My Bedroom, Finally!

Our bedroom has been mainly done for a little while now, but there are still a few final touches needed. I have been waiting to get it all done before I posted, but it's just not going to happen any time soon. So...here it is! I am really happy with how it turned out. I can always add the final touches later.

My favorite part is the jewelery holder I made. Isn't it awesome? I just love my whole wall collage part above my dresser with some of my favorite pictures and poems Erik has written for me and that mirror on the dresser was my great grandma's. It's just my own pretty space of things. It's the first thing I see in the morning.

I just love the serene colors and how calm and happy I feel in this room. I love all the light that comes in! It was well worth the hard work of making curtains, painting the walls, and then re painting it when we picked the wrong colors, fixing up the dresser, making the monogram vinyl things above the bed, re-painting the nightstand, hanging everything, etc.

So there it is, tell me what you think! And check out my other posts below...I just got to anxious to stagger them! ;)

Treasure Hunting

This weekend was all about gathering some gear for Lucy. So where are the best places to hit up when you are poor dental students? Craigslist and Yard Sales!!!! Yeah, Baby!!! Let me just say..I'm hooked! Yard Saling (yes I just made that a verb) particularly was SOO fun! I went with some girlfriends and I may be in trouble, because I am addicted! Both yard saling and craigslisting is so rewarding. It's so fun to hunt down your items, bargain your price, and bring home your new treasures (to be sterilized). So here is what I got!

Some hot jams for Lucy to rock out to. $1.00

A c-d player to play them in = .50 cents (and yes, it works!)
A glider for Mommy to rock out = $75.00 This was quite the steal! I worked so hard for this one! And it was kind of a mess when we got it, nothing a little oxy clean and a good vacuuming couldn't fix! I HAD to have microfiber and an ottoman!! I'm in love!!!
A lovely changing table and she even threw in that cute basket = $30.00 It has a few knicks, but i love the shape of it and the shelves.
Baby Monitor= $20.00 I should have worked them down even less...one receiver doesn't even work...rip off! Hey, you live, you learn right?
Baby's feeding unit= $15.00 Probably my best steal yet! (sorry Sara)
The chair that will save my life (or so I've been told) = $9.85. (that's right I drive a hard deal...no really they just didn't have change for a $20, they were asking 10 and that's all I could scrounge up!)
Another lifesaver and one of my favorites= $50.00 and this thing looks like it was never even used!

Grand total to deck out your baby in style: $201.35

I feel like I should say something here like...PRICELESS! But really, that's forking out a bit of dough, I mean, still good deals but you know...anywho, hopefully they will all be worth it!

Our stroller came in the mail yesterday, ahhh I LOVE IT! (we did buy that new) And we have the car seat (thanks to a generous shower gift!) and her room is mainly squared away. I think we would be able to manage if she came any day now! And that's a great feeling...maybe even...priceless. hehe.

37 weeks

And still happy as a clam!! I am very surprised at how great I feel at this point. I could do this for another month! Besides being very sick of my maternity clothes, I have very little to no complaints! I swear this shirt make me look bigger than I am-but maybe I am just in denial. Sorry I always have to post 2 pics, one holding the belly one not- I can't decide which shows it better...and which is more flattering, OH- who am I kidding?flattering days are over.

We toured the hospital yesterday and it got both Erik and I sooooo excited! I almost cried at the nursery! We both cannot wait to meet our little girl! (but we would like her to wait to make her debut until after Erik's last final on May 11th!)

as promised....

TA DA!!!! First I have to apologize for the lighting, the lighting is crazy weird in her room. Basically we only have one wall done. And I plan to recover that lamp shade, so don't worry. I wanted more to be done in here before she was born but I think this will be all we do for now. I will wait to hang things on the walls, do more shelves and do curtains later. I am really happy with this main wall though. I LOVED how it turned out. nice and simple. Thanks to my neighbor Jenna who hand painted the tree! She is so talented!

So I guess bribery goes a long way with you guys! haha. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who commented on my last post and emailed me etc. All your answers really helped a lot! I can't believe how many of you took the time to reply to all my questions. It makes me feel so loved! And, I feel sooo much better prepared. I took all the "data" and put it into a word document. I pretty much am an expert now on baby products. It was so much more helpful than even I thought it would be. So with that being said, if there are any expecting mothers out there, or anyone who wants my document, let me know and I will send it to you. Thanks again ladies!!!

