The Nesting Post

We have made it to the fifteen day mark. FIFTEEN DAYS. Wow. I've finally been bitten by the nesting bug. I was kinda worried that it hadn't really happened yet. I think it's baby #2 syndrome. With Aiden, we were buying stuff, washing stuff, and setting up stuff left and right. With this one, we've just sort of coasted along. I am sure we feel more comfortable this time around. Well, that...and the fact that we have an almost 3 year old to keep us occupied.

We have all of the gear set up, bottles and clothes washed and ready, and arrangements made for Aiden when the big day comes. But? That's it. We I still have the nursery (Anna Scott's side of the room) to finish, the hospital bag to pack, Aiden's bag to pack, a house to clean (hopefully our housekeeper can come next week), and -MY FAVORITE- a shower to go to today!

For the nursery, I already have her bedding basics. My mom helped me pick out and purchase the cutest stuff at PB Kids last weekend! She also got lots of accent things that I will get this afternoon at my shower. I can't wait to put it all together. We went sans bumper this time around. Even though they are so stinkin' cute, my pediatrician freaked me out with Aiden.  His didn't last. I took that sucker out as soon as we got home from our first appointment. But I love what we have put together. It's girly without being frilly-froofy, which icks me out. 

crib skirt with pink trim

sheeting

quilt - We have it on the reverse side (a solid soft pink) for now.

obligatory sweet plush animal

I noticed that her corner of the room seemed bare. We have letters being made for above the crib, but I thought it still needed more PINK. I've seen the tissue poms and have always thought they were cute, but it never occurred to me to do them for her. And thanks to pinterest and Becky at From Mrs. to Mama I know how to do it! So that's my project for the week. We also need to go to Babies R Us (my favorite place right now) to pick up the changing pad cover and some sort of basket/caddy thing for the changing table.

Lots to do, lots to do. But first, off to the shower (which is at Jim 'N Nicks bbq-I know; you wish your friends were that cool) I am sooooo excited! I can't wait to post the finished product(s). Nursery and human. 

Coffee Confessions

I do not blog enough. I don't know why. I freaking love it. Really. But also? I am a major procrastinator, no matter what it is. Even things I enjoy. I'm weird and I know it. 

On that note, I believe I am officially "old". For several reasons: Every time I watch SNL, I know the host, but have no clue who the musical guest is. And when I watch the performance, I fast forward it because "Music just isn't good like it was in MY DAY." Seriously, though? That group LMFAO? They look like a couple of idiots. And while the songs are catchy, do they really have as much talent as R. Kelly, Boyz II Men, Nirvana, Dave Matthews? Negative. WOW. I sound like a parent. Oh, wait...

There are two huge plants on my patio that are so D E A D. But I do nothing but walk past them twice a day and think, "Dang. The plants are dead."

I butchered my dog's hair yesterday. I thought I could cut and clip him like the groomer and save $100. But he wasn't having it. He even bit me. So now he looks awful. Every time I look at him, I hear Sarah McLachlan singing. We're taking him to the groomer next week. And when I say "We" I mean Jamie. Because I'm too embarrassed. 

I am obsessed with two things right now. It's not healthy. One is the JuJuBe diaper bag that I am willing to almost do anything for. It is way too expensive. It is also way too awesome. So it's worth it. Right? The other is Tarte lip tints. I spent a gift card at ULTA a couple weeks ago and bought one for $24 which is ridiculous, but I justified it b/c of the gift card. But I LOVE IT! And now I want more. I found a set of 5 for $30, but everyone is sold out. This makes me sad.

In four weeks or so, I will be a mother of two. I will also be able to stay at home for almost five months. I am tearing up right now just thinking about it. To say I am thankful would be an understatement. SO blessed.

I came home Friday night around 10 and straight-up baked a chocolate cake. Then I ate like three pieces of it. Truth.

I lost a gift certificate for a mani-pedi. This upsets me to the core because I really want pink toes for Valentine's Week (silly, I know). Usually, I would do it myself. But? I'm pregnant, and I can't reach my dad-gum toes. I may have to ask the husband. Bless his heart. 

I wear the same pair of pants to work every. day. They are black Liz Lange pants from Target, and they feel like pajamas. I wash them on the weekend. So that makes it okay.

I absolutely adore my husband. He is still the hottest thing walking. He is kind and gentle with our son. He goes to the grocery store for me and gets gas for me. He comes to all of our doctor appointments. He even has tried to pick up after himself lately. I know he is making an effort for me, and that melts my heart. His smile is awesome. And so are his legs. 

I cannot wait until Valentine's Day! Everything is pink and red. I get to eat chocolate. I get to go out to dinner and get dressed up. It also means Spring is just around the corner! Bring it on.

