I had some painters tape, gold spray paint, and a boring old vase laying around. So decided to have some fun during Rylie’s nap yesterday 🙂 Here’s what happened!
Easy and fun!
xoxo
Gold Dipped Barstools
I’m sort of obsessed with gold these days. So when I came across some gold dipped barstools on Pinterest, I knew I just had to do it.
First, I bought these barstools from Wal-Mart. I didn’t want to get anything fancy, because I wasn’t sure if my gold-dipped project would turn into a gold-dipped disaster. Then I discovered that many folks had had success with this gold paintspray. I braved Home Depot (have I mentioned I have a weird aversion to Home Depot), bought all the supplies, and went to work! I love them!
A Birth Story
Be prepared..it’s a long one 🙂
So Christmas Eve I peed on a stick. I stared at it for what felt like an eternity. Then, I danced. No one else was around, so I picked up my little furry ones and twirled with them in the kitchen. I decided to tell daddy-to-be Christmas morning…
Christmas Eve night, I told my sister-in-law and she helped sneak me virgin cranberry soda drinks all night long. I love her 🙂
Christmas morning I peed on another stick. It was just as amazing as the first time. I stuck that stick (kinda gross I know) in daddy-to-be’s stocking. He about fainted. On the drive down to my parent’s house he asked me, “are we always going to be this happy?” 🙂
Christmas day was a whirlwind, we hosted Christmas dinner, daddy-to-be kept following me around telling me to be careful and not to bend over or lift anything heavy 🙂
New Years came and went. I can’t believe no one could tell my “cosmo” was a fake 🙂 I remember thinking to myself, “our baby is going to be BORN this year.” This little fact made the 2011 countdown extra special.
I really loved the period of time between finding out we were having a baby, and telling everyone we were having a baby. We were the only ones in the world (besides my sister-in-law and God) that knew this little wonder was growing inside me. I remember one night we talked about our favorite childhood memories. Mine…were the forts I used to make in our living room with my brothers. So, we built a fort in our living room.
I would make Dave take pictures of my “bump.” I seriously remember him taking this picture, I was so excited because I thought I was “showing.”
I laugh now looking at that picture. That was no bump.
Now THIS was a bump.
One of the best moments of my pregnancy was finding out Ry was a girl. I took that whole day off of work, and went…shopping, duh.
Telling everyone was a lot of fun too 🙂
I loved being pregnant.
If you know me at all, you know I am a planner, and while David did his best to remind me that this was the one thing I could not exactly plan, I did my best to do so anyway. One of the first things we did was hire a doula. Having France, from Rightful Birthing, as a part of our birthing journey was one of the best things we did.
France helped me come up with a “birth plan.” In my birth plan (which let’s be honest, was several pages long), I clearly laid out exactly what I hoped my birth experience would look like. I made several copies and forced, I mean asked, my OB/GYN to scan it into my medical record so that everyone would read it. I hoped to avoid pain medications, I was adamant against a cesarean, and the most important part of my plan (which was bolded highlighted and italicized) was that I wished to hold baby Rylie skin-to-skin immediately after she was born.
So, 40 weeks came and passed and still no baby. By this point I was getting impatient and so incredibly ready to meet this little life in my belly that had been hiccuping, twirling, and bruising my ribs for the last couple of months. I seemed to have a lot of practice contractions while in the car, so a couple times Dave and I would jump in the car, stick in an old burned CD I’d made him in highschool, and just drive…hoping that the practice contractions would decide to get a little more serious.
I had been seeing Jamie my acupuncturist from Whole Family Wellness for a couple of weeks, and at my last visit with her she asked, “are you ready to meet her yet?” I was VERY ready to meet her, and on my drive home from that visit my contractions started.
They started around 5 PM on Labor Day (no pun intended), and I spent that night at home bouncing on a birthing ball watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills while David slept (I told him to sleep, he had a long day ahead of him). We went into triage early the next morning. They told me the last thing a 41 weeker who has been having contractions for 12 hours wants to hear, “you’re only one centimeter dilated, go home, come back later.”
We went home. My water broke. We went back.
The next 12 hours are a bit of a blur. I do remember one thing though, I never pulled out the birth plan. I eventually got an epidural. I was so exhausted from laboring for so long, and in so much pain, I needed some relief. They gave me a low dose, so I was still able to move my legs and feel the contractions, but without the intensity.
