Newspaper Themed Gender Reveal Party

A couple months ago I was contacted to plan a gender reveal party.  I couldn't have been more excited for a  couple of reasons: 1. gender reveal parties may just be my all-time favorite kind of party (and that's saying a lot!), but I just love the collective anticipation and pure happiness surrounding such a special moment, 2. this party was actually for my brother and sister-in-law who are expecting their first child, so I was pretty personally vested!
While I loved my own Gender Reveal Party last year (you can revisit it here if you want), I wanted to make sure this one was a little different since some of the guests were the same at both.  I came up with the idea of using newspaper as the inspiration with the eventual revealing of "he or she?" being the headline.  I created an invitation:

And then ran with the newspaper/pink/blue theme.  I created a simple banner with it, adding in some onesies for fun (the middle pink/blue one says OR on it although you really can't see that in the picture).

To complete their mantle look, I crafted some ribbon topiaries (in pink and blue of course) and then put them in terra cotta pots that I had mod podged newspaper on to.

I also used newspaper as the table coverings on both tables...the food table and cupcake table.

Speaking of the cupcake table, I wanted to do something with old wives' tales as both a decoration and conversation piece.  I polled my sister-in-law before the party to get her answers and then printed them out on newspaper.  If her answer meant the baby would be a girl, I put a bow under it, and if the answer meant boy, I put a mustache.

As you can see from this whole shot, the results were overwhelmingly in favor a baby girl (8-3 to be exact!):

As you can probably see in that shot, I also put out a pink and blue onesie with a couple of fabric markers for guest to mark their vote.

As for food, I decided to go with a baby-sized theme and serve all miniature version of some classic favorites: mini wedge salads, mini fruit pizzas, macaroni and cheese cupcakes, BBQ sliders, muffin pan pizzas, and taco cups.  

I forgot to mention the food table decorations earlier, so I guess this is a good time.  You probably noticed the tissue paper poms clustered above the table, but I also created miniature ones that I put in vases.  The vases, though, were actually baby food jars (cleaned out of course!) that had either been dipped in pink or blue paint.  I wish I had gotten a close up of them because they were actually pretty darn cute!

And after all that eating and decorating, it was time for the highlight of the party...biting in to the cupcake to find out if I would be having a niece or nephew.  My sister-in-law is from Buffalo, New York (well Marion to be specific), so she had her mom on Skype primed for the big bite.  

And then we bit...well, they bit and I took pictures because I wanted to capture their reaction.

OK that was kind of a tease cause I didn't get any actual pictures of the filling, but it's a.....

GIRL

Bring on the tutus, hair bows, and girly fun (my brother is soooo not cut out for this!).  

Grown Up Fingerpainting

Wanna know one of the advantages of it taking a few months for your husband to hang up the completed projects for the patio? In that time, you realize some things clearly are not going to work...and now you have time to create something new before it even gets hung. At least that's what happened to me...
I had created this toilet paper roll starburst thing that I thought would be the perfect addition above our patio buffet. Well, after sitting outside for the last few months, the thing was already falling apart (it probably didn't help that my toddler discovered it). Obviously, it no longer was worthy of hanging on our walls and instead of attempting to repair it, I decided just to ditch it.
Another failed project gave me my inspiration. I had created an ombre canvas creation featuring the quote "It's a sweet, sweet life living by the salty sea" (from a Zac Brown Band song if you're curious), but that thing hadn't quite worked out well either because I didn't layout the stencils well.
I still wanted the quote for our beachy back patio, so I decided to give it another go...this time by doing it a little differently. I am pretty pleased with the new and improved version.

I knew I was going to use contact paper to make my letters (more on that later), but I didn't want them to be bright white when I was done. So, my first step was to give the canvases (I did two) a fun swirly combination of coral, yellow, and white. I was really technical about this (note sarcasm) and basically just smeared the paint everywhere. I used the coral first and pretty much covered the whole canvas with it. But afterwards, I just used the yellow and white in spots and basically just swirled it with my fingers where it seemed appropriate.

While that was drying, I got to work on my contact letters. Because my letters were going to be larger this time, I could no longer use store bought stencils (at least not for a price I was comfortable with). Not a big deal, though...I just used my favorite font, typed them out, printed them out, and then traced them on to contact paper. By the way, you have to trace them on to the paper part of the contact paper which also means you have to do them in reverse so that they're the right way once you go to use them on the canvas.
Once they were all traced and cut out and my canvas has dried, I got to work placing them out on the canvases. One of the advantages of using the contact paper was that I could place them out, move them around, and make sure I liked the layout before removing the paper part and sticking them for good.
And when they were all securely in place, I tapped into my inner child once again for some more fingerpainting...this time in various blue hues. In the end, I really liked the swirly, multi-hued result.
Here it is again in case you already forgot what the final result looked like:

And here's the amazing news...Josh actually managed to get those canvases and everything else hung out there (and even some stuff inside as well), so I should have a grand reveal for you in the next few days...woo hoo!

