The Nursery is Done!!!

On Sunday, my Mom and I worked fast and furiously on the nursery to try and get it completed so that she could see the final product before hoping on a plane Monday morning. Since the boys had gotten all of their project list done, I also had to come up with a few things for Dad to do (Mike was at a soccer game all morning) to keep him from being bored. A lot of the final details I left to my Mom since she's infinitely more talented than me in the painting department. We all stayed busy and the room got done! I think we got everything cleaned up and photo ready at about 9 pm that night. It was a several days of A LOT of work but the end result was worth it!

My original idea for the nursery was safari animal themed. When I got to thinking about it, though, there were lots of Australian animals that I also really loved and wanted to include in the room. With 2 other continents being represented, I couldn't in good consciousness not include some local critters, so it kind of ended up being an around the world of animals theme. I had so much planned in my head, that I really never thought the ambitious project would come to fruition before this poor kid turned 3 or 4. Thanks to the amazing help of my husband, Dad and, of course, my Mom, the room looks better than I could have ever envisioned it! Mike and I have considered moving into that room since it's now the coolest room in the house!

Okay, so now that you know how the idea was inspired (and spread like wildfire), on to the tour!

What's a posting without a kitty picture? We made up the crib to see what it would look like (still need to get a mattress) and stuck Oliver in there to see what he thought. I think he thought "get me out of here" but he still looks cute next to the awesome quilt and cute sheets.

I'll refer to this as the "window wall." My mom made the fabulous curtains in Dallas (before heading up here). Mike and my Dad constructed the wood frame for the valance. There are about 160 felt leaves on that valance, which my Mom and I cut out in one night and Mike and I hot glued on in under an hour! Making the valance went much smoother and faster than I would have thought it could have. The tree trunk was drawn and painted by moi!



Since this is the wall that the 2 bedrooms upstairs share, it shall now be referred to as the "bedroom wall." Pictured here, from right to left (that order to stay with the Australian animals first): Wombat, Kangaroo, Sea Turtle (that would be the ocean representative), Mama and baby elephant. My Mom gets pretty much ALL the credit for the Wombat and Kangaroo (though I did paint the "boing" line and the whites of the eyes on the kangaroo...impressive, I know ;-) ). She also did a fabulous job of all the detailing in the sea turtle while I focused on giving him some water to swim in. I did most of the elephants, including giving both of them their lovely pedicures, but my Mom painted on their interior detailed lines, which definitely made them come to life!

Wrapping around the corner, my Mom made this great tree and wonderful Lion. I gave the Lion a hill to stand on. I also did all the giraffe myself, except for the great job my Mom did on the hooves, which are, unfortunately, hidden by the changing table. Above the door is a cute stuffed animal Monkey. He is one of Mike's additions to the room.

Continuing around the room, to the left of the door is our Bear and, next to him, Moose. Mom did a great job on these....they were actually her first two animals to complete! If you look closely above the door frame, you'll see a cute Chipmunk, which is also solely my Mom's handiwork.

This is the "closet wall." To the left of the closet door is the Deer. This little guy gave us the biggest challenge. It was difficult to get her eyes "nice" (instead of looking like rabid attack deer). My mom did the whole deer on first attempt, I took a couple of tries at redoing the eyes, Mike did some sketches for some kind eyes and my Mom finally got them painted just right. So, hopefully the baby won't have any nightmares about attacking deers! On the slope of the ceiling are the Dad&Mom silhouettes. This was another Mike addition to the room. He thought we should be included somewhere. And last, but not least, are the Whales which I actually completed all by my lonesome (I took great pride in what I was able to do since, obviously, the artistry of my Mom is responsible for most of the coolness).

A little closer look of the characters on the left side of the closet wall.

After completing all the work, cleaning up and taking pictures, we sat down to just admire the room and revel in a job well done together!

So, there you have it. That's the nursery! It was truly a labor of love! I hope our little boy loves it half as much as I do. I'm absolutely thrilled with how it came out! So, if you're somehow crazy and don't like it, please just lie to me and tell me it's wonderful! Also, if you're interested in seeing more close up pictures of all the critters, I have one of each on this link:

http://gallery.me.com/mhines57#100370

Scenes From the Shower

On Saturday, Mike's mother and sisters threw us a baby shower! So sweet! It was a great time with family, good friends, good food and good fun. With everyones busy schedules, it's often hard to get to see some of my girl friends on a regular basis, and this was a great event for me to get to see so many of them at once. I was truly honored to have them all there! Some even traveled great distances to share this day with me which was truly above and beyond. I've got some pretty awesome gals in my life!

Maureen (hostess),Sue,Kristina(hostess),Betsy(hostess)

Mom, Me, Dad

Family!

