On Saturday I hit 33 weeks. Time seems to have slowed down a little bit as I feel it is taking forever to get from one week mark to the next! I only have 7 more weeks to go, and boy am I getting excited and nervous!
In the next 6 weeks I have a lot to get done:
1. Buy the last things I need for Declan that I didn't receive at my baby shower.
2. Organize all the stuff I have for Declan.
3. Finish decorating Declan's room (curtains, a couple of wall decorations, etc.).
4. Set up bassinet.
5. Buy/DIY nursing clothes/stuff for myself.
6. Christmas.
7. Pack a hospital bag.
Thankfully, all of our classes will be done after this week--what a relief! As this pregnancy-thing gets more uncomfortable and difficult, I will be glad to be done with the night classes. They really wear me out. Even though I've learned a lot of valuable information through them and find a sense of camaraderie with the other couples (especially the other couple that is due the same day and same hospital as us with a boy!), it is still rough to make it through my week with my limited energy stores that are not adequately restocked when I sleep at night.
I feel a bit more achey lately as well as slightly restless. I find it difficult to concentrate. My in-laws visited us this weekend. They just returned from spending two months serving in a ministry in Israel and it was nice to catch up with them...even if I didn't feel like doing much. Bummer, but I just have to remind myself that it won't be this way forever.
I crave random things at random times; it's pretty much just whatever sounds good at that particular moment...for the past few days (what with Thanksgiving and all) it's been homemade mashed potatoes...complete with a whole stick of butter and the little lumps you can never fully get out of them. Maybe, if I have energy, I will make some tonight.
I am noticing a certain envy creeping into my daily routine...I watch my husband easily bend over to feed the cats, I see someone flop onto their back in a movie, I see someone laying on their stomach on a TV show...I think it means I am getting eager to be able to do "normal" things again and to be back to just myself in my body!
And finally, I found a gray hair this week. I think it might be the same one I've pulled out a couple of times already but I will jokingly say that this kid is making me fall apart! Crazy hair growth in unexpected places (like my tummy!), grunting when I sit or stand up, peeing all the time, slightly swollen ankles, crazy dry skin, tired all the time, uncontrollable emotions, crying when happy, crying when sad (I did BOTH yesterday!), easily irritated, the list goes on and on...I just seriously remind myself that this won't last forever (even though SOME insensitive people tell me that it will), this is a stage of life; or a phase if you will.
I still feel very pretty and am glad that I don't have to care much about my look to still feel like I look good. It feels w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l. Absolutely wonderful!
Declan update: He is just over 4 pounds (think the weight of a pineapple!) and has passed the 17-inch mark from head to toe! He is continuing to put on weight and look more and more like a newborn instead of a wrinkled old man! His skeleton is hardening as well. Phew! This is one hard-working little guy. And he's strong too! More and more I can see (and Ryan can feel and is amazed by) those knees or elbows traveling across my belly from one side to the other. I still find it funny. Not so funny when he kicks my bladder, though. Thankfully, he has only done that a few times.
I can't wait to see this little guy's face for real and see how much he looks like his daddy (which I hope is a LOT!) and to hold him and sing to him and hear the sweet songs that Ryan is going to make up for him and about him and to get to know his personality.
I am nervous about labor and delivery but have to remind myself that God would not have brought me to this place if I wasn't capable of doing it with His help. It seems like the more I learn about L&D the more freaked out I get, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I think that is going to be my "mantra"that I will have to continue to repeat to myself. I will also have to make a conscious effort to remember those things I am looking forward to about meeting Declan to bring me through.
Unfortunately, due to continued technical difficulties, I will not be able to do a pregnant picture update this week either...hopefully by next week I will be able to catch everyone up! Thanks for taking the time to check in on us!
Cheers!
~N~
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
32 Weeks :: The Big Conspiracy
This past Saturday I reached the 32 week mark! I am so excited that I am 8 months along!
Now for the big conspiracy: 40 weeks is considered a full-term pregnancy...that is 10 months! I don't know about you but I thought a pregnancy lasted 9 months...what a conspiracy! They shouldn't start counting until I hit the "4-week" mark or they should change society's view of pregnancy as being 10 months! It's so rude of them to steal my only-9-months-of-pregnancy {apparent} delusion!
