Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

Only 5 weeks left until we get to meet you! Daddy and I just can't wait. We watch your acrobatics every morning and every night, and dream of what you might be like one day. Perhaps a soccer player like Daddy? Maybe a swimmer like Mommy? Either way, we know you'll be full of your own personality.

Every time I feel you kick, I say a little prayer for you. Jesus knows you even better than I do, and I pray that you will always know him, too, and look to him for all of your needs. When you can't shake those bad dreams, to take away the hurt when you skin your knee, to give you patience and strength when that bully pushes you around, to give thanks when you win your first baseball game, to give you self-control when you kiss your first girlfriend or attend your first party, to give you wisdom when you make life-choices in college, to give you peace in difficult situations, and to give you happiness on your wedding day.

The world is a scary and mean place, Peanut, and I always want you to know and understand why you were put here on this earth. People will be mean to you and to others, but I want you to love everyone no matter what. Some people you meet along the way in your life will seem lost and hopeless. I want you to tell them about Jesus and offer them some light and hope in an otherwise dark and sad world. Dear Baby, you are already a bright light to your Daddy and me. I just know that you'll be a light to this world, too.

Sometimes (ok, a lot of times) I get nervous about becoming your Mama. Will I sing you enough songs? Will I be able to give you enough nutrients to help you grow big and strong and hit lots of home runs? (Daddy already says that you're going to be the best short stop the Orioles have ever seen - look out Cal!) I worry that I will get frustrated when we're up in the middle of the night with not much sleep. I worry that people will judge me if I don't do something right to take care of you. I worry that I will be short with Daddy when I get run down. But these are my mental shortcomings, sweet Little, and I know that God will be watching us and giving us everything we need, both physically and emotionally.

We have lots of fun things for you when you arrive! Killian has already signed up to be your bunk mate. He likes your crib, even though we tell him that he has "bottom bunk." All of our friends and family have given you lots of toys and clothes for you to play with and wear. Daddy even grew some extra grass in the back yard so he'll have more room to play "catch" with you when you're older. I, for one, can't wait to take you swimming in the summertime. I hope that you'll have lots of fun and good memories here.

Daddy and I don't want you to have an ordinary life. We weren't made to be comfortable or sit still. We want you to try new things, make mistakes, be wise to the world, love others unconditionally, travel the world, and find out what you were put here on this earth to do. You will be different from others in this world, but I know that you will own it and take every opportunity that difference gives you.

Dear Baby, we just can't wait to meet you. Keep cooking in there, and I know you'll come out whenever you're ready and want to meet us, too.

All the love in the world,

Mama and Daddy

Here's what you look like at 35 weeks! Only 5 more weeks left to go!

How Much in a Day?

It has to be one of the best feelings in the world to accomplish something visible/tangible in one day. I cannot always say the same thing about my life. But drywallers? Yes. Drywaller Men can definitely say that they are able to finish one major undertaking in a days work.

This morning, I blogged about our basement project (which had been lacking in progress pictures) that was ready to go and pre-drywall. This morning at 7am, we had TWO guys come in, wreck havoc on our basement for about 10 hours, and hang every piece of drywall in the joint. Wow. The basement quickly went from feeling like a dungeon full of cotton-candy pink insulation and framing, to looking like a real living area. I have a bit of advice to anyone finishing a major house project that involves drywall: HIRE SOMEONE ELSE. They do it fast, and they do it right. It would have taken Bobby and a small army of engineer friends a few weekends to do this amount of work.

I'm currently quarantined to our bedroom for the evening since there is so much dust and so many fumes rising out of the basement from all the new materials, but I was able to sneak downstairs quickly to take a few shots of the semi-finished product of todays work. The guys will have to come back two more times to tape and mud the seams and then to sand the surfaces flat. Once that happens, we'll be rolling with a few finishing touches: tile in the bathroom, hanging doors and trim, prime/painting, then flooring and carpet!

Readdyyyyy.....GO!

Have a fantastic week!

Dun, duh, duh, dun....

Guest Room!

Hmm...please don't mind the dust on the lens!

Bathroom

Oh yea, the Basement

So... for the past six months, we've had a major "under"taking in our basement (ha. ha. The pun? Yea, lame, sorry). I've only updated on our progress once or twice. Ever. Hmm... bad blogger.

Anyway, Bobby has been working away to make our once unfinished basement into a new living area for our growing family. He has been working over-time on this project with the impending arrival of our little Peanut on his shoulders. Our guest room has since been transferred into a nursery, so we have to move quickly in order to get our guest room back. In addition to that room, we will also have a full bathroom down there, complete with a toilet! Hooray! The rest of the basement (which is roughly the size of the footprint of our house) will be a free room, where we hope to make into an additional and more casual living space. Mama wants no toys in the upstairs living space, so most of the toys (hopefully) will be housed in the basement. Current Moms, I can already hear you laughing...

