Tarzan's Treehouse...

Tarzan's Treehouse Photo Credit

Last night, Mitch and I took a little stroll through Disneyland hoping the labor process would get going...alas, no James.

But right before we left the park, Mitch stopped and pointed to the entrance of "Tarzan's Treehouse". We had heard/read somewhere that stairs are a labor commencing tool that might get the ball rolling...so up to the treetops we went!

Needless to say, we had to take a lot of breaks so I could catch my breath (and let families go past us because of my snail pace).

When we finished the treehouse, I was more than willing to head home. Whew! I seriously felt like I had ran a mile! We even had to stop and rest at a bench before we left so I could get some energy!

So with 3 days away from my due date, and a Dr's appointment tomorrow morning, we shall see if James will be here soon! How exciting to think that at the end of this week we might have a baby boy in our arms!

:))) We are all smiles over here.

His room...

is finished!

We had such fun looking for vintage decor at the goodwill, antique shops, and especially the Rose Bowl Flea Market! So please enjoy the photos of his 1950's inspired cowboys + indians nursery! 

What would a cowboys/indians room be without Frederic Remington artwork? 

 A horseshoe above the doorway...

 Vintage toy gun...

 our chair...

 his blanket (made by my dear friend Cristina)...

a shadow box with: handkerchief, Roy Rogers book, Indian head nickel, & Sheriff James' badge... 

 shelves (and dream catcher)...

 the crib & bandana pennant his daddy made for him...

 his bookshelf...

 closeup of his Bullseye next to a photo of daddy + uncle Vince...

 changing table and dressers...

 Finally, fun wall art of a lil' buckaroo...

T-minus 6 days and counting! 

Take your time son, but please know mom + dad can't wait to see you! 

What's Nesting?

Well, let's just say it's a roller coaster of cleaning everything from top to bottom, and doing things you normally would put off for weeks or even months (if you're anything like me), all to prepare your home for the little bundle of joy. Whew! With that said, here's a list of "nesting"tasks I am telling myself I MUST DO as soon as physically, emotionally and accurately as possible...

1. Print out photos from events ranging from 2007-this past Christmas
2. Frame & hang those photos, or put them snuggly into a photo album
3. Finish James' room (A BIG TASK TO FINISH) which includes: Paint James' bookshelf, hang paintings and other "Cowboy/Indian" themed objects, start/finish his shadow box, buy a soft lit lamp, wash his remaining sheets, blankets & clothes
4. Paint the newly purchased raw wood IKEA kitchen table chairs
5. Secure the bookcases to the wall in the living room
6. Make sure the BBQ is put together & on the balcony for all those yummy meals we can't wait to enjoy this summer! 
7. Take Teddy to get groomed one last time before James' gets here
8. Take any extra plates, clothes, linen etc. we aren't using to the Goodwill
9. Purchase a lamp for the living room
10. Hang the mirror in the living room

And I think that might be it, but who knows, the list might grow 2x by tomorrow! 

Here's a sneak peek of James' room. More photos to come soon! (And I mean REAL SOON!) 

In Just 31 Days...

Our little family of three, will be a little family of four! Eek! And we are so amazed at how many people already have so much love for James!

For instance, this past weekend our photographing friend Erin Pifer asked if she could document this amazing time in our lives, and we of course said YES!

Here they are...I hope you love them 1/2 as much as we do!

32 weeks...

Ahhhh! In only 8 short weeks this little boy we have been dreaming of, preparing for, and LOVING will be in our arms! I can't believe how fast time has flown by! I've been so worried about his development and how he has progressed as the weeks have gone by, that I have completely failed to realize how precious our time together (mine & James) really is. To know he has been safe & secure in my womb, growing into this beautiful baby boy is a little overwhelming since he is almost here! We have so many dreams and hopes for this little boy, I can't begin to tell you how many there are. Let's just say, the first dream has already happened, him just being alive and growing on the inside.

And so as we prepare for this coming week of Christmas, it has been such an honor to be pregnant at this special time of year. I am reminded of the Virgin birth and hear phrases like, "a waking baby in her womb", and think, "Hey! That's like me!" It really is an amazing gift that God gives women, and I am truly thankful for it (despite all the aches and weird things that happen to your body).

So Merry Christmas week y'all! Let's get this party started!

Baby showers 1 + 2...

I have been showered with love from friends and family TWICE so far (I say so far because my mother in-law Rita is also showering me in the near future), and let's just say there are a ton of people that love our little James so much already!

