Getting Knocked Up

When I decided to start blogging, the biggest decision I had was choosing a domain name and frankly that came pretty easy. I was going to write about starting our family, so I decided to use our family name, plus, Colvert family was the first thing that came to mind. Not very creative, but simple.

Then when I started to set up my blog and it asked for a tag line and I was all “a what line?” Apparently, this is actually like the title to your blog, not your domain name which I suspected originally. I was so excited to write my first post I spent all of about 30 seconds thinking of “Getting Knocked Up…”. As my life and my blog evolved I amended the title to “Getting Knocked Up and Knocked Down and Finding Hope Again” It sounded right for the circumstance, however I really have never been in love with this name and it is awfully long.

Remember back here when I remodeled my blog, I did it because my life felt brighter and more hopeful and I wanted this little space of the internet to reflect that, well I now think the name shouldn’t have depressing undertones to it. It should be a positive place to record the evens of my life.   Also since I am now combining my personal blog with some of my professional design/crafting endeavors the name just doesn’t fit.

So I went to the drawing board.  ::scratching my head for ideas::

I finally came up with a fun little name that reflected my current outlook on life and the place I love the most in the world. As you’ll see from above it is:

300 Days of Sunshine

I love living in Colorado and one of the reasons is for all of our sunny days. Colorado receives, on average, around 300 days of sunshine a year. Perfect! Plus it reminds me of finding the “sunshine” or the positive in each day. I hope you like it. It’s not a monumental change but it makes me feel  better about what I am doing here, when I should be cleaning the house, doing dishes or being productive.

Y’know how when bloggers get all ambitious and motivated and try to start a second blog, and you, as readers, think she can barely stay on top of this one and now she’s adding another blog? Well that was the story this January. I was all amped up on my new year’s resolutions and I started a separate blog dedicated to design stuff, www.sevenoneninedesign.com! (An expansion of my Etsy shop)

I was going to be so cool and have this awesome, frequently updated site for design inspiration.  Well, fast forward to March, where this little blog fell flat on its face. It has become a victim of abuse and neglect. It has been sitting out there in the interwebs, oh so lonely, for months now.  

Clearly, I am not a two blog kind of a girl.

In a perfect world I’d keep my professional endeavors and my personal drama removed from one another, I’d have a personal blog and a professional blog,  but I have come to realize that’s just not the way it is. The truth is, I am absolutely defined by the events in my life and it is apparent in all aspects of my life.  So I have decided that me and this blog are going to be in a monogamous relationship. My personal spectacles intertwined with my attempts at a being a professional blogger/designer/crafter/ whateveryouwannacallit,  all in one blog. It might get messy, but its my life and its who I am, all of me. So enjoy and hopefully this means I will be posting here more frequently.

I like to organize things, no big deal, right. However, since the smell of Dreft began wafting through my house last Friday, it has become a BIG deal.

I decided that I would wash some of the baby clothes and blankets I have bought so far as we are finally getting the nursery pulled together, and oh my buh-geezus, the sweet scent of babies sent me into a fury like you wouldn’t believe.

As the wash was going, I started in on making a crib skirt, then I finished the three art work panels I was planning for above the crib and naturally, this was followed by trying out over five different ways of folding onesies, followed by gleefully filling drawers with said adorable microscopic onesies, which was followed by obsessively rearranging stacks of onesies and feeling so incredibly happy. In order to accurately picture this, you should also know that every few seconds I stepped back, surveyed my handiwork, and released a contented sigh.

Ohh and you better believe it’s not stopping there; I have a whole notebook, well maybe just the first five pages of that notebook, of projects, to-dos and things I want to organize before the baby arrives. All of these wonderful goals I have set seem so distant with my house looking like this…

But, I am going to try to get it all done, and just for fun I will keep you all updated on the progress!

Hi there. It’s been a while, I know.  Growing a human being has taken its toll on a good number of things, one of which includes this blog. Others include my decision making capabilities, my memory and my waistline.

So what have I been up to the last month? This could get long, so in lieu of the ever-so-tasteful ramblings, I will attempt to shorten things up with good old fashion bullet points.

