Lexie's Nursery

 Well...it is finally finished! 

Yes, it took me longer than I had hoped...

but I am so happy with how everything turned out.

So...here is Lexie's nursery...

Here is a closer look at her crib. You might remember from an earlier post that I fell in love with her bumper, only to find out that Pottery Barn had discontinued it...but then was GIVEN one from a mom who had used it in her daughter's room. 

I absolutely love all of the colors in it! 

I added the large, pink, satin bows.

I am in love with the monogram...which I got a great deal on from Groopdealz.

If you don't get their daily e-mails...I highly recommend you sign up.

It came unfinished so I painted it with the same color chalk paint that I used for her dresser.

Here is a close up of the wall to the left of her crib. 

Landry painted the sweet picture of flowers to match her room.

G.G. (Chad's mom) bought the adorable...and tiny...tutu.

I can hardly wait to take a million pictures of Lexie in it. :)

Side note...

yes, it is driving me slightly crazy that the shelf has 4 hooks...

so the tutu isn't center...ugh.

Here's a look at the opposite side of the room.

The chest of drawers and dresser are mine...

from when I was a little girl.

Both were previously painted black.

I used some Annie Sloan chalk paint to refinish them...

added glass knobs and... 

voila...a brand new look!

The birdcage and Cinderella carriage both came from Hobby Lobby.

More bows will be added to the birdcage...and the carriage stores her headband collection.

I made the bow wall art...thanks to some inspiration from Pinterest.

Here is the same glider that was in Landry's room. 

You might remember that I had upholstered it for his room.

Well, I decided to take off the upholstery, slap some chalk paint on it, 

recover the cushions, and give it a new look.

Don't mind the empty picture frames...

they will soon be filled with pictures of our little girl. :)

Here is one last look at our little girl's room!

It is hard to believe that we will be meeting her in one week...

we can hardly wait!

Four Days...

Pretty close to 13 years ago, I walked onto the Riverview campus as an eager student teacher. Little did I know that day, that I would be spending most of the next 13 years of my life on this campus. I finished up my initial student teaching, loved the staff, pulled some strings, was able to do my final student teaching there, and then...got my first teaching job. First grade. Room 1. Riverview Rams...charging to success!

Jen, Laura, and I on Twins Day!

During my 11 years as a teacher I have directed drama productions, served on School Site Council, co-headed Student Council, taught reading lab, coached numerous cheer squads to first place finishes, created yearbooks, organized countless rallies, volunteer luncheons, talent shows, a literacy week, and so much more!

1st place trophy for Clovis North Stampede Cheer Competition

Celebrating our 1st place finish AND Grand Champions!

Me and Chelsey...she was the flower girl in our wedding!

Along with my teaching responsibilities, I have dressed up in 50's attire, worn my jammies to school, transformed into a nerd, become a superhero, a cowboy, an 80's "material girl," and performed in more than my fair share of embarrassing teacher skits...oh...and I even worked at McDonald's!

Too Smart for Drugs - Red Ribbon Week

Superhero scooter race

High School Musical inspired "Together" performance for the carnival

Working the drive-thru during McTeacher's Night

Things haven't always been perfect. I have been yelled at by more parents than I can count. Called a Nazi, told I had no experience because I wasn't married, lectured about my unrealistic expectations, and so much more. But along with the bad times, I have received some of the sweetest notes, cards, letters, been truly spoiled on Teacher Appreciation Day, and formed bonds with some incredible students and families!

Not only have I had the opportunity to meet some incredible families...I have worked with some of the best teachers there are. We have laughed together, cried together, analyzed data, PLCed, motivated students, given PR points, celebrated students' accomplishments, earned 3 California Distinguished School awards,  boosted each other up when we were having a rough day/week/month/ year...and become a family. 

Stan, MC, and me on our 2nd grade zoo field trip

Me, MC, Stan, and Karyn on Mustache Day

Some "motivation" given to me on a rough morning. :)

Not only have I grown as an educator...I have gotten engaged, married, and had soon to be two children during my years at Riverview.

My first grader class when I had Landry.

Riverview has been my home for the past 13 years. Up until a week ago I was on my maternity leave count-down. I am down to 4 days. But...as of a week ago...the count down has a whole new meaning to it. I am now down to my last 4 days at Riverview!

