Baking

It's a mildly snowy day in Portland... So I thought I'd reminisce on some warm, yummy memories... BAKING!

This Fall I've gotten into baking again.  Little by little.  On night shift I would do it as therapy when I couldn't sleep.  This last year, however, I have filled my days with other things (gestating, being a significant one).  :) 

So I've made a pumpkin roll, pumpkin muffins, some baked apples, assisted my mom in her famous apple pie a raspberry pie (SUPER delicious), made some almond whipped cream for hot cocoa (yum!!!).... Not really that much now that I've listed them :( 

Hopefully I can bake some chocolate chip cookies today in between dishes and laundry.

Here is a photo dump of some of my favorite things...starting with the inside of the apple pie that caved in (I used 2 kinds of apples... It was still yummy!) 

What have you been cooking up?

Cheers!

Lucy's closet

Lately I've been organizing Lucy's closet and getting ready for her arrival... In about 14 weeks our sweet girl will join us!

We have an older home with small closets, which is good because it helps keep us "minimalists" ;)

We don't have a bunch of clothes, but some.  I wanted to organize the sizes and found an Etsy store with $5 "closet dividers" for a nursery.  I think they're pretty cute! 

Grandma Sally has been giving us little gifts for Lucy when we see her... I love them!  A thrifted 12 month fleece and 3-6 month pink sparkly slippers... And I can't wait to see her in them!

We bought a small organizer with pull-out sliding drawers from IKEA.  The thing just SNAPPED together in 5 minutes.  When does that ever happen with IKEA purchases?!  So far it houses some random diapering items and nursing supplies.  Once we get the dresser in the room I'll reorganize.  

Well that's all for now :) cheers to DECEMBER!  

I love the chilly, cozy season!

25 weeks!

I'm 25 weeks tomorrow and certainly growing each week :)

There's some swelling in my feet at the end of my long shifts and LOTS of back pain... But I found a back support from Motherhood Maternity!  It works wonders!! 

I'm feeling Lucy love more and more, and some mornings I see her move in my belly :) It's amazing!  Tim and I can't wait for him to be able to feel it!

We have set up pieces of our nursery and I love being in there :)  We have her crib up, and the closet is mostly ready for her things (and already packed with some goodies!).

Our cloth diaper stash is complete!  

The picture  below is of my last purchase. these are "all-in-one" cloth diapers from Bum Genius called Freetimes.  They have inserts sewn in so I'm hoping for ease of use by Tim and myself. We purchased 37 of them on MANY sales (since Tim's brother and sister-in-law told us they have 50+... I purchased a couple more than I thought I would).   

We also bought 3 "pocket" diapers for night time to add more absorbency.   24 Cloth wipes and  2 wet bags should be coming SOON from Nickie's Diapers... Yeow! 

We will start with disposables on Lucy as a newborn and see when she will fit into the cloth diapers.  I hope before I'm off maternity leave :) 

Looking forward to her coming, but there's lots to mentally and spacially prep for still :)

  Thank you, Lord, for this most amazing gift!

22 weeks!

Well... Almost 22 weeks :)

There is LOTS if movement and it can catch me off guard... Especially when I sit down.

I'm feeling bigger by the day.

Here is me at 21 weeks and 4 days 

Tim put up the crib last week so we could put things we've borrowed in it :)

I can't wait for Miss Lucy... But I'm a little thankful for the prep time.  And that I'm still sleeping (albeit with MANY potty breaks)!!!

We have our stash of cloth diapers and averaged $11.70 per diaper (I used lots of sales).  I'm hoping we get the hang of it before I'm back to work... I think we can do it :) I bought Tide Original Powder and have instructions on the washer.  

We just started our Birthing Classes last night... Very entertaining to see my cute husband get all if the info. He is quite attentive!

That's the update!

Cheers!

19 weeks and our baby is...

We'll I'm just past 19 weeks (almost half way there!) and we had our sonogram a bit early last week to make sure all is well with our baby.

So far it all looks beautiful!  It's amazing how God has created this life inside me.  Even though my belly is growing, I still wasn't sure if there was a baby in there still!  

