nursery- FINISHED!

Hello friends! I know I have not been blogging much, but here is why: I am so so happy to report that the nursery is officially FINISHED! Now I can just concentrate on being a mommy and a maid to this room. :)

Here is a before picture of when it was Hubs' office space:

It was then slowly transformed into a nursery. First some paint, then some furniture changes that still didn't work, and then some more furniture changes.

Here is the initial design board:

And here is the final product- a little different, but not too much!

I decided against painting the crib gold, although I still love the idea. I just didn't want to have to change it again later on if baby #2 is a boy, or if I no longer like gold.

The bedding was originally from Etsy but we completely re-did it once it came in. 

The original dresser was a bit large for the space so we replaced it with a smaller white washed piece. This also allowed us to rearrange the room to make a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement and add some room for a glider.

I found an old cheap mirror in a closet of our house and liked the round shape for above the dresser since most of the pieces in the room are "boxy." A little TLC & some paint, and voila!

The glider was a mega steal and is my favorite part of the room, in addition to the inital Etsy prints framed on the wall.

I needed a bit more gold in the room to tie in with the refinished mirror, so I purchased the Sofia Accent Table from World Market and will incorporate gold into the mobile once I finally get one ordered.

The lucite bookshelves may be one of my favorite parts of the room. I love that they do not take away from the books themselves, or the minimal amount of space we had for them all. 

I am still in search for the perfect rug. I know I want a round rug, and I am slightly obsessed with the Whorled Trapunto rug from Anthropologie, but I despise the price. So until I find something similar but in my budget, we will be rug-less. Anyone know of something similar, and cheaper?

So, that is it, folks! The nursery is officially baby-ready. And it sure should be, considering we leave for the hospital tomorrow evening! Baby should be here sometime on Tuesday. Keep us in your prayers and I will be back to blogging at some point when I get the hang of this mothering thing. ;)

Until then!

holy moly! we have PROGRESS...

So much in fact, that my amazeballs doctor is going to induce me... and we are talking Sunday! That is 4 days from now, people! Rilynn will be here Monday, October 1, 2012! I just can.not.believe.it. Let me explain the situation a bit, as I am sure there are some "huhs?" out there...

I have only been 1/2 cm dilated at the past 2 appointments, but I was also 50% effaced. We did an ultrasound last week to see what little bit was measuring. She was weighing in at 6 lbs 11 oz. -granted, this number could be off by a pound or 2 (she could really be 5 lbs 11 oz or 7 lbs 11 oz). Fact of the matter is, that was at my 37 1/2 week appointment and she is gaining about 1/2 lb a week. Today, I am two days shy of 39 weeks. We went in today and I was still only 1/2 cm dilated, until she stripped my membranes (basically, she physically stretched the cervix some more. I know, it felt as awkward as it sounds). I am now sitting at 1 cm dilated and 60-70% effaced. Dr. Ellis said that she feels pretty good about inducing me- she doesn't want me to wait it out too long and risk myself a c-section because of a heavy baby, small pelvis and big ole Holden head. She also said she doesn't feel inducing me will raise my c-section chances any more so than they already are. So! She allowed me to pick a date between October 1st and the 4th. And if you know me or have been following my blog then you know how ready I am to be done with pregnancy and meet this baby. So of course I chose the 1st!

Dr. Ellis said for us to come on in Sunday night at 8 PM and we will induce in the wee hours of Monday morning. Rilynn will hopefully be here around noon. Wow! As we sat there, I had to remind Chris that she was talking about THIS Sunday. His eyes got really big as he digested this bit of information.

I still just cannot believe it is finally here. And to know when she will be here and count that on one hand... it is finally starting to sink in. It is very emotional and I have had a lump in my throat a few times today thinking about it. It is so very exciting to know that we are about to meet our little girl, the one God planned for us to bring into this world. After a very long, impatient 9 months, she will be here within days. But it is also scary and bittersweet to be closing another chapter of our lives- one in which it has been just the two of us. Two Christmas's ago, it was just Chris and I. Last year, we added a puppy, and this year we will make 4!

Copper. I worry about Copper transitioning into this new phase. Yes, I am talking about our dog. But I have put so much of my heart into that furry preciousness and I love him so very much- I have always assumed I loved him as much as I would my own child! I pray I don't neglect him after Sunday. I pray he knows I still love him just the same, but have to share my time with the baby. And I pray he loves her and does well with her, too.

I could ramble write on and on about my feelings, but OMG the time has come and even with all the emotions, thoughts and worries I have, I am mostly overwhelmed with just pure excitement. Even though I am scared as hell for L&D, Rilynn has to come out some way and women have been doing this forever. It is quite funny though how this has played out. As OCD and Type A as I am, it has driven me bonkers not knowing when she would be here and having to be so unplanned with it all. And here we are, set up with a specific time and date, just as I love. There will be no bedhead here, folks! No rushing to the hospital. Maybe she takes after me already. :)

No more bi-monthly preggo updates. Besides a post on the finished nursery, the next one you get will have pictures galore of our precious little nugget in all of her newborn glory!