One other thing to note...I went to the doctor today (week 37) and I am dilated to a 1!!! YAY!! I am slightly ephased (sp?) and she said her head has slightly dropped. Wahhoo!! All good signs. I mean don't get me wrong I would like her to stay in there for another 3 weeks, but progress is always a good sign. I will take another belly pic soon! ta ta!

Calling all Mommies!

Be sure to check out my maternity photo's in the post below! :)

S.O.S!!!! I have questions and I am here to ask the experts for your advice. So it's getting to be crunch time and I finally have to break down and buy some essential items. Here is where you come in. I need opinions/reviews/advice on what's worth having in those first few months and what's not. Also brands that you recommend etc. Spill your secrets Ladies!

So here are some of my specific inquiries, but if you have anything else to add please do! (long comments are welcomed)

1. Diaper pail- needed or not? Brand? Would you buy used?

2. Swing- needed? Small one to put up on counter or large one? Side-side motion a must? used?

3. Rocking chair...is it essential?

4. Bobby-pretty sure it's essential- would you buy used?

5. Baby chair that vibrates (bouncer). Seems really nice- but do I need it and a swing? used?

6. What is your favorite brand of wipes? Cheapest? And wipe warmer-really, seems crazy!

7. Favorite brand of diapers for newborn. cheapest? How many would you say you go through in a month?

8. Bottles....those baggie ones? Avent look good? I dunno?!

9. Binks? Latex vs. Silicone nipples and just best brand?

10. Thermometer- best kind taken at which location?

11. how many crib/bassinet sheets do I really need? What about mattress pad? "saver" pads for crib? What do I need?

12. Nursing pads- disposable or reusable?

13. Are you a nursing bra gal or just go without it? Types of Bras?

14. Monitor- necessary in a small 2 level town home style apartment?

15. Bathtub- the whole big plastic thing or just like a foam type cushion. Where do you find you bathe them normally? Sink or tub?

16. socks on the hands to prevent scratching works just fine right? no little gloves necessary

17. Best bum cream? Desitin? Do I also need baby powder?

18. Best stuff to get stains out of there clothes?

19. What's your favorite kind of baby lotion? (not too pricey please)

20. Favorite baby wash? Most shampoo's are also body washes right? (")

21. What's your take on bumpers? I love mine, what is the SIDS worry?

22. Mobile- or other music thing- what does your baby like?

23. How soon do I have to start clipping there nails?

24. Do i need rubbing alcohol for the umbilical cord or will the hospital give me some? Is that still done?

25. What are some things you found helpful to have for yourself at the hospital. What should I pack, besides the basics? Did you live in the gown...or did you bring your own clothes..and what would you wear?

26. What do I pack for baby? I have heard they have diapers there for her, bottles, binkies? what do they give you to use while you are there and what do you need to bring yourself.

WOW!!! That's a lot! I think everything else I either have or know what I want. If you would like to, you can email me at foxfrenzy@gmail.com if are feeling up to really helping me out and writing a novel! Either way...THANK YOU SO MUCH! I appreciate all and any feedback. As a reward for your help I promise to post pictures of Lucy's completed bedroom before Friday! Yay! haha.

Maternity Shots

http://daniellehonephotography.squarespace.com/

My fabulously talented friend Danielle was kind enough to take some belly shots of me (and I made Erik jump in for a few) while we were at the beach. I really like the way they turned out. There are some really good ones.

Feel free to go check them out at her photography blog above. Once I get a c-d I may post more of my favorites!

Keep in mind this was like my 32 week belly...i have grown since! ;)

I can't wait for Lucy's arrival and for Dani to take pictures of my little girl! (squeal!!!)

