The Mobile

So, I have been trying to be crafty with a lot of things in the nursery because I havent been loving the options in the stores but, so far, I am most proud of how our mobile turned out! I found an example of one I liked on Etsy and then tried to mimic it.

Here is what I found on Etsy:

And here is what I made (I know its not quite as good as the Etsy one but I am still happy with the results):

To make it, I used the following:
- Two small square cardboard box lids (Found around the house) 
- Blue ribbon ($2 at Michaels)
- Fishing line (Found around the house. Thanks, honey!)
- Needle (Found around the house)
- Cardstock paper ($3 from Michaels)
- Circle cutter ($10 from Michaels but I could use it for future projects, scrapbooking, etc.)

First, I cut the middle out of the cardboard lids and wrapped the lids in blue ribbon. One lid is for the first tier, and the other is for the second tier. I know you cant see the second tier very well in my pics but I think it helps with dimesion ... and when our baby is lying on his changing table looking up.

I started with the first tier and strung three separate fishing lines on each side of the cardboard lid. Then, I took a needle and tied it to the end of the fishing line. Once I had all my different colors and sizes cut with my circle cutter, I started sewing the needle through the circles and then tied off the end.

Once both tiers had all of the circles attached, I took more fishing line and tied the two together about 6" apart. Lastly, I used more fishing line to hang the mobile from the ceiling and VOILA! A brand new mobile for less than $15!

Just a Check Up

I went to the doctors today to have my regular check up (I am at 25 weeks). I have been going every 4 weeks since we found out we were pregnant. However, once I get closer to my due date (around 33 weeks), I will go every week. The doctor said everything is normal. His heartbeat is at 148 and apparently he is facing down. I dont really understand how the doctor can tell just by feeling around ... but I guess that is why she is the expert :).

I have gained 4 pounds since my last appointment, so I am on track with gaining just about a pound a week. My total weight gain is 13 pounds (I have gained most of my weight in the second trimester - which my doctor said is normal as well).

I just noticed I have been typing the word "normal" a lot in this post but I LOVE normal during pregnancy! I have been so nervous about our little guy that I love hearing my doctor say we going at an average rate. Lets just hope that everything keeps progressing normally!

Here is a pic of my 25 week belly:

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Size of baby:  Ear of corn (almost 12 inches and a little over a pound)
Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly skirts with elastic waists, stretchy pants or my maternity shorts. I wear maternity tops but I also bought some regular long tank tops from Old Navy and love them! Especially for my walks because my old work out tops were riding up all the time - and I don't want to stretch out my regular clothes either.
Gender: Boy!

Movement: Oh, I definitely feel movement now! I was so unsure for a while but a couple of days after my 22 week post I was at the lake with my friends and I woke up to my little guy kicking me. I was so stunned that I put my hand on my stomach to double check ... and sure enough, he kicked again! It was one of the best feelings. I now feel him all the time. I smile every time it happens. It seems he likes to kick really early in the morning (which sometimes wakes me up), in the middle of the day when I am at work, and always at night when I am trying to fall asleep. I love my little kicker!

Sleep: Still getting up a couple times a night but other than that, I sleep pretty good.
What I miss: Nothing really.
Cravings: I made oatmeal cookies last weekend for Father's Day and have LOVED eating them as a treat each night. Also, watermelon is my new favorite fruit. They are so delicious right now!

Aversions: None

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom breaks, still breaking out, and lately my stomach has been itching a lot and I've heard it is because you skin is stretching. However, I have been putting on this lotion called "Oh Baby! Belly Butter" by Mambino Organics and it seems to be helping. Plus, it is also supposed to help with preventing stretch marks but who knows.

Best Moment this week: Last Saturday, when Jason was able to feel the baby kick. He has really wanted to feel it but every time I tell him to put his hand on my belly the baby stops. It is so frustrating! I guess our little guy is just a little shy :). But last Saturday morning, while we were still lying in bed, I was able to get Jason to quickly feel my belly while our little guy was doing some serious kicking and Jason was finally able to feel it. Jason was so happy and I'm glad he was able to connect with our little miracle.

