Labor Day Weekend

Over Labor Day weekend, Tal, Savannah, and I made our last trip to Salter Path 

before Hadley is born (in about six weeks):

My niece Harper (17 months old)

We visited Tal's grandma who was in the hospital 

(but thankfully came home today!):

We also picked up some baby stuff from Benny and EJ:

Harper and Savannah enjoyed coloring and playing together 

(just ignore Savannah's crazy expression):

32 Weeks!

Everything looked great when I went to the OB today for my 32-week appointment. My weight and blood pressure were normal. My iron levels were still a bit low, so the doctor suggested that I take my prenatal vitamin and iron supplement at different times during the day.

The baby's heartbeat was normal in the 140's. My belly measured 33 cm, which is right on track for being 32-33 weeks pregnant.

Due to my gestational diabetes, the doctor said I'll probably be induced at 39-40 weeks, which means that Hadley will be born October 8-15. On September 22 (when I'm 36-37 weeks pregnant), I'll have a growth ultrasound to check Hadley's weight.  Based on Hadley's weight, the doctor will set a date for my induction...as least that's the plan right now.

I'm believing for a good report when I go to the OB again on September 8!

Hadley's Nursery/Big Girl Bedroom: Reveal!

Hadley's nursery/big girl bedroom is done!

The inspiration for Hadley's room came from the Seaside Floral bedding from PBteen.

For the room's color scheme, I used turquoise and hot pink as the main color

--along with green and yellow as accent colors.

My goal was to create girly, colorful bedroom 

that could grow with Hadley for the next 5-10 years: 

We can't wait to meet our baby girl in about 8 weeks! 

Before starting Hadley's nursery/big girl bedroom, Tal and I saved $1,200 for the project. Here's a breakdown of our sources and expenses:

  $48  Wall Paint and Supplies (Bubble Bath by Olympic)
$182   Juliette Tufted Headboard (Target)
    $0   Seaside Floral Sheets (PBteen--no longer available--already owned)
    $0   Cottage Stripe Duvet Cover in Pool (PBteen--already owned)
  $66   Cottage Stripe Euro Shams in Pool (PBteen)
  $44   Euro Pillows (HomeGoods)
  $64   Duvet Insert (Marshall's)
  $30   Bed Skirt (Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
  $11   Smile Pillow (Tuesday Morning)
$140   Hemnes Nightstands (Ikea)
  $33   Xhilaration Scallop Table Lamps (Target)
  $10   Crib Sheet (Babies R Us)
  $25   Ruffled Crib Skirt (Target)
  $50   Crib Mattress (Target)
  $20   White Vivan Curtains/2 Pairs (Ikea)
  $36   Turquoise Pom-Pom Trim/25 yds. (Etsy)
     $2  Heat 'n Bond (Walmart)
   $12  Curtain Rod (Ikea)
     $0  Dresser
   $38  Belt Sander (Harbor Freight)
   $65  Dresser Knobs and Pulls (Home Depot)
   $37  Dresser Paint (Ultra Pure White and Bubble Bath, Cotton Candy, and Pink Chintz by Olympic)
   $83  Custom Monogram over Bed (Etsy)
 $107  Custom Name Sign above Crib (Etsy)
     $6  Craft Paint for Monogram (Ocean Breeze by Craftsmart/Michael's)
   $90  Ribba Picture Frames (Ikea)
   $27  3M Medium Command Strips (Walmart)
-----
$1,226   TOTAL

Check out all of my previous posts and projects related to Hadley's nursery/big girl bedroom:

Gallery Wall

Monogram above Bed

Custom Name Sign above Crib

Pink Ombre Dresser

Pom Pom Curtains

Lamps and Nightstands

Big Girl Bedding

Headboard

Crib Bedding

Wall Color

Hadley's Nursery/Big Girl Bedroom: Gallery Wall

Today Tal and I hung a gallery wall above Hadley's pink ombre dresser:

I selected Katie Daisy art in shades of pink, turquoise, green, and yellow 

to tie in with Hadley's bedding:

We put the art in Ribba frames from Ikea and hung them with 3M Command Strips:

The gallery wall creates a pretty focal point in Hadley's room!

Tal and I have saved $1,200 for Hadley's room makeover. Here's a breakdown of our sources and expenses so far:

  $48  Wall Paint and Supplies (Bubble Bath by Olympic)
$182   Juliette Tufted Headboard (Target)
    $0   Seaside Floral Sheets (PBteen--no longer available--already owned)
    $0   Cottage Stripe Duvet Cover in Pool (PBteen--already owned)
  $66   Cottage Stripe Euro Shams in Pool (PBteen)
  $44   Euro Pillows (HomeGoods)
  $64   Duvet Insert (Marshall's)
  $30   Bed Skirt (Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
  $11   Smile Pillow (Tuesday Morning)
$140   Hemnes Nightstands (Ikea)
  $33   Xhilaration Scallop Table Lamps (Target)
  $10   Crib Sheet (Babies R Us)
  $25   Ruffled Crib Skirt (Target)
  $50   Crib Mattress (Target)
  $20   White Vivan Curtains/2 Pairs (Ikea)
  $36   Turquoise Pom-Pom Trim/25 yds. (Etsy)
     $2  Heat 'n Bond (Walmart)
   $12  Curtain Rod (Ikea)
     $0  Dresser
   $38  Belt Sander (Harbor Freight)
   $65  Dresser Knobs and Pulls (Home Depot)
   $37  Dresser Paint (Ultra Pure White and Bubble Bath, Cotton Candy, and Pink Chintz by Olympic)
   $83  Custom Monogram over Bed (Etsy)
 $107  Custom Name Sign above Crib (Etsy)
     $6  Craft Paint for Monogram (Ocean Breeze by Craftsmart/Michael's)
    $90 Ribba Picture Frames (Ikea)
    $27 3M Medium Command Strips (Walmart)
-----
$1,226   Subtotal

Hadley's Nursery/Big Girl Bedroom: Name Above Crib

Hadley's nursery/big girl bedroom is almost done!

Today Tal and I hung Hadley's name above her crib:

I bought the custom name sign on Etsy and gave it a couple coats of turquoise paint. 

At Michael's, I bought two bottles of craft paint (Ocean Breeze by Craftsmart) 

that coordinated with Hadley's Seaside Floral bedding from PBteen:

Hadley's turquoise and pink nursery/big girl bedroom is coming together!

Tal and I have saved $1,200 for Hadley's room makeover. Here's a breakdown of our sources and expenses so far:

  $48  Wall Paint and Supplies (Bubble Bath by Olympic)
$182   Juliette Tufted Headboard (Target)
    $0   Seaside Floral Sheets (PBteen--no longer available--already owned)
    $0   Cottage Stripe Duvet Cover in Pool (PBteen--already owned)
  $66   Cottage Stripe Euro Shams in Pool (PBteen)
  $44   Euro Pillows (HomeGoods)
  $64   Duvet Insert (Marshall's)
  $30   Bed Skirt (Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
  $11   Smile Pillow (Tuesday Morning)
$140   Hemnes Nightstands (Ikea)
  $33   Xhilaration Scallop Table Lamps (Target)
  $10   Crib Sheet (Babies R Us)
  $25   Ruffled Crib Skirt (Target)
  $50   Crib Mattress (Target)
  $20   White Vivan Curtains/2 Pairs (Ikea)
  $36   Turquoise Pom-Pom Trim/25 yds. (Etsy)
     $2  Heat 'n Bond (Walmart)
   $12  Curtain Rod (Ikea)
     $0  Dresser
   $38  Belt Sander (Harbor Freight)
   $65  Dresser Knobs and Pulls (Home Depot)
   $37  Dresser Paint (Ultra Pure White and Bubble Bath, Cotton Candy, and Pink Chintz by Olympic)
   $83  Custom Monogram over Bed (Etsy)
 $107  Custom Name Sign above Crib (Etsy)
     $6  Craft Paint for Monogram (Ocean Breeze by Craftsmart/Michael's)
-----
$1,109   Subtotal

Hadley's Nursery/Big Girl Bedroom: Monogram Over Bed

Tal and I are putting the finishing touches 

on Hadley's nursery/big girl bedroom!

Today we hung Hadley's initials (HVA) above her bed:

I bought this 24-inch monogram on Etsy:

The monogram arrived unpainted, so I bought a couple bottles of craft paint

 (Ocean Breeze by Craftsmart) at Michael's. I picked a tuquoise color that coordinates with 

Hadley's Seaside Floral Bedding from PBteen:

After giving the monogram a couple coats of turquoise paint, 

it was ready for hanging:

The monogram was lightweight, so Tal and I hung it with 

two medium Command Strips:

I love how the monogram makes Hadley's bedroom more personal, 

as well as ties in with the room's turquoise and pink color scheme:

Tal and I have saved $1,200 for Hadley's room makeover. Here's a breakdown of our sources and expenses so far:

  $48  Wall Paint and Supplies (Bubble Bath by Olympic)
$182   Juliette Tufted Headboard (Target)
    $0   Seaside Floral Sheets (PBteen--no longer available--already owned)
    $0   Cottage Stripe Duvet Cover in Pool (PBteen--already owned)
  $66   Cottage Stripe Euro Shams in Pool (PBteen)
  $44   Euro Pillows (HomeGoods)
  $64   Duvet Insert (Marshall's)
  $30   Bed Skirt (Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
  $11   Smile Pillow (Tuesday Morning)
$140   Hemnes Nightstands (Ikea)
  $33   Xhilaration Scallop Table Lamps (Target)
  $10   Crib Sheet (Babies R Us)
  $25   Ruffled Crib Skirt (Target)
  $50   Crib Mattress (Target)
  $20   White Vivan Curtains/2 Pairs (Ikea)
  $36   Turquoise Pom-Pom Trim/25 yds. (Etsy)
     $2  Heat 'n Bond (Walmart)
   $12  Curtain Rod (Ikea)
     $0  Dresser
   $38  Belt Sander (Harbor Freight)
   $65  Dresser Knobs and Pulls (Home Depot)
   $37  Dresser Paint (Ultra Pure White and Bubble Bath, Cotton Candy, and Pink Chintz by Olympic)
   $83  Custom Monogram over Bed (Etsy)
      $6 Craft Paint for Monogram (Ocean Breeze by Craftsmart/Michael's)
-----
$1,002   Subtotal

