5QF + weekly recap - 6.11.10

Hey there everyone! I apologize for being a blog slacker this week, but work continues to be insane for me right now, so by the time I get home from work I'm exhausted. I'm even exhausted on the days I work from home. We are entering the final quarter of the Government fiscal year, which is the most busy time in my field & the fact that I'll be going on maternity leave a little over month after the fiscal year ends makes it even more hectic for me. Anywho, another Friday down & I'm pumped for this weekend! We have a lot of fun stuff planned - a good friend & former co-worker of mine is getting married tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to celebrating with her & then on Sunday, I'm having a long-delayed lunch with one of my BFFs who just had a baby girl in March! I'm so excited to sit & catch up with her - and of course, to pick her brain about baby stuff. :o)

This week was pretty productive though, I got another DIY project done for our baby girl - that's a total of two now that I need to post...they are coming soon - promise! I posted a few pics of the ribbon mobile I made on Facebook & got so many compliments/requests from my pregnant girlfriend's for mobiles for their little one's that I'm thinking of starting my very own Etsy shop for them. I need to get a few more under my belt before I start the shop, but I really enjoy doing it, although it is quite time consuming...the final product looks awesome! I also bought the babe this cute Carter's giraffe toy:

It plays a lullaby & was on sale at JCP plus I had a 20% off coupon code, so it was only $12! Then, I got the hubbs this 4-piece BBQ set for a supplemental Father's Day gift (I got a few cute onesies for the baby for him too, but this is actually just for him) - it was also on sale for $25 & I used my 20% off coupon code, so it ended up being only $21! Gotta love JCP - they always have GREAT sales & coupon codes come out at least once a week. And on top of all that, they ship so QUICK! I ordered the stuff on like Tuesday & got it on my doorstep this afternoon! I was in shopping mode this week - not that I'm never not in shopping mode - so I bought some cute shirts & a pair of jeans from Old Navy & Gap Maternity this week:

I'm really into the full panel pants nowadays - they are sooo comfy, but I still wear all my hidden waistband pants & stretchy denim waistband jeans I bought a little earlier on in my pregnancy. Hoping those will continue to work throughout my pregnancy. I also spoke with HR at my job about my maternity leave plans & it looks like everything is going to work out great! I want to take a full 12 weeks off & unfortunately, my job does not have "maternity leave" per se, but I can take off as much time as I want & use my sick & annual leave to cover that time. If Baby J cooperates until I hit 40 weeks & God-willing this pregnancy continues to go relatively smoothly, then I'll have 11 weeks of leave around the time I plan to go out on leave. I already spoke to my team leader about it & he said he is fine with me spreading out the other 5 days as telework days over the last few weeks of my maternity leave to account for the one week that I don't have enough sick/annual leave for. I still have to run it by my actual supervisor {it's complicated}, but I highly doubt he'll have a problem with that set up. I'm excited to be off for 12 whole weeks, especially over the holidays. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know it'll be hard work getting adjusted to a new baby & dealing with the normal stress the holidays bring, but I'm up for the challenge & look forward to spending all that quality time with our little girl!

And now, on to 5QF! If you want to participate, head on over to My Little Life & link up (and let me know if you do, I'd love to read my reader's answers)!

1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship?

I think a good friend is someone you know you can count on to have your back no matter what & someone who supports & accepts you for who you are & what you believe. I have a really good group of close friends - I know my girls always have my back & they're there always there to listen to me vent about whatever.

2. What is the last thing you bought & later regretted?

Hmm, well these weren't really expensive b/c if they were & I was not satisfied, then I'd return them - but I recently purchased two tee shirts from Old Navy that were non-maternity & I didn't try them on first. Bad idea b/c they are definitely too short, but I figure, they are tees - they'll still be "in" after the baby is born & I'll wear 'em them. And I fully plan to get my arse back on Weight Watchers shortly after Baby J makes her appearance to lose all the weight I have already gained & am sure to still gain. I lost 40 pounds on WW before & I'm sure I know I could do it again & fully plan to get back to a healthy weight as soon as is possible after we have our little angel. But I definitely have no qualms about returning stuff at all. In fact, I just sent something back to Old Navy Maternity today for an exchange, lol (those jeans above in fact - I needed a bigger size)!

