Pre-Baby Bachelor Party + Nursery Pics

This weekend Matt and his best friend Lloyd planned a trip to Vegas. Although a few of my friends advised me to put the kibosh on this weekend, I knew Matt really wanted to go (and we both love Lloyd), so I told Matt that I was fine with the trip, as long as our doctor said it was okay. We got the medical approval of all doctors on Thursday, so Matt left Friday morning for a weekend of fun and poker!

While he was busy having fun in Vegas and hobnobbing with poker stars, my parents and sister came to stay the weekend with me to help with the finishing touches on the nursery. It was a great weekend - we got everything accomplished on our list, had some fun and yummy meals, and hopefully my mom's birthday on Saturday wasn't too terrible since I made her paint a nightstand, make a lamp shade and generally work on baby stuff!



One of my favorite touches is this nightstand. When we bought it, I liked the shape and size, but not the color. So my mom offered to (read: I made her) spray paint it green for me. I did not anticipate how much time and trouble this would be for her and my poor dad. It involved many trips to Lowe's, several cans of spray paint, and a power sander, but I really LOVE the way it turned out!





Now all we need is a little bambino to enjoy the space!












And her cute little bathroom:


PS - For any of you concerned about this "Pre Baby Bachelor Party," have no fear. Lloyd's wife and my dear friend, Jennie, and I have already decided that we will get a "Post Baby Bachelorette" trip this Spring and Matt and Uncle Lloyd can babysit little Olivia. I think we're coming out ahead on that deal!

It takes a village

Or at least an awesome family. Ever since I got pregnant, I've referred to this as "our" baby. Yes, Matt's and mine. But also our family's. Not that we have any personal experience, but we're anticipating that raising a kid is going to be a pretty difficult task and we wanted our families on board and ready and waiting to help!

So, at our last doctor's appointment when we heard little Olivia may be joining us early (as in the end of this month!!) we called in the troops. The first assignment - laundry! My mom, sister and I set out washing more loads than I can count of baby clothes, blankets, burp cloths, and socks. So many socks!



Next on the "To Do" list was addressing all the birth announcements. Did you know you can get the envelopes delivered early and then when baby arrives you send in the picture + details to get the actual announcements printed? Genius! I knew immediately who to call for the addressing of the envelopes - sweet Aunt Nazreen, who just happens to write exactly like me! She addressed all the envelopes while I literally put my (incredibly swollen) feet up at her apartment and watched! So, when you get a picture of our little cutie in the mail in a few months, you'll know who addressed the announcement. (This may also the same person who wrote your thank you card from for our wedding by the way. A sister with the same handwriting is a priceless gift!)

This weekend is the final task of completing the nursery. We had to call in the big guns for that one - Mimi (my mom who finally picked her grandma name!) is coming over to help and we are very grateful and excited. Hope to post pics of the finished product soon.

We are very thankful for our little family village!

Shower the baby: Part II

Olivia & I were lucky enough to have another wonderful shower this weekend thrown by some of my closest friends. Everything was decorated so cute and thoughtfully.

"Olivia" books for our Olivia:


Delicious food:


Cute onesies on a string made by my sweet friend Bethany


I had such a great time catching up with good friends and I'm so thankful to everyone who came! A few pics of the guests...

Wonderful college friends:


The grandmas!


My sweet sisters & mom:


Little munchkins celebrating "Olivia's birthday"


April and my Auntie Minda


Bethany and Palmer (who made his first flight to celebrate his friend Olivia!)


And we got showered with lots of goodies from everyone.

My oh so talented friend April painted this tu-tu for Olivia and another canvas with ballet slippers on it! (I've decided Olivia will be as girly as her mommy and I'm doing everything in my power to begin the brainwashing early! Matt is thrilled obviously.)







Finally, a huge thank you to my amazing friends that hosted the shower. I love you all so much & I'm over the moon that Olivia is coming into the world with such amazing aunts & uncles!

Nursery Decorating: The Tree

For months I have been planning and thinking about what Olivia's nursery will look like. Since our furniture arrived a few weeks ago, I was anxious to begin decorating. One of my best friends helped me find the cutest wall decal of a tree with her name in the middle. It was the perfect thing to go on the wall above her crib.

Now, I did not inherit my mother's "Martha Stewart" gene, so I was quite nervous about my ability to properly execute the tree. And...Matt is even less creative than I am and less patient so I did not have high hopes for him either.

But early this morning we set to work putting up the tree. We first cut out all the little pieces.














Then we taped the tree on the wall to make sure we liked the position


And then came the tedious task of peeling and securing the vinyl for all the little branches, each leaf, the birds, and each letter of her name!


Luckily we managed to get the entire tree up without ripping any of the pieces or getting in a fight. This is the final product which we both L-O-V-E. Hopefully Olivia will too! (If not, she's grounded!)

Olivia's First Shower

This weekend my amazing little sisters + 2 dear family friends (with a lot of help from my sweet mom!) threw me such a perfect baby shower. The food was delicious, the decorations were precious, we were surrounded by some of our closest family friends and they generously showered Olivia with the cutest clothes, blankets, books, toys and other baby gear. It was such a fun, special time and I feel so lucky that Olivia already has so many people who love her & can't wait to meet her!

The delicious cake + cute decorations + sweet presents:


































A few pics of the some of the guests:

The Andree family


The sweet little Cannon girls


Aunt Yasmin trying to feel Olivia's position



My sisters & I



My dear friend Lisa who was one of my best friends in elementary school!


Camie, Connie and Jan


My wonderful mom & I


Sweet Dad & I



Matt (who suspiciously arrived just as the cake was being served...) & I