As my Mom said, and I wholeheartedly agree, I "have some generous friends!" We got SO many necessities for the new baby. Baby Boy Hines is fully stocked with the most adorable clothes (up to size 24 months), awesome "equipment" to keep him happy and safety equipment to keep him, well, safe! Oh, and very importantly, I got a super awesome stroller to help me start getting back in shape in July (thanks Tom and Betsy)! It's such an honor to not only have such an event thrown for us and our new baby, but to have so many folks come and "shower" us with gifts. Wow!

As much as I love and appreciate each and every single gift, my Mom spent quite a bit and love and time on some items that will be treasured in our household and, likely, passed on to future generations. She made a very special quilt for Baby Hines with (most of) the animals painted on his nursery walls. I knew she was making this for him (because I asked if she would be willing to do so) but this was my first viewing. Also, there was a surprise on the back of the quilt - a world map (because the room features animals from around the world) which was marked with all of the locations Mike and I have traveled together. Pretty cool!

Me and Mom with the Quilt

Another hand made gift was a total surprise to me. She made a baby toy with the Noah's Ark animals that had been in MY nursery as a child! A very emotional gift, but I managed to keep it together in front of the crowds.

I just had to get Mike a special Daddy gift!

Of course, no party is complete without cake and ice cream! After the presents had all been opened, the wonderful hostesses brought out a full ice cream bar and a beautiful (and yummy) carrot cake! My favorite!

It was such a fun day. However, after the hard work of the two previous days and the excitement of the shower, I found myself pretty exhausted again. So, it was a low key night at home with Mike and the parents. The next day was our last chance to finish the nursery so we needed some rest!

Busy Bees

Wow! Last week was insanely hectic! I had mentioned in a previous blog entry that my parent were coming in town. For many days leading up to their visit, Mike and I stayed busy organizing, cleaning, arranging projects and preparing for their time here. Mom and Dad knew it was going to be a working vacation, but I don't think I (or they) could have ever been prepared for how much we would be able to accomplish and how incredibly exhausted I (and they) would be! So, I'll just have to start from the beginning of their visit.

Their plane landed mid day last Wednesday. We went straight from the airport to my friend Jenn's place of employment - a green design shop, Terrene, in Newton. She had all of the no-VOC paint colors ready for us to take home for the nursery (thanks, Jenn!). We headed back to the house and I gave my parents a quick tour and run down of all the house changes and projects we've done since their last visit to Boston (in October). That afternoon\evening was a great time of visiting with them and talking about our plan for the rest of their trip. We settled in for an early night because we were going to need LOTS of rest for the days to come!

Thursday morning, my Dad and I went for a little walk and got back to the house just in time to listen to the longest winded A\C salesman ever! Mike had scheduled him to come while I was home (we're considering getting some ductless units installed in the bedrooms of the house so we don't have to do the seasonal window units anymore) so that we could both get the necessary info. What should have been a quick this is our product, question session and measure rooms for estimate talk, this guy went on FOREVER! I finally had to dump him on Mike so that my Mom, Dad and I could get crackin'!


Mom and I started painting the nursery. Part of the prep that Mike and I had gotten done was to trace all the animals on the wall that my Mom and I were to paint. It was amazing how many of the animals we got done\started that first day! Here are some action shots.

Mom with Her Finished Bear and 3/4 Finished Moose

Me with a First Coat on Momma and Baby Elephant

I made a really long list of "Dad and Mike" projects that would keep them busy while we worked on the nursery. Among the things they knocked out on that first day were building (and painting) a valance for the nursery, installing bead board over the old plaster in the back of our dining room hutch, moving around some furniture, and assembling the crib. I'm pretty sure there were some other things that happened that I just can't remember now. Their list was pretty extensive!

Dad Staining the Bead Board in the Hutch

Mike Quickly and Easily Assembled the Crib

On Friday, it was more of the same - hard work! My Dad and I started out the day with another little walk then it was a bite to eat and back to the grindstone. The painting in the nursery started to slow down as we worked on some of the more detailed animals and animal parts and had to do 2nd (and sometimes 3rd) coats. The boys kept plugging away on their list as well.

Friday evening, Mike's parents came down to check out the progress (even lending a hand for a few minutes), then we all went out to dinner. It was a really nice leisurely dinner enjoyed by all! After dinner, a quick trip with Mom, Dad, Mike and I to Toys R Us for a stuffed animal addition to the room. After a long hard two days of work, I was exhausted and the baby sitting on my sciatic nerve was causing a lot of pain. The cashier at Toys R Us put the icing on that unhappy cake when she asked me if I was having twins because my belly is "SO BIG!" UGH! It was definitely time to put that long day behind us with a good night's sleep.

