OUR LADY

Welcome to the world miss
PENELOPE RAE!

We got our beautiful baby girl Friday night. She came in weighing a dainty 9lbs 5 oz and 20 inches long. We're all doing great...busy, but great :) Here are just a couple photos of our sweet pea. I'm sure I'll be posting more later :)


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INTRODUCING...

THE NURSERY!

(Come on, did you really think I'd actually have her early? BUT, she is still scheduled to come this Friday though! Wahoo!)

So I don't know if you remember me posting about my plans for our baby girl's nursery, but just in the nick of time I did it! I finished. Phew. Of course, what I had hoped to do in one month took me three...which in all honesty, there was a few times I didn't think I'd get it done that fast.


Look, I made that! My first quilt along with the bed skirt. I think I was more nervous about the bed skirt, though especially since I just did a rag, block quilt.


The mobile became a modge-podge of a few different ideas thrown into one. And I decided to go with the the bird silhouette instead of owls because it was simpler.


Here is where I plan on spending a lot of time :)


And finally, the changing station. Another place I will be spending a lot of time. There is a possibility I overdid it with the ol' message boards. Oh well, go big or go home. But now there is a place to put photos of all the people that love her.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

So I don't know if any of you remember any of my mentionings (complainings) of Phil interviewing for summer internships the last few months...but I'm happy and grateful to say the three month process of applications, interviews, fly-backs and everything that entails is over and that we received and accepted an offer to:



in:
NEW YORK! NEEEW YOOOORK!


I know, I know. Fits me and my big city ways perfectly, but we all know it was only a matter of time before I ended up in the Big Apple.

Or more so, the reality being that is the last place I ever thought I'd live...even if it's just for 12 weeks :) In the very least it should make for some great blog-fodder. Now if any of you have any tips on how to get my big city girl on, let me know. (I'm already doing pretty well with the "big" part, but the "city" part needs some serious help.

LEARNING TO PRAY

So Ryder is at the stage where he can say prayers himself with some help (one of us telling him what to say). Well, it's been a delightful surprise these last couple of weeks to see him start chiming in a few things on his own. I don't think Phil has had a prouder moment as a father than when the other night Ryder told Heavenly Father thank you for boogers and football games.

ADVICE PLEASE

Two is the magic number! It's the number of weeks exactly before my induction date and it's the number of centimeters I am dilated! TMI? (I'm just so excited about that because the farthest I ever got with Ryder, on my own, 10 days past my due date, was a 1..."maybe a 1.5", said my dr.)

Anyhow, with time running out, I'm still feeling so unprepared in so many ways, so I was hoping to pick your brains for some advice. Specifically, in regards to bringing a second child home. Ryder knows about her as much as he can understand. We plan on having a low-key, play-it-by-ear holiday, and as a special bonus, since I'll mostly likely be having her 2 days after Phil's finals I will have his help for two weeks.

So, do any of you have ideas about how to help Ryder with the adjustment and different ways to include him? And advice in how to manage two at a time? Any tips on getting a good routine going? I love a good routine. Please share your wisdoms!

COOL BABY PRODUCTS

With our baby girl's due date quickly approaching, I feel like I'm rather unprepared. I sit there and think of the things I need and I can't come up with anything, but I'm still left with that "you forgot something" feeling. I feel like with your first baby you have to get everything so your list becomes long, yet very simple. But with the second you figure you have everything you need and so it makes it really easy to think your good to go and forget some things that a) didn't last thru Ryder b) I didn't need with one child that I need with two and c) apply to girls that don't apply to boys.

You see, it makes the shopping list for the 2nd child much more complicated than the first.

So instead of worrying my little head about things I need, I like to concentrate on the wants...like the curtains I want to put in her room (I've become a little obsessed with her room, updates to come later) or this diaper bag and ingenious diaper changing kit. Both are from Kalencom:

I become very critical about the necessity to combine practicality and cuteness in any bag, but especially a diaper bag. Why I love this one:



-It has a laminated cover so I can wipe it clean
-It comes with a laminated and matching bottle/sippy holder, pouch and changing pad
-It comes in multiple designs,patterns and colors

I have also been on a long lost search for the perfect diaper/wipes/changing pad holder. I've even considered making my own, thinking I could do a better job. Not with this puppy. Why I love this one:



-It has the same "wipe-clean" surface with multiple designs and patterns
-It can fit in a regular purse or bag when you grow out of a diaper bag
-I wish it showed you how it unfolded, because that's what I love. After you undo the pad a pocket for the wipes and dipes fold out. It's so cool!

PHASE: GESTATION

Explanation: I had to call this phase I'm going thru right now "Gestation" because, well, there is no other word to describe the last leg of pregnancy. It is currently effecting every aspect of my life.

Cons:
I'd rather stare at a toy/piece of garbage for an hour willing it to disappear rather than bending over and picking it up.

I'm becoming more limited to what I can wear. It's quite tiring to get ready for the day and I yearn for the time to wear normal clothes and fun accessories. And well, as far as accessories go, I've just got one really big one that if I choose to adorn myself with anything else, it just seems like too much.

It takes me twice as long as usual to do normal daily tasks

I can't stand up without my pants falling down and my shirt riding up. I'm sure there has been more than one time that has gone beyond my noticed where I've been walking around in public in a completely inappropriate fashion.

My face starts taking the shape of a circle.

I think I might have to finish this later so I can go take a nap



Pros:

I love feeling her move

I love getting ready for her arrival

I love when Ryder gives the baby hugs or kisses

I love eating and not feeling any sort of guilt whatsoever