nesting: take one

Wow, what is happening with my face here? 

Here is my 31.5 week belly picture. In comparing this photo to my 27.5 week photo, I don't see much of a difference. But, I definitely feel a difference. It's been harder to sit up or bend over or stand up after squatting down. I'd been getting away with just using an elastic belly band to convert regular pants into "maternity" pants - but lately it's just not very comfortable! This morning I went through a bin of maternity clothes a gal at church loaned me and found some work maternity pants to wear. Much more comfortable! 

In case I forgot to mention it, at the last doctor's appointment, my doctor confirmed that I did NOT have gestational diabetes. I was very glad! Who wants diabetes for Christmas? Not this girl. 

My mom, sister and brother came up for the weekend. 

Eric was in full force performing husband, son-in-law and brother-in-law duties. But he was a trooper and big help! 

Mom and I worked on a few different projects - she's such a helpful gal. 

One was a felt mitten "garland" to put on the tree at Christmas. Riley helped with that project, too. 

I worked on some handmade little gifts for some friends. 

We also sewed a bath towel for the baby and got the nursery all arranged! We've still got some putting away of things to do and some finishing touches (like, say, a crib mattress). But, the furniture is all arranged and most of the wall decor up! 

Probably my favorite set up in the room, currently. Old milk crate as a book shelf!

Not pictured*The changing table. Currently piled high with things that need to be put away.

When things are more polished I'll post some updated photos! Preferably in the daytime so that the lighting is a bit better. It's really pretty airy, yet cozy in there. Eric's new favorite thing to do is just go sit in the "baby room."

Stay tuned.

Robbing the Cradle

Okay, so Eric may be 7 months younger than me, but that's not what I was referring to in this post title.... 

Back when I was all of six or so weeks pregnant my mom, Stephanie and I went to a bunch of yard sales in the Athena, Oregon region .... it was there I found two great treasures .... a Beatles "Let it Be" album on vinyl in awesome condition and this old thing:

If you can't tell, it's a wooden cradle. Well part of it. I had already unhitched it when I thought of taking a "before" photo. I made out like a bandit from that yard sale. This rickety, dirty, old cradle cost me $3, the Beatles album $2. That also happened to be the weekend that my constant nausea set in.

Anyway, we finally started rehabbing the cradle this week (thanks in part to Mom's 13th lecture about getting projects done before I'm too pregnant to want to).

First, I took it apart because it was in need of cleaning in every crevice. It was like it's been sitting outside for the last 25 years (probably). And all the bolts needed tightening anyway. 

Then the priming began. It was a much messier ordeal than I'd ever imagined in my life.  

While priming had tired me out, it had sparked Mr. Lougee. So, I started putting the cradle back together, and just as soon as he could, he started painting it. 

He was working so fast his arm is blurry. 

Thanks to his persistence and diligence and patience with my fit throwing when I was tired of trying to put big bolts in too small of holes (I cannot deny or confirm that I threw down the cradle base in a tantrum and stormed out of the room like my former 3 year-old self), we finished the cradle this evening! 

Yes, those are ducks in the cradle. And a cute bear Mom found in my things and washed for me to give to baby.
And yes, Eric put the bear in one of our favorite baby outfits so far. 

 We still have to get a mattress pad (found online for $19), so between that, the cradle and the cost of supplies (new bolts, primer) - this will cost us under $40 - a good deal, we think. 

In other news, I can 99.2% affirm that I've finally recognized the baby moving around in there. It helped that he/she was very active today, unlike his/her mother. Eric was lucky I found the will power to go grocery shopping. I spent most of the day reading my book - feet up - which I think contributed to the ability to feel this munchkin moving. The movement was especially tangible after eating. And I loved every little motion. And now that I know for sure what it feels like, I can affirm that I've felt movement previously, though not as much and not as tangible.... Anyway, blah blah blah.