24 weeks and Halloween

Here I am at 24 weeks. I can't believe we are already at our 6 month mark. The room I'm standing in is now the painted nursery. It's painted a creamy yellow. My sister started the wall mural painting this weekend. The change table and night table are both in the nursery too. We have to repair the crib, hang the drapes and then we can start with the real decorating. I can't wait.

Over to Halloween news, here's our front porch decorated a few minutes before our first kids showed up. It's nothing too scary or elaborate. I couldn't stand on a ladder or finish the decorations I wanted to make. The pregnancy has limited me in some ways. I guess it was a good thing though, most of the kids in our neighbourhood are under the age of 8 and were scared enough of our house. Overall it was a great evening. We had close to 200 kids! yikes.

Trick or treat!

Mommy Finds

I've been spending a bit of time online researching products. Products for me and products for the Bunny. Next to making list, researching online is my second favorite thing to do. I love being asked a question and then spending the time to find the answer. One thing K taught me this week was to add "review" to the end of my Google search. That way the links that Google finds have to do with reviews of the item I am looking for.

This past Sunday, K and I went to the Babytime show. We gathered and found information and talked with vendors. Recently my bf asked my opinion on baby bath products. To be honest I had thought about using the Aveeno line. My nephew has very sensitive skin and when his doctor recommended Aveeno it got me thinking. So up until a few weeks ago I was set on Aveeno. After speaking with a few vendors I've started to think about a different line. So when I was doing my online review searches for this line I came upon the site below. Sweetspot has many product suggestions and reviews for moms. Both for you and for your children. If you're interested and have some time, take a look.

The product line that I was researching is called "Live Clean". They are a Canadian manufacturer that have a line of hair and body products and also a line of natural baby bath products. They use 98% plant ingredients that are renewable which is great for the environment. Live Clean products are also vegan and not tested on animals. Another great thing is all the chemical ingredients that have been left out. SLS / Sulfate free, DEA free, and Paraben / Phthalate / Phosphate Free. What do all of these mean? Well they are mild and gentle on the skin and there are no harsh preservatives or perfumes used.

Tonight K and I tried two products. We got the regular bath wash and the lotion from the baby line. The bath wash felt nice and silky on our skin and smelt pretty good. The baby lotion was even better. It was smooth and smelt great. It worked into my skin pretty easily and didn't leave any greasy residue on my hands like other lotions. With a price point lower than the Aveeno line and all the natural elements and environmental benefits, Live Clean is looking like a good choice to make.

The next item is something that K and I have been researching and have come to change our minds on too. Originally we liked the Peg Perego Switch stroller. There are so many pros to that stroller, we almost didn't look past it. However when we were making our registry last week we began to question if we had weighed all the pros and cons. I turned to The Consumers Report website. A fantastic site if you are looking to purchase a large item. A car, appliances, electronics, or even baby products. It worried us that the Switch wasn't even tested. There were other Peg Perego strollers on the list , but no Switch. So we looked at the strollers that were on the list and came to a decision. The UPPABaby Vista. The Vista is very similar to the Buggaboo. There are a few differences, price being one of them. The Vista is ~$200 less than the Buggaboo, but ranks higher on the Consumers Report. The Vista has a easy one-step fold, with a bassinet and seat. A pop-out SPF 50 canopy extension with 30% more sun coverage. The bassinet is fully lined with organic soybean fiber and cotton. The seat is reversible and has 3 position seat angle adjustment. For east adjustment between me or K the handle comes with one button telescopic handle-height adjustment. The rubber-coated wheels never go flat or need air. One feature I did like was that the seat level was higher than the Buggaboo and Switch, making baby closer to me. Light-weight aircraft aluminum alloy frame means I won’t struggle as much with lifting the stroller in and out of the trunk. Last the weight restriction is suitable from birth to 50 lbs.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Aveeno and the Buggaboo aren't great products. Like every other product out there, it's all a matter of personal preference. What one mommy or parent decides is best for their child may be very different for another parents opinion. That doesn't make either right or wrong, just different. These are just the one's that K and I have researched and found many good points to sway our decision.

