It's been brought to my attention...

That I'm slacking on this blog.
Thank you, mom.

Let's see what has been going on with us?

• Colorado was awesome! We had so much fun. It was so good to see family and friends and that baby shower was amazing! Thank you everyone. Pictures to come, Maya took some great ones and is going to send to me (right Maya? :)
• The room is coming along. I will post a few more pictures later this weekend, showing some things we've added. We are headed out of town this weekend, so the animal wall stickers will have to wait until Sunday.
  
• Bedding is coming Monday! Have I shown you? No? Oh well, here it is:

Its by Banana Fish and I found it on Amazon. Originally I was going to work with my MIL to make the bedding, but we have looked and searched and canNOT find any material. They just don't have much out there. Then when I found this for an awesome deal, I figured it was worth a try. I got in on a trail basis b/c I'm not sure the blues are going to work. I think the orange is going to be fine (its a little brighter than shown here) but not sure about the blue. Its a robin eggs blue and I'm thinking that its still in the same color family as the aqua...but you never know until you get it in there, so I've ordered and we'll see. I love that its has animals, polka dots, and the alphabet but its not too...babyish. Yes I'm aware its for a baby. :) I thought if the blue needs to be tied in more, I may replace the bumper ribbons with bright aqua ones...

• Our next doctors appointment is Monday 16th and this one is going to be a doozy. I get to drink that sugary stuff and take the glucose test. So exciting. Did I mention they are going to take my blood yet again? Oh I'm over this blood taking. All for the little guy right?
• We are headed towards our 3rd Trimester...which just seems crazy! How is it that we only have November, December and January left before we get to meet Baby Baksa?
• We are still undecided on a baby name. I'm hoping it just comes to me. Any thoughts?

Love, Nicole

Furniture is Here!

It is finally here! Well I say that and actually its early. We were expecting it sometime around Thanksgiving but it must have just wanted to come now :) Which I am totally good with.

Updates

• Furniture is here! Almost a month before we thought it would be! Since we are going out of town this weekend, we are going to go pick it up next Friday. Cannot wait to see it in the room.
• I found my diaper bag. Its amazing. Pictures to come. (Thanks Laura for picking it up in Atlanta!)
• Carpal Tunnel. I've got it. Apparently its very easy to get carpal tunnel when you are pregnant. Joy. We had a doctors appointment yesterday so the doctor told me all I need to do is wear a brace at night (to stop me from curling up my fingers and sleeping on my hand) and try to take it easy on it this week. Boy does it hurt.
• We leave for Colorado tomorrow!

Can't wait to post all the pictures of our trip and our new baby stuff. Its really going to feel like we are really really having a baby with a crib in the house. Oh I can't wait.

Love, Coley

Colorado Bound!

• In 6 days we will be in wonderful Colorado to see our family & friends. We have lots of fun lined up, including a baby shower (Thanks Myriam,Darcie and Maya!!), a few shopping trips, checking out Jason's new house, post birthday celebrations with Maya and Maureen, a pre birthday celebration with Mike, did I mention shopping?!, and laying on the couch.

• Its going to be wonderful.

• Since we are leaving straight from work next week I need to start packing us on Saturday. That's the goal. Everyone says that you have to plan so much more when you have a baby, I think that goes for being pregnant too. I have to give myself enough time in case I get super tired or start feeling gross and just don't want to do anything. Practice for the real thing I guess :)

• This will be my first flight since I'm actually "showing" pregnant and I'm very excited with a little nervousness thrown in. I'm sure all will be okay since this has been the most amazing pregnancy thus far, I just hope I can get comfortable on the plane since that seems to be my major issue these days.

• I took a picture on Sunday for 23 weeks and I will try and post it tonight before the 24 weeks goes up :) 6 months on Sunday 18th! I canNOT believe it. So exciting.

• We've gotten so much done, but lots to finish. Painting is done, we are weighing our options on whether we should start moving stuff in there yet, as the carpet needs a good cleaning. We don't have much to move in though, so may not matter. I still need to order the mobile, wall stickies, rug, fabric and a few other items online.

