Friday, October 26, 2012

Mr. Speedy

Yes, we are still alive!  We have survived week one and are enjoying every moment - the busy ones and the nap time ones.  Here's a few moments of cuteness to tie you over until the next post.  Our Little Mr. Speedy!  Isn't that a cute little turtle?  And Winston's not too bad either!  Haha!  
I just love that he is using all of his facial muscles!  Cute faces!
One of my favorites from the night...
From a monkey hat, to a monkey pose...
It's exhausting having a Mommy who loves to snap up all the cuteness she can get!

Friday, October 19, 2012

The People I Love

Winston wanted to us to share some photos of him with some of the people he loves that have been able to visit him while he is still here at the hospital.  He is all set to go home tomorrow and is looking forward to meeting his furry big sister and seeing his room.
Dharma and PJ
Grancy and Grandy
Aunt Sam and....Uncle Ben?

Unke Noah
 Auntie Salem
 The Baileys
Winston has already figured out how to work the camera....
 ....which apparently Sara is still figuring out!
Never mind, she's got it!
Us and our little pasty burrito
Only three days old and already holding his own pacifier. Even when he is tired this kid still has mad skills!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Our Little Stud

As promised, here are some more photos of our newest family member!




Thank you all for your prayers.  Sara and baby Winston are both doing well and are looking forward to going home on Saturday!

10.17.2012

At 6:20 pm on October 17th, 8 lbs and 20 inches of Winston Ace arrived into the world!  He was pink, screaming and perfect in every way.  Our little family couldn't be happier!  While the birthing process went differently than expected, we can't argue with the results!

Sara and Winston are both doing well, but are tired from their very long day yesterday.  Here is peak at Winston.  More pictures will be popping up later today.


Monday, October 15, 2012

Bump It: Week 41

Yes, that's right folks.  We are in week 41 and Winston is still happy on the inside!  My mom jokingly said that W.A.C should now stand for Waiting on Arrival of Cozad and I tend to agree with her!  This week has been a full of all sorts of emotions: hopeful on the arrival window, relieved and anxious when it passed and now we look at each day as an gift day where we can enjoy another evening together with the freedoms of not yet having a small human around.  Benjamin and I agree that Winston is already fitting into the family without a problem - he knows that we pave our own way and keep the ones we love on their toes!

Monday I was not feeling well, so it was decided I would stay at home.  Monday rolled into Tuesday and I worked from home and that rolled into Wednesday and so on.  Working from home from the comfort of my couch, bed, kitchen table was an unexpected blessing and I cannot put into words how thankful I am for the people that I work with and for; they have been tops when it comes to encouraging me to concentrate on bringing Winston safe into this world.  
Because of the staying at home and keeping off of my feet, I magically lost 4 lbs of fluid weight this week and more importantly, have my ankles back!!  Our doctor's appointment on Friday went well and we were encouraged to come home, enjoy the weekend and return for an appointment at the beginning of the week.  We were thankful for her willingness to allow us to continue the waiting and not to quicken his arrival since there has been no danger to him or me.
Lubaby is already on her staycation at Mom and Dad's house.  She hopped into the car, curled up with her Chewie and never looked back!  Because we were uncertain if we'd have to rush out of the house at any moment and because packed bags leaving the doors without Lulu makes her super nervous, we decided the timing was right for her to spend time keeping Jingle company.  She will stay there until Winston arrives and then come home to being a great "big sister!"  Benjamin and I miss her dearly, but we know that this was the right timing to not rock her little world more than it will already be.
Off and on all week, Winston has been what I will call "practicing" making his entrance into the world as I have been experiencing contractions, just none of them close enough or strong enough to call full labor.  He is definitely giving everyone tons of time to cheer him on!

Taking advantage of what we deem will probably be our last weekend without a wee one, we slept in both mornings, lazed around during the days and spent the evenings grubbing on some yummy food with great company!  Consistent with our old people ways, we ate dinner early each night so that we could curl up on our couch together.  We spent time going through photos of our fourth year of marriage and finished up our marriage book for that year and went onto creating year five.  We got a laugh out of looking back over the previous three years prior and reflecting on how God has truly blessed our family - beyond our wildest dreams.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone who has sent texts, emails, and facebook messages asking us about Winston.  The thoughtfulness of everyone has been touching and we so appreciate the love, support and prayers that you are giving to us.  It is overwhelming to think of how many people are checking on us and looking forward to the arrival of sweet Winston Ace.  

