Nursery Tale

About two weeks ago Alex contacted me from Wayfair to see if I would be interested in sharing my Nursery Tale for an upcoming campaign. Things are a little hectic right now for our family, but I just couldn't resist!

Lets talk a little tour of Olivia's room! 

The room that we chose for the nursery used to be my Husbands office. We (meaning my Husband) installed new carpet, base boards and painted the entire room for me when I came home from work one day. I have always been a fan of pink and gray so I knew that was the colors scheme I wanted for her room. All of the canvas paintings my Mom and I found at Hobby Lobby. We bought the dresser/changing table for $25 and refurnished it in one day. You can see the before and after here. The banner was hand made by my wonderful Sister in Law for my shower and I loved it so much I decided to use it in nursery. The beautiful painting of the little girl was hand drawn by a good friend of my Mother in Laws. I love her work. She is amazing. The convertible crib was a gift from my Mom and we bought it at Buy Buy Baby.

All along in my mind, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted her room to look like but in the end whenever I came across stuff I liked that I knew would look cute. I just bought them knowing they would look great in her room. The only thing I have left to finish is the gallery wall.

Mommy confession: as much as I love her room, I am still not ready for her to sleep in her own crib just yet!

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

OLIVIA || TWO MONTHS OLD

On Saturday our baby girl turned 2 months old! I can't believe how two months has come and gone so quickly. She is now over 8 pounds, drinking 3 oz. every feeding, and sleeping 7-8 hours every night like a champ! We love her smile, her little noises she makes and how she loves to cuddle all the time. Our love for this little soul is so indescribable and we feel extremely blessed that she is ours. She brings so much joy into our lives. 

OLIVIA | ONE MONTH OLD

Dear Olivia,

Happy one month of life little one! I can't believe you are one month old already. It literally seems like you were born yesterday and now here we are just one month later. You making your debut into this world was one of the most precious and best days of my life.

When Daddy and I were choosing your name, I had a whole list of girls names that I have always loved, but none of them really felt right. One day when I was at the store, I heard a Mommy say "Olivia, we are going to get that today" and my first thought was wow, I absolutely LOVE that name. It's perfect.

Your name "Olivia" means peace. Every time I look at you (which is often) or hold you in my arms, peace and happiness flood over my entire body and my heart skips a couple of beats. 

I know you are only just one month old, but here are a few things that I know about you already....

* You are definitely an eater, just like your big sister Kaelyn. Right now you don't eat for    very long and only eat about 2-3 ounces, but you want to eat often. Good for you-bad for Momma.

* You can sleep through most noises but at times a noise (dog barking or Dad coughing) will startle you and your little arms and legs will go nuts. I love it!

* You love to be held and look at me with your steel blue eyes. Don't worry...I am soaking it all in baby girl.

* You make the silliest and weirdest faces, especially when you know someone is watching you. 

* Smiles. Boy do I love to see you smile. Best thing ever.

* When you were born you weighed just 4 lbs. and 7 ounces

First time I held you I was a little nervous because you were so tiny and delicate. You still are so tiny and delicate. Your cute little preemie onesies could fit on one of your big sisters baby dolls. But...because you are such a great little (big) eater, you are now starting to fit into regular newborn onesies. Hooray! I am one happy Momma! 

* You're sleeping next to us in your bassinet and we normally go to bed around 10-11pm. You typically give me 3-4 hours of sleep, wake to eat, another few hours (normally only 2)....wake to eat, etc. Some nights are looooong, some nights are better. MOST of the time, you go back to sleep easily. Some nights I have to rock you in my arms until you fall asleep before I can slowly...very slowly place you back in your bassinet. Those are some of the loooong nights I was talking about.

Sweet Olivia I adore everything about you...even when you keep me up all night, pee on me, spit up on me and have green poopy smelly diapers. You are such a light, a joy and a huge blessing in our lives and I couldn't imagine life without you. God is so good! I gotta tell you and be honest that Mamahood is definitely no walk in the park, but I would sacrifice anything and everything for you. You make me want to be better and I love being your Momma.

Week 30 Bumpdate

How far along: 30 weeks and 3 days! Holy Cow! Time is flying by!

Baby Size: Winter Squash {2.5-3.8 pounds}

Weight gain: Before I was pregnant, I weighed 140-145. I now weigh 179 

Maternity clothes: Wish I could just live in yoga pants and big tee shirts, but since I am still working its lots of maxi skirts/dresses, maternity tops, and flip flops.

Stretch marks: Probably...I just can't see them just like I can't see my own two feet.

Sleep: Broken sleep. I am usually up every 2-3 hours which is rough because I have to be up at 5:10 am for work. Yuck!

Gender: GIRL! 

Movement: Yep! She twists, turns, and moves all over the place. Best feeling ever!

Best moment this week: Getting all the details together for my baby shower on May 30th.

Looking forward to: Meeting our sweet precious girl. Can't wait! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada.

