This and That...

This weekend Shane and I did achieve one goal...to get our custom, padded headboard done (it was more my goal than his!) We picked up the rest of what we needed on Saturday and put it all together late Sunday afternoon. It was getting late, but I asked Shane if we could still hang it, and he was nice enough to stay up until 11:30pm to get the job done. It required taking down the bed and moving it (which can be quite the chore when the bed is on risers, and the pregnant woman can't lift much!) But in the end, I am very happy with the results! I also requested 2 custom nite stands as well...so hopefully Shane will be able to make those before the baby comes! He still needs to shurewall the basement...which is gonna be quite the project, before the baby comes!

Below are some pics of the cute sleepers and blanket I couldn't pass up at Farm & Fleet today! All Carter's stuff was 33% off!

Cute Sleeper w/ matching blanket

Another cute sleeper

Below are a few pics of Lindsey's wedding flowers that I finished up this weekend. I had 4 bridesmaids bouquets to do, 1 flowerball for the flowergirl, and a throw-bouquet for the bouquet toss.

Bridesmaid bouquet

Flowerball

Toss bouquet

Also, on Sunday our small group volunteered to help in KidZone at church. We worked in the 4, 5, and pre-k age group. It was pretty funny to see all the kids interact. I had some serious competition with this one little girl named Bella (who we have never met before in our lives) came up to Shane and just wanted to hang on him and have him hold her. I don't think he was quite sure how to handle it. She just constantly smiled and laughed at him. I also had one girl come up to me, and pull up the back of her shirt and said 'see my bug bite', and then skipped away! We were definitely tired when we got home from church. I have a great sense of respect and appreciate for those who worked KidZone every weekend throughout the year!

30 Week Baby Update...

Shane and I had our 30 week prenatal appointment today. I lost 2 pounds since our last appointment, so doctor said to find something that sounds good and eat as much of it as I want ;)
She also thru out the suggestion of drinking ensure or boost, which I have been trying to do, I just can't drink it everyday...its gross! I am definitely not experiencing cravings, and food doesn't have much appeal, but I am trying to do my best to snack throughout the day.
My fifths disease blood test came back, and showed that I have had it before, therefore, I should be immune. They always retest for it though a few weeks later, so I will do that at my next appointment.
The last few days I have seemed to do a 180 and become extremely tired and my body aches, my doctor told me to go home and rest for the rest of the day and weekend, so after eating chinese with my husband for lunch, I dropped him at work and came home, grabbed a bunch of pillows and a book and lounged on the couch. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep for 2 1/2 hours!
I don't know how much rest I will get this weekend. I work tomorrow morning, then Shane and I need to go to the QC and pick up foam, batting and plywood for our custom headboard I want to make. I am also having Shane make me some floating side tables for our bed too. So I am hoping he can get those cut out and put together so I can paint them over the next week. We are also hoping to go to a movie while we are in the QC. Then on Sunday, we have church and then our small group volunteered to work KidZone...we will see how much energy those kids take out of me! It should be fun though!
Well, now my baby update has turned into rambling, so I will end my post here! I haven't taken a 30 week pic yet, but if it gets done, I will post it later! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I'm beginning to really like the UPS man!

I have received surprise packages from the UPS man the last 2 days! Yesterday he left my Stroller on my steps, and today I had my Car Seat and another Stroller!!! My sister and mom thought they would be sneaky and surprise me with my Stroller/Car Seat Travel System I had registered for by ordering it from a different vendor and sending it to me early before my baby shower. I was very shocked!
The stroller I got yesterday was the one from them, and the packing slip said the car seat was shipped separately, so I was expecting it today...but I was definitely not expecting to see another stroller on my steps, so I was a little confused and thought there was a mix up, so I opened that box and looked inside and my best friend Heather and her mom, Vanessa and families sent me the stroller! I was completely taken aback that everyone was so generous. I definitely wasn't expecting to receive such large items off my registry!
Shane and I feel so incredible blessed by the truly amazing family and friends we have!

