Evie's Dresser

I wanted to dress up Evie's dresser so we went for a cheaper option from IKEA (although I've had the same line of dresser since leaving college and Ella has  the same as Evie; so they are sturdy but inexpensive). 

We are only painting the drawers so we bought a white version. As the top and sides will go with the room.

We sanded the drawers to remove the gloss seal that was present. (I do mean "we"; I did the first drawer, then Josh took over). 

Then I painted the bottom drawer the true coral color: 

From there came the hard part of gradually lightening the paint color by mixing in white: 

I love how it turned out and can't wait to see it assembled! 

Why Dads are Awesome, Well at Least Ours Is!

When I play with Ella we build towers, name animals, read book, insert boring activity.

When Josh plays with Ella they fly, tickle, roll around, and giggle non stop. Glad Ella has a daddy to upstage me. :)

PIGGY BACK RIDES....BACKWARDS!:

PLAYING CATCH, WHILE PERCHED ON A TINY OTTOMAN:

 
SKIING:

RUNNING AND JUMPING INTO DAD'S ARMS:

To Do Before Evie - UPDATED 10/19

Down to 5 weeks! 

We are officially 32 weeks - only 8 more to go. Sounds so soon - but man I know how they drag on! I'm ready to have this baby, but enjoying my time with Ella as a mommy of one. 

Here is a 31 week picture - let's not get picky - I'm impressed I've even taken 5 belly pics so far! 

Here is my belly yesterday. Ella has a shoe obsession and made me wear daddy's work boots around the house. 

So my before-Evie to-do list: 

- paint Ella's new room (paint secured) UPDATE: Josh bought all the other painting supplies. COMPLETED! [Decorating in progress!]

- Evie's quilt (front complete, back material, binding, and stuffing purchased) UPDATE: I've sewn the back of the quilt, now just to sew the two together. COMPLETED!

- Maternity shoot (scheduled) 

- wash baby clothes/blankets UPDATE: Washed [not folded or put away] COMPLETED. [Bought a dresser this weekend]

- pack hospital bag for Evie and myself COMPLETED!

- pack Ella's bag to go with friends while I deliver COMPLETED!

- prep post-baby meals COMPLETED!

- Ella's birthday (small, immediate family, as in she has 50% of your DNA)

- decorate nursery

- find dresser for Evie COMPLETED!

- paint dresser [UPDATE: Josh and I sanded the drawers and 2 are painted.]

- add water detail to nursery wall

- girls weekend away - yippee only 2 more days!!!! COMPLETED!

- complete Christmas shopping??? That's a big stretch goal! 

Evie's Car seat

Got her seat out and cleaned it today - with some help from Big Sister. 

And some safety testing from Lion:

Melt My Heart - Morning Goodbyes

Ella adores her daddy - and who can blame her? Josh is so good with her; fun, patience, and much more adventurous than mommy, even when I'm trying to be laid back. :)

Ella loves going outside, period. But especially loves going out with daddy in the morning to wave goodbye. A few weeks ago she started running after his car [always in our yard like a good girl!]. I've captured a few of the goodbyes on camera because I know these precious moments are fading. Once the snow comes this won't be something we can do anymore, and by the time it melts [April] she will have all new behaviors.

I love her sweet spirit.

Post-Evie Meal Prep

Some extra cooking and freezing this week allowed me to cross another huge item off my to-do list...meal prep for after Evie arrives. I've got us covered for 14 meals and obvious left overs for lunch mommy's midnight snacking!

I did one massive chicken breast boiling and shredding party and from 9 chicken breasts got meat for:
- 2 Taco Nights
- 1 Quesadilla Night
- 1 Pan of Enchiladas
- 1 Buffalo Pizza
- 2 Nights of my mother-in-laws famous Chicken Roll Ups

I made and froze a Stromboli as well

I've also purchased the canned ingredients and frozen the meat for these great crockpot meals:
- 2 Crockpot Chilis
- 2 of this new Chicken Taco Stuffing recipe

I've also got supplies on hand for:
- 2 Pasta Nights

Ella's New Room

This last week we painted our current guest room to get it ready for Ella. We painted it the same grey as her current room, we had a whole unopened gallon in the basement.

We have decided to keep her in her crib for as long as possible. Right now she isn't climbing out, or really even thinking about it. She also plays nicely in her crib in the morning giving us a buffer on when we have to go get her. I'm not ready for her cheery-eyed wake up visits to my bedside at 6:30! 

Because she is staying in the crib - and it's a huge pain to move/disassemble, she will stay in her current room until Evie is ready for it and then we will figure out how to move her. :) 

Here is our painting party this week: 

Protecting Evie from the fumes: 

Finished product: 

Bookshelf Decorations:

(Owl made by Aunt Rachel)

(E made by Aunt Rachel)

(Owls from Aunt Lauren) 

(Keepsake box my mom made from Ella's NH baby shower) 

Made by Aunts Kate, Danielle, and Rachel for Ella's PA baby shower) 

Curtain: 

Made from the sane fabric as her quilt and high chair cover: 

We need to bring over her dresser and a few other items - so I'll add those later.