Every day, I am thankful that I married a handy husband, since he's done most of the work himself. On top of working full-time, going to school for his masters and dealing with a pregnant wife, I commend him. Plumbing and framing were in his hands. We had to hire out an electrician due to St. Mary's County laws, and we've hired drywall experts since that's too big a job for just Bobby himself. All of this has saved us a tremendous amount of money!

Over the past 6 months, we've developed quite a relationship with the employees at our local Lowes. Every Saturday, we make no less than 2 trips to Lowes. They are all nervous to tell us anything negative so that I "won't Pop!" Thanks...

Anyway, today marks a big step in progress for our little basement: the drywall guys are here are they are MOVIN.' In no less than 5 minutes of being here, we heard screws turning and drills going. They mean business! Which is fabulous. They should be finished hanging everything today and will come back in a few days to do the mudding and taping. After that, Team Barrick is taking over to tile, prime & paint, install the flooring, doors and trim. *Hint, Hint, Mom and Dad Barrick*

For now, I thought I'd show you where we are in the process pre-drywall. Once the drywall is up, progress will be more apparent, so I'll give you more updates!

It's a little difficult to tell what's what without the drywall in place, but hopefully you can get the idea. Oh, and there's also a secret game of "Where's Waldo" going on in these pictures. Except I've changed the name to "Where's Killian."

Enjoy!

This will be open living space. TV on the wall to the right and couch right in front.

I cannot even tell you what a deal we scored on this flooring. For those interested, I will attempt to break down our budget and costs for this whole project. Just to give you an idea, our budget was $8K - equal to the Homebuyers Tax Credit we got last Spring. Woot!

34 Weeks...Late

Oh dear, how tardy I have been with my weekly belly pictures. It's not my fault though. I have to beg and plead my husband to take these pictures. For an engineer, he really has no idea how to use the camera... any camera. Even the little point-and-shoot I bought him specifically to take my weekly belly pictures.

I love my husband. But he's an engineer for a reason. And I'm a photographer for a reason.

Anyway, over the past week, The Barrick Times has had a lot of new traffic, thanks to a Before/After feature on the super fabulous Design*Sponge blog! Welcome to all you new followers! I have an incredible story about my Grandparents to share with you in regards to the rocker you saw, I just have to, you know, actually post it.

So, for those of you anxiously awaiting my 34 week belly, here you go!

No new changes this week... I'm waking up more and more to use the bathroom (last night was a record at 4 times!) so sleep is becoming...rare. I feel like my belly is growing at an exponential rate, which is rather uncomfortable. Things that I used to be able to do: get out of the couch on my own, sitting up in bed, itch my toes, squeeze through small spaces. Yea. I can no longer do any of those things. The best part though, 34 weeks means that our baby is coming sooner rather than later. I can also feel him constantly (he's so strong!), which is an amazing reminder that he's still in there, cooking away, and hopefully very happy and healthy!

The Bradley Birthing classes are going really well! My sister is also taking them. Even if a non-medicated birth plan is not for you, the amount and depth of information given in the class is worth the cost and 12 classes. A lot of my fears about giving birth have dissipated, and knowing that Bobby is learning all of this with me, makes me feel even better. He quizzes me daily on the first signs of labor, and goes through all the exercises with me (ok, so he's more like a drill instructor, but it's the thought that counts!).

This weekend is the first weekend in probably a year where we had NO plans and just spend the mornings lazy and together. I'm cherishing this quiet time with Bobby, as I know life as we know it will change drastically in just a few more weeks. Today, my friends are throwing me another baby shower, and I am just overwhelmed at their kindness and generosity, and really consider myself blessed to have so many family AND friends surrounding us at this time. Hopefully I'll remember to get some pictures this time!

Have a great Sunday, loved ones!

For the Birds

Birds are everywhere. They're totally "in." And no, Spring has nothing to do with these kinds of birds.

In the last 7 days, I've visited approximately 3 different Home Goods stores in the state of Maryland. My trips proved unsuccessful, though, as I walked out empty-handed all three times (Bobby is so thankful). I've been looking for finishing touches to Baby Barrick's nursery: an ottoman/foot stool for our rocker, a green bookshelf, or any other simply irresistible pieces that would just "complete the room." No luck. But I have noticed, that tons of decorating stores, like Home Goods, Pottery Barn, even West Elm and Crate & Barrel all have tons of "bird" accessories. I know this, because I pick up every piece of bird decorating as soon as I walk past it...knowing full well that I have PLENTY of bird accessories in the nursery. I'm trying not to over-do-it.

