Parenting

The 4-6 Weeks Project

I am one month away from my due date today. We’re about to add a baby boy to our family, and Eleanor is about to become a big sister.

If this pregnancy is at all similar to the first (I went 15 days past the due date), then I figure we have about 4-6 weeks to go. An earlier arrival would be welcome, but to remember our last days as a family of three, I’m starting a new project. The 4-6 Weeks Project. I will document each day with a photograph and a few sentences, and at the end I will compile them all into a keepsake book for Eleanor. I’ll also share them with you here weekly.

{ IntroductionWeek OneWeek TwoWeek ThreeWeek FourThe EndView All }

Today, we are one month away from your little brother’s due date, and soon you will be a big sister. You and mama played with your pink and brown Connect Four set while daddy was at work. You’re very serious about putting the pieces in just so, and you’ll only use the brown ones. You gave all of the pink pieces to mama.

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  • Candice
    January 12, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Her eyes are ridiculously stunning. Wow.

    And that keepsake book is a brilliant idea.

  • Danyelle
    January 12, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    I love this idea, Nicole! A nice little way to keep your mind off the unpleasantries of a third trimester and a sweet keepsake for Eleanor. I’m sure it will be treasured.

  • meryl rose
    January 12, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    LOVE that idea!

    As the younger child, might I also suggest doing something similar for the arrival of the little Mr.? Like a daily dairy about what you’re excited for about your pending family of 4? Then you could compile that and give it to him too.

  • Erin
    January 12, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    Eleanor looks a lot like you in this picture! This is a great idea. I’ll be 33 weeks tomorrow, and would love to chronicle these last few weeks of our being a family of two. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Katie Jane
    January 12, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    What a sweet project! I’m sure it will be something she’ll love forever.

  • Emma
    January 12, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    I love this idea – how sweet. I also love how she only gives you the pink ones, what a doll.

  • b.a.
    January 12, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    i’ll never forget the day i realized i was about to turn my daughter’s world upside-down by adding a baby to our family. (not to be so dramatic, but…) it made me very protective of my time with her and i actually ended up quitting my part-time job so that i could focus more on her.
    this is a fantastic idea. i know as she gets older (and as this little boy becomes more of a “presence” at home) she will love hearing/knowing about the days when she was your entire world.

  • Wanderluster
    January 12, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    What a great idea Nicole. Such a sweet keepsake but especially for Eleanor and her brother.

  • liz @ bon temps beignet
    January 12, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    This is such a great idea. You are so thoughtful.

  • Making it Lovely
    January 12, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    I must pop in and give some credit to Jules. She and I were talking about wanting to improve our photography skills, and she said that doing a 30-day challenge was very beneficial to her. I said that I would probably do one later in the year, after the chaos of the basement renovation had passed and we were settled into our life as a family of four. Then she asked how long I had until the due date. “About 30 days.” She said that as the eldest with closely spaced siblings, she doesn’t really remember life before brothers, and that this could be a perfect time to document things for Eleanor. She’s a smart one, that Jules.

  • Catherine
    January 12, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Great idea! I got lucky and happened to snap some pictures of my oldest son playing with bubbles on his last day as an only child. I cherish having those pictures!

  • karen @ our slo house
    January 12, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    What a sweet idea — she will love it!

    Like Catherine above, I was lucky to have snapped shots of my son (child #1) working in the garden with my husband, just moments before my water broke. I am thrilled that I can look back and say, “See. That’s when mommy sneezed and broke her water…” LOL

  • Kris Mays
    January 12, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    Are you all ready for baby?

  • Kathleen
    January 12, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    Aw, you are such a sweet mom. Eleanor is a lucky little girl, for sure!

  • Nicole
    January 12, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    Oh wow. That made me cry. We spent 5.5 years as a family of three before our daughter was born… I’ll always think fondly on those last weeks, and the big change that came afterward. You are very wise and thoughtful to think of this. Thank you for sharing.

  • Laura
    January 12, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    What a lovely idea, and I love the moment you captured for her first page. I can’t wait to see the pages to come. I pray the rest of your pregnancy goes well, enjoy it.

  • kaelva
    January 12, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    This is so sweet and such a good idea.. I’m going to have to do this for my son (who will be 5 when this little one is born..). So many changes are coming for him.. It will be nice for him to be able to reflect on the times when it was just mommie, daddy and him. Thank you for this idea. (and now I’m crying.. awesome. gotta love hormones)

  • Emmmylizzzy
    January 12, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    This is such a lovely idea. What an amazing keepsake. And where the heck did you get a pink and brown connect four!?!

  • Funnelcloud Rachel
    January 12, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    I, too, want to know where you get a pink and brown Connect Four?!