• I spent a week in Jamaica with my wonderful husband and in-laws, a little “baby-moon” if you will. I am sure you remember from my last Jamaican adventure, I love it there, and this time was also awesome. A whole entire week sitting on my butt in the sun.

This is my belly in a bathing suit, my head and legs are cut off on intentionally- My hair was a mess, even under a hat and my legs, well, this was the first bit of sun they’d seen in months and I didn’t want to everyone to see my shockingly white Colorado winter legs.

Here are a few more.

Oh, I did think of one productive thing I did while on vacation. I read. Two entire books. One I would recommend to all the parents of children age 0-5 out there, titled, Brain Rules for Baby. There are some pretty intriguing points about baby brain development from a geeky developmental molecular biologist. Really, it’s good.

• I found a Diaper Bag! Finally!! … I guess that would be bigger news if I had taken the time to write about how I been scouring the earth for just the right one. I’d like to call it a Diaper Bag Debacle. Petunia Pickle Bottom bags are soo cute, but soo expensive. I like Skip Hop’s functionally but just couldn’t find one with the right color or pattern.  OiOi, no quite my style. Bugaboo is simply was too plain. The list goes on… too big, not enough pockets, to frilly for the hubs, etc.  Then out of the blue I found one in the most unexpected of places, in a GoLite outlet store. It didn’t dawn on me to look at sporting goods stores; I guess because this isn’t technically classified as a diaper bag, but none the less it’s great.  So I pick up this bag and note the following:

1. Quick-access pockets on the front and back to keep must-have items at the ready and internal organizers!
2. Top zipper closes the entire bag and an internal sleeve holds a water bottle or baby bottle perhaps, securely in place
3. Perfect length straps allow for comfortable shoulder or hand carrying of this do-it-all tote (great for me since I am only 5’ 2 ½”)
4. Contrast-color key fob, sure to make finding keys easy
5. Made of recycled materials and super light weight
6. I am sold! And if you want one too it will set you back an entire thirty dollars, originally $70.

Let’s see… what else?

• We are still working away on getting the baby’s room and our master bath finished. It’s a work in progress. I assure you I will post pictures soon. I’ll feel a little better once I have some actually results to show. I hope you understand my reluctance of posting photos of my bare studs all over the internet.

• I also realized that sometimes you pay for what you get.  I am a sucker for a good bargain; I like to shop at Target, TJ-Maxx, Marshalls, or pretty much any place where I feel like I am spending at least 33% less than retail price. Anyway, here is a scenario that made me wonder if I should invest a little more money in my wardrobe. The following is an actual conversation between me and my husband last week.

•  The Hubs: “ you have a tear in your shirt”
• Me: “What? Where?”
• The Hubs: “Near your elbow.”
• Me: “Darn it.”
• The Hubs: “This is like the 10^th shirt you’ve ruined recently”
• Me: “Well, I only paid $12 for the shirt, I got it at TJ-Maxx”
• The Hubs: “Yea, but they have name brand clothes, they should hold up better”
• Me: “True, take a look at the tag, what brand is it?”
• The Hubs: “Pretty Good”
• Me:  “What? No what brand is it”
• The Hubs: “It’s called Pretty Good, that is the brand”

Just pretty good, I felt bamboozled. I though I was getting designer names for less, I believed in this so much I never looked at the label. I think I need to upgrade to “better” brands.

Okay, this might be a good place to stop and take a break, maybe get a snack. This next one is exhausting.

You back? Good.

• I’ll warn you that it may sound like I must be exaggerating for effect but I’m not. This Sunday we did our Baby Registry and I felt more tired after that than I do after I run a half-marathon.  Seriously, that registry took so much out of me.

It started off happily enough. We had done some research on larger items before heading to the store, and we casually scanned each of those items as though we knew exactly what we were doing.  Looking back, I am pretty sure the store clerks were snickering behind our backs because they’ve seen what was about to unfold a hundred times before.