More Mommies than you can shake a stick at!

Congratulations to the two newest expecting mommies. One being my friend Dawn who just announced last Friday that she is expecting her second baby this June.

Another congratulations goes to Katie over at Bower Power.

I now know a handful of expecting mommies or new mommies and decided to give them their own shout out and created a new blog roll in my side bar just for mommies. I might even add some great mommy websites that I frequent.

G&D

MoonPie Designs

Rambling Renovators



Making it Lovely

The Stamford Wife

Laundry almost complete and a sick kitty

If you've been reading for a while now you may remember my post about our re-vamped laundry room. So now I am proud to introduce to you the second phase of our lovely laundry room - the drying rack.

Dad and K built the top shelf out of MDF and the metal bar is a simple shower curtain rod that you can buy at Home Depot. This week K will prime and paint the shelf.

We bought some simple white hangers from IKEA for K to hang dry his shirts. He believes that drying them in the dryer shrinks them, so this rack is a must in our house. Otherwise we end up with shirts hanging all over the door knobs in our house.

On a side note we came home to our poor little guy not feeling too well. At first I though it was just a hair ball. He gets very upset when he has a hair ball and ends up lying in his litter box. I thought that was all. However later in the evening when he finally came out of the litter box he kept lying on floor and rolling around like he was in pain. At one point he was actually shaking like he was cold. I tried to wrap him in a blanket, but he didn't want any part of it. K said to leave him be and if he was still acting odd in the morning we could call the vet. Thankfully he was back to his old wild and crazy self the next day. I guess just like humans, the older we get the harder it is for us to recuperate from a crazy night.

Am I crazy for trying???

Jacob's Coat Quilt Along

Okay, I know I have a lot on my plate right now. In fact my BF keeps telling me to relax and enjoy my pregnancy. I have to say every moment of this pregnancy has been wonderful. I was lucky enough to not experience morning sickness. I did have some eating issues. Like not knowing what I ever wanted to eat, plus the smell of food making me feel ill. There have definitely been some good times and some rough times, but I know that in the end I will have a precious child in my arms and it will all be worth it.

So I have been a little over the top with lists. To Do list, Registry List [4 pages in excel] and now the 30 Before 30 List. I guess it helps me deal with everything I put on my plate when I have a list and I check things off. I even swapped the calendar function in my Blackberry for the old fashion paper planner and highlighters. I like the feeling of writing things down and then crossing them off when they are done. I guess it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I think there's a name for that compulsive behaviour...hehehe

So here's the why I ask "am I crazy for trying" ever since I have been blogging I have wanted to participate in a quilt-a-long. In fact quilting is what got me into blogs in the first place. I have admired many quilters and their blogs for years now. I can finally say with several quilts under my belt, and the intention to create a quilt for Bunny I have decided to join a quilt-a-long.

Some of you may wonder what a quilt-a-long is. Well the short of it, is that a blogger post tutorials and guidelines for creating a quilt. They set goals like "create a block every day / week" and post about what the next step should be. Some bloggers even keep track of everyone who is following along and they link to their blogs or Flickr accounts where photos of their work can be seen.

So I have joined Don't Look Now's Jacob's Coat quilt-a-long. Wish me luck. Hopefully by the time our little Bunny has arrived I will have a quilt for them :)

30 Before 30

[Me at my cousin's wedding last Saturday]

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today and Meg really inspired me to make a personal list of my own. So here goes [in no particular order]

