Guest room idea

The room that we are turning into the nursery is currently being used as a small office/second guest room. We got rid of the bed, but were having trouble figuring out what to do with the "office" part. There is not really a choice except to move it into our other guest room, which currently looks like this:



(the paint isn't actually neon green, it just came out that way in these pics)

This is probably my favorite room in the house. It is so peaceful and I love the green and pink combo and the antique plates on the wall. The desk and file cabinet we have are white and simple and would match, but I don't want the room to feel overcrowded or like an office.

A few days ago I stumbled on this closet office:

I know, freakin adorable right? So, thats the new tentative plan. Assuming that we can find a place to put everything that is currently in the closet, like all of my craft stuff and formal dresses and snow jackets....

Third Trimester

Its official, I'm in the third trimester now! I can no longer see my feet:

(taken at 26 weeks)

And there is no question that there's a bun in my oven:

(27 weeks)

There isn't anything new really. I've been really sick all this week. I'll write more when I'm not so under the weather:)

Yesterday

Yoga class was so fun! There was 13 girls, ranging from first trimester to 36 weeks pregnant. most were in the 20-28 week range. It was cute to see how different everyone's bellies were! Almost everyone was in their 20's, and except for one girl, this was everyone's first pregnancy.

Stretching felt SO NICE. I had no idea how tight I was in my stomach, shoulders and back, no wonder I'm uncomfortable. My hips are too flexible right now, I would get to the point where it was uncomfortable but they would still have stretched a lot more. I think I could do the splits if I wanted to! Anyways, I'm going to work on the tight areas, and try not to strain my hips:)

The class starts with a 30 minute discussion. During the next 5 weeks a nutritionist is going to give a little talk, a homeopathic doctor, and a Bradley instructor. We also go over various positions for labor and delivery. The actual yoga part of the class is on hour, although it felt like 2.

I've been sick so that part was kind of miserable. Not being able to breath out of my nose at all (kinda hard to do yoga breathing w/o a functioning nose), and every time I was in downward dog or another low head position my nose would drip. Sexy huh? I'm sure by next class it will be better:)

When I got home Jerad had sanded all the holes he had patched in the hallway, kitchen, and bedroom, then painted all the spots in our bedroom that needed to be covered. Dinner was also almost ready to come out of the oven, and the house was vacuumed. I kind of love my husband.

This week we are going to finish the patching and most of the painting, hang the pictures in our newly rearranged bedroom, pick out wall hangings for our "new" living room ( I switched from red accents and a Paris theme to aqua and birds), and organize all the stuff that we've been throwing into the nursery.

Then we can spend February working on the nursery! I ordered the bedding and it is on its way, and Jerad has a plan for how he wants to build the molding. I'm going to refinish the dresser that was my mom's when she was a kid, mine when I was little, and we are now passing on to our baby. I think once the room is finished it will finally set in.

Jerad really wants to build a shed in our backyard so he can still have his "own" space. We really could use it, the metal shed we have now is crap and leaks. During this last rain everything in there got soaked. We don't have a garage, and our basement is full and not good for working on projects in. BUT, building the kind of shed he wants (finished drywall, painted inside, laminate flooring, electric, windows) will be mega $$ not to mention take a lot of time. Maybe it can be a summer project, or something to look forward to NEXT year? Then again it would be nice when he plays guitar with friends for them to have somewhere to go besides our living room (aka I could have the living room back instead of banishing myself to the bedrooms), and for his tools to be more accessible. We'll see I guess.

Sometimes I feel like there is still so much time until the baby gets here... then I look at the calendar and realize that January is over and we only have 3 months left! Between finishing our Hypnobabies classes, midwife appointments, projects at home, yoga classes, doula meetings, hospital tour, breastfeeding classes, and baby showers, I'm sure its going to FLY.

We're talking about taking a little trip in the beginning of April as a "last hurrah" if we can figure out where to go. I have the biggest desire to go to legoland of all places. Probably not the most fun at 36 weeks pregnant:) We had so much fun on that brunch cruise in San Diego 2 years ago, maybe we'll do that again. I guess I should find out if there are any restrictions for preggo's. Arizona or Oregon for a few days would be fun too? Then again it would also be fun to just stay in Pismo, relax, and do some "local" touristy things. I guess it depends on how I feel in a month or 2!

