Diaper Cake # 25 million

I almost felt like a hypocrite making this cake today, but I had to remember other people's choices are not indicative of my own. And, since I received an 84 pack of Huggies as a shower gift, I was able to use them in this cake.

My sister is hosting a baby shower next weekend for her friend Jessica, who is due in July. The two of them ave been friends since Kindergarten, despite the fact that was the only year they were in school together and for most of their lives, they have lived about 2 hours apart. She lives on a farm, so the shower theme is based on that. And even though the outside looks pretty neat and clean, there are lots of goodies packed inside.

So what's in it?

1. 74 out of an 84 pack of Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers (retails for ~$20)
2. Target Up and Up Wipes ($1.99)
3. Desitin ($4.84)
4. Johnson and Johnson Apple Honey Baby Wash ($4.99)
5. Changing pad cover ($13.49)
6. Diaper Disposal bag dispenser ($3.59)
7. Adain and Anias Burpy Bib ($9.99)
8. Farm Bath Toys ($8.99)
9. Disposable Changing Pads ($5.84)
10. "Moo Moo, Baa Baa, La La La" by Sandra Boyton ($5.39)
11. Ribbon ($3.49)
12. Sunflowers ($2.00-Love Dollar Tree!)



Total spent: $64.60 (would be up to about $85 if I had had to purchase the diapers. I ended up not being able to fit the disposable changing pads in, so I I guess I'm just going to keep those for myself-they'll come in handy at some point. I guess that means I really only spent $58.76.

I used the fan method again, wrapping the diapers around my base (the baby wash and wipes). I needed a little more girth at the bottom, so I shoved the changing pad cover around the base and added in the diaper sac dispenser.

Once I got to the second tier, I wrapped the Burpy Bib around the Desitin and continued to wrap. By the third layer, it was just the Desitin, and the fourth layer was hollow in the middle.

As I was working on the cake, I used huge rubber bands to keep everything in place. Once all the layers were assembled, I used red ribbon to cover the rubber bands, hot gluing it into place. I finished off the cake by affixing the farm animals to the ribbon and adorning the rest of the. Ake with some sunflowers.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Week 33

How far along? 33 weeks

How big is baby? A Durian-bit over 4 lbs and around 17 inches. 

Total weight gain/loss: I think I was up...6lbs from 2 weeks ago when I was at the dr on Thursday. Once again, more than I would like. 

Maternity clothes? Some, still not full time. 

Sleep: Sucktastic. This has not been a good week. I came down with a stomach bug on Sunday evening-had to take off from work Monday and Tuesday. Surprisingly, I slept well Sunday and Monday nights, just felt like crap anyway. The rest of the week consisted of me waking up between 2 and 3AM, starving but not able to get back to sleep. 

Best moment this week: My baby shower was fantastic on Sunday. This has also been a big week of shopping for Nick, Jr. Thursday afternoon I returned a few things for my shower and used some coupons to pick up some essentials for the hospital bag and breast feeding. Saturday, mom and I took my niece over to The Great Diaper Change at Diaper Junction in Va Beach. We finiished off my newborn stash (well, thought we had-I got two thirsties fab fitteds in Size 2 instead of 1), picked up some still missing essentials from Babies R Us, and essentially completed my Amazon registry. I still have a work shower coming up, but we finished out most of what 1) I doubt people will buy, and 2) what we need if baby came home tomorrow. 

Movement: Monday, when stomach was cramped up and knotted in balls, he thought it was a soccer ball. 

Food Cravings: Soup. 

Food Aversions: Just about everything else-more from being sick. 

Gender: Boy. 

Labor Signs: None. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: My back is killing me today. I'm doing a lot if nesting on paper, but I not have the energy or motivation to actually clean. 

Belly Button in or out? In. Nick was laughing at it the other night, though. I was not impressed. 

What I miss: Being able to bend forward without issue. People to feeling the need to openly comment on my size. 

What I am looking forward to: Getting through the next two and a half weeks. 3 performances at school. *sigh*

Upcoming appointments/events: May 2, routine tummy check. 

Milestones: Nursery is done! Still waiting on my dad to build some bookshelves, but otherwise it is done! I've been working on my hospital bag, and baby's hospital bag, too. 

For the love of Etsy

I wish I was crafty. Sometimes, I am...a little, but I know my limits. I love that when I use Etsy. I'm giving someone who has more talent than I do an opportunity to exercise their love. Plus, I get really cool, homemade items. It's a win-win situation. Needless to say, this baby has all sorts of Etsy going on in his life already.

