Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! I have about fifteen 55 gallon tubs of Halloween decorations to prove it. Unfortunately there is very little Halloween spirit/decorations in the Taylor household this year, but that's okay. It'll just be more exciting next year with a little girl who will be into everything!

Cory put together the bookshelf for the nursery last night so I was finally able to finish putting things in their place. As soon as we get the new fan up this weekend I'll take some photos for your viewing pleasure!

 

For now, here's a baby bump (or .. more like mountain now) photo.

[caption id="attachment_659" align="aligncenter" width="560"] 37 Weeks and 5 Days![/caption]

 

I think I definitely feel pregnant now. The first 37 weeks were a breeze and I really have nothing to complain about. But as of Tuesday, I'm thinkin' she definitely wants outta there. No braxton hicks that I've noticed, just sharp pains when I sit or lay down that feel like she's using talons to burrow into the ole pelvis.

We're so close to the end/beginning! Hopefully nothing crazy happens between now and Sunday. We're having our driveway concreted and our cars are currently at the very end which is about 2.5 football fields away and surrounded by dark scary woods and a cemetery...

Baby Photography

What? Another post within 24 hours?! Crazy. This is my 45th post on this particular blog which well exceeds any other blog I've had. Congratulations to me!

Anywho. I thought I'd take a moment to show you a couple of things I've been working on for my up and coming baby photography business. Any by that I mean, the business of taking photos of my own baby. I'm no baby photographer, but I'm pretty excited about taking photos of my own little model.

A month or so ago I finished the backdrop holder and over this last weekend I finally finished the posing bean bag. Rolling around on the floor to get it cut out was not fun, but I got it done. Here's the finished products. *Full disclosure.... These are terrible iPhone photos*

[caption id="attachment_654" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Backdrop Holder and Posing Bag[/caption]

The backdrop holder is 3/4" PVC pipe and the posing bag is flannel backed vinyl with bean bag filling. This project ran me about $100 total. The most expensive part is the bean bag filling at about $15 a bag and you need about 4 bags. If you happen to have old bean bags lying around or can find them at yard sales, you can get by a lot cheaper!

Tutorial for the posing bag HERE.

Tutorial for the backdrop holder HERE.

Non-DIY posing bags run about $75-80 (with NO BEANS... and remember I said that was the bulk of the cost....) and blanket/backdrop stand about $50 (for the one I made up there) to about $200 for a real one.

I consider this a win in my book. I also found some great blankets/throws at Ross for a little over $10/ each. I'm so excited!

[caption id="attachment_655" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Stand with blanket[/caption]

 

Pretty soon I'll be able to put baby Colette on there and take billions of pictures with my real cameras and lights and most definitely not and iPhone. I hope you're all ready for Christmas pictures.

 

[caption id="attachment_656" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Sheep.[/caption]

Finished packing!

Well, I think I finished the whole "packing for the hospital" thing. So in the event that you're interested, here's what's in the bag:

1. The Husband Bag

• Gym shorts


• Sleep pants in case it's freezing


• 2 tshirts


• Boxers


• Socks


• Basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant)

2. Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste


• Hair tie and headband


• Face wipes


• Shower essentials (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant)


• Lotion


• Chapstick


• Hand sanitizer


• Lanolin


• Nursing pad


• Maxi's


• Sample vitamins


• Towel

Most of these things I already had since I like to collect travel size things. But I did purchase a new toothbrush for a whole buck. I also thought it was a good way to take advantage of all the free sample vitamins I've received over my many months of prenatal doctor visits instead of having to remember to pack my big bottles.

3. Clothing

• DIY hospital gown #2


• Giant walmart undies


• Nursing bra


• Tank top


• Yoga pants


• Zip-up hoodie


• Non-slip socks

Pretty basic here. I plan on wearing my DIY hospital gown #1, leggings, robe, and flip flops into the hospital.

4. Warmth

• 4 walmart pillows in blue cases


• Fleece blanket

$2 pillows from Walmart in some cheap cases. The nurse at the hospital said to be sure and bring our own because they're quite scarce around the hospital. I put them in a vacuum bag to take up less space for now. I know I won't have a vacuum for the trip back home, but odds are I'm not going to care about it then. The fleece blanket is for Cory on his poor little couch bed.

5. Boppy
Pretty self explanatory. I'm taking my mini boppy to the hospital and leaving my full size at home.

6. Bag o'Colette

• A couple of coming home outfits


• Little hat


• Swaddler


• Blankets


• Pacifier

Pretty basic here too. Blankets for coming home, a wubbanub paci just in case, couple of outfits because I can't decide just yet and don't know what size she'll be, and a hat with her name on it.

7. The Paperwork

• Phone charger


• Birth plan


• Triage questions and answers


• List of people to call/text/email


• Baby book


• Pens


• Paper

All my paperwork is nice and neat in a little folder, ready to go. I found a list of possible/usual triage questions upon entering the hospital. Cory and our doula will be with me and in the event that I'm unable to answer a question because of a contraction or something, perhaps they'll be able to find the answer on the sheet and I can just confirm.

And that's it. The only other things I would possible like to pack are some Harry Potter DVDs. Call me crazy but during those lulls after delivery when/ if I can't sleep etc. it'd be nice to have something playing in the background.

I'm also happy to report that both guest bedrooms and the nursery are clean and ready for occupancy. The only thing the nursery is missing is the bookcase and it will be here late this week. Ahhh sweet relief. Only 3 weeks to go.