A thanks-filled weekend.

I'm officially on break for the Thanksgiving holiday and have through Monday off. This weekend is packed full, but I know it is going to be so much fun. Tomorrow everyone is headed to my Mom's to celebrate together and it's my brother's birthday so I can't wait to see him and give him a big hug, I haven't seen him in so long. The day will of course be filled with delicious food, family, and football and I can't wait. Usually we spend Thanksgiving with Jay's family so this is a treat for me this year to see my loved ones too. Hopefully we'll make it out to see everyone else sometime over the long weekend. Friday Jenni and I are celebrating her 26th birthday! We have lunch plans and then are getting our nails done and seeing a movie. She's been busy preparing for my next shower, which she is hosting at my Mom's on Saturday. I am so excited to see friends that I haven't seen in awhile, and some that are traveling home for the holidays...I am so blessed! This baby is so loved, and I am so thankful for my friends that are taking time out of their busy schedules to spend with me and bean. So thankful. Everything is pretty much a secret so I don't have much to share, except that I know it will be fantastic. I will be sure to post pictures of everything!! Bunny + Papa will be up spending the weekend with us at my Mom's so there will be a constant buzz of activity-something I love about the holidays. I know this weekend will be filled to the brim with thanksgiving, and I am walking into it with an open heart.

xoxo

My holiday score.

How cute is this card? So on Friday tiny prints was having a sale on their Thanksgiving cards. They advertised free personalized cards from their Thanksgiving line {no limit} and free shipping. We don't usually send out Thanksgiving cards, but I thought I would take a look and see if I could find anything we could use. When I saw this design, I knew I had hit the jackpot. I love the modern, sleek look to it and the festive holiday colors. So I simply deleted the Thanksgiving message on the inside and inserted my own personal thank you message, and we plan on using these as thank-you's for all of bean's baby showers. When I went to check out I entered a quantity of 100, and I thought there is no way this is a real deal, 100 free personalized thank you cards AND envelopes? I submitted the order and thought there's no way this will be fulfilled. That is until I saw the package at my doorstep last night! I couldn't believe my eyes. We didn't pay a penny and they showed up in 3 days! They are even prettier in person. So there you have it- a steal of a deal on thank you cards that are trendy, modern, personalized, and free! score! Last night Jay and I were just talking about how you really can live comfortably inside a budget without a lot of sacrifice if you do a little bit of researching and use your resources around you. I know we've been really lucky this pregnancy, but we've also tried to be really smart because we know we have a budget to stay under. So far we have not compromised anything due to our planning and budgeting and looking for alternative resources {and a lot of love and support and giving people!}. I'm pretty proud of us! Life really doesn't have to make you go broke, even if you desire to live fancy...you just need to get a little creative ;)

Vintage baby shower.

I have the most amazing amazing friends. My shower was so much fun and everything was so beautiful and so me! Megan did a great job as hostess with some help from Krystal. The decorations were adorable-vintage baby girl, and they matched the invitations so well. Of course everything was hand made and so special. I loved the bunting flags and the clothes-pinned onesies {which I got to take home!}. And take a look at that adorable cupcake tower below! Oh and the food! Don't even get me started on the food-so delicious. I am still drooling over 2 inch thick chewy brownies :) Here I am at 29 weeks and on my way to my first baby shower!!

Party favors and game prizes. We played Baby Price is Right (so fun!) and name that baby tune. Each girl wrote down something naughty they had done as a little girl and I had to guess who had done what, and when I guessed the right person I opened their gift...I think I got everyone's right!

Megan took some group shots so when I get them from her I'll post a few. I really had a fantastic time. Other than my shower this weekend was really low key and nice. Last weekend we put up our Christmas tree and decorations, so this weekend we finished wrapping our presents and getting them under it! Our house is so festive and fun and I just love this time of year.

We spent a good part of the weekend tidying up and cleaning. I'm in total nesting mode, and my energy level is surprisingly very good. I definitely have to take advantage of a day where I'm in the mood to clean and have the energy to go along with it. Our house is so sparkling clean. I got a huge bin full of baby clothes from my friend Dalenna so we went through that today and did a few loads of baby laundry. Oh my goodness our little girl is SO lucky! Everything is super trendy and adorable and like new. Most of it is baby Gap. We have so much clothing, socks, and bibs now and I feel really good about having enough until she's over a year old. What a relief and a blessing!! Some of the items still had the tags on them too. I am feeling a little overwhelmed about how to organize her clothes so my Mom and Bunny are going to come over next weekend and help me arrange and put everything away. I am just so excited to have her here to dress in all these adorable outfits!! Thank you Dalenna!

Jay and I are cuddled up watching Sunday night football and waiting for the storm to start! I think I'll whip up some homemade hot chocolate....

Tallahassee.

