Levi is coming home today!!!!!!

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There aren't enough exclamation points in the western hemisphere to convey how happy I am.  In the meantime we are Stephan is working like crazy to finish up a few projects before the little man's arrival.  Once, I get my act together (i.e. my leg stops hurting from this morning's not so charming wake up call....a stinkin' awful leg cramp), I'll be joining him.  Thanks to my incredible husband (who amazingly still thinks I'm wonderful despite my moments of doubting his flooring skills) our house is really-o-truly-o looking like a home....like our home! 

Oh, and before I go off to finish up housework, I wanted to share a little conversation with you.  It went something like this:

Me: Do you like the name Leo?
Stephan: That could be okay.  I don't know.  I think it's gonna be a girl anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
Me: Um, you know if a boy pops out we're going to have to name him.
....Stephan....shrugs shoulders.

This, my friends, is why we have yet to pick out a boy name. 

P.S. My presence might be a bit spotty over the next couple of weeks due to all the doting I'll be doing over my little fella.  :-)

Reno Update

This is the only pre-reno photo I could find of Levi's room.  Notice the large brown thing next to the window.  The previous owners apparently thought it was a great idea to place adhesive cork squares directly to the wall.  In case you too think this is a good idea...don't do it.  They won't come off without doing some pretty awful damage.  Also, those faux Tiffany light covers were all over this house.  And, you probably can't tell by the picture, but popcorn ceilings were also in every room.

This is Levi's new (and much improved) room.  The ceilings are now flat.  The paint color is actually almost identical to what was in his room at our old house, and those pictures above the bed are the ones I blogged about here.  And, of course, the very, very, very old carpet has been replaced with beautiful wood floors.  Thank you, Stephan!!  Just ignore the lack of pillows on the bed.  Levi doesn't sleep in that bed anyway, and I can't find the spare pillows....

My mom painted the cork, and we trimmed it out with lattice strips.  We have plans to attach a large chalkboard to the bottom half and hang some of Levi's framed art on the top half.  Also, the curtain is just temporary.  I have some super cute fabric waiting to add a little more personality to that window...

Excuse the junky closet.  Levi's is one of two closets that can currently be gotten to.  It will look much spiffier once we get some more functioning closets in the house.  The doors will not, however, be going back on.
Oh, and the cube shelves are awesome.  The piece of furniture that used to hold Levi's toys is being moved to the baby's room to hold diapers and such, so we were left with zero toy storage.  This is probably the first new furniture I've bought in 10 years.  I searched and searched for something second hand, but no luck.  We ran across this on one of our 5 million trips to Lowe's, and I'm so very glad...

It makes me happy that this little fella now has a home.  I gave him to Levi for his first birthday....

And, this is my oh, so wonderful sewing room.  Obviously it still needs some work....for instance that poor dresser needs its knobs put back on.  More furniture needs to be moved in, and some of the stuff that's currently taken up residence (like those metal shelves) needs to move out....but, I still smile every time I walk into it...

Stephan's got a little extra time off this week, so he'll be tackling the floor in the baby's room.  I'll be moving stuff around, cleaning, and sorting.  I'm kind of getting into this now.  I think it's the whole nesting thing.  I even cleaned and organized our storage rooms yesterday, because I decided it absolutely had to be done that very day.  If it hadn't been so dang skippy hot outside, the carport would have been next on my list.

Weekend Loves

A few things that made me smile, made me think, and made me go "Oooo...I want one!"....

: : If I had some spare cash right now, I'd buy these and these.  Don't they look adorable and oh, so comfy?!!

: : Sarah wrote a comment on Thursday's post that has me seriously considering buying a pair of goggles.  I'd love to see Levi's reaction if I took her advice:

"Also I'm with you don't stress too badly about the spitting just wear goggles."

 

: : Leanne mentioned The Future of Food on her recent post.  I can't wait to watch it on Hulu.  Actually, it's on my to do list for today.

: : While we're on the subject of food documentaries, Stephan talked me into watching Super Size Me the other day.  Eeeeewwwww, gross!  I know I'm probably the last person on the planet to watch this.  Since I'm not really a fast food gal, I didn't think there was any urgency in seeing it.  But, I'm glad I did. 

: : I really want to make one of these.  I'm not sure if it's more for my own entertainment or for Levi's.  They just look so very squishable and fun.

: : Don't y'all agree that I need to crochet this bag?  It would be so cute to take along to the farmer's market.....right along with all of the other bags I've made for the farmer's market.  Okay, so maybe 'need' is a strong word for this one.

