Hello, wonderful readers! It feels like an age since I last shared one of my personal “Weekend Wonders” updates, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring them back. For those new to our little corner of the internet, these posts offer a heartfelt glimpse into my life, sharing what’s been keeping me busy, what’s on my mind, and the moments that make up my everyday. I’ve always cherished going back and rereading my previous Weekend Wonder posts, finding joy and nostalgia in those digital memories. They serve as a fantastic personal diary, and I’m genuinely excited to resume this tradition. My goal is to publish at least one of these updates each month, and they’ll also be a dedicated space to keep you all updated on the exciting journey of Baby Britnell, who is expected to arrive in August – in case you missed the big announcement!
Life has been incredibly fast-paced, largely thanks to my burgeoning videography business. I absolutely adore what I do, and that passion translates directly into a schedule that’s 110% packed. It’s far busier than I ever anticipated, yet utterly fulfilling. Currently, I’m navigating a continuously growing waitlist of client projects, which means that despite my earlier hopes, free time remains an elusive luxury. Weekends, as glorious as they sound, often merge seamlessly into my workweek! However, amidst this whirlwind, I’m profoundly grateful for another wonderful blessing: I’ve sailed through 25 weeks of pregnancy with remarkably few symptoms. I honestly don’t know how I’d manage this demanding workload if the mere thought of stepping into the kitchen triggered nausea, a common experience I’ve heard from many other expectant mothers. This relative ease has been a true gift, allowing me to maintain my energy and focus.
And for that, I am truly, deeply grateful.
Speaking of blessings, Baby Britnell is finally starting to make a visible appearance! For the longest time, around the five-month mark, I found myself mildly complaining because there was absolutely no sign of a baby bump. Then, as if overnight, everything changed. Just three weeks later, we’ve gone from barely there to a noticeable, adorable little curve. It’s been fascinating to witness my body’s transformation, a constant reminder of the incredible journey unfolding within.
Yes, that’s right – I genuinely felt like I “popped” in an instant! Full disclosure, and with a wink, I might be ever so slightly pushing my belly out here for the camera. Just a tiny bit, for dramatic effect, of course! But even without the subtle assistance, the bump is undeniably present and growing beautifully. It’s a joy to finally see this physical manifestation of our little one’s journey.
Beyond the business and the bump, I’ve been absolutely reveling in the process of creating our baby registry. It’s an adventure in itself, currently a delightful mix of roughly 50% utterly adorable, probably-not-strictly-essential items (because, seriously, HOW CUTE IS THIS?!) and 50% truly indispensable necessities like the car seat, bottles, and other practical gear. This journey into baby essentials has been both exciting and a little overwhelming, with so many options and decisions to make. I’m incredibly open to any and all suggestions you might have for baby must-haves, as well as those irresistible, super-cute items that might not be on the “essential” list but certainly bring joy! It’s all part of the fun of preparing for our little arrival.
Aside from a handful of charming outfits, the only major purchases we’ve made so far are the crib and this absolutely stunning chest of drawers. Oh my goodness, I am totally obsessed with it! This piece is not just beautiful; it’s also incredibly practical, designed to seamlessly double as our changing table. I have a fond, slightly quirky memory from my childhood: I always called them “chester drawers,” and even now, the old habit often slips out. It’s a little personal touch that makes preparing the nursery even more endearing. We’re slowly but surely putting together a space that feels warm, inviting, and perfectly ready for Baby Britnell.
Those pieces of paper taped to the wall above the dresser? That’s me, in full interior decorator mode, trying to visualize and decide on the perfect number of hexagon shelves to order for above the changing table! Mr. Britnell, ever the voice of reason, suggests we hold off on buying too much just yet, preferring to see what gifts we receive from our upcoming baby showers. While I completely understand his pragmatic approach, a part of me just wants to buy everything *right now*! The excitement is palpable. And for anyone wondering, creating a baby registry without revealing the baby’s sex has been surprisingly easy. Our overall style tends to lean towards gender-neutral aesthetics anyway, and I’m making all our selections with the hope that they can be loved and used by baby number two down the line. It’s all about timeless choices and practicality for our growing family.
Oh, and a little sentimental side note: those adorable white baby shoes you saw at the very beginning of this post? Those are actually mine, from when I was a tiny baby! I lovingly “borrowed” them from my mom’s house with the vision of turning them into a sweet, memorable decoration for the nursery. It’s such a touching way to connect our past with our future. Now, the new mission is to see if we can unearth a pair of Mr. Britnell’s baby shoes to complete this charming family heirloom display. Imagine the stories those tiny shoes could tell!
Switching gears from nursery planning, my green thumb has been itching! This spring in Nashville has been exceptionally warm, prompting us to make a slight adjustment to our gardening plans. We’re essentially skipping many of the traditional spring crops this year and jumping straight into preparing for a bounty of summer produce. We’re eagerly anticipating a harvest of juicy tomatoes, vibrant peppers, and an abundance of squashes – all slated for the ambitious 40-foot garden plot I’ve been diligently preparing. It’s quite a substantial area, hinting at the generous yield we’re hoping for! Mr. Britnell has, thankfully, promised to lend a more significant hand with the garden this summer. This support will be invaluable, especially considering I’ll be navigating the late stages of pregnancy, around eight or nine months, right in the thick of the infamous southern summer heat. His help will truly be a lifesaver, allowing me to still enjoy the garden without overexerting myself.
I had initially hoped to provide a detailed spring garden update in this very post, showcasing all our progress. However, as April often does here in Nashville, it had other plans. It rained, and I mean *really* rained, all weekend long! It wasn’t just a sporadic shower here and there; it was a continuous, weekend-drenching downpour. This meant my grand gardening plans had to be put on hold, but it opened up opportunities for other productive endeavors.
Given the incessant rain, I spent a significant portion of the weekend immersed in blog work and finally tackled editing a few videos I had shot months ago – these were personal projects, not client assignments, which felt wonderfully refreshing. It’s always a joy to dedicate time to my own creative pursuits. One of those videos is linked above, offering a taste of what I’ve been creating for my own platform. This is all the rambling I have for you this morning, dear friends! I’m bracing myself for an incredibly loaded week ahead as we meticulously prepare to jet off for a rejuvenating five-day vacation next weekend. My determination to do absolutely NO work while we’re away is absolute, but that resolve means I’m currently in hyper-drive, striving to get every single task completed before our departure. Wish me luck as I navigate this pre-vacation sprint!
Have a truly lovely and productive week, friends!