Belly Pictures

I haven't been that great about doing consistent belly pictures. I've seen the ones where they do one every week with a cute chalkboard beside them. Yeah that wasn't happening. They have just been sporadic and mainly happened when I would go somewhere cool and think, "Hey why NOT take a pic here?"

This one isn't a "belly pic" but I thought I would include it. I was probably 10 weeks, I think. I just know I had not announced it, but you can definitely tell my belt is pooching out. I started showing WAY earlier with this one. 

This is halfway through - 20 weeks. I figured the Dave Matthews concert was a good spot.

This one was just a week later, but we were at the beach so I HAD to get one there!

This is 26 weeks. We were on top of Mt. Scott in the Wichita Mountains.

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So I sort of judge myself for the next two because they're "selfies" which I never take, but I think you get a pass when you're pregnant. Honestly I am just amazed that my belly is this big and wanted to remember it. This picture is right before the Counting Crows concert. I was 32 weeks. I really couldn't fathom getting any bigger than this...

...and then this happened. This was taken 11 days before my due date. Very ready to be able to hold her in my arms instead of my belly because I don't think I can take much more! 

Pregnancy Update - 38 Weeks

So I realized that I haven't blogged about my pregnancy except for when I posted that I was expecting, which really tells it all.

When I was pregnant with Avery I had an app on my phone that told me fun "pregnancy facts" every day and exactly what size produce she was (grape, avocado, etc.). I also ALWAYS knew what week I was - even to the day. I remember telling people sometimes I was "28 and a half" weeks. I mean I made it those 3-4 days so I wanted to claim the half!

Oh and how things are different this time... most of the time I had no idea what week I was. People would ask me and I felt like a horrible mom because a few times I didn't even have a ballpark guess. I wouldn't say that I would "forget" I was pregnant because my belly was a constant reminder, but it hasn't been something I think about every day. When you're chasing a toddler, you just don't have the time to worry as much about your pregnancy.

This pregnancy has also been a lot harder. I don't know if it's because of my age. I know I'm not that old but I was 29 when I was pregnant with Avery and now I'm 32. I just feel like lots of things got harder after 30. The first trimester was AWFUL! I developed a new sympathy for chronically ill people. It was so bad I told Rustin I will NEVER be pregnant again. Second trimester was pretty much a breeze, but third trimester has been as hard as the first just in different ways.

I tell people all the time I feel like an obese senior citizen. I don't mean it in a way to complain about my weight (I mean I'm pregnant - I expect to be big) - I just mean that everything those two groups of people complain about, I totally feel! My feet hurt; my back hurts; I can't handle the heat; I get winded going up the stairs; I groan getting up from a seated position (or really any time I move); I go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. Seriously by the end of the day, I am done. I can hardly walk. I am thankful that everything has been totally fine with Arden, but physically for me it has been really hard.

I usually only get about two pedicures a year. I consider them a luxury since I figure I can paint my own toenails. Well I've gotten them regularly the past few months because I literally can't touch my toes. Shaving is a joke. I feel like I deserve a gold medal whenever I finish because it was so hard. Therefore my legs are hairy 90% of the time. I ordered some booties online. When they came and I went to try them on, I could not do it. I realized that was the first time in MONTHS I've tried to wear actual shoes - not flip flops. It wasn't that they were too small, it was that I couldn't move my body in such a way as to physically get them on my feet. It was quite comical.

I hate to complain because I am SO thankful that God blessed us with another little one. It took us a while to get pregnant with this one and I started to think I wasn't going to be able to. But I have made no qualms about not liking being pregnant - with Avery or this time. I like the end result though :)

I have been praying for her to not come early (so that she wouldn't be small like Avery) and that I wouldn't have to be induced or anything and so far so good. I went to the doctor yesterday and I'm not dilated or anything. They keep checking my amniotic fluid and it looks great. So I'll just keep praying (and appreciate all other prayers) that things continue to go smoothly and we welcome a healthy little girl in two weeks. (Ahhh CANNOT believe it is that soon!)

Here is the last "belly pic" I took. It's from 32 weeks. I'm quite a bit bigger now!

Avery is Three!

If you can believe it, Avery turned three years old on Sept. 7! Honestly I'm just most excited that we made it past that day and Arden was still in my tummy. I had this fear that she would come early and they would have the same birthday, which I can imagine would not be fun for them.

Here are her stats from her three year check up:
Weight - 30.8 lbs (50th percentile)
Length - 39" (85th percentile)
Head Circumference - 19"

And here is a picture of her at the doctor's office. It was so cute - they had her wear a gown this time.

I decided since I was SO pregnant, we were just going to do simple and easy for her party so we had another pool party at Lolly and Pops' house. I held myself back from putting too much pressure on myself but I couldn't resist making a few things like the cupcake toppers and tissue paper garland. Here are a few pictures:

That's right - I totally forgot the candles AGAIN this year, so she blew out three votives. Hey whatever works.

I wish I had done a better job at documenting the funny things she's done this year. If anyone has any tips on how to keep up with those things, I'd be glad to hear them! But I'll share what I can remember - 

- Says frisbee = frisberry; beef jerky = beef turkey; chopsticks = stopsticks; prairie dogs = fairy dogs; baptized = bathtized (that one actually makes more sense. Totally get where she's coming from.)

