In the name of budgets.

With a baby on the way, it has never been more important for us to save money and likewise work on getting out of debt. I'm not exaggerating when I say I spent 8 hours on Saturday making a budget that would allow us to head in that direction and still be doable. Not an easy task, and yet something that had to be done. Every 100 dollars is going to make a significant difference for us. It's a scary thought--but we've got to do this wisely. Perhaps being wise will allow us some other luxuries. I've always dreamt of staying home with my children. We realize that saving the money we'd be spending on childcare is worth it on its own, but add in breast-feeding and cloth diapers, the ability to hunt for bargains and micromanage our finances and I think we may actually make more money doing this.

Another goal over the next five months will be for me to find some people for whom I can clean house. The plan is to gather five homes and then once I'm done with my "maternity leave" if you will--I will be able to take baby boy along and tidy a home a day for a little extra income. Bobby will pick up side work--but all and all--we are determined to make things work. I would like to raise my own children and not give-in to the pressure by turning to childcare.

I've found our first budget savers. We are very excited. Our budget includes a little extra each month for baby things. Check-out my finds and our plans for them.This IKEA crib is 79 dollars. It is nothing fancy, but on a design end I rather prefer it's Quaker simplicity. I plan on painting and upholstering Julian's bed, so doing something similar with this crib will create a unified look. The mattress has two positions (high and low) and the standard safety features are in place. I will be painting Julian's bed green and upholstering part of the headboard with the same brown tweed we used on our bed. There is some thought to doing a deep burnt red (with orange tones) for this crib and making a bed skirt with the tweed fabric. Making each item individual to it's owner/user while still fitting together.
This IKEA high Chair is 19 dollars. It is likely that until He is ready for a High Chair we'll do most of the feeding with the kid propped in a bouncy chair so until he is sitting it won't be a necessity. The High Chair is 19 dollars and the tray is an additional five. That means 25 dollars for a high chair that is clean, simple, and well within our budget.

Another find, that perhaps if budget allows we will buy for Julian. He has a high Chair, but it is an old antique that is a big wobbly and he will grow out of soon. We would have a matching set with the two. I am realizing that in our crowded home with dark furniture, we're going to need some bright whites to start brightening the place up and creating some unity. These just might do the trick in our teeny, tiny kitchen.

Finally a couple of luxury items that are not in our budget, but that we would love to have!
Shall I say "Just have to have!" I found these the second month I was pregnant. Browsing a pregnancy magazine in the doctors office. They are called Baby Hawk Carriers and are extremely versatile. I just love them. We will also be able to use it for a long time. We want the day of the dead skull print with the black solid fabric, but I also LOVE the one above it with the birds...which would go much better with our themed decor. If I can slide it in, I will likely put it on my baby shower registry. For now, my dream runs me an entire months budget for baby stuff (while the IKEA stuff combined runs the same) hehe.

All items (to give credit where credit is due) can be found here and here.

Finally, this one...also at the IKEA site, this one's for you Laura. Just a thought for your baking friendly family.

Julian visits and pregnancy dreams

Life is (for once) starting to establish a routine. I have the smallest bladder in the universe lately. This insane pressure and a race to the bathroom only to leave shaking my head saying "thats all," it's pretty lame. I even wake up to pee and stumble to the bathroom--my balance somewhat off at three-in-the morning, when I lay back in bed I have to ignore an immediate urge to pee all over again. Eventually I fall asleep and forget the sensation until I wake around 6 a.m. for the same reason, that and to let the dog out and start the day.

Tomorrow a more relaxed morning, more pets to attend to with my Mom on vacation and her bird here for a visit, we also have Julian in the morning.

Breaking from our normal routine this past week, Julian spent an unexpected weekend with his Mother leaving Bobby and I with terrible withdrawals. We finagled our schedule to push our "weekend" with him to today through Thursday--and then getting him back for the weekend, it will end up feeling like a longer stay than usual :). Today Bobby is picking him up from school and tomorrow I'm spending the day as "Mom" during the annual parent-student garden planting day at his school. The school teacher even inquired when Bobby picked him up that "his wife should definitely join," hopefully that means I seem like the gardening type. I just happened to be browsing the Tomatoes at HyVee Garden Center just prior to his call. I'm excited to be a part of this, I really try and be involved with his teachers even though I'm only in there once or twice a week. I dream of him going to the Little Red House Pre-school in Lawrence, and maybe starting fall that will happen. I'll be home during the day-time and for us it would be perfect. More finagling to come...fortunately we are learning to be flexible and Julian loves all his parents so much that I don't think he cares where he is.

