Changing the Changing Table

Remember that Vintage Dresser my Mom won at the auction? Well, we've decided to use it in Baby B's room. This has created a slight decorating challenge for me. I was able to find a crib that pretty much matches the style and color of the dresser. Although Babi Italia sells a dresser that can double as a changing table it would be too much furniture for Baby B's room. The problem now was finding a changing table that kind of looks like it goes with everything else, and not paying an arm and a leg for it.

Last month while perusing Craigslist I came across a changing table that might fit the bill. The style was very similar, and the price was just right at $25 for the whole shebang (it retails for $129). Even though the color wasn't right, I pulled the trigger and bought it. Worst case senario I could re-sell it on Craigslist or put it out for sale at one of our quarterly garage sales.

She's been sitting in our garage while I've been debating what to do with it. I pondered sanding and staining it, painting it green, white, grey or oil rubbed bronze. My first choice was to stain it but I've never stained anything before, and it seemed like way too much work. I'm all about easy peasy these days. My next choice was to paint it green.

I actually found a spray paint color that matched the fabric pattern we are using for the crib bedskirt, and rocking chair pad. That was until I found a pink minky changing pad cover that I lurrrrrved. So I nixed the green, and white paint idea.

I somewhat settled on Oil Rubbed Bronze. I say somewhat because right before I started painting, I asked Chad "Oooh, what about grey?" He said he liked the ORB, so I got to painting.

While I was waiting for the paint to dry, I ended up actually painting (not spraying) the top shelf of the table. It was N to the asty gross.

I let everything dry a full day and a half before putting it all back together. I also opted not to put back the 2nd shelf so that the diaper pail could fit on the bottom shelf. I'm saving the shelf just in case I change my mind, but so far, I think we likey.

And now for the Frugalista Cost Breakdown:

Changing Table & Pad = $25.00
ORB Spray Paint: $12.30
Gloves & Mask: $6.43
White Paint: Free (had on hand)
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Total Cost: $43.73

I can't wait to get her into Baby B's room, and see how she looks with everything set up.

2nd Tri Round Up

My 2nd trimester (weeks 13 to 27) were mostly just as easy as the first. I wouldn't say I'm the luckiest person ever because I'm already getting new symptoms so knowing my luck, I'm going to hit the freaking jackpot of a craptastic 3rd trimester.

The Pros
I never threw up or felt nauseated by anything. I also didn't crave any weird foods. Although I slightly gave up my love for sandwiches toward the end of this trimester. That could also be due to the fact that I ate them like everyday, and sometimes twice a day.

I felt the baby kick! It was pretty dang cool. Although at first I thought I was going to poop my pants. Same kind of feeling, except there is no emergency code brown.

I had some emotional moments but nothing really to write home about. I think I might of been flustered over these same things had I not been pregnant.

I had weird dreams, but no bad dreams, and nothing that was totally out of the norm for me.

The Cons
I hated most meats, other than deli meat. I could eat it but it wasn't yummy at all. Not even the best of the best filet intrigued me. I basically lived off of cereal, sandwiches, fruits, and veggies. 

Acne, acne, acne. It's like I was reliving my adolescence, and it sucked just as bad as it did the first time around.

My hormones might be in overdrive, hence the acne, but I have NOT been able to revel in this "your hair is so thick and luscious" business. Even my hair stylist said the same thing. So basically, my face matches my stringy hair. See? Adolescence.

My back and my hips hurt. Like I gave up working out because I'm afraid of hurting myself even more. I think my cottage cheese legs are making a come back.


It's a Crapshoot

I'm round and getting rounder. This is good, but bad when I step on the scale. I just cannot be happy to see that number going up and up, and up every week regardless if it's because of the baby. I'm only 4'11 and weighed 104 lbs when I first found out I was pregnant. As of week 27, I was up 22 pounds.

And now for the long awaited Bump Pics!

A Little Pumpkin Shower

 

My good friend Robin threw me the most awesomest baby shower the other weekend for our little pumpkin. It was inspired by Pinterest, but with a twist of Erica. Would you expect anything less? The answer is no.

Her house was decorated in a fall/ pumpkin theme. It works out great since she can keep the decorations up for the rest of the season. The food spread was pretty dang amazing too. It was just like Thanksgiving, minus the turkey. We had Heavenly Ham, green bean casserole, my Mom's scalloped potatoes, my Mother-In-Law's sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pudding, a Pinterest Melon Baby creation, and my favorite cupcakes of all time ... Anna Cakes! Anna made cupcakes for my bridal shower, did our wedding cake, and our anniversary cake. Can you tell I love her cakes?

Anna Cakes CUPCAKES!

 

The Melon Baby made by my Aunts, Mom, and Sister

I also had a surprise guest. It was the best part of the entire day. My sister lives in California, and said she couldn't make it to the shower but would be coming out for Thanksgiving. Well, that was a load of bologna.

I was totally shocked. She walks in and I'm just staring at her. Seriously I was staring at her for what of must felt like an eternity to everyone, including her. I think my Mom might of said something like "hello, it's your sister!" It took me a minute to process what I was seeing. This is how the run down went in my brain .... Oh look, it's my sister. Why is she wearing sunglasses inside? What a weirdo. "I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can watch you weave then breath your story lines". Oooh, her hair is brown. I like it this color. What a cute outfit she has on. Wait?! She said she was going to Seattle this weekend. What a liar. What. A Liar. Holy crap. It's my sister! She's in Florida! She is here! She is standing in front of me!"

