So most of you know that Julian and I are having a baby (due date is September 8th). I've set out to try and aquire as much stuff as cheaply as possible. Once I make something a goal I just latch onto it, kind of like when we got married so many years ago (9/02) and decided it would be a DIY punk rock wedding. When we decided not to spend too much money on a wedding we really went for it and spent hardly any - yet had the most amazing wedding ever (thanks to our awesome friends and family that pitched in of course).
Plus used and vintage stuff can have so much more character than just buying used stuff that everyone else also has.
Here is what we've bought so far that is used (and sometimes vintage):
Dresser (I repainted it and put new knobs from Rejuvenation on it)
Bookcase (I repainted this)
Vintage shelving unit (I also repainted this)
Elephant lamp (Julian had to replace the interior lighting, but that was cheap)
Baby Bjorn carrier
Baby monitor
Bathtub
Bouncy seat (identical to the new one already bought, will return new one)
Diaper covers (10 pack for only $35!) for new cloth diapers
Blankets (swaddling, receiving)
Hooded towels
Clothes (all sorts, plus hats, socks & bibs)
Here are things that friends/family have given us so far:
Bassinet (thank you Liby & Krystin)
Breast pump (thank you Liby)
Rocking chair (from Julian's parents many years ago, but getting repainted)
Play chair (thank you Mom) - I'm not sure what these are technically called
Many, many clothes from newborn - 4T (thank you Trang, my lovely boss)
I'm sure we'll have more used stuff to add to the list before this is over! Plus I will be posting pics of our nursery in progress (Julian's amazing paintings are progressing nicely) and of course once it's finished.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
I'm baaaaack!!
So sorry for the long silence. As many of you know there has been a lot going on and I have not been up for even thinking about this blog for a while. But things are getting somewhat back to normal and I'm going to try to keep updating this blog a lot more regularly now.
In May my sister (Emily) had a seizure suddenly and found out she had a brain tumor. For the past month things have been crazy. Coping with that news has taken its toll and within 2.5 weeks of receiving the news she had surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery went really well and she didn't have any complications. Then she was at St. Vincent's for a week and a half before being moved to Providence's acute rehab center for another week. She had temporary paralysis in her left leg, as was anticipated because the tumor was in the motor skills part of the brain. But she's continued to slowly regain use of that leg and is walking again (with the aid of a walker or cane). With continued physical therapy she'll regain full use of that leg again, but it's going to take time, work and patience.
Over this past weekend we moved Emily and her boyfriend, Matt, into a new apartment they'll share in the same complex as her current apartment. This will allow for them to share the rent and Matt will be there to help get her around. She can't drive for at least 6 months due to the seizure (and she's currently on anti-seizure medication). Wow, that was a big job to get them moved. But her apartment is now empty and Matt just has some smallish stuff to move over this week. One moving job done!!!!
Next up will be moving my Mom. Some of you know that Julian and I just bought a home to rent to my Mom. The house is close to her current house, and is smaller but in much better shape (and cheaper!!). It's in good shape and will be easy to maintain. We take possession on 7/15 and the first thing we're doing is replacing the flooring. My Mom picked out new really cool retro-style linoleum for the dining room, kitchen and laundry room and new carpet for the living room and hall should we need it. We may not need the carpet if the hardwoods are in decent shape. Then we'll be moving her in around the end of the month. She's lived in her current house for about 15 years so it will be a big task.
Thank goodness for having such a big family - I appreciate them all the time, but they are invaluable when it comes to joining forces for moving each other, not to mention anything else we need help with. Everyone is amazing about stepping up and helping out. My siblings, our significant others and family ROCK!
In May my sister (Emily) had a seizure suddenly and found out she had a brain tumor. For the past month things have been crazy. Coping with that news has taken its toll and within 2.5 weeks of receiving the news she had surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery went really well and she didn't have any complications. Then she was at St. Vincent's for a week and a half before being moved to Providence's acute rehab center for another week. She had temporary paralysis in her left leg, as was anticipated because the tumor was in the motor skills part of the brain. But she's continued to slowly regain use of that leg and is walking again (with the aid of a walker or cane). With continued physical therapy she'll regain full use of that leg again, but it's going to take time, work and patience.
Over this past weekend we moved Emily and her boyfriend, Matt, into a new apartment they'll share in the same complex as her current apartment. This will allow for them to share the rent and Matt will be there to help get her around. She can't drive for at least 6 months due to the seizure (and she's currently on anti-seizure medication). Wow, that was a big job to get them moved. But her apartment is now empty and Matt just has some smallish stuff to move over this week. One moving job done!!!!
Next up will be moving my Mom. Some of you know that Julian and I just bought a home to rent to my Mom. The house is close to her current house, and is smaller but in much better shape (and cheaper!!). It's in good shape and will be easy to maintain. We take possession on 7/15 and the first thing we're doing is replacing the flooring. My Mom picked out new really cool retro-style linoleum for the dining room, kitchen and laundry room and new carpet for the living room and hall should we need it. We may not need the carpet if the hardwoods are in decent shape. Then we'll be moving her in around the end of the month. She's lived in her current house for about 15 years so it will be a big task.
