Prepping for Mommyhood

I feel like I'm in the middle of college finals right now.

Now that we're less than 2-weeks(at least) out from having a baby I'm starting to freak out and read every last thing I can get my hands on that will help me know how to feed Shelby, help her sleep and everything else in between.

I know books aren't going to tell me everything but there are tidbits here and there that I am getting and it's making my anxiety a little bit better!!!

One is the ever-popular BabyWise book - which I literally have been been CRAMMING with. Skipping some sections and reading others.

Any advice you gals have on that book are greatly appreciated!!

It's OVERWHELMING!!!

The other book is Secrets of the Mommyhood.

This book is a little less, okay A LOT, less intimidating approach to preparing for 'mommyhood'.

It's written by a 30-something mother, who happens to be IRL friends with my blog bestie, I Do Declare.

Heather Alexander's approach to all things pregnancy and baby are downright awesome!!

Not being a HUGE reader this book is more of an outline and high level look at what you need to know.

In short -- it's simple and easy to read for people with short attention spans like me!!

Since reading I've already repacked parts of my hospital bag, put Ultimate Crib Sheets on my 'to buy' list along with scented trash bags for poopy diapers while on road trips, and much more.

Not going to lie, I was dreading reading another mommy/baby book but this one is actually refreshing and makes me feel like I'm going to be A-OKAY!!!!

So, if you're just starting the pregnancy journey or nearing the end, pick up up this book which is low in cost and easy to read!

Click here to order!!

And, let's hope my next post is about having a baby and not about preparing for one!!

5-days and counting until Shelby's due date!!!

Tuesday's Random Thoughts and Pictures

Just a random post today with thoughts and pictures.

* I'm ready for Shelby to make her appearance. My due date is a week away but I have decided that after this week at work, I think I'm done.

I was REALLY in that mindset yesterday after time off.

It was so hard coming in....

 I was exhausted, but today I'm much better and I'm actually fine with being here longer if I need or feel like it.

My doctor has told me that they won't even talk about inducing me until I'm a week past my due date.

Well, guess what?

That's December 12th friends.

That's a long time away. Not sure what it would be like to sit home for that long and cut into my leave.

So, we shall see.

Tomorrow is my 39th week appointment.

* Light brie and egg nog aren't worth it. Buy the real deal.

* I really want to go and see the Transiberian Orchestra in concert Thursday night. Trying to talk Brad into it. Wondering if I should just ask a girlfriend to go instead.

* Planning on wrapping all of our Christmas gifts this weekend if Miss Priss hasn't been born yet.

* Love that everyone in our neighborhood has their Christmas decorations up and it's not even December.

* Our awesome neighbors are having a holiday party this weekend and I'm wondering what in the heck I'm going to wear now that I'm ginormous and only have a few pairs of shoes that are comfy and fit.

* Love this picture of our niece Paige from Thanksgiving. Brad bought mustaches for everyone and at first Miss Paige didn't want to participate but after 10-minutes or so she joined in on the fun.

* Speaking of Paige, she LOVED Shelby's nursery.

My Mom said she was just hanging out in there taking it all in.

She said her favorite part was Angelina the ballerina.

I think she liked that the room is so feminine too.

* Shelby already has a couple of gifts under our tree.

My Mom and Dad made sure of that.

We just need to get the rest of ours wrapped.

* Shelby is also still receiving gifts in the mail from friends!

Check out this most adorable hat sent to us from our friends Matt and Mandy in Macedonia!

I adore it!

It's from a shop on Etsy called The Mustard Seed.

Over the weekend Brad and I ventured out to finish our Christmas shopping and ended up at Black Lion.

Gosh, they have so many pretty trees in that place!!

I thought the use of cotton was interesting.

Very rustic.

This tree would SO BE in my mountain house, if I'm ever to get one.

How much do you love this?!

Other than that, not a whole lot shaking around here.

Brad and I soaking up our time together as we enter into the last days of being just a family of 3(me, him and Buddy).

Happy Tuesday!

The Halls are Decked!

The halls are decked and I'm relieved!

Brad and I are both weird about putting Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving so we waited not knowing whether or not Shelby would arrive before we got our tree up.

(actually, I was more concerned with it then he was)

Anyway, everything is up.

I didn't do as much as I generally do because I know we have to tear it all down after Shelby is here and I'm not sure how much energy we're going to have.

The main thing is - I didn't use real greenery in the house this year.

I'm not missing it.

It's a mess and a pain.

 Speaking of pain.

OMG!

