Nesting

A 38 week belly

Let's just say the nesting kicked in, and I got a little surge of energy. I installed a shelf and mirror all by myself...into dry wall. It was tough, heavy, and is probably crooked. Last minute purchases arrived and swaddles were dip-dyed. Art still isn't framed, but I have a hard time wanting to spend money on those things right now. The far window still needs curtains that I'm being very fickle about. Hence the lack of photos of that wall. If only I had two more matching lace panels. Baby Bloom's book collection is lacking, but we will build that over time. I was a slow starter in that department too. But don't ask Mary Kate, she'll tell you I didn't learn the alphabet till I was 12. 

The house has been deep cleaned three times now. I'm over that and the dog hair. I did about 100 loads of laundry last week. I refolded all of the extra linen in my house and tucked them away nicely into closets. Baby Blooms clothes are cleaned, folded, and organized. I am in major need of Tea Tree Oil and Summer House candles to make this place sparkle and smell nice before she comes. If you haven't cleaned with this Tea Tree oil, you probably don't like to clean. A last minute run needs to involve new shower curtain liners, dishwasher detergent, and trash bags. Its the small things I don't feel like buying, but a clean and fresh house to come home to will be the best. I've started filling my fridge with things I know Mark and our families would eat. Living alone usually means a very empty fridge. The cinnamon rolls are waiting, and I am being very good not to eat them. Its almost as much torture as waiting for this baby. My gas tank remains full because I am notorious for driving it till it says 1 mile left. I finally packed my hospital bag last week when I convinced myself I was in labor. I since then realized the bag only contained items for myself and none for Baby Bloom. I feel like baby prep is done and I am just waiting now.

Mark and I planned out every good case scenario for the timing of this birth. All worked around his games and travel schedule so that he makes it in time and doesn't miss a single game. He hopes for September 7th, I hope for tomorrow. My sister reminded me that I need to pray and ultimately this baby is coming when God plans for her to. I pray for peace because I am truly over thinking the timing and if Mark will be there. There isn't a plan Mark and I could make for her arrival that is better than God's. We have already been blessed with the timing of this pregnancy. This season seems to have flown by with great excitement and anticipation for our new family. It is also very hard to feel alone with Mark being gone while I have our little baby growing inside of me. I know that whenever she comes, Mark and I will feel the most blessed! 

So here's to the final stretch. I am going to rest. 

Baby Bloom's Room

A pretty tour:

From our bedroom looking into her's.

View from the doorway

Because her Daddy is the best soccer player she'll know.  

My new favorite room.

An iron crib borrowed from my sister, a cowhide chair from Oppo, a new favorite pillow from Summer House and a basket full of blankets. 

A simple mobile

The sweetest story. Art from my sisters, Mary Kate and Clementine. A Katherine Lundberg original. 

Another piece lent from Mary Kate. A daffodil painting by my sister Caddie. 

My dollhouse. A painting from my Dad.

Where Baby Bloom will sleep for the first week before she's off to Toronto.

Nine Months Ago...

I was working the night shift on Christmas Eve. I had the pleasure of taking care of teeny tiny twins that had been born a few hours before I came on. My hands were pretty full with the twins. One was so little he had trouble keeping his temperature stable, and the other had difficulty feeding so we battled sugars all night. Not to mention caring for a mama recovering from surgery. While running around the entire shift I knew something felt different. I didn't know if I was getting sick, tired, or even just sad I missed Christmas Eve with my family. Christmas morning came and I went home to the most wonderful husband. The house was sparkling, with beautiful music playing, coffee brewing, and Mark making breakfast. We spent a couple hours opening presents and being together.

Next it was off to 30A for Christmas with my family. As we packed up the car I couldn't get this idea out of my head that I didn't feel good. I figured it was likely the lack of sleep catching up with me, but while Mark was getting the animals situated, I ran to the bathroom and took a test. Now that I knew, I didn't know how to tell Mark. We were leaving that second. The entire drive I couldn't bare it,  I was so happy. I told Mark all about my night with the twins, and we talked about what our life will be like with babies one day. Little did he know....When we got to the beach house, everyone was coming up from the beach with empty coffee mugs. Mark and I decided to go down anyway and sit on the beach together. It was the most beautiful morning and perfect time to tell him. While Mark was playing with my new camera I told him take a picture of the sand. He didn't even realize what it said till after he took the picture. It was such a sweet Christmas present to us both. The happiest little secret. 

Christmas morning

Now we're here. Waiting for our little one that could come any day. It's amazing how fast time has gone. 

My Week

and the things that made it great...

Babysitting these two knuckleheads.

Conversations with Hank.
"I'll be riiiiiiight back mama" Mama is Emma, BaBa is Mama. One time he called me "Em."

 Goat cheese and bread. One of my cravings these days.

Rocco, and the Trolley ride we took.

A special day of pampering with my mom and sister before two babes join us. 

This beautiful sight. 

My childhood book, Emma Bean. I found a worthy rabbit to go with it since mine is currently lost.

 This breakfast.

A necklace my dad bought me, just because. 

I don't have many weeks left to myself, and I am a-ok with that. 

Husband

To love is to value.

She thought: to find a feeling that would hold, as their sum, as their final expression, the purpose of all the things she loved on earth....To find a consciousness like her own, who would be the meaning of her world, as she would be of his....A man who existed only in her knowledge of her capacity for an emotion she had never felt, but would have given her life to experience.