Duchess.
That's what she wanted to be called. In my 16 year old mind, I thought it was so weird to listen to my Mom discuss what she wanted her grandkids to call her. But I also knew it was so like my Mom as well.
10 years later, 5 years since she has been gone and 6 months away from her first grandchild making his/her entrance in the world, that name seems so real to the woman I'm remembering. It seems strange for me to realize that my child will never know their grandmother - the personality that would have brought the name Duchess to life with all the elegance, fun and more. Try as I might, Duchess will be a foreign name to Baby A.
I was discussing this with a friend of mine recently and she reminded me that Baby A will see my Mom's influence through the way I raise him/her. Isn't that both fascinating and startling? That all though Baby A will never know my Mom or even recognize her thumbprints in my life, the influence will be there.
To all the Moms out there - Happy Mother's Day. You are loved. Greatly.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Baby A Update: Weeks 11 AND 12
Dear Baby A,
Well, congratulations to you! You are now 3 months along and you are movin' and grovin' right along. It will be a couple more weeks before I'll be able to actually feel you, but I'm excited for that day to come. You might actually convince that this entire pregnancy thing is not a joke. *wink*
Over the last couple of weeks, your rapid development and growth has completely sucked all the energy right out of me. I was sleeping 13 hours a night EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and still felt like I need just 7-8 more hours. It was rough. But, the recovery is on its way and I finally feel like a normal person.
I've noticed a couple of things I want to be sure to remember. A couple of things I want to make SURE you know about:
Apparently, you make people feel invincible. Your grandfather told me he didn't need to get out of the tornado weather - After all, HE WAS GOING TO BE A GRANDFATHER.
You also give people the desire to celebrate Mother's Day. This will be the first Mother's Day in 5 years that my family will actually celebrate it. And, Baby A is going to be the star of that day for making me a "Mom-to-be". (How weird is that?!?!)
Your little library is quickly growing. And, your mother could not be more thrilled. WHO DOES NOT LOVE CLASSIC GOLDEN BOOKS?!?!?! You can thank your Grandma-Tina for that.
I had a lady dangle my necklace over my stomach and announce that I was having a girl. Boy or girl, we are excited to see you. We know you will be just a gorgeous baby. I mean, LOOK AT YOUR PARENTS!!!
There is nothing more magical, more incredible then hearing your little heart pounding away. Keep on keepin' on! You, Baby A, are 6 months away from making your grand entrance.
Well, congratulations to you! You are now 3 months along and you are movin' and grovin' right along. It will be a couple more weeks before I'll be able to actually feel you, but I'm excited for that day to come. You might actually convince that this entire pregnancy thing is not a joke. *wink*
Over the last couple of weeks, your rapid development and growth has completely sucked all the energy right out of me. I was sleeping 13 hours a night EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and still felt like I need just 7-8 more hours. It was rough. But, the recovery is on its way and I finally feel like a normal person.
I've noticed a couple of things I want to be sure to remember. A couple of things I want to make SURE you know about:
Apparently, you make people feel invincible. Your grandfather told me he didn't need to get out of the tornado weather - After all, HE WAS GOING TO BE A GRANDFATHER.
You also give people the desire to celebrate Mother's Day. This will be the first Mother's Day in 5 years that my family will actually celebrate it. And, Baby A is going to be the star of that day for making me a "Mom-to-be". (How weird is that?!?!)
Your little library is quickly growing. And, your mother could not be more thrilled. WHO DOES NOT LOVE CLASSIC GOLDEN BOOKS?!?!?! You can thank your Grandma-Tina for that.
I had a lady dangle my necklace over my stomach and announce that I was having a girl. Boy or girl, we are excited to see you. We know you will be just a gorgeous baby. I mean, LOOK AT YOUR PARENTS!!!
There is nothing more magical, more incredible then hearing your little heart pounding away. Keep on keepin' on! You, Baby A, are 6 months away from making your grand entrance.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Feeling Like Home
It's amazing how nice it is to finally relax.
