in pictures

So I've got this fancy camera that I really don't know how to use.  But here are my first couple attempts at manual mode shots.  Santa and Frosty were excellent subjects.

And these next shots are of the nursery mostly and a couple of the house for those of you who've asked how things were coming along.

Here are the early stages of the nursery.  Yes, it is a bold, tarty green.  The first color we picked -- which was supposed to be a soft pastel green -- was horrific and eye-searing.  This is a vast improvement.  We left the original color in the closet and without the harsh flourescent lighting, it actually provides a cute little contrast. 

Here are the crib and dresser/changer.

Look at this cutie-patootie picture frame I found at one of my favorite retailers that perfectly goes with the bedding!

We found these dish towels when we went downtown for my b-day brunch last month.  We thought they'd look great done in embroidery hoops.  I'm still debating on whether and what color to paint said hoops.  And I'm toying with getting some other sizes with miscellaneous fabrics.  We'll see.

These birds also have a pink birdhouse friend.  We found them at a darling little store in Abilene when we were there for Christmas.

Enough of the nursery.  Here's our upstairs bathroom after getting rid of the icky wallpaper and carpet.  You know what really grosses me out?  Carpet in the bathroom.  Think of what must be growing in it!  Ew!

Last for now, here is our guest room.  Don't mind all the junk on the bed; it's mostly stuff for the hallway.  We're still working on decor but were so glad to get the room painted and furniture back in place.

T-minus-98

We have a mere 98 days to go till Lulu Cupcake -- I mean Marin Grace -- is fully cooked.  No telling if she'll feel inclined to stay inside that long.  I should probably be freaked out by how quickly this parenting thing will be upon us, but it hasn't kicked in yet.  You call it denial; I call it peace.

The painter is coming at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow to paint the nursery (along with the guest room and D.A.R.).  So excited for this step as it will allow us to start making decorative progress.  Our P*ttery B*rn Kids store is closing in 10 days, which is depressing since that's where we've picked out nursery bedding.  I keep hoping the overpriced curtains I want will go on an inventory clearance sale.  So far, no such luck.  

My goal for tomorrow -- because I've chosen to not qualify laundry as a goal till I'm at home full-time with an infant -- is to take my "big girl camera" out of the box and start learning how to use it.  This is thrilling for me...and a little nerve-wracking.  Don't judge me for being more nervous about my camera than about impending parenthood.  We all deal in our own time and in our own way, right?