Decorating Ideas for Renters

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need whether it be wall art and decor, fitness equipment, or even cute cookware! 

As you may or may not know we are expecting our 2nd child in the spring. We will also be moving in March. I'm thrilled with the possibilities that await us with a new home and new baby. We are renters so we are often limited to our design abilities but with wall decals it gives us the option to jazz up the kid's rooms without damaging the walls.

I really love these 3 owls.

If we have a girl these deer are adorable.

And Jude would love these fun robots.

 

I received a gift certificate in exchange for my honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and not influenced by the company.

Thoughts on Stretch Marks

I think pregnant bellies are beautiful and up until the last 2 months of my pregnancy I was the proud owner of cute baby bump. However, I think some time during the last two months Jude hit a major growth spurt and my skin couldn't keep up. I applied all kinds of cocoa butter and salves but apparently some women are just gonna get stretch marks. Anyway, I'm learning to live with my new squiggly belly friends. Actually, while I was in the shower yesterday morning I was checking them out and thought... I know they will fade over time but they will probably always be there, what a neat little reminder of my pregnant months with Jude. It's kind of like nature's little tattoos, permanently marking a life changing event. So when I'm 50 and I look down and see the faded lines on my belly I'll think back to when my then 22 year old son was a tiny little babe in my belly.

Babies and Shopping

Saturday morning Andrea and I went to the Kids Exchange. There were alot of great deal but I had to stick to my plan and budget. I went in with the mindset that if it wasn't a great deal I wasn't going to buy anything. However, I found several things on my list and stayed within my budget.

I bought:
Safety 1st Table Edge BumperNIB - Paid $10
Fisher Price Monitor - Paid $5
Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders: Musical Fishbowl - Paid $6
LeapFrog Baby Counting Pal - Paid $4
2 Shirts 12mo - Paid $2
Freaking Cute Baby Flip Flops - Paid $4

Andrea got a few baby items and a play mat. We did alot of walking and I think that helped her get labor started as she went into labor that night.

So today we celebrate the birth of baby Updyke.
Oscar Lawrence Updyke
11lbs
22inches
15inch head

WOAH big boy!

Counting Down

Your baby has bulked up like the average cantaloupe -- to about 4 3/4 pounds. (Length: almost 18 inches, head to heel.)

In addition to the Mother's Blessing/Baby Shower last weekend we also stopped by the Handmade Market. I was excited about this specific Handmade Market because lil Lieb needs some orignal, artsy, outfits and accessories! Joe did most of the shopping because I was overwhelmed by all the choices and we only had a few minutes to pick out items before they closed. (Stupid Buckhead Saloon Block Party!) Anyway, we bought 4 things for lil Lieb. I was very pleased with my husbands baby shopping, he's got great baby style!

Booties and a Bib from Hoobaleedoos

Infant Shirt from SewBlissSew

Onesie from Red Prairie Press

Social Lieb

I had an inclination that having a baby would force me to be more social, however I didn't expect it to start before he/she even arrived. It seems almost every day someone comments on my growing belly and impending arrival. The conversations usually go something like this...

Stranger: Oh, when are you due?
Me: June 20th
Stranger: Not too much longer?
Me: Nope just a few more weeks.
Stranger: Is this your first?
Me: Yes
Stranger: How lovely. Do you know what you're having?
Me: No we decided to keep it a surprise.
Stranger: How nice, a surprise.
Me: Yeah.
Stranger: Well, good luck.

(Insert awkward pause as we wait for the elevator doors to open.)

I guess people feel obligated to acknowledge the fact you're having a baby... or maybe they feel they have a way to connect to stranger. (Usually with some remark like... "oh I know someone that had a baby!" Wow, that's amazing I've never known anyone to have a baby.) Anyway, who knows what I'm in for after Lil Lieb arrives. Yikes!

Baby Registry

We finally finished our registry for Lil Lieb.
Obviously we're registered at BabiesRUs for the big stuff and Target for the essentials but there are so many great things available online that we signed up on MyRegistry.com.
















You can search for registries under either Jessica Lieb or Joe Lieb.

Tiny things are creepy...

Babies are pretty small in general but there's something freaky about tiny babies made from marzipan!


This just freaks me out!

I saw this in the Simpsons.

