most places, or just Target? I need you moms of boys to help me! I remember buying Noras first outfit(s) and coming home so excited to show everyone, and how fun it was. This outing just made me irritated! (I am pregnant, so I allow myself to become more irritated, I will repent for that when I know it won't happen again!)

3) We might see a hurricane here in Va. Beach, and that makes me a little excited! Is that bad?

4) I just found a company that makes and sells chocolate covered bananas in the freezer section of the grocery store. I ate one on the way home, and one when I got home. I may have a problem!

5) I can't wait to photograph my little "Scooter"!

6) We are going to Disney World again, in... 40 some days! WOO HOO!!! (Joel just recently told me, he loves that I love Disney! That is a big admission for him, he usually acts annoyed, like a tough guy!)

7) I love when Joel gets sentimental, and mushy! He is really good at it!

8) I miss my old friend Ryan. I can't believe he is almost 6. I think about him all the time, and he probably doesn't even remember me. I love that kid!

9) Do bananas make you poop, or opposite? Does chocolate help even it out?

10) I can't wait for Project Runway to come back on! I haven't seen it in years! Cable tv has an advantage! Heidi Klum! YAY!!!

11) Sometimes I can't believe I live so far away from my people! I miss them. =(

12) I always hear, "It is crazy, how different your kids personalities can be." What if I want it to be just as easy the second time? Is it possible, or am I DOOMED? UGH... I am scared!

13) Is it worth $80.00 to get a 2nd 3D ultra sound with a 30 minute dvd? I have always just had 2D, but thought it would be cool to see a 3D one... any thoughts?

14) That was very therapetical! Now, I must go rest... ahhh... life is great!

Two days to BREATHE... then Round four... Part One

(Disclaimer: I have had this post in my box since yesterday, and it still isn't finished. Part 2 coming... some day!)


We love having company. It gets rather lonely here in Va Beach, and we have desperately pleaded for friends and family to come and visit. We had NO IDEA they would all come at the same time! So, sometime... several Thursdays ago... my parents arrived. They were here till Wednesday, then on Thursday my sister-in-law, and one of our best friends Katie, came with their three kids. They left on Tuesday morning, and I left to pick up Jennifer. Jennifer flew out today, Wednesday, and I am here all alone... well, till Saturday, when Joels mom arrives, and will be here for a week. Then we will be once again... ALL ALONE! Oh wait... I forgot... one day last week, I got a phone call from some of our best friends from Michigan, saying, "We don't really know if we will be by you, but we are headed to NC for the weekend, and might come by." Then got the call on Friday, during our Krispy Kreme ritual, "We are about 20 minutes away, can we see you?" Of course we loved seeing them too, and they loved that we had a bathroom for them to brush their teeth in! Joel was able to see them on Monday when they headed back through Norfolk on their way home.

This has all led me to being way behind in blogging. Either I can go back and document every visitors stay, and all the fun we had, and all the great things we did, and bore you to tears, or I can fill in the highlights. Since I LOVE MY READERS, and I want them to continue reading, we will go with the later.

We did lots with Lulu, and Papa. We made pasta sauce, enough to feed the entire Va Beach area! We went to the beach, we went to the Farmers Market, Krispy Kreme, a church social, the aquarium, and Colonial Williamsburg. I think there was more, but all the things that we have done in the last few weeks, are starting to blend together. Williamsburg was by far the highlight of their visit. What fun!!!

Nora got to be part of a show, and had to drag her chubby mom with her! UGH!!!

Telling my dad not to wear socks with sandals, because of how goofy it looks, is like telling me not to wear gauchos! I know I shouldn't wear them, but they are so great these days, I can't help myself. Joel hates them! Me, I LOVE LOVE THEM!

Round 2 was Alison, her two kids, and Katie and her daughter. Together they made the 800 some odd mile drive! They are troopers! I wish I had Beverly Hills Hotel accommodations for them, because they deserved it! We did most of the same stuff we did the week before. BEACH, AQUARIUM, KRISPY KREME, HOE DOWN, one day we had rain, so Uncle Joel found a bunch of balloons, and the kids went to town playing with them! My niece Marley is the sassiest little girl. She is a riot just to sit and watch. She reminds me so much of my brother... it's almost scary. I couldn't help but just want to bite her and her cuteness, all the time!






Alie and Katie are great. They have earned that spot in Heaven. The drive from Michigan to Virginia Beach isn't the easiest job, but they did it just like pro moms would do. I love you girls!!! You will never know how much it meant to me, to have you here. LOVES LOVES LOVES!!!

