Friday, October 12, 2012
The best and the worst...
The best thing a pregnant lady can hear? Here is a brief list of the things I have heard lately from friends, co-workers and family that I absolutely love hearing:
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| 27 weeks 3 days! |
*Pregnancy definitely agrees with you! {I take this as a compliment any day of the week, I love being pregnant!}
*I wish my skin was that clear and my hair was that shiny {I realize these things will not last...and that my hair will eventually fall out some...but I'll take 'em while I can!}
*You don't even look pregnant from the back! {Well thank you....thank you very much!!!}
*You're all baby! {That IS the point....}
*Your husband is a lucky man! {I like to think so too :) although when I was told this, it was by another man and was a little creepy....but still complimentary nonetheless}
*I am so jealous of your baby bump! I never had a bump like that {To many, this might not be a compliment...but to me, it is! I am completely and totally embracing this pregnancy, little Hudson is a gift from God and my baby bump is proof that he is alive, growing and healthy}
Things people say because they think they're being nice....but really I want to punch them in the face. Luckily there are only a few of these:
*Roll it on in here... {uhm, I'm sorry...roll WHAT on in here?}
*I can already tell....he's going to be a big baby {I'm sorry...and how can you tell that?}
*When he kicks your stomach goes "bluhbblubhblub" {that is my interpretation of the sound effect that was used....is that supposed to be a ripple effect? Like why would you say that???}
*Woah, you are so much bigger than the last time I saw you! {Uh....well...babies tend to grow....and I hope you mean that my stomach is much bigger...and not the rest of me!}
When and if you were pregnant...what did you like to hear, and what did people say that made you want to punch them in the face??
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Get excited! It's give-away time!!
You don't remember? Really? Well...that's okay....I guess :) hehe
Well...here's a condensed version. I have decorated every other room in our home except for the master bed/bath and the powder room downstairs. So I finally found a picture on Pintrest and was hooked. I knew exactly what I was going to do.
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| Source: Ikea Alina Bedspread |
Anyways that isn't the point. The point is....I did it. For the bedding part at least, everything else is still in the works. I found this quilt that came with 2 european shams, and the best part? {Besides that it was only $69 at Ikea} it's a Queen/King so it is plenty of blanket since I have a hubby who spins like a top in bed and always messes up the covers. I swear I have to re-make the bed every day.
So I decide that this is the perfect color because it's kind of brown, and kind of tan and what better accent for this color than my most favorite color in the entire world? CORAL. I love coral, it's not pink, but it's not orange...but it's bright and refreshing and makes me happy everytime I see it. After I found this, I went on the hunt for coral sheets...which I still haven't found {I settled on white for a nice contrast} and decided that the coral pops would be a throw for the end of the bed and some amazing coral accent pillows.
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| See! Amazing right??? |
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| These beauties are on their way to my house as we speak...er...read? |
So, because Karen is so amazingly awesome, we are here today to tell you a little bit about Karen & ElemenOPillows...and do a give-away! ElemenOPillows is offering one lucky person a $40 credit to her shop! I want y'all to meet, Karen! {Details on how to win are below!}
Introduction {Tell us all about you!}:
ElemenOPillows is my creation featuring modern, fresh, chic and affordable PILLOW SLIPCOVERS. A pillow slipcover can be slipped over a pillow you already have or over a pillow form that you purchase from a craft store or online. It's a wonderful way to give a room an instant and inexpensive makeover!
After launching ElemenOPillows on Etsy, I have already filled orders for several thousand pillow slipcovers! The response has been amazing and I absolutely LOVE what I am doing!
The business satisfies my love of fabric, my long-standing love for sewing and decorating and also my entrepreneurial spirit.
I began sewing when I was 7 or 8 years old. A miniature pink plastic sewing machine was one of my most cherished childhood possessions. I would create clothing and home decor (of course) for all of my Barbies and other dolls for hours on end. I simply LOVE creating.
As an adult, my creative itch now gets satisfied by choosing and working with a variety of beautiful fabrics. There are such wonderful patterns, textures, styles and colors from which to choose. And there's such satisfaction in creating an item that has the potential to transform a room for a perfect stranger in another place...often half way around the world.