In Arizona, I was able to spend time with my beautiful mama, fantastic aunts, and of course those closest and best of friends I've known since the 3rd grade! It was so nice to spend the afternoon with these ladies as we played games, ate cake, and of course opened gifts for James...

In California, I was blessed yet again, except instead of cake we had delicious cupcakes made by pastry extraordinaire Miss Emily Berger. My dear friend Cristina orchestrated the whole shin dig, and I love her for it! The baby shower was Cowboys + Indians themed, and I think she did an amazing job at decorating, don't you think?

Needless to say, I have the best family and friends. Love you all. 

So much babyness...

First off, we had our first newborn baby care class on Tuesday night. Mitch & I learnt to bathe a baby, change a diaper, and my favorite...SWADDLE! Not gonna toot my own horn or anything, but I'm pretty sure I've inherited my moms gift of swaddling. Mitch was impressed, let's just hope James is too when the time comes!

This weekend we are going to look for James' changing table/dresser. We've been throwing stuff away, selling stuff & reorganizing our little 1 bedroom home to accommodate this little guy. I guess it's called 'nesting', and it has honestly been so refreshing to get rid of junk!

So here's to a fun filled weekend of an early morning shift at work, a Disneyland date night, church, & of course, nesting & prepping for James Arthur. So much babyness.

The weeks to come...

are pretty eventful!

First off, this week we will be packing up and hitting the open road for one more HURRAH before James gets here. I won't spoil the surprise as to where it is we are venturing to, but here's a clue.

Next week is already the end of October...what?! I know. We haven't even picked out pumpkins yet! We are planning a yard sale on Saturday the 29th to make room for James & all of his fun stuff, so some things we will be getting rid of include: a kitchen table, table stools, chairs, TV cabinet, clothes, tools, blankets, shoes, books, paintings! LOTS of stuff. So come over! Buy our used goods & enjoy!

The week after that is the first week of November, which means the beginning of BABY CARE CLASSES which we will have every week until Christmas eve! Like I said, pretty eventful!

And tonight we kick off the beginning of all things baby related by registering at Target! Whew. I'm already tired. But you know what? I wouldn't trade lives with anyone. I am so grateful for my family and friends, and most importantly for the Lord's goodness. Seems a little underrated, but seriously-I AM.

As I finish this post James is kicking and I love the fact I feel more pregnant-er (it's a word) by the day!

Hope your weeks to come are just as fun & eventful!

PS- 68 days until CHRISTMAS y'all! But first, Teddy is ready for Halloween...

Am I Crazy, or Just Pregnant...

"That commercial is too cute..."-me

"Are you crying?"-Mitch

"No...Yes."-me

IT'S A BOY!

(Mitch posted this as his profile picture on facebook-how sweet is that?!)

In 7 days...

we find out if baby is a boy or girl! 

We have been dreaming about what baby will look like, and we wonder if baby will have my chin, or Mitch's height (6 feet tall!), or my wavy brown hair, or Mitch's jet black semi-straight hair, or my oddly white fingernails, or Mitch's super long fingers, or my awesome dance moves, or Mitch's chuckle?

It's so much fun thinking of who this baby will resemble, or how much trouble they will get in (I was pretty mischievous, while Mitch was born a 30 year old man), and whether or not they will need to sleep with a night light, or laugh at the funny things Mitch and I say to each other when we are half asleep chatting in bed.

Either way, we can't wait! We love our baby so much already, it's crazy to think he or she will be in our arms in only 4 months!

Baby's First Book...

Sunday afternoon, Mitch & I went to Barnes and Noble and picked out baby's first book...

I got so excited thinking of reading to our little baby as they are snuggled up in bed! 

On Being Teary Eyed...

I've seen this commercial before, but not like today. Today I got a little hiccup inside & even got teary eyed after watching it. ME! Teary eyed! Over a Pampers commercial...Ha! Needless to say, you've won me over Pampers. I will be buying you in bulk from here on out. Even after baby is potty trained :)

I'm Blessed to Share With You...

a little baby on the way. 

Today marks the second month of what seems to be the most interesting, wonderful, scary, and exciting things to have ever happened to me...

all the while sharing this experience with my best friend and wonderful husband!

Yes, we are thrilled. Yes, we are scared. Yes, we are so thankful God has given us such a precious, precious gift. 

When is the baby due you ask? February 8th, 2012. A VALENTINE'S BABY! 

We are excited. Eek! 

Dear Baby,  so far the coolest part was hearing the thump-thumps of your tiny heart last Monday. All your papa could say was, "WOW."