Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sneak Peak- Nursery

This is long overdue for a sneak peak to the nursery. We are now in the single digits in weeks to the countdown of our little miracle and now is the time to kick it in gear. Make sure everything is ready for his arrival. I keep picturing my world at a stand still for a few months and so I am determined to get moved into this house and all the little/big projects on my list completed in the next month.

So here are some peaks into the nursery. Once it has all come together I will give the final reveal.

My color scheme I choose was Tangerine, Lime Green and Baby Blue.

Do you know how hard it is to find these colors for a baby nursery? I found that I had to think outside of the box for this nursery. I wanted to create a space that I just loved. Adam just wanted bright colors. So he was pleased that our boys room had blue in it.
I made the curtains and bed skirt, I know, I know brace yourself. I really did it and all on my own. This is how handy I am. NOT! I am sewing challenged! Determined to do this I thought it through and accomplished it. I am kind of proud of myself. So I will give a big pat on my back. I found a Nathan Adler duvet cover on clearance at Burlington Coach Factory and made the curtains. My only regret was not picking up the twin that was there as well. When I went back it was gone. But then I found twin sheets that were perfect in color and picked that up on clearance. I used that for the crib skirt and combined the sheet with the duvet and made another curtain for the closet. I think my best work yet.

Her are some items that I have prepared and will be going up in the room.



I love finding a good deal. It is a thrill to know that you have found a great item at a great price. We have been looking for a rocker/recliner for the nursery for a while now. I have been watching sales, stores and craigslist. My dream was to find a leather rocker/recliner in a neutral color that we could still use once we were done with it in the nursery. But my fear was the price. My fear was we would end up with a burgandy/blue scratchy recliner that had smells. You know what I talking about. At dinner last Friday night the topic came up again with Adam and I about looking for a recliner. I told him it had been a few days since I had checked craigslist and I had a few stores picked out to check on Saturday. So at 9pm at night I check online and I see a few options. I email the seller and they both get back to me right away. One is available the other is not. I make an appointment to see the recliner. The picture looks good and it looks like it is in good condition. Lucky for me the seller really didn't have any information other than a picture of the item. We get there and it is perfect. The family proceeds to tell us it is a few years old and has sat in the guest room barely used. The leather is in perfect condition and the chair feel brand new. So for $150.00 we take the leather, neutral, rocker/recliner. I am giddy inside as we drive away from the smoke free home. So here is our best deal find of the month! I am still giddy when I see it.

Oh the many nights we will be enjoying each other.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Baby's First Package

I don't know about you, but I love to open the front door and find a package out there. It doesn't matter if it is something I ordered and knew was coming from HSN or Amazon. I just get a burst of excitement whenever I see a box sitting on my porch. The only thing that will burst my bubble if Adam says "what did you order now?" I enjoy it when I can say honestly. "I didn't or it is not addressed to me."

To my surprise the other day I found this box addressed to the baby. Oh baby got his first package in the mail. I think he even did a summer salt in my tummy when it arrived. He is taking after his mommy with packages.

I was so touched by Kathy,Dave and Kevin for thinking about us and the baby. I didn't wait for Adam to get home. I just opened it with such excitement. As I unwrapped the white tissue paper I found that each item they sent had a note on it. Each item expressed why they wished they had this or found it later and how it has helped them. There was so much detail that it really touched my heart to all the thought that went behind the package. It could not have arrived at a better time as we had been dealing with some drama that really made me sad. Thank you Kathy, Dave and Kevin for reaching out to us and being so kind.


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Baby's First Gift

This post should have happened back in December, but like I said my dogs ate all my postings and I am now just getting around to them.
This is our little boy's very first baby present that was given to him from a real cutie Rachel B. I am so glad I got to know her before she went off to College. It was so fun to go eat cupcakes and hang out with her before she left. Rachel is so darling and has such a generous heart, I can't wait to watch and see what she accomplishes with her future.

