{feeling showered!}

This past week I was showered.

{read: spoiled} 

I had three amazing baby showers given by women who I am sure will be paramount in the life of my darling little paramour.

Okay, I know that baby showers are, in essence, for the baby.  However, I can't help but feel these sweet, pretty events are more for the mothers.   The mamas-to-be like me, who are feeling huge and so NOT pretty in the latter part of pregnancy.  The chance for us to put on a dress, maybe prepare with a pedicure, 

and be treated to a spread fit for a princess.
The food was heavenly... 

...the decorations were thoughtful and made each event special...

                        

 ...the gifts that will make Baby cleaner, cuter, and cuddlier...

{these adorable onesies were made my talented sister-in-law Jen, who blogs at with grace and lace}

...and the best part was just being around the people I love.

I am so thankful for all the ladies that made my showers some of the most special days of my pregnancy!

{also I'm feeling much more prepared!}

L O V E,

g

baby bump alert: dear baby

Dear Baby Boy, 

It's your mama.  By now you know my voice because I sing to you and talk to you whenever I get the chance {aka when people aren't around to think I am going bananas.}  I've also spent a great deal of time showing your "big brother" Colbie {uh, the dog} my tummy and saying the words "Baby" and "Gentle" over and over in the hopes he associates the two when you are finally out of my belly.

Usually he just looks at me with confusion;

 however, occasionally he will lick my tummy 
which is, perhaps, progress.  :o)

{I won't let him eat you. Promise.}

Anyway, your dad and I spend a lot of time wondering what you will be like when we finally meet you.  Mostly this wondering occurs during conversations we have in the middle of the night because I have gone to bed at 9pm and wake up at 3am because I am no longer tired.  Dad is awake because he has fallen asleep on the couch watching sports and has woken up at 3am because Colbie was licking him in the face.  {the dog likes to lick - prepare yourself!}


We have discussed everything it seems: your name, the possibility that you will have special needs, how we will discipline you when you get bigger, how we will play with you, what personality you might have, whether you will love literature or math {or both!}, and all the adventures that are in store for the three of us!  

Believe me when I tell you, we are over-the-moon for when you finally enter this world!

In other news...today I splurged and got a haircut.  The first in, well, my entire pregnancy.  Only a trim really...but I feel like a whole new mama!

{goodbye split ends}

I also got a pedicure, because I can no longer reach my feet, much less paint my toenails.  It was lovely!  Except when the guy doing the pedicure looked at my feet, looked at me, looked at my feet, looked again at me, and asked: "What happened here?"{Never a good sign when getting a pedicure.}  I guess my only point in telling you this, Baby, is to give you this advice:  Always make time to do the things that make you feel happy and healthy!  Oh, and pumice your little footsies when they get dry...

So here is where we are in our journey of pregnancy together:

Weeks along: 32

Pounds gained: 29

Times I wake up per night: 8-10

Your kicks occur: 10 in less than 10 minutes, consistently 

{way to go!}

Infant/Birth classes taken: 1 (8 hrs long, mind you)

Birth Plan: au naturale

                      

Yes, my belly has taken on a very uncomfortable, yet hilarious, misshapen form.  

Suffice to say, you do not "look" comfy in there.  
Be patient.
Keep kicking like a soccer star.

Only 8 more weeks, my little one...
Can't wait to meet you!


Love, 
Your Mama,
g

{tea time}

This morning, in the mood for spring, and feeling rather British after discovering all the lovely "tea" quotes {below} I made some strawberries and cream muffins, and, of course

drank some tea.

:o)

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.  

~Japanese Proverb

If you are cold, tea will warm you.  If you are too heated, it will cool you.  If you are depressed, it will cheer you.  If you are excited, it will calm you.  

~Gladstone, 1865

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.  
~Thich Nhat Hahn

Find yourself a cup of tea; the teapot is behind you.  Now tell me about hundreds of things.  

~Saki

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.  
~C.S. Lewis

Great love affairs start with Champagne and end with tea.  

~Honoré de Balzac

tea leaves

tea loves

loves tea

lives tea

leaves tea?

never.

~Uniek Swain

Did I mention my baby showers are all this month?

I am beyond excited!

One even has a "tea party" theme...

L o v e

and 

tea, 

g

PS: This post is featured over at Vanessa's lovely blog {nifty thrifty things}...check it out for sweet posts and fabulous ideas!

ode to mama

Dear Mama, 

I don't know how I could possibly thank you for all you have given me,

or how I can adequately express how you've shaped my life

and made me into someone

I could have never been 

with any other mama.

You and your silly rhymes, your special, fun language,  your dramatic stories {especially your re-counting of the sullied homecoming election, or anything else to do with "Charlie" or "Sheila" - those dirty birds!}, your facial expressions, and the hundreds of musicals we watched together throughout my childhood...over and over and over...

