Updates of all sorts

Notice anything different around here? I have been attempting a few renovations of the blog sort and this is the first successful attempt. Its still a work in progress so bare with me! What do you think so far??


This is the only 36 week picture I have

*How far along?: 36 weeks! (37 tomorrow)

*Total weight gain?: 20 lbs

*How big is baby?: 6 pounds maybe?

*Sex: BOY!

*Maternity clothes: Unfortunately yes, but I have been storing away a few non maternity items for spring. Hopefully they fit sooner rather than later.

*Stretch marks: Nope! My mom is jealous, but I told her my miracle cream and oil would work!

*Sleep: Getting up 4+ times during the night is OH SO MUCH FUN! I may get more sleep when the baby is actually here!

*Best moment this week: How about scariest? The dr told me that I am already 50% Effaced and 2 cm dilated. Meaning, Keating could be here early!

*Movement: All the time

*Food cravings: Chocolate, cherry coke, greek yogurt, rootbeer floats

*Labor signs: 50% effaced 2 cm dilated

*Belly button in or out: usually out, Ive been hiding it with a bandaid!

*What I miss: People talking to me about things other than pregnancy

*What I'm looking forward to: getting to full term and hopefully making it until atleast Feb 8th for Keating to get here!

Dear Target...

Please stop making precious things that I cannot wear. It is not fair.

Particularly This

And this...

Although... these little beauties can be added to my collection now! I think they're a pretty good knock off for Jack Rogers! I will have to buy them and compare. You know... do a little research!
**Thank you to everyone for your honesty on my renovation post. The bed is rather large and very heavy. Hence, why it is still in the room and hasnt been moved! =) After the baby gets here and things calm down I might try to replace it with something smaller.

As for depersonalizing the house, I lived with a very impersonal house for the first year our house was on the market. I took down personal photos, and left only the landscapes and store bought things. It didnt seem to make much of a difference, so I added all of the pictures back up after we painted because I was bored.

Maybe Im going about this the wrong way, and should do everything possible to sell it. Im just sort of "over it" at this point. But, as one reader mentioned I dont want to live in a house that Im not happy with to hopefully attract a buyer.
Just HOPEFULLY, someone will eventually like what we have done. I mean, it has to happen EVENTUALLY... right? RIGHT?!

Renovation Progress: OPINIONS PLEASE!

I have a few renovation before and afters.

If you remember, we added a board and batten trim in our bedrooms back in December. If you dont recall, then you can check it out here and here!

Between work schedules and getting ready for Keating, we have finally ALMOST finished all of the painting. We still have to trim out the ceiling in our master bedroom (as you will see).


Disclaimer: The rooms arent decorated how I want them... Im just happy they are no longer full of paint buckets, ladders, and blue tape!

Guest Room: Before (This is when we first moved Brad's furniture in the house. SICK Im embarrassed this photo even exists!)

A little bit of prettying it up...
Guest Bedroom: After

The color in the photos is a little off. The green is actually a bit darker in person. It is Valspar Smoky Olive from Lowes. A great color, and Im not a fan of most shades of green!

I still need to get the curtains hung. We lost the brackets during painting and just found them.

Master Bedroom: Before

I was over the "Brown and blue" color scheme!

Master Bedroom: After... sort of

I cant remember the color names off of the top of my head. I will have to check.

The ceiling is this photo is still painted tan from before. Brad was really DREADING painting the ceiling and I didnt want to go into early labor doing it myself, so we just painted it last night and need to finish trimming it out.

I also need to get the curtains hung tonight.

SO!

I need your opinions...
We have had a few house showings since finishing up our renovation projects and have not received great reviews on the trim. People like it in the master bedroom, but not in the guest room and nursery. They say it makes those rooms look smaller. UMM the rooms are 10x10, THEY ARE FREAKING TINY!

What do all of you in blog land think? Think the buyers are right? Think the buyers are smoking crack (thats my opinion!) Please fill me in!

Nursery Reveal #1

Well, I figured that I was keeping you all in suspense long enough! haha! I have been waiting to post pictures until everything was done, but that could be just a little while longer. Here is what we have finished!

If you missed any previous nursery posts, check out here, here, here, and here!

I really need to take photos during the day next time, but I never think about it until its too late!

The crib is from JC Penney. I love the classic style. It converts to a toddler bed, but not a full-sized bed. We decided to forgo that route because we have an abundance of bedroom furniture as it is.


I was very stupid ambitious, and made all of the bedding. Am I a glutton for punishment? Yes! I thought "Its a tiny bedding set, how hard could it be!?" HAHA RIGHT! What a PITA! The quilt is still a work in progress. I should have it finished up soon though.
The bumpers are made of vanilla colored chenille and three different decorator fabrics. A western print and black and red gingham. I didnt realize until after these were finished, that the Western print that I was using was labeled "DRY CLEAN ONLY!" Awesome! Perfect fabric for an infant to puke on!

Here is the back side.Sorry for the wrinkled sheet

A top view with the cute little doggie that Missy gave Keating.


