Here’s how I spent my Saturday afternoon…
There’s me, the round little roly-poly VERY pregnant lady, painting the porch. Aye, my back hurts! And please note that the Chicago weather is NOT cooperating with us. I’m wearing a shirt, a hoodie, and a big bulky sweater — it was only 45 degrees out.
To be fair, I must let you know that Brandon, his sister Jessica, and several other people have offered to help me paint. It had to be me though because I was painting the pattern freehand. I couldn’t just pick stripes or a checkerboard pattern that someone else could work on for me, now could I? No, that would have been too easy, and of course I’m all about making things difficult as can be. ;) The pattern was inspired by a rug from Urban Outfitters, and also the flower petal patterns my grandmother used to draw.
Brandon made some excellent progress today as well. Our table and chair set has been painted!
We still have a few things to do for the front porch, but they should go fairly quickly. And as I told my mom, we still have time because the baby isn’t due until Tuesday and I’ve instructed her to stay put until then. We have too much to do before she arrives, and our doctor will be out of town until Monday night. I’m sure the baby will listen, right?
Oh, babies never seem to attend to schedules. That’s what makes them so interesting! That said, I’m sure you’ll be ready when the time comes.
my first 4 babies were born in CA. And out there, whatever Doc is in L&D, is the one delivering your baby. Your normal OB doesnt just come in when the patient is in labor. Guess I can understand that, I was just curious how it works elsewhere. I did have a baby in UT, but it was a scheduled birth so of course my doc attended.
Can I just say how amazing you look for only a few days to go! I could barely sit up so you are doing really well.
The ‘rug’ looks amazing! I’m very tempted to do something similar on the concrete floor of my studio. What a great idea.
Take care Nicole.
Viv xx
I’ve had all my kids in CA, and the doctor always showed up. I think it’s not so much an issue of state, but of medical group. If your doctor’s not on call when you go into labor, who ever is in the group will deliver you. My doctor was a solo practitioner, so I got him both times. :)
Nicole, you’re too much. I was taking law school exams up until I delivered (I was having regular contractions in my criminal procedure exam), but I think this has me beat!
Well, I wasn’t IN LABOR at least! I had a few contractions, but just Braxton-Hicks… nothing I can’t work through. ;)
Wow! I am so impressed — you are a designer to the core! Can’t wait to see the porch finished — the “rug” is perfect.
I adore the green of your porch and the petal pattern is to die for. I never would have thought of petals. I hope all with the bub goes smoothly and your porch turns out lovely!
this is so great! i can’t wait to see the final project. and yes, just to defend my great state, it is not a blanket california thing to not get to decide who will deliver your baby, that is more a matter of your health care provider choice, as it would be anywhere :O)
can’t wait to see your little one!
Oh, I wasn’t in labor! I mean, I guess I was…but it stopped. :) I had a BAD fall at school a day or so prior, and it triggered contractions for a few days. My other friend was pregnant with me–she finished her last exam, went to have dinner at Claim Jumper with her husband, and when she got home her water broke!
I think babies have their own schedule, but sometimes…it’s weird. It’s almost like your body can hold out to a certain day. I’ll be you go into labor the minute your doctor gets back in town!
Amazing! I can’t wait to see the finished project :)
oh its gorgeous the pattern is yummy and I was the same as you, I said to my baby a week early now mommy has to go to work tomorrow for at least 5 hours so stay put once I have done that you are ok, what did he do waters break 4 hours before work, I said you are ok for Mommy to go to work aren’t you ? but hospital had other plans and admitted me ugh he didn’t come for 2 more days. xx
By the way you look awesome I think you look tiny for full term xxxx
The rug you painted looking amazing! I thought it was a stencil until you described painting it by hand. I do hope you can get all of the work done before the baby arrives. I guess it is good motivation to stay on track! Good luck with everything!
That looks fantastic ^_^ I hope you’re feeling well and such! I know I was starting to get impatient around that time :) You look fabulous!
I can’t believe you are painting that free hand. It’s beautiful. And I agree with everyone about the unpredictability of baby arrivals…but if anyone can get a baby to arrive on schedule, it’s probably you :-)
You girl are insane!
my mom whent to a wedding, eated, danced and party untill 5am, went into labor and less than an hour later i was showing my head up while the doc was still tighting his pants. We where twins and was her third birth.. but it teached her not to fool after the eight month.
Enjoy your baby, honey!
I love that you are on the ground painting a rug when your due to have a baby in less than a week…if that doesn’t show your dedication to this house I don’t know would.
Sending you good thoughts this week…good luck!
And the rug is looking fantastic…
Wow, you are a real trooper, it looks as though you’ll get everything done, but take it easy after this weekend! Good Luck this week with the baby – how exciting!
Ha! Your comment about doing things the hard way reminded me of something one of my favorite quilting buddies says: Semper Tedium: If there’s a harder way to do it, that’s what I’ll pick.
Your porch painting looks amazing, as do you (and I just got my periodic table cards in the mail–and I love them!)
The porch looks great!
Nicole! *gasp* I’m amazed! I was worth nothing but a huge ball of complaints weeeeeeks before I delivered both of my boys! I NEVER would have, or could have, done what you did! Bravo!
It looks GREAT!
