Nursery Reveal

The day has come...the long awaited nursery reveal! This will be a photo entry for the most part, but I will add captions to explain everything as we go along.

The crib with our quilt from my friend Chantal...she's a brilliant quilt artist and I have loved this

quilt since the day I saw it

Close up of the quilt, and Bug's new best friends - Hurley the Elephant from FAO Schwartz and his Bug Bear from Nana and Grandpa Szem.

Fully stocked, and neatly organized (for now) closet

A few more friends that we'll likely see around the house...in the car...being taken on trips...everywhere

Grandma Dale's rocking chair, complete with friends Griddles the Bear and Belvedere the Dog...perfect snuggly blanket from Auntie Debbie, and curtains made out of twin flat sheets and some turquoise ribbon!

Yankee Stadium...baseballs and baseball bats...Doubleday Field

Top of the dresser

Picture of Poppa tied to his pipe band drum sticks...Bug's first CAT Loader (just like his Poppa used to drive at work)


All of the books we've read so far...and a piece of turf from the Skydome fro Uncle B (it's really C's...but it is a really nice touch to the nursery!)


The almost finished dresser. The door is just being stained right now and the shelves will house bath supplies, receiving blankets, baby wipes and creams etc. Would you believe this dresser used to be a honey blonde colour!?


Bug's CD player, with Rockabye Baby CD's, on an antique stool from Nana and Grandad Szem

We love how everything turned out and can't wait for the finishing touches...like his name over the crib, mobile and maybe an area rug to give some warmth to the room.

Shower Outfit #1

So here's my dilemma...I have the outfit in my head and on the hanger, but not the accessories or the shoes.

I'm off to see my magical hair stylist this afternoon, and I'll get her to do my hair straight...so I'm thinking more edgy and funky to play up my artsy attitude than have the look be all soft and girly. That'll be reserved for our maternity pictures next week, and probably the showers in May when the weather is warmer!

Here's the outfit...



Distressed maternity jeans, bright pink/coral shirred side tank, black corduroy jacket

Now...onto accessory and shoe options!

Option #1...



Blue/pink/purple printed t-strap wedge heels, handmade black beaded multistrand necklace, Foxy Originals earrings, black leather scripted bracelet

Option #2....

Purple satin peep-toe flats, hand painted silk necklace, Tiffany & Co. bracelet, funky silver earrings


Option #3



Turquoise peep-toe flats, mother of pearl necklace, wooden handmade bracelet fro Cuba, silver hoops

And you can see why I need some assistance...Maggie tried...but got easily distracted!



So what would you do? Option 1, 2 or 3? Or...mis it up all together? Feedback is very much welcome!

Card Making, Round 1

Point to me!

Before I get too far into this post, I'll forewarn you all that there will be a few posts today. The first about cards, and the second about my outfit for the shower tomorrow. I have sort of an idea of what I want to wear, but I'm definitely struggling with accessories and shoes...so need some help in deciding the look

Now...onto the cards!

First and foremost, I have to thank Cousin S for lending me her stamps...they certainly came in handy for my first set of baby shower thank-you cards.

I decided to split them up into three batches. Each batch will have a vertical and horizontal design, but the concept behind them all will stay consistent. (Who knew that making cards was such a science! lol)

All of my supplies...and yes the Hershey Kisses are essential to card making...

Stamping is done! Oh gosh...am I really doing this!?

And here we have it! The finished set of cards for Baby Shower #1!

Oh, My Belly!

First and foremost, I'm sure that the weather isn't helping matters at all. It's been raining here for the past two and a half days....straight...and there's no end in sight. The Weather Network actually has flurries forecasted for overnight tonight and tomorrow. WHAT?! It's April!

When I say that I don't think the weather has been helping, I mean that I don't think it's been helping my body feel great. I went for a massage yesterday (thank God for my bff!! She has magical hands I swear!) and I felt awesome afterward. My hands didn't fall asleep last night, my shoulders felt super relaxed and my back felt alot of relief. Before I got there though, I noticed that my belly felt...weird.

Weird as in heavy. I felt like I had to hold it up for some reason? Everytime I would walk around the house, it was either a sudden urge to run to the bathroom or I would instantly get tired. Another growth spurt for Bug, perhaps? I hope so, and I certainly hope that it passes. His movements are also getting really strong, so everytime he rolls over or squirms, I feel it all over my belly and all through my back.

Deep down, I know that this likely isn't going to change, and it's likely just going to get more uncomfortable from here on in. Hopefully, I get used to it and find a way to cope! By the time I got home from my massage yesterday, all I wanted to do was veg out and relax. No yoga for me yesterday and it was definitely early to bed.

Today, I'm hoping it's a different story and will be doing my yoga shortly. Afterwards, I usually feel fantastic so I'm hoping that it helps my body get a little more energy and feel a little more normal than it has felt last night and this morning.

Energy would be a good thing today...I have thank-you cards and chocolates to make!

EDIT: I'm feeling SO much better after yoga! The whole routine is focused on creating more space in your toros...something that I can certainly use with my petite frame!

The Eyes Have It

The other day, a lovely soon-to-be-mommy from The Bump posted a website that can help you figure out what the odds of your baby having blue, green or brown eyes will be.

http://museum.thetech.org/ugenetics/eyeCalc/eyecalculator.html

It was really interesting to take, and the results were pretty much what I was expecting.