Prenatal Yoga

I'm pretty excited to start prenatal yoga classes tonight! Its something I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure that the logistics would work out. Then I found out that not only does Templeton have a yoga studio, they have prenatal yoga classes on weekdays 30 minutes AFTER I get off work! Pretty exciting.

Here's the description :

Prenatal Yoga & Wellness programs prepares you for birth through the five points of yoga:Proper Exercise, Proper Breathing, Proper Nutrition, Proper Relaxation/Meditation, and Positive Thinking. Enhance your birth experience through techniques that prepare you physically, mentally, and emotionally. The class begins with 25 minutes of discussion in the tea lounge, followed by an hour class.The course includes use of a yoga mat, yoga ball, blocks, bolsters, eye pillows, packet, and discussion/yoga class.

sounds nice huh?

I am really looking forward to the stretching, the bigger I get, the achier. I try to do yoga at home, but it just isn't the same as a class. I've really been missing having a gym membership lately, so at least this is something I can look forward to getting out and doing once a week. After the first 5 weeks, you get a discount if you sign up for another 5 weeks. There is a 2 week break between sessions. The second session ends April 13th, 2 weeks before I'm due. That should help the time fly by right?

Weekend Indulgence

We don't eat a lot of white bread. Just the occasional loaf of sourdough. SO, it was a super treat to make homemade french bread this weekend!

For dinner Jerad made open faced grilled chicken sandwiches with grilled onions, extra sharp cheddar, pickles, and lettuce:

Yes please.

Nursery Theme

Well, we finally decided how we'd like to do the nursery. We went back and forth a LOT between wanting something serene neutral and organic, a theme, something bright and cheery or just choosing a color we both like. We were both adamant that we didn't want to do pastels, teddy bears, sports, or anything along those lines. Finally we compromised on something like this:

Jerad wants to build the white molding that is in this picture, and we'll do a wall color that is similar but a little darker. He wants to build the molding a little taller, like this:

The dresser we'll be using for a changing table was my mom's when she was a kid, then mine, and I'm going to refinish it sort of like the one in the brown/aqua/orange beach nursery pic above.

We'll do mostly aqua with tangerine accents, kind of like this:

(think aqua, not baby blue)

Last weekend we registered at Kahuna Kids for some baby stuff. Its an ADORABLE little store that sells a lot of organic clothing, slings, and cloth diapers. While we were there Jerad because obsessed with giraffes.

Don't ask me why.

He decided we should do a giraffe room. I'm not quite sure what that means, BUT while looking for teal/orange baby stuff online I found this bedding:

Its hard to see in the picture, but its the perfect color and even has a few giraffes on the bumper. The problem is that its made by Serena and Lily so its quite expensive, not carried in any stores around here, and you can't really find a discount in it. Its the Ben collection.

Jerad's answer is to just buy it, but I don't think I could bear to spend that much on crib bedding.... especially since we're going to be co-sleeping who knows how much use it will even get? I think I'm going to either buy nice fabric in similar colors and make our own (however that's just one MORE thing that we'd be trying to get done before the baby.... not too keen on that), or buy the fitted sheet, then an aqua skirt and bumper and applique the animals on if he's still obsessed with giraffes by then.

Anyways, as of right now that's what we're planning on.

25 weeks, 4th midwife appointment

Stats from the appointment:
I am 25ish weeks along and measuring 24 weeks.
The baby's heartbeat was about 140 bpm and strong.
I've gained 18 pounds. I'm actually surprised that number isn't a little higher due to the holidays, snacks people gave us for the holidays, eating camp food for 4 days, and my new found love of dessert:)

Everything is going good. I'm healthy, happy and for the most part enjoying everything. besides a few indulgences for Christmas and camping, I'm doing really well sticking to the Brewer diet. Our HypnoBabies home study classes are going great, and I am in love with our doula! We met for coffee last week and she is such a good fit. We have a lot in common. She's meeting with Jerad and I at our house the end of this month, then we'll have 1 or 2 more appointments before she comes over for the birth.

