Crib Find: Score!

Found a crib idea for Baby M. Best of all, it is cardboard: score! Might also serve as entertainment for Toddler M so he can push around his baby brother.

Hipster Crib Is a Cardboard Box

Belly Buttons and Puppies

Good Monday morning to all! I am feeling a bit sore from yesterday's projects, even after about 9.5 hours sleep. Let's hope the day sets a good tone for the week

Caught M playing with his belly button this morning (too cute). I did the same thing as a kid.

M playing with his belly button

Snuck in some photos of the dogs:

Riley	Lucky

Lucky & Riley

Sunday Gardening Project(s)

Finally got the bed mulched. I weeded and redefined the rock border a few weeks ago. D pulled some large rocks from the creek to better set the tree edge and minimize erosion.

Thanks, Lucky, for posing so tactfully for each of the above photos. ;-)

FINALLY planted the purple-leafed birch, hemlock, and weeping willow (compliments of Pine View Nursery) mimosa (compliments of Natalie), and red bud ("weed" in the flower bed compliments of our neighbor Nancy). I also relocated some sedum. Let's hope that they all survive after 1+ months of watering in pots--fingers crossed! You may have to look closely to see these little trees, especially the willow near the creek:

Purple-leafed birch, hemlock, mimosa, redbud, and sedum

Weeping willow tree

After 4+ hours of work in the sun, I was officially tired. Thankfully D watched M and did some laundry while I gardened. He was nice enough to leave the vacuuming to me. :-D I also formally hung the curtain and valance in M's room. What a busy weekend! Think I'll get to bed early tonight and start my week off right.

Saturday Afternoon Capstone Craft Project

I was all set on productively updating my Capstone results, until Microsoft Word locked up on me. Argh...I then chose to peak my creative interests with an art project for the nursery.

I have been collecting arts and crafts for my nursery project (thanks Auntie Mary for shopping with me a few weeks back). After several Google Image searches, I was finally inspired. Here is the end result:

Wood painted felt shapes on scrapbook paper with ribbon trim set on 8"x10" canvases

More canvas art to follow--maybe even a few for toddler M's room. I'd like to wait until we have the nursery bedding to ensure the patterns match.

To Market, To Market...

To market, to market to buy a fat [pig];
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig...
...Does anyone else know this nursery rhyme?

We visited the Farmer's Market this morning. Got lots of fresh goodies: apples, peaches, blueberries, sweet rolls, local coffee, grouper filets, corn, fresh pasta, and even sampled some wood-fired pizza. M already tried an apple and ate everything but the core! We even ran into a few friends this morning.

M walking with Daddy to the market

M enjoying an apple

M ready for a nap

Swollen and Achy: Whoa Is Me

On Monday I awoke to a very numb right hand. I haven't been wearing my wrist brace at night, so I chose to wear it to work. The brace provided some support and stability. More than anything, I was just uncomfortable.

Tuesday morning I rose and was greeted with a neck/shoulder/back combo muscle spasm. The pain shot all the way from my head down the back of my legs. I could not seem to stretch enough or get any relief.

Wednesday evening I opted for a chair massage at the local mall. Twenty-two minutes for $20--not bad on a tight budget. The guy pounded my back and shoulders so hard that I almost cried a few times. I left the massage feeling exhausted, sore, and a bit bewildered. The pain and soreness continued the next day, even after flushing out the toxins by drinking extra water. Then on Thursday the pain subsided a bit.

D, M, and I took an evening stroll on Thursday. It felt so good that I wish we could squeeze a walk in every night. Nothing like a little positive reinforcement to set me straight!

The Search for Affordable, Comfortable Maternity Panties

The search is on for comfortable maternity underwear. This has been sparked by the fact that the bikini cut feels like is is cutting off circulation in my lower nether region. Are these things really supposed to be comfy?!? As much as I have resisted, I may have to resort to the briefs or the boy-leg briefs--gasp!

Sadly, Walmart no longer carries maternity clothing. One of the local stores renovated the entire store, and in doing so, completely eliminated the maternity line. This was my go to place for affordable preggo undies with #1. :-( I needed to replace all of about 90% of the Walmart undies, as they were inexpensive and not built to last. Alas, the search continues...

After a week of 90+F weather, my comfort level had reached it's threshold. First, I tried Ladybug Landing (an upscale consignment maternity boutique). I could not justify spending $24 on two pair of undies. I then went to Old Navy--whose maternity line has continued to dwindle--and they no longer carry maternity undies. WTF people?!? Lastly, I tried Gordman's. To my surprise they had an entire rack of maternity undergarments, even bras that crossed in the back (great for tank tops)! Ahhh, relief and comfort at last!

Although my venture ended on a good note, I am a bit sad and disappointed in the dwindling amount of maternity products that are being carried in stores. Some stores offer online products, but make returns virtually impossible. I don't get it. There will always be a need for maternity attire. I don't expect to see the birth rate drop drastically anytime soon. So why don't companies meet the demand? Supply and demand...wasn't consumerism/capitalism built on it--along with a few other key consumer points? Okay, off the soapbox for now. That's my blurb for the day.

...22/23 weeks and counting.