Freedom Rider

We had quite an inspirational guest for our school assembly this week. It was Freedom Rider, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. She participated in the 1963 sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter in downtown Jackson and was immortalized in the, now-famous, photograph below.

Joan is in the center and Anne Moody (Coming of Age in Mississippi - a book I highly recommend) is on the right.

The events recorded in that photo are hard for me to comprehend. I just can't imagine people treating other people so badly while spectators (some of them police) looked on. I'm so thankful for people like Joan Trumpauer Mulholland who are brave enough to stand up for what is right.

Read more about how she came to our school here.

32 Weeks!

EIGHT weeks to go!
I'm stuck in that place between thinking that those weeks will fly by and that this pregnancy will never end. Time really has flown since I found out I was pregnant in October, and there's still a lot to be done in the less than eight weeks that I have left. As I type this, I'm starting to feel anxious about all that I want to accomplish before the big day. I'm steadily checking off my "to do" list (below), but I also keep adding to it!

On the other hand, I'm HUGE! At least my belly is! I've already had strangers say things like, "You look like you're about to pop!" and, "Ooh! Any day now!" I'm not really sure what it is about being pregnant that makes perfect strangers feel like it's okay to comment on your size! At this rate, I don't want to think about what I'll look like in eight weeks!

When we had the sonogram last week, we were told that Nora (who should have, at that point, weighed 3.5 lbs) measured 4.4 lbs. That puts her almost two weeks ahead of schedule (and explains the size of my belly). We also learned that she has a head full of hair! I really can't wait to see her!

Month 8: 29-32 weeks (April 17- May 7)
• Organize nursery.
• Make curtains for nursery.
• Clean and check travel system.
• Finish freezer cooking.
• Plan AP’s birthday party.
• Wash and organize baby’s clothes.
• Make plans for AP during and after birth.
• Get big sister gift for AP from baby. (Any suggestions?)
• Help AP pick out a gift for baby.
• Set up cradle.


Month 9: 33 weeks and beyond (May 7- June 1)
• Install car seat.
• Pack diaper bag.
• Pack hospital bag.
• Pick out announcements.
• Take AP to sibling class (May 16).
• Charge cameras.
• Make meal plan and stock up on groceries for first few weeks.
• Plan for post-baby wardrobe.
• Pack AP’s bag.
• Have AP's birthday party (May 23).

Am I forgetting anything?

Happy Mothers' Day!

I had a great Mothers' Day, and I hope you did, too. I was able to spend time with all the mothers in life: my mother-in-law, my mom, and both of my grandmothers. It was a nice and rare treat to see them all in one day. The longer I'm a mom, the more I appreciate moms.

Did any of you moms get any really bad gifts? I love this article on "Really Bad Ideas for Mothers' Day" at Parenting.com. For my Mothers' Day treat, I get to pick out a much-needed rug for our living room. It's a great gift, and I'm super excited!

Here's my pick for next year: These Custom Silhouette Pendants at Craftbury Kids are just precious! Seeing them has me ready to meet Baby Sister. Wonder what her silhouette will look like.

Old Friends

Our "Old Friends" booth at the Cotton District Arts Festival a few weeks ago was so much fun and pretty successful, too! We had such a great time that we're working on some designs for the Canton Flea Market in the fall!



All of our items were printed on reused materials. We found shirts and dresses at thrift shops and made bibs from remnants and tote bags out of t-shirts. Elizabeth's hat (below) is made out of a sleeve from turtleneck I'd make into a bag.

31 Weeks

I've reached 31 weeks! According to the email updates I receive, Nora should be around 16 inches long and weigh about 3.5 pounds. We'll have an ultrasound on Wednesday, so we'll know more about her then.
We've got 9 weeks to go (if we go full term - AP came a week early). Boy, do I have a lot to get done! We have two weeks until school's out, and that will help a lot. I have completed several items on my to do list, so I think I'll make it.

Month 8: 29-32 weeks (April 17- May 7)
• Organize nursery.
• Make curtains for nursery.
• Clean and check travel system.
• Finish freezer cooking.
• Plan AP’s birthday party.
• Wash and organize baby’s clothes.
• Make plans for AP during and after birth.
• Get big sister gift for AP from baby.
• Set up cradle.
• Plan AP's birthday party.

Month 9: 33 weeks and beyond (May 7- June 1)
• Install car seat.
• Pack diaper bag.
• Pack hospital bag.
• Pick out announcements.
• Take AP to sibling class (May 16).
• Charge cameras.
• Make meal plan and stock up on groceries for first few weeks.
• Plan for post-baby wardrobe.
• Pack AP’s bag.
• Have AP's birthday party.

Save Your Local Economy...

I think The 3/50 Project is a great idea! This is something I can really get behind, especially since my sister, along with my mom and dad, are opening the MINT home store in Starkville on Friday. Why don't you check it out and support your local economy?