: : I mentioned wanting to print these and frame them, but I changed my mind.  I printed this, this, and this instead.  They are three of Levi's favorite animals, and oh, my, they look so stinkin' cute hanging on his wall!

: : The thing that's making me smile the most this week (other than Levi's homecoming being so much closer now!) is that my house actually looks and feels nearly inhabitable.  My mother has been over here for days helping me move furniture, organize, paint, etc.  Levi's room is finished except for the curtain.  My sewing room is in working order which means I no longer have to climb over stuff to get to my beloved sewing machine.  And, y'all, my living room is usable for the first time in months.  It just feels so good.  The end of renovations is still far away, but at least it's becoming more and more visible with each passing day.

Exactly 11

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As of today there are exactly 11 weeks left to go.  

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Well, that is if this munchkin is on time.  Still that number 11 seems so much smaller than 12.  I can't believe that in a few short months there will be another baby taking his/her place in our family.  Levi will become a big brother.  Stephan will get his first taste of being a daddy to a newborn....oh, boy, is he in for some surprises.  ;)  And, we will officially be parents to TWO little ones.  I have a sneaking suspicion that there really is no preparing for this.  

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There's a part of me that can't wait...to meet and greet and snuggle...to smell that lovely new baby smell.  But, then there's a bit of me too that wants to hold on to what we have right now just a little longer. 

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More of the Baby Belly

These first two are from 27 weeks.  Levi's stethoscope obsession led to lots of "checking" the baby's heartbeat...

And, these are from 28 weeks.  My sister was in town over the weekend, and took a few shots while we were wandering around the farm....

More here.

Just Some Things

Some loosely connected happenings and thoughts from yesterday and today:

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful couple of hours with Levi.  Our time together involved lots of hugs and kisses.....and spitting.  Yes, you read that right.  The little guy is obsessed with spitting...as in spitting on me.  A normal mother would try to put a stop to that behavior.  Oh, wait, I did try to put a stop to it.  Ahem.  It didn't work.  I've given up.  I know exactly how stubborn he is because he just might have gotten it from me. Now, we just spit on each other.  :)  I know, some of you are laughing and some are staring at your screen is horror.  In actuality, I blow raspberries on him, and he spits on me.  I've lessened my expectations.  Now I just ask that he doesn't get too much saliva on me while spitting and laughing hysterically.  Admittedly, I hope he outgrows this phase...soon.
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To my dismay, Levi didn't pay a lick of attention to me when I told him he wasn't allowed to grow any in these two weeks.  He was bigger yesterday than on Friday.  My heart heart cringed over it.  He looks more and more like a boy every day now.  And, he talks more and more like one too.  Sigh.
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He is still thoroughly convinced that the new baby is moving in with Nanno and Baw-Baw.  Nanno was with me yesterday, when I went to see Levi, and he told her "De baby's gonna live at your house!". 
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The rearranging and organizing of Levi's things is taking longer than expected, but then doesn't everything involved in moving and renovating take longer than expected?  Please, say "Yes."  My mother has been helping me for two days now, and she'll be back tomorrow.  We've been reassembling furniture, unearthing all of Levi's toys, deciding what to put in his room...and we might have gotten sidetracked and organized the storage room.  After she left this evening, I started going through some boxes.  One contained Levi's keepsakes.  Among other things there were little embroidered bibs that were too pretty to actually use, a beautiful hand knit blanket, his birthday hat from his first birthday.  I made the hat for him, and he nearly demolished it in one wearing.  I can't part with it though.  Looking through his old things nearly had me in tears.  Not entirely sad tears...the bittersweet variety.  He's not a baby anymore.  Not really.  Sure he still curls up with me at night and plays with my hair as he goes to sleep.  And, yes, when he's running around naked he looks so much tinier, and I catch those almost glimpses of the baby he once was.  But, he's becoming a boy; a boy with a big imagination, and even bigger opinions.  He's becoming himself, and that is truly lovely to behold.  Still, though, if time could just slow down a tad, I wouldn't mind at all.

What We've Been Up To

I should probably point out the inaccuracy of that title.  This should be "What Stephan's Been Up To".  And, the answer is....a whole lotta work.

This was Levi's room a few days ago...

It now has a completed and quite beautiful wood floor. Photos to come. My mom is on her way over to help me move furniture into it!! I can't wait!

This was my sewing room as of a couple of days ago....

Stephan is nearly finished with the floor in it.  And, then my sewing machine will have a home...one where I don't have to wade through boxes and piles of furniture to get to it.  Yay!

