Second labor of love... my pregnancy journal/scrapbook

"Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain – your life will never be the same."
-Catherine Jones

In the last year, I've not only been growing a baby, but also a second labor of love. Starting in the early morning hours of a Saturday in May 2014, I curled beneath the sheets in the light of my phone to record my excitement of seeing two lines on a pregnancy test. For the next nine months I jotted down my notes, memories, and feelings about my journey to motherhood in an Evernote document. And, for the last couple of weeks I have brought those words to life in a most treasured scrapbook album, "Expecting Baby B..."

I had a bold and graphic 3-ring binder from Target and a variety of Bo Bunny page protectors waiting in the wings for the perfect project. Using that as my framework, I first designed the album in Adobe InDesign... the words from my journal illustrated by photos and ephemera from along the way.

Last year's One Little Word was "authentic," and I gave myself permission to feel all of the feelings. The entries in my journal include it all: the excitement, the joy, the fear, the surreal. While it is ultimately the story of me and my journey, someday when Silas reads it, I hope he feels the love that we had for him since the very beginning.

A pack of three coordinating file folders became section dividers for the three trimesters.

I used a combination of full-size (8.5"x11") page protectors and smaller (8"x9") page protectors, depending on the length of the stories. The 3"x4" pockets were perfect for iPhone photos, including screenshots of text messages as shown above.

I included swatches of the fabrics along with the receipt from our trip to Mary Jo's to tell the the story of how the nursery came together.

I slipped the ultrasound photos into the pockets and even saved the "It's a Boy" flag that we stuck in our doughnut to celebrate.

The album is told chronologically for the most part. I included reports from each doctor's visit and interspersed letters written to Baby B throughout.

I also saved brochures and important paperwork from doctor's visits.

We were so grateful for all of the thoughtful gifts from friends and family, and the slips of paper in the pockets above can be removed and unfolded to see the entire gift list.

I concluded the journal with my three-page birth story and a few of Silas' first photos.

But, of course the journey has just begun... I hope to continue Silas' story in a similar baby book/book about his first year.

Silas' Birth Announcements

"Don't ever tell the mother of a newborn that her baby's smile is just gas."
-Jill Woodhull

Some of the best parts about having a new baby... decorating a nursery and designing birth announcements!! Thanks to the inspiration from my "Welcome to the World" Pinterest board, my imagination ran wild as I brainstormed ideas for Silas' birth announcements. 

I wanted to design something unique and special, just for him. I wanted to use some of the great shots from his newborn photoshoot by Erin Drago Photography. I also wanted something affordable with relatively quick turnaround. And, of course, I was willing to DIY, but wanted something that still looked polished and professional.

Jamaica Edgell's post about her Love Cards on Paislee Press showed up in my blog reader right on time. I loved the idea of a vellum overlay of text! It was just the inspiration I needed to get serious about making this project come to life.

Now that the cards should have arrived at their destinations, let me show you what I came up with...

Source list (if you're curious...):

• 5" x 7" Postcards from Overnight Prints (Full Color/Gloss Stock/Two-sided) - 50 for $22.70
• Peacock A7 Envelopes from Paper Source - 50 for $27.20
• 8.5" x 11" vellum paper (cut in half) from Hobby Lobby - 25 sheets for $4.46
• Overlay printing - DIY
• Footprints - digital version of Silas' footprints at birth font
• Novecento Wide - free
• Scotch Expressions Washi Tape (Black Stripe) - $2.99
• 2712 Designs address stamp (Clunky Typewriter) - $52.95 (ours was a gift... thanks, Mom!)
• Vintage Circus Posters postage stamps - 50 for $24.50

I read online that you can send a birth announcement to the White House, using this address:

President Barack Obama

Greetings Office Room 39
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC 20500

Hopefully we'll receive a "signed" greeting back... what a cool memento for his baby book!

You don't want to know how many tries it took to get this photo...
Sorry for any slobber on your envelope, Mr. President!

Silas' Nursery Tour

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one."
-Leo J. Burke

I have been collecting nursery ideas for years (most recently on Baby B's Room Pinterest board). Although I considered several different options, I decided to go in the direction of bold and graphic, rather than a traditional baby theme. I fell in love with the feather fabric for the window valance first and built the room around that color scheme (dark teal, coral, citron, and gray) with a loose adventure vibe (feathers, arrows, mountains, etc.).