I do have a love/hate relationship with feeling the baby kick. Everyone kept telling me how great it would be, how much I would love it, how it would make me feel close to the baby.... but honestly feeling something squirm and beat me up from the inside out is somewhat creepy/painful. I'm happy to know that our baby is growing and is so strong, but the kicks are VERY strong now. Sometimes when I'm at my desk he kicks so hard that it startles me and I jump. Besides being able to feel the kicks from the outside, you can see them now too! At night when we are laying in bed and Jerad reads out loud, the baby starts jumping all over the place:) Either he likes hearing Daddy's voice, or wants him to be quiet.

I feel like I'm running out of room. I know over the next 15 weeks I'm going to get much much bigger, I just don't see how its possible! My skin is stretched soooo tight, and I already feel really uncomfortable in my ribcage. Bending down and getting back up isn't so easy anymore either.

I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, because I'm pleased as punch to be preggo. honestly. I know what an "easy" pregnancy I've had so far and I'm grateful. *NO* morning sickness, seriously, how lucky am I? Its just the feeling that my ribcage and stomach are about to split open that I'm not so keen on.

I can't believe there is only 15 weeks to go. This pregnancy has FLOWN by so far. I'm figuring that the baby will be a few weeks late, that way I can't be too disappointed when my guess date comes and goes. That said, I won't complain if he decides to come on time or a little early. Jerad likes to remind me that "babies are born on their birthdays--not their due dates."

Now its getting time for all the fun stuff! My best friends are throwing me a babyshower, and I cannotwait! It is going to be a joint shower for me and my friend Kari, who is also due with a boy just 3 weeks later than me. My mom and sisters are planning another shower for all of the families/family friends. They are all so excited, its going to be a blast.

We are also almost ready to start working on the nursery. I've been compiling pics of things I like and just need to pick colors and a theme. Jerad wants me to show him what I like and then do everything himself as a surprise. Its super sweet, but I am the one who usually does the decorating so I'm a little nervous to hand over ALL control. It will be so nice when its done, like proof that a baby is actually going to be arriving soon!

Whoops

Remember our wedding rings? Well, Jerad lost his. Awesome huh? Ever since we got them he has been saying it feels too big, "like it could fall off." I guess he was telling the truth!

Its not a big deal, its just a ring, but now we are trying to figure out what to do. In the beginning he wanted to get an antique band... something with some history behind it. Then we found the one he ended up with and he liked the style so we purchased it instead. Since its gone he could get an antique ring like he had originally wanted, but then it wouldn't be the ring in all of our pictures.

We'll see. We're going to give it a few days to turn up. He thinks it fell off, but there have been NUMEROUS times where I have found it in the shower or on the windowsill where he left it after showering/doing dishes. So, it could be sitting somewhere too. Most likely we'll buy another one then his will turn up.

When he told me his ring was gone he was worried I was going to be sad/upset about it. Honestly, I'm not very sentimental about that stuff. Before we got married and were talking about rings I told him that my dad never had one so I just sort of grew up thinking that was how it was. Jerad does a lot of work with his hands (construction, working on cars, welding) so I understood if he didn't want to wear one. He decided to go for it.

Sometimes I think maybe that was a mistake... like he wasn't necessarily made to wear one. In three months, besides the leaving it random places, loosing it, he does other things. Like decides to weld without gloves and gets all sorts of splatter on it that binds to the ring that he then has to grind off. That one I was actually mad about. Not because of the ring, but because HELLO, wear gloves so there isn't molten metal pouring into your hands!!!!

We included a "warming of the rings" as part of our wedding ceremony. It went like this:

Nevertheless, everyone’s active participation in this wedding begins now. Jerad and Steph will be wearing rings as a sign of their commitment to one another, and as the ceremony proceeds, they invite you to take part in the warming of these rings. Each guest is asked to hold them for a few moments, warm them with your love and make a silent wish or prayer for this couple and their future together. When these rings come back they will contain, in their precious metal, that which is more precious, that which is priceless; your love and hope and pledge of support for their marriage.

[The rings will make their way around to each of our guests as the ceremony proceeds.]

The funny part is, before the ceremony, we couldn't find Jerad's ring! We looked everywhere but didn't find it (I had put it in a weird suitcase pocket). Our friend tom loaned Jerad his ring to use and afterward we teased him that all the good lovin' and support was in Tom's ring and not his:) We found his ring right after the ceremony so it all ended well.

