Nursery Furniture

I’m so happy with the furniture I picked out for the baby’s room!  Yes, I picked it out and Luke gladly gave his stamp of approval.  :)  We went with the Argington Bam collection and I just have to tell you why.  First, they used solid birch wood (and birch plywood), which is a hardwood.  Most nursery furniture today is made with softwoods, which tend to be less dense aka durable.  Not only will this furniture hold up against wear and tear better, but so will the environment because the wood was harvested from sustainably managed sources.   Also, they finished the furniture with stains, glues, etc that contain zero formaldehyde and are 100% non-toxic.  Did I mention that the bassinet and crib exceed all safety regulations?  Lastly, I like that the bassinet and crib heights are only 33.5”.   Since I’m only 5’2” lifting Baby in and out will be a breeze!

Thanks Mom and Dad for your help with the nursery furniture!

Goodie Goodie Gumdrop

I made some yummy gumdrops this week; however the first batch was a complete disaster so I thought I’d share a few tips that will help anyone who wants to give this recipe a try!

- four tablespoons is closer to five packets of gelatin – not six

- measure out the gelatin don’t just trust the recipe :)

- use a three-quart (or slightly larger) pan

- to help prevent burning, bring the mixture to a boil and then turn it down to about medium

- line your pans with wax or parchment paper and coat the paper with cooking spray

- pull the chilled cubes out of the pans and place them on a sugared cutting board - don’t cut the gumdrops while they’re in the pan!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our four-year wedding anniversary.  Can you believe it?  It’s hard enough to believe that we’re already more than halfway through this pregnancy!  It’s fun to look back on all the memories we've had together, but nothing can compare to what’s in store for us.  I married the best person for me and am so happy to have a baby on the way!

Half Baked

Last Monday, we had our “big” 20-week ultrasound appointment.  Luke and I got to watch our little baby for an entire hour.  :)  It was amazing!  The best part of the whole appointment was when the ultrasound tech commented that our baby had a beautiful heart.  Then, later when we met with the doctor, he said the exact same thing!  Luke and I have been praying for a healthy baby with a strong heart and then to hear those words was nothing less than an answered prayer.  To top it off, he or she was measuring right at 20 weeks!  Here are a few pictures of Baby Erickson: