Grayson's Nursery Mural Ideas Needed

This weekend I am having a artist coming to our home to work in Grayson's nursery.  My two ideas are doing an accent wall and having Grayson's name or his initials put above his crib.  

A few questions I have for all of you are:

~  Should I put Grayson's full name or just his initials above his crib?  

~  Do I add details around his name/initials or just leave it simple? 

~  What ideas do you have for the accent wall? 

~  Any other ideas are welcomed or websites that I might check out!

Thanks in advance!

I am not artistic at all so I really could use HELP!

Here is Grayson's bedding for your reference! 

Week 27

This week I feel as if my belly has popped and I have a basketball inside. 

But I am loving every second!

Today I am 27 Weeks and 1 day pregnant with Grayson!

Grayson weighs almost 2 pounds, like a head of cauliflower and he is 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  27 weeks and 1 day

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  7 pounds, I am sure I have gained more weight as I now have a basketball inside of me :)

Maternity Clothes:  None Yet

Best Moment this week:  Every moment of feeling Grayson move in my belly is the best moment!

Gender:  It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING!

Food Craving:  Honey Nut Cheerios, Dark Chocolate, and Chocolate Muffins from a local bakery in Bentonville. They are so Yummy! New Craving: Cinnamon Bears

What I miss:  Sleeping on my belly!

Sleep:  I am sleeping much better now that I am not having so many aches in pains in my back and hips. Working out and going to Yoga have been a blessing!

What I am looking forward to:  3D/4D Ultrasound  and the mural artist is coming on Saturday.  I hope my bedding gets here before Friday. 

Belly Button:  In for now :)

Symptoms:  Heartburn in the late afternoon.  I don't like it at all!  As well as my sciatic nerve is always bothering me. 

Chad's Home and FIL Update

I am glad to have my husband home.  I missed him!  He arrived home last night and is doing okay.  Friday was a tough day for him as he said his goodbye to his dad.  This past Wednesday they put a trache in his throat to help him breathe as his tongue continues to swell due to the cancer.  His doctor cannot do much more for Chad's dad and it is in God's hands.  Chad told me last night that his dad is at peace and has talked to God and knows his time is almost up.  He just wants a few more moments with his family.  Chad is at peace (for the most part) that his dad won't live much longer, but he knows that he will be with God and in no pain.  Chad's dad was able to leave the hospital yesterday afternoon and is at home resting and is as comfortable as he can be.  He went home with the trache, a feeding tube, and pain medicine.  Hospice will be caring for him and I pray that he continues to be as comfortable as he can and that when the time comes he goes to heaven peacefully.  Before Chad left his dad told him that he saw Grayson at their pond when he was 2 years old and he has blonde hair and big blue eyes.  We are blessed that he shared this with us and hope that just maybe he can live until Grayson is born.  It is our hope, but it is in God's hands!

Today is my FIL's Birthday!  Happy Birthday Millard!  I hope he has a wonderful and blessed day. 

Thank you all for your prayers and checking on Chad over the past few days.  You are all a true blessing!

Happy Saturday!!!

Show Us Your Ministry - Infertility

This week Kelly @ Kelly's Korner is doing Show Us Your Ministry.  Although I don't have a ministry I do have a story to share with you.  If you have followed my blog for some time you know that my husband and I struggled for 2 years to get pregnant.  It was a tough two years, but we are finally expecting our first miracle in May 2010 and we feel so blessed. 

You can go here to read our complete story! 

Chad and I did all fertility treatments possible to get pregnant in 2008-2009 before we decided that enough was enough and we took a break during the summer of 2009.  We decided during the break that we would try to focus on our relationship with one another and with God.  Our relationship grew with God and we left it up to him to show us what to do next.  I still remember those tough months of TTC on our own and then "Aunt Flo" would show up.  It was frustrating, but I continued to pray to God to heal me and help me understand all that was going on.  Back in early September 2009 I was at church and I remember going down to the alter to pray and I just broke down in tears, but I felt God with me telling me it would be okay and I just need to believe.  After that day I just gave it all to God and said you can have my worries and troubles I can't handle it anymore.  I was done! 

Then in late September 2009 I took a home pregnancy test and it was positive!  It was amazing!  In fact I had a hard time believing I was pregnant so all week before my doctor's appointment I took a test just to make sure.  Today I am 26 weeks and 4 days pregnant.  It is a miracle and a true blessing from God.  My relationship with God is strong and he is the center of our family.  I know God is holding my hand every day and will take care of me.  It might not be when I would like for things to happen, but God has a plan for me and I just have to sit and be patient.  God and our church family has changed my life over the past year and I feel blessed for everything that I have and look forward to the many more blessings and the trials that come with them. 

Now that I have briefly shared with you my ministry or story I would like to leave all couples with a few things that helped me through infertility.  First as I have mentioned in this post God was a huge support for me.  Second my blog and being open and honest about infertility.  I have received so much positive and encouraging words on my blog that on those low days I didn't feel alone...I had all of you.  Lastly reaching out to other infertility couples that could understand the feelings and struggles was so helpful as they knew what I was feeling without saying a word.  So if you would like to share your story with me and need encouragement just leave me a comment or email me and I would love to be there for you as so many people were for me. 

Please have faith and believe that it will happen to you!

Don't forget to stop by Kelly's Korner!

Being Real

Real Moments Are Unforgettable

Like when your husband comes home three weeks ago to tell you that there is a chance that he is going to lose his position at Walmart after 21 years with the company

Or

When it does happen, yes it did happen after 21 years with Walmart Chad has been displaced from his position and is actively looking for a job within the company

Don't worry we are blessed that Chad has been given the opportunity to look for a job while still getting paid until April 2010.  But... 

It is real!

Then being faced with the fact that Chad's dad is very sick and currently in the hospital

It is real!

Facing the fact that he could lose his father in a matter of days

It is real!

Seeing your husband cry over the entire situation

It is real!

Sitting at home while your husband is dealing with sadness and stress, but not physically being with him

It is real!

Life Moments are real and are a true test of faith...but I am holding onto faith that these life moments will all work out and I will be a stronger person after all these trials.

It is real!

God is real!

Having faith and believing is all I can do!

Chad's dad will be in surgery at 5PM today to have his surgery please keep him in your prayers!

Chad if you read this I love you!

Week 26

Today I am 26 weeks and 1 day pregnant!

Grayson length is 9-9.25 inches and weighs 2 pounds

Grayson is the size of an eggplanet!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  26 weeks and 1 day

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  7 pounds

Maternity Clothes:  None Yet

Best Moment this week:  Valentine's Day with my hubby!

Gender:  It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING!

Food Craving:  Honey Nut Cheerios, Dark Chocolate, and Chocolate Muffins from a local bakery in Bentonville. They are so Yummy!  New Craving:  Cinnamon Bears

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly!

Sleep:  I am sleeping much better now that I am not having so many aches in pains in my back and hips.  Working out and going to Yoga have been a blessing!

What I am looking forward to:  Getting Grayson's Bedding soon!

Belly Button:  In for now :)

Symptoms:  None

We need prayers:  Last week I shared with all of you that Chad's dad my FIL is very ill.  Well he is still not getting better and Chad is driving to Paducah, KY in the morning.  His dad will be hospitalized tomorrow for the next few days as they are putting in a breathing tube as his tongue continues to swell and is causing troubles for him.  He will no longer under go any further radiation or chemotherapy as of this Friday.  I wish I could go with him, but Grayson and I can't be around him during his treatments and the drive is too long.  I hate that my hubby is going through so many tough days.  The stress is killing me and I know it is tough on him as well.  I know I am not prepared if something were to happen to my parents.  I would be a mess if it did.  Chad is so strong and at peace with the situation, but I know he is hurting.  It has been an emotional day at our house to say the least.  So please keep Chad and our family in your prayers.  I hope for peace for my FIL and the pain to be gone.  My god be with us and be small enough to hear our prayers.

Bella, Grayson, and I will miss you daddy!

My Funny Valentine

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Weekend.  Our weekend didn't go as planned, but when does anything always go as planned.  Saturday I cleaned house and got everything prepared for our date night at home.  I had planned on making Chad a Red Velvet Cake, however he surprised me with a cake from Rick's Bakery.  It was beautiful, but I am really not into cake at the moment.  The only dessert I really like at the moment is dark chocolate.  I did have half a piece of cake and as always Rick's Bakery doesn't disappoint. 

Chad and I spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying each other's company without stress or worries.  That was until I decided to laundry...mistake #1 I should have just waited until Sunday or even today to do laundry.  Well our washer decided to give us some trouble on Saturday night.  We have the Samsung front loader set and it had an "nd" error, which means that the washer is not draining properly.  So Chad got to work on it and long story short he ended up creating a huge mess with all the water and cut his wrist.  After cleaning up all the water we decided that we couldn't do anything to fix it and we would just wait until the morning to see if it still was not working.  Well guess what... Sunday morning the washer is working GREAT.  All that mess and trouble for nothing.  I did learn during the process that we do not have proper first aid items in our house.  I had to search for a band-aid and Chad was not too happy about it.  So next trip to Walmart note to self purchase a first aid kit!  The rest Saturday evening we spent eating homemade Thai Chicken Pizza and watching The Time Traveler's Wife.  It was a great movie I was not disappointed at all!  In fact I could watch it again! 

