Ready to Go!

When we first found out we were going to have a baby, we had a hard time deciding which room in the house to convert into a nursery. We have an old house and some of the rooms have been recently updated by previous owners and some have not. We were torn between the guest room, already in great condition, and another room which just kept a somewhat unorganized mess of stuff, in not-so-great condition. We went back and forth and over the winter decided that we should redo the room that wasn't in the greatest condition. Sure, it would be more work, but then we would ultimately end up with another room in the house that was updated.

So, we set to work . . . there are two upstairs hallways leading into the room that has now become the nursery. One was pale blue with lace trim and the other was dark pink - both pretty much hideous! We decided that if were going to do the room, we might as well do the hallways, too. Often times overwhelming, after much help from friends and family, and many long hours on the weekends, we are finished! This past weekend we put the decorations up in Baby Bear's room and I am feeling officially ready for his arrival! Here are some pictures of the last several months getting ready.

In the beginning: peach walls, white trim, and buckling grey carpet which we have already ripped up to expose original hardwood - Daniel is beginning to sand the horsehair plaster and lathe walls.

The dark pink hallway leading into the baby's room.

Scraping the door leading in and out of the nursery/hallway.

Al (Daniel's father) with the completely scraped door leading into the pink hallway.

Daniel and Rich fixing some rigged and wobbly original floorboards that we found after the carpet was ripped up in the hallway. You can see the old knob and tube electric running along under the boards.

Jonathan (Daniel's brother) painting the hallway pale yellow, Happy Valley, was the exact name of the color. It was WONDERFUL to have this soothing yellow color cover up the harsh pink!

Daniel getting to work covering the blue hallway (that leads to the pink hallway) with Happy Valley yellow.

Al painting the peach nursery walls green, Urban Nature - love that color name! - and the trim light brown (we are going for a forest/black bear theme). Al spent several weekends with us getting all this work finished, often coming up and working on a Friday while Daniel and I were still at work. There is no way we could have done all of this in time without his help!

A freshly painted nursery and hallway get carpet (padding).

Just before the carpet came, I finished up the curtains. The valances are part of our "Treetops" nursery theme package, and then I made panels and sheers to match.

The blue hallway is almost complete - pale yellow with brown trim. Thanks again, Al!

The finshed hallway with carpet!

New ceiling fan, finished curtains, toy basket

Changing table with a diaper stacker that Kristin delivered to us over this past weekend (along with the bassinet - more bassinet story to come later . . .)

Organized closet :)

Baby Shower for Daniel

On May 6th, the faculty at Daniel's school, Liberty Valley Elementary School, in Danville, had a surprise shower for him. It was great!!! I knew about it a few weeks in advance - I can't believe I kept it a secret . . . I don't think I have ever really been able to surprise him . . . along with being a terrible liar, I am a terrible secret-keeper. I told like everyone I could think of though - his family, my family, my friends, the people that I work with . . . just so I didn't have to hold it in as much! It worked - he was TOTALLY surprised! I have never really even seen him look like that before - it was awesome! When he walked in, he was surprised immediately, but he didn't even see me. Then a few seconds went by and when he saw me, he was surprised all over again :)

It was organized by one of his neighboring teachers, Ron, who teaches Life Skills. Two aides, Bonnie and Tina, and his mentor teacher, Barb, made beautiful decorations. We received many wonderful gifts that just about finished the necessary items on our registry - everyone was so generous. It was particularly neat because this is largely a new faculty in that building this year because of the redistricting in Danville and many of the teachers that I met that day commented that they had never really gotten everyone in the building together for an event before - so cool!

SURPRISE!!!

The chairs that they had us sit in to open the gifts

Bonnie and Tina made this sign - the owl is an exact replica from the theme that we have chosen for our nursery - such crafty ladies :)

Standing in front of the presents and cake

Such a yummy cake

37 Weeks and 5 Days . . . but he's huge!

I have just returned from my latest ultrasound. Baby Bear is doing fine and I feel pretty good, too. The technician was able to get a pretty good 3D view of his face - which was really exciting to see. The interesting news is that he is measuring at 8 pounds, 2 ounces! The doctor that saw us commented that even though he is on the large side, everything looks good because his head is in proportion with his belly. I believe the words were something like . . . "large head" . . . "Buddha belly" . . . "chubby cheeks" . . . "if you can get the head out, you'll have no problem getting the rest of him out." I can't say this doesn't make me a little nervous, but at least he's healthy. The doctor also said that just because he is on the large side doesn't mean I will go into labor early either. All we can do is wait and see. I am feeling good, just exhausted, so I can't say I wish he would come early or late or anthing.