My husband Chris (who was my high school and college sweetheart) and I have raised three wonderful sons who are all now out of our nest. My studio in this formerly-loud-and -busy-but-now-sadly-empty nest is currently being happily feathered with hundreds and hundreds of pillow cover orders, stacks and stacks of pillow covers and bolt after bolt of fabrics that I so adore! It brings me great joy working with the grown-up version of that little pink sewing machine....
Favorite style:
Anything bright!
How can they pay you??:
I accept checks, money orders, Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards. Note that Paypal also accepts credit cards and debit cards even if you do not have an account with them.
The best part!:
How do you win...you ask?? Comment below and tell us your favorite style or pattern...and make sure to pin it to your pintrest! A winner will be selected on a number generated on random. Now what are you waiting for?? Comment and go check her shop out!
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| Click here to check out the shop! |
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
27 weeks and a completed Fall project!
How far along? 27 weeks-Last week in my second trimester!!! Helllooooo home stretch!
Countdown: 13 weeks left!
Size: About the size of a head of cauliflower
Total weight gain: +11 lbs total
Maternity clothes? Yes, but still mixing them with some of my regular clothes
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| 27 Weeks-thanks to the hubs for the pic...even though it's at a weird angle because he is taller than me |
Sleep: Pillow behind my back/under my hip while I'm side sleeping. Prevents hubby cuddles BUT is super comfy! {In addition to the pillow between the knees} but having back pain and difficulty getting comfortable
Best moment this week: Experiencing more movement
Miss Anything? My memory....
Movement: Yes, he definitely is making it very clear which positions he likes me in and which he is not so fond of. Left side? No way. Mommy is finally comfortable? Judo Chop. Leaning forward to read something on her computer monitor? Let me stomp on her vajay-jay
Food cravings: Actually....cauliflower, now that you mention it....
Anything making you queasy or sick: If I don't eat
Gender: Baby Boy!
Labor Signs: None.
Symptoms: Pregnancy brain....wait, what were we talking about? No but really, apparently I left the back door wide open when I left for work yesterday {had to take Diogi out}
Belly Button in or out? Barely in...
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :) Loving being pregnant and sharing this time with J
Looking forward to: Our next Ultrasound next week!
Next Appointment: October 18th, an ultra sound, meeting with our midwife AND the O'Sullivan glucose test...This is my last week in my 2nd trimester!!
Pumpkin Topiary...as seen on Pintrest.
I originally thought, when I first saw the picture that they had just found a tall white pumpkin, so I searched and searched every farmer's market looking for one. Then I actually read the blog tutorial and realized...huh they just used a fake orange one and spraypainted it....duh
So, friends, that is what I did. I popped over to Michael's and picked out a tall faux pumpkin {originally $24.95, and on sale for $12.99} along with a long garland of fall leaves. I figured because of all the fall wreaths I make I had plenty of other accents to create the look that I wanted.
Then I went on the hunt for a topiary base....check! Found one at Lowes {$11.99}
When I got home, I taped the top of the pumpkin {so I didn't accidentally spray paint the stem white} and used Rustoleum Ivory to spray the entire Pumpkin.
I had picked out the perfect monogrammed D and printed it off so I could go home and trace directly on the pumpkin.
I was in such a rush to get home from the store(s) and get started that I completely forgot to grab my "D"!
So, after spray painting the pumpkin white I sat down with some Vellum {it's a sort of trace/transfer paper I used while in Art School for my Fashion Sketching classes} and proceeded to tweak and tweak a free-handed "D" until I thought it was perfect. Then I was able to trace my masterpiece onto the pumpkin to be painted over! I selected the slate blue-grey color that matched our front door and shutters.
After completing the "D" I also decided that the stem should match, so it was also painted the slate blue-grey.
And voila, here is the finished product! What do you think?
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
26 Weeks...nothing special
26 weeks and nothing special because did y'all check out my fall post??
How far along? 26 weeksSize: About the size of a head of lettuce
Total weight gain: +11 lbs total
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? Same--using way more coco butter and assorted body butters.
