A Whirlwind of Thoughts...

The past week and a half has been busy, fun and productive!  Last Friday Danny and I decided last minute to drive to Berryville to go to the monastery.  The monastery is where we met each other and fell in love about 4 years ago (maybe for our 4 year anniversary (not wedding, but our "dating" anniversary) I will share that story with the world of blogs).  A mutual family friend has their family reunion at the monastery twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.  Danny and I have both been attending the monastery since we were little kids, I think I was even going there when my mom was pregnant with me...so it's been a long time!

We haven't made a trip up to the monastery in about 2 years so we figured it was time to make the trip.  And what better way than to be completely spontaneous on a Friday afternoon and hit the road?  We had a nice time catching up with everyone.  It is so peaceful and beautiful out on the monastery, it has always been one of my favorite places!
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On Saturday morning, my mom, my dad, my brother and I all headed out for a family breakfast.  Just the four of us, just like old times.  We haven't done that in YEARS!  It was nice.  Then Danny and I headed to Jiffy Lube Live to see Brad Paisley play with some other friends.  We also got to see Justin Moore and Darius Rucker.  This was the 3rd time we have seen Brad Paisley in concert, but we were in for a new treat this time around!  Rain, rain and more RAIN!  Which made for some interesting entertainment...a mud slide!  Danny and I joked that probably a year ago this would have been us...

Brad Paisley's song "She's Everything" was our first dance song at our wedding.  I know that a lot of people have played this song at their wedding, but Danny and I loved this song before it became popular.  Our very first Brad Paisley concert, in 2006, Brad Paisley played about half of the song.  Not many people in the crowd knew it, but Danny and I sure did.  From that moment we knew that was "our song."  I still get teary when Danny sings it to me.  Ahh, the memories...

Now if that doesn't say love, I don't know what does!

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We got home late Saturday night and hit the hay.  We slept in on Sunday and did a little work around the house.  Then we spent the evening snuggled on the couch watching movies.

We also made some progress on the nursery, so you know that I'm a happy camper.  We finally got the combo dresser/changing table and hutch put together and in the nursery.  See that rainbow of colors on the shelf?  That's me proudly presenting those cute little CLOTH (yes, I'm still going the cloth diaper route, so zip it!) diapers that I like to call "fluff."  Oh so cute!

Before

 After

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Yesterday Danny worked in the yard and I, for the very FIRST time, EVER, grilled!  Yep, that's it folks, it's official, this girl can GRILL!  Danny has been begging me for three years now to get a new grill.  It's been in the budget to get a new grill for awhile now, but some things are just worth waiting for, ya know?  This is like the grill of all grills, apparently!  It's a "Holland" .::Insert Ooohhh's and Aahhhhh's::.  I'm not sure if I should get the wife of the year award for breaking in the new grill or if I should just be thankful that dinner turned out pretty.darn.good?!  Anyway, I made Sweet Teriyaki Glazed Chicken, roasted squash, zucchini and onions all on the grill with a side of rice.  Danny says it's the grill that made dinner so good, but I'm not totally convinced!

Remember those flowers I planted awhile back?  Well, they are thriving beautifully in their new home.  They bring a smile to my face as I sit on the front porch with my morning coffee on the weekends and each day when I get home from a long day at work.  Flowers just have a way of brightening your day!

I've gotten a taste of what summer is going to be like around here the past few days.  It was 96 degrees out today, and honestly, the heat wasn't too terribly bad.  We took a walk around the neighborhood with the pups this evening when the day cooled down a bit.  It was nice to get out, stretch my legs and get some exercise.  I hope that we can keep it up, I know it's best for me and Marissa.

Quick 26 Week Check-In

Monday, May 17th marked 26 weeks for me. 

Let's see how things are going so far:

• Cravings - None.
• Mood Swings - Nope.
• Crying - Nada.

Okay, seriously?  Am I even pregnant?

• Aches and pains - Ahh, there we go!  Yes, my back has been achy and I need a MASSAGE!
• Sleep - what's that?  I wake 2-3 times a night to use the bathroom and every time I reposition I wake up, sounds fun, huh?
• Weight gain - Let's just say I haven't seen those number on the scale, ever!  I've gained 14 pounds so far.  I should be gaining approximately a pound a week for the remainder of my pregnancy, we'll see how that goes.
• Appetite - Me soooo hungry (but I get full so quickly, boo)!
• Heartburn - A few times, let's hope that old wives tale holds true and baby girl is growing some hair (I just know our poor baby is going to be BALD)!
• Movement - Lots of it, though she still sleeps a lot during the day.
• Milestones - Marissa can start hearing my voice now, I guess I better clean up that sailor's mouth!
• Signs of Labor - No way!  Baby girl is not ready for her grand entrance into the world.  I don't even think I've had any Braxton Hicks contractions yet (but who knows)!
• Rings - Still wearing them, I'm going to cry when I have to take them off though. 

