My New Job

Today was my last day of work. In name only, since I haven't actually worked since February. But today I went and turned in my computer, gave my badge back and walked out the door for the last time.

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be able to stay home with Jules, but it was still really hard. For the last eleven years (oh man I'm getting old) I have supported myself, and being independent was (and still is) a big part of my identity. Depending on Steve financially is going to take some getting used to! Luckily Steve is dependable or it would be even harder!!

Even though the motherhood chapter of my life started eleven months ago when I found out I was pregnant, I feel like today is the real close of my old life and the start of my new one. I'm excited, scared, and a little sad all at the same time!

Luckily my new job comes with lots of perks:
-a really cute boss with super kissable cheeks
- no dress code
- nap time
- opportunities and the time to serve others
- payment in smiles and baby cuddles

Two Months!

Two months old!! I can't believe it! Actually, she's two months and one week old... But this picture was taken on her two month birthday! I swear she's grown even in the last week.

Jules is getting to be more fun every day.  She has started to smile, which is SO much fun. She is especially smiley in the mornings. She even tries to smile while she's eating which is hilarious and messy at the same time... She is still a great sleeper, and has started sleeping 5 hours at a time at night. A few nights she has even slept 7 hours, but I couldn't enjoy it since I was up making sure she was still breathing... (will the paranoid mommy phase ever end?) She also has started cooing, and can lift her head for a while before she lets it drop again.

She has decided that she doesn't like to be held very much, and is the happiest when she is laying down on her own and able to kick her feet. Maybe she'll be a soccer player? She loves her little baby gym, and is just starting to figure out that when she hits or kicks one of the toys it makes a noise. I know I should be happy that I am able to get more done since I don't have to hold her all day, but I miss all the baby snuggles!

Happy two months baby girl!

One Month

I know it's totally cliche, but it's so true... Babies grow so fast!! I can't believe Juliana is already a month old!! We haven't messed anything up too badly, so I guess we're doing good so far.

Jules is such a good baby, she sleeps in four hour stretches at night (which her mama really appreciates!) and is a champion nurser. She hates taking naps and changing clothes. She loves her daddy, and will stare at him for hours when he is around! She also loves riding in the car and the stroller.

Some days I just sit and stare at her precious face for hours!!

My Week in Pictures

The Perks

Well, I'm still pregnant... After bring told by my doctor and lots of others that I probably wouldn't make it to my due date, I was mentally preparing myself for Baby sometime last week. No such luck. I am now so huge that strangers stare at me on the street. And last night I almost knocked over an old man and a few small children with my belly. I really have no control over it...

But there are several perks of being pregnant that I'm determined to still enjoy while I can.

- Eating huge amounts of food because the 'baby' wants it.
- Cutting in line because people feel sorry for you.
- Everyone being super nice to you and always asking how you're feeling.
- Getting out of anything you don't want to do.
- Nice thick hair.
- Midnight snacks.
- A huge belly being cute instead of embarrassing.

I only have a little while longer to enjoy this. My blood pressure has been borderline high, so I'm posting an eviction notice on Sunday. Baby will have 48 hours to vacate the premises or she will be forcefully removed on Tuesday. We can do this the easy way or the hard way!

Staying Home - Days 1-3

Thursday was my last day of work. Possibly forever? But probably just for three months. We'll see.

It sounds like a dream life, being able to take naps whenever while still getting paid. And it is awesome, but its only been three days and I'm already bored!! There's only so much Parks and Recreation a girl can watch before her brain turns to mush.

I try to do little projects during the day, but I get tired in about ten minutes, and my doctor has advised me to stay off my feet as much as possible. So I mostly just sit around. It's times like this I wish I could knit or something! If anyone has ideas for sit down projects, I'm all ears!

As much as I hate being bored, I'm pretty happy I feel this way. I've been nervous that when I started staying home I would end up doing nothing with my life and just watching tv all day while my dishes pile up and Baby runs wild. Now I know that I don't like doing that! So that's one less thing to worry about.

In Baby news - well, she's not here... I keep telling her we have everything all ready for her, but she doesn't listen. I guess she's stubborn. She must get that from Steve because there's no way it's from me, right?? At my doctor appointment last week my blood pressure was a little high, so they had me come in again today to get it checked. It was still high, so I go back on Thursday. If it hasn't come down by then they will induce on Friday. I'm really hoping she decides to come before then, but we'll see!

Nursery Tour

The baby clothes are washed. The car seat is installed. The nursery is put together. Now all we need is a baby!

I'm trying to keep myself busy, so I don't think about the fact that I get huger every second. Even Steve's shirts are getting too small for me, and I refuse to buy new clothes to wear for the next three weeks. It's hard to stay busy when standing for more than 10 minutes makes my feet swell until they look like bricks with toenails on them. My ankles have gone from cankles to just a crease that separates my feet from my legs. Oh pregnancy. It's so glamourous...

But anyway, here are some pictures of the nursery! I'm very happy with how it turned out. I still have a couple of projects, but overall its there!

First, I'll start with my favorite, and easiest, project. I cut out a bunch of hearts from scrapbook paper, and sewed them together. Then I hung them on sticks that I found in the backyard (love free craft supplies!). The whole project took about an hour and cost $11! Thank you Pinterest! I was worried that the hearts would turn over to the white side every time I opened or closed the door, but they seem to be staying put for now!

The hearts are hung over the crib. I love the contrast of the blue sheets with the coral crib skirt. You may notice the wad of fabric over on the left side. I still need to sew the sides of the crib skirt. I'll get to it. Or not. I'm not too concerned with it at this point! The blanket was made by Steve's mom, and I love how the blue and pinks stand out!

I made a pillow to go on the glider. I love how it turned out! I seriously can't believe that I made it! Next to the glider is a nightstand that my brother made in shop class a million years ago (thanks Adam, I'm still using it!). The basket has burp cloths and receiving blankets. I know the wall looks a little sad right now, but don't worry! I have a plan! I'm going to put pictures of Baby under the frame (Steve's sister found it at Hobby Lobby, doesn't it look like it was made for the room??), and the frame is going to have a maternity shot in it when I get them back.

The changing table (that Steve refinished in white) is going to have Baby's name over it in mod podged letters (that match the hanging hearts). Once she has a name! Maybe by her 18th birthday?? I was planning on putting baskets with stuff on the bottom shelf, but it's a lot shorter than it looks and none of my existing baskets fit. I might buy new baskets, or I might just put stuff down there without them. We'll see!

The dresser (which Steve all refinished) is stuffed full of baby clothes. And that's just the 0-6 month clothes! I haven't bought a single piece of baby clothing yet! We know some very generous people. Also, notice the two amazing diaper cakes! I'm almost sad to have to take them apart. But I'll get over it as soon as it's 3 AM and I'm out of diapers!

The curtains. Oh the curtains. I absolutley love the fabric I picked out (I couldn't get a good shot of how awesome it is), but it was SO hard to work with... I lined with the blackout fabric to make the room dark (the sun really beats down on this room in the middle of the day). It was totally out of my skill level. They look ok. As long as you don't get too close...

Oh, and the ironing board? That's for when Baby gets wrinkled. Just kidding. Don't call CPS! That's for ironing the seams of the still unfinished crib skirt. I'll get to it! Maybe...