Thank goodness for having such a big family - I appreciate them all the time, but they are invaluable when it comes to joining forces for moving each other, not to mention anything else we need help with. Everyone is amazing about stepping up and helping out. My siblings, our significant others and family ROCK!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Lady's Brunch at Country Cat
Last Sunday my friends Amanda, Liby and I went to brunch at Country Cat (a great restaurant in the Montavilla area). I'd never been to brunch there and was impressed! I got the grilled cheese and smoky tomato soup. Amanda got (I think) the corned beef hash and Liby got the hazelnut pancakes.
Liby brought her beautiful little darling, Hazel. What a cutie pie! I just realized that hazelnuts should be Liby's favorite!!
After brunch Amanda had to take off, and our friend Thea joined up with us.
We all walked up to the antique mall on Stark. I ended up buying my Mom a really cool succulent arrangement in a vintage white planter and a set of moose antlers that Julian will paint for our baby's room. These both turned out to be big hits - I gave my Mom the planter yesterday for Mother's Day and she loved it! I knew she would since we both love succulents and I wanted to keep it for myself. Good sign. The antlers turned out to be perfect too - they're a perfect size for a space above one of the windows. I can't wait to see what Julian does with them!
Liby brought her beautiful little darling, Hazel. What a cutie pie! I just realized that hazelnuts should be Liby's favorite!!
After brunch Amanda had to take off, and our friend Thea joined up with us.
We all walked up to the antique mall on Stark. I ended up buying my Mom a really cool succulent arrangement in a vintage white planter and a set of moose antlers that Julian will paint for our baby's room. These both turned out to be big hits - I gave my Mom the planter yesterday for Mother's Day and she loved it! I knew she would since we both love succulents and I wanted to keep it for myself. Good sign. The antlers turned out to be perfect too - they're a perfect size for a space above one of the windows. I can't wait to see what Julian does with them!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Happy Cinco De Mayo!!! Recipe - Mexican casserole
Here's a recipe for the casserole we made last night. I didn't even think about the fact that it was Cinco De Mayo today.
It goes a long way, tastes great and is actually somewhat low in fat. We ate this with a green salad of diced mango and avocado. I made a vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon and lime juice, salt, pepper, smoked paprika and cumin.
1 package corn tortillas
1 can of beans (we used pintos)
1 diced onion
salsa verde (probably 1 cup total)
1 diced chipotle pepper (I scaped out most of the seeds, but you can leave them in for more heat)
2 cups pepper jack cheese
1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained) - preferably with chiles
1 pint light sour cream
1/2 cup milk
cilantro (I just chopped up what we had left, probably 1/4 cup)
smoked paprika (1 tsp)
cumin (1.5 tsp)
chili powder (1 tsp)
salt
1/2 lime
Saute the diced onions in oil w/some salt. Add about half of the spices, the drained & rinsed beans, salsa, tomatoes, chipotle pepper and cilantro. Squeeze the 1/2 lime into mixture. I meant to add corn to this too and just forgot. Then make your sour cream mixture in a smallish bowl - wisk sour cream with the milk and other half of the spices. Spray a 13x9 pyrex and start layering with the corn tortillas, then the bean mixture, sour cream and finally the cheese (but any combo works just as well). I made I think 3 layers, ending with the corn tortillas and I topped it with some more salsa and the rest of the cheese. Cover with tin foil and bake in 375 degree oven until bubbly. Enjoy!
It goes a long way, tastes great and is actually somewhat low in fat. We ate this with a green salad of diced mango and avocado. I made a vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon and lime juice, salt, pepper, smoked paprika and cumin.
1 package corn tortillas
1 can of beans (we used pintos)
1 diced onion
salsa verde (probably 1 cup total)
1 diced chipotle pepper (I scaped out most of the seeds, but you can leave them in for more heat)
2 cups pepper jack cheese
1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained) - preferably with chiles
1 pint light sour cream
1/2 cup milk
cilantro (I just chopped up what we had left, probably 1/4 cup)
smoked paprika (1 tsp)
cumin (1.5 tsp)
chili powder (1 tsp)
salt
1/2 lime
Saute the diced onions in oil w/some salt. Add about half of the spices, the drained & rinsed beans, salsa, tomatoes, chipotle pepper and cilantro. Squeeze the 1/2 lime into mixture. I meant to add corn to this too and just forgot. Then make your sour cream mixture in a smallish bowl - wisk sour cream with the milk and other half of the spices. Spray a 13x9 pyrex and start layering with the corn tortillas, then the bean mixture, sour cream and finally the cheese (but any combo works just as well). I made I think 3 layers, ending with the corn tortillas and I topped it with some more salsa and the rest of the cheese. Cover with tin foil and bake in 375 degree oven until bubbly. Enjoy!
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