A few minutes ago, Jessica and I agreed on our first official rule for New Baby Lieb's toys. (well, maybe the second official rule, if you count 'no Barbies' as an official rule rather than a universally accepted maxim of international parenting law.) so here it is.

Official Li'l Lieb Toy Rule #1:

No Elmo Dolls.

Here's why

CRAVINGS

It's common knowledge that most pregnant women have cravings. However, most women don't crave pickles with ice cream. After talking to several of my pregnant friends I've learned that my cravings are pretty standard.

During my first trimester I dealt with typical morning sickness or rather all day nauseua. Therefore, I craved very little except bland foods with minimal odors specifically, potatoes! Baked potato, mashed potato, potato soup... you name it and I wanted it! My biggest adversion was to sweets, which many of you know is completely opposite of my nature! The thought of candy, ice cream or cake made me sick... thankfully I've passed that stage. The popular places for getting potato based meals are Second City Grille and Bear Rock Cafe!

Now, in my second trimester I've moved on to more complex cravings such as Beef! Most specifically hamburgers! But not just any ole hamburger will satisfy this craving, we're talking top notch burgers. None of that nasty fast food stuff! We're talking grade A beef with cheese, lettuce and tomato.... the thick kind and obviously a side of fries is a must. I've found my favorite come from The Raleigh Times, Logan's Trading and Chargrill.

Another one of my most recent cravings has been breakfast food... we're not talking cold cereal and a banana. I mean the full gamit! Eggs and waffles most specifically! Now we don't do big breakfasts like this often and I actually haven't had any waffles yet but it sounds so good. I have managed to sneak a few scrambled egg bagels in for breakfast. (btw. Joe hates eggs!) I'm totally craving breakfast/brunch from Cafe Carolina! Maybe one saturday I can convince Joe to get up early and have breakfast with me.... one day!

My final craving and probably the healthiest craving I've had is for fresh fruit! All kinds.... oranges, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, apples, pineapple, bananas, etc. I could eat fruit all the time if it was readily available. Right now it's probably our biggest grocery expense... but I figure it's worth it! Just looking at that picture makes me hungry! And all this talk of food makes me even more hungry.. time to break out the fruit!

Book Review

Technically, it's not a review since I'm still reading the book but I still thought I'd comment on how much I love reading this book!
Baby Catcher:Chronicles of a Modern Midwife by Peggy Vincent

"In a joyous, often hilarious ode to the Birkenstock-scuffling, tackle box-toting mobile midwives who flourished in the 1980s, Peggy Vincent chronicles her abundant life as a professional Baby Catcher. The wild ride begins during her nurse training years in the 1960s, when laboring women were expected to lie down, shut up, and submit to whatever drugs and procedures the doctor ordered. A rebellious patient who chants and dances through her contractions--and the hell that ensues when seasoned hospital staffers intrude--lights a permanent fire under Vincent. Her resolve to serve each laboring woman with compassion and respect carries her from obstetrics nurse to head of an alternative birth center within Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California, and eventually into her own private practice as a licensed midwife. Like the most courageous home births, this collection of delivery experiences refuses anesthesia: plenty of bellowing, sweating, bleeding, and pushing accompany nearly all of the more than 40 tales. Tough confrontations with stubborn physicians, panicky labor partners, and one particularly nasty calico cat are dabbed with as many keen insights as Vincent's quieter, more heart-rending newborn encounters. Baby Catcher is an inspirational literary gift suitable for expectant mothers, fellow baby catchers, and anyone who loves reading about nature's greatest magical feat." --Liane Thomas

READ IT! COMMENT ABOUT IT!

Welcome the to Lieb Family Blog!

I've decided to join the "real" world of blogging. No more Xanga for me. Since I'm married, getting ready to have a baby and pay lots of bills it's the only responsible thing left to do. Many of you enjoyed my wedding blog at http://www.xanga.com/jessica9801 and I thank all of you for you comments and support! I would recommend wedding blogging to anyone, it's a great way to document the process of getting married!
Today marks the beginning of the Family Blog. Hopefully, Joe will contribute to the blog one day. So far he's been a distant observer. I will try to include a variety of topics but will probably drift more toward the events of upcoming Baby Lieb.
So enjoy the journey with Joe and I as we travel into the land of parenthood. It's sure to be an exciting trip!