"The" Ottoman

A few posts ago I was debating on whether or not I should buy the ottoman to match my glider. Thanks to my wonderful parents, we wound up getting the ottoman too! We are so lucky to have such generous and helpful parents!! It is schueduled to arrive between 08/3-08/31.

However, the original fabric that I was going to get on the glider and ottoman is on back order and will not be available until the end of July - which would put the deliver back until the end of September. I didnt want to wait that long so they offered me a different fabric. I am actually more excited about the new fabric because it is practically the same color but we dont need to buy their solution to clean it (all we need is soap and water). So, I guess it all worked out! :)

Here are my wonderful parents from our vacation in Destin, FL a few months ago:

And here are my wonderful in-laws from our vacation:

Thanks again!! We cant wait to start rocking our sweet baby boy!!

.... and I thought I might as well throw in a pic of Jason and I from the same trip :)

I was 11 weeks pregnant in this picture. I waited to tell most people until about my 14 week mark ... but we had to tell our parents earlier because, before I was pregnant, there was no way I would be on vacation and not have a cocktail. So, it would be totally obvious that I wasnt drinking and we thought it would be better to just tell them all before we left. It was such a wonderful vacation and we cant wait for our little guy to join us on next years trip!

Nursery Artwork

I bought some artwork on Etsy that I plan on framing in white and putting above the dresser in the nursery. I love how simple they are yet so cute!

I also plan on framing this one and putting it on the bookshelf by the glider :)



22 Weeks

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Size of baby:  Spaghetti squash (about 11 inches and about 1 pound)
Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly skirts with elastic waists, stretchy pants or my maternity shorts. I have maternity tops but I also still wear my regular tops as well.
Gender: Boy!

Movement: I still don't know. I feel like every once in a while I feel him move but then it goes away. I think I am unsure because it is never a constant movement. I asked my doctor and she told me not to worry about it at this point. She said a lot of woman have a hard time distinguishing movement until after 24 weeks with their first pregnancies. So, that made me feel a lot better.
Sleep: Still getting up a couple times a night but other than that, I sleep pretty good. However, one of the things that has been happening since I got pregnant is that my dreams are very crazy and vivid! I was never one to remember my dreams but now they sometimes even wake me up because they feel so real.
What I miss: I have not really missed alcohol at all but we have gone to a couple BBQs this summer and an ice cold beer looks pretty tasty. I tried an O'douls one night at my in-laws but I couldn't even finish it because I felt too guilty (it tastes too much like the real thing!).
Cravings: Fruit and ice cream!

Aversions: None

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom breaks, still breaking out, and round ligament pains.

Best Moment this week: We pre-registered at Buy Buy Baby over the weekend. I say "pre" because I am still updated both my Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby registries. I feel like I am almost done but just need to touch up a few things. I debated for a while on whether or not I should register at Buy Buy Baby (because it is new to the STL area) but I'm glad I did because I just love their stuff! Everything is so organized and clean. Also, they are owned by the same company as Bed Bath and Beyond so you can use Bed Bath and Beyond coupons there (as long as they aren't expired). I figure since my stroller is the same price at Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby, why not register for it at the store where people could get it for 20% off :).

"The" Glider

I am one lucky lady. I ordered my glider over the weekend thanks to my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law! They contributed to the bulk of this expensive little chair and we are so grateful for their help. I am so excited for it to come in! Even though I've got some time because the scheduled arrival date is between 07/29-08/26. Oh well, I'm glad I ordered it when I did. I had to custom order it because I wanted a different color than what they had on the floor. I ordered "crushed silver" (light grey). I actually wound up getting the glider from Buy Buy Baby. I thought I was going to get it from Treasure Rooms because it was about the same price at both places but Buy Buy Baby lets you use their 20% off coupons. Cant beat that!

I have been debating on ordering the ottoman to match but (1) the glider was not cheap, hence the ottoman is not either and (2) the babies room isn't that big so I'm not sure if it will look overbearing. I know I need to make up my mind soon though because of how long it will take for it to get here. I'm guessing I only have a few weeks to decide. Decisions, decisions!