Gift from Bella!

Sunday Valentine's Day we started out the day by exchanging gifts.  I first opened my card from Chad and I loved every word on the front of the card it was too sweet, however when I finished reading the inside of the card instead of it saying Happy Valentine's Day to said Happy Birthday.  Opps!  Has this happened to any of you?  We just laughed and moved onto the gifts.  Bella got me flowers and a card that was too cute.  Grayson got me a heart shaped necklace and Chad got me a necklace and ring from Perfect Choice.  I also got a gift card for a massage at a local salon.  It will be perfect to use just before Grayson arrives.  I got Chad a Valentine's Card and a new iPod Nano.  He loved it!  He is preparing for a half marathon in March and this will come in handy.  I also presented him with the Great Date Experiment and he is fully on board and excited to do the series of dates.  We then got ready for Church and BOY was it COLD outside.  We had planned to go to Ruth's Chris that night, but I changed the plans as I was not in the mood for steak.  Instead we stayed home and had chicken noodle soup and caught up on DVR'd shows.  Our last Valentine's as a family of 2 and we spent it at home.  Oh well I guess that is what happens when you are pregnant.  Chad was totally fine with staying at home.  We played three rounds of Phase 10 and I won 2 out of the three.  We didn't get a chance to do Date 1 of the Great Date Experiment, but I am hoping that we get a chance to do it tonight.  We are going to a movie and maybe dinner.  It just depends on how Chad's day goes.  Chad is waiting to hear some news from work today and I am hoping and praying that it is good news.

 I hope everyone had a great Valentine's. 

Was it a Funny Valentine for you too? 

100 DAYS

In 100 days or less I will be a Mommy and we will finally get to meet our sweet Grayson!  

WOW it is amazing how quickly my pregnancy has gone by!  

Pregnancy hasn't been at all what I thought it would be like.  

I look forward to the next 100 days and the day I finally get to meet Grayson and become a Mommy!  Tomorrow I will be in the double digits! 

Happy Valentine's Eve to all my friends and family! 

I Heart Valentine's Day

In our house Chad and I switch off every year on who gets to plan Valentine's Day.  This year is my year.  I plan on making it special as it is our last Valentine's before little G arrives.  Next year will be totally different.  I am excited for the weekend.  I have decided to start our Valentine's date on Saturday night.  Tomorrow afternoon I plan on making Chad's favorite Red Velvet Cake.  Yummy!

Saturday night we are staying home and watching two movies and I am making homemade pizza.  We plan to relax and enjoy each other.  The two movies we are watching are Time Traveler's Wife and Love Happens.  I think they are both chick flicks, but since it is my year I get to pick the movies.  I am excited to see Time Traveler's Wife I read the book and it was great.  I hope I am not disappointed.  My sister Amie watched it and she said it was great!  If you have seen these movies did you like them?

Sunday Valentine's Day Chad and I are having dinner at Ruth's Chris.  We haven't been to Ruth's Chris in a few years so I am looking forward to some quality time together just the two of us.  Chad doesn't know this yet, but we are also taking part in the The Great Date Experiment.  I plan on telling him about it on Saturday night.  I really think that this will be great for us!  We really need to focus on each other rather than on baby things, friends, and family.  We have a lot of things taking place right now in our lives and it will be great just to relax and enjoy a few dates over the next few months.  If you are interested on details of the Great Date Experiment click here!  I hope Chad enjoys his Valentine's Weekend.  I have a few more surprises for him that I will share later.  Chad always makes every holiday special I just hope I can make it special for him too.  I always but a lot a pressure on myself when it is my turn.  I will let you know how it all turns out!

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend to All!

Stop by Kelly's Korner for other Valentine Day Favorite Dates and more!

My Thursday

Today I started my day by going to the gym and working out.  It was a great way to start the day!  For lunch I got to have lunch with this sweet girl and her mommy! 

It is always great to have girl time.  I just love it!  I have needed girl time for awhile and it was great to have lunch with Ashley and catch up on life.  Tonight I get more girl time as I am going to Dear John with a few girlfriends.  I am so excited to see this movie...the book was awesome!  Thanks to Jenna for putting together the movie night!  I look forward to finally meeting you. 

Chad has been busy working in Grayson's nursery.  Here is a few picture updates.  What is new?  Well we now have crown molding and a chair rail in the room.  No Chad did not install we had a friend's husband install, all Chad did was the painting and clean the carpets.  Chad purchased Grayson's mattress and now we are just waiting for the bedding.  I can't wait to show all of you.  I have an artist coming in a few weeks and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with for the nursery.  I know for sure that I want to have Grayson's name put on the wall above his crib.  Little G's nursery is coming along and I can't wait to get the final touches completed. 

