It's getting warm and that makes me happy

I know for most of the country it is still quite frigid but yesterday it was 70 degrees here in North Carolina and I enjoyed every minute of it. It felt so good to get some sunshine on my face. My husband had a really busy week at work this past week so Sunday was our day to catch up on things. We went for a long walk through a beautiful pine tree forest and discussed all the fun things we wanted to do once the baby arrives. I should have brought my camera to take pictures of the giant pine cones some forest critters and some shiny little rocks I found, but my pregnancy brain has caused me to forget so many things lately.

What I can do is show you some pictures of my forever growing belly! I have to take my 34 week picture this thursday, but here is a progression from 28 weeks to 32 weeks. It is amazing how your body can stretch and change for a growing little baby. I love him to pieces already and I haven't even seen his face. I think I am really going to enjoy motherhood.

28 weeks

30 weeks

32 Weeks

I just want to say thank you to those of you who have checked in to read my blog. I know the postings are few and far between! Have a wonderful week :)

Baby Shower

Whew!

It's a new year and I am feeling excited for things to come (mainly for the wee baby). My dearest friend Katie recently threw me a baby shower while I was home in Minnesota over the holidays and I cannot thank her enough for all the love and thoughtfulness that was put into the event. Everything was gorgeous from the old mismatched teacups we used, to the cake, to the handmade quilt she made for my gift. The quilt is SOO beautiful that I would love to center the whole baby's room around it. I have lots of ideas swirling in my head from how to make a bumper for the crib to artwork on the walls. Here is a picture of us and the quilt. It is made out of old fashioned vintage children themed fabrics. It was her very first quilt too, so I feel very special!

A few more pics to give you an idea of how cute it was!

I was also meaning to share the finished picture of the farm painting I made for my husband's grandparents for Christmas. They are the sweetest people you could ever meet and they actually teared up when I gave it to them. Making art for people is truly worth it when you get a reaction like that!

I hope you have had a great start to the new year. I think 2010 will be an exciting year for my family and I look forward to sharing bits and pieces of my life with you along the way:)

Sometimes I feel like I should be doing more, making more, wanting more, being more than I already am. Maybe it's the hustle and bustle of Christmastime? Maybe it's the knowing that after the baby comes I will be limited in being able to do all the things I think I should be doing.

Then I look at my cozy cats and see that they are content to just be where they are, warm and unaffected by the driving forces that affect our human brains.

And I look down at my growing belly and feel the sweet baby moving inside of me and I realize that now is not the time to be putting unnecessary pressures on myself.

Now is just a time to enjoy and feel and soak up all the wonders in my life.

A few wishes

and also this.....

and while you're at it I would like a cup of this

thank you can't wait till christmas!

love,

Kelly

Images top to bottom:
tub from design sponge
chunky blanket from anthro
cocoa mix from tetoncocoacompany at etsy

It's all for you

I stole this quote from Doorways Traveler's blog. It really spoke to me today.

Do you have doubts about life? Are you unsure if it is worth the trouble? Look at the sky: that is for you. Look at each person's face as you pass on the street: those faces are for you. And the street itself, and the ground under the street, and the ball of fire underneath the ground: all these things are for you. They are as much for you as they are for other people. Remember this when you wake up in the morning and think you have nothing. Stand up and face the east. Now praise the sky and raise the light within each person under the sky. It's okay to be unsure. But praise, praise, praise.

~Miranda July, from "The Shared Patio" in No One Belongs Here More Than You. Stories by Miranda July

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!