Forget Fear, Just Do It!!!!

There are some things in life that we love for reasons of sentiment, but that doesn't really mean we want to flaunt them in our living room as a center piece. Such was the case for my childhood piano, which lost it's home at my parent's house and found it's way under our TV back in December. 

I just couldn't bare to part with it, but on the other hand, couldn't bare to look at it day in and day out either. A few years ago, the entire thing was the same color of it's horridly bland and boring bench and music stand, so I sanded the entire thing to prepare for painting, but decided that I loved the way it looked sanded, so I just changed the knobs and gave it a quick coat of polyurethane to protect the wood........then I was devastated because the polyurethane completely changed it's look again! Exhausted and frustrated, I just gave up and decided to at least be happy that the actual wood grain could now be appreciated. 

Now that it was back in my possession, it was time for a new make-over!!! Besides, I'd discovered chalk paint since then, AKA the coolest paint ever. I started bold in color, modestly in surface area, knowing I could always add more color, but taking it away would probably be impossible.

A little here, a bit more there.....I probably spent more time taping then I did painting! Taping sharp lines is hard!

Patrick and I both agreed it'd be fun to change up the symmetry of the boxy black lines on the face of the upright, so I cut out a design using a few different scrap book pages and decoupaged it in place, which got tricky when I realized the birds on the scene would be upside-down on the opposing side, so I fixed the issue by disguising them with more flowers. 

Then I went to one of my favorite fish and find stores (Habitat for Humanity Restore) and got an old leaf that no longer had a matching table (for only $3!!!!), painted it to match the piano's new look and used it as the entertainment stand. 

A little sanding here......a little antiquing wax there.....a clear coat of wax everywhere.....

.....and new glass knobs to finish the overall vintage feel.......

WAL-LAH!!! I love that you can still appreciate the wood grain without sacrificing color. 

Out with the boring, and in with the interesting and fun piece that has lots of history.

I wont lie, though, it was pretty scary getting started on this project! I was a little terrified of ruining it. But in hindsight, I'm completely happy with my decision to jazz things up. 

Trying Not to Pee Myself and Nursery Sneak Peek: Week 23

Ugh. On my 5th day of being sick and running off minimal sleep despite every effort possible, like sleeping while sitting, stuffing kleenex's in my nose, taking every over-the-counter-medication allowed during pregnancy, a humidifier, menthol, and the best pampering a girl could ask for by her very sweet husband, I was sooooo done, hence the done face. Coughing so bad my whole body hurt, inducing nausea and vomiting (uh, ya, vomiting), and also resulting in the temporary loss of bladder control (once, the rest were only very seriously scary threats of escapee pee), is for the birds. 

But despite it all, I still had things to smile about......like already having a doctor's appointment scheduled first thing on Monday morning to see Cotton again and (new on my agenda) to get some real medication to kick this sickness in the ass. Besides, I couldn't imagine how tired that poor little baby must have been in there from getting jostled around so much with all my non-stop violent coughing and nose blowing. Out of the mouth of my brother who saw me on this one day I briefly braved the public, "You don't look very sick."

Well thank you, brother. I'll take that as a compliment; it's amazing what a shower, make-up, a semi-fake smile, and Codeine can do for a girl in agony. 

The heart is the first thing we saw on the ultrasound, which is exactly the unfinished business we'd come to complete, and no longer a breech baby (yay for not stepping on Mommy's bladder anymore), everything looked perfect.Cotton was being a little dramatic with his/her arm up, laying his/her hand on his/her forehead, which was super adorable, and we loved witnessing that sweet face's cheeks get chubbier since our last peak.It's been a big week, reaching viability and all. What's really crazy is to think that I've taken care of babies outside the womb at this age. The swirling sensation has been getting more intense, and kicks are getting even stronger; Patrick is pretty sure he felt an actual kick for the first time! Feeling a little being inside me makes everything much more real and amazing; I smile on the inside with every nudge. 

With all my "resting" time, we even got online and did most of our registries (which is very convenient, since consumer reviews are posted on everything these days), only leaving the big stuff to do in real life when I'm no longer a health threat to the community. 

