Things That Inspire

About a month ago Mike and I went on a quick trip to Asheville, NC just to have some time to ourselves before Lily arrives and also to celebrate 15 years together. Mike was very sweet to go antiquing with me, which actually he liked more than I thought, or at least he did not complain once about it so same thing in my book. I snapped a lot of photos of things I found that I liked but since we didn’t bring a trailer and I didn’t want to spike my credit card, I only bought two things during our trip. So here is a photographic journey of our window shopping excursion.  

I was on a journey for a wire basket  (to photograph Lily in). This was in the first store, the first thing I saw, but it wasn't right.

Mike loves an eagle. I thought this lamp was really great but TOO expensive.

Loved the idea of this, not necessarily the cow, but making something out of old pallets.

My mom has an old crate that I had been trying to heist for some time. Then while browsing I saw these but again, I couldn't bring myself to spend the money on one.

Found some great old cameras....

Adding a little burlap tacking to a hurricane vase or candle holder is a great addition to add just a little something

When Mike and I started out, I said make sure to keep your eyes out for bamboo frames. The BAM here they were, a pair of perfect bamboo frames, great condition but wholy crap they were $350! I am not sure if it was the print or the combo but nonetheless these stayed at the store.

This was just a cute little chair, with a cute print for a cute little princess.

Lots of great furniture pieces

Table made of twigs

I love a glass door knob!

Since watching Sara's House on HGTV and seeing what she can do with a corbel I have been looking for one that was unique and made a statement

This was perfect but again, my purse strings got the best of me

Thought this lamp was fantastic

My brother had one of these when he was little, it is now Matthew's, his is in better shape then this.

Me needy this table. It was magnificent

Another great piece that would be amazing re-done.

I love me some teal.

This was Mikes pick

I have been seeing these all over the place, in Pottery Barn, on various blogs and used in a bunch of different ways. Again, I am not sure that I needed it badly enough to cough up $150

MMM teal

Another store, a pile of crates. Not a special as I thought

I want this so badly, it was ready to use with the sink properly drained and everything

So here is what I did buy

Beautiful teal beaded necklace with a wooden clasp- LOVE!

Yellow egg basket- you will see Lily in this soon

And a few more photos from our visit in Asheville.

This was a stop on our way to Asheville, called Pretty Place. It is indeed beautiful but it was a rainy overcast day so you can't see the mountains behind the cross.

Just a cool sculpture on our lunch pit stop

Drum circle downtown Asheville

Peace FULL

A chicken on Chicken St

I stocked up with a macaroon, a coconut brownie and some other delightful dessert. It was heavenly.

Dont recall the name of the building but it was more the sky that I was shooting

Water spout that wasn't working

Blue Ridge Mountains

We ate great, walked a lot, I got a lot of those 'oh honey' looks being nine months preggo and walking around town got a few sympathy stares. It was a nice trip and thanks to my mom for watching Matthew while we took off a day.

Monica

Countdown to Lily

Weekly doctors visit

Sibling class- learning how to hold a baby

Awesome surprise waiting for Lily- Thanks EMMIE

Mike playing with Matthew's toys

Matthew's reaction to daddy

Another sweet gift waiting for Lily- hello cute boots! Thanks Julie!

I have a small obsession

And its name is chevron:

It all started with a little yellow fabric, that was turned into stool covers.

That progressed into Matthews new headboard for his big boy bed.

Which of course led to lots of bouncing in the bed:

And then I realized that I even bought Mike a Father's Day Card

Which of course meant that Lily's room would have some of that sweet zig zag fabric in it:

And then BAM out of the blue some new on sale, thank you Macy's every day sale, found some new flip flops that just happen to be two of my favorite things which are teal and chevron:

Which Matthew is modeling for you here.

So I think I need to go to Chevron Anonymous.

A Taste of Photography

I have a passion for photography and as any friend of mine would tell you, I always have my camera with me. I am still learning and do not consider myself a professional by any means but I love it and hope one day to be legit.

