Pixie's Tree Mural

 It took me forever to finish, but I finally did it!
Pixie kept pointing out to me that there were a few leaves not painted and I needed to finish it. So yesterday (while dutifully checking my blood pressure in between) I grabbed my paintbrush and paint and got to work on the last few leaves and leaf detail. 

I have never had any type of art instruction, so this was a big thing to risk! Don't judge. :)
I am pleased with how it turned out. I wanted something a little odd and whimsical, but still pleasing and not so imposing. 

Pixie's room is still not finished. The trim will be painted white, the floor will have carpet (as soon as the basement is ready to be laid with it...whenever that will be), I have some pink throw pillows to sew and her pink curtains will have ribbon/fabric rosette tie backs shortly. I also have to fix the curtains hanging on her closet. I haven't been able to pick out special furniture for her room, so I had to use a black bookshelf. Not the ideal color, but I'll keep an eye out for something else to revamp at garage sales this year!
I will post when some of these projects are finished! Of course, at some point, her new baby brother will probably impose on her room for a while. Until we feel comfortable putting one or both in rooms downstairs.

 Here is a picture after I sketched it, then painted it in. Scott wasn't sure about adding leaves, but Pixie was insistent. I was a little nervous, but I knew it 'could' look good. So I did it!

Here it is finished:

 

I still can't figure out if I want to leave the bottom like this, add something at the bottom, or just bring it all the way down to the trim. I've seen them done all different ways.

 

35 weeks....tomorrow.

Here we are: 34 weeks, 6 days.

 

The last few weeks have been rough. At 31 1/2 weeks I got sick, again. This time with a bad strain of the flu. I ended up running a high fever, even on Tylenol (which I had to have Scott go get!), but through self care and blessings, it came down within an hour. Severe muscle aches kept me awake for days.
I had congestion, a cough and a sore throat for over 2 weeks. It's been over 3 weeks now and I still have leftovers from it.

Week 33, just like with Pixie, I started having high blood pressure. I met with my midwife. We added supplements, rest periods and dietary changes that seem to be helping a lot. I have only had a couple of high readings since visiting with her almost a week ago.

Week 34 has just been plain pregnancy related roughness. Sleeping is starting to be a chore (I'm sure all of the sleepless nights with the flu didn't help either!) and getting comfortable is almost impossible. We really need a new bed, ours sags and is much worse when Scott's home and there is less room to spread out to save my back! So many of these symptoms I did not have while pregnant with Pixie. When I went into labor with her at 37 1/2 weeks, I hadn't gotten to that 'I'm done!' point yet. Sure I had a harder time breathing and almost throwing up when I bent over, but I didn't feel so....cumbersome and tired. Of course I only had myself and Nova to take care of then. Scott was rarely home and there wasn't a 3 year old messing up the house and needing something constantly....or a very large 3 year old pup that loves to run outside in the mud.
Moodiness and hormones abounded this last week. It was nuts! 

Some good things are that by now the risks of health issues if the baby is born early, are very low. I only have two weeks until being considered full term! I have lots of things ready for his arrival, even if everything I want to be ready isn't. I want him to come before Easter. I love Easter, it's one of my favorite holidays. Also, Pixie's birthday is two days after that (which is my due date as well). I don't really want anyone to share birthdays in our family!

Pixie is getting even more interested in the whole pregnancy and birthing process. She watches the simulated animation movies on babycenter.com a lot. She always wants to know what the baby is doing and how he is growing. I think it makes it even more fun to see the excitement through the eyes of a sibling. It's also cute to hear a young child explaining the process of prenatal growth/birth and using words like 'uterus'.

One thing I have noticed interesting is that if you have a girl for your first, then have a boy, there isn't much hype. But if you have a boy and then have a girl, there is a lot of fawning and extras. Not that I need anything now (thanks to clothes from nephews and some bargain hunting from me!), but I think it's pretty darn exciting to have a boy! I'm so excited to get my boy and to have one of each gender!

I can't believe how much the baby gear has changed just in a few years. We have replaced a few things like our Pack 'n' Play that got destroyed in the lake house flood (thank you awesome Menard's deals!), got a new car seat, splurged on some bamboo swaddling blankets, etc. Very thankful for the hand-me-downs from Rebecca. I think I only had one baby blanket that was suitable for a boy! Over the last couple of years I built up my newborn fitted cloth diaper stash, won a few giveaways that gave me some bottles and yet another nursing cover, so I think I'm pretty set. It was fun hauling them out to finally use them!

I probably need to streamline the baby toys and gear a little more. Now that we know what we use and like this time around. Although....what will this baby use and like? :)

P.S. I'm so happy it's almost SPRING! AH!