Rob took on the big projects like replacing the carpet with wooden laminate flooring and painting the walls dark gray. In the meantime, I focused on creating custom artwork for the walls, and my mom helped us with many of the sewing projects. We love the result and couldn’t wait to bring Baby B home to his new room!!

See other posts about the progress of the nursery: choosing a paint color, curtains and other early sewing projects, choosing fabrics, and nursery inspiration board.

 

 

Source List:

• Laminate flooring: Style Selections SwiftLock in Chestnut Hickory from Lowes
• Paint color: Valspar Pewter
• Crib: Gulliver from IKEA
• Dresser: Malm 6-drawer dresser from IKEA
• Bookshelves/window seat: Kallax shelving units with Skubb boxes, both from IKEA
• Window valance: handmade by my mom; Michael Miller’s Birds of a Feather fabric
• Windowseat cushion and pillows: handmade by my mom
• Rocking chair: hand-me-down from Momo and Poppy
• Side table: Big Lots (top surface painted white, bottom shelf is actually a spray-painted cakestand from Bake and Party Design)
• Soft ottoman: handmade by my mom, inspired by "Land of Nod-inspired floor cushion" from Living with Punks
• Rug: Hulsig from IKEA
• Sheepskin rug: Rens from IKEA
• Lamp base: Threshold Metal Linear Table Lamp from Target / Lampshade: IKEA (can't find on website)
• White basket under side table: Hobby Lobby
• "Greatest Adventure" banner: handmade by me with freezer paper stencils
• Bicycle gear art: engineer print from Staples mounted on canvas and framed with black washi tape
• Dream catcher: handmade with feathers from ForCRAFT
• Mirror: Stave from IKEA
• String art: handmade (inspired by the DIY Geometric Photo Display at The Caldwell Project)
• Name art: printed by me, Ribba frames from IKEA
• Crib sheets/crib skirt/changing pad cover: handmade by my mom
• Mobile: mechanics from Cocalo, fabric canopy and felt shapes handmade by my mom
• Arrow quilt: handmade by my mom
• Balsa wood art on door: Hobby Lobby

 

All photos by Erin Drago Photography or Linda Perkins.

Nursery paint colors

"I love you beyond paint, beyond melodies, beyond words. And I hope you will always feel that, even when I'm not around to tell you so.”
-Kiera Cass

Most of the rooms in our house are still painted the oh-so-love shade of "builder khaki"... including the nursery. But as we fix up Baby B's room, a fresh coat of paint is top of the to-do list.

I'm leaning towards a gray, hoping that the teal, coral and citron will really pop! I mocked up a few of my favorite colors... to see how dark we can go!

What do you think?

Wall color is Olympic Secret Passage

Wall color is Valspar Gray Plank

Wall color is Valspar Pewter

Knowing that Rob is training for his annual bicycle ride to the beach (this Friday!!), I didn't expect that we would start any of this big project until after that. However, he got a wild hair this weekend. We were able to clear out the room and put some sample paint up on the walls to consider.

Now we just have to decide...

September Project #3: Awake album

"So walk with me, my friend, awhile."
-Elise Erikson Barrett

The end of September seemed like crazy time for me... the deadlines of five different projects were scheduled within a week of each other. Projects that I have put my heart and soul into for months... Projects that I am extremely proud of... Projects that I was eager to see completed and well-received...

I just want to share a few snapshots of several of these projects over the next few posts...

Project #3: Awake album
A few months ago I posted about my friend Elise's Kickstarter campaign to fund her first album. [Of course the project was not without a little bit of "excitement" as the day after the project launched, her husband (and my pastor) was hospitalized with another health scare; after stumping the doctors for a while, they seem to have finally figured it out, and he is doing much better.]

Elise's project was fully funded in half the expected time, and it went on to raise 160% of the initial goal. The extra cash allowed Elise to bring on some more musicians and to take advantage of an opportunity to travel to San Francisco to record at the well-known Fantasy Studios.

And, what does all of this have to do with me and my projects?? Well, Elise asked me to design the album branding, packaging, and all of the Kickstarter swag/merchandise!

 

At first the project seemed a bit out of my comfort zone... I mean I haven't designed an album since a class assignment for one of my first graphic design classes in college. But, I was all in...

Once I received the photos that my other friend, Jane, had taken of Elise, I really found my groove... and, luckily Elise also loved the concepts I came up with. Over the course of the project, I designed a logo and brand identity, decal stickers, t-shirts, posters, the case insert, and the cd itself.