Back to the evenings, I am discovering one of the greatest joys of pregnancy. My already hightenned and lively dreams have taken on a beautiful and surreal imagination so clear that I find myself staying in bed much longer than I should be. They are just so real I could swim in the unique corners created by my newly hormonial mind. Last night I dreamt that Bobby and I were renting this beautiful Gothic Home in Kansas City. I can say from my Art History and Architectural background that when I say gothic, I mean tall, lean, intricate, and with a LOT of light. Gothic Architecture and especially gothic cathedrals had the most stain-glass windows of any architectural period and the more morbid aspects associated with the term "gothic" can only be accountable to the fact that they are known for the pointy arches that have a some-what demonic angle to them. Steep and sharp--that might create the association. For me Gothic design is light and delicate, while balanced and beautiful and this home in my dream was all of these things. It was also a winding masterpiece of rooms and stairwells, 7 stories of dark wood and blazing windows. The space it opened to more bustling and busy than even the streets I lived on in Chicago.

The most amazing thing was living in this time with Bobby, eating cheese and sipping wine while making dinner--in my dream we were not in the place we are now, but rather happily together and back to our nights of dancing around the kitchen in a half-drunken wine gazed love glow. As the people flowed by the many windows that would glance stories below to the street, I marvaled at our luck in finding a place to live that so many people I loved seemed to be passing. I saw so many friends walk by that I've been trying to get together with in my real (awake and pregnant) life. Sarah and Josh and their sweet baby, my friend Kara, even my aunt Leeanne walking by with her son Jack. It was a lovely home and I felt exhilerated. Picture Lemony Snicket with Jim Carey and the topsy-turvy architecture featured there, the home was dazzling and there is nothing I have a love affair with more than beautiful spaces and intricate design. I was in sleeping heaven living in an unusual and unrealistic space that kept me tetured at the top of a rollercoaster of all my favorite things and I could feel it in my stomach.

When I woke up I remembered that today we get to pick up Julian, the puppy was happy to see me, and Bobby told me I was beautiful before I even stumbled from the bed to the bathroom--the real thing was just as great, just more real. I'll miss this dreams and this lucidness at 4 a.m. I am in no rush, for now I'm just looking forward to things to come and to soon enough--meeting our son; Julian's brother.

Two days short of 19 weeks

Some days I wake up and feel bigger. Today was one of those days. Sleeping on my stomach doesn't work the same as it used to, but I feel great. I've even been able to pick up more shifts at work :)

I'm glad the weather is warmer because none of my pants fit and skirts are perfect. There is definitely a baby in there!

Header Changes!

I know I change the header all the time...get used to it, because I can't help myself.

In the new one, Julian was smelling the chalk for chalking a pool cue. It was too funny!

The Name Game

Bobby and I were waiting on the sex of the baby to determine a name. It is so surreal knowing that the six inches of baby in there is a boy, he has a sex, and is who he is now--no turning back. He's a person. I watch a lot of A Baby Story on TLC, always have, but now it takes on new meaning. I don't know what I think when I'm watching it and even some days, it makes me overwhelmed thinking about all we need to get done before the little one is here, before he is here. It is all very exciting.

We have two baby name books, one we particularly like that my friend Amy sent me. We like the definitions in the book. They are sweet and simple and not quite as traditional as most baby name definitions we find. It doesn't mean they are always accurate, but we'll do our research when we narrow things down.

Right now, we have no idea. My favorite boy name has always been Julian. It is hard to imagine finding a name I like as much--but I'm sure I will. Then of course this new little person will embody the name, this new little person who is my little person and the name will take on new meaning. We have so much to think about and still a little time.

In the mean time, I got my house cleaned today and had a wonderful time at yoga. I'm feeling big and achy--but mostly in my hips, I'm sure the pains will move around. Allergies are getting to me, but a benedril before bed has been doing the trick and giving me a decent nights sleep. Like I said, so much to do before he's here but with 157 days to go there is still so much to look forward to. Right now we just need to get the new puppy leash trained...lol

Baby Sonogram Photos--18 weeks

Baby Boy BlakleyA full frontal face shot. You can see both his eye sockets, his mouth, brain, arm and fist, and even his heart in his chest.
It's a boy--if there was any doubt.
His fists up by his face. So cute when they do that after they are born--pretty cute in the womb too.
Big Yawn!
Just a sweet little profile.

We were riding in the truck. Julian was in the middle seat with Daddy's yellow-tinted safety glasses and safari shirt on, securely fastened in his car seat. Sometimes Bobby and I will say little things to one another, usually a random thought here or there and Julian will tune in in confusion. We were just now driving back from the store and I said to Bobby--about the baby--"he's gonna be so cute!"

