KissKus

39+6

Come on out now, baby.... we so want to see who you are!!

So... now what?!

Yesterday I was able to tick off another project of my to-do-list after I'd finished the travelcot. And unbelievable as it may sound, I'm starting to run out of things to do. In fact, right now there is no project that just *has* to be finished before the baby's arrival... does this mean that I'm ready?!

I did really want to get this project finished as I think we will be using it a lot in the next couple of months. I'm pretty sure I want the baby to be close to me often and it's going to be too much trouble dragging the 'real' cot up and down the stairs.
So first I bought a new mattrass (the old one was yuk) which I cut to size and then covered with white cotton.

Then I started with the blanket. It turned out very simple, but I didn't want to add any more frills because the fabric is so pretty. Unfortunately I cut off one bit of the extra fabric of the back that I was going to use for the binding, which caused a bit of frustration and delay, but I managed to fix it alright.

Next up was the lining. Not difficult at all, because I used the old fabric as a template, so all I had to do was sew it together and make openings for the handles.
All in all, I'm very pleased with it and I'm glad that I found a way to use my beloved matryoshka fabric.

While I was at it I also made two matryoshka dolls from the gorgeous fabric that I ordered from the lovely and helpful Erika from MikoDesign. She printed the fabric herself.

I want to make some more to use as decoration. Also, I would like to make a cushion out of the tree fabric for the chair in the nursery. So it seems that I'm not quite done with my to-do-list yet after all ;)

Hello winter!

After a very mild winter without any snow or ice at all, look at the view that greeted us when we opened the curtains this morning! Even though it was only a thin layer of snow, everything was white!

The children were very excited of course. We put on their clothes and at 7.30 a.m. they were already playing outside. They had a great time until noon when most of the snow had melted.

The rest of the day was very relaxing. I made wentelteefjes and even managed to take a nap. I also made a good start with the travelcot and a matching blankie. Hopefully that project will be finished tomorrow.

The day ended appropriately with a fire in the garden.

Oh, and the obligatory 39 weeks-bellyshot of course :)

Easter

We've had a very nice Ester Sunday so far. We started with a lovely Easter breakfast this morning, after which we prepared our Easter egg hunt. Apparently this a serious bussiness in our household... Michel and the children were all excited!
Now look what they did to me...

They told me I was the Easter bunny's assistent and I had to wear the biggest teeth. That added to the fact that I already was the fattest assistent the Easter bunny ever had... just charming!
Anyway, all eggs were hidden and more importantly found again.

We then went out for some ice-cream through the snow (we're having the coldest Easter in 40 years).
And since we returned I made Michel vacuum the whole house, because I've been having on and off pains in my tummy and I don't want to give birth in a dirty house! (btw the pains are gone now, but I'm still glad that the house is clean... thank you dear ;))

Yesterday I managed to make this lamp shade for the nursery. I think it turned out really well. I used textile glue to put it all together and that worked great; I'm very pleased.

And look, I used my matryoshka trim as well!
Tomorrow, I'll hopefully get some sewing done.

Happy Easter, everyone!!

Room's ready

Let me share some photos of the finished nursery on this cold and wet day... it's the first day of spring and it's snowing!! Thankfully I took some photos earlier in the week.

First of all the cot, which is completely sewn up by my Mum as she did with the other two children. Each time it turned out very differently and I think it's looking fantastic again. By the way, this is the cot that my sisters and I used to sleep in as well.

The colours we used for the room are green, blue and white, which gives the room a nice calm feeling to it. The colours are in fact a little less harsh than in this photo. Isn't that onesie adorable... I bought it months ago, now it will finally be used soon!

This blankie was finished last weekend by my Mum. It covers a not so pretty, but very comfortable chair that will undoubtedly be used for many breastfeeding sessions.

Funnily enough, for this baby we bought our first proper changingtable. For the other two we simply used a chest of drawers. However, since it's Ikea it can easily be changed into a normal cupboard when the baby has outgrown it. What I really like about it is the fact that you're able to face the baby without having to twist your neck into an awkward position.

So far there's not a lot of evidence visible of my original idea to have a nursery in Matryoshka-style, but in the meantime this cute little matryoshka is keeping the honour up. It was a lovely present from Heleen... thanks again, Heleen!

If there's any theme at all then I suppose it's trees, because of the curtains and this lamp:

So everything's ready for baby's arrival... now when will it happen? Perhaps it'll be a little Easter baby, alhough my feeling says that nothing will happen before Wednesday. 
We'll just be patient and wait and enjoy the long quiet weekend that lies before us. I hope you'll all have a wonderful Easter (with better weather than here)!

Still going strong

38 weeks and still pregnant, thankfully.

The belly is too big to be covered now as you can see.

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging lately. Enough reasons for that: we've been working like mad trying to get the house finished AND we've all been sick AND I dropped Michel's laptop from the table!

I hope to be posting some more this week; I have lots to show and tell.
The house is more or less finished (I'm coming to terms with the fact that it will never be completely done), the nursery is ready. Now I would LOVE to be able to relax and catch up on some sleep, hopefully that will still happen. I did read two books these last days... that hasn't happened in a loooong time.
Come on, relaxation, overwhelm me!

Good things

Another weekend came and went, which means that lots and lots of decorating has been done. Just ONE more week before my self-imposed deadline and then the house will have to be finished!! Will we make it in time?! Stay tuned ;)

Anyway, this has made me so happy. We finally started painting the nursery and I think the colours turned out wonderful! My Mum turned up with the curtains yesterday and they look great too (tick of the list). She's now frantically sewing away at the cot, which will be finished on Sunday... go Mum, go!

We also managed to buy a new secondhand but perfect Maxi Cosi, which is a great relief to me, because I was freaking out that we wouldn't be able to transport the baby if I needed to go to hospital (another tick of the list).

We're also truly enjoying our new dining table and chairs. The table is so big and light... we love it!

And, it's perfect for folding the washing! Especially baby clothes... look at me go (washing baby clothes... another tick of the list)!

So, I'm 36 weeks and I think I'm finally starting to unwind. I've been feeling very stressed lately, because we were still so unprepared. However, I'm at last starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. I can now start to look around and enjoy all the progress we made instead of only focusing on all the jobs that still need doing. A very nice change!

Physically, I'm feeling pretty well too and I'm actually feeling less pain than a couple of weeks ago. Getting out of bed is a challenge though, but once I get going things are alright. I'm actually really surprised that this pregnancy I'm in better shape than with Simon, even though I'm much heavier. I have no complaints!

The baby isn't moving around so much any more (since there's no more room), but when he does the kicks are very powerful. It sometimes makes me jump up from my chair. This baby also has the hiccups a lot! Five times a day is normal! I'm really looking forward to meeting this new little person that's been keeping us all busy for 8 months now... just a few more weeks!