Poor Dave. It must have been the hardest thing in the world for him to watch, and not be able to do anything. One of the only things I remember about the 12 hours of laboring in the hospital was when David tried to feed me ice chips. He didn’t realize that cranberry juice had been in the cup. He spilled it all over me. Luckily, we all laughed.
After 24 hours (O.M.G.), I finally got to start pushing. I pushed, and I pushed, and the epidural wasn’t working, and I pushed, and screamed, and cried. Two hours of pushing later, I knew in my heart that our baby was not going to enter the world the way I had imagined. I was pushing with everything I had, and she wasn’t moving. My doctor gave me 3 options, 1) Keep pushing, but I don’t guarantee she’s going to come out this way, 2) forceps or vacuum, but I can’t guarantee that will work either, or 3) cesarean.
Cesarean. I cried. My mom stroked my hair. I remember David having a look of relief. I closed my eyes and did a little self-talk. “I can’t have a cesarean. I don’t have any other options. I won’t get to hold Rylie right after she’s born. This is the safest way for her to be born. I won’t get to see her take her first breath. All that matters is that she comes out and takes her first breath.”
I kept my eyes closed while they wheeled me away. The room was really cold. David looked cute in his scrubs. It all happened very fast, and before I knew it, I heard her. My daughter. I heard her! She cried once. Dave later told me she just kept blinking, looking around at everyone. I remember someone (I don’t remember who) saying, “She’s a big one!”
I remember having the hardest time opening my eyes. I was so exhausted. Then David said, “Cass…look.” There she was. I already knew her. It was like seeing an old friend. Before I got pregnant I had imagined her, when I wanted to get pregnant I had prayed for her, while I was pregnant I had spoken to her. We were soul mates. She was perfect. She was chubby. I was in love.
I’ll never forget when the last nurse left our little hospital room and we were left alone, just the three of us for the first time. Dave and I would just study her, and hold her, and kiss her perfect little nose. I loved those first couple of nights in the hospital. We never slept, we were exhausted, we had never been so happy.
It didn’t happen how I imagined, in fact, it was kinda the opposite of how I imagined. I didn’t get to hold her the moment she was born, but I get to hold her for the rest of my life (at least until she breaks my back or turns into a teenager and doesn’t want me near her). She has completely changed everything. I’m so blessed to be her mother.
Happy Birthday Rylie 🙂 09/06/2011
Designing the landscape of your garden
Creating the layout of your garden, you will need to use your imagination most. Based on the area you have in your garden, the landscape should be planned. Before you actually get involved in gardening, you will need to collect and organize all the necessary tools you will need to grow plants and maintain your garden. It is better to make a list at first then start working.
While designing the landscape of the garden, you should also put light on the other areas. You can arrange patios and decks to make your garden more useable. It will provide a relaxing atmosphere in your garden. You should also think about the pathways of the garden. The pathway should be wide enough for the passers-by. These are additional designs for any garden.
For the main design of the garden, you will need to consider the following things-
Borders
The border is an important part of any garden. You will need to border the area of your garden in the right way after proper measurement. Before bordering, you will need to mark the shady area and sunny spots of your garden. It is important to prepare the soil before planting trees. You will need to dig out the weeds and level the soil. If you are redesigning your existing garden, you should clean the surface of your garden properly using a lawnmower. You can visit reservdelar online to get the lawnmower. While preparing the soil, you will need to be careful about the use of compositions and chemicals.
You should start planting trees at the back of the borders with a proper alignment. You also need to look for the water supply in your garden. You will need to ensure proper water supply to the plants.
Types of plants
In your garden, you can plant any kind of plant. But the selection of plants depends on many things which you will need to consider before planting. Your location., weather, soil condition, water supply, etc. play quite an important role while planting trees. It is better to start with the plants which are easy to grow and also make your garden look beautiful.
For the beautification purpose, you can grow low lying plants on your garden. Flower and vegetable plants are a great choice for any garden. You can also plant some fruit tree too. Along with low lying trees, you also need to grow some large trees. Large trees don’t only give us shed but also make the soil strong.
So, these are the two most essential and basic things for designing a garden which you might need to consider.
