Time flies!

As I lay on the couch on a chilly Saturday morning with Charlie sleeping in my arms, I can't believe Charlie is already 2 weeks old. Some days it seems like we just came home from the hospital and other days it seems he's been a part of our lives for years. Time is flying by and it's only been two weeks!

We are slowly settling in to our new routine here in the Schrall house. Charlie is shaping up to be more and more like his daddy - if he's hungry, don't stand in his way. He will be SURE to tell you he is ready to eat by chirping like a little bird. He also eats REALLY fast and over eats sometimes which is why he is spitting up more now. Does that sound like someone we know???? I may have my work cut out for me in teaching both Daddy and Charlie how to enjoy their food and not inhale it. :)

We went for our 2 week check up yesterday and he is perfectly healthy. He managed to gain almost a full pound in 2 weeks, which is great (told you he's not missing any meals!). He's officially above his birth weight now and seems to be right on track. Next visit, shots! :(

He still doesn't like to sleep in his crib or bassinet. Sometimes he will during the day if I can get him very tired and soundly asleep first. At night he seems to prefer the warm arms of mommy to the crib or bassinet. For survival sake, I have let him but know that we need to work on making the transition. I freely admit that I like holding him, which contributes to both of us sleeping on the couch alot. I know he won't want to be held forever and since I never got to really hold Jake, my first son, holding Charlie is very special to me. So for now, we make it work and we will make the transition eventually. Until then, I enjoy every moment I have him in my arms.

While I know parenting is super hard and has all kinds of unique challenges, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love you Charlie (and your cute daddy too!)

Grace

I seem to have one theme on my heart lately - one that just won't go away - I think about it anytime I get still. I think it's triggered by two major things going on right now: the race planning and the fast approaching birth of Charlie.

Last year, while we were planning the first Palmetto Half Marathon, I was in the midst of going through fertility treatments. Planning an inaugural race is stressful as it is but adding to it that you have such varying strong personalities and high hormones, it makes it that much harder. As I reflect back on it, I regret many of my attitudes and how I approached certain situations. I'm thankful that so many people offered me grace and chose to love me regardless of my behavior. I hope they realize how much that has meant to me.

Then I think about 8 years ago when Jake was born. It was such a tough time and such a long healing process. I remember wondering why God would take something away from me that I wanted so badly. Now, as I look back, I realize He had different plans for me and my life. Now, through His grace and His grace alone, He has given me a second chance...at marriage and at being a parent.

Grace is not easy to give. We often use it as something that should be earned and not free. But as I reflect back, I realize even more now how much grace God has given me over the years. If I could only learn to give it as freely as He does.

So the next time you get frustrated with someone - think of how much grace God has given you...and still does.

Nursery artwork

So as some of you may know, when I lived in Raleigh I used to paint children's furniture. Through word of mouth, I would do pieces for various people (but mostly for friends or as gifts). I was just starting to gain a little momentum and then life hit and I eventually moved away. It is still something I love to do but just haven't focused on it...until now when I needed my own!

Not long ago I was searching for artwork for the nursery and found some really cute pieces but they were SO expensive! I decided I could paint them just as well so I took a few snap shots for inspiration and went to town. Below are the results...what do you think?

And yes! I'm still painting so if you know of anyone who would like some custom artwork for themselves or as a gift, please let me know. Will ship (but not furniture)! The ones below are all on basic canvases and easy to hang with a ribbon (which I can attach) or by a nail in the back.

A new living room...

I don't know if you've ever watched the show "Sarah's House" but Sarah Richardson, from Canada, is my favorite designer on HGTV. I watch and record her show religiously and love to watch them over and over. A few months ago I put up valances in my living room because my husband refused to have curtains. He considers them dust collectors. I lived with them for a while but they never seemed quite right. I've decided I'm not a valance girl unless it's in a kitchen or on a small window. I also decided not to listen to my husband's opinion when it comes to decorating.

Anywhoozle, while watching Sarah's House, I was inspired by an episode where she redesigned a new bedroom in the country house. She mentioned that if you had a fabric you loved but it would be too much to have as panels you could put strips of it on either side of a neutral fabric to lessen the impact. I realized it was the perfect solution to my living room since we have so many windows. I started with a fabric I found on discount (see big pillows on couch) and then matched fabrics from there to devise my color scheme for the room.