Pregnancy Week by Week: 20-30

Week 20: Drum roll please- you are a GIRL and the size of a cantaloupe! We are beyond thrilled! You are the first girl born into the Booth side of the family in many generations! All the wives tales for telling gender pointed to girl and I was really hoping to have one of each. Matthew is very excited to have a sister, because as he puts it, “we already have a boy”. He has already filled your room with all of his ‘baby’ things such as pacifiers, spoons and blankets and has allowed me to move his rocking chair in your room without fuss. He tells us that when you get a boo-boo he will kiss it and when you cry he will rock you. I am sure your bond will be strong. He kisses my belly daily for you Lily and I cannot wait for him to meet you. He wanted to buy you a princess wand before we knew you were a girl. I am feeling pretty great, a few headaches here and there and the inevitable tiredness that goes along with carrying around another human and the extra weight. My skin is starting to clear up which is a nice plus and unlike my previous pregnancy, I do not have the lovely arm bumps. I am getting some melasma on my face but hopefully that will go away after you arrive. Small price to pay for having my prayers answered. Started to feel movement finally on Friday the 13^th!

Week 21: You are the size of a banana. Daddy saw you move! I am in some happy chaos. I am trying to get the nursery set up. Purchased the fabrics for your bedding and awaiting your chandelier and rug to pull it all together. Seems like there is a lot going on lately not as much down time as I had when I was pregnant with Matthew.

Week 22: You are the size of a papaya! I have gained close to 28lbs. I am coming to terms with the weight gain. I am feeling great, a little tired but nothing severe. You are moving around a lot. You are most active at night once I get to lie down. The chandelier is up and gorgeous. We are traveling to Florida to see Pop Pop and Uncle Jimmy; you were VERY active on the last plane ride so we will see how you do on this one.

Week 23-25 missing in action: I don’t recall too much but we traveled to Florida, we went in the Gulf, we took a boat ride and went to a carnival, you did great at all things. Never felt sick, just a few kicks.

Week 26: I am at 30 lbs gained and you are the size of a head of lettuce. I am tired, not sleeping well, up a bunch to pee. Scheduled our maternity photos.

Week 27: I am at 30 and hanging. You are the size of a cauliflower. I am very uncomfortable at night, with my belly on one side and my boobs going another, it’s hard to find a good comfy spot until just about the time my alarm goes off, human or otherwise. I am outrageously tired in the afternoon and would like a good nap but my current schedule doesn’t allow for that. I sneak them in on the weekends if I can.

Week 28: Oh hello there hormones, I had wondered where my crying hormones had gone; Must have been waiting for the third trimester to sneak up on me. I thought I was going to sail through without the crazy cry for nothings but alas here you are. You are the size of a rutabaga. I am 31 pounds gained which doesn’t help the cries, my linebacker arms are getting the best of me and all I see are the cute, only belly, preggos out there. I had aspired to be like that but looks like I am going to have to go crazy after you get here and hit the gym when time allows. Currently my thoughts are to become vegetarian after you are out, seems like too much to take on with you in there.
Had my glucose test and she was actually pleased with my weight which shocked me. Your heartbeat is strong and you are measuring well.

Week 29: You are the size of an acorn squash. I am having lots of back and foot pain, feels like a hammer is beating my feet. I am not swollen though which is good. You are dancing away in my belly; I think that you are very long based on where I feel all of the movement. Daddy says he can’t imagine how I sleep with all that going on in there. I passed my glucose test so there is no concern with gestational diabetes.

Week 30: I am staying steady at the +30 weight range, any higher and I will not discuss. You are the size of a cucumber. You are moving around like you are already a prima ballerina. Your heart rate was 140 this doctor visit. She said we were right on track. We finished your nursery this week which makes me extremely happy, now all that is missing is you!

This is 31 weeks, but during the last few months, Mike has been replacing all the windows in the house, and there was drywall everywhere so the weekly shots were delayed.... but aren't the new windows nice? :)