pinafore dress

Isn't this just about the cutest thing you've ever seen?

Courtesy

I thought so.

So I had to make one. For Claire.

I think it turned out pretty cute!

It was definitely one of the easier dresses I've attempted (of two, shhhh!).

It's supposed to be 6-12 month, but I think she might have to wear it a little earlier with some tights and a long sleeve onesie. But, really, what do I know about baby sizes?

I even made my first buttonhole!

And, then when I saw that Smashed Peas and Carrots had made a diaper cover to complement baby girl's outfit, I had to do that too.

Courtesy

I followed this tutorial by MADE.

Baby Claire will be styling!

24 weeks

I'm technically 25 weeks now, but here's a recap from 24 weeks pregnant.

I can tell that I've really "popped" over the last few weeks. My belly is out there and in the way!

My 24 week belly in all it's glory.

And, because I never got around to posting it, here she is at 19 weeks.

24 weeks with Baby Girl Somerville

News: My 24 week doctor's appointment was uneventful. I heard her heartbeat again and was measured and everything looks good.

Baby Girl has a name!  Claire Jane Somerville. I'm so glad we've picked a name. It feels so good to call her by name and to know who she is. For those who are curious, Jane is a family name. My mom's middle name and grandmother's first name are both Jane. I love having a little family history in her name. Claire is just a name Bob and I have always loved.

Symptoms: This is a great time in pregnancy. I don't want to complain too much b/c I know how good I have it and there's still a lot of time left, but my only bothers are this massive belly getting in my way and some back pain.

Weight Gain: A lot. No, seriously. 19 pounds. I have no idea where it is going, because I don't feel like I look like I've gained 19 pounds, but no one's told me to back off the cupcakes yet so I guess I'm okay. I have my diabetes test in 3 weeks, so I guess we'll see then. I honestly don't feel like I'm eating that much more than I used to. I've always been a bad eater - as in, I eat what I want - and nothings really changed!

Cravings: Again, nothing in particular. But I can eat Mexican food like it's my business. And I've noticed that jalapenos seem to really speak to me right now.

Aversions: Just strong smells. I’m trying to avoid cleaning out the fridge and leaving it up to Bob to throw away leftovers.

Sleep: I'm sleeping long and fairly well. I have to get up to visit the bathroom at least once a night, and sometimes it's hard to get comfortable after that but I can't complain.

I am loving: Shopping! We picked out fabrics and ordered nursery furniture over the past week and it's just so fun!

I really miss: Sleeping on my belly. And a cold beer during a football game would be nice.

Movement: She's moving all around these days! I love it. It's so fun to feel her kick me, especially when her timing is perfect - right after her Daddy says something she might not like or when someone says something sweet.

for dads of daughters

I saw this on a friend's Facebook who recently had a little girl and thought it too sweet not to share.

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

Courtesy

And, honey, if you're reading this...get ready for this new chapter of our lives!

A few of my favorites:

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

broccoli cheese soup

Love a good broccoli cheese soup! Better yet, an easy one. 

We had some cool (read: coolER than 100 degrees) weather here in Music City last week and I got bit by the soup bug.

Pinterest is definitely feeding my cooking addiction lately and this beauty was on the menu.

Thank you Mangio da  Sola!

Here's what you do:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup
adapted from Sugarcrafter

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 lb fresh broccoli, chopped
• 1 cup carrot, shredded and chopped
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (I omitted these two spices b/c, quite frankly, I wasn't buying them for one recipe!)
• 1/4 tsp cardamom 
• 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces grated Colby jack cheese 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• Hot Sauce

Sauté the onion and garlic in the butter over medium heat. Add in the flour, stirring constantly. Add in the half and half, milk, and chicken stock. Bring to almost a boil.

Add the onions back in, along with the broccoli and carrots. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.
Season the soup with the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cardamom. Stir in the cheeses (and you can play around with the amounts; use however much or little you like) and let simmer for 10 minutes longer before serving.

I served it in a sourdough bread bowl from Kroger - delish!

wedding weekend

This weekend, we joined Tropical Storm Lee at the beach for the wedding of two of my favorite people: Matt and Laura. Despite some last minute changes in venue due to the storm, it was a fantastic weekend, spent with wonderful old friends. Bob and I are just so happy that these two are finally married! (You might remember their engagement, one of my first posts!)

I snagged a cute groomsman.

The only thing more incredible than how this cake looked, was how it tasted! Chocolate and peanut butter, yes please!

The venue, Carillon Beach, was beautiful. You can see Baby Girl made the trip too - this will have to serve as my 22 week picture.

Aren't they sweet?

This guy was one of my first friends at Alabama. We joke that we have a brother/sister relationship, but the truth is, I'm so thankful for that!

And even more thankful that our better halves came into the picture.

Congratulations, you two! Wishing you a lifetime of love and laughter - and maybe a friend or two for Baby S when she heads off to Alabama! :P

booked

5 days, 4 nights here...

I'll be spending some of it here...

 

...drinking fruity drinks (non-adult, of course)...

...and putting my feet up. Relaxing in Cancun sounds like the perfect way to relax before the holidays and baby girl arrive. Hurry up, November!