Weekend Recap in Pictures

All bundled up in our hotel ready for fun

Dinner Out

Billy Joel/Elton John Face to Face Concert Tour - Oklahoma City

Enjoying the show!!

Loving the sunshine - Checking out the zoo

I Feel Like Dancing

You danced and danced at the Elton John & Billy Joel Face-to-Face Concert this weekend in Oklahoma City... kicking your feet to the music. I am already convinced you’ve got fantastic rhythm... My Tiny Dancer

Your daddy's and my first dance at our wedding was Elton John's "Your Song" - The very first song at the concert tonight was exactly that - just Elton John and Billy Joel on their pianos. My eyes welled up with tears thinking back. I am just amazed at how much we have done in four years, how blessed we have been... and now we are listening to that song again waiting for you to join us and fulfill our lives in a way we cannot even image as we dream about you here with us.

How to Travel with a Pregnant Lady

Tyler and I have been taking a mini vacation/road trip every year for our anniversary but thought that this year, April 8th would be just a little too close to Aliyah's due date to be traveling.... SO... Tyler surprised me by getting concert tickets to the Elton John and Billy Joel Face-to-Face tour in Oklahoma City this weekend. We packed ourselves up and headed there yesterday.

This is some quick advice on how to travel with a pregnant lady...

... according to my husband:

Step 1: Insist that she try to use the bathroom before you leave the house. Even if she says she just went. Make her go again anyway.

Step 2: Question her choice of footwear. Continue to insist she put on sensible flats or even better, tennis shoes, while she stubbornly scoffs at you, hobbles precariously in high heeled boots and tells you that nothing you’ve suggested goes with her outfit.

Step 3: Open her side of the door and then help her into the seat. She will be the most unmaneuverable* human being you’ve encountered in a long time, so some pushing and heaving may be required on your part. Just keep at it, she’ll get situated... eventually.

Step 4: Keep your cool when you are 3 minutes down the road and she looks over at you and says “Honey, when you get a second… can we stop somewhere so I can pee?”

* did I just make that word up?

Glucose Testing

This is face of blegggggggggggh. I had to take the one hour glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes screening yesterday. It consisted of me drinking a thick, syrupy 'fruit punch' drink that tasted like it had a thousand grams of sugar in it - and was followed up by having to have blood drawn. A big thumbs down on all accounts.

Everything measured perfectly and her heartbeat is strong & healthy! I was told that at this point, I will start seeing the doctor every two weeks now instead of the once a month visits I have been doing. We are getting closer to meeting our sweet Aliyah!

Next up on our check-off list: signing up for our childbirth class, and finishing up the nursery!

Piggy Bank

Apparently, the very dad-like desire of teaching your children to save money has already kicked in for Tyler as we picked up yet another sweet item for our sweet girl.

I am so excited about this lovely piggy bank because I very distinctly remember my childhood bank and how many times I would pull out the plastic plug at the bottom, shake it like crazy, and count my nickels and quarters.

Old Photo

I just couldn't pass up posting this old picture on the blog... I am sandwiched between my two cousins, Randy and Dirk, under the watchful eye of GrandDad. (check out the neon green matching t-shirts!)

I was never too far from "Rea Me" (Rea Marcie) my first of 10 Cabbage Patch Dolls :)

Sophie the Giraffe

What I'm loving today... Sophie the Giraffe

This cute vintage-looking teether is just waiting for a little slobbery, baby mouth to find her!

Entering the Third Trimester @ 28 Weeks

28 Weeks!!!

We decided to take this week’s picture against the charming blue wall of Ali J's nursery. (Such a pretty color, isn’t it?)

10 Things I Never Thought About Before I was Pregnant

THE SECOND TRIMESTER...

1. Bottles have different nipple sizes??

2. What's a doula?!? (medulla oblongata... "poor alligators have all them teeth and no toothbrush")

3. Stretching skin = itchy skin

4. Pee... a.) It is not worth shopping in a store if it doesn't have a restroom b.) Why didn't peeing your pants a little when coughing/sneezing make the main list of pregnancy symptoms? I thought my body was falling apart but I guess this is all pretty common... Welcome to the very unglamorous side of pregnancy - sneeze, pee, change underwear and repeat. I am so over it

5. Unruly, defiant belly buttons

6. Strollers. Never in my life did I imagine I would be eyeing strangers in the mall trying to get a closer look at their kid’s wheels

7. The many different kinds of childbirth classes - the Bradley Method, the Morgan Method, Lamaze, The McMoyler Method, the list goes on...

8. How much people treat you differently when you are pregnant. Random people smile at you. They ask how far along you are. They sometimes pat your belly. They give you their seat in a crowded room. It’s pretty nice, actually.

