Smashed images

Today, Justin and I received the four amazingly beautiful photographs of Paris that my mother bought for the nursery. We were so excited about these because they really are the centerpiece of the room. Anyone who knows me, knows how much value I place on the things I hang on the walls of my home. My degree is in Art History so my own personal choices in art mean the world to me because it is my life's passion. Anyways, Justin opens the door and the box laying against our door was smashed. He brings it in and gives me this look like This is not going to be good. It looked like the box had gone from square to flat despite the numerous "Fragile" and "Do Not Crush" warnings the photographer had written all over the box. 

We opened the box and the rolled up images had gotten flattened during shipping.  Each of the four images have irreparable vertical creases. We both were so upset. 

Justin immediately told me to take pictures and email them to the photographer so we can get them replaced. Apparently, the same thing happened to another one of her clients earlier today as well, so she was very upset. Luckily, she is sending out new prints in art tubes (at no extra cost to us!) so it will not happen again. I feel so bad that she has to do this because it will cost her more money, but these meant the most to me for our baby's room. Hopefully the reprints will alleviate the disappointment we are feeling today.

Week 28: Glucose Test and Photo Shoot

This week I had another doctor's appointment, which consisted of the much dreaded glucose test. When I got there, they handed me this bottle of orange liquid and told me I had five minutes to drink it. It tasted like a non-carbonated orange soda and actually, was not as bad as I had anticipated. After finishing it, I had a normal appointment with the doctor and everything looked good. I got to hear her little heartbeat, which was pretty rapid because of the amount of sugar I had just ingested. After the appointment, I had to get my blood drawn to test if I had developed anemia or diabetes. It is pretty common for the baby to block the insulin production and the mom develops diabetes as a result. It goes away after giving birth. I got my results the following day and my levels were all within the normal range, which was a great relief.

Also this week, we had maternity photos taken by our dear friend Matt. He is my best friend Sarah's husband, one of Justin's very close friends, and an amazing photographer. (He is our official family photographer and he will be doing all of the baby pictures as well.) We went to Washington Park and took lots of photos there and some back at their home in their backyard. While we were out, Matt was bragging about Sarah's chicken stew that she was making for dinner and invited us over to join them. His real motive was so the guys can have man time, drink some whiskey, and play video games. When we got there in the evening, Matt had already developed the film he shot and started working on the digital images. He used two different cameras during the shoot - a medium format film camera and his digital camera. Sarah, Matt, and I were all worried about how they would turn out because maternity photos can be so cheesy, but they came out amazing! The four of us sat around the table as he scrolled through them and it was so interesting to see the difference between the digitally shot images and the film ones from his medium format camera. The film were so warm and full of color. They looked like they barely needed any editing! The digitals were great as well and had a cooler tone to them. I am so excited to get them back and print them. Our house is full of photos of Justin and I from our wedding 4 years ago and it will be so nice to have some more recent ones.

Baby Comfort Tester

Macy's new (self-proclaimed) job in the house is to test out the comfort level of all the new baby products. Below are the official photos documenting the rigorous testing Macy put each item through.

Changing pad testing in progress

Crib mattress testing in progress

Chair back support test in progress

I also noticed she gave high marks to the mobile above the crib as it held her attention for a solid five minutes while she tested the crib. All in all, I believe each item received the Macy stamp of approval.

Macy: Queen of Pearson Palace

The hardest part about having a new addition to the family is going to be making sure our current little girl gets the attention she needs. Meet Macy, our precious kitty who we both adore more than anything. 

I have always been a cat person. My family has almost always had a pet cat and Justin's dad had them as well. Justin always said he didn't like cats, but they always liked him. In 2007, we were living in Fort Collins, Colorado, and I was lonely for a pet in our tiny junkie apartment. So, he bought me a turtle named Winston (because he looked like a wrinkly old man). As much as a turtle sounds like a great pet, it is not the cuddliest. Justin loved watching him devour goldfish whole and swim around his massive tank, which was nearly impossible to clean. 