-She LOVES helping. She has a stool she can carry around and that's all she does. She wants to be right in the middle of whatever I'm doing - washing dishes, cooking, etc. I've put her to good use with the swiffer a few times. 

- She has a very active imagination and is always pretending to be someone - mainly princesses. She also always wants other people to be the hyenas from Lion King or Scat Cat's band from Aristocats and talk to her (don't ask). 

- To say she is my daughter is an understatement. She dresses up in gaudy clothes, loves horses and is super shy especially around men. My mom has told me many times she acts EXACTLY like I did. Here is an example - 

- Better than any comedy show is listening to her on the monitor after we put her down. She talks to her animals and oftentimes sings songs - mainly Let It Go.

- I got her a "ready to wake clock" (which I HIGHLY recommend by the way) that turns green when it's ok for her to get up. If she wakes up before it she'll play, but the second it turns green she yells, "MOMMY MY CLOCK'S GREEN!! MOMMY MY CLOCK'S GREEN!!" until I can get up there.

- She says her prayers at night. She mainly prays for Nana's cats. 

I tell her all the time that I am so thankful that God chose me to be her mommy. I just love her so much! Happy birthday sweet girl!!

Avery's First Day of Preschool

So I have been kind of a spaz about preschool. For some reason it has been a hard decision for me as far as if I should send her or not. I don't feel like I need to send her so she'll have a "leg up" in kindergarten. But at the same time I feel like it would benefit her socially since she's so shy. Another struggle I had was just missing that time with her. I know kindergarten will be here before I know it and time with her at home is fleeting and I selfishly want to enjoy it as much as I can. But with Arden coming, I figured I would turn into a hermit for a while after she's born and I didn't feel like that would be fair to Avery. She is used to us getting out a lot, running errands, doing play dates, etc.

We are already doing Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) one day a week (which I have LOVED and highly recommend), so she goes to the children's program there for two hours on Wednesdays, and all the preschools in my area are at minimum two days a week. So that would be three days a week where we would have to be somewhere and that just seemed like too much. To make a long story really short, one preschool would allow you to split the two days with someone if you found the other person and Avery's friend Abigail's mom felt the same way I did so that's exactly what we were able to do! But instead of them going on separate days, they had more openings for some reason on Mondays, so both the girls are going that day. 

So anyway that LONG explanation is to say she is going to preschool ONE day a week from 9:30-2. I feel good about it and feel like it was a good compromise as far as my struggle with it was concerned. 

She has been SUPER excited about it. We bought her a nap mat and she has wanted to sleep on it for days. (I put it on her bed when she's actually sleeping, not on the floor haha.) Also did anyone notice the dog hair in the background?? Don't judge. I literally vacuum daily but when you have a wolf-like dog, it's really a losing battle. 

We went to Meet the Teacher last week and she didn't want to leave the classroom but wanted to stay and play, so I have been feeling confident and at peace with the decision.

Here are her first day of school pictures (ahh can't believe I'm taking these!) -

I had her do an "interview." Not sure if you can tell, but she was super pumped her friend Abigail was in her class.

Oh and yes she is in the 3 year old class. That is another decision that has been hard for me. The "official" cut off is Sept. 1 (and she didn't turn 3 until the 7th), but preschools are more lax and let me put her in the 3 year old class rather than the 2 year old. After all, she WAS 3 when school started, very verbal and potty trained so I just felt like it would be the best fit. But now I'm a little worried because she will HAVE to wait to start kindergarten because schools ARE very strict on the Sept. 1 cut off (plus I would rather her be a little older when she starts school anyway). So that means if she continues, the year before she starts kindergarten her only option with preschool is to do the kindergarten program, which is 4 days a week, and I just don't really want her gone that much. I guess I don't have to worry about it now and could always have her repeat either 3 or 4 year old preschool. 

Disclaimer: When I was a teacher I told myself I would not be one of "those" parents but as I read back over what I am writing, I totally am one! BUT this is her FIRST time to go to school and she is my first kid so I get a little break right?? If I'm still spazzing like this when she's in 4th grade, someone stage an intervention for me. 

More Pallet Art

Thanks to my dad and father in law, who both gave me pallets, and my neighbor who tore his fence down and gave me access to as much wood as I wanted, I have had plenty of supplies for making pallet art! So that's exactly what I've done...

First, I have definitely needed some decor for the playroom upstairs. We've been here for over a year and I have had NOTHING on the walls. I guess I've just been too focused on downstairs. First I used one piece of wood and made these little guys with the girls' names on each one to display their work. As much as I LOVE Avery's artwork, my fridge can only take so much.

I made another one with Arden's name on it, but obviously she hasn't contributed any work yet :)

There was still one wall that needed something. I like using just a part of a Bible verse. Since I hand-paint the lettering, the fewer words, the better. I can foresee sisters fighting so I thought this phrase was perfect from John 13:34. I am a perfectionist and always critique my work, so if I was to do it over again, I would have done probably one or two less pennants.