It all started with my idea for the nursery. I loved the idea of keeping with my bright colors in the nursery, but was at a loss for wall art. I knew I wanted to do something with our pets, but I was unsure how to go about it. I found this idea on Pinterest, which was awesome, but I was afraid my DIY attempt would end up miserable. Then I found Jessica at ChickadeeDigital on Etsy. I sent her three pictures of our pets, and within 3 days, she sent me back these three awesome digital prints. I love how they look in the nursery.

When I decided to use trash cans for both the diaper pail and laundry hamper, I wanted to make sure I had a way to distinguish between the two. I found an awesome vinyl decal from Delightdesigns, and she was able to design a coordinating one for dirty laundry. She truly was helpful and her work came out beautifully.

The diaper bag is something I was not looking forward to finding. I had thought I'd go with something from Vera Bradley, which I do still like, but I was looking for more. Over the summer, I discovered my love for grey chevron, but most of the bags I found did not have a zipper-a must for me. This bag by ACAmour is perfect-roomy, lots of pockets, both inside and out, a long enough strap to be worn as a messenger bag, and, of course, there's my beloved zipper. I cannot wait to get it packed and ready for Nick Jr's arrival.

The baby book was another item I just couldn't really find a "traditional" item I liked. I picked one out that was OK, but not what I truly wanted. I had been drooling over one from Ruby Love Baby, but, truth be told, it was a little more expensive than I thought anyone would spend. My grandmother wanted to get me something I really wanted and would stand the test of time. She, with the help of my mom, ordered me this baby book. And even though it was twice as much as any other book I had considered, it is well worth the price. I even ordered 2 additional shower pages and an envelope, which coordinates perfectly and came super quickly.

The last baby related items I purchased via Etsy (let's be honest-thus far) were not actually for Nick Jr, but actually for my mom and sister. While I'm not overtly emotional or sentimental, I did want to get something for them. Korena Loves made these bracelets for me-I love the inscriptions on the inside ("The best sisters are promoted to aunts." and "God couldn't be everywhere, so he created grandmothers."), but I also love that the sentiment is not in your face. They came out beautifully, with efficient shipping.

And there is one more Etsy shop I know Nick Jr will have something from, but he has to be born-and have a name-first. My friend Rachel runs Rachel's Fiber Arts, and in the past, I've asked her to wall hangings for both my niece's and nephew's rooms. She is already excited to make a name sculpture for Nick Jr (her most recent project), and I can't wait to ask her to make some sort of wall hanging, too.

Baby Shower #2!

My sister, mom, aunt and cousin-in-law all hosted me a beautiful baby shower over the weekend. My mom, inspired partially by the bright colors in the nursery and partially by the fact my husband put animal crackers on the registry, suggested a cute vintage circus theme.

 When it came to the shower, I had two requests: that the cake come from the same person who did our wedding cake and 2) nothing was too cartoony. They did an excellent job, and I am had such a beautiful time.

The food-meatballs, cheeseball, fruit and veggie platters, crabmeat dip, punch.

Cake Close Up

Peanuts and Circus Animals

Yellow roses are my favorite...

Super Plush Toys for baby

The gifts were out of control...I sat in the chair to the left of the gifts, and ended up looking like a Christmas tree with all sorts of gifts around my feet.

I love the books mom used.

Notice David in the middle of everything...that was pretty typical.

Not the most attractive face I've ever made...

These were all the items used as decorations.

Clothes-We received clothes anywhere from size 0-3 month on up to 12 month.

Stroller Accessories, Feeding Accessories, Photo Albums, Bath Accessories, and our wifi security camera/baby monitor.

Cloth Diapers! I was lucky that people were very kind and generous with this in particular-and a lot of people had some awesome questions. I may have convinced at least one person to start thinking about cloth for her next baby.

Toys, Books, Nursery accessories...I love the framed artwork my mother in law made!

Our baby book-a special gift from my grandmother

Week 32

How far along? 32 weeks. 

How big is baby? A squash or large jicama-2.5 to 3.8 pounds and measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm sorry, in my half awake stupor this morning, I forgot to hop on the scales. 

Maternity clothes? Giving in and wearing them more. 

Sleep: Finicky. Last night was bad, but not for reasons I expected. My niece, who will be 2 in May, and my 3 1/2 year old nephewstayedvith us last night. I was afraid they wouldn't sleep, but they did! I was up at 12:45, hungry and had to pee. I started dozing again around2:45 or so, but then was up again at 6AM. So was David. He insisted on crawling into bed with me. After about 30 minutes of that discomfort, we came downstairs to lot on the couch and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, hoping he might fall back to sleep. 

