Chalkboard Tracker

The end is near!!!!! I'm ready to meet our little girl and be done with being pregnant! Any day now...hurry up! Hooray for month 9!

How far along? 36 weeks
Baby is the size of a: Honeydew and weighs 6 pounds!
Total weight gain: I don't want to know anymore. I don't need to raise my blood pressure at this point!
Maternity clothes? Yes yes yes, it's all about comfort right now.

Stretch marks? Not that I can see. There's probably some hiding under my belly somewhere.
Sleep: I'm really great at napping but can't manage to sleep through the night.

Exercise: I walk to the mailbox every day. Does that count?
Miss Anything: Just about everything. I miss feeling wonderful, not being so large and in charge, having energy and strength... The list goes on and on.
Movement: All day, every day! She's ready to rumble!
Food cravings: my cravings seem to have subsided this month. I'm not craving anything in particular.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of maple syrup, many random food scents make me queasy.
Labor Signs: Not yet. Hopefully soon!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I'm just so excited!
Looking forward to: Meeting our daughter in the next few weeks!

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Chalkboard Tracker

Two more months! Two more months! Two more months!!! I can't wait!

How far along? 32 weeks
Baby is the size of a: squash. She's almost 4 pounds!
Total weight gain: 18 pounds...creeping up there!
Maternity clothes? Yes! Pretty much everything I wear now is maternity.

Stretch marks? So far, so good!
Sleep: On and off. I manage to get a few nights of uninterrupted sleep.

Exercise: What's that??
Miss Anything: Doing things for myself! I hate asking for help!
Movement: All day, every day! She's constantly rolling and kicking.
Food cravings: Pancakes, PB&J sandwiches, and milk.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just lovely heartburn and acid reflex.

Labor Signs: Nope!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy!
Looking forward to: the last few weeks of work and relaxing.

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Chalkboard Tracker

Whoo hoo! I'm finally in my third trimester! Only 3 months left!

How far along? 28 weeks 
Baby is the size of an: eggplant
Total weight gain: Who knows?! I give up keeping track! 
Maternity clothes? Pants and a few tops.

Stretch marks? So far, so good!
Sleep: What's that? I'm too uncomfortable!

Exercise: Just walking the dogs a few times a week.
Miss Anything: Feeling great every day!
Movement: Oh yes! Baby girl is a dancer!
Food cravings: Pancakes.

 Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing specific. Just the thrills of heartburn and acid reflex that makes me feel bad.

Labor Signs: Nope!
Happy or Moody most of the time: A good mix of both. If I've had a long day and am exhausted, then I'm definitely moody! But I think I'm mostly happy.
Looking forward to: My baby shower at the end of the month!

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DIY Chalkboard

I've received many questions about my chalkboard.

Did you buy it?

Did you make it? 

How did you make it?

What do you use to write on it?

 How do you clean it?

Well, here's the scoop! I made mine using a few items for dirt cheap!

It all started when I saw this huge hot pink frame at a thrift shop.

I used some handy dandy white spray paint and made it a little less flamboyant! Then I bought a piece of wood and painted it with chalkboard paint from Lowes.

 

Next, my husband nailed in the painted wooden chalkboard piece to the back of the newly painted frame, and ta da! Done!  Total cost of the project was about $30. I made it a few years ago when it seemed virtually impossible to find a chalkboard of that size. Now, I see them at most home decor stores but for $100 or so. Overall, I've been pleased with the chalkboard and how it's held up.

To write on the chalkboard, I use Chalk Ink chalkboard pens.

 

Now comes the tricky part- cleaning it. I've realized that the Chalk Ink pens are awesome, but virtually impossible to clean off. Regular white chalk rubs off well, but it's much harder to write with and sometimes I don't want it to wipe off easy.  

 

Here's an example of the chalk ink not erasing well. I've tried soap, water, a sponge, etc. What it comes down to is paint. After each use, I paint one coat of chalkboard paint on the wood, and it's good as new! It might seem inconvenient to some, but it's really the best way to get everything off and have a fresh board. Just keep your small can of paint and a brush in an easy to access area, and it should be easy to maintain. 

And that's how I made my chalkboard! I've had other friends buy a framed mirror and just paint the mirror with chalkboard paint. It works just as well but is much heavier than a regular piece of wood.

Good luck making your very own fabulous chalkboard!

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Chalkboard Tracker

6 months! Wow! I feel like our little girl will be here in the blink of an eye!

How far along? 24 weeks 
Baby is the size of a: cantelope 
Total weight gain: I stopped weighing myself! I don't even want to know anymore!

Maternity clothes? A few pairs of pants and basic t-shirts. 

Stretch marks? So far, so good!
Sleep: Through the night, for the most part.

Exercise: I wish! I'm lucky if I have time to walk the dogs a few times a week. Now that work started back up, I'm so busy and exhausted!
Miss Anything: Drinking wine and having energy!
Movement: All the time! She's a mover and a shaker!
Food cravings: Pancakes, bagels, pasta, and doughnuts...lots of carbs!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing specifically, although I've been feeling nauseated again. Great...

Labor Signs: Nope!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy!
Looking forward to: Finishing up the nursery and nesting. 

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