Early Christmas Gift to Myself

This should be arriving today from amazon! It's a Brother CS6000i Sew Advance Sew Affordable 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine. I had a little incident with our sewing machine (could def. be user malfunction as I'm not the most perfect sewer) and I needed to finish my Christmas homemade gifts and we really do need something a bit more modern that will last a while. I am beyond excited for this sewing machine. It had over 700 reviews all with 4 and 5 stars. It also came with free standard shipping and I was thinking about rushing the shipping but good thing I didn't. It's going to get here in 2-3 days without me rushing anything. Thanks Amazon!

Here are some features of this baby-

• Free-arm computerized sewing machine; with 60 stitch functions, 7 styles of 1-step buttonholes, and variety of snap-on presser feet
• Computerized stitch selection on LCD screen; with auto threading, tension control dial, and auto-set drop-in bobbin
• 110-volt machine operated with either foot pedal or 1-touch button for start, stop, and reverse stitching; dual LED light
• Accessories include wide table accessory for quilting and more; hard cover case protects in storage

You can find the best ideas on Pinterest

I saw this on pinterest and thought it would be the coolest thing ever if it worked.

Source: homemadeserenity.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

I heard it did so I was anxious to see. The instructions were: The next time you have green onions, don't throw away the white ends. Simply submerge them in a glass of water and place them in a sunny window. Your onions will begin to grow almost immediately and can be harvested almost indefinitely.

I used green onions in that salad I showed you yesterday so it was the perfect timing. I just left the white ends and stuck them in water by the window sill. By the next morning I was shocked to see the green stems already growing. They are sprouting away still so I'll have to keep you updated.

Chinese Chicken Salad

We were Christmas crafting this weekend so I can't show you any photos. We also had David's work Christmas party where we didn't take photos so I will share something else with you today. I made this salad for a work baby shower on Friday. This recipe comes from pinterest via the Amazing Meals blog. I doubled the recipe to have extra, but there is really no need. It makes a TON.

Chinese Chicken Salad

1 large or 2 medium chicken breasts

1/2 cup teriyaki sauce

2 cups water

1 head cabbage, finely chopped

4 green onions, finely chopped

1 package chicken flavored ramen noodles, broken up (save the flavoring packet)

1/2 medium-sized green pepper, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

To cook your chicken, she had this great technique. Mix soy sauce, sugar and water in a small sauce pan; bring to a boil. Add chicken breasts and cook over low heat for about an hour, until chicken is shreddable. Sorry if raw chicken grosses you out. I just wanted to show you what it looks like, I did have to flip it half way through to get the other side cooked.

Shred chicken and set aside. This can be done the day before if you want.This chicken really had great flavor.

Combine all of the vegetables, the ramen and the chicken in a large bowl. Add the sesame seeds and almonds. Toss with the dressing and chill one hour before serving.

Dressing

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

ramen flavoring packet

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Pour over salad.

Pregnancy Survey- 30 Weeks

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he 's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Total Weight Gain: 16 lbs

Sleep: My belly is starting to get in the way now and I'm trying to use pillows to hold it up. I get in trouble with David when he finds me on my back by accident. Molly still hasn't gotten the memo that there is a baby in there, when it's cold she just curls up in my tummy nook as if nothing is in her way.

Symptoms: Slight lower back pain, but I'm doing my yoga still. He's moved up to my rib area a bit on the right side so it helps to stretch out and elongate to give him more room. He is still breech (feet down) but that's okay right now he still has approx. 6-8 weeks to move to the proper position.
Cravings: Nothing crazy. I did have the best orange soda the other day after I was really craving it and it was so good (and caffeine free).

Gender- Max David is his name :)

Movement: He's moving away all the time and I do still feel him on the right upper side and lower so must be hands and feet, or head/and bottom.

Maternity Clothes: Yup, and just wearing some things a size up from my normal is working pretty good still.

Best Moments this week: Seeing Max at the ultrasound, putting the crib together, picking out our stroller set and decorating for Xmas. Here is a pic from the ultrasound. Can't believe he is already 3 lbs. We start going every 2 weeks now to the doctor, crazy!

What I'm looking forward to:  Can't wait for my family to get here in 2 weeks (wow didn't realize it was that fast)! We have a lot of baby stuff and xmas stuff to do. I also got my GA shower invite in the mail the other day and it's adorable! Doesn't it look just like us?

Milestones: Crib is up and house is decorated for xmas. We are now moving on to homemade gifts and fixing stuff around the house still. I have been looking around at more nursery decor and just haven't settled on anything firm yet.

I set this photo up on the automatic timer and closed the door. Molly busted in at the exact time it was taking so I thought it was funny and left her busting in. My belly is growing rapidly now!

Pinterest Wednesday

I'm linking up with the vintage apple today for pinterest Wednesday.

I started looking at newborn photos since my sister and mom got us a newborn photoshoot!

Source: flickr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Very creative

Source: countryliving.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: fckyeahbabies.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Chinese chicken salad that I'm going to make for a baby shower at work on Friday.  Source: amazingmeals.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

I wish I would have seen this before we did our mirror framing. This is still 1 large

mirror that they added the middle part.

Source: hometalk.com via Jen on Pinterest

very cool, I've been wanting to do this

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Jen on Pinterest

I love these fabric letters.

Source: laboomeria.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Baby Nutrition & Nursery Update

At childbirth class we were given lots of information on nutrition and things to keep baby healthy. When we got home David took over the chalk board and wrote me key things that I need to get every day. It was cute. I told him to make it Christmas themed.

 Check out what the side says, you saw it here, now he has to do it!

 We also got the replacement crib parts and the crib is officially put together! I just love it! So I can remember this for later, our crib is the Babi Italia Eastside Classic Crib in White.

I am still not sure on the room arrangment. I tried the dresser by the window, but the wall to the right is blank and I'm sure I'll put it back there, but still need to find room for a chair. Any ideas?

Have I mentioned I'm selling the chair? I just don't love it and think I want something a bit newer that is possibly an oatmeal type color.

Weekend Recap & Holly Jolly Christmas Time!

We had a busy, but nice weekend. I was still getting over being sick and David was trying not to get sick, but some of it did pass on to him unfortunately. Our ultrasound appointment went really well Friday. Max is a growing boy, weighing in at approx. 3lbs! We had our childbirth class saturday, which was good, nothing too exciting though. After that we put up decorations most the time. Here is some of our hard work in action.

My lime green and red tree. It needs a little more pizzazz, but man that tree skirt is looking good! lol

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...

We converted to LED for the outside icicle lights and they are bright, but I love them. David did a great job hanging them!