A baby sprinkle turned pouring rain!

Oh pregnancy, you magical body crushing miracle you.

I've finally hit my uncomfortable point.  I'm pretty proud I've made it so far!

Saturday I will be 34 weeks, I really can't believe how fast time has flown and I'm still trying to accept the fact that this is most likely the last time I get to experience the joys [and pains] of being pregnant.

I am almost ashamed to admit that I am one of those women that love pregnancy.  I never throw up, I don't get hemorrhoids or swollen feet.  I do what I want and keep going.  Maybe since after having my first baby you don't really get a choice!  I feel the most beautiful when I'm pregnant, like my body has purpose and those extra rolls of skin are just baby love and that's ok. ;)

One of my favorite parts of being pregnant is having a shower!  I know, you're not really supposed to have a shower after the first baby especially if you've had 3 and already have both sexes of children but darn it I love a good party!  I also am constantly moving so there is really nothing that has made it from child #1 to child #4 despite the fact that they're only 6 years apart. 

So this time for Miss Tulip Bea I thought it would be appropriate to have a "sprinkle" or as I've seen them called.  My Mom and sister came in from California to help celebrate and I just really wanted an excuse to celebrate this new life with all my new found friends here on the island.  

<--------------- Dark Chocolate/Strawberry Cupcakes made by my sister, Jordan! 

 I should have known that my Mom, friends, and family would spoil me beyond belief.  And Tulip Bea is seriously set!  We had a great time just being together, enjoying the weather and getting ready for our little girl's arrival.  Which after the birth of my friend Bree's baby last week I am seriously getting so excited for, ahh newborns. <3

[My "sprinkle" had the cutest pink/jungle theme!  Pink. Zebra. Cheetah. Adorable.]

I am continually blessed and amazed by everything that was given to us for Tulip.  I have such talented caring friends and got so many beautiful home made gifts I loved it!  A new bow holder for Tulip?  Check.  A handmade Christmas pillow dress? Check. Lots of bows? Check.  A personalized cloth diaper and wet bag?  That too.  Seriously awesome.  Presents even came from afar with my biff from California spoiling me like she always does with a Bath Pod, bags of Rockin Green marshmallow scented cloth diaper detergent, The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears and a Boba Wrap! 

[A cloth diaper cake made by my friend Dawn.  She made it with Oso Cozy prefolds & a Thirsties cover!  I am a lucky girl.]

I had so much fun and was so relaxed just enjoying the company, I know I keep saying it but I just feel so lucky to have friends that encouraged me to relax, to sit down, to eat all things I need reminded to do!  

Even the games were fun, but then again I love shower games in general.  I'm a competitive person so any chance to win prizes I'm down for.  This time I just had to observe but watching everyone play games and win prizes was a blast.  

I wonder if it's bad that we did a Who Knows Mommy Best? game and the question was "What has Nicole been craving this pregnancy?" and everyone answered coffee & Dr. Pepper. :/

Just don't tell my midwife!

And of course Noni [my Mom] spoils her grandchildren that are already born so she had to give Tulip some love too!  New cloth diapers, a diaper sprayer [Thank God!], and a Nosefrida she knit me a boobie hat and got me a Beco Gemini carrier.  I'm pretty much in baby heaven.  Now I just need the baby!

So no I'm not lucky, I'm blessed [yes!]

By so many people that I adore and can't wait to introduce Tulip too.  A successful baby "sprinkle" if I do say so myself!

Check out my friend's Facebook stores! 

https://www.facebook.com/ArianasAccessories

[For family date timelines, pillow dresses, home made bows & wipe cases and more!]

https://www.facebook.com/BanginBabyBritches

[For WAHM cloth diapers & wet bags!]

Support your work at home Mommies! <3

[My BIG girl having fun at her sister's shower!  Doing it Mother/Daughter was so fun. :)]

Tulip: A flower symbolizing forgiveness.

Bea: Blessed, she who brings happiness. 

Vistorus Interruptus.

As much as I hate to admit it I am a creature of habit.  

I like to wake up every morning, enjoy my coffee, check my Facebook and slowly ease into my day.

Get my burst of energy by the time Andy gets home from work to start cleaning & doing school with the kids, etc.  Everyday may not be the same but most start with coffee and end with me snuggling with my love in bed.   

Having my Mom & sister here visiting from California is so awesome but it definitely throws off my Mama schedule and makes me let things go I might not usually be able to.  And while sometimes that is hard for my Type A personality it definitely does make things seem even more organized when I get back to it. So after a week or so of not blogging I actually missed it!  But time is short so I'll do my favorite type of writing, a list.  

My [current] life in numbers.

[20] minutes until I hope to be in bed. 

[19] the age my sister Jordan turned today!

[18] days till my first Hawaii doula client is due.  

[17] the age my sister Sierra turned today!

[16] my stupidest age, so far & hopefully ever.

[15] pounds I have gained this pregnancy.

[14] days until I start school again.

[13] pages of Fifty Shades Freed I've read.  I give up, I'm over it. 

[12] ingredients in the recipe below.

[11] babies latched on at The Big Latch-On West Oahu I hosted on Friday! 

[10] years I have been with the love of my life. 

[9] years until I am a midwife!  I hope. 

[8] weeks left in this pregnancy! Give or take a little.....

[7] months we have been back in Hawaii.

[6] tattoos I have.  For now.

[5] strawberry shortcakes I made for dessert tonight. 

[4] days left until my baby shower!  Yeay! 

[3] kids I have, for just a little bit longer. 

[2] notifications I have on Facebook, last time I checked.

[1] God I love! 

And by popular demand......

Homemade Jumbo Nutter Butters! 

from www.cookiesandcups.com

Cookies: 

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 1/2 cups AP flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup extra sugar for rolling

Filling:

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tbs. milk

For cookies:

[1] Cream butter, peanut butter & sugar in a stand mixer.

[2] Add eggs one at a time & then vanilla.

[3] In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda & baking powder.

[4] Slowly add dry mixture to wet in mixer, try not to over mix!

[5] When dough has come together roll into 1-inch balls and then form your balls into logs.  Ha. 

[6] Roll logs in sugar and place on ungreased baking sheet.  Keep them spread apart cause they get big!

[7] With a fork make a criss cross pattern on top of each log, while you're doing this pinch the log in the middle so it makes a peanut shape.  Very good. 

[8] Bake at 375 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

[9] Let cool on a rack while you make your filling!

For filling:

[1] Cream butter & peanut butter.

[2] Slowly add powdered sugar.

[3] Check consistency and add milk if you like, may take a little more or less or none at all. 

[1] Spread filling between two cookies & chow down!

Nutter Butter time!