Oops...I Did It Again

 I was a VERY bad pregnant woman (AGAIN!).  I ate absolutely anything and everything I wanted and packed on the pounds accordingly.  I stopped looking at the scale at about 3 months in, so I honestly have no idea what I weighed at the end of my pregnancy.  But as we sit here today, 3 weeks removed, I still have about 50 pounds (!!!) to go to reach what I would consider my dream weight.
 I have spent my entire adult life dieting, or maintaining, or gaining weight post-diet (and was at roughly the same place after my first pregnancy, so I definitely have experience at this game).  In doing so, I have come up with little milestones that I strive to reach (instead of focusing on the final, ideal, dream goal).  So, while I have about 50 pounds to go, I'm not even going to focus on that for now...I'm giving myself a year to get there (although I would LOVE to be there by the time we head to the Bahamas in August...we'll see how it goes!).  Right now, my mini-goal and focus is on getting back into my pre-maternity clothes (mainly the pants...I can pretty much already do shirts now), regular people clothes if you will, which I have missed immensely!  Unfortunately, I'm not sure exactly how much weight I have to lose to do this, but I'm guessing it's around 25 pounds (or at least that's the number we'll go with for now).
Needless to say, this is going to be a journey to say the least...I've dug myself a hole and have a looonnnggg way to to go.  Luckily, this isn't my first rodeo with dieting and weight loss, and I am confident I can get there.
I figured I spent the weeks of my pregnancy documenting my ever-expanding waistline, so it only made sense to document my ever-slimming (hopefully!) one as well!   Honestly, it's not so much for you all, but more for me...a way to keep me accountable, a way to keep me motivated, and maybe even a way for me to gain some insight (feel free to comment with your own experiences/tips, etc).   Let me preface all of this by first saying that I am in no way a medical professional...these are things I am doing, but I can't speak for their effectiveness or even if they are best practices!
First up, a photo.  I am not brave enough to show you my bare belly (it's still pretty flabby to say the least), but here's a shot of my clothed self:

Goal: Get in to real pants (approximately 25 pounds to go)
Recent Progress: I had Levi on a Wednesday and gave myself until the following Monday to officially begin dieting.  I lost 12 pounds in the first week (I'm guessing some of that had to do with just coming off pregnancy, not my stellar commitment).  The next week I lost 1.5 , and now here we sit.
Diet: I am doing Weight Watchers (which I have done successfully several times before!).  Because of breastfeeding, I have been given an insane amount of points, like I wouldn't even feel like I was dieting if I were to eat all that.  Each day I have had a about 10 points left over.
Water: I carry a Nalgene 32-oz. bottle around with me all day.  My self-imposed rule is that I have to drink two of them before I drink anything else for the day (lemonade, Diet Coke, etc).  When I was working, this was such a breeze for me...I would often go through it before lunch.  But now, for some reason, I really struggle to get through the second one.  I'm going to try to improve that over the next few weeks.
Exercise: I'm still not technically supposed to be exercising, but I have been walking so that when I am cleared, I'm not starting at zero.  Unfortunately, the cold temperatures make it a little tough to get out every day like I would like (after all, I do have a newborn to worry about as well).  Again, I gave myself a few days totally off (especially because I was in the hospital for 3 of them), walked once the next week, and three times the next.  My goal for this week is to get up to five days.
Struggles: Well, getting enough water and fitting in exercise as mentioned above.  But, my main challenge seems to be afternoon snacking.  I have worked out a pretty good eating schedule for the morning and night, but I am usually really hungry (and impatient) as I wait for Josh to get home from work and dinner to begin.  Not wanting to eat too much, I end up grabbing handfuls of random things, which is probably adding up to more points than I care to admit.
Successes: Losing 12 pounds in one week was pretty exciting, but I would say my real success would be being able to wear most of my pre-pregnancy shirts (in fact, I already did one major closet purge of most of my maternity shirts).  I can't fit in all of them and you can definitely see a pooch in the more form-fitting ones, but it's certainly nice to have a few more options when getting dressed and not feel like a total blimp.

Birthday Eve

Dear Levi,
Well, tomorrow is the day...the day we have anticipated for the last 9 months or so (and especially  for the last week or so...I guess you wanted to be a 2012 baby after all!), ever since that fateful morning when I showed your Daddy the very faint positive sign on a pregnancy test (he didn't believe me at first, but got on board a few days later when I showed him another, darker line...you will soon learn that is pretty typical for your dad).
I am so excited to meet you and discover all the lovely nuances of your personality.   I don't know what this life has in store for you, but I can make you one promise: you will be loved.  Heck, you are already very loved.
Your mom, that's me,  will do absolutely anything she can to make you happy. Your dad works very hard to provide us with a life that I didn't necessarily believe was possible.  He's a little scared of this newborn stuff, but give him some time...as you grow older, he can not wait to play with you (maybe a little rough sometimes), and take you to sports games, and get to know you.  Your brothers...one human and one dog...don't quite realize what they're about to get in to, but I am confident that the three of you will grow up the best of friends...you are lucky to have each other.  Chipper is the doggy one (you have probably heard his name in combination with the word "NO!" several times already).  He will spend his days taking your toys and begging you to chase him.  If you're anything like your older brother, you will LOVE this game.  Colton is your human brother, and quite honestly has left some pretty big shoes for you to fill.  He is a pretty awesome kid, and I am very sure you will one day be very thankful that he is your big brother.  
And then there are your grandparents and aunts and uncles and even great grandparents and friends who have been just as excited to meet you as we have.  Yep, if there is one thing I can guarantee you in this life, it is that you are and will be very loved.
With that being said, I hope that we can give you everything you deserve.  I hope we can guide you to discover whatever it is that makes you happy (except skinny jeans...please, no skinny jeans EVER!) and to make this life of yours whatever you dream for it to be.  I already told you I promise you will be very loved, and with that, I can assure you that we will be here for you no matter what life throws your way.
You are a special boy, one that has already given us so much happiness, and who will only continue to enrich our lives every day from this one forward.  We love you and can't wait to meet you...see you tomorrow...
Love,
Mom

