Baby J is a...

On Monday we went to our 20 week baby appointment for the big ultrasound. This appointment is a big one because measurements of the baby are taken and the baby's health is assessed.

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Another reason why this appointment is so important is because it's when the ultrasound tech tells us if Baby J is a lil boy or a lil girl!

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Baby J is perfectly healthy and an active baby! The ultrasound tech told us that (saraphrased), "You have a very active baby! When you register, you should register for baby gates, outlet plugs, the works!"

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So you probably want to know the sex, right?

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Here is a 20 week baby bump taken a few days after the ultrasound appointment. :-)

You know you've lived...

...in many places when you're trying to address an envelope:

401 Tangle- ...no, that's not it...
7400 August- ...no...
23227 Double- ohf.
1831 Bayview ....nope, not that either.

...or accidentally write down the wrong zip code. {Yay for extra envelopes!}

...or when you forget what time zone you're living in. For example...planning a phone date with a friend and say, "I'll be available anytime after 10 am central time," and your friend says, "Um. I'm in the central time zone, too, silly!"

...or when you pull open what you thought was the silverware drawer. Nope. The silverware drawer was next to the dishwasher in the other house. 


Seminary life involves many transitions. One of the transitions is constantly moving and living somewhere new. It can be tough living in a constant state of "temporaryness" (but it can be fun too! You get to decorate and organize multiple different homes! ;-)). I recently had a great conversation about with this with a couple great friends:

-Keeping in touch with friends and family can be encouraging, refreshing, and scare off loneliness (remember that phone date story I mentioned?).

-Making your current house/apartment/whatever feel like home is important - make it cozy, make it comfy,  make it  yours.

-Stay grounded in the Lord. There are so many changes but the Lord's promises, faithfulness and providence is always there for us! Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Baby Nursery Ideas

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Baby J early July 2012! There are a few months between now and then to prepare for this special little one...and getting ideas for his or her room is on the to-do list!

Here is a baby boy nursery. I call this my "dream" nursery. Adam and I both like the idea of vintage airplanes for the baby's room. The pieces used in this darling room can grow with him for years to come. The colors are boyish and make the space cozy for naps and reading books!

http://pinterest.com/jacobsen524/baby-boy-nursery/

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Take a peek at this baby girl nursery. This is also a "dream" nursery (it'd be impossible to keep all that crisp whiteness clean!). However, the monochromatic pinks, soothing whites, accents of girly things (chandelier, flourishy frames, silver lamp), and gentle pop of green would make this nursery a relaxing place to be for mommy, daddy and baby.

http://pinterest.com/jacobsen524/baby-girl-nursery/


On February 21st we will find out if Baby J is a boy or girl. Most everyone thinks this active (soccer player!) baby is a boy - the strong suspicion will be answered in just a few weeks. I must say, I can't wait to get started on projects to create this precious baby's penny-wise, yet creative and comfy nursery - watch out, Hobby Lobby! :-)

Downtown Chicago

We've visited downtown Chicago a few times since our move to Chicagoland. Here are a few pictures so that you can share in our adventures! :-)

"The Bean" >>

Snowy Bean! >>   

Our reflection in the Bean >>

Skyline view from the Hancock Tower >>

Another skyline view >>

Baby Jacobsen coming in July 2012!

First Snow!

Finally! Chicagoland's first snow! 

Just a heavy dusting...but hey, yay for snow!

DIY Chalkboard!

I was at a church rummage sale a few weeks ago and found this print on canvas for only a dollar.

Initially, I was going to paint the canvas white create my own multi medium mural. But then...something more functional came to mind: a chalkboard! Inspired by a friend, I went to Home Depot and picked up some spray paint primer and chalkboard paint.

First I spray painted primer. After everything was primed, I then painted the canvas with chalkboard paint. The frame got a couple layers of wall paint (durable!).

And the finished product! :-)

There are SO many possibilities for a huuuge chalkboard!:

-Menu board for the kitchen.
-To-do list for the office.
-Calendar to keep track of the fam's activities.
-Focal point on mantle (change quote with the seasons.)
...and many more ideas!

I decided to put the chalkboard in a bedroom. I can change the drawing or quote anytime - because it's just chalk! :-)

Cost of this DIY chalkboard:
Print - $1
Paint - $8