Nursery Progress

Ella's room will be what has been our guest room up until now. We had painted a few accent walls green in there long ago when we moved in. Her bedding is primarily green and brown, so I thought maybe we could get away without having to paint. Wouldn't that be perfect? Yes, it would...... Until I started feeling bad because we weren't doing up a big nursery for Ella like we did for her big brother. When I was pregnant with Carter, we put so much time and effort into getting his room perfect. We picked two paint colors, added a chair rail, painted tan on the top and navy on the bottom, then added a matching border to coordinate with his bedding..... totally transformed the room from what it had been before, no doubt. And I loved it! But how could I not do the same for my daughter?! Poor thing... second born already getting the shaft and not even here yet! Knowing that we are going to put our house back on the market in the spring, and that Ella may only live in this room a handful of months, I still just couldn't justify going all out and spending not only the time but the money to do my dream nursery for her. Mommy guilt at it's finest.... even still. BUT, I came up with another plan. I decided to put a lot of effort into making her room really special by hand-making nearly everything to decorate it and "girl" it up... something I certainly didn't do for Carter. Everything in his room was bought and put directly into place. SO, with all that said.... here is what I've done so far. I got some ideas off of Pinterest, and ran with them.

I made the letters for her name to hang above her crib using scrapbook paper and mod podge. I really love how they turned out.

This frame is from IKEA. I painted it, added the fabric backing and her initial. I'm working on some other frames to make a photo collage next to it.

We hung this shelf and added a few cute frames, as well as her piggy bank and our Mommy and Daddy figurines. Got to get some pictures of baby girl put in there!

These chalk boards were made by Emily and used at my shower.... and I love that I can reuse them in her room!

I made this on canvas. I love the simplicity of it, and of course, the message.

It's all still a work in progress, but it's coming together. A window valance, lamp shade, and some baskets with cute liners are all being worked on now. Once I get it all put together, I'll post final pictures! Even though we didn't design her room up big, I still feel like I put a lot of energy into making it all special for her. And the major bonus is that once we move, whenever that may be, I can pack it all up and take it with us for her next room!

Slacking

I have been so bad about blogging lately... so sorry. Not only that, I really haven't taken many pictures at all in the last few weeks, so I really don't have anything super interesting to share. Guess that tends to happen when you're one month from your due date and have LOTS of other things going on (i.e. energetic toddler, nursery to finish, plus fatigue). Anyway, I have a few updates coming up, so look for a few posts in the next few days, but for now, I'll just post some cute pictures I've taken on my phone lately.

Enjoying our bubble maching in the backyard one Saturday morning

 Bubble bath fun!

 Jumping at Pump It Up!!

 We took Carter and Mason to Jump Street and were the only ones there! They had so much fun on the trampolines!

Taking Mason for a spin....

 Silly boy in his hard hat!

 PROGRESS! Carter will now sit on the big potty! Yay!

Still not focusing on potty training right now, but the fact that he is no longer scared of the potty... BIG step!

 Eric ate dinner at Carter's table with him tonight. This just made me smile.

Touchdown Dance

Eric taught Carter a silly touchdown dance..... he is taking it very seriously!



Labor Day Weekend

We had perfect weather today, the high in the lower 80s, and decided to get out and enjoy it with a last minute trip to the zoo. Carter had a blast and Momma was totally worn out when we got home. But at least it wasn't 105 degrees!

All set and ready to go!

 Checking out the humongous bunny rabbit. It was huge.

 A little unsure of the goats at first....

...but he warmed up to them.

Until this one popped his head through the fence while the wagon was parked along the side and Carter was sitting right under him. That totally freaked him out. I snapped this picture as Eric was pulling him away.

"Hi Ostrich!"

 Checking out the elephants.

 He loved this baby giraffe. It was a "zoo" born. How cute is that?!

 Carter said, "He's having milk from his Mommy!"

Ummmm..... yes he is?! How intuitive of you, son.

(Have I mentioned that he surprises me each and every day with what he picks up?!)

