Baby G's Nursery

It's been forever since I last posted...almost 2 months.  We've been crazy busy finalizing things around the house and getting ready for the baby.  I hope to share more pics of the house soon, but for now I'm going to focus this post on the nursery.

We're really quite proud of this endeavor.  We designed the majority of it, with the exception of the actual room choice, wall color and placement of crib.  That credit goes to our amazing designer, Julie, from Shaping Your Space.

So here goes...

We don't really have a true theme to the nursery, but I'd guess if we had to pick something  it would be "travel-ish".  Totally in love with all the random prints we chose, especially the "city prints".  They represent two of our favorite places (NYC & Paris) and one that Chad enjoys but I've never been to (London).

Dresser | Ikea, Gray Cart | Ikea, Diaper Pail | Target, City Prints (right wall) | Etsy, Triangle Print | Etsy, Hello Handsome Print | Etsy, Rock Star Print | Etsy, Mountain Print|Etsy, Sunshine Print | Zulily (some time ago), Changing Pad | Gift, Changing Pad Cover |Target, Waterproof Pad | BuyBuyBaby, White/Gray Rope Basket | Pottery Barn Kids

So Baby G has the largest bedroom in the house.  LOL!  We thought about putting him in a smaller room until our designer talked us into using this room.  Since it's such a decent size, we plan to use it for his playroom also...and we can be right next door in the office to keep an eye on things.  :)

We chose to tuck the crib in the corner under the dormer, which makes the perfect place to hang his mobile.  Chad chose the mobile - airplanes - to fit with our travel theme.  Chad's grandfather was an Air Force test pilot back in the day.  I hope Baby G is able to hear some of his super cool stories some day!!

Crib | Amazon, Chevron Bin | Home Goods, Mobile | Amazon, Kansas City Print | Zulily, Curtains | Zulily

In viewing nurseries on blogs & Pinterest, the book wall seems to be a current trend.  Not only does it become wall decor, but it allows the child to go and select a book that they wish to read (once they're a bit older, of course).  We're excited to see what books Baby G chooses as his faves.

Dr. Seuss Print | Canvas on Demand, Book Ledges | Ikea, Books | Wonderful Family & Friends

Loving how these bookshelves are so versatile.  I'm quite sure that they'll be rearranged a million times!

Rocker/Glider | Amazon, Bookshelves | Ikea, Navy Cubes | Target

Baby G will be arriving very soon.  Hope you enjoyed the nursery tour!

Chad's 42nd!

Another year has come and gone for the Hubs...and sadly I didn't accomplish taking but 2 photos...none of which are of Chad.  LOL!  #birthdayfail

This year I managed to get some treats of my own for Chad's birthday.  We started the weekend by purchasing a new MacBook Pro for me!  Yahoo!  My current laptop is dying a slow death - constant issues.  I wanted to be ready for Gnocchi's arrival and all the pics we'd be taking, so it wasn't an option in my eyes to wait any longer.  Missouri had it's Back To School Tax Free shopping weekend this weekend - gotta love it!  We ended up with discounts for that and an educator discount (since Chad works for the university).  Can't beat it!  Now I'm just working on learning Mac-style...much more difficult than it sounds.  

I'm totally in love with my new "mini" (my nickname for it, since it's a 13").  I downsized from "Big Red", my 17" Dell.  I thought it would be horrible, but the screen is quite nice.  Also totally loving the fact that it syncs directly to my phone...pics, texts, etc.  I've got so much more to learn though!!!

Saturday was spent getting  couples massage at the Spa on Penn...prenatal for me & relaxation/therapeutic for him.  This was our first time at this spa, and I'd definitely go back.  Everything was clean, staff were professional and prices were competitive.  I booked it since we've been working so hard lately and didn't get to go on the baby moon we had hoped to!  I hadn't had a massage in a year, and Chad's last massage was on our honeymoon...almost 3 years ago!!!  It didn't disappoint however!  It was quite heavenly, and I'm always surprised how fast that hour flies by!  

