Indoor Activities

Cold weather + terrible inversion = stuck inside. In Arizona, if we were a little stir crazy, we'd just go play outside or go on a walk. We've had to be more creative since moving back to the cold. Thankfully, there is still some fun to be had indoors. Here are some pictures to prove it.

Playing with toys

Going to fun places

swim lessons!

Hang Time 

Curiosity Museum 

Provo Towne Mall

I'm excited that it's getting a little warmer outside. Hang in there friends, spring is just around the corner!

Differences Between Pregnancy #1 and #2

I've mentioned before that with both of my pregnancies, morning sickness was about the same (very mild). Almost everything physically has been the same. However, it's been funny to see the differences between pregnancy 1 and 2. Here are some examples:

• I crave Asian food all the time - especially spicy Asian food. 
• I'm not posting as many baby bump pictures. I figure everyone has seen what pregnant me looks like anyway.
• I check my Baby Center app about once a week instead of every day
• I'm less worried about weight gain (uh oh), still trying to work out regularly though!
• Not excessively google searching - because, duh, I've done this before
• I'm exhausted from chasing a toddler around
• Feeling calmer about delivery

Overall, it seems I'm less worried and stressed about the pregnancy and labor part. But don't think for a second that I'm not nervous about having 2 kids. Hopefully I can handle it! In the meantime, I'm soaking up my one on one time I have left with Lizzie...who is getting cuter and cuter every day!

Car Seat Cover

The car seat cover I had for Lizzie is pink and girly so I looked into buying a new one for our little boy. My bestie, Emily, suggested I make one myself since they're easy to make and then it would be one of a kind. Well, I have like zero sewing talent so she helped me make one and I love it! It really was easy, even for me. Here's how you make a car seat cover:

What you need
1 yard fabric for the outside of the cover
1 yard of fabric for the inside of the cover
1/3 yard of fabric for one side of the straps
1/3 yard of fabric for the other side of the straps
Velcro strips

1. Iron the all the fabric to get the wrinkles out.

2. Cut both cover fabrics 42" long, and 32" wide. 

3. Lay the 2 pieces of cover fabric with the right sides facing in. Sew about a half inch in from the edge around all sides but leave about a 3 inch gap so you can flip it inside out (which is actually right side out)

4. After you flip it inside out, fold in top edge of the gap on both sides, and sew closed.

5. From the strap fabric, cut out 4 pieces, 10" long and 2 1/2" wide (2 from the pattern that will be facing out and 2 for the pattern that will be facing in). 

6. Sew together right sides in, but leave one of the shorter sides unsown on each strap.  Flip inside out, fold in top edges of the opening, and sew closed. 

7.  Cut out velcro strips to fit and sew them unto the short ends of the straps. They'll be on opposite ends, opposite sides.

8. Place cover over the car seat (but under the handle) to see where to place the straps. Stick pins in where you'd like the straps to go. Take cover back to a flat surface and pin straps, centered on the cover (it might not be completely centered top to bottom, mine was longer in the front). Then, using a ruler, trace a square around the center of each strap where you'll sew. The size of the square is up to you, it depends on how big of a loop you want your strap to make when velcroed together.

9. Sew over where you traced. Erase any remains of the trace; you can use an eraser or a wash cloth.

10. Ta-da! You're done!

Thoughts of Being a Stay at Home Mom

I've been reflecting lately about my life as a stay at home mom. It's something I've always wanted to do, however, I have times where I wonder if I'm doing enough with my life. Before becoming a mom, I either went to school or worked all day. It's quite an adjustment going from that lifestyle to staying home and taking care of a baby. Even though I sometimes envy that moms who work get much more adult interaction and contribute financially, at the end of the day I am grateful I get to stay home with my daughter. Everyone is different; some women want to work, some have to work, and some choose to stay home. Each choice is nobel and good. In the end, we're all mothers caring for our families and that is all that matters. Staying home with Lizzie is just what appeals to me the most, which is why I chose that. I love being able to play with her all day, and watch all the milestones she hits. I love teaching her things and being there when she finally learns them. I love the play dates with my mommy friends, which allows social interaction for Lizzie as well as myself. I love all the time I get to soak up with my little girl during her short childhood years. Being a mom, as difficult as it often can be, is the best. All mothers are awesome for what they do, I raise my glass (of Coke Zero) to all of you.

Lizzie and her friend Logan at the Curiosity Museum

Cinnamon Roll Cake

This is one of my favorite cake recipe's that I've tried. I got it from this site, but decided to opt out the nuts. If you like cinnamon rolls and like cake then you will love this! It's the perfect dessert for a cold day, in fact you could even eat it for breakfast. Make sure to eat it warm!

Ingredients

Cake

3 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

4 Tbsp melted butter

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp flour

1 Tbsp cinnamon

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar

5 Tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix all cake ingredients together. Pour batter into a greased 9x13" baking pan. In another bowl, mix together the cinnamon sugar mixture. Drop spoonfuls of mixture evenly over the cake batter. Use a knife to swirl it through the cake. Bake for 25-30 minutes. After cake is done, mix glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the cake while it's still warm. Eat right away!