Baby Bedding

While I'm not completely done, I dont' have the patience to wait until the finished product to post my latest venture. I'm making a bumper for the crib in a fabric that matches the room and I'm halfway there. I went ahead and put it on the crib to see how it looked and it's fun to see something take shape! This was a great and easy project I bought forever ago where the bumper pad inserts are pre-cut and ready for you to basically just cut some rectangles out and sew around them. It's taken a little time to measure all the pieces since it doesn't come with a pattern, but I'm pretty happy with the results. The little pink bows add a girly touch to the crib without over-doing it. I have the same fabric in a 'boy' pattern of blue and green that I'll use to make a pillow case for Cole's "blue bed" as we call it. I still have a few more finishing touches planned for the room, so maybe I can hold out now until it's all done before I post again. :)

Four Eyes

Here we have Cole with his first take-home craft from Preschool. He calls it "for eyes", which is funny since 'four eyes' also applies. He wore it all around his neck this morning and then got a few good laughs at himself looking at me through his little binoculars.

He seems to be enjoying preschool more and more. I think he's always liked his teachers, Ashley and Kim as he asks about them the minute I pick him up to take him home, "Where's Miss Ash-eh-ley" (he says her name in 3 sylables). Some days, however he's reluctant to go ("all done school today"), and sometimes when I pick him up and ask him about school he refuses to talk about it. I think it's just a busy morning twice a week and he's probably ready to just let down on the way home.

Drop off time had been a bit traumatic, but we are finding a little system that works for us. We pray either before we leave the house or in the car on the way about his day at school outloud together, and then he's reminded that when I pick him up, there will be a Chocolate Milk waiting in his little cup holder in his car seat for him.

What's really interesting is that each day he mentions another one of the kids in his class, and so far he hasn't mentioned the same kid twice. So either these other 2 year olds are actually befriending each other, or they are bothering each other. :) The moms of the class are getting together next week after we all drop the kids off and I look forward to meeting them. Honestly I'm just happy to go through the year anonymous, but it's good for me to step outside the comfort zone and really get to know other mothers in his class.

All in all I think it's a great thing for Cole, and for me, although the adjustment has been harder than I anticipated. I figured 3 hours free twice a week would be party-time but I find I miss my little boy and wish I could be a fly on the wall, watching him interact with others in a social environment without his mother around. But the time before baby has been valuable and will be even more so after her arrival.

Lunch with the Stanley Cup Champions

We were very fortunate again this year to be invited by one of Kevin's chemical suppliers to the annual "We Love the Hurricanes Luncheon". Last year we went and had a blast and were surprised when Debbie invited us to attend again. We sat with Ray Whitney, who was a real nice guy and we heard lots about his summer in his home town of Edmonton, his adjustment to Raleigh, his hockey history and then a lengthy college football conversation with some other guys at the table at which point I zoned out. :)

He is playing at the first exhibition game tonight and left early so we didn't get a picture with him, but we did nab Eric Staal and grap a photo with him. He really is tall. We also said hello to Frank Kaberle, who we sat with last year and absolutely loved. He will be sidelined most likely all of this season after surgery and was wearing this arm brace that looked incredibly uncomfortable. So while we're sad we wont' see him on the ice, it was nice to see him in person. Obviously he's not going to remember we sat with him, but several of us at the table last year said hello at the same time and mentioned it and he was so gracious and warm. A great guy.

My only complaint is that the Stanley Cup was not there. I was really hoping this would be my chance to see it up close and not have to wait in line with thousands of other people at the Caniac Carnival in a few weekends....bummer.

8 Months

Not much to say here....I'm 8 months and starting the countdown. Going to the dr. weekly, which seems unreal. It's been an uneventful pregnancy aside from the beginning morning sickness, so we are grateful for that. Just ready to meet our little girl.

I'm also putting up an ultrasound we had of her at...hmmm....I think it was 28 weeks or something. Her eyes are clearly open, as well as her mouth. She was opening and closing it during the ultrasound. This same little girl was "clapping" in the womb at 16 weeks when we found out her gender. So far she has been a pretty active little lady....you'd think she was auditioning for Cirqu de Soliel the way she's been moving around. :)

Working Weekend

This weekend Kevin and I got out our "To Do" lists and set out to tackle a good portion of it. We got a lot done, which felt really great!!

First on our list was painting Cole / Baby Girl's room a lighter green on the top half to lighten the Lime-Factor in there. I still have all the decorations to put up, including the bumper (which still needs to be made: but fabric is on order!), and I think it's all going to come together just great. A great happy room for both of them.

Next I painted a 'chalkboard' with chalkboard paint in the sewing / play room. I had been wanting to try this for awhile. I haven't used chalk on it yet, b/c you're supposed to wait 3 days so tomorrow will be the big try.

Kevin also put up a magnetic strip for Cole's pictures above the drawing area.

And finally, the Outdoor Taskmaster (Kevin) moved some plants to the back yard and made a beautiful border for it. It looks so finished, I wish I had a before picture, it was really quite yucko. He further surprised me by buying a Hydrandgea plant, which we've been wanting to get for quite some time. We refer to this plant as our '3rd Baby' because we really want this pretty thing to survive and blossom.

The funny thing is all this was done to "get ready for the baby" and pretty much none of it is necessary for bringing a baby home, but it feels good to have some projects done. :)

Virginia Beach

Last weekend we went to visit my brother and his fam in Virginia Beach. It was such a nice visit, and so relaxed and the girls kept all 6 of their little eyes on Cole the whole time, making certain he was entertained. We were able to see the Oceana Air Show that is put on there every year. Kevin and Dean braved the entire day, from 10-5. The rest of us met up with them around 2, in time to see the Blue Angels perform. It was so cool. The one picture I caught on my little camera doesn't do it justice, but thankfully Dean made us a copy of all his super great pictures. Here we are enjoying the show!!

First Day of Preschool

I'll get a better picture next week, one of his class, but Cole had his first full day of preschool last tuesday. He was apprehensive, to say the least. I left with him clinging to my legs and crying in agony......so I spent my 3 hours at a nearby shopping center, sure that I would get "the call" to come retrieve him. But much to my delight, it never came. And when I picked him up at 12:15, I heard him laughing several times inside his little classroom. When he came out, I attempted to get him to go back inside the class to get a picture, but he had done his time and would only stand outside the door. I think he will really like it, it's just the new location and teachers. It's run by a great church in the area and he goes tuesday and thursday mornings. They do all sorts of things, and he even brought home a picture he made on the very first day. Since I only have about 6 weeks left until my due date, the extra time is going to be great for all those last minute projects, like the crib bumper I've been planning to make for 9 months.