K. I'm done.

Happy Valentine's Week!

Ahhh, the Beauty of a Snow Day!

Well, it's here. The first snow day of the year! After watching the radar all day yesterday, and obsessively tapping "refresh" on my phone last night waiting to see the magic words, I gave up and went to sleep, fully prepared to face the next day. Disappointed, but prepared. Then, the most wonderful thing happened. Jamie woke me up with the news. We were out! YES!!!

I love all days off, but there is just something extra special about a snow day. I think it's the fact that it's a surprise. Kind of like the gift you get that you NEVER EXPECTED. It makes it much more appreciated and cherished. What was going to be a day of being sick at work, counting down the hours until I could come home, pop some benadryl and collapse onto the bed has turned into a day packed with cuddles, Yo Gabba Gabba, coloring books, and playing with Batman toys! I am so thankful for this little blessing that came in the form of black ice. I think God knew we needed it.

Now if you'll excuse me, my baby boy is asking me to sit with him and "pay".

Pretty Cool Are the Jedi

Recently, my two (and a half) year old has become fascinated with a galaxy far, far away. He has a set of really cute Star Wars characters that he got a while ago. We tried explaining who they were when he got them, but he would just passively play with them from time to time. Well, in the past couple of days, he's become a fanatic. He calls them all his "Storm Troopers". He now knows the name of each, takes them everywhere with him, and has watched two full Star Wars "episodes" (which he also calls "Storm Troopers"). And if he's watching it, so is Mommy.

At first, {eh} it was alright. I paid quasi-attention to it while doing something else, playing on my phone, wrapping gifts, etc. But at some point in the week, I have been sucked in. I even found myself shushing Aiden and Jamie last night while watching Return of the Jedi. Who knew? I have googled more characters and questions than I even knew existed in the movies. And, on more than one occasion, have had to explain something to Jamie. For example, the tragedy of Anakin's transition from "The Chosen One" to "Darth Vader" and why his ghost was young instead of old. Aiden even knows that Darth Vader is a bad guy, but still good on the inside. ha.


Yes, I realize this makes me a weird person, but I like to think of it as simultaneously making me a cool mom. Even though I believe the term COOL MOM is an oxymoron. But still.

So I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about the possibility of Aiden opening some Star Wars toys this Christmas. Or if I said I haven't searched On Demand and DVR for the other movies I have yet to see. Or if I told you I don't do all of the voices and sound effects (even when not prompted). And if I denied secretly wishing I had Jedi powers. Because Star Wars is cool, okay?

May the force be with you.

28 Weeks

How far along: 28 weeks

Total weight gain: Um. 30 pounds. I blame Thanksgiving.


Maternity clothes: Maternity clothes? Psssh. Try husband’s clothes. As soon as I’m home, it’s t-shirt and basketball shorts or sweat pants. As far as going out in public, I do that as seldom as possible. But my go-to is always my jeggings or my black dress pants from Target or Old navy. For tops, if it’s big/draped/long, I wear it. But like I said…when I’m home, all deals are off. Poor Jamie. He never sees me dressed up anymore.

Sleep: Between the burping and her kicking, not getting a lot of shuteye lately. I am still operating throughout the day though even with the lack of sleep. I like to think that the waking up every two hours thing is nature’s way of training me for those first few weeks.

Cravings: It really is still just milk. I love me a good glass of milk! I will say that lately, I have been wanting breakfast burritos. I had some last weekend at Dad and Rhonda’s, and they’re all I can think about since. I want to curl up inside one and live.

Best moment for these weeks: Seeing Aiden react to feeling Anna Scott’s kicks. His face just beams! The first time he saw my belly move, he said, “Anna Scott! You comin’ out?!” which consequently made Mommy’s face beam too.

Movement: WOW. This girl is active. I have been feeling movement since around weeks 16-17. Since then it’s gotten more frequent and more intense. I joke with Jamie and say that she has a pole in there. Girl’s got moves. Let’s just hope she’ll be a soccer player, not a dancer. Please, Jesus.

Labor Signs: no, gladly!

Belly button in or out: Finally committed to an outie—How do you spell that? It grosses my aunt and brother out. And I catch my kids staring at it while I teach, but I think it’s totally hot. Not.

What I miss: lying on my back without losing my breath and feeling the urge to cough, sleeping on my stomach, not burping and having heartburn all day, and definitely shopping for new outfits! Although it’s done wonders for our budget.

Milestones: Aiden feeling the kicks.

Favorite moments: When I have a stressful moment at work, and I feel her moving. It’s a nice little reminder that I have my baby girl with me.