Wish us luck. I will keep you posted on all of my trials and tribulations as we head into the wild blue yonder, the world unknown to us, parenthood.

XOXO

38 weeks

Me with my friend Tara's baby boy, Will. Seriously, best kid ever.

My lovelies and I taking a boat ride Saturday in between football games. 

How far along? 38 Weeks. I am actually 38 1/2 weeks as I am writing this... ALMOST THERE!!

Total weight gain: Enough! And the water weight has gotten ridic. I mean, look how puffy my face is! 
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants, loving my maternity leggings right now, and big stretchy non-maternity shirts if I can help it. 
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: Lacking. Every toss and turn, I wake up thinking I am having contractions. I am just so nervous and know it could be any day now! So I am taking lots of naps. I know my sleep will soon be gone forever! 

Best moment this week: Our Couples' Baby Shower, dinner with all of my girlfriends for a last girls dinner, and our final ultrasound! 

Miss Anything? I miss my old jeans, being able to wear high heels... and show my ankles. Right now I look like I have tree stumps for legs and I have to cover them up at all times. 

Movement: She has slowed down a bit the past few days- she has dropped tremendously and I know it is getting cramped in there.

Food cravings: Carbs, still no meat

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Weirdest, ugliest looking thing ever. Chris thinks it is distorted. 

Swelling? Oh yea. Some days better than others but I am officially confined to flip flops either way. :(

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but can just feel the lethargy of being at the end of the pregnancy. I barely have energy to put one foot in front of the other some days, plus, we are battling changing-of-the-season allergies this week so I have been a bit puny. AND did I mention a thousand times how terrified I am of labor? So my anxiety is running rampant right now knowing it could be ANY.DAY.
Looking forward to: D-Day!! It is time to meet my precious baby girl in person and snuggle on her!

Notes:

Look what just came in! A huge thanks to Moni & Dad for this grand gift!

Copper, hubs and I have been taking it out for a stroll the past few days to "practice." Really, it is just for me to push it because it makes me excited, and I wanted to get Copper used to walking by a stroller instead of yanking me across the neighborhood...

Let's see... oh yea! And we got me a "MOM" car this week. Weirdest thing. My car had been for sale for quite some time but we hadn't had anyone bite on it. Then, we go and get the car seat installed and realize just how much room I DIDN'T have in the thing with a baby. So we really need to sell it at this point.

Next thing we know, we have 3 different people battling it out for my car. Sad day to say good-bye to it, but it is time to move on up in the world... 

Meet my new fancy gas guzzler. Chris wanted an SUV that HE would like to drive (he always hated driving my little crossover SUV back in the day). I have had to adjust to the bigness going on with this vehicle but I cannot complain- it is really nice. Rilynn will love her new ride!

AND here is a sneak peek of things to come in my next post.... with the addition of better quality photos...

36 weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks- EEk! THANK GOD!!

Total weight gain: More than enough, although I have only gained a pound in the past 2 appointments. Can I get a Hallelujah!
Maternity clothes? Absolutely. But I have slowly begun to put some of them away knowing my due date is drawing near and I will soon no longer need them. I still have my maternity work pants and jeans but that is about all I am wearing now as far as maternity clothes go. I have put the maxi dresses up for the season and am ready for my NORMAL fall clothes! 
Stretch marks? Not a one!
Sleep: It has gotten to the bare minimum. My back hurts so bad I cannot get comfortable, but I found that our tempur pedic mattress actually made it worse (it was too hard for my belly), so I am now sleeping alone in the guest room. :( 
Thankful for sweet Copper who keeps me company. 

Best moment this week: Starting our cervix checks at the doctor's office, packing the hospital bag and  our family baby shower! 

Miss Anything? Being able to sit on the floor and get back up by myself, tie my own shoes and see my belly button. 

Movement: Constant. and a bit creepy. You can almost make out her hands and feet now when she pushes. I know it sounds bad to say my daughter makes me a bit nauseated, but she does. It is just so cramped in there now, her movements HURT!  

Food cravings: mostly side items, salad, sweets of course, but NO meat. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Belly Button in or out? Out and bruised a little from the pressure

Swelling? My wedding rings do not fit too well. My flats are too tight so I am confined to flip flops. Cankles of America, ladies and gentlemen. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am more happy this week. I feel that the nesting has set in and I have a bit more energy to get it all done. I have washed all of Rilynn's clothes and have a list of last minute items to purchase before she gets here. We had the carpets and couches cleaned last week and I am wrapping up last minute details at work. Getting down to the nitty gritty! 

