Nursery Evolution

A few months ago my sister was working on her nursery and kept asking when I was going to work on mine. I was busy working on Lucas's big boy room and told her that we had a crib and Lucas's old bedding, which was green, and I was just planning on throwing in a pink blanket or two to make it girly. This attitude lasted about 30 seconds after we finished Lucas's room. After that 30 seconds I became a nursery obsessed lady that my husband has been very patient with : )

We never really got Lucas's room right. We had an idea in our heads, but it just never really clicked. When we moved into this house we just let it be because we knew we'd make his next room really nice for him. Still, even though I didn't love the furniture, I was being practical before I became obsessed and figured we'd just deal with the "not-so-great" room for another 2 years. Then I got this idea that I would sell the old furniture on Craigslist and try to replace it with the same am out of money. I wanted to go from three pieces of furniture to two pieces, so it seemed possible. The current furniture was natural in color and I wanted off-white to match the trim in our house. The same day I decided that I saw that they EXACTLY what I had imagined on clearance at Target. Yay! Long story short, none of the stores in our area had the furniture in stock. I could get the pieces on-line, but they were original priced and shipping was outrageous. Every morning for two weeks I called the three local stores to see if they had gotten anymore in stock. One morning I got lucky and found one crib. Jeff dropped everything (because he knew his pregnant wife was obsessed and he didn't have a choice) and got the crib for me. For the next month I made the calls for the dresser/changing table. We finally ended up getting it on-line and paying the shipping... but we love it and don't regret it.

My vision was light pink to go with our dark brown and cream paint. Since I was still somewhat in practical mode, I changed my mind when I saw that the dark pink bedding at P*ttery Barn Kids was really on sale. That was a lucky break because the dark pink really popped against the dark brown walls. The next step was to get a rug. When Sandy was here we decided on a 8 foot round dark pink rug. I couldn't wait for it to arrive, but was SOOOO disappointed when I saw it in the room. It looked so bad with the bedding. Jeff and I hated it. The next night after dinner we drove 30 min to the other store on the other side of town to pick up a lighter pink rug that was on sale. It looked a little better with the bedding, but it didn't pop like the other rug against the dark brown paint and it looked a little too country for our taste. Jeff had a great idea - change the bedding! Over the next couple of days we finally got it right. I found a really fun mobile and lamp first and a "circle" theme evolved. Oh, and once we changed the bedding we LOVED the circle rug.

I still couldn't get the bedding right, so decided to just go with white and use color other places in the room, but then I found some cream sheets with a modern design on them. There is a white bed skirt on their now, but I'm thinking a dark brown may look better. I couldn't find a great bumper, but realized that I can't tie it on the back side of the bed anyway, so we'll just go without. I like the clean look anyway.

It's not completely finished. We have 4 walls that need decoration. I'm thinking monogram, picture frames, picture and mirror. I'm going to shift gears and spend time on washing her clothes and putting them away. Hopefully the accessories will be easier than the rest of the room was...

View of room from the doorway.

View of bed from doorway.

Air Lucas

Lucas was inspired by the Olympic Games. He likes to practice every night around 8:30, which we call his "8:30 spaz attack". Sometimes he chooses to practice as if he were a diver by standing on the edge of the arm with his feet side by side, posture erect and arms straight by his side. Other times he chooses to practice as if he were a long jumper by running across the ottoman and jumping as far away from as he can. No mater which jump he chooses, afterwards he always says, "Mama, Dada, see that?"

7 Weeks To Go

Lucas's baby sister is due on a Friday, so each Friday starts another week's countdown towards her birth. When I visited the midwife on Friday I told her that I was really concerned that she was going to come too early. I told her how she felt SO heavy and that I ached from the pressure. She told me that it was "2nd baby syndrome" and that it was probably fine. I guess I alarmed her, however, because she insisted on checking to see if my cervix was showing any progress (it wasn't). She told me to not worry and just try to slow down a little bit. I really don't know how to do that, so I'm assuming it will just be okay.

I took Lucas swimming yesterday and felt a lot better today. The pressure wasn't as bad and she didn't seem as heavy. I planned on going swimming this afternoon, but took a 3 hour nap instead : ) Maybe I can keep her in my belly until mid-October...

Still Serious...

Jeff and I are amazed by the little baby next door's personality. He is amazing on his own, but what amazes us is how different his personality is from Lucas's. Finn is such a happy and mellow baby (from what I see). If Ele ever comes over Finn will stay quietly in her arms and grin at us the whole time they are here. Lucas, on the other hand, has NEVER been so content. He was quiet for about 12 hours after his birth and then screamed for 2 days until my milk came in. I remember one time that we were able to take him to out to eat when he was about 6wks old... the only time he ever sat quietly in his car seat while we ate. We couldn't go on stroller walks because I would always end up holding him and pushing the stroller. I have no idea how many times I had to pull over and nurse him in the backseat to soothe him from the oh-so-horrible experience of riding in the car. He knew when I left the house - even when he was sleeping. And speaking of sleep, there wasn't much of it for his first two years.

