Nursery Update: Birch Trees!

I have always loved Birch trees.

Something about them is so soothing and relaxing, and hopeful at the same time. When I found out that they made Birch tree wall decals, I knew instantly that I had to incorporate them into the nursery. And, when I found out that Birch trees symbolize renewal, new beginnings and protection, it seemed even more fitting.

The Inspiration:

The Birch Tree Decal Project:

Although the idea of a "decal" seems like a quick project, these floor-to-ceiling trees were definitely a labor of love. Assembling individual trunks, branches, leaves and birds felt like putting together a gigantic puzzle! However, it was a fun project for us parents-to-be to do together, and they add that special touch that we were looking for. Here's the play-by-play of how the trees came to be...

1. Apply tree trunk decals to wall. First position with painter's tape, then peel of the backing and apply to the wall once you are satisfied on placement. Very carefully. Step stool and two people required:

2. Peel off protective layer to reveal white tree trunks:

3. Arrange branches using painter's tape, to figure out placement. Then peel and stick branches to the wall:

4. Arrange and apply finishing details: leaves and birds:

Ta-da. 

We love how they turned out! This corner wall is going to be the perfect backdrop for the crib.

Now we just need to hang this adorable handmade owl mobile (from Esty) above the crib and set up the bedding. More pictures of nursery progress to come soon...

Sweet sleepy owls. 

This mobile not only looks cute, it also plays music! 

Love that it was handmade, just for our little guy.

Baby Shower! ~ 34 Weeks

November 3, 2012

The week our power went out, was also the week of my Baby Shower! Although we were planning to have the shower at our new house, with no electricity or heat, Mother Nature clearly had other ideas. Thankfully, we were able to come up with the perfect plan B, the Wyngate Townhome Clubhouse! A huge thanks to Christine for helping us reserve the space. Everything turned out wonderfully!

Baby G's shower would not have been possible without the help, ideas, planning and cooking of the fabulous GrandMamas-to-be, Mama Yale & Mama Wisch. Thank you both for putting together such a special day! You both went above and beyond. Baby Gibbs is one lucky little guy! We love you!

Also, a big thanks to "Aunt-to-be" Lindsay, for helping plan the fun games and activites (all the way from Chicago!), and for helping to set up. My favorite was the "Wishes for Baby Gibbs" keepsake! Loved reading everyone's "wishes" for the little guy - lots of laugther and tears were shed while reading over everyone's notes!

Thank you to everyone who traveled in, near and far, just to share in the special day (Chicago! Cincinnati! San Francisco!). It really means a lot to me to be able to share this huge life event with so many friends and family. And, although the ladies who could not be there in person to celebrate were missed, I know they were there in spirit! Thanks for a great day!

P.S. If anyone has any additional pictures from the day, please send my way! :)

Lindsay, Katherine, Katie & Ann

Ruth, Cathy, Deb (GMama Wisch "to-be"!) & Molly

Barb, Casey, Ashley, Meghan & Aunt "to-be" Heather

Baby G has no idea how lucky he is!

THANK YOU all for the wonderful gifts, we truly appreciate it. 

Looking forward to washing all the tiny clothes & blankets,

assembling the gear and getting the little man's nursery organized!

         

Baby Bouquet of baby clothes!

34 Weeks!

Thanks everyone for a wonderful day!

So happy my sister-in-law, Heather (a.k.a. "The Rookie Mom"), could join us!

Thanks for flying in for the special day!

Miami / former Cincinnati ladies

Ann, Katherine, Me, Katie & Lindsay

Casey, Annie, & Meghan testing out the baby gender ring game!

Somehow everyone is destined to have about 4 or more kids, all mixes of boys and girls. 

Annie & Meghan: time to get workin' on Baby Gibbs' playmates, ladies! ;)

Baby belly love!

That night, back at the hotel, it was so fun for the girls 

to be able to feel the baby move! 

Me & Mrs. Carson

Me & Casey

Baby shower favors! A big Thank You to my cousin, Kina, 

for making the delicious smelling favors of candles, lotions and soaps for all the ladies!

(My house still smells wonderful from the extras I have!)

Gifts from Texas! 

Thanks Uncle and Aunt "to-be," Bryan & Cathe!

See you soon, we miss you!

Hurricane Sandy - 33 Weeks

Week of October 29, 2012

On Monday, Hurricane Sandy graced us and the east coast with her presence. Although (being in Ohio), we thankfully did not experience her full force, we were still left without power for a week.

Therefore, there has been a little bit of a delay in my blogging lately! Let the catch up process begin. :)

In our lifetime, Phil and I have never experienced (that we can remember) a storm with this much force before. Maybe it had something to do with the hot and dry summer we had (leaving tree roots dry and close to the ground surface), but Hurricane Sandy's aftermath to our area was a sight to behold. All across town, huge trees were uprooted and scattered across yards, roofs, roads, etc. The small trees seemed pretty resistant, yet the old, large trees, finally gave in.

One, in particular, was our neighbor's tree, who took a dive right into the direct power line to our house on Monday around 5 p.m. :

The reason we didn't have power. 

Check out that poor sideways pine tree. 

It unfortunately still looks like that today. 

Well, after the sun went down (about 2 hours later), Phil and I decided that sitting in the dark with candles, starring at each other, didn't seem like the best way to be spending our time. Plus, without heat and electricity, the house started getting cold. And we were hungry (did I mention I was 33 weeks pregnant?!). Maybe the power will get fixed tomorrow? We thought... So that night we decided to take advantage and go grab dinner and a movie. A movie theater seemed like a safe and enclosed place to be during the storm, right? We saw Argo with Ben Affleck. Great choice (very interesting, highly recommend)!

Woke up Tuesday morning, still no power = couldn't take a shower to get ready for work. Phil managed, while I on the other hand opted for leggings and a sweater and headed out to the local Caribou Coffee to get breakfast and work remotely. Unfortunately, I think every person in our town had the same idea. Of the places that actually had power (Panera and Caribou) everywhere was packed. Packed. As in standing room only, folks. Let the hoarding of power outlets and wireless connections begin. I quickly realized that our power was not going to get fixed soon, as pretty much the majority of the city, and surrounding areas, were also in the same boat.

Therefore, for the next 3 nights, we shacked up with Mama and Papa Wisch in their spare room (Phil's old room!). We were very thankful to be able to spend time with them, shower, and enjoy each other's company during this interesting time. So glad our parents live close by, and had power! Thank you for taking care of us!! Being largely pregnant, it was also a nice break in the week to be able to work remotely (from the Wisch home in the mornings, and the Yale home in the afternoons). Plus, I'm sure everyone loved seeing the baby belly more often. :)

By Friday, our backyard looked like this:

Progress! Big tree has been cut down into pieces! 

Unfortunately, lines are still down, no power.

Did I mention my BABY SHOWER was scheduled for the next day, at OUR house?! Yes, this was an interesting week for sure. As both my mom and Phil's mom were helping to plan my baby shower, not knowing whether the power would come back on in time for the shower (did I have a plan B?!) was a little stressful on all of us. However, luckily, we were able to find a perfect plan B, and the shower went off without a hitch! (More on that to come in the next post).

Over the weekend, as Lindsay, Ann and Katie came into town for the shower, we all shacked up at the local Marriott Courtyard hotel. This was also the hotel entire crews of male electrical workers were staying (as help from other states came in to support clean up and get power back on around the area). We may have been the only ladies there. At least they looked at us that way! 

And, of course (as luck would have it), as soon as the girls and I came back from Sunday brunch after checkout, this is what we came home to:

Lights are on!?!

One week later, power is finally back on!