Laminate or engineered- which material is suitable for flooring?
Laminate is a material pressed and glued from several layers, which is used in furniture construction and as a floor covering, among other things. The term laminate is also used as a synonym for laminate flooring.
The first laminate floor was developed in Sweden in 1977 and was launched three years later. Within a short time, it spread in other countries and became one of the most popular floor coverings. To date, the composition of the laminate floor has hardly changed. The former construction of laminate included three layers – top layer, backing plate, and backing. Today, the top layer is divided into two layers, namely a protective and decorative layer.
The uppermost layer of the laminate floor, the protective layer, consists of several layers of melamine resin and protects against stains and bumps. The second layer, the decorative layer, is almost an extremely stable photo wallpaper for the floor. The decorative paper coated with synthetic resin usually depicts wood, even stone, and ceramics. Underneath is a carrier plate- a fiberboard of high or medium density- HDF or MDF or chipboard. On this carrier plate, the first two layers – from above – and the counter-pull, or the compensation layer – from below – pressed. The counter-pull serves to balance the tension of the top and bottom.
Laminate is low in emissions, robust, and easy to clean. All pluses that residents appreciate with allergies or pets. If you have an animal with very sharp claws, you should choose a flooring with a high-stress class.
Laminate is an advantage in residential and commercial spaces. Depending on whether you need a floor covering for kitchen and hallway or only slightly used rooms, there are various usage classes and laminate qualities to choose from. For the basement and wherever it is permanently wet, conventional laminate is disadvantageous because it can warp. The manufacturer also impregnates tongue and groove of the panels, so that moisture can’t penetrate so easily. Always true: Small quirks and scratches in the laminate can be easily repaired. However, if the floor covering is partially swollen due to water damage, only the replacement remains.
If you don’t want to go with the replacement option, you should go for the other available option for flooring. Solid wood, engineered wood, etc. are some popular options for flooring. If you want a long-lasting flooring installation, you should go for these options instead. If you have confusion for laminate flooring or engineered hardwood, you can go for the reviews of these particular options. You will get many positive and negative feedback and reviews between these two options.
Why people buy Greywash solid oak floating floor?
Greywash is the best solid hardwood flooring that people crave for it because of its appearance and designing. The system of hardwood flooring is typical to install, and the reason behind to buy this is excellent quality. Apart from this open floor is looking dull and unappealing through this; we don’t get any complement if the flooring is not designed well. Greywash solid oak floating floor helps to get rid of this hectic situation. Experts recommended that wood-based level is the strong based element with no leakage problem, sealant or anything.
However, it provides excellent life span longevity as well as all the visual appealing is fabulous. You can get it with different size in per square feet according to your room. On the top, you can also install Greywash solid oak floating floor on your bathroom and kitchen as well. Either spend long days on it you can complete it within a few days. You can transform your home on your terms and conditions which can soothe your eyes.
There are two types of flooring let take us to look on it
1. Solid Hardwood Flooring
It is the popular choices of the individuals, and the function of this is versatile. It is made of a single piece of wood flooring. Apart from this, its thickness depends on the refinished and how many times you have altered it. The exterior of solid hardwood flooring known as the shining base and the undercover layer support system is made of the secure element. However, it is the less expensive wood which gives you several benefits. Transform your life with this solid hardwood flooring and get lots of compliments from your friends and relatives.
2. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
It is constructed with ample of thin piles of wood jointly to form one plank. Engineered hardwood is available at less cost, and it is easy to cope up with moisture. Consider the best thing for you’re to renovate it. Another thing is that it cannot be refinished again and again as we can do in solid hardwood flooring. Firstly you need to look up at your budget. It is incredibly long-lasting Greywash solid oak floating floor thing for your home with the right level of the maintenance system. In bathrooms or where the water is sinking this hardwood flooring easily adjustable.
Overall, both options are incredibly beneficial or excellent floor system. If you are planning to install it on your home, do proper research before buying it through this, you will meet with several brands with a considerable range of prices. So you need to analyze the whole concept of it and then take the right decision. Set the budget, and then you will get the best things with more perks with best services. If you are installing it keeps your home clean and fresh. The exciting thing about is the money-back option within 30 days after buying. Alter your house with Greywash solid oak floating floor which provides ample of design and give the elegance of beauty.