  • Making it Lovely
    January 12, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    I wrote about it in my Filing Cabinet section not long ago! A warning though (and I didn’t realize this when I bought it), it says “Juicy Couture” on the tray in gold… and I wish it didn’t. But It’s still super cute.

    • Kate
      January 13, 2011 at 11:16 am

      Have you see the pink and brown Scrabble at PBTeen? A little advanced for now, but so stinking adorable!

      http://www.pbteen.com/products/scrabble/?pkey=e|scrabble|1|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

      As a side note, I love this idea. I’m due with my second in about 10 weeks, so this couldn’t be more timely. I’ll definitely be putting something together like this for my son. Are you using Photoshop to create the pages?

      • Making it Lovely
        January 13, 2011 at 11:22 am

        Cute! This is so nerdy, but I actually have a Scrabble board signed by the (at that time) world champion Scrabble player. I met him at the Stefen Fatsis book signing of Word Freak that I hosted.

        And yes, I’m using Photoshop to make the pages.

  • shalini
    January 13, 2011 at 2:32 am

    What a great idea. Love her expression in this photo.

  • Jacinta @ modelmumma
    January 13, 2011 at 3:31 am

    This is such a great idea! I wish I had known about this, this time last year (when I was 8 months preggers with #2)… but yeah.. too late now!!!
    Enjoy having your one little baby with you now because as someone mentioned before, their world turns upside down too!

  • Holly G
    January 13, 2011 at 7:03 am

    This is adorable! It will show Eleanor how much she is loved when this new baby comes and also when the little one becomes older he can share in this book too.

  • Ginylle
    January 13, 2011 at 7:17 am

    Hello Nicole,
    I have been following your blog for six months now, and I should admit I love your way of thinking…love your photos, your projects, your ideas…so far from our french tiny mind here ! Your blog and personnality are so fresh: it makes me happy almost every day (and give me ideas for my own life, by the way !). This project, specially, as well as Eleanor’s monthly photo, is simply wonderful. Even if Jules suggested it, I just want to congrat you !
    Regards from France !

  • Rebecca Mellor
    January 13, 2011 at 7:20 am

    That is such a sweet idea! We’re hoping to have another baby soon and I’d love to do something similar. Thanks Nicole.

  • Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife
    January 13, 2011 at 8:26 am

    This is such a wonderful idea…I might have to adopt it as well! (I’m about a month behind you!)

  • Stacy
    January 13, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Hello! I randomly came across your site and noticed that you and I have the same due date! I have a two year old daughter named Ally whose world is about to be rocked once her little brother finally makes his debut. This is such a creative idea, I think I might try it out! Thanks for the inspiration :)

  • Nicole
    January 13, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Such a fun idea. Love it!

  • Sasha
    January 13, 2011 at 9:11 am

    So sweet! Enjoy your time together =)

  • Lori
    January 13, 2011 at 9:13 am

    Oh, dear. I’m teary eyed. My 21 year old just drove back to college today and I read your note to Eleanor above and was touched. Keep up the good work!

  • Cheryl
    January 13, 2011 at 9:34 am

    You make me wish I could have a “do-over” with my babies… (now all grown up!) What wonderful memories you are saving. Like the rest of your readers…thank you for sharing!

  • Erica
    January 13, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Nicole, I had a daughter, Corinne, just before Eleanor (March 27th) and I too am due with a boy soon (April 7th). I was recently thinking that I wish I documented more of her day-to-day activities. This post made me realize it is not too late! I will start this today (literally just jotted down what I want to write) so I can document her last days as mom and dad’s only little one. Thank you for sharing the idea.

    Also, as a side note, as a reader of your blog it has been really fun for me to see your daughter grow with mine. I am looking forward to being able to do it with a boy too!

  • Rachael
    January 13, 2011 at 10:40 am

    Such a great idea! Wish I would have done something like this. My children are 17 months apart and I felt so guilty about taking my attention away from my first so soon in his little life. This is a great thing you’re doing!

  • Dana @ House*Tweaking
    January 13, 2011 at 10:46 am

    What a lovely way to remember such a short period of time that is sure to seem even shorter 20 years from now. And what a nice gift for Eleanor.

  • Liz
    January 13, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Brilliant idea to capture those moments :) Will definitely have to file this idea away.

    Thanks for sharing!

  • jbhat
    January 13, 2011 at 11:48 am

    The last days of our being a family of 3 are so precious in my mind. I clung to our kiddo each night at bedtime and would often become teary about the fact that it would all change. The arrival of our little one was joyous, of course, and now it’s almost impossible to imagine life without her. But my memories of that time are indeed special. Yours will be too, especially with these lovely captioned photos.