I want to say it was near the pacifiers that it all started, but honestly the memory is fuzzy now.  Somewhere between “how many 0-6 month sizes do we need and which color, blue or green” I lost it, I went delirious. Completely immobilized by all of the decisions.  I felt so incredibly overwhelmed all at once. I want to make sure I am getting my Baby boy all of the best things and I want to blissfully pick out teeny tiny baby things, however I find it hard not to be a little bit offended by the hundreds of different burp clothes and crib sheets.  Yeah, choices are good, but too many just play with a pregnant woman’s emotions.

During this discombobulated stupor I could barley stay concentrated on the task at hand.  I am pretty sure I remember thinking that the Glee version of the song playing is so much better than the original, and how badly I would like a Decaf Carmel Latte more than I remember which baby carrier we selected.

I am sure that I will not always make all of the right decisions for my family but I am sure going to try, I just wish Babies R’Us didn’t have to make it so difficult.

Finally, I just have to apologize about the bullet points, each one is really just a bunch of rambling nonsense disguised as what should be succinct and rational thoughts.  I really mislead you on that one. Sorry.

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Last Friday was the morning of our 3D ultrasound and I was a horrible mess. My nerves rattled, my heart raced and my stomach felt twisted like vines up a lattice. I was so fearful that this day could be my worst days relived, that I would feel the emptiness of realizing I lost a child again; strangely these emotions were mixed with excitement and hope.

However, all of these emotions soon emerged into something wonderful and indescribable.  As the ultrasound transducer hit my belly, I instantly heard the most magical three little words.

My nose tingled, my heart swelled and tears happily steamed down my face. I felt like I was living someone else’s life, like maybe I was dreaming.  There was a happiness and comfort that I’ve never felt before, a remarkable new feeling.  A feeling that came the instant I heard the words, “He’s a boy.” My entire life shifted to a different, marvelous place.

He wasn’t bashful at all; in fact he seemed so proud to announce that he was a boy. He reminded me of Brian right away; the way he moved about and never sat still. He is an incredibly active and strong baby.  The movements I’ve been feeling, the ones I’ve suspected were his, were confirmed when I saw and felt his jabs at the same time. Now every time I feel him, I know he is doing well and it brings a smile to my face.

I felt so connected to him, like we knew each other at the deepest level possible.  It’s hard to put into words what I felt watching him.  It felt like he knew all that I have been through. He gave us the thumbs up and the world just seemed so right.  Maybe it was his little way of telling me that everything is going to be okay; that he is happy and healthy and I shouldn’t worry.  I love him so much and I know that he is going to be such a special part of my world.

I just have to say that Mommy is so incredibly proud of you.  You have excelled at your first ever task in life: multiplying from one cell to billions. Impressive really, what you have become after starting out as a teeny-tiny little gummy bear. This week you are the size of an avocado, but much cuter of course, and growing bigger and stronger by the day.

You have amazed me so much already. We heard your heart beating loud and strong at 7 weeks, most moms don’t get that experience until 9 or 10 weeks, so thank you for that. You are also growing very well and very fast, you are about a week ahead of what’s expected.  I have to say, you’re sure setting the bar high for when you do arrive; you are perfect in every way! I do expect that perfection to continue, you know, but no pressure.  

Dad and I are really excited to meet you. This Friday we are going in for a 3D ultrasound and we’ll get to find out  if you are a boy or a girl.  I don’t care either way; I just hope you are absolutely healthy and happy. That used to sound so cliché to me, but now I get it and it is 100% what I believe.  I do wonder what you will look like. Will you have blue eyes and blonde hair like me? If I remember correctly from my high school genetics assignments, it’s not likely. You’ll probably have dark hair and green eyes like your Dad, which I am totally okay with. He is really handsome.

If I could ask just one favor of you right now, I am sure there’ll be more requests later (like an easy delivery), but for now could you please stop depleting my memory. I am sort of a mess when it comes to remembering things. This brain of mine used to be a steal trap, now I think people are getting pretty annoyed with me asking them “Have I told you this already?” I honestly can’t remember and I can’t count the number of meetings and to-do’s I just plain forgot about.  Good thing I have this blog, otherwise I would probably never be able to tell you about my pregnancy. So, any help with my recall would be fantastic.

