Today was a great day

Today I got my husband back. For the last three months he has been studying for 3 professional exams. Today he passed the last of the three. I am so proud of him and beyond excited that the stress of the exams are past us. Now on to getting ready for baby!!!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to All!  We had a change of plans for our Thanksgiving celebration this year.  Instead of a large family celebration, we shared the day with friends and my SIL and nephew.  But sometimes, friends can be family and its appropriate to share the holidays with them, too.  I am thankful for this couple as they have become great friends in such a short time.

We had an ambitious meal planned.  She did the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole (from scratch, recipe here), pumpkin pie, and cranberry swirl cheesecake.  I made homemade rolls (recipe here), sweet potatoes, dressing and an apple pie. It was all very yummy.  I did a good job of not overeating, though I do think the dessert sample might have sent me over the top.....there really is not much room left to overeat!!

And to make you all happy, here is a picture of me at Thanksgiving.  It was roughly 70 degrees here in Atlanta and the hormones are definitely kicking in, so I went sleeveless. 

Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving and have received many blessings over the year for which you are thankful!

XOXO

New Guestroom/Office HELP

We are consolidating an office and guest room into one room since the old guest room is becoming the nursery.  We recently had hardwood floors put in (these were the only 2 rooms in the house with carpet) and James painted the room.  (I know kind of backwards since we really didn't have a vision for the rest of the room - its the same story for the nursery, just wait until that post).  Now we need help.....I really want to get this room pulled together....Any ideas???

The room is pretty much a blank slate right now.  It is a fairly large room, about 15x15.  We want to put a rug in it somewhere/somehow.  Bedding needs to be purchased.  Not sure if we will use existing side tables or not.  Plus storage for office stuff (which we have 2 IKEA cabinets to put in the room - they have been painted to match the trim).  I'd like to add some color as well.  Most of our rooms are pretty subdued/neutral when it comes to color and I kind of want to change that.  I was thinking a celadon green, but now that the room is painted, it picks up the army green type color and I don't think that will work anymore.  The last picture gives you a better idea of the color.

This first picture is from the doorway.  The other door you see is to the closet.  It is kind of hard to tell the paint color.  It is a brownish color, but does have a tint of army green to it.  We're thinking one of the cabinets will go between the windows.  We're also rewiring the room so that the cable and ethernet cords come over there.

 This picture is looking from the closet.  I'm not opposed to turning the desk the other way, but it would probably have to butt up against the window and I'm not sure I like that either.

 The door in the upper left is the bathroom.  Don't mind the clutter in there.  We stored stuff in the bathroom while the floor was being done.  Hopefully this weekend, we'll get that out of there.  We are not opposed to moving the bed to the other wall so that it would face the windows.  We have a covered headboard (its cream) that is being used in the downstairs guest bedroom.  Ultimately we would like to use that in this room and get an iron bed for downstairs.

Budget is limited.  Any great ideas or stores that you can recommend?!?!?!?  Thanks in advance for your help!

Getting Close

Just seeing this in my house means we are getting close...its a little scary and way exciting!!

I'll post more later.  Mama has been under the weather the last couple days.

Random Update

Not sure if I mentioned it previously, but my sil and nephew moved down to our area.  We had them over for homemade pizza last week.....My nephew had a blast helping James.... 

The first shot is a little blurry as they were in pizza making action ;)

It's not a clean process, but it sure does look fun!!!

 Getting ready to toss the dough in the air! 

 

Here is the progression of my closet cleaning that I started on Sunday..... Its not perfect, but at least I can walk in my closet, see the floor and it feels a bit more organized.

This is what it looked like - I had to do something about this....It was giving me anxiety every time I walked in there. 

 As far as I got before I needed a nap on Sunday.  There is more behind the door.  Dresses and suits hang back there.

This is good enough for me.  Things are in their place.  The maternity clothes are easy to get to and it feels somewhat organized.  