The healthy way to consume caffeine
Many of us can’t distinguish between the energy drink and soda containing caffeine and other useful stuff. Energy drink is quite dangerous for our body if you are taking it regularly. Different mixes added with the energy drink make the drink not suitable for drinking regularly. Again, it might contain artificial caffeine and artificial sugar which are not good for our health.
Wave soda is a natural drink which contains a little amount of natural caffeine which has some medicinal qualities and doesn’t have any adverse effect on the body. For not having any added sugar and artificial elements, the wave soda is the best caffeinated juice you will get available in the market right now.
What makes it healthier than coffee?
Drinking coffee regularly has different side effects. These effects are short term and long term. Coffee can slow down the natural saliva production of your tongue. It can also make you dehydrated for a long time. Again, regular intake of coffee can stain your teeth. So, obviously, coffee is not a good drink for regular intake.
On the contrary, if you switch to the wave soda, you will get different benefits like,
1) Freshly squeezed juice with natural flavor
2) No artificial components
3) No added sugar
4) Fruit sourced natural caffeine, and so on.
So, why should you take wave soda as natural caffeine juice? Few reasons are given below-
Rich in antioxidants
The wave soda is a natural drink loaded with so many antioxidant properties. You will get this soda in so many fruit flavors. So, you can choose your favorite flavor from many options. Having antioxidants in carbonated drinks are important because they can neutralize the harmful molecules of your body, which are a potential threat to different heart diseases, cancer, and other issues.
Can reduce fatigue
Caffeine drinks can reduce fatigue and improve your focus on work. If you want to increase your mental energy and boost your cognitive abilities, these drinks can be really helpful for you. Natural caffeine can make your brain feel relaxed. It can also reduce mental fatigue and help you to be energized for a long time.
Help to learn easily
If you are someone who can’t start the morning without a strong coffee but want to leave the coffee addiction, wave soda is the best alternative for you. For the kickstart morning, this is the most suitable soda. It can also help you to become active and learn many things easily.
So, the search for healthy caffeine is over. Now you can switch to the wave soda and enjoy healthy drink every day.
HOSPITAL BAG: WHAT TO PACK
I was in prep mode today, and started to pull some things together for our hospital bag. I packed so many things I didn’t actually use when I gave birth to Rylie, and remembered a few tips I learned while I was actually in the hospital. Here’s what we are packing, and a few tips I hope will come in handy this time around!
What to pack:
- A comfy going home outfit for baby. We don’t seem to make babies over here that are normal newborn size (Ry was almost 9 lbs at birth and 10 lbs by the time we left the hospital…and this baby has been measuring bigger than she did in utero), so we pack 0-3 months. I don’t know if newborn size fits most newborns, but easier if the outfit is a little big than too small 🙂 This onesie is from baby Gap.
- A comfy going home outfit for you. With Rylie I packed a huge robe and clothes for going home that weren’t the comfiest. I didn’t realize how (ahem) messy post-birth can be, so never ended up wearing the robe. I also didn’t totally realize I would leave looking pregnant still. I’ll be packing some great transitional pieces from Wendy Bellissimo’s maternity line to wear home.
- A gift for your older child. So much attention will be on baby, and so many packages and gifts arriving for the new little one. We decided to get Rylie a few little gifts (2 books and some finger puppets) that would be from her new baby brother. That way, when she comes to see him for the first time, she feels extra special. The gifts were wrapped by my friends at Sweet Paper.
- Pre-written thank you card for your doctor and nurses (oh and chocolate, bring chocolate!) This was some advice we got from a doula we’ve worked with. Thanking your providers, and being THAT room that has chocolate for everyone, is never a bad idea. Mostly because you (hopefully) are being given great care, but also because it provides a positive environment and initiates a great relationship with those that will be caring for you and your baby. This card is Rifle Paper from Sweet Paper.
