The "Nursery" In Progress

Here is Isla's corner in our bedroom. It is starting to look like a baby might be moving in soon!

The quilt above the dresser is a quilt that one of my aunts had made me for my high school graduation present. I think it goes great here. I plan to put something else on the other wall, just not sure what yet.


This is my side of the bed. There is a little more room there than it looks between the bed and dresser/changer. We're going to put a cradle, pack n play, or rock n play sleeper there for Isla to sleep. Or just a carseat, if she is anything like Miles! Obviously the boxes need to go.


I plan to repaint the knobs on the drawers a shade of pink and put a light pink pattern of some kind on each drawer. I also plan to hang some sort of mobile or poms from the ceiling above this area.

The tower holds diapers/wipes, etc on top. The rest of it will hopefully house blankets, burp clothes, towels, etc in some other baskets.


These are a few fabrics I picked out for a couple small projects. The dark pink and the paisley are for burp clothes and the light pink (it is kind of minky feeling) will be for a changing pad cover.


The top two drawers house socks and shoes, and hats. The Owl hat will be her "Halloween costume" with a brown onsie and some colorful babylegs I have yet to make!

The second drawer holds 0-3mos white short and long sleeve onsies. NB clothes and a few NB sleepers, as well as 0-3 mos sleepers. I think she's got enough sleepers!

The next drawer is for 0-3 mos clothing. Rompers, pants, onsies, and sweaters. Don't be fooled, there are others in the wash!

This is her 3-6 mos wardrobe. Obviously lacking compared to the 0-3 mos stash. There are several rompers and a couple outfits in the wash waiting to be folded and put away with these.


And there you have it. Isla's "nursery" corner in our bedroom. A few more finishing touches and we should be set to go!

Big Boy Room

Well, I've been working on Miles' Big Boy Room for, oh, over a year now! I painted it last summer and we put the twin bed in there. My mother-in-law was nice enough to make the wonderful quilt for his bed and I made the valance (and a shade that is pulled up during these pictures). There are still a few details left, but it is finally coming along. I hope to have it finished before Isla arrives!

The view when you walk in the door. I kept the argyle from his nursery. I still need to repaint he criss-crosses on the diamonds in colors that match his room (will probably do two red, two blue, and one green).

The blue carpet was there when we moved in. Someday we'll replace it!

This is to the left of the doorway when you walk in. His brand spanking new activity table (painted with chalkboard paint) was made by my dad and me over the past few weeks. It turned out really well, and we only made one error! I plan to have him use this for his trains, blocks, coloring/art, etc. Eventually we plan to get or make a chair for him to sit at the table. Next to the cork boards, I plan to put a couple hanging caddies of some kind for paper, stickers, crayons, etc.

I also plan to get a few colorful baskets for under the table for his blocks and trains, etc, when not in use.

Above his bed, is his name. This is from a line of scrapbooking papers and was the inspiration for the room. I need to squish them over to the right so they are all centered above the bed (the bed was in a different spot when I originally hung the letters).




To the left of the window: Letters "A" through "F". I kind of traced them from the scrapbook paper and then painted them on the canvas.

To the right: Letters "G" through "L".

I need to paint two more canvases to finish the alphabet...when I have time!

His toy corner. The toy bins are big plastic rope-handle buckets that I found at Fred Meyer for $5 a piece. There are two there (one is hiding) and the other is blue.

To the right of the doorway when you walk in, his "bookshelf". The four bins are filled with books. I'll probably hang the other two alphabet canvases over this.

This is his closet. It will store all his clothes. It has a few of Isla's things that either need to be hung (dresses) or are bigger than 6month size. There is also some toy storage and bins filled with Miles' baby clothes. The bins on the floor hold his shoes, socks, and undies.

So, just a few more projects to finish and his Big Boy Room should be all set!

My Pregnancy: 31 Weeks

This was last week at 30wk 2d. I had just gotten back from grocery shopping and was tired and hot!



Today at 31wk 2d. Don't mind the forest of weeds behind me!

How Far Along: 31 weeks(and 2 day now!)