So per my friend Melissa's request, I'm posting pictures. I made the curtains (thanks Jenny T for the sewing lessons!), painted the living room a warm khaki, recovered the wooden couch and made some new pillows. I think it is perfect for the room and really helped make everything seem warm and cozy but still allowing plenty of light in the room.

On a side note, this room led to me painting the hallway, redecorating the MBR and guest/man room as well. The nursery is well under way and pics of that will follow soon. I'm currently finding creative ways to make art work for the walls. I've already refurbished almost all the nursery furniture, another inspiration from Sarah.

So be inspired! Find a show, a designer, a cool fabric or fun pictures and let your imagination take over to pull it all together!

Happy decorating!
~Anna

P.S. you can also play "Where's Stella and Jackson" (like "Where's Waldo") in these pictures :)

Preparing for baby...

So yes, I've been a HORRIBLE blogger. When I started this blog I had full intentions of documenting my random thoughts...well apparently that's easier said than done. Time seems to slip away, especially after you spend your first 8hrs of the day on a computer at work so the last thing you want is to come home and get back on it.

Anywhoozle, so a few updates on our end. I'm about 26 weeks along now so very close to 6 months. Belly is definitely growing and I'm just starting to get uncomfortable. Daniel says I need a graveyard of pillows at night to get comfortable, which basically puts him on the edge of the bed hoping he doesn't fall out.

In case you haven't heard, the baby's name is Charles Elijah Schrall AKA "Charlie". I released control and let Daniel name him so he picked Charles, from his dad's name and Elijah since it's his favorite old testament prophet. Our goal is to finish the nursery, or at least most of it, by the end of the month so we have a whopping 2 weekends left! I am using an unusual pattern for the curtains - sort've a funky paisley - floral pattern - so it lends to funky colors in the room but I think I can pull it all together: olive green, lime-ish green, light blue, cream and red. There are some skeptics out there (Jenny) but I'm sticking to my design plan and hope it looks cohesive. I'm not much of a "theme" kind've gal so we'll see how it turns out. Pictures to follow in a few weeks...

We also registered yesterday. PHEW! Who knew there was so much STUFF! Daniel was a trooper and didn't complain one little bit and was very helpful. He even carried my purse around since my back was hurting. Thanks, honey! :) So we are officially registered with Babies R Us and Target. I have a few things to update but otherwise that's one thing off my "to do" list. We have our first shower in September and another being planned as well. Two others have expressed throwing showers but we haven't firmed them up yet. I already feel blessed that so many people are helping provide for Charlie!

Well, those are my updates for now. Time is flying by! More to come as the belly grows...

Month 2...done!

Well, for those of you following that don't know...I'm pregnant! :) We went through some fertility treatments at the end of January and by God's grace it happened the first time for us. Currently I'm a little over 9 weeks. It's still early but so far so good. A few random thoughts:

I am extremely shocked at how fast I out-grew my pants this time. Technically this is my 3rd pregnancy (but our first child together) and my poor pants buttons get further and further apart by the day. Jaime may be right, I may be in maternity clothes shortly after my first trimester! YIKES! But can I just say at how much I love the clothes in Ann Taylor Loft this season? All flowy and long - perfect for a newly prego who doesn't want to go into maternity clothes yet. I have plenty of room in them to last hopefully till at least mid-summer.

While I have been nauseous morning, noon and night...water gives me heartburn along with most everything else...I have the nose of a bloodhound (not good in a public restroom by the way)...I live to sleep on the weekends...and maybe just a LITTLE (and by little I mean alot) moody - it's still an unbelievable blessing. I'm very thankful God chose to bless us on our first try.

Daniel has been so supportive, even though he has no idea why I dry heave at random times or why it's triggered. Glad he wasn't in the Publix parking lot yesterday when everyone was staring as I was doubled over! He even got up at 4:30am the other morning and got me cranberry juice from the grocery store when I got a bladder infection. He's going to be a good daddy.

My friend, Missey, is 2 days behind me so we talk at least once a week comparing our sad little symptoms. We pretty much mirror each other so it's sort've comical.

Well, that's my only update this week. Maybe I can write more when I stop sleeping so much!

XXOO

~Anna

Lost

I don't really watch alot of TV...I have a few shows that I really like like The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, CSI NY and Castle. Mostly crime dramas. However, there is one show that I absolutely cannot miss - LOST. Is anyone else obsessed like I am wondering who the "others" are or wondering each episode what the heck is going on? I highly encourage you to start at the beginning of the seasons if you haven't seen them. They are a little cooky but go with it...it's really good!

~Anna