Nesting

Now that I am on maternity leave, I have been able to work on all the little projects I had planned. One of the main things I wanted to do was reorganize (who am I kidding, I wanted to just get them ORGANIZED not "re-organize") our kitchen pantry and cabinets. After putting it off the last few days, I finally bit the bullet and got it all done. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and it felt great to get rid of all the old food we had in there.

I have also knitted a hat for the baby to wear in the hospital, as well as a prop for the newborn pictures we are having done. On the list for tomorrow- clean out the freezer!

Now that I am on maternity leave, I have been able to work on all the little projects I had planned. One of the main things I wanted to do was reorganize (who am I kidding, I wanted to just get them ORGANIZED not "re-organize") our kitchen pantry and cabinets. After putting it off the last few days, I finally bit the bullet and got it all done. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and it felt great to get rid of all the old food we had in there.

I have also knitted a hat for the baby to wear in the hospital, as well as a prop for the newborn pictures we are having done. On the list for tomorrow- clean out the freezer!

Maternity Leave

This post was from 8/20/12...

As of today, I am officially on Maternity Leave! After my bout wih shingles, we decided it would be a good idea for me to take the four weeks off before Baby "D's" due date, and then I will also be taking 18 weeks after the baby is here as well. I can't wait for the little one to be here, but I am thoroughly enjoying my time to myself. Today I ran errands, got some housework done, and organized a bit more in the baby's room.  Yesterday, I made delicious homemade granola bars. Here is a picture of the final product as they were cooling.

Recipe Link: http://www.laurenslatest.com/no-bake-chocolate-chip-granola-bars-easy-healthy/

This post was from 8/20/12...

As of today, I am officially on Maternity Leave! After my bout wih shingles, we decided it would be a good idea for me to take the four weeks off before Baby "D's" due date, and then I will also be taking 18 weeks after the baby is here as well. I can't wait for the little one to be here, but I am thoroughly enjoying my time to myself. Today I ran errands, got some housework done, and organized a bit more in the baby's room.  Yesterday, I made delicious homemade granola bars. Here is a picture of the final product as they were cooling.

Recipe Link: http://www.laurenslatest.com/no-bake-chocolate-chip-granola-bars-easy-healthy/

Life Lately

Lots has been going on these last few weeks. Not only have we been preparing (endlessly it seems) for Baby D's arrival and me wrapping up everything with work, one of my very best friends got married last weekend! Erica and I have been best friends since we were 4 years old- 21 years! Her and Matt were married in Santa Cruz (where they live and recently just bought their first house) and it was a fabulous weekend. My mom and I headed over early for the wedding, arriving on Thursdsay. On the way we stopped for lunch in San Ramon to see my sister, and took our time driving over (neither of us can handle long car rides these days). I have to say, it was wonderful to get out of the heat of Sacramento for four days. Santa Cruz was foggy, misty, cool, and beautiful. We had a relaxing few days leading up to the wedding festivities, and then on Friday night, we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. David wasn't able to come over till Saturday due to football season starting, so my mom was my date. 

Saturday was full wedding mode! David and my Dad arrived, the four of us had lunch on the wharf, and then I was on bridesmaid duty. Erica was a STUNNING bride! Her dress was absolutely perfect, and her hair, vail, and and shoes were the perfect compliment. The wedding ceremony went off without a hitch (I was VERY relieved that my water didnt break while standing up there, and that I didnt trip in my shoes either). We had a great time dancing and catching up with friends.

Me, Erica, and Ashley

37 Weeks!

My escort down the aisle- pretty fitting given our history (great family friends for 25+ years)!

My beautiful mom



Parents to be ... we can't wait for the next chapter!



Lots has been going on these last few weeks. Not only have we been preparing (endlessly it seems) for Baby D's arrival and me wrapping up everything with work, one of my very best friends got married last weekend! Erica and I have been best friends since we were 4 years old- 21 years! Her and Matt were married in Santa Cruz (where they live and recently just bought their first house) and it was a fabulous weekend. My mom and I headed over early for the wedding, arriving on Thursdsay. On the way we stopped for lunch in San Ramon to see my sister, and took our time driving over (neither of us can handle long car rides these days). I have to say, it was wonderful to get out of the heat of Sacramento for four days. Santa Cruz was foggy, misty, cool, and beautiful. We had a relaxing few days leading up to the wedding festivities, and then on Friday night, we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. David wasn't able to come over till Saturday due to football season starting, so my mom was my date. 