30 Before 30

1. Take a photography class

2. Learn Photoshop

3. Create and maintain digital scrapbook

4. Complete scrapbooks of K & Me growing up [along with dating, wedding and baby scrapbooks]

5. Digital categorize all photos and make CD backups

6. Go for a walk at least 3 times a week

7. Host a cousin's game night

8. Have our neighbours over for dinner

9. Get an iPhone

10. Go to a museum / art gallery with K

11. Paint and put up my birdmansion [really large bird house]

12. Make my Bunny a quilt

13. Find an easy and quick everyday casual updo

14. Take swimming aerobics / exercise

15. Create "A day in the life of..." digital scrapbook for Bunny's first year

16. See a show in the theater [not a movie, but a play or ballet]

17. Redesign my Blog

18. Spend an afternoon reading in a cozy chair, doing nothing else

19. Plant an herb garden

20. Do something for a charity

21. Start a "GT" family tree

22. Loose the baby weight

23. Join a "Baby and Mama" class

24. Speak with my friends on a regular basis

25. Take a sewing class [clothes altering]

26. Get a pedicure every month

27. Finish the Master bedroom

28. Create new business cards and flyers, and distribute

29. Set aside time each week for creative time

30. Trip to New York

**Bonus participate in a quilt-a-long and complete a quilt

Nursery - Part One

So now that I have shown you all of the ideas we have had for the nursery it's time to put it all into action. Below are some pictures of what the room looked like before and some "during" pictures from 2 weeks ago.

This room is usually used as the "catch-all" room. Files, blank cds, my wedding dress, suitcases, a futon to use it as our back up guest room. Although I'm ashamed to admit we have actually let people sleep in what seems to be our storage room. So sorry :)

Painting - this corner will be where the rocker will go. I've now begun my search for a light fixture. It has to be gender neutral. I was thinking a ceiling mount drum style, but K isn't to keen on the style. He suggested a chandelier style, but I'm afraid it will look to feminine. So the search is on. Anyone have any suggestions?

Yes those are snorkeling flippers, what don't you have flippers still in the package somewhere? As you can see this room hasn't been used to it's potential. It used to be my art room. When K and I started talking about having a baby we decided this room would be the best one. That triggered a little TLC in the back bedroom where my art room is now.

These Ikea dressers were used in my parents old house when K and I lived in the basement. We were only there for a few months after the wedding waiting on our house to be complete. They were just enough storage for each of us on either side of the bed.

I've seen many kids rooms and nurseries where the closet was transformed with drawers and shelves into a much more organized space. I thought it would be a good way to use the dressers. Unfortunately they didn't fit. Actually they were too big by 3/8" - how frustrating. Thankfully dad and Kenrick were determined to make them fit. After some modifying and removal of the tops they were able to make them fit. This weekend they are going to install a piece of MDF as a new dresser top and we will paint it to match the room. Now the dressers look like built ins and the Bunny will have lots of clothing storage.

More sad before pictures

I really only took the pictures while we were painting to be able to use them as before and after shots.

Stay tuned, we have another busy weekend a head of us. My parents, aunt and uncle will be spending the weekend helping us around the house some more. I hope to have an after shot of the closet top and the drying bar in the laundry room. My aunt and I will be turning the kitchen into our sewing room. I hope to have the drapes, and crib skirt done.

To Do List Checkmarks

While most people were getting together with family today for Thanksgiving dinner, K and I were hard at work. We had dinner with his family yesterday which freed up today for a whole bunch of to do list work.

After breakfast we painted one coat in the nursery. Then we moved outside to get some much needed yard work done before the cold weather moves in. K cut the front and back grass, I pruned and weeded the front garden. We cleaned the garage out and then moved on to painting some baby furniture. It was a full day that left both of us exhausted and really soar.

We got to use our new Black and Decker mouse sander. We sanded down the night stand and prepped for a fun "jack o'lantern" orange. There is a door on the front that we removed before I remembered to take some before pictures. The nightstand will sit next to the rocker and house our little green lamp we bought at HomeSense. I will have to take a picture of that and post it too.

We were hoping to get to sand and paint the change table, but after a long day we became tired and hungry and decided to wait till Thursday night to finish.