 I can finally see the floor!!  I organized my shoes.  I have a feeling I'll need to sort through them after baby gets here.  I think I've gained a half size ;)

 

I'm still fighting the little cold I had on Sunday.  I've been regular with the Tylenol (PM at night) and started Mucinex D on Tuesday.  Can't say its been helping all that much, but I haven't let it slow me down.  Work is kicking my butt.  Trying to get organized to transition a couple repetitive tasks for maternity leave coverage, trying to get a couple projects done before maternity leave, and anything else that comes up.  The house is driving me nuts.  The floors are finally done upstairs and James is almost done painting (the office/guest bedroom is done being painted and I will post on that separately - I need help!).  But the house is still a mess with everything not back in the right place.  I tackled our bedroom yesterday (It had become as storage area for the stuff that came out of the other 2 rooms that got floors) because I needed one place that was organized and clean - just for my sanity.  So over the past week, my closet, bathroom and bedroom have gotten organized!!  Unfortunately if you walk in my house now you won't know I spent the better part of the week getting it that way.  Today I have to get the downstairs at least presentable (dusted and vacuumed).  Mom and Emily arrive tonight!!!!!  And my friends are hosting a baby shower tomorrow!  So excited....pictures to come I promise!!!

Baby Update - all is well.  I am getting a little anxious though - we hit 34 weeks this week - only 6 to go and 3 until "full term"....UM, the nursery is entirely EMPTY.....hopefully we'll get it pulled together in the next week or so.....you know I have a feeling this little one is coming early. 

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a big one....childbirth class.  All in all I think it was good we went, but in the end I don't think there was anything new we had not already read in one of the many books we've been reading.  After class, we made a quick stop at the "package store" (that's liquor store, state store, etc depending on the stat you live in) to pick up more Bailey's for James.  8 bottles of wine, a case of beer and the Bailey's later, we were leaving.  I often wonder what people think when the see an obviously pregnant woman buying alcohol.  James was with me, so that makes it better, but I still have to wonder...are they judging?  Because you know pregnant women are targets and so easy to pick on.

I had received an email that Gap had 40% off on Saturday and I wanted another pair of jeans, so I ran in really quickly to pick up a pair - so quickly that James didn't even park...I'm that good ;)  I needed/wanted another pair of jeans because my 2nd pair has a demi band on it and it has started digging into my belly.  Baby and my uterus definitely did not enjoy that.  I was getting major cramping when I wore the jeans.  So now I have 2 pairs that are still comfortable for the next 6 weeks or so.

After shopping we came home, ate leftovers and watched a movie.  The Back-Up Plan with Jennifer Lopez.  It was a decent movie, in a cheesy girl flick kind of way.  Entertaining, but not great.  We both were pretty tired and went to bed early - crazy times at our house ;)

Sunday was my last week teaching Sunday School.  I enjoy it a lot, but need to start cutting back, especially since we don't know when Little One will arrive.  After church I started working on my closet.  It has needed to be organized for awhile now, I couldn't see much of the floor.  I got about 2/3 of the way through and decided it was nap time.  I have pictures but don't want to post them until I am done.  But you'll get to see the stages.  James finished painting the office/guest bedroom.  I'll take some pictures because I will be asking for decorating advice soon! 

I went to bed somewhat early with a runny nose and sore throat.  Still fighting though that today, but trying to kick it with the limited amount of medications I can take!

Nothing too exciting this weekend, but wanted to get it down!

Shopping Update

A couple weekends ago, I headed up to the outlets.  I really went in search of rugs for the upstairs rooms that now have hardwood and a dresser to be used in baby's room.  What I came home with is entirely different.  I passed the Cole Haan outlet and they were having 40% off everything.....came home with these beauties. (thanks Bama - this is what you bought me for my birthday and I LOVE them!!!)  I got them in gold.  They also had them in silver, but were out of the black.  I probably would have splurged for the black as well.  (I bought a couple other things, but nothing as exciting as the hot deal on the comfy flats)

I also got a Nordstrom gift card for my birthday from hubby.....The Half Yearly sale started yesterday and I just happened to be heading into town to meet hubby for dinner.  So I stopped by...I picked up these boots and the flats in silver (couldn't find the silver pair online).  I brought home the boots, but I am not in LOVE with them, and for that kind of money, I kind of want to be in love with them.  So, they will probably go back.  The flats on the other hand, they are great, and were a good price.

I also tried on the brown Jessica Simpson flats that I showed in this post, but did not like them at all. 

