Because He Lives

It's been almost 8 months since I've posted anything and it's to my own shame. I Know I should've been keeping up with this better so I could write and remember all the cherished memories we've created with our little boy. He was born 5 days after my last post, which was a week early and I am planning on going back and catching up posts with pictures, stories, laughter, tears and everything else I can muster up a memory of. 

As for today, my heart is filled with Joy and Gratitude for the opportunity I've had to listen to The Saturday  sessions of General conference in my home with my

Family. The words of the Apostles and Prophet of the church are so inspiring and uplifting, it makes me sad I didn't pay more attention to them when I was younger. 

Dace woke up early, and after Justin and I went to bed late (he's hooked on watching Hawaii five-O on Netflix after Dace goes to bed) I didn't get much sleep. I was planning on getting a good nights rest so I didn't feel tired through the conference and could soak up more of the words from the always incredible talks. That didn't work, but I still enjoyed all of them anyway. 

We had my parents over for a 9am breakfast. (French bread French toast with cream cheese filling topped with Balsamic Vinegar berries - sounds crazy but it's OOOH SO GOOD. Along with hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, and pineapple) I've become a little food obsessed lately and I love that my parents are always such good sports and are willing to come eat with us and always try my latest concoctions. 

After breakfast we nestled in and I got out my Church Journal to take notes. 

I had mixed up some roasted salted peanuts, and cashews with some robins eggs and m&m's for some home made trail mix to munch on and keep me awake. It was helpful :)

... Well for me anyways. 

After conference, we went out to the back yard to work on finishing the garden fence. 

This is THE vision. 

I'll post pictures when we are finished but so far it's going OKAY. 

Honestly I was a little disheartened with our progress. In spite of good planning and spending a lot of time and money and thought on this project, it just isn't turning out like we wanted. I still have hope that we can make it beautiful, I have not lost faith, but as we learned in conference today- sometimes we just need to keep trying. 

After my frustrations took over the situation and Dace started to get tired and Fussy, my dear sweet hubby got him in the car seat and told me to get in the car, we were going for a ride. He stopped and got me a Dr. Pepper- my rebellion and therapy of choice and he took me to Lowes. 

This may sound crazy to some of you, but that's why I love him Even more. He just gets me. We can walk around lowes forever and daydream and plan and come up with crazy ideas and it takes the stress off. He knows how to calm me down and bring me back to reality where I can see things as they are instead if the disaster I might feel like they are. 

However- a recap of our day, hour by hour was not why I decided to download the Blogger app (who knew right!?!- so awesome). I have felt, through more frequent scripture study, prayer and Family home evenings in the last few months a closer bond with my Heavenly Father and a greater appreciation for the many different events, principles and ordinances of the Gospel. My heart was Heavy On Friday as we commemorated the Atonement  of our Savior for the sins of the world, and as tomorrow-the third day draws nearer- I anticipate the hope that he guaranteed to all mankind that Day as he rose from the dead. 

I try often- with joy and humility to understand the eternal love our Brother and Redeemer had for us. His spirit brothers and sisters. To endure all the griefs and pains and temptations and sorrows of this world that we might one day be able to look to him for a remission of our sins, and have him be our advocate before the Father on the great Day of Judgement. 

It humbles

And I  me to my core to know what he has done for me. It pains me to know what grief he had to bear on my behalf. I can not express how grateful and amazed I am by this- the most charitable act In the history of the world. 

I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of this gospel, and I am grateful for the Easter season, and how it slows me to reflect more fully upon the life and death and resurrection of our Savior. 

In my relief society lesson that i taught a couple weeks ago,this was a quote that has stuck with me and keeps coming to my mind... And oh how it is true...

There are no two words which bring greater joy than these that "he lives"...

The Easter Egg signifies new life, which is what the Resurrection gives us the opportunity to enjoy. 

This was Dace's first Easter Egg roll on the Pratt Farm on Friday with his cousins.

Of course he wanted to lick the eggs instead of roll them, but it all works right?  

Enjoy!! 

It is my prayer that you and your families stop to reflect on the Savior tomorrow as we celebrate his triumph from the tomb, so you can experience the peace and joy of his love for us in your lives and homes. 

It is what I seek after and find in commemoration of his love and sacrifice for us. 

Happy Easter

All about his "Crib"

 

 

Have you ever actually felt the truth to the saying "There's No Place Like Home."

I have experienced gratitude associated with this idea many many times. Aside from my love for decorating, colors and home, my new love for our son inspired me to try and create a comfortable yet boy-ish haven in little man's nursery.

 

My house clearly represents my love for Gray's and Whites and this theme automatically continued on into the Nursery. Although I love Gray...as in L.O.V.E... I am very aware of what a cool and somewhat 'lifeless' color it is. So Our first 'dilemma' with the room began. What colors were we going to acccent with in order to bring some life to the party.

