Big boy beds

I know, it's too soon to be thinking this but I LOVE this from Pottery Barn Kids .. the bed and bedding:



Brian thinks he can make the platform instead of spending $900. What do you think? Cute or yuck?

Baby room photos

Changing table, quilt from Jan
Originally uploaded by Shanlee

We've been meaning to do a video of the baby's room but time keeps slipping through our fingers so here are some quick photos for all to see!

Yes, I registered for a $160 swing

When my friend and I went and registered, she insisted that I register for a swing for the baby. I opted for a small, space saving swing that was reasonably priced -- well, that was until I saw the swing she had that night at her house. The Starlight Papasan Cradle Swing was so cool I had to register for it! The problem, it's $160, but the thing is darling. It vibrates, it rocks, it lights up. I am on the lookout for a used one on craigslist but until I do, I'll keep it on my registry.

I scored a exersauser, gynmi, pack n play, stroller and car seat from my gracious friend Becky so I took those off my registry. I think I also located a glider via craigslist I'm going to check out tomorrow. Gotta love a deal.

Getting ready for the little guy/gal

I've been talking with my husband for weeks about a list of things to do before the baby is born. He finally asked me last night to acutally type up and print the darn thing so he can get cracking. I about feel off my chair. So here is the list for the whole internet to see -- nesting officially has begun....

Clean office
- organize closet
- organize desk
- organize wall hangings
- get hide a bed

Paint bedroom
Paint hallway/kitchen/living room
Paint Lil Berger's room

Organize bedroom closets

Organize laundry room

Organize garage
Paint garage

Get the baby room ready
- buy crib/dresser/changing table
- buy closet organizer
- buy glider
- register for gifts

Clean carpets

In other news, I bought new bras last night. I could not stand it anymore. The girls were spilling out. The bra extenders have been working great -- too bad they don't make cup extenders. I was completely shocked at what I had to move up to. I also bought a cute dress and maternity top too because you gotta be fashionable still when you're knocked up.

Two weeks until we know the sex of our baby! I almost can't wait.

I found my crib/dresser/changing table

I haven't ordered it yet but in my Baby Bargains book gave it a good rating. I found it at Wal-Mart and checked it out. I can order online, get my ebates.com rebate and free shipping to the store and it's white! It will go well with the new bedding I purchased last week.

YAY!

Thank GOD for bffs

I decided this morning to get my registry ready at Target. I have already registered at Babies r Us for half of what I need so I had my Target list in hand. I called my BFF Shawn and asked if she wanted to help me since I had no clue about brands and she's been testing some for months. So with guns in hand we hit the tiny baby aisle at Target to scan away baby stuff. After 90 mins, we were complete and without her advice, I'd be completely lost. Even a gal registering by herself was listening to her advice.

Somehow, I registered for a whooping 62 items at Target. Some will get deleted when I find out the sex but my Babies R Us registry is only 29 items. Our rule was "I'll register if I really need it" and I can't believe I actually need 100 items. I didn't register for diapers, cremes, lotions and stuff like that and Brian really wants a Baby Bjorn (he thought there was going to be one wrapped up under the tree).

So I was feeling bad about all the items but my friend said "you need all of these. Don't feel bad!" So I won't allow myself to be guilty!


Moms need gifts you know! With my birthday a little over a month away, I think I found what I want:

What is it? It's a Sharper Image Microderm kit

Since I've been pregnant, my skin has been breaking out like crazy. It's the first time in my life I've had to deal with acne.

And if you go through ebates.com, you get 5% back!

Crib bedding ordered - CHECK

My first real baby purchase ....


Now just have to find the white crib/dresser/changing table.

Butterflies in my stomach

Today marks week 16 and today I'm feeling more "butterflies in my stomach" aka the quickening moves of my unborn child. Let's just say Lil Berger likes small lattes (yes, leaded). It's the strangest feeling but it does really feel like butterflies.

Bendites, you were not kidding when you said our Target's baby selection totally sucks. It does. I guess it's Babies R Us for registering (along with Target).

Last night I dreamt that Brian and I had an ultrasound and it was a girl. The other weird thing about the dream was a bug showed up on the leg of my unborn Lil Berger. When I completely freaked out, the ultrasound tech said "that's completely normal."

We're going to start on "the list" of things to do before the baby is born this weekend. First task, clear the clutter of my husband's office (which he doesn't use, by the way). I wish we could get rid of the desk for a smaller one but he's not having it. Things on the list include painting rooms and better arranging our storage spaces (aka closets). Fun times. Woo flippin' hoo.

The search for the list with simple things

I've made it my mission this week to make a list of what to register for at Target/Babies R Us. After searching and searching online, I found this list on Babyfit.com. My goal was to find a list that was simple and didn't have all the frivolous items that would be a waste of money because that's the last thing I need is for people to get me items that I don't need. I'm been searching craigslist like a mad women for dressers, changing tables, gliders too. I also have my IKEA list. I'm not going to buy an IKEA crib either probably just a few closet organizers. I'm a sucker for hand me downs too as friends keep saying "check out my spare bedroom -- I'll gladly hand over my breast pump, swing, etc. I'm a lucky girl. Having a baby doesn't have to break the bank.

My friend Heather is due a week before me and she found out she's having a boy. Though she lives in Nebraska, I'm happy we're pregnant together (though this is her 3rd child) and it's nice to check in and see how she is doing.