Time is going by so fast, and our spring schedule is already getting jam packed, leaving me feeling a little crunched for time, so I'm trying to get as much done in the nursery as possible. This week, I sewed a couple of pennant banners and hung them on the room divider that I FINALLY finished. 

If you're ever thinking about saving some cash by making your own room divider, let me rescue your sanity by advising, DON'T DO IT. Just buy one, seriously, I'll explain next week. Not that I don't love the finished result, but this project took me months to complete, literally.

Just looking at this cozy corner makes me sigh with relief that I did all these time consuming projects last summer.

I adore this cute sewing table I found at an antique shop and made over to go with the room's grey and print theme.

The gigantic dresser I repurposed will be serving double duty, since it will also be our changing table.

Of course my child-like paintings are on display. 

And in between, are little interesting things I've found here and there.

One of the questions non "team green" people ask is, "How will you decorate the nursery if you don't know if it's a boy or a girl?" 

"With lots of color and fun things to look at!" I reply. I'm sure I'll rearrange everything a hundred times before now and June, and we still need a crib, but I'm happy with the shape it's taking so far.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

It's not every day we get to see real snow instead of sleet and ice, but on Thursday morning it came down hard and fast (for Dallas standards), starting just about the time my shift at the hospital was ending.......perfect timing. 

Sheets of flurries swooshed over the road like a cross between mysterious fog blowing in the wind and ocean foam washing up on sandy shores, it's long crooked fingers stretching across the lanes in a beautifully unpredictable and never ceasing pattern, round and round. My eyes refused to grow tired, as they normally do during this usually mundane routine of migrating from one side of town to the other, but instead remained captivated on this gloriously cold morning by streaks of snow dust skating over the sands of a fiery desert. It's movement constant and fluid, almost like the ground beneath my tires had transformed into nothing more than a flowing steamy stream of water. It was an entertaining drive home, indeed. 

Such is the impression of driving home in the snow through the eyes of a Texan.

Unfortunately for me, the storm also brought with it a nasty nasty virus (a completely different one than  many of our friends had come down with) that broke it's way through my immune system while I slept and I woke up feeling and looking like death. Not willing to admit I was sick, I tried to brush it off as really bad allergies.

Besides, you can't always get what you want, but you can get crabs!!!.......Right? Right?!

Dusty had never been to Joe's Crab Shack and no one felt like cooking, so going out for dinner seemed perfectly logical. 

He was so excited about the new adventure, I was even able to convince him to pose with his lobster. Where the heck is my real camera when I need it?!?! Patrick's crab wasn't ready to be eaten, hanging on for dear life by clamping onto his earlobe!!!

After our fantastic dinner, we hit the sack for some much needed cuddle time with the puppies.

And cuddle time was about all it was, because I wouldn't be getting much sleep for the next several nights and neither would Patrick, due to my annoyingly worsening symptoms which eventually got so bad he had to leave me and sleep in our guest bed (sorry dear).

We're not the only adults that play with our food at restaurants, are we?

Cooking, Cooking, and (the best part) EATING!

Super Bowl weekend might not have been a very exciting time for football, but it was great in the food department!

We went to a party in a very cool decked out garage turned bar and met lots of new people who all brought yummy treats.  There was way too much food there (like banana bread with caramel drizzle sauce and homemade croutons from artisan bread with shredded buffalo chicken dip), resulting in left over fruit pizza (one of my personal specialties), and since it's not the greatest left over and I knew my work people were had been really slammed, we brought the rest to them on the way home, hoping it'd brighten their night.

Patrick did quite a bit of cooking himself that Saturday, including surprising me with my favorite, mexican market short ribs. 

And on the following Monday, I spent the day baking a cheesecake while the puppies window watched. 

Thankfully, the threat of a wintery mix had been postponed once again, because we had a hot date at Lara and Tim's house to eat her homemade loaded potato soup, something we'd been trying to get together for since the last bad storm demolished our plans back in December! It was a near miss opportunity for irony and would have been a not so subtle hint from some other power that we weren't meant to have this soup! But I'm glad we did, because it was amazing.