Saturday was also my baby shower! Yay! I'm pretty sure it was the best baby shower I've ever been to--though, that could be because it was mine and not someone else's. I got some pretty awesome gifts. I'm hoping to load a few pics soon from the shower to showcase how awesome my friends are to put this on for me, and to do such a stellar job!
My mom and sister visited and we did some baby shopping to pick up some items I didn't get at the shower that I will need sooner than later--a crib mattress and a car seat. It was a lot of fun to have them here for the shower and to catch up. My sister is pretty much the funniest person on the planet, so I always get a good laugh around her--even when she's making fun of me!
This week was an eventful week--I had my first Braxton-Hicks contractions. I can tell you, they're NOT fun. It felt like someone was squeezing my belly from the two sides and was sustained for longer than a "normal" contraction. When I told my doctor that I think I had the B-H pains, she responded, "Good." I found that amusing. Thankfully, the B-H pains went away a little after I lay down or after I changed positions. If all contraction are like those, then I start to question my ability to cope with the pain like I'm hoping I can...
I am pretty sure that Declan stretched out sideways at one point last week--rather uncomfortable.
Due to some technical difficulties, I will not be able to update my pregnancy photo this week. Hopefully, it will be resolved in a week or so and I can continue my picture updates.
Finally, to update you on Declan! He is at least 3.75 pounds and approximately 16.7 inches long. Apparently, he'll gain a third of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. I am excited to meet this little guy, learn about his personality, and truly see his face.
We took an Infant Care Class on Monday and it was a good class, I'm glad we took it. We got to see a real baby (less than 36 hours old!) get a bath! It was a tremendously informative experience and the little guy was soooooooo cute! He sounded like a little lamb! It almost made me cry at his cuteness. It made me more excited for Declan.
Anywho, I suppose that's it for now. Happy Thanksgiving to all, enjoy the time with family or friends--I know I will!
Cheers!
~N~
Now for the big conspiracy: 40 weeks is considered a full-term pregnancy...that is 10 months! I don't know about you but I thought a pregnancy lasted 9 months...what a conspiracy! They shouldn't start counting until I hit the "4-week" mark or they should change society's view of pregnancy as being 10 months! It's so rude of them to steal my only-9-months-of-pregnancy {apparent} delusion!
Saturday was also my baby shower! Yay! I'm pretty sure it was the best baby shower I've ever been to--though, that could be because it was mine and not someone else's. I got some pretty awesome gifts. I'm hoping to load a few pics soon from the shower to showcase how awesome my friends are to put this on for me, and to do such a stellar job!
My mom and sister visited and we did some baby shopping to pick up some items I didn't get at the shower that I will need sooner than later--a crib mattress and a car seat. It was a lot of fun to have them here for the shower and to catch up. My sister is pretty much the funniest person on the planet, so I always get a good laugh around her--even when she's making fun of me!
This week was an eventful week--I had my first Braxton-Hicks contractions. I can tell you, they're NOT fun. It felt like someone was squeezing my belly from the two sides and was sustained for longer than a "normal" contraction. When I told my doctor that I think I had the B-H pains, she responded, "Good." I found that amusing. Thankfully, the B-H pains went away a little after I lay down or after I changed positions. If all contraction are like those, then I start to question my ability to cope with the pain like I'm hoping I can...
I am pretty sure that Declan stretched out sideways at one point last week--rather uncomfortable.
Due to some technical difficulties, I will not be able to update my pregnancy photo this week. Hopefully, it will be resolved in a week or so and I can continue my picture updates.
Finally, to update you on Declan! He is at least 3.75 pounds and approximately 16.7 inches long. Apparently, he'll gain a third of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. I am excited to meet this little guy, learn about his personality, and truly see his face.
We took an Infant Care Class on Monday and it was a good class, I'm glad we took it. We got to see a real baby (less than 36 hours old!) get a bath! It was a tremendously informative experience and the little guy was soooooooo cute! He sounded like a little lamb! It almost made me cry at his cuteness. It made me more excited for Declan.
Anywho, I suppose that's it for now. Happy Thanksgiving to all, enjoy the time with family or friends--I know I will!
Cheers!
~N~
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
31 Weeks!
This past week was rather uneventful, as far as pregnancy-weeks go. Here's what I can remember.
Hopefully, Saturday night's dream was the beginning of the "Return of the Amusing Pregnancy Dreams."
I was in a video game. Let's see if I can accurately describe it: I was fighting for my brother (I don't have a brother in real life) who was being held captive by a humongous snake-like creature. We seemed to be in a pirate ship like place, with worn wooden-plank floors and port holes that opened up on water as far as I could see.
There were various baddies that I was fighting against and my weapons were guitars--electric mostly, I think. There were different guitars that did different things when you strummed the strings--one shot fire, one shot ice, another had such strong sound waves that it would vibrate the bad guy apart, and the last one I remember was one that would open a sort of portal to a different part of the ship if I was starting to lose or needed a break.
The best part, to me, is that I wasn't the only one there: Ryan was there as well as various other friends (undefined, though). And Ryan and said various friends kept telling me what to do.
The worst part: I woke up before I could see how the video game ended.
I told Ryan about this dream and he said that the game sounded marketable. That was the word he used. So, I guess this would be a new version of "Guitar Hero"???
Declan squirms all the time! It is wonderful except when he squirms behind my ribs. He is over 3.3 pounds (that's about all I know right now!) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side-to-side and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out! All the moving means Declan is active and healthy, so I {mostly} don't mind it too much.
I got my first baby shower gift (even though the shower isn't until this Saturday--I'm SUPER excited) on Sunday {thanks Jean!} and it is two cute sets of fleece clothes! Little Declan should be able to keep warm in them!
I have discovered that yes, indeed, Declan can hear/feel the cat purring when he's on my lap. He tends to get a little more active and has even kicked/poked the cat. Curly then gives me the evil-eye and gets off my lap. I just have to laugh!
Below is my pregnancy update photo. I was looking at myself in the mirror on Monday and had the realization: I'm pretty huge! It's glorious! Life is being formed and grown within me, what a wonderful experience! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I am still craving homemade potatoes--especially with Thanksgiving coming up next week but that's about it. I had a burst of energy on Sunday night: I made all my lunches for the week, made lunch for myself, tried to make a lotion recipe I've been meaning to f-o-r-e-v-e-r, baked muffins, made dinner...I feel like there was more, but I just can't remember it! I felt very accomplished for the first time in a very long time. Hopefully, I'll get the curtains done at some point this week before my family comes for the baby shower this weekend...
Thanks for checking in with us this week! I hope you have a blessed week!
Cheers!
~ N~
Hopefully, Saturday night's dream was the beginning of the "Return of the Amusing Pregnancy Dreams."
I was in a video game. Let's see if I can accurately describe it: I was fighting for my brother (I don't have a brother in real life) who was being held captive by a humongous snake-like creature. We seemed to be in a pirate ship like place, with worn wooden-plank floors and port holes that opened up on water as far as I could see.
There were various baddies that I was fighting against and my weapons were guitars--electric mostly, I think. There were different guitars that did different things when you strummed the strings--one shot fire, one shot ice, another had such strong sound waves that it would vibrate the bad guy apart, and the last one I remember was one that would open a sort of portal to a different part of the ship if I was starting to lose or needed a break.
The best part, to me, is that I wasn't the only one there: Ryan was there as well as various other friends (undefined, though). And Ryan and said various friends kept telling me what to do.
The worst part: I woke up before I could see how the video game ended.
I told Ryan about this dream and he said that the game sounded marketable. That was the word he used. So, I guess this would be a new version of "Guitar Hero"???
Declan squirms all the time! It is wonderful except when he squirms behind my ribs. He is over 3.3 pounds (that's about all I know right now!) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side-to-side and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out! All the moving means Declan is active and healthy, so I {mostly} don't mind it too much.
I got my first baby shower gift (even though the shower isn't until this Saturday--I'm SUPER excited) on Sunday {thanks Jean!} and it is two cute sets of fleece clothes! Little Declan should be able to keep warm in them!
I have discovered that yes, indeed, Declan can hear/feel the cat purring when he's on my lap. He tends to get a little more active and has even kicked/poked the cat. Curly then gives me the evil-eye and gets off my lap. I just have to laugh!
