House Update: Baby Week

It is officially baby week.  We welcome our third baby Thursday! And while I am so ready to meet this little one I am totally freaking out because this is what my house currently looks like......

Kitchen/Living Room

Laundry-Mudroom Room/Garage Entry

Entry/Powder Room/Office

Living/Dining Room (Playroom)

Basement

Oh and our master bathroom.  

Undergoing new tile due to a leak coming through to the dining room ceiling....ya.

C-section Date = Nov. 3rd

Move-In Date = Nov. 3rd 

Not sure how things will be completed by Nov. 3rd but I'm praying we can bring this baby home - to this home - a non-construction version of course.

It's not all bad though...we completed a lot projects this weekend to hopefully help ease the move-in process.

My favorite but least significant: an old farmhouse coat rack.

I bought a piece of old barn wood, sealed it and screwed in some wire hooks my parents brought home from their visit to the Magnolia Market (which I am dying to visit).  You can find the hooks online at Magnolia Market's online shop.  If you are local to the Chicago area, I bought the barn plank at Reclaimed Wood Chicago.

I love how it turned out.  It runs the length of my laundry cabinets and will provide LOTS of coat/backpack storage.

I am currently on the search for an old bench that is narrow and in that same warm wood tone to place underneath.  Originally we thought we would add lockers in here but due to some unforeseen structural issues this room had to be a bit narrower so I've decided we'll just build them along the wall in the garage - someday.

We also worked on the pantry shelving.  It isn't beautiful and we learned a lot of lessons which I will share shortly but these make me happy because I love storage.

We wanted to get these in before the closet doors and trim are installed (hopefully this week) and before I make my big, pre-baby Costco run tomorrow.  Gotta fill those shelves before I become a hermit crab.

So fingers crossed that things get moving again this week so we can get back to our life - as a family of FIVE!  4 days!!

**And huge shout out to our families who have been so helpful during this whole process.  My in-laws who have given up their basement for our crazy, loud, messy family to live in. And my parents for countless hours of babysitting, meals, errand running and this weekend for hard labor.  We would not be surviving this without them!**

Nursery Sneak Peek - work in progres

Did I mention we are expecting baby #3?  I am so out of the blogging rhythm I have no idea if I ever formally shared this news.  Well baby #3 will be joining us this fall, right around Halloween but hopefully not on Halloween.  We decided not to find out the gender this time around which has made decorating a nursery a little different for me but in a fun and refreshing way.  If you know anything about me, it's that I'm kind of afraid of color.  Just a plain jane, black and white girl.  Fortunately for me that happens to be kind of "IN" right now.  So why not have a black and white nursery?!

In fact the idea came from a blanket I knit for the baby.  It's a favorite and definite starting point for the nursery.

The room is far from done and these are photos from my phone (no editing and poor lighting - thus the yellow tone) but with all the craziness happening with the house and clean up, I wanted to share something that wasn't torn up and showed some actual progress.  Plus, I really like how it is turning out and I am so excited to finish it and bring our little one home to this room.

I painted the walls white and the trim black which was a tedious and terrible process I will share with you more in depth another time but I am really happy how it turned out.  The first few brush strokes of black terrified me and I almost regretted it but I am so glad I continued.  I also painted the dresser and crib in the same black which was also tedious but worth it.  And bonus, saved a TON of money.  This nursery, like all rooms in our home, are all low budget productions filled with DIY projects. And I will share all about them here eventually.  Hopefully others can learn from my mistakes.

Next up on the TO DO list is hanging the curtains (black), more wall art, finding/sewing a pillow for the chair, and finishing the crib and bedding.  And hopefully all that will happen before this little one arrives - still have some time.

Hello Griffin Fyvie Keith

We are overjoyed to welcome Griffin Fyvie Keith to the family.

Born May 27th weighing 8lbs 7oz and measuring 20.5 inches he has captured our hearts and we couldn't be more in love with him.

Even proud big sister Ella thinks so.

So thankful for these two precious gifts!

God is good!

