34 weeks down ...

34 weeks...

I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy is flying by! I normally think that of OTHERS' pregnancies (because I'm not the one going through them, clearly) and I have always been told that it seems to last forever ... but mine - record speed. 

So here we are at 34 weeks - and two days to be exact. Am I ready? Yeah, I think I'm ready. I have spent the past four months on countless errands picking up all of the essentials (and some of the non-essentials hehehe) dragging my mom or Gregg along. I think they both enjoy it though. It's not like buying groceries - although Gregg does that for me now too. Thanks, blabey! You're a peach. 

I believe that yesterday may have been my final trip to Babies R Us until after this little nectarine is born. I have stocked up on receiving blankets, burp cloths, crib sheets, changing pads, bibs... you name it. I have read all the books and magazines. I have received and read all of the daily and weekly emails. I have put to mind all of the tips and advice from my seasoned veteran friends... and from a few of my "newbie moms" too. Our baby girl's room is ready and waiting. The bottles have been sterilized and washed and have given a new purpose to our junk cabinet. I was able to pack my hospital bag as of Monday and it made me feel SOOOOOO relieved. I finally found cute, or at the very least decent pajamas to bring to the hospital - I feared that my old, yet faithful yoga pants and faded Old Navy t-shirts wouldn't cut the mustard (although they may accidentally end up in the bag too). I know I'm a little ahead of the game but if you've watched as many episodes of A Baby Story on TLC as I have you know that anything can happen. And if you've met me, you'll know that it will happen to me. 

How have I been feeling? GREAT! It's amazing. I have feared pregnancy for the better part of my life. Not even the labor/delivery part so much as the entire 9 (or ten) months of the unknown. I thought I would be vomiting for months on end, be swollen like a tick, gain upwards of 75 lbs, walk around with my elbows resting on my big momma hips, have gestational diabetes, be put on bed rest and deliver three weeks past my due date after 36 hours of agonizing labor with no pain medication. HOWEVER... I didn't vomit once, was merely nauseous for 14 weeks, had swollen ankles exactly ONE TIME and that was due to a salty dish at friggin Olive Garden (knew I hated that place with better reason than just the lame ass commercials), I have gained just 14 lbs so far, my hips feel like they've spread and they ache overnight but my elbows are far from touching them, I passed my glucose test - no diabetes here, not on bed rest thankfully and although my baby is breech I have faith that I will deliver at just the right time. 

What am I worried about? Well ... I am one who likes to have control of the situation. Not knowing how or when this situation is going to go down does make me super anxious. A planned C-section sounds so appealing when you consider the alternative of the whole cliche water-breaking in WalMart, car won't start, Gregg is somewhere in Taunton with no cell reception etc. BUT again, FAITH. Gotta have it. Plus a C-section guarantees a 4 - night stay in the creepy cardboard bed along with a much longer recovery. I would rather get the hell out of there pronto! But I am open to anything, whatever needs to be done, I'm on board ... we are looking for HEALTHY here ... and anything else just don't matter! 

Happy Weekend!    

The Nursery ...

Hello All, 

Many of you (and my facebook friends) have been requesting pictures of the baby's room so I figured I would put them in a blog rather than bring you over here one by one to see it for yourself. The nursery was always something I could not WAIT to get started on... long before I even thought about having a baby. I always wanted to offer to help my pregnant friends pick out colors and furniture and decor for their little one's nest but I figured they would be much too excited to let me do so and in a selfish way I kind of wanted to keep my style to myself! Anyhow, the day came when it was my turn... and man was I up for the challenge. 

I began by checking out websites and Google-ing images of nurseries. I loved so many things that I came across but none of them really reflected my own personal style. I had TONS of ideas about what colors I wanted, the furniture that I liked, the curtains etc. And I knew for certain that I didn't want any kind of theme. Sure it would have been easier to register for every necessity at Babies R Us like most normal people but I like hand-picking items from all over. I decided to ultimately go for it on my own - with Gregg's blessing of course. He said "it's all you" ... but you'll notice he definitely put his special touch on things! Whether you like it or not I had a ball from start to finish. There may be one or two more things that we'll add but for the most part the room is ready and waiting for its guest of honor ...

When we found out we were having a girl I knew I wanted wooden bureaus painted white with knobs painted pink. This bureau was actually Gregg's from when he was a wee tot. He sanded it, painted it, fixed up the drawers and here it sits for it's second life.

I always loved the idea of white sheers blowing in the breeze and I thought it would be a nice, feminine touch added to the little pink valance. 

The window mirror above the bureau was a consignment shop find. It was painted a dark raspberry pink and the hearts were butter colored and placed on the corners. Gregg sanded and painted once again and we chose prettier colors and placement for the hearts.

 The crib. Pretty self explanatory.

Baby's-eye-view of the mobile.

Her little coat rack, you know so she can hang up her adorable raincoats, bathrobe, hoodies, pocketbooks and such :o)

My mom found this lamp and told me about it days later. 

We rushed over, I fell in love with it and she picked up the tab.

 

This bookcase was another mom-find. She saw it in a flyer and Gregg and I picked it up shortly after. I LOVE it. How cute are the little cut-outs? 

I only wish we would have bought one of the other matching pieces.

This shelf hung in our old apartment and we haven't used it in years.

New purpose! The little animals were carved by Gregg, we painted them and decorated them with little accents. The lion is Gregg's favorite (he had the idea to make the fuzzy mane too!), I like the elephant best. The caterpillar up top was made by my very talented Mother-in-law. He's not so creepy since he's pink & yellow!

My least favorite piece in the room ... the glider. Sure, it's comfy but that sage color is not for me. I was going for pastel. Not spice jar. 

But whatever, can't have everything perfect... can you?

This little dollhouse bookcase was yet another flyer-find by my mom! It really is adorable although once we put toys & books in it I feel like it looks SO cluttered! It bothers me haha

 I came across this flag banner on Etsy and knew it needed to be in the baby's room. When it arrived I immediately noticed that the green flag matched the heinous glider color exactly! Hey at least it ties it together! Isn't it so cute though?? There are buttons in the center of the hearts and they are GINGHAM buttons. I can't even ... too sweet.

Here lies the million dollar bureau/changing table. You laugh... but I cannot believe how expensive this thing was. I thought Hey, let's just get one from the Mill Store and have it painted. Really thought it would be the cheaper way to go. Wrong-o. Anyway we, again, painted the knobs pink and added the little basket o' goods for easy access.

 And a drawer full of diapers ... this oughtta be enough for the first day or two, no? 

 

The sweetest, pink bouncy seat.

 

The adorable swing.

 And the crib quilt that I couldn't live without.

 That's basically it! There are just a few more little things to do but I thought I'd get this blog done so you all could see the pictures. I think it's a very sweet little room and I have to thank Gregg for putting everything together as we bought it or received it as a gift. And for all of his hard work sanding and painting like a madman. It all came out so great, I couldn't have asked for more. Now I want to see the room in action! Rocking this baby girl to sleep, changing her messy diapers and picking out her adorable outfits everyday. I have about 6 or 7 weeks left ... it's gone by so quickly and I have loved being pregnant! 

We can't wait to meet our little darlin and see her sweet face.