Picture of the Travel System
I will think of you Britni, mom, Heather and Vanessa every time I am walking the mall, pushing Emma in her stroller! Thanks so much!

The stroller by itself!

The car seat by itself!
Now I am getting really excited for baby Emma to arrive, I can't wait to show her all her cute stuff, but most of all, to meet the amazing people that are a part of her life already in so many ways! Thanks again guys for the gifts, but most of all, for your love, support and prayers! I love you all!

Diaper Bag...

I have finally gotten to make myself a diaper bag!
This is definitely the most time consuming project of all the ones that I am tackling for Emma! I have at least 25 hours total in the diaper bag, quilt, burp rags and minky blanket. I have the pattern for the diaper bag down pretty good and have notes I have made for it (its my own pattern that I designed), but I added a few things (I seem to every time I make one). It took a lot of time designing what I wanted to do for the quilt and I have to draw it out and do all my calculations for it! Plus, its so hard to decide what fabric to use and what color ribbon to accent with...decisions!!! I am still gonna do another quilt to go with the crib bedding set as well.
I am super excited to get to pack the diaper bag and actually use it!
Let me know what you think of everything!

Front view. Has one large pocket w/ a snap.

Back view. There are 2 large pockets and 2 smaller ones.

Side view. Each side has a pocket.

Top view of diaper bag w/ zipper.

Inside view.
There is 1 large pocket w/ a snap, 2 side pockets w/ snaps, and 4 elastic slots to hold powder, bottles, etc.

Inside view of the large front pocket. I added 2 pockets to hold cell phone, keys and a pen.

Quilt

Oh so soft minky blanket!
Its green on one side.

And pink on the other side!

I made 8 coordinating burp rags to go w/ the diaper bag.
I embroidered Emma's name on 3 of them.

The whole set!

Emma's Room Starting to Come Together...

I have been working on Emma's bedding and decor for her room. I have definitely challenged myself with all the new things I have never even sewn before! Its been a lot of fun though! Here are the projects that are complete so far.

Dust Ruffle

Bella thinks she always has to try everything out first!

This is where the crib will sit (if it ever gets off backorder and actually arrives!)

I found the cutest pattern for this. Its called a gumdrop pillow/ottoman. I thought it would make a cute addition to Emma's room!

It will be handy to have when I am rocking Emma, but still want to put my feet up on something!

Or for a place for Bella to sit!
Like I said before, she has to try out everything first, she hopped right up and made herself at home!
You should have seen Bella's face light up while I was stuffing this giant thing, she loves stuffing, she pulls it out of every toy she can (thats why we mainly have rubber toys)! She wasn't very happy with me when I wouldn't let her have any!
And just to give you an idea how much stuffing this took, I used 7lbs worth!

This morning Shane and I put together the dresser/changing table combo that arrived yesterday! Yes, something I ordered actually arrived...can you believe it!

Bella wouldn't leave our side while we were working on the dresser...she definitely senses a change coming, little does she know, how big of one it will be! (I don't think I can fully grasp it!)

The finished product!

Another pic, with her diaper bag and stuff, so you can see how it all coordinates. I also decided to hang the diaper stacker off the right side!

I also got Shane to put my tie-back holders up today for the curtains as well! I still need to get some new blinds and the windows will be done!

Emma's bassinet and cube shelf. I need to get a new lamp shade for the lamp!

Bella relaxing in a cube!

Congrats Shane!!!

I wanted to say congrats to Shane on his recent promotion at work. He is now a Lead Product Design Engineer. He is still working on the same project, but now has some added responsibility and a couple of engineers that report to him.
I am very proud of my husband and all his hard work! We both feel very blessed by his job and that we are where God wants us to be!