Saturday was full wedding mode! David and my Dad arrived, the four of us had lunch on the wharf, and then I was on bridesmaid duty. Erica was a STUNNING bride! Her dress was absolutely perfect, and her hair, vail, and and shoes were the perfect compliment. The wedding ceremony went off without a hitch (I was VERY relieved that my water didnt break while standing up there, and that I didnt trip in my shoes either). We had a great time dancing and catching up with friends.

Me, Erica, and Ashley

37 Weeks!

My escort down the aisle- pretty fitting given our history (great family friends for 25+ years)!

My beautiful mom



Parents to be ... we can't wait for the next chapter!



Preparing for Baby

Aside from the books I have read, friends I have talked to, and websites I have researched, Dave and I have also taken a few "baby" class through Sutter Medical. About a month ago, we took the "Surviving the First Month" class, where we learned to swaddle, bathe the baby, change a diaper, etc. It was a good refresher for me, and a good general class for David, but our teacher wasnt the best (more focused on her own opinions and experiences than what the class was intended to be). So needless to say, we didnt go in to our all day class this past Saturday (8.11.12 9am-5pm) with very high expectations. I honestly thought we would leave at lunch and go home. However, we were pleasantly surprised with how great the class was! Our teacher, Jennifer, was a wealth of knowledge and taught the class in an engaging matter, showing videos, posters, having open discussions, etc. It was a great general class (Ready, Set, Deliver) that went over everything from breathing techniques to what Sutter providers at the hospital for delivery and everything in between (epidurals, analgesics, natural birth, etc). The best part of the class was the breathing technique portion. The husbands were there to offer distraction and coaching, through breathing and massage. I basically got a 1 hour massage on Saturday during the class (pressure points in the hands and feet and then different back positionas as well) - can't complain about that! Overall, like I mentioned before, a great class! I feel much more prepared for Little Baby Danielson :) This is my last week of work too! After this, I am off for about 5 1/2 months total. I can't wait to go in to full nesting mode and get everything prepared for the Little One!

Hope you all had a great weekend and survive the heat this week! I plan to beat the heat in the pool every afternoon.

Aside from the books I have read, friends I have talked to, and websites I have researched, Dave and I have also taken a few "baby" class through Sutter Medical. About a month ago, we took the "Surviving the First Month" class, where we learned to swaddle, bathe the baby, change a diaper, etc. It was a good refresher for me, and a good general class for David, but our teacher wasnt the best (more focused on her own opinions and experiences than what the class was intended to be). So needless to say, we didnt go in to our all day class this past Saturday (8.11.12 9am-5pm) with very high expectations. I honestly thought we would leave at lunch and go home. However, we were pleasantly surprised with how great the class was! Our teacher, Jennifer, was a wealth of knowledge and taught the class in an engaging matter, showing videos, posters, having open discussions, etc. It was a great general class (Ready, Set, Deliver) that went over everything from breathing techniques to what Sutter providers at the hospital for delivery and everything in between (epidurals, analgesics, natural birth, etc). The best part of the class was the breathing technique portion. The husbands were there to offer distraction and coaching, through breathing and massage. I basically got a 1 hour massage on Saturday during the class (pressure points in the hands and feet and then different back positionas as well) - can't complain about that! Overall, like I mentioned before, a great class! I feel much more prepared for Little Baby Danielson :) This is my last week of work too! After this, I am off for about 5 1/2 months total. I can't wait to go in to full nesting mode and get everything prepared for the Little One!

Hope you all had a great weekend and survive the heat this week! I plan to beat the heat in the pool every afternoon.

Pinterest Recipes

I've been spending a lot of time on pinterest lately. Probably too much time, but there are just such great ideas floating around that I wish I had thought of! Quite a few of them fall under the recipe category.  I have to say, I have made many a good dishes from the recipes I have found on pinterest.  These two have peaked my interest, and I am hoping to make both of them this afternoon.  I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) on the final products (but really, how could they be bad?!)



Peach Shortbread Bars - http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/07/m-m-bark.html



Salted Caramel M&M bars - http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/07/m-m-bark.html

I've been spending a lot of time on pinterest lately. Probably too much time, but there are just such great ideas floating around that I wish I had thought of! Quite a few of them fall under the recipe category.  I have to say, I have made many a good dishes from the recipes I have found on pinterest.  These two have peaked my interest, and I am hoping to make both of them this afternoon.  I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) on the final products (but really, how could they be bad?!)



