softest, yummiest sugar cookies ever

I know...more food. You wouldn't know I'm pregnant now would you? I finally made my mom's fabulous almond sugar cookies this year, and they were excellent! I think I may even make some more tomorrow. Have at it!

Almond Butter Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
1 8-oz. pkg cream cheese softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda

Directions:
Cream together the sugar, butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla and almond extract. Then, add the flour and baking powder. Chill for 1 -1 1/2 hours or until firm. Roll out chilled dough on floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake on an un-greased cookies sheet at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Frost with powdered sugar icing.

Powdered Sugar Icing:

Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbs butter or margarine, softened
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 tbs milk

Directions:
Beat together powdered sugar and butter. Then, add the almond extract and 2 to 4 tbs milk or until icing is of spreading consistency.

winter mandarines

I don't know if it's a pregnancy craving, or just my love of oranges- but I am seriously addicted to the winter tangerines! I find myself going through at least a box a week. That's anywhere from 5-7 a day! Baby might come out looking a bit orange.

And, I've learned that I have to pick them out at the store myself. I am pretty much a professional now when it comes to smelling and feeling the ones that will be not too sweet, not too firm, not too sour- but juuuust right. I also trick myself into thinking that all of this fruit balances out all of the fabulous Christmas sugar. Hey, makes sense- right?

finch baby poll

Boy or Girl? Birthday arrival? Weight? The numbers are in for the Finch baby poll! The official medical due date is Jan 12th. We're still figuring out the winner's prize. Let me know if you think of anything good. T minus less than 4 weeks! (Click on chart to zoom)

the gear

It's actually quite amazing how much gear such a little person requires. They can't even lift their own head up by themselves, yet they need so much stuff! Well, they probably just need a few of these things, and mom wants the rest. Shhhhhhhh. Either way you look at it- a baby in the belly makes a mother goose in the nest. Here is the loot so far for our baby chick. Getting so excited to meet this little face!

35 weeks

I'm down to the home-stretch! 5 more weeks and counting...if I can make it. I ordered the stroller today, put together a shelving unit for the nursery, washed all of the newborn clothing & blankets, completely organized my colorbutton office, baked cupcakes, and finished all of the Christmas wrapping. These days, I feel like I may go into labor just running up and down the stairs a million times. I AM starting to feel ready though; ready to nibble on tiny cheeks, to get my body back in shape, to take way too many pictures, and to be up in the middle of the night with my very first lovey.

baby shower + thanksgiving

I'm feeling behind these days! So much is going on and I'm just trying to keep up - lately with my box of kleenex and congestion medicine.

Our trip to Anchorage was all that it usually is and more! Thanksgiving break is all about the cold, snow, cinnamon rolls, Great Alaska Shootout basketball, moose, lounging, going to movies, and burrowing in with family. This year, there was definitely more burrowing for this mama goose of a belly at 34 weeks!

Mom and Megan put together such a fun baby shower. The colorful cupcakes and the whimsical decorations lit up the house! We got some very cute gifts and lots of fabulous gift cards to stock up on all of the baby musts.

Then came Thanksgiving: mom and her baking, kids and their card games, dad and his sports talking, me and my parade watching, Jonathan and his coffee drinking, family and their pajama wearing. It couldn't have been better!

calm before the storm

Jonathan: Do you think we need a nightlight in our room so you can see what you're doing when you get up with the baby in the night?

Hannah: You mean so you can see what you're doing?

Gotta love it.