Getting Ready Baby!

I have really been taking my time putting together the nursery...  Etsy has been a great place to find some unique pieces too! Once I find something I really like I tend to sit on it for at least two weeks then if I still really like it I go ahead an click BUY :) Here are a couple of my recent purchases thanks to Etsy..

A bedtime prayer print by Enduring Arts...

A changing pad cover, in aquamarine, by Little Owls Nest.

I snatched up a couple of these teal storage baskets from Lowes..which sit perfectly in the bookcase shelves. 

I just wanted to get a couple of pieces in the room with this "teal" color...

Oh, our latest baby purchase... We decided to upgrade Mr. Southbay's car....

He purchased his baby brand new right after graduating college! It has treated him sooo good since 2003! Especially with all of his driving back and forth for work in California.. Paint peeling from the desert heat too...So, when we learned about our Little Darling..we figured it may just be time to say goodbye and upgrade to a safer/bigger car.  My car is fine and in great shape!  Though, doesn't allow for much room..like a stroller & bags! Also, I feel much safer in a bigger car with our Little Darling in tow.. Especially when we travel up to PA to visit family. Last night we said goodbye to his cavalier and said HELLO to our new friend! Yes, Mr. Southbay was a bit emotional....  :(

This pic was taken early this morning..before the rain started! 6:45am :)

 We decided to go with a Ford Edge...Anytime you make a big purchase you hope and pray it was a good one! So far...we LOVE it! I'm excited to take it up to PA this weekend...and really try it out!

So, yes it has been a bit overwhelming..all of these changes occurring...    

Moving..new job...new area...new people...new car...new pad...new doctors... but overall I think we are doing our best! Some days are better than others for sure..but I remind myself how grateful I am for everything we have...our Health..our Love..our Commitment!

In a year, I can't wait to look back and see how much more our lives have changed..!! 

It's Leap Day too!

Our Stroller!

After tons of research and talking to tons of Mommas... even stopping them in their tracks in the stores :) We decided to give the Britax B-Ready Stroller a shot! 

It was very easy to put together..and if something isn't easy to remove or attach then you are definitely doing it wrong! It should be completely effortless when attempting anything on this stroller! Below is a picture with the car-seat attached!

This particular stroller can hold up to two children so if we do decide to have another we will be ready!

Here are two pictures of our actual stroller chilling in our house!

 

This is the exact Britax B-Safe car-seat we went with..I really like the design.

Next week we have an appointment to get our car-seat officially checked to see if it's securely fastened in our car! It will be so weird yet exciting to see this seat in my car! As a precaution we did purchase a car-seat protector..it will look something like this. We went with Prince Lion Heart brand.. hopefully to protect the leather in both of our cars..Worth a shot! They come in a black and taupe color.

We have 42 days to go!!!

Photo A Day Challenge

Yes, it is definitely a "challenge!"

Feb 18-My Drink

The $1.00 any size drink! I get an unsweetened ice tea! I'm addicted!!!

Feb 19- Something I hate to do! 

UNPACK! It never ends.. seriously..

Feb 20- Handwriting

It seems to change a lot..depending on my mood :) As I was unpacking I came across a letter that I mailed to Mr. Southbay several years ago when we were living on opposite coasts! Here is a snippet!

Feb 21- A favorite picture of myself!  

This was one of our Forever After pictures taken in Malibu! I love this pic of me! Just cut off my hair...been married about 2 months..it was so much fun putting on that dress again!

Hazelnut Photography

Feb 22- Where you work. I'm currently unemployed! I am an Occupational Therapist who primarily works wish older adults/geriatric population. Till my new job officially begins, being a Mom :) I am unpacking, and running tons of errands ..everything you have to do when you move across country! It has been so stressful...and now I learn Mr. Southbay's car..his registration expires at the end of the month! It never ends...

Feb 23- Your Shoes

My favorite flip flops...by Coach. I LOVE these shoes!

Darling's 34th Week Update

Bump Pic

Little Darling's Size: 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches

 

Countdown: 42 days to go!!  

Clothing: Umm..I'm wearing the same stuff..just rotating! I refuse to spend anymore money!

 
What I Miss: MY BODY!

Cravings: Unsweetened ice tea at McDonalds! Only $1.00 :) & chocolate!

 
Exercising:  Walking...walking!