Girls Day Trip

The county's recreation department was offering a trip to the historical mansions of Montpelier, home to James Madison and, Monticello Thomas Jefferson's lovely estate. A bunch of us girls heard about it and decided it would be the perfect little day trip. Well- let me be honest I wasn't super excited about it, which wasn't a huge secret because well, what is ever a secret with me? But I went (barely) because I really love these girls and didn't want to miss out. And let me tell you, I was so glad, even being 35 weeks pregnant and looking fat in all these pictures was worth it! I had a lot of fun hanging with some great girls and the day really made me fall in love with early american history again.(oh how I've missed you!) But Shhh! Don't tell my parents who relentlessly took us to ALL the sites on the east coast-For the record- I DID "hate" every minute of it and I am still very ungrateful about it! ;) ;) So we loaded up on the bus nice and early and had our first stop at Montpelier. The location was beautiful! The house was gorgeous! And I learned a lot about one of the most under appreciated founding fathers of our country. I will say though, that I would maybe wait a few more years before visiting this house since they are still working on getting it furnished. It's just a lot of pretty much empty rooms. (they just finished actually re-building it a few years ago)
For lunch we ate at the famous Michie Tavern in Charlottsville. It was such a cute house and I think this picture tells you all you need to know about that home cookin! yumm yumm!
And it was a buffet...I am ashamed at how much I ate!
Emily and Christen-chowing down. Might I add that it was slightly embarrassing that our little group of girls were always the LAST ones on the bus. haha. I felt so bad. We were always holding them up, I don't think they liked us very much!
Me, Marci, Emily, Brittany, and Christen. (thanks Lissa for taking the picture!) This was at Monticello.
The beautiful Monticello. This trip made me realize what an amazingly well rounded, genius of a man ole TJ was. He was amazing. I came away wanting to increase my passion for learning. I love that he dabbled in a bit of everything! That's what I want to do, just read about, learn, and practice anything I am interested in. And for starters I want to design my home like Jefferson's. Gosh it is gorgeous!
All us girls in the back of it. 20 bucks if you can spot me!?! Golllly! Please remind me next time I think it's cute to do a pose like that at 35 weeks pregnant-that it is most definitely not! Sheesh!
The tulips were gorgeous!! There were thousands of them! A nice man took this picture for us, I asked him to please zoom in close, and to get the tulips...he then asked nervously (i think feeling a little pressure from my specific instructions) "Should I kneel down to take it?" haha. That wont' be necessary-but thanks for asking! I know I am so demanding, I need to tone that down, particularly towards total strangers!
And of course we spent plenty of time goofing off in the gift shop like middle school girls! (Emily was so embarrassed!) And I actually pooped out on a lot of the fun because my feet were killing me at this point. So i was just hanging out in this comfy chair! :) But, all in all (don't you love that phrase-hehe, so lame) it was a fantastic day! I loved riding through the countryside seeing the beauty of spring, chatting with the girls, and learning about some great founding fathers. I love america! haha. (but I really do)

Photo's courtesy of Brittany! Thanks girl!

A Socks Tick

When Erik comes home he takes off his shoes and within the next hour or so you will notice that his socks begin to creep gradually off his ankles towards his toes. He will walk around like that for the rest of the evening. With his socks halfway off his feet. When asked about this strange sensation he says that his feet/ankles are too hot to stay in the socks but his toes get too cold if he takes them completely off. His older Brother actually does the same thing, it is so strange! I would hate my socks dangling off my the end of my feet like that! So annoying! I should cut off some of his socks and just make him some toe warmers...ahh let's be honest he would never go actually change into those...it's much easier just to scoot your socks halfway off! Silly boy!

Hip Hip Hooray for the Monument10k!!!

(haha-i know you all love that adorably cute title!)

It's that time of year again- race season and my hubby was rearing to go again this time trying his first 10k. He didn't get to "train" for it as much as he would have liked to with all the snow and cold weather we had, but regardless he just had to run this oh so famous Monument 10k run. I mean everyone was doing it! ;) I do mean literally everyone. This race is huge! This year they had over 37,000 people.

Erik's heat was early in the morning and was a bit chilly. I unfortunately didn't even get to see him finish! I got there too late due to having to park at least a mile away, then being quite slow on the walk ( I'm packing on a few more pounds then usual!), followed by a much needed porta potty pit stop. I got there and he had already crossed the finish line. I was so sad! I love watching him run and cheering him on. And Erik actually said "i listened for you this time and couldn't hear you cheering!" How sad, he usually is too in the zone to hear my loud embarrassing cheers! Oh well I know there will be more. And at least I didn't have to sit out there freezing my tail off.

