Mural how to

Audrey's room has made me a lover of do it yourself projects. I have had a blast putting together her room and absolutely love spending time up there. Her room is a mash up of several different pins on Pinterest.

We knew wanted some kind of giraffe painted on her wall, so the searching commenced, me on Pinterest and Stinson on a super awesome app. called houzz. He came across a tree with book shelves put on a couple branches that we loved, and he thought it'd be cool to have a giraffe eating out of he tree.

Now that we had our idea, we emailed it to my super-talented Aunt Lexie, and she used her graphic design skills to come up with the mural. Next step was having her design printed on a transparency at Office Depot. Cost of that was $0.53. Once you have your transparency, you need an overhead projector to project the image up on the wall, so to obtain said overhead, you call a teacher friend who has been teaching forever and who you know has held on to their overhead even though they don't use it anymore.

Now that your image is projected on the wall trace said image onto the wall with chalk. Chalk is much better than pencil because it erases easily and is easily covered with paint. Then, using the paint color(s) of your choice, color inside the lines! We used left over white from her chevron wall, but you could purchase a paint sample for yours. It really doesn't take much paint, I did two coats and maybe used 8oz of paint total. I used a variety of small paint brushes I picked up at Michaels for less than $4.

Once the paint is completely dry, use a dry cloth to brush off any chalk that was not covered up by paint. Now your mural is complete! If you don't have a super talented Aunt Lexie or are not gifted with artistic ability, yo could find an image on the web you like to have printed on your transparency.

My total cost for this project was $4, but if you have to buy paint it'll be closer to $10. It is a bit time intensive. It took my sister-in-law, Sara, and I about 30 minutes to trace it onto the wall. Then we started painting after the babies were in bed for an hour and a half, and I finished the next day with both coats in about two and a half hours. The final product was totally worth the time!

Since I'm posting this from my phone I don't know how to insert the photos throughout the post, so here they are all at once.

2 Month Letter

Dearest little Audrey,
You are now entering into your 3rd month of life (how is that even possible?). The second month flew by as fast as the first one did. You are changing so much every day and I am loving each new milestone, big or small.

The biggest highlight of this month was when your rolled from your tummy to your back. I had just picked up the phone to FaceTime grandpa when you rolled over. We quickly put you back on your stomach and you did it again for grandpa to see. I told him we'd call him back so we could catch the big event on camera. You didn't disappoint, and we caught it on film. Of course, you haven't done it again, but I know you can, and that you will do it again when you're ready.

You like going for walks when the weather cooperates!

You still love your baths. One of our favorite parts is the face you make when we first put you in the water. It's like you're bracing yourself for what's to come and then 30 seconds later you're loving life.

Your strength continues to impress us. Standing has become one of your new favorite things. During tummy time you like looking all around and sucking on your fist. Just last week you figured out how to get your fist your mouth. You like to take little "tastes" of it at a time. You are starting to figure out how to keep it up there longer and you make the most adorable noise while you suck on it.

My favorite thing is our chats on the changing table. You give the most coos and smiles while I'm changing your diaper, I guess you love feeling fresh and clean. It has been fun to listen to all of your new noises and to watch you learn how to use your voice. You are starting to recognize your grandpa, grandmas, aunts and uncles' voice when we FaceTime with them. You look for your dad or I when we walk in the room and it warms my heart to see you turn and look for me. The dogs leave you alone for the most part. Jake gets concerned when you cry and always makes sure I check on you. They like to give you a quick sniff when we return from being out.

Hanging out with Uncle Brady after Aunt Jenna and I had you try on your swimsuit!