I was grateful to read that Dr. Sears had a name for babies like Lucas -"high needs child". He said the downside to this is that it is hard on the parents, but the good side is that he demands your attention, which makes attachment parenting a must. For two years Lucas demanded our constant care and we gave it to him. Then he started Montessori School and it all started to get a little easier. Being around other kids and being on the same schedule every day helped him to eat better and sleep better... which had a direct effect on me since he was still nursing more than once during the night. At the same time Lucas was learning to talk and his school has only helped with that as well.

Now at age two years and four months, Jeff and I really, really enjoying spending time with Lucas. We've always enjoyed it, of course, but now it is more fun and less work. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is that he is still so serious and never mellow : ) He concentrates so hard on the task at hand with his lips pierced tight. In these pictures below he worked for about an hour on setting up these pictures in a particular order. When he had 5 pieces left he called me over and asked me to "sit down mama" as he pointed to the chair. He handed me the pieces and then told me where to put each piece. I was honored to finish this project with him : ) You can see his serious face in the first picture...

Conversation with Katrin

This morning in the school driveway...

Katrin: "Hi Lucas. What are you watching?"
Lucas: "Duncan. See that Katrin?"
Katrin: "Lucas, will you hold my hand?"
Lucas: "Nooooo."
Katrin: "I have to go work. I'll give you two chances."
Lucas: Turned off DVD player and got out of car seat. Jumping around in backseat, "Watch this Katrin!"
Mama: Somehow pull Lucas out of the car and start walking towards the door.
Katrin: Tries to convince Lucas to walk in with her by holding out her hand.
Lucas: "Mama hold you." (wants me to hold him)

After we walked into the school I put Lucas down and told him that Katrin wanted to walk in with him. They clasped hands and walked into school to start their day.

Thanks to Katrin for holding Lucas's hand for the second time this week! Lately he stalls in the morning and it takes us like 10 min to convince him to go into school. It's not that he doesn't want go in to school, it's just that he wants to play with all of the stuff outside. I need to get their 15 min early to allow for this, but no matter how hard I try, I can't get out of the house any earlier! Jeff calls Lucas a "delay fish"... from Nemo.

Showered

My dear friends, Kim, Wendy and Melissa, threw me a baby shower this past Saturday. Kim proposed the idea the day that I told her I was pregnant. At first I was hesitant because I didn't know if it was "acceptable" to have a shower for the second baby. Kim convinced me that if was a different gender that it was almost a necessity since you need different things. So I agreed and I'm so glad that I did!

The three of them made me feel so special and it was obvious that they put a lot of time into the planning... the evidence was in the details, which were amazing. When Sandy and I arrived they pinned a rose on each of us, they had each minute of the shower planned out, they made sweet little gifts for the guests that matched the color of the baby's room and even typed up a personal note to insert into the gift, and the detail that I most appreciated, they remembered my sweet Lucas and sent a gift home for him to open.

There were 15 of us total at the shower. It was so nice to see all of these friends. The only thing that bothers me is that you only get a few minutes to talk to each person, but hopefully everyone had a good time talking to the other girls. Everyone there had kids, except for two, but they just got married and want to have kids, so we talked about babies and kids the whole time. Sandy said at their table they talked about things that you never thought you'd let your kid do, but now can't believe you ever said "never" (like have a pacifier or jump on the bed). At my table we talked about hard choosing a name is, maternity clothes, and child-care.

The two hours went by so fast and then there were hugs and promises to call or get together soon. Just in case days turn into weeks and then into months without us getting together, thank you again to all of my friends that took a big chunk out of their Saturday to come to my shower! I loved all of the girly pink things!!! The nursery is almost complete with all of the bedding and clothes put away... I'll send pictures soon. And thank you also, and especially, to Wendy, Kim and Melissa. It was such a special day : )

Here is a shot of everyone at the shower (except Jill because she left early)...

Gina, Katie, Francie, Kelley, Josie, Michelle, Kelly, Ele, Lena,

Kim, Sandy, Me, Melissa, Wendy

And here is a shot of us mingling before lunch was served...

We enjoyed baby talk over lunch...

And what a yummy (and pretty) lunch it was!

Next came the baby gifts... so fun!

A shot with two of the hostesses... I was bummed that Melissa had already left...

And a shot with two of my Bradley Class/Play date buddies : )

32 Week Ultrasound

At our last visit with the doctor I got an ultrasound because there was concern that my placenta was too low. They were able to see that there is no reason to be concerned and we got to confirm that we are having a girl : ) A few days before this visit we had a lady at the grocery store checkout counter tell us that she was positive we were having a boy. I'm carrying this baby the same way I did with Lucas while my friends are carrying their 2nd baby girls differently... so I started to get concerned that my pink baby shower may have to have a quick makeover. No worries though, this baby is a girl and appears to be perfectly healthy.