Julian piped in, "whose gonna be cute"

I responded, "your little brother, just like you!" at that we point we all turned to look out our various windows when Julian piped in a second thought "I'm not cute, I'm cool."

So be it.

It's a boy!

We just came back from our ultrasound and the verdict was in. We are very clearly having a boy. When I get the scanner up and running I'll post a few pieces of evidence. I also have an amazing ultrasound picture of his foot. He was punching me in the belly and very very active. She couldn't get him to stay still. I have only felt him move the once--so I'm really anxious for the days to come.

We are both very excited and can't stop smiling. Now we just need a name for the guy. It seems so surreal to know. Despite the eagerness for this family to have a girl, Julian and Bobby have outwardly admitted to wanting a boy and I've been secretly hoping for the same. How exciting to have a son, and he'll be mine...so that alone will make it perfect.

I have a condition--if you can call it that--called a Placental Lake, where the arteries on the placenta are larger and closer to the surface. Occasionally the result is a low birth weight but not often. They said this is very very common and they'll just have to have more ultrasounds that usual. Other than that they changed the due date from September 22 to September 25th. He was 7 oz and perfect! Photos to come.

That's all for now!

so silly

Finally

I have finally taken advantage of my handy husband. We have completed #7 on our list. We upholstered a headboard for our big bed. Now we have something to lean against and I must say it is nice. Pictures below.

They are not the best of photos (our camera is a cheepy, but we are really happy with the end result. We don't have a bed frame so we had to make some allowances for when we did (so that we'd be able to attach it at that time). I just can't wait to sit against it with a book and a cup of tea.

The List.

drum roll please.

Bobby and I have quite a list of things to do before the baby comes. Most of which will be great fun, some will be quite a challenge, and well the rest--they just are. If anyone wants to help, I'd be happy for the company (or we would I should say). I wanted to wait to introduce the list when I had something to show of our progress. Thus the list begins...(the following post will be our first completed project, wahoo).

1. Paint Interior Walls
2. Find a rug for the living room
3. Set-up the nursery
4. Hang Curtain Rods and hooks throughout house
5. Find and sew fabric into window treatments
6. Make a Duvet cover for the master bed
7. Make an upholstered head board for Master bed
8. Replace the bathroom mirror
9. Find a new medicine cabinet for bathroom (to replace the old one removed)
10. Select/Print/Hang family and wedding pictures in house
11. Hang hooks in the hallway for bags, keys, etc.
12. Build raised flower beds
13. Plant plants (vegies, etc...this will happen in the next couple weeks)
14. Build Julian's fort
15. Build fire-pit
16. spray recycled patio furniture
17. Put up gutters
18. Scrape and paint the exterior of the house

Some of these things I am happy to announce our landlord is footing the bill and Bobby is spearheading the work. I will mark our progress as we go.

Design Time!

Bobby and I recently moved into a new house in N. Lawrence (see here). The thing about this house is, it really has a perfect layout for us, big rooms, cyclical floor plan inside and out, all the necessary amenities, and now importantly a kids room big enough for two! The catch is, it needs painted, some wood replaced, a yard cleaned up, and well a little or a lot of TLC. Fortunately for us, our landlord is happy to outfit the bills if we are willing to do the work. He is also letting us pick out the colors. Let me tell you--a big selling point for me.

With a baby on the way I am really anxious to get started on Julian and baby Blakley's room. We won't know the sex (although we will hopefully find out on Monday) but we already have a theme. We wanted something that could suit a boy and a girl, should the occasion arise. We've decided on a wood theme. Like soft hiking, birds chirping, snow-white type woodland. I'm painting the walls a soft peanut butter brown, the trim is white and green and white striped curtains are going up. We are going to paint Julian's bed green and upholster parts in a brown tweed with neutral and blue sheets and accents, and should the baby be a girl we'll be able to dabble plums and certain pinks, even mint greens into her decal to make it girl friendly. Their very gender obvious toys will set a big enough tone. But something the two can live in together for a couple years is vital until we can buy a bigger home of our own.

Now that I'm in my second trimester and feeling some relief as to the survival of our baby I am anxious to start the decor. As a designer I know good things come to fruition only with patience. Thus I am happy to announce the first big find for our Children's Woodland space. These amazing wall decals (which I still haven't picked colors for) will run me a little over $100 for the both of them and will be pefect for setting the tone. We may wait to find out the sex of the baby (which shouldn't be too long of a wait) or maybe just let the room evolve a little while longer until we decide...but the white tree's...awe, they are just wonderful.Let me know what you think!

