Weekend Goodness!

What a busy week! 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I had to stay late after school to help interview potential subs for when I go on maternity leave. I was too tired to do anything but get my stuff ready for the next day, eat, and go to bed by the time I got home from school. 

Dan and I had part one of two birth classes on Thursday. I had to rush home from school and then we had to leave right away for the class. We didn't get home until about 9:30 and I pretty much went to bed as soon as I could. Aside from specific information on where to check in when I'm in labor and practicing different laboring positions, I didn't really learn anything new. The focus of the first class was what to expect during the different stages of labor. I've always been really interested in birth and babies, so I've known what to expect in a typical birth for a while. 

The instructor of the class did a good job of keeping the partners involved and letting them know what they can do to help along the way- such good information for Dan :) We're going to learn more about medical interventions next week- I have a basic understanding of these but not as much background knowledge as I do on birth, so this part should be helpful. Only about 2 months until our little one makes her appearance! Woah! 

I made a bunch of little french toast bites for breakfast on Saturday morning.
And I did taxes. . . which I secretly think are kind of fun.  I know- I'm weird :)
I use turbo tax and like answering the questions. And I get money at the end. 

My mom and dad came over to drop off the glider they got us for a baby gift!
Putting the glider in the living room ended up taking way more work than I anticipated.
The chair was too big for the set up we originally had, so after rearranging the furniture many (many) times, we finally came up with something that worked! This is an 'after' picture. I didn't take a before picture (because I didn't think I would need one).

This is also a partial 'after' picture. We moved the tv from he stand to the mantel- I felt like it was a baby death-trap down low. Now all I need to to do is find a new coffee table (the rusty metal wheels I found at a barn sale were also a death trap for a crawling and/or teething baby) and find some sort of bookshelf or two to go in front of the fireplace. 

I went to World Market for tea (which I got).
I ended up getting a few boxes of botan rice candy.
 I may or may not have eaten all of them in the car in the way home. . . 

Chrysanthemum sleeps either right by my side or on top of me every night almost all night. 

I stayed up too late and woke up too early on Sunday. I vacuumed the house and did a few loads of laundry before Sarah, Steph, Alli, and I got a delicious brunch. I organized some baby clothes, scrubbed the floors, cleaned the bathroom, and cleaned the baseboards in the kitchen when I got home (nesting, anyone?). Dan is making me rest now :)

Maggie is always up for snuggle time. 

Weekend Goodness

Nella, Maggie, and I had a late night snuggle session on Friday night while Dan watched a creepy movie. 

We got a vacuum as a belated wedding gift this weekend! I was super excited and went a little vacuum crazy. There is not a piece of hair nor speck of dust to be found anywhere in this house now! Haha! 

My mom, Meagan, Molly, and I got brunch and talked about baby shower things on Saturday. 

And then Dan and I went to my school holiday party Saturday night. We got there about an hour after is started and were really worried that it was going to be a terrible party (hence the horrible work party snapchat screen shot). It was almost silent when we walked in the room and everyone was sitting at tables. Luckily not long after we go there, they started playing music, we had some food (and a few cupcakes) and played a white elephant gift game thing. It ended up not being horrible!
We went to Dan's mom's house afterwards- she was having an winter indoor block party. We stayed a little longer than anticipated and I was a very tired girl when we got home. Another busy, yet fun, Saturday!

It snowed a good amount on Saturday night/ Sunday. I made some "snow ice cream" (snow, milk, sugar, vanilla) with some nice, fluffy snow :)
And even though it was probably not the best idea, Dan and I went to Target- I was feeling super anxious about getting our house ready for the baby and felt like we needed to stock up on some things- nesting is definitely kicking in around here! 

We spent the rest of Sunday relaxing.

Weekend Goodness

It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day and one of his that I've seen circulating around today is,

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

I love that this is such a timeless piece of advice and wish that more people would decide to stick with love. Not only would individuals be more content, but our communities would be filled with much less violence. Holding on to hate takes a toll on your health- all of that negativity makes people grouchy, quick to react, closed minded, and physically ill. It really is a burden to bear. Stick with love. You'll feel better. Our communities, cities, states, countries, and world will be a better place. 

I usually call Dan on my way home from school. On Friday, he told me that he had a good treat waiting for me when I got home! I love good treats :) Especially when they are waiting on a cake stand. 

Dan and I went to Madison on Saturday morning to get brunch with Meagan and Shirley. I wish I would have gotten a picture of the four of us! We got donuts a s an appetizer (because who doesn't need an appetizer with brunch?). It was a really fun morning. Dan and I went to an outlet mall (Dan found jeans, I found nothing) and we got paint for a baby's dresser/changing table!

Maggie is a Packer fan. 

Sunday was filled with excitement, stress, and disappointment.
Nella was totally into the game!
:(  Good luck next year, Packers.

We (Dan) needed to be distracted after the game, so we got to work on the dresser.
Good music, talking about our baby, and doing home improvement projects took the edge off just a little. 

We put on the first coat of paint last night, I did another one today, and now we just need it to completely dry so we can put it back in the babe's room. I'll post pictures when it's finished. 

