My talented sister Rebekah helped me recover the glider cushions. I like them much better now. Partly because Hannah came early and partly because I'm a huge procrastinator, the cushions weren't quite finished until after she was born. But now that it's all done, I love to sit and rock my sleepy little baby.

One thing I did accomplish before the big day was to wash and fold and neatly organize all of Hannah's tiny (but not quite tiny enough!) little clothes.

We still have a lot to do and a lot that we didn't do on time, but it really doesn't matter. She's here safely and that's what really counts. We sure do love our baby girl!!!

New Glider!!!

I have been scouring Craigslist and KSL classified for a cheap filing cabinet for our office and was THRILLED to find this cute little piece for only $20!!! It will obviously need new cushions/covers but it is otherwise in pretty sweet condition. What a blessing!!!

Carpet Update!!!

Paul and I are very fortunate to have good friends and family. We recently received a free carpet remnant from my dad (someone he works with had been storing the brand-new piece for a few years and decided to toss it). It was the perfect size to have installed in our hallway where some of the carpet was tearing up and has made a huge difference in our apartment! Luckily, it was free and through Paul's kind friend Cody from the Police Academy was also installed for free. This same Cody brought us another remnant on Friday (gently used beautiful shag) that he has offered to come help install when he and his brother-in-law (who installs carpet) are available again. Problem solved in the nursery. No more yucky orange shag. I am so happy and so grateful.

Pictures forthcoming...

Resourcefulness

Paul and I are learning to be creative and frugal in our small apartment. Sometimes, this means living with things that we don't exactly like, like this 1970's shag carpet:


and other small things that get in the way of our grand ideas. Much as I would like to change many of these things, this isn't our apartment and we don't have money to invest in a home we don't own. So, we live with small matters such as orange carpet and wood paneling and look forward to someday owning our own four walls...

Fear not, however. I haven't had an apartment lick me yet and I will do the best I can with this one. Check back often for more on our upcoming nursery "suite."

Nursery

I am already spilling over with ideas for our baby girl's nursery and ecstatic to begin the whole process! As I had seriously expected to and prepared myself to be having a boy, girl ideas are still pretty new but so exciting. I am all about pink, ruffles, lace, etc. and am planning the most gorgeous, low-budget & apartment-sized nursery yet. It is already so much fun. Here are some of the ideas I've had rolling around in my head. More to come later...

Starting with a simple white wooden crib:

I'll add in touches of soft blush pink,


And layer it with ruffles and lace, like this:

Or this,

Or this:

Or this:

The ideas keep coming and I am excited to start making them happen (with as much creative energy and as little money as possible...bring it!) My sister Rebekah is an AWESOME seamstress and is kindly willing to help in those areas where I lack experience and talent. It's going to be so much fun!!!

The Name Debate

Naming our little one has been much harder than either of us ever expected. A lot more goes into a name than simply liking it, and we really feel the importance of our responsibility in this matter. We had a few boys names that we really liked and probably will later use when we have a son, but I was so surprised by the ultrasound when we found out we are having a girl that I completely blanked out. The dust is finally clearing and I have begun to get a hint of an idea what this sweet little baby is like and I really want her name to be right for her. Paul is always so level headed and practical and that is really helping throughout this process. I, on the other hand, tend to be pretty irrational, emotional and unrealistic. That can make it hard when choosing the name our first child will answer to her entire life. I really appreciate Paul's stability and common sense in this as it helps me to really keep focused on the entire picture and not just "what's in a name."

Here are our favorites so far, narrowed down to eight and then six (with asterisks) around 1:30 a.m. this morning:

Gracie*
Hanna or Hannah *
Hayley
Julia*
Lana*
Noelle
Savannah*
Victoria*

Though still a big list, this is MUCH more manageable than the twenty or so we started with last night. We really feel like the name we will ultimately choose will come from this list but are still open to others we may not have thought of, considered or heard of yet. Stay tuned...