The Evolution of the "Second Bedroom"

We moved into our condo in July 2006 and since then, the second bedroom has been through many phases....

• Phase one - elliptical, futon (set up as a couch), bookcase, 20+ inch TV. Also home to Carrie & Mitchell during the night so we could actually sleep without getting our feet attacked.
• Phase two - futon (set up as a bed), bookcase, 20+ inch TV. Moved Carrie & Mitch to the second bathroom because our carpet was being shredded from the two of them trying to "dig" themselves out.
• Phase three - see phase two + unpacked wedding presents.
• Phase four - corner desk for our new desktop computer, futon (set up as couch), ridiculously big 47 inch TV, bookcase.
• Phase five - our son's future bedroom.

Not only am I excited that this extra living space now has a true meaning in our home, I'm equally as excited to call it my son's bedroom. The phases of converting it to his own room:

• Phase one - empty out closet so we can actually see the floor (Thanks Shan for helping!)
• Phase two - install new carpet to rid the space of "digging" marks (see above)
• Phase three - remove all non-related baby items (anybody need any cable wire? we have about 10,000 feet)
• Phase four - paint room blue.

While I know there are many more phases in converting this space into his room, I'll stop there and live in the moment. Walking into the second bedroom tonight with the white trim & ceiling and a "soft sky" wall made it seem much more real that in about 4 months we'll have a little guy living in a room he can call his own.

From one baby boy to another...

Being the only daughter of Lisa & Geof, the only girl out of Eric, Michael & Toddy and the oldest girl cousin on both sides of the extended family, I've never really been privileged to get a bag full of "hand me downs." I mean, yeah - I did occasionally wear my brother's old t-shirts, but who didn't?

At the young age of 21 weeks and 1 day our little Poppy seed received his first bag of hand me downs....funny this happens two days after I post about wanting to buy him clothes ALL the time. Half of the items we received look like they've never been worn before....

OK, OK Michael I'll stop. I won't buy anything else for him.....any more clothes, that is :)

From Anthropologie to Buy Buy Baby

In the not so distant past, my idea of splurging was going to Anthropologie and blowing $100 on a handful of sale items. I'd love using my $25 savings cards at Ann Taylor Loft to get a new sweater. It's funny how all of the sudden it all changes. I don't know if it's the miniature cargo shorts, or the mini-Michael swim trunks, but I can't stop sifting through the racks at Carters, Gymboree & Baby Gap. While buying maternity clothes is fun, I'd much rather spend my time (and money) on baby clothes, toys & picking out things for the nursery.

Registering for your child is a LOT different than registering for your wedding. When registering for your home, you pretty much scan what you like. You could really go through the store with your eyes closed and scan away without regard. I guess the only thing you have to worry about is that everything matches (which REALLY isn't a requirement)....

Since this is our first kid, I'm happy to report I've done my homework. I consulted with friends that have little ones. I've read (and reread) "Baby Bargain" and even used post-it note tabs to mark off important information. I've had long discussions with the employees of Great Beginnings & Buy Buy Baby (my new 2 favorite stores) about the best crib and safest car seat. I'm proud to say, we've put together a pretty safe list of stuff for our little guy. And....found out that you can use those obnoxiously large Bed Bath & Beyond coupons at Buy Buy Baby before it expires! Score to saving 20% on a single item!!!

Thank you to all those moms out there who gave your advice. It is much appreciated....but don't think it'll stop now.... I still have a lot to learn.

And the first lesson I've learned, appropriately taught to me by my husband....stop buying him clothes. He's a boy....he'll be more interested in toys. My argument....he's going to look darn good playing with them.

Kleenex (with aloe), please...

Before Wednesday, I hadn't really gotten emotional over the baby. I had one break down but I think it was a result of a bad day at work accompanied by the constant feeling of thinking I was going to throw up. I'm generally an emotional person - cry at the Biggest Loser, a sappy commercial, or when UNC wins a national championship.....so it was kind of shocking to me that I hadn't really shed any tears over the baby. When seeing our baby for the first time at 6 weeks, I was expecting the tears to flow. But nothing. When I heard the heartbeat, I was expecting to need tissues. But nothing.

Our appointment on Wednesday was a long one - they measured pretty much every inch of Poppy's body - head, belly, arm, legs. We saw the four chambers of Poppy's heart, a "beautiful" spine, diaphragm, & liver. After 20 minutes of measuring and receiving a good progress report, I was growing more and more impatient....Obviously, I'm thrilled to pieces that everything else was growing as expected, but I wanted to see one thing. Would we be painting the nursery pink or blue? Generally speaking, it's pretty easy to see which body part you are looking at on the big screen and I could tell the sonographer had moved down to lower half of Poppy's body. As soon as she pointed out one leg, Michael and I knew immediately that we were going to be proud parents of a little boy. He was not shy....

And finally, the tears started to flow.

it's a......

baby boy :) Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll! It was so fun to track. Michael and I are thrilled to pieces.

More later - off to work after a pretty much sleepless night.....

xo

42 hours...but who's counting?

We've been counting down the days (ok, hours) until we find out if Poppy is a boy or girl..... It'll help us with a lot of decisions....

It'll cut out half of the 20,000 names in our Baby Name book....

Help us determine what color paint to buy for the nursery.....

We can use the correct pronoun when referring to our baby....

I can actually purchase something that's pink or blue (because I'm just like that...)

We'll be able to inform Carrie & Mitchell that they'll have a brother or sister....

As the exciting day approaches, I've really started to show. I may be getting past the "is that girl pregnant or has she just put on some weight?" days. Actually, I could care less what people think....I know you're in there, Poppy and I'm so excited to meet you. Whether we'll be buying dresses and dolls or sneakers and trains, we'll take you the way you are....