Category Archives: bebe shower

Win-esday!

Today I woke up with a fire under me, a jump in my step and a smile on my face. I was happily greeted by my lovely husband outside spray painting the menu mat, 2 frames and an old planter. He’s so rad!
What a difference a $6 can of spray paint makes!  We plan to buy cream peonies for the planter.
We can’t wait to print our gorgeous maternity photos and put them in the frames. Tonight Antz will support the back of the mat with wood and cut the foam board to paint with chalkboard paint.

We did a test sample of the paint, it will definitely need 2 or 3 coats. The foam board is pretty absorbant. I’m going to Target tomorrow after our prenatal appt and I’ll buy some chalk.
My Mom called me and we were on the phone for over 3 hours! We had a really interesting, fun conversation. She is in town this week and will stop by our house this Saturday. Fed Ex delivered our wreath from Etsy 🙂

Isn’t it FAB! I love it so much, I need to find a protectant spray so it doesn’t get dirty.
We also got a gift from our registry from Gilli, my acupuncturist

I love it but I have no idea where we will keep it. I am thinking we will use it at the Grandmother’s houses.
Today David and the architect are supposed to come over to discuss the blueprints, I guess it’s small progress. I really hope they start work tomorrow at least Friday. I was bummed about the glider not being delivered in time for the shower so I sent some emails to the company and they responded that I should get it no later than May 12th. I will be so relieved once I get the glider and the bassinet.
**BREAKING NEWS**
David came by today to update me about the roof. Turns out the city is requiring more materials *irons posts* and more work to be done to get approval. This means more money from us. He is getting an iron estimate and wants to meet with us on Saturday but I want to meet sooner to get the work started. At this point I feel drained, extorted and blindsided. I can argue that the contractor should be responsible for permits and he isn’t holding up his end on getting the project finished in a week. Me making these arguments doesn’t get the work finished though. I can’t take him to court and I am beyond stressed out *my poor husband is too* and I feel really helpless. I have no clue how much more it will cost or even how much longer it will take to finish. We are both regretting the choice to start this project. I am back on the bummer bus and it’s taking all the fun out of our DIY projects and moving forward. My greatest fear is our roof won’t be finished in time for the party. My Mom keeps telling me to get the roof done without the railing and finish the railing in a few months. It would make our house look awful, we wouldn’t be able to put back our floodlight and the railing for the stairs wouldn’t have anything to anchor to. This is neverending, everytime I get my hopes up that we have tackles a hurdle, 3 more pop up. This is the least of my worries at this point. I need to be relaxed and preparing for the birth of our daughter. I have cried my eyes out twice about it, now I am ambivalent. MAJOR SUCK!

Were we better off with this? Than this?

It’s a new week!

I was hoping this last week of April will be a productive one. It’s already lagging because no work has been done on the garage for 2 weeks and I am just now getting a call from the architect asking to come by tomorrow morning to look inside the garage. That means the blueprints aren’t finished and David doesn’t have the permit so it could possibly push our completion date a few days. Ugh!! I am over construction projects 🙁 This is really becoming a nightmare and it’s such a small job. It holds us up from organizing and cleaning our house because all the holiday decorations are in the trunks of our cars *we had to move most of the stuff from the garage* and Antz tools, and things we store in the garage are in the living room and hallway. It’s really lame.

Today I went to acupuncture and had a really peaceful session. Gilli talked to me about labor options and getting prepared for the birth. She still is saying if she is in town she’ll be my doula. She gave me a number to call to have my placenta made into pills for me to take after the birth. Sounds gross but it’s going to help me replenish my blood and help battle post-partum depression. After seeing her, I went to a fabric store to look for matching thread for my baby shower dress.

I also wanted to buy black linens for the shower tables but the least expensive they carried wasn’t the right size. Purchasing and having to sew the fabric to make it fit the 5ft x 30″ tables would be more expensive than renting the linens. Again, lame to the max! I had a $25 budget for black fabric and if I rent them I will spend almost $60!! I even went to Smart & Final to look for inexpensive table linens and they only had 40″ x 100″ plastic tablecloths for $14.99 each. Tacky city! Antz and I are going to look in the fabric district of downtown LA this weekend but I know they won’t have the right size. So far the only thing I can cross off the list for today is Antz is presently priming the door mat for the pink spray paint. If it dries before dark maybe he’ll spray it tonight. He also got 2 more rsvps today at work and asked his friend to print our baby shower posters. He is doing much better than I am. 🙂
Tomorrow is the second half of our Labor & Delivery class. I don’t have much I can work on during the day since Antz has all the shower designs on his laptop and I don’t know how to use Flash so I’m feeling a bit useless. Waah. I did order the frames for our pregnancy portraits today.