When I originally sewed the bumpers, I didnt plan on tufting them. But once they were filled, they definitely needed something extra. They were also extremely fluffy. I know there are mixed opinions on crib bumpers, so I figured, the flattter the better.

For those concerned, the bumpers will be removed as soon as he starts moving around in his crib.

A close up of the piping. I sewed all of the red piping. Over 33 feet to be exact. Yeah, I will NEVER do that again!
I REPEAT NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!
I realized they sold this stuff prefinished for a reason...

Here is view of the bed skirt. Bed skirts are surprisingly very easy to make. Or I should rephrase and say that the way I did it was easy... It may not be right, but it worked!

It was just a little folding, pinning and sewing. Maybe I will make a tutorial one day?

Here is a glimpse of the banner my friend Michelle made for Keating's shower. It fits in perfectly in the nursery! Also, an awesome lamp that my aunt got for him. I love the boots!

While I was hard at work... here is Lola already trying to steal Keating's toys. She is going to have a BIG adjustment! She is dreaming about squeaking and gnawing on Sophie the Giraffe and taking her for her very own!!

Well, thats all you get for now! Hopefully everything else will be wrapped up very soon!

Baby Showers and Rain Showers

This weekend I was thrown a shower by my mom's best friend and my two aunts. It was a dessert shower, and it was DELICIOUS! If you're thinking my face is looking a little more plump... then you arent alone. I was thinking the same thing! Must have been all of the brownie bites I consumed!

Karen, Me and my mom

My sister and Me
"Auntie" Talking to Keating

Wow, she is a good 4 inches taller than me, and I'm even wearing heels!

My sister and sister in law got me an AWESOME Kate Spade Diaper bag! Im in love! I will most more about the little beauty later!I'm quite proud of it!

Precious, tiny Ralph Lauren outfits!

A little bit of sweet stuff before the shower

The rest of the weekend we got a TON of rain. I dont think it ever stopped raining. Cold rainy weather is the worst. Hopefully with groundhogs day around the corner, the little guy will tell us spring is on its way! Hopefully it leaves its rain showers behind though, we have had enough of that mess!

* If you have noticed that I added links at the top of my page, for now please ignore them. They are a work in progress!!
**Also you may have noticed the new blog button on the left hand side. Since I'm nearly a mom, I decided to join TopMommyBlogs.com I would appreciate your votes!!! Thanks Yall!!

Fun night out!

Last night, Mrs. Foreste and I arranged for a dinner date for us and our spouses. The two of us have hung out lots of times, but the boys had never met. We decided to force them into a potentially awkward situation and went out! Lucky for us, they really hit it off!

Of course they made fun of us because we wanted pictures for our blogs. They also refused to have their picture made! Guys just dont understand.

Tomorrow I have a baby shower! I am so excited about it! I'm also 36 weeks tomorrow! I cant believe I only have 4 weeks to go! By the looks of it, some of yall think I will be delivering early! So the thought of having a baby in 3 weeks scares the beejesus out of me! haha! Be sure to vote when you think Keating will make his appearance!

These are a few of my FAVORITE things...

I realized that I havent done a "favorite things" post in a while. So here is an updated version.


Sharpie Clicky Pen- I have used regular fine point Sharpies forever, then they came out with the pen. Well the pen was nice because it didnt bleed through paper, but its AWESOME being clickable!



The Flash Scoop - A friend pointed me in the direction of this genius invention. Basically you attach it to your camera and it bounces your camera's built in flash off of a wall or ceiling so that your subject isnt blown out. It makes for great photos in the right circumstances. You cant use it in rooms with really high ceilings, outside, and it doesnt work well with my favorite zoom lense. You also have to shoot on manual to use it. BUT, it produces great results! Im still trying to get used to it.

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil- This stuff is awesome, and I would even recommend it for those who arent pregnant. I put it on after I get out of the shower. It actually soaks in and doesnt stay all slimy on your skin. So far... no stretch marks!Redken Satinwear- This styling lotion gives my hair just enough hold to do what I want it to, while leaving it really soft, not sticky or hard. (Insert "thats what she said" joke for any Office fans)

The mom agenda/ my agenda- In a day and age with google calendar, and even as addicted as I am to my blackberry, I cant NOT have a real planner. If I dont actually take the time to write something down, then it doesnt go into my brain.

I saw the MomAgenda on Blue Eyed Bride's blog and thought "Well Im going to be a mom, might as well try it!" This thing is awesome. I love the format of having a montly view in the front and a week by week glance in the back. It also has spaces for planning meals, and keeping your kids activities straight. I dont use the "kids" section. I usually cross it out and write "to-do" instead. I have the pink crocodile desktop version shown above, but it also comes in a mini purse friendly size. I hear the MyAgenda is awesome as well. They both come in fun colors.


What's on tap for tonight?? Dinner with Mrs Foreste and her husband!



