37 Weeks

Well here is another picture of my growing tummy. Only 2 1/2 weeks to go and I can't believe it. I know I say this every time but it has gone by so fast. I am so excited. I still feel pretty good...I mean I have my good days and bad days but I'm hanging in there. I haven't tied my shoes in over a month (thanks Spencer!) and I waddle a little bit...I'm trying not to because it looks funny. I haven't been "checked" yet so I don't know if and how much I am dilated and all that good stuff. I get checked for the first time next week so that will be exciting. I started non-stress tests last week and have to have one done every week now until I deliver. They said the baby is measuring small so they are just being extra careful. He sure moves around a lot so small or not he is very active!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Last night was our Law Families Thanksgiving Dinner. It was so much fun to get together with everyone and share good food!

Spencer's Pie

I had to create an entry just for this because it was so amazing! I was so busy with work and other things that I didn't have time to make the pie I was planning on making for the Law Families Thanksgiving Dinner. I hesitantly asked Spencer if he would make it for me. He said, "Sure!" I was kind of surprised. I left the recipe on the fridge and off to work I went. I knew what time he would be getting home from school and knew when he would start to make it. I kept checking my cell phone every 5 minutes to make sure I wasn't missing calls from him in a panic on what to do or how to mix or measure this or that! Time went on and nothing. I started getting a little nervous. I didn't want to call him and make him think I didn't trust him or think he couldn't do it. So I waited. After work I quickly drove home and when I walked into the house, it was filled with the yummy smell of just baked pie. I went into the kitchen and saw this wonderful Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie. He just smiled and was SO proud of himself! The pie was a huge hit and was absolutely delicious! I am so proud of him and thankful I have such a wonderful husband that would willingly bake a pie.

Here is the recipe, for those of you interested:
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup (6 oz.) Chocolate Chips (we use the "swirl" kind)
1 cup chopped nuts (we use pecans)
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

Directions:PREHEAT oven to 325° F. BEAT eggs in large mixer bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell. BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with whipped cream.

Hosting TNLC

It was my week to host Tuesday Night Ladies Club. I decided to talk about inexpenisve holiday decorating ideas. I came up with a few cute cheap ideas. I also made seven-layer bean dip for the first time and tried a new recipe called Chocolate, Cranberry & Oat Bars. They were a hit and so I am including a link to the recipe. http://www.kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?s=recipe&m=recipe/knet_recipe_display&u1=keyword&u2=cranberries&u3=**6*187&wf=9&recipe_id=107778One of my creative ideas was this paper wreath. This didn't cost me a thing because I used a wire hanger from my closet and old wrapping paper. Just cut out rectangels from paper (you could use pages from an old book, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, brown paper bags etc.) and then string them onto the wire hanger. I then wrapped the top of the hanger with rafia and tied a little bow. It took me about 20 minutes to make this and I think it is pretty darn cute!

Some other things I made were these two centerpieces. The candycane centerpiece cost me about $3.00. I bought the vase from Goodwill for .35 cents and then candycanes from Wal-mart for .88 cents, you could use anything to fill the vase, but I bought Holiday M&M's. The next centerpiece: I bought the vase and ornaments from Goodwill for a total of $1.30! Talk about a bargain.

Overall, it was a fun night. This is a picture of (left to right) Ashley, Neely and Wendy.

This is a picture of (left to right) Amber and Lindsay.

I also had to include a picture of my Thanksgiving Banner. I made this banner last year, stealing the idea out of Pottery Barn Kids Catalog. I love how it turned out!

34 Weeks!

I can't believe I am 34 weeks. I feel like my whole pregnancy has gone by so fast. There was a slow point right around 6 months but other than that it has flown by. I am still feeling really good and have great energy. My feet aren't really puffy anymore and my back has stopped hurting. My doctor keeps telling me that I am going to "hit the wall" soon so I hold my breath everyday waiting for that to happen, but until then, I am enjoying myself. I get to have an ultrasound in 2 weeks and I am so excited to see more pictures of our little boy. He is going to be so big! He is a squirmy, very active little boy and I can't wait to meet him!

EBay, Love it or Hate it!

I love it! I have found a couple of great deals lately, especially on baby stuff. All my transacations have been smooth and I love what I have bought. Here are my great finds and the savings I made on each one from buying it on EBay.

#1 - BOB stroller. I have been eyeing these for a while now and was so excited that I found a brand new one on EBay. It is an awesome stroller and I can't wait to use it. Savings: $70!
#2 Pottery Barn Diaper Bag. Much to my surprise, Spencer has had quite the opinion on what diaper bag we buy. We found this one at Pottery Barn and he fell in love with it. It was kind of pricey so I went searching on EBay. I found a brand new one that had been monogrammed with the initials JPM. I figured I could unstitch those and save a couple of bucks. I did just that and you can't really tell they were there at all. Savings: $37.50!

#3 Pottery Barn Kids Advent Calendar. I have been wanting this cute calendar for years but could never bring myself to spend the money on it. When I finally convinced myself to buy it, it had been discontinued. I was so sad. So back to EBay to find one. The one I found is brand new but had been monogrammed with the name Matthews across the top. I am in the process of unstitching it, but it takes a very long time and a lot of patience. I love it though and can't wait to hang it up for Christmas. Savings:$44!

So overall, I have saved $151.50! Not bad! I have a few more things I am trying to get right now and we'll see how that goes. EBay gets addicting so I need to be careful!!

Happy Halloween!

We were invited over to a friends house for a little Halloween Party. I was in charge of bringing a dessert so this is what I came up with. It was a lot of fun to make and put together. As you can see, some of the cookies were falling apart but you get the general idea. It was a fun night and we had a good time watching the kids play. Spencer was sick and wasn't able to go to the party. I spent so much time making the cookies that I didn't have time to dress up...maybe next year!

This is Seth, Lindsay and Ava Mott.

This is Ryan, Kim and Matthew Petersen.