By Wednesday, I was counting my blessings, since we found out people we'd hung out with on both days came down with some sort of sickness after we'd left. But little did I know, impending doom awaited...............

A Long Time Comin'

I've never been huge on buying brand new furniture. Every piece we own, with the exception of our couch, was either a hand-me-down, thrifted, or from an antique sale and made over/repurposed by yours truly. I like furniture with history that's already proven it's ability to stand the test of time. 

That being said, you can see why it was a huge decision to purchase a fresh out of the factory rocker recliner for our living room. But seeing as how it's becoming more and more realistic every week that our family will be officially growing by one human, we decided it would serve a necassary and functional purpose, therefore justifying the urge. 

Such a big commitment calls for much deliberation over style versus comfort, comparing and testing various brands and sitting in so many chairs in so many different stores that it's impossible to remember what each chair feels like. We knew we wanted leather for the easy care and clean up, but quickly realized this would mean we'd never find a "match" to our leather couch. Electric was ruled out, but oh so very nice. Although wonderfully comfortable, Patrick couldn't get over the clicking noise of the Lay-z-boy's locking into place, resembling too closely to the sound of the Texas Giant climbing up it's steep incline before the plummet. And seeing as how we're very different sizes, we had skewed opinions about how each chair felt. Needless to say, it was quite the adventure, but we finally found one that fit us perfectly, and we LOVE it!

All shopped out, we concluded our evening at Posada's where they serve........wait for it.......free soft serve ice cream and sopapillas for dessert!!!! 

A night of lounging in amazing chairs AND pampered with free dessert? What more could a girl ask for?!?!?

Patrick and I have very different ways of eating our sopapillas. I like to pour a ton of honey on top and he likes to make a hole in the middle and pour the honey inside. 

How do you eat your sopapilla: honey inside or outside?

I'm Taking Bets: Week 22

It's been a boring week in the pregnancy department as far as reporting goes, but it's never boring to feel Cotton moving around or have Patrick rub lotion on my belly.

Over are the days of just lifting my knee to my chest to put socks and shoes on. I'm officially bound to crossing one leg over it's opposing knee to reach each foot from the side.

I've been really lucky and still haven't had any heart burn up to this point, but starting having some reflux this week (mild, but absolutely gross).......whomp whomp.

A really sweet lady attending the same Barbell class as me this week ushered the door for me as we were leaving and said, "I was never that cute when I was pregnant."......which obviously made my day. 

How funny is it that I found a wreath made of cotton while I was dress shopping and accidentally wandered into the home section?!?

At this rate, I estimate the ol' belly button will be playing a disappearing act in approximately 4 weeks. Any bets on that?

Ten Things Thurdsday

1. I actually did this:

(source)

I had two books immediately within reach that had just been donated to me. I picked up the one on top: Dad's Pregnant Too! by Harlan Cohen.

It read, "Shock and awe are the best words to describe the first doctor's visit."

I wasn't really sure how this fit into my love life, so I decided to pick up the second book: 1000 Questions about your Pregnancy 3rd Edition by Jeffery Thruston, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

"In the first trimester, you may gain anything from no weight to about six pounds, or you may even lose several pounds."

It seems as though I need to get more romantic books within my reach or my love life is in trouble.

2. Patrick finally used his rice cooker and made me sushi rolls! He even made his own eel sauce. I felt extremely sorry for him to know he went through the trouble of trying to make me tempura calamari and it turned out as chewy as little pieces of recycled tire, but I hear it' s a pretty tricky meat to cook!