She is due in 7.5 weeks, but I just looked up on-line that a baby is considered full term at 37 wks, so in my mind the countdown is 4.5 weeks because I really have a feeling she'll come early. I actually just want to make it to 37 wks so that I can quit worrying that she's going to come too early.

She still moves all the time. I often feel something hard sticking out of my belly... must be a knee or an elbow. Lucas has felt her move several times, but doesn't seem that interested... I'm sure he doesn't really understand what I'm saying when I tell him that his baby sister is kicking him.

Here are a couple of shots. The first is a profile shot with her leg bending back over her face. The second is a shot of her calf... looks like she's been doing some calf raises in there!

Need to catch up!

I'm behind on blogging... I have several posts almost ready to post... just wanted to post a new picture of sweet Lucas until I get to it (hopefully today).

A Night with Max and Ben

Dinner first with Mama and Dada and then hours of playing...

Tyson at Max and Ben's House

Mama and Dada's Little Helper

Tyson and the shower gifts...

Dada Pics

Here are a couple of pics of Lucas with his Dada. They have become best buds lately. If Jeff isn't around Lucas will ask, "Dada is?" and then when I tell him that he's swimming, or whatever, he'll say, "oh".

Being silly with Dada during Sasa's visit.

Helping Dada put together Baby Sister's crib.

Conversations with Mrs. Xenia

This morning...

Mrs. Xenia: "Lucas, what did you do this weekend?"

Lucas: "Played with Shenna and Cheff."

Mrs. Xenia: "Who?"

Lucas: "Mommy and Dada."

Mrs. Xenia: "Ohhhhh...."



This afternoon as I walked through the door of his school...

Lucas: "Miss Jah, Shenna's here!"

A Lesson for Dada

Lucas and Jeff were snuggling on the couch and watching a movie this morning. The DVD skipped, so Jeff pulled out the disk and used his shirt to rub the smudges off of it. Lucas jumped off of the couch, ran over to Jeff and said, "No, no, no. Dada watch Lucas." as he grabbed the disk out of Jeff's hand and blew firmly on it. He handed it back to Jeff and said, "Dare ya go!" and ran back to his seat on the couch.

He his is such a big boy now. It's so amazing.

Two Months to Go!

Little Baby Schrades will be here in about two months. She is due on 10/17, but I am willing to bet that she'll come early. Lucas was 5 days early and I feel like I'm about 38wks pregnant today, so I HAVE to believe that she will come early!

Shenna and Cheff

Our little turkey has new names for his mama and dada... they are Shenna and Cheff! I posted a while ago that he was calling Jeff by his name about 1/2 of the time, but now he does the same for me. Sometimes he says it when he's appointing ownership, like yesterday he said to Jeff, "Shenna broke it" (talking about chap stick that I lost the top to). Other times he uses our real names is when we don't respond to him on the first call. Like yesterday at the park he wanted me to pick him up to throw a stick over the fence. He said, "mama", but I took a second to respond because I was throwing another stick over, so he then said, "Shenna!" in a louder voice. Hahahaha... we are cracking up over this. The funny thing is that we don't even call each other by our real names... it's sweetie, JB, Shannanana or whatever.

Date

Jeff and I went on a date this morning! We tried for lunch a couple of times this week, but had meetings that interfered. We don't want to hire a sitter this week since Sandy is coming in town next week... plus we enjoy hanging out with the kid and don't want to leave him again this week . So we decided to go on a breakfast date. We both dropped off Lucas at school and then had a bagel and drink at a local coffee store. It was fun and not very expensive.

Babysitter

On Saturday we had a wedding to go to. On Friday afternoon we STILL didn't have a babysitter. We'd known about the wedding for months, so we had no excuse. A few weeks earlier Jeff had to miss a party because we couldn't find a sitter. I didn't know it was going to be such a difficult task to find someone to pay $12 an hour to play with Lucas.

We (I) actually started looking for a sitter a few weeks ago. I talked about it with Kim and Wendy and we said that we were all ready to find a regular sitter that we could rely on. At first I thought we could just ask some friends at the park who they used, but Kim advised against this. She said that she had done this and gotten snubbed a few times... like, "how dare you ask me if you can use MY nanny" look from the women.

My next idea was to send an email to this Yahoo group that I belong to in my neighborhood. I got about 5 names from that and thought I had a good list, but two of the girls are traveling for the next few months, two won't be here until the fall, and one only babysits on week nights. That's the problem with college girls - they have a life and are often busy.