Below is my pregnancy update photo. I was looking at myself in the mirror on Monday and had the realization: I'm pretty huge! It's glorious! Life is being formed and grown within me, what a wonderful experience! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I am still craving homemade potatoes--especially with Thanksgiving coming up next week but that's about it. I had a burst of energy on Sunday night: I made all my lunches for the week, made lunch for myself, tried to make a lotion recipe I've been meaning to f-o-r-e-v-e-r, baked muffins, made dinner...I feel like there was more, but I just can't remember it! I felt very accomplished for the first time in a very long time. Hopefully, I'll get the curtains done at some point this week before my family comes for the baby shower this weekend...
Thanks for checking in with us this week! I hope you have a blessed week!
Cheers!
~ N~
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Project Nursery :: Declan Wall Deco
This is the third installment of my Project Nursery "series." Today, I have another Pinterest-inspired project to show you!
My original inspiration (or, pinspiration!) courtesy of Dersken Photography: http://pinterest.com/pin/275212227199420127/
How mine turned out:
I still have to add the crib to mine and based on the wall space available and the height of the crib, I don't think I'll be able to add a shelf like the inspiration. But that's ok with me.
First, we went to JoAnn Fabrics and picked out some letters that I liked the look of. Ryan and I tested the look out multiple times by laying out the letters on the floor! We must've looked a tad bit c-r-a-z-y!!! I don't mind, I just blame everything on pregnancy...
Next, I went to Goodwill & our local St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store and picked out some {cheap} frames that I thought would do nicely to frame the letters.
After that, I went to Home Depot and found a dark gray spray paint that would cover wood, plastic, and metal; as my frames were of various materials.
Then I went to Walmart and chose various shades of blue acrylic paint. I chose various shades because then it is more likely that the "random" things that I choose for the nursery (sheets, other accessories) would "match" and then I don't have to worry so much about everything being the same color blue (a propensity I know I have if I didn't plan accordingly).
Finally, I went through the vintage sheet music I had acquired, finding a beautiful book of advanced trumpet exercises.
I painted the letters and my mom spray painted the frames. I then cut the sheet music to fit just inside the frames and got out finishing nails and sticky-poster-tack. After all this prep work, I was ready to put it all up together. I used the sticky-poster-tack to attach the sheet music to the wall, then used the finishing nails to support the letter at the center of the sheet music and finally put up nails to hold the frames. This sounds easy, but for my pregnancy-addle pated brain, it was no easy task. I was quickly frustrated to tears but persevered {with a little help from my wonderful hubby} and I am pleased with the outcome!
That's about it for this installment of Project Nursery. I hope you enjoyed and thanks for keeping up with us!
Much love!
~N~
Lamaze Lessons...
So, we went to our first Lamaze/"Complete Childbirth Education Class" and it was very informative. Here's what I learned:
We were the second-to-last couple that arrived--giving us little choice in where to sit. The couple we ended up sitting next to is due January 12, with a boy, and is also delivering at the same hospital I am! How crazy is that??? Thankfully, we have different doctors and the boys will have different names...but "It's A Small World After All" was still playing in my head...
I am a wuss. Even just the animations of birth made me a bit queasy. Even a stuffed, err I don't know what to call it, "plushie" (?) of a placenta grossed me out.
Ryan's arms don't fit around me from behind, he can barely reach my belly now!!! It was rather uncomfortable. And, hilarious!
Sitting on the floor comfortably is pretty much impossible. What with all the changes in my body and the knee surgery I had two years ago, it was very uncomfortable.
I've practiced similar breathing techniques before--that was encouraging! I hold my breath in response to pain which is bad. I will be working on that--in fact, I had the opportunity to work on that early this morning. I had severe hip pain when returning from the bathroom around 5:00 am, it was so bad that I could hardly walk (I think it was related to all the sitting on the floor without back support/getting back up from the floor). When I made it back to bed and lay down in a semi-comfortable position, I noticed that my first reaction was to tense up my whole body (well, that and wake Ryan up to comfort me...misery loves company, right?). So, I decided I would take the opportunity to breathe through it. I believe I was successful in relaxing my body in the face of that pain. Unfortunately, it didn't make the pain go away, but I felt like I was practicing for Declan! So, in spite of the pain, I felt like I accomplished something. Yay me!
