We're still here...

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. There isn't too much to report - the baby's room (for some reason, the word "nursery" sounds British and snobby in my head, so I don't like to say it) is still in progress. The walls are all done and the ceiling has been taped, spackled, and sanded. So the last step is to paint that, and then we can move everything back in! I am really excited about putting the room together and getting it out of the computer room, but I am trying not to bug Bob about finishing it - contrary to what he might tell you.

The rocking chair is all done, complete with cushions! We'll take pictures of it when we get the room back together. I also got a couple of plastic drawer dividers for the dresser and a basket to put on top of the dresser for diapers, etc.

We had the Week 24 doctor's appointment today, and everything seems to be going great! I can feel the baby moving, though Bob cannot yet. I have gained about 15 pounds, which I am starting to worry is more than I should have gained at this point, but at least it's not too bad. Also, we get to have a bonus ultrasound next month because (without getting too technical) they want to make sure everything is where it should be by then. It is placenta-related, if you really wanted to know. It was a little low last month, but he said that most of the time it will resolve itself. They just want to make sure. My nursing school buddies know all about that from our maternity class! I also get to drink the glucose stuff and get tested for gestational diabetes next month.

I also went to check out 2 day cares today...we are having big dilemmas about that, because we don't know what my work schedule/shift will be yet. Both seemed fine; one was quieter and nicer, but also is $300 more/month. The other one said they would use my work schedule and only charge for the days we need them, which is really nice. We may check out more that are closer to Bob's work, since he would be the one taking the baby there when I'm at work. The 2 I saw are in Apex.

Our classes start in a few weeks too - a 3 hour breastfeeding class, a 3 hour newborn class, and then the 5-week childbirth class. I'm really excited about all of them.

Well, turns out we did have some updates! We hope everyone is having a great summer so far. I am counting the days until graduation on July 27th, which is coming up really fast.

Nursery Update

Here is the latest on the nursery:

The nursery walls received two coats of paint last week (one on Tuesday and another Friday night):





The dresser, nightstand, and drawers received 3+ coats of polyacrylic (3 on drawers and sides of dresser and nightstand, 5 on top surfaces for extra durability):



Tonight, after walking Bella, we put the rocker back together.



Left to do:

1. Sand/Paint ceiling (Bob is a lazy painter, who occasionally doesn't pay attention while getting his "roll on"; therefore, various paint colors are present on the ceiling. He plans to remove these "artistic" marks by sanding and repainting the ceiling).
   
2. Grandma A. is going to help Gina finish off the cushions for the rocker, and then it shall have reached fruition.
   
3. We obtained a footstool for Gina to use while rocking the baby in her recliner. It currently has two coats of stain (matches the dresser and nightstand), so it needs a third and then subsequent polyacrylic treatment. ETC (estimated time of completion) is next weekend.

Gina and I both wanted to see how the nursery was coming together, so we placed the items in their near final locations in the room, and took some pictures. Enjoy!

This weekend

This weekend, our nephew Logan came to stay with us while his parents Chris and Leslie went to a wedding in Chapel Hill. Close to bedtime, Logan decided he was still hungry, and in fact, so hungry that he forgot how to feed himself. Here's Logan eating Cheerios right out of Uncle Bob's hand:

In unrelated news, we decided that we'd get rid of the (somewhat) boring Toasty Grey wall color in the nursery, and trotted off to Home Depot to look at paint colors. We decided on "Marsh Fern", seen below. Gina taped the room tonight, and I estimate the painting will commence later this week.

Finally, we got out the camera to take pictures of our beloved dog, but she wasn't thrilled about it.

Finally, an update on the nursery furniture... all of the furniture has been stained, but I couldn't find the motivation to apply the polyacrylic finish in the garage this afternoon when it was 101 degrees outside. If the weather is a bit more cooperative this week, I'll hopefully get it finished and have a final nursery picture (with the room painted Marsh Fern) by next weekend.

New Camera!

In support of you, our loyal blog followers, we obtained a newer (and nicer) camera so that our images are more clear, vibrant, and plentiful.

The camera is a Canon Digital Rebel XTi, and here are some examples of how nice it works: