32 Weeks

We've already gotten to 32 weeks. It's become a point at which I think I've popped! :)

We're now at appointments every two weeks. With eight weeks left to go, we're frequently told about how much sooner others have gone. When thinking we've got 8 weeks left, that seems soon. But, when reminded of those we know who delivered at 34, 35, 37 weeks and so one. . . that timeline seems less definite. I guess I'm glad to make the two weeks appointments and actually excited to get to weekly appointments just to know our time is going to a more "expected" date. We're excited for him to get here but I'd be pretty nervous if he's too early for his sake, Mike's, and my own. Have I mentioned we don't have our childbirth class until September 17th?


Though we're getting closer and closer with the nursery, there are a few essentials we're hoping to acquire before his arrival! Go figure the crib actually needs a mattress, eh? Our biggest project that's admittedly lasted all summer due to my waning energy levels is finally done though thanks to some project wrap-up efforts with hubby's assistance. Check it out. I think he'll like it (when he's old enough to care)!

Yes-this was a freebie! I probably spent about $15 on spray paint and primer. We had the stain and polyurethane on hand. Mostly, it just took time and energy which was harder to come by. Mike was a little nervous about its appearance when I brought it home in the back of his truck on a rainy Saturday morning and I didn't calm his nerves any when I said it was going to be red. Even after getting in the room, I asked "What do you think? Does it go?" His response, "Well, no. It's a red dresser in a green and brown nursery". "It's called an accent color. I don't want everything in the room one color." He looks around a bit more and finds a red pillow, some red in the mobile, red vintage trikes, trucks, & toys. . . "I get it. I guess it goes better than I thought. You make it work." He did love the way the dresser turned out and was surprised at that. I guess he'll only be wowed when the whole thing is together and I'll debut the final nursery as a whole between now and baby's arrival!

This will serve as changing station in addition to clothing and other storage. If you're wondering how safe it is to use a dresser as a changing table, I am too, so here's where I found my plan and got the idea to use two snap screws: younghouselove. I'm sure we'll make it work safely! As the second dresser in the nursery, I'm hoping we'll have enough storage for all the clothes I've been collecting. I think he'll be dressed for the first six months just with what I've acquired already. Of course, I have no idea how many clothes he'll actually go through or if "6 months" on a tag will fit him at 4 months or 8 but we'll be learning very soon! I can't wait to dress the little guy. I already did an iron-on project on a onesie for his debut I can't wait to share. (Well, I really can wait and hope he does wait at least a few more weeks)!

Really? Round Steak?

So, who really buys "round steak"? I have only ever had it on hand thanks to Hy-Vee's meat bundle deals that entice me with low prices and available space in our deep freeze for two. The first time I got it, I made some version of minute steak smothered in cream of mushroom soup among other seasonings and fixins paired with potatoes and a veggie and watched my husband melt into a comfort food coma. I didn't know he liked it and had never made it. This time, however, this round steak must have been a different version. (I think the first was cube steak, perhaps).

After unwrapping what had been thawing out all day, I thought I had two thick chunks of round steak. However, after browning one side, I went to flip it over and found I had two ginormous thin strips of round steak that filled my extra-large skillet on the stove top. "Well, this should still work". I headed to the cupboard to start on the minute steak cream-of-mushroom-and-then-some fixins to find NOT ONE CAN of cream of mushroom soup. Woops-poor planning! What's a girl to do?

Instead, I did have a can of Campbell's Chunky Soup: Sirloin Burger. This looked like a beef stew with some veggies including potatoes inside. Hmm. . . Yes, I DID. I took the round steak now fully cooked from the stove top and added the can to the skillet along with 3/4 cup of water and two beef boullion cubes. Then, I started some water boiling for egg noodles and went to cutting up one of the "steaks" I'd just cooked. The term steak is used loosely when referring to the meat I was preparing. When the meat was cut up, pasta was tender, and the boullion had settled nicely into the soup, I mixed it all back together and got the biscuits out of the oven.