• In other family news, Angelo Baksa has grown up. He's a big puppy now. This whole week Angelo has been staying at home, with free reign of the house, all by himself. We put the trash can in the pantry and shut that door (that dog doesn't need any temptations) but other than that, he's just hanging out being a big boy, err dog. I cannot fully wrap my mind around it. I never thought we'd see the day. We video taped him the first two half days (we are those parents) and watched what he did. After the first hour of running to the window, running up the stairs to that window and back, we figured we didn't need to see anymore.

• Yeah Angelo! Freedom from the crate at last.

Love,

coley

The Room! Painted!

Angelo sleeps, err helps Chris paint.

Look at the fabulous job my amazing husband is doing!

Here's Chris painting away.

And look at the amazing job he did!

Doesn't it look great!

Chris did this all in one day! I am so happy with it.
The colors came out great and I think everything is going to match perfectly.

Thanks honey!

Prime, Paint, Repeat

Chris is at home today painting the babies room. I am SO excited. I'm even going home at lunch to see how far he's come and so we can decide how high to put the orange line of paint.

I am going to try and snap a few pictures tonight when he gets more done so you can see. I cannot wait for the paint to go up on the walls. When he is done with the painting we are going to start moving in the chair and hanging things up on the walls. Then all we'll have to wait for is the furniture to show up, and the fabrics....

I am having some serious trouble finding fabric. All the fabric I've found that is fun, and not too babyish (I'm sorry but I am not making these curtains for fun :) they gotta last for a little while) is Blue and Green. Green? I don't need green...I need blue and orange. Its like every cool print is with green. I'm not getting it. See?

How cute is this? Adorable. But Green. The blue isn't perfect but I could work with it, but the lack of orange is just not going to work.

Let me know if you spot anything. I'll post a few in the style I'm looking for...

love, Nicole

A Few of My (*new*) Favorite Things

*Chocolate glider we are sure to spend many nights in*
(waiting in the office for the baby room to be painted)

*Our new lamp, side table and our sons first framed picture*


*3 silver frames*

*Our Color Scheme*
We are going to use this little basket to hold diapers ect on top the changing table
We also bought a hamper in the same color,
The little Nike socks, are the perfect color orange,
and the blue frame I couldn't pass up, as it matched perfectly

We are going to paint a thick orange line about the height of the crib,
everything under will be blue and everything above white.

Our Valspar paint:
La Fonda Fiesta Blue
&
Autumn Gala Orange
&
Satin Snow White

Along with our color scheme, we will have animal silhouettes around the room.
We plan to have these little guys walking on our orange line:
I think I'm going to get them in dark brown and maybe space them out a little more

Oh and I can't forget this guy:
I think the dark brown will look good with the chair and dark furniture

Speaking of...here is our furniture, we hope to have it sometime in mid November.
*the crib*

*the changing table*


* the dresser*

*the mobile*
We are going to print pictures of our favorite people and places
and affix them to orange and blue paper,
and laminate them.
This way our little guy can see everyone and every place we love.


the end.



I am still on the hunt for:
*An Orange rug*
*An Orange pillow for the chair*
*Fabric for curtains and bedding*
*Lots of stuffed safari animals*
*Art*
*A few additional frames*

Already handsome just like Dad...

Click the images to see our little guy up close. Pic 1 is the babies foot, Pic 2 is our little guy waving :), Pic 3 is a profile shot, those are the ribs you can see, Pic 4 is our baby boy proof, Pic 5 is two shots of him with his arms behind his head, Pic 6 he's playing peek a boo, Pic 7 is a mystery to me :) I think its his stomach...and Pic 8 is another great profile shot.

He moved all around when he was having his picture taken. He was so cute :)

We are already in love...

One word

BOY :)

If...its a girl

Oops, can't forget to show the baby girl stuff off!

Here are the things I cannot wait to buy- if its a girl.

Skinny Jeans, Mary Jane tights, and the cutest shirt and skirt.



Oh and this...

Baby Boy

I've done pretty good family and friends.