Thursday night I was downtown for a wedding rehearsal. K and I decided to hit up the ever popular "Designer Fabrics Outlet" to see about fabric for the nursery. What a hit! We bought fabric for drapes, a crib skirt, and some fun floor pillows. If you live in the GTA or can find your way down to Queen St. W, it's worth the drive. This weekend my aunt, uncle and parents will be staying over to help us with a bunch of to do things. My aunt can sew really well, in fact she's the one who got me into sewing, knitting and cross-stitch. The room is really coming together. The mobile came on Friday, and you'll never believe it - the fabric matches the mobile colours exactly, not planned either :)

More photos to come soon.

Sad Coat Closet - and an IKEA super list

Here's the beginning to a project I worked on last week. Back in March I had emptied the closet and organized it. It was so neat and tidy. I bought a little blue basket for our shoe care products and two Ikea racks housed our shoes. Unfortunately in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, along with some laziness, this is what happened to our closet....

The Ikea rack on the floor wasn't re enforced with nails and "tossing" shoes into the closet eventually took it's tole on the poor little rack. Not to mention the helpless shoes that got lost between and below the collapsing shelf.


I sent K with a "super list" [that's what our neighbour called it] to Ikea to collect some supplies when I was at work. Our neighbour needed to go as well, so the two men set off to Ikea to return a few items and purchase some new ones. That's where the trouble began.

First, the line up at the returns desk took over an hour to get through - and this was on a Tuesday morning in the middle of the day! Our neighbour, M, couldn't believe how confusing the whole process was. First you stand in line. Then you get to a counter where you are given a number based on your return, exchange, defective product, in store pick up. The numbers are similar to our passport offices. That's right A13, B5, C26 etc. The letter signifies the type of return and the number is for your actual spot in line. The men were not happy. Then they spent almost another 1.5 hours searching the store for the items that we (the wives) had sent them for. Unfortunately they came across some rather "unhelpful" staff members that gave them the wrong directions to some bins I needed. They had to turn around and go back to the beginning of the store. If you've ever been in Ikea, you will know that the entire store is setup like a maze to make you walk through the entire showroom before you actually get to the merchandise. So lets cut a long story short and say that they finally made it home with the merchandise and their lives. Sadly, even with the help of my "super list" they managed to get 2 sets of bins wrong and K had to go back the next day to exchange them! OMG.

The Super List

Art Studio

Finally, You can see the floors. The magazine file folders have been labeled and the closet has been emptied and reorganized. It feels so good to finally have it all done. Now if I could only make time to actually use the room.

I'm still debating about the window treatment. I don't like how they sag in the middle. I think I have to shorten them. I've never adjusted roman blinds before. Maybe I'll give it a go.
My sister was kind enough to give me her old Mac. K set it up for me along with my new printer. Now I'm all ready to enhance photos taken with my new camera and print them for scrapbooking :) I left the white table under the window empty. It will be my "worksurface" for whatever project I am working on. For now I have 2 stuffed animals that will be Bunny's. I think I might have to change the chair. It seems way to low when you sit in it. I will be taking the tissue paper puffs down. I don't like how they look. Instead I hope to hang a large cork board on the wall above the computer and use it for tacking up inspirational pictures.
The nice thing about this room is that I would still have space for Bunny's playpen if I choose to do a little photo editing while they sleep. Of course this won't be for months! I also have a small table and chair that I might bring into the room and make a little person craft station so that we can craft together.
Voila! My new organized closet. I got the metal shelves and plastic bins from Ikea. Now everything has a place. K still can't seem to find a normal pair of scissors in the whole room. He makes me laugh. If I do add a little person station to the room I think I will add a lock of some kind to the door so that I can lock up all of the supplies that could potentially do some damage to the house :)

I used a 3M adhesive hook to hang my rulers and some Ikea plastic bag holders on the floor for rolls of tracing paper and such. This is also a great way to store wrapping paper. You also get a glimpse of my favorite bags of all time. The blue and red ones on the floor there. They are made from molded plastic. They are sturdy and stand on their own. I got them from an interior design company I used to work for. The senior designer used them to carry and store client samples. Whenever she needed to go to a meeting she simply grabbed the colour coded bags and left. She orders them from Koziol, a German manufacturer, but I think they have dealers around the world that ship and sell them.