Team Green: Nursery Inspiration

We have been thinking we will wait to find out the sex until the delivery. Im really looking forward to waiting. Since we wont know the gender Ive been looking for some gender neutral nursery ideas. So far Im in love with all whites & creams -OR- lots of primary color! 

These are a few of my favorites:

Baby Bear waves hello!

Met my OB today & loved her. She kept referring to the baby in my tummy as a 'he' - I couldnt help but wonder if she instinctively knew something I didn't - but knew that was wishful thinking. The baby is growing right on track - with the same due date of 07.10.10.

Quiz time!

• How far along? 13 weeks
• Weight gain/loss: +1
• Maternity clothes? a little bit of normal clothes & some maternity. Maternity is much more comfy
• Stretch marks? nope.
• Sleep? same as before still.
• Best moment this week? Seeing him/her jumping around in there!
• Movement: not yet.
• Food cravings: really wanting a lemon bar. bad.
• Gender: not feeling one way or the other.
• Labor signs? nope.
• Belly button in or out? in. wayyyy in.
• What I miss? not being exhausted.
• What I am looking forward to?
• Weekly wisdom:
• Milestones: Seeing baby on the ultrasound & Out of the 1st trimester!!
  

Word of the day: Baby Bunching

So theres an actual word for what Im doing ... and NOOOO, Im not talking about "OOPS" or "CRAZY".

Look: theres a whole blog about it :-D

"Baby Bunching™ is two years of pregnancy and back-to-back infants and toddlers with nary a break for you. Baby Bunching means chaos for you, and your little twiblings. No worries, they become good friends as a result of your bunching strategy. You will become strong, creative, organized, calm and at peace with your new lifestyle without even realizing it."

Brooklyn on Left, Baby #3 on Right.

Jingle Bell Rock

New Year Prediction: 2 under 2, plus a 10 year old

Yup - thats right folks - we are officially completing our brood.

I found out on Brooklyns 1st Birthday (Nov 2nd). Ironic, no? As I was reminiscing about the day I stared at her little face for the first time I was staring at this in utter shock:

I had no idea how to break the news to my husband. I was freaking out - I couldnt imagine how he would feel. Mind you, I havent blogged about it but we were staying at my parents house while we waited to move into a new home. Im sure you can imagine my surprise - take note; I said we were staying at my parents house ... Now how exactly does your 'time of the month' go missing when youre living with your parents, I'd like to know.

Heres how I broke the news to my Husband;

With H1N1 germs hanging around our pad, I had been force feeding David & Kalina hot tea every night. I got a random email about gargling with salt water and drinking hot liquids as a precautionary measure - legit or not - I was pushing the hot liquids. They both snubbed their nose at it night after night but I continued making it anyhow.

On this particular night, I made my own tea and then I stuck a digital home pregnancy test in a mug (yes - I am aware of how gross that is) for my hubs - with 'pregnant' facing up. I nestle down next to David, who is ready to turn on some lovely trash tv (MTV's The Hills), and I nonchalantly pass him the mug. "Whats... ? What the ...? .... (stares at the stick in the mug) "Youre Pregnant? Are you joking? You're pregnant? Shut the front door! You're Pregnant?"

Then he sits up half-smiling, half-stunned - "when did you get pregnant??" ... As if I did this all by myself. ;)

Then I go from smiling to crying, "Oh my god - You're not happy. You're not HAPPY? I knew it - youre stressed!" "Im happy!" Hes says. Then we're both crying and he starts laughing hysterically. HYSTERICALLY. "OMG - we're living at your parents house and you're pregnant" More hysterical laughter. "OMG - Im getting snipped, Im making an appointment tomorrow. OMG." and of course, more hysterical laughter.

"Did you check the chinese baby calendar??"

... he runs out to his truck to get the chart his sister gave him when we got married. "MALE!!!Male! Male! Male!" He throws the dog in the air screaming, "We're gonna have more testosterone Daisy!!"

(Of course, I had to burst his bubble and remind him that it still MAY be another girl.)

So - there you have it; we anticipate being a family of FIVE come July 2010.

Tummy Thursday ~ Week 10

Pregnancy Quiz

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +0 lbs

Maternity clothes? no

Stretch marks? no

Sleep: normal.

Best moment this week: 'investing' in a bella band.

Movement: no

Food cravings: Im obsessed with food. First it was sushi - dont freak it was the cooked kind (4 days in a row), then cereal for dinner at least a week, now its cupcakes - i havent eaten any but I havent stopped thinking of them for the past week.

Gender: ??