- Soft organic multi-use blanket. The hospital does provide blankets, but I couldn’t resist these soft organic ones from Numpfer. I’m obsessed with all their stuff, so simple, so soft, all organic. Oh man, I can’t wait for skin-to-skin snuggles with this light blanket draped over us…
(not-pictured)
- Birth plan. If you have one 🙂
- Toiletries. Face wash, toothpaste/toothbrush, hair ties/brush. I never actually took a full shower in the hospital because I had an unplanned cesarean with Rylie, I had a sponge bath 🙂
- Chapstick. Trust me, you’ll need it. We didn’t pack it the first time and I had to have someone go buy me some. For whatever reason, you’ll need chapstick!
- Little security blanket/Lovie. From the moment Rylie was born I introduced her little lovie, an owl blankie from Angel Dear. For awhile I only kept it near her little face while we nursed, and as she grew older she eventually slept with it. It became a great transitional object for her when I returned to work, or when we traveled. We bought a bunch of them, so we never worry about losing it 🙂 She doesn’t need it now of course, but she still loves it.
- Snacks. For you, and for papa.
- Headphones and eye mask (for labor). When you tune out your senses, you can channel your inner cave woman…nothing makes you feel more like a cave woman than labor 🙂
- Videocamera/Non-Phone Camera. Phones are great, but we’ve been trying to take more videos on our camcorder and real camera. You’ll want to capture some of those first few days/nights.
Tips:
- Ask for a lactation consult soon after birth. Sometimes it takes them awhile to come by, and you’ll want as much support as you can get, and the quicker the better.
- Everytime a new nurse comes in, ask for more pads and the mesh boycut underwear the hospitals carry. I found that the hospital pads were my favorite, and I needed the mesh/boycut underwear for quite awhile. I wish I had taken home more. (note* I don’t know how your hospital works and insurance, so see if you are able to request more of these things).
That’s all I can think of for now! What did you pack?! What are your tips?! I can’t believe we are having a baby so soon…I’m starting to really get excited 🙂
MY ONLY CHILD
I remember the last few weeks of my pregnancy with Rylie, I started to grieve a little. It was something I didn’t want to talk about, but I was having some overwhelming feelings of sadness for the loss of a time in our life (David and mine) where it would just be the two of us. With those feelings came a tremendous amount of guilt, how could I feel this way when our DAUGHTER was about to be born.
I’ve since talked to a lot of mothers who have reported feeling something similar towards the end of their pregnancy. It would make sense that someone would be afraid of how things might change in one of the most significant relationships in their lives. This time around, the feeling is intense, but this time…I’m grieving the loss of having Rylie as my only child.
I know that my heart will grow, and that when this little boy is born I will look into his baby eyes, smell his baby head, and wonder how we ever lived without him. Yet, I also know that things will change, and Rylie will no longer be my one and only.
I’ve cherished our days together, the one’s where it’s just me and her. The days I get to soak her up, give her all of my attention, and all without distraction.
This will change.
I also know that we will still get those days, if I make it a priority. I know that soon enough, there will be a little buddy in her life. Someone who will be tied to her in a way that only a sibling can be. Her childhood memories will always include this little brother we are giving her. Our days, while not just the two of us anymore, will take on a richness that goes beyond anything we have known…because HE will be there.
I just wanted to put it out there, if you’ve felt something similar…feelings of grief about a loss of what you have had in a significant relationship towards the end of your pregnancy. I believe that this is a normal and understandable feeling and reaction. I’m trying to show myself some compassion for having some of these thoughts and emotions so strongly lately.
Also, I’m sorry to everyone else in Rylie’s life who has not been able to see her as much lately…I’m definitely hogging her to myself these days. I’ll try to practice my sharing in the coming weeks 😉
Thank you Nikki for these photos, I’ll cherish them forever.
BABY BOY NURSERY INSPIRATION
I didn’t realize how much fun decorating for a little mister could be! I am 100% in nesting mode, so thought I’d share some of my little man nursery inspiration.
1. Serena and Lily Rug 2. Land of Nod Black and Gold Globe Light (it makes super cool designs on the ceiling when turned on!) 3. Alison Show Mobile 4. Land of Nod Side Table 5. LWPH Sews Crib Sheet 6. Anthropologie Driftwood Wallpaper 7. Little Lights Bolt (currently don’t ship to the U.S., but I’m dying over this…especially being a Charger’s fan 🙂 8. Land of Nod Glider (obsessed with the copper detailing) 9. Sharp Tooth Studio“Wild One” Banner
Happy nesting for all you other nesters out there!