I love the color and ornate style of these frames but I worry that 4 x 6 is a tad too small. The wall space in our house is pretty much maximized at the moment so I’m not sure where they will end up but we are putting them on the gift table at the shower.

Sunset Blvd. for a Sunday night

OMG William Holden is super cute! Antz and I are watching Sunset Blvd. *such a great classic* and trying to relax from a busy weekend. Today we didn’t do as much as I hoped; we finished decorating the scrapbook and we did go to Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Antz sister ordered our fireplace screen online and got us 20% discount and free expedited shipping. We also bought an umbrella for the backyard. This was totally an unplanned purchase but it was $79 and we got 20% off so I had to get it for the shower. We already have an umbrella but it’s the kind that goes through a hole in a table and since we’re renting the round table with no hole I was bummed that there would be no shade for the *older peeps table*. The umbrella we bought today is the kind where the umbrella stand cantilevers to the left. The umbrella is 9ft so that will cover the table completely.

We also mentioned to Clinnie *Antz sister* that we were using a boring frame for our menu and she had a bright idea to use a rubber door mat instead. We bought it using her discount and figured out a way to make it look like the one I want for only $20! Antz will work his DIY-magic this week.

So surprisingly, I just got an rsvp from 2 of my friends from my old job who I thought wouldn’t be able to make it. I am happy they are coming but it really messes up my seating chart. 🙁

My ridiculous rendering of the backyard and seating chart *lol*!! The backyard looks huge but it is nowhere near to scale so it will be a tight fit. The worst part is I will have no idea if everything will even fit until the Friday before when the tables and chairs are delivered. I am also concerned about the tight fit of the food and dessert/drink table for all the guests to line up on the patio. The orange tree is really bigger than I drew and Antz keeps telling me the only solution is to trim the tree but there are 3 bird’s nests in that tree and it breaks my heart to evict any of our birdies 🙁

Last weekend before the chaos begins

This weekend is officially the last weekend we have to fuck around and do whatever we wish at our leisure. I STILL haven’t finished the celeb baby match game *I need to pin the photos to the foam board*. Our list for things-to-do for the shower is shrinking but the worst part is waiting for the rsvps to trickle in so we can print the name stickers for the takeout boxes. I haven’t found a table for the caricaturist but hopefully I can borrow a table from Antz Mom tomorrow which means I need to buy a black linen for it. Today I took back my Sam Edelman sandals at Nordstrom. I didn’t find anything to replace them with so I will either wear my Steve Madden gladiators or my black flip flops *most comfortable option*

We browsed around the mall, I tried to get Antz to try a pair of Tom’s shoes but he wasn’t int to them. He did like this awesome Fedora.

We went to Build-a-Bear and looked at infant clothes but I was too tired to walk around. We went to West LA to look at Thrift shops. We found a great one on Fairfax *in Little Ethopia* that had a ton of huge frames with the look we are searching for but the prices were pretty steep. The one we liked most was $95 but the owner was willing to negotiate. We really didn’t want to pay more than $25 for a frame and we have looked for long enough. I decided to use a frame we already had *we were about to donate it to Goodwill* although it’s not at all ornate, Antz could use clay and make it pretty. We went to Home Depot to look for supplies for repairing the crown molding in the living room, the chalkboard paint and the pink spray paint. We are trying to figure out the best option to make the fireplace look better, the tile is loose and the grout and cement are cracked.

The biggest problem is anything Antz does can’t be permanent because our house still moves from the foundation problem so if he cements anything in place it will crack. He may use a flat piece of wood to cover the exisiting tiles and level the hearth and grout new tile to the wood. Not sure how much time and money we want to put into this project but I do want to buy the fireplace screen from Bed, Bath & Beyond tomorrow.

We are going to pick up Antz Mom tomorrow to sneak peek the nursery and have spaghetti *I’m cooking*. She’s also going to tailor my shower dress but I haven’t found the right thread to match.

Best Day Ever!

I am such a spazz! I totally had nothing to worry about for our photo shoot. Sarah was so INCREDIBLE! She was really friendly, she is 5 months preggo with her 3rd child and so gorgeous! We met at the beach but unfortunately there was a beached whale over-tanned old guy in a speedo *yes an actual speedo* laying next to our palm tree. Other than a few people and a dog peeing on Sarah’s backpack, the beach was pretty much all ours. We were so excited we forgot to take pics with our camera for us but here are a few we did take before the shoot. You can see what a beautiful day it was.

