Martha Metzler.com

I’m getting worse and worse about posting the weekly updates on time.

Weeks carrying around the bundle of joy: 39 Weeks

Weight Gain: 20 pounds

Memorable Moments: SAM IS HOME!!! Sam was able to take this picture which meant no more awkward self-timer pictures for me! We had an amazing weekend and it’s just so nice to have him back as a normal part of my day! I will say now that Sam is home, I’m realizing that WE ARE HAVING A BABY. Before you think I’m going to be on one of those TV shows like “I didn’t know I was pregnant until I had my baby going to the bathroom at the prom”, I am totally ready and excited to have this boy join us. But I’ve been in denial that he could come before Sam got home. But now that my partner and man of my dreams is home, I’m really ready to meet this little man. He’s still as active as ever and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to be like.

Also, I feel like I’ve officially passed the “cute pregnant” look and just have a massive belly. I’m talking massive.

Cravings: Can’t.stop.eating.popsicles.

On another note, Roy was SO excited to see Sam. It was precious, he freaked out but then spent the rest of the night just staring at him and laid his little head on Sam’s leg. This morning I covered him up with his favorite blanket and went to get my tea. When I got back, he somehow nuzzled his way into the blanket and created his own little nook. This dog is ridiculous.

Hey yall! Sorry I disappeared for a few days but I was soaking up every minute with Sam that I could! It is amazing having him back. It definitely felt a bit surreal for both of us, especially since it was such a new place to him. He loves the house and he loves the little town we live in. We drove around post and he is checking in this morning and starting work! I just wake up at night and look over with the biggest smile on my face that my husband is finally sleeping next to me. I can’t get enough of him.

We had a father’s day cookout with our neighbors  yesterday and it was so much fun. We just realized how blessed we are to already have great friends right next door.

I’m going to take some pictures of the house so yall can see but here is the updated list! I think I’m officially ready for this baby to make his entrance!

car seat adapter

weather shield

crib mattress

waterproof crib covers

hand sanitizer

swaddle me velcro swaddlers

wreath on front door

mobile for nursery

take stuff to recycling center

2 more tubs for garage

get rid of excess furniture

pictures in frames

clean rooms, carpet

stroller to garage

file claim for damaged goods (designated to Sam)

soundtrack for labor

birth plan

labor scripture

finish baby wise

frame diploma, barrister thing

fabric hoops for nursery

thank you notes

make button for blog

side table for nursery

organize console in bedroom

call Scott re: dining room chairs and pillows

pack “go” bag

pick weeds and yardwork

wash appliances

spackle and paint

finish nursery/wash baby clothes and bedding

wash my bedding

make copy of key and hide

sterilize pacifiers

get gown

I also felt like I should share the extent of our conversation about the boy’s name:

Me: “Babe, I really do like Daughtry.”
Sam: “Ok. You can call him Daughtry.”
Me: “Seriously? That was easy. Wait… what are you going to call him?”
Sam: “Something cooler. Something that his friends and I will call him. Then all his teachers and other not fun authorities can call him Daughtry.”
Me: “Nice, you and your stupid lawyer tricks.  I’m still calling him Daughtry. And I’m totally fun.”

Yall…. I get to see my hubbs in ONE MORE DAY! Tonight will be the last night I sleep by myself… for awhile at least! (It is the Army after all)

I can barely contain myself today, but I’m still hanging out on the couch staying off my feet so the boy continues to stay put. Keep sending those prayers my way for Daughtry to be born next week so Sam and I can at least get the weekend together before our world turns upside down!

I thought I’d show you how many weeds I had to pull out of my yard last week. It was ridiculous. But at least my yard looks less like a hang out for gorillas and more like a hang out for actual people.

Say hello to my little friend...

Roy of course supervised making sure I stayed hydrated and didn’t work too hard. But then he wanted a photoshoot where he asked the age old question, “Which is my best side?”

The left side?

Or the right?

I also feel compelled to share a conversation that happened last night with my brother, Graham. You see, we are very close but also very, very strange when we get together. I’ve decided he should be called, “Gruncle” of which he has no say in. Here is the conversation that happened:

Me:  “Are you praying that I don’t go into labor early?”

Graham: “Yes. Well… however, it WOULD make a better story for you to go into labor and him meet you at the hospital JUST in time.”

Me: “No, that would be a horrible story. I’m ending your career as a writer.”

Here is the final project I was working on…. the MOBILE! I put together my sewing machine and started sewing these little birdies. Oh my gosh, those little suckers took a lot longer than I thought. But the whole project only cost me around $15! I bought the twine wreaths at the dollar store and the felt and ribbon at Joanns.

