Carter Michael

Carter arrived on August 16, 2012 at 4:40 am!

I know it's still too early to tell, but I'm hoping Carter will be my easy-going child.  So far, he's been a great eater and great sleeper!

We've had sooo much going on during the last two weeks, in addition to Carter's birth.  Frank has been out of town; I've been grading papers and finals in addition to taking care of a toddler and a newborn with the sniffles.  (Yes, my poor baby has already gotten sick!)

So time (and words) are few right now, but enjoy these birth-day pictures as well as some coming-home pics...

"Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, magical night you were born."-- On the Night You Were Born

Fallen Off the Blog Wagon

I guess I've fallen off the blog wagon.  Honestly, we're not doing much that's interesting right now.

I could blog about how every time I come home from the grocery store, I think of something else I need.  I could blog about how Jacob chewed the candles in the family room like a little mouse, or how I think he's broken the DVD player.  I could blog about our new TV, which we finally purchased after being without one downstairs since the beginning of May.  I could blog about the deliciousness of Hershey's nuggets with almonds and my dismay at eating practically the whole package over the last few days (back to the grocery store!).  I could blog about Frank's "Turn it or Burn it" philosophy on lawn care, which amounted to him putting fertilizer on the lawn on Saturday in hopes of rain... we got the rain, so he was happy to "turn it" back to a green lawn.  I could blog about scrubbing the wood floors this morning for what I hope is the last time ever as a pregnant lady.  I could blog about Jacob's new obsession with going to the field behind the house to find rocks.

I think we're all just sort of antsy.  Ready for the upheaval of the next few weeks, and ready for the settling into a new routine.

Frank took this picture over the weekend of our "baby," the rock-catcher. 

Rushing the Season

I love summer, but this summer has been so hot that it's been hard to really be outside to enjoy it.  I'm actually... kinda... looking forward to fall.

The weather this morning is unusually cool and windy, and it's definitely put me in a fall frame of mind, even though I know it will be 90 degrees again in 2 days!

Just so I'm not the only one thinking fall today, here are some pins from my Pinterest boards to get you in the mood as well:

Source: savearecipe.blogspot.ca via Lori on Pinterest

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How cute is this whole outfit?!  It would be perfect for tailgating at Illini games!

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Source: lifejewel.means.it via Lori on Pinterest

I want pumpkin topiaries this year.  My challenge will be making them secure enough that they doesn't blow over in the wind.  The little fake pumpkins from Hobby Lobby would f-l-y off my front porch.

Source: joelens.blogspot.com via Lori on Pinterest

Maple Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin for the crockpot.  Roasts always make me think of cooler weather.

Source: imgfave.com via Lori on Pinterest

This one is genius.  I'm assuming boot socks will still be "in" this year, but I've never had a pair.  This is a quick little tutorial on how to turn the sleeve of an old sweater into a boot sock.

Source: thriftycraftygirl.com via Lori on Pinterest

And finally, this is an idea to use for Halloween called Eyes in the Bushes.  Put a glow stick in these toilet paper rolls, hide them in the bushes, and viola!  Instant creepy!

Happy (very early) Fall!

Danger Boy

On Sunday afternoon we went to our county's fair.  Jacob's main mission was to ride the rides, of course.  He immediately pointed to the ferris wheel.

Uh, not so much, buddy.

After he (and Frank) humored me by strolling through some exhibits and barns, we headed back to the midway to check out the rides.  Surprisingly, there weren't many little-kid-friendly rides; nearly every one had a 36" height requirement.  (He's about 34.5")

After a "discussion" with a carnie, I managed to get him onto this little car ride.

(And look at that girl in the back?  Doesn't she look too old for this ride?  The height requirement thing was nuts if you ask me.)

Anyway, the next ride he saw only had a height requirement of 30".  Jackpot!

It looked like some safari-type ride, and although we hadn't seen the ride in motion, we really didn't even give it a second thought since it fit the height requirement.

Then the ride began.

And I almost died.

MY BABY WAS ON A BUS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR!!

I couldn't even watch it!  I buried my head on Frank's shoulder and listened for it to be done, imagining my kid screaming with fear inside this bus.

(Dramatic much?)

When the ride was finally over, Jacob was squealing, but from excitement!  He loved it!  Frank had to go in and peel him out of the bus.

He wanted to ride a second time.  This time, they had to stop the ride midway through to let an older girl (maybe 9 or 10) off the ride, and as the ride paused, all I heard was my two-year-old yelling, "More!  More!"

Where did this kid come from?!

La Croix Sparkling Coconut Water- A Rant

After doing some reading on the health benefits of coconut water, I decided that we needed to give it a try.  Specifically, the high potassium content is supposed to be good for runners and pregnant women (check and check!)  Coconut water has been dubbed "Nature's Sports Drink"  for it's nearly-perfect hydration properties.

More potassium than a banana and with zero calories?  Sounds like a plan to me!

I read a few rave reviews for La Croix Sparkling Coconut Water, so when I found it at Target, I was psyched.  Zero calorie, low sodium, fat free, artificial sweetener and preservative free with the refreshing taste of coconut?  So worth the $3.83!

And then I tasted it.

Have you ever had a soda fountain drink when the machine was broken and all that came out was the carbonation?  It's that bad.

I'm a drink person.  I'm not picky.  I have, in the past, drunk beet juice for health reasons (and hated it), and it would be a toss up as to whether I would choose beet juice again or this coconut water.  Thinking about either of them makes me shiver a bit.

So because I like you, I am warning you to save your money and just have a glass of plain old water instead.

***The opinions expressed are solely my own.  I was not compensated for this product***