Other details we're excited to include. A wooden bird mobile to hang from the ceiling; a brown skychair as a rocking chair (also to be hung); strings of paper cranes left over from our wedding to be hung in the windows, a soft-fluffy brown rug to go underfoot, a few bright orange details to make the place exciting (like a hand-painted bookshelf), I'm going to make a sign out of branches and dried grasses that says "DREAM", and add a few retan details where they are afforded.

Earth Day!

We decided to check out the Earth Day festival in South Park. It had been raining for the first part of the day and we weren't sure how it would turn out. I think about half the vendors that were planning on coming were actually there. The weather ended up comfortable and sunny but the turn-out was a bit lame.

We had the most fun running in the grass and scoping out the miles of sidewalks. Julian and Sasha have quickly become the best of friends and it was wonderful to see her respond to our voices and commands and follow closing to all three of us on our day in the park.

Holy Moly

Today I tried on 11 pairs of pants...I couldn't button any of them, couldn't zip 9 of them. I found one pair that fit.

A week ago 3 of those nine still fit me (with some discomfort).

3 weeks ago I could squeeze into any pair I wanted (for the most part).

Today...sigh.

I guess it is time for some rapid growth. That is what the second trimester is all about anyway.
Check out my growing belly at 17 1/2 weeks. Only 2 1/2 weeks after the last picture. I'm definitely getting bigger.
Oh MAN. I'm gonna be huge!

Back in Yoga!

I have finally gotten back into Yoga. My several month departure left me reeling in anxiety. I really rely on yoga for a reality check. Calm my body, calm my mind, feel taller, and have a fresh perspective on the world. It's amazing--I can't remember a time where I left the school feeling anything but joy, even on the coldest, bleakest of days.

This time I signed up for prenatal yoga. My favorite teacher was teaching it and I thought--how perfect. I'll get the peace and calm I need, stretching in, a way to tone my body, and a focused path to prepare my body for childbirth. It turned out I was the only person to sign up and after the first class Kim (my teacher) asked me if I would mind terribly coming to her anti-aging class, the same day just earlier so that her day could end sooner. I was more than happy to. The class is mostly older women (not too old, 50's and 60's) who have coincidentally the same aches and pains I do. Their hips hurt, they don't bend like they did before, and sometimes their balance is off.

Today after four weeks, I noticed that my legs were starting to tone up--it was really exciting as my belly is starting to push out and my pants don't exactly fit me any more, what a relief that the weight gain is not only limiting itself to my mid section--but that rather my legs are more trim than before.

The biggest note to make is that--at the end of class yesterday--after an hour and a half of intense stretching and posing, we were all laying silently, eyes closed, lights off, on our backs. The final fifteen minutes of class where you rest your body and sink into the floor. I usually enjoy this so much that I fall into a blissful contentment. Yesterday we'd been in this motionless position for about five minutes when I felt a small sensation in my belly. Like butterflies fluttering around, and then sure enough the feeling continued for another 30 seconds or so. Amazing, the peace this class has given me, and an opportunity to feel my baby move for the first time.

Another Blakley!

Check out new puppy Sasha!
I know, we're crazy--but we can't help it. She is six weeks old and already potty trained. We have a big yard and in about 6 months I'll be home by myself with a baby....we need a little security. The next few months will be busy getting systems in place, but with a large fenced in yard, a helpful husband, and a lot of time off work (thanks morning sickness)--a puppy is just the ticket. She is asleep at my feet as I type.

Easter Sunday!

I thought I would share a few highlights with Julian from this Easter. He spent that Sunday with his Mom, so we got our Easter eggs and treats made early--and with Jack's help. Then Sunday morning Julian surveyed the house and drug an Easter basket into bed. Thank goodness the Easter bunny left the candy behind...Spiderman was the main feature and Julian was enthralled. We think that Easter may be more fun than Christmas...just maybe.

New Roof.

My handy husband was put to the test this weekend. It didn't occur to me until it was almost dark (after nearly 16 hours of roofing) to take a photo, but I captured Bobby and some of the guys finishing up the front half of my brothers new roof. There is nothing like free labor. Me--I just missed my husband on our normal Saturday together.

Weekend Slumber!

Julian had his new cousin Jack over for the weekend. Both Daddy's were busy re-roofing my brother's house and Jack needed somewhere to stay while his Mom worked. Julian was happy for the company and had quite a time!

Shall I offer belly information?

