The Waiting game

We're getting closer!  It's weird to think that sometime within the next two weeks I will be able to hold my baby girl in my arms!  I'm so excited, and about as ready as I'll ever be I think!  I finished up the major painting on the mural last night (sorry no pictures yet, the perfectionist in me wants to do some touch-ups first) but it looks so good!!  I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  I had to do some cutting and pasting to get the branch looking the way I wanted it before projecting it on the wall, but I'm glad I did.  It is the perfect combination of Full and beautiful without being overly intricate and difficult.  I can't wait to get the rest of the room put together and see it all fall into place!  Here's some pictures of room details to hold you over:

Daddy painting Pink!

the GORGEOUS crib bedding I found at a Steal of a Price!!

Also, last weekend we went and cut down our Christmas Tree!  Yay!  We are so thankful for our friends that came up to help us (and I'm bummed I didn't get any pictures of them).  Riley had a blast sharing this experience with Tanner and Jackson, and it sounds like their dad enjoyed it just as much as they did!  I really hope we can make them a new part of our old tradition.

It was really warm last weekend, as it has been around here since...well, as long as I can remember!  The weather has been so unseasonable, and we are seriously lacking in precipitation too.  I'm not minding the warmer temps, 50's and 60's in December are all right with me (especially being 9 months pregnant and not having to worry about ice), but I know it's really hurting Colorado as well as the rest of the country.  There's a wildfire burning in Rocky Mountain National Park.  Yep, a wildfire in December - it the High country no less!  It's been burning since October, but picked up this week with some winds.  Things are looking better for it now, it's still within the park boundaries, but it's just so odd to think that there's no snow up there to help with the control of this.  This weekend is bringing cooler temps, and *possibly* even some snow.  (I say possibly because they always forecast it, but we rarely see it).  My thoughts: just let me have this baby, then it can snow all it wants!!!  I'm game for another blizzard . . . just not until AFTER I have come and gone from the hospital!  ;)

Next I want to say THANK YOU!!!!  to all my wonderful family members sending me (and Amara) such beautiful gifts!  Just yesterday we received a package from my Aunt Elaine containing 3 beautiful quilts for her great-niece and -nephews.  She made a Cars one for Riley (which he can't get enough of - he was beaming from ear to ear all last night as he snuggled with it watching Christmas movies), a Thomas the Train one for Jayce (which he is equally excited about - I pulled it out and he shouts Choo-Choo!! and comes running!) and a gorgeous pink/white one for Amara with a matching burp cloth. 

In addition to that, I got a message earlier this week from my sister in law saying she had shipped out a quilt for Amara as well!  Yay!!!  I can't wait to see it!  She says it's the prettiest one she's ever made, and I'm nervous for that because she's made some really beautiful ones!  So thank you to eveyone who has sent something for Amara, family, friends, etc.  There's so much, and I'm so excited to  put them to use!  She is not lacking for anything pink that's for sure!! 

Two other things from this week.  We took the boys to Build-a-Bear to make a bear for Amara.  Cam and I did this for Riley, and Riley did it for Jayce, so we wanted to continue with little sister!  Riley did a great job of picking out "Girl" things for her and not just what HE wanted.  He also got to help stuff her, name her and pick out her clothes.  I was so proud of him, and I hope he's proud of himself.  He picked out the name Easter for the bear, which I think is very fitting!  He's going to be such a good big brother!

The other thing is a trip to see Santa!  Our community had a little Tree lighting and Santa visit this week, so Cam took the boys (so I could rest and have a break - he's so wonderful!!!!).  Riley actually talked to Santa and told him what he wanted (a green RC car from Toy Story) while Jayce just sat there and stared at him.  Wish I could have seen that, because usually it's the other way around!  Jayce is the more outgoing one, and Riley usually sits there silent!  lol

Well, that's about it for now.  This coming Friday is Jayce's second Birthday!!  I can't believe he's 2!  I took Riley shopping earlier this week to help me pick out his gifts and I think he's really going to like them!  I'm trying really hard to not mesh his birthday with Christmas (and Amara's too for the future), so we are planning just a family party with Cake, Ice Cream, and presents this Friday night.  Nothing super special, but hopefully he'll remember that we kept his birthday separate.  Now if we can just keep his birthday and Amara's separate!!  lol.  I was dilated to 2 cm. this week at my appointment - which is major for me!!  I was only at 1 1/2 when my water broke with Jayce, so I'm expecting her at anytime.  I'm hoping she holds of for at least another week - 10 days, but we'll see.  I know many moms sit dilated at 2-3 cm. for weeks, so maybe that will be me this time around (although with the amount of contractions I'm having daily I questioning that theory!)  But I'll do my best to keep everyone updated on the specifics, it's coming down to the wire now!!  Have a good weekend everyone!