About 3 months later, I talked him into getting me a kitten. So, I looked at every shelter's website for the perfect one and I found a little fuzzy grey one at the Fort Collins Humane Society. We drove over together to go check him out. While Justin was inquiring about the grey cat, I walked into the room with all the kittens and looked around. Justin came in and said the grey one was sick and could not be adopted yet. Then, I saw this tiny little orange cat curled up in a cage and I knew she was the one. We took her into a room and they let her out and she immediately jumped up onto Justin's lap and fell asleep. He was hooked.

Christmas 2007 about a month after we got her. Sometimes I think it wasn't the flash that gave her crazy eyes in this picture because she was pissed off about the Santa collar.

Everything is hers. We had this plant for months and a week after we got her she jumped on top of it snapping it in two pieces then she dragged her victory half off into the living room. It died shortly after.

She is our little princess and has traveled to California and back with us twice and both times, she has to remain close to Justin so she sleeps near his feet, which are usually busy with the gas pedals since he is driving.

20 hours she stayed there while he drove.

So, since this will be an adjustment for her, I have been spoiling her more than usual. I bought her a new toy and pretty much let her get away with anything. Hopefully, she will be ok when the baby comes.

This is her new lobster. She carried it around like her baby and I get swatted at if I try to take it away.

And yes, she has full control over our king sized bed (and the tv remote).

So much for not being a cat person! They cuddle like this every day!

Week 27: Nursery Construction

Finally, things are coming together! The walls are painted, furniture is in place, and all the little details are starting to be placed! I really wanted to create a room that isn't over the top "baby" and would be something she can grow into. I do not want to have to redecorate every few years because she grows out of it. Here are some photos of our Parisian girl's nursery:

Just waiting for some art for the wall and an ottoman for my rocker

Just need some sheets for the crib.

Just a few minor details to be put in and we will be all set! I am so excited! It definitely is starting to feel real!

 And here is our kitty, Macy, thinking we are redoing a room just for her! She really likes the her new furniture. I don't have the heart to tell her that her world is about to be shaken up in a few months. Let's just let her enjoy the peace and quiet.

Her new hiding place.

She thinks the rocker is comfy!

 

Week 26: Nursery Painting

On Monday, I went to Lowe's and looked at every shade of pink they had to offer. I ended up walking out with (what I feel is conservative) five testers. I painted two coats of each one on the wall to cover up the purple that was on the wall and so we could make the best decision.

Left to right: Sweet Truffle, Rose Petal, Princess, Light Rose, Pink Air

I like the left two colors. I really liked Rose Petal, but I was worried that it would be too dark for the room. Justin liked the two end colors, so it made our decision easy. We chose Sweet Truffle and I have been slowly painting the room ever since. As of this moment, I have one wall completely done with two coats. Hopefully, I can get at least one more done tonight. I just want to arrange all the furniture and start organizing everything.

The Evil Box In the Freezer

I have not had any aversions to foods or to smells thus far....except for one....a box of jalapeño poppers that has been sitting in my freezer for 6 months. I don't even think it is an aversion to the food itself but more of the idea of the food. I open the freezer to get something and get a nasty feeling just looking at the box. I loved them before I got pregnant, which is why I bought the box in the first place. I even ate one when Justin ordered them while we were out two months ago. But the idea of these poppers in this box make me feel sick. Now I'm assuming that you are all thinking Why doesn't she just throw them out?? I wish I could, believe me, but I married the most cost conscious man ever! If I were to throw away the unopened box of perfectly good jalapeño poppers that don't expire for another 6 months, he would fish them out of the trash and put them back in their place with the thought, What a waste! I will eat these eventually! This is a man who frustrates the hell out of me when he stands in each aisle of the grocery store comparing cents per ounce of each brand option just to be sure he gets the best deal. Because I love this man more than anything (and because I don't want another lecture about our finances and how I need to do my part) is why that box of poppers will remain my mortal enemy in the freezer giving me the yucky feeling.