Finding out that I've done similar breathing before made me feel like the whole labor thing will be a bit more accomplishable. It's not some foreign thing. So far, I am really glad we've invested in these classes. We shall see what other "lessons" I come away with in upcoming weeks!
TTFN and congrats to those of you brave enough to read this post...not knowing exactly what it would contain!
~N~
We were the second-to-last couple that arrived--giving us little choice in where to sit. The couple we ended up sitting next to is due January 12, with a boy, and is also delivering at the same hospital I am! How crazy is that??? Thankfully, we have different doctors and the boys will have different names...but "It's A Small World After All" was still playing in my head...
I am a wuss. Even just the animations of birth made me a bit queasy. Even a stuffed, err I don't know what to call it, "plushie" (?) of a placenta grossed me out.
Ryan's arms don't fit around me from behind, he can barely reach my belly now!!! It was rather uncomfortable. And, hilarious!
Sitting on the floor comfortably is pretty much impossible. What with all the changes in my body and the knee surgery I had two years ago, it was very uncomfortable.
I've practiced similar breathing techniques before--that was encouraging! I hold my breath in response to pain which is bad. I will be working on that--in fact, I had the opportunity to work on that early this morning. I had severe hip pain when returning from the bathroom around 5:00 am, it was so bad that I could hardly walk (I think it was related to all the sitting on the floor without back support/getting back up from the floor). When I made it back to bed and lay down in a semi-comfortable position, I noticed that my first reaction was to tense up my whole body (well, that and wake Ryan up to comfort me...misery loves company, right?). So, I decided I would take the opportunity to breathe through it. I believe I was successful in relaxing my body in the face of that pain. Unfortunately, it didn't make the pain go away, but I felt like I was practicing for Declan! So, in spite of the pain, I felt like I accomplished something. Yay me!
Finding out that I've done similar breathing before made me feel like the whole labor thing will be a bit more accomplishable. It's not some foreign thing. So far, I am really glad we've invested in these classes. We shall see what other "lessons" I come away with in upcoming weeks!
TTFN and congrats to those of you brave enough to read this post...not knowing exactly what it would contain!
~N~
Thursday, November 8, 2012
30 Weeks :: Let the Hormones Rage
It has been a week full of its own ups and downs...I can't believe that I have 10 weeks to go...I am so much closer to the finish than the beginning. A finish I felt would not come soon enough-now I'm thinking it's coming too quickly!
I have noticed the hormones raging...increased crying over anything, "major" or not. In fact, I've cried every day for the past 5 days...God help my poor husband! At least, I know it's normal. I feel like I'm back to being the 14-year-old in the 26-year-old's body...quite frustrating at times (more so for my poor hubby, I'm sure!). At least I'm not breaking out with horrible acne again. At least not yet. I am easily overwhelmed again and sometimes being overwhelmed makes a wave of crabbiness rise up within me that I have a hard time controlling.
I've felt a lot of stretching and pulling and I think I pulled a muscle while laughing last week at something my boss said (is that possible? I meant to ask the doctor today, but I, of course, forgot!).
My lower back aches sometimes and sometimes I feel a bit restless, particularly while sitting and waiting. That's new. I feel a bit blue easily (probably the impetus of the crying) and so find it a bit harder to stay positive. This I am also blaming on the hormones.
Declan is at least 3 pounds (normal development according to my Dr. today) and roughly 15.7 inches long (quite specific, I know!). About one-and-a-half pints of amniotic fluid surrounds him, and his eyesight is continuing to develop but is still not very good (I would not expect it to be, what with the low light conditions and all).
I do enjoy narrating what Declan's up to when he is kicking. Many times, it doesn't feel like kicking--it feels like somersaults, back flips, kick-boxing with my bladder or stomach, or just plain river-dancing. I find that intensely amusing. I still like when he kicks and sometimes find it difficult to fall asleep 1) when he kicks 2) when he doesn't kick.
