Oh.  Labor Day was 4 days ago, you say?  

Hm.  Close enough, I say.  I’m on baby time now, kids!

I made a video documenting Baby Max’s start in this world.  [cue the tissues] Thankfully, I started it before his arrival.  Otherwise, I think I would’ve completed it just short of Max’s sweet 16 (man, it’s hard to get things done while taking care of an infant!).

It’s 6 minutes of your life, so watch at your own discretion.  I, myself, can’t get enough.

I suggest watching ON YouTube by simply clicking “Tube” on the lower right corner of the video box in order to see the video without having parts cut off. File under: I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing-with-videos.

ENJOY!

  ♥

p.s. A call out to my besties.  I’m sorry this is the only type of call that I’ve made to you in weeks.  I love and miss you.  I suggest calling me.  again.  repeatedly. everyday.  (no, but seriously.)  XOXO

p.s.s. HI GRAM!  Skype next week?!  xoxo

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 90° 

I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER.

(I repeat)

I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER!

I absolutely admit that I have a semi-fancy camera and have not a clue what to do with it (hello, automatic setting!).  Scott and I both tried our very best to document Baby T.’s completed nursery, just like I am going to try my very best at this moment to let these photos speak for themselves and stop yapping.  always a struggle.

ENJOY! 

Okay, you know I wouldn’t be able to just leave it at that!  I’m a natural born narrator – I can’t help myself!!!

Note to Self (YOURself included): Planning a nursery without knowing the baby’s gender DOES present some challenges.  We chose to start with the primary colors from the bedding and the rug that we love and roll with the rest.  Yellow, gray, and red quickly became our accent colors.  We love the blue wall color and think it screams “baby!” without necessarily screaming “baby BOY!”  It’s just a sweet color.  We didn’t really theme-it-out, but went with a few different ideas that tickled our fancies.  It’s the only room in the house that we’ve planned from paint to curtain pullback and it’s the most serene-feeling room in the house.  We’re really happy with how it came together!!!

C’mon with the NY and SC prints – love ‘em, right?!  They’re so meaningful to us.

We found all of the wall art on Etsy, except for the gorgeous and thoughtful quote art.  My great friend in NY made that for me – thanks, Jenn!!!

I LOVE the nursing/reading nook by the window.  It’s so cozy.  Didn’t my Mom do an awesome job recovering the glider???  NAILED IT.  It’s perfect – thanks, Mom!  ♥

DIY Projects: I added the yellow ribbon to the chalkboard and lampshades.  I also made the curtain pullbacks with the yellow ribbon (and other small and cheap hardware pieces).  I made the mobile and I added the hearts to our home cities (Albany and Charleston) onto the state maps.

I threw that clock in the cube organizer last minute (I had a book opened and standing in place of it originally).  We still CANNOT figure out the perfect spot for that thing, but it’ll live there for now.  or for at least the next 5 minutes.  What a pain that clock has been – location suggestions welcome!

We love that there is still a lot of room to grow (re: space within the furniture, closet, bins, and baskets) and wall space to adorn, if and when we so chose.  I picture some large canvas prints on either wall in the nursing/reading nook of some pregnancy photos and then Baby T.’s newborn photos.  I also imagine a growth chart on the wall in the corner by the cube organizer and closet door. Maybe a little kid-sized coat rack somewhere.  Some more decorations on the top of the bookcase.  Baby’s name somewhere, even?  A baby will soon be in that crib…THAT I am sure of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite parts of the room are the personalized ones…the glider, the DIY projects, the blocks, the books, and the state prints.  What’s your favorite part?  What am I missing/what did I forget?  Anything look completely impractical?  What’s your favorite part of YOUR baby’s nursery?  

Phew – another BIG project checked off of the list!!!  I hope you enjoyed the big reveal!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

p.s. 17 days or less was YESTERDAY’S count.  Now 16 is the number – EEK and YAY! 

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 89° 

I haven’t been looking much into “gender prediction,” but goodness knows there are many theories out there on how to “predict” a baby’s gender in utero.

