Balance in the Midst of Chaos??

I'm usually one that knows what I want and begins to set my plans in motion, but for some reason, when it comes to designing "the baby's room", I'm unmotivated and uninspired.  Yes, I've posted "inspirational ideas" that could offer a shell for what I'd like, but I really don't see a 100%, now that's what I want L.L. to sleep in idea!

As I digress...I'm also beginning to have several of those, "oh my God, I'm actually going to be a mom" moments! I was talking to D.L. the other day and let him know that I watched an episode of "Bringing Home Baby" and my heart started racing!  I guess this feeling is "normal", but I have an anxious feeling of what type of mom will I be and can I juggle all of the things that are required and balance them with the perfection that I like to pride my work in!  I can answer that now....NO!  Some things will have to give and I will have to re-prioritize what's now important to me.

So, back to the nursery.  I know it's still early, but I'd like the baby's room completed today if I could.

But here's currently where things stand.

 Lavender bedding - Check

Espresso crib - Check

Personalized Name Decal - Check

Lavender & pink tree wall decal - Check

And now, how do I transform this room into my sweetie's sanctuary??

Now for the dismantling...

Time to clean out the old....Notice the Christmas tree that never made it to the attic!

I had to clean out her closet....notice the lavender bedding in the box!!

How do I make this space worthy of a little princess????

Now I'm no astrology guru, but as we approach the month of the Libra...I pray that I find my balance!

A Natural Birth??

Last week when I came in from work, I had a surprise waiting on me from Daddy L.  I think he's been preparing himself for not just being a Daddy, but for labor & delivery also.  When I came in, he started prepping me by asking was I going to have a natural delivery.  We never really talked about how I would deliver, because I've just always said that getting an epidural was going to be my "natural" birth!  So I said, why do you ask?  And the he told me that he recorded an episode of A Baby Story for me to watch.  My first thought was, that is so sweet, he's really getting into the fatherhood thing!  I have NO doubt he will be an AMAZING Daddy, but I wasn't sure how involved he'd be in the "prep work".  (Especially since he hasn't even cracked the book I bought him on "Tips for the Expectant Father").  But to my surprise, Daddy L. had been watching episodes of A Baby Story!

So, I looked up the episode on the DVR list and what do I see?  A natural water birth!  Hmmmmm.  So how do I respond to this?  So, Daddy L. looks at me and says, the lady in this episode was like 25 and weighs 100 pounds, you can do this.  Besides, it's better for the baby not to have any drugs and safer for the both of you.  There are a lot of risks with getting epidurals.  Again. Hmmmmm.  So how do I respond to this, because I see in his face and eyes that he's dead serious.

I didn't totally dismiss his concerns.  I said, well I know several people that got epidurals and they are all perfect and fine.  He hates when I bring in others to our conversation!   So, I said okay, I will think about that and research more on natural births.  How did it get to this??  I'm keeping an open mind now.  I have a couple of friends who delivered naturally and they live by the natural birthing approaches, so I will explore what I think my mind and body can take.

5 Months ~ 5 Pounds

When I was earlier in my pregnancy, I remember the doctor using the doppler, but it took a few minutes to detect the heartbeat.  Not today. Today was my 21 week check up.  I heard her heartbeat and it immediately registered.  The midwife joked that I'm definitely pregnant.

21 Week Fetal Pic

I was very surprised to hear that I've only gained 5 pounds so far.  I would have thought that I gained 5 pounds in my boobs alone!  I'm open to gaining any normal baby weight that comes with this whole process, but I must admit that I do have a personal max that I will allow myself.  Not that I can prohibit it, but I would probably become more conscious about what I eat. From this week on, the books say that I should start gaining a pound a week.  So by my calculation, I should gain 20 - 25 pounds.  I'm good with that!  According to the Baby Center article, it states the following:

• Over halfway there, and you're probably showing now. Your uterus is about 1/2 inch above your belly button. The average weight gain is between 10 and 15 pounds at this point. If you're eating a healthy diet, don't count pounds and calories too strictly. Emotionally, you're probably feeling more stable and comfortable.

In Planning Mode

Now my pregnancy is really getting more realistic to me.  For some reason, and even sometimes still, it doesn't quite seem like I'm really going to be a mother.  Also, I have to remind myself that I'm really pregnant.  Just the other day I was telling D.L. that if the Saints made it to the Super Bowl this year again, I WILL be at that game, especially since the Super Bowl will be in Dallas.  All D.L. said was, no you won't.  Which made me have to step up my tone and say, YES, I will.  So this banter went back and forth and he said, think about it.  I paused.  Thought. And conceded.  Yes, you're right, NO, I won't....oh yeah, I'm pregnant and due along that same time!

