Baby Girl's Nursery Reveal

Finally, I can show off all our hard work. You can go back and look at the before pictures and all of our start up issues in this post.

I bought this light off of craigslist two years ago because I always loved it at Ikea and knew that I would find somewhere for it. It is perfect in here.

Here are two before/after comparison shots.

Activities with Miller

I have been trying to find things to do with Miller lately. I figure that since we are stuck in the house, we need to find some things to do besides watch TV and play on my phone or iPad.

I finally decided to try painting with Miller again. It was mildly successful just a tad messy. It involves lots of supervision but at least he has fun. Here we were painting a birdhouse that is going to be a Christmas present. 

I posted about painting a picture for the baby's room and here are some pictures from that.

I made homemade playdough for us to play with. Miller is still learning how to play with it but he does like pushing the cookie cutters into it. Then he wants the shapes out of them. This evening, him and Ben made bears and Miller walked around with them like this. I swear I thought that he was going to take them to bed.

This has been our favorite. We have whipped up some dish soap bubbles in my mixer. It kind of makes a mess but since it is just soap, it makes everything nice and clean afterward. Miller loves to have car washes.

The last two times we have done the dish soap bubbles, I made a batch, put them in a container and put them and Miller in the bath tub. Both times, Ben and I were trying to do stuff upstairs so Miller played while we got stuff done. After that, it was bath time so easy clean up.

I am not sure how much we will do after the baby is born but at least I have some things  that he can do when I have an extra hand around the house.

Thanksgiving '13

When I found out that I was pregnant, we looked at the year ahead and realized that we were not going to get to go back to Tennessee for Thanksgiving. It was not the biggest deal but I would really miss some of our traditions. I would miss seeing family and there would be no Fantasy of Trees on Friday. I had been every year since I was 2 and I hated that I was missing a year, even if it was for a good reason. Of course, this is also when they decided to schedule my 10 year high school reunion.

I started to think about it and my doctors advice was not to travel 2 hours away, well this was only 3 hours. I brought it up a few months back and my doctor said she was very comfortable with me going as long as everything checked out alright at my appointment that week, especially since I was going home to my labor and delivery nurse. Of course I had made no progress at my appointment on Tuesday so we got ready to go.

However, that evening I was woken up by Ben throwing up. Miller had been sick on Monday so I was not surprised but I was upset that this might mess up our holiday plans. He ended up feeling okay to ride in the car and I drove us up to TN that afternoon.

On Thursday morning we went to the hospital to visit mom and got our hair cut. That evening we went to my dad and stepmoms house. As soon as we got there, Miller had to run and find his red truck.

It was my nephew Silas' and Ben's birthday. Bobbie had gotten each of them a cake. Ben had to show Silas how to blow out the candles.

The next day we went to the Fantasy of Trees and this time Bobbie, Silas, Leslie and Lisa, Leslie's moms came.

Miller was so excited to play in this train.

Our first main goal was to see Santa. Ben stood in line while we walked him around. We were almost at  the front of the line but he lost patience so Ninny went and made him a cookie.

He would not sit on Santa's lap by himself so Daddy had to join them.

Silas was not really wanting to sit with Santa either. At least they are not crying in this one.

We tried to get Miller to get his face painted but he would not. He was fascinated by Daddy getting his face done and kept looking for it after Daddy washed it off.

Decorating his second cookie of the day.

He said that he wanted to go on the carousel but when we got closer he clammed up. He got all clingy and would not let me put him down. I got him on the ride and his feet on the horse.

He eventually relaxed and let me put him on the horse. He had so much fun and kept saying, "Whoa".

It was a crazy weekend because neither Ben or I felt good. We barely ate the whole time. We had events for my high school reunion on Friday and Saturday night and those were alright. I felt majorly anti social because everyone was up and socializing whereas I was 9 months pregnant and had to sit my butt down to rest. I did get to catch up and see some old classmates.

We headed out on Sunday and unfortunately by that time, mom was sick. We found out that later that a bunch of people got sick but it was all from other sources. That is one nasty bug going around but at least it is a quick one.I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving!

Weekly Updates: 37 and 38 Weeks

How far along: 37 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +20lbs again

Maternity clothes: I am just trying to figure out my outfits to get me through the rest of this pregnancy and the events that I have coming up.

Stretch marks: Still nothing.  