3. Have you ever had a prank played on you?

Ummm, I'm sure I have - nothing really comes to mind right this second, but I'm certain someone has played a prank on me at some point in my life.

4. What is your favorite theme park?

Hands down - Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. I freakin' LOVE roller coasters & they absolutely have the best around! I especially love The Griffon - there's a 205-foot drop!! Sooooo exhilarating. Obviously in my current state, I'll be staying far away from The Griffon this year, but we'll likely go next spring or summer. My hubby is originally from somewhere not too far from there, so we can just go one weekend we go down to visit his family. And another reason I love him ::winks:: is that he is a roller coasteraholic too!

5. Have you ever seen someone else give birth?

Only on TV (I love the Discovery Health show  "Deliver Me") & it's not the most pleasant thing to watch, but it's a true miracle to me all that women's bodies are capable of! I can't wait to experience labor myself. Yeah it's a bit scary, but overall I trust that God has equipped my body to handle labor & delivery - I'm sure I'll blog more about that lata.

Okay, so my goal is to not be a slacker this week & keep up on posts. I have several updates to post on my spring/summer/getting-ready-for-Baby J list - including items completed with pics & items to add & a couple DIY baby projects to share. I also have several Project Nursery posts that I have been thinking of & just need to sit down & write out. So with that, I'll try & check back in later this weekend with my weekly pregnancy post & some of the other things starting early next week. 'Till next time!

18 Weeks - my lil sweet potato!

Whaaat? On the actual day I turned 18 weeks - unheard of! I'm trying to be punctual & also I've been on the computer for the last little bit just browsing & what not, so I decided I may as well post my weekly post....on time for once.

We are planning on registering for Baby J's shower in a few weeks, so I have been looking through all my options on various baby items, which is a pretty daunting task. I want to avoid getting a bunch of big, bulky things that we will never use. My house is not that big & I despise clutter. Speaking of - I am now worried about where we will put all the baby bottles & what not in our kitchen. I have a pretty big pantry, so any food-type items or formula (planning on BF'ing, but keeping an open mind about the possibility of formula feeding if necessary) can go in there, but I'd like to keep non-food items out of there. Hmmm, perhaps we will need to clean out the area under the island where our pots & pans are & get rid of a lot of the stuff we don't need anymore. We have been talking about buying a new set, so maybe I'll talk to the hubbs about actually getting on that purchase, so we can move the Tupperware from the cabinet & under the island next to the new pots & pans.  Then we can put all the Baby J stuff in the cabinet where the Tupperware is now. Guess that's something to add to my growing list of things to do before Baby J arrives! It's like a whole new person with a whole new set of stuff coming to live in your house, lol. I guess that IS in fact what's happening, huh?! But I'm definitely not complaining...we can't wait till our little girl gets here in November & all her {cutesy} stuff. :)

Oh & today I ordered the cutest custom little onesies for my hubby for Father's Day. They are sorority/fraternity related & so cute! I always swore I'd never buy those things that say "Future {enter name of sorority here}," but since we are in brother/sister fraternal organizations, I got some cute non-Baby J future predicting ones for my hubbs. I think he'll get a kick out of them & they are only $10 each, so  they didn't break the bank either. I'll probably also get him a new grilling tools set - he's always on the grill anytime we do BBQ's, so I think he'll appreciate some new tools. I'll post pics once I get everything in!

This week, baby is the size of a sweet potato! She's getting so big & I'm pretty sure I am really, for real this time feeling her move! A couple days ago I started feeling something down low in my pelvic area that felt like popping popcorn. I'd heard other mamas describe their baby's 1st movements like this & I know for sure this is exactly what I'm feeling. So exciting. Keep moving away baby girl! The Bump confirms she's spending her time moving away in there - kicking, punching, rolling, hiccuping, twisting, etc. So cute. I wish I could have a look at her every day. :oP In other news, my side of the bed is turning into a pillow fortress. My poor husband can't even cuddle me {he loves it ;oP} b/c I have pillow behind me, in front of me, two between my legs & under my head, hahaa. I REFUSE to buy one of those maternity pillow thingys b/c what in the heck will I do with it after the baby is born? And as I mentioned, I despise clutter...so pillows it is for me!