I don't care too much for the traditional baby shower games so this is where the twist comes in. Thank you interwebs for the idea, and to my besties Marisa for sending the link to me.

A Spin on Pin the Tail on the Donkey

Basically everyone pins their sperm on the uterus, and I get blindfolded, spun around, and stick my egg on someone's sperm. It was a big hit. Everyone wanted me to impregnate them.

Robin and I also put together a onesie decorating table, complete with fabric quarters, iron on transfer paper, and fabric pens. The little booger is going to be wearing some dang cute onesies courtesy of all my guests.

Onesie Decorating

My friend Simone is pimping my kid out.

It was such a fun baby shower, if I don't say so myself. Thanks to everyone who made it out to help celebrate with me.

The Old Rocker Got A Facelift

Trying to find pieces for Baby B's room has been a fun challenge. I really, really wanted to get an upholstered glider but there is no way I was willing to drop that many beans. I checked my newest favorite website, Craigslist, but came up with zilch. I then remembered my Mom had a rocking chair in the guest bedroom at her house.

This old rocker has some history too. It was originally a wedding gift, and was used to rock my sister, moved across country, TWICE, with my Aunt, and rocked many cousins to sleep. Apparently it even had teeth marks from one of them on it. This lady was old, well loved, and I was sold on it.

The color wasn't exactly the right shade that I wanted it, but my Mom offered to pay for it to get refinished. I actually thought about DIYing it, but after my floor debacle I decided to hire a pro.

Three weeks, and $175 later the old lady came home. She is a beauty.

Special thanks to Caroline at Doc's Furniture Hospital for doing such an amazing job!

Ninja or Princess

I went to the doctor yesterday for my monthly checkup. I was lucky enough that we were able to get a sneak peek of our little baby's goods. Based on my pregnancy symptoms, I was convinced I was having a boy.

Chinese Gender Predictor
The ancient Chinese gender chart predicts your baby's sex, based on your age when you got pregnant and what month it was.
Survey Says - BOY

Cravings
Traditional beliefs about pregnancy cravings are that if you crave sweets, fruits, and orange juice you are having a girl. Sour, salty or protein cravings are thought to indicate a boy.
Survey Says - GIRL

Morning Sickness
A woman who suffers severe morning sickness that lasts all day long is thought to be carrying a girl. A woman with less morning sickness or none at all may be carrying a boy.
Survey Says - BOY

Sleeping Position
If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? A girl.
Survey Says - BOY

Appearance
Many people believe that a woman carrying a baby girl may have severe acne. A woman with less acne may be pregnant with a boy.
Survey Says - GIRL

Weight Gain
The belief is that, if your husband puts on weight during your pregnancy, then you will be having a girl. If he doesn't put on a pound, then you're carrying a boy.
Survey Says - BOY

Moods
Feeling extremely moody? Expect a girl.
Survey Says - BOY

Baby's Position
If a woman is carrying mainly in the front, the gender prediction is a boy. If the mom-to-be is carrying the weight all over, the baby may be a girl. 
Survey Says - BOY

Baby's Heart Rate
A baby with a heart rate higher than 140 beats per minute is presumed to be a girl. A heart rate less than 140 beats per minute is thought to indicate a boy.
Survey Says - GIRL

I was totally wrong. We aren't getting a ninja. Well, unless a hotdog grows out of that hamburger in the next few weeks. She's a GIRL!

First Tri Round Up

I've never been pregnant before so I don't have anything to compare this pregnancy to, but I think it's been super easy so far.

With most ladies, the end of the first trimester is a blessing. Mine was just another day in the books. I don't know if it was the fact that I just kept telling myself I would not be sick or barf, or that my own mother never had morning sickness with my sister or I, but it just never came.

The "food aversions" I did have were probably the mildest of any case documented. Although no foods seemed to have made me run for the porcelain God I did have find that early on most foods just didn't seem appetizing at all. For example, I love Greek yogurt but the thought of me eating it made me not hungry. Then I ate it anyway and I was all like "I love you Greek yogurt". It made no sense. Some foods did not have the same effect such as chicken, fish and meats. Specifically all fish, anything but ground beef, and chicken breast. I could still eat it but while I was chewing it I was thinking in my head, "chew, chew, chew, swallow, drink water to wash the taste out."

Just like the food aversions, my food cravings are nothing crazy, such as I must have it or I'm going to die this instant. I love food. All kinds of food. Before I was pregnant I would pretty much eat anything. Cheap, easy, elaborate, expensive, healthy, deep fried ... any kind of goodness, even if it wasn't all that good for me. All throughout my first trimester I wanted fruit and sandwiches. Peaches, plums, bananas, melon, grapes, mangoes, etc. I'm not a sandwich snob either. Chicken, turkey, chicken salad, avocado, BLT, tuna ... there is no end. Seriously, I could live off this food. So while Chad is eating his salmon and broccoli, I'm devouring my sandwich and I am as happy as a clam. Well, not a clam. Those don't seem appetizing. Happy as a peach. Mmmm. peaches.

Here and There

I'm back! Although it wasn't like I was ever really gone. Just MIA. I was busy. Very, very busy.

So how can I wrap up the last 6 months?

Well, I worked ... a lot. I did some household projects. Hubberoos and I did did a lot of couponing; the toned down version of Extreme Couponing. We went skiing at Lake Tahoe in April, although it was more like slushing since most of the snow had melted by then. Chad and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this past May, and we went to Europe on a Mediterranean Cruise. It was lovely. But, the biggest "thing" we did is made a baby ... yikes. We're in trouble now.