Has your hubby ever lost his ring, or is he still sportin the original?

100 skills everyone should know

Just for fun, I came across this list of 100 skills everyone should master. I did pretty well, how about you? I'll put an asterisk before the ones I've accomplished:

*1. Set goals
*2. Keep a plant alive
*3. Care for a baby:
How to Hold a Newborn Baby
The Five Ss from The Happiest Baby on the Block will soothe most fussy babies
*4. CPR
*5. Feel confident naked
*6. Interview for a job
*7. Bake a birthday cake
*8. Use a fire extinguisher
*9. Use a compass
*10. Express condolences
*11. Tell a joke
12. Remember names
*13. Sharpen a knife
*14. Dump a poisonous friend
*15. Check your oil and tires
*16. Relax/Meditate
*17. Apologize
*18. Be polite
*19. Get a good night’s sleep
*20. Dress appropriately for the situation
*21. Type
*22. Fight fair
*23. Read
*24. Ask for exactly what you want
*25. Trap a rat or mouse
*26. Basic stretches and/or yoga poses
Yoga Sequence for the Novice (Thanks, Kelli)
*27. Heimlich
*28. Please a partner sexually
*29. Tell your partner what you want in bed
*30. Shine your shoes
*31. Make your case in writing
32. Tie a scarf or tie (bowtie too):
Scarf Tying Guide (Thanks, Louise)
*33. Jump a car
34. Mix a signature drink
*35. Delegate
*36. Make a simple meal for company
*37. Give a neckrub
*38. Drive a stick
*39. Ride a bike
*40. Swim
*41. Use chopsticks
Chopstick Etiquette (Thanks, Mindy)
*42. Make a new friend
*43. Build something simple (ie: shelf, desk, treehouse)
44. Change a tire and put on snow chains (thanks, Toni)
*45. Give a toast
46. Make a perfect egg
The Great Fried Egg Tutorial (Thanks, Tara)
*47. Speak in public:
Public Speaking Made Easy
*48. Improve your mood
*49. Simple mending (Thanks, Maureen)
*50. Travel light:
Rick Steve’s Packing Light Tips (Thanks, Sandy)
*51. Steam vegetables
*52. Negotiate
*53. Be a good listener
*54. Be alone comfortably
*55. Select good produce:
List of seasonal produce generated by state and month
Locavore App for iPhone (Thanks, Samantha)
*56. Maintain your weight:
The Steve Ward Diet
*57. Build savings:
The Wealthy Barber isan accessible book that teaches the basics of personal finance
*58. Say no/disappoint someone
*59. Use a drill
*60. Flexibility/equanimity in the face of the unexpected
*61. Make small talk
The Rich Resonance of Small Talk by Roxanne Roberts (Thanks, Pamela)
*62. Skip a rock
*63. Set personal boundaries:
The Relationship Two-Step by Martha Beck
*64. Organize your home
65. Deliver a eulogy:
How to Give a Eulogy
by Tom Chiarella
*66. Shuffle a deck of cards
*67. Dance socially
68. Know a second language
*69. Win the affection of a dog or cat
*70. Write a quality love letter
*71. Play one card game well
*72. Eat healthfully
*73. Create a budget
*74. Take a decent photo
*75. Order the wine
*76. Know what makes you happy
*77. Flirt
*78. Make a good first impression
*79. Write a thank you note:
How to Write a Thank You Note by Leslie Harpold
*80. Find a perfect gift
*81. Assertiveness
*82. Arriving on time
*83. Make a little kid laugh
*84. Kiss well
*85. Make a good mix tape
*86. Tie basic knots:
IWillKnot.com
87. Dress to flatter your shape
88. Build a campfire
*89. Change the subject
*90. Acquire or shed a habit
*91. Treat a hangover:
Hangover Cures by The Morning News
*92. Be a good judge of character
*93. Season a cast-iron skillet
*94. Give a compliment
*95. Accept a compliment
*96. Contribute in group situations
*97. Judge yourself by your own yardstick
*98. Calculate the tip:
Michelle said this in comments, and it’s what I do too: Simple trick to calculating a tip. Move the decimal over one place and double that total. So, if your bill is $100.00, it would be $10.00 x2 = $20. Or if your bill is $5.23, your tip should be .52 x2= $1.04
*99. Ask for a raise (Thanks, Amber.)
*100. Build a shelter