My last resort option was to use a local sitter service that is spoken highly of by friends. It costs $39 for a list of names that is updated each quarter, or you can pay $99 a year and get a new list of names every three months (the list changes along with the girl's schedule in college). Another option is to pay $13 for a one time placement (with a vow to never call the girl again unless you sign up for a membership). On Thursday afternoon, after several strike outs, I said "whatever" and called the service. The owner was so nice and even told me that if I wanted to sign up for the $39 list that is published in September that she'd wave the one time placement fee. Deal. She apparently couldn't find one of her girls with that short of notice, so she called her 45 year old aunt that helps her out sometimes.

This lady's name was Chelsey and she was so wonderful. I was actually happy to get a woman older than college age because Lucas responds better to this age. I could tell that he liked her from the start. After about 10 min of being quiet, he took her to his playroom and was showing her the train table and how he could do puzzles. He was saying, "Miss Chelsey, Miss Chelsey, watch this!" She said all of the right things and I felt great leaving him with her. When I told him that Mama and Dada were about to leave for our date he gave me a hug and then called me back by saying, "kiss, kiss."

When we returned four hours later Chelsey said that he was awesome. She made us feel so good... said that he was very polite... said "thank you" and "please", put his plate away, etc. They had fun playing hide and seek, puzzles, train and watching the bug movie.

We may use her again if she's willing... she said she was.

A really fun weekend...

We had the best time hanging out as a family this weekend. Jeff and I had a wedding to go to on Saturday night, so we wanted to have a fun morning with Lucas since we thought leaving him with a babysitter would be traumatic (we were wrong).

The weather was cooler (85 instead of 95), so we were feeling the itch to play outside. We arrived at Pullen Park at 10am on Saturday (along with everyone else in Raleigh). Lucas was so excited that he was growing impatient with us because we couldn't find a place to park. He kept saying, "We're here!" and then would protest when we drove away from that parking lot (because it was full). After all of the hassling with parking, we went straight to the ticket booth and got tickets for the carousel, train and boats.

Lucas sat with his Dada and waited for the carousel to come to a stop...

And then, after much deliberation, Lucas chose an ostrich and Dada chose a horse...

The ride was fun... despite this look of boredom...

Oh wait, there is a smile showing you how much fun he was having...

After the carousel we chose the train to ride next. We were the first in line, so we played on the swings for a few minutes while we waited...

But then we saw that the train was coming and ran over to wait our turn to get on board...

Lucas and Dada waited patiently for the ride to begin...

But the excitement soon turned to boredom as we waited for the train to fill up...

But then excitement again as the train shouted, "choo, chooooo!"

After the train we asked Lucas if he wanted to ride the train again or the carousel again. His response was, "boats!" We knew that he didn't really want to ride the boats, but figured we'd give it a try. He kind of resisted when Jeff put him in the boat, but we encouraged him to turn the wheel and ring the bell...

His first lap around was great and he seemed to be enjoying himself...

But after he passed us he realized that this wasn't a one lap event...

I could tell that he lost site of us and a look of panic came across his face as he scanned the crowd looking for his mama and dada...

By the time he found us, it was too late... he was already scared. His eyes were wide, his face was flushed, and his lips were trembling. Jeff scooped him up when he went by and we told him what a big boy he was to have made it around as many times as he did!

Then we ended the trip with another ride on the carousel. Lucas chose a pig and dada an ostrich. The perfect end to a great park trip...

First Class Photo

Lucas's teacher surprised us with a framed picture of Lucas and his classmates last week. Honestly, it's one of the cutest pictures of all time. How she and Len got 8 little ones to cooperate is beyond me, but the result was awesome. I don't know all of the parents that well, so I blurred out all of the other kids, but you can tell that they are all sitting on the step of the front porch of the school, hands in laps, with smiles on their faces. I can tell that Lucas's smile is genuine, and not just a posed smile. It looks like he was really enjoying himself.

Lucas and I found this surprise picture in his cubby one morning last week. When Lucas went into class his picture was still in his cubby, but sneaky mommy took it so that I could look at it all day. When I walked into the house to pick him up after school he was looking at me with a surprised look on his face. His teacher asked me if I took Lucas's picture. I told Lucas that, yes, I had taken it and that it was in the car. He looked at me as if I has betrayed him... how dare I take HIS picture! Poor baby had noticed that some of his friends had pictures in their cubbies (their parents hadn't taken theirs), and he was concerned that his was missing. Once we got to the car and I gave him his picture, we were fine. He held it in front of him and looked at it for a few minutes before stashing it safely beside him in his carseat.

It took me a few days to figure this out, but this picture makes me kind of sad. It is proof that Lucas has a little life of his own during the day while I'm at work. He has friends, adventures, learns new things, etc... and mommy is not there with him while he's doing it. I'm SO proud of him and the little boy that he's growing into, and I wouldn't change our setup, but it breaks my heart a little (a lot) to see him growing up...