Motivational Posters

My sweet cousin, Abby, shared three bible verses with me to help me get through labor and delivery!  All three verses were so powerful that I decided I needed to bring them with me to the hospital.  I typed them up, added a cute border, and printed them on bright card stock.  I'm going to hang them in the L&D room where I can see them and be reminded of the Lord's love!

I've added them to my blog for all my friends who are pregnant and may need the same motivational words in their L&D room!  

Motivational Posters

38 WEEKS!

No belly pic this week.  That would involve getting off the couch...haha.  This is how we spend our evenings waiting for Reed (snuggling on the couch with Boise, watching The Tudors!)  This is my last weekly update before Baby Reed makes his grand entrance!  Yippee!

How far along?  38 Weeks (+1 Day)

Maternity Clothes: Anything that fits... Ready to wear "normal" clothes again!

Stretch Marks:  I've invested in Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy.  I've heard it works miracles.

Sleep:  Decent... except for the 39 trips to the bathroom each night...

Best moment this week:  Meeting my friend Kandra's newborn baby, Kade, on Friday!  It was so incredibly special to visit her in the hospital and see her little guy 12 hours after he was born!  It also helped me visualize the experience I'll be having in a few days.  I'm planning to spend some time on Thursday with Kandra & Kade.  {Practice before I get one of my own!} 

Missing anything?  Drinking a 2nd cup of coffee in the mornings...

Movement:  Tons of action!  My belly gets very tight in the evenings, and Reed is adjusting a lot.  He's definitely "dropped," and I think the tightening may be practice contractions!?!?  

Food Cravings:    PINEAPPLE JUICE.  It's SO good.  Apparently, it's supposed to help induce labor, but I've been drinking 12 ounces or more per day, and it hasn't worked yet.  {Must be an old wives' tale}

Sickness/Symptoms:  Just feeling tired and heavy!  

Labor Signs: I'm still only 1cm dilated, so not really...Possibly having practice contractions in the evenings but nothing serious...

Belly Button:  This bad boy has been OUT since the end of the first trimester.  How long will it take to get back "innie"?  

Wedding Rings On/Off:  I wonder if I can wear my wedding band during L&D...Anybody know?

Moods:  Excited, prepared, eager

Looking forward to:  Hair appointment and mani/pedi!  Gotta look good when I meet my baby!!

Here is our "plan" for Labor & Delivery.  I realize it may not go exactly according to schedule, but I'm 100% Type A, so let's hope it does!  

Saturday, April 20th:

12:00pm- The Pledgers arrive in Dallas

6:30pm- The Campbells arrive in Dallas

7:00pm- Dinner at Twisted Root

Sunday, April 21st:

7:00am- Wake up and think about having the baby all day long

7:00pm- Shower and get ready to go to the hospital

9:00pm- Arrive at Medical Center Plano and begin INDUCTION with a little cytotec

Monday, April 22nd:

5:00am- Start pitocin

12:00pm or so- BABY REED IS BORN!

We'll see how it all goes, but this is the "plan" we have in place!  We'd love to have visitors on Tuesday the 23rd!  Just call or text J.J., and he will let you know where we are.  The hospital won't allow children or babies to visit, and there are quiet hours (no visitors) between like 1-4:00....Otherwise, please come see us!  Bring champagne!! :)  

 Diaper bag is packed and ready!

Hope I remembered everything...

Reed's "going home" outfit!  Thanks, Kristin!  We love it!

Mimi bought this "snazzy" outfit for Baby Reed!  It's so tiny and precious!  

Get it on Etsy!

Reed's closet...I'm ready to "play dress up"...

I consider myself somewhat of an expert on children's books, and I JUST discovered this little gem by Jon Klassen called "This Is Not My Hat."  If you have a little one or a classroom, you must buy it!  I promise you will LOVE it!

That's all for now!!  The next time I post, I'll have a baby!!!!  Eek!!  Prayers and positive thoughts for an "easy" labor and delivery would be greatly appreciated!

xoxox,

Liz

Nurse Goody Bags!