Once baby boy is able to wear the sweater I will definitely be taking a picture of him in it and sending it to you Rachel. He will be so styling in his Ralph Lauren sweater.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Our Bun in the Oven is 5lbs and counting

I may have not acted too concerned last week about the appointment, but in all reality it was eating me up inside. I was worried and yes bit off all my nails this week when I thought about it. I tried to remain calm and act like it was no big deal. Inside I was dying to know if there was a problem with the baby or me. Over the years I have had medical problems and things like to grow inside of me that shouldn't. I have been told in the past that if I had been pregnant when a growth had started I could have died from it. Those things are hard to let go. So those worries stick with me. I am not all doom and gloom. Just cautious about what could happen. So whenever I hear that something is growing inside of me I think of what it could do to me or this child and that is why I was so nervous inside.

As I sat in the waiting room for my appointment. I couldn't be apart of the conversation that Adam was having with my cousin Shelby. I was just nervous. So I found a People's magazine and tried to get lost in all the drama of the stars. Then my name was called and we went back. I changed into the gown. The tech immediately came in and dimmed the lights and we began the ultrasound.
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There is that moment when I hold my breath just before I see his heart beat. Each time I do that. It has become a natural instinct for me. The air is released once I see or hear this little guys heart. He looked just beautiful to me. She immediately sees the Fibroid and confirms that is has not grown. That is not a problem, it has stayed the same size as it was at 19 weeks. What a relief. It has moved and now is just above his head yet there is still cushing from him and the Fibroid. So all is well. Then she starts to look at the baby and checking him out. He is moving around all over the place. He will not keep his arms still and his one of his feet is up by his head. We can't get a good picture of him. He is turned away from us. The tech tries to manipulate him and get him to move, but this kid will not change his position.

Once the measurements are all in and the computer does it's magic we find out that Baby boy is weighing in at 5lbs so far. He is 2 weeks ahead of schedule with his growth. Which is why I measured so large last week. It was baby boy not the fibroid. He is going to be a big boy. As she tells me he has a big head and lots of brains in there and at this rate he could turn into a 9lbs baby. I have a rush of panic go through me about the pain of passing this baby. This is what I have been praying for is to have a strong healthy baby. So baby Boy, keep growing I will deal with the pain, just come to us.

Now the panic is setting in as the time draws closer and the reality is this baby is really coming and he could survive now if he did come early. I am really having a baby boy and he is real. I guess it is time to register at Babies R Us, complete the nursery and plan for his arrival.

I can't wait to be a mommy, I can't wait to meet this precious little guy and give him all that I have inside of me. I wondered when I would start feeling his spirit. I now feel his presence as our spirits have spoken to each other and I can't wait to be able to hold him in my arms and just love him with everything inside of me.

NOTE: We did get a CD yesterday of the appointment. I will go through and see if there is anything good to share and post that later today or this week. As you know I really do like to post pictures with my posts.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Not what I expected today

So this past week I have really been taking it easy. The whole no energy and dizziness has taken it's toll on me. So I have really limited my activities. Which makes me so sad because I wanted to go out and play with some friends. I have been getting the rest that I guess my body needs and I have been working on getting more nutrients into my body. I have decided that I need more protein as I just feel malnourished.

This week I have been adding protein supplements to my diet via protein shakes in all forms. Including a drink called Isopure. You can find that at GNC. It comes in a 20 oz bottles and it looks like cool aid. Mind you it doesn't taste like cool aid. The best part is that one bottle contains 40 grams of protein. Now your body only can use 20 grams at a time so you have 2 servings to a bottle. Yesterday i tried the grape. Not too bad. Today I am trying the Peach/Mango - not bad either. I have a few more flavors to try before I determine the best flavor. At that point then I think I will order a case online and see if I can get it any cheaper then $5 a pop at GNC. Since I have up the protein to around 70+ grams a day I am feeling better. I am also still up the iron as well. Overall I think it is all helping. Time will tell in the next week or two. So that is the update on my energy.

Today was my OB appointment. My last one was three weeks ago at 28. This is what I didn't expect to find. My last appointment my belly measured right on track and this week going into my 31 week my belly measured at 33 weeks. I thought I had got bigger all the sudden but they confirmed that. I didn't think it was a big deal. I had only gained 2lbs in 3 weeks as well. So it is official I am 20lbs gained so far. The next thing they tell me is that we need to book a sonogram next week to see the baby and make sure everything is ok in there. They want to check the actual size of the baby, the fluid and to see if the fibroid has grown. That is where the concern is for the growth, is the fibroid growing and causing my belly to measuring larger then it should right now.