Proof.  Here's another "bump" pic that I just had to take Sunday before church.  I could see it in my dress and insisted that it's a Canon moment!

So now that reality is setting in more and more...I'm ALL about preparation and planning!  The side of me that D.L. despises and I relish!  :-)   Fail to plan and plan to Fail...my personal mantra!

So, to be able to mark several of those "to do's" off the list.  Here's what we did last weekend.

• D.L. and the fellas moved the futon, hutch and desk out of the upstairs bedroom that used to be called my office...now L.L's nursery
• Ordered her crib from Buy Buy Baby...with our 20% off discount coupon!
• Purchased her lilac crib bedding
• Ordered the name and tree appliques for her wall
• Completed the full registries at Buy Buy Baby and Babies R' Us
• Turned in the names for invites to our co-ed shower (Which I'm super excited that two of my girl friends have offered to host)

So of course there's more to do, and my next big buy will be my glider.  I've drooled long enough and it's time to set this purchase in motion!  

20 Weeks ~ 5 Months Preggo!!

WHERE is the time going??  It doesn't seem like 5 months already, but it's here.  I have been SO blessed during this pregnancy and can honestly say that I've never had morning sickness (I did have an afternoon sickness one day), but other than that time, I've been movin' and shakin' and still on the go!

At this point, I feel little baby flutters and can tell when she's moving around.  I also have my full appetite back and enjoy eating like I used to.  I still occasionally get my hormonal headaches, but I've noticed that they are more intense when I'm thirsty or dehydrated.  So I'm a lot more conscious now of making sure I'm drinking water more regularly.  I must admit, water's never been a great friend of mine!  Things have been so uneventful and I haven't had a need for maternity clothes yet, so I don't know what other updates to offer right now.  Things are smooth and I pray it continues this way!!

So speaking of movin' and shakin', as a matter of fact, D.L. and I went to a wedding last weeknd and I danced for at least an hour straight!  Luckily I didn't have a BIG baby bump while I swagged and surfed!  LOL!

Dancing with my Baby's Daddy!!

I DON'T want to complain, but my baby bump is not out there quite yet.  For some strange reason, I think she's hiding in my boobs and she only comes down to visit during her ultrasound photo shoots!  For a first time mom, I think the bump's what most new mothers are looking forward to in pregnancy (of course in moderation)!  :-)  But until I start to poke out...I'm going to enjoy my girlish figure and have my fun!

Progress Being Made

I spent my Labor Day weekend laboring over which infant car seat I will go with, which stroller best suites us and what all should go in our L.L's nursery.  I needed advice, recommendations, consumer report reviews and everything else to make sure I'm getting great quality at a great price.  I've noticed that the heart string that the stores pull are the ones that involve the saying, "This is a little more expensive because you have more safety features for the baby than some of the less expensive models"!  Okay...."anything for the baby"!  Just to give you a glimpse of the things we're planning to get...here it goes!

McLaren Quest Sport Stroller
I heard that this umbrella style stroller isn't necessary until around 3 months, but I want to get it now so I'll have it!

Britax Chaperone Infant Car Seat
One of my friends convinced me this is the one to get...and the retail clerk helped also!

For some reason, just picking these two things out was really stressing me for some reason.  I felt a big sigh of relief almost immediately when I decided to go with these...I feel like all the other necessities will just "fall in place"!  :-)  Wishful thinking I'm sure.

SO, on to the nursery...my fave!  :-)

Daddy Lav and I went to Lowe's yesterday to browse color options.  Where we're deciding to create the nursery, we already had the room painted a shade of grey.  So rather than wasting that expense, we decided to keep the predominate color of the room grey and determine an accent color.  So because it's a girl...the room color will be lavender and grey!  "Lavender"....imagine that!  So here's a few ideas we're thinking of now!

The shell for the inspiration behind L.L's nursery design

Keep me in mind that I intentionally call this FABULOUS room the shell because by no means will L.L's room be an exact replica of what you see here.  But what I will use is the wonderful color combination, the simplicity of the design and the appropriate mix of modern with traditional style!  Because I will be going for a "look for less", I've attached some ideas I plan to include in the room.

Lighting - Chandelier

I really like this wall applique and want to include it somehow in the room!

So, we'll see how this work of art comes together as God continues to create His little masterpiece!!