 

I selected a dark wood Crib and Changing table/dresser to match the hardwood floors in our house, and felt that the natural grain of the wood would help liven up the place. With that small addition, and once we found out we were having a boy, my husband and I quickly decided that Orange would be a perfect color to accorize with to help contribute to the 'brightness factor'.

 

With our colors decided, I began shopping for "the big stuff," and with my husband's annoyance support, sifted through the many reviews, price points and pro/con lists of nursery furniture.

We settled on This Crib and This matching Dresser Set.

Aside from the color, we had the goal to select furniture that was Gender Neutral- at this point we were not aware that we were having a baby boy.

 

After we tackled the Crib and Dresser, we moved on to the next Biggest item...because what Nursery would be complete without a rocking chair???

 

I had a few ideas of what I was looking for and that included:

 Leather- I wanted to make sure if we had any accidents or spills in the chair, it would be easy to clean, wouldn't stain and wouldn't become sour smelling.

Well Padded- I have always pictured spending a good amount of time holding sleeping, sick or fussy babies and rocking them for comfort. Although the comfort for them is easier to accomplish, I wanted to make sure I could survive those long beautiful moments as well so good support was a must have.

It took My husband a while to understand that When I said "Rocking Chair" I wasn't referring to one of these:

He just didn't understand why I was being so picky or why I didn't just buy one of these and move on with it.

This sweet man gets to deal with so many "specifics" with me that I'm sure it hurts sometimes. Although, to my everlasting gratitude...he humored me and walked through several furniture stores and browsed online with me until we found THE Chair.

The Gray Leather Overstuffed Rocker Recliner from Ashley Furniture.

 

We were on a quick getaway trip to St. George when I bribed  asked him to walk through the Ashley Furniture store with me. We don't have one in Vernal, but our local furniture store can order in Ashley Furniture, so I thought it was perfect that we could walk through and test them out and have the one we wanted ordered in, and it worked like a charm...

 

 

 

The hunt for the Littler Details begain after that and included What kind of "wall piece" we would have for the room. Every room needs a focal point, and for me that was obviously above the crib.

I've never been crazy about the looks or funcationality of Mobiles, so I decided to opt for a more decorative yet meaningful piece to go above the crib.

(Side note- I was nervous to put anything at all above the crib, for the fear that it would fall and hurt the baby...So with the help of my very handy husband and about 12 sheetrock screws, we make SURE that this piece was secure.)

 

My husaband is an avid hunter and sportsman so I knew we would be balancing this centerpiece between Hunting and Baseball.

I've always loved the distressed rustic look of aged Antlers.

(Right now- I can hear my husband in the back of my head saying "They're Horns...Not Antlers")

Anyway... Since I didn't think that mounting a single or even a set of old shed horns would achieve quite the look I was going for, and the Euro Mount look isn't my thing... (Skulls gross me out)

I was happy when I found This Guy

 

 

The Faux Deer Head in White Resin

 

Thank Heaven for Etsy!!

 

I was also pleased to find an old Barnwood Shutter at our local Flea Market which we mounted Mr.Deer Head to and hung over the crib for the perfect eye catching, yet boyish (and not morbid) Centerpiece.

 

Next up was Bedding.

After hearing and reading about how dangerous Crib Bumpers can be and what a role they play in contributing to the Death of Infants via SIDS, we decided to go simple and just do a Crib Skirt and Crib Sheet.

After being inspired by the baby blanket in this (adorable) picture I found on Pinterest, I knew that I wanted to use Plus Signs as a patterned piece for his room.

 

 

Let me just tell you...finding anything similar to this at the time I was looking was incredibly difficult. After much searching, I finally found a webiste where you could design your own custom patterns  and have it printed on different types of Fabric, so that's what I did and how I ended up with this Beauty.

 

 

While I was there, I also got to browse through the patterns that others had designed and I fell in love with a bunch of others which made me rethink my whole design, yet settle back to where I had started with This Fabric as well.

 

 

I have always been kind of a wuss when it came to using patterns or bold colors, so I felt pretty proud annoyed with myself to have chosen TWO patterned fabrics to try and coordinate into his room.

 

After ordering the patterned pieces from Spoonflower , I was on the hunt for the "Stunner" pieces in Solid Orange or with Simple Orange patterns. I found some at Joanns and so began the Cutting/Piecing/Hemming/Sewing and Quilting.

 

 

 

 



I aboslutely love how it all turned out.

 

I must mention, however, that since I went on such a hunt to find the Plus Sign fabric, that it seems to be surfacing all over the place.

I must be a trend setter :)

And Just this morning, I ordered This Adorable Organic Plus Sign Swaddle Blanket from the shop on Project Nursery's website.

 

So if any of you are looking for something similar-- start there, and you will have a much easier time finding all your must-have's

 

 

 

 

The finishing touches for the room include:

 

 

The TEJN Faux Sheepskin Rug from IKEA

The Custom String Art I had made by a Friend and some Burlap Storage Baskets to be used for Diapers and Books from Lowes.
Similar Ones found Here

I also made him his very own Measuring Growth Chart to hang on the wall and chart his progress without having to draw on my walls/doorpost etc.