Baby K at 18.5 weeks gestation!

Once the ultrasound tech placed it on my belly we got to see Baby Kurkinen turn and flip and suck on her hand!

Whoops! I guess the secret is out!

Baby K is a GIRL!! I was SO surprised, and Tim was too! 

We went to a marriage retreat this weekend and came up with a name we love...

Lucy Louise :)

Cheers!

17 weeks PLUS!

Well, today I am 17 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

It's miraculous to lay down at night, have Timmy hand me the doppler and we can listen to... my heartbeat, my heartbeat...BABY KURKINEN'S HEARTBEAT!!!!  Such a gift.  Thank you, God, for this child.

Signed up for our birthing classes a wee bit early (because they had no dates yet for 2014, and I needed to get it on the calendar).

Our 20 week ultrasound is scheduled for the week after Tim's birthday... 3 weeks and 2 days away :)

Slowly we're getting things ready around the house.  Mostly for Tim's "open house birthday" but also for peace of mind before we add to the family.

Right now I'm going to sit on the recliner and hopefully snooze a bit with Maggie, our "borrowed Scotty dog" from my folks.  Since our fence is in need of repair, Piper had gotten out...so he's having a vaca with my parents and we have their sweet napping hound.  She's a good snuggle buddy.

I'm making a list of things to be grateful for.  It feels like a good way for me to focus on the positives.

So far:

• Part-time!  Hello!
• Tim's new job position
• Sweatpants and wool socks
• A healthy baby

God provides.  I'm going to trust Him because He's worthy.

Cheers!

Kurkinen Life Lately

LOTS of change in the last 12 months.
--> (Warning: this list is mostly for me to remember what has happened... it may BORE you)

October 2012:

• Tim celebrated his 27th birthday... I love that his birthday is in the Fall

November 2012:

• We added Piper, our sweet Scottie dog to our family :)  He's good entertainment to have around.

December 2012:

• I started researching what it would look like to buy a home

January 2013:

• January 1st I started Day Shift, and Tim ended his "season" with Portland Parks

• January 31st we put money down on a house...

February 2013:

• In February Tim started a new job working with a tree company
• I applied for a part-time position at work

March 2013:

• March 8th I had a surgery in hopes it would help me feel better and help us to (maybe) get me pregnant:)

• March 22, 2013 we got keys!

May 2013:

• In May I celebrated my 26th birthday, under a cloud of sadness and fighting some difficult emotions.

June 2013:

• In June Tim stopped working with the tree company and started working more frequently at the Retreat Center again.  I found out I would go to Part-Time September 22nd.

• June 30th I peed on the 1,000th pregnancy test and God had a surprise up His sleeve! (That was by far the most AMAZING surprise we've had... still can't believe HE gave us a child)

August 2013:

• We celebrated 4 years of marriage in August in LaConner, Wa.  It was a needed weekend away with my love.

• Just before Labor Day Tim heard he would take on the his new position at the Retreat Center... we are OVERJOYED!  I love that he gets to work there.  I do feel like it suits him, and only God could have orchestrated this role.

September 2013:

• Tim began training for his new role at the Retreat Center

• I just started a Prenatal Aquatic Aerobics class... so fun!

• Next week I start Part-Time :) Sounds so beautiful to my ears!

Through all these changes, I know the next year will have an even more significant change as we add a child to our small family.  But I recognize how blessed we are, and that this change is something that will add unending happy memories, little moments of quiet praise and an eternity of gratefulness in the midst of diapers, feedings and learning to be parents and keep our love alive.

I cannot WAIT to meet this little being growing away in my belly.  Tim and I listen to the heartbeat and stand in awe at God's amazing creation- the process of pregnancy, the beauty of carrying life.

I'm almost 4 months in!  Boy or Girl?  Who knows!

Well....here's to the next months!  Cheers!

12 weeks and counting :)

Our sweet baby is growing and we got to see a glimpse of them on Friday with my first appointment with my new Obstetrician (who is so sweet, by the way. It's nice to feel comfortable in the office!).

Here's Baby Kurkinen at 11 weeks and 5 days gestation.

