22 weeks

Here's me all pregnant....22 weeks and one day! Please excuse any streaks in the mirror. I know it needs a cleaning.

This little one has been moving and rolling around like crazy lately. Sometimes I wonder if he is sleeping enough in there. Of course it must be exciting to be a new human, so many body parts to explore and so many acrobatics to practice, so I can understand why the little guy likes being awake!

Some thoughts:

Being pregnant seems to consume most of my thoughts and energy. I have been researching what kind of childbirth I want to have. At first I thought I would just go into the hospital on the day I go into labor and let modern medicine work its magic, but after watching the movie "The Business of Being Born" I started to rethink this idea! I know that childbirth can be a controversial subject so I'm not trying to say one way is better than the other. I have never had a baby before, but now I want to know all about different coping methods in natural childbirth. I want to take classes and be knowledgeable about the stages of labor and what is happening inside my body. If you have had a positive natural birth I would love to hear about it!

I leave you with a picture of these pretty berries that grow outside my apartment.

Have a Happy Weekend :)

Thursday Things

Hello again

This is a little Christmas card I made today using paper scraps and this and that. I will probably send them out to friends and family when the time draws nearer or possibly put some in my shop.

A few other things:

1. Wanting to eat these beautifully decorated Snowflake cookies from Cakeboxcookies over at etsy.

2. If you have time you should go check out this blog for lots of simple handmade gift ideas!

3. I also found these natural looking stockings by thebeehivery over at the etsy gift guides. I don't know what it is but I am really drawn to the country look lately! Must be that I am cooped up in this apartment and would rather go wander the country side and take pictures of barns.

4. And in keeping with my country-ish theme you must check out this Primitive Wall Cupboard with Punched Tin Doors in ozarkprim's shop!

Thanks for stopping by and have a super day!

Hello Monday

Hello Monday, I have decided to be productive today. The photo below shows me amongst the many many boxes that we have to go through in order to feel settled. This was taken the day after we moved in so we have made some progress since then (thank goodness)!

Today I have plans of cleaning and organizing some of my "pretty things" (such as holiday decorations, lamps, and vase), making a guest list for my baby shower, and working on finishing a painting. Yes, I finally have access to my art supplies! They were boxed up for quite some time for the move and I am finally able to get some of them out and start making again. Since money is tight this year (we still have a mortgage to pay and also our apartment rent ugh) I have decided I wanted to make most of my Christmas gifts this year. I won't be posting them all since some of my family members read this blog, but I will share a watercolor with you that I have been working on for my husband's grandparents. It is based on a picture of their farm where they raised their kids. They still live on the same property but in a newer house. I am hoping this painting will evoke many memories for them :) Most of the gifts I plan to make will be smaller paintings and drawings as well as some painted ornaments. These gifts will be much more meaningful than something I could buy anyways right?

Here are a few pictures of my progress. I like to add lots of layers to my watercolors to build up a richness of color so I still have quite a bit more to do on this one.

And I just want to thank you for visiting my blog. I know I was out of the loop for quite some time, so your presence and comments mean so much to me!

19 weeks

18 weeks

Hi sweet blog friends

I have missed you and I have been so distant but I would love to reconnect and keep a presence here once again. I am now settled into our new home in North Carolina. It is actually an apartment which is kind of nice because it has caused us to get rid of some unnecessary clutter. Things are not completely set up, and it looks as if the baby's room will be an office/baby room since we only have two bedrooms to work with. Everything is a work in progress...especially my little growing baby which I will talk more about now...

I am now 19 weeks along. Almost half way! We had our "big ultrasound" yesterday and I found out we are having a sweet little BOY! When I saw the evidence my eyes instantly welled up! I looked over at my husband and he was grinning ear to ear. Just what he wanted :) I really thought I was having a girl, so thank goodness I found out otherwise I would have bought more girl things than boy. Now we can register for items and narrow down some names.

Other developments: I have been feeling consistent pokes and kicks the last 3-4 days which is the most amazing feeling in the world! Each time I feel the baby move I feel so blessed that I am able to feel this little human life inside of me progressing every day. What a miracle! I feel a little sad that my husband can't experience the same feelings. I know the kicks will get stronger and stronger and will probably eventually hurt but I really don't care! I love it!

The only thing that is a little tough is growing out of my clothes. None of my button up shirts fit me because my chest has grown. None of my jeans can button up so I just use this elastic belly band from target to hold them up! I love my growing belly but dislike some of the growth in other areas! It has caused a few tears some mornings when I try to put on an outfit that I usually fit into but I realize I have to grow so the baby can grow. I am sure all first time mom's have to go through this so I won't dwell on the subject. I am truly so happy about this baby and will grow as big as a house if needed!