I live my life with a broom in my hand...

Now that most of our apartment is hardwood floors and tile I feel like most of my days are spent with a broom in my hands sweeping up dog hair, grass and dust. 

I don't understand how our dog sheds SO much hair...she's so small and her hair isn't even very long! 

Even after just an hour I can sweep up a huge pile of black dog hair. 

She spends most of the day inside her crate so I just do not understand.

I'm to the point that I'm going to buy rugs large enough to cover the floors!

I'm so used to having carpeting throughout our apartment and only have to sweep a tiny area in the kitchen and bathroom - not here though...

Things are still very unsettled and unpacked. 

We had a busy weekend and I've come down with a bad cold and can't seem to do anything but sleep.

Hopefully we will finally get our couch this week along with all the other houseware shopping we have to do.

I can't wait to get the living room settled so we don't have to sit on our bed all the time. 

I feel like I never have anything new to talk about - I have the most uneventful life ever. 

Not for long though so I should enjoy these boring days, right?

I guess I will let you see a little snippet of the house...as much as I don't want to show until it's done...

Here's our bathroom thus far. 

Still needs a lot of little things - rugs, wall decor, towels that match

Once I get things settled I'm going to steal my moms camera so I can get some good quality pictures.

That's what this blog needs...good photos! 

What you make of it...

Today I've been thinking of that old saying:

"Life is what you make of it."

We finally got our internet hooked up. We were supposed to have it on Friday but the guy never showed up.

I have loved not being distracted with the computer. I needed that in order to focus and get things done.

Remember how last Thursday was going to be our day to relax? 

Well, I got a call from my mom that afternoon saying that my dad got out of work early and was going to come move the rest of our stuff.

  Surprise!

Well the "rest of our stuff" just happened to be all of our clothes, dishes, bathroom stuff, etc. 

I spent the next 3 hours before my parents came pretending that there was an evacuation and whatever was left unpacked when they got there would have to be left behind...that really motivated me. I was a frazzled wreck but I managed to get it all packed in time PLUS do our 10 loads of dirty laundry! 

We somehow got our apartment completely cleared out and moved within a few short hours - how we did it I don't know and it's too much work to think about it. 

That night we slept here - in our new home. 

Yep, definitely not ready to sleep here that night. 

Josh and I both are very sentimental and had a hard time realizing we were never going to sleep, eat or shower at 156 ever again. Bittersweet.

We fared pretty well the first night...

Fabienne was too upset to sleep because she had no idea where she was but it was okay because I couldn't sleep either. The next day I worked on cozy-ing up our bedroom and now I couldn't be happier.

I've just been doing fun stuff the past few days...hanging up all my clothes, unpacking all our goodies, trying to get things settled. 

This week sometime we're going to on a shopping excursion for our new couch, television and all the little things we need around the house (i.e. all new blinds, curtains, rugs). 

I'm hoping that by next week it's going to feel a lot more complete in here...then I can start on the nursery!!

This is how life looks right now:

could not be better.

Quick Update.

So, I thought that while I had a few minutes to spare I would do a quick update.

Here's how last week looked:

Tuesday: follow-up ultrasound to see Viv's heart since they couldn't get a good look during the anatomy scan.

Wednesday: My monthly check-up and Josh had a dr appointment too. Got the keys to the apartment.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Cleaned and painted at the apartment all day.

Saturday Evening: Went to the city to see our friends sing at a coffee shop

Sunday: Church then more cleaning/working at the apartment.

Monday: Finally finished cleaning everything and started moving boxes

Tuesday: Moved lots of boxes and relaxed

Phew!

When we first saw our apartment (the first time since we saw it once 2 months ago) I cried for a few hours.

It wasn't how I had been picturing it and my expectations had grown severely. 

I was a basket case that day.

After a few days of cleaning (scouring. It smelled like smoke pretty bad) and painting I am absolutely in love.

I adore our new home.

I love that we haven't had to rush to get things done and I can just do everything at my own pace and not stress and not have to worry about spending time with Josh, cooking, resting.

I love that I have done everything by myself (aside from some help from my dad and then Josh helped paint a little).

I feel more accomplished than ever with the work I've done.

