Introducing Ashlyn Elise

Born Wednesday January 9, 2013 

at 11:35 pm 

weighing 7 pounds 

and 19 3/4 inches long

Her daddy and I are pretty certain she is the most beautiful girl we've ever laid eyes on.

Ashlyn's Nursery

I think I've been saying I would show pictures of the bedding and different things in the nursery for months now. But now that it's pretty much complete, I really want to show it off. A LOT of thought and even more hard work (mainly on Dustin's part) went into this room. I can honestly say, we've never been prouder of a room in our home. We both go in there all the time and just look at it. :)

 The first thing we had to do was clean out the room. Previously it was our office/ catch all room. It was horrible and had no real purpose which always drove me crazy. I was happy to redo it. Then Dustin wanted to rip out the carpet and stain the floors like we had done to the living room and hallway. I was happy about this idea because I really wanted to have a fun rug in there instead of carpet. I think mom found the rug at Target for $20 or less. Great find! After the week long process of doing the floors, Dustin painted all the trim and doors with a fresh coat. All this prep work was taking so long that I thought we would never get to the decorating part!

The vision for this room all started with the bedding. I saw the adorable bedding long before I knew we would have a girl. So once we knew, I was excited to start planning out the rest of the room. I really loved the fun, whimsical look of the bedding. I wanted to mix fun with soft and girly. You know, like a trendy princess room! We were very blessed by a good friend that gave us the crib.

Then I was in search of some sort of dresser that could double as a changing table in the beginning. I knew we would most likely find something old and refinish it. My mom had the idea of us taking an extra dresser that she had in her house and redoing it. However, the top drawer was missing. In my opinion it was too tall to be a changing table so Dustin was able to cut the top drawer space off and make it into a 3 drawer dresser that would be the perfect height. We also got a smaller side table/ dresser that was very similar from my parents. Dustin refinished both pieces and I think they match perfectly. I initially thought I wanted a light turquoise color on the walls. But I ended up deciding that I wanted the furniture to be turquoise. Because of this, I had to change my wall color ideas. 

 

When deciding on a wall color, I knew I would go with pink since the furniture would now be turquoise. I just really didn't want loud pink walls. I wanted the pop of color coming from the bedding and dressers, not the entire room. I decided on a very pale pink. It gives the walls just enough color without being too pink. I love the soft, girly look of it. 

 For the window, I knew I wanted white ruffle curtains from the very beginning. Finding them wasn't quite as easy. The Pottery Barn ones are crazy expensive. I entertained the idea of mom and I making the ones you see on Pinterest. We decided it wasn't going to be an easy task and therefore just not worth it. I finally found some online that I loved for a good price but they were out of stock every time I checked. It took almost 2 months before I could finally order. I'm absolutely in love with them and I think they make the room.

The chandelier is probably my favorite thing in the nursery. I really really wanted one but didn't think we would get one. I just couldn't stomach the expense when we had so much else to do. But, the light fixture that was already in the room was hideous and needed to be replaced with something. Dustin actually is the one that said this room needs a chandelier. I lucked out and found this one online at Home Depot on some closeout sale. It was perfect so I jumped on it! Poor Dustin spent almost 2 hours putting it together. Each crystal was in its own package. But he was a good sport about it. 

Another thing that I adore in her nursery is the monogram that hangs above the crib. It took me forever to make a decision on what I wanted above the crib. I knew it would be something with her name or monogram. I found quite a few ideas that I liked but nothing just wowed me until I came across the wooden monograms on Etsy. I knew that was it! The guy on Etsy that made it is amazing. He has the best prices by far on Etsy and was super fast. I definitely recommend him! 

The paintings that hang above the changing dresser are super special to me. My cousin Caroline painted them special for Ashlyn and wrote the sweetest letter to her on the back. I told her I wanted to some how incorporate birds into the nursery and she made it happen in the most perfect way. Isn't she talented?

This rocking chair was in my nursery as a baby and then it was in my classroom for a while. I knew I had to find a place for it in the nursery. I still need to find some sort of cushion for it. Also, I want to put some sort of shelf on the wall to the left of the window near the rocking chair. I just haven't had time to find one I like yet. 

The closet needs some organization so I didn't take pictures of it. But it's filled to the brim already with cute clothes for the next year. She is one spoiled little girl!

