I watched the movie about Bob Dylan this weekend...and it was amazing :) I've really started to like more of the folk/bluegrass bluesy music and so does Leo! He dances like crazy in my tummy when we listen to it. I love that he seems to be on a somewhat schedule and its been really nice to feel him move as a reassurance he's still there. During your 2nd trimester you feel so good that sometimes you can scare yourself that you're really not pregnant at all. I'm getting closer and closer to that 3rd trimester though so I better enjoy it while it lasts I suppose.
My last post I said there may be some changes and boy are there! All positive (I hope). Thursday of last week a fellow shop owner in the village came into the store and we were chit chatting and she mentioned that she was looking for someone to share her space and schedule with. She has a wonderful resale boutique of higher end labels that is right on the main part of the village. She said she has a 14 month old and due with another baby bean in March/April and would really like to be able to have more time with them. This was music to my ears because Tim and I were going to have to make a final decision on the store with Leo coming. It's been doing well but not well enough to help pay for as least a little bit of childcare and I having to close up a month could have ruined us!
On Saturday Tim and I met with her and her husband and looked at her space. It is super cute and our items will compliment each other really well. I was so happy everyone was in agreement that we would have the 2 stores come together! I will be moving in the end of February and we'll be officially together as of March 1st! This will give us some time to work together before Aimee has her little baby (I hope it's a boy too!). It's so great how well this all turned out. The really great part: I will have a 2 day work week with 2 saturdays a month! To me that seems like the best of both worlds. I'll get plenty of time with my little man as well as some adult time and once he gets older I won't feel so bad about putting him in a day care or play group a few hours a week.
The great news/change has continued to today! I got a message from Kelsey on facebook asking if I'd make some items for her store, Orange Possum as well! I'm so excited to do this. It was really special when I got to open a store with my stuff in it but for someone else to put your items that you make with your own hands in their store is really an honor. Theeeeeeeeeeen I got another message from Aimee that her friend in Chicago has a store and would like to have some of my dresses in there! In Chicago!! I'm on cloud 9 for sure :) All of a sudden I'm going to go from slooooooooow to busy, busy, busy :) I love it though and I can't really complain when it's something I love to do.
In the middle of all of these things I'm going to try to help with the Art in the Park that will be just down the street from the new space, start at the farmer's market (working outside all day on Saturdays...what could be better?), and maybe try to have this little baby too! I am so thankful and up for the challenges ahead!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Changes on the Horizon?
I just got a very fun, exciting prospect for the store. It would involve some change but days off and not having to close during my maternity leave. Nothing is set in stone yet but hopefully it will be in the next few days because I'm just bursting at the seams to tell! Change is a little scary but the opportunity for more success and being able to be with Leo more days a week it's definitely worth it.
It's funny how the universe has ways of lining things up to help you when you need it. Cross your fingers for me that this works out how it is in my head!
More to come later!
It's funny how the universe has ways of lining things up to help you when you need it. Cross your fingers for me that this works out how it is in my head!
More to come later!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Baby Bloggin'
So I bought a baby journal almost a month ago but I bought it because I liked the cover and the title was cute "To my Baby with Love" but then I got home and started filling it out and the questions just weren't what I like...so I need to get a new one and start over! I was so on top of it too :( That's ok though because I love looking back and thinking about the whole experience. I know some people have really hard pregnancies or just plain hate being pregnant but I've been lucky enough to have a great one!
It is so great having a name to call the baby even when he's still in my tummy tum tum. Leopold Neal Francis...Baby Leo. It's probably all in my head or pure coincidence but ever since I've been talking to him using his name he is so much more active and his little kicks and punches are getting bigger and bigger everyday! I love feeling him inside me move and it makes my heart flutter to think that I'm lucky enough to be his mommy :) I looooooooove when Tim talks to my tummy and has the biggest smile on his face. Being pregnant (when it's planned) makes you fall in love even deeper with your spouse I think and in a whole new way! I can't wait to see Tim with him...he's going to be such a good daddy even if he's scared to death at first! He hasn't held a baby since he was 8...20 years ago!
I'm so excited that our church is having an "Expecting Parents/Toddler Parents" mixer this Friday so we can all get to know each other. It's going to be a big pizza party and we all bring ingredients to share and have fun. Being the only pregnant person in a church is so exciting because everyone wants to talk to you haha. It's such a nice way to get to talk to some of the older folks too because they get so excited that they get to go through the experience with us even if it's just on Sundays. I can't wait until Leo gets to go to RE on Sundays and participate in the activities. It just so silly to think that in a few years I'll probably have the kid up front that talks the whole time during the children section of the service!