I was inspired to make goody bags for the labor & delivery nurses after I saw the idea on Pinterest!  I'm officially stir crazy waiting for Baby Reed, so I thought it would be a fun project to do.  I made six goody bags, which should cover three days at the hospital (day & night nurse).  Hope I made enough!

In each goody bag, I included pretzels, Hershey's chocolate bar, gum, Lip Smackers chapstick, and hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works.  I hope the nurses like them!  =)

To add a touch of "blue" for baby boy, I printed the thank yous on scrapbook paper.  You can download the little thank you printables I made below:

Thank You Buttons

Week 37= FULL TERM

 Baby things make me so happy!  Reed has so many adorable outfits, blankets, and accessories!  He is a lucky baby!  =)

How far along?  37 Weeks.  I'm relieved to say that Reed is "full term."  He is approximately 6 pounds and 11 ounces, so if he came today, he'd be an average, healthy baby!!

Maternity Clothes: Tank tops, leggings, and sweats...That's my daily uniform. 

Stretch Marks:  Badges of honor.  =)

Sleep:  Not as good lately...My body is preparing for the 2am feedings I guess!  Hence, why I'm awake at 4:30am writing this blog post!  

Best moment this week:  "JJ Day" on Sunday...My Mom suggested having a day completely devoted to JJ.  Often, the husband is forgotten in pregnancy and once the baby is born, so I decided he needed his own special day.  JJ got to pick everything we did for the day, and I attempted not to complain about being pregnant the whole day.  (I think I did pretty good!!)  We went to a hot dog place for lunch, followed by a day at the movies.  In the afternoon, we watched golf and baseball on TV, then went for a stroll through the neighborhood.  For dinner, we had take out from Thai Thai.  "JJ Day" was a success!  :)  I'm so grateful to JJ for being so supportive, patient, and loving throughout my pregnancy.  I know it hasn't always been easy on him, but he's been my rock!!!

Missing anything?  Having energy and feeling like myself.  

Movement:  There is lots going on in there...Baby Reed is wiggling and stretching all the time.  Hiccups 3-5+ times per day.  =)

Food Cravings:    PINEAPPLE JUICE.  Yummmmm.....

Sickness/Symptoms:  Heartburn again.  Achy and tired legs/hips.  

Labor Signs: I thought for sure the baby was coming on Saturday.  Boise was acting so crazy all day!  She was purring, meowing, and strutting around.  Then she was all over me!  She has been sweet and loving throughout the pregnancy, but on this particular day she was OBSESSED with me.  I feel like she will "know" when I'm about to have the baby!  Then on Sunday, Reed was incredibly active.  I couldn't really get comfortable all day because there was so much going on in there.  Obviously, I didn't go into labor either day though because here I am writing this post.  =)  I just need to be patient!!

Belly Button:  Giant.  

Wedding Rings On/Off:  Off until Reed is born!

Moods:  Antsy, anxious, and grumpy.  Not a good week!  LOL.  

Looking forward to:  STILL looking forward to the windows being replaced...They are "scheduled" to be here on Wednesday, so they should be installed by the end of the week.  Not holding my breath....

One of the Twisted Root franchisees gave us this adorable bib!!  So stinkin' cute!

 Found this on Etsy!  Can't wait to dress my little man up!

 Matching tie and socks for newborn pics!  Eek!

Week 36 Update!

Picture from my Shugart baby shower at Primo's!  

How far along?  36 Weeks

Weight Gain: I'm over keeping track!  

Maternity Clothes: Thank God for Lululemon.  

Stretch Marks:  I'm over that too. 

Sleep:  Depends on the night...Overall, I've been sleeping well though.  =)

Best moment this week:  Celebrating Baby Reed with my friends from Shugart and GISD.  Seeing all of my friends at Primo's was a good reminder of my many blessings.  How did I get so lucky to have such kind and thoughtful friends!?!

Missing anything?  Seeing my feet and being able to tie my shoes.  

Movement:  Movement all the time!  Every time he moves or kicks, I think he's knocking and asking if he can come out yet...Is that weird?

Food Cravings:    I'm still dying for a Pazookie from BJ's.  Cool Ranch Doritos also rock!

Sickness/Symptoms:  Achy legs and hips!  Also, "chubby bunny" face...