And two people at work this week, including my team leader, mentioned something about me showing! So happy that I don't just look fat, haha. Here are this week's bump pics @ 18 weeks exactly:

Clothed Belly

Bare Belly

And now I'm going to lay down & probably pass out for the rest of the night. I have some shopping I'd like to do tomorrow & I also want to fit in a mani/pedi/eye brow touch up - it's quite necessary right about now. 'Till next time!

5QF + weekly recap - 6.4.10

Hey everyone! Yet another week has come to an end, yay! I get happy when Friday rolls around b/c I advance another week in my pregnancy on Saturdays, so tomorrow I'll be 18 weeks. And speaking of - I never posted my 17 week update. Not too much to report - baby is the size of an onion & wiggling around lots & lots in there! I can feel flutters every once in a while & I can't wait to start feeling her move from the outside & especially can't wait until her papa can feel her move around! We have another Dr's appointment + our anatomy scan/ultrasound in 2 weeks & I can't wait to see her again! We will also go register afterwords at BRU & I have started a second very small registry on Target.com already. Anywho, so as not to rob you of the very very in demand bump pics, here are my photos from 17 weeks:

Clothed Belly

Bare Belly

I just like to have it all documented  on the blog since I plan to print out all of my posts about the baby & make a cute little book one day. :)

This week was pretty uneventful. I finished my first baby project, which I'll be sharing here soon..it's so cute! And I'm planning on taking a trip to the local thrift shop shop to drop off some stuff we are donating & possibly buying some old frames for another project for Baby J's nursery. That's my main D&R focus right now besides our cleaning/getting the house ready for the babe. I also have a few things I'd like to do in my office area int he basement, but one includes a desk re-finish that I can't do right now because I'm pregnant - still waiting on the hubbs to get started on that one. In other news, my poor pup is kida sick - if you wanna call it that - he has something wrong with his left ear, I think some sort of infection. So I'll be taking him to the vet later today & also getting his shots updated while we are there. Besides that, this weekend will likely be pretty chill, for once we don't have many plans, which is a good thing!

So, on to 5QF! If you want to participate, head on over to My Little Life & link up (and let me know if you do, I'd love to read my reader's answers)!

1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? Or, if you were to go to college right now...what major would you choose? 

Umm, I went to both undergrad & grad school & I liked my majors. I am pretty happy with what I do, so I'm not sure I'd change it.  I would like to take some party planning courses though because I'd really liek to get into wedding/party planning one day.

2. What do you love most about your home?

Hmmm, that's a tough one since I REALLY want a new house, lol. But I guess I love the location - it's so convenient to major highways/parkways, stores & malls.

3. What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)?

I like murder mysteries best or true-life crime stories. I was an Administration of Justice major & Sociology minor in college, so I like to read about crime & what motivates the criminal mind. Weird? My mom is the same way, haha.

4. What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten?

Hmmm, OMG one time my mother's @$$hole husband (can you tell I'm not too fond of him?) tricked me into eating duck.  IDK why it bothered me so much, I know some people really like duck, but all I could think about was the poor little duckies that I used to feed when I was a little girl. :(

5. If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be?

This is a talk show, not a fictional show, but I LOVE Rachel ray. Her show looks like it would be so much fun & she loves what she does!

That's all I got for this Friday - nothing much going on here. I'll be back next week with some spring/summer cleaning updates & my very first baby girl DIY project recap & tutorial! 'Till next time...have a great weekend!

