Baby Charlotte's Room - an Update

I went ahead and took a few shots of the nursery in progress.  The painting is done - a lovely aqua color called "sprinkler" and a princess pink called "fairytale pink".  It is all based on fabric that will be used in the valances and bed skirt.  They are still in progress.  You can see the fabric in the crib - that is a quilt for Charlotte and in the pillow on the pink rocker.

We have the basic furniture in and mostly in place.  The new crib, dresser, book shelf . . .

This is one of the two walls that is aqua.  The windows with their valances will frame the crib.  Can you enlarge the pic and see the pillow in the chair - that was the inspriational fabric.

We loved the bookshelf we got at IKEA for Addy and so we got one for the Charlotte's room.  We are still in the process of getting things out and ready - so not sure items will stay in the same spots but I think the furniture is set.

 Our new dresser from IKEA.  Love the hieght and oversized drawers.  It will hold a ton of stuff.  I love it!

We still need to relocate the den bookshelf and then the changing table will flip around and fill in that space.

 Just a veiw of the room from the other side.  My Mom did a wonderful job in putting a user friendly closet together a couple of months ago for us.  Thanks!!

Putting away some of the goodies we got at the baby shower.  We are getting there.  We've had generous friends that have passed down some of their items which make them extra special and help us save a bit of money in the process - thanks!!  And my heart IKEA rug.

Now comes the part that is fun, but also the most stressful for me - the decorating.  This means putting holes in the newly painted walls, measuring and being neat and percise.  Yikes!  But we have some fun things planned so I know in the end it will be what I was hoping for.  I still come in this room and sit and try to wrap my head around our new baby that will be here in less then 4 weeks. 

As I do each day, I give thanks for this blessed miracle and pray for a healthy baby and delivery!

Less then 4 weeks to go!

I haven't been doing a great job of capturing our lives in the last couple of weeks.  Probably because I am continually staring at the calendar and counting down the days.  Still feeling good, if a little akward.  Just like I remember last time, my hips are now the most problematic issue - sleeping, walking, sitting - its all the same.  Oh well, soon I'll have many other things to focus on. :)

We continue to work on the house - the nursery is coming along - soon more on that.  We are still finishing up a few other changes in the house to make room for Charlotte.  Addy is continuing to be excited and is anxious to help us with these activities.

We went to the Pet Parade and enjoyed the hometown festivities - I really love this event each year.  Addy particularly liked the Scooby Doo entry.

Addy got invited to a Girls Only summer hat party.  We created a special hat, just for the this special event.



 

 Addy hanging out with Daddy.  They are watching a pre-season Seahawks game.  She is really into watching with Scott and learning about the game of football.

After a clean driving record for all these years, it came to an end last week.  I was side swiped in downtown.  Luckily it was a very minor incident and I didn't have to deal with any health/pregnancy issues as a result.  It wasn't my fault and luckily the other party is taking full responsibility so it hasn't been too stressful.  Still - annoying issue to deal with just a few weeks before delivery.  The car will go in next week for repairs and I will be in a rental for about a week and a half.  I had to explain to the rental car company that I am not sure what size vehicle I need.  I have one child - perhaps another if nature decided to be funny, and I can barely fit behind the wheel of my van with my huge belly. :)  Seems amazing that this little damage can be so expensive and take so long to repair.  Again, I am just thankful it was minor - we'll handle the rest!

 Last weekend was my baby shower.  It was such a nice event.  I was blessed to have so many friends come and celebrate wtih me.  All the kids were so fun and it was great to hang out with all the special women in my life.

 Addy was a great big-sister to be!  She helped open gifts, played with her friends and even gave Charlotte a special dolly she picked out just for her.  She even got a couple of really nice gifts herself.

And finally in preparation for the season - Addy has her very own Seahawk pajamas.  She wears them during each pre-season game.  She loves to show them off to Grandpa and Daddy.  They are particularly impressed.

Next up, hopefully I'll have an update on the nursery and another picture of my big belly.  At the doctor yesterday it was noted that my stomach is measuring big.  Nice. :)  I'll have my work cut out for me post delivery.  Anything that ensures Charlotte is growing and is healthy is okay by me.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

32 Weeks

Last Wednesday we hit 32 weeks!  It seems like it is going so slow . . . it is nice to hit this milestone.  Of course, for me I don't actually have 8 weeks left - I only have 7 weeks left.  So now it is starting to feel like I am on the downhill countdown.  Sort of . . . each day sort of drags on and the nights are the worst!  I can't sleep at all.  Oh well, good preparation for the next few months with a newborn I guess.

In terms of my pregnancy things seem to be going well.  I have another ultrasound this coming Friday to check growth - hopefully it will show baby is growing great!!  I, myself don't seem to be having any problem growing - I am just cracking 30 pounds . . . and still have 7 weeks to go.  Here is a shot of the 32 week belly.  I feel huge.  In looking at photos I sure look more like 36-38 weeks from my last pregnancy.  Oh my!  Doesn't really matter I guess as long as I am growing a big strong baby!!

Here is Addy attempting to measure my stomach.  Too funny.

We are continuing to make progress on all things around the house - baby's room, reorganization in Addy's room, general changes to make room for baby etc.  It is so funny because with Addy I recall that by my baby shower - which was next weekend, I had the nursery totally done.  Not the case this time at all.  But that is okay, still got a few weeks.  Here are some pics of the changes and updates.

Addy helping Daddy get the bookcase together for Charlotte's room.