9. The whole boob thing. I still can’t wrap my head around it... and seem to still be growing at an alarming rate.

10. This baby has to come OUT OF ME. Right now she’s inside but she has to come out. Let me repeat that... she has to COME OUT OF ME. I keep running over this fact in my head, trying to make sense of it. I had the birds and the bees talk a long long time ago - but trying to rationalize and come to terms with what is actually going to happen in a few short months is taking some time. She has to come out... and no matter how it happens, it isn't going to be a walk in the park...

* FIRST TRIMESTER "10 Things..."

Getting Creative: Chalkboard Trays

I saw a chalkboard tray on etsy about a month ago and said “I can make those!” Thanks to a quick trip to a local antique mall and a visit with my in-laws, I collected 6 silver trays for my project (we were one hook short, so the picture is minus a platter). We gave each of them a couple of coats of brown chalkboard paint, used gorilla glue to attach a picture hanger on the back of each one and VOILA! Instant wall art for Aliyah's room.

When she’s older, these will be perfect for drawing little cakes on for a pretend “tea party”

After I explained what I was using these silver platters for to a curious woman at the antique mall, she also suggested that Aliyah could use one or two as serving trays at her wedding some day (if we took off the paint). As sweet as that is... the idea of Aliyah being here in my arms is hard to wrap my mind around - much less her in a wedding gown!!!!

A Peaceful Place

We worked hard last week painting Ali J's nursery and we couldn't be more happy with the results. Tyler and I both keep peeking our heads in her room admiring our work and dreaming of the day our little girl will be calling this space hers!

Step One: brown paint

Step Two: blue paint

Step Three: start decorating

I know some of you may be thinking, "brown paint in a baby's room?!?" Don't you worry - This room is really starting to come together... I can't wait to post some more pictures!

Valentine's Day

LOVE AND HEARTS TO YOU!!!

Tyler surprised me with this beautiful meal accompanied by a romantic table with tulips, sparkling white grape juice, flower petals and a candle... I am a pretty lucky lady!!

My Funny Valentine

I wanted to share some of my favorite lovie-dovie day finds...

Sweetheart Hat $22 Lulu & Charlie

Valentine Baby Shoes $15 Salty Starfish

LOVE Onesie $14 Four Sewing Sisters

Sweet Bottom Diaper Cover $25 Sweet Smiles Baby

Secret Pocket Plush Owl $30 Buttercup Bloom

My Yellow Blanket

What is this raggedy waffle-weaved piece of fabric?

My favorite childhood blankie - that's what!!

Come on, admit it. You know you can’t live without your baby blanket either. It is a well known fact and cannot be denied - four out of five dentists recommend Trident for the patients who chew gum, but ten out of ten babies LOVE and cannot live without their blankets.

As I reflect back on my childhood I have very vivid memories of my baby blanket. It was yellow, soft and cuddly. It was rimmed with silk that I loved to rub under my nose... I use "was" because now it has morphed from my baby blanket to a raggedy waffle-weaved piece of fabric. There is barely any silk left (you can see the stitching where my mom tried to re-sew the silk more than once) but I suppose that is what happens to something that is loved on over and over again...

Pinned to my shirt it became my superhero cape and flapped in the wind as I flew around the house saving innocent victims. Draped over the top of me I became a deep sea diver who could hold her breath for hours only to surface when absolutely necessary.

This blanket has found a home on my bed for a loooong time. I am not exactly sure when I got it but you could have found it on my bed up until high school, in my dorm room at college, and you may even find it on my bed now from time-to-time after a rough day.

With all that being said... what was I to do but to make sure Aliyah has the same magic blanket that can give her comfort, enrich her imagination, and allow her to cuddle up when she is cold...
When I opened up the package that I ordered through the mail and got my hands on this blanket I absolutely melted!!! It is so very soft with silk all the way around... I look at her yellow blanket and wonder who Aliyah will become with this blanket and her imagination.

Fairy Tales

I don't believe in fairy tales...

but I do believe that in real life,

amazing and wonderful things

do happen to people

who believe in

possibility

Too Many Toys

After going through the baby stores over and over again, I am starting to have a desire to avoid the plastic, buzzing, blinking, junk that our society calls “toys” these days. While I don’t want to deny my daughter anything, I can’t help but want to think of ways to give her a full, enjoyable youth without drowning her in a room full of mass produced junk that she’ll grow tired of quickly.

I keep trying to talk through my ideas of giving ‘experiences’ instead of 'things' with Tyler. I am drawn to the idea of replacing plastic toys with trips to the zoo, canvas paintings, musicals, or an afternoon visit to the cupcake/coffee shop.

Will our family think we are crazy if we asked them to forgo presents at her birthday party and instead give her their undivided time? Maybe even have guests bring donations and supplies for the local animal shelter instead of toys? I would definitely get her a few things so she has presents to open but not a mountain of gifts... Everything In Moderation... Then we would have a huge box of goodies to take to animals in need and have a fun afternoon together as a family helping our community. It is all about experiences, fun trips, and time together!