Overall, I'm feeling great!  I can tell that I'm getting close to the third trimester because I've been losing some of my energy.  I've fallen asleep on the couch twice this week before 7:00 pm.  In my defense, they were just little cat naps, I didn't sleep the night through.

So, here we are at 26 weeks...wow, TWENTY SIX Weeks!?!  Only 14 to go! 

DIY Closet Dividers

Last night I decided to take a break from my pregnancy album and make these little cuties!  We have already received two bags of clothes from friends and as you know, I'm just *slightly* OCD and have to have things organized.  I figured what better way than to have closet dividers to separate her clothes by month?  I did the sizes from newborn up to 24 months.  I know that certain brands run large or small, but this will at least give me an idea of what I have, what I need and well, they are just too stinkin' cute to not use!

Supplies:

• 1 piece of 12" x 12" heavy card stock
• 1 piece of 12" x 12" decorative scrapbook paper
• 1 Flower Hole Punch
• 1 piece of coordinating paper
• 1 Cricut Machine
• 1 "New Arrival" Cricut Cartridge (love, love, LOVE this cartridge!)
• Glue
• Small Pop dots
• Coordinating Ribbon

Directions:

• To start, cut the card stock and the decorative scrapbook paper in 4" x 4" squares (I needed 7 of each)
• Next, glue the scrapbook paper to the card stock
• On the Cricut, cut out 7 onesies using the New Arrival Cartridge (3" in size)
• Also on the Cricut, pick your favorite font and cut out the following: NB (for newborn), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 & 24 (or whatever combination you want)
• Glue the numbers to the onesies and then glue the onesies to the 4" x 4" squares
• With the same paper you used for the numbers, punch out 7 flowers and use one small pop dot to adhere to the bottom right hand corner of the square
• Punch a flower (or punch of your choice) in the middle on the top; slip some ribbon through to hang in the closet and VOILA!  You have closet dividers that you can customize to match your nursery!  These also would make great gifts for a mother-to-be! 

They are so simple and cost next to nothing!

~*Enjoy*~

Double Digits

Today marks a new milestone for my pregnancy...double digits!  We are officially down to 99 days and I am 6 months along.  Tomorrow I will be 26 weeks, which means by next Sunday I will be entering the third and final trimester.  It's sort of bitter sweet.  As I get one step closer to having my sweet baby girl in my arms, the reality of it all sets in and I feel like I still have so much to do and so much to prepare.  Speaking of to-do's, Danny installed the chair molding in the nursery today.  It looks great! 

This weekend was busy but relaxing at the same time.  On Friday we went and saw Iron Man II at the new theater in town.  The movie was pretty good.  After the movie we headed home and climbed in bed.  Saturday morning came and we greeted the morning with laundry, hyper puppies and coffee, can't forget the coffee!!  Danny went to the lake with a friend and drove jet skis for the day.  I went yard sale hunting with no successful finds, but it was nice to have the morning with no real plans.  I finally got my hair trimmed for the first time in about 6 months, I just never make time for that sort of thing.  It's not on my radar of important things to do.  Saturday afternoon I went to Danny's cousins baby shower then headed home to relax for the evening.  Danny got home around 7:00 and was asleep on the couch by 7:30.  He finally had enough of the rustling of dogs feet and the TV so he went to bed.  Yep, he was in bed for the night by about 8:30.  Talk about a boring Saturday night!!!  I searched the web, got on my baby message board that I participate on and joined some ladies for a late night chat session.  Yes, this is what my life has become. 

Today has been a lazy day filled with staying in my PJ's, raiding the fridge far too often and napping pretty uneventful.  The floors could use a good cleaning, the windows need to be washed from wet nose and slobber marks, dusting for the third time this week wouldn't be a bad idea either, but I just didn't get the motivation to do any of the above.  Instead I ate bagels with too much cream cheese, sat on the front porch with my husband and drank up my morning coffee and gave myself a few hours to scrapbook.  And I didn't feel guilty about it. Sometimes life is just too short to worry about the dog hair on the floor, eating healthy or keeping up with my chores.  That's what Monday is for, right?  

