One More Week!

 38 Weeks

39 Weeks

Only one more week until my due date! I'm so excited and ready to have this baby! Pregnancy is no joke with aches, pains, and challenges at every turn, but I know once I hold my little boy in my arms it will all have been worth it! It's no easy process though, growing a baby. Especially in the last few weeks. Every move seems to be a challenge, plus every new "pain" makes you think your in labor! Ha.

 I'm really hoping for an early arrival rather than going past my due date, but only God knows at this point. I'm hanging in there trying to walk every day and stay as "active" as I can. I go to the doctor tomorrow so we will see what she says. I'm so thankful that so far everything has been normal with no complications and that I've been able to carry my little boy this long, because I know the longer he's in there the better for him! Here are some verses that have encouraged me lately:

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you."

-Isaiah 26:3

"But you, take courage! 

Do not let your hands be weak, 

for your work shall be rewarded."

-2 Chronicles 15:7

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

-Lamentations 3:22-23

I can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring!

Weekly Memory Verse

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

-James 4:8

What are you memorizing this week?

In the Home Stretch

15 Weeks

26 Weeks

 36 Weeks

Tomorrow I will be 38 weeks pregnant and I can't believe the end is so near! I'm getting pretty excited and ready to have this baby. I don't want to get my hopes up that he will come soon, but you never know. I know first time moms tend to take longer so I will just have to be patient.

I'm getting pretty uncomfortable and it's getting harder and harder to get everyday tasks done because I get tired so easily. I'm so thankful that I'm able to rest when I need too and stay off of my feet when they start to swell.

I've had some nesting "spurts," but I've yet to clean the whole house from top to bottom and I'm okay with that. :) I also had lots of big plans to fill the freezer with homemade food, but just can't find the motivation to do that so I bought some ready made things. The problem is now that there's prepared food in the house I'm eating it already! Oh well I'll just have to keep it stocked I guess.

I'm trying to stay active and take my dog on walks when I can. It's been pretty mild and warm this winter so I'm glad I've been able to get out more than I thought I would. I've been taking evening primrose oil in preparation for labor this week and trying to keep up with my exercises.

I've been having quite a few Braxton Hicks each day and at my last visit I was already starting to dilate. I know it doesn't mean much but it gives me hope that my body is heading in the right direction! The last week has been filled with lots of reading and crocheting. I can't seem to find the energy to do much else. Besides, I have lots of books that I need to finish before my little boy gets here!

I've wanted to post pictures of the nursery but, I'm still waiting on my husband to hang some things. That post might have to wait until after our little one arrives. I can't wait!!

Teach Me Tuesdays

Weekly Memory Verse

Hi all! It's time for the weekly memory verse:

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." 

-Philippians 4:7

What are you memorizing this week?

Weekly Memory Verse

"Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

-Philippians 4:6

Can you guess what next weeks verse might be? :)

Outfit for Baby

Well I finally put my crochet hook down and decided to sew something! Actually I planned on starting another crochet project, but this one jumped out at me all of the sudden. I had originally planned on making an outfit for Walker to come home from the hospital in, but decided not to put that much pressure on myself to actually get it done on time and in the right size. I made him a kimono style top with matching elastic waist pants using Simplicity 3941:

 I opted to use snaps instead of ribbon because I thought it would look more boyish. I still have to attach the snaps. Anyway, the pattern was pretty easy and I didn't run into any problems. The neck did call for bias tape (which I didn't notice until I was almost done), but since my fabric doesn't fray I just folded over the neckline as small as I could and sewed it that way. I don't think it looks too bad.

 I made a size XS which is suppose to fit a 0-3 month old. I had to measure the elastic waist with a pair of 3 month pants I had already, otherwise I would have had no clue what size to cut the elastic.

 You can't really tell in the pictures, but its made from a light blue and white striped fleece material. I purchased the material and the snaps from a thrift store and the pattern was free so this outfit cost me less than a dollar total! Woo!

I love doing projects for my little one and I can't wait for him to get here! :)

Homestead Barn Hop

A Wedding Gift and A Recipe

One of my good friends is getting married next month so I crocheted coasters in the colors of her living room as part of her wedding gift:

Also I made this soup tonight and it was delicious! I didn't get a picture of it, but I promise it's worth making. My husband had three bowls! I was going for a minestrone type soup, but it turned out even better. Anyway, I thought I'd pass it on:

Crock Pot Pasta Soup

1 carton chicken broth

1 c diced carrots

1 can spicy diced tomatoes

1 can corn

1 can pork and beans

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 box whole wheat penne pasta

1/4 package Velveeta cheese, cubed

 Add chicken broth, carrots, tomatoes, corn, beans and seasoning to crock pot

Cook on low 4-6 hours

 30-40 min before serving add pasta and turn to high

10 min before serving add cheese

When cheese is melted it's ready to serve!

Yum!!

Crocheted Baby Blanket

We're doing an Americana theme for Walker's nursery (pictures to come soon) so I decided to make a blanket to match. This is my first crocheted blanket and I think it turned out well! I did it in double crochet and then added a scalloped edging.

Yay! I'm so glad it's finished! 

Crocheted Baby Boy Hats

I'm pretty sure my nesting instinct is coming out through the crochet hook instead of through cleaning, so far at least. :) I've been busy making several baby hats to match all of Walker's outfits. Do you know how hard it is to find dark colored baby boy hats!? Basically it's impossible, so I just had to make my own. I love how they turned out! I used the YouTube video posted below as a guide and it was pretty easy. Each hat takes about 1.5 hours to complete (at least for me.)

Homestead Barn Hop

Teach Me Tuesday

Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

Tea Rose Home

Weekly Memory Verse

Well it's week six of the memory verse challenge and I'm enjoying it so much! Continuing the labor theme, here is my weekly verse:

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward."

-127:3

I love this verse and think it's a great reminder of the blessings to come! It's common in our society to view children as a burden, but God says they are a reward! I love meditating on this verse as I prepare to become a mother and I can't wait for the rewards that are to come!

What are you memorizing this week?

Seed Starting

I started my onions this week and I already have a few sprouts! They didn't do too well last year when I started them inside so hopefully this year will be better. I think I was too late anyway. I'm growing green and white onions this year. Also, I'm using recycled takeout containers instead of egg cartons so hopefully I won't have to transfer them into anything bigger until I put them outdoors next month.

 I also re potted and moved my aloe vera plant because it's been way too big for the window sill for a long time now. It poked me in the face all the time when I was doing the dishes and would fall off randomly! Hopefully it will get enough light in it's new home. It's probably quadrupled in size since I got it a couple years ago:

 I replaced the aloe vera with green onions on the window sill. Hopefully they do well! 

 Also, my sweet potatoes have slips growing on them! Yay!!

Have you started any seeds? Are you doing any garden planning?

Homestead Barn Hop

Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

*New* Vintage Patterns in Shop!

I just added several *NEW* vintage sewing patterns to my etsy shop!! Here are a few:

Find more vintage and handmade items over at The Honey Bee House!