Looking forward to: Delivery!!! Get.out.of.my.bell-ay...

Notes:

We took a last minute vacay to Orange Beach for Labor Day weekend. It was super nice. We stayed in a penthouse which was awesome for me since I didn't plan on getting in a bathing suit anyways. I spent the weekend shopping, got a pedicure, spent evenings in the jacuzzi tub, cooked in the amazeballs kitchen and watched football all day Saturday and spent Sunday on a boat, getting me a cheeseburger at Pirate's Cove. Everyone else went out every night and woke me up in the wee hours of the night which was super annoying, but it was karma when it was time to wake up- I was up bright and early feeling like a million bucks while they all moaned and groaned until lunchtime or after. 

Us Weekly + The Hills= one relaxing day in the condo

The island on Sunday of Labor Day weekend

Pirate's Cove!

Sunday of this week, the Holden clan threw us a family baby shower. It was so nice of them to do that and it was great to see the whole fam one last time before my delivery. My gift from the aunts and uncles arrived at my house a little early- it was awaiting us when we got back from the beach, actually. I was stoked about it and hubs immediately put it together for me. I.LOVE.IT. and I love that it isn't an eye sore in the abode. 

Rilynn's Mamaroo Swing

Hubs put the car seat in this weekend, too. My cousin is a paramedic and offered to do it at the shower so hubs naturally wanted to put it in himself and just have my cousin "check" his work. Hubby did a great job, and actually over-installed the thing. AND we realized how cramped it is in the backseat so it looks like we are in search of a new car pronto. Anybody need a car? Mine is for sale! 

A few other items we received: 

Hubs with his "Daddy-proof" onesie

Rilynn's burlap hanger made by my cousin

Rilynn's snack tray for her stroller (that we have yet to purchase)! 

We are so so blessed to have such great family and friends to share with us during this time. It is getting surreal as we near our due date!

We visit the doctor again tomorrow to start the cervix examinations... fun stuff. But hoping these exams will help us get a better idea of how close we actually are to meeting our baby girl! Wish us luck!

new duds

A lovely friend of mine is going to take some newborn pictures of Rilynn when she arrives. In preparing for her photoshoot, my job was to find some "props" I wanted to use. Of course, I turned to my beloved Etsy and got roped into quite a bit more that just props. I ADORE Etsy and all the precious shops that offer up the most adorable items for baby. Here are some of the items I bought or have on my wishlist for Christmas...

This is one of the outfits she will wear for her photoshoot... and then I might use it again for Halloween. 

Bottoms Up Boutique

Little Thread Wagon

Another prop for her photoshoot...

Love Crush Bowtique

Wild Juniper

Such a stinkin cute birth announcement! 

Kimberly J Designs

And how about these precious growth charts? I know I could make one, but for the price and time, I might as well just order one of these from Headwaters Studio.

I still haven't gotten a mobile for over Rilynn's bed, and mainly it is because I still haven't made up my mind about which one I love most, and two, I know she won't be in her bed for a month or so. Here is the one I am leaning towards though. It just catches my eye every time. 

Shop Littles

I am also a bit obsessed with these boots for winter. presh.

Beck-a-boo crafts

For the love! 

Super Sock Monkeys

34 weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain: More than enough.
Maternity clothes? Absolutely. Luckily, I bought a few maternity tops that are flowy and cute so I can wear them through the fall after Rilynn gets here, and I was able to borrow all of my maternity work pants so I didn't have to waste my money. 
Stretch marks? Nope!  
Sleep: This week it has been a.w.f.u.l. The night sweats have started back in high gear, I am having to go to the bathroom a good 3-4 times each night and I only stay comfortable on one side for a couple of hours, and it takes a minute to move my big belly and the snoogle pillow to the other side. So frustrating.

Best moment this week: Watching Rilynn's 4D video with all of our family. It is so special to get to see her squirm, smile and just be  in the womb like that. Everyone was so excited and I just cannot wait for her to get here. 

Miss Anything? Football season starts this weekend and I can't wait to watch my beloved Tigers hit the field. I do miss my tailgating drink of choice though- Crown and diet coke. FOotball is the only time I drink it. I can't wait to get my hands on one come October!

Movement: Constant. It even woke me up in the middle of the night last night for the first time. She is getting larger and my belly is about stretched to the max so her movements have gotten quite uncomfortable at times. And when I am having issues with indigestion, they almost make me nauseated. 

Food cravings: Starches, not much meat.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing

Belly Button in or out? Out and squishy for the most part!
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: A little more on the moody side these days. I am just so uncomfortable and my back or feet hurt 24/7. I want to go outside and walk, but have no energy and will start hurting about 15 minutes in. :( Rilynn! I am ready when you are, baby girl!

Looking forward to: Delivery!!!