Baby Shower: Failla Family

I'm posting just a few pics from the shower Brad's amazing family threw for us this past weekend. I have to say, waiting until 34 weeks to take and post pictures was an interesting choice...
Here's Grandma Phyllis testing the yarn she cut; they were supposed to guess my belly width. She came pretty close (most people were off by at least six inches), but ultimately she came in third.
Here's me and bradley with our matching bellies (just teasing, I'm bigger than him).

And here's the new daddy-to-be racing to put a bandana diaper on a baby doll. Oh, baby shower games. ;-)

Nursery Board

I have been fiddling around with Microsoft Publishing and I decided to build a nursery board, highlighting many of the features we're using for Hunter's room. And so I present to you, THE BOARD:
WHEE! How fun is it?!? OK, piece by piece, let's break it down starting in the top left corner and moving clockwise and then inward:

Somerset Crib: Graco from Target
Nightlight and switch plate: Woolrich Woodlands from Target
Bedding: Skip Hop from Target
Name Branch: I found this one on Pinterest, but we're creating one by mod-podging paper onto some wooden letters we bought at Hobby Lobby and hanging them from a branch.
Alphabet Graphic Print: Grace Hester Designs on Etsy
Changing Pad covers: One is Skip Hop (Target) and the other is Kid's Line (Babies'R'Us)
Glider: Delta at Target
Thumb Print Tree: This one is from Pinterest, but I'm having one made by my good and very creative friends David and Erin.
Playset: Skip Hop (Target)
Rug: Mohawk (Target)
Light fixture: This one is from 320 Sycamore, but I have one at home to DIY.
Fox print: Lulufroot on Etsy

Whew! We've got the crib and bedding set up, and I have the makings of many of the other things already. I figure we'll end up getting the rug with gift cards towards the last minute, but we'll see. If I could find the fabric swatch we're using for the pelmet box online, I'd add it. Once things are a bit more complete I'll post some photos.

Weekly "Loving" List

I am inspired to create a weekly list of the things I'm loving, as seen on Just Bella. She has a two month old baby, and it seems she has been making these lists since (at least) her pregnancy. Starting these lists at 33 weeks is a bit ambitious, because things get less fun and more uncomfortable towards the end, but hey, I'm an optimist!

Week 33: I'm Loving...

*cooking. Seriously, I haven't bothered to cook in ages, between fatigue and not wanting to stand once I'm home, but this week I've made two delicious homemade meals; I forgot how satisfying it is! It fills me with pride and a sense of usefulness (something I've been missing). Plus I love being able to provide home-cooked meals for Brad when he gets home; the poor dear has been eating lots of Whataburger, and neither of us like that habit.

*our developing nursery. I promise, I will borrow a camera if I have to and I will post some pics soon. We put up the crib with the gorgeous bedding, and it feels like a nursery! Now to start on wall art projects, namely the name plate. David and Erin are making me a tree canvas to use as a guest book at showers (thumbprint style), and it will go on the wall eventually as well. So excited!

*Earl Grey, hot. This is nothing new, of course, but oh man. Not only is it delicious and warming, it is aroma therapeutic! I steep a weak cup in the mornings and then keep the tea bag at my desk to steep again after lunch. The scent it gives off absolutely raises my spirits.

*getting kicked. Most of the time it is fun or funny how much this little guy moves around. I've got a journal where I keep track of all of the metaphors I've used for the feeling. My favorites include "popcorn popping in my uterus" and "a cartoon octopus playing the drums".

*foot rubs. Brad gets home too late most nights to do it, but when he's home he is usually amenable to helping me out with swollen feet and ankles. He is such a blessing.

*warm, LUSH-scented baths. I've probably seen the last of these until after baby, unless I do it on a night when Brad is there to hoist me out of the tub, but relaxing in warm water that smells of apple and bergamot really chases the blues away.

That ought to do it for now. What are you loving right now?

What's for Dinner?

I have to start by saying how much I love Pinterest. I truly do. Count me among the many, because I can (and occasionally do) waste hours looking at everything from DIYs I'll never accomplish to funny Doctor Who memes.

I definitely have a soft spot for the recipes, though. Of all of the things I might actually utilize in real life, I find the recipes fit the bill. Today I discovered this "Make Your Own Rotisserie Chicken" pin, and I can't wait to try it.

I love buying those pre-cooked chickens at the store, because I can use them for so many things and it saves tons of time. I look forward to trying one myself and seeing it is truly is cheaper (and by how much).

My favorite recipes to make with rotisserie chicken includes:

Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos

Chicken and Wild Rice Salad

Typically I slice off the breast meat for the first meal and serve it with simple sides, then I tear up the remaining bits and use them for one of the above recipes. The taquitos are hugely popular in my family; Mom requests them frequently. They are best served with rice and/or beans (I generally make black beans) and with guacamole (HEB or Chipotle, if not homemade). My favorite side dish for them, though, is to simply blend avocado with the salsa verde and a splash of lime juice. I call it Guacoverde... don't be like me.

The Chicken and Wild Rice salad makes a great lunch, especially served with fresh fruit or veggies on the side. It also pairs well or very light white wines, even something crisp like a Sauvignon Blanc. This meal has picnic written all over it.

And now that I'm officially drooling, on to lunch!