The only down point of being pregnant is this sleep thing...I'm starting to get bigger and the whole sleeping thing is just starting to get annoying because no position is comfortable and once I do get comfortable I have to get up and pee anyways! In the last week Leo went from being a night owl to a morning glory and I've been getting up by 7 everyday! Not that this is that much earlier than normal but on a Sunday I'd love to get to sleep in until 8:30. If this is the worst of it though I'm so lucky so I'll try only to complain to Tim to make him feel sorry for me and dote on me ;)
Only 19 more weeks before my baby boy is here!
It is so great having a name to call the baby even when he's still in my tummy tum tum. Leopold Neal Francis...Baby Leo. It's probably all in my head or pure coincidence but ever since I've been talking to him using his name he is so much more active and his little kicks and punches are getting bigger and bigger everyday! I love feeling him inside me move and it makes my heart flutter to think that I'm lucky enough to be his mommy :) I looooooooove when Tim talks to my tummy and has the biggest smile on his face. Being pregnant (when it's planned) makes you fall in love even deeper with your spouse I think and in a whole new way! I can't wait to see Tim with him...he's going to be such a good daddy even if he's scared to death at first! He hasn't held a baby since he was 8...20 years ago!
I'm so excited that our church is having an "Expecting Parents/Toddler Parents" mixer this Friday so we can all get to know each other. It's going to be a big pizza party and we all bring ingredients to share and have fun. Being the only pregnant person in a church is so exciting because everyone wants to talk to you haha. It's such a nice way to get to talk to some of the older folks too because they get so excited that they get to go through the experience with us even if it's just on Sundays. I can't wait until Leo gets to go to RE on Sundays and participate in the activities. It just so silly to think that in a few years I'll probably have the kid up front that talks the whole time during the children section of the service!
The only down point of being pregnant is this sleep thing...I'm starting to get bigger and the whole sleeping thing is just starting to get annoying because no position is comfortable and once I do get comfortable I have to get up and pee anyways! In the last week Leo went from being a night owl to a morning glory and I've been getting up by 7 everyday! Not that this is that much earlier than normal but on a Sunday I'd love to get to sleep in until 8:30. If this is the worst of it though I'm so lucky so I'll try only to complain to Tim to make him feel sorry for me and dote on me ;)
Only 19 more weeks before my baby boy is here!
Monday, January 11, 2010
What a wonderful past few days!
On Saturday mama and papa came down for a visit to help celebrate my birthday. I love when they come down and we can go explore the town together and just hang out. I promised my dad a steak dinner the next time he came down so I brought him to Golden Corral...which is a huuuuuuuge buffet where you can get your steaks cooked to order! Oh my gosh was the baby bean happy with all that food.
We also went to Roller Derby after dinner! If you've never been to one it's so much fun. Mom really liked it but dad...he wasn't so impressed. Luckily there was Bald Eagle days for him on Sunday to make up for it.
I get so excited now that we've started shopping for the baby :) On Sunday we set out on a mission to get the perfect crib! Holy moly I never knew cribs could range in price so much. I wanted a nice one that could be used for the next few babies as well so I didn't want to go with the cheapest one I could find. Those are also things that you really need to see and touch and shake! I found the perfect one at Sears of all places...thanks to mama for suggesting it because I would have never thought to even go there! Really who goes to Sears anymore? It looked just like the $500 one we saw at Baby's R Us so I was really happy with it. Tim and Anthony got it all put together today and it's amazing. Of course we had to let the puppies try it out. Jolee wasn't so impressed but I think that Lola thinks its her bed and her bedroom now.
We also decided on decor while shopping! Well it wasn't so much a "we" as a "me" but Tim was very happy with the choice! It will be woodland animals with a focus on deer and owls! I got really cute vinyl decals for the wall since we're still renting and can't paint (I can't wait to be able to buy here!). They turned out sooooooo cute and mom got a deer mobile for the baby...dad was so proud being the avid hunter that he is.
Sooooooo the big news! We had our 20 week ultrasound where you can find out if you're having a boy or girl. I knew from the start that I wanted to know. I hated calling the baby just baby or even them or the worst "it"! First they had to measure and find all the body parts they could and everything was turning out great...it was so cool to see the little booty and a great profile shot of the baby but the best is when we found out we're having a little boy!!! I've been having a feeling lately and really last night that we were having a boy and it's so great to know. I feel so much more connected with the little guy and it makes planning so much easier. I've already gotten him his winter coat for next year (for $7 when it was originally $36)!
We don't have names yet...and we might keep it a secret because I hate when people give their input on a name when it's negative! I've never done that to someone but either we're picking really stupid names or we have really opinionated people around us haha. I'm so picky but I think once I stumble upon his name I'll just know :)
What a wonderful time it is to be alive. I'm so grateful for everything that's happened and how luck I am to have a great family and support system.