Good reader suggestions:

*-Do a load of laundry
*-Keep your living space clean (Thanks, Megan)
*-Write legibly (Thanks, Robin)
*-Choose a good mate (Thanks, Pamela)
*-Ask for help (Thanks, Mavis)

So, according to this list I need to work on:

-Remember names (uh, never gonna happen)

-Mix a signature drink (I'm not a huge mixed drink fan and Jerad just does it better)

-Change a tire and put on snow chains (Eh, I have a husband. Better than AAA. Actually, I can change a tire, I just worry it will fall off. )

-Make a perfect egg (not ever going to happen since I hate eggs.

-Deliver a eulogy: (luckily I havent had to encounter this one yet)

-Know a second language (I'm fairly competent in Spanish. I can get my point across, but not fluent)

-Dress to flatter your shape (I basically just buy stuff I like. Then I got pregnant so now I just wear whatever will fit over my belly).

-Build a campfire (I can probably do this. But Jerad is always there when I go camping so... he's all over it)

Some of those things seem so easy... like who doesn't know how to wash a load of laundry?

What's new:

Honestly, not much is new lately. Its pretty much the same routine of wake up, get kicked like crazy all day by the babe, try to follow my Brewer diet, work, come home, dinner, clean, sleep. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I recently lost my ability to sleep, so that's awesome. I wake up in hot flashes. ME! World's Coldest Person. The girl who keeps a down comforter on the bed in the summer time. So, that's been hard to get used to. Between that and the 2-3 times I wake up in the middle of the night to pee, I think I am going to have to start taping my eyes open at work.

I'm also getting pretty uncomfortable in my own body. The skin on my stomach is so tight, I don't know how its going to keep stretching for another 4 months! I envy people with long torso's that have more room to grow.

I've been doing yoga every day which has helped my back aches tremendously. My spine was starting to do the "pregnant curve" thing and has straightened back out. I'm doing well walking, doing lunges and squats, but still failing at lifting weights. It would be so easy to do them at night while watching TV, I just can't get into it! Oh well, another goal to work towards.

Jerad has basically taken over making dinner during the week which has been AWESOME. He usually beats me home by 30 minutes so sometimes I walk in to dinner on the table. He loves cooking so he doesn't mind a bit. During the weekend I have been trying to make meals I can freeze and then pull out later on nights when neither one of us is up for making a meal and/or I forgot to go to the store and we have no groceries. I've made a few batches of enchiladas, potato gratin, pulled pork, and this weekend I'm doing lasagna and stuffed shells. After dinner we've gotten in the habit of packing our lunches for the next day, then him cleaning the kitchen and picking up anything that we have out in the living room while I start laundry and vacuum the house and mop, or dust and do mirrors (I alternate every day). It only takes about 15 minutes and everynight we go to bed with a sparkling house and clean laundry which has made me feel SO much better!

On a side note, I decided to ditch shampoo and conditioner and wash my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar instead. I wash my hair for a few minutes under the shower water, then scrub my scalp with a tablespoon or two of baking soda. Rinse, then add a few tablespoons of ACV to a cup of water and pour it through my hair, squeeze out the excess, and wha la! My hair was slightly oily for a few days, but is used to it now and beginning to look much fuller and healthier than before. I love it! Its cheap, and natural. I was buying organic plant derived shampoos before, but this is waaaaaay better. Jerad said he only smells the vinegar when I am blow drying for a few min in the morning, so its good to know I'm not walking around smelling like salad dressing. I've decided I'll try it for a full three months, and see how I'm feeling then.

Next up on our to-do list, finish rearranging our room, make room in the guestroom for my craft stuff and Jerad's music stuff, and turn our 2nd guest room/office into a NURSERY!!!!! Then pain the living room and hall, ceilings, baseboards, and nursery. Pretty stoked.

Ultrasound

Last Friday we had our 20 week anatomy scan. At 24 weeks:) Everything looked healthy, I'm measuring right on time, and we got to find out that we're having a boy!

