New Season!

Spring is here, I love this time of year! The blue bonnets (texas state flower) are in full bloom everywhere and they have become one of my favorite flowers. Things have been busy in the Lewis household lately! We were fortunate to have my cousin Leigh and her boyfriend Dean come and visit us from L.A.

On the MetroRail headed home after a long day at SXSW and a delicious dinner at Carmelo's!

 Leigh has been visiting us regularly for several years now and we always enjoy her company, she's so much fun! Her and Dean picked the perfect time to come visit Austin because South By South West (SXSW) was in full swing! Leigh is a photography contributor to an independent magazine based out of L.A. called Yoo-N-LA Magazine. She was given a press pass for the entire SXSW which basically allowed her to go any and everywhere!!! Needless to say, she got up close and personal with some of the hottest upcoming bands and artists in the music industry. She got some great photos of the trip and they are posted on her photography website at leighgaston.com under the blog tab at the top of the page. Leigh also took some belly/ family portraits for us and I cannot wait to share them with you all once I get them!!!

We trecked all over downtown Austin trying to take in as much of SXSW as we could. We saw a lot, ate great food and overall it was just an A-W-E-S-O-M-E experience! I cannot wait for next year!! We enjoyed Leigh and Dean's company so much, it was sad to see them go. But we look forward to our next visit together, we've promised to make it out to L.A. by next summer!!

The nursery is slowly but steadily coming together...not sure if we'll make our deadline of April 1st but we'll see....


















Nelson did such a great job painting :)

Gesabelle was trying to get into sissy's room the entire time we painted!

Crib is finally assembled!!!

My mom is coming out for a visit the second week in April and I am hoping she can help us with the finishing touches! No matter what we've got to get this nursery wrapped up...I've got 10 weeks and counting left until our baby girl is here!!!!!

And lastly, we celebrated Nelson's 27th birthday this past Saturday! I took him to one of his favorite restaurants, Phil's Icehouse and we enjoyed a great late night laugh at Cap City Comedy Club! All in all it was a great day to celebrate his birth...I just cannot imagine my life without him in it :)

His birthday gift...a Sony camcorder and camera to capture memories of our family :)

We hope all is well with all our family and friends. You all are in our prayers daily! We love and miss you more than words could express! 

Love,

 The Lewis's

And the 'Nesting' begins....

On my drive to work this morning, I was thinking about where Nelson and I were this time last year....
Crazy to think we were on a way out to Austin and Houston for a visit to decide which one would be our next home!!

Bat Bridge 3/2011

Downtown Austin somewhere 3/2011

And now we live in Austin....and this time next year Nelson, I and Baby L will be with some of our close friends celebrating the beginning of their marriages! I cannot wait, life is so so good :)

Salt Lick Restaurant 3/2011

So my 'nesting' instinct has definitely set in and I am loving it!!! Over these past couple of weeks, we've been super busy getting the nursery furniture prepped and ready for our little one. So basically our days have been packed in and long. Between work and organizing, it's been kind of crazy. Nelson's co-worker Jason and his wife Katie were kind enough to let us get a hold of a lot of their daughter's old stuff. It makes the whole pregnancy pretty surreal when we go in her nursery and see all her things scattered throughout and clothes hanging in the closet! Gesabelle's still getting used to all the new stuff we keep bringing home. She know's somethings going on, just not sure exactly what :)

Nelson has taken a very nonchalant approach in decorating the nursery. And it has worked out perfectly because it's given me the freedom to decorate/organize our baby's nursery exactly how I had always invisioned :) I've been browsing for a crib for quite sometime now and was just completely dissatisfied with everything I was seeing in stores/online. The new 'style' is a crib that converts into a toddler bed and then into a full size bed. Although this is a great marketing ploy, I just don't see it practical for my daughter. I mean really, what are the odds that she will have the same taste/style from birth until 18 yrs. old?!? Slim to none if she's anything like me!

 I've always loved the look of white furniture for a girl's nursery. Instead of stark white, I went with a creamy/off white color that will coordinate perfectly with the bedding my mom has made. Speaking of bedding....my mom is finished with the bedding set but is making a couple extra quilts and bed sheets. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, I cannot wait to get it set up and share lots of pictures!!!

So in my quest for one that I could mold into my 'perfect' crib, I lucked out and found a steal online!! It was a diamond in the rough, but with a little bit of work on both our parts, she's now a beauty :)

Found it!  

Post 'sanding'

Yes mom, I wore a painting mask :)

Finished backboard!!

I also wasn't too fond of getting a changing table either. Our nursery is a little on the small side and I remember how fast Cassie (little girl I used to babysit) grew out of the use for a changing table. So I've opted for a functional dresser that our girl can use for many years to come. And we'll just place a changing pad on top (strapped down of course) that we'll be able to remove once it's purpose has been served.

Maple dresser with brass hardware!!

Neat little pull out storage drawers 

It is in mint condition, and with a little bit of sanding and paint, it's going to look sooo good! Hopefully we'll have it complete like the crib in a week or two worth's time :)

And lastly, we'll just have to paint the nursery. And I think I've found my color, thanks to some help from mom (of course). All in all, this nursery is coming together quite well and I cannot wait for it to be complete! Hoping for a finish date of April 1st....let's see if we can stick to the deadline!

25 wks! Loving my dresses....I think i'll be able to get through the majority of this pregnancy with them alone :)

My mom's provided so much inspiration for the nursery decor. I seriously do not know what I would do without her...she is amazing!!! Our baby is a lucky girl to have such a giving grandma that always extends a helping hand and advice...such grandma's are far and few! Another special thanks to all my friends that take the extra time out of your busy schedules to check on me from time to time....Love you all sooo much!!!

XOXO,

The Lewis's