Mama + I had so much fun visiting Al last week! We were able to do so many fun things, but mainly just relax and visit with her. We stayed in a nice hotel suite that had a kitchen, so we were able to prepare some home cooked meals for her which she loved!! She stayed with us at the hotel so we could be together the whole time. We were able to watch her best friend Kassey play in the NCAA soccer tournament, and we also went to a football game vs. Clemson. We went shopping, out for yummy seafood, and to the movies...pretty much a perfect weekend! We walked a ton during the day and were constantly on the move, so bean slept pretty much all day, but when we settled down at night they were both able to feel her kick and move around in my belly :) Aly bought her the cutest little long sleeved onsie and matching socks from baby Gap. She will be the best dressed little girl! We didn't take many pictures but here are a couple.
It was a little hot for my liking, so I was actually excited to get home and see the snow. I love snow this time of year, and I can't wait for all of the flurries this weekend. I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week already!

Tomorrow is my first shower! I am sooooo excited to get together and see all of my friends. I'm hoping we get some of the necessities off of our registry that we'll need on a daily basis. Most of this shower is a surprise so I don't have a clue what to expect, and I hope I remember my camera in the morning so I can capture it all! Other than that we don't have anything planned this weekend. We are supposed to get a lot of snow and I am excited to cozy up at home with Jay and watch the beautiful flurries with some creamy hot chocolate in hand! I'm going to miss ice skating and sledding and all of the winter activities we usually take part in this year....but next year will make up for it ;) Have a happy weekend everyone!!

28 weeks.

Here I am at 28 weeks. Well, it's certainly how I feel most days anyways!
This is actually a little over 28.5 weeks so it's closer to 29 but hey, I have a picture people!

I have gotten into a bad habit of not wearing eyeliner. This is originally because I would water it off my eyes when I was sick and throwing up so much at work that it wasn't even worth it to wear. Now it's just because I've gotten lazy and I like my sleep in the mornings! I tend to sleep best a few hours before I have to get up when bean finally settles down for mama. So now I just look tired in all these early morning shots, and I think I prefer just the belly and not the face images!

I'll post more on Tallahassee later tonight. For now this is all my energy and attention span will allow ;)

27.5 weeks

Here I am this morning! Bean is about 2 pounds now and 14.5 inches long. Don't mind my crazy hair, it was an early morning. I am still reveling the fact that we are having a girl. There is a little tiny, precious baby girl in there! I am seriously so in awe of our creator.

Some other good news to share: I was editing our contract agreement for my maternity leave fill-in to sign today {my dad typed it up but wanted me to fill in duties and arrange training dates, etc.} and as I was reading through it I noticed he had requested her to start the first of January. We had never spoke about the specific start date of my leave, and I always just assumed I'd work up until I either went into labor or until something stopped me from working {bedrest, etc.} In the back of my mind I thought I'd stop working a week before my estimated due date....but, I'll gladly take it! I certainly did not edit that part of the agreement ;) So after the holidays are over I'm officially on maternity leave!!!!!

I'm off in a few hours. Goodbye work, hello third trimester, Tallahassee, and mother/sister/baby bonding time!!!

Back to reality.

Being at Bunny's is so much more fun though! We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend and were sad to come home-although it was so nice to sleep in our own big, comfy bed. It was fun to be with family and not really have an agenda or a to-do list. We went shopping, made cookies, made delicious food, tackled a few projects, planned our vacation, and did a lot of daydreaming about little bean...everyone is so excited for her arrival. Bunny was able to feel her kick and she was just tickled...and that was really special for me!

I can tell that today will be the last day wearing non-maternity pants. My pre-pregnancy jeans are feeling snug and I think it's about time to switch over to the maternity jeans....third trimester is ok with me :) I am surprised I made it this long actually! Jay took me shopping this weekend for some clothes because I was feeling a little uncomfortable. Up until this point I've been making due with what I have, but I'm getting to the point where I need some bigger items. Saturday I will officially be into my third trimester, holy crap!

I have a lot of exciting things going on this week. Tonight I am getting a free pre-natal massage after work and I am sooooooo ready for it! There is a college near our home that offers free massages once every few months so their students can get hands-on experience, and you better believe I signed up for the hour long pre-natal appointment slot! I was planning on getting a massage after wedding season was finished up anyways, so it was perfect timing and of course, budget friendly!! Woohoo! Then I am having dinner with a girlfriend who I haven't seen in awhile, I can't wait to catch up!

I work tomorrow and Wednesday and then I am off to Florida to visit my sister!!!!!! I have been waiting for this day for months! I have not seen her since August and she has not been able to see my baby bump or anything pregnancy related, so I can't wait to spend some time with her and share everything together. She's of course seen pictures and we've skyped, but it's not the same :( I hate having her away. Mama and I fly out very early Thursday morning and I am off work until Tuesday. It's been pretty warm there so I am hoping it cools off a bit while we are there...I am hot all the time lately and I have really been enjoying the nice fall weather here.

Besides a few shelves that Papa is making, the nursery is almost complete. We won't be getting them for awhile so we'll probably post some images of everything soon. Stay tuned for a sneak peek!!

Over the river and through the woods.

