Wonderful {Productive} Weekend!

I am a lucky girl.



My amazing mama was here all weekend to help get some crafting projects both started and finished! She is the BEST! We made:
-Curtains for the baby's room...plain white with some adorable Amy Butler fabric for the tie-backs (a big THANK YOU to Jamie's Mother-of-All-Trades for sharing her sewing machine with us when mine decided to have a melt down mid-session!)

-Sheets for the baby cradle (which BTW will be the 9th baby to use this cradle...it started back in the day with me...)

-Fun closet dividers for baby's closet. I got the idea here and altered them a bit. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out!

(yes...those are still Nick's clothes in the closet...rearranging where we are going to put everything will come soon enough...)

-Started on some pillows (mom took these home to finish)

-A crib and changing table purchased!

Annnd while we were busy crafting, Nick got some more work done on refinishing the armoir and almost getting the hand-rail put up to the basement...hopefully this project is getting completed this week?....you reading this lovie??

Onward now to the next projects...

This...

Made me SO happy last night during the Golden Globes! I love Glee a ridiculous, crazy amount...the show is darling and their voices-Wow!! I'm so happy all those talented cuties won!

Pretty sure that somebody isn't going to know quite what to do with himself when "his" office chair is in fact removed from the office and the room is converted to a nursery. How will he patrol and guard the backyard now???

19 things

I think it must be in knowing now that we are having a little girl, but this whole pregnancy is feeling so much more real. I ordered the crib bedding (the only thing we have for her yet...oh, besides a WSU bib and a Husky burp cloth (long story...) and have started thinking more and more about preparing for her to come into our lives.
It's easy to start thinking about all the things we need to buy to prepare for her arrival...and honestly there truly is SO much to get...but I came across this blog post tonight and loved these simple tips. These are the important things we need to prepare for in learning how to become parents. I hope I can always remember to say these 19 things...

19 Things we should say to our children

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.

12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.

13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.

14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?

16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.

19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

via

Like stardust shining on fairies' wings...
Little girls are such magical things.
-Sherry Larson

Yep. Found out today this little bean is in fact a little girl. My gut feeling (and the gut feeling of most of my girlfriends) was correct. We are beyond excited. A little girl...

POP

And just like that...my belly has popped!

I kind of loving having this little belly right now with our little bean growing inside. It's a pretty amazing thing going on and I want to remember every single stage. I haven't been as good about taking pictures all the time, but now that it is showing so much I'll be better I think...

Whatrya doin' New Years....

New Years Eve!

It's hard for me to say NYE without singing this song. Just love it. This New Years was perfect for us...my lovely in-laws had gotten Nick and I a joint birthday gift of a trip up to Victoria, B.C. for the night at The Empress Hotel and we decided to cash in on their generosity this New Years.

It was cozy, relaxing, calm, and filled with delicious food...JUST what I wanted!

After much convincing, I was able to use my best skills to persuade Nick into partaking in the afternoon High Tea that The Empress is known for. The tea sandies, little dessert morsels, and delicious tea were all divine...and with the weather outside cold and rainy, it just felt right.

Pinkies up!

Our Christmas in pictures...

Whew! I don't know about you all, but I can hardly believe the holidays are over and we are starting a new year. Time spent with family always goes way too fast, but we have been so lucky that each year we are able to spend time celebrating with both sides.

Some favorite moments of this Christmas season...
The beautiful view from Nick's parents house


This little cutie {I promise, I only tortured him in this outfit for a little while...and only in the name of Christmas!}


Christmas morning stockings...


Fun new card games...


Coordinating Plaid Christmas outfits (yes, my red handband got LOTS of use this December as evident from about the last 5 posts!)


Special family stockings that have been in the family for over 50 years that were once lost, were found again!


Nicholas admiring my families famous "Gold Bow"...also a tradition we think that has been going on since late 70's??


Hard to believe it was our last Christmas as two and not three. Well, really three not four counting Mr. Max! I must say, I'm pretty excited for next year already.