You've had a busy month getting out and about with me to meet friends and to go to mothers together. I always enjoy introducing you to new people. They all love your hair! You got to finally meet Aunt Sara, Uncle Kennedy, cousin Campbell, and Uncle Brantley.  They all loved giving you cuddles, except Campbell of course!  But he did help me burp you on his way up for a nap, and he loves seeing you.  He even started saying your name, it sounds more like Au-do than Audrey, but that's okay because he is only 14 months old. ;)

Meeting Aunt Sara, Uncle Kennedy & Campbell

These days you smile more and more. Your smile melts my heart, and I wonder how I am going to resist it in the future.  All of your smiles show us that you are one happy girl.  You smile especially big for your dad.  I swear your face lights up when he walks in the room.  I know that you two will share a special bond forever!

You had your 2 month check up and shots.  You did not care for the shots and you were not shy about letting us know about it.  Of course the Dr. confirmed what we already knew, you're growing like a weed! You've grown 4 inches since you were born, putting you in the 94 percentile for height.  I love that you're going to be a tall girl like your mommy!

I forgot to add that you still love your sleep.  You are sleeping 7-8 hour stretches at night and you are sure to let us know when it is nap time!  You are keeping yourself on a fairly consistent schedule, which makes life for us just a tad easier, so keep it up! :)

I love you baby girl.  I pray that God is shaping your heart to be one filled with compassion, love, and kindness.

Until next month,
Mom

I'm a sewing machine

Pun intended.

When I bought my sewing machine 4 years ago I thought I'd sew a lot more, not that I know how to sew more than a semi- straight line. Fast forward to 2013. My 1980's Montgomery Ward machine has been dusted off and put to work. So far this year it has sewed curtains, a crib skirt, and changing pad cover for Audrey's room, and yesterday some bibs and burp cloths for a friend.

I had a blast sewing these little gems yesterday. My mom's friend Jane sewed me these tiny bibs for Audrey and they became a necessity for a spitting up baby. The bibs you get at the store swallow a newborn, so these tiny bibs were perfect! I knew they'd make perfect gifts for my other mom friends, so I traced the bib she made me to make a pattern, cut out my fabric, sewed like sides together, turned right side out and sewed it shut. Last step, attach Velcro and you're done!

The matching burp cloths are just a rectangle sewn on a cloth diaper, super easy and fun. Added bonus, they're big enough to absorb all of that spit up!

I had a blast sewing yesterday, so much so, that I'm thinking about trying my hand at a pillow case dress for Audrey!

Best laid plans

So I planned on waking up at 7, making breakfast, an Americano, showering, getting dressed, and doing some house work before Audrey needed to eat. Fast forward to 8:50 when I finally decided I'd hit the snooze button enough times and Audrey woke up ready to eat. It's now 11:23. I've finally eaten breakfast, made my coffee and am getting ready to shower. So much for that super productive morning. Audrey's incredible cuteness make it extremely difficult to get things done, oh well! I love her to pieces!

1 Month Letter

Dear Little Miss Audrey-

My how times fly! You are a month old and changing every day. I am going to borrow my friend Krysta's idea of writing you a monthly letter because I think it is something that I can actually keep up with!

There is so much to write about, I don't know where to begin.  The past month has been one of the best I've ever experienced.  Motherhood has been so much more than I ever dreamed it would be, and there are not enough words to adequately express all of the joy it has filled my heart with.  Being your mom has been one of God's greatest blessings to me. Being your mom has given me a greater understanding of His unconditional love for us and why it is that in spite of ourselves He continues to love us and show us grace.  I know that throughout your life there will be times that I am disappointed, but I will always love you and the things that you do can never change that.

All swaddled up on the blanket that all of the Kennedy babies have been brought home in.

I feel so blessed to be able to stay home for your first 12 weeks of life. Our days right now are spent, sleeping, eating, diaper changes, baths, cuddling, playing on the play mat, doing tummy time, reading stories, and some dancing here and there.  You LOVE baths! If you are fussy before a bath, the moment you are placed in the water you instantly calm.  I think your favorite part of bath time is getting your hair washed. Last night I noticed you couldn't take your eyes off yourself in the mirror. Your first bath you did not love as much as you love your baths now. Your dad went with you to the hospital nursery and Grandma watched from the window, when they came back they said you screamed the whole time!  I am so glad that you love them now.

