Amber- change that boy/girl ticker!! I wanna see BLUE!

__________________

Krissy-I'm completely into maternity pants. I haven't bought any maternity shirts and just mostly have bought up a size and buy the shirts that are a bit longer. I think I moved into maternity pants about 4-5 weeks ago. I couldn't stand it any more! But personally I haven't found any maternity shirts I like and may be that's because when I was buying pants my belly wasn't really popping out and the shirts were all too big. I plan on taking my 20 week picture this weekend and I'll post it. I definitely can't wait to start feeling movement!

__________________

Alrighty! We have blue!!!!

DH and I spent today at Paris Mountain state park. We grilled burgers and went out on a paddleboat, then we hiked for awhile. It was so nice.

__________________

Relish your pants that still fit for as long as you can, Amber!! I am about a month ahead of you, and all of a sudden having a heck of a time finding anything to wear. I had problems with pants early on (again, Im kinda low), but now even some of my longer shirts are getting too short. I HATE maternity clothes; so it is a good thing that so many flowy shirts are in fashion. I want to wear dresses since they are so comfy, and I did get a few cute ones, but I just feel like they make me look like I am wearing a tent!

__________________
Krissy

Old navy has some cute ones that aren't tentlike. I'm definitely enjoying my pants though. The maternity pants are horrendous. I found a few cute tops but I HATE the pants too.

__________________

checking in on dani.... she must have 2 special little one's now.

__________________

Heidi - I think I might have felt him move today. I think he is kicking/pushing on the inside, not the outside. I keep getting these weird pressure feelings, like I might have an upset stomach. & then it goes away. I am wondering if he's pushing on something?
All our furniture is dark wood or black. I can't wait to order it!

Krissy - I gave in to the maternity pants this week. I had been buying stuff for a while (Gap has good sales) & was just waiting b/c I didn't need to wear it. I've actually found some cute stuff & my bff brought me her clothes last week. Then I started having a crisis every AM b/c my clothes would fit, but look funny. So I decided to jump in & pretend I have a new wardrobe! I still don't think I am showing very much.
I hope DH gets the raise!

I am stressing about this bedding situation. I really want specific colors, but it is expensive to have it all made, even if I don't have the sheet made. But I know it will look great. And now I am thinking aout jus thaving the bumper made and buying everything else...then I just have to worry about matching the blue & green.
Anyone have any advice?

Here are some pics of the fabrics. I would pick one striped for the bumper, the piping will be sage green. The bedskirt will be polka dot. Sheet could be blue, sage or white.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...1_IMG_0085.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...1_IMG_0087.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...1_IMG_0100.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...1_IMG_0099.jpg

__________________

Jen
I love the fabrics; but I see your dilemma. They really don't even use a quilt at first, and it is hard to justify spending too much since they just puke on it! Have you tried going to babybedding.com or babysupermall.com? They have tons of stuff; and you can shop by color or theme. You might be able to find something very similar, but already made. The colors are really cute!
I agree; looking at your pic I don't think you are showing much. It is SO interesting how differently different people grow! I feel VERY low, and have been from the start. Amber looks a bit higher, and you still look pretty little!
I met a girl a few days ago that barely looked preggo and she is due in 3 weeks! Lucky.

DH asked for the raise, and his boss said he needed a week to think it over. I am so nervous. If he doesnt get it, I have NO idea what we will do for daycare! It is so stressful.

We were supposed to go to Blues Festival tomorrow, but we are sort of broke, so instead we are going to go register (my shower is in a few weeks), and then spend the day working on the nursery. I should have some pics by the end of the weekend. We are going to put together the crib; screw it, I am not going to keep waiting! I cant stand it!

I can't wait to hear about Dani's little ones!

__________________
Krissy

Hi ladies I am so sorry I have not been around. I promise I will check in with you soon. I"m just so tired all day and insomnia at night. At least I have a pregnancy symptom.

Hope everyone is doing well.