Best moment this week: The lovely baby shower hosted for me me last Sunday. It was truly amazing. 

Movement: Yup-Wednesday night my stomach looked like an earthquake. 

Food Cravings: Nothing really this week. 

Food Aversions: Bananas. 

Gender: Boy. 

Labor Signs: None. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: emotions! I feel like I am aging a breakdown per week. It was Thrsday this week-I was so frustrated with trying to get stuff done at the house and waiting around for other people to come help. (Sounds like a broken record, right?) It didn't help that I was horribly sore through my hips and crotch, especially my crotch. I came home Thursday night from a school event and sat with an ice pack between my legs. I'm not sure how much was pregnancy related and how much was dance related. 

Belly Button in or out? In. 

What I miss: Sleep. 

What I am looking forward to: Second baby shower today! I feel better than I did for the shower last week, I just wish I could get a nap in before I go. I also am taking off from school on Friday, partially for my Dr appointment, but also to take time to get things organized and put away in the nursery. I'm also hoping Mr Plumber and Mr Drywall will be here on Friday to get those jobs finished. Unfortu aptly, it looks unlikely right now. 

Upcoming appointments/events: Friday is a basic tummy check-nothing too exciting. 

Milestones: Nothing too exciting this week. 

Baby Shower!

For 19 years now, I have been lucky enough to be affiliated with a youth ballet company, first as a dancer and now as a choreographer and teacher (and occasional performer). The friends I made while dancing there have remained my closest and dearest friends. When my mentor, Debbie, and friend, Rachel, offered a shower with my dancer friends, I was so excited. They did an absolutely awesome job putting everything together. I'm so honored and blessed by both the shower and generous gifts everyone brought.

The only game allowed-Name That Baby. I am pleased to say that my baby picture stumped people the most!

Yummy food!

Individual Tables-complete with Cloth Diaper Centerpieces

Generous Gifts

 

 

 

Coffee Punch, Wine Punch and Cheesecake

I have a lot of things to find homes for this week...

Week 31

How far along? 31 weeks

How big is baby? A pineapple-15.2-16.5 inches, 2.5-3.8 pounds

Total weight gain/loss:  At my Dr appointment this week I was only up 1 pound from 2 weeks ago. That made me feel better. 

Maternity clothes? Yes. I ordered a pair of maternity jeans for a whopping $12 from Target last Sunday and they came in Friday. They are more comfortable, but slide down some. Oh well, they're worth what I spent. 

Sleep: sucked at the beginning of the week, but it seems like it's gotten better. Still waking up super early. 

Best moment this week: Getting my house cleaned! I did not get all my Spring Break plans accomplished this week, but that was a huge one. I was planning on taking off on Friday April 19 for a pamper me day, but it looks like that is going to be a day of getting work done on the house. Hopefully the drywall will be mudded and the tub leak in the bathroom will be fixed that day. 

Movement: Very active. My belly bounces around all the time. As we drove home from the in-laws Tuesday, Nick, Jr cuddled right up to my bladder and squeezed the whooooooole ride home. 

Food Cravings: I've been thinking a lot about donuts. Finally got one today-chocolate peanut butter. It was awesome. 

Food Aversions: Just bananas. 

Gender: Boy. 

Labor Signs: I had some crazy Braxton Hicks contractions Monday when we spent all day walking around Ikea and Potomac Mills. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: My face is breaking out again. Otherwise, my belly is just getting bigger and bigger. 

Belly Button in or out? In. I'm waiting for the time I have to change this answer. 

What I miss: Breathing. In my cleaning fit this week, I stirred up lots of dust and ickiness. Put that with Nick cutting the grass and the pollen in the air-I'm a mess. And so are my clothes. I can't count how many times I've had a sneeze that expelled something causing me to need to change both my shirt and my pants. It's nasty. 

What I am looking forward to: Baby showers! First baby shower is this afternoon, second is next Sunday. 

Upcoming appointments/events: Next appointment is April 19. Just a routine tummy check. This will be the first appointment Nick has not been able to join me for. I was planning on taking off that day from school to take care of some baby stuff, but now I think it will be reserved for people who need to work on the house (i.e. finishing dry wall and fixing a plumbing issue). 

Milestones: Holy crap balls, we're down to single digits. 9 weeks. Wow.