Bits 'n' Pieces

 

This week has felt extremely uneventful. We have had more beautiful weather and many slow and quiet days.
Zac has officially figured out how to ride his bike all on his own. Taking the peddles off so he could learn to balance was complete genius! When we popped them back on he had everything figured out in about 5 seconds. Easiest way to teach a kid to ride ever. I will be recommending this to anyone who will listen for years to come.
I finally completed my first mini book which I am super excited to share (shortly!), and picked up more yarn... because there is no such thing as having too much yarn!
We made it out to the beach on quite possibly the coldest day we've had all week and all froze. That said I adore the picture of the boys in the water, it captures their personalities to the letter. Zac is watching from the beach considering the risks involved in getting any closer and asking how cold it is, while Eli ran like mad without a care in the world and could not get deep enough fast enough.
Happy weekend folks.

August

I can not believe there is only one more day left in August! Where on earth did the month go?

That said, August was an accomplishment filled month.
I managed to:
Drink my weight in Ice Caps
Made a rag doll for the bean
Tackled my "mend" pile (except for the button sewing part)
Completed 2 books, and started 3 others
Drank water daily (not 8 glasses though... have you ever tried to do that while a person is squishing your bladder? not pleasant my friend... not pleasant...)
Made a rag quilt
Packed my hospital bag
Found the perfect recipe for chocolate cake, from scratch
Made my first mini book
Played in the water
Repurposed an old baby blanket into a new one
Made a mushy bunny
Made some exciting life decisions
Discovered that it is way more comfortable to sleep on the couch then my bed at the moment...

and that's really only naming a few. I still have a giant list of things I'd like to accomplish before this little miss arrives but I am accepting that not everything may be completed. I have the determination though that over the next few weeks I will craft myself silly, read myself into a coma and possibly clean... the cleaning is not high on the list though...

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Eli is my little PBandJ monster. He asks for it everyday at lunch, and then excitedly requests it again at supper. I don't often let him have it days and days in a row, much to his disappointment, but to avoid the inevitable freak out when denied I decided to whip up some Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars that he could have as a snack.

They are super Peanut Buttery and delicious! Pour yourself a glass of milk before you start eating them because you will need it!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 - 2 cups jam/jelly
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts (or salted if you prefer), chopped - optional

Cream the butter and sugar together then add the vanilla, eggs and peanut butter and mix until completely combined.
In a separate bowl combine the flours, soda and salt, then add into the peanut butter mixture and mix until just combined.
Spread 2/3's of the dough into a greased (I parchment line mine) 8x8 pan (for thinner squares try a 9x13 pan). Spread the bottom layer with the jam and ensure that it is completely covered. Add the remaining dough on top of the jam, the easiest way to ensure coverage is to drop small blobs of dough all over the surface, they will spread out while baking, and then sprinkle with the chopped peanuts if using.
Bake in a 350 oven for 40-45 minutes until the top has started to turn golden brown.

Adapted from this recipe.

14 days to go

It's official, only two weeks left until I am holding this little one in my arms instead of my belly.

(probably my least favourite picture ever taken of myself, with horrible lighting, but it does show the belly and my "grandness" quite well...)

All in all, I am feeling a little larger then life right now and I am so very ready to be done with this pregnancy. Growing up my mom always said that pregnancy is 9 months long because by the end of it you don't care what you have to go through to finally be done. I would agree with this thought with all of my being at this point.

Due to some complications with Zac's birth Eli was a planned c-section and because of the previous section my dr has voiced his preference to section me for this little darling as well. I can honestly say I am more nervous about this surgery then I was for Eli's but love that we have a date that we can pretty much rely on. So only 14 more days of being a family of 4, and a mommy of 2, September 11 - here we come!

Musical Monday: Regina Spektor and Only Son - Call Them Brothers

Love Regina Spektor!

"Call Them Brothers" by Regina Spektor & Only Son from Regina Spektor on Vimeo.

Bits 'n' Pieces

This week has been an odd week. I have been in a bit of a fog, or my own world, overly effected by pregnancy hormones and a mass of impatience.
Zac is determind to ride is bike without training wheels so my mister has taken the peddles off his little bike to help him learn to balance. Have you ever heard of this? It's something he just saw and thought we'd give it a try.
It has been lovely weather this week which is a nice change to the rain we've been having so we have been spending most days out and about the yard, the boys playing and me reading.
Fingers crossed for the weekend, but we hope to finally make it out to the beach.
Happy Friday!

My Boys

Do you ever wander through your photos on the computer and find some wonderful gems you simply can't remember taking, or possibly seeing?
I did that just the other day and found two of my current most favourite pictures of my boys.

Zac is preparing to start school in a few short weeks and I really can't accept the idea... he still seems like such a sweet little boy to me that it melts my heart thinking of releasing him to the world.


While Eli is, quite frankly, a challenge. If it weren't for his chubby little cheeks and hilarious sayings I can honestly say this kid would drive me loopy.

I can't help but look at my two sweet boys and wonder what this little bean will look like when she comes out. The time is nearing and we are getting so excited to see her little face and count all her perfect fingers and toes!

A jumble of words for your Thursday reading but what can I say... my head is a jumble of thoughts...