Monday we set out early in the morning for the next doctor's visit.  I keep reminding myself that each appointment we have brings us closer to meeting our son.  This weekend God has been faithful to remind me that His Presence is constant, that his timing is perfect and while trust is need, so is whole heartedly believing that He is in control of all circumstances.  It's humbling to know that even before I was born, the Lord knew Winston and had already planned his magnificent day of arrival.  
Congrats little guy!, you are already marching to your own groovy beat!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Lego + Ninja Turtles = Awesomesauce!

As if 2013 wasn't going to be great already, the announcement that Lego is partnering with Ninja Turtles to bring us the next round of nostalgic fabulousness for people like Benjamin and me who:
  1. LOVE Lego 
  2. LOVE the 80's
  3. Have original Ninja Turtles
  4. LOVE Lego
has thrown me over the edge into an oblivion of giddiness!

You might think we're crazy, but just last night Benjamin finished making his 2012 Winter Village Cottage so that he could be ready to add it to the collection and take it to The Clinic for November & December.  We just love Lego sets!  Remember, we're the people who went as a married couple with out kids to San Diego with the sole purpose of going to Legoland!

Friends.  I cannot tell you how excited I was - so excited that I called Benjamin, who is on standby at The Clinic to come home at any minute in the case that my contractions start picking up, and with a rushed voice I exclaim , "LEGO IS MAKING NINJA TURTLES SETS!"  Followed by a few ticks of silence and then laughter on the other end of the phone.    He asks me how I know and I say, "It's allover the interwebs! You need to check it out!!"  {Note, I've always wanted to use the word "interwebs" in a sentence!}
Hello!  How fun is that?!  The Shellraiser Street Car set comes with the following and is proposed to cost $59.99.
  • A pizza truck and the Turtle Mobile
  • Five Minifigures that have an exclusive villain and Michelangelo and Donatello 
I'm pretty sure I know what Benjamin will be getting for his Happy 2013 gift!!  This set is scheduled to hit stores January 2013 with more in the works!  Hooray Lego!  You have made this lady super duper happy!

Read more about it here and here.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Halloween Subway Art Printable

I thought I would try my hand at creating a subway art piece for the frame in my kitchen this year.  It's something I've been wanting to try to make for a while just never gave it much time.  Once I sat myself down and started creating, I enjoyed it and am quite pleased with the outcome!
If you'd like to download and print it for your own use, please feel free to do so!  To make it easy, I have posted the full file at this link: Halloween Subway Art Printable.  Click the link, then select File on the left hand side, then select Download.  Please let me know if something glitches and I'll be happy to do some troubleshooting since it's my first attempt!


GAPTAP: WWYD with One More Day?

Alrighty folks.  We are in the window of arrival for the wee one, so literally any day now.  Or as my Mom reminded me - Noah and I were both 11 days late so any time before October 20th would be much appreciated!  

My question is this:
If you knew you had one more day until your world was about to be rocked by a tiny human, what would you do?

I have already gotten a pedicure {Trophy Wife by Essie, a great fall color!}, had the house cleaned and Benjamin and I are maximizing the out to eat time we have as only he and me.  

Let's hear what you did or what you wish you would have done! 

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Bump It: Week 40

It's official!  We made it to Week 40!  Little Winston is currently two days away from his estimated arrival window.  We were told that it was somewhere between October 9th and October 12th, so really any day now he could make his debut.  And I can now say with confidence, we are ready!

The night before our last doctor appointment we did a double check on the overnight bags incase we needed to go straight to the hospital after the check up.  We had to mentally prepare ourselves for the possibility that he was going to be a big baby and that there would be decisions to make.  However, thank the Lord, that was not the case!  Everything was looking great and we made a follow up appointment for the next week.  On one hand, I was ready to meet Winston - ready to welcome him into the world and smother him with kisses!  On the other hand, I was apprehensive and still wanting a few days to keep life as it was.  When we heard that we could keep waiting for him to choose his own day of arrival, I was muddled and full of emotions on the inside.  I found myself a little disappointed that I'd have to wait to meet him, but excited to take advantage of the the days without him.  Over the past few days, Benjamin and I have been maximizing our time with each other doing the things that we love to do.  I find myself storing these times away even more than before.  I can't put into words how thankful I am to have Benjamin as my partner in this life. 

The past five weeks we finished the nursery, celebrated Benjamin's birthday and enjoyed a few concerts.  I have continued to work, in fact I took on a new job opportunity and have moved to a new group and a new floor.  It was an expected change that I took quite a while to consider and I am thankful for!