29 Week Baby Update...

Hard to believe I am in my 29th week of pregnancy! Time really is going by fast! Baby Emma should now be around 2 1/2 lbs and 15 inches long! I know she is getting long because I can feel her feet in my ribs! I have been feeling pretty good...I think I may have a little of the nesting fever! I feel like I constantly need to be doing something, and find it hard to just sit and relax, which I know I need to do more of, since I have been having problems with my legs and feet swelling from being on them too long while I sew! Plus, the extra long distance to where we have had to park since Monday doesn't help when I need to carry in groceries...they are redoing our street, and have the end of our driveway all tore out, and I have no idea when they plan to have it done!
Our next appointment is this coming Friday, the 27th. I will let you know how that goes!

29 weeks pregnant

28 Week Baby Update...

Shane and I had our 28 week prenatal check-up on Friday. It was time for the gestational diabetes test, which came back negative. But they did find that I was anemic, so I am now taking an iron supplement as well as my prenatal vitamin.
We were also surprised with having another ultrasound. My doctor said she wasn't completely convinced with the report from the last ultrasound that my placenta had moved enough, so she went ahead and performed a vaginal one herself. The placenta did appear to have moved enough. Baby Emma also has flipped head down now, so that is also good news! I had wondered if she did, cuz it has felt like I had feet in my ribs the past week!
On Saturday, I found out that I had been around a child that was diagnosed with fifths disease, so I go back to the hospital tomorrow to have a blood test to see if I am immune. I am sure there is nothing to worry about even if I am not immune since I am so far along in my pregnancy.
We start going to the doctor now every 2 weeks, so our next appointment is 6/27/08.

Below our some pics of the smallest frogs I have ever seen in my life! After our doctor appointment on Friday, we went to Subway for lunch and in the parking lot were dozens of these little frogs! Of course, I had to catch a few! (my husband thought it was quite humorous, watching a pregnant lady bend over trying to catch little frogs, especially in front of a packed Subway, where people were staring at me!) I have never seen a frog or toad at our house here, so I let them go in our lawn, hoping they will stick around!

Celebrating 4 years of Wedded Bliss Today...

I just wanted to say Happy 4 year Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Shane!
I love you and thank you for 4 wonderful years so far! I look forward to many, many more!
Its hard to believe we have been married for 4 years! I told Shane and everyone else when we got married, we were waiting 5 years to have kids...we almost made it!

Pregnancy Update...

Today, I am 27 weeks & 4 days along! Baby Emma is really growing! She is more active and her movements have gotten a lot stronger. Its definitely been a lot of fun feeling her move around in there! Below are some pics!

I am 25 weeks in this picture.

I found this cute maternity dress on clearance for only $6.98 at Target! My husband should be proud!

I am 26 weeks in this picture.

I really don't like bare belly shots (they make me feel awkward...so if you see one, its usually b/c my mom insisted my belly was cute and I had to show it off). Anyway, this picture marks a little mile stone in my life! This is taken right before I removed my belly ring...which I actually have had longer than I have known Shane (only by 3 months). So he has never seen me without my belly ring!
Anyway, it kinda made me face reality that I am gonna be a mom and that those adolescent years are gone! (actually, it really isn't that dramatic!)
In order to say a proper farewell, I think it is fitting to share the story of how I went about getting it!
It was my freshman year of high school, and my sister (she is 2 years older than me) had come home with her belly button pierced (she was going thru a rebellious stage) and never asked my parents permission, so they were furious. So I immediately asked my dad (without my mom around) if I could get my belly button pierced...he said 'yes', even gave me the $50.00 to get it done and made my sister take me to North Platte to get it pierced! It is quite humorous looking back on it. My mom still wasn't very happy, but it really was harmless!

Me & Shane and my 27 week belly!

Shane did think I had gotten bigger since the last time he had seen me!

I will update you again on Friday after we have our 28 week check-up!