Yup...you read that right. This next week will be my last week as a Riverview Ram! I have been given a wonderful opportunity and next school year I will be an Oraze Bearcat! There are so many thoughts and emotions that I am feeling right now. I have been kind of ready for a change for the past year or so...and I am so excited to start a new chapter in my career...and so excited to be a part of the Oraze community. However...I am so sad to be leaving the school that has been my home and such a huge part of my life. I honestly cannot wrap my head around the fact that when I leave my room on Friday...I will only be returning to pack up my things.

For those of you that are reading this...and learning about my move this way...I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to tell you in person. Honestly, this change all came about so incredibly fast, I haven't had a chance to see everyone and talk to everyone I would like to.

So, as I try and enjoy my three day weekend...I cannot help but think about the fact that I am going to soak up every minute of the next four days. This really is a bittersweet time for me...not to mention that I am trying to get ready for a baby in a few weeks. :)

Baby Bump: 35 weeks

Fruit comparison: At 35 weeks, Lexie is supposedly the size of a honeydew melon.

Sick or fabulous: Slightly uncomfortable is a better choice of words. With my belly continuing to "pop" more and more...it is getting more difficult to do things. Sleeping has become a bit of a chore. 

Weight gain: I am up to 19 pounds...and counting. At my last appointment, this past week, my doctor told me my weight gain was good...but that apparently she is measuring a little on the small side. I found that to be quite funny since I feel like my belly is growing by the minute.

Cravings: This week brought on the need for Nutter Butters. Yup...not sure why...but that was a daily snack for me. To balance out the Nutter Butters I also had a craving for fruit...that's good...right?

Looking forward to: Finishing up my "to-do" lists! I still need to finish up the final details for the nursery, get my hospital bag ready, buy diapers...yes, it is true, we do not have a single diaper in the house yet. Once that is done, then I can go into "crazy, pregnant, nesting mode" and do a deep clean of everything. :)

Name Update: Well...it is "official"...her name is Lexie Ann Lofgren! Yes, I may have had an emotional, crazy, hormonal, moment where I made Chad give a final answer. It is times like those...and others of course, too...that I really know that I married the right man. :) He is always so calm, lets me have my "moment" and then loves me for the crazy person I can sometimes be. He reassured me that yes, he likes the name...and that he has just been giving me a bad time this whole entire time.

Landry's thoughts: He is starting to get concerned about the size of my growing belly. :) Here is a conversation we had the other morning when I was getting dressed for work:

Landry...looking at my belly: "Um, Mama...what do you think is going to fit around that bad boy?"

Me: "Well...hopefully this shirt I am planning on wearing."

Landry: "Good luck with that!"

Tutu Cute!

Yesterday my sister and Erin threw Lexie and me the cutest baby shower ever!

Here are the invites...

As you can see...everything was covered in pink, bows, rhinestones, and flowers.

Erin did all of the flowers herself...so pretty!

Each place-setting had a darling shade of pink nail polish...complete with a mini tutu, bow, and rhinestone!

And let's not forget the adorable cake, cupcakes, and other goodies! The cake and cupcakes were made by All Things Frosted...and not only were they so incredibly cute...they were amazingly delicious.

It was a wonderful afternoon of games, all things girlie, and some of the most adorable gifts,

I mean, Lexie is seriously going to be the cutest thing around. I still have to pinch myself that I get to have a little girl and cover her in pink, bows, bling, and ruffles.

The two hostesses with the mostests! :)

My dear friend Erin and me

A few of the amazing girls I get to work with everyday,

Karyn, Kim, me, and MC.

Aunt Judy and me

Kaitlin, Aunt Judy, and me

The Kruser Girls!

Aunt Judy, my mom, me, and Kaitlin

I didn't get a chance to get a picture with everyone. :( I can't believe that I forgot to get one with just my mom and just my sister...I blame it on pregnancy brain. I cannot thank everyone enough for coming and spending part of their Saturday with me! It was so much fun and I love getting the chance to hang out with all of the amazing women in my life. Lexie and I are very lucky to be so loved!

I cannot thank these two enough...everything was so perfect...and I love you both so much!

**Did anyone count the number of times I used the words "cute" and "adorable"? 

I didn't...but it was an obnoxious amount. :)