Sleep: Tried a new trick...pillow behind my back/under my hip while I'm side sleeping. Prevents hubby cuddles BUT is super comfy! {In addition to the pillow between the knees}
Best moment this week: Experiencing more movement
Miss Anything? Having the energy to decorate my home for the season! I'm getting there...slowly but surely
Movement: Yes! Feeling it and watching it...the best
Food cravings: No real cravings
Anything making you queasy or sick: If I don't eat
Gender: Baby Boy!
Labor Signs: None.
Symptoms: Just not as much energy as I usually have
Belly Button in or out? Barely in...
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :) Loving being pregnant and sharing this time with J
Looking forward to: Our next Ultrasound next week!
Next Appointment: October 18th, an ultra sound, meeting with our midwife AND the O'Sullivan glucose test...It is crazy that here shortly I'll be seeing our midwife twice a month! It seems like just yesterday it was May and we were on pins and needles trying to wait the 1st trimester to share the news publicly. We obviously told our families first....but waiting til 9 weeks to tell everyone else was killer!
All hands on dec...orations, it's Fall Y'all!
I literally just laughed out loud at that title....Every week day morning I have a phone date with my sister who lives in Indiana...she is on her way to her amazing internship at a children's hospital and I am on my way into the city and our conversations usually last for around an hour. This morning's topic? Fall!!! And that's when I came up with that oh so witty title :)
It's here ladies and gents and I could not be more excited about it. But I do have a fire under my tush, so-to-speak. Next weekend I am throwing a Bridal Shower for a friend so on my drive home from Virginia on Sunday I had plenty of time to think about alllllll of the things in my home that aren't done....crap.
In order to save space and your time {you're welcome} I have decided I won't list everything, only the things I plan on changing this weekend and next week before the shin-dig {In between my inlaws coming tomorrow night for the weekend including mom, dad, siblings and their girlfriends}
Here's the list...
Slip cover of some sort for our queen anne sofa {it eventually needs to be recovered but who has the time to do that??}
Paint the powder room {downstairs bathroom}
Hang new mirror {Purchased last night...thank youuuuuu HomeGoods}
Install some sort of shelving/built in unit behind toilet in said powder room
Pray that new pillows I ordered yesterday arrive to put on new slip covered sofa
Decorate for fall!
Bake my family's famous pumpkin bread and possibly some other things
I think that's it....that's everything I have to do by next Saturday. Not tooooo bad, right?.....right?....ugh
So here's my idea....I think I just need to bite the bullet and order one of the SureFit stretchy sofa covers...then use fabric pins to tack it in place. It won't be a forever fix but it will look nice for the time being....I hope
Painting of the powder room....I'm thinking of doing a technique I saw on Pintrest. I am going to paint the whole bathroom a tan color, in eggshell. THENNNN I'll get the same color in a high gloss, tape off large rugby stripes, and paint stripes with the high gloss. That way, it will look like a pretty satin and matte stripe-and hopefully make the small powder room look a little bit larger.
Last night I went to HomeGoods {hoping to find a pretty throw and possibly some fall decorations} and came out with this awesome off white wood framed mirror. Perfect for our powder room...that still has the builder mirror in it. There is just something about putting your own mirror up that can really make a bathroom feel more home-y. I thought I had a picture but...I don't so I'll take one of the powder room...a before and after for sure!
Install some sort of built in unit behind the toilet for storage....this is where my amazingly handy FIL comes in. After picking his brain a little the other night, he agreed to look at a picture, tell me what I needed and point me in the right direction. He is usually suckered into our home projects because he is really talented {a custom home builder} but this is a project I really want to try....for me and for you DIYers out there. I'm sure that post will be accompanied by some hilarious missteps on my part...
And the last two To-Dos? They're pretty self explanitory...it's fall y'all....what better way to celebrate than with a family tradition extending way past my years here on earth? This pumpkin bread is the best...and we usually make it multiple times throughout the fall season. But my best memory with this recipe? Every Thanksgiving we make this bread....all come down in our jammies {yes I am 25 and still say jammies} and sit huddled together to watch the Macy's Day Parade. Fall isn't fall without pumpkin bread...
What are your fall traditions?
Install some sort of built in unit behind the toilet for storage....this is where my amazingly handy FIL comes in. After picking his brain a little the other night, he agreed to look at a picture, tell me what I needed and point me in the right direction. He is usually suckered into our home projects because he is really talented {a custom home builder} but this is a project I really want to try....for me and for you DIYers out there. I'm sure that post will be accompanied by some hilarious missteps on my part...
