It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like......

Christmas!!

We finally got around to getting our Christmas tree on Saturday.  The lot close to our house only had 10 trees left and we were lucky enough to find the PERFECT tree.  It's so pretty and smells so good.  

We drank hot chocolate, listened to Christmas music and had a nice night together decorating the tree.  The task of decorating is always a little bit daunting but once those lights start shining on the tree it's always fun.  

Here are a few of my favorite ornaments that we've collected over the years.

This is RD's from childhood.  I just love it.  All of my childhood ornaments are still with my parents...I might have to steal one or two next time we're at their house.

We like to call this guy Vegas Santa

This is nutty

This is going to be our "Elf on the Shelf" starting next year for the little man's first Christmas.  We'll move him every day and remind him that the elf is taking notes and reporting how good he is to Santa.  It'll take a year or two for him to "get it", but i'm excited to start the tradition.

This is "Pearl the Balancing Christmas Pig".  I love her.

Merry Christmas!  

xoxo

A Peek Into Our Future

I spent the day today organizing the little mister's nursery.  It's the most fun i've had in a while!!  I had forgotten about this adorable little down vest that we found at garage sale over the summer for 25 cents.  It'll be a couple years before he can wear it....but isn't it the cutest?!  I can just see him now out in the back yard with his daddy wearing this vest over a little plaid flannel shirt and some worn in jeans.  Those two are going to be the best of buddies.

Love,

Chels

New Bangs Friday

I just downloaded the pictures off of my camera and had forgotten about this baby bump picture.  It's from over a week ago, but we'll just pretend it's from yesterday :)  Note the loooong hair??

Well.....I got a haircut!!  Now I have fun new bangs.  I love 'em!

And I still have a sideways baby.  Happy Friday!!  

xo,

Chels

Oh No ~ Sideways Baby??!!!

We found out last week that our little mister is laying sideways.  This is not great news.  Apparently this happens in only 1 out of 2500 pregnancies and can be more problematic than a breech baby because your uterus forms around the baby in that position, making it difficult for the baby to turn.

We have been trying some wacky things to help the little guy out.  I found a website called spinning babies that has all kinds of suggestions.  So far we've tried:

1) Inversions off the couch ~ this entails kneeling on the side of the couch and hanging upside down while supporting myself with my forearms for a couple minutes a few times a day.

2) Acupuncture.  Before 34 weeks they suggest something called "moxabustion" which involves burning a moxa stick (like a big incense stick) by a certain acupuncture point on my little toe.  10 mins a day for 10 days.  If that doesn't work we move on to needling the toe point next week.

3) Peas and carrots.  Place a bag of frozen veggies or ice pack above the baby's head and put a heating pad on the lower on the pelvis where you want the baby to move.  The baby doesn't like the cold so he moves toward the heat.

4) Music and light.  Play music and shine a light low on the abdomen to entice the little guy to move downward.

5) Chiropractic.  I had a consult and an exam with a chiropractor this week.  There is a special technique called the "Webster Technique" that adjusts the pelvis and is supposedly effective in helping the baby turn.  My first treatment is next week.

6) If none of these things work we move on to having a doctor manually turn the baby from the outside using ultrasound as a guide.  Apparently this is pretty uncomfortable and doesn't come without it's risks.  We'll look more closely at this technique if we have to.

7) If NONE of these work, I have to have a c-section.  My midwife told me they don't even let you go into labor naturally if the baby is still in this position because it's too risky.  I don't even want to talk about this option yet.  I am hopeful that he WILL turn around so we don't have to go this route.

So far he is pretty comfortable where he is and hasn't budged an inch.  I can feel his hard round little head right under my ribs on the right side and he keeps kicking me straight down.  He also really loves to sit/kick/punch the nerves in my hips sending shooting pains through my body all day long.  

PLEASE MOVE LITTLE GUY, PLEASE!!!! 

Spring Preview

I just closed Lola Miren for the next few months, but couldn't stand to NOT share this adorable new print!  I'll be adding this to the line just as soon as I open back up in the early spring.  One lucky little lady has this on the way to her in the mail as we speak.