The Shit People Say

OK, so admittedly I'm a bit testy.  I'm definitely way over being pregnant.  For one, I have been 10,000 times more uncomfortable with baby Levi than I ever remember being with Colton (I don't think it's just a case of rose-colored glasses either because Josh has confirmed that I didn't complain as much with Colton either!).  Plus, I had genuinely hoped my doctor would agree to bump up my c-section date to Dec. 27th, but when everything checked out normal (blood pressure, baby heart rate, etc), he wouldn't budge (*obviously I am glad things checked out well, but was kind of hoping we would have a medical excuse to end this game a week early).  And to top it off, I was having regular contractions (10 minutes apart) almost 2 weeks ago and got my hopes up that it meant something was about to happen...obviously no bueno on that account as well.

yep, this is pretty much how I look/feel

So with that in mind, I am sure these observations are just the ramblings of an over-it pregnant woman, but I have started to notice that people seem to have pretty predictable, now obnoxious, observations when they note my clearly very pregnant self:

• "You look grrreeeaatt!"  OK seriously, most of you didn't even know me before I was pregnant, so I don't know what you think I looked like before, but let me tell you, great is not the word for how I look. I look HUGE and whale-like.  And your exaggeration of the word great doesn't really serve to make it more believable.  It may seem like a nice comment, but it's clearly fake, or you're delusional, or you just thought I was really big to begin with.
• "But you're all belly." (usually said when I respond to the first comment with how large I actually am).  Again, you didn't know me before, but my legs were one of the first things to gain weight in pregnancy (both times....super...and let's just point out, that my legs have never really needed any extra padding).  And when I say weight, I mean lots of it!  So thank you, but again, you're delusional or thought I was this big to begin with.
• "Gosh, he has really dropped."  I've decided this must be the late-pregnancy equivalent of the "ooohh, you've really popped" at the beginning of pregnancy.  Maybe it's true, maybe it's not, but I'm thinking most people don't really think I've dropped...they probably just can't think of anything else to say (which I guess is better than lying and saying how great I look!).
• "Is he gonna be here before Christmas?" (obviously only said before Christmas actually came and went) Well shit, I don't know...he'll be here when he wants to be here (or on January 4th when I have my scheduled c-section!).  A fun response to this one is always, "well I'm Jewish anyway so it really doesn't matter to me..."shuts people right up.  OK, I wish I could be that bitchy, but I have never actually brought myself to answer with that.  I just smile and say, "we hope so" or something else like that.

I'm sure there's a whole bunch more, but my brain is just about done right about now.  Sorry if I sound completely bitter.  You other pregnant or formerly pregnant people understand, though, right?  What annoying ones am I leaving out?

I'm Scared

As of yesterday, there was officially one month to go until my due date.  In reality, though, Baby X will be here even before that...my C-section is planned for the last week of December, which means we have about three weeks to go!  I am excited to begin this next chapter, to finally meet this little boy, to expand our family, to get back to normal, and a whole lot of other things.
There is always a little apprehension heading into the birth of a new child, especially from a medical perspective, and I, of course, have those fears as usual.  But one would think that because this is the second time around, I would have very little fear of the actual motherhood aspects.  In a way that is true...Josh and I are old pros at diaper changing, baby schedules, feedings, and all other baby logistics.  So, while some of my fears from my first pregnancy have been curtailed (I remember then worrying that Josh and I would suck at parenthood and never be able to figure it out), new ones have crept up this time around:

*I'm scared that I won't be able to love this child as much as I love Colton.  Colton really has been a pretty perfect baby/toddler...he is easy-going, fun, cute, sweet...I honestly don't know how another child could be so fantastic!  Plus, I have been told repeatedly that the second child somehow always has a more challenging personality, and if Baby X's current activity level is any indication, we may have a big challenge on our hands!  I don't want to have a favorite child, but I really worry no one will ever be able to compete with my first-born.

*I'm scared that Colton's decreased attention will change his personality.  I wish we could explain to him what is about to happen, but being that he is only 20 months old, we really can't.  I know he is not the first child that will have to survive the addition of a new sibling, but I hope he doesn't get overly jealous, or resentful, or sad...that would break my heart!

