The Nursery

The super cute blanket you see our sweet Evan wrapped in was made by his Aunt Becca. She was extremely thoughtful when she picked out the Classic Winnie the Pooh pattern. Growing up, I collected all sorts of Classic Pooh figurines and room decor. Originally, I had no intention of decorating the nursery with this as a theme; however, my mind was changed. It means so much to me that Bec chose one of my childhood treasures to share with my son. It is something that not only Evan but I will hold dear for years to come.

I knew from the start that I wanted the nursery to have a vintage feel - to have a good mix of some old with some new, along with a conservative touch of Classic Pooh. Now that it's all finished, I feel like this was accomplished. It isn't very big, but we made good use of the space. It's a cosy, little room, and while he isn't sleeping in there yet {he's sleeping in a Bednest beside our bed for the time being}, we still very much enjoy the nursery.

 

Evan's current sleeping arrangement.

Entry from the hallway {Chair/ottoman and red lamp from IKEA}.

Monk likes to be around whenever Evan and I are in the nursery, so we made room for his little sleeping pad.

• Blanket {Mrs. Speck}
• Rustic stars and stripes/union jack pillow made by helkatdesign {my boss Paul and coworker Matt}

Reverse side of the pillow. One of my nursery favorites!

• Table {Gumtree seller - UK's Craigslist}
• ABC Scripture Cards {Moore family}
• Children's prayer book {baby shower}

 

• Classic Pooh curtains and tassels {Mothercare}
• Baby sign {local children's charity shop} 

 

• Book basket - bottom left {TK Maxx - UK's TJ Maxx} 
• Framed bunting {Jeff's creation}

Alphabet cards {Amazon.co.uk}

Wonderful built-in storage and crib {IKEA}.

• Back bunting {Gisela Graham bunting - Coast & Country Interiors}
• Evan's initials {Etsy}

• Classic Winnie the Pooh bedding and mobile {Mothercare}
•  Stuffed Classic Pooh Bear - bottom left {Aunt Becca}
  

Evan approved. :)

Front bunting reads NURSERY {Gisela Graham bunting - Coast & Country Interiors}

• Antique dresser {Gumtree seller}
• Vintage-style wall storage {ebay.co.uk} 
• Munchkin Nappy Disposal {Amazon.co.uk}
• Changing pad and cover {Mothercare}
• Storage box {IKEA}
• Green wipes holder {Amazon.co.uk}

Top Shelf {left to right}

• Blue sock monkey {Children's Shop in Corsicana}
• Blue lantern {IKEA}
• Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales {Ben & Katy}
• Home Sweet Home trinket {local charity shop}
• Snap card game {children's website}
• Paddington Bear {Katy}

Middle Shelf{left to right}

• London scene {Anthropologie}
• You Are Special book {Mike, Andrea and Mae}
• Double-decker bus {local charity shop}
• Clock {Anthropologie}

Hooks

•  Red hanging storage {IKEA}
• Baby Ragz Bib {Brittany}

41 Weeks {And Yes Still Waiting}

 

How far long? 41 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 7-8 pounds

Total weight gain? about 36 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes, and even though it's still not easy to turn over, I have been sleeping well.

Best moment(s) this week? Jeff's parents arriving and getting to show them around Parliament. Also, still having my Mom here. :) It has also been great that Jeff's had the flexibility to work from home. I feel more at ease when he's near.
Miss anything? The rest of our families.

Movement? Yes :)

Food Cravings? Pineapple and sweet iced tea.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope - not yet. :(

Belly button in or out? Stretched out.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! Anxious!

Looking forward to? My son's arrival! If I haven't had Little M before Friday, I will meet again with my midwife that afternoon. Since I'm past my due date, she'll offer me a second membrane sweep and we'll discuss induction. For those who don't know, a membrane sweep is a way of bringing on labour before other methods of induction are offered. {I had my first sweep last Friday, which obviously wasn't successful.} Generally, hospitals here will offer induction to women who don't go into labour naturally by 42 weeks. If they prefer not to be induced, they can forgo induction beyond 42 weeks but will be monitored closely. The hospital I'm delivering at offers induction around 12-13 days after my due date. Hopefully, I won't need to be induced. However, I am open to whatever method will be safest for my sweet boy. I'm just praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby.

40 Weeks {And Still Waiting}

How far long? 40 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 7-8 pounds

Total weight gain? about 35 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes but it is hard to go and stay asleep. Turning over is not easy, and I always wake up whenever I do. I'm also very ready for Little M to be here, so the excitement of his arrival doesn't help. :)

Best moment(s) this week? My Mom and Dad arriving last Friday! We have been able to show them some beautiful English countryside (including Stonehenge), enjoy a nice afternoon tea, check out London and Parliament.
Miss anything? A/C. It's been a hot summer for London, and even with our fans, I've been hot a lot. I'm ready for fall, so it'll be cool again.

Movement? Yes but I can definitely tell that Little M is running out of space.

Food Cravings? Peaches.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope - not yet. :(

Belly button in or out? Stretched out.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! Anxious!

Looking forward to? Still very much looking forward to our little guy's arrival, and hopefully, he'll come while my parents are still here (they head back on Sunday morning). Also, Jeff's parents arrive on Saturday, so we are looking forward to seeing them.

39 Weeks {Full Term}

How far long? 39 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 7 pounds

Total weight gain? about 34 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes but it's becoming more difficult to fall and stay asleep. I'm hot a lot {even with the use of a fan directly on me and sans covers} and the slightest sliver of light has me wide awake.

Best moment(s) this week? Visiting with Ben and Katy on Saturday {thank you both again for Little M's gifts!} and finalizing the nursery {still minus his initials but they should be arriving any day now}. I'm so excited to show my parents when they are here, which will be in 2 days!! Also, with being at home and not out in the heat, my feet and ankles haven't been swollen.
Miss anything? Smaller legs!