Tomorrow is 16 weeks. I can hardly believe it! I have to go in and get some blood drawn for some screening tests at my OB's office. Fun times! I hate getting blood drawn. Ick!

I'm noticing that around 5 p.m., I'm getting tired each night. I have to resist taking naps because if I do, I wake up 10 times (no joke) a night). Last night I only woke up once. To keep myself awake, I put Christmas stuff away. Maybe tonight I'll organize my husband's office (I destroyed it in a hormonal rampage in which I will discuss another time).

Been looking into digital scrapbooking sites too. I made a scrapbook of our wedding FINALLY using Shutterfly.com's online book making helper. I can't wait to see the finished product when it arrives next week. They have a variety of baby books. I just can't wait to get started on it!

Prepping for baby

I keep forgetting I'm pregnant. My friends tell me this is all normal and in fact, while one friend was pregnant last year she often said this and I thought she was completely nuts but now I understand the whole concept of forgetting. I usually remember right about when I'm getting dressed and nothing fits. My belly isn't as big as my co-workers who's belly is 5 days behind me (this is her 3rd child) and of all the books I read this is normal.

I've been feeling flutters. Sometimes it feels like bubbles in my belly or something swimming around. One day it felt like something ran it's finger against my insides. I just can't wait till the little sucker jabs be in the ribs! Bring it on!

This week I've started researching furniture and what we really need. So far the list includes: crib, glider, changing table/dresser and some sort of closet storage. We were planning a trip to IKEA in Portland but we may just get the closet storage as I've found Wal-Mart and Target are a goldmine for the other items. I've also set up an rss feed for "baby" on Bend's Craigslist. I don't mind hand me downs. I would like all white since the woodwork is white but we'll see.

I scored the Cadillac of breast pumps from my friend and I'm so excited!!!! That's $300 I won't have to spend. Lil Berger got his/her first gift -- a rattle from my friend Katie.

I still can't believe Friday will be 16 weeks.

First stab at digital scrapbooking

First stab at digital scrapbooking
Originally uploaded by Shanlee

Today I took my first step towards committing to digital scrapbooking. I have an unfair advantage because well, I know how to use Photoshop and InDesign pretty well (wish I could say the same for Illustrator). Most digital scrapbookers use Photoshop but since InDesign is way easier to manipulate, I created it there and imported the pdf to Photoshop to make a jpg. I'm pretty satisfied with my "tree hunt" page. I think my next step will be making a wedding album book using Shutterfly. I'm so adventurous. It only took me two years!

This is all in preparation to the arrival of Lil Berger, of course. Because who wants to look at pages with Charlie or our vacations!

Registering part 2

I revised my Amazon.com registry and took some things off. I will look at Target for those items because I really don't want to register for a car seat without looking at it and such. I have a list started just for Target.

I was really worried about registering for big ticket items (to me that's items over $50) but a few of my friends said they are going in on the bigger items because they know their won't be much support from some family (long story, I won't get into on my blog) and not to worry about it. I also forgot that two friends have gear for me so I'm going to go check it out and cross those off my list. Anyone have a jogging stroller? That's one of the items I would LOVE to have.

I want to thank everyone for the advice on this list. At first it was overwhelming but after I made a few notes, I was grateful for the advice.

And now onto week 13 baby bump ...

I registered

Since the majority of people who will buy for me live out of town, I went with Amazon.com for my registry for a couple of reasons ... 1. you can buy online. The only person who will have a problem is my grandma and I have a feeling she's making a baby blanket. 2. They make a thank you gift list for you. 3. They had lists to help me with what I actually need.

You can check it out here online at Amazon.com.

I was worried I was registering for things that were too expensive (like that breast pump that everyone tells me I need to have which is $230) but this is my baby we're talking about. I didn't register for a crib or changing table/dresser. I think those are items we'll buy at IKEA.

If you have suggestions on items I should register for, pop me a comment. I need the help.

Forget decorating the house, there's a baby on the way

Today I’m feeling surprisingly good. No upset tummy. No near vomiting episodes. Just tired with a sore chest (probably TMI but who cares, this is my blog). Of course, the worries all start because some women believe that no more morning sickness is a sign of that dreaded m word I won’t type.

ANYWAY … I love my husband. He’s creative and funny. I’m creative but more reasonable one of the bunch. When he found out we were having a baby he exclaimed that he was going to paint the room for the baby. I was hoping he would want to wait but when I went to Omaha to visit family, he practically dropped me off and the airport and headed to Lowes to pick out a color. When I got home, first thing I did was run into the room to see the color he wanted to surprise me with. It’s yellow or cocoa butter to him. He had this grand idea to paint a mural which I quickly squashed. My reason was more because I don’t want to have to paint the room before we sell our. We settled on white chair rail and either a lavender or blue for the lower half. Instead of painting a mural, I’m going to buy him some canvas and paints and he can paint his heart out for the baby.

I want the general theme to be sun, moon and stars. I already have wall art from my Nebraska home (it was the theme in my old bedroom). I like this crib set but it won’t work for a boy. It looks girly. My husband isn’t too keen on the sun, moon, stars theme but I think he’ll warm up to it.

I did find a crib and changing table on IKEA. I told myself no ordering until after Jan. 1. Spending money for me is like pulling teeth since I like to save but I don’t think I’ll mind getting the baby some things.

I need to find more ways of including my husband. Anyone have other ideas?