*I'm scared that we will stop marveling in parenthood.  We have absolutely swooned over all of Colton's accomplishments, big and small.  I hope that we continue to delight in them, and find the same amazement in his brother's...how terrible would it be to just be like..."eh, look, he's crawling now..."

*I'm scared that we will never leave this house again.  Josh and I (and probably more so me) are get out and go types.  Colton was born in the spring, and within a few days, we were taking him out for walks, shopping trips, and even lunches and dinners out.  Baby X will be born in the winter, which already makes it harder to leave the house.  Plus, we will have a newborn AND toddler in tow this time, making each trip much more of an challenge.

*I'm scared that Colton and his brother's nap times won't match up and that I will lose my (much-needed) two-hour respite each day.

*I'm scared to endure the stress that two children (under 2 for that matter) will inevitably put on my marriage.  I  know Josh and I are strong enough to survive it, but I also remember how stressful those first few months can be...how you're overtired, overworked, and the easiest person to take it out on is my husband (or me for him).  We made it through once, and we'll make it through again, but I know there will be days that will just be no fun!

Despite my fears, I know that we are beyond blessed to be welcoming a new addition to our family.  I just hope we can give him (and his brothers) all that they deserve.  Fingers crossed, huh?!?

Week 35 Pregnancy Update

"Time flies when you're having fun," or at least that's what I've been told!  I think with all the travelling and holiday celebrating, the last five weeks of this pregnancy have flown by.  Even more exciting is the fact that this will almost certainly be my last pregnancy update...my c-section has to be scheduled before my 40 week mark (and yes, we're still pushing for it to be scheduled right around 39 weeks, thus before the end of the year, securing us a little tax break!).  So, here's the latest:

appropriate caption: "This is as good as it gets folks"

Weight Gain:  You know the best thing about blogging?  You only have to reveal what you really want to.  I'm not being sneaky enough to keep this from you totally, as honestly, I really haven't looked at the scale to know what it says, but I know it's not pretty!  The doctor mentioned a 10-pound weight gain at one of my recent appointments.  It's safe to say that I am going to have my work cut out for me when this is said and done.

Maternity Clothes:  Well, yeah, this is the only option I have now...that and my workout pants coupled with large men's t-shirts!  I will say I happened to go into a Motherhood Maternity last week because a shirt in the window caught my attention.  I hadn't done any maternity shopping this time around because I get dressed so rarely/had so much left from Colton, but let me tell you, that store has come a looonnnggg way since my last pregnancy.  There was actually cute stuff in there!
Also, as you can tell from the above outfit, I am a really big fan of  open cardigans over non-maternity tanks...this is my standard I need to look presentable outfit!

Sleep:  Yep, the insomnia has kicked in big time...most nights I am up for about 1-2 hours at some point.  I read that  you should get up and do something, so I've watched movies, typed some lovely blog posts, and read.  Considering I stay at home and can usually catch a quick nap during Colton's nap time, it really hasn't been that bad...in a way, it's kind of nice to have some quiet, alone time...well, alone except for my sweet, cuddly pup

I think if he could talk, he would say, "what the hell mom...go to bed!"

Cravings:  I still don't have cravings...this is now two pregnancies with no real sightings to mention.  I don't know if it's the mention of my massive weight gain or just knowing that the end is near, but I have actually started wanting healthier food...like, I'm actually ready/excited to diet (we'll see how long that lasts!).

Movement:  Baby X is busy and super crowded...I think!  We can often feel limbs, head, butt, etc. poking out.

Belly Button Status:  Still holding steady as in. Stretched to its max , but still in...

Best Moment of the Weeks:  We've picked a name (at this point, though, I'm thinking I'll just wait until his arrival for the grand reveal!).  I also had a mini-shower of sorts when I was in Florida for my cousin's shower.  She was sweet enough to share her weekend with me by taking my mom, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and grandfather's girlfriend to the Melting Pot for dinner on the Friday night we were there.  She had set up some decorations to really make it feel like a shower...so sweet!

What I Miss:  Honestly, pretty much everything at this point...I'm ready to get back to normal...be able to move around, wear real clothes, sleep, drink, bend over to put on my shoes/pants, run errands without having to stop in every store to pee (luckily Colton has grown quite fond of flushing the toilet...maybe that will pay off when we finally decide to conquer potty training). get off the couch without grunting, etc.

And the not so pretty: I've had some slight swelling, mainly in my fingers (or at least that's the only place I noticed it!).  My rings still technically come on and off, but the swelling kind of freaks me out (I didn't really experience it with Colton) so I end up not wearing them most days!  I have also spotted the beginnings of that dark line down my belly (I think it's called the linea nigra technically)...I thought I had escaped it because I remember getting it much earlier with Colton (or maybe I didn't, which is why I'm writing this stuff down this time), but I guess I don't have stretch marks so no real complaints here.

