Baby Nursery

Ok, so I know we've got a loooonnnngggg time before I need to be worrying about anything nursery (especially since we'll be moving right after the baby's born), but you know me, I like to be prepared. And I have very specific (read: picky) ideas of exactly what I want for everything baby-related. Yes, I have been preparing for this for a very long time, thankyouverymuch. It doesn't help that I've had dozens of close friends have kids already, so I have learned through their experiences about what are the must-haves. But nursery stuff has thus far taken a back seat - but not for long! :)

So, I've got some general ideas I like for a nursery. I've always LOVED Noah's Ark themed stuff, and of course have a lot of knick knacks and stuff with Noah's Ark, but I don't really want a "themed" matchy matchy nursery. Too much of a good thing. Like check this one out:

Wow. Looks like Noah threw up his ark on this room. Yuck.

And then this one. Maybe just a little overdone?

I think we'll do something just a touch more subtle. I'm more about color coordinating. I'm thinking green, blue, and brown (with maybe a touch of pink thrown in if it's a girl). I want a simple room that's not too frou-frou and overbearing - the poor kid's got to be able to sleep in the room, right? I'm thinking something calm and classic. I like some parts of this one:

What do you think? More posts coming soon on various other nursery decor!

Honey, We're Having a... Prune?

So I found this awesome website that shows the size of the baby compared to various fruits and vegetables. For ten weeks, it's a prune. A PRUNE, people. You'd think they could come up with something slightly cuter than a stinkin' prune. Good thing I'm on week eleven - now it's a lime! It's still so mind blowing that there is a little lime-sized person inside of me...WOW.

Last night I was getting undressed for bed and caught sight of my belly in the mirror...can we say HOLY COW???? I'm already looking PREGNANT and I'm not done with my first trimester! I'm reading people's blogs about how some skinny little pregnant ladies are 20 weeks and still able to use just a rubber band to fasten their pants! Hell-o?! I've been in those awesome stretchy waist pants now for a month! This may not bode well for the next six months... At the very least, I've had an ultrasound and I can stop worrying that I've got twins in there! Yup, only one baby... whew!

In other baby news, I broke down and did it. What, you ask? This:

Yup, a gender predictor pee test. Not real sure how it works, but it's something like crazy 89% accurate! Don't worry, I'm not going to go paint the nursery or anything (it actually has a warning label on the box not to paint the nursery and they are not responsible for inaccurate results!), but I thought it might be fun. I think it's a girl. Chris thinks it's a boy. Well, as my mom says, one of us right! :) (we hope...that might be a little awkward...).

Ultrasound!

So, yesterday I got to do the coolest thing I've ever done... see our baby on an ultrasound!! How amazing is this?! It is by far the most fabulous feeling, watching our little peanut (or prune) squirming around in there. Modern technology is so wonderful - we could even see it moving its little fingers all around and turning somersaults!

It's been hard to really believe that I'm pregnant, since I've had hardly any morning sickness and not much for other classic pregnancy symptoms. Seeing our baby makes it all so real!

Big Announcement!

Ok people... the big announcement you've all been waiting for... drumroll please... I got my teaching license!!!!!!!!!!!! (LOL - maybe not quite the big announcement you were expecting?)

No, ok. I'm just pulling your leg. Although I did get my teaching license and I'm really excited about it - but not NEARLY as excited as this:

IT'S POSITIVE!!!!!!!! We are really and truly pregnant. Words cannot describe how thrilled, excited, nervous, elated, and blessed we are feeling right now. You know when you were a little kid and it's Christmas Eve, and you have been waiting and waiting for so long with so much anticipation, that when Christmas actually comes, it's hard to believe it's actually here? That's how we're feeling right now!! I've been waiting and waiting for this day - I almost think I'm dreaming!

Our official due date is May 28 - a perfect date! I love spring babies! Plus, I never wanted a summer baby - I always feel bad for those school-age kids with summer birthdays who couldn't celebrate them with their classes (the things you think about as a teacher). And I never wanted a September baby, since it's the most popular birthday month (our baby will be an individual!) Although, I have to admit, we are so excited about being pregnant it really wouldn't matter when I'm due!!

