Mom's visit and Lorraine's bedding!

April sure has been busy and it's hard to believe we're in the last week of this month! My mom came for a visit this past week and it sure was a blessing to have her here. There is absolutely no way Lorraine's nursery could have been put together so nicely without her help...she has truly been my lifeline throughout this entire pregnancy and I will be forever grateful for all the love and support she has showered me with!!

Mom and I after my OB visit...she got to hear Lorraine's heartbeat :)

While she was here, we took a quick road trip up to Dallas to visit with my sister Clari, and my niece and nephew (Vanessa and Ivan). Although it was very short, it was still nice to see them. And Nelson and I are looking forward to their visit to see Lorraine shortly after she has made her debut!

Ivan and I after lunch at Rockfish

My mom came bearing lots and lots of goodies for Lorraine. Clothes, toys, accessories, bottles, and of course her bedding! I had been sent some pictures of the bedding a month ago but they did not do my mom's work justice. Lorraine's bedding is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, I was speechless when she pulled it all out for Nelson and I. There hasn't been a single thing in all the years I have asked her to make that she hasn't been able to... she has a God given talent for sewing and it really showed with this particular project. From the beginning, I gave my mom free reigns for designing Lorraine's bedding. My only request was that she try to stay away from pink, I did not want an overload of pink in the nursery. So she went to a fabric boutique and just browsed their selection and let her imagination run a little wild. Needless to say when she came out of the store she had mixed and matched several different styles of fabric that would eventually become Lorraine's bedding. Her ability to look at hundreds of different fabrics and put them together is a gift that myself and most people just don't have. This project really inspired her to start her own line of sewing products because she has finally accepted what I have been trying to tell her for years...that she has mastered the art of sewing beautiful, one of a kind designs!

My mom made everything (from scratch): crib bumpers, sheets (a set of 3), 2 quilts, and the crib skirt!!!

crib bumper: it is reversible so I can switch it when I get tired of looking at one side :) 

           Sheets!

 

Front side of Quilt #1

Part of the backside of Quilt #1 ( I love how she incorporated all of the different fabrics in the trim!)

Front side of Quilt #2 ( this is also the fabric for the crib skirt)

Part of the backside of Quilt #2 ( I love the pleating on the edge!)

          The best part of these quilts is that Lorraine will have them as keepsakes from Gma for ever :)

The most beautiful bedding I have ever seen :) 

  

My mom had some extra fabric left over and decided to play around and see what else she could make...

                                                                         so she made a couple of bibs :)

The nursery is just about complete, we have only one more frame to hang that will be ready for pick up from Hobby Lobby the first week of May! I have to admit, Nelson and I did a pretty awesome job putting it together, and of course Mom's helping hands made it perfect! I cannot wait to share pictures of the complete nursery in just a few weeks...

I didn't want to end on a bit of sad note but unfortunately and very unexpectedly my Uncle Charlie passed away April 14. He was an amazing person that I have so many wonderful memories of. Nelson and I are very fortunate that we were able to see him when we were back in SC for a visit last October. We are praying for all my family, as they grieve his untimely loss and hope they find peace and comfort in knowing he has finally met our heavenly Father. We love and miss you dearly Uncle Charlie.

                  

Love,
The Lewis's

Baby Lewis officially has a name....

Nelson and I have always known what we would name our daughter if we were ever blessed with one. But agreeing on a middle name was a bit more difficult, and I was beginning to think we would never come up with one. Fortunately, one day Nelson came home with a name suggestion that I instantly fell in love with! Although we figured we had finally come up with her name, we wanted to 'sit' on it a little longer just to be sure. So after much consideration we are naming our first born child

Lorraine Coretta Lewis 

I've always loved the idea of giving our children names that have familial ties. Nelson and I were meant to be together because Lorraine and Lewis just flow so lovely together :) We love the fact that her name incorporates all sides of her family, mine with the first name, Nelson's with the last name and our expanding family with the middle name! 

As I mentioned before, while my cousin Leigh was visiting she was kind enough to take some pictures for us. They turned out sooo well and I cannot wait to get some printed and framed for the nursery and around the house. 

Here a few of my favorites, the rest you'll have to see when you come visit :)

XOXO, 

 Nelson & Corri

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

HomeSweetHome

It's absolutely amazing how much can change in a months time! I always knew the initial 'home sickness' would eventually pass...but I was hoping sooner than later. And my prayers have been answered, Austin is definitely feeling like home sweet home these days! We are so pleased that we have chosen Austin as a place to start planting our roots, advance/start our careers and grow our little family! Ironically, one of my besties Leslie forwarded an article she came across in Parenting Magazine that had Austin ranked as the second best city to live and raise a family...I guess we really did pick a great place :)

It was quite a process for me to receive my ATT (activation to test) from the state of Texas Board of Nursing. Like most government run organizations/agencies, if it's not one thing it's another! But nonetheless I was able to sit for the NCLEX on January 13 and passed!!!! I FINALLY felt that all my hard work and dedication had paid off and I am officially Corri Fennell Lewis BSN, RN! Now that I had the credentials to practice as a licensed RN in the state of Texas, I did not want to waste anytime getting straight to work. I spent what seemed like weeks filling out applications and sending out my resume to various hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers. I was extremely fortunate to have had several interviews lined up within just as a weeks time!! And needless to say, in less than two weeks of passing boards, I was blessed with an offer for a daytime charge nurse position at healthcare facility approximately 25 minutes from our house. I couldn't be more excited and satisfied with the direction my nursing career has started...the best is yet to come!

