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?

My Wreath

I mentioned my wreath yesterday, but here is the finished product. It took me about 1 hour and only $7. Now that is a deal!

I think Spring is finally here!

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.

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.

Table Display. (The blocks say, "It's A Boy!")

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.

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?

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.

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.

 

Milo & Miko

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:

To get this beauty: go here.

I am planning to make my own shower curtain using this AWESOME fabric -

Ikea: ANNAMOA Fabric

There are a couple of things I want to finish before I give you the grand tour - but that will be coming! So, stay tuned.

For the Love of Milo and Miko...

I want to show Milo and Miko JUST how much I love them. So, what better way (in my eyes) than to have a Custom Watercolor Pet Portrait made of my two lovable pups? While I'm sure that they would much better prefer treats and toys and other dog-obsessions, I'm thinking this will better match the decor of my home. 

Mothball Charlie

Baby A - Week 9

This week, I have a lot to discuss. Oh my, I hope you are ready!

My Baby's Daddy: Ben has been incredible. I mean, he is always wonderful, but he has taken his wonderfulness to a whole new level. This week alone he has - cleaned the house, washed dishes, cleaned up dog poop, did all the laundry, arranged for our move (details to come soon!), cleaned up more poop, and has put up with my exhaustion, panic, and more. He has been splendid.

Maternity Clothes: I'll admit it. I'm not liking what I've seen so far. So, it is distressing for me to realize that mass maternity clothing arena is trying to force the whole "mom-look" on me. I'm not buying it. At all. Literally and figuratively. Needless to say, when Cindy takes me shopping...I hope she is prepared for the bundle of emotions called her grandchild's mom.

The absence of my Mom: I could write an entire blog about this, but I'm not. Let it suffice to say that I miss my Mom's insight like crazy, but that my dad has been wonderful in answering all my genetic questions and a great group of friends (Jamie, Lisa, in particular) have been wonderful support in making me feel more normal.

I get paranoid. In the middle of my excitement, my processing, my planning, I get paranoid. I get paranoid of what I'm eating - will I birth a "15 pound baby" due to my diet? (That is not a comforting thought). I get paranoid about a lot of things. But, I'm learning to take things one day at a time. And, that is difficult for me. The daily, YES DAILY, change of my body and smells and cravings and more leave me stressed out. But, I'm learning to relax.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and just all around incredible comments! My energy is lacking - hence the silence, but I miss you all a lot, readers, so I'm trying to make a come-back. Plus, we have a ton to discuss too! Stay tuned!