You know it's official when it's on Facebook

Another scrapbook layout for your viewing pleasure. Also going in the pregnancy album, this one shows all my status update announcing the pregnancy and all the congratulatory messages from family and friends. I used one of my profile pics and kept the rest of the layout fairly simple.

It's funny, as I love the way simple layouts look when other people do them, but have a hard time leaving my own simple. I felt like this one was unfinished even when I was done with it ... so I lived with it for a few days before deciding it was indeed done!

Happy Monday.

Halloween in April

I know, you're thinking I have my holidays mixed up. Easter is in April, not Halloween - it's the month for bunnies, peeps and chocolate eggs, not ghosts, goblins and mini chocolate bars...mmmm, I could do with a mini kit kat right about now. Alas, I digress.

No, I'm not off trick or treating, just finishing another layout for the pregnancy scrapbook and it just happens to be the one of our Halloween costume back in October. The Paperie posted this sketch for their Mojo Monday challenge, which was perfect for the two pictures I had already printed.

copyright pagemaps.com

I don't often use sketches, but whenever I do I love it! It takes some of the planning work out of the process and makes pulling a layout together quick and easy ... which is exactly what I need to get this album done. I followed the sketch pretty closely and ended up with this:

Given I was pregnant, we thought it would be fun to find a costume suited to a preggo duo as really, how often do you get to do that? We settled on going as Juno and Pauly from the movie Juno. I just happened to have the orange t-shirt in some borrowed maternity clothes and of course the jeans and cardigan in my closet. A quick visit to Value Village and I found the skirt and the t-shirt and shorts for Des. The shorts just needed to be hemmed and I created the crest in MS Word, ironing it on lickety split. With a pillow stuffed up my shirt for the preggo belly, I think we looked pretty spot-on.

It was really funny at the party too. Almost everyone thought I was actually that far along in my pregnancy even though I was only about 4 months in at that point :) These days, I could pull of the costume without the pillow - thankfully it's almost Easter and I don't need to worry about Halloween this month.

First Heartbeat

As Baby Ryan has yet to appear, I have time on my hands. I used some of that time to scrapbook another page for the pregnancy scrapbook album (which I've concluded likely won't be completed before the pending arrival ... but the longer he/she hangs out inside, the closer it will get).

I saw this layout over on the October Afternoon blog and thought it would make a great base for a layout for week 13 and hearing the first heartbeat. I scraplifted it and ended up with this pretty page:

The journaling reads:

We heard your heartbeat for the first time this week. So amazing. The quick ‘thump thump thump’ made

our hearts beat a little quicker. Your dad got up from his chair and came over, taking my hand in his.

We couldn’t stop smiling. You’re suddenly even more real and wonderful sweet pea. We can’t wait to

experience all your firsts - your first kick, your first breath, your first smile, your first step and so many more.

Notice Has Been Served

EVICTION NOTICE

Dear Baby Ryan,

This notice is to inform you, as the tenant, that you are expected to vacate the premises (aka the womb) within three days. The 40-week rental arrangement was expected to conclude on or before March 30, 2011 and you have now violated the terms of that agreement. However, as landlord of the property (aka your momma), I am willing to grant you a three-day grace period to gather your belongings and make the transition.

I will acknowledge you have been a relatively pleasant tenant. Aside from some expansion to the front of the premises and the recent nightly disturbances, you have managed to keep property destruction to a minimum. However, the 40-week arrangement is now concluded. Failure to vacate the premises in the next three days will require immediate corrective action and forcible removal at the landlord`s discretion.

Love,
Your Landlord & Momma

More Preggo Pics

A couple of weeks ago I shared the sneak peak of our maternity photo shoot done by the lovely Kate Hawkins. Back from her vacation in Florida, Kate has finished editing and we're expecting to get all the pics from the shoot very soon. In the meantime, Kate didn't keep us waiting and shared a few more on her blog today. I love them all ...though these two might be among my top faves:

@ 8.5 months

@ 8.5 months I'm eagerly counting down the last few weeks til due day, ready to meet the wee one.

@ 8.5 months I'm wishing there was still more time to enjoy this pregnancy and the moments that pass too fast.

@ 8.5 months I'm grateful for the love of family and friends who are making this significant change easier and more enjoyable for our little family-to-be.

@ 8.5 months I'm getting ready to wrap up working and enjoy some quiet time at home before baby's arrival.

@ 8.5 months we still have a little work to do at home to organize and ready the nursery.