Dear Santa

Seeing as how all of my recent posts have a common inspiration (my favorite time of the year), I thought I’d stick with my theme. I will argue that the best part of Christmas is the time spent with family (away from work worries) and all of the traditions. But, I have to be honest. I get mighty excited about the gifts, given and received. It’s that materialistic side of me, I know. But at least I’m aware. I mean, come on…Who doesn’t get super stoked when you see a pretty gift wearing a pretty tag with your name on it? DUH. So here’s what’s on Mommy’s list this year.

Last year for Christmas/Birthday I got a Canon Rebel. I got so hooked! It reminded me of those Christmases when I was little, and I would spend the whole break playing with my favorite toy. Because that’s what I did. I’m still in love with the thing. I still go through phases where I get addicted to those youtube tutorials. And Pinterest has added even more fun to my “toy”. So this year, I cannot wait to get my hands on a new lens and possibly even some editing software. I know pretty much zero about digital photography compared to other camera toting mommies, but I do know that this lens is what makes the background all blurry. I freakin’ love aperture. And this bad boy goes all the way to 1.8! Which means lots of blur. Like I said, I am way knowledgeable. Psssh.

Then there's Vera. Bradley, that is. I used to hate it, laugh at it, and even made Jamie swear to hit me if I ever wanted to buy it, but that was then. And this is now. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the stuff is cuter. Or maybe my taste changed? Either way, I love it. And I love the Happy Snails print “like a fat kid loves cake”—[best line ever btw]. I really want the diaper bag. Really. With Aiden, I had a navy Kate Spade which I loved, but I cannot wait to carry something girly! I also like how lightweight the bag is. Cause let’s face it, the smaller the human, the larger the amount of crap necessities to lug around.

I am addicted to the Starbucks Café Mocha. Straight up addicted. One morning, while in the drive-thru line at Starbucks (no joke), I heard an advertisement about getting that “coffee house latte” at home. Heck yeah! And the coolest part is that this guy puts it all in one pot. No steaming the milk, then adding the espresso. I can do that. Now, I’m no dummy. I know it won’t be the exact concoction that the $500 dollar machine and paid barista produce, but it’s close enough. And better than forking out that extra $4 each time. I even found the mocha powder they use for sale on ebay. Word.

Okay, let’s talk sparkle (and wishful thinking). I planted a seed to the husband back in October about some possible David Yurman jewelry. Let’s just say if this happens, I will cry like a baby. Or scream like a toddler. I always love anything he picks out for me. He really is the best shopper. Better than me. So, chances are, I will be ecstatic about whatever he gives me. Just a little extra enthusiasm if it has a little cable detailing. {wink}

Now, I do know that the true fun of Christmas is the giving. And, no lie, I am just as stoked (if not more) to give gifts this year. I am about to bust! I love that we started early, but having to wait is killer. So in the words of Alvin and the gang, "Hurry, Christmas. Hurry fast!"

Christmas through Aiden's Eyes

Christmas is absolutely, positively my favorite time of the year. I love the anticipation, the smells, the music, the food, the family, the hustle and bustle, and most of all, the traditions. I have held onto my childhood traditions without fail throughout adulthood, so when Aiden was born, I was excited to continue them without feeling somewhat silly in front of the husband. The past two Christmases were great, don't get me wrong, but Aiden still didn't grasp the whole concept.

This year?

Haha...so into it! I. Love. It.

It started a few weeks ago when Santa sent us the Elf on the Shelf. We read the book, and all he wanted to do when we finished was to open it and get the elf out. But, of course, we can't touch him because he might lose his magic! Later that day, the elf (creatively named "Elf" by Aiden) had found his way out of the box! The look on his face? Priceless. He was sold. My son got his first experience of Christmas magic. And every morning since, as soon as those little feet hit the floor downstairs, he walks around so eagerly, looking up/down/all around for Elf. And when he finds him, you hear the sweetest, most energetic "WOOOOK!", and he lights up just like the first time. It rocks. He gets that the elf is here to watch him and report to Santa, so you better believe every time he finishes a complete meal or helps me in the kitchen, he makes sure it is known! "Elf! I eat all my food!" He also finds time to remind Elf that he wants a Batman helicopter. So stinkin' cute.

Elf may be the cutest tradition we have going on, but it's not the only one. So far, Aiden has helped pick out gifts, wrap gifts, select and decorate the tree, and watch all of the Christmas classics. Right now, his favorites have been "Turboman" (Jingle All the Way) and Frosty the Snowman--which made him so upset the first time he watched it because Frosty melted. "Mommy, the snowman's gone" (insert the most pitiful pouty/sad expression) So sweet. We have yet to visit Santa, but I have a feeling that will be a post all its own.

I always knew it would be fun celebrating Christmas with my children, but I NEVER knew it would be this thrilling. Witnessing that innocent trust and the look of "Wow" on his face melts me every time.

Christmas morning cannot come soon enough!