Bump It...chapter 4

Well, we have hit the 33 week mark and things are still going well! Many of you know that a good friend of mine had her baby 6 weeks early, so...needless to say I have been a bit busy getting things ready just in case Landry decides to make an early appearance! Here is our most recent "bump" photo as well as my 5 "ahas" for this month!

Kristin's Top 5 Ahas:

1. Too prepared...never!

Chad has had a good time lately just laughing at me and some of my recent craziness. As I said, a friend of mine had her baby early and well, it has prompted me to start checking off the ol' to-do list. Yes, I have my hospital bag packed, the diaper bag packed, the "Baby Binder" ready to go...I'll explain more...and have washed his clothes, put them away and am now heading into nesting mode. I mean, heaven forbid this child come into the world and the junk drawer be disorganized! :o)
2. The "Baby Binder"
Those of you that know me pretty well know that I have a "touch" of OCD...can you sense the sarcasm? So, for our wedding I had the "Wedding Binder" with everything labeled, categorized, and ready to go. Well, having a baby is WAY more involved than a wedding so, of course, I have a "Baby Binder." Can you hear Chad chuckling at my craziness? In the binder I have contact information for my doctors as well as Landry's pediatrician, insurance info, our birth plan...which isn't really much of a plan at all...the "call" list of who needs to be called on the way to the hospital and after delivery...and of course a check-off list of things that need to be grabbed before we head out the door. Yes, I know that I am slightly crazy! :o)
3. Are you eating that?
We all know that there is the belief that pregnant women develop these wierd cravings for things like pickles and ice cream. Aside from my love for any sort of baked good, I haven't experienced any wierd cravings. What I have developed is an intense envy for ANYTHING that Chad might be eating. Poor guy...anything he happens to make to eat...I am all about it! I can not even be hungry, he will make something and all of a sudden...I have to have what he is having. So, he has gotten into the habit of always making a little extra for me just in case!
4. Emotional...no, not me!
I think it is safe to say that I have always been a bit emotional but wow...lately...anything can bring me to tears. The Olympics almost did me in. If someone won, I would tear up, if they fell, I would tear up, if the showed the Canadian landscape, I would tear up. Pretty much anything will bring it on...even simple t.v. commercials. I guess it is just another one of those things that comes with the package.
5. Sleeping on my stomach...oh how I miss thee!!!!!
Yes, I have always been a "stomach sleeper." Nothing is better then laying down, grabbing the pillow and letting your whole body rest. I have to say that I think this is something that miss the most. As much as I enjoy feeling Landry's movements and my ever growing belly...as much as that's possible...I cannot wait for the day when I can lay down on my stomach again!!!!!

Rams Rock!

So, I have to take a pause from my craft and pregnancy posts to share another passion of mine. CHEERLEADING!!!! Yes, it is a love of mine and I am so proud of this group of young ladies that I have the priviledge to coach with my friend Katie. Here is a video of the Clovis West Showcase Grand Champions...Riverview Rams:

Operation Nursery: Picture Frames

Here is a recent project that I finished for Landry's nursery and I have to say that I think it is my favorite...maybe it is just the hormones but I am a bit emotional just thinking about what this project is going to showcase in the years to come!
As I have been adding all of the finishing touches to Landry's room I have known that I wanted to get some picture frames that I could use to display photos of my little man as he grows. I remembered that I had a load of picture frames left over from our wedding. Here is one of them: Clearly the frame is black...one of my favorite colors...but I have made a pact with myself to avoid using black in Landry's room so...here comes the spray paint...about $3 at Lowes.

I took the backs and glass off of the frames, laid them out on some cardboard in the garage and started painting.

I decided that I wanted to matte my photos with fabric scraps from Landry's bedding. So, here is what I did. I took the back of the frame...you know, the part with the little stand-thingy on it...and ran a strip of hot glue around the edge. Then I covered it with the fabric scraps.

Not the best pictures but hopefully you can understand what I did..

After the fabric was glued on I trimmed up the edges.

The idea with my frames is that I can easily pull out the pictures and trade them for new ones as Landry grows. Obviously we do not have photos of him yet...and I didn't want to place empty frames in his room...so , I used his last ultra-sound photos. I simply used double-sided tape to place the photos on the fabric covered backs and then put the frames back together. Here are all three frames:

Here is Landry all curled up in mommy's tummy...

His adorable profile...not that I am biased or anything...

And one of our favorites...the "thumbs up" letting us know that everything is going great!