Isn't it adorable??!!  And it was fun to use the little mister's new crib as my photo backdrop.  And don't worry ~ those aren't his sheets.

xo,

Chels

31 Weeks

Last weekend we went Christmas shopping.  We drove out to VA to go to my favorite mall (SO much nicer than the malls around our house) and let me tell you....I hope this is the last time I have to see the inside of a mall in a WHILE.  We had fun, but by the end of the day I was feeling pretty lousy (but I DID get to have mexican food, which is not easy to come by where we live).  This little guy is starting to take up so much room in my belly that i'm not sure where 8 weeks more of him is going to fit!  I'm sure that he's getting bigger every single day and my belly is already bigger than it was in this picture from last weekend.  My belly button still hasn't popped out yet.  If it hasn't by this point i'm not sure if it will?  I guess i'll find out soon!

Christmas shopping is almost finished...thank goodness for the internet!

Love,

Chels

Closing Up Shop (sort of)

With the holidays and my due date quickly approaching, i've decided to close Lola Miren this Friday for Christmas break and subsequent maternity leave.  My mom, dad and (not so) baby brother are coming to visit for almost 2 weeks and I am looking forward to spending lots of quality time with them.  This little man could easily make an appearance any time after they leave and with a two week turn around time I don't want to promise any orders I can't fulfill!

If you are thinking about a "Bundle of Joy" for a new little person expected in early 2011 please let me know soon, I can still squeeze you in!

Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory will remain open indefinitely....pretty much as long as I can pack, ship and run orders to the Post Office.

Thank you so much to my amazing and loyal customers....you are the reason i'll be able to stay home with my baby boy which is the greatest gift I can imagine.

Love,

Chels

(Photo via)

If you want to smile, you should watch this

This MIGHT just be the most precious and beautiful little piece of love i've seen in my whole life.  

Dear Everyone from Melissa Jordan on Vimeo.

I've gotten to know Melissa over the last year or so through her sweet blog as well as through my little business Lola Miren.  She is such a sweet and pure soul and I am bursting at the seams with joy at their news.

Congratulations Jordan family!

Love,

Chels

Wish I Was There

This is my Aunt Farrah  Aunt Kathie.  Her hair doesn't look like this anymore, but I kind of wish it did.  Isn't she pretty?  She is visiting my Mom this weekend in Colorado.  I'm soooo jealous.  I wish I was going to be there for girl talk, long lunches, shopping and lots of Auntie love and hugs.

Miss you bunches.

Love,

Chels

Baby's First Christmas Present

Just ordered these sweet little moccasin booties for baby boy.  

Aren't they adorable??!!!

They are handmade by Pleasantly Plump Knits on Etsy.  

Love!

Isn't This Neat?

This cool product is called the Glo.  It's a nightlight by Boon.  Sadly, it doesn't come out until spring 2011, but I need it soon because it says it's 95% effective at keeping monsters away all night long. 

Best. Leggings. Ever.

Can I just tell you how much I love these maternity leggings?  They are the greatest thing that ever happened to stretchy pants.  I've tried several different types of maternity leggings and these are hands down the most comfortable.  I've also tried to keep wearing my pre-maternity American Apparel leggings and right around 6 months they were just too tight on my belly.  Of course I kept TRYING to wear them and 5 minutes after I put them on they would be squishing my bladder so badly that i'd find myself ripping them off as fast as I could.  The leggings by Be Maternity are completely seamless so you can wear them up over your belly or folded down under your belly.  There are no squishy seams to squeeze your bladder or your ribs.  I even think they will fit post pregnancy (folded down) because they aren't cut like normal maternity pants with the big belly band, they're just one big stretchy piece.  They're available at Target and will be the best $24.99 you've ever spent.

Go. Get. Them. Now.

We spent our Thanksgiving day with these two cuties.  We spent last Thanksgiving with them too....but they were still in their mama's belly.  What a difference a year makes.

Love,

Chels

Because I Love You....

Today only, receive 15% off your Lola Miren order.  Enter lolablackfriday at checkout to receive your discount.  

Happy day after Thanksgiving!   

To Be Thankful

I feel like this year in particular I have so much to be thankful for.  I am thankful every day for my amazing family.  Without them I wouldn't be me.  I can't imagine a world in which my loving, generous and supportive parents....my smart and witty little brother....or my husband, who really is my very best friend in the world...didn't exist. 