Nelson has been busy working and playing. He has recently taken an interest in shooting skeet and our neighbor Dwain invited him to go dove hunting a couple of weekends back. They made the truck down towards San Antonio one early Saturday morning and to my surprise, came home with dinner! We grilled up the dove breasts they boys brought back when our friends Drew and Christi came over for a visit on a beautiful Sunday here in Texas. Although dove hunting season is now over, he's already talking about opening day in September. And Baby Lou Lou and I will have no complaints as long as he brings something home to eat :)     

Speaking of Baby Lou, I had another appointment this past week. All is well, she is growing and moving like crazy!! I experienced 'quickening' some many weeks ago, but Nelson was able to feel her little kicks the other day for the first time! And it was a strong one...I think she'll take after her mum, and play soccer!We are soooo excited to start piecing together her nursery over these next couple of months. We've decided that we're going to stay away from the traditional 'pink' theme for our little one and incorporate more neutral colors. I was never a big pink lover, and Nelson has no complaints about that! I've spent so much time  browsing every baby store, website, ect. looking for a adorable ideas for her nursery and was getting a little frustrated with the generic bedding/decoration options. Baby Lou is so lucky to have such an amazingly creative Gma because she is going to get a one of a kind bedding spread! I've always admired the sewing projects my mom has done for all her children (+ Nelson) and grand children, and now our baby girl will have her own lifetime keepsake to always remember her special Gma!! And I have just fallen in love with little girl clothes...I cannot wait to dress my little sweet pea up! Thanks to her Aunt Lauren, she already has her outfit for a Gamecock football game this fall :)

This upcoming month is going to be super hectic...Nelson is going to his sister Allison's wedding in New Jersey. Although his visit will be short, he is really looking forward to spending some time with our nephew Jeffrey and with the rest of our family from Ohio. I am super excited for the month of March for many reasons, one of which is South by South West (SXSW). It is a huge interactive, film and music festival that takes place every year here in Austin for almost 2 weeks and brings some of the 'greats' to the area. My cousin Leigh and her boyfriend Dean will be visiting us for almost a week while it is going on and we are oh sooo excited!!! 

On a somber note, Nelson and I have kept the Hale family in our thoughts and prayers for sometime now. Mr. James Hale ascended to heaven February 2, 2012 after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. Our hearts go out to the entire family for his untimely passing. James (the eldest son) is Nelson's best friend and we pray that him and his family continue to find solace from their friends and family during this difficult  time.

We love and miss you all dearly! Take Care.



Love,
The Lewis's

Anchorage, AK...exactly a year ago :)

  

  

Boy? or Girl?

Nelson and I have been dreaming about this day for what seemed like an eternity!! We had our 20 week check-up and ultrasound today and couldn't be any more thrilled with the results. Although we eventually would like to blessed with both a boy and a girl, it was of no importance which came first. And with that being said, we are overjoyed and honored to announce that Baby Lewis is.....

 a beautiful healthy baby girl!!!! I (of course) had suspected this all along, I suppose it is my developing maternal instinct. Nelson is definitely going to have his hands full with a house full of women and he wouldn't want it any other way! Thanks so much for all your prayers and well wishes! We've enjoyed hearing from many of you via cards, emails, ect. and we look forward to seeing many of you in the months to come!

Love,
The Lewis's

Bring on 2012!

Our past year was filled with so many exciting accomplishments and the start of new endeavors. We cannot complain, we've been blessed beyond belief!!We already have so many exciting adventures to look forward to in 2012...weddings, family and friend visits, and the arrival of our precious Baby Lewis!!  

Gesabelle's 4th Birthday on Christmas!! 

 Speaking of Baby Lewis, I have been feeling MUCH better and finally enjoying cooking again (especially desserts). My appetite is still pretty sporadic, changing day to day, so grocery shopping is now a weekly task. I'm not craving anything outrageous however  kiwi's, lemons, and fresh cooked spinach are tasting mighty delicious these days :)  I've been able to feel little Baby Lewis now and every time it brings a smile to both our faces! I especially cannot wait for the day Nelson and I can feel these little movements on the outside together!

18 weeks! 

 We had an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and we were absolutely amazed by all the changes that have already occurred in our little mini.  My 20 week ultrasound is quickly approaching and we are praying our little one will reveal itself just a little bit more :) Neither of us have a preference per say, just hoping that our baby is happy and healthy! It is our prayer that the new year brings you all much love and peace! 

Love, 

The Lewis's