Hi everyone, just checking in with my trimesterly post (as in once-a-trimester, that’s totally a word, right?). We’re getting close to the end, and I keep thinking of the Great Pumpkin.

First because I’ve heard that pumpkin-esque bellies are the hottest look for fall. But maybe that was a temperature statement, not one on fashion…better than fanny packs, they’re still not the most flattering.

(Photo is Tate’s and my annual one with the biggest pumpkin at the MN State Fair. His freaked-out face is because Dad was using “Mom’s” camera, not fear of the prize-winner!)

Next because I’ve been thinking about Halloween costumes for Tate and the baby. But with an October 19 due date, there’s a small chance that I could be overdue enough to dress myself as a pumpkin. Trust me, there wouldn’t be much effort put into such a costume if I were that far past my date, probably just an orange shirt, or maybe a Fleet Farm bag (Midwesterners, you know what I mean).

But mainly, the Great Pumpkin symbolizes waiting, with much uncertainty. It’s not a perfect analogy, as Linus couldn’t be assured that the Great Pumpkin would actually appear. Mine will eventually be here; I’m just unsure of which day he’ll arrive…

And how will the labor/delivery go? And what have I forgotten about newborns in the last two and a half years? And what have I neglected to put on my before-baby-arrives checklist? And am I going to despise the minivan that we’re shopping for???

Stay tuned…

Photo Courtesy:
Number 2 Pencils

Are you expecting a baby girl in the next couple of weeks? Look at these beautiful Valentine’s theme birth announcements!

Not that you can’t welcome your baby boy with a Valentine, but you should probably switch the pinks for red. He’ll thank you later!

The other great possibility would be sending out a personal or family Valentine. It could be just for fun, or in lieu of traditional holiday cards if you never got around to sending them out. 

Simply replace the birth details with a personal greeting or a list of your kids’ names and ages. How cute, as either a magnet or a card! View more options online.

Do you usually send Valentines to family and friends? I bet you like to receive them – think about it.

On the third day of Christmas, our family sends to you…belated holiday cheer!

We’re taking our time, spreading out Christmas over the entire weekend. The historic amount of snow changed our plans a bit, so we just finally opened stockings this morning and are of course still eating cookies!

How was your Christmas? Did you do anything new or stick with the old traditions?

My favorite pregnancy euphemism is the Biblical description of Mary, ”great with child”. (Stick with me, this will come full circle so that my title makes sense!) I’m reminded of this because while Christmas is great with [a] child, decorating for Christmas is not-so-great with [a] child. Last year, with a baby crawling around, our Christmas decor was pretty minimal. Think barricaded mini-tree. Tate is now more trustworthy, with another year under his belt and a lucky discovery from a few weeks ago…

While at Target, I let him out of the cart to walk around and of course he was picking up every picture frame within reach. Without really thinking he’d understand, I said “Tate, look with your eyes, don’t touch with your fingers”. He sort of combined the two concepts, walking up to the shelves until he was close enough for his eyes to touch things.

It clicked enough thought that he sees the Christmas decorations at our house, says “eyes!”, and doesn’t pick them up. Fabulous!

When I first saw this upside-down tree at Ohdeedoh, I assumed that it was attached to the ceiling, the brainchild of someone with a curious baby.

Actually it’s sitting on the ground and is probably even more top-heavy and dangerous than a regular tree, but I like the concept!

For the era of young grandchildren, my mom found a small tree that hangs up flat against the wall. 

Do you childproof your Christmas tree or other holiday decorations?

You may have heard of Timothy Botts, the talented calligrapher. His artwork can be seen in prints, books, devotionals and even an illustrated Bible. 

MagnetStreet is pleased to present a new series of Christmas cards that feature this amazing artwork. What a unique way to send holiday greetings to your family and friends this year.

Add your favorite family photo from the past year, and you’re ready to go. No more stressing over your holiday greeting cards!

View the entire line of Timothy Botts Christmas cards online.

What are you eating this Thanksgiving? Are you all about tradition, or always looking for something new to put on the table?

I remember one year as a child when my grandparents took us all to a restaurant for Thanksgiving. It was a lavish buffet which the grownups probably enjoyed immensely. I, however, was mortified that the potatoes had been mashed with the skins on. Not only that, but the cranberries were whole, in some sort of sauce instead of my mom’s smooth, yummy cranberry jello! Oh the horror!

Yes, I’m much more willing to try new things now. But I will admit a strong preference for the old favorites at Thanksgiving – that means cheesy beans and the cranberry jello. Yes, I know that’s very “Minnesota”, but there’s a cranberry cream cheese layer on top…don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!

If you need a recipe that your family and friends will love, try this one. I can brag about it since it’s from my mother-in-law, not my own creation. 

Granny’s Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes (canned are fine)
½ cup white sugar
½ cup plus 2 ½ T melted butter, divided
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup flour
½ cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions:
Combine the mashed potatoes, white sugar, ½ cup of the butter, eggs, vanilla, salt and milk. Mix well and place in a greased 8” square baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 2 ½ T butter, brown sugar, flour and nuts. Distribute evenly over the potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes 8 servings.

Hope your Thanksgiving is delicious!

Photo Courtesy:
xybermatthew

Thanksgiving is almost here! What are you thankful for this year?

If your list includes a brand-new baby, consider this adorable announcement. I love the rich autumn colors!

Or look at this one with a simple fall theme.

View all of the Thanksgiving birth announcements online. Even if you don’t have a “thanksgiving” baby, keep in mind that the text and colors can be changed on any of our announcements.

Whew – I made it through the whole post without any Thanksgiving cliches – you can also be thankful for that! Last year, I didn’t do so well.

Unfortunately, today Tate’s Halloween fever was the first kind. It started Thursday night, but I was hopeful for a 24-hour variety. No such luck.

At 3pm, we were supposed to be arriving at Tate’s cousin’s Halloween party. Instead, my little guy was uncharacteristically quiet in my arms while we waited for the ibuprofen to kick in. While I didn’t mind the extra snuggling time, I was really sad to be missing the party. And of course wishing that my baby were well.

He did eventually rebound enough to visit Granny & Papa’s house. And Dad worked some sort of magic to get him into his lion costume – all of my efforts were met with his favorite new word, “no”.

How was your Halloween? Did you go to a party, an indoor event, neighborhood trick-or-treating, or all of the above?

Best wishes in what we all know is scarier than Halloween – adjusting to Daylight Saving Time with a young child!

Definition Courtesy Merriam-Webster

Today most people are putting the finishing touches on their costumes for trick-or-treating or a fun halloween party…

You may, however, know someone who is putting the finishing touches on growing a baby! If so, share this post with them. But go ahead and wait until they’ve brought the new baby home from the hospital…

All of our adorable halloween-themed birth announcements are available online. Here are a few of my favorites:

Or, if your baby isn’t quite due yet, you may need a last-minute costume idea for your pregnant belly – check out this post.

What’s your favorite preggers costume or baby costume?

From our family to you, Happy 4th of July!