Belly, Toddler, and Lots of Sand

Way back in August a friend of my mom's asked if she could take pictures of Colton once it got a little cooler.  She is honing her photography skills and wanted to get as much practice as possible.  Pictures of my handsome toddler?  Of course!
When she called to ask if we could set up a time, I was super eager.  It turns out she also wanted to get some of me (well, namely my very large mid-section), so I obliged*.  Because Josh wasn't really going to be featured in many pictures and because he had a pretty hectic week, I let him off the hook on this one and Colton and I headed out to meet her at the beach last week.

My son can be very shy and hesitant at first, but was a total ham the entire time.  It turns out that some time between the summer and now, he has discovered the joy of throwing sand because he was hurling chunks of it pretty much the entire shoot.  Getting him to sit still was pretty much impossible, but she did manage to capture some really great shots of his budding personality.

shocked I am actually sharing this with the world...
I love the idea of the shot, but not necessarily the size of my rear in it!

*While I realize many people find the pregnant body beautiful, I am not one of those people.  I feel like a whale and avoid cameras.  With Colton's pregnancy, I pretty much refused to take any pictures of myself, but in retrospect I did kind of regret that I didn't have any documentation of my blossoming baby bump.  So this time, I have compromised (with myself) and taken my picture every five weeks or so and even agreed to do this little photo shoot (which I'm thinking I may actually treasure in years to come!)

What's in a Name?

My husband is a funny, good-natured, considerate man (among many other exemplary characteristics).  Unfortunately, though, he is also one of those people who just likes to make things difficult...know anyone like that?  I love him with all my heart, but I tell him all the time it must be exhausting to be him.  He literally takes hours to decide what he wants for dinner, drives around parking lots multiple times trying to find the right spot, and will argue technicalities on just about any point...seriously, I have threatened to call our local law school and enroll him in classes there just to give him a chance to get out all his debating tendencies!
So, I guess it should come as little surprise to me that a decision as important as our sons' names have been complicated and trying!  With Colton, I knew all along that I wanted his first name to start with a C.  In Judaism (well, at least in my corner of Judaism), it is tradition to name babies after someone has passed by starting their name with the same first letter.  My grandmother's name was Constance, hence the C!  In the months leading up to Colton's birth, Josh and I analyzed each and every boy C name in the book (we did immediately agree on a girl name, but obviously could not use it...go figure!).  He was hooked on Carter for awhile, but one day I was watching "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and ran into Jeanna Keough's son, Colton, and knew I was hooked.  In our musings, Josh had repeatedly thrown out the name Colt, so I figured this would be an easy sell.  Obviously, I should have known better...but about 3 months later, I finally got my husband to consent to Colton's name.  Although it took many more months to admit where I had found my inspiration for the name because if I had revealed that originally I can almost assure you Colton would not be named Colton!

Well, now it's crunch time to name our next child, who I affectionately have been referring to as Baby X!  True, he won't be born for about 9 more weeks, but I have some letters to order for his name display in his room, so we need to make a decision.  As usual, Josh and I are having a hard time agreeing.  The good news (and I knock on wood as I type this) is that since Colton's birth, we have not lost any more family members, so there is not an obvious choice of who to name this child after.  But I really want this child's name to have meaning and heritage like his brother's, so I have pretty much insisted that he be named after one of our remaining grandparents, Josh's grandmother or grandfather or my grandfather.  It took awhile to just get Josh to agree to this plan considering that now limits our name choices to ones that start with an R, L, or H, but he now seems to be on board (although you will see from the below list that he still insists on throwing some wild cards into the equation...I think just to push my buttons).   So, here's your chance to chime in:)  Below are the names that we have considered for Baby X.  To be honest, some have been given much more consideration than others, but feel free to vote for your favorite...
                             Tyler                                  Levi                                     Landon
                             Riley                                  Reece                                  Ryder
                             Rylan                                 Carter
And just in case it influences your decision, Baby X's middle name has been chosen...Shaine (not positive on that spelling) after my other grandmother, Shirley, who passed away about 15 years ago.
So, get voting friends!!!!  Seriously, I would love to hear what you think and maybe we can actually get this child named before he arrives:)

Pregnancy Update: Week 30

When I posted my Week 25 pregnancy update here, my logic was I would keep this up every five weeks as a way of documenting the changes and whatnot.  The good news is the last 5 weeks have flown by!  It feels like just yesterday I was typing that Week 25 update.  And now we are officially at 10 weeks (and actually 9 if I get my way and convince my doctor to deliver this baby (by scheduled C-section mind you since I had one with Colton) a week early and in time for a lovely tax break!) til Baby X's arrival!  So exciting:)
Well, first the obligatory snapshot of me at 30 weeks:

pardon the crappy iPhone picture plus suitcase and toddler sharing the mirror!

And now for the juicy tidbits...

Weight Gain:  Yep, still totally avoiding the scale and in fact, didn't even bother to look at my last appointment, so I can't really tell you.  I can tell you...it's A LOT!  I'm massive!

Maternity Clothes:  Now that fall temperatures have arrived, I have a lot more actual maternity wear to sport because I bought a lot of it when I was pregnant with Colton.  Plus, I really don't get dressed but so often since I'm no longer working, so I really haven't had to buy too much stuff.  I did buy a maternity hoodie and fleece from Old Navy last week to put over outfits just like the one above.  Warning if you are thinking about purchasing these as well...definitely go with the smaller size if in doubt!  I'm usually a small there, but went with the medium to give myself room to grow...even at 30 weeks, there is still A LOT of room in there.