Both you and the porch looks amazing! I’m soooo excited about seeing the final results!! I have so many ideas going through my head for our home now. Good luck all ’round Nicole!
I just found your blog today (via The Purple Pea) and am so pleased to have done so. I can’t stop looking at the photographs of your lovely home. They are inspiring. I knew I had found a kindred spirit when I saw the Emily Martin prints throughtout. I have several that I purchased for my daugter. Congratulations on the impending birth of your sweet baby. I hope everything goes according to plan.
I will definitely be back.
My baby is due on Wednesday and I’ve had the same conversation with him/her… wait a few more days so we can finish the final reno touches in your room :) I’ve been pretty active and mobile too and still no signs this baby is coming out anytime soon. Do you find that in those brief moments when you’re relaxing that the BH come? I do. Enjoy these last few days of your pregnancy!
Oh, you look breautiful and what a great idea for the porch! This is the best time of year to have babies… spring means new life :) Good luck xoxo
I think there really is something to that ‘nesting’ syndrome. One morning when I went into labor I had just begun wallpapering the bathroom!
green was such a good choice :) you’re doing a super job too! i hope your back doesn’t hurt too much. last month i planted our garden without the help of my husband and i think our neighbhors feel that he is a jerk for not helping me, but i didn’t want his help. it felt nice having done everything myself.
Oh, the things we paint while we are pregnant. I painted our kitchen while I was 9 months pregnant and we have a picture of my Mom painting her toes while in labor with one of us kids. There was no way that she was going to go to the hospital without that done.
Can’t wait to see the finsihed project! Hoping your baby doesn’t stay put longer than you want her too!
Your painting is beautiful….love the green…my new fave!
Blessings…
The pattern looks amazing. Great idea.
I look forward to meeting your little one in a few pictures! You are coping well considering you are due in a few days. You must really want to get your porch pretty! Many blessings for the next few days! And I hope the ‘rug’ turns out just how you want it…it looks beautiful already.
You’re getting down to the wire! Nesting nesting nesting!
Just remember this- be nice to the nurses. They are the ones who take care of you. They do everything from beginning to end. Your doctor’s only job is to “catch the baby”. Thank them and compliment them even when you would rather punch them square in the face for waking you up at 2 am to check your booty.
Good luck kiddo!
p.s. whats with the little microscopic smiley face at the bottom of your page? :)
Oh, I’m so excited for you and your hubby! You look amazing! Also, your “rug” is gorgeous. I love how you are bringing in your grandmother’s floral pattern. I think it’s very special that her talent was handed down to you. And there you are carrying your own baby daughter who perhaps will have her (your) talent as well. Best wishes in the coming days.
I can hardly focus on the design(which is lovely) I’m too focused on how much you are doing while waiting for the baby to come.
oooohhh i LOVE the nesting thing!!! you look so cute :) brought back heaps of memories of the last minute things I did (and the stubborness of things I had to do!)
you take care!!! x
Wow Nicole, what a beautiful pattern, it is ‘refreshing’ and I am sure that’s what you want your new porch to be ;) As for the baby, GOOD LUCK! (mine was born 4 days early!!) x
Fabulous. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
The only thing I was able to do right before my babies came was clean and decorate- nesting full force. However I don’t think I could have painted a beautiful pattern on my front porch, sitting indian style in 45 degree weather- YOU ROCK! The porch is looking fab and the baby will come when she comes so keep up the good work until then :o)
Best wishes & good luck!!
~Rachel
Hi Nicole!! You look great! Who took that great picture of you on the porch?? Brandon’s sister sounds like a great person. You are so lucky to have her around to help.
Ha ha, Jessica’s comment is funny. And yes, she IS nice!
You are TOO MUCH! The rug is beautiful, and your porch is going to look amazing. Be sure to take a family portrait with your little one out there.
Yes, that amazing Jessica… we’re so lucky to have her! She IS a great person.
(Thanks for helping us, Jess!)
I love the pattern and the color! What a great idea! Cheers to you for starting it or even managing to get it done so close to your due date. Good luck with the baby, and I look forward to seeing more of your projects in the future.
You amaze me, Nicole! The porch looks amazing, you look adorable (don’t think I don’t notice those perfectly-painted pink nails!), and I can’t wait to see news of your little girl’s arrival. Good luck. :) :)
You’re a crazy lady Nicole!! So much like myself I might add:) The porch looks adorable. It’s so funny to find other people in the world that are similar to you. It just makes me laugh.
I love it! I can’t wait to see the final product, the painted rug looks great. You’re a trooper (: Going till the bitter end!
That looks amazing! I totally thought of your porch makeover when reading this month’s Martha Stewart and saw this cute Hable Construction outdoor fabric There are a bunch of other cute Hable outdoor fabrics in pink and green on the Decorati site like this and this.
Can’t wait to see the final product!
I love it! Love the contrast and your amazing talent in pulling it off freehand! You look beautiful, btw!
I love it. Nothing like a little nesting before giving birth.
I found your blog by chance and i LOVED it! You are so talented!! Fabolous. I am adding you to my reader, and will be following you. Keep up the good work, everything- and i mean EVERYTHING looks super-cool/trendy.
All the best,
Yasemin
what kind of paint did you use? sealer?