Week 20...Nesting...And Pink Circles!

We've started on the nursery. We've decided on paint colors. And I'm not going with the traditional pink walls. I'm keeping the lamswool beige and I'm going to paint a mural of circles in different shades of pink and cream on one wall only. I think this decor will last for much longer than having all 4 walls painted pink. It'll be hip, modern, and more tolerable.  I know me, and I know I'll get tired of an entirely pink room in no time. I cant wait to get the circles done. It's hard to describe without seeing a picture, so you'll have to stay tuned for the fine artwork that's coming!  We've also been doing little projects like replacing interior doors. I think the doors in the house are all original, which means they are old and plain. We like the look of modern day doors, so we decided this was a necessity. Unfortunatley, the door frames in a house that was built in 1954 leave a little accuracy to be desired. We decided that we could save some coin and replace them outselves...and we did...but not without some very hard work involved. The existing door frames that the new standard sized doors were going into, weren't exactly standard sized themselves. Several of the doors requied some shaving and sanding in order to get them to fit right.  Yes, there are many inperfections in our work, but at first glance, they look pretty darn good. And Brian can add some new skills to his do-it-yourself repertoire. I will say, though, we couldnt have done it without the help of my sister, Tracie. She really helped us with the door hanging. She's been amazingly helpful in every aspect of adjusting to pregnancy and getting ready for baby. She is so excited to become an aunt for the first time and this pregnancy has really brought us closer. She even brings me "cho-co-do-ho's" on Saturday mornings.  That's twin talk for chocolate-covered-donut-holes! Although she recently informed me that she was starting to feel like those donuts were the equivalent of crack to me and she didn't want to contribute to my addiction any longer. I think she is just saying that to get on Brian's good side because she loves them just as much as I do! Brian is really starting to like the fact that he not only got a wife when he married me, he got a somewhat needy, yet awesome, sister too. And, as long as he's picking on sis, he's not picking on prego. (Love you babe!) Which works out beautifully for me and my overly sensitive hormones!  I love you sis! Keep those cho-co-do-ho's comin'!!

Brian, getting the doors to fit right and painting them.

And me, drawing and painting the circles. Brian thought it was going to be a big mess of crazy pencil marks. But now that the paint color is going up, I think he see's my "pink circles" vision.  The white is the base coat for the pastel pink shade. There will also be dark pink, cream, and brown colored circles. 

For the first time in my life, I can actually say that I LOVE my big growing belly!

Scripps helping mommy...

A Blogger Award...For ME!!

I was so graciously passed along this wonderful blogger award recently from my friend Amy! I'm very excited to say that I've got my blogger brain back again and am happy to ablige with the expectations of the award. :-)

I'm supposed to write 7 random things about myself. I'll try and make them things that you wouldn't necessarily know about me...just to make it a bit more interesting...

1.  I love to cook and wish I had more time to cook new and exciting things. I enjoy watching Iron Chef and watching how quickly they come up with their off-the-cuff dishes. I am actually the "grill master" at our house. In the spring and summer I love to grill everything. I'd grill breakfast out in the backyard on that thing if I could.  When I bought my husband a new grill two years ago it was too funny since, you know, I really bought it for me. (But it's still yours, honey!)

2.  I dont make girl friends easily. It's not that I dont want to, it's that sometimes I dont think I know how to. I just find it very difficult to cultivate friendships with other women. Now, I dont have a problem socializing or cultivating acquaintences, it's not a social anxiety issue or anything. It's more of a boundaries issue I think, in that, I dont have boundaries with my best friend on the planet, my twin sister, Tracie, and that's the only "girlfriend-ship" I know how to have. Somewhere in my head I dont think that lack of boundaries would tranfer well to other women, so I overcompensate that fear by being extra cautious with my boundaries with other women.  I totally blame this on the fact that Tracie and I shared a classroom (or rather, a life) from birth to kindergarten to highschool. During those important "social skills" forming years I didnt have to make other girlfriends, so I (we) didnt.  I always had my sister by my side and we always played together. I can comfortably be myself with my twin sister, whether it's the somber, mild mannered Stacie, who might call Tracie for a conversation that goes something like this... "hi Tra", "hi Sta", "whats up?" "nothing, what's up with you?" "nothing." --long, comforting pause-- "okay, call me later", "ok bye", "bye".  OR the total wack-a-doo Stacie that ONLY Tracie would understand and appreciate. I wont even try to give you an example of one of THOSE conversations, however I will say that much laughter, misuse of big words, and attempts at european accents usually occur! :-) 

3.  My dream job, since my teen years, has been Photojournalist for National Geographic. Not video, but stills. Although I absolutely love my career of choice, I did go with the safer, more stable option. If I ever come back in another life, I'll be snapping awesome photos on African Safari.