I have found myself craving foods now (yay!? I feel like a real pregnant lady now!). The other day it was home made mashed potatoes (like my dad makes; so much butter = unlimited yumminess!) and pizza--but not together. I also feel like I'm in an "eat everything" stage as just about anything sounds good. I am also enjoying the enhanced sense of smell as it makes the foods I eat tastier. One of the bonuses of pregnancy, in my opinion, along with actually housing new life and feeling the kicking, and "glowing" and being "huge" and not really caring.
I had a quick doctor check up today and all is well. Yay!
We got some more ultrasound pics this time...I've scanned them and they are below! So exciting, even though I feel like I cheated just a little with the 4D pics...even though I didn't ask for them.
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~*~*~*~*~*~
I had an interesting insight the other day. I was trying to explain to my hubby why I feel like pregnancy is freeing and I hit the proverbial nail on the head: This is the first time in my life that I'm not self-conscious about my weight, shape, or body. The first time since I before junior high that it is not in the back of my mind to worry or compare my body to others'.
That is why I feel so free. I actually find this realization incredibly telling and am grieved over it. Apparently, without completely realizing it, I was comparing myself to others and putting myself down about how I look or don't look on a regular basis--I think it may have been a tape running in my head on repeat.
Now that I know this, I have the opportunity to change it! I say, "No more!" No more will I believe the lie that I'm not enough and cannot be happy with my body no matter the size. :) God has created me to be exactly who I am, size and all, and loves me just the same. And until I can learn to not compare myself, I will not be content no matter the size pants I wear.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Below is my pregnancy update photo...enjoy!
Those are the updates this week that I can think remember. In two weeks I will be attending my baby shower and I am exited to see what my wonderful friends have come up with to celebrate little Declan's impending arrival! To spend time at a girl party sounds absolutely fabulous right now! And to see what tasty treats they come up with....mmmmm....[drooling]... What? Don't judge, I am pregnant you know...
Cheers!
~N~
I have noticed the hormones raging...increased crying over anything, "major" or not. In fact, I've cried every day for the past 5 days...God help my poor husband! At least, I know it's normal. I feel like I'm back to being the 14-year-old in the 26-year-old's body...quite frustrating at times (more so for my poor hubby, I'm sure!). At least I'm not breaking out with horrible acne again. At least not yet. I am easily overwhelmed again and sometimes being overwhelmed makes a wave of crabbiness rise up within me that I have a hard time controlling.
I've felt a lot of stretching and pulling and I think I pulled a muscle while laughing last week at something my boss said (is that possible? I meant to ask the doctor today, but I, of course, forgot!).
My lower back aches sometimes and sometimes I feel a bit restless, particularly while sitting and waiting. That's new. I feel a bit blue easily (probably the impetus of the crying) and so find it a bit harder to stay positive. This I am also blaming on the hormones.
Declan is at least 3 pounds (normal development according to my Dr. today) and roughly 15.7 inches long (quite specific, I know!). About one-and-a-half pints of amniotic fluid surrounds him, and his eyesight is continuing to develop but is still not very good (I would not expect it to be, what with the low light conditions and all).
I do enjoy narrating what Declan's up to when he is kicking. Many times, it doesn't feel like kicking--it feels like somersaults, back flips, kick-boxing with my bladder or stomach, or just plain river-dancing. I find that intensely amusing. I still like when he kicks and sometimes find it difficult to fall asleep 1) when he kicks 2) when he doesn't kick.
I have found myself craving foods now (yay!? I feel like a real pregnant lady now!). The other day it was home made mashed potatoes (like my dad makes; so much butter = unlimited yumminess!) and pizza--but not together. I also feel like I'm in an "eat everything" stage as just about anything sounds good. I am also enjoying the enhanced sense of smell as it makes the foods I eat tastier. One of the bonuses of pregnancy, in my opinion, along with actually housing new life and feeling the kicking, and "glowing" and being "huge" and not really caring.
I had a quick doctor check up today and all is well. Yay!
We got some more ultrasound pics this time...I've scanned them and they are below! So exciting, even though I feel like I cheated just a little with the 4D pics...even though I didn't ask for them.