 

And last but not least, a Handmade Bamboo Chair that My Husband's dad had made and brought home from Bangladesh several years ago when he worked there.

 

 

And now, We are anxiously counting down the final 12 (ish) days until we can meet this beautiful little boy and bring him home to experience life with us. I hope he can grow and learn to enjoy this space and always have the warmth and love he deserves to have in his very own Home.

38 Weeks

//38 Weeks//

How far along: 38
 

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: 26 lbs- I've actually lost weight the last two weeks ;/ Such a weird feeling!

Maternity clothes: Leggings are as close to a best friend in the clothing department that I have right now.
Honestly, I'm starting to get excited to buy NORMAL clothes again. The weather is starting to turn chill and I'm so excited for fall! Leggings, boots and long tops are definitely on my list. I also think that I'm going to go out and buy some new clothes after this baby is born. Everything about my clothes/body is starting to feel worn out and drab, so hopefully losing some baby weight and a couple new outfits will help me feel cute again!

Stretch marks: I have two little marks that I'm still fighting with. Not Happy about. And I don't want to talk about it anymore, lol.

Belly button in or out: Out is the only way to go apparently.

Sleep: Sleep is a toss up. Good one night. Horrible the next. I've been having paranoia about something going wrong with the baby this close to the end, so I wake up in a panic almost nightly and wait til I can feel him move so I know he's okay.
I guess the life of a worrying Mother now beings...
dun dun dun

Best moment this week: This past weekend was Justin's family reunion on the Mountain. We went Camping and on Saturday there was a 3-D Archery shoot in the forest right next to our campground, so we gathered up a few people and their bow's and went and walked the course while they shot at the foam animals. It was a good 4-5 mile Hike through the rocks/hills/trees/brush and I went along for the journey. It was kind of hot and really rugged terrain, but I was proud to be able to keep up with the rest of them and be their score keeper.
It may not be that big of an achievement, but at 38 weeks pregnant and almost 30 lbs. over my usual weight, and my slightly delusional/sleep deprived/hormonal mental status, it seemed like a pretty decent accomplishment.

Miss anything: Strangely enough...I miss him. I love this little boy and feel like I already know him. My faith would validate that idea in the thought that I knew him before we all came to earth so it would make sense that I can "feel" him and a sense of familiarity surrounds him. It's a sweet and calm and strange feeling, but I'm so excited to be able to meet him for the first time in this life and to watch him learn and grow.

Movement: Like I mentioned above, I've been paranoid about him slowing down or something going wrong so I have some added worry in the movement department. He still moves well and often...but as he's gotten bigger, I've noticed that his movements are less "spastic." I'm sure he's just growing and running out of room, but I've tried to keep careful track.
I couldn't imagine coming this far and losing him.

Cravings: Dreamcicle Ice cream bars...

Queasy or sick: This last weekend I had some strange lower abdominal pains...I was confused thinking that they weren't what I pictured a contraction feeling like...Once those were over, I've felt great. Just tired. That's kind of the story of my days lately...as I'm sure it will be for a long time still also. However, In the near future, I hope to have an adorable little boy to cuddle as my reward for our sleepless nights.

I barely fit through the bathroom door in the camper... #gettinghuge

Long walk with my Babe and my Babay

Lazy Sunday's are a Requirement now a days...

 

Maternity Pictures 34 Weeks

* This is my Disclaimer*

These pictures are somewhat "Skin Bearing" I am in no way the 'model pregnant woman' so if you aren't comfortable with some skin, or with some otherwise 'largeness'- You should not view this post.

 

On the Other hand. I am so blessed and grateful to have such amazing and patient photographers in my family. Alison has been so wonderful to 'try' things with me to get photos to capture these beautiful moments in time.

I'm so grateful to be able to look back and remember the joyful and strange and happy and frustrating set of mixed emotions that comes with being pregnant for the first time and trying to learn to love what your body is going through. It is the most worthy cause I can imagine to be hormonal, overweight, tired, sick or any of the other less desirable traits that go with pregnancy.

However. I do sincerely love and appreciate that I have the opportuinty to be in this situation. It is difficult for me to imagine the lives and struggles of women who struggle with pregnancy, infertility, miscarriages and the like. My heart truly breaks for them and would not think for a second to complain about my circumstances of discomfort or weight gain- especially considering that they would give about anything to be able to be in this situation.

 

I love this little boy more than words can say. I feel like I already know him and that he's just on a long journey and in 13 short days (considering his "flight" isn't delayed) He gets to come home to his daddy and me. It makes my heart so full.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Maternity Pic's...Teasers

We had Maternity Pictures done by my Aunt Alison two weeks ago and she's leaked out a few of the photo's that she's had time to edit.

She's so incredibly talented and I can't wait to see the rest of them!!