Sleep:  I'm still sleeping well, although I have been up bright and early (think 6ish) the last few days because I have just been unable to sleep longer.  I don't know if that's pregnancy related, but may as well mention it, huh?

Cravings:  Nothing in particular, just food in any and all forms and in large quantities...the worse for me, the better.

Movement:  Baby X is a busy guy.  He kicks often and is also a pusher.  Some days I swear he is literally trying to climb out or something.

Belly Button Status:  Still holding steady as in. Very stretched out and poking out at the edges, but still in...

Best Moment of the Weeks:  Well, passing the diabetes test without having to do the three hour one was definitely pretty sweet.  But, feeling this baby move around has probably been my highlight.  I have mentioned before that Colton was a very calm fellow, so it has been fun to experience a mover!

What I Miss:  Cold medicine!  I have had a pretty typical, but still no-fun cold for the past few days and man it SUCKS to have to battle it without my trusty Ny-Quil!  Oooh Baby X, the sacrifices mommy is making for you...

And the not so pretty: You know what?  I really don't have anything overly exciting.  As I previously mentioned, I am massive and sure to get even bigger, but I really have to knock on wood or thank some higher power because I continue to have a very uneventful pregnancy.

Nursery Progress

If everything goes according to plan, my newest little man should be here in about 3 months.  I don't know what our problem has been, but we have not made nearly as much progress in his room (or Colton's new room for that matter) as I remember having made in Colton's at this point...and the really scary thing is we didn't even live in our current house until 1 month before Colton was actually born.  I guess it was the excitement of the first child, but I was busy pretty much from day one buying and creating nursery decor.

But this week, I seem to have finally gotten my arse in gear and have made some very small progress.  For one, I picked out some bedding

ignore the blanket...I didn't design one because we bought one with Colton and have never used it!

I actually designed the bedding from this site.  For awhile, I had debated trying to learn to sew and DIY my own bedding, but then I fell in love with the fabrics available there (and a little obsessed with designing different options for a bit) and figured why mess with a good thing.  It's a little pricier than Josh we wanted to spend, but we really don't need much for this child, so I figure why not splurge on something, right?  Plus, I've had a few relatives asking what they could get us, and I really couldn't think of much, so maybe the bedding will strike someone's fancy!

In other nursery news, I also scored some major deals on some lamps for the nursery.  I had envisioned 2 lamps for the nursery in the same shape, but one slightly larger for the reading corner and a smaller one for the changing table/dresser.  In my head, I was going for some sort of tear drop shape.  Well, guess what I found at Target this weekend:

They were on clearance for $7 for the small one and $20 for the big one.  Obviously, the red and black will not work in our nursery, but that's nothing a can of spray paint can't fix.  Yay!

So, it may not be much, but at least we're starting, right?  What do you guys think of the bedding?  Good for a little boy's room?

Pregnancy Update: Week 25

I often see on other blogs the weekly pregnancy updates...you know the ones with the cute pictures and  updates on all sorts of topics.  Well, I have neglected to do the same.  For one, I am not necessarily eager to take a picture each week to share with the whole world...this isn't my most flattering time after all.  And secondly, I'm not sure my weekly rants on being a pregnant woman would make for riveting reading.
But, I have told you all before that I treat this little blog as my very public journal/diary, and considering this will be my last foray into this whole pregnancy thing, I do want to have some documentation of what's going on.  So, you get to join in on the fun.  First, the obligatory picture of me at 25 weeks:

oh how I miss my Sony hybrid camera:(

And now for some stats for you (I borrowed the topics from some other blogs I have read that did this thing weekly).

Weight Gain:  Well, I am avoiding the scale like the plague, so I'm not quite sure how exactly this is going.  But at my last appointment, we were a solid plus 20.

Maternity Clothes:  One of the good things about it being warm is that I can still wear all of my pre-maternity dresses.  I have had to give up my pants and skirts, but luckily found a really good knee-length skirt from Target that I have been living in.  I pair it (and any other bottom I put on) with the Mossimo extra long tanks for my everyday look....literally, everyday, as evidenced by the above shot!

Sleep:  Luckily, no problems to report here.  I went about a week or two with some nights spent up for about 3-4 hours, but they're gone for now...yay!

Cravings:  Nothing healthy, and everything sweet.  I really don't even know if these are cravings or just an excuse to eat all this horrible stuff.  Remember the plus 20 from above?  It didn't come from nothing!

Movement:  This guy's much more active than Colton was (although that's not saying much...Colton was a pretty calm one!).  I've realized I don't take the time to sit down often, but it's pretty much a shoe-in that when I do, I will feel some kicks (and see my belly moving too).

Belly Button Status:  Holding steady as in.  We'll see.

Best Moment of the Week:  Colton's favorite body part is "belly"...first his and now mine (it's pretty hard to miss after all).  He has been lifting up my shirt to point to it for awhile, but now he kisses it.  I love that he is already kissing his little brother.