Yesterday and today we have been bringing some boxes over here and there. 

Tonight I have a few furniture painting projects that I need to finish and then unpacking the kitchen!

We were planning on renting a U-haul for the day tomorrow but we're just going to rest instead.

I'm not ready to move all the big stuff over yet and I want to keep things going at the pace that it is.

Josh has the day off tomorrow so we're finally going to just rest together and cook a nice dinner in our new home and just have a day to take in each other and everything that has been going on.

My poor husband has been working so hard and barely has a minute to spare. 

I make sure I just eat him up when he's around though.

We have until the 30th to get everything out of where we're living now so there's no rush to get done.

As much as it would be nice to get everything organized as quickly as possible I need to not overwork myself - for the baby's sake. 

We're getting there slowly but perfectly fine and I am completely and utterly content. 

:)

Vivienne is growing like a weed. 

Just over a pound as of last week!

I can't believe how fast my pregnancy is going by. 

My baby girl is going to be here in the blink of an eye. 

Our weekends are all filled up until the end of October then those 2 big holidays will be here so fast. 

Where is the time going?! 

So Close

We get the keys for our new apartment in 5 days!

I have slowly been packing for the past month or so so that I won't be a crazed preggo when it comes time to move.

Now that I'm not working I have been planning my "project: new home" with every spare moment.

All my life I've always needed to do things by myself when it comes to any sort of project. There's nothing better than having that "I've done every part of this on my own. I've created this with my two hands."

I don't think I've ever been more excited about a project than I am for this one. I think the reason is because this is going to be the place where Vivienne spends her first year of her life and even though it's an apartment - it's going to *really* be a home and it's my job to create that home.

I'm definitely going a little OCD though... 

I have everything planned out perfectly - our packed up boxes are placed around our current apartment in specific spots according to when I will be taking them over to the new place.

I have my days planned out in a lovely schedule. 

Since we have until the 30th to be out of here I'm going to work on one room at a time in the new apartment and get them settled. Then, when I'm finished getting things set over there we'll rent a U-haul and take over the big stuff. I'm so glad we don't have to throw everything in a big truck and just drop it all in the middle of the apartment all at once!

Sometime next week I have to take a trip out to my parents and work on some big pieces that my mom is giving me (bookshelf and antique dresser). I'm going to refinish and paint them so that's going to take a whole day...I wish I did that a few weeks ago. Oh well. 

So, I am super excited and going to be extremely busy over the next few weeks!

Now just to make up my mind on paint colors! 

Gender Appointment!

Today is the day we find out the gender of our baby!

I am hoping and praying that everything goes well and that we will be able to find out.

Our appointment isn't until 2pm which is just my check-up and then from there we have to drive to my hospital in Greece (30min) to have my ultrasound. I woke up super early this morning because I just couldn't sleep from all the excitement and am finding it hard to find things to do until 2 o'clock comes! 

I keep reading stories of women who go in to have their mid-pregnancy ultrasound and have bad news, and I get a little scared and nervous.

I haven't seen my baby since I was 7 weeks along - it's been hard to go so long without knowing if he/she is really alright in there and growing like they should.  

I haven't had many symptoms at all (no morning sickness, nothing) and I keep thinking that my belly should be bigger. 

I am a huge worrier - I need to stop that.

I am just glad I finally can see and know what's really going on in there and be at peace!

I'm sure many of you will be getting phone calls or texts this afternoon!!

Otherwise I will be posting tonight!

As for a few other things going on...

Moving has been put on hold for a few extra weeks. I am really upset about it because our whole house is packed up and ready to move. We were supposed to be moving in this week but Hubs thought it would be better to wait until mid-way through September to start because we couldn't get out of our lease where we are now (that ends September 30th). I am not upset with his decision to wait a few more weeks, since it will be saving us about $600. I'm just antsy to get settled is all. So since our house is all packed up it feels awful to be here. I don't feel comfy and cozy. Everything is everywhere and just messy and gross. Boxes from floor to ceiling, all my packing supplies, spackle for the walls, etc. 

My last day of work is tomorrow. 

I am so excited to be finished. 

