Foto Friday - Madison's First Posters

Earlier this year, Madison was in my childhood bedroom at my Dad's house, and she came home with a couple of my old posters for her room.

I used to really like cats.
I can't help but smile every time I see them in her room.

I May Be In Denial.

Ok. I'll admit it.

I definitely am in denial about moving M to a toddler bed.

This was her one week ago. She boycotted nap. She teetered on the edge of climbing out. But,she never made it out (probably because I caught her and went in and told her no).

Anyways (2 days ago) on Thursday she boycotted nap AGAIN. I was about to go get her when I heard a loud THUMP. I knew what it was.

I rushed to her room and found her standing and holding her giraffe. She and Giraffe were attempting an escape and were successful!!!!! WHAAAAAAT? When she saw me, she started to cry. I think she was a bit stunned herself. I asked her if she was hurt, and she said no. I'm guessing she was maybe lucky and landed on her feet...but who knows.

Anyways...I consoled her and tried to check her over. She told me while I was holding her, "I got out of my bed. I climb. I cry. My Mama come hold me." Well...I certainly didn't want her to associate climbing out with no more nap and Mama holding her!

And then I lowered her mattress to the floor. Thanks for the awesome tip from my friend, Lindsey! I probably would have never thought of this myself.

She's staying in her crib FOREVER!!!!!!
JK. Sorta.

Ok, seriously, I'm kidding. I just need a little more time to prepare myself a bit more before we begin the transitioning period to a big girl bed. She's been sleeping just fine since I moved her mattress down, and I feel better knowing she won't get hurt climbing out. I also feel better knowing she's in lock-down while in her crib during nap and at night.

I told Josh about the escape, but we're trying not to make a big deal about it in front of her. As far as she knows...nap and sleep time will continue as usual. She did tell me the other day though, "Something different about my bed, Mama." I just responded that it's still her bed, and that Mama had just moved the mattress down so she couldn't climb anymore. I told her I didn't want her to get hurt by climbing because then she'd cry and we'd both be sad. She told me, "Ok. Thank you, Mama. No more climbing."

Look for more posts on transitioning to a big girl bed later this summer. :)
Meanwhile...she better not grow any taller.

"Ohhh! My painting!"

So...way back in October I had M complete a little art project. And, I finally hung it on her wall today!

This idea has been floating around Pinterest and I simply copied it using a blank canvas, painter's tape, and finger paints.

(Oh, and I applied 2 or 3 coats of modge podge over the whole canvas once it was completed to completely seal it.)

Now when she walks in her room she says, "Ohhh! My painting!"

Nursery Update #2

The nursery is finally complete...well, as complete as it's gonna get anyways!

From the doorway:

(Yes, Winky has a doggie bed in there!)

Look to your left:

The glider/ottoman is great!

The closet:

The book shelf:

Again, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that helped contribute to completing the nursery and making sure Baby Smyser has everything and more that she'll need! We are sooo grateful for all our family and friends that have been so giving and generous! :) We can't wait for you all to meet our baby girl!

I can't believe this is my 37th week! It's scary to think I really could go into labor any day now!

**Yikes!**

Foto Friday - Decorating Advice, Please!

The Empty Wall:

What I'd like to hang to help fill wall:

(What's that red arch you ask? Why yes, it's my baby belly! Geesh, how embarrassing!)

What do you think would look best?

-2 on top and 3 on bottom (like my picture)?

-One long straight line?

-Like the number 5 on a pair of dice?

-Some hexagon (circular) shape (Josh's suggestion)?

-A "V" shape?

I'm open to other ideas, too!

HELP!

(P.S. So, I know this is more than just a photo for Foto Friday - but I need help!)

Nursery Update #1

Well, I've been working on organizing and finalizing the nursery...and I still have a bit more to do. You all know the perfectionist in me can't post too many pictures until I feel like I'm really completely done, but, here's an updated picture of the crib with all the bedding!

I still have just a bit more to do, so my goal is to have the nursery 100% completed by the end of next week and to be able to do a full post then.

I can't believe there's only one month left! Yikes!

Recent Quotes from Josh:
1) "Um, are you going to ruin that shirt by stretching it out so much?" (Thanks, Josh!)

2) "Engorgement? Oh, what to do when you feed the baby too much?" (After glancing at a handout at our breastfeeding class...I told him it wasn't about the baby being engorged....)

3) "Seriously, let's start using the baby monitors now so I can page you when I'm down in my office and you can bring me a soda." (In his dreams!)

The Nursery Theme Is...

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh

Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff

We finally registered this past Saturday. I had my mind set on a zoo animal theme and bedding...but, my husband can be pretty persuasive, so Winnie the Pooh it is! :-) This is just a picture from the Babies R Us website of the bedding and other accessories. I know it looks more boy-ish in this picture and there is a lot of blue in the bedding, but we still felt it's pretty neutral overall. I'm accenting more with green (and some pink)...and keeping the walls in the nursery a neutral tan color.

Many of you know I went through a Winnie the Pooh phase during high school...brought on by Josh. One of the first gifts he gave me when we started dating was a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal that he got when he went to Disney World before meeting me. After that, it became tradition for him to give me Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals that were dressed up and related to holidays and other themes...I've lost count of how many I have! He also proposed to me with the help of Winnie the Pooh. Eventually, I became so sick of Winnie the Pooh and so sick of having so many stuffed animals and other Winnie stuff that I had to tell Josh and family that I was over Winnie!

Below is the first Pooh bear he gave me and the proposal Winnie.

So, while I am still not quite the Winnie the Pooh fan I was before, I am happy with our choice for the nursery. Josh completely won me over by expressing the meaning Winnie had for him and for us because of our history. It was so....endearing, I swear it made me love Josh even more than I already do. How could I say no to him?

I know that someday we will give the first Winnie the Pooh Josh gave me to our daughter, and I can't wait until she's old enough for me to explain everything. :-)

Wow...sorry this entry ended up so sappy! That's so not like me! Ha! Ha!

Uncle Brandon's Debut on the Blog!

Last week my Dad and Brother came over to put together the last piece of furniture for the nursery. There were a LOT of pieces! It looked very complicated to me. I was glad they were there!

They made it seem pretty simple though...I guess following the directions probably helped!

Almost done...

FINISHED!

Josh and I really appreciated their help! I am also excited to one day be able to tell Baby Smyser that Grandpa Dave and Unckie Brandon (that's what Josh and I call him!) put this dresser together for him/her!

Only 11 more days until the 3d/4d ultrasound! I am getting anxious!

I Can't Believe We Own A Crib?!

After much (probably too much) deliberation and stress, I finally picked out the crib and dresser for Baby Smyser. Last Sunday my Dad came over to assist Josh in putting the crib together. I have proof that the guys (including Winky) followed the directions!

Winky was very nosy and wanted to be a part of the action at all times! I think he is chewing on a screw driver right here...

They look confused here, but it actually went really smooth!

Yay! It's completed! I can't believe that in a few months there will be a baby in there!!!

I still haven't finalized a theme/decorations for the nursery...I've moved on from the yellow/duck theme, and have been more attracted to the zoo animal themed stuff at stores, but we'll see. I plan on making myself make a decision by the end of May!

Foto Friday - Baby Smyser's Room

We have a lot of work to do and stuff to buy!