 
Symptoms: My hands and feet are feeling a little puffy..full...  low back pains..and other stuff that doesn't need to be mentioned online :) oh, and leg/foot cramps! ouch!

Total Weight Gain:Drumroll? 144.5   So that would be about 21.5lbs! 

 

Gender: ITS A LITTLE MAN!!!! We decided to keep his name a secret till the day of his birth!

Sleep: It fluctuates... Mr. Southbay is getting frustrated with me moving around every 10 minutes! :) King size bed in our future..probably!

Movement:  ALL THE TIME! and..its getting higher..which may be due to him positioning head down?

On a Positive Note: All we need is a glider for the nursery..then we  have all the basic pieces! Still deciding on wall prints..extra detail pieces.. Etsy is becoming overwhelming... :) I met a photographer in my new area and it was so nice to have lunch! She shared info on her photo sessions and then the rest of the time was spent talking baby and answering all of my questions about the area!  She has an 8 month old little boy!

A Message To Our Darling:  I'm getting excited to meet you..but scared at the same time. I'm doing my best to be prepared..but this is basically a learn on the job situation! ;) I already have big hopes and dreams for you...I can't believe we only have about 42 days to go...  This week they say I should start singing to you..in hopes that you will recognize it once you are born and it will help calm you... So, I must figure out a little tune for you! 

 

Darling's 33rd Week Update

Bump Pic

This picture was just taken after my ahhh-mazing massage!

Little Darling's Size:  He weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And he may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing! A HONEYDEW in size!!!

 

Countdown: 49 days to go!!  

Clothing: ugh...not a fan of clothing...but I do LOVE my new bright blue skinny jeans... soo comfy!!!

 
What I Miss: umm, my stomach! I want my body back..and the ease of jumping right out of bed :)

Cravings: Still sweets... hot chocolate has been yummy!

Exercising:  We have a tons of unpacking to do and I am not able to sit for long periods of time. My back will start to act up. Car rides are KILLER!!  So, I'm constantly on the move! I got a yoga dvd for the pregnant woman..so I will give that a try!

 
Symptoms: Where do I begin? Having those darn pains in my groin area like I did a couple of weeks ago.. and my back is a KILLIN me... The list could go on and on...  My gums are back to acting up again.. errr  I have also noticed my memory isn't that good lately..and I'm feeling very clumsy! Especially with writing out my Thank You notes from the shower. Usually I am able to focus and get stuff like that done..now I am catching myself staring at the card... so frustrating!

Total Weight Gain:As we all know, I totally forgot my appointment... ugh! Phone call, first thing Monday!

 

Gender: It's a boy!

Sleep: No bueno... using my body pillow every.minute.of.the.night!

Movement:  He is kicking...jabbing.. specifically on the right side of my tummy. He seriously makes me JUMP at times!

On a Positive Note: Today, we put together tons of baby stuff! We tested out the stroller..and learned how to snap the car-seat in/out.. at first a bit frustrating but we got it!  I plan on doing a post on what route we went with brands...etc! I did some research and talked to tons of friends with babies so I figure we did the best we could! It's all a learning process right?

A Message To Our Darling- We hung up the curtains in your room...purchased two pieces of furniture to make your room way more functional.. All we need is a glider! It is slowly coming together! I so hope you like your room... especially looking back in several years... "Mom, my room was pretty cool."  

Once it is all together and ready I will share pictures! 

Till then, here is a picture of our swing...it's the cutest thing ever...yes, I think a couple of tears filled my eyes as I turned the music on and had it swing side to side. Its soo adorbs!!!

Winter Wonderland Baby Shower

On February 11th, we woke up to a couple of inches of snow! It was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for my Winter Wonderland Baby Shower! Here are some pictures from my special day. 

The invite, created by Kid Fully Celebrations.

It was held at our church social hall! My ahhmazing Mother contacted Jasmine over at The Couture Cakery to design a sweets table for my special day. Click HERE to see a blog post on all my goodies!

My favorite flavors..

Everything was delicious and at the end, our guests grabbed snack size bags and filled them up with goodies. 

Croissant sandwiches were served with tons of other delicious food. My Mother put a ton of time in planning everything! Like the stand? You can get one over at the Cupcake Tower.

She even put together a "preggatinis " drink! The color..was a winter wonderland blue of course! They were really yummy and we even had martini glasses!  

My friend Melissa and I doing a "cheers" to babies! She just had a little girl over Christmas!

More details...

