Finally Ready

And finally, this post gives me much pride . . . there was one definite sign of being ready for the new baby.  It wasn't a finished nursery or extra diapers.  For us it was actually getting our dining room (aka junk room, staging area, "crap holder" - inside joke) in working condition again.

Here is what it has looked like for about 7 months - I am totally not kidding.  There were times that I wasn't allowed to walk through it because the tripping and falling hazards were too great for a prego girl.

And to think this is the first thing that you see when you walk into our house.  I am surprised my Mom didn't get hives every time she came over.  I know both Scott and I would have break down moments that this room would never get clean again.  But, I am so happy to show you this . . .

It is a clean and uncluttered room!  Wow.  I truly didn't think it would happen.  I was half expecting to go into labor out of sheer joy at getting this done.  So now we are ready. :)

And as an added bonus over the last couple of weeks we got a few other major house projects wrapped up and we got ourselves decorated for fall.  It feels nice to be settled before we bring baby home.

I found this wonderful old dresser at Goodwill about a year ago and we've been meaning to move it into the house for ages.  I love it.  It is scratched and imperfect and so perfect. :)  Now I have a staging piece for the front hallway so that I put out some seasonal decor.  And we got some pics up in the front hallway - after 8 years we actually have a welcoming front entry.  Crazy.

We replaced the kids toys and table on either side of the fireplace with these cute IKEA cabinets, I just need to get baskets for them.  Again gives us a place to put up some photos and seasonal type decor.  It has really opened the room up and given it a much more grown up look.

Don't worry Addy will still have some toys out in the main room and her table is now just to one side.  And on top of all that we actually have the pack n play ready in our room.  A place for baby!! 

All of this probably seems like a no brainer but honestly there were weeks that went by during my pregnancy that I failed to believe any one of these things will ever be accomplished.  And I sit here with one day to go and am feeling blessed we got so much accomplished.

I feel ready.  Okay, perhaps I am really feeling anxious and nervous about Wednesday, but just imagine how much more worse I would be feeling if we hadn't gotten this stuff done. 

Creative Art

I am constantly amazed by Addy's creativity when it comes to art work.  I can't recall ever being so thoughtful or creative. 

Addy decided to make herself a pocket for her dress.

And inside she made a little name tag.  She's also made a purse with a costco card inside and a baby crib.

A fork and knife for our special dinner.

Addy was a little tired of the all day football Sunday and so she thought it would be good to have her own TV and movies to watch.  Here is the rug (heart shaped like the one in the nursery) for her to sit on and her remote control. 

And the top part is the TV on the wall and the circle under it is the DVD she made to go into the TV to watch.

It amazes me the projects she'll take on.  As long as scissors and tape are involved she can do just about anything.  It is so fun to watch.

A special visitor

It was such great timing that one of my most dearest friends in the world had the opportunity to come back to Seattle for a wedding last week.  She was able to come down and spend a couple of nights with us.  We haven't seen each other since January of 2007.  Its been WAY too long!

Addy completely fell in love with Karen - who wouldn't?  She hasn't stopped talking about her since she left.  It was so special to watch them spend time together.  We got to play, hang out and Karen even cooked us dinner one night!

What a blessed opportunity!  It was so great to see Karen and it made the last few days of this pregnancy fly by which helped too!

Karen brought Addy a dress up doll gift and the girls had a lot of fun playing with it.  Addy took it this week to show and tell with her class.

Addy was so sad the morning that Addy left.  It made it worse for me seeing Addy so sad about it.

Karen and I met in third grade!  We've been friends ever since - we have so many great shared memories over the years.  It is always a comforting and familial expereience to spend time with her!!  Just what I needed at the end of my pregnancy while dealing with a head cold and finishing up work.  Helped get my mind off things and gave me a chance to focus on the important things in lfe.

I am going to have to send a link to those of our friends that didn't get a chance to say hi!  It was a wonderful visit!!  Thanks Karen and Trisha for getting together with us!

Swimming

Addy is taking swim lessons with her friend Savannah.  I got a couple of pics last Monday of their session.  So fun to watch them learn and have fun together.

Celebrating 5!!!

In preparation for Charlotte's arrival we decided to give Addy the choice of having her birthday day party with her friends a little early or a little later since it will be so close to the baby's arrival.  Addy decided an early September birthday would be perfect and that Blackhills Gymnastics was the place.

There were a ton of friends there - it was great to celebrate together with some of the new kids in her class and meet the parents and also get to hang out with long term friends we've made through Addy's school.

 Addy decided on an Ariel themed party.  The cake was beautiful!

Here are a couple of the shots before we left for the party.  Addy was so excited to go.  It was a long couple of days leading up to the party for her.  She was having trouble waiting. :)

At first I struggled about having a party away from the house - it was the first time.  But with the pregnancy I knew I couldn't do it here wthout killing myself.  And I have to say it is so much easier in a lot of ways.  Addy was thrilled and I think overall it went well.  It sure was nice to come home to a clean house and not have to spend hours cleaning up.  I was able to put my feet up and relax after for a little bit.