Sleep: I am sleeping pretty hard except waking up to roll over. Miller and I keep sleeping in every morning and as guilty as I feel about this, we can correct it later. I am just enjoying the fact that we can right now.    

Best moment this week: I had my sprinkle this past weekend and it was so great to get together with friends to celebrate our little girl.

Movement: The doctor at my appointment this week mentioned doing kick counts. I know for some people they find these comforting but I just think this is one more thing to worry about. This baby girl moves when she wants to and if I were to do the counts their way, we would fail sometimes. I do think she has moved slightly. I can not tell if she dropped or just wiggled in a different nook but the top of my belly feels slightly different.  

Food cravings: No cravings and frankly, eating is just a hassle. I have very little appetite and only have to eat because my body tells me to.

Food aversions: A few things this week have had a weird after taste that I am pretty sure is in my imagination.

Gender: Sweet baby girl

Labor Signs: I am at that point where I am afraid that I will not know when I am actually in labor. As soon as I think I am having a contraction, it goes away quickly and she moves. I am guessing it is just her wiggling around.

Belly Button in or out? No change, still in 

What I miss: I have been so uncomfortable this week. When I am up and doing stuff, I get worn out so easily and my belly starts to hurt. When I sit down, between her kicking and everything getting squished up, I can not breath. When I lay down, I have to lay on my side which only feels good on my belly and the rest of my body is not comfy. I have no idea what it feels like to be normal and I miss that.

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to going to TN for Thanksgiving and getting home. Baby Girl can come anytime after we get home.  

Weekly Wisdom: There are days when I am so nervous for her to be here. However, one day this week there were some events with people I know, and articles that I happened upon on-line that were like God telling me to grateful. My nerves have not gone away but it did make me appreciate what I have more.

Milestones: According to some sites, she is full term but I am not ready to count that yet. It is comforting to know that it is safe for her to come anytime but I would like her to wait another 10 days, if not two weeks.  

 

 

How far along: 38 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +20lbs again (which surprised me)

Maternity clothes: I wear the same things all the time but I know that I will miss them eventually. I did find a small hole in the side of one shirt and a tear in the elastic of my maternity jeans. I believe that means that they are being too stretched out.

Stretch marks: No stretch marks but right under my belly button, there is a dime size broken blood vessel. I thought it was a stretch mark but Ben and mom looked at it and said it isn’t. Again, my belly is so stretched out! 

Sleep: This has been a rough week for sleep. Miller got a stomach bug, then Ben caught it and kept me up all night and sleeping on the couch. The next night I got the bug and sleeping on the couch at moms house for Thanksgiving. I would love to have a few good nights sleep in my own bed.    

Best moment this week: I had my OB appointment and was happy to hear that I got the all clear to go to TN for Thanksgiving.

Movement: She has been doing some wiggling awfully low and it hurts so bad. Besides that, she has done lots of stretching and rolling from side to side.   

Food cravings: Ugh! Since we all had a stomach bug, and I do not have much of an appetite anyways, no cravings. I actually keep forgetting to eat.  

Food aversions: No strict aversions but I was pretty selective with Thanksgiving food and only ate what I really wanted.

Gender: Girly girl

Labor Signs: At my OB appointment on Tuesday, I was not dilated at all and Baby Girl had not dropped yet. That is great this week since we are going to TN this weekend but next week I will be really annoyed with that.

Belly Button in or out? So stretched out but still in. Ben says he can see the back of it but I do not believe him.   

What I miss: I am seriously never comfortable, not sitting, standing, or  laying down. I have no appetite since my organs are all squished but then I get sick if I do not eat. I am having nausea again. I miss feeling normal (haven’t I said that before).

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to our weekend in TN for Thanksgiving. We have family to see and definitely have some traditions to uphold that have been up in the air since we found out we were pregnant.   

Weekly Wisdom: I have had lots of conversations with people about inducing vs. going into labor naturally. I am really hoping Baby Girl comes on her own in a week.

Milestones: 38 weeks is definitely full term. I am so grateful that we have been able to make it this far and have such a healthy pregnancy.

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!!

I always have a lot to be thankful every year but this year especially. I am so thankful for my whole wonderful family and my friends. We are so lucky to have such great people to support us.

I am very thankful for my husband. Two years ago he was a terrified first time father but this year he has become so much more confident and involved with Miller. Plus he is so excited about the new baby's arrival, probably more than me.