I'm fifteen, almost sixteen weeks pregnant now. It is easy to look that up and see that the baby is roughly four inches from head to rump (not including legs) and that he/she is very expressive. Hopefully I will find out on the 20th what the sex is. Until then I suppose sharing my growing belly is only fair. Bobby took this photo on Friday and with a camera phone--so it's a bit blurry. I feel normal until I start bending for yoga, or wearing jeans for long periods of time. I'm very short waisted, so there is no where to go but out. We just bought a camera tonight, so more photos are in store.

It took me awhile, but I finally found it.

I have been searching for a baby bottle I stumbled on over a year ago. I couldn't remember the name and although the image of the bottle had implanted itself in my brain--no one I talked to seemed to be aware of its existence either. Finally a find I am happy to say I had to look for. It is more popular than I thought and an interesting article to boot. With a new baby on the way, I'll admit I'm a big breast-feeding advocate. I am also practical and aware that I won't always be around to offer food--thus a bottle would come in handy. If you are interested in a bottle that is as nature intended (designed ala' the breast) this is your find. *friends with babies in the future perhaps. I'm ordering one for myself.

A real post about Life.

Our lovely two weeks is coming to an end.

I know I should talk about our wedding (and I will) but first a note about the time leading up to it. For the past two weeks Julian's Mother has been in Jamaica. She has had the fun-filled luxury of swimming with dolphins and horseback riding on the beach, while I've had the privilege of conquering the half-conquered task of potty-training and anti-whine patrol and honestly life couldn't have been any better. When you meet Julian, this is likely how the conversation will go (from what I've witnessed)...

Y: What is your name?
J: Julian Xavier Blakley
Y: How old are you?
J: three (proudly showing three fingers) and I can poop in the toilet.

Our biggest obstacle has been met head-on and conquered and Julian couldn't be any more proud of himself. In fact, whenever I'm called to the bathroom after the celebrated event he promptly asks me "are you proud of me?" Very.

The most amazing thing about having Julian for the last two weeks leading up to my marrying his father was the opportunity to bond with him. We spent every day together and established some definite routines, they would creep there way into the evenings when Julian would tell his father "that is NOT how My Lisa does it!" I think Bobby was excited too. Now that we've had an opportunity to get on the same page parenting wise, the consistency and ease in the home has turned into a flat-line and we are loving the drama-free time spent with the little man.

He goes back to his Momma today and with great anticipation. Two weeks is a long time not so see your Mommy for a three-year-old and he is so excited he was bouncing off the walls last night. He had spent the day with Aunt Kimmy though and we barely made it half-way through The Lorax when I heard raspy snores coming from his little nose...he was out. Back to Mommy today, and back to our normal schedule starting next week. We realize we'll probably still spend the good part of a day breaking him into our routines each week, but now the ground is layed and the last two weeks were a huge blessing for everyone!!!!

Onto the wedding...

I met Bobby at a coffee shop in KC. I had Elvis with me when this outgoing and direct man started asking me questions. Nothing like the normal "do you know you have a bird on your shoulder?" but rather intelligent questions about her species and temperment, things I (loving birds) love to discuss. We sat on the patio and talked. Come to find out, he's a carpenter (an extreme Jack-of-all building trades) and was working on a cabinet design as we spoke. He had a three-year-old son name Julian (so he had good tastes in names), and well....the conversation flowed for a good thirty minutes until he got up and left, with a very sweet "Nice to meet you lady" and a handshake. No numbers exchanged.

I left thinking...I just know I'll see him again, and sure enough I did. Four days later, I was out at the Ren fest with friends. It was the record busiest day of the year and my friends had left, those working were really working and not much was left but to head home, when I looked up and saw him. He was hanging out with friends. I ran his way, called out his name. When he turned and saw me he beamed ear-t0-ear and planted a big kiss on my cheek.

After asking me out to dinner and giving me his number, buying me a beer, and adorably doting to Elvis's every whim--showing her off to kids and other patrons at the faire--I text him immediately after he left. We met for a bite to eat that night and have been inseparable ever since. There were long interview sessions...hours of questions and debates. We practically interviewed one another for a month. After everything we've been through neither of us wanted to be hurt again. He waited awhile to introduce me to Julian, but of course--once he did things progressed at rapid speed. He asked me to marry him in December...and now as of March 28th, I'm Lisa Blakley. I laugh thinking about Thanksgiving, my sister-n-law drilled him about marrying me while my brother sat on telling her to leave him alone, give us time. We didn't need any rushing, we are both "not waste a minute" kind of people.

I want to thank my family for throwing in to make our wedding so wonderful. A lot of friends pitched in as well, and honestly we could not have done it without everyone. There was a lot we were going to do with out and my family just made it happen. We had a wonderful time and will remember the day fondly!