What I Miss:  Anyone who knows me well would probably guess that I would say wine, and yes it is embarrassingly true how much I miss the stuff (and beer at tailgates/football games).  But honestly, I think I miss my figure more.  I know that sounds so petty, but I miss getting dressed and feeling like I look good.  And I totally miss shopping...true shopping, not "man I hope I can squeeze into this."  I know, a small price to pay.

And the not so pretty: Some of the ordinary pregnancy gripes...my ankles/feet hurt like HELL if I stand on them too long.  I pee constantly (the only positive is Colton is definitely learning what the potty is for...maybe we'll kick potty training while we're at it!).  And worst of all,  a regular digestive system is clearly a distant memory.  I don't go for days, resulting in some frequent and stinky gas in between...how's that for TMI for ya?  I know your day is now complete now that you know that little tidbit.

So there it is...my pregnancy at 25 weeks.  14 more to go!!!  By the way, yes I know there are 40 weeks in a pregnancy, but considering I am having a scheduled C-section, I fully intend to have it scheduled about a week before my January 6th due date (we have a tax break to reap after all!).
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.  Looks like we may need to build some arcs to get through ours (it's been raining for a couple of days and is supposed to keep it up for the next few days).  Anyone have some fun plans?

Random Wednesday Musings

I have been busy over here in Virginia Beach.  Unfortunately, none of it is necessarily earth-shattering.  In an effort to avoid a series of totally boring posts, I am hoping to knock it out in one (hopefully just semi-boring!) little roundup.  So here we go.
First, a picture of the view from our driveway:

So what you say?  Well, as of today, almost a full four weeks after Irene brushed our area with a little bit of rain and wind, the city of Virginia Beach FINALLY managed to pick up the storm debris.  I am usually a big fan of Va. Beach, but 4 weeks...seriously?!?  Especially because some of our neighbors took the storm cleanup as an opportunity for some regular pruning/clean up as well (rightfully so), we have been dodging tree limbs and bags of leaves on the streets for a long time now.  Thank goodness that's gone.

Second, I got around to sorting through Colton's newborn and 3 month clothes today.  I was anxious to see what we were working with.  The good news?  We certainly have plenty of pajamas for this new baby.  And hopefully, it will be warm enough when this child turns 3 monthsish (which will probably be around March/April, so fingers crossed) because Colton certainly had a ton of adorable summer clothes (I actually got a little misty eyed looking at them again).  The bad news (which is actually kind of good for me because I love to shop!)?  We need some major long-sleeve newborn stuff.  

Third, while looking for a lighter the other day (we desperately needed to light a candle after the smell of the  fajitas I had made the night before was still lingering!), I stumbled across a bag of decorative coffee beans I bought a couple years ago.  I decided to fill my CB2 tea light holders with them to add a little bit of excitement to the dining room.  I'm liking the result

they look better up close...promise!

And finally, I must apologize for the craptastic photos today and for the next few weeks.  Sadly, my beloved Sony hybrid camera's USB port is loose.  I had been managing by taking the photo card out each night, inserting it in my old Cannon, and uploading pictures via it.  But the camera is still under warranty, and it seems pretty dumb to let it go without getting fixed.  Alas, it has been shipped off to somewhere in New York for service, so hopefully it will be back and better than new before we know it.  Until then, bear with me!

Well, see, that wasn't that painful was it?!?  I know, not the most exciting post ever, but at least now you  know, I haven't just been sitting on my arse all week, right?

Registry Essentials Checklist

Last week, one of my preggo friends asked me for my version of registry essentials as she was about to head out and do some registering herself and was utterly confused.  I remember being in the same boat myself with Colton (for this child, we probably will not even have to register..one of the advantages of having another boy!), so I figured I would share with you all the list I shared with her in case you too find the whole baby registering thing totally overwhelming.

Before I begin, let me preface this with a few things.  For one, registry companies will make you feel like you need absolutely every baby product on the market...YOU DON'T.  With that being said, every child and family is different, so different baby products work better for some than others (for example, I personally preferred to leave Colton in his car seat and put it in the shopping cart while shopping, but I know others who swear by a Baby Bjorn or some other carrier for the same task).  Because you probably don't know in advance what kind of person you are or what your child may end up liking (another example: Colton was never a huge fan of his swing, while I know plenty of others who loved it...who knows, maybe this baby will like it?), it never hurts to register for something...just don't be afraid to return it either.  Another problem with baby registries and baby life in general is that they use most products for about a 2-3 month span tops before moving on to the next stage of development and needs.  As you register, try to get things they are going to need for the whole first year (ie: highchair, boucner, etc) not just those first few months!  Finally, I tried to breastfeed with Colton and did not make it very long (4 days to be precise...he was losing too much weight and it scared the crap out of me), so my list does not include any other breastfeeding essentials.

So, here's the list.  I tried to include not only the product, but also a brief explanation as to why I find it to be so important .  I hope this doesn't insult your intelligence, but I was so overwhelmed by all this stuff a couple years ago and could have really used some explanation!
                                               

Baby Registering 101

Changing Table top: I recommend this highly over a traditional changing table.  We put ours (from Land of Nod) on top of a dresser that Colton (or future baby) will use for years hopefully, thus saving money in the long run!

