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The weekly phone dump.
InstaFriday…on a Sunday.

1. 37 week doctor appointment. We are so thankful for non-eventful, healthy check-ups and are counting down the days until we get to meet Baby Brother.
2. Levi’s cattle herd. When it is over 100 degrees you are forced to do your farming inside. We are lovin’ the beautiful weather that the rest of the week brought.
3. Lots of jars of spaghetti sauce = lots of pans of lasagna.
4. Freezer meal exchange with my fellow prego friends. Great idea!
5. Goodbye old chair smell. I tried out an upholstery cleaner for the first time this week.
6. Donut date with Levi. Levi Mama was having major donut cravings. Yum.
7. Rocking chair makeover. Attempting to make a slip cover. (With the help of my mom, of course!)
8. My sewing slaves. One is extremely helpful…the other, not so much. 🙂
9. Visiting daddy’s new calves. Happy day for a little boy who loves cows.
10. Lunchtime reading with daddy. Catching up on their farmer magazines.

I’m linking up with Life Rearranged.
life rearranged
By the way…
Thank you so much for your many freezer meal suggestions and baby blanket links. I have lots of new ideas for freezer meals and next time will be a little more creative when I am making a meal for my friends. Although, I always love lasagna! And you would think I hadn’t even looked for blankets with all the links you came up with. There were so many cute ones and I think we successfully purchased a blanket for Baby Brother…it should be on the way. Thanks for your help!
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Wow. How is it Friday afternoon already? We were hoping to get so much done on Baby Brother’s room over the weekend and throughout this week, but it just didn’t really happen. We wanted to spend a little extra time with Levi and we were tired…so we opted for having fun with Levi and naps instead of work. 🙂 I always think that I am going to be more prepared with each baby, but it just never seems to happen. I guess I just work better and faster when it is crunch time. And it is getting to be crunch time…which is making me freak out a little bit. Baby Brother is going to be here SOON. We are going to try to get most of the big stuff done before he arrives, but don’t hold your breath because it probably won’t be totally done until after the little guy arrives. That’s just how we roll.
I am trying to focus on spending extra time with Levi while it is just the two of us and preparing my own heart as much as I am working at preparing a room for Baby Brother. It is easy to get caught up in all the details and decorating and forget about what is really important…even though all the other stuff is fun too. So, here is where we are at. A little peek at our {very slow} progress:
Lockers are sandblasted and almost done being painted…we are so close!
We have gone through LOTS of red spray paint and my husband often comes in from painting with a red “glow” about him.
My mom came over yesterday and we started the rocking chair makeover. I thought we could do it together…mostly because I was pretty sure I would need her sewing expertise. The truth is, she did all the work and I watched. I would have given up if I would have tried to do this on my own.
 I think we she got about half done. We are hoping to finish up next week. Then we will be done with two projects. Woo-hoo!

When Levi woke up from his nap he was very intrigued by what Grammy was doing. He wanted his own chair and wanted to “help me” (that means he wants to help you do whatever you are doing).
He was taking his job very seriously and tucking the fabric just like Grammy. He is pretty excited about Baby Brother getting a “rock-rock” chair. Let’s just hope he is just as excited about Baby Brother!
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  • Tessa - That’s cute. My little girl says “help me” when she wants to help me do anything as well!ReplyCancel

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  • Karina - I just love Levi. Your mom is pretty awesome too – all that pinning would scare me, and I consider myself fairly adept at sewing! Upholstery is a bit mysterious, I guess. LOL

    I am so excited for you – I remember waiting for boy #2 and wondering how my oldest would take it. Little brother was born at home in our case, and as soon as he heard the first cry, big brother said, “Baby” with such wonder and tenderness…You will see. 🙂

    The decorating – while fun and fantastic and half the reason I visit your blog – can wait. I’m not sure if I can wait to see it all, but I will also have to try. 🙂

    Did you ever find that baby blanket you were looking for?ReplyCancel

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  • Jane - That chair is going to be fabulous! I don’t want to add to your list, but have you thought about ‘big brother’ present for Levi? when my sister’s second girl was born the older one was given a special box of busy toys which was only allowed to be played with when her sister was being fed. There was stickers and crayons (all activities safe for her to do alone). hope you manage to get some rest and time with Joel too as you prepare to meet little brother. I look forward to seeing the nursery, I’m sure it will be lovely!!ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - Sounds like us. We procrastinate, and would rather play together than get work done. Anxiety is starting to hit for me though.
    I wish I could borrow your mom to help me with recovering a rocker that we bought. You’re very lucky!
    At least my mom can help me get curtains, and boppy cover sewn. I’m going to need it!!