Baby #2: 36 weeks

By now I'm actually 37 weeks and feeling very ready to meet this little guy.  As so many moms know, being pregnant with a toddler is physically and mentally exhausting.  The last week I've been more uncomfortable than I ever remember being with Ella her whole pregnancy.  I also know that life is probably easier with him in the belly than when he arrives and I have two needy children to tend to.  So I am trying my best to enjoy and cherish these last few weeks with just Ella.

Hospital Bag Essentials

One huge lesson I learned from my first pregnancy was that I way over packed for the hospital.  We were there 6 days due to a c-section and a little jaundice and I still brought much more than we needed.  So this time I am keeping it simple.  Very simple.

MOM:  The new mom needs more than the new baby - that is for sure.  Several pieces of loose, comfortable clothing, nursing tops and sweaters for layering.  The hospital gives you these amazing and totally unattractive underwear but you will want to bring some of your own large, cotton panties.  You will also want socks to keep your feet warm and slippers or easy to slip on shoes for walking around the room and hospital.  Of course you'll need your cosmetics and toiletries.  I fell in love with face wipes during my first pregnancy and following year.  Sometimes I was just too lazy to wash my face or I wanted a quick refresh.  The hospital will also have some of these but I like to bring my own nursing pads.  Lastly, I enjoyed having some hand lotion around.  My hands were so dry and I hated touching that perfectly soft baby skin with my scaly hands.  And of course you can't forget a camera and phone with all your chargers.

BABY:  The baby doesn't need much except you.  Mostly because the hospital provides so much.

I like to bring some cute, comfy newborn outfits.  Some hats or in my case A LOT of hats because I just cannot stop knitting and sewing and also one or two swaddling blankets since the hospital's are not that cute.  I also bring some socks and mittens for the baby although I don't think I used them that much.  Lastly, make sure you have the carseat and base installed and in the car.  

OPTIONAL:  There were several items we brought that I left in the car for Brandon to grab in case we needed it throughout our stay.  That way it was near by but not cluttering the room.  

Pillow - I never bothered to use mine.  The hospitals were just fine.  

Nursing Pillow -  Again, left it in the car - never used it)

Breast Pump -  I did pump a little in the hospital to help with the jaundice but I used the hospital pump.    

                        If you bring yours, the hospital staff will show you how to use it -a nice perk!

iPad/Computer - My husband probably enjoyed that more than I did but it was nice to stay connected

                           and have some entertainment.

Snacks - No need to go crazy but having a few snack options was nice for both of us. 

Photo props - Hats, headbands, special outfits etc.  Those first few photos are the most memorable and I 

                       enjoyed dressing Ella up in all the hats and headbands I had made her.

Bag for the new dad - Dad is going to need is own bag for the hospital stay.  Comfy clothes, toiletries, a   

                                    blanket, entertainment to help pass the time and snacks are just a few things I 

                                    would pack.

HOSPITAL PROVIDED:  There are so many items the hospital provides for both mom and baby.  Make sure to stock up on these!

Post-partum pads/underwear - The hospital had everything I needed to take care of the postpartum

                                                 bleeding, etc.  My hospital also made these amazing ice stuffed diapers 

                                                 I wore in my underwear.  They were the best!

Nursing soothers, ointments, etc. - The hospital also provided great items to help with nursing and all

                                                       the pain and tenderness that comes with those first few days.

Diapers, wipes and ointment -  I stuffed my bag with these before we left.

Newborn onesies and tops - The hospital kept our room stocked with little onesies and shirts.  She wore

                                              these a lot, especially as she was sleeping all swaddled.  I tended to dress  

                                              her up in the outfits I brought more for visitors.

Blankets and sleep sacks - The hospital gave us baby swaddle blankets and sleep sacks which she used    

                                           to sleep in for months after.  They are amazing.

Pacifiers - We also had a nice stock of pacifiers.  Of course, not all babies even need them that soon or 

                  ever and some are really picky so you may want to bring your own assortment. 