Nice and clean after your first bath 1/27! 

You are one strong girl and have been holding up your head for short periods of time since your first few days of life.  Now you can lift it nice and high and hold it there for several seconds.  While you are on your tummy you love to turn your head to find the voice that is talking to you and enjoy sucking on your fists! Also, while you lie on your tummy, you love to push against our hands with your feet and scoot across the blanket. We are constantly amazed by your strength! Of course we think that you are going to do everything early and accomplish all kinds of amazing things, and it will be fun to watch you accomplish all of these milestones and so much more!!! When we put you on your back you love to stretch out your arms and legs.

Stretching out on your Noah's ark quilt from GG Helen

You have been a great sleeper from the start.  Your first night home from the hospital you slept 7.5 hours.  I tried waking you up to eat, but you just wanted to sleep.  I learned from the nurse that followed up with us, that I needed to be waking you up to eat, and so the great battle to wake up commenced. In order to wake you up I had to completely undress you, change your diaper, clean your chord, and often resort to a cool wash cloth on your face and hair. Occasionally, even these strategies did not work and I would have to wait you out 10-15 minutes.  Thankfully, after about a week of this you began waking up quicker and the Dr. gave us the okay to let you sleep longer stretches since you were back to your birth weight. You have been kind to us and slept long stretches through the night, often waking only once to eat before 6 am.

It has been so fun to watch you grown and change.  In the last week you have started cooing, and today   swear you are so close to smiling in response to me! You work so hard to get your coos out and we all love starting at you while you attempt to get them out.  I know they will start coming out easier very soon, but it is so entertaining watching you try.

Last week you made your first airplane trip.  We headed to Colorado for your Great Grandpa Foster's memorial. You got to meet all of your great aunts and uncles on the Foster side as well as your great grandma Foster.  You are so loved by all of your family members on both sides of the family.

It has been a super busy first month of you life, filled with lots of visitors, hugs, and kisses.  I can't wait to see all of the new milestones you reach in the next month.  I love you so much baby girl!

Love,
Mom

5 Weeks Old!!!

40 Weeks

It's her due date! I knew she probably wouldn't come early, but a girl can always hope.  It has been fun seeing everyone's predictions and wishes for her arrival.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many awesome family members and friends sending us lots of encouraging words and offering up prayers for healthy delivery.  Audrey is one loved girl and I love that her entrance to this world is being so carefully prayed for.

The planner in me wishes I knew the exact day she's going to make her entrance into the world, but is fun waiting and wondering if today will be the day.  Sometimes I worry that I won't know when I go into labor, I know it's silly, but it crosses my mind from time to time.  Surely from what I heard in our classes and from others at some point I will KNOW.

I officially started my maternity leave today.  I was planning on teaching up until the moment that I went into labor, but I am glad I decided to start on her due date.  It is a huge weight off of my shoulders not wondering if I will get to school, go into labor, and figure things out from there.  I am hoping that it will also make for a smooth transition for my students and my long term sub.  I am going to miss them and they were so sweet on Friday when I told them it would be my last day with them.  They say they are going to come visit me at my new house! :)

Stinson has been working at his new job for about 2 weeks now.  He is really loving the potential that it holds and the challenges that it has in store for him.  Right now it is lots of studying and learning the ropes of trauma and device sales.

How far along? 40 Weeks

Size of baby? She is still about the size of a watermelon. I can't believe that she's about as big as she is going to get.

Total weight gain? I stopped keeping a close track.  I know that it is for baby and when I haven't been diligent about exercise and diet I can't complain.

Maternity Clothes? Do we really need to ask this one any more?! Of course, and those are barely covering the belly these days.

Sleep? The last few days have been awesome! I am getting up in the night, but the sleep in between has been very restful.  Guess my body knows life is about to change and it's stocking up on some extra sleep right now.

