Chalkboard window

Last month, I took a trip to the local indoor salvage yard.  An entire warehouse was filled to the brim with charming relics that were graciously saved from old homes.  The creative juices were pumping as I felt my heart rate rising with excitement.  Pathetic, I know...who gets excited over a dirty and dusty warehouse full of "junk"?

I went there with the intention of looking for a single pane window to create a chalkboard for the baby's room.  The idea is to periodically write messages to the baby, for example, a favorite bible verse. Another possibility is to write a message of encouragement to myself as I spend many tired moments in that room nursing.  Who knows how often I'll change the text but I hope to keep it fresh and new as often as I can.  The picture below is where I initially got the idea from- a wonderful blog I follow called Life In Grace.

Edie's lake cottage kitchen

 After searching through 60 plus windows with varied finishes, I walked away with one that is painted white and another that has dark stain frame.  This is when my indecisive habit comes into play, but hey, at $4 a window, I couldn't resist both options. 

This weekend's project is to get that chalkboard window completed- of course I will take precautions by wearing my attractive filtered mask so the little bean is unharmed.  Stay tuned for the finished product!

sundea's and sunshine

It's sunny and 80 degrees here in CT today! 

{Imagine me with my protruding belly doing the happy dance right now}  

I feel like I always give a forecast report to you guys, but the weather certainly effects my mood these days.  

Thankful for....

• SUNSHINE!

• McDonald's $1 hot fudge sundaes

• A midwife who doesn't mind if I call her personal number when I have paranoid concerns or questions.

• Progress at letting the little things go. 

•  The early surprise arrival of the crib and an anxious husband to set it up.

Alright, it's time to get off this computer and cook some dinner, which doesn't happen much these days.  On the menu tonight is Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Chicken.  Anyone ever tried it before?  I will let you know how it goes!

 

The winner of the Grace necklace is.....

NADIA!

nadiaidanadia@hotmail.com

Congrautulations Nadia on winning the new Grace necklace!  I hope you enjoy wearing it for many years to come!

NEW Grace Necklace {AND Giveaway}

Happy Friday friends!  Today I am showcasing my new Grace Necklace. This necklace is a great reminder that it is by grace alone through faith we are saved.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8-10

This necklace features a sterling silver oval tag which is stamped with "by grace alone".  A freshwater pearl adds the perfect touch of class.

(Featured font: Lowercase typewriter)

 --------------------------------------------

Do you want one???

I will give away ONE Grace Necklace! 

To enter giveaway:   

Complete one or all of the requirements below. The more entries the better!

Leave link and email address for each entry as a comment below (Entries on Facebook, email or twitter do not count)

• Blog about it
• Tweet it
• Facebook it
• Follow my blog
• Become a facebook or twitter fan

*Giveaway ends on Monday at midnight.  Winner will be chosen using random.org.  Worldwide entries welcome!  Good luck.

Sage Mama

Some of you have asked me how the cloth diaper decision came about.  If you don't care, then skip this post and go shop!  Mother's Day deadline has past but if you don't mind an IOU gift, then go for it!

I certainly know many moms who CD but it was never a topic I put much thought into.  When it comes to being "green", my husband and I do our small part. We recycle, grow our own veggie garden, use cloth grocery bags, try to eat more organic veggies and meat, and of course we recycle (adopt) animals.  As you can see, it's not a huge list, but it works for us.... 

...until I peed on that stick.  After that line appeared, I began to question those topics that I often looked over or rolled my eyes about. That's when I started to evaluate the choices my husband and I were making.  

As I was talking with a "green" friend, she told me I had to read this book.  I thought to myself  "I'll browse it but it doesn't really apply to my life".  Well, now it does apply and it was time to weigh my options and make informed decisions regarding this baby and our lives.  It's a short and quick read, which I like, but full of important topics.  I even got my hubby to read it so we could discuss it together.  We chose several ideas that were important to us and decided to start making those small changes.  As we both read it, we noticed that it's very easy to go overboard and get caught up in the organic way of living.  Some suggestions were just too unrealistic and expensive to take on.  However, cloth diapering was one area where we thought we could make a difference and it wouldn't take over our lives too much. 