Well I hope you all love her nursery even half as much as we do. I'm so thrilled to see my vision become a reality. Dustin did such an amazing job making all my ideas come to life. I think we make a pretty good design team! It's been so fun seeing him work so hard on something so special. That little girl has her Daddy wrapped around her finger already. :)

Bedding: My Baby Sam Pixie Aqua

Curtains: Gypsy Shabby Chic Ruffle in white

Monogram: Etsy shop League of Letters

Chandelier: Home Depot online (no longer on sale)

Paintings: Caroline Beyer

Paint: Ballerina Gown (walls) and Sweet Rhapsody (dressers) both by Behr

38 Weeks

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of Baby: pumpkin (definitely feels like it too)

Total Weight Gain: +32

Gender: GIRL! Ashlyn Elise

Movement: Small movements now because she is out of room

Sleep: My days and nights seem to be mixed up. I stay up until well after midnight and toss and turn until around 4ish. Then I sleep good for hours.

Maternity Clothes: Mostly all maternity

Symptoms: I went to the doctor Monday and was 80% and 3-4 cm. She is still saying to expect her at any moment which seems silly to me now considering we've been hearing that for almost a month. I go back tomorrow but I am really starting to be frustrated. I just have a feeling I'll end up being induced because she is so stubborn! And, I've tried all the tricks. I even had a huge spurt of energy yesterday and organized the house for hours. Nothing!

Cravings: COLD water

What I miss: nothing really, I don't feel too bad. I'm just ready to meet my girl!

Best Moment this week: Dustin and I finished the nursery this past week. He took some pictures of me in the nursery that I think turned out cute. The picture above is in her room in front of her adorable ruffle curtains. I plan to take some pictures of everything today so I can finally show off her cute room!

Hopefully this is my last weekly post

**fingers crossed**

37 Weeks

 I know I look rough in this picture but I've been nauseous and tired. I seriously hope this is my last update post!

How Far Along: 37 weeks- FULL TERM

Size of Baby: winter melon... My doctor estimates her at around 6 1/2 pounds

Total Weight Gain: +32

Gender: GIRL! Ashlyn Elise

Movement: Small movements now because she is out of room

Sleep: I've been sleeping ok this past week. Maybe she's letting me rest up before her grand debut!

Maternity Clothes: Mostly all maternity

Symptoms: completely uncomfortable! As of last Friday, I was 3cm and 70%. The doctor said to expect her at any time! I'm packed and ready to go so hopefully she will show up soon! The waiting is killing me though. In the mean time, I've had a lot of Braxton hicks, pressure, and nausea.

Cravings: COLD water

What I miss: good sleep 

Best Moment this week: Celebrating Christmas!

 

36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks 

Size of Baby: honeydew melon

Total Weight Gain: +30-32

Gender: GIRL! Ashlyn Elise

Movement: Movement is less because she has no room and when she does move it's a little painful.

Sleep: Getting off my feet after work and completely relaxing has really helped with the cramping and back pain at night. I started taking Pepcid for the acid reflux and it has improved. But now, I'm dealing with nausea that increases at night. Twice this week, I've gotten up in the middle of the night sick. I've started Phenergan for this. Honestly, who expects to get goos sleep at this point anyway?

Maternity Clothes: Mostly all maternity

Symptoms: completely uncomfortable! I go to the doctor again tomorrow to see if I've progressed further. 

Cravings: COLD water

What I miss: good sleep 

Best Moment this week: Knowing that it's my last week of work for almost 3 months! 

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks 

Size of Baby: coconut

Total Weight Gain: +30

Gender: GIRL! Ashlyn Elise

Movement: Movement seems to be a little less because she doesn't have much room. I still feel her all day and sometimes her movements are a tad painful.

Sleep: Sleep is somewhat better than last week. I've propped myself up with an extra pillow and sometimes use one under my stomach and that seems to help. But, almost every night this past week, I've woke up around 2-3:00 with the worst cramping ever and back pain. Also acid reflux has kept me up a few nights.

Maternity Clothes: Mostly all maternity. I do wear some non maternity sweaters though. 

Symptoms: hip/pelvic/back pain all day, little sleep, some light heartburn/ acid reflux, and exhausted...Also, I was checked Friday at my appointment because of the middle of the night pain and I'm already progressing. My cervix is at 50% and I'm 1-2 cm dialated. I've been ordered to take it extremely easy because it's still a little too early for her to come!

Cravings: COLD water

What I miss: good sleep

Best Moment this week: We had a 4D ultrasound and got some sweet pictures of Ashlyn's face. Also, we had one last baby shower, this time with our friends.

Baby Shower with Friends

Saturday these lovely ladies threw a couples baby shower for us. 

The decorations were adorable and the food was so yummy! 

 

So many of our friends came to show Ashlyn love! 

Once again, Ashlyn was given so many nice things! I think she is most definitely set with everything she could possibly need!

Dustin and I feel truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family members that already love our girl!