31 weeks! You should see the looks I get when people ask how much longer I have.

They pretty much get bug-eyed.

Soap and water? For what? Getting clean?

Nope. Getting rid of ants!

We woke up yesterday to a small ant infestation in our kitchen. This week apparently kept me busy and I didn’t get around to sweeping up those crumbs or getting the dirty dishes put in the dishwasher and they found them.  They also found our dishwasher. Hundreds of them. And to make them worse, they were the biting kind that sting and itch like crazy. Let me just say, they were not welcome in our house. I immediately swept and mopped the floors, hoping to get up any crumbs and food stuck off the floor while Mark was busy squashing and spraying whatever he could get his hands on (what a way to spend Saturday morning, right?).  And that worked…for a little bit. Until we came home and saw even more.  We kept pounding our fist and trying to drown them but a new batch would come right out. Finally out of desperation and not wanting to go to the store to buy chemicals, I searched the internet for natural ways to kill ants.

And it worked.  Who knew something so simple as a few squirts of dishsoap and hot water in a spray bottle would be so effective? They seriously die instantly. Bam. I think it’s the bubbles that trap them or maybe something in the soap that doesn’t agree with them.  Who knows, but it works. And, I’m not afraid to be using it myself since I’m pregnant and even Savannah gets a kick out of spraying them as pay back for all the times they bit her toes outside. We sprayed it in the cracks we knew they were coming from and only a few have ventured out since our attack…and those few were quickly dead whenever we walked by.

Muhahaha! Take that ants.

The point of pregnancy where no matter how exhausted you are, you just can’t sleep. Heartburn is happening every night now, on top of a small cold. I’m just plain exhausted during the day usually, plan to go to bed early, and yet by night time I just lay in bed waiting for sleep to come. Also, sleeping up right to avoid making heartburn worse is not exactly comfortable. Not cool. I guess “infant sleep training” is already in effecting…meaning my body is preparing itself for little sleep again?

Oy. I’ll be back when I can get a nap. I have another nursery sneak peak coming soon :-)

Yes, third trimester is here already. Crazy. We got these pictures done at 27 weeks, mostly to capture my belly before it got too huge and watermelon-like, but it sorta could be to mark the beginning of the final trimester :-)

I’m still feeling great overall, just have my days of backaches and hip pains. Heartburn and sleep issues are becoming more frequent (it is work turning over that belly at night!), and I’m sure will only get worse as the weeks go by. I’m starting to prepare myself more for a natural birth, taking classes with Mark, and reading fascinating books. Two days ago I heard a baby being born down the hall during birthing class and it made me so excited for November. I’m feeling ready…usually. Some times I’m beyond excited and wish November would hurry up, and I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy this special time with Jaxson. Other times, especially when 3 year old melt downs are happening, I wish he’d stay in forever because I can barely handle 1 child some days, let a lone a demanding newborn on top! I’m worried how Savannah will do sharing me and everything else with her baby brother. She is excited but also so-very-not understanding about sharing anything, let alone Mommy and Daddy, and I think it will be quite an adjustment to get used to on everyone’s part. But, I guess we’ll make it just like everyone else when we get to that point!

P.S. Want to know where I got my “pregnancy ring” (aka, my real wedding rings don’t fit anymore) in the first photo? A new review and giveaway is up!

I think it’s funny how my favorite foods expand as I grow older. I used to not really like broccoli or asparagus growing up, but now they are my favorite veggies with and in just about anything (within reason, of course, like pastas and stir fries or as a side dish to dinner. But, waffles and broccoli? No thanks). Same goes with cheese. I’m still not a huge cheese fan,  I can’t handle a lot at a time like lasagna or certain kinds like ricotta…but I eat a lot more of it in general and try different kinds than I would as child, or more than my own Dad will even now.

My newest discovery? I love spinach. Like, love it. I’ve eaten it just about every day this summer since friends introduced me to ways to eat it that is appealing (the cooked spinach I’ve seen like Popeye? Isn’t so appealing). My obsession started back in May with a spinach basil quesadilla a friend made me along with a homemade strawberry vinaigrette salad with soy nuts.  And, soy nuts? I hadn’t heard of them and normally only like peanuts, but soy nuts are fabulous on a salad!

And then, another friend made a spinach strawberry walnut salad last month with a raspberry vinaigrette. Yes, there is a difference than the one I had in May because it had real strawberries on it, not just nuts, and it was made with spinach leaves rather than lettuce. It took my love to a whole new level.  That is another new thing, fruit on salads never appealed to me until I actually tried it. And surprise! Spinach leaves tastes just like any other darker lettuce and I figure it’s a good way to get the iron I need for my growing boy. And since then, me and my spinach have been best friends for practically every lunch.

Since having my first spinach quesadilla, I’ve been perfecting it to my taste the past few months. My favorite way to make it goes something like this:

-A whole wheat tortilla in a greased pan (I use olive oil spray) on medium heat

-While tortilla is warming, add a light layer of shredded mozzarella cheese

-Break pieces of grilled chicken (I used the pre-cooked strips like Purdue Shortcuts) and fresh basil leaves (we have a plant outside, I wash and use about 3-4 leaves total) and place around tortilla

-Sprinkle of Herbs de Providence, onion powder, and garlic powder (this is what took the flavor the extra step of goodness!)

-Layer of raw spinach leafs (I used the pre-washed bagged stuff)

-A little more basil leaf pieces, another layer of cheese, and a top tortilla.

-Allow to cook until bottom tortilla is a golden brown, then flip and brown the top layer

-When everything is browned and melted perfectly, I use a pizza cutter and start munching!