Happy Thursday My Friends!

A Look Back...

My sister Amie created this book for Chad and I.  I haven't finished the one I started so it is going to be great to have this as our wedding book.  Thanks Amie for all that you do for us! 

Click here to view this photo book larger

Grayson is Blessed

Over the past several weeks Grayson has received some great gifts from my wonderful blogging friends.  I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  I feel blessed to have such wonderful followers that not only spoil me, but also give me AMAZING comments and support.  I received a gift card from Lena Medina to Amazon and I purchased some Trumpette socks for Grayson.  I can't wait to see our little one in them!  Thanks Lena you are too sweet!

Grayson also got a lovey blanket from Ashley @ SheShe Bows.  I love it and I just love the onesies she made for Grayson too.  The onesies she made match some babylegs that I have for Grayson.  The onesies have Grayson's name on the front and the letter G on the bottom.  How cute!  Ashley they are all amazing!  Stop by her blog if you are looking for mongrammed items for your little one or even a baby gift.  I know that I will be purchasing more things for Grayson!  Thanks Ashley for the wonderful gifts!

We are making progress on the nursery and I will have more pictures this week.  I can't wait to get our bedding and work with a local artist to add special details to Grayson's room. 

Thanks again for blessing me and my baby!

Week 25

My growing belly!  I heart Grayson!

Today I am 25 Weeks!  Grayson is one active baby in my belly.  Our little G moves a lot when I am eating chocolate and when I go to bed.  I started working out more last week and taking a Yoga class and I feel so much better.  My body isn't as achy as it has been over the past few weeks.  It is amazing what a little walking and stretching can do. 

I had my monthly appointment last Friday and it went great!  Baby Grayson's heartbeat was 148, my belly measured at 25 weeks, and I gained 1 pound.  Dr. H feels like everything is going well and we have one more monthly appointment in this pregnancy.  Our next appointment will consist of the Glucose Test and an injection because I am Rh negative.  So everything is going great and it seems to be going by quickly.  I love being pregnant and I can't wait to meet Grayson! 

Head to heels Grayson measures about 13 1/2 inches, his weight is a pound and a half.  He is about the size of an eggplanet.  Now onto the highlights!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 25 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 7 pounds

Maternity Clothes: None Yet, but after this week I think that I will have to use the Belly Band for Jeans.  My jeans were getting tight this weekend. 

Best Moment this week:  Hearing Grayson's heartbeat and putting Grayson's crib together!

Gender:  It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING!

Food Craving: Honey Nut Cheerios, Dark Chocolate, and Chocolate Muffins from a local bakery in Bentonville. They are so Yummy!

What I miss:  Sleeping on my belly!

Sleep:  I am sleeping much better now that I am not having so many aches in pains in my back and hips. 

What I am looking forward to:  Working on Grayson's Nursery!

Belly Button:  In for now :)

Symptoms: None

We are making PROGRESS

I AM SO EXCITED!

We are working on Grayson's Nursery!

Chad had a busy Saturday working on Grayson's Nursery. While I went and had a pedicure and manicure.  We have three guests rooms with beds in each room. So Chad had to move a few rooms around and we had to get rid of one of our guest beds. Thanks to our sweet friends Kim and Brad they took one of our guest beds for us. This is what our guest bedroom looked like before:

After moving everything out this is what it looks like now:

We had a birthday party to attend later that afternoon, but when we got home we decided to put Grayson's crib together.  Look at this BIG BOX!

Bella helped too!

Chad and I took everything out of the HUGE box and found the directions and the hardware.  We first made sure we had everything needed to get started.  When we were looking at the hardware we realized we did not have all the necessary hardware to put the crib together.  What... how can we purchase a brand new crib and not have all the parts?  We managed to put it together with the help of our own hardware and we also plan on stopping by the Baby Room's today to see if they have the right spare parts, plus we didn't receive the conversion kit.  I am excited that we are making progress in Grayson's nursery.  So here is the first glimpse of Grayson's crib. 

I am so excited as the next person that will sleep in this room is our sweet boy Grayson!

Next steps in Grayson's Nursery:

Crown Molding and Chair Rail are being installed on Monday afternoon and then in two weeks I should receive the custom bedding from Mod Pea Pod.  We still have a dresser and the glider that are on order.  I can't wait to get everything in Grayson's room!

Have a blessed Sunday and enjoy the Super Bowel!

What I should be doing...

