what's cooking

We moved into a new home at the beginning of the year. At the end of November, the kitchen looked like this. Then, mid-December, we tore a lot of it out. C worked his tail off readying it for us to move in, and we've been making weekly updates ever since. I like doing this stuff but am terribly indecisive/distracted and have given C "executive power" (OK, with limits) so he's pretty much the brains behind this operation, along with our buddy Lee who knows how to do just about everything.

The kitchen has been 80% done for about a month and a half. And now, we're just waiting on one light fixture to feel like we're getting closer to done.

It's starting to feel like home, around here.

.

glad tidings

From our party of four.

.

in & out

My sidekick came early in the morning on December 12. We're in love.

.

watch me grow

I'm 39+ weeks pregnant, and contemplating carrying out an induction I have scheduled for early next week. I might be too sissy (careful?) to go through with it. I'm currently going through another bout of false labor ... unless something really exciting begins to happen. Send me your positive vibes.

In the meantime, I can't believe how big I am!

19 weeks

22 weeks

24 weeks

28 weeks

34 weeks

39 weeks

seeing stars

I'm trying not to start over with a nursery for baby girl. Instead, the plan is to girl-up O's room. (Not too hard, considering the color scheme is babyish ... some might even argue that it's girly. I prefer the former.) But if I was starting over, there's a strong possibility that stars would make a strong presence in her little room.

To be honest, I haven't really had the time to do much of anything. I fear the second child is already neglected.



I did a roundup of favorite starry baby items for Babble, and it remains one of my favorites. I love that stool.

Some of my other roundups:

*Fifteen Favorite Onesies
*Hot Air Balloon Nursery Picks
*10 Really Cute Baby DIY Projects
*Really Cute (and Really Free!) Baby Knits

And also, anyone in the market for baby thank-you cards?

.

have you met ... olive's friend pop?

The title of this post is a bit of an inside joke. My little O might have an imaginary friend. He frequently asks me, "Remember my friend, Duck?" I can't tell if this is an opening line to a two-year-old's joke, or if he really thinks he has a friend named Duck, and that I've met him/her.

At any rate, I smiled when I came across this line of kid's clothing called Olive's Friend Pop. It's really, really sweet ... and has a great name, too.



Images from Olive's Friend Pop's S/S 2011 and A/W 2011 collections.

.

wholly wraps

Hand-printed shawls pretty enough to hang as art, by Wholly Aesthetics/Mengly.

Colorful polka and colorful yellow.

via Kadie's pin.

.

friday already?

How did it get to be Friday already? So much to do, so little time. I'll be packing moving boxes today and throughout the weekend. I hope your plans are more fun than that. Don't be surprised if you find me living in a moo moo-like maxi dress all weekend long.

Here are my Babble posts this week. I think you'll like:

*I had hopes of practicing pregnancy fitness this week. Does packing up count?
*Am I the only one who thinks these instructional childbirth posters are a little weird?
*Documenting pregnancy with mommy and baby shoes.
*I'm 28 weeks pregnant, and officially third trimester material. Eeeek.

.

friday, and stressed

Operation: Meltdown might be under way in my house. I am doing the best I can to avoid it, but it just might be inevitable. And did I mention that I'm pregnant and in an seemingly-eternal state of emotional turmoil? Anyway. I know I have much to be happy about, but I'm having the kind of week that is making me forget that.

I love photography by Jessica Todd Harper. Isn't the above photo perfect in the most raw and real and beautiful way? It is a reminder that all is good, and it is good to live in the present.

I'm also blogging about my pregnancy at Babble. Please read!

*I would love to be hard-core enough to do a true fertility diet, regardless of fertility levels.
*My idea (reality) of a day off at 26 weeks pregnant.
*Cute and clever birth announcements! I want.
*My baby name story, plus a handful more.
*I'm craving and craving and craving.
*I'm seeing stripes ... on babies.

Photograph by Jessica Todd Harper via Whitney's pin.

.

sessun, behind the scenes

Lovely behind-the-scenes shots of Sessun's Autumn-Hiver 2011/2012 lookbook and catalog--which is also something to behold. I love the autumn colors and rich lighting. See more here.

.

dear utah

Zara is trying to sneak its way into our American hearts with a collection of artistic photographs of each of the 50 states in its series, Dear America. I think it's working.

Dear Utah photograph by Nich Hance McElroy

.

miniature knits

These mini costumes, knit by hand at the Miniature Knit Shop, are some of the cutest things I have ever seen. A bit of an investment, to be sure, but very detailed and special.

Strawberry
Sailor
Cowboy
Royal Guard

And did you see the mermaid?

.

24 weeks along

So, does this mean I'm six months pregnant? Here are some little details and things and a glance at how my days (and my belly) are shaping up.

.

serenity

With an earthquake and hurricane, last week was a little bumpy. I also found myself quite homesick, wishing I was in Salt Lake City to give a big hug to a dear friend. Actually, I'm still wishing for that, but I think it will be too difficult to pull off.

At any rate, wouldn't it be nice to step into the above photo, for just a moment? I'm wondering how that beach at Nags Head, North Carolina, weathered the storm. And worrying about how people I love are weathering their own storms.

Here are links to my Babble posts last week. I hope you'll like them.

*How I might put Missoni to work in my nursery.
*I wouldn't mind an entire blog dedicated to maternity street style.
*I've got a thing for suspended cradles.
*This shop on Etsy has some great maternity dresses.
*I like that Novogratz family, and their names.
*This maternity blazer is pretty sharp. This stuff looks tailor-made.

.