By Saturday morning, it looked like my Mom and I would definitely be able to knock out our very ambitious nursery decorating project by the end of the weekend. By that time the boys, somehow, amazingly, FINISHED their entire list! Now, I'm a huge list maker and always seem to just about double the amount of projects that could possibly fit in a time slot so I was absolutely amazed that those two little work horses knocked all those projects out of the park!

Late in the morning, we all cleaned up to head to my sister in law's house for the baby shower. You can read all about it on the next posting!

Fun In the Sun(Room)

Last weekend, we spent a little time rearranging our sun room. As always, if there's something exciting going on in the house, the kitties are there to see it. George, our turtle, is always busy doing laps in his "cage" on nice warm days. We try to bring him out so that he has more room to play, but he normally goes to the corner and hides. So, for the most part, we let him do laps in his comfort zone and hear the thud of his shell hitting the glass as he laps around his atrium.

However, after rearranging the sun room, we decided to let him out to enjoy the good afternoon sun we were getting in there. George actually did a few laps in the sun and didn't run for the first corner! Luci was there watching. She wants to be friends with George, but George likes to hide in his shell when she gets too close. The "interaction" with them was too adorable so, of course, we had to snap some pictures.

Luci Watching George Go!

Come out and play with me!

Alright, guess I'll just hang out with you then.

During all of this, Oliver was taking his usual, "I'm way too cool for all of you" stance. He claimed the chaise in it's newly arranged position and hung out. I don't think I've ever mentioned or posted about one of his most unique physical characteristics. Oliver is a man stuck in the 80s. That's right, even though the big guy has never owned a crimping iron, he sports the crimped hair look. I don't know how he achieves it, but his head always is crimped. In fact, over the years, it's "spread" down his head further and now is also on one of his paws. Too weird!

Oliver Enjoying the Sun

Crimp Close Up

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Can you guess who this adorably smoochable tiny little kitten is?!?!?!?

It's none other than the infamous Mr. Oliver! The first picture I think was taken the first or second day after I got him. He was only 5 weeks old and a tiny little cuddly fur ball. It was on a Mother's Day weekend, 13 (!!!) years ago that this wonderful cat came into my life.

I've always just celebrated his birthday on Mother's Day, but finally looked up the date a few months ago of Mother's Day 1996 and it was May 11th. Now I know his "real" birth date (ie, the day he started his life with me) and will celebrate it on that date from here on out.

Oliver and I have been through a lot of big life events together - college, big moves across the country, first jobs, first houses, a husband (and soon a baby)...not to mention struggles with his health that he's made it through. He's been a fantastic pet to me and I'm thankful for every day I've had with him the last 13 years. Tonight, we'll celebrate with some special kitty treats and a new catnip toy (that boy loves to hit the nip)!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVER!!!!

The Reshuffle Continues

With the help of some good nights sleep, I've been able to help with all the work on the house. It was another crazy busy week for us! We're still working hard to get the house in order. My parents will be here on Wednesday so it's a mini deadline to get a few projects done and others planned enough so that my parents can help us finish them.

Mike single handedly moved some of the major furniture out of the guest room to make way for the nursery. The desk is now in our sun room and we got that all completely rearranged to make way for an office space there. The dining reorganization is now complete and some of the lounge room furniture moving has taken place. We saved the heaviest pieces for when my Dad is here....he and Mike will have to take care of those. Apparently, they don't recommended heavy lifting while pregnant. Go figure.

The biggest accomplishment for the week, though, definitely has to be that we've actually started decorating the nursery! We have an animal theme planned. Hopefully, my Mom and I will be able to knock it out next weekend (so I should have pictures next week), but Mike and I got started on some of the prep work on the space. We've been tracing large animals on the wall with pencil. Kind of weird to draw on the wall and not get in trouble! The plan for the nursery has been in my head for so long that it really felt huge to actually get the large project underway.

Oh yes, and Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers I know out there! I hope your husbands and children spoil you rotten! Even though I'm not quite a mother just yet, Mike still treated me to a little Mother's Day celebration. On Saturday, he went with me to one of my favorite shops and helped me pick out some fun new necklaces and earrings. Yay! Since buying lots of clothes and shoes for myself right now isn't such a hot idea, jewelry seemed the perfect choice because it is the one thing that will always fit!

Well I Love a Rainy Night

I love a rainy night

I love to hear the thunder

Watch the lightning

When it lights up the sky

You know it makes me feel good

Eddie Rabbit couldn't have said it better! Now, I really have not been a fan of the dreary days, but the rainy nights we've been having this week have done WONDERS for my sleep! I have always slept more sound when it's raining. For 3 straight nights, I have slept very heavily and very happily.....pretty much a record for this pregnancy. Wahoo! It's amazing what a difference a good night sleep makes. Thanks spring rains!