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~*~*~*~*~*~
I had an interesting insight the other day. I was trying to explain to my hubby why I feel like pregnancy is freeing and I hit the proverbial nail on the head: This is the first time in my life that I'm not self-conscious about my weight, shape, or body. The first time since I before junior high that it is not in the back of my mind to worry or compare my body to others'.
That is why I feel so free. I actually find this realization incredibly telling and am grieved over it. Apparently, without completely realizing it, I was comparing myself to others and putting myself down about how I look or don't look on a regular basis--I think it may have been a tape running in my head on repeat.
Now that I know this, I have the opportunity to change it! I say, "No more!" No more will I believe the lie that I'm not enough and cannot be happy with my body no matter the size. :) God has created me to be exactly who I am, size and all, and loves me just the same. And until I can learn to not compare myself, I will not be content no matter the size pants I wear.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Below is my pregnancy update photo...enjoy!
Those are the updates this week that I can think remember. In two weeks I will be attending my baby shower and I am exited to see what my wonderful friends have come up with to celebrate little Declan's impending arrival! To spend time at a girl party sounds absolutely fabulous right now! And to see what tasty treats they come up with....mmmmm....[drooling]... What? Don't judge, I am pregnant you know...
Cheers!
~N~
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Project Nursery :: "D" Book
So, one of my **cough** obsessions is cruising Pinterest trying to find inspirations for Declan's Nursery and crafty projects to make for him/for the nursery. This "D" book was one of my Pinterest inspirations that I was determined to do once I found out Declan was a boy and we had chosen his name.
Here's where I found the picture and original inspiration: http://www.cmybacon.com/2010/05/book-letter-decoration/
All I needed for supplies were: an old book, an x-acto knife, plenty of spare blades, something to protect my table, LOTS of hand strength & patience an&d TV to watch to distract me, and finally M&M's for snacking.
{I don't have a ton of pictures of this as my only "camera" was my iPod...so please excuse the picture quality.}
~~~
I began by choosing a book that was about the right size and in a color blue that I liked.
Next, I traced a "D" on the inside of the book cover. I used the "D" from another project that I will soon post about.
Next, I cut through the cover following the template I made. I made sure to protect my table from the x-acto knife. Make sure your x-acto blade is sharp, that makes this whole project a lot easier. I probably went through a half-dozen blades for this whole project.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with it. Take a look at the picture below to see how it looks when displayed!
This is one of my favorite decorations I've created for Declan's nursery so far! It wasn't a complicated project, but just time-consuming and it made my hands/arms/wrists/shoulders ache after working on it. Though, part of that may have been that I was hunching over it rather than sitting at a normal-height table. That may have made a difference.
Toodles!
~N~
Here's where I found the picture and original inspiration: http://www.cmybacon.com/2010/05/book-letter-decoration/
All I needed for supplies were: an old book, an x-acto knife, plenty of spare blades, something to protect my table, LOTS of hand strength & patience an&d TV to watch to distract me, and finally M&M's for snacking.
{I don't have a ton of pictures of this as my only "camera" was my iPod...so please excuse the picture quality.}
~~~
I began by choosing a book that was about the right size and in a color blue that I liked.
Next, I traced a "D" on the inside of the book cover. I used the "D" from another project that I will soon post about.
Next, I cut through the cover following the template I made. I made sure to protect my table from the x-acto knife. Make sure your x-acto blade is sharp, that makes this whole project a lot easier. I probably went through a half-dozen blades for this whole project.
I made the cuts as smooth as I could. After cutting through the cover, I closed it and used it as a guide to cut through the rest of the pages of the book. This required a lot of patience and hand strength. It took me probably three-ish several-hour sessions to complete the book.
When I was finished, this is what the book looked like. It is a little rough on the inside, but I cannot think of a different way to do this that would have yielded a better look. Maybe if I had used more
x-acto blades, making sure that they were continually sharp, it would have turned out a more
polished look.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with it. Take a look at the picture below to see how it looks when displayed!
This is one of my favorite decorations I've created for Declan's nursery so far! It wasn't a complicated project, but just time-consuming and it made my hands/arms/wrists/shoulders ache after working on it. Though, part of that may have been that I was hunching over it rather than sitting at a normal-height table. That may have made a difference.
Toodles!
~N~
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