tuesday . . .

I thought for sure it was happening today - a few little signs here & there - reminiscent of when I went into labor with Ryan - but nope - still here, baby intact in my belly - oh & did I mention that regardless of how big he is in there - he is still having quite the party. Sometimes it actually is painful the twisting & turning & "partying" he is doing in there - usually late at night - leaving me with maybe 3 - 4 hours of decent sleep at night & days full of a "zombie-like" existence. Ryan, fortunately, has been very understanding of mommy being tired - thank goodness. I dream about labor every night & when I wake up every hour to go to the bathroom - I always wake up in a panic like I am in labor and need to head out the door. Then I realize no, it was a dream, I just have to pee. I packed my bags tonight - well the baby bag at least - I don't even know what I should be packing - I'm sure there is some list online somewhere. You think I would know but it has been 4 years & I am a little bit rusty on all this. A little secret - as much as I am ready for this baby to come, I'm scared - I feel like a first time mom all over again. Like I can't remember anything & I have such anxiety about it all - probably not helping the sleeping either . . . today I am exactly 36 weeks - 4 weeks left of this little one's journey within me. I purposely ordered spicy food for lunch just hoping it might kick this into gear - I'm so ridiculous - all it did was give me some seriously painful kicking from little man. Lesson learned - don't tick off the little one :)

I have been trying to enjoy the holiday season as much as I possibly can, although I'm definitely pretty uncomfortable & could just sit in front of Grey's Anatomy re-runs until this baby pops out :) However, I think Ryan wouldn't be so understanding of that :) We had a great family day Sunday & headed to the diner with all my brothers & sisters & mom & then to Homestead Gardens to take in some holiday beauty . . . here's some pics of Ryan amidst this gorgeous place (btw - new haircut was a little on the short side in the front - oops) . . .

A bit of holiday baking (or rather eating) in the Bonner house . . .

Decorating some gingerbread people . . .

Bringing home a new friend - Rudolph from the Build-A-Bear store . . .

Oh & this one - the only other female in the house - she's obviously enjoying the rest & relaxation I really need - if only I could learn a thing or two from her :)

Now . . . have I been scrapping . . . well, a bit, here & there. I have finished up all my assignments except one which is waiting to be glued down - hopefully tonight . . . I do have LOTS to share though . . .

In addition to this month's sketch challenge over at My Creative Scrapbook, Pam is still running her BIG sketch contest in the forum as well. The new sketch was posted - check it out . . .

It is due January 20th to be included in the running for this FABULOUS prize . . .

Hope you have time to play along - check out all the details in the forum HERE !!!

In the craziness of life, I missed out posting my sketch for The Scrap Room last week . . . although the challenge is over, you may still want to use this one - a great layout to include multiple pics!!!

Speaking of multiple pic layouts . . . I was featured on the SEI blog today for my December projects using the awesome Kris Kringle line - such a fun mix of patterns :) I created this layout - super simple design & quick easy photo collage to display 4 pics. I can't say enough about the ease of using Picnik - if you haven't checked it out you must, you must!!!

The border punch is by Martha Stewart (LOVE IT!!!). A quick close-up on the layering in the corner - a mix of SEI's fab die-cuts & felt accents - love them!!!

I also created another layout for my SEI December assignments - same line but totally different color scheme :) Love this pic of Ryan "making friends" with our snowman :)

A close-up of some layering - love these glittery stickers, fun die-cuts, and gorgeous felt accents all together :)

Making the title sticker "pop" by adding some black cardstock & a little decorative edge via my old-school border scissors :)

Typically I don't do rhinestones - mostly because I scrap boy pics & they seem to work more for girly. However, I really enjoyed "sprinkling" a few among these snowflakes on the patterned paper - they mimicked the rhinestones on the felt accents perfectly :)

Finally, my last assignment to share tonight & my last assignment to share for BlueMoon Scrapbooking until March. I have taken a bit of time off of some of my assignments to focus on all things baby for the next couple months :) Love this pic - and love the 2 of them - Ryan & AnnaKate (my best friend's daughter) playing with a doll together - our little married couple :)

American Crafts Dear Lizzy Christmas Scrapbooking Remarks Stickers Mistletoe

American Crafts Dear Lizzy Christmas Scrapbooking Remarks Stickers Mittens

Dear Lizzy Christmas Scrapbooking Paper Poinsettia and Pine

Dear Lizzy Christmas Scrapbooking Paper Jolly Jingle

Dear Lizzy Christmas Scrapbooking Paper Comfort and Cheer

Dear Lizzy Christmas Scrapbooking Paper Sleighing Song

Basic Grey BASICS Scrapbooking Paper Tally

Used that FAB Martha Stewart punch again & a mix of Basic Grey & Dear Lizzy Christmas. Love the Maya Road sheer doilies - wasn't sure how I'd use them but like how they looked split in half and staggered on either side of the layout :)

Hope everyone out there is enjoying the holiday season . . . found some good holiday songs or versions of traditional holiday songs - check them out at the top of my sidebar (click play).

Be back to post in a couple days . . . (unless I am in the hospital delivering a baby . . . )

ttyl - julie :)