A few things happened Monday while I was there and I made the decision not to work as On-Call (when they need extra help) at all. 

so I am not sure what I will be doing with all my time from now until we get the keys for our new place September 14th. With my life all in boxes there's not much left that I can do to get ready to move. 

I will be happy to just relax and enjoy the rest of the summer for a little while. 

It's Official.

We found an apartment!

I am beyond excited and relieved. 

Just when I thought that we were running out of time and options we found our perfect little home. 

We went and looked at it (actually 3 different apartments at the same place) and signed the application within 20 minutes!

The landlord is way too nice - he let us look through three different apartments in different buildings to pick what we liked best. We chose the largest one available and he is replacing all the fixturing, carpets, closet doors, shower fixtures, etc just for us! He even let us choose if we wanted hardwood flooring (laminate hardwood) or new carpets throughout! How amazing. We chose to go with the wood throughout the main parts of the apartment and carpeting for the 2 bedrooms. The kitchen is brand new - new cupboards and countertops, sink, and even brand new tile flooring! 

The bathroom is pretty oldschool - you know, with a pink tub and all; but I can definitely work with it.

We knew immediately that this was the place for us (and for Baby) and felt at peace because we knew we weren't just settling for something not so nice because we were running out of time. 

I've been praying like crazy that we would be settled soon and it's paid off!

It's right in town so Josh can literally walk to work and school if he wanted to which is wonderful, especially since we only have one vehicle right now. 

The landlord wanted to have it rented by August 1st but seeing as that date is past and they have a lot of renovating to do he said it would be a couple weeks before we can move in. Which is perfect because our lease isn't up here until the end of September - however, we're going to talk to our current landlord and try and work out with her to end our lease Sept 1st instead of the 30th. That way if we get the keys to the new place two weeks from now it will give us some time to paint, clean and just get the place ready for us. 

Oh and did I mention that we're on the second floor too. Here's a little fact about me: I won't live in an apartment that is ground level. Apartment complexes are not one of my favorite places and since we aren't in a place to place a house right now it's really our only option. Since we live in a college town I am terrified that some punk is going to bust in the windows and terrorize us or steal my baby. No ground levels for me! 

P.S.

On another joyous note:

Tomorrow I am planning to give my boss my two weeks notice. 

Josh and I sat down and had a long talk about me leaving my job and what that will entail for us financially.

We will have to be extra thrifty. No more eating out all the time, going to the movies, stuff like that for awhile.

Right now I just feel like getting our home settled, my health (aka my high blood pressure), and trying to get ready for baby are my top priorities right now. We currently only have one vehicle as my dad is fixing our other car and with Josh starting school in a few weeks plus working 2-3 jobs my driving all the way to the city 5 times a week (25miles each way) is just sucking up gas. We won't be paying for insurance or gas for our second car (we will just let my parents keep it) which is going to save us a lot. Another good thing is that the apartment we just signed for only costs $40 more than the one we're in! We've been planning to spend almost $800 so this is just fantastic - we'll be saving $200 more than what we planned a month.

My hope is to get my blog up and going in a bigger way. If I'm not working all day it's going to be easier for me to do regular posts. I'm praying for growth in this area as I want this blog to be a kind of virtual baby book for our child - or if not just for me and my family. I just need to keep focused.  

I also applied for a one day a week nanny job and the lady wants to meet with me - which would help a little. Only thing is is that I didn't mention I was pregnant - so that might be a downfall if she is looking for long-term care.

Anyway...

I definitely feel God moving and working in our lives so powerfully. 

Nesting.

I know it's a little early to want to start nesting but I just can't help it.

We're still looking for a new apartment - without much luck.

We move out of here September 30th which means that by the time we get all of our stuff settled into a new place it's going to be at least mid-October. 

From there it's only a few short months until Baby Day! 

So I've been anxious since I really can't do anything to nest for awhile. 

I've been dreaming and planning though!

Here are some of my favorite *drools* nurseries!

all photos via Pinterest

I adore this blue crib and chandelier ^

 Love the painting and decals! ^

Loving the canopy in this one. ^

I think this is my favorite I've seen so far ^

Love the blue and the flowers ^

This isn't very baby-ish but it's darling. ^