2 Week Trip Back to Nebraska...

Can you believe it, my husband actually let me go home to Nebraska for a full 2 weeks! Even after I just spent a week there back in April! (the April trip was spur of the moment, this last one I had been planning for a few months!)
It began with my mom and gramma Cena coming to get me. They arrived on May 21st, and we headed back to Nebraska on the 23rd. Good thing my mom had just bought a Suburban, b/c I don't know how we would have fit all my stuff!
I spent my time home spending lots of time with my new niece, Haley Mae and Zoe. Seeing all my other nieces and nephews. I got to have lunch twice with my cousin, Ashton. Spent some time with my gramma Cena. I got to celebrate a dear family friends, Dorothy's 83rd birthday. I also got to see my Aunt T.
And of course, my mom and I got in lots of one-on-one time, which is what we were looking forward to, since that will be our last opportunity to really relax and enjoy each other's company for quite some time! I even got to see my dad more than usual since most of his jobs got pushed back b/c of all the rain, so most of the time I was home he was down working on their new house.
Mom and I got in 30 games of Rummy to 1000! I believe I won 22 of those games...but who is keeping track :) (I really kicked her butt!)
Below are some pics of my time at home! Enjoy!

Me & my mom before a wedding on the 24th.

Zoe Anne & her Auntie K

Zoe Anne

Haley Mae

Haley Mae

My sister, Britni came down the Sunday of Memorial weekend to my mom's to spend the day. Here is Haley Mae napping on her cousin Emma! She was quite comfortable!

My sister, Britni & Haley Mae

Mom and I went down to Palisade to my brothers for a day after they arrived home from getting Kenna. We had also taken Zoe and Haley with us, so that all the nieces and nephews could play together!
Above is a picture of Kenna and Jacob. Kenna sure is growing up fast and is sooo beautiful! She is now 8 1/2. Jacob is now 5 1/2 months.

Zoe, Matthew & Luke
Zoe & Matthew will be 3 in October (only 10 days apart) and Luke is turning 6 on Aug. 5th

Kenna, Luke, Me and Haley Mae

Zoe & Matthew riding Tigger.
This is such a sweet picture!

Me & Kenna getting some cherished quality time!

Nana and her grandkids!

The clan eating lunch at the table.
Jared, Missy, Matthew (can't really see), Nathan in the high chair, Kenna, Me, Luke and Zoe and my mom took the picture. Haley was sleeping in her car seat, and Jacob was hanging out on the floor. Jared and Missy said they are contemplating getting another table this size and combining them the long way, since they are already beginning to run out of chairs...and I don't believe their family is done growing yet!!!

My mom wanted a picture of all her grandkids...so here they are!
Zoe, Kenna, Nathan, Haley, Luke, Jacob and Matthew!
Including precious Maya and my bun in the oven, that will give her 9 grandkids and she isn't even 50 yet! I guess her kids like to make her feel old! ha!

Me with all my nieces and nephews on my side of the family!

Luke sure loves babies...can't you tell by the big grin on his face!
Here he is holding Haley Mae and Jacob!

Luke told us over lunch that he was gonna have 10 kids when he grew up!

Nana w/ her gran-girls Zoe, Haley & Kenna

Our all-girls weekend with my aunts & cousins that was set for June 6-8th kinda got canceled in Lincoln, which was when my mom was taking me to meet Shane. So instead my dad & mom, my sister, Britni and Haley took me to Lincoln! We left Friday morning. Britni really need a little break from her toddler and a chance to do some shopping for post-baby clothing! So of course we shopped, and couldn't pass up an opportunity to eat at Red Lobster. I have been craving a cold shrimp cocktail with melted butter!

Haley Mae sleeping in the hotel, she is such a good baby!

Dressed-up and ready to shop!

My mom, Haley Mae & Me

Me & Uncle Shane w/ Haley Mae
(this is us in a few months!)

Haley Mae fast asleep on my shoulder. Having a baby bump sure makes it easy to hold a baby...it gives you a little shelf to rest them on!

During my trip home, Miss Haley Mae gave me the 101 in feeding, burping, changing diapers and bathing babies! I think I will do okay once baby Emma arrives!

Britni, Me, Haley Mae and my Mom getting ready to part ways after 2 weeks of being together!
I feel extremely blessed with the time I was given and the family and friends I got to see!
I miss you all already!!!