And the last two To-Dos? They're pretty self explanitory...it's fall y'all....what better way to celebrate than with a family tradition extending way past my years here on earth? This pumpkin bread is the best...and we usually make it multiple times throughout the fall season. But my best memory with this recipe? Every Thanksgiving we make this bread....all come down in our jammies {yes I am 25 and still say jammies} and sit huddled together to watch the Macy's Day Parade. Fall isn't fall without pumpkin bread...
What are your fall traditions?
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
What a day...
Yesterday was a whirlwind...actually since last Thursday has been a whirlwind...
I'll start at the beginning. 4 years ago I found a husky pup for my husband [then boyfriend] for Christmas. My justification? I needed to see how he would be with kids one day...needed to see that he would get up in the middle of the night and had the compassion and love for something as much as me and his family...responsibility for another living thing.
Obviously he passed with flying colors and we have an amazing, well mannered, sweet and loving pup to show for it.
Last Christmas we noticed something with our pooch, Diogi, was off...he was favoring his leg and had slowed down a lot. We originally thought it was hip dysplaysia so we took him to the vet in Virginia [a vet J's family has been using for a very long time] and had tests and x-rays done. He is fine, they told us...hips and lower back could not look better, he's a husky....a breed known for being "wimps". So, their advice? Let him rest and take it easy, there is nothing you can do. And we trusted them.
More recently he has been in a lot of pain, we knew he wasn't faking it but the vet said he was okay....so last week after Diogi stopped being able to climb the stairs for bed at night we went for a second opinion, to a vet I have used here in NC with our fosters and rescue pups.
After a lot of wiggling, poking and prodding they said they thought it was probably early onset arthritis but they wanted to take new films of his hips and this time check his knees too, since they were making weird popping and grinding noises.
When I went to pick him up later Thursday afternoon I was shocked to learn that just like the other Dr., this vet was saying his hips looked amazing...but his knees? Not arthritis like they thought. Like a human, a dog's knee is held together in place by ligaments. In the dogs case, the slope of the bottom bone [his tibia] is at a 30 degree angle [a human's at 5 degrees]. There are 2 ligaments which cross inside the joint...this is called the cruciate ligament, [cruciate, like cross, because they cross over each other].
What they thought was arthritis was not. The pain, atrophy and swelling was from the tearing of the cruciate ligament in not just one, but both of his knees.
The popping and grinding? Well that was apparently his bones rubbing together against where new bone was growing, an attempt his body was making to repair his injuries. How could he have blown both knees, you ask? Well, they said his left [the worse of the two] probably happened first when he was playing with his sister and cousins. Dogs often injure the cruciate ligament when running and have a misstep of some kind-uneven ground and all of that. Then, they said, it is only a matter of time before the second knee gives way. See, when they are over compensating for the lack of function in one knee, it puts added stress on the other knee. It is inevitable.
So, after all of that, J & I spent an evening going through our options and really taking the time to discuss what needed to be done....but knowing it needed to be a quick decision. The next morning, I made an appointment in Hickory, NC with an AMAZING ortho specialist. We went Monday morning and were there all day going through the X-rays, surgery options and pricing. Dr. Born was awesome, she sat on the floor with him and talked to him when she could tell he was scared and nervous. She made sure she answered all of our questions and printed off plenty of information so we could go back to our families and be prepared to answer questions. We decided, after speaking with J's parents, we would leave Diogi that day for surgery.
Monday was our 1 year wedding anniversary....what a way to spend it. We woke up and laid in bed sharing stories from a year ago at that moment. What he and his brothers and best friend were doing...how they were supporting him and embracing him...and the same with my family and friends.
Looking back though, I'm not sure I would change anything. This instance like so many others that arise in your life brings out stress...stress is the truest of tellers of a person's worst characteristics.
In our case? It strengthens what J and I already have....the truest of love, respect, and support for each other. I know I say it all the time, but J is my best friend...if I can't talk to him...I can't talk to anyone.
So as we were leaving the Vet's we decided {since I forgot to get our top tier of cake from my parent's in Va} we would pop by Dairy Queen because...let's be honest...who doesn't like an ice cream cake??
