4th of July + more

This post is going to be all over the place, sorry!

Last time I blogged was before the 4th of July holiday, so I'll backtrack a bit.  That weekend we went to eat with Nana and Pawpaw at a place called Chow 45.  It is in Mayfield and was a nice change!  Mom had the best steak I have had in a LONG time - yum!  Dad had crabcakes (also yummy) and Jason had swordfish.  Seriously, you can get swordfish in Mayfield!?  I had a yummy chicken dish and Lilli ate a little off everyone's plate!

She loves drinking tea from anyone who will share!

On July 3rd we noticed they were shooting some small fireworks at the park next door.  So we sat outside and watched.  Lilli LOVED them - enough that we changed our minds and decided TO attend the fireworks the next night.

So on the 4th we headed to Calvert City after dinner. We didn't catch the parade but we did get their early enough for Lilli to play and scare her Momma to death on this crazy tall slide -

"Where are the fireworks going to be, Lilli?"

She loved the show.  I loved her commentary - "that's a big one, Mommy!" and "Look, Daddy, FIREWORKS!" and then she would list all the colors or tell how much she liked each one.  It was a perfect night and she is already asking to see more.  She doesn't understand we have to wait another year! 


I hosted our monthly devotional "Sisterhood" group from church this week.  In preparation, I told Jason I wanted to finally tackle the Cubby Bookshelves from Ana White that I found months ago.  These are modeled after the Pottery Barn bookshelves that are over 300 a piece - and I wanted two!  Thankfully we came well under budget - each bookshelf was about 70 dollars.   It took us a week - Jason constructed and I primed and painted.  I was NOT happy painting in the heat we have had this week, but the finished product was worth it! 

 

I think the molding on the sides really makes it look like something we bought, not made!

Mom also came over last weekend to finish the mural on the wall.  She drew Curious George but we wanted something more - so we decided to add the dog and cat from the show, Hundley and Gnocchi.  Especially since they look just like our pets, Cooper and Brady!

I actually helped her do the details on the kitty - so I am really proud of him!

 
 The playroom is really coming together.  Remember her kitchen that we built before Christmas?

She also has a table and chair set that was mine when I was a child.  I love that she can use it now!

 This bunk bed set was also mine - it matches the desk.

 The playroom is the first room you see when you come in the house, so I am glad it is almost finished.  I just need to find some fabric so mom can make a valance for the window.  I am thinking I might want Jason to make a window seat/toy chest, but I had better give him a break or he might slap me. ;o)


Since I had my camera out I went ahead and took some pictures of Lillian's Big Girl Room.  It was impossible to get all of the bed in one picture!  It is a full size.  We wanted something she could have for a long time and I already had a mattress that I bought in college.

I painted this monogram for her after I saw something similar on Etsy for 250+ dollars.  Um, no.  I LOVED doing it and how it looks in the room.

I picked this bedding out from Pottery Barn but didn't want to pay full price.  So I found a set (they have several!) on Ebay that was brand new and HALF the price.  I even found this little pillow for like 8 dollars (its about 20 on the website) and had mom monogram it for me.  

 I still need new curtains and a new lampshade, they match her old set.  See the owls above - mom made all those, including the weighted bookends.  She is so crafty!

I am thinking of painting the white beadboard green to match the bedding and make the white furniture really stand out.  The chair rail and baseboards match the bed, but the beadboard is more white and I can't stand that it all doesn't match.   So I need to paint it - either creamy white or green.  I just can't bite the bullet just yet.  I need to be 100% sure before I make the decision (like everything in my house - I hem and haw for a long time before I make changes!)


We bought her furniture at Feagan's in Fredonia - it is Legacy Classic Kids "Summer Breeze" and we love it.  It was a perfect combination of girly without being over the top princess.  I wanted to have it in a future guest bedroom some day and some of the sets didn't fit that requirement.  The price was great, too.

We moved all her old baby furniture into what is now the nursery.  It will stay navy and white - either with red accents (boy) or hot pink (girl).  I am still searching for the perfect bedding and need to find it soon!

Speaking of Baby Pumpkin, I had an appointment a couple weeks ago and everything is going well.  Baby's heartrate was 154.  Hard to guess gender based on that!  I am a little concerned with swelling/weight gain since it is SO HOT.  So this morning I woke up a little early and did this -
Perfect Pregnancy Workout

 Hehehehe - It was funny since I have not done ANY workouts in over 6 months!  However, I enjoyed the DVD and plan to do it from here out maybe 3 times a week.  I have gained about 20 lbs and would LOVE to not gain the 50 I did last time...and since I refuse to watch my food I guess I need to do something active!

Can't believe I am sharing this, but here is my BARE belly at 25+weeks -

The growing belly I am ok with...it is the growing arms, thighs, chins, etc that bother me!

The baby still doesn't have a definite name!  Any suggestions are welcome! ;o)



Finishing up - last night Lilli wanted to help me clean up.  So Jason took these pictures.  We thought she looked so big!!

Here is a yummy recipe for you - I made if for Sisterhood and plan to make it again on Friday night when we go to a couple's get-together.  It is SO simple and yummy!  I use my pressure cooker to cook 2 boneless chicken breasts (simple and QUICK) because I hate canned chicken.  And I use "Franks Red Hots" Buffalo Wing Sauce.  I baked mine in the oven but I an to try the crockpot on Friday
Buffalo Chicken Dip


Have a great week!