August 2009 Archives

Several years ago, my mom invested in a pair of really fabulous candlesticks. They are plate, not sterling, but very nice--the kind of candlesticks you hand down. Actually, I guess they are more candelabra, rather than candlesticks. Whatever, they're fancy.

The other day, at my parents house, I noticed that the candelabra were sitting on a table in the dining room. No wait, I thought. I had just seen those on a table in the gallery. I whirled around. Pair in dining room, AND in gallery. Four candlesticks. "Mom? Did you find another pair of candelabra?"

I guess you have to know that my mom is pretty good at finding things. Big things. Like furniture. And candelabra. She grinned from ear to ear. "I did! For $45 a piece on ebay." Um, seriously? Basically, that equates to finding a 2.5 carat diamond ring for $500 bucks. She got a STEAL.

"Well, I bet you were safronified that day," I said.

"Yes, I was." She was obviously incredibly tickled with her deal.

Fast forward to today. Right now. This moment. 2:30 a.m. on some day, on some unknown countdown, headed toward the birth of our first child.

I am NOT safronified.

I am beyond miserable, and doing my best to not complain (to everyone but this blog, obviously). I actually put on make-up tonight, just to make myself feel better. I never wear make-up, so this means I'm feeling pretty crunky. I want this kid to get here. I'm ready. I've googled "cm dilated" and "braxton hicks" and "high blood pressure pregnancy" until I'm pretty sure I came to the end of the Internets on the subject. If anything, I have resigned myself to living with what every single site remotely dedicate to pregnancy predicts: that this baby will arrive when he's ready, but not before then.

Until then, since I can't sleep, I'll go google some more. Again.

We've made more progress since I took these pics, so there are more to come, but here is a taste: chair, before reupholster. dust ruffle. crib with Nana's handmade quilt, no bumpers yet.

I dropped off my computer at the Mac store today. They told me I had misdiagnosed the problem--that it wasn't the Logic Board, but rather, I just needed a new keyboard. I guess three years of 20 hours-a-day finally got to the poor machine. I'm surprised it took that long.

After that, I headed to work, where I planted myself in front of another computer, to try to get some stuff done. I think all I successfully did was stick my nose into all the business going on around the production room, which apparently did not contribute to my well-being.

After a trip to the bank to sign some stuff, drop off some stuff, hubs and I headed to the doc, who diagnosed me with...ugh...high blood pressure. 150/100 to be exact. I had to ask what that meant, and all they told me was that it was VERY high. They made me lay down. I had to force myself to mentally shut down for those 15 minutes, after which they took my blood pressure again, and said it was 130/85. Much better, apparently.

So doc told me to take it easy. SERIOUSLY? Me? Take what easy? If they made Chill Pills, I'd buy stock. For real. But guess what, they don't! And there is a kid on the way! And stuff to do before he arrives! And you're telling me I have to be calm? I mean, doesn't it stand to reason that this whole "take it easy thing" is just going to stress me out more?

I think I'm channeling dooce.com in that paragraph.

Anyway, I managed to get the passing grade on blood pressure, so they let me go. Not much progress on dilation--3.5. Still 80% effaced. Having some major, inconsistent contractions. A tiny sampling of what I'm in for. I've ditched all thoughts of trying to have a natural childbirth. Unless it doesn't get much worse than what I'm currently feeling, that blood pressure is prone to skyrocket if I attempt natural childbirth. Bring on the epidural!

Meanwhile, I'm commandeered hubs' computer and am holding it hostage.

A couple of weeks ago, I was fiddling with some server stuff, and, long story short, I haven't been able to post in two weeks. Learning by hacking is a fine thing, but I can't expect stuff to work well if I'm dissecting it.

But here I am, sans photos for this post, because my computer is currently in need of a Logic Board replacement. I'm using hubs' computer to post this.

I don't have a ton to report, but for sake of documenting this kiddo's arrival to this world, I'll fill you in on that. Last week, at my 37 week appointment, my doctor told me I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She was a little surprised, because I haven't felt any horribly contractions. I'll admit, I was a little bit surprised at first, and started to get a tad excited, but, if you know me, you know I curbed that pretty quickly. There isn't any reason to get worked up over something that could or could NOT happen any day. I called my sister, who told me in no uncertain terms that she remained very dilated with all four of her kids, for WEEKS. Lovely. The waiting game has begun.

Today is my 38 week appointment, so we'll see if any progress has been made. I have definitely been having stronger contractions, but nothing even close to unbearable.

I have darling nursery pics; I'll try to get those up as soon as my computer is repaired.

Hubs has been waiting with bated breath to open a gift from the Malones, that Sara gave me in Atlanta. I made him wait, because I wanted to take pictures. Sara's gift wrapping is so simple and elegant, and well thought out!

From top left: I love the scrabble blocks with baby's initials; a haul of gifts; Hicks Paper Goods stationery (she knows I like aqua!); Hungry Caterpillar book; a wooden alligator (she knows I like alligators and classic toys!); Trumpette tennis shoe socks (baby will be wearing the orange to a 'Go Pokes' game this fall!).

We have nothing for the walls for kiddo's room. When I pointed this out to hubs, his solution was that we should hit a few estate sales this weekend. I promptly replied that I thought our chances of returning with everything BUT children's wall art were high. We laughed.

But I just saw this print from Jane Mount, available for purchase at 20x200, cruising the latest postings at Style Court.

What do you think? I love the touch of aqua in the Pat the Bunny book, and there are accents of royal blue which would tie in well with the toile. And talk about favorite memories! The Little Engine that Could, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Little House...all favorites, and it would never hurt to pass on the love of reading to a child!

What do you think?

These flowers were sent to me by a friend for thanks with helping on a little project. Isn't that sweet? And shameless plug/confession: I'm rather fond of our new matches and coasters.

A few weeks ago, when we were in Atlanta for market, we had the pleasure of dining at Abbatoir. We were joined by Sara (of Party Perfect blog fame) and Ashley, of Simply Put. To summarize the experience, it was in every aspect the most perfectly branded restaurant I had ever been to. I should have taken more pictures, but here are a few I snapped with my iphone.

The entryway was casually elegant, with sisal carpets, gray velvet on the refinely-shaped sofa, and comfortable with flakey woods.

The maitre'd stand showcased business cards and this charming cast-iron cow.

Hubs had a watermelon and fennel salad with fresh ginger and a touch of cilantro. Delicious! The menus were old diner-style, disposable paper menus, covered in great typefaces.

My favorite food category on the menu was "Food in a Jar". I ordered this cucumber mint gazpacho as an appetizer.

For dessert, I ordered a fried cherry pie served with buttermilk sorbet. The entire meal was a highlight of our trip, and we hope to try another Star Provisions restaurant next time we visit Atlanta!

I'm having fun photoshopping photos taken with the camera new lens.

Sherwin Williams and I had an early morning date. I picked out three different blues from three different paint lines: a Benjamin Moore, a Pratt & Lambert, and a Sherwin Williams. I thought they were VERY different. All pale, but the Benjamin Moore "Iceberg" had a hint of green, the Pratt & Lambert "White Smoke" leaned more gray, and the Sherwin Williams hinting blue had a periwinkle tint. They're still drying, but so far, they all look the same. I know they're NOT the same, so hopefully the light will cooperate and we'll be able to figure out which shade to go with.

Here is a close up of the swatch of the new fabric.

I'm off to check the status of drying paint.