While the Boys Are Away...

What a wonderful weekend!

While Gary traveled down to St. Louis to experience a bit of the Tour of Missouri, my sweet sister agreed to keep me company over the past two days. She is the most Perfectly Domestic person I know, and I took full advantage of hanging out with her. Between baking, cleaning, shopping, painting and sewing, I think we pretty much covered it all.

Among our endeavors, I took on making myself a nursing cover. I've never been known to sew the best straight lines, but it is oh-so-satisfying to make something yourself! Between this and O.D.-ing on Project Runway this weekend, I am really looking forward to more sewing projects! (Although my sister pointed out that in the time it took me to make the nursing cover, a Project Runway designer could have finished an evening dress. Hm.)


Covered and classy. :)

In case you're inspired, you can find the directions I followed here.

For Kat

The weather here has been absolutely unbelievable all summer, but the past week or two has really spoiled us rotten. We had a few errands to run at Oak Brook one night this week, but when we were done it was just too nice out to get back in the car and drive home, so we walked around for a bit.

Sadly, it does me no good to try on clothes these days. As you can see from the picture, I continue to grow and grow...something I'm starting to take a bit of pleasure in, knowing that it means our little girl will be here soooo sooon! This pic isn't really the same as my other belly profiles, but thought it would give some perspective to see what I look like in "real" clothes.


This is right at 37 weeks...technically full-term, and only 3 weeks away from our due date!

(I PROMISE there will be a non-baby post soon...but my sis was begging me for a new pic.)

Sneak Peek

My mom is convinced that the baby will come early given the current state of our bathroom. Nothing like being overly-ambitious in the last few weeks. Can't wait to see the final product!!

This one's for you, Marvin.

Pregnancy has changed me in a lot of ways. Mainly, I've started to just not care about things.
Sleeping, eating and comfort tend to trump anything these days.

As of last night, I decided I had probably crossed the line when I had two people two days in a row comment on my lack of makeup. Considering I haven't worn makeup during the week for most of the summer, this caught me a little off-guard. However, it made me realize a few things:

1. I looked way worse than even I thought I did. (And aren't you supposed to be your own worst critic?)
2. I haven't seen the sun nearly enough this summer.
3. I've done something I swore I would never do - I've LET MYSELF GO. I've become one of "those" moms!

So this morning I took a few extra minutes on the train and put my face on. I even put color on my lips. (Gasp!) That usually only happens on Sundays!!

As I stepped off the train, I suddenly felt much better about both myself and my day.

Ironically, I emerged from the basement this morning for a meeting and one of my co-workers told me, "Your makeup looks really nice today. Did you do something different?"

And thus I would like to say: Stacy and Clinton, you were right. About everything.

P.S. - (I imagine that only my sisters will get the title to this post.)

Lazy Sunday

Today I am taking a break from errands, guests, cleaning, organizing and lists...and taking it easy. OK, OK, some of those things might be unavoidable, but I'm doing my best! And at 8.5 months pregnant, I'm not feeling too bad about it.

Gary is off at a bike race (watching, not racing), Rachel (my very special weekend visitor) has left, and it is quite a stormy afternoon. Perfect for a nap and a movie and some good old fashioned time on the couch bonding with my baby. My 5+ pound, 17+ inch baby who moves around like she still thinks she's a little peanut. Ow!

Speaking of Baby, thought I should post some pics of the progress on the nursery. Sweet Rachel has helped with this room more than anyone...from helping to clean out the closet and mess that was there this spring, to helping me with some final errands and decorations this weekend. She has been a huge help.

Starting to pack the bag!

The crib and the "mobile" that Rachel and I created last night.

Changing table/dresser (yes, I finally finished it!) and our little "reading" corner. Recovering the rocking chair is the last big thing to do!

Carseat and stroller all ready to go.

View as you walk in the room. Just need some curtains and we'll be all set.

So there you go. The countdown has diminished quickly to six weeks...and I find myself wondering quite often at what point during that timeframe our little girl will choose to join us.

Now, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Collins are requesting the pleasure of my company...

8 months and counting

This picture is for my sister, who:
a) Recently re-instated her blog because I missed her recipes and helpful dogs too much, and
b) Went for a walk with me tonight and then made me feel not so guilty about following that walk with brownie pie and ice cream by having some too.

Now that is a good sister.

So if she wants a belly shot, I'll give her a belly shot.

I am just over the 8 month mark...Friday I will be 33 weeks. I can hardly believe it. On one hand, I think, "I can't have nearly TWO months of growth left!!" (40 weeks) and on the other hand I think, "I will technically be full term in just FOUR weeks." (37 weeks)

Not the best shot, but beggars can't be choosers. And after 12 tries, I thought this was good enough.

So ready.

Gary and I recently "graduated" from our 3-week hospital class to prepare us for what to "expect" - mainly centered around labor and delivery. It's a miracle that we made it through the class without getting kicked out for laughing and talking too much.

It will also be a miracle if we do indeed need to use our breathing techniques during labor, because I'm not exactly sure that either coach or participant will remember much...especially when Gary started telling me "TWO MORE" during practice in Arnold/Pumping Iron style (around minute 1:20).

Most of the couples in our class appeared to be very nervous/anxious about the whole process, the baby, etc. There were even a couple of times that I had moments of panic. Last week during class Gary leaned over and I was fully expecting either to burst into giggles or for him to say something again about being scarred for life because of the videos. Instead, he said, "I'm so ready for her to come. I'm not even one bit nervous." Probably the best thing my "coach" could have ever said over this whole process of pregnancy. I'm so ready, too.