{The Nursery}

I feel like we pulled this nursery together in record time. I had known for a long time certain elements I wanted for the nursery (like the Sharon Montrose animal prints), and we actually bought our crib really early on (like back in September), but getting past that was difficult. I waffled back and forth on the crib, we took forever to purchase the dresser, I could not for the life of me figure out what to do about a rocker/glider. We were just stumped. So we didn't do much of anything with the nursery until I got really sick with the norovirus at 32 weeks. 

So what does the norovirus have to do with our nursery? Well, this virus was nasty. I ended up in the hospital severely dehydrated and with a high fever. These things kicked my body into preterm labor. Luckily, once they got my hydration and fever under control my body stopped trying to have this baby and all was well (as well as can be when in recover mode, right?!). But the whole preterm labor scare really kicked us into high gear. After I was healthy again I just started ordering things, making decisions and getting stuff done. The whole thing went from a room full of all our wonderful baby shower gifts to a real-life nursery in the matter of a week or so. 

A little bit about the room... I knew I wanted the room to incorporate elements of travel (we hope to share our love and passion for travel with her from the very start) and animals (I am a HUGE animal lover and I hope I can teach her to love and care for animals, too!). I didn't want the room to feel overly girly/frilly/pink, but definitely wanted it to be bright and feminine. Of course, I wanted the room to be practical and we needed to do it all on a budget (we've pretty much had to furnish our entire house from the ground up since buying it in August!). And here's where we landed (sources for most everything listed after the photos):

{Photos © Liz Denfeld Photography}

 Crib: Babyletto Hudson Crib

Dresser: IKEA Hemnes 8-Drawer Dresser

Rocker: IKEA Strandmon Chair hacked and made into a rocker (Thanks, hubby!). We used this post to guide the way.

Changing Pad: Keekaroo Peanut Changer 

Animal Prints: Sharon Montrose

Frames for Animal Prints: Pottery Barn

Sunburst Mirror: Martha Stewart via Home Depot

Shelves: IKEA Ekby Jarpen Shelves in White & Ekby Valter brackets in Birch, spray painted gold

Gold Animal Statues: Dwell Studio via Horchow

Amsterdam Print: Claudia Schoen via Society 6

Wooden Toy Camera: Twig (this color combo sold out now)

And Then There Were Three Zebra Print: SS Print Shop

Diagonal Stripe Frame: Nate Berkus for Target (now sold out)

Gold Glitter Shoes: Juicy Couture via HomeGoods

Teal Vase: Target (can't find online)

Wooden Giraffe and Plush Owl: Gifts

Diapers: Honest Company

White/Wicker basket: Nate Berkus for Target (now sold out)

Pink Pattern Basket: Gift

Watercolor Map Print & Frame: Clover via Society6

Elephant Crib Bedding: Pottery Barn Baby

Lamp: Threshold Target

Ottoman/Pouf: West Elm Round Swirl Pouf in Guava

Ceramic Side Table: Tibetan Cloud Ceramic Drum Stool via World Market

Peach Blanket: Favorite Throw from West Elm in Bright Coral

Faux Sheepskin Rug: IKEA

{Pregger Update: 38 Weeks}

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of Baby: She's still the size of a watermelon - 19-22 inches long

and weighs about 7 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes.

Stretch Marks: Fingers crossed... still no...

Sleep: Sleep seems to be deteriorating by the night. Seems unfair, no?

I mean, I know I'll be getting zero sleep once she arrives, the least

my body could do is allow me to get some shut eye during these last

precious weeks! (days?!)

Best Moment of the Week:  Getting the car seat installed. This pregger

may or may not have started crying as I drove away with a car seat in

my back seat. Whoa, this is feeling very real.

 Movement:  There were a few days last week where she wasn't her

feisty self. I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me worry a little

bit. I know the bigger she gets, the less room she has, so she's bound

to slow down on her movement, but I missed it! Happily, she's back to

her active self now!

Cravings: Nothing in particular this week...

Gender: Little Lady!

Belly Button In or Out: I think we're officially in the outtie club.

Wedding Ring on or Off: On! My massage therapist (oh yeah, I've been

treating myself to weekly prenatal massages as of last week -

best.idea.ever.) even commented how I wasn't swollen at all. I credit

that to good genes (thanks, Mom!) and not being pregnant in the

summer. Whatever it is, I'm happy about it!