Project Nursery - Part I

We have already gotten a good start on Baby J's nursery - the paint is on the walls, the crib & dresser are put together, the glider & ottoman are in their rightful place, but we still have LOTS to do with our baby girl's nursery. This first post on the nursery will basically document my overall plans for the layout, color scheme/theme & general ideas, plus show off some of the stuff we (read: my husband under my direction ;o) have already accomplished. Then subsequent Project Nursery posts will discuss specific elements of the nursery & feature some of my DIY projects for our little girl. Some of the Project Nursery posts will also just discuss what I'm thinking of doing in certain parts of the nursery & I'll ask my readers for feedback. I have so many ideas to share & incorporate into this room that it is going to take several posts, over several months to share everything!

In general, I'm going for a girly, but not too pink & not too babyish room - think whimsy & cute, but not frilly or over the top, in your face pink. Oh & I am not going to have a a theme for the room - I'm not really into overly themey stuff, I just want it to be modern looking and to flow with complimentary colors & patterns. I'm using the aqua as my main color (the walls), but I am going to balance that out with pink (both hot & light pink), white, chocolate brown, light yellow & light/pastel green.

Here is my idea of the general layout for the room (imagine it with walls around the outside):

I took a few photos of the beginning stage of the room before the hubbs had gotten the crib put together, so you will just have to wait on that! But here are some preliminary photos of the room:

This is the back wall (also the longest) - the dresser & glider will stay in this configuration:

This is the wall where the entryway door and the crib are (the crib is now put together & against this wall): 

 

Pictured below is what the convertible crib looks like assembled, we got the crib, dresser & conversion kit for the crib for right around $1K (including delivery) from Babies R Us (BRU) during their 20% off all nursery furniture sale.

This photo below shows half of the wall directly across from the room entrance, where there are two windows equally spaced apart (you can only see one in this photo) & the front wall directly to the left of the entryway door, where we will be putting a bookshelf & some toy storage. This wall also has our baby girl's teeny tiny closet - I'll likely get some sort of closet organization system or something to maximize the space here:

The dark blue window shades/blinds that are pulled all the way up in the photo above have already been taken down & need to be Freecycled. We have already purchased the same white fabric honeycomb shades that we got for our Master Bedroom & had custom cut to fit the windows in the room. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these shades - the are made by DesignView & sold at Home Depot. I literally cannot rave enough about these shades - we absolutely love them in our room & they are very affordable. They diffuse sunlight, so hopefully that'll help our little one sleep when she naps during the days, so that mama & daddy can rest too! So anywho, we have those & the hubbs just needs to install them.

The last major piece of furniture going in the room is this "Bentley Kid's Cubby Bookcase," I bought from Target for $100 with free shipping. I love how it has two large shelves that I can store baskets or books on & three smaller shelves to display photos or little trinkets (which I am sure will change once our little girl starts getting around on her own & getting into things). I plan to also put some sort of toy storage box or basket with a lid next to the bookcase for all her little toys she's sure to be spoiled with &/or accumulate over the years!


So that's the nursery so far! It's definitely a work in progress & I am constantly changing my mind, but everything I mentioned here will stay the same. We have the furniture, the blinds have already been cut, so there's no turning back now...which is a good thing for someone as indecisive as I am, LOL. I think we are doing pretty good since we still have another 22 or so weeks till we get to meet our little girl! I'll be back tomorrow with 5QF & I have a very cute DIY project I already completed for our little girl to share sometime next week. 'Till next time!

We are on team....

PINK!! Our little girl was not shy at the ultrasound on Friday...she was wiggling all around it was pretty difficult for the u/s tech to even see the "goods" at first. But, eventually she got a good look & is 100% sure that we are having a little girl in November! Here's the "money" shot from the u/s on Friday:


I loved the ultrasound, but of course, I always love seeing Baby J. And by doing this (non-medical) u/s instead of attempting to move up my official anatomy scan, I still get to see her again in a couple weeks, woot! Best $75 ever spent & we got to find out what we are having a few weeks early, which has enabled me to get started on my crafting (I've already been to Michaels for the supplies for 2 of my planned projects - more on them lata :o). As you all know, I'm really into DIY crafts & decorating, so my baby girl's room will be no exception! And although I didn't pay for a 3D/4D scan, the nice tech did a few for us anyways, here's the best one - it's a top view looking down on the baby, so you can see her head, nose & a little bit of her body:


As for the hubbs - he's really excited about his little girl. I think he was in shock at first - because literally EVERYONE we knew thought it was a boy, including me. And all men want at least one son, but there's (God willing) always a next time & we are both absolutely thrilled as long as she's happy & healthy. He calls her by her name now when he rubs my belly & tells her he loves her - it literally melts my heart! She's so gonna have her daddy wrapped around her little finger & I can't wait to see him hold her for the first time. We told the rest of my family (my sisters that is; already told my dad, mom & my MIL because we knew they wouldn't be at the BBQ) today during our cookout. I baked a 2-layer cake with pink frosting inside & had my sister cut it to reveal the gender! She was so happy for us:

Wasn't my cake pretty? I was pretty proud of myself considering the fact that I'm not a baker...at all.

None of our parents could make it to the BBQ, but they are all very excited too - especially my mom who had been hoping for a granddaughter! After our 20 week anatomy scan, we'll likely go & register...I'll probably start working on a wish list of sorts soon, so please let me know if any of you mamas out there have product recommendations. My sister & a few close friends have already started planning my shower, which is set for October 2nd! I feel like everything is starting to happen so quickly & we can't wait to meet our beautiful little girl in November!

And consequently - this BIG news post happens to be my 100th! I can't believe I have made it to 100 posts already - thanks so much to all my readers for the support & for actually caring what I have to say! Time flies, haha. 'Till next time!

I love it when...

Target's stuff goes on clearance! LOVE. After finding out the baby's sex on Friday, the hubbs & I ran past Target to pick up some t-shirts for him & we walked out with the t-shirts + my awesome new lightweight bedding: 

So here's the deal - I had been in the market for new lightweight bedding to use in the spring & summer for a while now & while browsing aimlessly doing some essential shopping at Target a couple months ago, I saw this Dwell Studio birdie bedding & knew it would be absolutely perfect for our birdie-themed (but still very adult) Master Bedroom. But, pump 'ya brakes woman...the quilt was $70 & each sham (I'd want two total) was $25 - that's $120 total. A cost the hubbs would surely deny for an unplanned purchase. So I sadly walked away from my perfect lightweight bedding, thinking that I'd find something else...some day. Le sigh.

But on Friday, I just so happened to be back in that very same Target - this time with my hubby - and decided to take him over by the bedding to show him my perfect lightweight bedding. JUST to show him & to my pleasant surprise, those lovely red & white Target clearance stickers were on the only remaining queen-size quilt (on clearance for $48.98) & last two shams (on clearance for $17.48/each)!! Holler!

::bats big eyes at hubby, makes sad face & pleads for said bedding because it's such a good price::

So, after several minutes of deep consideration on the part of my awesome husband, he approved the purchase! Yaay! About $84 (before tax) & a quick machine washing/drying when we got home, I put my lovely bedding on our bed:

And a little closer...

So what do you think? I absolutely love the bedding & sleeping under that, rather than our heavier bedding, felt amazing last night. I can't wait to go lay in my bed again tonight! Tomorrow is Memorial Day (well I guess today now, huh?) & we are telling my family the sex at our BBQ, then I'll tell all of you! We already told the hubby's mama since she does not live around here & I told my dad because he wasn't sure he'd be able to make it to the BBQ tomorrow since he was admitted to the hospital on Friday (he got released today btw...yaaay!).  I accidentally slipped & told a friend already over the phone today, sheesh. I'm no good at keeping exciting news under wraps - or maybe I am? I'm actually a lock box of lots of interesting secrets that no one will ever know, bwahahahaha....okay, sorry for the evil laugh. Welp, hope everyone has a good one tomorrow - I am excited to have an extra day off & to remember all the heroes that have valiantly fought for our country. Project Nursery + big gender reveal coming lata this week! 'Till next time!