    We’ve got tons of spray painting going on over here as well. I love your lockers! And can’t wait to see what your doing with all the red.
    Good luck with all the baby projects and preparing your lives for baby brother!!ReplyCancel

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  • Vincent Family - When my little man wants to “help” he will push his way in-between me and whatever I am working on. Enjoy your time together before the new baby gets here. I am glad we put projects on hold so we could enjoy our time before the new baby.ReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - Wow! Now I know where you get your awesome crafting skills! Kudos to your mom! Can I borrow her sometime? 🙂

    And – can she post a tutorial? Hmm?ReplyCancel

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  • AllTheKingsBlessings - I can’t wait to see how baby brother’s room turns out! I love your blog, it’s just so uplifting and positive. I’ve been reading (And praying for your family) since you lost sweet Cora. God bless you and your dear growing family!ReplyCancel

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  • Krystal - I LOVE LOVE LOVE your style! I want my living room to look like yours! 🙂 Can’t wait to see Baby Brother’s room! And enjoy your time with Levi! Baby Brother’s room will get done eventually 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Kristine Hanson - can’t wait to see the lockers finished, love the way you decorate and LOVE your little guy, what a dollReplyCancel

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  • Jan - Hi! Just stopping by to catch up, and I must say Levi is the cutest little boy!! His personality really shines through.ReplyCancel

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  • Kimberley - love the idea of lockers!! where on earth did you find them? 🙂ReplyCancel

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We haven’t been huge fans of the extreme heat and dying crops this summer. But on the bright side, it means that Joel won’t be very busy this fall…at least not as busy as he normally is. Usually this is harvest time around here. In fact, I don’t think Joel has ever had most of Labor Day off. So, it felt very weird to have Joel come home after feeding cattle yesterday morning and pack up to go spend the day as a family.
We decided to take advantage of the day off and cool weather {yes, it is finally cooler in Kansas this week!} and took Levi to the zoo.
He has been to the zoo one other time with Grammy, but this is the first time we have taken him. He spent most of the time with his nose pressed up against the glass or trying to find the animals with his daddy.
He made it very clear that he would rather not ride in his stroller or have his picture taken. Stinker. He loved walking running from one place to the next though. Thank goodness his dad was there because I could hardly keep up with them even with my fastest waddle!
I love this picture with his little reflection…standing on his tip toes trying to peek at the penguins.
We went to the farm area to feed the animals. Levi wasn’t sure about the sheep attacking him when they realized he had food. He opened his hand and kept his eyes closed the whole time.
When the sheep backed off a little he got braver and tried to feed them sand instead.
It was such a fun day spent with my boys. The zoo totally wore me out. We ate lunch with some of my family, went home so Joel could feed cattle again, squeezed in a quick nap, and met Joel’s family for dinner. I am so thankful for this “extra” time we have to spend with Levi doing a few special things before Baby Brother arrives.
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  • Perpetual Blind Date - its so crazy how much levi has grown over the past few months. what a cutie!ReplyCancel

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  • lil misses' mama - Is that the Sedgwick County Zoo? We grew up visiting it, if so! The staff there named a baby zebra after my sister when she did a report on the zoo’s zebras for our third grade class!! Enjoy your days with Levi! Can’t wait to hear about baby brother’s arrival! We just had a baby boy last Wednesday after two girls and it has been so much fun to bring home some blue at last!ReplyCancel

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  • Mindy Harris - i say this every time, BUT levi is scrumptious! such a little man. eee!ReplyCancel