Since we’re renting this house, I’ve had to really use some fun color accents in the room since I can’t paint. I’ll post more pictures of the nursery once I know it has enough “moxy”!

Sorry this is a bit late but here are some 38 week shots. Things are getting real up in here and I’ve put myself on bedrest this week until Sam gets here. I’m trusting the Lord has heard my prayers and will keep this wild man inside of me until his due date.

I cannot wait to pick Sam up Friday night! Say some prayers that the boy doesn’t grace us with his presence until the 24th.

Time growing baby: 38 weeks

Weight Gain: 20 lbs

Cravings: anything really… my appetite has tripled this week!

Memorable Moments: He is still as active as ever. He just moves around all over the belly. Sleep has gotten interesting and I go to the bathroom every hour. I’m still feeling great though, no discomfort. I realized that I’m definitely going to miss feeling him move all around in my belly but I can’t wait to see what this whole child-rearing thing is all about. I will also say, I officially have the best neighbors ever. My neighbors to the right have been mowing my lawn and feeding me. The ones in the back installed my car seat and keep checking in on me. I’m totally blessed with these people, they’re beyond awesome.

The nursery is officially done! I did an awkward 9 month preggo high kick yesterday as I used a drill all by myself. I’ll post pictures of the mobile on Monday (hopefully) but here are the fabric hoops that I hung above the crib.

Step One: Buy several different sizes of fabric hoops from your craft store.

Step Two: Pick out fabric scraps that you can fit into the hoops. I used the fabric in the quilting section because they were all cut out in squares and were enough fabric to fit in the hoops…. and CHEAP!

Step Three: Cut out the size you want and place it in the hoop. Once it’s in the hoop, you’ll have to do some trimming so that the fabric doesn’t stick out too much.

Step Four: Take a gander at all of your hoops! Then I laid them out in the arrangement that I wanted them on the wall. This took several attempts with some casualties on the wall… but it was worth it.

Last Step: (yes I forgot what number I was on and didn’t feel like scrolling up) Nail them on the wall! I used 2 nails, one for the top obviously and then one tiny, skinny nail to go at the bottom so that they would lay flush with the wall. I took some time sitting in the glider admiring my work on the wall and then I took a little paperclip to shove those stubborn pieces of fabric that were sticking out.

Happy birthday to my amazing mama. There are many things I’ve learned from her over the years but here are some pictures of the gorgeous Janice Bennett and my top ten favorite lessons from Mama.

Over the years Mama has taught me…

1. How to make the best poundcake anyone has ever tasted.

2. That you can tap dance anywhere, anytime.

3. Always look at someone’s heart before making a judgement.

4. Manners that would make Emily Post proud.

5. How to make an amazing home for your family.

6. Let kids PLAY, even if that means them ripping the couch cushions off every piece of designer furniture you have to create “lava” and proceed to jump from  couch to chair so we (ahem, I mean they) wouldn’t burn ourselves on the lava.

7. Faith is the most important thing in life.

8. Love is unconditional.

9. Make a really big deal of your family’s special days, it’s worth it.

10. Never feel guilty for the blessings that God gives you.

Our front door was needing a little love. So, I decided to make a wreath. And by “make a wreath” I mean use already put together objects and throw them all together and claim creative victory to all those who solicit at my door.

Step one: Find a cheap twine wreath. I found mine at a thrift store but I’m sure your local craft store has them.

Step two: Choose either your street # or last name initial and paint it your favorite color. I got the “M” at Joanns.

Step three: Buy silk flowers of your choice and put them on one side of the wreath with floral twine.

Step four: Fasten your street #s or letter on the other side.

Step five: Do a fist pump that you’ve finished the easiest craft but it looks awesome on your front door!

I think this whole “nesting” thing is a bunch of bullsnapper. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to scrub the toaster.

Hey yall! I’m a guest blogger over at Project Baby today. Kristin has had her sweet girl and she’s already such an amazing mom. She asked me to write a little something while she’s taking a bit of a break to spend time with her family. Hop on over to her blog and check it out.

Alright, here are the final photo wall shots. It was a time consuming project but worth it. I think the important things are to take your time, use other objects besides photos (like clocks, memorable notes or ticket stubs, etc), and enjoy the process of finding old photos you haven’t seen in awhile.

This is my view from my bed every morning!

Using fun objects other than photos gives it a little twist. This is a vintage postcard I found of the church we got married in. I also used old love letters but those are not to be seen in the blogosphere for fear that my husband would die of embarrassment.

These are rose petals from the night we got engaged

So there you have it! Photo wall-rific! Now I’m going to go back to trying to spray poor Roy’s paws with cortisone cream the vet gave me.