The picture was a wee bit blurry but SO STINKIN' CUTE! 

I'm up 2.5 lbs per the scale at the physician's office.  Not bad ;)

I still have random nausea... But things are MUCH improved.  Less barf ;) I'm still exhausted after being at work for 13 hours and have lots of lower back pain this week :( Hoping part time will be the cure!  4 weeks until I only work 2 shifts a week :)

It's still surreal to think we are actually having a baby in 7 months... But it's true!  

I'm so thankful for this blessing.  God gives us what we need for each circumstance.  When I'm at my lowest He steps in and moves mountains.  

So there you have it!  

Cheers!  

Anniversary Getaway

This last weekend we went to LaConner, Washington to a sweet Bed and Breakfast for a celebration of our fourth anniversary.

The best part was just getting away!

We first stopped in Kent at one of our favorite eats: Mama Stortini's.  

Then we made it to our destination and stopped at a barn selling fresh cider... Worth it :)

We found ourselves in the small town with lots of "cotton heads" that were vacationing at other B&B's.  

It was just relaxing & warm. This is the view from our room into the back yard and farm... We ate breakfast in the mornings there.

 We took LOTS of walks, ate ice cream twice a day and talked, watched some documentaries, read a newspaper and reminisced on knowing each other 8 years, married four and having a baby on the way :). Here I am getting ready for dinner at 11 weeks gestation.

The view of the town from the bridge 

That's all for the weekend.  Now we're pooped! 

10 Weeks!

Today I am 10 WEEKS PREGNANT!

Who knew?  It's strange to think I'm growing a life inside of me and I don't have a big belly with a baby rolling around (yet) to prove it! I'm looking forward to the day I feel our sweet Baby move around in there.

I'm REALLY wanting another ultrasound to peek at our kiddo, but I don't think I'm going to have one until 20 weeks (boo!).  The wait is difficult!  Have I mentioned this?:  I lack patience.  It's a flaw.  God has put me through some "waiting" before and it just eats at my soul.

It may sound silly, but I don't mind waiting to find out what gender our baby is.  We are just looking forward to delivery day!  But I do have my suspicions that it's a boy!  I'm actually really convinced.  There's no reason why I feel this way, I just felt like it from the MOMENT I peed on the pregnancy test.  But Tim has no opinion... so I try not to call the baby "he."  :)

My first appointment with my new OB will be in a little less than 2 weeks!  I'm excited to hear the heartbeat again and just get this party started.  Tim is pretty stinking amazing.  He's so excited about growing our family and this little miracle we've got now. He can't wait to go to another appointment.

A couple of days ago I thought my nausea was gone.  I told my mom it made me worried... NOPE nausea is no longer gone!  I'm just happy to be reassured that I'm still growing this little kumquat, though :)  Lots of barf/puke/gagging going on.

One of my sweet sister-in-laws (Asena) gave me some Ginger tea yesterday- boy does that help out!  Especially with my evening nausea....

I'm also looking forward to going PART-TIME (woooooooohoooo!) the 3rd week of September.  I've been trying to get this since the beginning of the year in hopes it would settle my stress a bit, and I am so thankful I'm in the home stretch of full time.  Funds will be tight... but I trust that God will carry us through.

Katelyn and I in Sand Diego last October

We got to visit with my sweet friend Katelyn and her hubby Brian last night.  I'm so glad they moved to Portland :)  We have blast with them.

Anyway, I'm off to do dishes and laundry.  But who isn't, right?  I know you're about to run a load as well :)

Cheers!

A New Addition

After what feels like forever, we are proud to announce that soon we will add a SWEET LITTLE BABY to our family!

Due March 2014!

We are OVER THE MOON excited!  It's been fun to tell family and friends :) 

I'm feeling like the baby will be a b-o-y.  (My mom and mother-in-law agree).

My sister and Tim have a slight inkling it's a girl (or I think they just really want a girl).  My Dad said "girl" just to appease Tim :) Anyway, can you tell we are having fun  guessing the gender?