And, talk about exciting when I saw this:

Yes... that's my artwork on iTunes... not to mention Elise's music available on iTunes today!!!!! #awakeishappening

September Project #2: Stewardship Narrative Budget

“Wealth is a responsibility and the sharing of it a way of life.”
-Peter Haas, Jr.

The end of September seemed like crazy time for me... the deadlines of five different projects were scheduled within a week of each other. Projects that I have put my heart and soul into for months... Projects that I am extremely proud of... Projects that I was eager to see completed and well-received...

I just want to share a few snapshots of several of these projects over the next few posts...

Project #2: Stewardship Narrative Budget
Last Fall I was asked to serve on the Stewardship Committee at my church. I balked at first, thinking that of all the committees available, Stewardship and Finance would be the last that I would have chosen. However, my journey with my 2013 One Little Word, "momentum" inspired me to "say yes and figure it out later."

Not sure what to expect at my first meeting back in January, I did some quick online research about what ideas I could bring to the committee. As a memory-keeper and story-teller, I was enamored by the idea of a narrative budget to tell the stories of the church's ministries, and hopefully to inspire people to give to them.

I introduced the idea at one of our first meetings and soon found myself leading a 2014/15 Narrative Budget initiative. I spent the first half of the year interviewing church leaders, composing the stories, wrangling photos, and designing the document itself.

We decided early on that we would use the church website as the main point of distribution of the document, rather than printing out copies for the whole congregation. This is a bit of a shift for our church, so I spent the last few months developing a robust marketing campaign... it doesn't do any good to work so hard on the document itself, if nobody actually reads it.

The campaign rolled out on the last Sunday in September (coinciding with the celebration of our Dare to Share summer stewardship challenge... which was another of the many end-of-September projects I was working on), and it seems to have gotten a positive response. Of course, the true test will be the estimates of giving that roll in a few weeks from now...

Check out the website and the Narrative Budget document for yourself! Click here.

September Project #1: E-Learning Modules

“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”
-John Dewey

The end of September seemed like crazy time for me... the deadlines of five different projects were scheduled within a week of each other. Projects that I have put my heart and soul into for months... Projects that I am extremely proud of... Projects that I was eager to see completed and well-received...

I just want to share a few snapshots of several of these projects over the next few posts...

Project #1: Genetics e-learning modules
The Genetics department at work asked me if I would be willing to help them create self-directed learning modules for first-year medical students based on three different clinical scenarios. While not directly aligned with my current job description, projects like these are right up my alley.

My design/communications/e-learning experience was matched with a clinical geneticist who acted as the content expert for the project.

I worked in a program called Articulate Storyline and was able to devise some really neat interactions for the students to get instant feedback as they worked through the modules. Here's the behind-the-scenes screenshot and a snippet of the storyboard used for one of the modules. The neat thing about this program is how easy it is to create branching storylines for a "choose-your-own-adventure" experience.

I held my breath and kept my fingers crossed on the day that we released the modules to the students. A little technological glitch or small conflicts with the content could ruin the whole thing. Luckily there were only two students who had trouble accessing the modules, and I had unintentionally, but luckily built a way around it!

Here are a few screenshots from the modules themselves:

I could totally see myself creating similar modules and organizing such projects as a full-time career in a few years. A perfect blend of my passions for education and design. In the meantime, I'll be trying to get my hands on another project like this so that I can beef up my portfolio.

Nursery Fabrics

"To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and undoubtedly inhabited."
-Anne Buchanan

My mom planned to visit for Labor Day weekend. And, knowing that this might be the only time she's at my house before Baby B is here, I really wanted to take advantage of her sewing expertise and get started on the nursery.

A new sewing project means one thing... a trip to Mary Jo's Cloth Store. I headed up to Gastonia (only an hour and a half from my house) one Saturday afternoon with the goal of gathering fabric swatches in a couple of color schemes.

Mary Jo's Cloth Store... the fabric mecca of the Southeast

We wouldn't know Baby B's gender for a few more weeks, so I wanted to start with a gender-neutral base. (Even if we did know, I don't think we'd go over-the-top girly or boyish anyway!)

Two and a half hours later, I had collected three sets of fabrics. However, before I even got home, I had already narrowed it down to the top two contenders. Take a look!

Would it be Option A? The modern woodland theme?