March was stressful. I'm not sure why, but I think it has to do with a lot of activity took place in March. And, all that activity left me plum-worn out. For real. As excited as we are that Baby A is on his/her way, that announcement left us overwhelmed and stressed out. You know the entire: HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR A BABY? As a planner, all this hit me hard.
The reality is that life throws stuff at you when you are never ready or never prepared. At ALL.
So, between our baby announcement, two siblings' announcing their engagements, and our move, I was exhausted. I had no motivation at all. In fact, I was relieved to pack up my sewing machine. What's more, I didn't want to craft anything or sew or read or cook or bake. And, those are all some of my most favorite things to do. All I wanted was to settle down and settle in. To our new home.
And, settle we did. Thank goodness. We've established a place of rest, dreams and potential. I'm excited. But, more importantly, I'm relieved to finally feel like I can relax.
How do you relax?
March was stressful. I'm not sure why, but I think it has to do with a lot of activity took place in March. And, all that activity left me plum-worn out. For real. As excited as we are that Baby A is on his/her way, that announcement left us overwhelmed and stressed out. You know the entire: HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR A BABY? As a planner, all this hit me hard.
The reality is that life throws stuff at you when you are never ready or never prepared. At ALL.
So, between our baby announcement, two siblings' announcing their engagements, and our move, I was exhausted. I had no motivation at all. In fact, I was relieved to pack up my sewing machine. What's more, I didn't want to craft anything or sew or read or cook or bake. And, those are all some of my most favorite things to do. All I wanted was to settle down and settle in. To our new home.
And, settle we did. Thank goodness. We've established a place of rest, dreams and potential. I'm excited. But, more importantly, I'm relieved to finally feel like I can relax.
How do you relax?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I Make Things
With the move behind and all the boxes and things unpacked and organized, my creative juices are once again buzzing about. I am currently working on this Yarn Wreath I saw several months ago and fell in love! Mine is still in the works, but I'll post a picture once it is all finished.
Another project I am looking forward to is creating a Mixed Media Art piece for the master bedroom. Anyone who has visited my home has been subject to my complaining over the lack of art and color in our bedroom. I have finally decided to try my hand out Mixed Media. I'll be honest, the entire concept is a little mind-boggling because I get stuck on the entire what "mixed medias" to use. I know I am using paint, newspaper, construction paper/ scrapbook paper, but beyond that - I DON'T KNOW. If any of you have tackled a similar project, LET ME KNOW, PLEASE!
A couple of weeks ago, I decorated for a friend's baby shower. Her little boy is on the way and we did the theme of a little red wagon.
It was a lot of fun trying to come up with decorations, but the trick is to decorate spending very little money. I think, including the flatware, dishes, tablecloths and decorations - I spent about $34. While I am sure I could have cut MORE corners, I love expensive things (remember, my dad told Ben, that I have "a champagne taste on a beer budget"?), so this was a major accomplishment.
I am excited for what I'll be making in the next couple of weeks (shower curtain, art piece, etc.). Have you made anything recently?
Another project I am looking forward to is creating a Mixed Media Art piece for the master bedroom. Anyone who has visited my home has been subject to my complaining over the lack of art and color in our bedroom. I have finally decided to try my hand out Mixed Media. I'll be honest, the entire concept is a little mind-boggling because I get stuck on the entire what "mixed medias" to use. I know I am using paint, newspaper, construction paper/ scrapbook paper, but beyond that - I DON'T KNOW. If any of you have tackled a similar project, LET ME KNOW, PLEASE!
A couple of weeks ago, I decorated for a friend's baby shower. Her little boy is on the way and we did the theme of a little red wagon.
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| Thank you, Google Images. |
It was a lot of fun trying to come up with decorations, but the trick is to decorate spending very little money. I think, including the flatware, dishes, tablecloths and decorations - I spent about $34. While I am sure I could have cut MORE corners, I love expensive things (remember, my dad told Ben, that I have "a champagne taste on a beer budget"?), so this was a major accomplishment.
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| Table Display. (The blocks say, "It's A Boy!") |
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| Ben definitely gets ALL the credit for making each triangle. I didn't feel good the night before, so he did it for me. I love him. |
Monday, April 11, 2011
Baby A; Week 10
This weekly update is late. I know, I know - all I have for you are excuses! But, please, accept them. Okay?? Being pregnant - especially at this stage of my pregnancy - is EXHAUSTING. I seriously want to sleep all the time. Oh, and, I'm always too tired to do anything. Literally, ANYTHING.