This next one is the baby's "room".  It's currently holding enough wood flooring to cover nearly our whole house.  Once the furniture for the above two rooms makes it's way out of our living room, these boxes will take it's place, so Stephan can put the floor down in this room.  What this room actually becomes will be determined by the boy or girl status of the new bambino. If it's a boy, this room will just be a holding zone for clothes and diapers and something of a playroom.  Eventually, he and Levi will share a bedroom....you know, if they ever move out of our bed!  If it's a girl, this room will become a girl's bedroom.

And, this is our hallway....most of our house actually has this same look going for it right now....we call it the 'stirred with a stick' look...

Well, I'm off.  My mom should be here soon.  Wish us luck while we tame the mess and organize the chaos. 

P.S. I get to see Levi this afternoon!  :-)  It's gonna be a good day.

Baby Bump: Week 28

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since my last official baby bump update!  We had an appointment with our midwife Thursday.  Stephan's mom got to be there and to hear the heartbeat....very cool.  She also brought some of Stephan's baby things and a gorgeous old quilt (but that's for another post).  :)

The baby is growing as expected, and has turned which explains the recent wonderful lack of drop kicks to the bladder.  Although, it's too early in the pregnancy to know if s/he will stay that way, my midwife thinks it's likely.  We're keeping our fingers crossed.

And in other baby related news:

: : I have gained a whopping 22 pounds.  I'm sort of in shock.  With Levi I gained a total of 25 pounds.  I still have three more months to go before the final tally is in on this one.  The part that really has me bumfuzzled is that I am not nearly as hungry with this one as I was with Levi.  In fact, for a while there I was afraid I wasn't eating enough....um....wrong.  We're just hoping this one isn't destined to be a 10 + pounder.  Oh, and, Stephan, being the sweet husband he is, when I told him how shocked I was over all of that weight gain, said, "Good.  I was afraid you were losing weight."  Either he's just being nice, or he needs his vision checked.  Has he seen that belly?!!

: : Levi has recently revealed that he believes this baby will be moving in with Nanno and BawBaw once it gets here.  Oh, my, is he in for a shock.  There's no preparing or convincing him.  Even Nanno got in on trying to correct his view on this one.  No luck.  He's determined.  My only guess is that he remembers living next door to them, and he thinks that's what babies do.

: : This new little munchkin already has opinions.  S/he is seriously opposed to me slouching.  Apparently, s/he likes his/her room because every time I slouch, s/he kicks me really, really hard in a hey-give-me-some-more-room-in-here kind of way.  Also, when we tried to hear his/her heartbeat with the stethoscope, sh/e kicked the stethoscope every single time...dead on excellent aim, too.

: : We are still working on boy names.  I think we might be coming closer to a decision.  We'll see.  So far everybody thinks it's a girl....even strangers.  I'm going to laugh when a boy comes out, and we don't have name for it.  Any suggestions?  I tend towards Old Testament names.  Stephan tends toward New Testament and non-biblical names.  A happy medium has yet to be reached.  There have been a couple of first names agreed on, but finding a middle name is tough.  Josiah and Abel are in the top running.  But, every name we put with Abel makes it sound like a sentence.

Weekend Loves

My favorites from the past week...or two...

: : I love to make mini-quilts.  After seeing this breakfast nook I want to make more.  Granted, munchkin number one put a bit of kink in my speediness.  There's no telling what effect munchkin number two will have. 

: : Somewhere along my internet wanderings, I bookmarked this.  I want some for my yard.

: : I'm planning to print these off and frame them!

: : There's a part of me that wants a girl, so we can have a ladybug party.  How cute is that?!

: : I have a weakness for mint chocolate.  Homemade York Peppermint Patties are sounding mighty scrumptious about now. 

: : Many of you have already read this, but if you haven't you need to.  It makes me really glad that I'm generally too cheap to buy Levi prepackaged snacks and juice boxes....organic or not.

: : Levi would dig these printable robot coins.  He's recently become enamored with a robot toy that makes an almost unnoticeable appearance in one of his favorite books.  Speaking of favorite books, have y'all read this one.  We're in love.

: : A few crafty links that caught my attention...These and these and these and this all make me smile.

What's on your list of weekend loves?

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to the two best dads I know...

Stephan

And, my own dad (aka BawBaw)

P.S. Did you know that we have less than 12 weeks to go before our new baby gets here?!!!  I can't believe it!

About That Bit of Quiet

Those few days of quiet seem to have stretched out a little.  I am so appreciative of all the lovely comments and emails that I've received from y'all.  Your concern and kindness brought me much cheer over the past week.  Thank you.