Best moment of the week? Just knowing that she is coming soon and things are progressing in the right direction. Heading down on the plaza for a lunch date with Stinson.  And closing on our new house!!!!!!

Miss anything? Bending over and being able to put on shoes and socks comfortably.  I have really dreaded putting them on this week.

Movement? She is still a busy girl moving around all the time.

Cravings? According to my sister I crave hot chocolate.  I think this is true and especially after the delicious hot chocolate my mom doctored up this week.  Rich cocoa mix, homemade whipped cream, and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Yes it's amazing and probably the most fattening thing you can drink, but who cares!

Symptoms? Have I mentioned stretch marks?! Ugh, they seem to be appearing everywhere, but what can you do...hoping some running and getting back into shape will make them not so obvious later on down the road.

Belly button in or out? Flattened out!

Wedding rings on or off? off :(  Can't wait to get them back on!

Mood? Normal

Looking forward to? Meeting Audrey.  Every morning I wake up thinking today could be the day!  I am so excited to kiss her fingers and toes and to stare into her face for hours on end.  We're also looking forward to moving into our new house when we're ready.  My mom and I are eager to start painting and getting Audrey's room done!  Her room is going to be the best one in the house for a while! :)

It's getting real! 38 Weeks

Well we're 2 short weeks away from our due date. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by! I know that she may not come on time, and that's okay.  I think it will be easier to wait for while I am back at school teaching, but I hope that she doesn't make me wait too long!  We started taking predictions for her due date some people think she'll be almost 2 weeks late. Yikes!  I know she will come when she is ready and that is ultimately what I want.

We celebrated Christmas with my family here in Kansas City.  We had a lot of fun showing them all of the sites and spending time in tiny house.  Thankfully Jenna and Brady's 2 bedroom house as couch big enough for all of us to sit on and some extra beds for people to sleep on.  It was great to have everyone here and I can't wait for them to come back because that means Audrey will be here!  We enjoyed the Kansas City Nutcracker, lights, dinner and shopping on the Plaza, Crown Center, and meals crowded around the dinner table.

Here are some pictures from our afternoon at Crown Center.

Everyone putting up with the freezing cold wind for a picture!

Ryan is ready to go to work on the farm!

Driving away in my new car!

Bailey, cute as always!

Of course we couldn't resist looking at the adorable baby clothes!

Beautiful and giant Christmas Tree 

Stinson and I

How far along? 38 Weeks

Size of baby? She's a watermelon this week and feels like it!  She's probably over 10 inches and weighs between 6.5-7lbs!

Total weight gain? Keeps creeping up slowly!

Maternity Clothes? Maternity, maternity, maternity! I also like to steal Stinson's sweats and t-shirts these days.  They seem to be better for lounging in than my own!

Sleep? Hit and miss.  Some nights are awful, others are great.  Usually waking up 2-3 times a night for the bathroom, sometimes leg cramps, and the darn carpel tunnel.  I started wearing braces at night and that has helped a lot!

Best moment of the week? Spending the whole week with my family and everyone getting to feel Audrey move.  We all loved watching her bounce and move things resting on my belly.

Miss anything? Being comfortable in general, putting on shoes and socks with ease, being able to sit for long periods of time.

Movement? She has become quite the busy girl these days. I feel like she is moving more and more, and maybe that is because she is running out of room.  She does lots of stretching and loves to stick her tush out!

Cravings? Still no real cravings.

Symptoms? Occasional leg cramps, carpel tunnel, some minor cramping here and there, swelling in my legs and hands, and all the normal uncomfortable end of pregnancy stuff.

Belly button in or out? Flattened out!

Wedding rings on or off? off :(  Can't wait to get them back on!

Mood? Normal, with the occasional urge to cry....ugh these hormones sometimes.

Looking forward to? Meeting Audrey.  Stinson and I have been talking a lot about meeting her lately and things that we are looking forward to about having her here and wondering what she looks like. I am also looking forward to having all of my long term sub plan stuff figured out and done!

Bare Belly at 38 weeks!