    Be sure to set aside special just Mommy and Eleanor time after her brother arrives. She’ll need it on almost a daily basis, and so will you.

    xo

    jbhat

  • louise
    January 13, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    This is a great idea. I only have one kiddo (and only plan on one), but I love this idea. The last days of pregnancy can get you so overwhelmed with the new baby. She will treasure this book! I can just see her showing it to the little guy!

  • Miss B
    January 13, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    This is going to be so cherished one day! I love that she gives you all the pink one’s how very thoughtful!

  • Jessica
    January 13, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    This brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful and special thing you are doing for Eleanor.

  • Viv
    January 13, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    So lovely Nicole! A great idea.

  • Melissa
    January 13, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    I love this idea! I have three children and I remember cherishing the days before #2 was born. I couldn’t imagine loving another child during this time – and I was a little bit worried about this. But believe me, your love will just double. Eleanor’s life is about to become even richer than it is already.
    Congratulations – and enjoy these days!

  • Kristin
    January 13, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Awww, that’s so sweet! You have such great ideas.

  • Carla
    January 13, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    What a great idea, and beautiful picture. I don’t plan on having another baby real soon but I sure hope I remember to do something like this when the time comes. P.S. – I’m super impressed with the amount of energy you have, you rock!

  • Margaret
    January 13, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    Lovely post: the photo, the concept, and that game!
    You had me searching for it online immediately (I didn’t think to check your “filing cabinet.”)
    One is in the mail: http://stashpot.blogspot.com/2011/01/connect-four.html

    Thank you for sharing your Pink & Brown world.

  • Rachel
    January 13, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    What a sweet project! We are due with our second daughter on or around Febuary 12th as well! Our first is only 16 months old so it is a bittersweet time for me, I need some sort of project/way to remember the time with her before we became a family of four. :) Congrats!

  • Katie
    January 13, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Wow this is lovely. I was wondering if you’ve weaned Elenor yet or are you planning to nurse in tandem? I’m thinking of having close in age sibs but have no plans to wean my daughter anytime soon so I was just curious about what your plans are. Enjoy this last bit of time alone with her!

    • Making it Lovely
      January 13, 2011 at 11:09 pm

      I nursed Eleanor for over a year, but I weaned her shortly after learning that I was pregnant. We had already cut back to just a few times a day, so it wasn’t a drastic change for her. I was just so exhausted all the time, and I think that nursing while pregnant was taking too much of a toll on my body.

      • Katie
        January 14, 2011 at 10:33 am

        Good to know, thanks for sharing. I always find those tandem nursing photos (marvelous kiddo’s blog) to be so sweet but I can see how the reality of it exhausting. I hope it’s an easy transition for my babe too!

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    January 13, 2011 at 11:31 pm

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  • Dariela
    January 14, 2011 at 12:57 am

    What a GREAT idea!! You are always amazing me! Love it love it love it!!

  • Kim at Yellow Brick Home
    January 14, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    Any idea that results in making photo books are my favorite! Do you who you’ll be using to print? The last few books I’ve made (our wedding book and most recently, our anniversary trip along the California coast) have been done through Blurb. Love them.

  • christina winters
    January 14, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Ok, this makes me sound like such a huge pansy, but I teared up a tiny bit when I read the last line about giving all the pink pieces to mommy. I’m sure it’s not like, a big deal to her, but it kind of seemed like she knows that mommy likes pink a whole lot and wanted to make sure you got to play with the ones you liked! /sniffle

  • luuve
    January 14, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    aww this is such a good idea…she will love you for it..i know my son and i look at his old pictures and old videos and he just adores them!

  • Ashlea Walter
    January 14, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Where oh where did you find a pink and brown Connect Four? Love!

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  • stacy
    January 16, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    i love this idea! i am 7-8 weeks from my due date and i am starting to feel very sentimental about my family of three soon becoming a family of four. this is a great way to make the transition…

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  • Jaclyn
    January 26, 2011 at 10:25 am

    I love this project and you take such lovely photos! I was wondering what computer software you are using for the project to make the photos look like they are the pages of a calendar. Also, do you do anything special to get the lighting just right- professional lights or reflectors? Thanks!

    • Making it Lovely
      January 26, 2011 at 10:26 am

      I’m doing the layouts in Photoshop, though I’ll put together the final book with InDesign. No lighting tricks — just whatever light is available.

      • Sonja
        February 16, 2011 at 3:40 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing this project! Your girl is adorable and I am sure she will cherish this when she is grown and waiting for her own bundle of joy to arrive.

        I appreciate you sharing your computer software. I just found your blog and I LOVE it! Enjoy you two littl ones and know that when you are up to posting again that you have an audience.

        Also I really enjoy the nursing and clothing styling boards.

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