Labor Signs: Well I was planting some flowers and doing some gardening today, and I thought for sure that it would induce labor.  It didn't.  Dang.  

Belly Button:  BIG.

Wedding Rings On/Off:  I took them off today.  I was worried about them getting stuck.

Moods:  READY, thankful, and excited!

Looking forward to:  The windows being replaced.  Should happen sometime this week...In fact, it MUST happen sometime this week!!! 

 Look at this sweet kitty!  

She lays in the nursery all day!  She's patiently waiting for her brother's arrival!

21 days left!!!

35 Weeks!

Reed waving HELLO! 

How far along?  35 Weeks (+1 day)

Weight Gain: +3 in the last 8 days.  I mean, really!?!?!  How is that even possible!?!?  LOL.  

Maternity Clothes: Squeezing into my maternity jeans and rotating a few maternity shirts.  I've outgrown maternity clothes that I bought in the fall.  Oh well.  

Stretch Marks:  Not happy...  

Sleep:  I've been sleeping GREAT!  In fact, this morning JJ went running at 5am, and I never even heard him leave!  I've been getting about 7-8 of sleep per night.  (Still taking 3-5 bathroom breaks per night though!)  

Best moment this week:  My ice cream and foot massage date with Amanda!  An hour foot massage at YaYa Foot Spa is bliss for a pregnant lady!  The other highlight of the week was our sonogram today.  We had not "seen" Baby Reed since our 20-week sonogram so it was very special.  He's packed in there pretty tightly so it was hard to get a really good picture of him.  We did find out that he's weighing 5 pounds 11 ounces and measuring 18.5 inches at this point.  He's measuring right at track, and the doctor predicts he will be about 7 pounds 11 ounces at birth!  Perfect!  =) 

Missing anything?  Prosecco.  27 days until I have a nice, big glass in the hospital...

Movement:  Reed is getting hiccups 2-3 per day.  He actually had hiccups during the entire sonogram!  It was so cool to feel him hiccup and actually see it on the sonogram screen.  The sonogram tech told us that hiccups are actually a really good thing because it's a form of breathing, and it helps build and strengthen his lungs!  She said babies HATE hiccups though!  So funny!  :)   

Food Cravings:    I read online that Kim Kardashian has been craving Pizookies from BJ's restaurant during her pregnancy.  Ever since I read that, I've been craving Pizookies from BJ's as well.  Also, yellow Gatorade is a  must.  I could drink about a gallon of that per day!  {Reed must be an athlete?!?!?}

Sickness/Symptoms:  Heartburn and some other non-ladylike symptoms!  

Labor Signs: Not that I know of.  I'm wondering about these Braxton Hicks contractions I read about.  I don't think I've gotten them.  I guess I would know if I had one!?!?

Belly Button:  Not cool, belly button, not cool...

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On.  As soon as it warms up, they are coming off.

Moods:  Eager, excited, and down right happy!

Looking forward to:  Baby shower at Primo's on Thursday with my Shugart Sheriffs and Garland ISD friends!!  I have six wonderful friends who are putting on this shower for me, and I couldn't be happier about it!  I'm so lucky to have a caring, loving support group!  

Video from today's sonogram if you are interested!  You can see his heartbeat and then see his sweet hiccups every few seconds.  It's hard to tell what you are looking at for the most part, but it's a baby, I promise!  His head is down and he was facing down so can't see his face.  Bummer.  

One more pic...  Check out his cool, squiggly hair!!!

34 Weeks & NURSERY PICS!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Pledgers! 

How far along?  34 Weeks (+1 day)

Weight Gain: +37 total 

Maternity Clothes: I'm bound and determined not to buy any new clothing until after Reed is born, and I get skinny!  :)  We'll see...

Stretch Marks:  Nothing new.  Using my Tummy Butter to help prevent anymore, haha.  

Sleep:  The past two nights I've woken up around 3am, unable to fall back asleep.  Thank God for Pinterest because I spent about an hour and a half fooling around on my phone, pinning random stuff!  :)  Hopefully the sleeplessness will go away!!  