Quick 5QF + weekly recap - 5/28

Hey there everyone! Well, I did it again...I was totally planning on doing my 5QF weekly post last night, but then the hubby offered to take me shopping for maternity clothes & who turns down shopping? Then I was hungry, so we tried this yummy new (to us anyways, we had never been before) Italian place near our house - YUMMY! And then when I got home I was pooped, but I was determined to do this post, so I opened up my lap top...and passed out on the couch. LOL. I guess that's a pregnant woman for ya! But I digress, now I am here & ready to give you what you've all been waiting for (in my my mind) - this week's 5QF & weekly recap.

Well for the recap, there's not much to tell - this week was pretty uneventful. Work, home, sleep. I got Dizzle {my puppy big dog who thinks he's a baby} a much needed grooming, so that made me happy because he was a stinkin'! I also got back in the gym this week; I am determined to walk/swim at least 2-3 times per week. we pay $60 a month for my part of that membership & I'm sick of wasting money, so I'm back! Got a bunch of maternity shirts from Gap last night courtesy of my hubby {it was a birthday gift} & I even tried on the fake big belleh they provide to women trying on maternity clothes! I tried to get Dennis to take a pic of me with it on, but he refused, hahaha. But it was sooo weird seeing that big 'ol belly under my clothes, lol. I guess there will be a real one soon! The biggest news from this week is that this morning we will be going to find out what Baby J is! I scheduled an early appointment at one of those 3D/4D places...impatience is a disease. Hopefully Baby J will not take after his/her mama in that respect! I am so excited though because I haven't even told my family that we are finding out today & they are coming over for a Memorial Day BBQ this weekend, so we will tell them then! I do have one bit of bad news from this week - my dad was admitted to the hospital last night. He'll be fine, but they are saying he has diabetes - type 2. My papa is overweight & does not eat healthy or exercise...so I'm hoping he takes this as a wake up call to get healthier & lose some weight. I love him & I want him to be around for a long, long time! I hope he can make it to the BBQ on Monday because he is sooooo excited about his newest grandbaby & I know he'll wanna be there when we tell everyone the news. If he can't make it, then he'll get a phone call before the BBQ with the news. Now, let's just hope Baby J cooperates this morning!!

So, on to 5QF! If you want to participate, head on over to My Little Life & link up (and let me know if you do, I'd love to read my reader's answers)!

1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet?

Yes...either bungee jumping or sky diving! I'm too much of a scardy cat to do those things & especially now since we have a little one to think about. I guess a roller coaster, jet skiing, or  para sailing will be how I get my thrills, lol. I'd also like to eventually go hot air ballooning, but that will eventually get accomplished. 

2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?

Right now?! Probably nursery stuff, haha. But I'd tell the hubbs about it. He wouldn't try to stop me, not successfully anyways, lol. He knows how excited I am about the babe so he generally just goes along with it. I have sooo many thing on my wish list for the nursery, so I could definitely spend $100 quick. After we find out what we are having we may have to take a trip back to Baby Gap too because we saw some ADORABLE things there last night (Gap Maternity is inside Baby Gap - clever buggers).

3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child?

What's that thingy called that that looked like a dome that you climbed on? The jungle gym? Oh, I LOVED that thing at the playground back in my day, lol.  We would spend hours at the playground when we were children - that's the problem with some of today's kids...they play video games & watch too much TV, they need to get out! My mom used to have to make us come in from playing outside. I definitely want my kid to be more active than some of the video game/TV-obsessed kids nowadays.

4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast?

I like both kinds, but even with hearty I need a little something sweet even if it's just jam/jelly on toast. :)

5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy?

I try to be a Neat Freak, but it sometimes my house looks closer to Messy Bessy-style. I try to find a happy medium really. I know everything can't always be perfectly organized, all the time. So I don't freak out from clutter, but I do try to keep my house presentable. Lived in, but presentable. We'll see if any of that changes (I have been told it will), when the babe gets here!

I have to run off to my u/s now, then I have a graduation party later tonight, so I'll check in again later this weekend with my first Project Nursery post + Baby J's gender reveal {please cooperate today little one}!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!  'Till next time!