I am not too concerned actually a little excited to see Baby Boy next week and see how the little guy is doing. I am so grateful for technology and that we are able to go have a look and know what to expect if there is a problem. The benefits of living in this day and age.

The past Sunday someone asked me if I knew what sex of baby we were having. I told her yes and what it was. She shook her head at me and with a little disappointment asked me why I would find out the sex. I just smiled as I was actually surprised by the judgment of knowing that we were expecting a boy. But I smiled back and said, "Why not? Living in this day and age and the technology that we have. If I can find out anything about this child that is growing inside of me I want to know all there is about him."

Then I also answered the true me!

Which is I hate waiting and I would rather open my presents on Christmas eve then wait for Christmas morning. I could not wait to find out what sex this baby was, I didn't want to wait for Christmas morning to find out. So I didn't. It was a mutual decision. Adam and I both wanted to know. He feels the same way about technology and using it. But Adam on the other hand is a guy who likes surprises and makes us wait for Christmas morning. Except in this case.

So today was not what I expected, but thank goodness I will be able to get more information next week.





Monday, February 28, 2011

10 Week Countdown begins!


I am 30 weeks pregnant this week and to celebrate this milestone I am posting my belly shots!


I think I have really grown since my last belly shot at 23 weeks.









30 weeks 23 weeks

Thinking about this little boy making his arrival in approximately 10 weeks, plus or minus really blows my mind. I am loving everything about this little boy. I love watching my stomach looking like an alien is inside. The way one side moves and then the other and every so often it looks like he is doing the wave in there. I am noticing that my left leg goes numb at times depending how I am sitting or laying. I still crave red meat.

I have gained 18lbs so far. Honestly I think most of that is in my chest or at least a good portion of that.

I still can't imagine what this little boy is going to look like or be like. I try to picture him, but I just can't imagine. I am so looking forward to meeting this special boy who choose to come to our family. He will be so loved and cherished by us. We have preparing for his arrival since we were married in May 2000. Now this precious boy will arrive in May 2011. We have waited 11 years for this little guy to make his arrival.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Memories of Mimi's

Yesterday a friend of mine Sarah and I went to go visit another of our friends Valerie. Valerie just moved to Sterling, VA earlier in the month and we wanted to go see her and take a look at her new place. We met Valerie at her sister's salon and there I found my favorite hair product which is Morrocan Oil.


This is the most amazing product for your hair. I have thick dry hair and you would know because of this product. I had just ran out and have only been able to order it on the Internet.

I use it when my hair is wet or dry and I can use it daily on my dry hair. It just eats it up. So that was such a great surprise to see it in her sister's salon.

Then we all get in Valerie's car and head to her new house. On our way we drive right by Dulles Town Center where I spot a Mimi's Cafe. I get so excited. Let me explain why. I had no idea they even had one in VA. It was like a little piece of Colorado for me. I have so many fond memories of going to Mimi's. This is what brings me to the title of Memories of Mimi's.

The first time I ever went to Mimi's Cafe was with my younger sister Chris. She was working in Broomfield, CO and wanted to meet me for lunch. So I went out there and we had brunch. To me it looked like a old person place to eat, kind of old fashion and I was not sure. But after my first breakfast there I was hooked. It was so good.

The other location I would often go to is the Mimi's on Alameda and I225. It was close to my job. I would go there with co-workers for breakfast or lunch and my last day at work my going away breakfast we went there. It was such a fun breakfast with my UPI friends.

Another memories of Mimi's. We were given a gift card from our Home Teacher Brother Christiansen. He knew about our desire to be parents and going through treatments. He told us to use the gift and relax and have a nice evening together.

