Family – Page 14 – The Merfett

Freshly Minted

February 27, 2015March 2, 2015 The Merfett

When Riley was born I had grand plans of ordering adorable custom birth announcements. Then, while we were in the hospital they offered to take professional newborn photos in our room, and you had the option to order a package of photos that included birth announcements. It’s pretty genius – get the parents when they’re sappy and sleep deprived ;) I was happy with the announcements, but they weren’t really my “style.”

I was recently introduced to Minted, and you guys – I’m like, gimmie all the prints!!

Warning – these could make you catch baby fever ;)

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 3.49.30 PM — I’m a sucker for anything chalkboard. Add a baby and I’m sold!

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 3.53.53 PM — How cute is this one with the graphics? I love the likes/dislikes.

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 3.51.58 PM — I love this verse. You can do photos on the back, and have this to frame for the nursery wall.

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 3.48.51 PM — I mean. Look at that baby! The green graphics are so cute too!

I had two wonderful and thoughtful Baby Showers when I was pregnant with Riley. Since that was only 2 years ago I don’t think we need to have another full blown ordeal. I like the idea of a baby “sprinkle” to keep it small and really just celebrate the occasion of having a new little one, not so much to be “showered” with gifts. We do have a few things we’ll need, but nothing like the last time.

How cute is this sprinkle invitation?! — Sweet, huh?

And. How cute is the idea of a Sip & See!! I’ve heard of these for families that Adopt – sort of a meet & greet for the baby, but I’ve never thought of doing one as a shower for myself. Imagine – you’ve delivered your little bundle, everyone wants to cuddle a newborn and since you’re not preggers anymore…you might even have a few sips of something fancy!!

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 8.20.36 PM — Come on. Adorable.

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 8.24.51 PM — Bubbles for Mommy and Bottle for Baby :)

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 8.26.14 PM — rel=”nofollow”> This might be my favorite – I have so many friends that are also expecting, and we’re due within days of each other. How fun would it be to have a little party to meet all the new babies!

I may have a hard time choosing from all the cute designs. But my favorite part about the Minted site is how you can filter products while you search. You can narrow you search by theme, style or even color. So helpful. Plus, below that the site keeps track of invitations you’ve recently viewed. I can’t remember how many times I’ve been on a site browsing options, only to struggle going back to see a previous one I liked.

Minted contacted me, offering product credit in exchange for a review of their site. I’ll be sure to share what I select :)

Family

NewMerfbaby is a Small Electric Razor

February 25, 2015 The Merfett

NewMerfbaby is 18 weeks today!

How I’m Feeling: Good! Energy is pretty good most of the day. I’ve been having some round ligament pain in the evenings so I mentioned it to my Chiropractor today and she said my pelvis was out of alignment. Not sure how that happened – since the baby is still pretty small. She massaged and adjusted it and I feel SO much better. I saw a Chiropractor a few times during my pregnancy with Riley, but I’ve been seeing here consistently for about a year. I’m excited to see how much different I feel during this pregnancy. Also – I booked a prenatal massage for next week. I can’t wait!

Belly/Weight: I’ve totally “popped.” Funny – since this was the post last time where I felt I did too :) I can still wear my jeans, and tops. I feel like I’m carrying higher this time? I have a few maternity things but most of my normal clothes still fit fine. I am excited to be getting closer to actually looking pregnant.

Life Changes: We went to Pea in A Pod Maternity over the weekend and I tried on a million pairs of jeans – hating them all. I found one pair I liked that were underbelly, but still pretty “skinny.” I tried wearing them on Monday for a few hours and couldn’t deal with it. I remember that maternity jeans always sag and fall down – but since these don’t have the high band I was constantly pulling them up when I was bending over to take care of Riley. If they were like $40 I could have dealt with it….but they were close to $200!!! NO WAY. Those suckers are getting returned. I ordered a pair from Gap, in a boyfriend style and a few sizes larger to see if they feel more comfortable. We’ll see. My Lululemon’s are still my favorite to wear. I have quite the collection of “soft pants.”

Movement: Yep! It was Monday afternoon. I was laying on the couch working on my laptop when I felt some tickles. I’ve felt a few more since then too :)

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty well, and taking naps when I can. One potty break at night.

Cravings: Don’t judge…but those KFC commercials with the kids and the “popcorn nuggets?” Yea. That. Ugh. I can’t remember the last time I had KFC. But those little balls of battered chicken look delicious.

Exercise: 2 workouts. And I’m going to try to get on my spin bike in the evening and maybe do that for a TV show at least. I walk a lot with Riley, but I know it would be good to add something else in.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Feeling NewMerfbaby kick :) That’s always fun. I’m looking forward to the rolls and kicks to come. Riley was pretty active – he was a big roller. We’ll see what this one is like.

On My Mind: Girl/Boy? We have another ultrasound on 3/17 so hopefully they can see :) I think it would be so fun to have a girl, and everyone I talk to hopes we get a girl since we would have the perfect little family unit. I feel like it’s a boy. My pregnancy is pretty similar, but mostly I just see us being a boy family. When I imagine us on family vacations in 5 years I see 2 little boys running around. Who knows, I might be way wrong – but we’ll be thrilled with a healthy baby no matter which gender. The name thing has me thinking a lot though…so much pressure!

Family

Reading List

February 21, 2015 The Merfett

When I was little my parent’s said I would often have a hard time falling asleep – so they would put books in my bed with me. I would fall asleep and wake up reading to myself. Not a bad way to start a habit, huh?

I’ve been an active reader on and off for years. Through Elementary and Jr High school I couldn’t get enough of Nancy Drew or the Saddle Club Series. In High School there was little time for “free” reading as I often had several novels I needed to read for assignments. A bulk of my “classics” reading happened during these years.

In College – so.much.reading. Text books, articles, novels.

When I was working 60+ hours a week I often didn’t want to pick up a book during my rare free time.

But I’ve maintained a love for reading over the years and I’m finally back into the routine. I’ve been a “one more chapter before bed” reader and I sometimes stay up way later than I should when I’m hooked into a book. Since I’m often on my own in the evenings after dinner I spend my time reading. For the past few years I’ve been reading blogs. But, recently I’ve been looking to get back into books.

About a month ago I ordered 3 books I’ve had on my list for months.

Wild

Yes Please

Gone Girl

I finished each in about a week. Oops.

That’s always been my dilemma – I’m a rabid reader. I mourn the ending of a book, only content when I have another to immediately fill the void. So I could be spending wayyy more cash that I should on books. Not to mention – I don’t like holding onto books when I’m finished with them.

For years I admired my reading collection. But I rarely re-read books. And with my newfound mantra for decluttering “you have to find it to be either beautiful or useful” or it goes. I’ve found myself donating books to free myself from the weight of them. Literally – books are always the thing that’s a pain to move…well, that and your bed/couch.

I love holding a book in my hands. Always having one in my bag when I’m out (especially waiting for OB appointments – such is life right now). But they’re pricey and I could go through $75+ a month in books if I could. I’ve read a few off an on from my iPad using the Kidle app, which is ok.

There’s a used bookstore here called The Illiad I’ve been meaning to check out to trade/sell/buy used books. Our library is a good choice too, but I get annoyed at the waiting list for popular books.

I prefer non-fiction. Memoirs are my jam. LOVE them. I’ve gotten into a little bit of fiction recently, and I’m always curious to see what other people are reading.

So. What are you reading?

I just finished Big Little Lies and I started The Red Tent last night.

Ha. I also love casting books in my head as I’m reading them. The Producer in me is always looking to see how a book could be optioned and adapted :)

Up next, The Girl on The Train