__________________

Jen- I had my bedding custom made and this would be my advice. Take it with a grain of salt.. I was not comfortable with having my bumpers in my bed once Charlie could roll around so I took them out. They were a waste of money IMO. I am happier with the money that I spent on my window treatments because I know we will continue to use those after it is no longer the nursery. Same thing with the rug. The crib skirt was not expensive because of the style we did. I did not make/buy a quilt. Here are a few pictures.. we use the same colors. A GREAT paint for those colors is Snow Goose by Platt and Lambert (sp?) Such a pretty pretty PALE blue, almost white. I love it.

Window treatments (the roman shades have black out backing which is AWESOME for naptime)
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...ictures005.jpg

Bumpers
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...ictures004.jpg

Whole Crib
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...ictures008.jpg

My SIL had a pillow made with the leftover fabric
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...ictures010.jpg

Anyways, sorry that is so long, but that is JMO

__________________

jen- First of all, beautiful material. I love the combination. I also agree with Christie. I have had 2 sets made for my dc. With both sets, we never used the quilt. We always hung it. Also, with the bumper I agree with removing it once they move. So it really does not get used for long. But I did have one made for each set. I agree with the window treatments also. I had the complete bumper, windows, skirt and quilt made. I'm happy I did it, but it can get expensive. Maybe just pick and choose what you really want and will use after you are done with the crib. Good luck with your choice.

Christie-love the set you had made, it is very pretty. Love the rug.

__________________

Vicki- Thanks, if only it still looked that clean LOL

__________________

Jen, my BFF that just moved to Austin (Round Rock area) can sew. I think she made one of her kids bedding sets.

__________________

Christie - I think your nursery is so cute! I guess you can relate to my color issues.... I was not even considering a quilt yet, just a bumper and bed skirt. Thanks for the paint suggestion!!

Krissy - I'll check out those sites to see what I can find. Thanks!

Lisa - Thanks for the advice. I don't know anyone in town who sews. If your friend is interested, I'd love to talk to her about making some things for the room. Let me know!

Based on what everyone has said, I think I am going to re-consider having everything made. It sounds like it would be beautiful, but not used for very long. I really like the Restoration Hardware bedding & surprisingly, it will be less than half the cost. Since I am spending more than planned on the furniture, I think I could/should be a little more cost conscious here. I'm trying.....
I found a really cute polka dot sheet from Carter's with blue, green & brown dots....but Carter's doesn't make anything to match. I'm trying to figure out how I could use it with the RH blue & brown stuff & make the green work....so many decisions!

Happy 4th to everyone!!

__________________

Jen-I love what you have picked out too but I'm sure the cost is a factor. I've had a hard time but have finally settled on what we are going to do and I'm getting a discount from the place I got the furniture through to order the bedding as well.

Krissy-I started looking into daycare this week even though I'm not going to need it for awhile. The cost is crazy and what has irritated me is that licensed centers are still changing all this money and require I supply diapers and wipes. I thought that would be the trade off.....pay a little more for a center but they supply those things. So needless to say I'm still looking.

Here's the bedding I think I'm going to order.



Happy 4th to everyone. Hope you are enjoying. DH and I are just hanging at home and going to grill.

__________________

Heidi-I know, daycare is outrageous! And if you look into home daycares, it is never too early to start. Since most of them are only run by one person, they can only have two or three infants at a time, so a lot of the ones here are already filled up FOR JANUARY! I LOVE the bedding you chose!! We aren't doing much for the 4th either. We are going to go register, and then work on the nursery. My parents just let us know that they are coming to visit tomorrow, so I guess I will clean. Nothing like last minute visitors when you are in the middle of remodeling your house!

__________________
Krissy

Krissy-I have been looking into the licensed home daycares too. But the problem is the majority don't want the longer hours like a center. There are times when both of us get held up at work and I'd like the extra time just in case. I was bummed because I found one in our sub but I've been by the house a couple of times and I see her sitting out on lawn furniture and kids just running up and down the side walk. And sometimes she's even on her cell phone! Don't work too hard cleaning the house!

__________________