Dream Nursery # 2

Many of you have seen/heard about the nursery we were able to put together for Lucy as we were awaiting her arrival. With the artistic abilities of two of the high school girls from our church, we were able to transform Lucy's room into the whimsical world of A.A. Milne's children's poetry books (When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six).

Well, for Baby Boy Stevenson, we decided to try to transform his room into the Curious world of everyone's favorite monkey, George! : ) We hired Bre once again and I've been doing my best to sew and search for bargains here and there to put together "Curious George" colors for bedding and other decor in the room. It doesn't have all the finishing touches yet, but I wanted to share pictures of his room so far, because every time I walk into the room it puts a smile on my face! I thought you might be able to share the joy with me!

If You See Me Wearing Your Sunglasses, Let Me Know

I have a really cute pair of sunglasses that I bought in New York City this past Fall. I have become quite accustomed to wearing them and I recently misplaced them. I have high hopes that I'll find them and wear them again soon.

Back in September, we had a big party here at our house-Lucy's Adoption Day party. We had over 50 guests and one them (I've never figured out who) left a pair of sunglasses here. They are also cute.

I've been holding onto them, hoping that we'll eventually find their owner, but we haven't yet. So since I'm missing my own pair, and this cute mystery pair has been here for about 8 months, I'm going to start wearing them.

But before I do, I felt I should just post this disclaimer. If you see me wearing your sunglasses, there was no shady behavior on my part as to how I obtained them. And, I'll give them right back to you as soon as you make the connection that they are yours. I promise.

Daddy and Daughter

It has become plain to me in recent weeks that Darin is Lucy's favorite. She pretty much thinks her daddy is the greatest thing since sliced bread and I love it. When I work with her on learning to say "Daddy" and "Mommy", I love how no matter what I try to get her to say, it always comes out, "DAHD". And if the word "daddy" is mentioned in conversation, she'll immediately start scanning the room for Darin (if he's present) and catch his eye and flash him a grin. Pretty sweet!

I thought I'd share a few pictures that seem to capture their relationship... enjoy!

She doesn't see why her daddy's nap should stand in the way of a good bonding opportunity:

On Mother's Day, Darin decided to try his hand at doing Lucy's hair. He concluded that he is more than glad to let me continue as Lucy's primary hair caretaker.

This is Darin's current favorite toy of Lucy's... I think he hopes to instill that it's fun to swing a hammer.

She's always interested in Daddy's latest remodling project.

Loving Spring

Step outdoors in Iowa right now, and you'll find the world is green, blooming and beautiful. It very well may have been the best spring yet for my beloved crabapple tree in the six (!) years I've lived here:

Although Miss Lucy has been an incredibly easy-going baby and toddler, one thing we noticed from the time she was a newborn, was that during her rare fussy moments being outdoors has always seemed to calm and soothe her. That didn't do us much good in the winter months around here, but these days (especially as the little munchkin is becoming more active and taking more tumbles and spills around the house) it's been nice to once again have a dependable way to instantly cheer her up.

With only two months left of my pregnancy, I feel like I am keeping in step with springtime myself-"blooming" right along with the flowers and trees. I'm preparing our own little "nest" to welcome our sweet baby boy by gathering special items for his nursery and working on some knitting and sewing projects for him-my favorite being a cuddly 100% cotton blanket-a boy version of a blanket I made for Lucy years before she was ever born.

When I made Lucy's blanket, I didn't know who I was making it for. I was a new knitter and just liked this particular pattern. During the two years of hoping and praying for a child I held on to this blanket once I completed it. There were plenty of opportunities to give it to other baby girls born to friends of mine but I just couldn't bring myself to part with it-I was holding onto it in faith that it might belong to my own child someday. Now I'm so glad I did!

Newborn Baby Lucy with the blanket that waited a long time to welcome her into her family:

Now I can't believe that I am putting the finishing touches on the blue version of the same blanket-awaiting the arrival of yet another sweet blessing and answer to prayer:

This spring has also been beautiful to me because it is marked by my anticipation of his arrival. Can't wait to meet him and introduce him to you!