When's your birthday?

So far our baby moon has been a huge success! We are now on our fourth day of relaxation, and we feel like better people for it. We've woken up only by our own internal clocks (read: Alex and Maggie), eaten late breakfasts, seen a movie, browsed some cute stores (for my sake), taken walks, and finished the nursery. Today we have big plans to read, lay around the house, and go to a Memorial Day cook-out at Amy & Eric's house. Life couldn't be more sweet!

I have one final week at work before I will be on maternity leave. I can't believe we are so close! Officially, we have 10 days until the induction, but at my appointment last week my doctor told me that I had progressed enough that she wouldn't be shocked to see me in the hospital before my next appointment on Thursday! We've seen some signs that everything is continuing to progress, so maybe we'll get to meet her even sooner than June 5th. Every day we tap my belly and ask her "When's your birthday, little girl? Is it today?" We don't get much more of a response than a kick, but I guess she'll let us know soon enough. Even though we can't wait to hold her, we are still very grateful for these last few days together.

Anyway, here is the really fun part! Her nursery! I've had so much fun decorating it and making sure everything is just right for her arrival. The only part that isn't complete is the frame above her changing table. We are waiting for the maternity portraits we ordered that should be ready in a couple of weeks. We also got a custom matte from Michaels that comes in on Friday. I'll post those images when we get them! Here's a quick tour of the nursery (the pic to the left is from the doorway):

One of our favorite decorations is Amy's discovery: the "Dream" blocks over the crib. We took my Mom out to lunch for a belated Mother's Day celebration and then wandered around the cute shops in downtown McKinney, one of which had the letter-blocks tucked in a back corner. Frank and I discovered the painting on the wall next to the crib at a doll store this weekend, and it was sort of the finishing touch (so yes, downtown McKinney has lots to offer!).

One of my favorite things to do is go fling open the closet doors and look at her cute little clothes hanging on those little hangers. Frank always looks at me like I'm being weird, but look how cute! She also has a dresser full of cute pink things! I had a blast organizing the onesies by size and color.

And then, of course, there are several miscellaneous things that look very fun... but we're obviously still missing a rather significant piece: the baby!

Delinquent Blogger

So I promised an update on the shower from work, and what do you get? Nothing for weeks! I'm aware that I'm a deliquent blogger right now. Does it make you feel better to know that it bothers me? Me either. Every night I come home from work with good intentions, but there have been many other things (mainly sleep) that demand my time. However, today is different! It was a slow day at work, so I was determined to at least do something productive with my day once I got home. I've already cleaned the kitchen and done two loads of laundry, believe it or not. I've still got plans to make dinner, too! Before moving on to the wonderful shower that was now more than a month ago, I'll catch you up a bit on what we've been up to and what we have planned.

Tomorrow I am officially "full term" - meaning I hit 37 weeks! It feels like a milestone, yet still far enough away from my due date to have me completely freaked out about the impending change. A month ago I had a list of about 20 things that I decided needed to be done before she got here, and as of tonight, we're done! I feel so much better now knowing that even if she surprised us and came early, we'd be ready. I even have my hospital bag packed and the phone number to the hospital programed in my phone just in case. Her room is also pretty much complete minus a few minor details. I'll post pictures of her nursery by next week. Really.

This weekend Frank and I will be taking our "baby moon". I had never heard of the event until reading about it in the waiting room at the OB office one day. I decided it was a fabulous idea, so we embraced it. A baby moon is one final vacation for the future mom and dad to take together before the arrival of baby. We understand that our lives are about to be turned upside down (in a good way) and that it will never just be "us" again. It's exciting and sad at the same time. We originally planned to drive to Austin for the weekend, but after totaling up the costs of our weekend getaway we decided it would be best for us to just hang out in town. The things highest on our list are sleeping in late, going for walks, seeing a movie, and a relaxing pedicure for me. The only rule is that we have no schedule. We've been ruled by schedules and events for the last 4 months, and we are both exhausted. This will be a much needed time of relaxation for us!

Ok, on to the shower! My team at work was very nice to throw Frank and I a baby shower last month. We definitely felt spoiled! My team actually went in together to get us the baby swing from our registry! We were also given a lot of really cute clothes, her bumbo chair, diapers, and her wipe warmer! The cake you see was made by one of my coworkers, believe it or not. She makes professional cakes as a hobby/side business and they are SO GOOD! Check out her website. I love the "sweet pea" on top of the cake! Thanks, Patricia!


Like I said in the last blog, we are very blessed. It was wonderful to see so many friends show up to celebrate with Frank and I that day.
I promise you will be hearing more from me in the coming weeks, so hang in there! Pretty soon we'll be introducing you to our little one. Just fifteen more days! Frank jokes about "live blogging" during labor, but he knows what's good for him. :) Stay tuned for a glimpse into the baby room!!

Showers!

Frank and I have been very blessed with great friends and family who have helped support us as we prepare for our first little one. My office threw us a shower in April, and just last weekend my mom and sister, Amy hosted a party for me in Allen. Both of them were so fun! We are really very close to being all set up! I have just a couple things to grab at Target, but we've been given gift cards, so that is covered, too! Like I said, we are blessed. I will have to post the events in reverse order because I have still not been able to load the pictures from the first shower because of formatting issues, but I'll figure it out and post them later this week - I promise! P.S. - thanks to Amy for the cross! It's one of my favorite gifts!


Here is the cute cake from the shower last weekend. Chocolate layer on top, white cake on the bottom. Mmmm...


Amy is a very VERY proud aunt. I know you can't tell...



One of the games we played was "Guess that baby food!" Who knew they had mac-n-cheese for babies?? I don't think baby Barnett will be sampling that one!


Candace and Camille took this game very seriously. I love the twins...


After the games we opened gifts. Baby girl got alot of cute clothes. Our favorites were the star-bottom bloomers and the A&M Tee (of course!). Frank and I have already discussed that we would be happy to help pay for her college education, as long as the university is in College Station. :)




Kelly also braved it at the shower, even with a head cold in May! She was very sweet to show up early and help us set up, which was a big help. And I know what you're thinking. The answer is "No, I don't ask people to pose while holding my tummy. It's apparently just an irresistable urge."


More to come. Stay tuned!