The fact of the matter is, we could’ve found out at our 16 week appointment (21 weeks ago!), but chose not to.  We also could’ve found out at our 20 week or 20½ week appointments, 23 week appointment, 27 week appointment, 30 week appointment, 32 or 33 week appointments, 34 week appointment, or any of my weekly (or more!) future appointments.  Point taken?  Yes.  If we wanted to know in advance – we would’ve found out by now!!!  The whole point is, we never wanted to!

via here

All of that being said, I LOVE hearing everyone else’s thoughts, feelings, and philosophies!  We have thought girl all along with absolutely no good reason. Just a feeling.  Here are the results of the gender prediction theories (that are on my radar, anyway!)…

• According to the needle test (dangle a needle on a thread over the belly…if it sways in a circle, it’s a girl..if it’s sways back and forth, it’s a boy), it’s a girl.
• According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it’s a girl (so I’ve been told!).
• According to baby’s average heart rate (between 150 and 160), it’s a girl.
• According to this hot bod, weight gain, and my not-so-great complexion (a girl is said to “steal your beauty” – nice), it’s a girl.
• According to the presence of the single umbilical artery, there’s a higher probability of this baby being a girl.
• According to my clumsiness, it’s a boy.
• According to my dreams, I’m having both a boy AND a girl…and this my friends is impossible.
• According to painting the nursery walls blue, it’s a girl.
• According to us thinking all along it’s a girl, it’s a boy.

So, as you can see, there is overwhelming evidence suggesting that we’re carrying a little princess.  Truth be told, we honestly and sincerely just want a healthy baby!!!  (I know that sounds annoying, but it’s 100% true!)  And, most importantly of all, Baby T. will look cutely gender-specific leaving that hospital.  I purchased a newborn outfit for both a boy AND a girl!

What do you think we’re having?  Why?  Please refrain from referencing my width from behind – I’m still trying to find out when I deliver the baby that’s in my bum.  

Here’s an updated pic of this belly…

Let’s poll it, for fun!

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xoxo

p.s. Mom and Dad are going to join me for a cooking-to-freeze marathon today. Here’s to hoping that my feet hold up!

p.s.s. Scott has taken out his hospital bag…big step!  Now onto packing it!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 89° 

We started out with a walk on the beach at Sullivan’s Island…

We fancied our water bottles with these wedding koozies (that we never actually used)…

I’m sure that my wedding dress would fit just as well as it fits my water bottle!

No go on the zippage

Then we went to Metto for coffee, just like last year.  Their Caramel Freeze (their frappe-like drink) is THE BEST!  Metto (Mt. Pleasant) and Kudu (downtown) are my 2 favorite coffee shops in Charleston!  Kudu serves both coffee AND beer – so naturally it’s Scott’s fav coffee spot.

Scott picked up these for me on our way home…

So purdy!

We went home for lunch and a nap for me/a workout for Scott.  Poor Scott’s workout turned into worrying that trees in our backyard may end up inside of our house (apparently there was a wicked thunderstorm while I peacefully slumbered).  A leaking kitchen window was NOT Scott’s favorite part of our anniversary!

My parents stopped over before we left for dinner, so luckily we got a picture of us together.

A little different than my look last year!

Man, I miss my waist!

We went to dinner at 39 Rue de Jean downtown for the first time.  Another yummy  restaurant checked off the list!  It was delicious!  We had mouthwatering mussels first, then Scott had steak while I had a scallop dish.  We shared quite a bit and were extremely happy with our dinner.

In keeping with our annual tradition, we looked at our wedding album and then watched our wedding DVD.  Many tissues later (I started crying while writing Scott’s card and never really stopped – hormones!), we ate some ice cream and closed the door to year number 4.  The start of year number 5 is going to be cah-RAY-zee town!!!

Another great year – another great anniversary! ♥

Happy Friday (the 13th, ooooo)!

p.s. Found out at our appt yesterday that baby is in position for arrival (aka: head down).  Sorry if that’s TMI – but this is VERY exciting!!!  

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 30 

High Temperature: 90° 

Yes, I was reaching with this post title!

So during Baby T.’s NY shower, everyone was asked to design a wooden block for this babe.  I cannot let another day pass without sharing some of these gems!  Let me just say – while the artistic ability varied among the group, the love and effort put into them did not.  Check out my favorite blocks!  For the record: I would’ve FAILED at this project, big time.  I struggle to make a good-looking stick person. Sad but true.

There were…

…colorful blocks!

 …Olympic-bound blocks!

…family-specific blocks!

…animal blocks!

 …nature-themed blocks!

…”I love you” blocks!

…wisdom-filled blocks!

…New York blocks!

…South Carolina blocks!

…and one AWESOME Charleston block (all sides included on this one!)!

Here’s a nursery sneak peek to see some of my favorites on display!  (Never mind the wires to the left…the big nursery reveal is coming soon – promise!)