We took a great variety of shots, we got Olivia’s banner in most of them, Antz did his jumping and I used my parasol. Sarah said we should get the pics in a week so I am counting down the hours. She is so creative and talented, I felt like we were in the best of hands. Everything went perfect but I am super bummed I left my week 34 sign at home. Lame! We grabbed lunch *I had Emerald’s Thai, so yum* and we stopped off at Antz Mom’s house. She gave me the bad news his sister Reva is going to be in Vegas the weekend of our shower. I’m glad she let me know but I am annoyed Reva hasn’t called me to let me know. Seriously, when I say RSVP I mean it! So after hanging with her for a while we went to downtown LA and found the christening store *like finding a needle in a haystack* and bought the Baptism set but it wasn’t the same one I saw online. It’s totally cheap but it’s cute and has everything we need for her.

It doesn’t have the shell for the water but we have our own from the wedding. Then we scurried off to the Glendale Galleria so I could return my Sam Edelman sandals * I tried them on this morning and they are waaay too tight to wear to the shower, tears *
Goodbye adorable shoes 🙁

However 15 minutes on the way to the mall I realized the time and was like OMG! We have a prenatal class at 6:30 tonight and it’s 5:45!! Wow, I am so glad my brain kicked me and we rushed home to change and got the the class with 10 minutes to spare. This class was ok, I was seriously tired from such a long day *3 hours is much too long for me* and the instructor was kinda lame but we learned alot about infant care and we swaddled doll babies so that was fun. The first half was pretty nightmarish as our instructor told us about the severe bleeding I will have for 6 weeks, the swelling and burning from the episiotomy and the boob leakage. I left our camera at home so we had to use our iphones.

Piles of evil babies
Seriously creepy!
My husband, king of the swaddlers.
Demonstrating the football hold technique.
Me shhing the baby, it’s not a very happy baby.

We watched a video showing the Happiest Baby on the Block technique and although it seems to work, I am highly suspicious of the *doctor’s* methods. He was shh-ing loudly in the babies ears and I hated that. I would totally swaddle our baby but not as tightly as he did. I am using a swing Gilli, my acupuncturist just bought us this swing from our registry last Wednesday.

The guy recommends swaddling the baby and then putting her in a swing on fast. Many of the couples were laughing at his methods, the guy came off as a quack! So we have one half of our classes done and next week we finish. Then May 3rd I have breastfeeding which is the most important class. Our car seat was delivered today but we are much too tired to open it and play with it. I am so happy with the day. Tomorrow I have to return the sandals *hopefully find new ones that fit* and finally finish all the baby shower projects!

Panic Attack Part 2

This is nowhere near as epic as the baby freak out earlier *she’s now moving enough to keep me happy*. I just confirmed our preggo photo shoot for this Friday and I feel so unprepared. I don’t know what I am wearing or styling my hair and makeup. I have been searching wedding blogs for photo ideas but Antz thinks I’m nuts because he thinks we can just be spontaneous and follow our photographers direction. My issue is I sorta want to recreate some of our wedding shots *since we’ll be on the same beach we were wed on*. I also want to use some props *our moustaches, the goldfish kite and my parasol*. I really get inspired by these shots *found on Once Wed* yet I need tweak them into preggo shots.
Love these couple jumping unfortunately, I can’t jump but Antz could!

We are going to make a banner simliar to this with Olivia’s name using Martha Stewart orange glitter and leftover foam board. Antz cut out the letters and I’ll add glitter tomorrow.

I really want to have good poses ready since we only have 2 hours with her.
My lovely printed the Cirque du Bebe crest on paper for Jeff *the caricaturist* to use for his drawings. I really hope we don’t run out, he printed 60. Slowly but surely checking things off our to-do list.

Yikes! I’m running out of April

I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by. There is like less than 2 weeks in April and I have been anxious for May to come but I still have so much to do. I have a few more shower things to finish *borrow a table for the caricaturist, print paper with our crest for him to draw on, decorate the scrapbook, make holes in the bebe wishes and put pencils through, and print the Cirque du Bebe posters*. We still need to buy the frame and chalkboard paint for the menu. Last weekend we saw a mirror at a garage sale that Antz liked but I wasn’t sold on it, we offered $6 for it but the chick was hell bent on $10. Hopefully this Friday we can find something at Thrift shops.
So last night we went to our first prenatal class *Labor & Birth*. It was fun, we were the only ones with a birth ball. We watched a video that showed vaginal births *yuck*. We learned how to breath and relax and when labor begins. The class was 3 hours long, next time I have to bring snacks and socks, I was chilly.

 

This Friday is our next class, Newborn Infant Care. The architects came by to take measurements for the blueprints so hopefully we’ll have them by Friday and David will get the permits and the workers will be back on Saturday to get back to work. It did rain for a minute yesterday so I am happy the tarp did its job.