I've been more and more nauseated the last 2 weeks- a good sign, right? It makes meal planning a moment by moment affair.  My mom has been making me wonderful bland(ish) soups and she makes Tim meaty dinners so I won't have to cook anything.  Thank goodness!  

The sound of a toilet flushing is guaranteed to make me lose my lunch.  This baby certainly has preferences ;)

So there you have it! The first Blodgett grandchild and the 13th Kurkinen grandchild :) 

Let the adventures begin!

SABBATH

Lately Tim and I have been trying to schedule a day or at least most of a day each week with a SABBATH.

We don't go see anyone that day.  We don't do a lot of cooking.  We don't clean the house (although I do try to clean dishes and laundry the day before so we aren't overwhelmed with our mess from the week)

We mainly rest in front of the TV.  Snuggle.  Laugh and chat together.  NAP. Eat.  Laugh some more.

Did I mention we goof off?

It's our time to slow down and look at each other face-to-face without all the business talk and busyness.

It doesn't always work out with our schedules.  But I believe it's helping us cope with life a little easier. It's helping us remember that we are best friends and it reminds me that there is no one I'd rather spend my days with than my Timmy.

Piper usually cuddles in for nap time, too.

Do you take a day to rest?  If so, how do you prepare for it?  What does it look like?  Any tips?
If you don't, how does it sound to you?

Summer Plans

Seeing how it is almost July! YIKES! 

It's already Summer and I still can't wrap my head around it!

Blooms from Mom's Garden :)

I thought I would write down some Summer plans:

• BERRY PICKING with my Dad. 
• Camping  at least twice in August :)  
• Visiting our friends in Seattle in July
• Learning to take a Sabbath (more on that on a future post...)
• Taking Piper to the beach for the first time!  I can't wait!
• Tim changing jobs (we are asking for God to step in as we take a leap of faith)
• I get to see my college friends Natalie & Katie
• Probably go on a hike or two.
• Buy a hammock... and snuggle around.
• Read some good books
• Find a new TV series on Netflix to watch all the way through in a weekend (Do you do that too?)
• and full time work... boo!  But, it pays the bills :)

Driving past Multnomah Falls last week :)

My friend from college, Krysta, said in her blog she is going to try to do something fun and something productive each day.  I'm hoping to, as well! What a good idea... less expectations mean more spontaneous excitement :) 

I hope we can just enjoy ourselves during the coming season... we've had a LOT of changes this year!

What are your summer-y ideas?

Cheers!

Pictures

Howdy!

I've neglected to post photos on my blog due to busyness laziness.  Honestly, the last thing I've wanted to do is upload photos.  Who likes that, anyway?

But I did it!
Here is the latest in our little journey as the Kurkinens :)

TIM HAD A BIRTHDAY (LAST OCTOBER!)

We said "GOODBYE!"  to our apartment this last March by shoving our whole couch together...

We went on a couple trips to the BEACH!!!! Rockaway BEach is my favorite favorite, but we also are blessed by time in beautiful Pacific City TWICE this last winter.

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

A TRIP TO PACIFIC CITY!

We bought a little house and are now OREGONIANS!

Our little love nest :)

OUR DINING AREA

stump removal by Timmy and his Dad

OUR GUEST ROOM

TIM DOING THE DISHES LIKE A MAN :)

OUR NEW FRONT DOOR

PIPER WAS HELPING US WITH THE MOVE

TREE CHIPS FORM TIM'S WORK FOR MULCHING

After ALL the drama that is filled with moving, we got to snuggle

then we sat down and SNUGGLED

Then, BOOM!  It was June (can we talk about how the year is flying by?)

and we celebrate Father's Day with both of our families!

My parents :)

I went on a little trip to WASHINGTON to see my dear friends from college.  I found out I get to be in a wedding for my beautiful friend, Natalie (on the left) and Katie (on the right) will be standing with me!)

I've been quite under the weather as of this last week or so.

 Here is my sleep remedy :)

I made dinner in one pot yesterday!  Turned out delicious! Here is the Link to the recipe :)

I made this easy ONE POT DINNER tonight!  Yum.

Hopefully I can update this beast more often!

Cheers!