How talented, creative, and thoughtful are my loved ones?!?!

Which block was your favorite?  What would YOU have put on Baby T.’s block?

p.s. Please do not be offended if I did not share your special block on the blog.  I couldn’t share ‘em all!  Also, most blocks did not have names on them so consider me unbiased!  xo 

Beach Count: 76  

Pool Count: 30 → Yes, this whale waded in the pool yesterday…and it felt GREAT! 

High Temperature: 90° 

Well – Chick-fil-A has done it again.  In love, I am.  All over again.

I had just completed my breastfeeding class and it was 8:30pm.  [I have seen enough boobs (on video and PowerPoint) for a while, thankyouverymuch.]  It’s the first class or anything really that I have gone to alone and it was just a very long day.  I had to pee (shocker) and was practically across the street from Chick-fil-A.  It was a no brainer…girlfriend needed an Icedream Cone.

I used the restroom and then ordered my small Icedream cone.  The nicer-than-nice gentlemen who took my order rang me up and then said words that are music to my ears – “That’ll be on the house tonight, ma’am.”

Say whaaaaat?

Where else?  Seriously?

I LOVE YOU CHICK-FIL-A.  The forever kinda love. ♥

(Not to mention homeboy hooked me up with a large!)

Ahhh.  The man saved me less than two dollars, but REALLY he saved my entire day.  =)

Next week we have Baby Boot Camp class – same time next week, Chick-fil-A?!

xoxo

p.s. Thanks for voting on my hospital gown.  Looks like the blue one is the winner!  I’ll model it for y’all when I get it!

Beach Count: 76 → The beach went well – 2 hours or less and baby & I are happy!

Pool Count: 29 

High Temperature: 87°  

Baby T.’s Southern Shower – through pictures…

Me and Baby -29 weeks ♥

Yummy treats (mini-cinnamon buns in the take out containers with the tag “Thank you for coming – from Sarah & her little bun in the oven”)

Mason jars for sweet tea

Some of the food spread

Sweet lil’ socks

Presents for the babe!

Everyone designed a onesie – Scott was the judge and Liz was the winner (what do you think the theme of the onesie was?  BEER, OF COURSE!)

My near future…Cathy with baby boy Kellen ♥

Julie and me (and my delish mocktail)

Some action shots – super soft blanket

Let’s hope Baby’s T.’s head is that small – adorable newborn hats

Aww – lots of duckies

What?  I’ve been leaking for weeks!

Me and my Mama!

I didn’t get a pic with Scott or with the whole crew, but it’s hard to think of photo ops when you’re busy having too much fun!

I DID get this adorable one of my matching parents.

I mean – c’mon!  Just stop it with the cuteness.

THANK YOU, MOM, FOR THROWING THE SHOWER and THANKS to everyone for coming!  We appreciate every single one of you.  Baby T. CANNOT wait to meet you all!

XOXO

p.s. I’m so glad that timing worked out for my Aunt Carolyn to be in town for Baby T.’s Southern Shower.  Loved you being there – xoxo!

p.s.s. The suitcases are OUT and ready for NY packing.  I’m holding out until the weather forecast warms up a bit

Beach Count: 75   

Pool Count: 29 

High Temperature: 84° 

I think I’ve been holding out long enough, no?

Remember this picture of the 9-cube organizer?

Well that’s what it looked like against the brown wall.  THIS is what it looks like against the freshly painted walls in Valspar’s Nordic Blue (with some randomness on there, for now).

Much better, right?

But since you’ve already seen that piece of furniture (Target), I’ll give you even more of a sneak peek.  Check out the rug that I’m in LOVE with from Urban Outfitters…

Yay! (sorry the lighting isn’t great!)

So – gray and white chevron, baby blue, and primary colors will be the reoccurring color “theme” in Baby T.’s nursery.  Bold and not gender-specific (we think this blue says “baby” and not “boy”).

Interested in more details?  Stay tuned as I share more sneak peeks!

We are headed downtown to the Farmer’s Market this morning with two of our great friends.  Can’t wait!  

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!!

Beach Count: 72   

Pool Count: 23 

High Temperature: 78°

Does anyone even say “what’s up” anymore?  Well, whatever…I do!