So, this week:
Baby A, according to my handy-dandy preggo book, moves from embryo to fetus. Congratulations Baby A on this GRAND accomplishment! Keep up the great growing!
Ben, once again, exceeded my hopes and dreams and expectations, by unpacking EVERY SINGLE box. And, if that wasn't enough, he also organized everything. He is precious and I am so thankful for him.
Ben also has graciously started the (regular) craving runs. Poor man. His hands are full with those!
And, lastly, Ben has (perhaps begrudgingly?) also cleaned up any and all doggy-poop. The sight of it makes me want to vomit.
I am extremely fortune to have a husband who goes above and beyond anything that I may ask of him...or not ask of him. Daily, I realized how lucky and spoiled I am to be married to Ben. And, you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world!
The Parent Brain: I know Ben and I are FAR from being fully immersed in the role of parent. However, I think it is safe to say we are both beginning to notice children and babies more. And, the other day, Ben told me his reaction when a friend mentioned wanting to get a vulgar bumper sticker. Ben said he told his friend, "What happens when a little girl asks her dad what that means? Why would you do that?" This is one of my favorite stories because it shows how Ben's thought process is beginning to change toward our pending new role.
There are a lot of decision to be made: finalizing names, deciding on WHERE to register, processing through decisions regarding the birth, etc. There are a LOT of decisions to be made. But, Ben and I are taking it in strides and addressing each decision at the appropriate time.
So, this week:
Baby A, according to my handy-dandy preggo book, moves from embryo to fetus. Congratulations Baby A on this GRAND accomplishment! Keep up the great growing!
Ben, once again, exceeded my hopes and dreams and expectations, by unpacking EVERY SINGLE box. And, if that wasn't enough, he also organized everything. He is precious and I am so thankful for him.
Ben also has graciously started the (regular) craving runs. Poor man. His hands are full with those!
And, lastly, Ben has (perhaps begrudgingly?) also cleaned up any and all doggy-poop. The sight of it makes me want to vomit.
I am extremely fortune to have a husband who goes above and beyond anything that I may ask of him...or not ask of him. Daily, I realized how lucky and spoiled I am to be married to Ben. And, you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world!
The Parent Brain: I know Ben and I are FAR from being fully immersed in the role of parent. However, I think it is safe to say we are both beginning to notice children and babies more. And, the other day, Ben told me his reaction when a friend mentioned wanting to get a vulgar bumper sticker. Ben said he told his friend, "What happens when a little girl asks her dad what that means? Why would you do that?" This is one of my favorite stories because it shows how Ben's thought process is beginning to change toward our pending new role.
There are a lot of decision to be made: finalizing names, deciding on WHERE to register, processing through decisions regarding the birth, etc. There are a LOT of decisions to be made. But, Ben and I are taking it in strides and addressing each decision at the appropriate time.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
News Flash: We Moved
I am THRILLED to announce we MOVED! And, it is only fitting that I announce it here as my blog has seen Ben and I go from RV living to Apartment living to now a little home! So, we moved and it all took place a week ago, actually. It all started when we realized that with two dogs, Ben and I...we had no room for Baby A. Thanks to Ben's incredible ability to make things happen, the move took place quickly.
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| Milo & Miko |
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| Ben and me. |
This move has brought a lot of anticipation. And, boy, oh, boy, am I excited! Because you KNOW what that means?!?!?! Let the DECORATING BEGIN! *happy sigh* We moved into this adorable space:
I have already made so many plans...allow me the SHEER pleasure to explain what is up my sleeve. Let's start with the stairwell. Because my art collection has grown (quickly), the amount of windows in the living room and dining room will limit where I put things. Or so I thought until I saw this post by Young House Love:
For the laundry room, I'm drooling over this:
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| To get this beauty: go here. |
I am planning to make my own shower curtain using this AWESOME fabric -
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| Ikea: ANNAMOA Fabric |
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