Side view of his head

3D view of his face! We are so excited to be able to see this!!!!

On April 24, the Beyer family threw a baby shower for us at Daniel's father's (Al's) home in New Jersey. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and almost all of the Beyer family members were there to join in the celebration. The ladies all made super delicious food and Aunt Sharon really outdid herself on the cake.

Daniel and I enjoying the beautiful weather on the mountain

Al and his brothers - Uncle Bob and Uncle Don

Guests inside

and guests ouside

I was really excited that my brother, Jason, drove up for the event! I know it is a 4+ hour drive between our hometown of Elkridge, MD to Great Meadows, NJ, so I was super appreciative that he came up to hang out with all of us!

Opening gifts

More presents :) The rocking horse to the left of the picture used to be Daniel's when he was young - Al fixed it up and painted it red for our Baby Bear.

Aunt Sharon's incredible cake (there was a layer of pineapple in it!) and Jonathan's artistic photography :)

Cutting the cake - and being photographed by Jonathan - thanks for all the pictures, Jon!

My brother, Jason, stayed the night and left Sunday morning

Mom and Dad come to visit

On May 1st and 2nd, my parents came up to visit one last time before Baby Bear makes his entrance. It was great having them and they were super helpful - we got the birth announcements ready, set up the Pack-N-Play, moved some heavy furniture, and organized some things. It's getting so close - I am so excited! (and nervous!) The nursery is almost completely ready - we plan to have that mostly finished up this weekend. Here are some pictures from the weekend (36 weeks huge!). Today I hit 37 weeks and just came from a check-up. All is well, he is head down and getting himself in position for arrival! I have one more ultrasound next Monday. We have asked for the really cool 4D pictures, but the technician has been unable to get shots of the face. Come to think of it, everytime we have an ultrasound, there is usually some comment about how uncooperative the little guy is being - I hope that's not a sign!

In the backyard - the irises have already passed their peak bloom

West Third Street - our neighborhood

on a walk at the Bloomsburg Town Park

Baby Shower with MD/PA family and friends

On April 10th, Jessica and my mom coordinated a baby shower for me at Jessica's house. Even though it couldn't be a surprise, it was super fun! The food was delicious and the games were silly :) We received many wonderful gifts and it was great to see so many people that I know from so many different places all in one place!

Jessica - hostess (the party was at her newly built beautiful house near Harrisburg, PA)

Cristl - hostess (in charge of the fun games!)


Mom and Aunt Lo - also hostesses (in charge of the yummy food!)


Mandi and I on the porch

Jessica recording the wonderful presents



Opening gifts in between Melissa and Jessica

Allison just "birthed" her baby first and won the game (the little babies were encased in an ice cube and the object was to "birth"/get your baby out before the others)

Courtney, Allison, Katie, Cristl, Cathy, Tara, Aunt Mary

Joanne, Aunt Lo, Aunt Nancy

Joe and Tom took Daniel to the Troegs Brewery and then for a bike ride around Harrisburg.

Daniel and I after it was all over :)

Surprise Shower at BMS!!

On April 8th, I was totally surprised with a baby shower at school! I really didn't even see it coming - it was so wonderful! If you know me well, you probably know how much I truly love surprises - and this was a great one!!! It was hosted by Karen and Holly and held in the school's music room (Holly's room). I received SO many lovely gifts and am so grateful! The food was delicious (especially the cake)!

Comfortable in the rocking chair

Guests


Guests

Mel keeping everything organized - passing the gifts to me and cleaning up the wrapping paper :)

A beautiful wall hanging from Karen - I just LOVE this!!!

The really yummy cake (both chocolate AND vanilla) from Dalo's

Holly recording the gifts

Karen - hostess :)

Holly - hostess :)

Behind us you can see the clothesline decoration of clothing that Holly gave us - such a cute idea!