Baby toiletries (nasal aspirator/nail clippers/combs/etc.) - The hospital had it all.

I know I am forgetting so many things that the hospital provided.  Those days still seem a bit of a blur but I do know that our hospital was so amazing and the staff took such great care of us.  I cannot wait to experience child birth again and meet our sweet, little guy.  Just a few more weeks!

                  

Baby #2: 30 weeks

Well by now we are actually at 32 weeks - just two more months!

I am so ready to meet this little guy.

I love being pregnant and I always miss it when it's over but with a toddler to care for (and carry) I am ready to say goodbye to the expanding bump and hello to our little boy.  Of course, that just means my hands will be twice as full but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

This pregnancy in many ways has been very similar to my first but I can definitely tell that this little one growing inside me is very different from his sister.  I haven't met him yet but I have a feeling he will be a chill kid.  Ella was a mover!  Non-stop, spastic movements.  The doctors ALWAYS had a hard time getting a heartbeat because she wouldn't stay in one place.  And she has lived up to that.  She is a high-energy, fun-loving little girl.  This guy doesn't move nearly as much and when he does, it is one or two VERY STRONG kicks and then nothing.  Even on our ultrasounds he just seems to be hanging out (or sleeping).  I just cannot wait to meet him, see who he is and watch Ella become a big sister.

I hope these next two months go by very fast!

Baby #2: 20 weeks

I know I've already made the announcement that we are expecting a baby boy (you can view the post here) but now I am finally getting around to sharing the bump update.

We actually almost didn't find out what we were having….baby boy was very uncooperative with his legs crossed for most of the ultrasound.  Fortunately we had a very kind ultrasound tech who gave us some extra time to try and get him moving…which he did for a quick shot of the goods.

We also found out that baby boy has a two vessel umbilical cord instead of the typical three.  I never knew anything about this but apparently umbilical cords typically have three vessels, one vein (which carries oxygen and nutrients from you to the baby) and two arteries (which shuttle that waste back to you, to be processed and disposed by your kidneys).  In this case the cord has one of each - which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it just means we need to make sure baby boy is getting all the nutrients he needs.  Because of this I am no categorized as "high risk" which is really just a precaution but it means that I get frequent little peeks of the guy as we watch his growth - which so far is great.  He tracking to be a big boy!

We also got the unexpected surprise of a 3D ultrasound.  I still am not sure how I feel about these, sometimes they can be a bit creepy but I must say that it is pretty amazing to watch your baby move in these ultrasounds.  Here is a peek.

There is something so strange about it but I love the one of his little hand and thumb.  That one doesn't creep me out as much.  Can't wait to meet him.

Feeling A Little Blue

We're feeling a little blue these days but in the best possible way.

We just found out Ella is going to have a baby brother and we are so excited for her and our family.  What a perfect little blessing.

To celebrate on this extremely frigid day, Ella and I threw a "blue party".

We started the day with lots of fun balloons and streamers because it's not a party without them.

Then we enjoyed yummy blueberry smoothies for breakfast with blue mustache straws.  This was Ella's first time having a smoothie and she cried when she finished it.  She would not let go of that empty cup.

And that just wasn't enough blueberry for us because then we needed a little snack - a cup of blueberries.  It's a good thing Ella loves blueberries.  It was about the only blue snack in our house.

 

And then we finished the feast with blue cupcakes.  I think we are getting ourselves in trouble because now Ella always thinks it is her birthday.  And that is is ALWAYS about her.

And of course she ate the blueberries first.

And then she went for it.

And we wrapped up the party with a blue bath tub soak.

Well it was supposed to be a blue bath tub but the pack of glow sticks I bought only came with 3 blue ones.  I wasn't thinking.  So then we threw them all in and had a fun glowing bath.

It was such a fun day with Ella and I am so blessed to have such a fun, energetic and easy going little girl that is always willing to deal with all my crazy ideas.  She is going to be an amazing big sister.  I can't wait.  I also feel so blessed to be adding another child to our family and that it will be a boy.  So many wonderful days ahead.