To Grandmother's house we go! I don't know about you, but I grew up living for the weekends that we would get to go to Grandma's. As a little girl there was nothing better than packing my OWN suitcase and hopping in the car, just imagining what was in store for me on the way there. Usually it involved "messin' around" shopping trips with my Papa where he would let us each pick out whatever we wanted at the store; art projects with Bunny that stimulated our creative minds, games, special meals, prayers, back rubs and the snack pack. Each night after we were tucked in bed by Bunny, Papa would sneek in with the "snack pack" and we would each get to pick out a treat. It was a little black bag that was filled to the brim with all sorts of candy and chocolate. It was pretty much the best thing ever. Then he would give us each a back rub until we were almost asleep. Bunny would always pretend she had no idea we did this each night, but now I am wiser...it was Papa's special time with us and he loooved (still does!) to spoil us. Every trip there was sort of a little magical, and although I'm 25 I have to admit...it still is.

We are heading down after work and I am excited to see what's in store for us. We have the same little traditions we like to do when we get down there (have to go to BB's pizza, hobby lobby, and our favorite thrift stores!!) and I'm almost certain we'll create some sort of project. I have one more idea in the works for the nursery and I'm hoping to accomplish that this weekend. Other than that I am looking forward to visiting with some of my favorite people dear to my heart. Have a good weekend everyone! xoxo

Iced Pumpkin Cookies.

I left work early yesterday so I had some down time before Jay got home and we left for the gym. Instead of doing something productive around the house, I decided to bake! I still wanted to make the cookies that I mentioned planning to make on Friday but had forgotten eggs at the store. I whipped up a batch and pretty soon the whole house smelled delicious. These might just be my new favorite cookies. They are so delicious that I had them for breakfast!! Or maybe that's just because I'm pregnant ;)2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

This recipe + instructions are from allrecipes.com

It is still a beautiful world.

A few weekends ago we cleaned out and organized our garage to create some more storage. As we were looking through some of Jay's childhood items, we came across a letter that his 5th grade teacher had written him. Some of it is re-written, but was originally created by Max Ehrmann in the 1920's. I love what it has to say.

Justin,
Always go quiet amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive people, they are harmful to your spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble: it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But do not let this blind you to what virture there is; many persons still strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not fake affection, Never doubt or laugh about love; for in the face of all frustration, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the wisdom of the years, gracefully surrounding the things of youth. Build strength of spirit to shield you from sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imagined problems. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And, whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding just as it should.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Your friend,
Mr. Breuer

26.5 weeks.

Here is my belly picture from yesterday morning! I finally got one with my head in it, but I look super tired :)Going on 7 months and I feel great! Oh and we thought it would be appropriate to finally add some PINK to the blog! :)

Weekend recap.

Friday night was wonderful-I did some laundry and wrapped most of my Christmas presents while Jay was at his coaching clinic. It feels so good to be almost completely done shopping! Just knowing I won't have to waddle around the packed stores as we enter the Christmas craze makes me so happy. There were some perks to shopping early this year too, I got to take my time and find exactly what I was looking for, and everything was on sale too! There's just something about the time of year after Thanksgiving that jacks up the prices on everything for Christmas shopping. Have you noticed that? The usual $15 dvd jumps to $25.99 and everything gets crazy. This is of course excluding black Friday after Thanksgiving, but I'm for sure not taking part in those festivities this year, and happy to do so!! It really helped with my impulse buying as well. The closer I get to Christmas the more cheery and "rich" I seem to be!! After wrapping up our gifts I made a Target run, planning to bake some cookies for the Halloween festivites the next day. I came home with a few things but not what I had gone out to get! I had completely forgotten the eggs. I was exhausted by the time I got home so I snuggled in bed with bean and watched tv as I waited for Jay to get home. It was the perfect start to a crazy and packed weekend full of activities!

Saturday morning we headed to Lake Harriet for the 5k9 monster dash race. Jay and Nemo did great! My father in law came to support Jay and it was fun to have him there. We grabbed a quick lunch afterwards and then headed to my in-laws for family game day. Jay dressed as a cow and I dressed bean as a speed bump :) here are a few pictures from our day.
We got home late Saturday night and I was up early for my last family session of the season! Hallelujah! After that we headed to meet with with my assistant Meg to take our belly photos. That was super fun, and we went to Granite City for lunch afterwards to relax and unwind from our crazy weekend...and watch the Vikes game of course. It was a great weekend!

The next few weeks are going to fly by because we are just as busy. This weekend we'll be heading down to see Bunny + Papa with my Mom, and next weekend my Mom and I are headed to Talahassee to visit Al!!!!!!!!!!!!! The following weekends are filled with showers and Thanksgiving and then it's December and I am nearing my maternity leave. We have so much to look forward to and be thankful for!

Bean's belly session.

We had a fun session starring little miss bean herself! She wiggled around all afternoon during our shoot. Here are some of our favorites. These photos were taken by my assistant Meg , and edited by me.