I haven't bought much for this little baby.

I've held back.

I've tried to be reasonable.

But as soon as we find out, its on.

Here are the things I'll be buying (immediatley) if its a Boy.

I love this. The color is perfect too. We can measure how big our little guy gets.

I am not even going to try and live without these...they look like tiny loafers. Think I can get away with them for a little girl too?

19 weeks and overwhelmed....so much to do!

I've got so much running through my head. All the things I still need to do, all the things I haven't even thought about yet but inevitably still need to do. Now that I've woken up (I've been laying on the couch/bed half asleep after work for the last two days- so tired!) I thought it would be a good time to make a more "realistic" list of things to do. Not that my 30+ list of house projects can't all be done...but well....maybe I need to prioritize it a bit. So I'm jotting it down here in hopes I'll keep on track. Feel free to call and hassle me, I need the motivation.

House Projects:

• Living Room- New entry rug, oraganize front closet and wall organizer, decorate bookshelf, paint bar and get glass cut for top, art/shelf on back wall and back corner.


• Kitchen/Dining Room- Make curtains (found material!), go thru all the stuff on the fridge.


• Pantry/1/2 Bath- Take everything off pantry shelves and organize, set up area to put shoes and bags when we come home, print pictures for frames in bathroom, yellow rug for bathroom, touch up yellow paint, find silver trash can and magazine holder


• Hall- Paint orange squares and hang wedding photos


• Office-Curtains!, cover chaise, organize white dresser, replace bookcase, get and hang idea board, figure out storage for desk supplies


• Guest Bathroom- Paint one wall and hang/frame Van Gogh pictures, get new bathroom rugs, find storage for towels and baby bath supplies


• Laundry Room- Re Organize!


• Guest Room- Paint or wall decals, paint desk(big maybe), set up furniture and take extra things to garage, clean out closet


• Master Bedroom/Bathroom- Get mirror and hang, frame wedding pictures & vintage pictures of cathedral, make headboard, new pillows for chairs, frame family pictures, organize bathroom closet, paint monogram over tub, clean master closet

Yard/Garage Projects:

• Garage- Paint, Organize and build shelves. (This is so all Chris) Start parking in garage!


• Front Yard- Fix fence and sod a few places, new fall flowers in pots near front door


• Back Yard- Repair canopy thing, move rug and replace with outdoor rug on patio, new shepards hook for bird feeder.
  

Baby Stuff:

• The Nusery: Paint, decorate, everything! Order furniture asap, and clean closet out(now would be a good time to get that wedding dress to the cleaners), add another hanging bar?, new light fixture, order rug, paint bookcase


• Come up with a Baby Girl Room plan (Chris thinks I'm throwing off our probability of having a boy since I know exactly what to do for a boys room...you know you're having the sex you're not as prepared for)


• Complete our baby gear list and register


• Find a stroller and buy


• Make the cloth diaper decision....to try or not to try


• Come up with more baby names. We will share our list soon.


• Read up on vaccines and the alternate vaccine schedule


• Print pictures of family and frame for babies room


• Start the search for that Coach diaper bag! :)


• Stock up on books on infant to toddler years

Trips/Ideas/Ect:

• Come up with monthly cleaning plan- including a laundry schedule (I know you are excited about that one Chris!)


• Make a major run to Goodwill


• Start transitioning cleaning products to less chemical versions


• Plan a trip to North Carolina


• Plan a trip to Buy Buy Baby in Augusta


• Get rid of everything we don't need, haven't used or aren't going to...DE CLUTTER


• Look into getting a stereo for downstairs


• Look into getting a photo printer (going to be printing away once baby gets here)


• Have carpet cleaned


• Get screen doors for front and back doors

Okay I think I got it all out! This is so way more for me than you blog reader, but I had to get that down somewhere or I was going to go crazy. I'll let you know how it goes...starting tonight!

Almost Birthday Time

It's not officially here yet, but I have already had such a great birthday.