Peach Shortbread Bars - http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/07/m-m-bark.html



Salted Caramel M&M bars - http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/07/m-m-bark.html

Just a few more..

Here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks!

This was the fortune I got at lunch last week - how absolutely perfect is it?!

Me with Baby Danielson's two Grandmothers... Nonni on the left, Nanna on the right!



I LOVE this picture of David with Landon and Ayla (they are both 4 1/2 and couldnt be cuter). David is going to make such an amazing Dad to our little one- look how happy they all are!  



Here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks!

This was the fortune I got at lunch last week - how absolutely perfect is it?!

Me with Baby Danielson's two Grandmothers... Nonni on the left, Nanna on the right!



I LOVE this picture of David with Landon and Ayla (they are both 4 1/2 and couldnt be cuter). David is going to make such an amazing Dad to our little one- look how happy they all are!  



Nursery update

The Nursery is almost 100% done at this point! I still need to get things washed, but everything is orgranized and put away.  I have to say, I LOVE how it turned out and can't wait for our little one to be here!

"You are my sunshine" nursery prints

The amazing glider :)

The Nursery is almost 100% done at this point! I still need to get things washed, but everything is orgranized and put away.  I have to say, I LOVE how it turned out and can't wait for our little one to be here!

"You are my sunshine" nursery prints

The amazing glider :)

Showering Baby Danielson

The last two weekends, Baby "D" and I were very blessed to have two wonderful showers thrown for us. We got so many wonderful gifts, and are still amazed at the generosity of everyone!

The first of the showers was hosted by my dear friends Anna and Tricia at Anna's home.  It was a "friends" shower and all (almost!) my favorite girlfriends were there.  Anna and Tricia know me so well, and the shower was done in grey and white chevron print and yellow.  They had a wonderful brunch spread, a yellow candy bar station for favors, and beautiful pom decorations set up outside. 

The AMAZING hostesses

Kel and I :)

Yellow Candy Bar

Nanna, Momma, Auntie

Most of the girls

Just a small portion of Baby "D's" goodies

The adorable welcome sign with baby pictures of David and I

Baby "D" coming home outfits

Shower #2 took place this past weekend, and was hosted by my Mom (Nanna) and sister (Auntie Katie). It was a "Baby to Bee" theme! The invitation said "Have you heard the buzz, Karin's a Mommy to Bee." - how cute right?! This was a family shower, and it was so wonderful to have almost all my aunts, cousins, grandma, MIL Julie (aka Nonni), mine and David's second moms, etc there to celebrate with. I'm still waiting on a few pictures (my camera died right after presents!), and will post those once I have them :)

Baby to Bee clothing line

TV Mix- my favorite!

Wishes for Baby - to be made into a booklet

The wonderful quilt my Aunt Kari made for baby D

34 weeks!

Sister, grandma, Mom

 

The last two weekends, Baby "D" and I were very blessed to have two wonderful showers thrown for us. We got so many wonderful gifts, and are still amazed at the generosity of everyone!

The first of the showers was hosted by my dear friends Anna and Tricia at Anna's home.  It was a "friends" shower and all (almost!) my favorite girlfriends were there.  Anna and Tricia know me so well, and the shower was done in grey and white chevron print and yellow.  They had a wonderful brunch spread, a yellow candy bar station for favors, and beautiful pom decorations set up outside. 

The AMAZING hostesses

Kel and I :)

Yellow Candy Bar

Nanna, Momma, Auntie

Most of the girls

Just a small portion of Baby "D's" goodies

The adorable welcome sign with baby pictures of David and I

Baby "D" coming home outfits

Shower #2 took place this past weekend, and was hosted by my Mom (Nanna) and sister (Auntie Katie). It was a "Baby to Bee" theme! The invitation said "Have you heard the buzz, Karin's a Mommy to Bee." - how cute right?! This was a family shower, and it was so wonderful to have almost all my aunts, cousins, grandma, MIL Julie (aka Nonni), mine and David's second moms, etc there to celebrate with. I'm still waiting on a few pictures (my camera died right after presents!), and will post those once I have them :)

Baby to Bee clothing line

TV Mix- my favorite!

Wishes for Baby - to be made into a booklet

The wonderful quilt my Aunt Kari made for baby D

34 weeks!

Sister, grandma, Mom