Weight Gain: According to the scale at my doctor's office, I'm up a total of 30lbs so far. I didn't gain any these past two weeks (didn't lose, just stayed the same). That was exciting to me. Now I need to make sure I don't have a crazy gain two weeks from now!

Maternity Clothes: I'm going to change this to "New Baby Buys". Nothing has changed in the clothing department! So, this week (or last week) we got our new stroller in the mail that was a gift from my in-laws!!! It was so easy to put together and folds up so small. I can't wait to use it for the baby, but have tested it out on Miles in the mean time. I was able to push Miles around with one hand, while holding a shopping bag in my other, and maneuver around corners and up a ramp! I'm pretty impressed with it thus far.

It is the Baby Jogger City Mini. The only "problem" is that it doesn't come with a cup holder for the parents. I may be purchasing a parent console for it soon.


While downtown with Miles (where we were trying out the new stroller), I did a little browsing, that turned into a little shopping. I purchased a new diaper bag with my "birthday money" from my parents. It is a Petunia Pickle Bottom that I found at Baby Gap.

I'm going to refrain from using it until Isla is here. I plan to pack it up with all the newborn essentials over the next few weeks to get it ready. It already has my nursing cover in it.

Belly Button Innie or Outtie: Usually an innie, but sometimes it is flat. It never turned out with Miles, just went flat with him.

Sleep: Just about the same. Getting up to use the bathroom. Getting sick of sleeping on my side. I can't wait to sleep on my back again. With Miles, I slept on my back a lot, but this time, I find I just can't do it. Makes me feel weird and I never wake up that way on accident anymore, either.

Symptoms: Still having heartburn and developed a cough from it. I finally discussed it with my doctor and got a prescription for some Prilosec. I have had less Tums the past few days, so perhaps it is starting to help? Here's hoping! I'm back to getting exhausted with every little thing, like in the first trimester. Going to the park for a few hours, grocery shopping, running errands, etc leaves me beat and wanting to lay down.



Cravings: The only thing I've craved this week has been ice water. I've been drinking so much water, which I guess is a good thing!


Gender: Still a girl, unless she has changed in the past two weeks!


Baby: Isla is now around 3# 5oz and approximately 16inches long head to toe (or longer). She is going to start plumping up in the next few weeks and will be hitting a growth spurt soon!


Movement: She is moving all over the place! I feel like she keeps flipping around. I can now feel different movements all over and have no idea if she is still laying like she was a few weeks ago. I'm feeling something round and hard under my left ribs and hoping it is a bum and not a head! If it is a head, she still has time to flip, but it makes me nervous.


Things I'm Looking Forward to in the coming week: I'm most excited for finishing Miles' activity table that I built with my Dad. There will be a separate post about it, but it is turning out really well! When it is finished, I'll be doing some rearranging and finishing in Miles' room, then on to the "nursery".

I've started into "nesting" mode again and made a very long list of things to do around the house before the baby comes (preferably in the next month), but need the energy to complete it. I broke it down room-by-room, so hoping it will be easier to tackle if there is a game plan for each week through September.

My Pregnancy: 29wk

How Far Along: 29 weeks(and 2 day now!)

Weight Gain: According to the scale at my doctor's office, I'm up a total of 30lbs so far. Apparently slightly under where I was with Miles at this point. It looks like I'm headed for another 50lb weight gain...ugh! We'll see...


Maternity Clothes: I think we've gone over this again and again. Nothing has changed here! I need to figure out some new "questions". Anything you want to know? Go ahead and ask!

Belly Button Innie or Outtie: Usually an innie, but sometimes it is flat. It never turned out with Miles, just went flat with him.

Sleep: Just about the same. Getting up to use the bathroom. Getting sick of sleeping on my side. I can't wait to sleep on my back again. With Miles, I slept on my back a lot, but this time, I find I just can't do it. Makes me feel weird and I never wake up that way on accident anymore, either.

Symptoms: Still have massive heartburn, but I didn't bother mentioning it to my doctor...imagine that! Then there's the usual hip pain, back pain, etc. All that stuff waited longer with Miles, but not Isla!