Since I know that Winston should be here any day, I don't want to purchase any more maternity clothes.  On Friday I didn't want to wear a dress and didn't feel like leggings so my eyes drifted to Benjamin's side of the closet and landed on his jeans.  The first few pair I tried wouldn't fit over my hips!  Darn me and my persistence to get him to wear straight leg jeans!  Then, at the bottom of the pile, there was a pair that was wide legged and success! they fit!!  I sent him a text telling him I was borrowing his pants and when I saw him that night at dinner he said, "I just never thought I'd see the day!"

There is such a comfort in knowing that Winston has a time and a day when he will arrive into our family.  Although I'd love to know when that day and time is, I am trusting in the Lord for his perfect timing as He has proven over and over that His ways are indeed the best.  
Benjamin, Lulu and I are excitedly waiting the arrival of our little dude!  C'mon Winston Ace!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Pumpkin Poppers: A Fall Time Recipe!

With the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes back in coffee stores across America and this "cooler" front that we have gracing us, it truly feels like Fall has arrived!  I came across a recipe for Pumpkin Poppers and in the spirit of enjoying all things fallish,  decided to give them a whirl!
I ended up making two batches because I couldn't bring myself to throw away the remaining pumpkin and ended up making 72+ poppers!!  Because of the abundance of poppers, I decided to take them to share them with the folks on my new floor.  Seeing that the container was completely empty when I walked by later that morning, I'd call them a success!  

Funny story for you {with some background:  since I went overboard and had 72 poppers, they were in two containers: one large and one small.}  Thanks to my forgetfulness and Lulu's impeccable sense of smell, she devoured the small container of poppers all by herself while Benjamin and I were out enjoying dinner together.  We returned home to one very puffy stomached Lubaby, a destroyed plastic container and poppers hidden all around the house!!  Note to self: don't put computer bag on orange chair when it contains food.  Second note to self: just take the food out of the bag before putting it any where!  This all to say that the Pumpkin Poppers also have the stamp of approval from Lulu!

These little guys are a delightful mix of fall time spices married with a light pumpkin taste.  A perfect pairing for with a morning coffee!  They would be ideal for a girls breakfast get together or if you need something to share with a church group on Sunday mornings.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup of flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. all spice
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp of vanilla
3/4 cup of pumpkin
1/2 cup of milk

For coating:
melted butter
suger and cinnamon to taste

Preheat oven to 350 F and spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
Mix flour, baking powder, and spices into a bowl.
In a second bowl, combine the vegetable oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk.  Stir together.  
Pour the contents of the second bowl into the flour and spice mixture.  Stir together.  Fill mini muffin tins until almost full and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Melt butter in a small bowl and mix the cinnamon and sugar together on a plate or bowl.  Once the poppers have cooled, dip or brush the butter onto the popper.  The roll the popper into the cinnamon sugar mixture.  Then tada!, you're done!

Birch Box: September Review

I first read about the Birch Box from Katie's blog and was intrigued by what she had written.  So, I looked into it for myself and decided, for $10, to give it a whirl and see what I ended up with.  Then she posted again about what she received in her September box and I got super excited to receive mine.
I opened mine, anticipating that I'd get very similar if not the same items and was quite surprised when my little box held a completley different set of surprises!
1. The Brush Guard: {Extra!} handy dandy make-up brush protectors for when you're on the go!  This will be perfect for the times when I pop my blush and brush in my bag for a quick fixer-uper when I'm in between work and social events!
2. Fekkai Color Care Collection Shampoo & Conditioner: It's a trial of them that I will keep for the next time I get my hair color did - which will be after Winston arrives!  Hello fall hair color!
3. Vasanti Brighten Up! Face Rejuvenator: An exfoliating cleanser that I used with my Clarisonic and loved the result!
4. twistband Hair Tie:  Since I have short hair, this will be passed on to a friend who has a need for it.  If I did have longer hair, I could see how this would be preferred to those old hair ties with the metal pieces that hold the ends of elastic together...man those hurt!
5. Color Club Nail Polish: {Color is Insta-This} LOVE it!  It's perfect for the fall time hues of blue and it dries SUPAfast for when you need a quick color change to match outfits!
6. Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm with SPF: I have used the same face moisturizer for quite a while now and enjoyed trying this one out.  It has a tint to it so on a day when you need something quick to give you color and moisture it would be a great option!

All in all, I really enjoyed the products in my September Birch Box and look forward to the October one!  If you are interested in trying it out - it's only $10 a month and you can sign up by clicking on the link here: Try BirchBox!  Again, who doesn't love getting surprises in the mail?!
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