Here’s what’s up – in list form…

1. American Idol season 11 starts tonight!  I’m excited for the talent, but not for the commitment.

2. It’s official – Emily Maynard from Brad’s second Bachelor run will be the next Bachelorette.  YAY!  I know I need to focus on the current season of The Bachelor (and all the corresponding crazies), but I like knowing what’s next on tap.  ALSO, it’s comforting to know that Scooter will be watching the the next Bachelorette season with me mos.def.  Why?  Cause he’s hot on Emily!!!  (Yup – she and I look NOTHING alike.  Opposites even.  Nice.)

3. We have some VERY exciting visitors coming this weekend.  Repeat offenders (in a you-only-offend-me-if-you-love-me kinda way) – Christina and Mike!

‘Member them from the 4th of July?!

But, extra special bonus?  The arrival of a yummy first offender…ETHAN, their handsome little man!!!

Cannot wait to kiss this face! ♥

4. You know I have to brag about the weekend weather for our company, right?  So sorry!  (40+ degrees warmer than our hometown in NY.  SCORE!)

Relax, Sunday’s far away and a 30% chance ain’t no thang.

5. I am openly obsessed with the people and the humor behind Young House Love, Sherry and John (and Clara and Burger).  If you’ve never checked out their blog, where have you been? DO.IT.NOW!  Their blog success and adorkableness encouraged me to get a kick-start in the blogging world.  Well Sherry recently wrote a very candid and honest post about how her life isn’t perfect.  I mean, whose is?  Well, I for the first time, put on my Twitter big girl pants and TWEETED SOMEONE FAMOUS.  I dorkily said…

[Enter the crazy part.]

I, in return, received THIS…

***STARSTRUCK***

just ***STARSTRUCK***

6. The NY Giants are 1 game away from the Super Bowl.  They play the 49ers on Sunday.  GO G-MEN!!!!!!!!

Taking it back to the old school – Giants training camp 2006

7. Charleston made ANOTHER list.  A-duh.  This time it’s Fodor’s “Go List: 21 Places to go in 2012.”  Check out the list here.  Charleston and Oahu, Hawaii happen to be the only destinations of the 21 that are located in America.  Yeah. Book.the.trip e-quaintenances!

That’s all for now.  Glad to be over the hump, how ’bout you?  

Time for some Idol!!!  xoxo

p.s. Follow me on Twitter if you don’t already @chucktowncharm.  I’m still learning, so bear with me!

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 68°  

A few weeks ago, we visited our great friends in Asheville.  We had a wonderful time soaking up the Northern-like Fall, while spending quality time with wonderful friends.

We traveled for about 3 and a half hours with our friends, Paul and Julie.  Okay, it took longer – but that was because of dumb rubberneckers (so it doesn’t count).

We spent the first night at Jamie, Emilie, and baby Carter’s brand new BEAUTIFUL house.

Here is the neighborhood lake.  So pretty!

On Saturday, we checked out downtown Asheville.  The hubs had beer on the brain (it was a day that ended in “day” – so, duh!), so we checked out Green Man for lunch.  There’s a brewery by the same name; 4 of their craft beers were on tap.

After we walked about this hippie, cool city for a little – the hot tub was calling Paul’s name.  (Seriously, it was all that he talked about – ha!)  It was time to head to the infamous (for good reason) mountain house.  YAY!

We did this for an hour or so before even stepping foot in the house…

I mean…wouldn’t you?

Here’s the back of the mountain house…

and here’s the front (facing the mountains)…

Yes, gorgeous!

There was no TV, phone, or internet-usage all weekend.  Instead, we did a lot of eating and drinking and storytelling and hot-tubbing and fire-pitting.

Ahhh –  it was glorious.

Please don’t mind my hair in this pic…

Seriously – it was the life.

Julie is the legit fire whisperer.  It was much needed because it was chillll-eee that night.

I forgot – we had some baby playtime, too.

Scott rocking peek-a-boo

Sunrise…

PHOTO SHOOT!!!

Those cheeks! =)

LL Bean Advertisement?

The boys – Carter, Jamie, Scott, and Paul

The girls – Julie, me, and Emilie

Me and Scott ♥ (No, that is not a fake background!) 

We had such a great time!  Thanks, Jamie and Emilie, for your hospitality and friendship.  We hope to make this trip a yearly Fall event!!!  

Have you ever been to Asheville?  Do we have to make it there in the summertime?  Another season?

p.s. Next time we go to Asheville, we’re definitely hitting up the Biltmore AND some breweries!

p.s.s. We almost got eaten by a bear late night at the mountain house.  The boys say it was a bunny, but us girls know that it was at the very least a fox.  YIKES!

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 79°