Thumbprint tree- which will be framed and placed in our Little Darling's room!

Finished product!!!

They had two pictures of us as babies!! Too funny!! 

Every guest was asked to fill out "wishes" to the baby. This was probably my favorite thing ever! My SIL's idea and I am so grateful! Mr. Southbay and I had such a good time reading thru them..Now I need to figure out what do with them.. Any ideas? Memory book?

Centerpieces were either cube glass vases wrapped in blue satin ribbon with snowflakes on the sides or soft bouquet of baby's breathe. So adorbs!

 

At each place setting, I got a creative and took a chance at making marshmallow pops! At first, the candy coating drove me nutz but after a few I got the hang of it. They turned out great and looked so nice! 

Here are some pictures of my family & friends!!

My Mother :)

Do you see the baby's breath centerpiece? These special Ladies are from my church. My Godmother is standing aside of me and our Godmother for our Little Darling is sitting to the right of me. My SIL, is sitting on the right.

 Aunts & family friends!

My girlfriends! Highschool, College and friends from Hersheypark!

Mr. Southbay and I

We received so many books which were probably my favorite gifts!

It was such a great day...and of course it went way to fast! 

Playing Catch UP, again...

Photo A day!

Feb 9- FRONT DOOR

Looking out the front door... our Kingston's ears are just too cute, as he watches his Daddy shovel!

Feb 10-SELF PORTRAIT

didn't snatch one up, we were up with Family running around like crazy people getting ready for our maternity shoot & baby shower! So, here is one taken on a FUN day out in Cali at a NASCAR race! My first race!

 

Feb 11-MAKES YOU HAPPY

My Hubby! Mr. Southbay! This was taken at our baby shower!

Feb 12-INSIDE YOUR CLOSET
umm, yeah-its filled with boxes :)

Feb 13-BLUE

We had some left over from our baby shower! Marshmellow pops!!

Feb 14- HEART!

 Since, I was up visiting family over Valentine's Day, my Father prepared my Mother and I some yummy v-day breakfast!

Feb 15-Phone

While I'm unpacking I came across several "old" phones.. I need to find the rest and donate!

Feb 16-Something New

I started to wash up all the baby's new stuff! I am loving these organic mitts!!

Feb 17-Time

I MISSED MY OB APPOINTMENT~!!!!! UGH! I have never missed an appointment in my life! We just have too much going on! Of course their office is only open till noon..so I must wait till Monday to reschedule! This is an opportunity to not be "hard" on myself.. something that I am consistently working on!

WOW, what a crazy couple of days!! Mr. Southbay has been working long hours and hoping he doesn't have to head back to work tomorrow! We have soo much to do... like establish a bank!

Have a great weekend friends!!

Darling's 32nd Week Update

Bump Pic

Little Darling's Size: A squash in size!   He's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long! He's getting ready for his descent --he's likely in the head-down position now.

 

Countdown: 56 days to go!!  

Clothing: anything comfortable these days!

 
What I Miss: I really could have used a good glass of wine this week!  

Cravings: SWEETS!! yes, all of sudden! I absolutely LOVED my sweets table at my baby shower yesterday! Here is a sneak peek..

Photo & Dessert table by The Couture Cakery

 
Exercising:  Just walking and staying busy..I'm hardly sitting down!

 
Symptoms: Still having some "restless" legs prior to falling asleep. Back pain..creeps up when I know I've done too much and I need to take a break!

Total Weight Gain: I go back this Friday for my two week checkup at the OB, anxious to see what the scale says.

 

Gender: ITS A LITTLE MAN!!!! We decided to keep his name a secret till the day of his birth!

Sleep: Last night, I went into a coma, from our busy Saturday ( maternity pictures / Baby Shower/ Valentines Dinner) yes, we had to squish them all in one day! BUT-it was wonderful to spend that time with my Husband!

Movement:  hiccups..yes, he has them!

On a Positive Note: Our baby shower was wonderful and to see all of my special friends and family in one room.... {sigh} I loved it! yes, a little overwhelming for me cause I get soo excited at events like this! Also-Our maternity shoot ROCKED! Yes, it was a cold day! BUT- the perfect amount of snow came down and made it even more special!

A Message To Our Darling- You received so many loving gifts yesterday! Gifts, that I'm not even sure how to use yet! :) Your Daddy was able to feel you experiencing hiccups the other night...! Too funny!! We  can't believe you will be here in almost 56 days!