@ 8.5 months we're finishing our prenatal education classes and *hopefully* know the basics, or at least enough to get us through labour and delivery.

@ 8.5 months I'm enjoying the time we have as just two and looking forward to becoming three.

Loved & Blessed

This past weekend was my baby shower with family and friends, hosted by my wonderful mother, sister and one of my best friends. To say I was overwhelmed with the love and generousity that afternoon is an understatement.

First, the special touches from my mom made the day. She made the cake and decorated it with a replica of the little elephant that is on a hand-embroidered African wall-hanging we're hanging in the nursery and was the inspiration for the colour scheme we've chosen. It was so wonderfully me.

There were more people there than I had ever expected to see. I'm beyond grateful that they all wanted to come and celebrate this special time with me. And even though it was a little crowded at times, I'm so glad we had the shower at my house. It made it so much more personal than having it at hall or somewhere outside ever could.

 

As I opened the gifts, I marvelled at how tiny and soft everything was. I also marvelled at the seemingly endless offering of gifts and cards. I'm  also lucky to have one of the best girlfriends anyone could ask for. She carefully noted who gave which gift so I can properly and personally thank everyone later on. She also lead all the games and festivities making the afternoon a bundle of fun!

Throughout the afternoon, it suddenly all became more real. What had been months away before was now just one month away. Where we had so much left to do and to get to be "ready", we now have very little. Yet, that doesn't leave me panicked or worried or anxious as I thought it might. I know that it is because we are loved by so many. The fact that this was the third baby shower hosted in our honour is testament to that. (My former work and D's work spoiled us crazy as well!) I know I am blessed to have so many family and friends who are as anxious to meet Baby Ryan as we are and that we will have all the love and support we need.

And it helps that this wee one will truly want for nothing when he or she arrives -

the least of which will be love and attention!

capturing the moment

Last week I dragged D along to a maternity photo shoot. Ok, not really dragged as he went willingly at my request, but I know it was only because he loves me and I wanted to do it. He's good like that :) I just really wanted to capture this moment in time. The time where we're still a family of two. Just us, excitedly awaiting the arrival of the wee that will make us three. A time I know will pass in a blink, change our lives forever and will seem like an eternity ago before we know it.

It was a chilly day for an outdoor shoot, but aren't they all in February in NL! In fact, we had to reschedule it from the previous weekend due to weather. So while a little chilly, there was no snow, rain, sleet or other such treasures that Mother Nature usually sends our way mid-winter and that made me happy. Our lovely photographer, Kate Hawkins, didn't keep us outside too long, though I'm sure she must've snapped hundreds of photos. While we have to wait a couple of weeks for the pics, thankfully she posted this sneak peek on her blog. I'm smitten already. 

Photo Credit: Kate Hawkins Natural Light Photography

I love him. I love now. And I love that we did this. Years from now these photos will be a wonderful reminder of such a special time in our lives.

Better Me Than He

We had our first prenatal class last night. Heading into it neither of us really knew exactly what to expect. I mean we had a general idea of what will be covered over the next five weeks, but not the specifics. Of course that didn't stop D from asking me what to expect and probing for details when I gave generalities. I finally admitted to not having had a child previously and we moved on from the discussion ;)

We showed up a little early for registration. I whipped out the MCP card, provided due date and other personal details and collected the package of books, brochures and handouts we're to take home and read. Then we settled in for a long winter's nap. Or at least that's what I wanted to do in the dimly lit room after a day's work!

Fortunately, there was a lovely, funny nurse delivering the class, so that made me perk up a bit. As she got underway the realities of what's about to happen began to sink in. She shows us all a few Grey's Anatomy like posters and not those of the TV-show variety. I see why I pee so much. There's a five pound melon hanging out on my bladder. I also anticipate breathing to become difficult over the  next few weeks as my wee melon reaches watermelon-like proportions and squats my lungs. Nice. Then she shows us a plastic dilation chart. Think small rubber bouncy ball to softball size expansion. Nice. Then out comes the amnihook, which essentially looks like a crochet hook, used to break my water should it become necessary. I'd rather crochet with it thanks. And I don't know how to crochet.

We then get the grand tour of how to make our way to the case room should we arrive after hours, how we go about admissions and how to arrange for a private room. This is when I (not-so) gently nudge D in the ribs. Perk up mister. Pay attention. I'll take care of labour, you take care of getting me that private room. Whip out the credit card and get us on the list. K-thx-bye. Fortunately, he's good and supportive and patient like that and he nods and smiles reassuring me he's already on top of it.