Friday I was greeted by a package from the Baksas! It contained a beautiful necklace and bracelet set (silver & turquoise) and money to buy a purse from Myriam! I loved the jewelry and I went right out and found the perfect purse. I couldn't find the green one I had posted here earlier, but I found a powder blue purse in super soft leather that I love.

See...
I can actually fine my keys now...thanks Myriam! My MIL is the best.
Patrick sent me a beautiful scarf, a CU t-shirt (now I have one that fits!) and the best gum ever. Lots of it. Thanks Pat!

On Saturday another little package showed up from my parents and Christopher. Here's Kylin taking it for a test drive.

She agrees pink was the way to go.

Speaking of the Nortons, our favorite family away from home brought over some amazing treats for my birthday. Brownies, a new board game, nail polish and coupons for all kinds of fun stuff!

So the birthday is not even here yet and its already been amazing thanks to my family and friends. Monday after work we are going to eat Mellow Mushroom with a bunch of friends and in two weeks we are headed on a baby shopping trip to Jacksonville.

28 is going to be a good year...

17 Weeks & Prepping the Room

Hello all. We are updating like crazy today, right?

We are officially at 17 weeks today and the bump is growing. Finally! The belly measured 1 inch more than last week.

I went maternity shopping last week. I decided to take the plunge into maternity wear. I got a bunch of pants and skirts, and am so happy for it. So much more comfortable. No more keeping my pants together with a hair tie or that belly band thing. I am still in the market for shirts and a pair of jeans, but no luck so far. I'm tall and I need 34 inch inseams, none of this 32 inch stuff they are selling in the stores. Still working on getting Chris on board with the 7's or True Religion's I've been eyeing....

While I was out I picked up a few things for Chris and a few things for baby. I bought the cutest leggings for a baby you have ever seen. We are talking seriously adorable. See for yourself.
(I would have picked up something for a baby boy, but cute boy clothes are hard to find...)


When I got home Friday I had 2 surprises. Sitting in the middle of the living room floor was a giant box from Emma. I must have pulled out 20 maternity shirts. Plus two really cute sweaters and tons of other stuff. thanks Emma! I was so excited.

And surprise number 2? My awesome husband left a sticky note on the box that said, "this is not your only surprise today, come upstairs." As I got to the top of the stairs, I turned the corner to our bedroom. The door was shut and the note on the door said, "Nope, not here." I headed down the hall to see the same signs on the laundry room door, the hall bathroom and the guest room. The room that is going to be the babies, the room that had red walls and tons of furniture in it when I left Friday morning, now had white primed walls and was empty! Ohh and flowers. I have nice husband.

It looked wonderful. Made it that much more real to me. We are having a baby! It gets to live here with us. Even though I live it every single day, feeling different and weird pains, and nothing fitting...it still seems surreal that this is actually happening.

I'm sure its only going to get more believable from here on out.

IF, its a boy!

(from Little Apple Design)

Okay- if we have a boy we love this aqua/orange theme. See below for the details on what we would actually do to each of the #'s above.

1. Would love to use these colors for bedding and the curtains; also possibly a pillow for the chair.


2. I want an upholstered chair; probably in brown micro suede or maybe a white (afraid for its life though) that way it can go live in 0ur living room or office later.


3. Love the pillow


4. cute


5. I want to find a little side table for bottles and stuff to put next to the chair. I love this one. I'm hoping to find something at an antique store and paint it Aqua like this. We don't want all the furniture to be brown, brown, brown.


6. I want a shaggy rug like this, but I want it in orange and I want a big round circle for the middle of the room.


7. I think this is suppose to be the ottoman for the chair...kind of looks like a big bean bag. I want to get the ottoman that goes with the upholstered chair we are getting. I'll post pictures later.


8. So cool. I want to do a fun light fixture in the room. Probably will go with white so that if we decide to do a ceiling fan at some point I can use this fixture in another room easily enough.


9. The valance...I need to do curtains b/c that room gets crazy sunlight so we are going to invest in some light blocking curtains or shades or something.


10. Love the bench- This one looks like they made it. I want to try and pick something like this up from Ikea maybe. I'd love it to be orange, and I want it to have cubbies in the bottom for books and toys at the babies level.