[clockwise: Riley Blake Boy Stripes Orange | Riley Blake Scenic Critters Blue | Riley Blake Boy Swirls Aqua | Michael Miller Tile Pile Dirt | Michael Miller Garden Pindot Clem]

Or would it be Option B? The graphic feather theme?

[clockwise: Michael Miller Birds of a Feather Quill | Micheal Miller Clown Stripe Limeade | Michael Miller Garden Pindot Clem | Michael Miller Dino Roars Stitch | Michael Miller Diddly Dot Sky]

I gave myself two weeks to decide before my mom came to town and we could go back to purchase the full yardage. Although I (and everyone else that I asked) was originally leaning towards Color Scheme A, halfway through I started to second-guess myself.

Any guesses as to which direction I chose?

Nursery Dreams

"Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be."
-Carrie Fisher

Baby = A nursery to decorate... surely I'm not the only one to do this math immediately after finding out they're pregnant?!?

I've been saving ideas for Baby B's room since before Baby B was even a realistic idea. They were once stored on my Someday Pinterest board, but I've since moved them to a secret Baby B's Room board. I'll probably make them public again in a few months, but until then, here are a few of the ideas that have sparked my creativity.

1. My Bella Bug |  2. Playtype Concept Store by leuchtend grau | 3. The Alison Show | 4. The Little Umbrella

5. Going Home to Roost | 6. enJOY it by Elise Cripe | 7. A Beautiful Mess | 8. Minted: Julep | 9. Children Inspire Design

10. Elements of Style | 11. Poppytalk | 12. Life in Bridgetown | 13. 100 Layer Cakelet | 14. Little Lovely

15. 100 Layer Cakelet | 16. Project Nursery | 17. Statshem via My Ideal Home | 18. Little Green Notebook

I'm inspired by a color scheme here and a piece of furniture there, a graphic print here and a room layout there.

Can't wait to show you the direction we choose!!

Sharing the baby news...

"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!"
-Albert Einstein

[In the spirit of the following post and upon reflection of this post from Young House Love this week, I offer my thoughts about blogging... The beauty of authentic blogging is that it is organic, ever-changing, and able to keep up with what's fresh and current in the individual blogger's world. I hate when bloggers apologize for "off-topic" blog posts. A blog is a chronicle of the writer's life, and life doesn't always follow script (or mission statements and business plans). My feelings aren't hurt when a favorite blogger "strays" from their usual topics, even when I choose to stop following so fervently. I'm evolving, they're evolving... I wish them the best of luck on this crazy journey. END RANT!]


Baby fever is certainly where my head and heart are these days, and therefore that is the direction my blog is headed, at least for this season....

I've heard people say that they knew they were pregnant at the moment of conception, and several months ago, I wondered how you could possibly be sure. But, then, I myself had a feeling. By the end of May, I finally had the proof I needed in the double-pink lines on two home pregnancy tests.

Inspired by this pregnancy announcement idea from They Call Me Smudge, I whipped up a special card to share the news with Rob. When I handed the envelope over to him at lunch, he was a little confused, thinking it might be an early birthday gift. But, as soon as he opened it up, a huge grin spread across his face.

We waited a few more weeks to tell our families, choosing to send each of our moms a surprise package. Keeping with the tri-fold layout and inspired by this "Priceless" announcement on Dating Divas, I created a card with a photo from our summer vacation and the ultrasound photo. I wrapped it all up with a note that read, "There's a story behind this gift, so call me before you open."

And, then I stalked the USPS package tracker website waiting for the gifts to arrive at their destinations. We were able to FaceTime with both of our moms, as we shared the news. Isn't technology grand?!?! My mom was totally surprised, while Rob's mom swears she knew (she says I had a baby bump on vacation... at 7.5 weeks... I think not!)... but both were thrilled!

Neither was expecting a "close-up," but these expressions couldn't get any better!

We then called our sisters... well, actually we texted them the ultrasound photo while talking to them on the phone. (I repeat, I love technology!) Callie had figured it out... apparently my "call me when you're out of church" text was not as sneaky as I thought... she called me in between church gatherings to hear the news, and then had to call back later in the afternoon to get the full scoop! Stephanie, on the other hand, was completely caught off guard while shopping with the boys, but was so excited that she bought baby clothes as soon as she hung up with us.

We waited until reaching the second trimester to spread the news to the rest of our friends. Rob sent a few texts to faraway friends, and I made a few announcements to local ones, but mostly we just waited for the news to spread. At this point, my growing belly and ever-increasing maternity clothes wardrobe seem to be speaking for themselves.