Bad Dog

Usually I harp on how fabulous my four legged fur ball is but right now he's in big trouble. I left him out while we ran to Publix and Wal-Mart (our Sunday ritual). Stupid me left my RayBan sunglasses on the coffee table because it was cloudy when we headed out. When we pulled in the drive Brent said "Did you leave Charlie out?" I said "Yes". He then scolded me for not shutting all the upstairs doors to which I replied that he (little angel Charlie) wouldn't bother any thing up there. Too my surprise I found my chewed RayBans in the floor right in front of the door when I brought in my first load from the car. Seriously? We were gone for less than an hour and he had to munch on my glasses? He hasn't chewed anything of ours in ages. I swear he was just getting me back for not taking him with us. It's scary how much like a person he is. Luckily he only attacked both ear pieces. Anyone know how to sand down plastic? I guess now the glasses have more character and I learned not to trust my 3 1/2 year old pup.

Best Husband EVER

While I was away in Hartselle today Brent went out of his way to convert the office to Jackson's nursery. He managed to move the desk and bookcase to our storage room that's located off our laundry room. He cleaned out the baby's new closet and organized our guest room closet so all the things from the nursery closet would fit. He took down all his beautiful Daniel Moore prints and bubble wrapped them before safely storing them under our bed. I was shocked! Not only did he do all that but he also moved two pieces of furniture up to Jackson's room. He now has his 5 drawer chest and changing table in his room. We ran in to one snag... The chest has one drawer rail that is not nailed in good so the drawer won't stay on the track. Brent says it's an easy fix but was discouraged after the price we paid for the furniture. I know it's just bad luck...but still! I know it will be okay in the end.

I also finished Jackson's registry today. I had to select a few pieces for his registry table at the Robin's Nest. I selected him a few outfits, blankets & burp cloths. Baby things are so cute... I could have picked out the entire store.

We also ordered the curtain for Jackson's nursery. I'm going to have a window box in his pinstripe pattern with a roman shade below. I can't wait to see the finished product. My Memaw and I also completed the measurements for Jackson's bench. My Papaw will get started on it soon. So many projects...it's good that Jackson's arrival is 3 months away.

Newborn Photos

I have been looking online at photographers and finally decided on one for Jackson's newborn photos. It's so odd booking something for a tiny person that isn't here yet. Our photo date is set for November 14th but the lady at the studio said we could bump it earlier if Jackson decides to grace us sooner than later. Here's a link to their website. I think the newborn pictures are so precious: Heather Mitchell Photography

I ordered Jackson two crocheted sets to wear in his photos. I found them on Etsy and can't wait for them to arrive.

I also went to Kohl's tonight and picked up a few more sleepers in newborn and 3 months. I love Kohl's. I bought a maternity dress and another dress in a large size from the regular department that I can wear for a few more weeks. It's so weird wearing the same things over and over. I know it's only temporary but it's odd. I feel like I never change! 

Brent finally saw Jackson shake my belly today. It was priceless. He blamed it on muscle spasms... I just rolled my eyes. We have an active baby on our hands!

Beach Trip Pictures

We had fun... belly grew a bit...got some sun...can't wait to go back!

Baby Registry

Brent and I got back from our weekend at the beach today. We had a great time and can't wait to go back. I'll post pictures and blog about that later this week. Big news is that we went to Target & BuyBuy Baby and completed our registry for Jackson. We had NO IDEA what we needed. Brent scolded me several times for not "researching" products. We went to Target first and left in a bad mood. Thank goodness for the sweet women at BuyBuy Baby who explained bottles, nipples and baby monitors to us. We didn't know what we were looking for. I was able to go back once I got home and add a few necessary things to the Target registry that we couldn't find in the store we went to. The nursery is still in a pile. I did buy Jackson a few things for next summer at the outlets in Destin. I can't wait to see my sweet baby in his little polos one day. Brent thought I was crazy for planning that far ahead but I just couldn't help myself.

My dad and sister are about to stop by so that's all I have time to write about now. Be sure to check back later this week for preggo beach pictures :)

Lake Day

I'm way behind on posting this but we did enjoy a Saturday at the lake a few weeks back. It was actually the Saturday before we found out Jackson was going to be a little boy... so technically I'm 7 weeks late with this post!

Brent's sales manager has a house on Lake Martin and invited several people from the office down. It was so nice to be in the sun and on the water. Pathetically I'll admit that this was the only day I've spent like that all summer. Here are a few pictures...