This year I am the most thankful for this beautiful baby boy in my belly.  As a small handful of our family and close friends know, arriving at this point in our lives did not come without it's challenges.  It took us two long years of hard work, education, doctor visits, acupuncture, a devastating miscarriage, lots of tears and a fear of the unknown to arrive at our current destination.  We had it easier than a lot of other people who don't get pregnant as easily as they hope, but our challenge was ours to embrace and conquer.  

This particular pregnancy has also come with it's fair share of scary moments and hasn't been picture perfect.  Pregnancy is scary in the most raw physical and emotional way.  It's something that you want so badly so deeply in your soul the thought that it could be gone in an instant is almost too much to bear sometimes.  

One day, my husband started saying to me, "We are having THAT baby".  It's so simple, just a short 5 word sentence, but it has become our mantra.  We ARE having THIS baby.  Those words have gotten me through many days and many worries.  For some reason, that sentence makes me feel like we have some control over what happens because I truly believe that we ARE having this baby. 

I will be forever thankful for him and the joy and laughter that will come along with raising and loving him, every day, for the rest of our lives. 

We can't wait to meet you little man. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

Love,

Chels

come ON!

Every time I open the fridge door I whack myself in the belly with it.  As soon as I get used to the size of this thing it gets bigger.  Trust me, I am happy that this little man is growing up a storm, but really, every time?  Hopefully I don't have to explain "bruise by fridge door" to my midwife.  Depth perception...please come back.


(PS - If I ever win the lottery that turquoise fridge is the first thing i'm buying.  I've been coveting it for years)

First Comes Love....

This is Holland.  

Holland is the best bestie of all besties.  We were sorority sisters, roommates in college and we'll be friends for life.  We couldn't really live farther apart in the same country if we tried....She lives in San Francisco and I live in Maryland so we don't get to see each other nearly as often as we would like.  We do talk nearly every day (thank goodness for gmail chat!) and when we do see each other it's like we never missed a beat.  I am SO over the moon happy for Miss Holland because she....is....getting....MARRIED!!!!  After a whole lot of dress searching the final bridesmaid dress decision has been made and they could not be more lovely:

I cannot wait to wear this dress.  

Holland had the most important job of the day at my wedding.....because she MARRIED us.  Here are a few photos of the two of us on the very best day of my life (our wedding was in Tulum, Mexico):

(that's my little brother Jake walking Holland down the aisle)

(she can't help herself)

Holland, I cannot wait to share the best day of your life with you.  

September 2011, get here quick!

Love you more than words.

xo, 

crmg

Nursery Progress

Happy Monday!  Sooo happy it's a short work week, but can't believe that Thanksgiving is already here.... We've made some progress on the nursery and the hardest part is almost finished - painting!  We went with a bright lime green and used a paint chip swatch of four gradiated shades of green on one wall.  I LOVE how it turned out - it's bright and happy, just what we wanted for our little man.

We still have lots of decorating to do but to me that is the fun part.  I can't wait to hang up all of the pictures we have been collecting for the last 7 months, make his bedding and fold all of his teeny tiny little clothes in the closet.  More pictures coming very soon!

Love,

Chels

OK Go - White Knuckles - Official Video

Am I the last person on earth to see this?  Probably.    

These guys have the greatest music videos!

xo

(Find it here)

Whew.

We've been busy.  My mom is visiting again and I saved a bunch of baby tasks to accomplish while she was here to help.  In the last couple of days we: 

-Ordered the stroller and car seat

-Ordered the cradle for our bedroom and the moses basket

-Finished our registry at Babies R Us

-Bought all of the toiletries (almost) that i'll need post birth + toiletries for baby

-Purchased almost all of the remaining baby items on my list

-RD is almost finished painting the nursery (just some trim left to finish) and started putting the crib together last night.

We're getting there!  Preparing for baby is a big job, especially when trying to run a business.  This week we have our 4th birthing class, interview a pediatrician and interview our prospective doula.

My goal is to have everything ready for baby plus have our entire basement cleaned out and organized (this is no small job) before my family comes to visit for Christmas.  I would love to have some time to relax, take a deep breath and sew some fun goodies for our little boy before he arrives.