This all made me the dramatic, lover of the stage and all musicals {especially State Fair-1965 version!!!} expressive and goofy woman that I am today. 

Thank you for your drama, Mama!

Thank you for your beauty, grace, and fashion.  

You taught me to be girly, dress nicely for all occasions, 

and pose in photographs in a flattering way.

Thank you for teaching me you can look cute anywhere...even when camping...if you put in a little creative effort.

{Pinecone curler, anyone?}

{bwca, circa 1972}

  You taught me to love Jesus and family, in that order

and I have been blessed with a firm belief of Jesus as my Savior from sin

and a personal relationship with God that will allow me to live 

forever with you in heaven someday.

How awesome is that?   Thank you, Mama, for church every Sunday, Bible stories every night, and always holding me to the highest standard - God's.

{Circa 1987 - Don't my sister and I look excited to be dressed alike with matching hairstyles?}

Now your girls {and boys} have all grown up,

shaped in so many ways by you.

We are slowly all getting married

and becoming parents 

and creating families

ourselves...

{montana, 2010}

 Thank you for being a good Mother.  
It's what you always wanted to do, yet I know you sacrificed a lot to stay home and take care of four kids who I am sure tried your patience endlessly.  Especially me! {Which in the grand scheme wasn't really that bad.} 

:)

You always kept me safe.

You always hugged me and made me feel loved.

You taught me to love snuggling and being affectionate.

You let me be independent, creative, and introspective.

{chicago, 1981}

{Christmas - 2002}

So today, even though you are living far away in Prague,

know that I love you

and am thankful for you 

and cannot wait for you to meet your

newest grandson

to whom I hope I can be

even half the amazing mother

you are for me.

I know Dad got you these flowers -- I hope you look at them and know how much all four of your kids love you, even though we are all in different parts of the country right now {Montana, Kentucky, the Canadian border???, and good old Minnesota}

having many different adventures.

I love you, Mama!

Your daughter, 

Greta Robyn

"Goota-K"

"Gert the Squirt"

{silently singing in my head all the songs you made up that went with these nicknames}

:o)

Happy Mother's Day, bloggers!

g

favorite finds: anthro mugs

Can I just say:

I love your mug?

Yes, you, Anthropologie, 

beautiful store 

where pretty much all I can afford is 

your precious, lovely, initial-icious mugs:

{photos via anthropologie}

I'd like to have a tea party 

in a garden of succulents 

sipping from these mugs.
g

black bean and corn salsa

Is it May already?

Wow - time is flying!

The birth of Baby Boy looms ahead - only two months away!

{could not be more thrilled!}

Since it is May, it is time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Perhaps you are having a party?  Or maybe going out with friends to indulge in delicious Mexican food and, in my case, a "momarita?"  

If nothing else, make a delicious, fresh salsa and enjoy!

Here is one of hubby's and my faves: a simple, fresh black bean and corn salsa.  My sis gave me the recipe long ago -- thank you Sis!

What you'll need:


5-6 Roma tomatoes (or whatever kind you like)
1 small red onion
1 small white onion
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can sweet corn kernels
fresh cilantro (to taste)
lime juice (to taste)


Chop the onions, and combine them with the black beans and corn.  Add as much lime juice and cilantro as desired.  {I like a lot!} Add the tomatoes shortly before serving.  {Makes enough for a small crowd.}  

Serve chilled with a Corona or margarita!

g

gaga for gray! {more nursery inspirations}

I am in the throes of the nesting stage.  

Yesterday I got up at 4am {on a Saturday}and just had to clean!  Sure, it may have been my sleep schedule is way out of whack from working 3rd shift the past 27 days straight, but still...4am?


The nursery is my current obsession.  It is painted, the furniture purchased and fully assembled {I still need a chair!} and now I can begin accessorizing!


For inspiration I have been scouring the web.  I found a chic website called Project Nursery and was hooked:  gorgeous photo galleries of nurseries, darling baby showers and sweet ideas for baby's 1st birthday party!


I can reveal: the walls of Baby Boy's nursery are gray.  Who says gray has to be "neutral" and dull?  I found the perfect, powdery, pale shade and ran with it.  So...

Here are some of my favorite "gray" nurseries featured on the site:

V's Nursery:  the gray walls, the shabby-chic, eclectic decor...makes me want to have a girl {er, someday}

Aria's Nursery: the subtle pale gray and yellow color scheme is modern and gender-neutral...and check out the chalkboard toy basket - LURVE!  {learn make your own here}

Bright Gender-Neutral Nursery is fabulous: Bright and fun and oh so colorful...yet, gray!

Cameron's Nursery: I love the modern look of this one!  The tree/bird wall decal and elephant basket add fun elements without going overboard.

I could go on and on finding inspirations on Project Nursery.  In fact, I probably will! 

:)

Which is the one you love?

G