The Strawberry Salad is super easy:

-Place washed raw spinach leafs in a bowl

-Throw some soy nuts on top (I found mine at Bloom, but I’m sure they would be at a health food store and I’ve heard even Walmart has them)

-Add fresh chopped strawberries (I was out when I took the picture above, sadly. The sweet berries with the sorta-salty soy nut is an amazing combo)

-Add your favorite raspberry or strawberry vinaigrette (I’ve been trying out different store bought ones, right now I’m using Newman’s Raspberry Walnut).

Sometimes I take fresh strawberries and puree them with the raspberry vinaigrette for an even better tastes-like-homemade dressing. I still use this little baby food guy for my puree needs even though we’ve been done with baby food for years. Love it. I’ve also heard people use walnuts, pecans, feta cheese, cranberries, etc. if that’s your thing. That’s what’s great about quesadillas and salads is that it’s so customizable!

And at least I’m craving something healthy everyday, right?

The Extra Advantages.

A front parking space at Earthfare? Why, thank you!

Once I was given more food at Bojangles because she could tell “I needed it” (and with my appetite, yes I did!). And in general, it seems like people offer more help in daily life with little things or caring how I feel physically.

It’s just nice to feel a little more valuable for a few months :-)

(And, I’m still enjoying my pregnant body at nearly 7 months along. Who wants to bet that will soon be changing as the 3rd trimester begins and this belly takes over the planet with it’s largeness?)

I’m going to follow in one of my favorite young mommy blogger footsteps and do some self-promotion.

Did you know I write articles for Birthmom Buds periodically? You can read about Perfect Adoption Gift ideas, my Tummy Mummy book review, Talking About Adoption During Nation Adoption Awareness Month, and Christmas Gift Ideas. (Another article is coming up in September!)

And, most recently I was interviewed by the lovely Amanda over at Baby Bump Diaries (what a neat blog, love it!), which can be found here.

(And now we’re off to get maternity photos done! 27 weeks now, can you believe it?)

I know I’ve been missing lately. We’ve been busy with lots of play dates, trips, even a concert and getting to ride the real life Thomas the Train. More on all that later :-)

Right now I wanted to share something special I stumbled on a fellow “rainbow mommy” blog. What is a rainbow parent? Someone who has lost a child due to miscarriage, still birth, failed adoption, etc. and is expecting a new child after the loss. Expecting after a loss definitely is a scary place to be at times, but exciting. It’s a time of hope that this time it will be different, but also a place of vulnerability and fear, just like I experienced during the first trimester. (I can’t help but feel so blessed looking back and reading those scared posts, thank you God for Jaxson!)

Stephanie is the artist of Beyond Words Designs and she wants to share her gift of art with other rainbow parents in hopes that the art will bring healing and excitement for the new little one. Her daughter Amelia was stillborn this past March and so she knows the pain and grief all to well (you can read her story her). Thankfully though, she has taken her gift and used it to help her through her own grief as well as other parents, resulting in beautiful and meaningful artwork!

And, she is helping us small-budget rainbow parents by offering 50% off her Fanciful Collection for rainbow parents until August 7th. Visit her website for examples and promotion rules. I normally wouldn’t buy something like this since I’m kinda artsy myself and had plans of doing my own letter J for Jaxson’s room (using fabric, not paint) but I really wanted to support a fellow rainbow mom and her talent :-) I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for his room! Of course, I will share the results when I receive it.

(Note: I am purchasing with my own moo-lah and was not paid to promote Beyond Words Designs)

Want to chance to win a $100? Answer my $100 question! Tell me what’s your “must have” baby item for Baby #2 over at BlogHer to enter.

Today…was a very big and fun day in so many ways.

1) I went to the giant Ikea store for the first time. Oh. my. gosh. Designer heaven. Did I ever mention I used to want to study to be an interior designer?  I wouldn’t want to be responsible for some one else’s house now, but I so enjoy decorating our house! There were so many ideas popping in my head, I almost wish I had more rooms left to decorate. Almost. And what’s even more amazing than the various products and styles is the prices. See, Mark gave me a “budget” of only $20 (go ahead and laugh, we did too) and I went $12 over. I came out with:

-3 round area rugs to make polka dots on the floor I paid $4.50 each (technically they are bath rugs, but they don’t look like it to me!)

-A taller step stool for Savannah $5.99 (Now that she is potty trained, she obviously needs to wash her hands more and it has been frustrating for her to not be able to reach with the typical stools places like Target have),

-A throw pillow that matches the new paint color for $1 (looks great in my glider!)

-Blue/fallish napkins for my baby shower $2.50

-And get this…a $5 twin duvet cover (better picture of fabric is below). FIVE DOLLARS!

Grand total: $32. Can we say score?

2) I actually spent time with other ladies my age. It’s not often I get kid-free social time. Fantastic day.

3)  Jaxson’s room is quickly starting to look like a nursery! Today we not only got paint on the walls (thanks uncle!), but the crib, bedding, etc. and added the new Ikea finds to finish it off for now.

See?

It’s a light tealish blue that matches the crib sheet. Of course, there is still much to do, mainly involving a huge project of refinishing old furniture (two dressers, a night stand, and a head/foot board). Also, I  need to figure out what and where to put things on the walls. Oh, and curtains. And…lots of washing and organizing once I have a dresser finished. Still, it’s a good start for one day, huh?

Now, who’s excited for November when there is a cute baby boy along with all the cute stuff?! That would be me…

…and why I’m up until 1am writing about it.