A Big Day for Emily and Fun for the Kitties

Saturday was Mike's niece, Emily's, first communion. Not that I know anything about the Catholic religion, but this is apparently a VERY big deal and reason for a big celebration. I like Emily and celebrations, so I was very happily there with Mike to support her.

We went to her mass (arriving late after first going to the wrong church) and then followed the family back to Mike's sister, Maureen's, place for the big bash. Both sides of the family were there as well as lots of friends. Emily was definitely the star of the day and there was lots of demand to have pictures of hers. She was gracious enough to let us get a quick pose with her.

Me (30.5 weeks), Emily and Mike

There was SO much great food that we definitely had plenty to eat. Another of Emily's aunts, on her father's side, is also pregnant and due in a couple of weeks. She and I were the circus side show for a while since everyone thought it too hilarious to get pictures of the bellies together (though none were taken with our camera so I don't have one...yet). We had a great time but all the food and fun definitely pooped both of us out so we took a little rest when we got home.

Once the resting was done, Mike got energized and excited about the baby equipment we got in the mail - our Pack N' Plays! We got two - one for our downstairs in our home (for naps and diaper changes) and one to stay at our place in NH to be our crib and changing table there. So, while I continued to relax on the couch, I watched while he took one out to try and assemble it.

I've heard lots of horror stories about how difficult and poorly instructed all baby equipment is....sometimes assembly can take hours! Either Mike's a genius or we stumbled upon getting the easiest Pack N' Play to assemble ever, but he had that thing set up in no time! The kitties wasted NO time in checking it out!

Luci and Oliver in the Play Pen

Luci Hanging Out in the Bassinet

Those kitties just crack us up!

The Nesting Instinct??

Every time I start a conversation about needing to get things done at the house, I always get the question "Is this the nesting instinct kicking in?" I'm honestly not sure what that nesting instinct is all about, but I do realize there are LOTS of things that we want to get done in and around the house and our time to do that is quickly disappearing. Once the kiddo is here, I have a sneaking suspicion that anything not to do with taking care of a baby is going to fall by the wayside. So, that's my motivation.

Mike, as most of you know, is still blissfully unemployed. Well, he's at least not getting a paycheck from anyone. He is however, still working very hard. His to do lists are very long and only seem to get added to. (Ask him, he'll tell you life is no walk in the park for him!) I have been so incredibly lucky to have him home taking care of the "normal" life details that I don't have a ton of energy for (grocery shopping, errands, cooking, cleaning, laundry). He's also been working on an as sundry of "projects" to help get our house in order.

After our renovation, our entire house needed an organization overhaul. We did the basics immediately, closet organizers in the new closets, unpack needed boxes, etc., but so many other more subtle things still remained. Since then, with the arrival of the baby, a snowball effect of other organizational projects have become necessary (and some unnecessary but also adding to the mix).

So, what have we been up to? In the last weeks (maybe months...can't keep track anymore), we got a new TV, which also required a new TV stand. So, there was a furniture shuffle there. The old TV and stand moved to the "lounge" room (so had other furniture to move\sell from that room), finally found a coffee table for the living room we've been searching a long time for (more furniture reshuffles) got a sideboard for the dining room (allowed us to finish unpacking some more boxes and reorganize storage in that room), reconfigured the closet in the lounge to fit more of my craft supplies since my previous organization cart hadn't been working for us (involved trip to container store for plan, removal of old organization system, install of new shelves, getting bins and boxes to organize and label everything, selling off old craft storage cart)
and now we have to find new homes and storage for all of our guest room furniture to make way for the room to be a nursery. So, pretty much a whole house reshuffle.

Those things have happened over the last couple of weeks (except for the guest room furniture reshuffle which is yet to happen). This week, in addition to some of those, we've also picked up our crib (yet to be assembled), bought and had delivered a freezer for our basement, been working with a contractor to get new windows ordered for our lounge and basement (this will complete new windows for the whole house), been working with our old contractor (the one that did the renovation) to finish\fix some still outstanding details, cleaning up the rock garden in our front yard created by the new wall installation (so we can plant grass and not have a mud pit yard all summer), working to get railings for our new front stairs made, had an electrician fix our basement lights (that decided to stop working a few weeks ago), been shopping for a new post lamp for the front yard and interviewed a pediatrician. Of course the normal work (my busiest week of the month this week) and Mike's soccer fills in the gaps. Not to mention, my poor Dad had a little hospital stay last weekend that had us very concerned (he's doing great now!) to add to that mix.

Whew! Tiring just to even try and list. Did I mention I just don't have the energy I used to have? I feel very accomplished with the things we've been ticking off the task list but there are still so many thing left that we want to get done. I hope to post some home pictures of all of our shuffles soon, but many are still in progress so I don't have a true before and after yet. Getting ready for a baby is hard work! Not just the growing it thing but getting the world ready for it.