Ryker's Nursery Update

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! I've been feeling a bit more nervous lately that I might deliver a lot sooner than expected because I've already dropped and having an extremely difficult time sleeping at night because this boy is getting SO heavy! This has led me to get moving with my progress for Ryker's Nursery.  Here's what we were able to do so far...

I decided to do a photo frame wall collage with wooden elements as well as some gold, silver, and yellow accents

I painted this  yellow and grey piece for Ryker's room to add a pop of color and balance to this wall collage.

Can't forget the Owl Bank and the wooden elephant!

We were finally able to hang up the mirror and the frames for this changing table area.  I actually found this mirror at Home Goods on Clearance for $20!  It was painted a distressed off white color, so I spray painted the frame Gold.  I'll post before and after photos HERE shortly.   I had to make sure to hang it high enough so Ryker can't grab it while he was on the changing table.

I'm still waiting on my changing pad cover to arrive as well as the prints from the maternity photo shoot so I can replace these default frame photos ;)

I scored this wicker rocking chair on Craigslist.  This is actually going in the living room once we get our glider for the nursery in place.  That one is more comfortable to fall asleep in and this one I thought would be perfect for the living room during the day time so I can watch both of the kids out there.

Of course, Erik got a case for his Champion's League ball.  We're still also waiting for the crib bedding to arrive so I'll post more photo updates on that soon!

I hope you enjoy your week!!!

Bay Area Easter Seals Spring Gala 2012

Each year we are fortunate to be given the opportunity to support a wonderful non-profit organization - the Easter Seals Foundation of the Bay Area.  This wonderful organization has helped families with disabilities and special needs live better lives by helping provide services to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve personal goals and gain greater independence for everyday living.

For a number of years, Erik's uncle - Henry Michon, has served as the Chair for the Northern California Food and Drug Industry Alliance for Easter Seals.  Each year, they hold an annual Spring Gala benefitting the Easter Seals Bay Area.  It's an amazing event held at the San Francisco Hilton that consists of a silent auction, dinner, a touching presentation of how Easter Seals has touched the lives of a special family of a child in need, live entertainment, and dancing through the night.

It always feels good to give back to the community and the Easter Seals Foundation is a wonderful non-profit organization that works for such a good cause - why not make a difference today?

If you would like to find more ways to support and give back by volunteering in our community to help Easter Seals Bay Area you can click HERE.

If you would like to make a difference through a financial gift to the Easter Seals Bay Area, you can also do so on their website by clicking HERE.

This year, the guest performer was Javier Colon - winner of Season 1 of The Voice.  He was amazing live on stage, and we feel very fortunate to have given the opportunity to support such a great cause that night and to see all of the people who have supported the organization.  Here's a glimpse of the beautiful evening.

Me (and Ryker) during the Silent Auction

Erik & I 

Javier Colon Performing at Easter Seals Gala 2012

"A Drop in the Ocean" is one of my favorite songs that he performed that night! I posted his performance on NBC below so you can hear it more clearly.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Weekend Update

The weather was great here in the bay area! I've been mostly trapped inside my house all last week finishing my antibiotics and resting up to try to get back into gear, so my husband wanted to take Keira and I outdoors to absorb some natural Vitamin D from the sun.  We live really close to Coyote Point but we have actually never been able to visit CuriOdessey yet so we made a day of it and it was so much fun!  Keira got to see some animals and she had a blast!

Keira's face...

My big BUMP!

These seals posed for the camera

I thought this picture was beautiful!

Playing at Magic Mountain Park at Coyote Point

This slide was massive!

Baby Ryker's shower was also this weekend at Erik's parents house in Redwood Shores and it was another gorgeous day!  Keira went out on the paddle boat for the first time with her Opa - again, her smile is just priceless! They had a blast!

Thank you to everyone who shared this wonderful shower for Ryker with us, we're truly blessed!  More pics to come!

Have a great week everyone!

New Pregnancy Photos

My friend Deborah was able to send me some photos of her work from our photo shoot session at my place.  Here's a couple to share with you guys.  Check her out at Deborah Quast Photography.

Based from the last ultrasound it looks like I'm 34 weeks now so only 6 more weeks to go!

Countdown time....

Happy Friday!!!

Funny Little Boys Tee's

After going through a ton of baby girl clothes with Keira, it's fun to finally have a reason to get some fun boys tee's and bodysuits for baby Ryker. You can just get away with more clever little sayings on their shirts.  Here's a few that I found that Erik and I loved!

I was thinking about maybe getting this tuxedo bodysuit to take the little man home in from the hospital!

These two images were from www.punkbabyclothes.net

Erik couldn't resist so he picked this one up from cafepress.com (...of course he had to)

These were some other funny ones from Cafepress.com

I saw this one on Pinterest and thought it was hilarious...

Vampire Diaries Weekend - July 2012!

Okay, as I noted in my "About Me" section of my blog, I am obsessed with TVD (The Vampire Diaries)!  I got hooked on it when I was on maternity leave when Keira was born in 2009.  The pilot aired and I just loved it, and so did everyone else that I told - including my sister!  So, you guys have to check it out if you haven't already.  Season 3 just finished and it was AWESOME once again!  Check out this trailer for Season 3 below.

P.S. - I think they're still showing Seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix Instant Streaming so you can catch up on there too!