Speaking of pennants, I'm kind of obsessed with decorating with them. I've used them on a few things so I should probably stop so it's not overkill. But they're all in different rooms so that's ok right?? For these I just used scrapbook paper.

Since I made Arden a sign for her room, I figured Avery needed one as well. I'll be honest - this one was a beating. I originally did it in antique white with black lettering, but it seemed too harsh so I primed it and started over. Her room is white, pink, and green, so I feel like these colors went a lot better. I chose this phrase from Proverbs 31:25. I love both of the verses in the girls' rooms and pray they become a reality in their lives.

Just a reminder this is the one in Arden's room -

And finally the last one. I am done after this because I think I am pushing the limits on how many of these are appropriate for one household. We have had a spot in our master bath that has needed something since we moved in. I chose this phrase from Psalm 118:24. I am not a morning person. I don't know how to emphasize that more. But when you become a parent, you have no choice. So when I am woken up in the morning, I am not happy about starting the day. I thought having this verse would be a good reminder that each day is a gift from God. I'm usually still bitter until I've had my coffee but I'm working on it...

Arden's Nursery

Arden's room is a little narrow, so I wasn't able to really get a picture of the "whole room," but I tried to take pictures of as much of it as I could. The lighting was not good (I just cannot take good pictures indoors), so I tried to edit the photos which sort of makes the colors seem to not match, but I used the exact blue and pink paint on everything so it really does all match, I promise!

I'll start with my favorite. I made this sign out of wood pallets. I just love the verse and pray that it is a constant reminder to her to let herself be defined by God and not by the world's standards. I know as a girl it's tough to compare yourself and not feel as pretty as someone else but I just hope that she finds her identity in the One who created her.

These letters are above her bed. I did the same thing in Avery's room. I bought the unfinished letters at Hobby Lobby, painted them, then hung them with ribbon. 

I searched for nursery bedding for her, but couldn't find any I liked as well as the bedding we used for Avery. I just LOVE it! So maybe that's not the "cool" thing to do, but I reused it. After all, Avery's not using it anymore since she has her big girl bed. It has so many different colors in it, so I just decided to pull out the blue and pink instead of the green and pink that I used for Avery. Full disclosure - I really wanted to get the same bedding for Avery's big girl bed but I figured I should stop myself at some point. It is the Hayley bedding from pottery barn kids. 

I used an old window pane as decor above the dresser. I got the window pane in Canton and painted it blue. I also made the banner to go over it.

Side note - if you are going to paint several items like I did, the best thing to do is go to Sherwin Williams and get a sample. They're cheap and even though I painted a bunch, I've barely used any. I would have had to buy several bottles of craft paint to do the same thing. 

For her trash can, I bought an unfinished wood one at Hobby Lobby and painted it. 

Then of course I had to make a wreath for her! 

Lastly, the curtain. It was my one big splurge. But hey I figured since I made pretty much everything and reused the bedding and crib I could splurge on one thing right?? For Avery we got blackout curtains from pottery barn kids and they were worth every penny. Rustin likes them because of the cost savings from blocking the sun, and I like them because I can make her room SUPER dark for nap time. And let's be honest, nap time is sacred. So anyway I had my heart set on this certain curtain at pbk. It was one of those things I didn't figure we had to have right away so I was going to wait on it. Well when I went to order it, I only saw the white one (and I wanted pink). I talked to an associate and they told me the pink one had been "discontinued and was no longer available online or in stores." I was so mad!! So I scour the internet and find the exact curtain on eBay. It was the only listing for it and I immediately snatched it up. My mom and dad ended up getting that for Arden. I couldn't get the lighting right so the picture's not that great, but here are some of the curtain -

I am really happy with it. It is a very heavy duty curtain, and that window faces east so I needed something to really block the morning sun. Because - can you really put a price on a few extra hours of sleep??

I should also give credit to Rustin. He painted her entire room by himself and did a great job! We used Macadamia by Sherwin Williams.

I hope she likes her room, and we can't wait to bring her home to it!

Herb Garden

I have high hopes of one day "going green." I look enviously at the people who grow most of what they eat and make all their own everything - laundry soap, etc. I always think about it but when it comes down to it, it's just so much easier for me to run and grab whatever I need at the grocery store. Maybe one day when the kiddos are older...

But I would really like to at least have a small garden at some point, but you have to start somewhere so I decided to just do a herb garden in mason jars. Of course I couldn't just use plain mason jars, so I planned to paint them.

All the tutorials I found on Pinterest called for chalk paint. Although I love the whole "chalk paint" thing that's popular right now, I do not like the price. So I found some tutorials on how to make your own chalk paint. The only problem was the "recipes" made a TON so I had to scale it down quite a bit. So I don't know if something got lost in my math or what, but it did NOT turn out well.

Then a friend of mine told me she just used acrylic paint - two coats and sand at the end - so I thought I'd give it a try. It turned out great! I have a chalk paint mason jar I bought in Canton a while back and I can't tell the difference between that one and the acrylic ones I did.

Next I got chalkboard stickers at Hobby Lobby and tied twine around the top. The mason jars are done, but not sure if anything will grow. If nothing else, they make for cute, cheap decor!