The final memory I want to share was the end of March 2009 when I had found out that I was pregnant for the first time. It had only been a few days and I just confirmed it with the doctor that afternoon. When I was done with work I headed over to Target to do a little shopping. That is when I got a call from my parents asking me if Adam and I could meet them for dinner. They were in the area. I told them I was right by Mimi's and I would call Adam and we would meet them. I was so excited about the pregnancy and I couldn't resist on telling them. So I put back everything from my cart and headed to the baby section and picked something up with a gift bag. Adam and I met my parents at the Cafe. After we ordered and were sitting there waiting for our food. I pull out a gift bag and gave it to my parents. I told them I had a little present for them. They were shocked and excited but gave me a questionable look. My mom opened the bag and pulled out a baby shirt that said. "I love my Grandma" They both got tears in their eyes, we were able to celebrate our exciting news with them that night at Mimi's Cafe.

So you see, when I saw Mimi's Cafe yesterday it brought back all sorts of memories that I experienced in Colorado. I think I will always be a little homesick to Colorado. Mimi's Cafe to me is a piece of Colorado that I miss.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ribbon Heaven in Hagerstown

It's time for a Road Trip to Hagerstown. I was told about this tiny little town when I first moved here that was only only 1.5 hours drive from my house. A little group of us jumped into the car this week and took the road trip to what I like to call Ribbon Heaven.

The nation's biggest ribbon factory. The operation came to Hagerstown in 1922, begun by a family with experience in ribbonmaking dating to 19th-century France. Eight years ago, the Berwick Offray Ribbon Outlet Store opened next to the factory, where bins and boxes overflow with discontinued styles, overstocks and seconds: ice blue with brown polka dots, moss green sheers printed with Christmas lights, violet double-faced satins, grosgrains, taffetas and woven plaids, some for as little as 25 cents a yard or 10 cents a roll.

This is ribbon Heaven - I was shocked at the prices. I saw one, then another and then hundreds of choices all ranging from .25 for a bag of ribbons to fill a bag for $1.25. I filled up my basket and walked out of the store with 2 larges bags filled and only spent a total of $22.00. See my stash below. I feel like I have a life supply of ribbon. Now that I have a ribbon connection I will be finding more ways to use ribbons.



Iron Baby Iron

I am 29 weeks along and found out that I am anemic. That is why I have been so drained and feeling dizzy. I have been really sick this winter with catching one cold after the next but it is all clear now that I need more iron. This little boy is sucking the life force out of me. I have 3 weeks to improve or infusions are in my future. So yesterday I went to whole foods and met this great woman who worked there and helped me choose a iron supplement to take.

If this stuff really delivers I will be one happy lady very soon. As it sounds too good to be true I have highlighted some of the promises and could really use them right now.

Blood Builder provides 100% whole food iron with synergistic nutrients and organic beet root to maintain healthy levels of iron. Restoring iron levels helps to combat fatigue and improve energy levels. In addition proper iron levels supports healthy immune response, healthy skin and optimal athletic performance. Organic beet root, a deep-red restorative food revered for its ability to nourish, purify and strengthen the blood, enriches our Blood Builder formula. The inclusion of 100% whole food vitamin C enhances iron bioavailability and utilization for maximum nutritional benefit. Iron in a natural 100% whole food form is non-binding and gentle on the stomach.

In addition I read up on the foods that have iron and have tried to incorporate more of them into my diet. I love my green smoothies and so easy to get my spinach in them. Red meat is my pregnancy crave so not a problem there.


I will be posting 30 week belly shots next week. As my belly is growing and starting to look like there is a baby in there. He's kicking and moving around in there and reminds me that I have other organs near by.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Distracted by a horrible word

I don't want to turn this into a political debate but I was a little distracted by comments made on Facebook. We all have opinions and beliefs. That is what makes us individuals. It makes each one of us unique in our own way. But when you attack someone for their personal belief that is just wrong. We all have our our lifestyles that we choose to live, and follow the laws of the land. We should have a tolerance for each others differences.

The term used was "BIGOT" which is a harsh word in the English vocabulary no matter how it is used. Just hearing or seeing the word makes my stomach go into knots. The definition is given as 'bigot: a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own." If a person uses that term doesn't it apply to he who cast the first stone?

Like I said I don't want to turn this into a debate or something horrible like I saw on Facebook this morning. I have no tolerance for that word to be used no matter what the debate is. We all have our beliefs and can't we communicate in a logical manner without calling each other names?