Cravings: This week, I've been craving more candy and sweets. I'd better nip that one in the bud or I'll get into more trouble with this weight gain :).

Gender: It's still a girl! At my doctor's appointment this week, Ben and Miles came with me. My doctor mentioned possibly doing a growth ultrasound at 36weeks because Miles was big. I kind of replied with an "Eh, maybe. I'm not really worried about her size". My doc said she isn't really all that worried about it either because my delivery with Miles was so easy and we could see how I feel in a few more weeks and schedule one if I want. I said "I'd more like another ultrasound to make sure she's still a girl" (half jokingly). She left the room and came back with a sucker for Miles and told us to follow her. She took us to the ultrasound room where the tech wasn't busy and let us have a quick peek to make sure she is indeed still a girl. And she is! We couldn't get a good profile shot because she's facing my back a bit, but we got good confirmation that she isn't a boy :).

Baby: At this point, she is close to 3lbs and 15-16inches long head to toe. She is blinking and doing a lot of "practice breathing" which lead to hiccoughs occasionally (which I can feel).

This is how she's laying:

She is transverse for the moment. Laying on her back, way down low, on my bladder. She better turn head down when she turns! She is also turned a little toward my back hiding her little face.

Movement: She is moving all over the place! Since our little sneak peak on Monday, I know which way she is laying, and explains what I've been feeling. Her feet are up in my ribs, just like Miles, but is laying a totally different way than he was!

Things I'm Looking Forward to in the coming week: The main thing I'm looking forward to this week is getting the stroller I really want! My in-laws purchased a new stroller for us and it should arrive next week. Now I just need to purchase the car seat adapter and possibly a buggy board for Miles to catch a ride!

I keep changing my mind on the "nursery" front. I think we're going to change a few things in Miles' room, and use his old dresser in our room for Isla's clothes and changing station. I went to the fabric store to pick out fabric for the cradle sheets and changing mat cover, but am too indecisive. So, my ideas are still formulating. I think I'm going to finish Miles' room and then focus on the "nursery"!

My Pregnancy Catch-up (28weeks)

26wks:




Almost 27wks:



28wks (kind of 7 months):


How Far Along: 28 weeks(and 2 day now!)

Weight Gain: I'm not 100% sure. My scale this morning said anything from 147 to 199. I'm guessing I'm somewhere around a 24lb gain so far. We'll find out at my doc's on Monday (scary). I may be up a few extra pounds from water gain from the heat...we'll see. Most days, my rings still fit!

Maternity Clothes: I think we've gone over this again and again. Nothing has changed here! I need to figure out some new "questions". Anything you want to know? Go ahead and ask!


Sleep: Same here as well. I sleep better with a pillow under my belly, but I've tried to keep pillows from overtaking the bed this pregnancy! I'm having to wake up to roll over, which is getting old.

Symptoms: Still have massive heartburn. I probably should address it with my doctor at my next appointment... Also, threw up for the first time in a month a couple days ago. Seriously?!?! I guess it was my fault for violating my rule of not eating prior to brushing my teeth!

Cravings: Still nothing major. I made the mistake the other night at work of putting myself in a room with pregnant coworker. We got to talking about how this pregnancy was different from my last, different things I craved, etc, and prompted a midnight run to satisfy her craving (that I put in her head) of McDonald's! We were the joke for the night with our McDonald's run and Tums sitting on the counter all night :).

Gender: It's still a girl! (as far as I know) :) And it better be, because she has quite the wardrobe started! (I'll share next post!)

Baby: This is sharing from my knowledge of working with 28 weekers frequently. At this gestation, babies are usually around 2-2.5lbs. They can open and close their eyes (which are usually just a grey color at this point). If born at this time, a lot of times they can breath on their own (with some extra pressure) and the aid of some synthetic surfactant to help keep their lungs open. They're usually hairy little things that measure about 14-15inches head to toe.