Movement? Yes but I can definitely tell that Little M is running out of space.

Food Cravings? Cold apples.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope :(

Belly button in or out? Still not out but there's still a bit of a lip on the top.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Our little guy being here!! In the meantime, I'm trying to get as much rest as I can. Also, as I mentioned earlier, my parents arrive in 2 days and I couldn't be more excited! I have already cleaned and re-cleaned our home and finished all of the laundry, but I'm sure I'll find more to keep my busy until Friday.

38 weeks {Full Term}

How far long? 38 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 6.5/7 pounds

Total weight gain? about 32 pounds {I lost 3 pounds over the last week. After talking with my GP and answering a few questions, she said to monitor my weight over the next week and let her know if I lose anymore, but that all seems OK for now. Little M is still moving a lot, and both he and I checked out very well at my 38/40 appointment today.}

Maternity clothes? Yep and a lot of skirt wearing lately. With the hotter weather we've been having and lack of a/c, it helps me stay cool.

Sleep? Yes and I have been able to sleep deeply.

Best moment(s) this week? Visiting with our next door neighbors and meeting their sweet, little girl - who was born almost a week early. I'm happy that Little M will have a little friend next door.  

Miss anything? My family and friends who are stateside. While we keep in touch and I am able to share updates about the pregnancy via phone calls and social media, I still miss being able to experience all of this with them near. I'm excited that we can catch up and they can meet Little M when we visit in December.

Movement? Yes :)

Food Cravings? Peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Still not out but there's now a bit of a lip on the top.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Enjoying these last few days as a family of 3 {counting Monk, of course}. Working from home the past two days have been nice, and I look forward to my simple 'commute' the rest of the week. As we still have a few deliveries trickling in, I thought getting dressed rather than sitting in my pjs all day would be best. Also, one week from this Friday, my parents will be in London, and I absolutely can't wait! Oh and this Saturday - our good friends Ben and Katy are coming to visit.

37 weeks {Full Term}

The 'not so glamorous' weekly photo. Please excuse the tired face and swollen feet.

Katy, me and Matt in the office at my 'leaving do.'

How far long? 37 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 6.5 pounds
Total weight gain? about 35 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes and enjoying it while I can.

Best moment(s) this week? For having worked in Parliament for a year and a half, I had never seen Prime Minister David Cameron until last week, when I saw him twice. We also made good progress in our flat over the weekend. It feels so good to walk into an orderly home. When I met with my midwife last Friday, she confirmed that our baby boy is still doing very well, as am I. We discussed options for the birth plan, and I booked a 41 week appointment, in case I don't have Little M by 5 August. It's so exciting to think how close he is to being here!! Lastly, I'll include today's treat. As it's my last week in the office, my 'leaving do' was today. It was a wonderful time, and I greatly appreciate those who not only coordinated the party but also purchased the best gift (photo below)! I'll be reminded of many wonderful memories every time I look at it! :)

Miss anything? My siblings - if only they could be here to see their nephew when he's born. We already have our first trip back with baby booked for December, which is great as they'll see him then. The wait is just a little longer than we'd like.

Movement? Yes, especially near my rib cage.

Food Cravings? Still dill pickles.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Not out but kind of still in - very stretched out.  

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy - even though I was tempted to be slightly moody to a random gentleman at the train station, when earlier this week, he asked me if I was carrying twins! ;)

Looking forward to? Resting. This will be a good 'last' week for me, commuting wise. Little by little, my body is starting to wear down. I work from home next week, but it will still be nice to do so in comfortable clothes (aka pjs)!

Gift from the office - front of cushion

Gift from the office - back of cushion

36 Weeks

How far long? 36 weeks 

Baby size? 20 - 22 inches and about 6 pounds

Total weight gain? about 33 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes and turning over has become quite a chore! 

Best moment(s) this week? Washing/drying all of Little M's tiny clothes and blankets! His nursery is almost finished. I've got a few more things to organize, and we are still waiting on his initials to arrive, but all of the large items are set. I also had the opportunity to see the cyclists whiz by Parliament during Stage 3 of the Tour de France on Monday, 7 July. There were so many people who waited hours outside to cheer on and catch a quick glimpse of the riders. It started to rain some before they arrived, so I decided to watch inside from the first floor of the building where my office is. While it didn't last long, the atmosphere, felt even inside, was incredible. 

Miss anything? Snow cones! If only Sno Biz was nearby - I'd have a #3 flat top Sweet Tart snow cone everyday! :) 

Movement? Yes, and within the past week, I've noticed Little M responding to loud noises. When we were at the laundromat on Saturday, I accidentally dropped a bag full of coins on the bench I was sitting on. What a strong jolt I felt! You could even see my entire belly shutter.

Food Cravings? Pickles - dill pickles specifically. The only thing is Jeff and I can't seem to find them anywhere here. We've purchased a few different brands and they are all more sweet than sour. What an insignificant bummer.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope but heart burn is oh so frequent.

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Not out but kind of still in - very stretched out.  

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and somewhat overwhelmed.

Looking forward to? My next antenatal appointment, which is this Friday. I'll meet with my midwife, have Little M checked out and further discuss the birthing plan. I know that I want to try to deliver naturally and am interested in water birth. There is a suite led by the midwifery unit at our hospital that facilitates this. The environment seems very calming, and I'm hopeful that we'll get to deliver there. If we do experience any complications or if I decide I want an epidural, then I can easily be taken to the adjacent hallway, where the labor ward is.

Prepping Victoria Embankment for the cyclists.

Stage 3 - it was quick but what a view!