Symptoms: The usual, very long list of pains and discomforts. Out of breath, body aches, and tired to just name a few. My biggest discomfort right now are my feet. They are so swollen and tight all the time. They look like giant sausages!  

Nursery: Is ready to go! Just doing some last minute picture hanging. 

Belly Button in or out? In. I had my belly button pierced back when I was a freshman in High School and because of the constant growing and stretching of my stomach, it looks really interesting to say the least!

Wedding rings on or off? On but can't get it off anymore.

Mood: Anxious, nervous, and excited. 

Bumpdate: 20 Weeks!!

Today I am officially at the 1/2 way mark! 20 weeks! Wahoo!

Just when I think my belly couldn't get any bigger..........

How far along: I have reached the 1/2 way mark. 20 weeks! Wahoo!

Baby Size: Mango (Weight: 10.58 oz, Length: 10.08 in)

Weight gain: 20 pounds! Wowza!

Maternity clothes: Maternity pants are so comfortable. I love them! Ross is my new favorite store for maternity clothes. Super cute and most of the tops and bottoms that I buy are anywhere from $6-$15

Stretch marks: Nope...at least I don't think so   Sleep: Sleeping all through the night. It's wonderful!   Gender: Sweet baby girl (Hint: I think we have a name picked! Shhhh!)

Movement: Not yet...but can't wait for that. I have a friend who is 21 weeks and she is experiencing lots of movement. I think it just depends. Everyone is different.

Best moment this week: Tackling some more nursery projects to get the room done.

  Looking forward to: Finishing up the nursery and 3 vacations coming our way starting next weekend!

Food cravings: Sausage, egg and cheese sandwich (Starbucks), anything starchy, Jamba Juice, Salad   Anything making you queasy or sick: No.   What I miss: Bending over without struggling. I can officially not put my own shoes on.   Symptoms: These past few weeks I have been feeling like I'm on cloud nine. My body feels good, I feel sexy, and I have lots of energy.

Nursery: Painted, crib purchased, Josh is putting base boards and crown molding in this weekend. I love my handy man!

Wedding rings on or off? On, and no swelling yet! Hallelujah! 

Mood: Feeling super excited and blessed

Workouts: Yoga and walking

Boy or Girl? What's your guess?

Today I am literally counting down the hours until tomorrow morning when we get to find out whether are having a boy or a girl. We cannot wait! What is your guess?

Baby Update

We are still trying to get pregnant over here!

Last week I was supposed to start on the 4th

but instead starting spotting and then nothing at all.

I got excited...like I do every month. Could this month be it!
I decided to test. I tested twice. Both negative.

Aunt Flo came to visit Saturday and my hope felt exhausted.
Looks like she is going to stay around for a few days.
 We will try again for next month!

I am holding onto God's promises and

continuing to put my hope, faith and trust in Him.
I can find peace, hope and rest that with His perfect 
timing and His perfect plan for my life that it will come to pass.

I can't wait for the day when I can confess:

For this child I prayed; and the Lord 
hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
-1 Samuel 1:27

My prayer is that we can all find it in ourselves to choose joy daily. I say this knowing how incredibly difficult it can be at times. That we may find the strength to smile, laugh and dance despite the dark clouds that sometimes hang over us and keep us in the dark. I don't know what you are going through, but I promise you that if you turn to the Lord and pour out

your heart and soul to Him, He will strengthen and guide you. He loves you.


How long did it take you to get pregnant?
Any words of encouragement or advice for me?

Trying To..

Yes, the time has arrived. I figured I would just put it out there and let you guys know.

 We have been trying to get pregnant for just a couple of months now.

My greatest desire is to become a mother and have the privelage

to nurture and raise one of Heavenly Father's precious children.

It has been exciting these past few months,  knowing that hopefully any day

now I will be able to read a test that shows up "Pregnant"

I picture and imagine that moment in my head. My heart longs for this day.

Sitting there with my heart beating a gazillion miles a minute hoping

and praying that the test will come out positive.

Reading it, crying and praising God for His goodness and His promises.

The overwhelming excitement and joy of telling my

Husband and eventually family and friends.

This is what I hope for. I hope that it will happen soon.

Even though it's an exciting time right now, it has also

been stressful and disappointing too. Every month that approaches

I get a test and think "okay this might be it!"

Then its negative....

Month after month, after month....

I get disappointed. I get sad.

Then I have to wait another month.

But throughout all of this its' teaching me alot

patience and to rely soley on the Lord and His plan for my life.

I have come to realize that I can only do so much and that

ultimately it is not in my hands. It's in the Lords hands and His perfect timing.

I believe that sometimes God doesn't give you what you want when you want it,

not beacuse you don't deserve it, but because you deserve so much more and He

has something really really big in store.

So I am going to be hopeful, prayerful

and wait on the Lord to see just what He has in store!

Are you trying to get pregnant?

I would love to hear some of your thoughts and stories too!