3. I finished one of my very time consuming projects, but unfortunately can't share the results yet, because it's a surprise for a close friend!
4. Me and Krystal actually made time for a extended lunch date, and we had a great time over salads, crafts, and toddler play! Why do I never take pictures when we are together?!?!
5. Upon request, I made Patrick a chicken fried steak dinner of his dreams with all the fixin's: creamed corn, gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes. Left overs galore were planned accordingly by popular demand; I'm a wife that delivers.
6. My brother and his girlfriend moved in together this week! We went out to Cold Stone to celebrate and the Kardashian family was there (there's so many insiders on this one it'd need a post of it's own).
7. My parents came to town and took us out for lunch. Then we went to JoAnn's to finally finish getting material for Cotton (this kid is going to have the funnest and nicest gender neutral blankets and coordinating burp cloths anyone has ever seen).
8. I'm still a little perturbed at my mom for addressing me with, "Hey there, Fatty," as we walked into the buffet restaurant (that was not my request, by the way)........but I guess she know's not what she does (or says).
9. I really like the judge panel combination on American Idol this year! (I can't believe I still watch that show, but they sucked me in again by adding Harry Connick Jr..)
10. It may have taken Jess and I an entire year to plan a date to attend McKinney Trade Days and actually follow through with it, but the take away is we finally did it and she found some great stuff for her wedding!!! 

Screw Flutters, We've Got Nudges, People! : Week 21

It's amazing how much movement I've started to feel this week; little nudges from the inside that are constantly getting stronger, mostly noticeable when I'm working the night shift. They're almost startling sometimes, especially when they're directly on my bladder or feel higher up than I can imagine my uterus reaching inside my torso. My fundus is officially above my belly button now......how is that possible?!? I think Cotton must be doing some somersaults or really fast turns because several times a day I get that feeling like I'm in a car and driving really fast over a dip in the road, you know, that roller-coaster-stomach-flip-feeling.....except it's coming from where the baby is instead of my stomach. Patrick knows I've always loved that sensation; there's a particular road near his parents house that we always drive fast on, just so I can make my stomach turn. 

I want so badly for Patrick to be able to feel our little miracle moving about, but he/she just isn't strong enough yet to punch or kick with enough force to get through that placental cushion. The anticipation for that moment to happen is exciting, though.

I've been extremely restless in my sleep lately and woke up with a severe cramp/charlie horse in my calf this week. Since then, the muscle has been sore!! The last time I'd experienced anything like that was probably 2 years ago or more. I told some girlfriends about it and they said they had them their entire pregnancies!!! WHAT? Hopefully this is not the case for me, but if it is, I'll just add it to my list of strange pregnancy symptoms that no one ever told me about!

I'm starting to notice a few age spots/freckles are darkening on my face, even though I haven't seen much sun (if any) in a loooooong time, but according to my phone app, this is completely expected; no linea nigra though, so there's that. My skin has been getting really itchy, so Patrick is super sweet and rubs lotion all over my stomach and scratches my back for me. I seriously don't know what I'd do without him......
My favorite meal: An avocado with lime juice and some Cheetos on the side!!
Have I mentioned how fun it is to feel Cotton move all around and know for sure that's exactly what it is?! So fun. Guys really have it easy, but they miss out on a lot. 

Dating and Flatulence

It seems like every sitcom featuring couples in the story line has an episode or two about couples "dating" new couples as a way of introducing new friends into their lives. It's funny because I feel like we actually do this in real life, but don't tend to think about it as "dating", but really, it is. 

Patrick and I hadn't dated anyone new in quite a while, until last week, when we went out for sushi with an adorable couple we met back in December. 

It's always a good sign on a first date when conversation is never in short supply. 

First Date Test #1: Things to talk about, check. 

Then our food came out and the rolls were just flat out too big to eat with chopsticks and I got brave and started eating with my hands (especially, but not limited to, the onion ring shaped calamari).

First Date Test #2: Experiment casually with tolerance of bad habits, check.  

And then at the halfway point of our meal, my stomach was still growling. I may have mentioned this little fact out loud as I started to indulge in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th helpings (what can I say; I worked out really hard that day in Ballet Booty Class), completely overtaking the table of food as everyone else gradually started to slowly withdraw their hands from any rolls left on the table (probably scared I would gnaw their fingers off). As I realized what was happening I decided I MUST address the situation, "Please, everyone, don't feel like you have to stop eating on my account. I can always order more. After all, this is our first date and I don't want y'all to remember me as the gluten who ate my own helpings and everyone else's as well!"

And even though they promised they'd had enough, encouraging me to eat my heart out, I had a suspicious feeling it was all a sacrifice on behalf of the lady eating for two.

