elephants are taking over the nursery

I wanted something lightweight and whimsical to hang over Declyn's crib so I went with this.

elephant mobile: etsy

My mother-in-law made this beautiful art piece for her grandson.  

How? She dipped a cookie cutter into paint many, many times over the canvas.  Finally, she picked one elephant that stood out to her and she hand colored it in, adding a little bow tie.

I absolutely loved this piece that came with the gift from my mother-in-law because not only did it match the nursery's colors, but it was too cute not to do something with.  Therefore, I decided to hang it from the door.

Side table: vintage / antique store from San Diego

Sign: gift from my parents

Lamp & Shade: target

In lieu of a card, everyone was asked to bring a signed/personalized book to start Declyn's library.

Elephant Bookends: barnes and noble

Shelves: lowes

Picture Frame: gift

Newest addition -- Burlap Pillow: gift (assuming from Etsy)

All his current toys.

Favorite: Sophie the Giraffe

Basket: home goods

Night Light: etsy

A few new additions to the dresser...
Owl: home goods (the plan is to put cotton swabs in it)
Painted Jars: left over from the shower (the plan is to put q-tips in them)

Even though it hasn't been hung...

Oversized Ruler: kirkland's 

a day celebrating Declyn

(through the i.phone)

Posing with my beyond gorgeous cake!  You have to love the awkwardness ... 

A little bubbly for all the non-preggers at the celebration.

My two sisters from another mother and half of the hostesses.  

Declyn's cake.  We saved the top layer for either the day we bring him home from the hospital or his first birthday.

(and through my Canon)

 Two besties preggers a month apart.

High school loves.

My mom and godmother holding up all the onesies that were made at the party.

(and back to the i.phone)

Love these girls.

nursery prints & a place to sleep

After completing his cross-country trip with a U-Haul full of our things, Mike (and I) was able to finally start putting the nursery together!

Prints: etsy

Frames: ikea

Mint Scalloped Jar: World Market

Lamp: Target

Dresser: vintage from Lucketts 

Dresser Knobs: etsy

Crib: babyletto Hudson (white)

Stuffed Animals: jellycat (anthropologie & elsewhere)

Glider: babyletto Madison Swivel (ecru)

Initial Pillow: Serena and Lily

34 weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain: ~23 pounds

Maternity clothes? my regular clothes (still some size small that I've had and some newly purchased mediums) are starting to not be long enough and/or not look super flattering, so although the belly band is still a hot commodity, I prefer a nice pair of a yoga pants or just gym clothes for the day (even after I've come back from the gym - ha!)
Stretch marks? no but where my belly button piercing used to be is a little darker then the rest of my skin
Sleep: not that great... this week I've been up blowing my nose, drinking water or lemonade, rearranging my position and/or getting hubs to rub my back
Best moment this week: Mike coming home!!!  And then staying home and working from the local office for the whole week!  Not only did his cross country journey finally end, but we got to be together as a family again AND start setting up the nursery!
Miss Anything? since the pounds are adding up, I'm missing not being able to just eat what I want, work out, and it all be good.  and with restless sleep, I'm missing those full nights of sleep.
Movement: baby Declyn is non-stop moving these days -- mostly still in the lower left side of my belly, but anywhere is now fair game.  sometimes it feels like my stomach is literally dropping as he jumps around and as Mike pointed out at our check-up, you could literally see his limbs moving while I was laying down in the chair.
Food cravings: chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.
Anything making you queasy or sick: all clear so far!
Gender: a small gentleman 
Labor Signs: my lower back hurt bad last night (for the first time) and I still feel pressure, as if my belly's dropping, but as my doctor pointed out -- I'm in the 'home stretch' so all of this is normal.
Symptoms: ...nothing has changed really.
Belly Button in or out? I would say it's halfway out.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: this week I am happy most of the time! :)

Looking forward to: my baby shower this weekend!!

happy birthday, rockstar

Today is a special day -- my dad's birthday.  I thought it'd do a throwback Wednesday and include a picture of my dad back in his day.  And of course he's with an old car ... no surprise there.

In all honesty, though, I couldn't ask for a more amazing dad.  He always goes out of his way to go above and beyond for me and his family.  Not to mention he is (and is going to continue to be) the world's best Pop! :)

Happy Birthday, stud.