So, there you have it. Sweet, simple, easy to change photo frames! Instead of fabric you could always do the same idea with scrapbook paper, wallpaper, wrapping paper...the possibilities are endless!

Operation Nursery: Window Treatment and Pillows

I know that I am a bit late in posting these two projects...I think that is going to be a part of my "new life" as a parent! :o)
Here are two pillows that I made for the chair in Landry's room. For the larger pillow all I did was take an existing pillow I was no longer using and recovered it...basically made a new cover and sewed it right on over the old cover! As you can see I used the same fabrics that are on the the crib bumper. I decided to do all "rough" seams...meaning that the raw edge of the seams is on the outside...instead of the inside. I like the fact that it gives the pillow and chair a bit of a "rough and tumble feel"...something I am sure this room is going to experience a lot of!
With the smaller pillow I was able to pick up a pillow form at JoAnn's on sale...$4! Again, I used the fabric left over from his bedding. I cut-out the "L" and ironed on some thin, double-sided fusing, then ironed it onto the pillow cover. Since the fabric was left over from his bumper...the only thing I had to buy was one pillow form...two coordinating pillows...one monogram...$4...LOVE IT!!!! This next project is one that I have had done for about a month now...I know, I know...I am a blog slacker...sorry! You are going to die when I tell you that the window treatment is made from foam board...yes, that's right...foam board! I had seen this idea on one of my favorite blogs, Design Dazzle...you can find the link on the sidebar. The idea was that instead of using wood to make a cornice box...use good old foam board. So, being a thrifty girl...and more importantly...no experience with a saw...and of course being too impatient to wait for help from my husband...I decided to go for the foam.
I bought two pieces of foam board from Michael's...on sale for a total of $7. Sorry...I forgot to take pictures while I was working...so you'll have to bare with me...is that the right form of "bare"...hmmmm? Anyway, I cut both boards in half. Now here's the best part...and when I say best...I really mean hoakiest part...I busted out the clear packing tape and taped together two of the half cut pieces. Oh ya, taped them together...I can feel Martha Stewart cringing now! Then I cut to small pieces to tape to both ends that formed the "L" bracket to attach the cornice to the wall bracket.
Once it was all taped together, I covered it in batting and fabric, securing it with my trusty old staple gun on the back side of the cornice box. Here is my very sophisticated, professional, high quality, window treatment!

Notice the lamp shade? That is a plain, white lamp shade from Target that I covered with some fabric and trimmed with grosgrain ribbon. Now, I just need to a picture of my little man to put on the table!

Bump It...chapter 3

Well, look who's back on a roll! Yup, I am giving myself a bit of a pat on the back for getting back to my old, productive, self. Ahhh does it feel good!!!! Things are still going very smoothly here at the Lofgren household. I have shared with so many people that I feel so blessed to have had such a smooth and easy pregnancy. I know there are still three months to go, and I hate to jinx myself but so far, so good.

Here is the most recent "bump" picture. I am 28 weeks in this picture and as you can see...getting larger and larger!

So, I don't have a list of new "ahas" this month...but I think you will enjoy what I do have for you! Being a first grade teacher, I am blessed to spend my days surrounded by young minds that are always full of funny little tid-bits. One of the things that I love most about my job is being able to experience life through the eyes of a six or seven year old. It really is amazing to see how they view the world and to be reminded of all the simple joys in life that we so often take for granted. So, in honor of my first graders...here are some quotes they have shared with me during my pregnancy...enjoy!

1. When I showed my class the first ultrasound we had done one little girl said, "Oh, Mrs. Lofgren...that baby is so cute...like a little kitten...hopefully its not covered in fur though!"

2. One day after returning from lunch with a bottle of sparkling juice, "Mrs. Lofgren, are you drinking wine?" I of course responded, "No, actually this is a kind of juice...almost like an orange soda." The child then responded, "You do know that pregnant women are not allowed to drink caffeinated beverages...right?"

3. Once my belly started to show, I heard one child say to another one in my class, "I don't think Mrs. Lofgren can eat very many cookies now. Look at her stomach, there isn't enough room in there for them."

4. While celebrating my birthday in class one child shared, "Mrs. Lofgren...wouldn't it be so cool if your baby hatched today!?!"

And here is my favorite...

5. As he walked out of the classroom to go home, a little boy looked at my belly with big, wide, eyes and said, "Wow, Mrs. Lofgren...your stomach is getting HUGE!!!"