It's Friday! I am so glad that this week is over! However I should be working on Data Sync for Walmart, but I would rather read blogs and write a blog post then work. So that is what I am doing. I have a lot on my mind and I thought that I would just let it out...so here I go!

The past week has been a tough week in the Stafford home. Chad is going through some transitions at work. It is tough on him and I am hoping and praying that over the next two weeks all will be resolved. We also received news yesterday that Chad's dad is not doing well and is in the hospital. Back in November 2009 Chad's dad was diagnosed with cancer in his tongue and went through radiation and they thought that they got all the cancer, however in early January 2010 they discovered that the cancer has grown to his throat. He decided to start chemotherapy to see if he can fight it. He has only been given a 30% survival rate, but he is hoping to beat the odds. Yesterday Chad's dad was admitted to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing and has pneumonia. As of today they are no longer doing chemo and the only option his dad has is to remove his tongue and voice box. It is going to be a tough few days for his family and we just hope and pray that he can continue to fight. Please keep Chad and his family in your prayers.

God is with us both and we know that it is in his control. God will take care of Chad and his dad too!

On a happy note... Grayson is doing wonderful! We had a wonderful appointment this morning and I will save the details for my Monday post.

Have a great weekend and if I can say one thing to all of you today is cherish every moment with your loved ones.

with love

Melissa

Simple Pleasures

Kelly completed a post yesterday on her blog called Simple Pleasures and I just loved the idea.  Simple Pleasures are a great reminder of all the wonderful things in my life. 

My # 1 Simple Pleasure is feeling the movements of Grayson in my belly!  Oh so simple and the most AMAZING feeling!

Hearing Grayson's heartbeat!

Warm towels/blankets out of the dryer!

Weekly text messages from a friend wishing me Happy 24 Weeks, I just love them!

Big Hugs from my hubby!

Coming home and Bella is so excited to see me and I love when she talks to me!

Great conversations with my family and friends!

Spending Sunday mornings watching movies!

Quality time with Chad on the weekends!

Having nothing to do on the weekends, but be at home!

Walking in the neighborhood with Bella!

A clean and organized house!

Smell good homes, I love my Lampe Berger!

Seeing pictures of my niece and nephew and watching them grow!

These are just a few of my SIMPLE PLEASURES!

What are yours?

Week 24

It is AMAZING that today I am 24 weeks pregnant.  What a great feeling!  Baby Grayson is the length of an ear of corn and the size of a papaya.  The most amazing feeling for both Chad and I are the movements that we both have been able to feel in my belly.  Grayson is so active when I eat chocolate and also at night.  This is the best time for Chad as he gets to feel Grayson.  We both cannot wait until Grayson is here.  I feel very blessed to have made it to Week 24 without too much trouble.  The only pains that I have currently are my back and hips.  I had no idea that they would hurt this bad!  I have walked throughout my pregnancy so far and it does help, but I am going to try Yoga this week to see if the stretching helps my body.  If you didn't see my last post I asked for help on our baby registry so if you want to leave me a comment on what you think I must have for Grayson please do.  Happy 24 Weeks to Me! 

Look at that belly! 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5 pounds - I have an appointment this week so we will see... my belly has been growing! 

Maternity Clothes: None Yet

Best Moment this week:  Spending time with Chad this weekend (we were snowed in) and making it through church service without fainting... I had anxiety the entire time that it would happen again.
Gender: It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING!  

Food Craving: Honey Nut Cheerios, Dark Chocolate, and Chocolate Muffins from a local bakery in Bentonville.  They are so Yummy! 

What I miss: My pilates reformer class @ the Fitness Center and sleeping on my belly! 

Sleep:  Once I get comfortable I fall asleep, but it is the two or three bathroom trips I don't love.  Oh well I love being pregnant!

What I am looking forward to:  My doctor's appointment later this week. 

Symptoms:  Lower back pains and hip pains, hopefully the Yoga will help.   

What Should I Register For?

Happy February 1st 2010

This past Saturday Chad and I started our Target registry for Grayson.  It wasn't as overwhelming as our registry process at Babies R Us.  However I still have many questions on what are the esstential items we will need when Grayson arrives.  So if you have time this week please leave me a comment and let me know what are some of your favorite baby products or must have items.  I would greatly appreciate it. 

Some specific questions I have are:

1.  Do I need a bounce seat for Grayson?  Are they useful or will a swing be fine?

2.  Should I register for a highchair?

3.  Is a Bumboo seat useful?

4.  What Bathing Products and Toiletry Items are needed?

5.  What baby toys are a must have?

Thanks in advance for your help? These are just a few questions I have any advice you give is great.  Happy Monday!