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  • Jody - We ended up at the zoo, too! They had out the three new baby flamingos. So cute!ReplyCancel

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  • tinycandi - we went to the zoo on Monday too. The penguins were so active! I think they liked this cooler weather too!ReplyCancel

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  • songskatesang - Oh how fun! I’m so glad it is cooling off up there!ReplyCancel

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  • Lacie and Stephen - We saw you at the zoo, but wasn’t sure if I should say hi or not. One of those “I know you but you don’t really know me” kinda moments!ReplyCancel

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  • Nancy - Precious pictures! You can tell his Daddy is so good with him!!ReplyCancel

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  • Melanie Martini - Adorable pictures! Thank you for sharing your special day at the zoo. 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Here are a couple links to blankets I found…

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/68666013/new-hand-knit-bamboo-baby-blanket-in

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/75933496/green-and-white-striped-baby-blanket-and

    God Bless you in you delivery!ReplyCancel

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  • Chris - I don’t comment often but always read your blog !! Levie is still the cutest boy 🙂 But the reason that I am commenting right now is that I had a dream that you gave birth to your new baby and you named him Logan .Maybe it’s because I am from NH and you came to maine this summer and flew through Logan airport lol I don’t know why but I thought I would share . 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Andrea - I love the “closed eyes, open hand” picture with the sheep! Our youngest also loudly protests the stroller – he’d rather be pushing it. 😉 I’ve decided making a harness for him might save our sanity next time we venture to the zoo.

    (and had to share…the word verification for this comment reads “zoochi”!)ReplyCancel

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  • Tricia - I haven’t commented in FOR.E.VER. Bad blog reader!! I have been reading though, and watching your family grow, both physically and metaphorically has been such a joy! What beautiful babies Joel and yourself make, and what a beautiful family God has blessed you with. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.
    Can’t wait to see pictures of baby brother when he comes.

    xo*triciaReplyCancel

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  • Allen and Debby Graber - On Sunday, in his Sunday School classroom I squated down to talk to Levi. “Levi, are you going to have a baby at your house?” He just lit up! Big eyes and a big nod. “Baby!”
    He is excited!!ReplyCancel

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  • The Vance's - Baby blanket…..in the new Ikea catalog (just showed up on my doorstep today) they have a new baby blanket. The TORVA blanket. Very boyish with red, blue, green. 33 1/2 x 45 1/2 for $14.99…..gotta love IKEA!!ReplyCancel

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  • Toni :O) - He’s such a gorgeous little man!!! Love the last photo of you two…just beautiful! Glad you had good ole family fun!ReplyCancel

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  • The Perfect Trio - i love the story of him closing his eyes when the goats were eating. so silly!ReplyCancel

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  • Susan Sutherlin - I wanted to take a minute and thank you for the referral of your BLOG designer, Danielle. Based on your recommendation I used her and am loving how my new “home” has turned out!

    Susan
    http://www.susansutherlin.blogspot.comReplyCancel

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  • Jeannett - That first picture of Levi literally had me giggling out loud. He just looks like a little MAN. The experssion, the flip flops, the outfit…LOVE.ReplyCancel

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Levi loves his blanket. He calls it his “baa-baa”. Cora loved her blanket too. Levi and I have been talking about how Baby Brother might need a baa-baa of his own. He thinks it is a really good idea. I LOVE the blankets that Cora and Levi have. They are both a really tight knit and very light weight (at least that is the best way I can think to describe them). And they are both colorful and stripey. LOVE.