The new crib arrived.  Still feeling very sad about not using the same one we used for Addy (which was my crib) but we got worried about the adjustable side.  Why take the risk?  We are very excited about getting the crib together - seems all the more real!!

And we even have a carseat and stroller.

Meanwhile Addy continues to be such a great sport and help!  She is always willing to help around the house and she seems very geniunely excited to welcome her sister.  I still worry a bit and am working hard to think of things that we can talk with her about and plan for her that will keep her feeling special and important to us during this transition time.

Addy is so excited we found these matching outfits for little and big sister.  When anyone comes over she carefully lays them out to show them off.  Last night she tried on her's to make sure that it will fit just right.

Now that the crib is up, Ya-ya got to take a little nap in it to try it out.

When we actually have sunny weather Addy is outside playing on her scooter, her playset and trying out the new basketball hoop Grandma and Grandpa brought over for her.  During the Seahawks pre-season game Grandma helped Addy make a hopscotch design in the back and she's been busy playing.

Addy got her very first postcard from a friend this week.  She was so excited to get it from Savannah!

Here's hoping that the next 6 and a half weeks brings some completed house projects, some rest and special time with Addy Bear, and a continued healthy baby and pregnancy.

Fun at PP Park

We got an invite to head to Priest Point Park with the Scott's last weekend.  The kids had a blast splashing around in the water.  It was a lovely morning for a little walk and water play!  Thanks Scott family!

Hard to believe that this time next year there will be 4 little friends splashing around.  And huge thanks to Laura for taking pictures and sending them to me. 

Addy's new bookshelf

Remember IKEA?  Well we also got Addy this new bookshelf for her room.  She was so excited because books are her most favorite thing.  She couldn't wait for Daddy to put it together.  Here she is showing off her new bookself with Ya-ya and Katie.

And here she is doing some balancing.  Wow - its pretty impressive I know. :)

Updates and More

Wow!  I just realized it has been a while since I caught up on the blog.  Some days (because of the pregnancy) it seems like every day is so slow and at other times (because of the pregnancy) it seems like time flies.  It hasn't been boring around here that is for sure.

Lets see . . . oh yeah, did I mention my husband took off the EUROPE for 10 days?  Lucky something or other he is.  I was supposed to go with him until we found out we were having another baby.  It was work related with a couple of extra days of sightseeing built in.  I am not going to lie I was GREEN with envy the whole time and quite resentful being back here 7 months pregnant and trying to take care of everything.  Not my finest hour for sure, but I survived and Addy survived and Scott did make it home safely.  I feel like I waddled away from the experience a better person for not being as bitter as I could have been (you know how bad I want to travel and especially in Europe).

Scott is such a wonderful Dad.  He wrote Addy a special note for each day he was gone.  This was the highlight of her time while he was away and Addy was so thankful for him to come home. :)  She is still talking about how much she did not like him being gone so long.

 How sweet is that?  Addy has kept them all and put them in a special place to save.

We went to IKEA to get some baby things and came away with some new throw pillows as well.  That is one store that I can't contain myself - I go in for one reason and find 20 other things I must have.  I typically go with very fall colors in the room so these have really brightened the house up for summer.

I struggled for a while to find a diaper bag I could love.  Finally I went to ETSY (I love Etsy, you must check it out if you haven't already) and found Janie @ Clutterbags.  She helped me pick fabric and she made this lovely bag for me.  I am savoring it and so I haven't taken it out of the wrapping yet.  Isn't it pretty?

There was the night I made 10 dozen cookies for our work recognition party.  That is a lot of 10 minute baking cycles.  Dang!  Cherrie Chewies and Chocolate Pecan - yummy!

  Double batch number 2.  It was a long night of scooping, putting in pans, pulling pans out and setting the timer. :)

In between all these activities I have been sorting, washing and getting all the clothes ready for Charlotte.  My Mom has been a huge help in organizing both girls' closets and I am now happy to say I have newborn through 9 month clothes sorted, washed and tagged for use in the upcoming months.  It is so fun to remember little Addy in these outfits.

They are just waiting for me to get organized and clean out the book shelves and desk in the den and bring in the baby furniture.  I think that will happen at some point, right?

Getting Organized - yeah right!

Around the house we are continuing to attempt to rearrange and get a room ready.  This has been the constant state of our dining room for a few months now.  It is the sorting area, staging area, dumping area and all around collection point.  Some day it might look normal again?

I also have been working on a craft project for the little one.  My friend Courtney inspired me to make my own burp clothes and wash clothes.  It has been a fun project.  Although I am not very fast so it has been coming together over the course of time.  I am almost done with all of them now.  I made enough so that I can give some away to other friends having babies too!

Here are the wash clothes - they are all done.  They came out in random sizes because I used all the left over material.

Here are my burp clothes - I have about 4 left to finish.  Some have cream backing and some have pink - I like how they turned out.  Just don't look too close at the stitching.  I am neither a patient sewer or perfectionist when it comes to these projects.  It was great to spend time with friends Courtney, Evelyn and Melinda as we prepared and got started.  Melinda just had her little guy Owen and now she is putting these things to good use.

I think I've got the colors and fabric ready . . . here is a sneak peek.  Now I have a lot more work to do to get the nursery ready.  Well, me and my mom!!

And finally I've been washing and sorting baby clothes.  It is pretty fun to go back and remember Addy so tiny.  Addy has been so into looking at the clothes and seeing her pictures in these different clothes when she was just a baby.

I have the hardest time attempting to capture a picture . . . here is my latest effort at about 29 weeks. So this is about a week ago or so. Measuring big already, which is the same as last time.