I got my oil changed and then had  to stop by once-upon-a-child and buy buy baby since I was in the area ;)
I added one more diaper to our stash! 

And now I'm going to relax (and maybe make some muffins) for the evening before heading back to school tomorrow! 

Weekend Goodness

Sarah and I went to the south shore farmer's market.
They had thai tea! I was so happy :) 

Of course we got brunch afterwards. 

My parent's dueling political signs.
Every election my mom puts up a sign for the democratic candidate and my dad puts up a sign for the republican candidate. 

Wee Seamus is a year old! Happy birthday, little one :)

These (gigantic) pumpkins make my heart happy. 

The sunsets at my parent's house are the best. 

Aunty Kathy's Cheesy Popcorn:
delicious, unhealthy, and brings back good memories of being babysat and burnt microwave popcorn

Cashew balls. 

Coconut! 

Weekend Goodness!!!!

First  comes love. . . . 

We (Dan's sisters, mom, and I) hosted a shower for our soon-to-be sister-in-law, Emily.
I was in charge of the parfait bar. 

Then comes marriage. . .

Our friend, Amanda, got married this weekend!

Then comes babies in a baby carriage. . .

My nieces were born on Saturday! Dan and I are so unbelievably excited they are here!

They were just over four pounds each and doing well so far! 

Meet baby Maeve.
I love her so much! 

Meet baby Nora.
1. She has a wonderful name :)
2. I love her so much! 

To round out the weekend, Dan and I watched the Packers win with some friends. It's going to be hard to beat this weekend anytime soon :)

Weekend Goodness

salmon. cream cheese. onion bagel. mmmm.

Chrysanthemum discovered windows- and loves them. Or at least she loves jumping up to them :) 

Dan made pancakes for brunch. 

I made the bloody mary- with lots of snack, of course. 

Dan and I went to Firkenfest with some friends.

I was the designated driver (because I despise beer), so I enjoyed a cupcake (or two). 

Firkenfest-ers: Dan, Nora, Keith, and Alex

Keith and I took a break on a playground- there was a lot of sunshine, walking, and beer happening. 

We spent Sunday afternoon/evening at a family friends' house for a "visit their daughter who is home from Taiwan party". Someone gave her a bottle of Patron. . . some of us had a shot of it. 

And now that it's getting late, I need to get ready for school tomorrow and go to bed!

French Toast

I'm a huge fan of breakfast foods. I could (and sometimes do) eat them for every meal. 

Today I made french toast for dinner. 

I think my recipe is delicious. I start by not preheating the oven. Did you know cooking bacon in the oven makes it oh-so-crispy? It's my favorite way to cook bacon. So, I put the bacon on a piece of foil on a pan, fold up the 4 edges of the foil a little (it makes clean up easier), and put the pan into my non-preheated oven. Then I turn the oven on to 350. As the bacon starts to get perfectly crispy, I start my french toast. 

For 2-3 people: I mix 5 eggs and slightly less than 1/4 C. of milk or, if I have it, whipping cream. 

I add 1 or 2 tsp of vanilla, depending on how vanilla-y I want it to taste. 

I mix in a little less than a 1/4 C. of sugar. 

Then I slice up the french bread into 1 inch thick slices. I think I used 9 slices this time. 

Soak the slices in the mixture and flip occasionally so that the egg mixture soaks all the way through. 

As the slices soak, heat up pan to slightly cook the french toast. Cook the toast just enough to seal in the egg mixture- they should barely brown it on each side. Put these slightly cooked french toasts on a pan and put it in the oven to finish cooking. 

Usually when I make bacon and french toast this way, it ends up that the bacon and french toast are done at the same time -perfect! 

Here's how I topped my toast tonight :) 

Coconut whipped cream with crushed banana chips

Whipped cream with cherries

Butter, crumbled bacon, and maple syrup (my favorite)

Weekend Goodness

Maggie goes where I go. 

The dog park is FULL of clovers. They smell so good- I love it. 

Since I've been on summer break, I've had more time to do things- like longer play time at the dog park.
Nella actually has gotten tired a couple times (weird, I know)! 

Look at the sleepy puppy after a long dog park session! I need to do this more often ;) 

I went over to my friend Krystal's house and got to hang out with her kid, her sister's kids, and some extra kids who were there for the day :) We went to the park. 

Look at those rolls! 

I had friends over for brunch on Sunday.
I love brunch.
(And I love my friends)

My newly refinished drink cart being used (by more than me) for the first time!

Not the best pic, but it was the only one where she didn't look like a blurry fuzzball! The kittens are getting so playful. I wish I could set up a kitten-cam and watch them play through out the day- they are so adorable! 

My sister, Rosie, gave me a henna tattoo.
She is awesome at it- she can henna pretty much any design and it looks amazing. 

I brought  Maggie and Nella to my parents' house on Sunday so that my dogs could play with their dogs. I was only going to stay for a little while but then I decided to play with the kittens while the dogs played with each other. Then Rosie gave me a henna tattoo. A neighbor/friend came over and Rosie gave her a henna tattoo too. Then we (my parents, Rosie, and Sean-my brother-and I) went over to the neighbor/friend's house and hung out way later than I anticipated. It was a fun night :)