8 things meme

I haven't done a meme in a while, and there's honestly not much to do while waiting for a baby to be born, so here goes:

8 things I am looking forward to:
1.meeting our son (can this count for all 8?)
2.bringing our son home
3.spending 24/7 with him for the next 8-9 weeks (depending on when he arrives) well, technically I guess I am still spending 24/7 with him whether he's in or out, right?
4.sharing the news that said son has arrived
5.introducing new son to loved ones
6.finishing some things in the nursery (way later, after he is already home)
7.seeing the first pictures of him
8.lying on my stomach ;)

8 things I did yesterday:
1.read blogs
2.took a long walk
3.watched a movie
4.folded laundry
5.took a nap
6.read a parenting book
7.played with the cat
8.took a drive with family

8 things I wish I could do:
1.lie on my stomach
2.walk fast
3.know when this baby is planning to be born
4.skinny dip in my own lagoon
5.send all my friends a plane ticket to visit
6.see my friends' little ones before they get oh so big
7.visit more people without having to fly
8.lie on my stomach

8 shows I watch:
1.Ugly Betty
2.Real Housewives of wherever
3.NCIS
4.House Hunters
5.Clean House
6.Ace of Cakes
7.Cold Case
8.Extreme Makeover Home Edition

8 people tagged:
Most of these people need a blog so I guess they'll have to play in the comments:
1.E.
2.Jean
3.Gretchen
4.Julie
5.Kim
6.Joy
7.Susie
8.YOU!

Kelly's Korner House Tour: Children's Rooms and Nurseries

I've been enjoying the weekly house tours over at Kelly's Korner blog and decided to join in. I am currently 39 weeks along with our first child (a boy!) and just waiting for him to make an appearance! The nursery is being used as a guest room right now for my hubby's dad who is staying with us for a month to welcome his grandson! So these pictures are from the beginning stages of decorating and gathering furnishings; won't be taking any final shots for a few more months!

For the nursery, we decided on sage green and chocolate brown, very soothing and zen-like. We painted the walls sage/moss green but it's hard to tell the actual color in these pix. We added some subtle vinyl decals of a swirly tree and some pinwheel flowers and may add more flowers in a slightly darker shade as baby won't even notice these. More for parental relaxation at the beginning anyway, we decided. The theme of the room is basically woodland or meadow animals like bunnies, deer, squirrels and such. They are here and there throughout, I'd like to add some fun wide-eyed owls to capture his attention too.

For the changing table, I really wanted to build a top for an antique family heirloom Singer sewing machine that was my great-grandmother's and has been passed down three generations. Our neighbor is a talented carpenter and built just the topper! It turned out great and matches the cabinet of the sewing machine perfectly. Now we just need to move it upstairs into the nursery (once it's not being used as a guest room!) For now, we'll probably put it in the hall or our room.


Thanks for stopping by to see some of the elements of the new nursery. Now when do you think baby will arrive? (due June 4)

Day trip to San Clemente

We had fun Saturday when Derek, Joe and I drove the new car down to Orange County. They dropped me off at my friend Beth's baby shower and headed to San Clemente to visit Joe's cousin Mary Ann. After the shower Derek picked me up and we headed back to San Clemente for the afternoon. We went down to the little town and the pier and watched the surfers and the sunset. Very Califonia-y! Here are some pix from the day! Notice the total coincidence of Beth, her husband Darren, me and Derek dressing like twins!

Luna the Third

At our house, we have the original Luna:


Luna the first reincarnation:


Luna the second reincarnation followed by Luna the THIRD:



In six years of being together, Derek and I have NEVER HAD A CAR PAYMENT! Until today. He is saying goodbye to his 12 year old Saturn with over hundreds of thousands of miles on it and we are getting a new Mazda CX-7! (ours is black) just in time for baby.
On top of that, we are buying it TWO YEARS to the DAY of closing on our first home together on May 17, 2007! funny, right?

Playlist or no playlist?

There is a new survey up on the sidebar: should I post my playlist again or not? I know some people were enjoying it but others might be annoyed when music pops up. Of course, you can always mute it at the click of a button. Let me know in the survey- your vote counts!

First Mother's Day (though not technically)

I feel so blessed and loved today! After a morning bagel, fruit and egg brunch, D. and I spent the day in preparations and then D. took me up to a local park with a view of the whole valley. He gave me a beautiful card and presented me with a wrapped package.

"I just want you to know I can't take any credit for this," he said as he handed it to me. It felt like a book or photo album, but I could tell right away it was not empty. Question marks flooded my head as I ripped open the rest of the package. Inside, I found a virtual baby shower; page after page of beautiful scrapbooked pages from family, friends, and loved ones from all over. Sitting at the top of my western valley, I felt instantly connected to all my faraway peeps. I turned the pages in awe, disbelieving that all of these people and pages had made their way together into this beautiful, beautiful book.

You see, a few months ago, during a heart to heart with my kindred spirit, Kim, I mentioned how sad I was about not being able to be with many of these people in the months leading up to the birth of my first child. She contacted everyone and asked for help with a project. She raved about everyone's affection and enthusiasm to participate.

So thank you to all of you who contributed, sent loving thoughts, helped in any way big or small to get the book of blessings to me this mother's day. It is truly a treasure and I love each and every one of you.

Derek's secret project

Happy 38th anniversary mom and dad!

Just a quick post to wish my folks a happy anniversary!

What I will love about being a mom

A little tricky to answer this before the fact, but I think the thing I will adore the most are the cuddles and seeing the world through new (his) eyes!

May is here!

Our backyard looks so colorful, thanks to some recent plantings by my dad during my parents' weeklong visit last week. I've hit 35 weeks of pregnancy, so we have just a little over a month to finish preparations for little one's arrival! Some of our projects include:

*car shopping
*carseat shopping (today!)
*finish bird mobile for nursery
*pack hospital bag (done)
*organize nursery closet
*thank you notes
*ipod music mix for labor/delivery (derek's job)
*finish birth blessing necklace (2/3 done)
*school to-do's (so overwhelming, I am not even going to attempt to list it here! I have 3 more weeks at work.)
*shop for a few last minute items that will be needed at hospital
*hire someone for one time cleaning of house before baby comes home

*I know there is more, but that's a lot, right?



My mom washed loads (no pun intended!) of baby clothes during her stay and got everything neatly organized in the big crib for now until we get the closet done.

Our neighbor enjoys carpentry and is making the top frame for our changing table. It will attach to the antique Singer sewing machine that belonged to my great-grandmother.