Best moment this week:  Seeing the doctor on Monday!  Reed is doing great!  The doctor scheduled induction date for baby boy....APRIL 22nd!  I'm sooooo excited that he will be making his entrance into the world a week early!!  :)  

Missing anything?  Wearing heels!  I'm pretty much only wearing Nikes and flip flops these days!  I miss the way heels make me taller and feel beautiful...

Movement:  Tons of moving and adjusting.  So neat to rest my hand on my belly and feel him snuggling up.  =)  

Food Cravings:  TCBY soft serve in a waffle cone & Slurpees.  My belly gets full so fast now.  I'm still starving all the time, but I fill up so quick!  No room for food and a baby in my belly.  

Sickness/Symptoms:  Heartburn still persisting...Any suggestions?   

Labor Signs: No....Still 5 weeks to go!  

Belly Button:  GIGANTIC.  Starting to wonder if it will ever look normal again...

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On for another week...

Moods:  Anxious and a mild case of the baby blues!  Fortunately, my sweet husband and several afternoon naps made me feel much better!  After my appointment on Monday, I feel so giddy and excited about Reed's arrival!

Looking forward to:  Hanging out with several girlfriends this week!  I'm enjoying as much friend time as I can before life changes dramatically!  

And now for the revelation of the nursery!!  Here is the guest room BEFORE:

Our original design/plan for the nursery created by TheCheapDecorator:

 First step, clear out all the furniture and paint!!

We chose Benjamin Moore "Timber Wolf Gray" for the walls.  We used a bright white for the crown molding.  For the ceiling, we had the Lowe's guy create a very soft gray that made the white of the crown molding really pop!

View when you first walk in the door...

Crib: Pottery Barn Fillmore Crib in Sun Valley Espresso

Bedding: Harper Nursery Bedding Collection from Pottery Barn 

Name Board: Created by Michelle DeLoy {TheCheapDecorator}

Check out Michelle's Etsy shop!

We hope Reed is a good reader because he has tons of books already!  :)

Book Shelves: Pottery Barn Holman Picture Ledge (4')

I found the letters for the bookshelf at Michael's.  I liked them because they are a little taller than most wooden letters (13").  I bought several different kinds of scrapbook paper and applied with Mod Podge!

This is the wall, opposite the crib!

Dresser/Changing Table: Fillmore Dresser from Pottery Barn 

Curtains: Scribble Window Panels (96") from West Elm

Glider: Regal Loose Cushion Glider in Ophelia Dove fabric from Posh Tots

Ottoman: Standard Gliding Ottoman in matching fabric from Posh Tots

Bookshelf: Cameron 2-Shelf in Sun Valley Espresso from Pottery Barn Kids

Lamp: $20 at Target!  Woohoo!

Basket: Rugby Striped Bin from The Container Store 

Another angle...

The gallery wall was quite a project, but I'm so pleased with it!  I found all of the frames at Michael's and Target.  The scalloped mirror, white clock, and gray/white canvas square came from Target.

I found the Subway Art "All Boy" print on Etsy!  I ordered the digital image from Dana's Etsy store and then had it printed in 11"x14" at Wal-Mart for just $5.  

 Close up of the "gallery wall"...

Take a peek inside the closet!  I love to organize!  Thanks to my sweet friend Nery for her help with Reed's perfect closet!  J.J.'s dad built custom shelves for the closet.  {Apparently when they built the house in the 1930's, they didn't need shelves in their closets...}

I found this "hosiery organizer" at The Container Store to organize all of Reed's toiletries and little things!  

Diapers, wipes, and more on the top shelf {Baskets were so cheap at Home Goods!}

Feathergrain wood bins filled with baby stuff from The Container Store

  Nery helped me find these amazing gray and white boxes at The Container Store.  I've filled them to the brim with blankets, swaddle pods, and toys!

Plastic storage containers on the bottom of the closet for bathroom/tub accessories and towels!  

As you can tell by this blog post, I am incredibly excited about the nursery and the way everything turned out!  To be completely honest, the past few nights, I've sat quietly in the nursery admiring the sweet room and thinking about life ahead of us!  I am so grateful to all of my family and friends who contributed to Reed's nursery.  We can't thank you enough for your kindness, generosity, love, and support!  =)

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Reed's nursery!!  34 days til his grand debut!!