Welcome back insomnia :(

I suppose it’s my own fault because I went to bed around 9pm. Hopefully I’ll wake up at a decent time because we are going to visit Antz nephew and have brunch. Antz worked hard on the house yesterday. He fixed a broken piece of cement on our backyard stairs, painted the stair railings and finished the moustaches. I had to run errands because I ran out of felt for the celeb baby game. I picked up some rocks to weigh down the feather vases.

I went to Michaels and Staples to look for the pencils but I couldn’t find any in white. I finally settled on some yellow ones from Swains

I could’ve bought some online but I just wanted to buy them and get it over with. Antz said they are fine because it matches our palette. I went to World Market and bought a candle holder and some pumpkin scented candles for the fireplace. I still have to buy the fireplace screen but I am waiting until May 4th. I finally finished the celeb board but I am not satisfied with how it came out. Antz thinks it looks fine but it looks totally homemade *not in a good etsy-way* I still need to pin them down.

He still has to cut out the player cards and add the pencils to the bebe wishes cards. The garage repair is on hold until Monday because the building inspector has to come by and take a look before they can continue. It may rain this weekend, boo!

We haven’t worked on the grass yet but we measured the yard to see the table placement, it feels tight but everything should fit. I still don’t have a table for gifts or the caricaturist yet. I may borrow one from my Mom-in-law.
I found a christening set online but I’m going to downtown LA to pick it up, it’s ok but I don’t like the rosary it comes with.

I am ordering this one online.

After brunch we are going thrifting to look for the frame for the menu chalkboard. Next week is pretty exciting because we are starting our hospital prenatal classes and Friday is our pregnancy photo shoot.

Mommy Visits

Last night we went to Baptism class. What a snoozefest! I didn’t really get any information but I do need to buy a christening candle and choose a Baptism name for her. Leslie and Aimee were fun, I wish we could have taken them out to dinner but the class didn’t end until 9 and I had to go pick up my Mom in LA. I didn’t get to her house until 10:30. We picked up El Pollo Loco *gross* for a late dinner. This morning my Mom and I did each other’s hair which was awesome since next Friday is our pregnancy portraits.

We just went to Vons and I had carne asada tacos for lunch. Tonight Antz is grilling steak and baked potatos for dinner. Tomorrow we may go to Lowes to buy a rake to aerate the soil on the bald spot of our lawn. Our friend has compost for us to use to try to get the grass to grow. We also need mulch for the back part of the yard

Hopefully we can make the yard look like this again. This was taken about 3 years ago. The avocado tree is now 4xs that size. I finally bought cookware. I was originally going to buy a Calphalon set from Bed, Bath & Beyond but I saw them in person and they look cheap and the lowest price was $180. I bought this set from Macy’s by Martha Stewart for $78.99!! I also bought a griddle for pancakes. Total spent: $123.58, bargain shopper!! 🙂

My Mom’s pug, Ching has been tormenting Lola since last night. She finally decided to ignore her.

I still haven’t finished the Match the celeb baby game but at least Antz printed the player cards.

I am worried the player cards look a bit drab and need more color but he already printed 48 of them and he is over dealing with this game. I think I’ll take a nap *yawn*

Production is the name of my game!

I was wiped out last night, I fell asleep before 10pm. I am such an old lady now. Antz printed a few more invites to distribute as the rsvps come rolling in. I feel like I have been lagging on my Bebe Shower to-do list. I found pics online of the celeb babies and their parents. I hope most people recognize the babies because the *babies* are now toddlers. This morning I was up at 8 and I have been moving nonstop. I started laundry, swept the bedroom floor, changed the bedding, made the bed, cleared off my desk, went to Fresh & Easy and made my own lunch…I was craving pizza.

I hope to finish the moustaches and print the pics tonight. Tomorrow I’m picking up Aimee to hang out because that night is the Christening class. Antz and Leslie will meet us there since they are going together from work. Yesterday I found another party rental place and they emailed me a quote. I thought I would go with them because their prices are much lower than Pico Party Rents but when you add the delivery they are only $8 less. I’d rather stick with a reputable company. I am super excited because I peeked and someone bought some things from our Giggle registry!! It’s the Medula newborn gift set and Sophie the Giraffe. YAY! I love registries.

I am super happy right now, my good *old* friends just rsvped! And this is making me especially happy!!

I finally started working on the Celebrity Baby Game, Antz made a playcard but his laptop turned into a jerk and restarted just as he was saving the template so he has to re-design it again 🙁 He cut out frames that I need to glue to the pics but I’ll do that tomorrow, it’s almost midnight and I am surprised I’m up this late.

Can you match the celeb couple to the kids? Also name the Brady and Cosby kids!