Labor Signs: no

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: sushi

What I am looking forward to: baby bell

Other Updates: We're telling the family on xmas!!! Cant wait!

A Day in the life of a 13 month old.

This is MY world ...

First Taste of Chocolate Milk:

Messin' with Sissy:

Doin' Laundry in Daddy's Boots:

Thumbing thru the latest & greatest Pottery Barn Catalog:

Hanging with my Cousin/BFF Fifers:

Sitting Pretty in my New Raincoat:

Thankful

Seeing my girls grow together makes it alllllllll worth it. I love these two more than I ever thought imaginable & am so THANKFUL to be their mommy!

Soooo Proud of my girl! 'Scuse me while I boast for a minute.

Yesterday I met with Kalina' 5th grade teacher for a parent-teacher conference. Kalina pretended like she was nervous - and was biting her nails wondering what her report card would look like. She is so silly because with all the time & hard work she puts in, there was only one option; Straight A's.

Well they dont give out A's in elementary school - But she did get lots of 4's & E's. I feel so lucky to have a daughter who already works so hard to excel at her 'job'. The teacher declared her as the best writer in the class and thanked her for her dedication. Kalina has been working as a Jr. Safety Patrol - walking kindergarteners to class and opening doors for parents dropping their children off. She also volunteered to tutor her peers. She is really loving her last year at the elementary school!

Brooklyns 1st Party!

Rockin' out

... thanks to Auntie Alexa, Uncle Derm, Kate & Jack! She loves her new guitar and tiara to match! Check it out:

Oldie but a Goodie

Have I posted this pic yet??? because I love it! Its from the reception at Buca di Beppos after her baptism back in June. What can I say - the girl loves her some 'sketti :)

What a difference a year makes ...

Looking Back: My List of 1st Year 'Must-Haves'

The first few months are all about doing whatever you can to get through without losing your mind while being mroe sleep-deprived than you ever thought was possible ... These are a few things that helped up all get a little extra peace & quiet with a newborn in the house:

• Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets: These were awesome for swaddling, for summer time blankets and for draping over the stroller during naps. The pack of 4 was all I needed.

• Baby Swing. We had the Graco Sweet Peace which was nice to have the first few months - especially because it comes equipped with a White Noise setup.

• The Boppy. We LOVED our Boppy. Moms seem to have mixed reviews and many prefer the Breast Friend but the boppy is a classic in our house.

• Happiest Baby on the Block DVD. David, Kalina and I practiced these techniques before Brooklyns arrival! The shushing proved very helpful some nights.

• Wrap/Sling. We used this Moby style carrier and it was a true lifesaver. I was able to get stuff done while Brooklyn slept. It was also great for traveling. Ive heard great things about the ring sling, ergo and the beco wrap.

• White Noise Machine or a fan in the room. We used a fan and it works wonders getting her to sleep longer stretches plus research shows it helps prevent SIDS.

• A Co-sleeper, Bassinet or moses basket. We used a moses basket because a friend passed it down to me and with our small house it was perfect. It was nice having her close for those 2am feedings and she slept well in it for the first couple months until transitioning to the crib.

• An awesome Diaper Bag.

• Mirror for the backseat. I got this as a gift and had no idea how awesome it would be.

• Tons of spit up rags - we bought these.

• The snap-n-go stroller was really nice to have - its small and convenient to use with the baby carrier. However, many of the nicer strollers have adapters so that you can hook the carseat onto them (I wish I had known this ---> Bugaboo has an adapter, the BOB has one, so does the city mini which we waited to buy until she was bigger)
• 
  
• Twin bed in the nursery - this was so nice to have some nights and helped us ALL get a little extra rest with a newborn in the house.
• 
  
• Gumdrop Paci - It was the only paci Brooklyn would take to and helped soothe her.

*** My silly disclaimer: These are just the items I used daily and wouldnt have wanted to do without - however this list doesnt include the basics necessities such as a CAR SEAT and bathtub (duh).

I do believe my littlest rockstar needs these ... dont you agree?

Just HAD to pick up those scissors, Didnt I?

Every once in a while I see something I think is cute and try to replicate it - Its a common occurrence that rarely works out in my favor.  

I was checking out this blog ---> allthingsgd.blogspot.com and was admiring her haircut. Bangs and all.  

Went, grabbed the scissors ... and well ... The rest is history. I just cant seem convince myself to leave it to the professionals *before* I do the damage.  

Soooo .... I sit here ..... looking like a 5 year old whose mom has cut her hair ... wondering why I couldnt leave the scissors be.

We have a WALKER people!!

... and a bit of a yeller too.

Just the Girls!

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