It's Crib Time | The Nursery

At nearly 5 1/2 months and a belly barely starting to form... I think it may be time to start looking at getting some baby stuff. We have picked up a stroller/car seat combo and luckily had a few things dropped off from family. But really, we've got nothing. So... I finally gave in and made the purchase of what is the beginning of our nursery. The crib.

apartment therapy.

Actually, here's what it will really look like (it's in the mail):

storkcraft.

With our dark floors and light walls, I'm just not too sure I can handle the oak color. But, that is what they had, it was on for almost 50% off, and I love the sides of it being solid. So... I'm left contemplating... should I paint it?

I'm thinking the color in the first picture is definitely gender neutral and adds that awesome modern touch to the room. I also have a dresser I picked up for free last summer that I want to paint dark gray and put numbers on it. (Sort of like the one in this post).

Oh, and did I mention. The hubby may just get a wardrobe added to his "to-build" list? We have the perfect little nook in the corner of the room, glass doors displaying kids toys and books would be perfect! And... let's not forget I have to do something about a chair. The one I bought for the nursery fits perfectly in the formal living room and I'm not sure I can move it now. ERR.

Anyways... back to my question. To paint or not to paint? What are your thoughts? Here are some more colorful cribs... maybe one of these colors instead?

apartment therapy.

apartment therapy.

apartment therapy.

Tell me what you think. Will I have my work cut out for me and is it actually safe to paint a crib? I'm reading it's okay as long as the paint doesn't contain led. Oh, and I will hopefully have some before pics of the nursery coming up and a little post on the few things we have so far. All you mommies out there... maybe you can give me your must have's when I get to it!

Oh yes, one more thing. Next week is the ultrasound... I think I've given into the hubby. We don't know what it is so far, so what's a couple of more months? My fingers are crossed the baby will show us on his/her own though! ;o)

Happy, Happy, Happy!

First off - Happy belated (oops!) Canada Day and 4th of July!! I don't know about you but summer seems to be crazy busy this year. And, we're probably having the best one yet.

With the hubby at a new job he gets more weekends off then he ever has and this year we have had no renos taking over our life. I mean the pool has been a bit of a hurdle but it's up and running and warm as ever. And the hubs continues to putter away at building it a deck. :)

So... we've practically been living life to the fullest and we're having a blast. We cancelled our tv for the summer and decided to enjoy the outdoors. Since the cottage, we have been out on the boat a few times - touring and fishing, we've been swimming a lot, we've been fishing from shore, trying to get back into BBQing and using the smoker, spending time with the fam jam and friends we haven't seen in years and just relaxing and enjoying the backyard... and, well... life! Oh and of course, my bday was a week or so ago (I'm not telling) and I was completely spoiled with a seafood dinner and a night out watching Jersey Boys - along with lots of spoiling from my work family!

We're having so much fun putting everything aside and going out on whims - I don't think we've ever spent a summer like this. As you can tell... I'm one happy, happy, happy girl! :o)

Here's just a few pics of our amazing summer so far (courtesy of Instagram):

The beautiful sunset while fishing...
we actually stayed out until dark - SO much fun!

My fave pic: It looks like a metropolis in the background
but it's just a factory in our very small town!

A weekend with the famjam - BBQing and swimming!

The hubs fishing from shore!

This little cutie is our niece - we've been
spending quite a bit of time with her 2 yr old personality!

Me - preparing to go swimming on the
most humid day ever! Okay that's every day this summer!

The river on Canada Day...
the waves were a little more than we were comfortable with!

Alright, that's where I've been and what we've been up to. Now I must get back to what I was doing - enjoying life! Adios!

A Weekend Away | Real Life

Enough was enough - we packed our bags and disappeared for the weekend and it was so nice! No drama, no phone calls, no reality... just the peace and quiet of a cottage. With the hubs only having every other weekend off in the summer, it seems every chance we have at a day to ourselves someone is looking or needing us for something. It's only June and we'd already had enough - so we rented a cottage.

It was our first time renting one and we were hooked. Nothing beats waking up and sitting looking over the water. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if we find a way to buy one in our distant future. We were in love. No hustle and bustle, just relaxation.

Anyways, I snapped a few pictures from our tour to the 1000 Islands. Of course, I forgot my good camera so they are all with the iphone. But, I did discover the HDR setting halfway through so some are better than others. (These are all RAW photos.)

The view as we left on the boat.

Sailboats are beautiful - the hubs kinda wants one - not that big though!

The hubs learning how to use a fly fishing rod.

The view from our cottage.

1000 islands tour - dream home.

One more time - by the cottage - the colors are breathtaking.

I went back to work today feeling like I haven't been there in a while. It was nice. I don't often feel that refreshed after a weekend. And, sorry to everyone at my work but I really didn't miss it. I loved that time with the hubs and enjoying life. I can't wait for my year off with the baby enjoying everything and everyone around me and not spending my days in a cubicle.

Ever Wanted a Fresh Start | Real Life

I know I can't be the only one that dreams of packing up and starting fresh somewhere far away? But I want to know someone who has... what was it like - scary, exciting? How did you decide where? What made you go?

Ask my husband how bad I am for wanting to always move. We had just finished moving into our new house and I was already on MLS (a real estate site) checking out what was up for sale in the area. But sometimes, I turn to him and say... "let's just pack up and move away". I mean besides leaving family behind... it would be so nice to have a fresh start, nobody in your business and especially no drama. And well let's face it... depending on the day... the husband is all for it too.

So that's why I wonder... what makes someone finally do it? It is such a gutsy thing to do. I mean it would be scary, but would it be as fun as I'm imagining? A fresh start. A completely new beginning - just me, the hubs, soon to be baby and cat... A girl can dream right?

I'm looking for your thoughts - have you ever just gone for it and started over? Or are you like me... always dreaming and slightly afraid of whether it's really the right thing? And, if you could just pack up and go where would that place be?

Feelin' A Little Chubby! | Real Life

Oh the awkwardness of a growing baby bump. Here's a quick post to show you the progress on it... I say it's just "chubby" but others insist it looks like a bump...

You can decide:

I won't complain at the barely there bump... although, catch me on the right day and it certainly sticks out a little more. It all depends on when and what I've been eating. But I've been googling like crazy to see how I compare to others... and it looks like I'm not as big as most :o)

While it's still "smaller"... truthfully it's a pain. And the acid reflux/heartburn is killing me. I'm sure it will be worth it though. Oh and did I mention... I have yet to purchase maternity clothes - I'm sure that won't last much longer!!

(Photos courtesy of Instagram - I should have stood up straighter in the second one!!)