The class wraps up with a video taking you through the multi-staged multi-phased labour experience complete through to the birth. Nice. No, seriously. Even with all the details that I personally would be just as fine not knowing, I trust my health care professionals after all, it is pretty amazing. The biology of it all, how everything that has happened over the last number of months has been purposeful and logical. All preparing my body and baby for birth. And, if you'll excuse me from sounding cliche, it truly is a miracle.

Feeling a little zen about it all, making our way back to the car after class, I ask D what he thought of it the class. His response: "I'm just glad its happening to you and not me". Exit zen, enter laughter. Fair enough sir. I guess I'm just glad God made babies cute. I'm sure was intentional.

The Simple Things

Not wonderful photo, no, but it makes me smile all the same. We officially began work on the nursery this weekend! As D taped off moldings and edges, getting ready to paint, I snapped a few 'before' pics so we can see the difference once it's all done.

Getting ready for the wee one's arrival, now that's wonderful.

Weeks 25-27

On the weekend, I completed another layout for my pregnancy scrapbook album (which you can read about and see more from here and here). I love seeing this album come together, knowing how much it will mean years from now.

This layout captures the first few growing belly photos and fun happenings from weeks 25-27. I still have a few layouts to do from before now, but order-shmorder, these pics were printed and ready, so I decided to go with it.

I'm really hoping to get the album almost all done before the wee one arrives, minus the last couple of weeks, but we'll see. If I do another few layouts like this one with a few weeks in one, that'll certainly help speed things along!

Simple Things - @ 7 Months

Self-Timer Pic :)

This week, I reached the 30-weeks pregnanct milestone. {Smile}. I wrote more about being 7 months along in this post. 

@ 7 months

@ 7 months I am very grateful for a so-far happy, healthy and easy pregnancy.

@ 7 months I am excited about setting up the nursery, having a baby shower, and getting things in order for the little one's arrival.  

@ 7 months I love hanging out with my hands on my belly feeling this baby get its groove on.

@ 7 months I am wanting to hit pause so I can enjoy being pregnant like this for a while longer.

@ 7 months I am looking forward to meeting this little one and finding out if its a wee-me or a wee-he.

@ 7 months I pee way too often, sleep way too little and get bigger with every passing day.

@ 7 months I am wanting to hit fast forward so I can enjoy holding, snuggling and loving my first baby.

@ 7 months I'm balancing being in the moment and awaiting all that lies ahead. Such a good place to be.

A couple more weeks...

Thankfully, my cold is finally starting to move on. Its about time. I've been a very good hostess for a week, feeding it, giving it plenty to drink, not drugging it, and all in all being patient. However, it has overstayed its welcome and I am more than happy to bid it adieu :)

How about a few more pages from my pregnancy scrapbook album:

Weeks 7 & 8

Week 9

Week 9 Journaling

More to come sometime soon :)

40 Weeks

After the reality and excitement of finding out I was pregnant had settled in, I knew I wanted to capture the story of our first baby's journey to life. I started journaling on my computer, writing down a few details from each week so I wouldn't forget those key moments that mark every pregnancy. Finding out. Sharing the news. The first heartbeat. The growing belly. As much as all those moments mean now, I know over time they'll become a distant memory in contrast to the joys of life in the present.

Shortly after that, I began to put those words with photos in a scrapbook album about my pregnancy. I know over the years it will be treasured not only by me, but by my child. Through these pages, this sweet baby will know how we felt during those wonderful pregnancy milestones, how their family came to know about them and love them, and the details that marked their first 40 weeks of life.

So far, only the first trimester is scrapped and ready for the album, but my journaling is up-to-date and more pages await.  As I recover from my cold on the sofa {six days and counting - ugh, even had to cancel our dinner plans on the weekend :( } I thought I'd share a few of the completed pages. 

Note: As I was trying to 'catch up' on this album before the holidays kicked into full gear, most of the pages completed are scraplifts from the Two Peas member gallery. I didn't capture the inspiration for each layout as I went, but do offer full credit, and appreciation, to the talented scrapbookers who did the original designs :)

4 Weeks

5 weeks



6 weeks

I do apologize for the photo quality - a) I'm a very amateur photographer, though I have aspirations to improve, and b) the lighting on a grey, foggy January day in Newfoundland leaves much to be desired. Otherwise, enjoy. More will follow.