(side view of the head with a fist sticking up behind it and stomach)

Finding out I was expecting a boy didn't really come as a surprise since that's what both of us had a "feeling about" all along. A few of my friends have had little boys in the past year, and it seems like most of our preggo friends are expecting boys also so the little guy will have lots of friends!

Now its time to decide on a name (we were only positive about our girl name), and decorate the nursery! For the nursery I think we are doing a vintage/old time western theme.... or sparrows. I know sparrows are girlier, but I already had picked out a lot of stuff I am in LOVE with, and lets face it, the baby won't care one way or the other.

Come on, how adorable is this mobile?

Why Hello 2010!

How in the world is it January?!?! We had a great holiday vacation and managed to cram in all sorts of fun.

Christmas Eve I worked a half day while Jerad's mom and brother went to our house and helped Jerad get ready for our camping trip and do a few other things. They wrapped my Christmas presents, sorted out our camping stuff, made breakfast potatoes for Yosemite, and Lucy and Jerad made homemade cinnamon rolls that we could pop in the oven the next morning. I am still thinking about those cinnamon rolls over a week later! When I got home from work I "wasn't allowed in the living room yet" so I camped out in our room writing wedding gift thank-you cards... for an hour:) I should probably mail some of those right?

We watched a few Christmas movies to get in the mood, then headed out to a Christmas Eve service and got to see Jerad's dad sing in the choir. Then it was time for dinner and presents! We had tacos/taco salad and I think I'm still full. Being the clear minded person I am lately, I remembered to take no pictures of anyone opening gifts. Awesome.

Christmas morning the two of us woke up bright and early to open presents. Because I'm a child and can barely wait for daylight before hopping out of bed when Christmas is involved. I got Jerad the ipod he had been wanting, in John Deere Green of course!


He got me (well, according to the gift tags they were all from Santa or Scott Calvin) a new robe and slippers, Tommy Girl perfume.... and a Snuggie.


The Snuggie was kind of a joke, but after trying it out I seriously don't know how we ever lived without one. I am obsessed with it! "Santa" also got us a new DVD player to go with our new TV.

After presents we baked our cinnamon rolls, lit our holiday candles, and put on Christmas music. My parents and Addy came over around 10 and we did another round of gifts then made brunch. We visited awhile then Joey came over and we left with him and Addy and the pups for Yosemite... which I will blog about soon!

We got back from Yosemite Monday afternoon and I got to enjoy the best thing about camping: taking a ridiculously long shower and washing all of our filthy clothes so they stop smelling like a campfire. That night we got dressed up and Jerad took me to AJ Spurs for dinner. He had to work the next morning but I was off alllllll week. With the weekends I ended up with 10.5 days off all together.

Having so much time off was both a blessing and a curse. It was the first time since I've been pregnant that I could just relax if I wanted to. I slept in, took naps, read books, and had the time to organize closets and do other household stuff I had been putting off. I say it was also a curse because just about the time I got used to it, it was 6am Monday morning and I had to be back at work:)

For New Years we turned down all the late night parties our friends were having and opted to go to my parents house. They had fish and chips, music, and fireworks. Jerad's brother came with us and ended up leaving with my sister and Larry to go to Larry's parents house for a poker night. Jerad and I were at home and in bed by 10:15pm and watched a few episodes of Grey's before drifting off like the Old Boring's we are...

This year I didn't make any major resolutions. The last few years have been:

drink more water - I'm up to 120 oz/day!

loose weight - down 45 pounds! Well, pre-preg... only 30 now:)

stop using cleaners and personal hygiene products with chemicals and harsh preservatives -besides my Spray Away glass cleaner, check and check!

stop eating processed foods, white sugar, and white flour - we're so close on this one. At home we're good, but eating at other people's houses its hard not to cheat.

This year my big one is to start doing our Dave Ramsey budget and envelope system religiously again. We were doing so well last year, and I loved it.... then just stopped for no reason. So, I start this week. Besides that our goal is to finish all of the little household projects we have been putting off and put together a nursery BEFORE the baby gets here. Which is only 16 weeks from now. Yikes. I can't believe I've been pregnant almost 6 months.

Our big ultrasound is Thursday. Its starting to feel real now.