You heard her... she is going to have a brother! Our doctors appointment was... exciting! I was nervous for most of it. I can't figure out why, but my heart was beating as fast of that little boy of ours. We met with the doctor following the ultra sound, and she mentioned that we may be pushing the due date back by a week. What expecting mother really wants to hear that? When I told her how tinee tiny my first baby was, she said that we won't change the due date as of now, but as we get closer to December 28th, we will be watching things more carefully. We will be praying for a healthy delivery WHENEVER, and Joel will be praying for a healthy delivery before the first of the year, so we get that tax break!

I am going to call him "Scooter" for the time being. Mostly because that is how I have envisioned him inside my tummy, but also because we don't have a name 100% decided on yet. I learned A LOT when I was pregnant with Nora, and have decided that we will keep our name as HUSH HUSH as possible until he is here. I really don't want anyone to form an opinion of "Scooter" before they see his preciousness. And NO... we are not naming him SCOOTER... just until he is catapulted from the womb!

Here is a picture of our precious "Scooter", and his proof that in deed... IT'S A BOY!



We have one more week of visitors, then I will be drawing winners for my treat contest! Thank you for all of the votes. Between FB and my blog... it was EXACTLY 50% said BOY, and 50% said GIRL! You all crack me up!!!

Baby CONTEST announcement!

Hey FOLKS!!! We have had NON-STOP out of towners for the last two weeks, and for the next two weeks! I really hope I haven't lost all my readers, but I realize, how annoying it is to see the same old post every time you visit. There are lots of exciting events going on that I am very anxious to blog about, but out of respect for all of our visitors, I must keep this brief!

So, in order to spark your interest... here is the deal,

Next Tuesday, we find out the gender of our baby!!! AHHHH! I can't believe it is already... what I want from you, is your guess of what we are having... PINK or BLUE baby? Then I will chose ten random guessers to receive a special treat from Virginia Beach. Also, if you want to throw around some name ideas... I will give you a second entry! Winners will be announced on Tuesday before mid-night. Oh yeah, I will also announce who guessed correctly! YAY!!!

Gut BUSTING hilarious!

I don't usually watch The Ellen Show, although, every time I do, i think she is freaking hilarious. Today, I had time during her show to see a little bit of it. I WAS ROLLING ON MY BED LAUGHING! Nora must have thought I was crazy! I went to YouTube, to see if there was anything similar. This is so FUNNY! I was laughing so hard.... I WAS CRYING!

You MUST make these... !!

So, I don't say that very often about my recipes. And maybe because I am pregnant, I love food so much, and everything tastes so good, but these things are soo yummy. I got the recipe from my sister-in-law last summer, who got it from her SIL. I never wrote it down, but have kind of adjusted it to what we love in our family! I made them last week, and Joel said, "Now that is something to write home about!" Which to me, means "BLOG" about.

What you need:
1lb. ground turkey
1lb. cole slaw mix
salt
pepper
3tb. Hoisin Sauce (Plus more for dipping)
10-15 egg roll wrappers
water for sealing
oil for frying

Directions:
In a large saucepan, brown the turkey. When it is almost done, but still a tiny bit pink, add the bag of cole slaw mis. This may fill your pan, but it will cook down, soon. Over medium heat, mix the meat, and veggies all together. When the mixture has started to cook down, add salt and pepper to taste. then add Husein sauce. Mix all together really well. You want the slaw mix to be very limp. This is where I like to taste test. ALOT! Once the mix is cooked through, and tastes simply divine... remove from heat. Cool completely. Let cool all the way through. This is VERY IMPORTANT. When it is no long warm... AT ALL... start to heat your oil in a pot over medium high heat. Then you can start filling your egg roll wrappers. You will use about 1 tablespoon per wrapper. I wish I would have taken pictures of this part... but you should know how to fill an egg roll. If not, try to follow along, oh heck... here are some pictures...




When wrapping these little guys, be very careful not to tear the wrap. If it tears, you must start over. Trust me... you do not want hot oil getting into your egg roll. So seal them up really tight! Then fry em. I would go into more details... but I have to eat em while they are HOT! (Of you have any questions, please let me know. I have never written a recipe before, and don't know if I am that great at it. All I know is that YOU MUST make these, and I MUST GO EAT THEM!!!)

I POPPED! And then I burnt!

These were taken last week. And as much as I DESPISE having my picture put on my blog... I have been getting life threatening emails from some people back home... and I either had to save myself, or fear the wrath. Of course if they want me, that have to come and get me, and maybe that would be more fun! We love love love visitors!!!

Anyways, I woke up one morning, and said, "Holy Crap... I popped!" So, we went to the beach, and come home, then I saw that I had a great BURN line, that I might as well take a picture of, and same with my belly. Then I woke up the next day and said, "I POPPED AGAIN!". I have been saying that almost every day now, and even pulled out the maternity clothes yesterday. I haven't gained any weight, I think my 2 year old is helping me in that area! But, if you ask me, I am definitely pregnant! And a little burnt too. Enjoy the pictures... they are few and FAR between!