And as cliche as it is, he is an amazing provider for our family. He works so hard and does so much to make sure that we are all happy and taken care of.

*Sidenote: Happy birthday to Ben and my nephew Silas today!!

This face! How could I not be thankful for this face?!?! This little man pushes me to the brink of insanity but he also makes me insanely happy. He has brought such meaning to my life and I can not even remember the person I was before I was mommy. He is my best buddy and I pray that he always will be.

And this face! I will admit that I am so scared of the transition ahead but I look forward to falling in love with this face just like I did with her brother.

I started out this year praying that we would get pregnant soon. We had only been trying for a month or so, but after our journey with Miller I was hoping it would happen soon. It was only a couple of months later that we did get pregnant. Then I prayed for a healthy and smooth pregnancy, and I prayed that God would bless us with a daughter. I can not believe that we are where we are and I am so thankful that God has blessed us so much this year. I now pray for a smooth and safe delivery and for the health of our baby girl (as well as all of our friends and family).

I hope that everyone out there has a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

First Trip to the Atlanta Zoo

Back in the spring, we bought a groupon for admission to the zoo. We planned to use it this fall when it was cooler but in the meantime, we got a membership to the zoo from my parents. So we gave the groupon to Steve and Heather and we all went. The weather was definitely cool so it was the perfect time to go.

He slipped off the back of tail and I was laughing so hard it hurt.

The baby monkey was nursing, and of course I gasped and was shocked that she was nursing in public without a cover on. How rude!! (That is total sarcasm if you can not tell). Heather and I thought it was adorable!

Miller shockingly obliged when I asked him to put his head there. My child never cooperates.

This stroller was parked outside one attraction. I find it funny because this means there is another child out there like mine. I am always carrying around a few cars when we go out and mostly some Lightning McQueens just like these.

He was so excited to go on the train but then regretted that once we went through a tunnel.

It was a fun trip and I am so glad we got a membership so we can go back a lot this year.

Nursery Project: Wall Decor

Some of the finishing touches in the nursery were to hang up things on the wall. Before I reveal the whole completed nursery, I wanted to feature those snippets.

With all the headbands and hairbows that I made (and bought, and mom bought), I needed somewhere to store them. I saw people using old frames with hooks and ribbon and it seemed like the perfect idea. The only problem is that some of her thicker headbands do not fit on the hooks so I have them in a tray on her dresser.

I made a wreath for Miller's nursery when I was pregnant with him so I needed one for her room.

I ended up going back and redoing Miller's wreath so that they match. I love seeing  both of them on their doors when I am upstairs.

When I was early in my pregnancy and always worried that something would go wrong, I swear that I would immediately see a rainbow. I have gone years without seeing one and all of a sudden I was seeing them all the time. I told my mom and that afternoon she texted me a picture of one outside her window. Since, mom and I are huge "Wizard of Oz" fans I wanted to put up a quote from the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I could not narrow it down so I just used the whole song.

 

I wanted to have some consistency between both kids rooms so I needed to make a quilted name banner just like the one over Miller's bed. I guess this also serves as a reveal of Baby Girl's name.

Miller has a large "M" on his wall and while I looked for the same one on etsy (the shop has since closed) I went with something much more girly, an "S" covered with pearls. I keep picturing if the kids end up sharing a room at some point and Miller has his wirey black "M" over his bed and she has this pretty pearly "S" over hers. Or they might make their way onto a family gallery wall someday.

I planned on using the dresser as a changing table and wanted something hanging over it. I saw these tassel garlands on pinterest and I had to make one, especially if it  had some metallic in there. I am no longer using the dresser for that anymore but this is still pretty. It was pretty much my substitute for a mobile over her bed, which she does not really have a place for.

 

Miller has a print with a "Rocky Top" quote within the state of Tennessee so I needed something to represent our home state in her room. There are hearts over our hometowns. The bottom picture is a painting that we made with Miller.

I had this on my initial to-do list so that it would be something Miller could be involved in. I had pretty much scrapped it when one day a couple of weeks ago I decided to attempt painting with Miller. He loved it so I figured we could give this a shot.

I taped up my design and put our colors on a plate. He had so much fun. Mommy and Daddy had to help him so that the whole thing got covered but that just makes it a whole family project that we made for our newest little member.