Painting the Nursery

Took advantage of the three day weekend and did a few things around the apartment. Painted the little room a color called "sea glass". It's a very pale blue green. We tried the Home Depot FreshAire paint with no VOCs. It hardly smelled and I felt much safer helping out Erik with the painting. It did require two coats though, while Benjamin Moore paint usually works with one. We are really happy with how the room is coming along. I just need to figure out how to photograph it!

A tree and a baby grow in Brooklyn

Hello Summer! I know it's not officially summer, but since we had our first half day Friday yesterday and because it was 80 degrees outside, I am calling it summer. Erik also got out early and we went over to the store Buy Buy Baby to register for all the things we might need in September. Two and a half hours later, we were exhausted and ready to enjoy a bite to eat with Henry. That store is great though. They really have everything and we also wound up in some nice conversations with other parents (and parents to be). We did pretty well in the bedding, stroller, clothing departments, but I was completely overwhelmed by the selection of bottles, nipples and accessories! Which brand? Which size? What material? I think I'll do a little more research at home and go back later in the week.

We made up for our exhausting shopping trip by spending some time with our feet in the grass by the piers in LIC. I never get tired of this view!

Our plants on the deck are enjoying the sunny weather as well. We were surprised this year to see that a seed from a tree sprouted in one of our pots. I am not sure what kind of tree it is, but I figured it deserved its own pot. Then, the other morning on our way to work, the city was planting new trees in Union Square. The weaving of rope over the burlap to hold the roots in was so beautiful. What an art!

The baby and I have grown a lot in the past few weeks. I am finally getting offered seats on the subway and have put away my clothes that no longer fit. Her kicks are much stronger now and still so much fun. The other morning at my desk, I could feel her turning, reaching and kicking. I must have looked silly giggling to myself with a giant smile on my face.

amERIKan and ikea

It was a very busy week here on Huron Street. Last Monday we had a fun evening at IKEA with Sara and Josephine, complete with Swedish meatballs. The store was wonderfully empty and Josephine was so nice to help us home with our new dresser and chair for the baby's room. We assembled the chair that night and Erik couldn't wait to do the dresser the following day. Wednesday night we attended a prenatal session at one of our local pediatricians. The Dr. seemed very caring and knowledgeable. The biggest event of the week came Thursday morning when Erik headed down to Federal Plaza to take his American citizenship test. His months of studying paid off and he passed without any problems! He was recommended for citizenship by the immigration officer and is now awaiting full approval by mail and a date for the swearing in ceremony. After that, we will do some more paperwork with the Dutch consulate to renew Erik's passport as a dual citizen. It's comforting to know that Erik will share both nationalities with our daughter. Friday night we went for dinner with Henry and checked out the new documentary on industrial design called Objectified. It's incredible to think about all of the design that surrounds us everyday. On Saturday I went to yoga then met Erik to head into the city for Josephine's opening at Cuchifritos. It's a two person show and I think her paintings work really well with the sculptor's pieces. Afterwards, we celebrated at Loreley, where the guys had gigantic (and nearly impossible to lift) German beers.

I've included a few photos of the in-progress nursery. We are still deciding on the paint color and the rug, but it's coming along. After three trips to our storage locker, we've managed to clear out a lot of space.

On the agenda for this week: my 5 month prenatal check-up with the Dr., Max's teeth cleaning (poor guy) and my brother's arrival on Thursday for the furniture fair and a long weekend visit!

It's a girl!

We had a sonogram last Friday and found out we will be welcoming a little girl in September! She has 10 fingers, 10 toes and is quite the little swimmer. I can hardly believe we're half way there. The weeks are flying by! I am feeling great and am really starting to show...and put on weight. I hope to keep my weight gain below 30 pounds, but am not going to beat myself up if I put on more. A lot of people say it will be rough to be pregnant during the summer, but I am looking forward to taking long walks at night, going swimming and being able to wear dresses and sandals all the time.

We signed our little lady up for day care as well. It is exactly between Erik's office and mine and probably takes us each 3 minutes to walk there. It's such a relief that we'll have the ability to visit her there anytime during the day. I am already thinking about taking her out for lunches/feedings in the park next Spring.

Central Park Zoo

Spent part of last Sunday at the Central Park Zoo with Simone, David and Sophie. It's such a convenient and manageable zoo to see in an afternoon and it was so much fun to see Sophie's wonder and amazement with the all of the animals.

Recent craving...

satisfied! Markt on Sixth Avenue really knows how to make good fries.

A standard evening

One recent evening, we met up with Henry for dinner and a peak into the new Standard Hotel. Amazing space. Darla's firm Polshek designed the building. One of the neatest features of the space is that it overhangs the highline, which is set to open in June.

Little room, before and after

We're making progress on our nursery. It's a tiny room...only 5.5" x 11", but it comfortably fits a crib, dresser, book case and a small storage area. We managed to sell our desk last week and have moved the couch back into the kitchen. It's just too comfortable to get rid of. If things feel really cramped come September, we might reconsider.

Perfect spring day

Yesterday was simply beautiful. Sunny, warm, chirping birds, and no work. Josephine came over and we had our first meal of the season on the deck. A few of our perennials survived the long winter and I can't wait to plant new flowers and herbs in the rest of the pots very soon. I spent a good part of the afternoon pruning, tilling the soil, and cleaning out half empty pots. Meisje was also quite interested in plants, as she found a new napping spot in our bedroom.

We have to take Max and Meisje to the vet today for their annual visit. I am dreading it. As cool and confident as our cats are inside, they become total panicked messes the minute we step outside. It's really sad to see them so frightened.

Endless organization

Erik and I have spent the majority of the last two weekends cleaning and organizing the apartment. We've dropped off countless bags to the Salvation Army and I even managed to sell two dresses at Beacon's Closet. We're making plans for our little nursery and have carefully measured out the furniture that might fit. We're going to give away or try and sell our wood desk and the green couch. I'll really miss this little couch after nine years together, but there's just no room. Organizing can really turn into an endless job! I start on one drawer and it leads me to the filing cabinet, the kitchen, and many places in between. Thankfully, I don't mind spending hours doing this.

Something I've also tried the past two weekends is prenatal yoga. I had never taken yoga before and always preferred the challenge of aerobics. Since all of the classes at my gym spend so much time working on your abs (the opposite of where I am going), I'd thought I'd give it a try. So far I am really enjoying how aware you become of your body and your breathing, how it allows you to relax while building strength, and how I can meet other pregnant women and share stories. At the first class there were two other women, 5 and 6 months along. I hope to keep this up at least a few times a month.

Here are a few pictures from a fun girls' day out to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens with Sara, Josephine and Jessica. I think it was the first time in months I've worn my sunglasses!