Little peaks of the 85% finished nursery!

Please excuse the poor lighting, it doesn't do the pink walls justice! They are perfect in person!

At least according to this mama!

The framed embroidery print on the wall was made by Matt's mom when he was a baby/kid! Rocking chair recovered by me and the pillow made to "tie in the bedding". It still needs to be painted white! The lamp, we both loved from target, it has owls and other cute little creatures on it (I need to put a close up). The vintage blocks spelling her name were a gift from Auntie Noel. And the beautiful changing table made by a guy from our church as a gift!

This is the view looking in the door. Crib still needs a sheet and skirt!! Also our bags are packed and waiting, sitting in it! Don't worry that outlet down there will have a cover on it before she actually uses this room! Still figuring something out for the windows, but sheers for now.

And these are the bumpers but that is the only part of the bedding done! I am waiting on some fabric to come in. Her name will eventually go over her crib in some creative way too.....

So yeah, we still have a little ways to go to finish this but it's coming together. I will do better pics when it's all done :)

This hopefully satisfies the Grandma's in the mean time :)

Just another reason the girly needs to come soon!

I think this picture pretty much speaks for itself!

Week 41 (and 2 days!) letter

Dear daughter,

Ok, here's where I mean business! I am trying to be patient, I really am.....but girly, this is hard! I am not going to lie, I cried a little this morning as I sat in the rocking chair, in your nursery, that is all ready to go for you. But then as soon as your dad called you a "turd" from the other room, I found myself getting defensive over you! Reminding both of us out loud, that you will come when you're ready. We have both been countering each others comments of impatience with comments of reassurance all week long! I am so thankful that your dad and I are a team in this!

Truly, every minute is a flip flop in my head of being ok that you haven't come yet, to being desperate for you to show up! Honestly, a big part of it is because I have been dreaming of and preparing for your birth for months now and I really want it to be natural, and not induced. With each day that passes, I fear that we are getting away from that....but the Lord and others, gently remind me to just TRUST!

Like I have said in earlier letters, I know you will teach me A LOT in our life together and that is already happening in this special time of it's own. And I need to remember that these last days and hours are so special and just to soak them up!

So here's where I switch tunes in my letter, to focus on the special moments. Just writing my true feelings down above already has lightened my heart! I am thankful for the special moments I had with your dad last night. Joking and laughing the whole way on our walk to Safeway, it just felt so good. Having him ask me all evening long as we laid on the couch, if I was "doing alright?" with every position change I made. Teasing me again for going into your room and turning on your lamp, just because I like the way it looks on and I could see it from the couch! oh and the creative ways we tried to get you come..... (you'll know what I mean one day!)

Today, I am going to try hard to just let go of all my "what if's and whens" and just be in the moment. You will come in the right time, I know this girly. I choose to trust this and trust God.

I love you little one! You are SO worth the wait!

love,

mama

another "could be our last date night before she comes" date night

That has been my every thought this week...."could this be the last thing I eat before she comes?" "Could this be the last time we snuggle on the couch with out having her here to snuggle too?" "Could this be our last "date" pre-kiddo?"

It's a funny feeling...like I've told a few people this week, it's like knowing I get to go to Disneyland anyday, but my parents won't tell me when we are leaving! That's the big surprise....

and Miss Ellie is still waiting to come.....so that is the surprise we are waiting for too....

anxiously

excitedly

patiently (for the most part!)

and

lovingly!

We do trust God's timing and hers.....

So in the meanwhile, we chose to enjoy some UFC fighting and good food and entertaining company in the seats next to us!

Gotta love those "could be the last pre-kiddo date nights!" (I've thought that now for the past 3!!!)

i love my life.....

Week 40 (and 2 days) letter

Dear Ellie girl,

You are still "Ellie in my belly" as of right now.....and this weeks email tells me you are now the size of a.........baby! So I guess that means you can come out now :) I am feeling good, maybe just little anxious but NOT impatient. Just very curious of when the time will be is all. Waking every morning, wondering "Is today the day?" or going to bed each night thinking " Is tonight the night?" Also wondering if every feeling in my belly is the beginning of you coming into the world!

But truly, I do feel so good. Your dad is being very great and supportive and encouraging in these final days too. He is my best friend and I am so so thankful for him.

We accomplished so much in your room this past weekend!! And I am really loving how it is all coming together. I still have little projects to do and finish but I just love the overall feel and look. I sat in the rocking chair last night, just thinking of you and picturing all the moments we will have in there. Reading, playing, singing, dancing, making, pretending, etc....

Baby girl, you have already brought me such JOY! I can't help but smile when I think of what is to come.

We took a LONG walk last night in the rainy evening and spoke of you for most of the time. I talked about how my 8 weeks of maternity leave are going to go so fast and I really just want to soak it all up. I was reminded by a great mama friend this week how fast it all really does go and to treasure it. I plan to do just that girly. I know I have a tendency to want things to be a certain way, or have strong opinions on things, or expectations, or to want to keep the house clean, yadda yadda, but I am going to make a concious effort in these coming 8 weeks to just soak up being a new mama and enjoy every bit, even the hard moments. I hope this sets a good foundation for our entire life together....to NOT get caught up in all the things that really don't matter that I miss out on the things that truly do. Those little moments, those special times. I am sure I will learn SO many lessons, daily even, being your mama. I am READY girly....and I hope the things I learn, I can one day share with you!

It really is coming soon Ellie girl! We are hearing lots of predictions of when the day and time will be! You have so many people, family and friends both, that are very excited to meet you. You are already so special to them and are so loved!

I will MEET you soon my darling babe!!

love,

mama

it's the little things...

-like looking at each other in church, knowing we are thinking the same exact thing (about what I CAN'T remember now) but saying "we just had the same thought!" with a smile

-like feeling his hand rub my shoulder or take my own hand during prayer or a worship song

-like being treated to a bake sale item just because

-like encouraging me to take a nap while he worked outside, went on a run, and did some chores

-like waking me sweetly and gently so I wouldn't be grumpy after the nap

-like a nice afternoon walk up some hilly streets with my man and my wonderful mother-in-law

-like enjoying some afternoon toast (i LOVE toast!)

-like me suggesting a date and him using his birthday money to make it happen

-like him suggesting we go walk around Target after dinner but really just using the drive through the parking lot as a decoy to end up parking at Cold Stone (alterior motives!)

-like him wanting to push all the couches together to make one huge bed/couch in the living room that we can snuggle on cause that's what he REALLY wants to do!

All these little things and so many more....they are just a FEW of the reasons i LOVE my husband and am so thankful for him and these last 9 months we have shared together growing, learning, and loving!

*EXCEPT the toast one....that has nothing to do with Matt :) I just like my toast!