11. ditto


12. I think this is wall art or something. Not sure I'm going to get all "animal prints" in here.


13. I think they are pointing to the city scape, which is really cool. I like that a lot. Chris had the idea of doing something with airplanes maybe. I don't know if I get why they have animals and the city scape but whatever. Silhouettes of animals walking along the orange road would be very cool.


14. ?


15. Cute art if we decide to do animals, which I think is a cute idea.


16. Love the white geometric mobile. Want it.


17. I LOVE the wall paint. I want to do the blue on the bottom half of the wall, a thick orange line about the height of the crib and then white above that. This way I have a lot of white wall for bright art and it keeps the room looking open and bigger, but there is still color on the wall, which is a big deal for me.


18. I'm guessing that this is the dresser, our pick is in the post with the crib below.


19. I so need to find out where this is from because I love it. I want to do a growth chart and we have the perfect wall for this giraffe. Plus it just looks cool. Its not too babyish and I really like the silhouette look.

20. See a few posts ago to see the crib we love.

Since our furniture is dark espresso and the chair will most likely be dark chocolate too, I really want to work to get the bright orange rug and some fun blue curtains so as to not let the brown take over.

What do you think?

Nicole

Written...not yet posted.

Hello all-

We have not dropped off the face of the earth I assure you. Although Emma and Jen I did get both of your messages inquiring about this very thing, and I promise to call you both today to prove that we are alive and well. All three of us.

Yesterday this pregnancy officially moved into the second trimester as we are now 14 weeks. Fourteen. It doesn't seem real. We are SUPER behind on updating, but in our defense, not much has changed. Well a little.

After what has felt like, running around with our heads "cut off" all summer, I think we have gotten a handle on what needs to be done. Here's what we've come up with. Prepared to be "wowed" by our organizational skills.

• We have made a list of gigantic proportions of everything that has to be done at the house before this little baby is born. Preferably before I'm 8 months pregnant. This list consists of but is not limited to, painting the hall-me, building storage for the garage-chris, making curtains for the kitchen-me, pretty much reorganizing of all areas-us...there are 27 home "projects" in all. Oh my.
• We have planned a trip to Jacksonville to look at baby gear, and spent last Saturday testing strollers and furniture shopping. We came home with lots of great possibilities.
• We are finally going to take all that stuff in the garage to GoodWill. Thanks to the organizing talents of Chris Baksa, who spent all day Sunday digging around in the garage and convincing me that I didn't need those lights from Ikea I bought two years ago and never hung.
• Up with the bar, in with baby jail. :) We have decided that sometime in the future the bar will go upstairs in the office (along with the mini fridge) in order to clear some much needed space for the swing, the play mat thing I apparently have to have, the pack in play, ect. ect. This way we can have an area for the baby to roll around (safely- gated off) and it still doesn't take over our living room.
• We were very sadly told that we are not allowed to go, tear, anywhere for Christmas, so we will be in Savannah Georgia come December. It better be cold. If not, I'm cranking the AC up and getting that fake snow spray for the windows. Since we must see the families, we are going to be in Colorado in October (times to be determined) and Oklahoma in November. So if you have plans to be gone in one of those months, let me know so I can try and switch stuff around. Yes I mean you, Aunties Darcie and Maya. You too are always jetting off when I'm headed there :)

So we have many posts to put up, some of which are even written (Chris says he has something coming...) and we are going to get them up this week. Hopefully we can get the babies heartbeat here, so you can click and hear it, and I will post a picture of the stomach for all you who have been asking weekly if I'm, "finally showing yet?!". I tell you I'm at that stage of just looking fat. Its really not cool, but hey if you want to see it, that's what I'm here for.

So heartbeat, pictures and the furniture we LOVE, all to come this week. And maybe names....we'll see.

Love, nicole

Doctor Appt Update: We go to the doctor Aug 11th at 9:30am- we are hoping that the doctor tells us we get to find out the babies sex at our next appointment in September! Start putting in your bets. Baby Girl or Baby Boy Baksa?