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Not really. Except all of a sudden

eggs sound disgusting to me, when I've been eating them a ton this

whole pregnancy. Weird!

What I Miss: We've had a couple incredibly beautiful days the last

couple weeks in Portland. I miss sitting outside with a crisp glass of

white wine or a delicious IPA. Soon enough!

What I am Looking Forward to: Living my birth story. I can't get

enough birth stories, I love reading them. I always have, but now

especially. And every one I read makes me think.. What will my story

be?? How will it all start? How will it end? Birth is such an

incredible and unique thing. No two births are alike. I am dying to

find out how mine goes down... Praying for a healthy baby and safe

delivery. That's all I want!

Labor Signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks still. Found out at my appointment

this week that they're doing their job. Could be any day! But I could

also go past my due date. The anticipation!!!!

Nursery: The rocking chair is done and we got a lamp! I need two more

picture frames and some drawer organizers and then it will really be

done. It's done enough now that I took photos that I'll be sharing on

here soon!! I LOVE the way it turned out :)

Emotions:  Had a rough day yesterday, today I'm feeling good. It's

really a daily thing. Overall feeling really great, happy and excited.

{Pregger Update: 36 Weeks}

How Far Along: I’ll be 37 weeks Thursday!

Size of Baby: She’s the size of a watermelon – 19-22 inches long and weighs about 6.5 pounds. Whoa.

Maternity Clothes: I’ve definitely bought my fair share of maternity clothes throughout this pregnancy! I just always felt like the maternity stuff fit better and was more flattering – considering it was made for a bump, I think that makes sense! I can still miraculously wear a few pre-pregnancy things, but the number of those items is dwindling by the day!

If you’re wondering, my favorite places for maternity clothes have been:

ASOS.com

Gap

Target

Paige Maternity Jeans via Pea in the Pod

Stretch Marks: Still slathering on the belly butter and still stretch mark free… Fingers crossed…

  

Sleep: Eh, it’s okay! I get up 3-4 times a night to pee, so that’s not exactly fun. But other than that, it’s actually not so bad. Trying to get all the rest I can get before little lady arrives :)

Best Moment of the Week:  Working on the nursery. We’re almost finished! Corey and I pulled it all together really quickly in the end. I am so proud of the room – it’s definitely my favorite space in the house. Just a few more details to add and then I’ll share pictures here!

 Movement:  Good grief this girl is always on the move. I thought by this point she was supposed to be a little more crammed for space, but judging by all the kicks and flips I feel all day long, I find that hard to believe! I do have to admit I really love it. And if I don’t feel her for even 30 minutes I start missing her rolling around in there (and, admittedly, get a little worried).

Cravings: I love eating cereal these days – Honey Nut Cheerios. And I could eat Thai food every single day (but that’s been the case this entire pregnancy). Not loving meat, which is kind of a new thing as of the last month or so…

Gender: Little Lady!

Belly Button In or Out: It goes back and forth. At this very moment it’s out!

Wedding Ring on or Off: On! Knock on wood, I haven’t dealt with a lot of swelling during this pregnancy, so I hope I can wear them until the end.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nausea started coming back for me pretty consistently as soon as the third trimester started. As long as I’m good about snacking and drinking lots of water I’m usually okay.

What I Miss: Being able to stand and walk for long periods of time without having intense back and pelvic pain, being more graceful (getting off the couch or out of bed ain’t pretty), and just generally feeling like “myself”. I want to do everything I used to do when I wasn’t pregnant and I get frustrated easily when I realize I need to slow down.

What I am Looking Forward to: Meeting our baby girl. I can’t believe it’s happening so soon. I just want to know what she looks like and stare into her eyes and finally meet this little lady that is consuming my thoughts and dreams! I cannot wait to see Corey holding her. I daydream about the moment we’ll meet her and it brings tears to my eyes. I just can’t wait.

Labor Signs: Tons and tons of Braxton Hicks contractions – and my body is definitely getting ready for this whole labor thing! My doctor doesn’t think I’ll go past my due date. I hope she didn’t jinx me!

Nursery: Almost done – need a couple picture frames, a side table for the rocking chair and a lamp!

Emotions:  Yeah, they’re all over the place as is to be expected when you’re nine months pregnant, right?! But overall, feeling really great and happy!