I took one look at it and thought I'd better start some standby mac and cheese just in case. I also had already started to bake a chocolate cake Mike had randomly requested in case I needed to "make up for" a bad dinner. With the cake 13 minutes from done and no mac and cheese started, Mike got home from work and said "Ooh, what's that?!?". . . more pressure! "Beef and noodles", I respond completely cool and casual. Mike made a plate and dove in leaving himself leftovers for today. Whew!

Safe. I won't claim victory because I'm not adding this recipe to my return list. I just wanted to share how ridiculously nervous I get over successfully sompleting "wifely" duties after almost 4 years of trials and errors. Do you? Also, what in the world do YOU do with round steak? :)

Glammed Up Jewelry Stoarge: Drawer Re-do

From an old drawer and two more I bought for just $10, I made a new jewelry storage wall in my reading nook of the master bedroom. To get rid of this:

I started with these:

After sanding down the drawers, I didn't want all three handles on again so I thought I'd have to wood putty. However, I forgot that by the time I primed and painted them white-woops! Easy solution: craft paper. AND-it added some extra glitz! I used spray adhesive and $3 worth of craft paper and glittered felt to add the bling on the drawers and IN the drawers along with two new drawer pulls ($4) to get the final product shown here:

To hang the necklaces, I had to add cup hooks to the tall drawer I already had. I penciled in each spot, predrilled a hole and put the cup hooks in AFTER taking them from brass to silver with some spray paint.

What do you think: "PERFECT" like the picture says?

This wall sits across from my reading chair AND a small mirror for easy accesorizing in the morning just steps from my vanity and closet! It can definitely start to look like a mess but I'll try to contain it!

Pupdate: Sleeping with the Windows Open

The dogs are thrilled to be back up in our bedroom AND with the windows open all night! Unfortunately, the noises of summer awaken them more than ever and we have been getting early morning wake up calls and late night howlings when our neighbors get home after closing the bar. (No, literally, I think he manages a bar).

I would love to show you pictures of the pooches sleeping but, it never fails. . . If I try to snap a photo they wake up and open their eyes before looking at me with disgust. Intead, I'll show you how tired we've been while they adjust to the new noises and impact my already sleepless nights:

 I bet I'll get a look of disgust from Mike after posting this too! My poor hubby!

When one projects ends. . .

Another begins! Well, this one hasn't started yet. Why? I have some unfinished projects to worry about first. Oh yeah, and I'm exhausted. . . like every night after work and refuse to not have a life on the weekends even though I'm pretty drained of energy then too with third trimester taking its toll! Thus, I've only accomplished compiling an inspiration board. Have you ever done one of these? I see them all the time but haven't taken the time to do it before now.

Some of these pieces are simply color inspiration while others I hope to completely replicate in a much cheaper way. The white beadboard background represents the bottom half of the room for which this makeover is intended. It's got beadboard paneling all the way around that sticks out about 5-6" creating a shelf for display (or dust collection). The aqua color is intended for the walls (eh, Mike?). My color palette in the fabrics may need to be re-thought; white in a playroom?!?!? The rest will be sought, replicated, or tossed out for another idea before all is said and done. Say, Christmastime?

Any ideas you find for recovering the awful sliding mirrored closet doors would be much appreciated! Ooh, and another idea I found when searching for toy storage ideas:

Cute, right? It gets stuff off the floor and turns "stuff" into decor!

I know Baby G won't be actually "playing" anytime soon, but I may as well prepare a place to hide all the toys I'm sure he WILL start accumulating any day now!

Master Bedroom: AFTER!

Finally!

It's ready for the reveal! There are some projects left but the main spectacle is ready for your viewing! You've seen the befores, teasers throughout, and now. . . (drum roll please)

Full view from the doorway

The bedroom area as you walk in

What used to be a the "second room" where a wall and door once separated the space

Vanity almost done

The reading corner

 

 

 

New oak doors

The TV Wall (still a "before" in my opinion)

Tutorials will follow! I'll tell you more about the headboard and the matching shams and runner on the bed, show you the vanity when it's trimmed and functioning as my spot for getting ready on a daily basis, show you some more of the DIY projects done in the room, and I'll show you the TV wall when it's much less naked and much more of a stand out display area! For now, I'm in love with sleeping back in my own space and thrilled to see all of Mike's hard work and my patience pay off!