Tuesday night has been the hardest so far.  When Stephan got home from work he thought I was going to send myself into labor.  I didn't expect Tuesday to be so hard, but it all dawned on me then....that cuddling my little fella' to sleep, waking up to the morning pile, and our general adventuring were all going to be missing out of the next two weeks.  Not to mention, all that mama guilt over how Levi would handle two whole entire weeks.  That's such a very long time for a little fella.

In the midst of all of that, there is still a lot to be thankful for. 
Levi's dad and I were able to come to an agreement about me seeing Levi during the two weeks.  This has lifted such a weight from my shoulders.  Laying eyes on him and knowing that he is okay and that he knows mama hasn't abandoned him makes such a difference.  Stephan and I picked Levi up yesterday for half the day.  I got to cuddle with him and squeeze him.  He got to see his favorite people (even his Aunt Annie who just got back from a month of backpacking through Europe).  And, he got to go fishing...

Levi did indeed catch a few teeny tiny brim which he dubbed, "dragon fish."  I think that's a much better name than brim.

While we're on the subject of things to be grateful for, I'm convinced that I have the best husband in the world.  He was off of work the past few days, and was so very sweet.   He knows when distraction is the best tactic, when I really need to talk, and even when I really, really need some ice cream. 

Hopefully, the weeks will speed by.  I'm trying to keep myself busy and am finding that the hum of my sewing machine is very therapeutic right now.  

Thanks again for all of your sweet and encouraging comments and emails.  I feel very blessed by them.

A Bit of Quiet

There may be a bit of quiet in this space for the next few days.  I've been avoiding thinking about the inevitable for months now.  The problem with the inevitable is that it comes about sooner or later.  Ugh.  On Tuesday, Levi leaves to spend 2 whole, entirely too long weeks with his dad.  It's taking all of the energy I can muster to stay calm and enjoy my days with him.  We'll have a repeat of this the last two weeks of July.  I am not looking forward to either of these times for countless reasons. I hope Levi takes this better than I will.  Any tips on explaining to a two year old that he'll be gone for two weeks and that mommy did not abandon him?

Stethoscope Play

We've officially found the best toy ever...

Isn't your heartbeat in your foot?

Levi-isms of Late

: : Angels are now officially and for always, "Butterfly Men".

: : We've been explaining to Levi that this new baby will nurse (not eat popcorn like he thinks it should).  Levi calls nursing "nu-ing."  And, now, he frequently points to my chest and says, "Those are nu-ins.  When de baby comes out it's gonna nu.  It's gonna nu from the nu-ins."  And, then he very proudly grins.

: : The munchkin talks up a blue streak ....lots of stream of consciousness stuff.   I hope he doesn't mind that my general response is laughter.  How could I not laugh when he looks up at me and in all seriousness says, "I need a fraction of a moon and a box of goggles.  Where's my goggles?"  Where does he get this stuff?  What the heck is a fraction of a moon anyway?

: : Oh, and apparently, I need to quit saying "What the heck?" out loud.  Now, when Levi sees anything (even if he knows what it is) he says, "What de heck?!!"  or "What de heck is dat?!!!"  Ooops!

: : Speaking of his stream of consciousness chatting....the other day, he was telling me all about chickens and eggs and baby chicks hatching from eggs.  He went on and on.  Then, he got a surprised look on his face, and announced, "I'm hatching my boodie!"  That proclamation was followed by a very foul smell and a diaper change.

: : And, only a two year old can say, "I'm the bestest. I am!" and get a smile as a response.

Tagged And Seven Bits Of Randomness

Thanks to Corinne for tagging me with a Versatile Blogger Award!  :)  The rules are to share 7 facts about myself and then share the love by tagging a few bloggers.

Seven.....Have I ever told you that Levi's favorite number is 7?  Everything is 7..."Dats 7 dollars.",  "I buy dis for 7 dollars.",  "My number is 7.",  "Dose are 7 dollar boots."  "It's 7 o'clock."...even if it's 10.   The only exception...."I'll be right der in foooour seconds!"


Okay, enough about Levi....Seven things about me?  Hmmmm....

1.  I went to the farmer's market Saturday.  It's not much of a secret that I love the farmer's market, but I was especially happy because, among other things, I scored some lovely swiss chard and japanese eggplants....grown the all natural, pesticide free way.  I can get organic swiss chard from the grocery store, but ugh...they pick it when it's way too big and not very tender.  I like mine baby sized.