"My name is Candace, and Im addicted to Chapstick" I have a tube in every pair of pants, a few in my bedside table, jacket pockets, car cup holder, desk drawer... and I find them randomly too. I tend to freak out a little when I'm left without a tube. Its a serious addiction.


BeBand: Seriously, if I would have known how awesome this thing is, I never would have paid over $200 for maternity jeans. A formerly pregnant friend lended me hers, and they are awesome. With this little contraption I can still wear my favorite Joe's jeans and be comfortable.

Aveda Shampure Shampoo and Color Blend Conditioner- I love Aveda products because they smell so fresh and clean. They also make my hair look great (when I actually style it). The salon that I go to uses Aveda products and hair color. Recently my stylist started doing color glazes on my hair. Basically it is your hair color with a boost. During the summer I went for a brightening glaze to bring out my natural highlights. For fall I went with a warmer chocolately shade. All of the glazes are semi permanent so you dont have to worry about roots or touch ups.

My stylist mixed a color blend conditioner for me with the chocolate brown color in it. It makes the color last longer and deposits a little bit of color at home. Thus, saving me from going to the salon every other month.

I love being a darker brunette, but Im itching to have my blondish shade back for spring.


Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal baby lotion- Although this is a baby product, I use it for myself. This stuff makes the greatest shaving lotion. I use it instead of shave gel. It lasts much longer, makes your skin much softer, and it smells great! Score!

WHY HEIDI WHY!?

In case you havent seen, Heidi Montag had 10 plastic surgeries in 10 hours. Ears, jaw, chin, cheeks, eyebrows, breasts (again), back (what the heck!?), Nose (again), butt implants, lipo, collagen... I cant even remember the rest of them! She is starting to look like Michael Jackson. Dont you think??

At 23, she is already being compared to Joan Rivers. How sad is that.

It makes me so sad. This girl was adorable.

35 WEEKS! 33 days and counting down!

Such an unflattering picture! I'm just keeping it real!

*How far along?: 35 weeks! 33 days to go!

*Total weight gain?: about 20 lbs

*How big is baby?: around 6 lbs or the size of a rotisserie chicken

*Sex: All boy

*Maternity clothes: IM SO READY FOR NORMAL CLOTHES!

*Stretch marks: None that I can see, unless there are some hiding in places I cant see anymore

*Sleep: Oh how I miss it! I wake up 6+ times a night either parched and chugging water, getting up to use the restroom, or trying to make braxton hicks contractions go away. Fun stuff!

*Best moment this week: Realizing that I'm starting to feel ready

*Movement: Yep, I have to keep telling him to stop kicking me in the bladder. That crap is starting to hurt!

*Food cravings: Lets just say that being hungry and pregnant at super target is a bad idea... I left with quite the random bag of Jelly Bellies last night!
MargaritaDr Pepper

*Labor signs: he's getting low

*Belly button in or out: Depends on the day and how he's laying around in there.

*What I miss: Where to begin? Normal jeans, restful sleep, willpower to not eat EVERYTHING in sight!

*What I'm looking forward to: My shower this Saturday!

Nursery Sneak Peak #2!

I finally have another peak at the nursery to share! Here is a look at the curtains I made for the nursery. If you follow any design blogs, then I'm sure you have heard of drop cloth curtains. If you havent then here is a quick description. If you have any questions, just comment or email me.

I made these curtains out of painters canvas drop cloths that you can buy at any hardware store. They are great because they are EXTREMELY affordable. Like 9.99 affordable! Their neutural canvas color coordinates with almost any room. They're also really large and pre-hemmed. The best drop cloths I found come from Home Depot because they dont have seams.

I prewashed and dried the canvas to soften it up (its really stiff straight out of the package). I used the 6'x9' size and cut it in half to make two curtain panels. Next, I hemmed the unfinished side. You wouldn't necessarily have to hem it, you could even glue it or use hem tape. (Dont think I didnt contemplate it!)

The 9 foot length was perfect for my ceiling height. I folded over and sewed a 4" section to make a pocket for the rod. You could also use the curtain rings with clips and call it a day.

I decided to move the curtain rod closer to the ceiling to make the window and ceiling appear taller. Since I was too impatient to wait for Brad to hang the curtain rod, I took it upon myself to drill the brackets in the wall. I hope they dont fall off! haha!

I thought that the curtains needed a little something extra and wanted to add a ribbon trim. Well, ribbon wasnt on sale at Hobby Lobby... so I found packages of $1.79 bias tape.

This is where I got lazy...I mean thrifty... I decided to use craft glue to attach the bias tape. Its not perfect, but it works! Just dont inspect it up close!

I didnt plan on making them have tie backs, but once again, they needed a little something extra. I have a TON of extra fabric from making the bedding, and used that to make ties.

I love the way that daylight is diffused through the canvas. They have the look of linen, which is a lot more pricey.We are still going to add blinds for privacy.

I like them so much, I may do something similar for my master bedroom!

My grand total for these curtains is..... drumroll please.....$15.79

I highly recommend drop cloth curtains!