I will admit, I have never put a prefold onto a baby before.  Add to that, I’ve never even put on one of those “cadillac” cloth diapers like the BumGenius 3.0′s.  I still have a lot to learn when it comes to cloth diapering, so I hope Sprout is a patient little child who will let mommy and daddy use her as a guinea pig for a little bit.

I did start putting some things into her diaper bag this morning though – including some prefolds and her x-small cover.  I figured today would be a good day to research some folding techniques for these diapers.  I may just have to print the site I found and take it with me to the hospital. 

According to this site, there is the basic fold (which seems like something I can handle), the twist fold, the orgami fold (too much for me?), and the fold in thirds method.  If you cloth diaper, which fold do you use?  Does one work better for boys and one for girls?

For more Talk about Tuesday, visit The Lazy Organizer.

I have been preparing my home and my life for the arrival of Sprout, but I have been working on some other things as well – like writing up my lists for the hospital.  Here is my list of what to pack for Sprout, James, and I for our stay.

PJs and robe
Slippers/Socks

Nursing bras

Nursing pads
Underwear
Toiletries – don’t forget lip balm
Coming home clothes (something comfy like yoga pants)

Car seat
One sleeper/hat (they provide clothes there)
Dress, unders, shoes, socks for picture day
Cloth diaper to come home in
Receiving blanket
“Snowsuit” for the ride home

Snacks for James and I
James’ clothes
Movies for James, DS, MP3 player with new songs
Camera and new batteries
Cell and charger
Announcement list and birth plan

Am I forgetting anything?!

For more Talk About Tuesday, visit Lazy Organizer!

Picture courtesy of ~ http://nineteen69.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/aka-suitcase.jpg

This past week has been a whirlwind with the holidays.  I thought maybe it would slow down by now, but it really hasn’t.  Since Christmas Eve things have been pretty topsy turvy.  We rushed through the holiday meal and a mad dash at presents before my brother decided he was in too much pain to stick around anymore.  The rest of the family kept his kiddos while he and his wife ran to the ER to find out that he had a kidney stone.  He has been at appointments since, we’ve been visiting DH’s brother who was up from Chicago which created some late nights, and then we were meeting up with friends who were in town from college break or a vacation from work.

We didn’t really eat at home a lot last week.  We ate with my family a few times and at the in-laws quite a few times as well.  It was a wonderful week of meals, and I really grateful that I didn’t have to cook.  By the time I would get home to think about food, I was far too exhausted to put together anything nutritious.

This week, I really hope to get back on track!

Monday ~ Pizza with friends

Tuesday ~ Chili with tvp

Wednesday ~ Cheeseburger, cubed potatoes with onion soup mix, corn

Thursday ~ Steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad

Friday ~ Pizza wraps

Saturday ~ Beef stew in the crockpot

Sunday ~ Lemon baked fish with baked potatoes and peas

For more meal plan ideas visit Org Junkie and for more TAT visit Lazy Organizer.

Can you believe that I am 33 weeks pregnant?  I have 7 weeks left if Baby Sprout arrives near her due date.  That is less than 50 days until baby is here!  The countdown is definitely on, and I can’t believe how fast it’s zooming by now.

My belly is starting to get big and round, and finally others can tell that I am expecting.  It’s fun to hear the comments from people (at least so far).  Please bless me with only nice people comments!   Speaking of big and round, yoga and poses are getting difficult as is tying shoes, getting up from the couch, and trying to get in and out of our Jeep.

By this week in the pregnancy, Sprout should average about 4.5 pounds and 19 inches long.  Her lungs should almost be fully developed, she responds to light and sound (this I already know and feel movement in response to it every day), and she continues to elbow my tummy and stick her foot out to stretch while I want to show off that little footbump on my tummy.

What a blessing this whole experience has been!  I can’t believe at my next appointment, I need to pick a peditritian.  The countdown is now on!!

For more TAT, visit The Lazy Organizer.

Picture courtesy of ~ http://maternitybaby365.com/uploaded_images/cute-maternity-clothes-736697.jpg

There is nothing better on a cold day, than a steaming cup of hot chocolate.  Here’s a recipe you can make yourself ~

1.  Warm one cup of milk on the stove.

2.  Add 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons of cocoa and 3-4 teaspoons of powdered sugar and mix.  Let heat through (don’t boil).

3.  Add whipped topping or mini marshmellows to the top and enjoy!

 Want to know what others are talking about this Tuesday?  Visit The Lazy Organizer!