Ragsdale's Lake House

Brent in the tub with Berkley and Campbell

Us on the boat

Berkley (their soon to be kindergartner) rode so far in the tube. I hope Jackson's as fearless as she is. If he has any of my genes he will be a big wuss. I hope one day our family is fortunate enough to have a lake house or boat or pool. I'll happily take any of the three.

25 Weeks

Things are going great... feeling good, sleeping good, eating good, etc!

I'm getting anxious. I've started to feel and see my stomach move a lot more lately. I'm ready to start putting Jackson's room together and have things in order for him. 15 more weeks sounds like a long time but I swear it feels like it was just yesterday when I said we were at the half way point. I believe I wore the dress in the above picture for the last time today. It's one of my last remaining non-maternity pieces I can fit in. I guess that means it's time for more shopping :)

I have my next appointment on August 4th. I'll complete the dreaded glucose test. I pray daily that I pass it. I can't imagine how obnoxious I would be if my Dr. Pepper habit was completely taken away from me. We are leaving for the beach tomorrow so big momma will be soaking up some rays. I feel so weird being as pale as I am and heading to the beach. I'm usually a spray tanner but Brent and I decided that probably wasn't healthy for Jackson... I didn't research it but the fumes may be too hard for a pregnant woman to breath in. Who knows... didn't want to risk it.

Hope everyone has a great week. Don't worry... I've scheduled posts to keep you entertained while I'm away :)

2011 Highlands Serve Day

Brent and I spent last Saturday morning helping our church with the annual church-wide serve day. We met in the Woodlawn neighborhood at the Dream Center. It was amazing to see how many people turned out to help. We started by serving on the "trash pick-up" team. Brent and I walked the neighborhood picking up junk! Who knew how many coke cans and ketchup wrappers people throw on the ground. I was sad about the litter. I'm not usually an overly environmentally conscious person but it really made me think how we all need to be aware that the earth just won't go out and clean itself.

We then stumbled upon the crew that was cleaning up Cornerstone school. This put Brent in his niche. We grabbed a pair of weed cutters (who knows what those things are actually called... they cut some serious stuff though) and started attacking a wild brush tree that grew in the school yard fence. It took 2 hours, approximately 6 people and a few chainsaws but finally we were able to get most of the tree out. I'd never seen wood grow into chain until then. It was odd. We cut the roots so the tree will die and they will eventually be able to remove the pieces of wood that we were unable to move.

After that we all gathered back at the Dream Center before the prayer walk. It was amazing to see how many people walked the streets to pray for our city.

I can't wait to hear about all the other Serve Day projects that took place all over our state. It's amazing what a church body can do when working together. I love Church of the Highlands!

Mom's Tummy

Is Charlie's new favorite place to be....

I hope he loves Jackson as much as he loves me!

Baby Furniture

Our two pieces from the Baby's Dream line came in recently. Brent and I borrowed his dad's truck and picked the boxes up today. I'm so excited that they are now in our garage. We can't move them to the nursery until we clean out the current office furniture but I am excited just knowing they are in and under our roof. Our crib came in a few weeks back and we have it stored at Brent's parents until nursery arrangement day happens. The only piece of furniture we are still waiting on is the glider and ottoman. We ordered it today and Storkland said it should be in within 6-8 weeks. Yay! :)

Here are pictures of the furniture I pulled from the web. I can't wait until it's all in Jackson's room complete for a big nursery reveal.

changing table... this is the color we selected. It's called "Espresso"

(the picture shows the wrong color) but we have this chest in Espresso for all his clothes

Casablanca crib by Bratt Decor in Pewter 

Capri Glider (we ordered it in a tan color to match his bedding)

and the ottoman to match...

I think I'm going to be very happy with the way it all comes together. I still need to have the curtains made but I plan on doing that at Willow Tree Fabric in Decatur. The bedding is scheduled to ship the week of August 12th so I hope to purchase the crib mattress by then so I can start putting it all together. 