First Date Test #3: Feel out the waters for boundaries of generosity, check. 

When I finally had my fill, our dessert of fresh, strangely (but conveniently) peeled oranges was served. It seemed like a perfect time for a group photo. 

First Date Test #4: Assess willingness to postpone dessert while I try to balance my camera on various objects to get the perfect framed self-timed picture and openness to be blogged about, check.

At the stroke of bedtime, we bid adieu to our perfectly long (and very fun) dinner date duo to head home, which is when it really sunk in that we had been on a first date. To understand why, you'd have to know my husband, the gassiest (benign, most of the time) person I've ever met. I once asked him how he didn't spontaneously combust like Kenny on South Park in the first stages of our relationship when he never let even a silent flatulence slip in my presence. His response, "I just held them in while I was with you and farted all the way home."

How could this be? How could one just save all their farts for a time of complete convenience and not be in agony for the rest of the day? It's understandable that I never completely believed him until this moment when he proved to me just how dedicated a fart saver he could be............because he actually farted all the way home (just like he did on our first several dates). Impressed, shocked and entertained by both his tact and skill, I had the window rolled down until we pulled into the driveway (chuckling the entire ride, because let's face it.......it was laughably priceless entertainment). 

My husband is a talented man, who cares very deeply about first impressions. For that, I applaud him (oh how I love that crazy guy of mine).
First Date Tribulation: Self control over embarrassing bodily functions, check.

The 80's Wasn't a Good Look for Me

Actually, the 80's wasn't a fantastic look for anyone, was it? We all get a "get out of style jail free pass" for at least one decade in our lives, and I'm a little glad I was too young during this particular era to waste mine (the whole 5.17 years {that's actually the real number....I calculated it with my nerdy self} I participated). 

But it sure is fun to pretend, like for themed birthday parties!!!

Lara was turning 40 with a bang, and with the help of a few others, threw an awesome throw back party. I love any event that requires creative dress up, but this event was a little special, considering I can't really wear just anything in my closet these days and Patrick and I had a strict goal to look as authentic as possible without having to actually purchase anything. 

One completely disastrous bedroom and emptied closet and a million group texts later, I'd finally put together some pieces that worked (and that wasn't too uncomfortable for Cotton). I was actually shocked at how many items I had that fit into the category.......

Then I was shocked again at how long it took me to fix my hair and makeup. The 80's was hard work.

Over an hour after leaving our house (we really live 20 minutes away but 635 construction is the devil these days), we finally made it to the party ready to grub down on some burgers, chips, and Little Debbie snacks, but not before donning our slap bracelets and coordinating jelly bracelets.

With a DJ playing era appropriate pop to get the dance floor moving, a photographer catching as many magical moments as she could, and trash can punch being passed around like it was Kool-Aid (darn the timing), this party was a happening place. It's no wonder a teenager from the neighborhood would try to wander in and mingle, probably hoping to score some freebies. Lara spotted him immediately and escorted him out the door, which is when my night took a turn for the interesting. 

Me: Did you see that? I think Lara just kicked some kid out of here.

16 Candles Character: Yeah, he was probably born in the 80's.

Me: .......... (just keep dancing, just keeping dancing.....let's not make her feel awkward...) Yeah, (giggles) or maybe like the 90's.

16 Candles Character: So how do you know Lara? Did y'all go to high school or college together?

Me: (Wow......the 80's really WASN'T a good look for me!!) No....my husband went to high school with Tim and Lara. (Slowly danced my way out of the conversation.....)

I immediately found Patrick to ask him a very important question.

"HOW THE HECK OLD DO I LOOK TONIGHT? I USUALLY GET CARDED TO BUY SPRAY PAINT, AND NOW I'M GETTING MISTAKEN FOR 11 YEARS PAST MY REAL AGE!"

My favorite part of the night was figuring out who lots of people's characters were, and deciding who had the best authentic outfits.......AND seeing Tim with hair!!! Hilarious. 

Did I mention we went to Tom Thumb like this?

Are you embarrassed to go into a store dressed in a costume fearing people might not know it isn't your normal look?