My ankles and legs were hurting in the process of decorating.

If it wasn't for my Mom all of this would have NEVER happened.

I did a lot of sitting and laying in between helping.

I truly...can't thank her enough!

I told Brad last night that it would have never happened if it wasn't for her.

He said he would have made sure the tree got up but it wouldn't have been as fancy as she helped make it.

LOL!

 This is the first year we don't have a bow as a topper.

I bought a lot of stuff after Christmas last year on sale.

 Including the gold fleur de lis ribbon.

The mantle is a mixture of a whole lot of stuff.

 Including a new stocking for Miss Shelby.

I eventually want to get monogrammed stockings for all of us but have decided to wait until after Christmas when everything is on sale.

 Collection of Santa cut-outs handmade by my MIL.

Dining room table.

I wish my camera took better pictures.

And, the lighting isn't great so you can't get the real effect.

 Aside from our outside decorations that's the tour!

Do you have your halls decked yet?

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Shelby still isn't here!

We hosted Brad's family and my parents here at our house and it could not have happened without everybody's help.

 I still managed to throw a tablescape together but it was made up of items I already had.

I decided on a turkey pumpkin for the centerpiece.

My MIL bought me these pieces last year so this was my first time to use them.

Cute or what?

 Table cloth, place mats, napkins and hurricane vases already in house.

I thought about taking the corks out of vases and putting in fall items but decided to keep them because my place card holders are wine corks.

 Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

And, one VERY pregnant ME!

WOW!

My belly gets bigger and bigger each week.

I'm 38 1/2 weeks now and gained 3-pounds last week.

YIKES!!

I'm at 27 total now and I'm afraid what is going to happen in the next few weeks if I go overdue.

LOL!!

 Our nephew Reed.

 The kids are starting to get really excited about having a cousin.

It's cute.

Can't wait to see them in the hospital when Shelby is born.

I even found little gifts I bought for them after Christmas last year that I plan to give them when they come visit.

I think I'm going to tell them they're from Shelby.

Back to our Thanksgiving.

~~~~~~~~

Brad and his Dad deep fried our turkey.

When I went downstairs to take pictures of them doing it I found this.

 No words friends.

No words.

LOL!!!!

 Meanwhile, the other two men were enjoying the day by snoozing.

(My Dad and Brad's brother)

 The turkey and everything was truly delicious.

 Thanks to my Mom and my MIL for making it all happen!

My only contribution was a pie, which I forgot to take a picture of.

 GREAT time was had by all.

 Even Budster... who was overfed tons of turkey and threw up twice today.

Today was spent tearing down Fall and putting up Christmas.

More on that in my next post.

How was your Thanksgiving??

Thanksgiving Plans

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

I almost am!

As I mentioned earlier this week we're hosting this year.

Some call me crazy, but really it's not that big of a deal.

I've delegated most of the food out except I'm making Southern Living's Black Bottom pumpkin pie and Brad is preparing turkey and mashed potatoes.

As most of you know by now, I really love entertaining during the holidays.

The tablescape, the family time, the memories made.

It's all so much fun!

A. Liz did a post today about Thanksgiving day plans asking everyone what their traditions and such are.

Well, I decided to post mine.

Before getting married it was a hodge podge.

I worked a lot of Thanksgiving holidays being in TV news so I use to host a early lunch at my house for all the TV 'orphans' you could call it.

My Mom and Dad would always come in to spend the holiday with me, wherever I was, and I would invite friends and co-workers who had nowhere to go to come eat at my house.

After TV news, I would generally travel to Atlanta to be with my parents or we would all travel to Louisiana to be with my brother and his family.

After getting married things changed.

Brad and I use to rotate out.

One year we would do Thanksgiving with his family, and Christmas with mine and vice-versa.

This year that has all changed.

We're having a baby so there's no running around.

My parents live in NC now(2 1/2 hours away), so I have encouraged family gatherings at our house and have both sides of the family there.

Everyone gets along and I think it makes it more special for everyone.

Don't you?

So, we'll have 10 for dinner.

My parents, Brad's parents, BIL and SIL and their kids.

It seems like the new normal and I kinda like it.

Christmas will be the same, except for our actual meal we'll be at my BIL and SIL's house.

We're thinking of having everyone over for Christmas Eve though, but that all depends on how things are moving along with Shelby.

I can't wait to share my Thanksgiving Day pictures with you all later this week!

For now, pictures of my T-day tablescape from 2-years ago when we hosted and had 15 people!!

Happy Turkey Day to you all!!!