Bump It...chapter 2

I know that I am a bit late on this post but one of my new mottos is "better late than never"...right? As you can tell, my goal of posting a "bump" update once a month lasted...hmmm...the first month. So here I am with a belated bump update.

At this point I am about 27 weeks along and things are going smoothly. If you remember me writing about my love-hate relationship with my sciatic nerve...you will be happy to know that is now strictly a love relationship. I have been going to a chiropractor and let me tell you...Dr. Matt...you are a savior! I can actually walk, sit, roll-over, etc. without having the feeling that someone is stabbing me...ow how wonderful that is. So here is a list of my "Top 5 Aha's" for this month...by the way, since I am late in posting this, the below picture was taken at week 25! Kristin's Top 5 Aha's

1. Baked Goods Are Amazing! Let me jst say that there isn't a baked good that is safe in a room with me. Whether it be cookies, cake, cupcakes, rice krispy treats, donuts, muffins, etc...if it is a sweet, yummy little treat...back away...it is mine! I know that I will probably be paying for it later but, Dr. Mason keeps telling me I am doing great in regards to weight gain...so until then...watch your back baked goods!
2. Houston...We Have Our Hands Full! So, when Landry is born...if he is ANYTHING like he is in the womb...Chad and I could be in trouble. Like any other expecting mom, I could not WAIT to feel the first kick. Well, let me tell you...once he started...he never stopped! He loves to kick and punch and play around in there with all his might. I find myself sitting on the couch, staring at my belly, in awe of the fact that I can see feet and hands moving around on both sides of my belly...at the same time. Chad likes to say that he is practicing his basketball moves, my dad thinks he is practicing his quarterback skills and my mom is convinced he is warming up his left-handed pitching arm. All I know is that he has energy...and a lot of it!
3. If I Only Had A Brain! I had always heard friends talk about "pregnancy brain" but to be honest, I never really believed it. Well, now I am a true believer. There are so many times when I feel like I have completely lost it. I find myself forgetting things instantly, misplacing things, losing my words in mid-conversation and half-way completing a billion projects. I always been a fan of the "To-do list"...there is no greater feeling than being able to cross off the things you've accomplished. But now...I am dependent on the list...if I lose the list, I'm a gonner!
4. Patience...What Patience? enough said on that one!
5. Not Much of an Aha: As I have shared before...I am blessed with one amazing husband! When we first started dating I nicknamed Chad, "The Master of No Emotion." This being because he really doesn't show much emotion at times. He can tell you he is "really excited" about something, but his expression is the same as me saying that I have to go grocery shopping. One of the best things about him is that he has a way of doing these totally unexpected things that just make you go, "ahhhhhh." For example, the other day I opened our front door and found a package on the porch. It was from Amazon so I asked Chad what he had ordered. He "revealed" that even though Landry may have the same name as a famous Dallas Cowboys football coach...he was a 49er fan first and foremost. He pulled out this little hooded towel that had the 49er logo on it and "Little Niner Fan" below the logo. He was one proud daddy! I cannot say enough about how incredibly supportive, patient and understanding he has been during this whole process. Each day he I find something new to love about him and I cannot wait to see him in action as a dad!

Operation Nursery: Wall Art

Well, it has been awhile since I have updated you on the nursery. Obviously, my vacation ended and it was back to work for me. So, unfortunately I haven't had the amount of time to focus on the nursery...but don't worry...I find the time to get a few things done! :o)
My latest accomplishment was creating some wall art for Landry's wall, above his changing table. It was super simple, inexpensive and I love the results.
I must confess that this project was a bit frustrating for awhile. I knew that I wanted to use the fabrics from Landry's bedding to mimic the squares on his wall. I also really wanted to add words of inspiration...here was my dilemma...what should the art say?
I wanted the words to represent my hopes and dreams for this little man that we are bringing into the world but at the same time I wanted them to be well suited for a little boy's room...a room that my little man is going to spend a lot of time in. So, of course I asked Chad for his input. Oh how I love my husband...he cracks me up...his response, "Can't you put on there, 'graduate high school, graduate college, and get a job'?" Let me just say that he was DEAD serious. Although these are great goals...and definitely things that I know our son will accomplish, I was looking for words that were a bit more whimsical without being "girlie." So, here is what I decided on:

Hopefully they will represent all of the things that I hope my little man experiences in his life. Like I said earlier, the project was very simple. I bought artist canvases from Michael's. Then I covered them in the fabric from his bedding using my handy-dandy staple gun. Next I took some satin ribbon and stapled it on as well. Finally I glued on the chipboard letters that I bought at Michael's. Voila!