After the shoe purchase (and dealing with some DG chapter drama) I ran to the Destination Motherhood store, since I was at the mall after all.  I found a cute tunic to wear for my shower next weekend (with leggings and the lovely gold shoes above, yes, comfort is now key) and nursing bras....don't get me started on those.  I did find 2 I thought were comfortable, so we'll start there....and BTW, they are now on my Christmas list - those things are expensive.  (family - if you're interested, call James, he knows the size - and is maybe secretly wishing that size stays around longer than just nursing)

Sadly after that, I ran out of time and didn't get to do more damage at the Nordstrom sale, and believe me, I definitely could have done more damage.....guess that is good since we need rugs, and a dresser/changing table for baby, oh and a stroller and carseat, you know, important stuff ;)

All in all, I am happy to have 2 pairs of comfy shoes that fit (these are a whole size bigger than my previous size) and a cute baby shower outfit!!

Baby Update - weeks 31-33

Bullet format to get caught up (I feel like I am letting the baby down by not getting these up weekly because I really want to have this to look back on.....)

• Played in my last tennis match - and WON!  Was nice to end on a winning note.  I won 2 lost 2 this season.  
• Feet started to hurt when I was on them too much.
• Think the midwife may have slipped up at week 31 appointment.  She mentioned a gender after having the ultrasound machine out - I'm telling myself she just uses this pronoun all the time. 
• Midwife was using ultrasound machine to determine if baby was head down.  She was pretty sure the head was down, but the butt had been up in my ribs and because it was "hard" too, she wanted to be sure.  Baby is head down and ready to go.
• Butt in my ribs - and multiple other body parts.  Getting a little more uncomfortable.  Baby moves - ALOT - and while I love to know that Baby is active and well in there, sometimes, its just down right uncomfortable.  I can feel what I think are Baby's tiny feet going across my tummy and Baby's hands/arms sometimes have a boxing match with my pelvic bone.  
• Got a good video of movement and sent it to my mom and grandma.  I think they liked it and it helps make them feel part of the experience!  I'm trying to send more video/pictures.  Thanks to the iphone, that is a little easier.
• Started needing naps again almost everyday.  They are shorter than they were early in the pregnancy, but I am definitely wearing out quicker.  This is not good when my to do list is a MILE LONG.
• Went on my last work trip - to Florida (terrible I know) - for our annual meeting.  Weather was definitely warm and slightly humid.  Experienced cankles almost every day.  I have a pretty good set up working at home, I have positioned chairs to keep my feet up most of the day, so had not had much swelling.  Walking around and sitting in banquet rooms during presentations all day = swollen feet and ankles at the end of the day.
• Don't worry the trip wasn't all work - we had an afternoon off.  I ate lunch by the pool (referenced here) and got a prenatal massage.  The massage was heavenly.  He worked on my hips (where I've had the most discomfort) and really stretched them.  I felt great after!
• Got a call from the store where we got our crib - its being delayed and they wanted to check my due date to be sure we still had time to get it in.  Apparently there are customs issues with Canada.  Was a bit disappointed as I wanted to have room somewhat set up next weekend.  My mom and sister will be here for my shower and I wanted to show them.  Oh well...they'll see it when Baby arrives.
• Latest doctor appointment went well.  Heart rate has been in the low to mid 130's....is this an indicator???  Old wives' tales have been pretty split for us.  (If you are new - we're not finding out the sex of Baby until he/she arrives)
• Sleep is getting more sporadic.  I am up at least 2 times, usually about every three hours (wonder if this is just a glimpse of what's to come) and sometimes I have trouble going back to sleep and am awake for 45 minutes or so.  Hmmm, Baby are you telling me something??!!!??
• Excited for my shower next weekend.  Hopefully after the shower we can get really organized and ready for the arrival of Baby.
• We took a tour of the hospital.  All private rooms, which is nice.  The L&D rooms are huge, but I imagine that's for the 10-12 people that will be all up in my lady parts for the delivery.  :)  The postpartum rooms are nice, but smaller, like a small hotel room.  But still private, so awesome!
• This Saturday is our childbirth class....wish us luck!
• And since I bored you with a lot of bullets, here are some pictures for you.

32 weeks in the morning

32 weeks 1 day in the evening - can you see the difference?

Halloween -  not the best picture, but the only one of the pumpkin from the front.

Side shot, yes the belly is growing. 

33 week picture

More updates to come. Off to Nordstrom to spend my birthday money!!!!