I can't believe we are celebrating Addy's 5th birthday this year.  As we prepare for Charlotte it makes me remember so vividly the early days with Addy.  It doesn't seem that long ago.  We'll do a family party on her real birthday to celebrate her very speical day - but for now she can enjoy the memories of a very fun friends party!  Thanks to everyone that came and helped with the party.  It was a special event!

37 weeks and the countdown is on!

So, my entire pregnancy I have been getting special ultrasounds to ensure proper growth of the baby.  I was diagnosed early on with a 2 vessel cord and the risk was there that the baby wouldn't be able to grow properly.  In the back of my mind I constantly wonder - is it working?

Each ultrasound resulted in normal weight for baby!  What good news.  Monday was my final ultrasound.  We've gotten to know our technician pretty well and we all had to laugh when the results came up that at just shy of 37 weeks Charlotte's projected weight it 8lbs 3 oz.  Now they are asking me things like "do you have genstational diabetes?".  And telling me my baby is BIG.  Sigh.

Needless to say I am fairly huge at this point.  I quickly bypassed the cute little waddle and moved into the full on heffer waddle this week.  Yikes.  I was not this big last time.  I literally can't get my arms around myself.  I had an appointment today for a normal check and when she measured my stomach she said - well you are measuring as if you are carrying  a 95% percentile baby in there.  So nice of her to phrase it that way.

I am so thankful though!!  I wouldn't trade my size (perhaps the gestational diabetes question) for anything just to know that we've made it the final weeks and I don't have to be faced with a baby that isn't growing.  I am going on the diet to ensure that if I have perhaps gotten late onset GD I will be managing it, but with only about a week and half left they thought it would be silly to do all the tests and monitoring.

So for now I waddle, I don't sleep and I complain about my hips . . . any look forward to the big day! 

Fall Blooms

Ususally I can post pictures like these in July - the flowers have had a couple of months to grow and they are full and blooming like crazy.  This year . . . it took until September.

 Oh well.  At least we finally got things filled in and early September was the nicest weather of the year so far.

 These vines really took off - they are winding there way around posts and around our old chairs.

 I love it.  And at the same time I am enjoying our plants in full bloom its time to put up the fall decor. 

Its starting to get cooler in the mornings and evenings and it is getting darker earlier at night.  Love the fall!!  Got most of the fall decorating done so we can enjoy it when we get back from the hospital - along with the final changes in the house.  So nice to see things in place.  Post to follow.

Work Shower

Just a few of the cute things from my work shower.  It was so fun to celebrate with all my work friends and family.  The theme was heads and tails - since I have some many things already we focused on books and things for baby's "head" and then things for baby's tail - diapers, etc.  It was perfect.  We got a ton of the practical diaper stuff we still needed and fun books and toys for baby to play with and read.



 My friend Stephanie made this lovely diaper cake - as you can see Addy thought it was pretty great!

 All the many books . . . she will be a great reader!  Addy can't wait to start reading these to the little one.

Now that we actually have diapers - feeling pretty ready!  What a special day - thanks everyone for sharing in our excitement!

Almost There

With the real countdown on, only 2 1/2 weeks left until my scheduled date for delivery, my Mom came over today and helped me put many of the finishing touches on the nursery.  I know, I know, we don't really need it done, but it just feels good to have a room ready. 

I have just one or two more things to finish up with, but overall we have a complete room!!  Here is a look:

We originally started with just the love picture - but when we realized how long the dresser is, we thought the collection would be better.  Plus I am really happy with breaking up the pink/aqua with a few other colors.  It pulls it together, but adds some depth to the room.

I love this wall - the windows on either side of the crib is so cute.  I bought the decals at IKEA months ago and waffled back and forth - I actually almost bought something totally different for the spot.  After all the angst and time thinking about it, I went with the original plan - 14.99 art from IKEA - and I am so happy with it.  Again it keeps with the pink but adds some red and fushia in.  Addy was pretty into Charlotte thinking she has trees in her room, so she did a quick craft project and made a tree of her own to add to the decor.  I'll have to get a picture of it.

Up close with the wall art.

Here you can see a larger view of the far corner of the room.

There is some shadow here but you can see the initials over the changing table.  The spot to the left is the final spot I am working on.  I am hopeful by next weekend it will be filled with homemade memory boards with the room fabrics.

This is one of my favorite litte spots.  I am anxious to see if my $4.00 IKEA hamper lasts.  I love the hooks, and check out the little robe that is all ready to go. A gift from my parents.

An upclose of the crib.  You can see the blanket and pillow my Mom has made, along with the curtains and bedskirt.  Thanks so much for your homemade with love touches to the room!!

I really like this spot for a couple of reasons: 1) I love the memories this rocking chair already has for me because of all the times I spent rocking Addy Bear, and 2) I know this will be a huge part of my bonding time with Charlotte.

We are really getting there.  We'll be working on the main area of the house to finalize some changes there and of course I am determined my dining room (staging area, dumping ground, holding zone) will be cleaned up before the baby comes.  We'll see if I get my list done or not.  Either way, I am starting to feel at peace with where I am at.  We have the pack n play in our room, little bottles and newborn diapers - really, what else do you need.  Oh yeah, patience, calmness and serenity - I ask for these to make it through the next couple of months.

Stay tuned . . .