Well fate was not on our side. They didn't have any cakes, so we settled for a dipped cone for me and a pumpkin blizzard for him. We went home and sat on pins and needles waiting for the call that he was out of surgery and in recovery. 2 Lifetime moves and a trip to pizza hut later...{what can I say...we're romantics}we finally got THE call.
Dr. Born said he did phenomenally and that she would call on Tuesday to let us know if he could come home or if he needed to stay until today.
After being in meetings all morning, I got the call. You can come get him and take him home...
I won't even get into getting there...{borrowed a friends Minivan, forgot my house key, wasn't prepared}I get there and Dr. Born goes over everything, guys it was so much information...
Then I sat in an exam room to wait for him. I could hear them out in the hall talking to him and telling him what a good boy he was and he was quiet as a mouse...until they opened the door and he saw me.
Then it was game.over. He cried at caterwalled so loudly {it's my fault for coddling him when he was a puppy} I ended up having to ignore him...even with his head shoved in my lap crying like a big 'ol baby.
Once we got to the lobby and they were finishing all our paperwork up, the nurses had him and were helping me get him in the car {can't really lift a 75lb dog while pregnant} he decided he really had to pee....and not just a little bit. It was like niagra falls and the nile all at once. And all I could do was just watch him pee all over their lobby as the girls laughed and said "welp, guess he really did have to go". Apparently it was raining that morning and he just refused to go out.
But the just of it is...he got home and is now lounging comfortably in our mudroom with 2 extra large dog beds, food, water and his toy pheasant...which he loves.
After doing the outside routine 4 times or so we aren't even using the sheet under his hips, only the leash and walk/hopping very slowly on the 5 rubber shower slip mats lining our kitchen from the mudroom to the back door.
I'll keep everyone up to date on his progress but needless to say I have been a little preoccupied with that and prepping for the craft festival in like...2 days! Ahk!
26 Week post coming soon...I PROMISE!!!
Then I sat in an exam room to wait for him. I could hear them out in the hall talking to him and telling him what a good boy he was and he was quiet as a mouse...until they opened the door and he saw me.
Then it was game.over. He cried at caterwalled so loudly {it's my fault for coddling him when he was a puppy} I ended up having to ignore him...even with his head shoved in my lap crying like a big 'ol baby.
Once we got to the lobby and they were finishing all our paperwork up, the nurses had him and were helping me get him in the car {can't really lift a 75lb dog while pregnant} he decided he really had to pee....and not just a little bit. It was like niagra falls and the nile all at once. And all I could do was just watch him pee all over their lobby as the girls laughed and said "welp, guess he really did have to go". Apparently it was raining that morning and he just refused to go out.
But the just of it is...he got home and is now lounging comfortably in our mudroom with 2 extra large dog beds, food, water and his toy pheasant...which he loves.
After doing the outside routine 4 times or so we aren't even using the sheet under his hips, only the leash and walk/hopping very slowly on the 5 rubber shower slip mats lining our kitchen from the mudroom to the back door.
I'll keep everyone up to date on his progress but needless to say I have been a little preoccupied with that and prepping for the craft festival in like...2 days! Ahk!
26 Week post coming soon...I PROMISE!!!
25 weeks...better late than never
How far along? 25 weeks
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| 25 weeks 2 days |
Total weight gain: +9 lbs total
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? Same--using way more coco butter and assorted body butters.
Sleep: Sleeping really well with the windows open {hello fall} but definitely always have to have a pillow between my knees
Best moment this week: Experiencing more movement
Miss Anything? Having the energy to decorate my home for the season! I'm getting there...slowly but surely
Movement: Yes! Feeling it and watching it...the best
Food cravings: No real cravings
Anything making you queasy or sick: If I don't eat
Gender: Baby Boy!
Labor Signs: None.
Symptoms: Colostrum and what I am guessing is Dyshidrotic Eczema on the tops of my feet.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :) Loving being pregnant
Looking forward to: Dayton Days, the craft fair I am doing with my wreaths on October 6th! And our next check up on Oct. 4
Next Appointment: October 4th, then we will schedule one for 2 weeks after to have another u/s and do the diabetes test...which I hear is disgusting...
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