Movement: She is moving all over the place! I used to think I knew which way she was pointing, but I'm not sure anymore. I've started feeling actual parts (heels, knees, head, butt?) that are hard and can "chase" them across my belly...which is totally a freaky feeling to me!

Things I'm Looking Forward to in the coming week: Well, I have my 28/29 week appt on Monday. It is my last four week appt. My next will be two weeks after that. I can't believe I'm into the 2wk appts already! It is going to start flying by, here. Now that I'm 28wks, I'm starting to feel like it's really happening! I think prior to 28 weeks, I try not to get too attached because you never know what could happen. At this point (though it would be awful if she were born now or anytime before 37-38 weeks), the odds of me actually bringing home my baby in October are greatly increased. This makes me breathe a sigh of relief and start enjoying the fact that my baby girl is on her way!

I'm also looking forward to starting on her "nursery" sometime next week. I'm hoping to get rid of a couple strollers I have collected and purchase a white changing table for our room. I'm planning on turning my side of the bed into her area and decorate it a bit. I'll let you know how it progresses!

One last dip

The last morning, we went for an early morning dip in the pool and the "hot pool" (or jacuzzi). Miles really liked the hot pool, despite the heat outside. I sat on the stairs of the jacuzzi to try and relieve some hip and back pain. Once we were warm enough, Miles and Ben went for a dip in the pool. Because it was only 9:30 in the morning, it wasn't quite warm enough for me to enjoy the pool. We had left Miles' turtle floaty in the room, so we borrowed the rhinoceros floaty that lived at the pool.

Like I said, we had a really great time. We're hoping to do it again next year. Perhaps I'll take some vacation days at work and we can stay a night or two longer (saving them up right now for my maternity leave). Miles keeps asking when we can go back to the "big lake" (as opposed to the smaller lake of Grandma Sara and Grandpa Tom). I think fun was had by all!

Cousins!

The four of them.

Take 1:


Take 2:


Take 3:

Moira is a kisser, not a hugger like her brother. Miles likes giving kisses as much as he likes giving hugs. Moira is adorable. Whenever she hears the word "kiss", she starts smacking her lips!

In this picture, both Peter and Miles are giving Moira kisses. I think Ethne is still trying to figure out what all the commotion is about!

Best Buddies!

Miles and Peter are instant buddies. It is so much fun watching them together. They just want to play with each other all the time! Here are a few cute pictures of the two of them.







They're both huggers!

It's too bad they don't live closer! Miles would play with his cousin Peter every day if he could!

Dinner

Saturday night, we all got together and had a very noisy dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. It was good food and good fun (minus the fact that everyone else had a margarita!).

This is my sweet niece, Ethne, who is 19months. She is quiet and very much an observer. And look at her big blue eyes...

...and amazing curls!

Besides that Moira wanted nothing to do with sitting at the dinner table, the children were remarkably well behaved. Peter and Miles sat and waited with minimal disturbances. Peter had his beloved Buzz with him, whom he nicely shared with Miles. Other than a few episodes of bashing Buzz into the table, Miles and Peter shared well.

Here Peter is saying "to infinity and beyond!".

Miles has yet to watch Toy Story in it's entirety, but enjoys Buzz and Woody. It was a good dinner, that was followed by a fun photo shoot...up next!

The Beach

After the pool, we had some lunch back in our room. Then we had rest time. Miles watched some DVDs and Ben and I napped some. I'm pretty sure Miles didn't nap, but that's ok.

After a few hours, Ben was still napping, so Miles and I went for some solo adventures. It seemed to be naptime for the cousins, so it was just the two of us. We wandered down to the burger stand and got an ice cream cone, then wandered down to the beach. Miles enjoyed his "white" ice cream cone.

It was, literally, 100 degrees outside, so it melted quickly and made a bit of a mess. Nothing the lake couldn't clean up!

Then Miles enjoyed the water. I waded in it and mostly watched him and took some pictures.

He did some digging in the sand and smashed a few sand castles. Grandpa joined us after a little while.

And, lastly, here is my shadow at 26wk 5d pregnant. No full on swimsuit shots. Not from me, at least!