So if you're preggers or thinking about starting a family, pick up this quick read. It will make you think twice about the the choices you make, if it's the food you eat or the cleaning products you use.  As I said before, it's easy to get sucked into this "green" world since it's the trendy thing to do right now but being fully informed will help you make wise decisions for you and your family in the future.

Sorry for the long and "preachy" post but I wanted to share with you all how this pale-ish green girl is slowly becoming a sage mama. 

raisin's and shag

Today's a rough day so far. It's raining again and I feel pretty gross but that doesn't stop me from being thankful.

• A hubby who is pushing me to get ready for the baby. I have been dragging my feet with the nursery for a while now.  It feels better to at least get a cozy shag rug in there, although Maisey thinks we got it just for her!

 

sneak peak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  A project to-do list that is almost complete!

•  A lazy Saturday with no plans what-so-ever. 

• Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Raisins.  Seems shallow to be thankful for raisins, but they taste oh so good right now.

 

What are you thankful for today?  Please share if your little heart desires...

Lesson learned

This package came today...

I always made the claim that I wouldn't cloth diaper. I made fun of my sister who does it and rolled my eyes when she asked me to change that kind of dipe. However, the second I realized this life wasn't all about me, my hubs and that precious pup anymore, those "ideas" got tossed out the window. I NEVER, I mean never in a million years thought I would join the CD club.  It was not for trendy reasons of course but for these:

• better for baby
• better for environment
• better for wallet

So I learned my lesson. Never judge and never say never. We shall see how I feel about this intimidating endeavor once the baby gets here...a tad bit over 2 months!

diaper bag and lime jello

It's a rainy Tuesday here in Connecticut.  I wish I could lie in bed all day like this ...

Or like this kitty...

Anyways, enough wishing, time to be thankful...

• this diaper bag that my sister surprised me with

• Lime jello (newest craving) 

• for a nursery slowly coming along

• I can now feel baby body parts in my belly. Sounds creepy, but OH SO FUN to actually feel this little one.  We poke each other all day long now.

What are you thankful for?

My baby shower

As I mentioned before, my mom and sister planned my shower. It was a beautifully planned party with many thoughtful and unique touches.  The guests were family members and close friends that I have known since elementary school.  It was such a blessing to have all those loved ones in the same room, celebrating this little one's life.  I didn't get many pictures, but here are some that captured the loveliness.

The bird's nest favors that my sister made and forgot to hand out. Oops!

 

Karis loved her pink straw.

 

Italian soda served in mason jars.

The awesome centerpiece made by my friend Jacqueline.

no words.

Flowers dedicated to my late Grandma.

  A HUGE thank you is due to my mom and sister, you both did an amazing job (and thanks to my dad for helping with much of the 'behind the scenes' work).  I appreciated everyone who came to love on this baby.  

We feel very special!

Thankful Tuesday

It's Tuesday, a day to stop and think about the blessings in my life. Don't we all need to do this once and awhile?

Right now, I am thankful for...

• My mom and sister. I went home to Philly this weekend for my baby shower. They did an amazing job capturing my personality with everything down to the food, favors, drinks and decor (more details to come on the shower soon). 

• A positive doctor's report this week! After learning that the baby has two vessels instead of three in his/her umbilical cord, things were a bit unsettling to say the least.  However, after another look at the baby's development, doctors are optimistic for a healthy little one, with two vessels and all! 

•  a sweet niece who exhibited her childlike joy for my baby shower the entire weekend.  

•  Generous family and friends who have purchased necessities and "just for fun" gifts for the baby.  

• Reuniting with childhood and college friends.  It's a wonderful feeling to be back in the presence of those friends who have watched me grow up from a scrawny teen covered in pimples to a preggo mama (who still has pimples...stupid hormones!)

 I'm sure you can think of a few things to be thankful for, so please share!

Winner of the BLOOM necklace!

Congratulations Darcy, you won the Bloom necklace!  Please contact me at emily@magpiedesignz.com to claim your prize.

More giveaways coming soon, so stay tuned!

I had my baby shower yesterday, it was beautiful and perfect.  More details and pictures to come soon!  

Sneak peak....