St. Paddy's 2011

I was supposed to spend most of my Spring Break in bed by my doctor's orders, BUT...I could not resist the draw of St. Paddy's in Jackson.  It is one of the best days we got going here.  I'm like one of those old ladies who just does whatever she wants because she is old and doesn't care...I had to get an umbrella cause it was so hot.  I mean, really?  But, Leahbeth got one too, so there.  

I want to blame this dress for making me look bigger than I am, but no...my stomach is that big now.  It's all good though, because I am loving eating ice cream every day.  

Oh...and this moved into our bedroom this weekend.  Fancy.   

 

Evolution of a nursery

We will start with putting together the Ikea cribs.  Notice Nate's role and my role in the process:

  Yes...I assisted by eating Sunchips.  And also note that I have moved from the small snack size bag of chips to the big bag.  That is pretty much the extent of my work these days.  I sit and watch while Nate, Mom, and Leahbeth do all the work.  What can I do?  Presently I have over 8 pounds of baby in my belly.  And still at least 4 weeks to go.   I'm so... round.

More of the nursery coming together.

Every bit of trim in this room had to come off for Nate to either replace or sand and repaint.  Pain in the you know what.  But look ow good it looks now!

Adding a new ceiling fan and light and steamed the rug.

Eleanor's bed (this quilt came from my nursery-mom saved it).

I still have a lot of work to do with this wall of shelves.  How to make it look good without making it look cluttered?  That is the issue.  Oh well, it will soon be full of more books and toys and who cares, right?  

I have to give a huge thanks to my friend Christine for helping me with these curtains.  She sewed the material to the bottom to make the curtains long enough to fit these huge windows.  They looks so cute and set the mood for the whole room.

This chair was a hand-me-down form my cousin Alicia, which they shipped to us  from Colorado.  It needed a bit of cleaning but turned out great and is super comfy.  What a great gift!

Hehe...these are both cribs.  Leahbeth found the Ugly Dolls I have been wanting on her trip to Oxford.  I love how simple and clean the lines are on these Ikea cribs.  We still need to hang some art and the banner of flags Madelyn and Leahbeth put together.  

The twins have to share one of their closets with me right now due to my large number of dresses.  But, eventually I will be able to wear them again...right????  The doors to the closet still have to be stripped and painted.  

The biggest piece missing from the nursery is the dresser that Nate is building for the twins.  It will go between the windows and serve as the changing table.  We searched for a piece that fit what we wanted and could not find anything in our price range (i.e. cheap but well made or free).  So, Nate and I designed a dresser for him to build.  And it is going to be a beautiful, modern piece that they can have forever.  (Yes, he is going to build a second piece so each twin can have one....but that is for another day.)  As always, a huge thanks to my mom and sister who came over again yesterday to help me get more organized and work on the room.  (What in the world would I do without those two?) And to Nate who has used almost all his free time to work on this room now that the kitchen is done.  Such a good daddy already.  Well, this is our gender neutral, modern, and a little bit funky nursery.  Johnny Cash and Dolly still need to be hung on the wall but other than that, the room is almost done.

In Case There Ever Was a Doubt

This past week at school has been a rough one.  I won't go into the details, but the week before a break is always hard, because pressure is on to get averages ready, kids are restless, and parents suddenly become very concerned about grades.  Anyway, this past week was even harder for me because I am trying to prepare to be out most of 4th term.  But, my precious 10th grade students reminded me why I love my job and why I love teaching at Murrah.  Here are some pics from the two showers they threw me.  (And I have one to go the week we get back from Spring Break.)

2nd Block in all our glory- they made me sit in that chair.  

Lovely ladies of 2nd Block and token white boy in back (with whom I discuss on a weekly basis the need for a hair trim.)

Aren't my kids so cute?

I told them no gifts, but a few went right on and did not follow directions.  They said they had fun picking out baby stuff.  

This is 1st Block- they brought me to tears.  Before we ate, the "class mamas"- some of the more type A girls who organized the shower- made us all gather around the food and hold hands and pray (I know, I could probably get fired but this is Mississippi).  They prayed that my babies would get here safely and that I would be a good mom.  And they prayed that I would come back soon because they would miss me.  I mean, really?  And people still ask me why I teach at "a school like Murrah."  Really?

Happy days...Friends, Gifts, and Food

There is no denying that I am surrounded by love and support.  The month of February and the beginning of March has been CRAZY fun.  I have seen almost all (I miss you, Kristi) of my best friends and have been so overwhelmed with everyone's generosity that I hardly know what to say...except THANK YOU!   In the midst of the showers and dinners and shopping for baby stuff, poor Nate has been trudging along trying to prepare our home for the twin's arrival.  I am 30 weeks now, so it is close... really close.  Here are some fun pics of my awesome friends.

Joy's baby is already such a cutie pie; I can't wait for Griffin and Eleanor to have play dates with Simms. 

I have the best book club ever- so smart and creative.

Nana holding sweet Caroline...who is growing and getting even prettier every day.

I love all my school friends.

My camera's battery died before I could get a shot with all my school and book club friends.  This was a lovely shower.  Thanks Kimberly, Alix, Tarasa, Betty, and Debbie!

As a wonderful surprise and treat, my dear friend Siobhan brought her baby Isme to stay with me two weekends ago.  I miss Siobhan and Will SO MUCh, and we had the best time catching up.  Siobhan is such a good momma, and I loved meeting Isme.  

How freaking cute are these?  My crafty sis and friends worked so hard on making decorations for my shower that could be used in Griffin and Ellie's room.  

Leigh!  

So lucky to have great family around as well: Aunt Linda and Francis (who is practically family); Ashley, Laura, and Aunt Debra.  

I also feel so lucky to have all these wonderful friends I have made since moving to Jackson in the last few years.  Friends form church and the neighborhood.
  

I was so happy to see my two best friends from college Bettina and Christin.  

I am so lucky to have such great friends who will come from all over to celebrate with me- Memphis, New Orleans, Oxford and Florida.  

Just like old times...only, yes, Siobhan does have a baby strapped to her chest.  So maybe not exactly like our wild and crazy Oxford days.  Hehe.

Me, Leahbeth, Christin Siobhan, Nash, and Bettina  
Note:  I am NOT having a margarita but I really, really wanted one.  Won't be long now (and totally worth the sacrifice).