31 Weeks

This week hasn't been the most comfortable.  The last two days I've had the worse cramps.  I had pain in my abdominal area that literally lasted five hours yesterday.  Of course Dr. Google had no specific answers to my questions.  Thankfully it died down after I laid down for a bit.  I'm feeling better today and am just slightly sore.  I understand Braxton Hicks contractions are in my future but I hope I don't have more days like yesterday.

On a positive note we've gotten a lot done this week (and its only half over!).  I finished the nightstand and bookcases.  Yesterday we got a few more things in the mail for the nursery and my mom bought us a rock n play.  I also signed up for TWO huge consignment sales this upcoming month and am hoping to finish getting everything we need for Baby Girl between the two.  I'm all for consignments but I'm hoping that its not this mad rush to grab things.

Next week we start our birth class and I'm really excited to see what its like.  I'm also hoping to make it to a few breastfeeding classes and a cloth diaper class later this month.  I've taken a few classes already at the installation and all have been pretty useful.  I can't say I've learned a ton of new information but its turned into a great refresher as well as opens up discussions about child raising.

Its crazy how fast our schedules are filling up for August.  We also have an ob appointment next Monday.  I can't believe we will be at 8 months.  The time is just slipping away.  This weekend we are going away to Wilimington for a little R & R. I am super excited about this trip as it will probably be one of the last chances for Josh and I to go on a trip alone before she gets here.  I'm only a little disappointed because I won't be able to do some of the normal activities we would partake on a trip like this.  No diving, no parasailing, no surfing.  Of course I understand why but I love getting out and being active!

Overall I still feel like I can't complain.  I'm still pretty comfortable and getting some sleep (I'm at the point of waking up about every two hours or so).  Sure I had some cramps yesterday but for the most part I'm still pretty active and getting things done around the house.  I'm hoping this feeling lasts for at least another month!

31 weeks

Nursery Projects

The nursery is still a work in progress but we're getting there.  This weekend we picked up a few things for the walls as well as the paint for the bookshelves and nightstand.  As we get further and further along on this project I fall more in love with her room each day.  I love the teal, red and yellow combination so much so that I'm having trouble deciding what color to put where.  I realize I'm probably overthinking it but I just want it to be perfect and inviting.

Before meets....

I decided to reuse an old coffee table I had from my dorm days as a nightstand instead of picking up something new.  Its a little big for the space but I couldn't see throwing it away and getting something new.  After going back and forth between yellow and teal, I decided to paint it teal.  It was probably one of the easiest projects I've ever done.  I didn't really have to sand it down and just rolled on the new color.  The paint dried super fast in the sun and before I knew it I was done!

After

The bookcases took a bit longer.  Again I hemmed and hawed over the color finally deciding to go with red.  I opted for spray paint for this project.  The problems started when I didn't let the first side dry completely before flipping it over.  I ended up getting some newsprint stuck to the backside.  On top of that the nasty humidity of North Carolina caused them to stay tacky for about 48 hours.  Finally today they lost that tacky feeling and I was able to put on a second coat.  It rained last night so the humidity was low making drying time a breeze compared to the first coat.  I've got them together and now just need Josh to mount them on the wall :)

Ikea spice racks turned bookshelves

My last project is almost finished.  I spent last Friday looking at fabric and finally found a few samples that will work with my color scheme.  I just need the embroidery hoops to stretch it and then hang everything up.  I love how perfectly the older items fit with some of the new items I found; especially the pull behind Mickey.  I mean it doesn't get much better than that!

Items for the collage wall

As I cross off these little projects, I get more and more excited for baby girl to get here.  I know she may not be in this room for long (ah the life of a military family) but I hope she loves it as much as I do.

We're Not in Kenya Anymore

Lately I feel like we're constantly reminding ourselves that we're back in the U.S. and not in Kenya anymore. We got so used to our lives there that its been a bit of an adjustment being back.  (not that we don't love it here)  Here's a few examples that come to mind...

1. When reserving a campsite for this weekend we were shocked when the "primitive" sites were listed with having just a fire pit and pit toilets.  Wait this is primitive?!  That's normal in Kenya.  A bath house and grill who needs those when camping...

2. Multiple types of cheese...wait cheese in general.  What's this?!  Oh we're not in Kenya anymore.

3. Running to the store to just grab one thing and that thing being in there.  Insane!  I think it took me about three hours to do the first grocery store run.  Too many things to look at.  (first world problems)

4. Josh fell asleep in the car while I was driving the other day.  His response, "The roads here just bore me."  Yes there is far less to worry about on the road here.  Oh were not in Kenya anymore.

Friday Love List

1. I am loving being home.  Sure my short trip to Illinois was great and I loved getting to see my parents and friends, but nothing beats being home.  I love being back with my husband and the Bud-ster (although I'm not quite sure he's happy about me being home :)

2. I am loving that Josh has two four day weekends coming up.  Yes TWO!!  What does that mean you ask?  Road trips!!  I am super excited about getting out and exploring North Carolina a bit and of course spending some quality time with the hubby before baby girl arrives.