                Pad

                Pad cover x2 at least: They'll get dirty...you want to have some extras on hand for emergencies.

Mobile for crib: Colton's plays music...I don't know if that helps him fall asleep, but it certainly doesn't hurt! It also keeps him entertained when he wakes up before we want him to.

Mobile or some attraction for over changing table: We don't currently have one, but really want to do something for Baby 2.  Colton has always been a disaster to change, like total wiggles, and I'm thinking this would help...possibly?

Diaper Genie: My non-baby friends make fun of me for having one of these, but our house doesn't smell like dirty diapers.  Plus, we don't have to take diapers out constantly...maybe once a week or so (honestly, it's Josh's job to empty the Diaper Genie and one I intend to never learn how to do...it looks pretty nasty)

Bottles (stock up…like 8-10 on hand!): Babies drink A LOT of milk, like constantly.  Josh and I found it easiest to make ALL the bottles at night, store them in the fridge, and then go through them throughout the day, as opposed to trying to make them as we need them.

Bottle drying rack: Obviously those just cleaned bottles need a place to dry out while they wait for the next fill up.

Bottle cleaner brush: Regular cleaning tools don't work, so splurge for the $4 and get a brush.

Swing: Kindof a baby cliche...I already mentioned Colton was never a huge fan of his, but it was a good hangout spot for him in those early days before he could really do much.

Bumbo seat: LOVE IT!  Before baby can sit up on his/her own, this little wonder helps them, so you don't have to hold them.  We took it to the beach, tailgates, outside, and just for everyday hanging out.

Bouncer seat: Again, totally loved ours.  Because it was so portable, it became Colton's go-to spot while we ate dinner, I took a shower, or whenever he needed somewhere to hang.  Plus, we used it for a good nine months or so...definitely our longest running baby product.

Stroller to put car seat in: It doesn't matter what stroller you get, but make sure the car seat can be snapped in (as opposed to having to remove baby)...never wake a sleeping baby!

Umbrella (light weight) stroller: As great as the above stroller is, it's pretty damn heavy.  Sometimes, you want something easier to get out, set up, and maneuver.  

Sophie: "The teething giraffe."  Our lifesaver.  Colton still loves his Sophie.

Video Monitor: It probably isn't a necessity, but I loved getting to watch Colton.  It was reassuring and just plain cute.

Diaper bag: Obviously a need, but go for something stylish AND practical, something that you wouldn't mind using every day.  I had big problems early on because I would leave my wallet or keys in the diaper bag, and then not have them when I needed them the next day.  

Baby Bjorn: We didn't use this as much as others, but it was really useful for football games and other places  where standing was necessary.  Even little babies get heavy after awhile...plus you want to have your hands free every once in awhile.  It's a good thing to have on hand when you need it!

There are other products that we used, but these are what I would probably consider the must-haves.  You will probably notice that I didn't list clothes on there.  Don't bother registering for clothes...you will probably get more clothes (at least in newborn sizes) than  your little fashionista could ever wear!

Hopefully, this is helpful to you.  Let me know if you have any questions, not that I am an expert, but I have been through it before!

Dear Higher Power

***I am sponsoring a giveaway here if you want to enter***
Dear Higher Power,
I'm not quite sure what I believe from a religious standpoint, but I do think things happens for a reason, and I believe wholeheartedly in karma.  On that front, I want to make sure you understand where my head has been for the last week or so.
Admittedly, I was a little disappointed when I found out this precious baby growing inside of me was going to be another boy.  You see, Josh and I had firmly decided that this child would be our last, so this was our last attempt at having a girl.  A girl...with their adorable clothes, and hair bows, and potential for rainbow-themed birthday parties, and pedicures, and so on and so on...I know, all totally superficial stuff!  
So, when I bit into that cupcake and saw the blue frosting peering at me, my first reaction was a little sad.  But I want to make sure you clearly understand that I am 100000% aware of how lucky I am to be having a baby, especially one that looks as healthy as this one does.  I know this little boy will be as wonderful as my sweet Colton, and that I am so blessed to have the honor of raising these two into fine young men.  I recognize how lucky Colton is to get to have a brother, a forever friend to play with, and grow older with, and to deal with Josh and I with.  I wholeheartedly believe these things, so I don't want you to misinterpret my initial disappointment as anything more than a quick glib.  
I have occasionally looked at moms with their girls and wondered why I will not get that opportunity...there's probably no reason or maybe there is.  Maybe it's because I am better with boys or something.  
But ultimately, the reason or lack thereof doesn't matter...all that matters is that I have the wonderful opportunity to be a mom again...to love someone and be loved back in a way that is so special I can't even put it into words.  So, I want you to know in those moments of weakness, if you can read my thoughts and hear my jealousy at some cute little girl thing, that I really am better than that.  I can't control that initial reaction, but I can tell you I don't take for granted how lucky I am.
Thank you for all you have given me,
Michelle