On Saturday mama and papa came down for a visit to help celebrate my birthday. I love when they come down and we can go explore the town together and just hang out. I promised my dad a steak dinner the next time he came down so I brought him to Golden Corral...which is a huuuuuuuge buffet where you can get your steaks cooked to order! Oh my gosh was the baby bean happy with all that food.
We also went to Roller Derby after dinner! If you've never been to one it's so much fun. Mom really liked it but dad...he wasn't so impressed. Luckily there was Bald Eagle days for him on Sunday to make up for it.
I get so excited now that we've started shopping for the baby :) On Sunday we set out on a mission to get the perfect crib! Holy moly I never knew cribs could range in price so much. I wanted a nice one that could be used for the next few babies as well so I didn't want to go with the cheapest one I could find. Those are also things that you really need to see and touch and shake! I found the perfect one at Sears of all places...thanks to mama for suggesting it because I would have never thought to even go there! Really who goes to Sears anymore? It looked just like the $500 one we saw at Baby's R Us so I was really happy with it. Tim and Anthony got it all put together today and it's amazing. Of course we had to let the puppies try it out. Jolee wasn't so impressed but I think that Lola thinks its her bed and her bedroom now.
We also decided on decor while shopping! Well it wasn't so much a "we" as a "me" but Tim was very happy with the choice! It will be woodland animals with a focus on deer and owls! I got really cute vinyl decals for the wall since we're still renting and can't paint (I can't wait to be able to buy here!). They turned out sooooooo cute and mom got a deer mobile for the baby...dad was so proud being the avid hunter that he is.
Sooooooo the big news! We had our 20 week ultrasound where you can find out if you're having a boy or girl. I knew from the start that I wanted to know. I hated calling the baby just baby or even them or the worst "it"! First they had to measure and find all the body parts they could and everything was turning out great...it was so cool to see the little booty and a great profile shot of the baby but the best is when we found out we're having a little boy!!! I've been having a feeling lately and really last night that we were having a boy and it's so great to know. I feel so much more connected with the little guy and it makes planning so much easier. I've already gotten him his winter coat for next year (for $7 when it was originally $36)!
We don't have names yet...and we might keep it a secret because I hate when people give their input on a name when it's negative! I've never done that to someone but either we're picking really stupid names or we have really opinionated people around us haha. I'm so picky but I think once I stumble upon his name I'll just know :)
What a wonderful time it is to be alive. I'm so grateful for everything that's happened and how luck I am to have a great family and support system.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Snow Day!
So one advantage of owning your own business is that you make the rules! I've never taken snow days at any of my other jobs. I actually liked snow days when I worked at IC because no one was in the office and usually we got free lunch, coffee, or Cabin Coffee Cinnamon Rolls delivered (I miss those and Papa's! I get pregnancy cravings for both but for some reason Tim thinks the 8 hour round trip may be asking a little much haha). Being pregnant I'm a super grandma and am so afraid of falling! Luckily my sweet little brother did get me boots finally (it's really silly that I live in Iowa without them.) but I feel Monday taking the dogs out and that was just over my pant leg! So anyways, I get to close the store when need be without feeling badly about it. Plus I figure there aren't a lot of shoppers out when it's so yucky out.
I've already got some cleaning done and out of the way, with only two people and all my sewing stuff out of the apartment it doesn't really get messy anymore. I would like to cook up a storm but that would involve leaving the apartment so maybe I'll just have to invent something out of the stuff we have in the cupboards. I'd also like to finish cleaning out the closet (it's so close to being done!) I'll probably work on that and try to find a place to put Timothy's suits. The suits he hasn't worn since his job interviewing days! How did he get a job he can wear jeans and tees to but is also professional? What a lucky duck!
Tomorrow is my birthday! I'll be 24 :) Tim got us reservations already at the restaurant so that step is taken care of. He's nervous because I won't tell him ideas for a gift besides not to go over $50 because all of our money is suppose to go on baby stuff which is so much better anyways! I'm excited to see what he comes up with. This is also the first year that he hasn't tried to celebrate on the 6th instead of the 8th. Last year he thought he was so sly getting me an ice cream cake on the 6th and surprising me on my lunch break! I guess it's better to be early than late!
My momma and dad are coming down this weekend and to come to the ultrasound with us on Monday! We actually have busy weekend: Roller Derby on Saturday night, Bald Eagle days on Sunday, and the best part find out if we're having a boy or girl Monday! Mom and dad didn't find out with either me or Uriah but they sure are excited to find out with their grandbaby. I'm so greatful that they are so supportive and so excited to be grandparents. I don't think that it hurts that the baby is leaving the next this year. Tim's mom is also really excited and I'm curious to see what Tim's dad is like with a baby.
I'm going to enjoy this day, get some things done, and relax!