So Levi and I have been on the search for a blanket for Baby Brother. I thought it would be fun for him to be able to give it to his brother as a gift. The problem is I can’t find a baby blanket like these ANYWHERE. Cora’s blanket was from IKEA and Levi’s blanket was from Babies’ R Us. I searched online and I couldn’t really come up with anything either. Any ideas? Where can I find a blanket like these??
* * * * * * * * *
I have lots of friends who are pregnant right now. One of my friends had the great idea of having a freezer meal swap before the babies are born. That way we can all help each other with meals without worrying about it while we are adjusting to having a new baby.
I am not very good at freezer meals. Lasagna is about as creative as I get. I didn’t even know how to make lasagna when I got married…actually I didn’t know how to make much of anything. Joel knew more about cooking than I did.
I use this lasagna recipe from a friend. We put ground beef in ours of course. It is yummy. And Joel tells me it is the best lasagna he has ever had. He might just be sweet, but usually he is pretty honest about things like that. If you don’t know how to make lasagna…I’m sure you do, but just in case…try this recipe.
It just about killed me to cook all these meals. I made four for my friends and two for us to keep. My feet were killing me. But I am so glad they are done and it will be wonderful to have some freezer meals all ready to go after Baby Brother arrives. Do you swap freezer meals with your friends? Please share your best freezer meal recipes with me! Maybe next time I can be more creative.
Hope you are having a great Labor Day weekend!
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A few pictures from our week…

1. Walking in his daddy’s shoes.
2. Locker transformation…in progress thanks to the hubby!!
3. Play-doh. A new favorite around here.
4. Nice hat dude.
5. A little cousin love.
6. 52 days over 100 degrees in Kansas. As my husband says…hot is dumb.
7. Close parking. A definite perk for a waddling mama.
8. Passion Tea Lemonade. One of my favorites.

I’m linking up with Life Rearranged.
life rearranged
Have a great Labor Day weekend! We are planning on {hopefully} finishing lots of baby room projects and lovin’ on our little guy a little extra before baby brother arrives. Are you doing anything fun this weekend?
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  • Stef - I love Passion tea too! Its my drink of choice when I’m expecting 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • The Morris Family - luv all the pics!!! i was wondering when u were going to get yours up!! i enjoy seeing all of them!!

    our weekend….scattered everywhere, 4 are camping, 1 went to MD to see his twin, the hubby and 4 of them are going to the OSU game tomorrow night and me and the little girls are going to have a night out Sat night…..so yes we are going to have fun!!!ReplyCancel

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  • happy_wife - I can’t count how many pics I have of my two year old in his daddy’s shoes!! Work or play, it doesn’t matter! It is hilarious!

    We are going on epic high temps here too, but we live in Houston (and are as used to it as you can be!?!) and I’m not 35 (ish) weeks pregnant!! Hugs to you mama!! you deserve a reward!

    Love the pictures of your beautiful family!

    JaneReplyCancel

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  • Lyndsey - I can’t wait to see the finished nursery – I just love how you decorated Levi’s room!ReplyCancel

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  • Julie @ Joy's Hope - 112º is an awful evil number. 52 days over 100º? Not cool. Literally not cool at all. Love seeing cute and happy Levi. Praying for you guys as you near the day you meet his little brother. Pregnant. In summer.
    112º. You deserve a bathtub full of that tea.ReplyCancel

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  • Christina - Hot IS dumb! We (in Texas) have had some crazy hot days, too…one day when I got in the car it said 122. What?!
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the first pic…of the shoes. So adorable! Even your phone pictures are awesome!!ReplyCancel

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  • This Farm Family's Life - OH how I love play-doh. It can be messy and makes some mommas pull their hair out, but I like watching their creativity shine when they play with it! Happy Weekend!ReplyCancel

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  • HeatherS - They didn’t start stork parking around here until right after I had my second daughter. At that point I had a newborn and a 1.5 yo (just like you will) – I remember wishing for “mom with two children under the age of 2” parking! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Meghan - Hope you guys have a fun and productive weekend!ReplyCancel

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  • Lori - Ohhhh…passion tea lemonade. That is my drug. Love it!ReplyCancel

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  • Marianne - Levi in the shoes and the backwards hat…precious!ReplyCancel

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  • Grace - Hi Jess,

    I came across this on Pinterest and thought you’d be interested…

    http://pinterest.com/pin/16450139/

    your little boy’s “famous”!

    🙂ReplyCancel

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  • The Moffats - hot IS dumb. that is why you should move to colorado… where fall is in the air and it is most definitely NOT 112 degrees. the end.ReplyCancel

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