Regardless, the nursery is still a work in progress, although most of the way done! The last big projects are the Gallery Wall (waiting on 2 adorable paintings from Aisle to Aloha Studio, and a trip to IKEA for some frames), and a custom bookshelf, which Bobby is going to build as soon as the basement is finished.

To tide you over until the big reveal, I took some pictures of little pieces we've been putting together over the last week or so. I will be so happy once this is complete! I love seeing my vision come together for our little guy :)

(Sources for all items will have a link by the pictures.)

P.S. Bobby said I had to give up ETSY for lent. Shoot.

CHECK! Made the crib skirt using THIS tutorial. The fabric is actually a chevron print, but it didn't show up as I expected as the crib skirt. Humm... it's ok, will have other elements in the nursery using this fabric. Since, you know, I ordered WAY too much. The fabric can be ordered through HERE.

The Crib is actually from Wal-Mart, and I LOVE it. It was one of the only ones I could find that had a modern shape like this, within a good price point, low-VOC paint, non-collapsing sides, and made of hardwood. Bonus: it also turns into a toddler bed! I know I've mentioned it before, but the crib can be found HERE.

There is a story coming about this rocking chair. But I can't seem to finish it without crying! Pesky hormones... anyway, the chair is from my late Grandmother - MomMom Markel. We had it completely restored, and this piece and fabric was actually the central piece for the whole nursery vision. The chair was obviously not store bought, but the Fabric came from Calico Corners HERE (until March 26th, they are having 20% off all items!!!).

The wood stump you see next to the chair is actually a side table! I LOVE, love, love it, as it makes me feel like it came right out of the woods for a very rustic feel. I love the contrast of the rustic against the modern. The Stump side table is from West Elm and can be found HERE. I snagged it for a steal when they were having a sale a few weeks ago. WIN!

The rocking chair is called a "Gooseneck" Rocking Chair. And now you know why... they don't make things like this anymore. Thank you, PopPop, for sharing this heirloom. I love that I can tell baby where it came from :)

Ok. I die. I saw this mobile on Etsy and I dropped a major hint to my sisters that this would be a fabulous baby shower gift ;) They took the hint and my awesome sister-in-law (who blogs HERE about my adorable nieces) got it for me for my baby shower last weekend! I have been bugging Bobby all week to put it up, and today, he finally got around to it! I love the colorful birds (more BIRDS!!) and the rustic, little nest above them. This mobile and others like it can be found on Etsy HERE.

The mobile is hung near the ceiling fan, so when it's on, the mobile will spin on itself! Adorable, yes?!

I know you've seen this picture before, but there are some new elements added. First, you may notice the flag bunting/banner. I just made this last week and yes, it has the baby's name on it and YES, we will be putting this away when company comes over, and NO, we are not telling people Baby Barrick's name (Aunt Josie - you can guess all you want, but I'm not giving it up!). The banner I made myself out of burlap and some kind of hemp-looking rope, some fray check, puff-paint and fabric glue. It's going to be hung on the gallery wall whenever that goes up. Of course, you can always buy something like this on Etsy, but this project cost me a grand total of $7.35.

You will also notice the awesome lamp on the dresser (the dresser will be moving into the closet and will be replaced with a green bookshelf... to be built later). The lamp was also one of the original pieces that I saw for the nursery vision. My maiden name is "Wise" and I can remember my grandmother having all sorts of Owl memorabilia around her house. I wanted to include something that would nod to Baby's Mama's background. I found the lamp from West Elm as well, and 2 more of my awesome sisters bought it for me as a baby shower gift last weekend - thanks guys! The lamp can be found HERE.

The little birds nest holder to the right of the lamp will be holding blocks that spell out Baby's name. I don't have them yet, but I have my eye on THESE from Etsy as well (shocker?!). The birds nest holder came from Pottery Barn, which I can't find online. I bought it in-store a while back.

I know you've already seen these, but I seriously love them. They are one of my favorite parts about the nursery. I had them custom-made from THIS Etsy seller by just contacting her about making something like this.

Last weekend, my family and Bobby's family threw my a baby shower! It was so nice to see everyone, and they certainly did shower me and Baby Barrick with tons of goodies. I've spent all week washing clothes, blankets, towels, sheets, etc and today, have been putting everything away. It's amazing to think that in just a few short weeks, these clothes will be outfitting one adorable, little boy.

And yes... I've already started packing my hospital bag (which is also my diaper bag - Kate Spade - my only designer item. Seriously. I bought it for a STEAL on Black Friday...like 60% off). They don't have my pattern anymore, but they do have the same style bag HERE, just in different colors/patterns. I keep having these dreams that baby comes really early and I'm not prepared. Having clothes in the dresser and my bag packed has put my mind at ease for a while. Now I'm just anxious to meet him!

We should be posting another picture this week - 34 weeks on Tuesday! We forgot to take one this week. Oops! Ok, now off to do more baby growing!