My friend Mickey has let me borrow her at home doppler so I have gotten to listen to Marissa's heartbeat a few times this weekend.  I could sit and listen to her all day long.  Her heartbeat has been pretty steady, right around 145-150bpm.  Apparently Danny has been paying more attention at the Doctor's visits than I have because he had to "show me the ropes" on finding her heartbeat.  He looked like a pro as he took the little wand and honed in on our little girl's heartbeat.  Talk about adorable!  

I know that most old wives tales (OWT) don't hold true, but I'm hoping this next one has some validity...I have H.E.A.R.T.B.U.R.N!!!  The OWT goes that if you have heartburn while pregnant, your baby will be born with a head full of hair.  Now I don't get heartburn often, but tonight this little girl is killing me!  I have this terrible feeling that our little girl is going to be born with no hair, so maybe she is growing some now?  I guess time will tell.

Tomorrow embarks another work week, another Manic Monday and a day closer to August 23rd.  So goodnight blogger world, another day has come and gone!

~*104 Days to Go, 104 Days to Grow*~

My, the time sure is flying! I know I keep saying that but in 104 days (give or take a few) we will have a bright new star to fill our hearts and the empty space that I've been nesting in. Our sweet baby girl is growing and kicking and letting me know all is well. As each day passes and August grows nearer, my "to~do" list grows and I start to become slightly overwhelmed.


Though the past few days have been a bit chilly for my taste, I know the heat is coming which means fun in the sun and not wanting to be glued to the house for last minute projects and chores. We have so much to do before Marissa arrives but with summer also comes barbeques, the river, spending more time in my rocking chair on the front porch and taking in those dew filled mornings with a hot cup of coffee. Trips to visit friends and family, staying out too late to enjoy the heat of the night, watching the stars as the moon rises and soaking in every inch of sun light the day has to offer. This summer I will probably also find myself sitting pool side, trying my best to cool off while still getting to enjoy those hot summer days.

Just an example of how crazy and hectic the months to come will be; this past weekend gave us a little taste. It was Mother’s Day weekend so we decided to visit my mom, 2 hours away. Danny and I stayed home on Friday and got a few things done around the house, watched a movie together and snuggled before hitting the hay. Danny slept in on Saturday while I enjoyed my coffee, I got some peace and quiet while the dogs napped in sun spots and I sat in my new glider thinking of all the time to come that will be spent in that chair with our new little girl. After enjoying some time to myself, I decided it was time for the dogs to give Daddy a wakeup call. All I had to say was “go wake Daddy” and the pups were bouncing and wagging and jumping in bed, licking Daddy’s face, letting him know it was time to greet the day!

Here are some pictures of my new glider, thanks to my mom and dad.  It is so comfy and I can't believe that in just a few short months there will be a baby in my arms!

After packing up the car and dropping the dogs off for an overnight “sleepover” we hit the road for our two hour journey through the Shenandoah Mountains. The trees were in full bloom and the air was crisp and fresh.

We arrived at my parents early afternoon, around 2:00 and immediately left to go visit some family friends for their son’s 5th birthday party at the park. We talked and caught up with everyone for a few hours then headed home for mom and dad to make grilled asparagus, grilled rockfish, garlic toast and homemade mashed potatoes. I’m a pretty good cook, but it’s always nice having someone else cook for you. My mom also surprised me with a really great Mother’s Day present. I received the ‘Angel of Mine’ Willow Tree figurine which is a handmade carving of a mother and her child. It’s precious and couldn’t have been a better gift for a Mother-to-be!

We called it an early night around 10:00 pm because morning would come far too soon. I was up on Sunday before the alarm went off at 6:30 am and got ready for the day. We were out of the house and on the road for some 7-11 coffees by 7:00 and headed to my old hometown of Berryville for breakfast with my family. My grandma, grandpa, brother, his girlfriend, my parents, Danny and I as well as my uncle and his girlfriend all enjoyed a Mother’s Day breakfast buffet at the local VFW. After stuffing myself with chipped beef gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon and fried potatoes, we said our goodbye’s and hit the road once more to head home.

On the way home we stopped at the Blandy Garden Fair in hopes of seeing my old High School Horticulture teacher. We had no such luck but I was able to pick up some goodies! Danny bought me two hummingbird feeders that use wine bottles and are made out of copper to hang on the porch for my first Mother’s Day. I also got enough flowers to make two large flower pots for the front porch. I was a happy camper after our unexpected detour.

