n.y.c

Spent the weekend in New York City 

with Hubby.  My fourth time there, and it is always, always a grand time!  
The main focus was watching the NCAA tournament games in Newark, NJ;
however, we got to spend time with friends and fellow fans in Hoboken,
wander Times Square, dine in Little Italy, and explore Chinatown.

Here are seven sweet somethings from our trip...

1. night out in little italy {sipping pellegrino in lieu of chianti}

2.  sipping cappuccino afterwards

3. imagining life living in a historic n.y.c. apartment

4. view from our hotel room 

 5. chinese lanterns

6. tiny buns - yummy, tiny buns 

7. victory for the kentucky wildcats! 

Hope your weekend held many sweet moments!

G

baby bump alert: a pea in my pod

"There's a pea in your pod!"

a woman at work exclaims to me every day.

She yells it across the room, and I can only grin and nod.

Another sweet lady, twice my height, with an infectious grin who calls me "Cuz"tells me:

"You look good with a little weight on you, Cuz!"

However, I am now addressed mostly as "Mama."

Which I thought would feel weird...

but it doesn't.

It warms my heart

and makes Baby kick a little harder.

{cheesy yet classic: the heart/belly button pic}

This is the sweet spot of pregnancy.  Where the "Pea" is not incredibly nauseating, and the "Pod" is not uncomfortably big.  I can still wear my high heels.  No stretch marks yet. {Knock on wood.}  Weight gain of 22 pounds.   Maternity clothes are no longer optional.  I embrace changing into sweatpants as soon as I get home from work.  


Though it be sweet...this portion of my "pea in the pod-ness" has it's moments.  Speaking of peas...

 I seem to be peeing constantly.

I dream strange pregnancy dreams.  Like giving birth to a slice of pizza...and even trying to breastfeed it.  {FYI this is not an easy feat!}


I finally registered!  Which, though initially daunting, was incredibly fun.  A huge thank you to those of you that gave me much-needed mommy advice.  Keep it coming!  It all helped me immensely!  I feel a little more confident I will be equipped with the necessities.

        

Well, time to go eat pizza and peas!

{kidding}

G

{strawberry salads forever}

Tonight

an easy dinner that only looks complicated.

{the best kind}
Starring the best fruit ever:
the strawberry.

Start with fresh, luscious strawberries...

 ...toss them in with baby lettuces, thinly sliced red onion, and a balsamic vinegarette...

 ...top with goat cheese crumbles and candied pecans -- my favorite salad!

Serve with some scallops sauteed in butter, seasoned with salt and pepper {read: easy!}, wild rice {hellooo Rice-o-Roni!} and baked salmon.  Season it however you like.  {I use olive oil, paprika and marjoram.}

 {got omega 3's???}

What did you have for dinner tonight?
Much love from the kitchen...oh, and then the couch watching Idol {go casey!}

G

are you {succulent}?

Are you a  

"succulent wild woman?"

This is one of my favorite inspirational books.  If you have never read Succulent Wild Woman by SARK - do so!  You will be inspired! 

Sometimes I forget I am succulent.  

Like when I eat fries from McDonalds and feel fat.

Like when I get so overwhelmed with all my projects that I throw my hands up in the air, bury myself in my bed, and get absolutely nothing done.

Like when I feel like I have no control over anything. 
Like when my hormones/life overwhelms me and for seemingly no reason at all I have to have an ugly cry in order to feel better.
{my husband loves that one}

I had to re-read Succulent Wild Woman recently to remind myself that being imperfect is all part of my succulence.  To remind myself that being authentic is more important than being every thing to every person.  That I might not be the best at something, but putting my best effort in will only make me do it better each time I hunker down and TRY.  That I can choose to be happy and I am capable of doing ANYTHING!  I can also choose to hide in bed for most of the day and that is OKAY.  :o)  That I should SAVOR everything - dessert, the sunshine, sleeping in with the one you love, uncontrollable laughter with a true friend.

"Don't power walk. Saunter slowly in the sun, eating chocolate, and carry a blanket so you can take a nap."
-SARK

What made you feel succulent today?  


For me?

Sleeping in...with my new full-body preggo pillow:

This Boppy makes me happy!

Finally bringing home a sprig of the plant I take care for at work...so I can grow my own at home:

{someday you'll have roots!}

{growing things makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger}

"Nourish your eye and spirit with inspiring things. They will bloom with your tending." 

-SARK

Hoping you had a wild, Succulent Saturday...

G

{a peek at the nursery}

People say, "Oh, you're due in July?  You have plenty of time!"

I think, "Yikes.  Only 4 more months!?!?"

Needless to say, I'm a planner.

Not a throw-things-together-perfectly-at-the-last-minute planner.

{I wish}

I am a write-a-million-lists, dream, daydream, create-inspiration-boards, steal-a-million-pictures-off-the-internet, dream some more, ask-a-million-questions, complete-in-phases planner.

{Exhausting, yes}

So here is where I am at with the nursery design process:

The bedding was the most difficult part...especially considering there are not a lot of cute baby boy bedding sets out there.   At least not that suit my specific taste {read: modern yet classic yet munchkin}  I managed to find a set that is both of these elements, and also colorful enough to stimulate Baby.  

I picture him dreaming sweet dreams while surrounded by these fabrics:

As for wall color, I want a color that was light, modern, and doesn't scream: "Nursery!" I figure the Boy will do enough screaming on his own.  Though probably not "nursery." Unless he is exceptionally verbose.

 I will be using a combo of these paint colors:

Oh, and let's not forget my {Craig's List beauty} of a crib.  I am in so in love with this crib I might marry it.  I am also secretly glad I found one I didn't have to repaint.  Here is a tiny glimpse of its sleigh-style loveliness:

Eat your heart out, Pottery Barn Kids...I paid only 100 bucks.

The next item on the nursery planning list: the changing table.  I am actually looking more for a large dresser that I can morph into a spacious changing table/baby clothing storage unit. 

My budget is $40...definitely don't think I will get out of re-painting this one.

Sweet decorating dreams to you!

G

calling all mamas!

I have zero experience with babies.

While I am {thrilled/delighted/enamored} by the one kicking around in my tummy...

{twenty lovely weeks}

...I don't really know what I need stocked in his nursery to make his first months of life comfy.  In fact, I am quite concerned Baby will pop out and his nursery will contain zero diapers, three million onesies, dozens of adorable hats!  I need to enlist the help of those that have gone before me.  You amazing women who have had at least one baby and are familiar with the real needs of a new mom and her adorable bambino.

Among my many questions:

  How does one choose a breast pump? I am completely baffled by breast pumps! This one looks complicated:

{source}

 Are sweet, adorable crib bumpers, like this one,  really evil baby killers in disguise????  

Will a Diaper Genie grant me three wishes?  

{source}

So before I go nuts armed with a registry gun, shooting needless amounts of kiddie couture, please, wise Mothers out there: 

help a sista out!

What are 3 Must-Haves on a baby registry?   

What makes "new mommy" life easier?  What do I just NOT need?

{Help!}

G