We ended the day with a delicious dinner at Bristol Seafood.  This is another place that doesn't disappoint...always consistent with yummy food & excellent service!  I always go for their scrumptious Lobster Cobb salad and Chad had the fresh salmon.  I did manage two pics at Bristol...one of our divine dessert...

Strawberry Shortcake with lemon cake & roasted strawberry ice cream

...and the other, a bathroom selfie of me.  LOL!  

#30weeks

Sunday was back to the normal grind...housework, bills, grocery shopping, etc.  It was a fun weekend though, and we're looking forward to our 3D ultrasound scheduled on Monday!

Cheers!

Insta Recap

Another crazy, busy week has flown by without me even realizing it!  I'm totally trying to focus more on blogging, since I've been almost non-existent these days.  

I finally figured out why it has seemed so crazy around here lately.  We're focusing on so many rooms at once...basically all of them...instead of updating/decorating one room at a time.  Sheer madness!!!  I don't think we planned on doing things this way - just kind of worked out like that.  I'll do a home update post soon, but here's a list of what we've been up to lately...and still need to do.  Makes me exhausted thinking about it.

Kitchen/Pantry:

* Organized & updated hardware.  (I think we're basically done in this room for now.)

Dining Room:

* Purchased new dining room chairs, since we lost ours in the condo sale. 

* Purchased new dining room light.  Waiting for that to arrive & then will have electrician hang it.

* Still need to purchase dining room rug.

* Need to hang art

Upstairs Deck:

* Purchased new table/chairs/cushions.

* Still need to purchase outdoor rug.

* Need to hang art.

Living Room/Foyer:

* Purchased new rug & console/media table.

* Purchased new foyer light - electrician needs to hang.

Master Suite:

* Had professional closet installed.  Hallelujah!!!

* Need to hang art.

* Eventually - next year - want to switch out lighting & faucets in master bathroom.  

Hallways (up/down):

* Purchased & hung 5 new semi-flush mounts.

Guest Suite:

* Purchased new nightstands & linens.

* Hung new curtains

* Installed shelves in guest bathroom.

* Need to hang art.

3rd Bathroom (Gnocchi's):

* Purchased & hung new vanity light.

* Need to hang art & shelves - already purchased.

* Need to paint.

Nursery:

* Purchased & put together crib, dresser & storage shelves.

* Waiting on replacement for rocker/glider.

* Hung new curtains.

* Need to hang shelves & art.

General:

* Haven't started on laundry/mudroom area - needs work.

* Haven't started on downstairs half bath - needs work.

* Haven't started on office yet.  Need to purchase day bed to add an extra spot for our guests.

Wow!!!  There is still a ton on the "To Do" list that I want to accomplish before Delivery Day!!!  I better get to the sharing of random pics, so that I can go accomplish something else.  LOL!!!

(Clockwise from top left)

1.  Super cute sleeping sack I purchased on clearance from Gap!  I can't get enough of those ants!!!

2.  K&T - such an adorable shot!  Miss these two!!

3.  Gnocchi's Halloween costume - glow-in-the-dark style!  LOL!  He can't go without on Momma's favorite holiday!  He'll be just a wee newborn then, so I'm sure we'll just be chillaxin' at home.

(Clockwise from top left again)

You know I can't end this without sharing pics of the fur babies!!

1.  Lucky can barely fit on my lap these days, but she figures out how!

2.  Smokey helping dad put up lights.

3.  Lucky napping on Momma's new laptop case.

4.  Smokey chillin' in his new favorite spot - our deck.

Hope you're getting some R&R this weekend!

Cheers!

The 5th & 6th Months

My how time flies when you're having fun!  I'm obviously super late in posting these.  it's been truly crazy around these parts lately.  I look back at this time frame and it seems like so long ago.  We've actually accomplished so much since then, but we still have quite a way to go.  