Picture courtesy of ~ http://images.inmagine.com/168nwm/imagezoo/iz137/iz137028.jpg

This is one of my favorite cold weather bread recipes.  It is sweet, it goes well with hot tea or coffee, and it’s just plain delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 c sugar
• 1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c tea of choice
• 1/3 c milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 c flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 c powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-5 teaspoons milk
• ground cinnamon to taste

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350* and grease a loaf pan.
• In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until fluffy.  Beat in eggs, tea, 1/3 cup milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.  Stir in remaining ingredients until moist.  Spread in pan.
• Bake 50-60 minutes and cool in pan for 10 minutes on wire rack.  Remove and cool on wire rack for 30 more minutes.
• In a small bowl, make the icing with powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 teaspoons of milk.  Add more milk if needed until spreadable.  Spread glaze over bread and sprinkle with more cinnamon.  Cool completely for 2 hours before cutting (good luck.. I never make it that long).

For more Tempt my Tummy, go here and Talk about Me Tuesday, visit the Lazy Organizer.

I’m not here to tell you who to vote for, or even who I am voting for because we all have different ideas and values we hold dear to our hearts.  My goal today is that everyone takes their thoughts and puts them into action.

Go cast your vote! 
Voice your opinion!
Be the change you want to see in the world!

For more Talk About Tuesday, visit T.L.O.

Picture courtesy of ~ http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/vote.jpg

We love pizza around here, but my usual cheese pizza biscuits were getting a little old.  I ran across a garden pizza recipe, and I just had to try it.  It turned out really yummy, and we’ll be eating leftovers for lunch today.  I think next time I’ll add green peppers, or garlic, or crushed red pepper before eating because it was  missing the “zing.”

 Ingredients:

• 1 tbs. olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• sliced mushrooms
• 1 c. marinara sauce
• 5-6 oz. of spinach
• 1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
• pizza dough (I used the biscuits, but pressed them together to make a pizza pie)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450*.  Grease pan with oil.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in skillet.  Add carrots and cook 6 minutes.  Stir in marinara sauce, mushrooms, 1/4 t. salt, and 1/8 t. pepper, and cook 3 minutes.  Add spinach and cook covered for 1-2 minutes.
3. Pat dough into pan.  Spoon vegetable mixture on top, then add cheese to top.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

For more Talk About Tuesday, visit the Lazy Organizer.

This morning I woke up with a headache and thought that I really should do another reiki treatment on myself.  Read about my first one here, or about reiki and how I began practicing.

I went into our library and turned on a classical music cd called New Morning, and I laid down on my bed on my left side.  Since my head hurt, I knew right where to start this session.  I asked for guidance and I began giving myself energy on my forehead.  I was drawn to stay there quite some time before I felt like I should put my other hand on the back of my head, near the top of my neck.  My hands felt really hot at this point and my jaw started to shake a little.  I made a conscious awareness to relax the muscles in my neck and face and the pain seemed to start to dissapate.

Once, I felt the urge to I put one hand on my heart and kept my one hand on my head.  This is where I began having a hard time concentrating and felt like I had a lot of fleeting thoughts, so with my eyes closed I began to visualize white light energy coming from my hands to my body.  I wanted to stay connected to the experience.

I then felt the need to put  my right hand on my belly and keep my left hand on my chest.  Almost immediately as I touched my growing stomach, little Sprout kicked my hand.  I hope she likes reiki.   As my hand was on my stomach, I soon remembered some of the issues I was having yesterday – some sharp pains (round ligament pains, I believe), sore stomach, and digestion problems.  Hopefully the reiki I did do will help with that as well.

What a good way to wake up!

What are others talking about this Tuesday?  Visit The Lazy Organizer to find out!

Picture courtesy of ~ http://mountcope.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/healing-hands.jpg

Have I mentioned my addiction to anything pumpkin?   That includes the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks – unfortunately the nearest Starbucks is about 60 miles away!  I came up with my own Pumpkin Spice Latte Starbucks Copycat recipe to help with my craving and save me some cash.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin
• 1 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla syrup or creamer
• 3 ounces espresso or a half cup of strong coffee (I made coffee by using 2 tablespoons of grounds per 1 cup of coffee)
• 2 teaspoons sugar but this depends on preference
• pumpkin pie spice
• whipped cream

Directions

• Heat milk and pumpkin puree in a small saucepan on the stove.  Put on medium heat.
• Add vanilla and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
• Once steaming and a little frothy, pour into a mug and add espresso or strong coffee.
• Add sugar to taste.
• Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.

For more Talk about Tuesday, visit Lazy Organizer.