31 Weeks!

Today I had my 31-week OB appointment to check the baby's weight and my glucose levels. During my visit, I saw the ultrasound tech, doctor, nurse, and nutritionist. I got a great report and lots of helpful information about me and Hadley.

The ultrasound tech did a thorough anatomy scan. She checked Hadley's organs and body parts, as well as the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid. Everything was healthy and normal. Tal and I are so grateful for a healthy baby, and we don't take it for granted.

During the ultrasound, the tech confirmed that Hadley is still a girl...which was great news since Tal and I have already announced Hadley's name and almost finished her nursery. :-) Also, Hadley's head was down and ready for delivery, while her body was in a cramped fetal position because there isn't much room left in my belly. The ultrasound tech also commented that Hadley is growing some hair, so she might have some fuzz when she is born.

Hadley weighed 4lbs. 6oz. and was in the 72nd percentile. The doctor anticipated that Hadley would weigh around 8 lbs. at birth. (Savannah weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was born a week late.)

My temperature, blood pressure, and weight were normal. In fact, I've lost a pound over the last week (bringing my total pregnancy weight gain to 4 lbs.) due to my low carb/high protein diet. However, the nutritionist wasn't concerned about my weight loss; she just encouraged me to eat a healthy snack whenever I am hungry.

Since I found out that I have gestational diabetes, I've been following a low carb/high protein diet, as well as pricking myself and testing my glucose levels four times a day (when I wake up, 1 or 2 hours after breakfast, 1 or 2 hours after lunch, and 1 or 2 hours after dinner) The nutritionist was pleased with my glucose levels and told me to check my glucose levels four times a day for the next three days. If I do a good job maintaining my glucose levels with my diet, then I'll be able to cut back and will only have to test my glucose levels twice a day during the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy.

I'm thankful that I got a great report today, and I'm believing everything will go smoothly at my next OB appointment on August 25. Our family only has about 8 more weeks until Hadley's arrival!

Hadley's Nursery/Big Girl Bedroom: Pink Ombre Dresser

Hadley's room is nearly completed!

Thanks to Grandma Barbara who gave us this black dresser 

for Hadley's nursery/big girl bedroom:

Tal used a belt sander to remove a couple layers of paint on the dresser. 

It was a dirty, dusty job that took Tal around 5-6 hours to complete:

Then, Tal sprayed the dresser with one coat of Kilz primer:

Tal and Savannah gave the dresser frame 

two coats of Behr's Ultra Pure White:

To create an ombre effect,

 I painted the drawers three shades of pink to coordinate with Hadley's bedding:

I used three shades on the same paint chip:

Bubble Bath, Cotton Candy, and Pink Chintz by Olympic.

(Bubble Bath is the wall color in Hadley's room.)

To complete the dresser, Tal and I added new clear hardware 

from Home Depot (these knobs and these pulls):

Here's the before and after:

Tal and I hope that Hadley's dresser serves her well for many years to come!

Tal and I have saved $1,200 for Hadley's room makeover. Here's a breakdown of our sources and expenses so far:

  $48  Wall Paint and Supplies (Bubble Bath by Olympic)
$182   Juliette Tufted Headboard (Target)
    $0   Seaside Floral Sheets (PBteen--no longer available--already owned)
    $0   Cottage Stripe Duvet Cover in Pool (PBteen--already owned)
  $66   Cottage Stripe Euro Shams in Pool (PBteen)
  $44   Euro Pillows (HomeGoods)
  $64   Duvet Insert (Marshall's)
  $30   Bed Skirt (Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
  $11   Smile Pillow (Tuesday Morning)
$140   Hemnes Nightstands (Ikea)
  $33   Xhilaration Scallop Table Lamps (Target)
  $10   Crib Sheet (Babies R Us)
  $25   Ruffled Crib Skirt (Target)
  $50   Crib Mattress (Target)
  $20   White Vivan Curtains/2 Pairs (Ikea)
  $36   Turquoise Pom-Pom Trim/25 yds. (Etsy)
     $2  Heat 'n Bond (Walmart)
   $12  Curtain Rod (Ikea)
     $0  Dresser
   $38  Belt Sander (Harbor Freight)
   $65  Dresser Knobs and Pulls (Home Depot)
   $37  Dresser Paint (Ultra Pure White and Bubble Bath, Cotton Candy, and Pink Chintz by Olympic)
-----
$913   Subtotal