On the Parenting To Do List:

1.  I'm so stealing the "Comfort Closet" from Pearls and Grace!  What a wonderful idea and way to share the personality traits of our Lord and Savior with young children.  I can't wait.  :)

2.  Recite or read scripture to Baby Sesame when Sesame is upset or crying.  Bathing children in scripture form teh get go can't hurt one bit.  Maybe some of the Psalms we read out loud during pregnancy will sound familiar!  Who knows!  :)

3.  I would LOVE to do a Jesse Tree at Christmas time once Sesame is old enough!  They sound like so much fun!  :)

4.  The closet in the nursery has two large double doors (duh...of course there are two if they are double...).  My husband's family lives far away - mostly on the West Coast - as well as some of my family members being spread far and wide.  My Aunt Becky (the artist behind the Dr. Seuss nursery!) suggested putting up a map with photos of family members.  I think the map will have to wait until Sesame is old enough, but we'll start with family photos earlier on.  I'm envisioning an art piece entitled "Door Collage."  :)  I think establishing a long distance relationship with grandparents will be challenging, but worth the extra effort and time.  :)

5.  I WILL NOT always carry Sesame around in a baby carrier-car seat-thing.  I was ADAMENT about not even BUYING one, but caved in once presented with several good reasons.  HOWEVER, I will be a baby wearer before I cart Sesame around everywhere in a plastic seat.  That's right.  BABY WEARER.

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On a sidenote, husband and I started packing for the hospital last night.  Hilarious.  Husband is an eagle scout and will follow the "always be prepared" motto to the death.  Eagle Scout husband printed off FOUR, count them FOUR, packing for the hospital lists off the internet and brought them home.  We also had one from our labor and delivery class.  Yes, that's right, if you're counting that makes FIVE lists.  So, husband dearest sat down to compile the list last night organizing them into four different bags: labor, postpartum, baby and daddy bag.  It's a good thing I was there to remind him we needed a bag to take the bags in.  Oh and a bag for the dog.  And if we had room a bag for the other mothers who were in labor.  :)  Seriously his intentions were wonderful!  :)  While he was sorting and making his lists I just started packing.  We have the whole opposites attract thing down.  :)  I laughed today while retelling the story to my Momma.  I love so much that husband is always prepared (even when he is slightly overboard) and I can't WAIT to tell the packing story to Sesame.  :)

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Homer has been exploring the nursery lately.  Seems he's taken an interest in stuffed animals that do not belong to him.  :)  Everytime I hear his clinking collar I'm afraid I'll turn the corner and find a beheaded Fox in Sox.  

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As the Belly Grows...

While today was a particularly gloomy gray outside, I enjoyed an action packed day inside!  :)  Husband and I finished up the Christmas shopping (with the exception of items arriving via USPS) on Saturday.  Today I finished wrapping everything in the shiny paper I purchased for 25 cents - yes that's right, I said 25 cents - a roll at Menard's after Christmas sale last year.  Our tree looks MUCH better.  :)  The attic seems to have consumed the box holding our stockings and tree skirt.  When I asked Dear Husband to find something in place of a tree skirt, he found a fabulous old painter's tarp with multiple paint colors dashed about.   His sense of decor could use some work!  :)  BUT now the tarp is covered with some mighty fine gifts - so no worries!  Then I finished up the paper ornaments for the arched window at the front of our house above the tree.  I can't wait until Husband comes home to hang them!  :)  I've also done exciting things - such as laundry and cleaning the kitchen.  joy.  :)  Strangely enough I've really enjoyed cleaning etc.  Eight weeks of bed rest will really make you appreciate ANY kind of work in a new way!   :)  That's right!!!  I'm officially off bed rest.  If Baby Sesame tries to make an appearance into the world now - no one is going to stop him or her!  :)  Yay.  

Sorry for the blandish post - I just felt the need to record my day for some reason!  :)  More exciting adventures to come!  :)

Craft Making Galore! :)

I have a confession: I LOVE to create.  I don't know where in my genetic history this stems from, but somewhere along the blend of Yocum/Hewitt genes SOMEONE passed along a desire to create.  Create what you might ask??  ANYTHING!  Okay, well not anything - I don't do jet engines - I leave that to Husband.  :)  As of late I've been working on various projects.  With a partial bed rest order on my hands I FINALLY have the time to work out all these fun and fancy crafts!  We have on the list:

1. Sesame's quilt

2. Knitting burp cloths

3. Knitting washrags

4. Creating paper ornaments

5. Using ribbon to decorate

How fun!  :)  Our home is looking more and more like Christmas!  :)  I LOVE IT!  

Baby Sesame at 34 weeks

Conrad and I visited a Northside office today for a more in depth ultra sound.  The upside to the appointment included some 3-D photos!  :)  It's amazing how much the baby looks like us in certain ways.  Big cheeks (both Momma and Daddy - the child had no hope there!) Golbov lips (JUST like Sesame's Daddy) and Momma's nose!  Let's just hope Sesame's facial features aren't distorted too much during delivery!  :)  Also we found out that Sesame is already weighing in at 6 pounds (!!!) and is on track for a January 11th due date.  If the baby gains a pound a week (as it should) that's a 12 pound baby on the 11th.  I've already started praying Sesame makes an early entrance into the world!!!  I am amazed more and more at the wonderous plans of our Savior.  He has held our hands every step of the way through this pregnancy and allowed us to be part of His creation process.   What a MIGHTY God we serve!  :)