Well, Baby…I love you so, so much. Can’t wait to see you this Friday!

Love,

Your Overjoyed & Frequently Forgetful Mom

So in addition to a master bath remodel and getting a nursery ready I’ve also decided to remodel this blog.  A fresh new look, a little face lift is just what this place needed. My life feels brighter now and I wanted this blog to reflect that. I’ll probably still make some tweaks here and there over the next few weeks, so bear with me. Let me know if you have any suggestions too!

Also here is my first belly picture, as promised.  I am 14 weeks here, and am 14 weeks and 6 days now and let me tell you, that belly already seems bigger!

Oh how I love change!!!

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Friends!!

I am excited about this post, can’t you tell? I have found a bit of time to do some writing finally and I have a lot to say, so lets get started shall we…

First, I love this 2nd trimester thing… 14 weeks of puking and worry was quite enough for me, thank you. I am feeling a lot better physically and emotionally and its really like a warm hug from a giant piece of cotton candy, magical. My belly is growing by the day, possibly by the hour, I have a bit more energy and I have been sleeping well. However, most importantly I am gaining confidence every week that Baby Colvert will be in my arms soon. I cannot adequately describe to you what a relief it is every time I hear the little one’s heartbeat, see ‘em jumping around in my uterus during an ultrasound or feel a little nudge from the inside of my belly.

Speaking of ultrasounds, our last one was breathtaking.  From the moment the cold gel hit my belly we could see that little spastic gymnast bouncing around everywhere.  We went in for our ultrascreen test, the one that checks for Down Syndrome where they need to measure some fluid at the back of the neck, and we got a glimpse of what a little comedian we have. Every time it would get into place for the tech to measure, it would move, and I mean every time!  So much so that it was evident this was a game the baby was going to win. We got to watch this for over half an hour; I think the tech was getting a little annoyed but I sure didn’t mind. She even had me get up and walk around to see if we could get ‘em to move to the right position. It was so funny, my husband and I just laughed together and smiled the whole time. I have a bunch of great pictures I still need to scan in and post here, but I promise I will get to that as soon as I can.

Also, we are still trying to get the new house put together; it really is a work in progress.  It always gets worse before it gets better, right? At least that’s what I am telling myself. Our first little project is a master bath remodel, which as it turns out isn’t really a little project at all. We’re adding walls and expanding, moving electrical and plumbing, apparently that’s a big deal or something. Here is a before picture (just a note…those towels are not mine, we took this picture when the house was uhum….”staged”  for a lack of better terms. Those towels do not belong in my house).

I will update the progress as it happens. This weekend we are starting demo and if you want an idea of what we are envisioning for our final result I have an idea board up on pinterest, you can check it out here: I guess we’ll see what our budget allows.

Let’s see, what else?? I bought some maternity clothes and I honestly don’t know why some women dread this.  They are sooooo comfortable; I think I might wear my jeans after pregnancy too. Seriously, I mean forever, I may never go back to regular jeans; they are cute and feel so good on, or maybe I’ll just used them for Thanksgiving.

I am at the point were I am starting to tell people that I am pregnant, mostly because I think they are guessing anyway. I’ll try to post a belly pic soon and you’ll understand why.  I actually had my first stranger comment on my pregnancy.  My friend , who is also pregnant – about 20weeks along, and I went to Starbucks yesterday to get a Caramel Frappuccino- decaf of course, and the Barista was all… “Oh, did you guys plan that together??” We were both pretty surprised at how bold she was because we didn’t think it was that noticeable yet. Which by the way, if you haven’t tried it, you must go get one today, that Caramel Frappuccino is delsih!!  And, in case you were wondering, we didn’t plan our pregnancies together. As my friend said, “We’re not 16 and trying to get our own television show”.

yum.

Lastly and certainly not most importantly, I’ve also realized the importance of doing kegel exercises.  I’ll just come right out and say it, I sneezed the other day and I peed. I apparently need to improve my bladder control, because I really don’t think Depends are an option.  

So I guess I’ve gone on long enough, made up for some lost time. I’ll keep you all updated on the baby, the bathroom and my bladder. Love you all!!