4.  I want to learn to play piano someday. This is another one I've wanted to do since childhood. I just love watching the greats dance their fingers across the ivory!  I love music and song, in general, but I've always looked at the piano differently, more personally. It's such a beautiful creature. I'd love to learn how to make one sing.

5.  If I won mega-millions in the lottery, I'd start a foundation and give most of it away. I dont want for much. I have a wonderful life that includes a career I love, a husband I adore, and a baby on the way that will make my life even that much more complete.  I was raised modestly, to aim for the stars, but to also appreciate the simple things in life.  I've never been one to believe that the more you have the better off you are. Matter of fact, I think quite the opposite. The more you have, the more headaches that come along with it. Less is more when it comes to material things. I love to travel, to learn and to gain "experiences". And with my husband, family, and friends by my side to share those experiences with, that is all I need to be happy. Yes, of course I would spend some pretty penny's on myself and my family, but I would much more enjoy making the life of the less fortunate more complete. So, come on lotto, pick my numbers, The Nutt Foundation needs some coin!

6.  Sometimes when I look at photos of myself, I don't see me, I see my sister.  This has happened many times in stores while shopping with her. I'll look up and out of the corner of my eye or something I'll see Tracie standing there. Staring at me. Then I realize it's just my own reflection. I've even talked to her, or rather me, before. Kind of embarrassing if other people are around.

7.  I knew my life would be complete when I met Brian.  It's difficult, yet so many words come to mind, to try and explain how you can know that when someone comes into you life, they're always going to be there. Although we had some growing pains, we started growing together immediately after we started dating. And our determination to grow together, no matter what life brings us, continues to this day and forever. I've never been more sure...mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually...about two peoples existence belonging together than I am of me and Brian. I can go on and on with a long list of things that each of us has brought and continue to bring to the other life. But instead, I will just say this, God gave us each a blessing the day our paths crossed, and He continues to bless us each day with the gift of our life together and our combined families. He continues to show us his love and desire for us to be together by now blessing us with our growing baby. Brian, you are my Moon,  you balance my inner tides and have created life in my soul. I love you, baby!

So there you have it. 7 random things. I hope you enjoy. Since I don't have too many friends who blog (that I know of yet) and I cant pass this back to the person who sent it to me (Amy), I'll pass this award onto anyone who happens to come across my blog and read this post. Take this opportunity to look inside yourself and share some things that you wouldn't normally share with people on any given day.

Week 19...Rylie, Are You In There?

It's mommy calling! Are you there?
I keep reading that I should be able to feel Rylie anytime now. They say between 18 and 20 weeks is usually when the flutters should start. So far, i've not felt a thing. Gas bubble feelings result in gas. Hunger feelings result in hunger. My impatience is getting the best of me, I know that feeling my baby move is the next big milestone in pregnancy, so I'm so anxious to finally feel her. I've even been poking my belly lightly in hopes that she'll poke back. Nothin'.  :(   Come on Rylie, give mommy a good kick or two.

It's funny, I told myself I wasn't going to be one of those women who keep their hands on their belly all the time, rubbing it, touching it, resting my hands on it.  Well, be careful what you say ladies, I've SO become one of those women. It's not an "it" anymore, it's Rylie's home. All I want to do is touch my belly, knowing that just a couple inches below my skin is a precious gift from God that Brian and I have prayed for for so long. How could I not want to touch it all the time. Brian likes to talk into my belly button to her. It's really cute.

So come on, Rylie, give mommy a good punch so we know you are liking it in there!

Week 18... It's a GIRL!

Our 18 week ultrasound pictures. There is definitely no denying the three lines, it's a girl alright!  Her name is Rylie Sophia Nutt. We cant wait to meet her! We love you so much already, Rylie!