2.  Saturday was a good day.  I ran into one of Stephan's Aunts during my thrifting adventures, and she turned me on to a new to me thrift store!!!  What makes it even cooler is that everything you buy there goes to a local battered women's shelter.  Thrifty spending for a cause is always a plus.


3.  Maternity clothes drive me nuts!  Who designs these things?  Seriously.  Shirts that are too short to cover up even a 5 or 6 month baby belly should not be allowed.  Not to mention all of the shoddily made pants....Ack!  Maternity pants drive me exceptionally crazy.  I did finally find a couple of pairs that I love.  My Maternal America jean capris are my new favorites.  I just wish I could afford more than one pair.


4.  Halloween, Levi's birthday, and Christmas have been on my mind a lot lately.  Knowing that I'll have a brand new baby during those events makes me want to be more prepared.  So far, the preparations haven't gone beyond thinking, though.  Would knitting Christmas stockings be a bit much to add to my to do list?  Probably....maybe I could just sew up some cute ones.


5.  Our refrigerator is possessed.    It has taken to randomly spitting lots of water out of the ice and water dispenser. The other night, I woke up to the sound of a puddle forming on our kitchen floor.  It's messy and annoying.  It did this a month or two ago and magically stopped.  But, it's back at it again.   Adding to the list of wants...a new refrigerator...maybe without a water dispenser. 


6.  I am not excited about being hugely pregnant through summer.  Mississippi is hot and humid, and having my own personal heating system attached to my belly during the upcoming months is making me hope against hope that our air conditioner prevails and that our summer is mild (Ha!  As if!).  I've already warned Stephan that if the air goes out, I'm temporarily moving in with my parents.  


7.  Despite the heat, aggravating maternity clothes, and heartburn that is beginning to kick in (again), I love being pregnant.  I love the baby kicks (minus the ones aimed at my bladder).  This little one is getting stronger by the day.  I love getting to hear the heartbeat at each appointment with my midwife.  I love the anticipation of new life and of course the browsing through sweet, tiny, baby clothes that comes with that.  I love hearing Levi talk about "de baby" and what he's going to do with him/her when s/he comes out.  I love that Levi is determined he's having a sister because "I don't want a brudder."  (Okay, so I might not love that so much if a "brudder" comes out, and Levi is upset.  But, we'll just live in the moment for now.)  I love sharing the experience with Stephan and the smile on his face when he feels the baby moving.  It's just sweetness...the whole lot of it...heat, maternity clothes, and all.


Now to share the love, I'm tagging:

Dera from Casablanca
Tiffany from Stuff Parents Need
Janet from Oijoy
Amber from The Nutrients of Life
And, of course, anyone else who wants to play along!

Weekend Loves

: : Skip To My Lou is hosting a summer craft camp full of great ideas for things to do with munchkins.  I'm especially loving this simple paper kite.

: : This short film (found on Amber's blog) is an incredibly moving tribute to the artist's father.

: : I highly, highly suggest Food, Inc.  I can't say enough good about this documentary.  And, if I tried, I'd need a whole blog post (or two) devoted to it.

: : Since we're overhauling the icky and very old decor in our fixer upper, decorating has been on my mind.  I've been browsing my bookmarked decorating ideas, and I'm smitten with this dining room.

: : I'm determined to figure out how to use my camera.  This article made my camera's manual much clearer.  It's basic photography knowledge, but for a gal like me it was super useful.

: : And, because Levi is gone for the weekend, this picture makes me grin.  It's his fake smile...newly perfected...

What's on your weekend loves list?

By The Lake

Stephan had a couple of days off this week.  One beautiful afternoon, he took us to one of his favorite lakes.  Lots of exploring ensued...

Levi told us he "Reeeeyeeee needs a fishing pole."  I think he might be right.

Ripe!

They are finally beginning to ripen!!!  Slowly but surely....

Yum!  What's your favorite summer treat?

Sweet Dreams

These photos were taken at the end of last week.  We had all day long issues with this spray bottle...

A certain someone "Reeeeeeeyyyeeeeee" needed water in his spray bottle so he could spray the walls.  Hmmmm....that would be a negative darlin'.  Sorry.

The Bread Makers

These two and their bread making!  This is actually the first time they've fired up the brick oven together in quite a while.  Levi was beside himself with excitement.  He's been asking to make bread for months now...and that's no exaggeration.  This kid has the memory of an elephant.

Baw-Baw has had loads of deadlines bearing down on him lately, so getting to spend the whole day with him yesterday was such a treat.  Levi really, really didn't want to leave.  In fact, he even told me he wanted to go night-night with Nanno....as in "You can leave now, mom, but I want to stay....forever!"