I celebrated by 38th birthday during my 17th week of pregnancy.  I definitely am glad that I waited until later in life to have a child...but I still feel like an "old momma".  I picture Chad & I being the oldest parents in the school.  LOL!  At this point, I still hadn't felt Gnocchi move yet, so I was using the Doppler a couple of times a week...mostly to make myself feel better.  :)

We closed on our new home this week!  It was truly bittersweet!  I was ecstatic to start designing & decorating our new home - the home in which we'll raise our sweet little man!  On the other hand, I was super sad to be leaving our friends at One Park Place.  We loved our little community there - not to mention our awesome condo & its amenities.

At this point, my iced tea cravings had really started to kick in....AND I FINALLY FELT GNOCCHI MOVE!  Yahoo!!!

Week 20 was awesome!  My mom came in town, and we all went for a Level 2 Ultrasound.  Wow!  What an amazing experience!!  We basically got to watch Gnocchi move around for about 30 minutes.  It made it so much more real!

 Here's a few of my favorite pics...

The upside down gymnast

Mr. Muscles

 

It's All Good, Man!

 

Week 20 consisted of continued bliss from the ultrasound the week before, more iced tea cravings and lots of new home planning.

 

 

Week 21 began and ended with bathroom trips.  LOL!  For some reason, I thought that this pregnancy symptom came along later.  Not true.  Barely showing but definitely know where the bathroom is!  I also started to have some back/rib pain about this time - very uncomfortable.  I knew I'd have back pain during the pregnancy, but it's very different than how I pictured it.

Week 22 commenced with work on our house, as well as a contract on our condo.  Yahoo!!  Baby planning was on hold while we focused on the house.  Back/rib pain & iced tea cravings continue.  
 

Week 23 - we moved into the new house!!  Again exciting and bittersweet all at the same time!  Mom & John came into town to help us since my stamina just isn't what it used to be.  Thank goodness for the help!  I'd probably still be unpacking.  LOL!
 

Week 24 - more back/rib pain.  Boo!  This week we were able to plan for both the new house, as well as the baby.  It really felt good to start baby planning again!!

We've accomplished so much more in the last month!  Stay tuned for more Gnocchi updates!!

Cheers!

Insta Recap

Wow, how time flies!  I can hardly believe that it's been over a month since I blogged last.  I must say that we've been quite busy getting the condo ready to sell, moving, unpacking...and, oh yeah, growing a human inside of me.  Lol!  

I hope to start blogging on a more regular basis soon now that things are calming down, but for now I've put together some snapshots from the past several weeks.

1.  Lucky chilling out on our stairs.  The cats haven't dealt with stairs since we were in STL...and even then it was only basement stairs.  So Lucky is in love with the fact that she can chill on the stairs and still see everything that goes on!

2.  A view of our mess living room area from the second floor.  (I wish I would have moved the toilet bowl brush prior to snapping this shot.  LOL!)

3.  Lucky caught in the act!  She's found her food & treats in the new pantry.  (By the way, we are truly in love with our pantry, and it's color.  We've never had one before!!)

4.  The long and winding (and hilly) road to our home.  Our house is way down at the end.  We took a walk one evening - wasn't sure I'd make it up to the top of the hill.  It's amazing how much lung capacity you lose growing a human!

5.  Lucky patiently waiting for us to arrive home.  (I'll share paint colors & info in a upcoming blog.)

6.  Snapped this shot after a storm this past week driving North out of the city over the train yard.

7.  Smokey chilling out on the patio.  Smokey loved the patio when we lived in the loft in the River Market.  He'd chill out there for hours, and it's seemed to come right back to him here.  The cats have transitioned so well this move.  We're so thankful!!  

8.  Finally started unpacking decor this weekend, which means the last of the boxes are finally getting touched.  Yahoo!  

9.  Realized tonight that Lucky matches our decor!  LOL!  (Totally loving our new rug, by the way.  #rugsusa)

Had to share some shots of family & friends!!  Love & miss them!!