3. I am loving looking at all things nursery and hopefully finally making some decisions about things.  There's just too many fun prints and colors to choose from!  I am particularly in love with this store and this store.  Just trying to decide before pulling the trigger.....

4. I am loving that tomorrow is the weekend.  I hope Josh is ready for this but I'm feeling a surge of energy coming on in the form of organizing and cleaning.  Particularly the nasty outside windows and tackling this sudden invasion of spiders.  I swear we just knocked down all the cobwebs a few weeks ago.

30 Weeks

So we've finally hit the 30 week mark.  Its all downhill from here right?!  In all seriousness, hitting the big
3-0 mark makes me a little nervous.  Before we know it August will be over and little girl could be here any minute.

We have a ton to do the next month.  I want to tackle the few projects I have looming in the nursery and make sure we have everything we need for her arrival.  We are also supposed to start our birth class in a few weeks and need to finish our birth plan as well.  I'm thinking about also taking a cloth diapering class at a local shop as well as meeting with the local La Leche League.  Surprisingly I'm not too stressed about it all yet.  Its there and it needs to be done but I have confidence that we'll make it.

The beginning of the week was a little rough for me traveling back from Illinois.  It was hard to switch mattresses and get comfortable at my parents house.  Its nice to be home in our bed.  I'm convinced baby girl's feet are up in my rib cage.  She really likes to stretch out in there and I am constantly feeling her moving her legs and arms.  She doesn't really kick too much anymore but definitely makes it known that she likes her space.  I'm wondering how she's going to manage to stay in there for 10 more weeks!

Otherwise I feel pretty good for being this big.  I don't have any swelling or any of those other "fun" pregnancy side effects.  My belly button is starting to look a bit weird shaped but its still in!  Thankfully I think I am mainly carrying her in front and even though I'm seeing the scale go up it seems to be all baby belly.

We have our 32 week appointment in two weeks and I am excited to hear about her progress and talk more about the birth.  I'm getting a tad nervous about birth which I know is normal but also really excited.  I still can't believe how fast this pregnancy has flown by and how soon we're going to be able to hold baby girl in our arms.

Hello 30 weeks!

Jill Gets Married

This past weekend I headed up north to celebrate the wedding of one of my best friends.  The day was absolutely beautiful and filled with so many homemade details.  Jill is so talented that way and I didn't expect anything different for her day.  She made beautiful bags for each of the bridesmaids as well as really cute hair pieces that were in her colors.  Not to mention the cake topper, her veil, and I'm sure the list just goes on and on!

The three of us

We started off the morning with hair appointments and lots of laughs.  By noon we were all in our dresses and ready for pictures.  I am so thankful that my dress fit.  I was really concerned that my belly would get too big for it.  I did have some issues with the upper half of the dress but not really anything to worry too much about.  I was even able to find some low heels that I felt confident I wouldn't trip down the aisle in.

The weather cooperated and we had one of the first cooler days to get out and get some great shots.  Jill had hired the same photographers as Josh and I had and it was great to see them again.  They are so talented and seriously one of the nicest couples I have ever met.  I also got to see our wedding planner/videographers again.  I can't wait to see what they do with the footage.  They are also super talented and somehow manage to capture the essence of the day.  Only wish I could have visited with them more!

The getaway car

The ceremony was beautiful and so personal.  Adam pre-recorded himself playing most of the music they used and then friends and family sang the rest.  Such a great touch!  The little flower girl was also adorable carefully laying down each petal before Jill walked down and everyone got a little teary eyed as they said their vows and were pronounced husband and wife.  I loved how even during their vows you could see their personalities shining through.  They giggled and laughed and that's just SO them

Matron of Honor's speech

The reception kept the celebration going and I indulged in one too many cupcakes :) Delicious!  Little girl was getting cramped in there so I hit the dance floor in hopes of lulling her to sleep.  Adam and his groomsmen entertained the crowd by having a dance for every song.  I loved seeing them do the wobble! By the end of the night our feet hurt and we were exhausted from dancing; all great signs of a good party and day!

Huge congrats to Jill and Adam!  Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day.  I can't believe we are all grown up and MARRIED?!  We're so old ;)..........

Mr. & Mrs. Sparks!!

Friday Love List

1. I am loving my amazing and supportive husband.  He has been awesome this week and it just reminds me how much I love him.  I am missing him tons while I am visiting family in Illinois.

2. I am loving all the sweet little clothes my mom bought baby girl yesterday and today.  I'm pretty sure she has doubled our stash.  It's been fun shopping with her and hearing her thoughts on all things baby.

3. I am loving the amazing hammock that I won from Allison over at Nestful of Love.  Her talented sister who runs Sew inn Love made it and I can't wait to take it camping or hang it on our porch (more detailed post to come).

4. I am loving that one of my best friends gets married tomorrow!!  Congratulations Jill and Adam.  Love you guys and I can't wait to be a part of your special day.