My grandfather plans on making me a bench for the nursery. I've got to get him specific measurements and then he should have it finished in no time. Here's a picture of what I'm shooting for. I'm going to do a mixture of the two pictures listed below:

I'm going to do one single bench (not a corner unit) but I want it to sit on the ground like the corner unit does. We will then have a cushion made out of matching fabric to complete the project. I'm going to put baskets in the two cubbies on the end and leave the middle two open for Jackson's books & toys. His room's not very big so I don't know how I will arrange it all. I'm hoping it magically fits better once it's up there than it does in my head :)

And as for artwork... I've asked my sister to replicate the following two prints on canvas for me. She's a great artist and I know how special it will be for Jackson that his aunt Emily made them rather than mom forking out serious $$

There is no true theme to the room. I'm going more for a color scheme than a theme. I need to find a mobile and I have no idea what I'm going to look for. His bedding is a mix of paisley's and stripes all in tans, baby blues & creams.

 I'd also like to find a shelf to paint to hang in his room to put special mementos on. Brent's mom has his Feltman Brother's coming home from the hospital outfit and I'd love to have it hanging on a cute hanger on one of the shelf knobs. 

And have I mentioned how expensive it is to have a baby? But it warms my heart knowing our little dude is worth every penny.

For Sale

Yes, our house is on the market. Are we crazy? Yes. We actually were listed on the MLS last Wednesday and have had two showings during our first week. I'm praying that we are able to move before September. That would be ideal. If not, I want to stay put until after Christmas. We are praying that whatever is meant to be will happen. We originally planned on moving prior to starting our family. However, life got in the way and we never really got around to listing our home before I got pregnant. I love our town home. I was very sad when I saw it on the internet for sale. I know that we need more room. We need space for my family from north Alabama to use when they stay and visit with us and baby Jackson. Baby Jackson needs a yard to play in and mom needs a spot in the garage for the mom-mobile. (fyi... mom-mobile still to be determined...another post for another day)

Looking at homes (on the internet only) is so frustrating. Brent and I have varying opinions about style and location. We don't plan on touring any homes until we feel like we may get an offer. We are priced to sale... and have a great realtor. I just hope this is as stress free a process as possible.

Doo Wop Show

Today I went to see a Doo Wop show with my grandmother. I had no idea what to expect but I really liked it. I was one of approximately 10 people under the age of 50 but had a great time. The singers were groups from the late 50's thru the 60's.

Here's a link to a playlist I created from some of the songs that were performed today.

Hope you all enjoy :)

Craft Day

Today has been productive on the decorative side of Jackson's nursery. I wanted to have some wooden letters made to spell out "Jackson" and hang above his crib. My sister-in-law did the math and showed me how much I would save if we did it ourselves... so that's just what we've started. So far we have painted our letters a shade of taupe that way if they hang from the wall any or the scrapbook paper doesn't cover them completely you won't be able to tell. The only thing left to paint is the back which I will tackle later on tonight when the front dries.

Next we will trace our letters onto the 2 cute patterns of scrapbook paper we found at Hobby Lobby. Both patterns match the general theme I'm using for the nursery. I'd call the theme baby colors but sophisticated patterns... Let's hope baby Jackson get a lot of toys to stimulate his mind because mommy's blah nursery colors won't do much for him :)

We plan on tracing and modge-podgeing the paper to the letters on Monday while the Thomas Family enjoys the 4th of July together.

The last step will be adding burlap ribbon to the letters and figuring out how to tie a cute burlap bow on top of the letter to cover whatever contraption we use to hang them on the wall. I plan on hanging the letters over the crib.

The wooden letters, scrapbook paper and modge podge cost me approximately $20.00. Hopefully we can complete the entire project for under $30. This will definitely save me some cash and add a touch of homemade love to Jackson's nursery.

I also picked up two 16x20 canvases so my sister can get started on the two wall art pieces. She is painting me a lion & monkey (both in a safari/cartoonish pattern/style). I'm so excited that she is doing this for us. She's actually doing the artwork and I'm painting the canvas... hopefully we will make a good team and it will look nice.

My grandfather will be building Jackson a storage bench. The bench will have 4 cubbies on the bottom. I found two baskets today to use for my measurements and also some fabric to create basket-liners with. Oh the tasks we have to complete in the next 4 months.... but it will be worth it. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Yard Sale Update

The yard sale last weekend in Hartselle went great! We made over $1000 :) I was (and still am) ecstatic. I gave my sister a bit of the share and put the rest in savings. I plan on using it towards daycare expenses when I return to work next year (post maternity leave). It will really come in handy since I'll be going around 3 months without any income on my end. It took me a few days to physically recover from how tired I got after going non-stop for two days. Thanks again to all the family who helped me out. Even though yard sales are a tremendous amount of work I still love having them. Something about the bargaining and how clean the house feels after the sale gives me enough energy and will to want to have one every few years.