1.  My niece, Lehni, and nephew, Miles.   

2.  My niece, Teddi.  Can barely believe that she's 6 months old now...and starting to chunk up a bit!  :)

3.  My niece, Hanna, all dressed up to celebrate the 4th!  Too cute!

4.  The OPP Peeps - Deborah, Heather & Chrystal - doing it up right!  Don't miss Chad photo bombing us in the background!  LOL!

More to come soon, I promise!

Cheers! 

The 4th Month

Wow! This pregnancy is truly flying by!!  I've been slacking a bit on my posts recently.  Things have just seemed so busy!  So I figured I'd better post this now that I'm entering the last week of my 5th month.  

I think I've had it quite easy overall compared to the severity of symptoms that other women say they have.  My nausea has basically completely vanished, cravings & aversions have definitely set in, and "the bump" finally decided to make an appearance.  I guess the symptom that seems to still be the most prevalent is the tiredness.  I had a few weeks in the first trimester where it was shear exhaustion, but I wouldn't say it's that severe anymore.  That actually went away while I was still in my first trimester.  I've had so many people tell me that I'll get a boost of energy and feel fabulous in my 2nd trimester, but I haven't experience that just yet.  I'm beginning to wonder if that "boost" was when the severe exhaustion went away in the first trimester.  Who knows?  I just have to keep reminding myself that my body is working overtime to take care of two people instead of just one like it's done for the past 37 (ahem, 29) years.

It was around 13 weeks when I really started feeling uncomfortable in my normal clothes.  I tried the belly band extenders, which worked best with my jeans.  Unfortunately nothing worked with my work pants...and those Bella Band things are completely useless.  I have no idea why people love them so much.  Chad & I actually made a trip to the Motherhood Maternity store near us to grab a few dresses which would work for both the early & late stages of pregnancy.

I feel like it was the 14th week when my bump really started to show.  According to the Baby Bump app that I'm using, Gnocchi grew a whole ounce and 0.6 inches this week...more than any of the previous weeks.  The app is kind of cool.  It gives you daily tips and weekly growth updates for both the baby & you.  So for the 14th week, Gnocchi was 3.4 inches (a lemon) and 1.5 oz.

This week was super busy dealing with new house stuff, doctor appointments, etc.  I did manage to squeeze in my first prenatal workout...finally.  I figured I need to up the ante here since my exhaustion is not as bad as it was.  It was also this week when my meat aversion really started to kick in.  I'm eating very little meat these days and needing to find my protein source in other things...beans, peanut butter, protein powder, etc. 

Week 15 was probably the most exciting so far...the gender reveal!!  It's a BOY!!  Now Chad and I were initially quite thrown off by this, as we both thought it was a girl.  We really have no reason for thinking that.  I even had one gender dream in which I opened up the lab paperwork and saw that we were having a boy, but I still continued to think we were having a girl.  I guess my subconscious must have known all along.  LOL!

We had ordered a gender reveal cake from a local, scrumptious bakery.  We saved this precious moment to share just between the two of us.  I definitely should have cut a larger wedge from the cake, so you could see the blue ombre effect.  I'm glad we decided to surprise ourselves with the gender reveal cake.  Not only did it make it a bit more special than just opening an envelope, but we got to eat cake all week!  Score!!

Week 16 seemed to be quite a busy week.  We had initially intended to "tell" our family with the gender that week, but our surprise for them didn't arrive as planned.  So it was a week of attempting to NOT call anyone for fear that I might accidentally give away the surprise.  So we kept busy with a daycare visit and baby gear research.  

By this week I had also developed a new craving...iced tea!  I just can't get enough of this stuff!!!  I'm thankful that I'm not craving anything more fattening than this.  Cravings are strong!  If I was still craving mac & cheese, I'd be as large as a house by now.  LOL!  I'm also thankful for Fre wine - the alcohol free wine that a friend of ours recommended.  Phew!  I'd definitely recommend the white over the red...especially the Chard & Brut!

Cheers!