I've already got some cleaning done and out of the way, with only two people and all my sewing stuff out of the apartment it doesn't really get messy anymore. I would like to cook up a storm but that would involve leaving the apartment so maybe I'll just have to invent something out of the stuff we have in the cupboards. I'd also like to finish cleaning out the closet (it's so close to being done!) I'll probably work on that and try to find a place to put Timothy's suits. The suits he hasn't worn since his job interviewing days! How did he get a job he can wear jeans and tees to but is also professional? What a lucky duck!
Tomorrow is my birthday! I'll be 24 :) Tim got us reservations already at the restaurant so that step is taken care of. He's nervous because I won't tell him ideas for a gift besides not to go over $50 because all of our money is suppose to go on baby stuff which is so much better anyways! I'm excited to see what he comes up with. This is also the first year that he hasn't tried to celebrate on the 6th instead of the 8th. Last year he thought he was so sly getting me an ice cream cake on the 6th and surprising me on my lunch break! I guess it's better to be early than late!
My momma and dad are coming down this weekend and to come to the ultrasound with us on Monday! We actually have busy weekend: Roller Derby on Saturday night, Bald Eagle days on Sunday, and the best part find out if we're having a boy or girl Monday! Mom and dad didn't find out with either me or Uriah but they sure are excited to find out with their grandbaby. I'm so greatful that they are so supportive and so excited to be grandparents. I don't think that it hurts that the baby is leaving the next this year. Tim's mom is also really excited and I'm curious to see what Tim's dad is like with a baby.
I'm going to enjoy this day, get some things done, and relax!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Back to the grind again
I had such a great time during the holidays but now we all have to face going back to our schedules and getting back into the groove of things again, which is hard to do when it's -20 outside.
I love having Monday's off but I wish I wouldn't use it as my day to push everything to! It just seems like it's easier to get stuff done when it's just me in the house. Today I have to run to the bank to finally put my Christmas money in there as well as the last deposit of the month for the store. I know it's not a big chore but I hate going to the bank, especially when I have to make multiple deposits.
Today is the day that I'm starting the transition from spare room to nursery! If anyone else has a spare room that is rarely used you know how much of a disaster it can be! It does give me a chance to put one of my New Year's resolutions in action though: simplify. I have probably 15-20 pairs of high heels which 1) is just unnecessary and 2) I'm not going to be wearing them in the snow, when it's warm I'll have a watermelon growing in me, and then I'll have a baby and I just don't know how practical they will be. Don't get me wrong I'll save a few. I also have too many purses to count to get rid of. I can't believe what I would spend money on!
In one week we will (hopefully) know if the baby bean is a boy or a girl. I can't wait to get a baby quilt started for them! I think the nursery is going to be owl themed! If we have a girl it might have to be poodles though :) Speaking of poodles did anyone else's dogs drive them nuts when they were pregnant? I swear they know because they will not leave me alone and one of them always has to be on or near my belly. They are so spoiled I worry about how they will take to a new little person in the house, especially Lola because she is definitely a momma's baby.
On a different note, a good friend of mine and her boyfriend got engaged yesterday :) It is so great to see two people who love eachother get to make that step! I'm so happy for them and now maybe I'll have someone to have babies with that lives near by. We're going to celebrate the engagement and my birthday on Friday.
I love having Monday's off but I wish I wouldn't use it as my day to push everything to! It just seems like it's easier to get stuff done when it's just me in the house. Today I have to run to the bank to finally put my Christmas money in there as well as the last deposit of the month for the store. I know it's not a big chore but I hate going to the bank, especially when I have to make multiple deposits.
Today is the day that I'm starting the transition from spare room to nursery! If anyone else has a spare room that is rarely used you know how much of a disaster it can be! It does give me a chance to put one of my New Year's resolutions in action though: simplify. I have probably 15-20 pairs of high heels which 1) is just unnecessary and 2) I'm not going to be wearing them in the snow, when it's warm I'll have a watermelon growing in me, and then I'll have a baby and I just don't know how practical they will be. Don't get me wrong I'll save a few. I also have too many purses to count to get rid of. I can't believe what I would spend money on!
In one week we will (hopefully) know if the baby bean is a boy or a girl. I can't wait to get a baby quilt started for them! I think the nursery is going to be owl themed! If we have a girl it might have to be poodles though :) Speaking of poodles did anyone else's dogs drive them nuts when they were pregnant? I swear they know because they will not leave me alone and one of them always has to be on or near my belly. They are so spoiled I worry about how they will take to a new little person in the house, especially Lola because she is definitely a momma's baby.
On a different note, a good friend of mine and her boyfriend got engaged yesterday :) It is so great to see two people who love eachother get to make that step! I'm so happy for them and now maybe I'll have someone to have babies with that lives near by. We're going to celebrate the engagement and my birthday on Friday.
Friday, January 1, 2010
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