 Carter rode the carousel just before we left. This is a big step for my boy.... stuff like this usually makes him nervous. We were shocked that he said he wanted to, and that he actually went through with it!

 

And, he loved it! After he got off, he came over to me and said, "Mommy, it was SO much fun!" .....Proud Mommy moment, right there. Indeed.

(Listen closely, you can hear him shout, "Hi Mommy!"... as he did each time he came around!)

And here are a few cute pictures of Carter playing football with Daddy in the backyard just before dinner tonight. Hopefully lots more of these fun outside moments to come this week. The forecast looks great!

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekends with your families!!

Our Trip to the Fire Station

Our playgroup went on a Fire Station Tour today. FUN! Carter was a little reluctant.... he didn't want to get too close to the fire truck, the fire captain, or the other firefighters without Momma right next to him! But I know he enjoyed it, because he has been talking about it all day! We'll have to do this again in a few more months! Here are some pictures some of the other Moms took today.

McKinney Fire Station No. 7

They were very nice and accommodating to us... so kind to all the kids!

 Mason & Carter

 John was so funny. He kept his hand over his ears almost the whole time we were there. He was smart in thinking that a siren could go off any moment! Too cute!

 Tyler, Mason, Gavin & Carter (who wanted down!)

 Cute picture of Mason & Gavin

 The captain showing Gavin how the hose works

 The kids were watching the firefighter get dressed in all her gear.

 Taking turns ringing the bell

 And running around like wild animals at the end of the tour. I'm sure this was their favorite part!

31 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

31 weeks

Size of baby:

3.25 pounds and over 16 inches long.

Total Weight Gain:
23 lbs

Maternity Clothes:

Shorts still! Funny story... when we were pulling baby stuff out of the attic a few weeks ago, Eric found a box that was marked "Maternity Clothes." I had (still have) no idea when I put that together and sent it up to be stored, but it was there, so I had him pull it down. As I went through it, I found tons of clothes I forgot I even owned! It was mostly my old work clothes, and they were almost all fall/winter options. But there were 8-10 short sleeved spring shirts that I pulled out. I am anticipating wearing them more in the coming weeks since they are still a little big. But I'm grateful to have a semi-new wardrobe for the last few months! 

Gender:

Still a girl.

Movement:

Lots, all the time. I have a feeling she is going to give me a run for my money when she gets mobile!

Sleep:

Not great. Lots of tossing and turning (poor Eric, I know that disturbs him!) and just generally not being able to get comfortable. I'm taking naps now almost everyday when Carter does, so that helps.

Symptoms:
I started having some Braxton Hicks contractions last weekend. And I'm noticing swelling in my feet, too.

What I miss:
Being thin(er)!

Cravings:

Sweets. Like, give me a slice of birthday cake NOW! It's serious.

Best Moment this week:
My baby shower this past weekend. Emily, Pam & my Mom really out did theirselves! It was beautiful, and I got so many cute and wonderful things. I'm so thankful to all my family and friends for their love and support. Ella is one lucky little girl!

What I am looking forward to:
Um, my due date!! HA! Also, continuing to make progress on Ella's room. Now that I have a bunch of baby shower loot, I can start washing clothes, filling up drawers, and organizing all her stuff!

Me & Ella
31 weeks, August 2011

A Shower for Ella!

One of my closest friends, Emily, put together a beautiful shower for me and Ella. I am so thankful to all my family and friends who came, and all the wonderful things I took home. Can't wait to go through it all and start getting my house ready for a baby again!  :)

 

 Mom & me

 Em & me. Love this girl.

 Pam, Emily, me & Mom. They are such great hostesses!

 Me, my mom, & her mom

 Me, my mom, my two grandmas, & Eric's grandma

 All of us, plus my Mother in law

 Mother in law, me, and Eric's grandma

Gift time! (Actually, I'm still eating. HA!)

 Lots of CUTE baby girl stuff!

 Excited to get her bedding!



Little Shopper

Eric sent me this video today from their grocery shopping trip to Market Street.

It made me smile.  :-)

He is really turning in to such a good little helper!