I had to at least get one picture as proof he did it. I should have made him pretend to be running! Darn! (next time!)

I am so proud of Erik. He would kill me if he knew I was bragging about him but, he got an impressive 44:34 time. Which online I saw was overall place #1025 and at first look I thought "ouch!" but you think out of 37,000, that's pretty darn good!

He loves it and is excited to do another one soon. I think next on his list is a tiriathalon. Wow! Glad someone in the family has the athletic genes...our kids have a shot! :)

Spring is in the Air....

...and all over the car!!! And you wonder why Erik and I have been dying from our allergies lately! The pollen is crazy right now! So gross.
But we have gotten into the spring spirit and have attempted to plant some grass in our front yard. It is already coming in really well, it's nice and bright. Unfortunatly it POURED the day after we planted which kinda washed a lot of the seed and top soil away, making little ditches, and patches, so we will probably have to plant more soon. But I think it's off to a pretty good start.
I Love the view from my kitchen window looking out, and I love the view of my house when I pull up. Especially with the blooming tree, so gorgeous! (i just wish it didn't shed so much!) As you can see our tulips are in full bloom. We planted a bunch of other bulbs in the fall that haven't come up yet. I am a little worried since we always catch the squirrels digging in our garden, would squirrels dig up/eat bulbs?
We have had so much fun experimenting. We also have several pots on our back patio. We are attempting to grow strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro as well as more flowers. And just for the record I keep getting asked, who is into gardening, and to be honest it really is more Erik than me. (so don't worry I don't force him out there to do all this-he drags me out there!) I mean I like it and think it's pretty but Erik is really gung ho about it, which makes me happy. It's fun to have something to work on together. So...Happy Spring! (and hopefully the temperature will go back to normal, we have had 80's and a few days in the 90's this week!) Let's just say I am very grateful I will not be pregnant still in July! Nichole + Pregnant + heat= bad news.

Easter, 5 birthday's, and General Conference.

What a weekend! When we go up to Erik's parents house we try to fit as much in as possible, this weekend was a particularly busy one filled with birthdays, Easter traditions and listening to the words of our prophets at conference. We always have so much fun with the Fox Family! One of the birthday's we celebrated was mine. Yay!! I turned 22 and got some great gifts from the Fox's including the game Settlers of Zarahemla (Mormon version of Catan), a spa gift card, an applebees gift card, and even some baby Lucy stuff.
Erik knew exactly what i wanted this year. I would take a warm brownie with some vanilla ice cream and hot fudge over cake any day! And that's exactly what I got! yumm yumm! Thanks hunny! :) Erik also gave me on my actual birthday Photoshop Elements. I'm excited to use it to digital scrapbook (yes I'm venturing over!) and to edit pictures.
Dad Fox celebrated his big 6-0 this year! He had one heck of a cake to blow out and he didn't disappoint!
Out on the easter egg hunt! This one was a "big" egg, my favorite because they hold the good stuff! ($) ;)
One of the highlights of this weekend for Erik and I was to take turns holding sweet baby Giselle. We got a lot of practice in. It made us so excited for little Lucy to come!!
Dying Easter Eggs!

As a little Easter gift this year I decided I wanted to make something for each of Erik's family members. Using my Silhouette I made these tags and tied them to a basket full of my favorite Easter cookies. It ended up being quite a bit of work but it was really fun as I learned more about what my machine could do and I think they turned out fantastic!

Hope your Easter weekend was a good one! I am so grateful we get to hear our Prophet and the apostles speak twice a year. I really need the reminders of what I can to do to be better. As many of you pointed out a lot of the talks were on parenting and mothers which really hit home this year. (obviously) It made me feel really nervous and inadequate for the huge responsibility the Lord is entrusting to me. But, I know that with his help I will be the best Mother I can be for Lucy and as I live close to the Lord and do what I can to have the spirit in my life and in my home that everything will turn out. I know that Motherhood and raising children is the most important job in the world and I am so glad Heavenly Father has allowed me to be apart of that.