10.0% chance of blue eyes - fairly rare, however C's mom has baby blues, as does his brother and my brother

23.3% chance of green eyes - again, pretty rare, but we would absolutely be thrilled if Bug has green eyes...like his Daddy!

66.6% chance of big brown eyes - he's going to be a Momma's boy for sure!

Those eyes that we will very soon be falling in love with have their pigment now, and by the end of the week he should have a full(ish) head of hair. My fingers are still crossed for blonde curls, but we shall see! He's still trying to pack on the pounds, and will gain about a third of his body weight between now and when he's born. For every 1lb I gain, half goes to e and half to Bug. I can live with that considering I've only gained a total of 6 lbs! He's certainly taking up alot of space right now, and we can see him squirming and rolling over all of the time.

It's crazy to think that we're only 5 weeks away fro being considered full term. 5 Weeks...5. This could happen at any moment! I'm starting to feel really tired from the simplest of tasks (I actually had to take a couple of bench-breaks yesterday while shopping!) and I'm getting a little anxious about becoming a mom. Not about the practical, everyday duties like diapering and feeding or the emotional side of it, but more the "how many layers do I dress him in today?" and "is it better to do this or to do that?" I know that it will come with experience, but there's a tiny bit of anxiousness in my tummy when I think about the little things.


And here's your "Bare Belly Ahead!" warning!

31wk1d...off to do yoga and then get a prenatal massage



From the front...I think my belly button might pop out soon!

Happy 31 Weeks!

What a way to celebrate completing Week 31...Maternity Leave! While I realize that it's only been one day so far, I thought that I would get restless right away and be bored out of my skull. Happily, I'm not bored yet and have lots of things to get accomplished this week before my first baby shower on Saturday!

First, I have hostess gifts for the wonderful ladies who are hosting showers for me that I need to figure out. I have everything done for the one hostess - the mother of a 3 year old bouncing boy who definitely deserves some pampering (Bath and Body Works, anyone??). The hostess for this weekend's shower I have one thing left to get to complete her gift, and I'm really excited to give it to her because I think that she will really love it.

The other two hostesses are proving to be much more difficult to buy for, but I'm determined to find them the perfect gift today in my adventures! One just renovated a really beautiful home, complete with a rooftop patio that I'm sure they will get loads of enjoyment out of this summer. Perhaps something funky for up there is in order, which means a trip to Homesense! The other hostess is an avid gardener, and I remember C's mom saying that she loves peonies...so perhaps something like a beautiful hydrangea or azalea, or maybe an orchid for indoors?

Today is a perfect shopping day as the weather leaves something to be desired! Having worked in a mall setting while in University, rainy days were always the best because no one wanted to venture out of their homes for some reason. You'd think that it's be perfect for shopping because...well...what else are you going to do when the weather is not-so-nice?

I also have to make the thank-you cards this week and make the seashell chocolate favours for the bridal shower that I'm throwing later in the month for my friend. Another great rainy day activity, if you ask me! I started the chocolates last night, but only have the one mold so it's going to take me a little bit of time to get them all finished. Twenty-five guests, three chocolates each and the mold only has 11 cavities!

And then there are the pampering appointments that I have for myself this week! Tomorrow, I' going for a prenatal massage and I couldn't be more excited for it. Thankfully, my best friend (who is also Bug's Godmomma) is an RMT, and I'll be going to her clinic for my massage. Then, we're doing lunch afterward!

Friday, I get to go and see the wonderful, magical and incredibly talented April - my hairstylist! I always love going to her and letting her play with colour and texture. I probably won't stray too far from my regular dark-dark brown with red peak-a-boo's, but I've been finding that the red fades rather quickly these days, so perhaps something with a darker undertone is in order. Either way, I know that she'll do a fabulous job and that y hair will look perfect for the shower on Saturday!

I Have an Awesome Cousin!

Yesterday was quite possibly one of the best days yet, and to top it all off, we got to spend it with family for brunch of Easter Sunday.

I have to brag for a minute. Some of you may have seen comments from someone named "The Kerr Family"...well...that's my cousin, S, and I must say...she is absolutely awesome. Her mom was coming into town (well...my mom's town) to visit Nana Wilson and brought with her a huge bag of 0-12month old baby boy clothes that my cousin was going to donate away.

It was like Christmas at the Szem household last evening when I laid everything out of the couch and held up some of the cutest sweaters and sleepers I've seen in a long time! C was giving me the blank stares, nods and "yes dear...that's lovely", and I think I may have heard him giggle once or twice when I would squeal in delight over sneakers and overalls.



All of our picks, piled up by size. 12 month (including his first swim trunks! Woohoo!), 6-12 month, 3-6 month and 0-3month/newborn.



LOVE the blue First Steps to the right, and the black high tops!



My favourites of the bunch...the overalls are just awesome, the snowman sweater is going to be perfect for this Christmas (wow...this Christmas...not next Christmas!), the Old Navy onesie/jumpsuit will be great for the fall, and the MOO shirt...well how can you NOT love that?!



Did I mention that I'm in love with these clothes? How cute is the onesie with the ducks that say QUACK! on it!?

Today, I'd like to send a very, very big thank you to my cousin S for sending us really great hand-me-down's that are not only super cute, but are also in really great condition! It definitely helps to have things like this to save money for other things like our stroller and car seat, high chair and pack-n-play....you know...the gear.

THANK YOU, Cousin S! You're awesome!