As promised, pictures of Brooklyn's nursery (minus wall art)

Here they are.... That paint job was pretty heinous, but so worth it... It really makes the room and is my favorite part so far. Thanks again Dad...Without you, she's probably be sleeping in our walk in closet!!!! Luv Ya!!!












*** More pics to come as soon as I can muster the energy to get pictures hung, shelves installed and tiny clothes put away!!! ***

So tired and sore...

A HUGE thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for basically making Brookie's room a truly beautiful place this weekend! My mom made bumble bee cushions for my rocking chair, replaced the cushion on my ottoman to back and white gingham to match, with matching decorative pillow, made curtains, and is in the process of creating Brooklyn's "B," so she'll have one just like the Duke. My dad, the super Mr. Handyman extraordinaire, managed to turn an old dresser that once belonged to my mom as a child, into a perfect replica of a cherry red, standing Snap.On tool chest for Capt. Duke's Car.s bedroom! He also fully refurbished a solid wood toy chest for Brookie's room that is absolutely adorable and matches perfectly! They brought over the coolest piece of wall art ever. My sis bought this round 1 billion piece Mary Engelbrei.t puzzle with my favorite of her sayings on it and after 3 people took turns putting it together, my dad Hodge Podg.ed it together so I can hang it on the wall above the changing table (Thank You Mel, Mom & Nancy for your mad puzzle skills!). So, her room now has a built and waiting crib, changing table, rocking chair and ottoman, and toy chest. Pretty much all that's left is filling said dresser/changing table with clean munchkin clothes, decorating the walls, and prepping for the little princess' imminent arrival!


Promise to post pictures of Brooklyn's room tonight when I get home from work...


Note to self, marathon cleaning for 7 hours is fully possible while almost 8 months pregnant, but HIGHLY not recommended. Pretty much every muscle from my knees up is sore and I'm walking like a 90 year old today... Not a good plan! Oh yeah, got a visit from my old buddy pitting edema this weekend! Was hoping that he'd stay far, far away this time but obviously not...

Gearing up for the weekend

Here's what I've got so far for a tentative menu for the family Thanksgiving potluck shindig at my house next week:

** Bacon wrapped, apple/wild rice/prosciutto stuffed turkey breasts
** Honey Ham, maybe Prime Rib
** Mom's mashed potatoes
** Mom's candied yams
** Green bean casserole
** Rolls
** Green Salad
** Pumpkin pie & ice cream, maybe cheesecake or apple crisp too, I can't decide...


My goal for tonight is to have a set in stone menu of what all of the fam is bringing, my grocery list made and ready for a surgical strike on Walma.rt and Cost.Co tomorrow morning, and to get to bed at a reasonable time...

I also need to try to figure out a way to rotate the Duke's toys in and out of the playroom/2nd living room so that I'm not forced with trying to pick up 3 billion tiny toys every single night. Maybe I'll start a bin in the garage and just swap out loads of toys every few weeks... I need more ideas...

Matt is taking care of the installation of the trim/chair rail in Brooklyn's room tomorrow, so I should be able to start decorating (FINALLY!!!!... We also have a 4 year old's birthday party to go to Sat afternoon...

Busy Weekend. We'll see how much I can get done!!!

Ready, Set, NEST!!!!

Here we go! I knew it would hit me full force eventually and I believe that time has finally arrived. I have this overwhelming, aggressive drive to have Brooklyn's room done NOW. Not in a few weeks, or a few days, but now. It's probably the realization that if she follows in her brother's footsteps in any way, she'll arrive early. Lukey Duke graced us with his presence a full 3 weeks early so I have made up my mind that I need to have our little world ready for this sweet girl by the time I hit 36 weeks, just in case of premature poppage. The craziest part of all of that is that 36 weeks is only 6 weeks away!!!! 6 weeks to finish trim, move furniture, wash clothes, decorate, fill my freezer with yummy pre-made meals, install a car seat, pack hospital bags and finally wrap my mind around the fact that for the 2nd time, my world is about to do a full 360. We will walk into the hospital as 3 and leave as a family of 4.

Wow, that still sounds so crazy... I can't wait to meet her though.... I'm so, so excited to be able to hold my little girl.

Oh yeah, all is still (fingers and toes crossed) well on the blood pressure and swelling front. My blood pressure has stayed quite low (120ish/75ish) for the last few weeks, and only a few episodes of swelling after too long shopping trips and wearing heels that I know I'm not supposed to be wearing...


Thank God for my Dad... The man has helped me so much over the past few months that there probably isn't any true way that I can thank him enough. Thanks daddy... I think you may be nesting like me!!