Also, we watched the movie "Babies" last night which follows 4 babies from birth to their first birthday in California, Mongolia, Japan and Africa.  It is SO good!  It's really interesting to see how parents raise their babies so differently in each part of the world, yet they all reach big milestones like crawling and walking and talking at around the same time.  It has lots of funny laugh out loud scenes.  I great, easy movie to watch.  Highly recommended for anybody.

(Photo via)

Yoga Birth

This is Heather.  Yep, she's 9 months pregnant and doing a headstand.  She is pretty awesome.

Heather is our teacher for our "Yoga Birth" birthing classes that we began 2 weeks ago.  Sadly we had to miss our second class since we were in Oregon, but we have our 3rd class tonight.  

Yoga Birth is described as:

"An innovative childbirth education class for couples that combines the ancient mind-body wisdom and spiritual consciousness of yoga with education on the modern birthing environment."

So far I love this class and is the perfect preparation for the kind of birth I hope to have.  We are also talking to Heather about being our Doula so fingers crossed she is available!

If you live in the Baltimore area I highly recommend this class.  If not, i'm sure there are similar birthing classes in other parts of the country.  Definitely worth looking into.

Love,

Chels

Postcards From Italy

Postcards From Italy from ForYouLoveMe on Vimeo.

Love, love, love this adorable video from "Rockstar Diaries".  They are also expecting a little baby in the coming weeks!  So precious.

Enjoy....xo

Stokke

Before we found out we were having a baby we had never heard of Stokke.  It's quickly become one of our favorite brands for baby.  Their pieces are super functional, well made, and look amazing.  The only downside....it's expensive.  Over the summer we had one LUCKY Stokke garage sale find that deserves it's own post.  We also picked up this awesome Stokke changing table in Portland from Little Urbanites for HALF off!  It was a floor sample that was already put together....so we bought it, grabbed a wrench and took it apart, packed it up and shipped it home!  It should be here any day and i'm sooooo excited.  Hopefully we'll be able to get it put back together :)

The coolest part??  It transforms into a shelf...and then a desk!  We'll have this forever.

Love it.

xo,

Chels

(photos via)

PDX

We just returned from a whirlwind trip to Portland, OR to visit RD's family.  We haven't been back in almost 2 years....WAY too long.  Living on the other side of the country definitely makes it difficult but we always have the greatest time while we are there.

The best part is always spending time with our Niece....she has a real name but for some reason she's been called Pootie since she was teeny tiny.  She didn't know we were coming and we surprised her at school.  She pretty much looked like this:  

We miss her terribly and we tried to squeeze in two years of time apart in 5 days.  She REALLY loves the baby belly and was mesmerized with feeling the little boy kick.  She can't wait to meet her new cousin (although she MAY be a bit disappointed he's not a girl...we'll try better next time Pootie).  We spent lots of sweet time together and she spent lots of wrestling and wild time with her favorite Uncle.  He LOVES to torment her ~ a few highlights included a candy parade (dumping two GIANT bags of candy down the stairs and around the living room), he brushed his teeth with squeeze cheese, hid 100 tiny play doughs all along the top window mouldings in the dining room, did lots of muscle flexing (uuuuggghhhhh....right Pootie??) made a "kitten burger" out of her stuffed kitten and a hamburger bun and hid it in her room when we left.....he turns into a kid around her and although she ACTS like she doesn't like the things he does, I know she really, really loves them and misses him sooooo much.

We took her to YUMMY YUMMY Voodoo Doughnut for some sugary treats (this might have been mostly for me).  They have some crazy flavors like the bacon maple bar, captain my captain (covered in Captain Crunch), mango tango (filled with mango jelly and topped with vanilla frosting and tang), double bubble, grape ape and dirty snowball (marshmallow topping, dipped in coconut with a dollop of peanut butter in the middle).  My favorite was the Portland creme...kind of boring compared to the rest but SO GOOD.

Of course we carved pumpkins, had a hair and makeup costume session and went trick or treating!

This picture pretty much sums up the entire trip (teasing and hair pulling):

We love you Pootie and miss you soooooooooooooo much!!!!  Can't wait for you to come visit baby in a few months.  He's going to looooove his big cousin!!

Lots of love,

Uncle & Auntie