I'm so excited because there's going to be a Vampire Diaries convention here in Burlingame's Hyatt Hotel in July!  So, my sister and I are going to go of course and we got a photo op with the 2 brothers - YAY!!! So excited...I can't wait!  If you guys are interested in attending the convention, you can still buy tickets HERE.  Message me if you guys are going!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommy's out there.  Being a mother is such an amazing experience and without my daughter and my soon to come son,  I would feel incomplete in my life.  I've learned so much from my AMAZING mother and mother-in-law and couldn't feel luckier to have them both in my life.  I love you guys!

And to my little Keira who's getting to be such a big girl now, you will always be my little "sunshine princess"!  Time sure does fly...

Keira just a few months old

Keira & Mommy at the Aquarium

Just love her SO much!

Waking up to this smile is PRICELESS!

...it's a girl thing!

...and without our Mommy's we wouldn't be able to be Mommy's!

Happy Mother's Day to our Special MOM's!

My Mommy & Me

Erik & His Mom

Happy Mother's Day...enjoy your wonderful day!

Yay! I'm back at home!

Thank you everyone for all your love and support this last week.  Your kind and supportive words really helped me get through this pneumonia!  It's been a rough 4 days, but I'm finally back home (still recovering) but at least I'm laying in my Tempurpedic bed and not an uncomfortable hospital bed hooked up to an IV!

The nurses and doctors at the new Mills Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame were GREAT.  They were all really sweet and helpful and not to mention the hospital was BEAUTIFUL!  Erik actually kept referring to it as the "Hotel" instead of "hospital". This is where I'll be delivering Ryker at in about a month from now so at least it felt comforting to know that I'll be in good hands.

Here's a glimpse of my week...

Erik & Keira waiting for me in the ER.  Keira fell asleep on daddy's lap & whenever the nurse wheeled me away to take an x-ray she would cry!  She was concerned for her Mommy that I wanted to cry each time I saw her tear up!

The Hospital "Room Service" Menu - really, that's what it was named

It was actually pretty good, it allowed you to switch it up each night to suit your craving

My parents visiting me in my room.  I was looking out that window quite a lot wishing I could enjoy the warm weather out there!

My wonderful husband spent all 3 nights with me at the hospital, he said the pull-out bed wasn't too bad to sleep on and he was just happy that it was long enough for his legs!

They treated me like I was TWO patients because they monitored the baby's heartbeat for 20 minutes straight about 4-5 times a day + they had to monitor my blood pressure too - it was crazy!

My awesome coworkers at NAARTJIE sent me this beautiful plant to cheer me up!  Thanks guys, it worked!!

I hope you all enjoy this wonderful weather outside, being trapped inside of a hospital room unable to breath really makes you realize how lucky you are when you well and able to enjoy being home with your family.

Love,

-Kathy

Need your prayers guys!

Hi all,
I know I've been MIA for a few days. I was planning on doing another Weekend Update but unfortunately I've been sick again but this time I got pneumonia so I've been in the hospital trying to fight this. Baby Ryker seems to be doing great but I just need some extra love and positivity for my body to fully recover. I'm staying positive and I plan on being right back to on my feet very soon. I'm been so lucky to have such a great husband to stay with me and brighten up my days and Keira who always makes me laugh. Thank you to my family and friends for coming to visit me and for all your positive energy. I love you guys and I'll give you an update soon!!!
-Kathy

SMSC Summer Soccer Camp with Coach Erik

Summer time is around the corner and my Erik is actually putting on a Soccer Camp this year with a SPECIAL RATE going on now.  Please click on this Link Below to take you to the information page.
* Boys & Girls are both welcome to join this Soccer Camp.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Spaces are filling up fast, so if you have any further questions and/or would like to enroll. Please email Erik below:

ErikMichon@me.com 

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!!!

Take a Time Out - Reading Nooks

Lately, time has been going by so fast that it's nice to take a Time Out  every now and then for yourself.

Here's some beautiful reading nooks that I found on Pinterest that make me wish I could just crawl up with a book (or nook) and a cozy blanket!

Neutral & Cool Colors

I just love this room, it looks like it's in the middle of the house. I love how unexpected it is!

Pops of Red & White 

and of course...

The CLASSIC Black & White

You just can't go wrong with this color combination. It's so crisp.

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope you all get to take a little Time Out for yourself this weekend!

Images via PINTEREST.

Follow me on Pinterest HERE

Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks

Wow! Time does FLY!!!

This weekend we went to our 3D Ultrasound appointment at 3D Baby Vu in Pleasanton, Ca - I highly recommend them (their packages are great and the photos are high quality).  It looks as if this little boy may be another big baby because he's measuring out to be about 2 weeks older than my EDD (estimated due date) putting him in the 87-90% percentile in growth already...and he's still in the womb!  When Keira was born she was only 6 lbs 11 oz, but 21 inches long and she's still in the 90 percentile in height!  I guess they got that from their Daddy! I just hope he's as good to me as Keira was when it's time for him to come out!

Ryker Keane at 30 (...or 32) weeks

His eyes are wide open already!

It's crazy how detailed these ultrasound photos can be!

 and....

They even gave us this little cute bear with Ryker's heart beat recorded so you can hear it when you squeeze him!

We can't wait to meet you little big guy!