Here's some belly pictures: This one is the week we found, so about 5 weeks. Obviously not showing yet.

Then there's this one. We took this one at 10 weeks - holy cow, I can't believe I'm almost through my first trimester! (yeah, I know... you didn't think my boobs could get any bigger...unfortunately, yes they can.)

We are so unbelievably excited to be on this amazing journey together. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers - we'll be sure to keep everyone updated on all the details!

More Baby Projects

So, with fall football season in full swing, I've been busy working on various sewing and craft projects - here's what I've finished the past week:

A diaper wipes container!! How cute, huh? I know it's dorky, but I just love it!

I wavered between using a paper flower here, or the metal tag, but decided to go with the tag for a couple of reasons. I thought the flower might get messed up floating around in a diaper bag, and even though it was adorable, it was a little more girly. The tag describes how I feel perfectly and looks great! :)

Next, I made this mini diaper bag. You know how when you are in a hurry and you have a squirmy baby who needs a diaper quick? And then you can never find the diaper in the bag? Or if you are me, the diapers are messy and crummy in the bottom of the bag. So, this cute little bag holds the diapers so you can always find them.

Ok, so then I had some scraps of fabric, so I made a crinkly toy. Babies love things that crinkle and make noise, so I stitched in a popcorn wrapper between the fabric. Didn't turn out super cute or anything, but it's ok. At least babies aren't picky, right?

Of course, all of these really aren't necessary, but they sure are cute and fun to make! What do you think? Any other ideas of stuff I absolutely have to make?

New Haircut!

Got a new haircut the other day - I think it may actually make my face look skinnier! I love my hairstylist - she rocks. It's a bit shorter than I'm used to, but I like it. What do you think?

Football Season (And Bear Season)

Why hello, everyone. Somehow, I've found a niche in my busy schedule ::sarcastic tone::, to return to blogging. And yes, it's that time of year again... leaves are falling, the colors are changing, a brisk breeze... and FOOTBALL!!

Anyone who knows my family knows that I am a black sheep. I do not love football. I don't even like it. Don't know the rules, don't know the players, don't know the teams. Nothin'. But, my parents, my sister, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins... you name it, they LOVE football. And, of course, my husband, to say the least. So, around this time of year, I become a football widow. Every Sunday, my hubby will be glued to the TV, watching the game, while I (quite happily) find projects to do.

And boy, have I found projects! One of my favorites is this: Greyson's Gift. It's a beautiful, but incredibly sad charity for preemie or stillborn babies. When tiny babies are born, hospitals have a hard time finding blankets that are small enough for wee ones, without overwhelming them or causing a distraction for grieving parents. So, they are in need of small blankets, sewn or crocheted/knitted, in sizes 12" by 12" or 24" by 24". I have so many scraps of fabric and small balls of yarn that will be perfect for blanket. I can't imagine having to go through something as difficult as a stillborn birth, but if there's any way to help make it a little easier for someone, count me in! To learn more about Greyson's Gift and where to send blankets, click here.

But, when I get searching for projects, I invariably find tons that I am dying to do - so right now, I have about a hundred projects going at the same time. As soon as one of them is finished, I'll post pictures. I'm working on a bunch of baby stuff - I found my felt stash, so thought I'd make a couple of "quiet time" books - we'll see how they turn out. And then, once I got going on that, I remembered how much I enjoyed felt stories on a flannel board when I was in school, so I thought Alexander might enjoy some of his favorite stories on flannel board - so far, I've done "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".

In other news, we have had an eventful day or two here. I went for my usual walk today on the bike path behind our house, only to find that it was blocked off by the police. Not necessarily unusual in our area (we live in the GHETTO!), but still interesting. But then, Chris came home and informed me that there was a bear loose in Hawthorne Park. Yes, Hawthorne Park - the park that's RIGHT BEHIND OUR HOUSE!!!! Literally, I go out our backdoor and there's only a flimsy little fence that separates our property from Hawthorne Park. And yes, a BEAR in the park. So, that would be why the police were blocking the path... which freaks me out a little. As if it isn't scary enough with all the homeless and gangs, now we've got bears too! Yay! Just can't wait to happen across one of those on my walk - my pepper spray will really help me out with that!