And when it does come to toys - I keep going back to those timeless toys that will withstand the test of time and could be passed down to future siblings and cousins - red wagons, story books, musical instruments, blocks, art easels and felt puppets.

check out - Made by Joel

a blog about a creative dad who makes toys & crafts for his kids

I remember painting/coloring cardboard boxes and playing in them for hours with our family friends, the Beam-Wards! I can also remember lots of time on our bouncy horse & a set of plain 'ol pots and pans. Can you imagine any greater joy as a child than being given your very own set of pots and pans, a large wooden spoon, and free reign to make your own "music" - bliss...

I know there will come a time when she’ll beg for whatever the newest doll/toy of her day is - and again, I think anything in moderation is okay... but if I can just instill in her that the true joy of life is collecting experiences and memories with the people you love, and not a room full of plastic, whiz-bang toys that will be forgotten in a few months time, then I will feel as though I have succeeded.

What I've Been Reading

Well... I actually haven't started reading this book yet, but I recently attended a lecture by Harvey Karp - the author of, "Happiest Baby on the Block"

I thought what he was saying made a lot of sense but was wondering how I would remember everything he said 3 months from now... I didn't have to worry about that long because everyone who attended his session got a signed copy of his DVD with a CD of white noise to help their baby fall asleep. After the lecture he signed our DVD and asked who he should make this out to... I couldn't help but to say "Aliyah" :) We are planning on her being the happiest baby on our block!

Have you read this book? Let me know what you think!

Little Girls

"Little girls have a magic all their own"

-- Unknown

Spice Things up with Color

What I am loving today on Etsy... no whining pleez!

My friend Rita pointed me toward this site recommending that pictures look so much nicer with a beautiful colored burpy than the plain ol white ones... makes sense to me :)

Counting Down

We’ve hit the double digits people! Today we are officially 99 days from Aliyah's due date. She has celebrated the countdown by kicking up a storm this morning. We’re celebrating on this Sunday morning with a good breakfast, an afternoon of Beatles Rock Band and a small Super Bowl party at our house with our families.

The chocolate footballs I made for the game... I got the idea off of my friend Rhiannon's blog

Suddenly, i feel like the rush is on. We’ve got to get the nursery done, scour clean our house, purchase everything we need, write out our birth plan... the panic is setting in!

whew. deep breath. 99 days... ready. set. go.

Bump @ 26 Weeks

26 Weeks!!!

This belly of mine is most definitely growing at full speed. I read that it’s supposed to grow a 1/2 inch a week from this point forward... grow baby grow

The Beginning of a Room Transformation

Next week is the official start of turning our guest bedroom into a super sweet nursery for Aliyah Jacquelyn. I am really excited to transform the space into a happy little haven for our sweet girl. I’ve been soaking up inspiration all over the place for the last 6 months and I am more than excited to start puttig my ideas into action.

Here are a couple 'before' pictures of the room:

Alley (Ali) Cat

Last week, I went to the grand opening of a new store in Leawood called Destination Maternity and had such a great time! Because I was one of the first 50 people through the door, I won a $10 gift card, entered a drawing to win a stroller and got a few small freebies. I never got a call to say that I won the stroller, but thanks to Austin & Jamie (my brother/sister-in-law) I had a gift card from Christmas to do some guilt free shopping... Yeah Hoooo!

"Ali Cat" sitting in Aliyah's crib (I added the crochet headband)

While I was in line to check out, I spotted this adorable pink kitty sitting on a shelf and couldn't resist her for two reasons: 1. she is so cute and the same color pink in the crib sheets... 2. Ever since we agreed on the name 'Aliyah' for our little girl, Tyler has been calling her "Ali Cat"

The Reverse Camel

When I see pictures of myself lately all I can think about is how I look like a reverse camel - with all my humps growing on my front instead of my back.

I am 18 different kinds of humps these days. I don’t know what to do with them. Despite my best efforts, I’m still figuring out how to cover them effectively.

I can barely harness this hump-tastic preggo body of mine and fear that a public indecency ticket may be in my future if I don’t get things under control. I’m just warning you now should I have to call you up and request bail money.

Getting Creative: I Love You Because

I made this “I love you because” sign with the help of my mom and her gypsy/cricut machine. I found this simple frame so that we can write on the glass to create a dry erase message and change the answer as often as we like. I can't wait to hang this in the nursery!

Baby Bjorn

I know this sounds a bit crazy, but as we slowly begin to amass all of our baby related goodies we’ve been so excited that we needed to try them all out RIGHT THIS MINUTE. With no baby readily available, the next best thing has been our appropriately-sized fur covered children. We decided to test out our awesome new Baby Bjorn carrier - thanks to my Aunt Annie and Uncle Randy - with our 6(ish) pound cat.
Luna was so comfortable hanging out in the carrier that I think she might have stayed in there all day! (And would you please look at that little leg sticking out of the bottom!)