On our way home we picked up the dogs from the sitters (thanks Amanda & Bear) and boy were they TIRED! I think they were passed out in the back before we made it out of their community. We made it home in enough time to unload the car, run to the grocery store, and unpack our things and head over to Danny’s parents’ house to celebrate Mother’s Day with his mom. We grilled out steaks, I made broccoli salad, and we had potato salad and regular salad. Talk about a lot of salad! It was good though. It was nice to enjoy the family time together and we watched Danny’s three nephews and our dogs run around the back yard, playing on the swing set, chasing each other and driving their power wheels cars around.

The air was cooling and it was time to head home and wind down from the weekend. I fell asleep on Danny on the couch around 7:00 and didn’t wake up until 9:00. I checked a few emails and decided to hit the hay for the night, I was exhausted! I slept until 6:30 the next morning (with the exception of a few bathroom breaks in the night). A busy weekend takes a lot out of a pregnant girl!

Monday morning came and went, another work week started and I am now one week closer to August 23rd. I can’t believe that 25 weeks have gone by with the blink of an eye. Monday afternoon I dug my fingers into the dirt and gave my plants a new home. I hope that they flourish and bloom all summer long. There’s something about the bright pink and yellow blossoms of petunias that bring a smile to my face.

Here is my 25 Week Belly Picture and I figured I would throw in a bare belly pic (also 25 weeks) just because I'm too scared to post it on facebook. :)

Now that I’ve written a short novel, I have come to realize how much I truly miss and enjoy writing, even though I'm not that good at it and sometimes I'm not even sure what I write makes sense. In my High School days (*gasp* almost 6 years ago, now!) I wrote a lot of poetry and let words flow freely to ease my mind and get through some of those tough years of early love, relationships and finding myself. I should dig some of those journals out and see how much I have changed and grown into the person I am today. But that is for another day.

Nursery Update!

Remember those letters that spelled out MARISSA?  Well, they have finally found their home.  I am proud to present my finished product!  I'm not the craftiest person out there, but it is so rewarding making something that sets your baby's nursery apart from all the rest.  This isn't something you can buy in the store, it comes from hours of dedication and from all the love in my heart.   

And here's a few photos from our "24 Week Photo Session"  These look professional, right?  Lol, excuse my pajamas and crazy hair.  It was a long day (didn't get much sleep the night before) and I had JUST changed into my pajamas when I realized I hadn't taken my 24 week belly pictures yet.  My outfit was much better than the pj's in the picture, but I just didn't have the energy to look cute for the camera.  Hey, it is what it is!

Love you Baby Girl!!

Happy V~Day to Me (a day late)

What is V~Day you might ask? Well, really it doesn't mean much but according to some, it is the "viability" date, which is 24 weeks. The baby has the highest chance of surviving outside of the womb at 24 weeks and beyond. Ultimately, to me, it means I am one week closer to carrying Marissa to full term. I pray that we continue to progress through the pregnancy and that she does not decide to come anytime soon. It doesn't mean that my baby will survive if she decides to come now, but it does mean that her chances of survival have dramatically increased.




The nursery is coming along really well and I am so excited! The walls have been painted pink and brown and it looks GREAT! Danny still has some work to do and I've been pushing him to get it all done before I get too far along and I'm huge, uncomfortable, hot and tired. He says we have "plenty" of time, but we're almost down to the double digits! Oh my! To finish up Danny's portion of the nursery, he has to paint all of the trim, closet doors and the bedroom door white. He also needs to install chair molding to separate the pink and brown paint. The closet needs to be painted and a new closet organizer needs to be installed. We've ordered all of the nursery furniture and he will have to put all of it together. Over the weekend he put together the crib and I love, love, LOVE it!!! Now it just has to sit in the middle of the room until he is finished painting. We also received the combo dresser/changing table and he needs to put that together soon. The glider, ottoman and hutch to the dresser should be here within the next few weeks. So exciting! To say I've been nesting is an understatement. =)

Yesterday we had our 24 week appointment. Marissa's heartbeat was at 150, and the nurse said that Marissa doesn't like the doppler because she was moving around a lot. The doctor measured my stomach and I'm right on track, 24 centimeters; 16 centimeters to go. I don’t know if my stomach can grow that big! He said my weight, blood pressure and measurements are perfect and that he thinks I will continue to progress with no problems. It's such a relief going to the doctor's office and hearing her on the doppler. It eases my mind for a few weeks and lets me know she is doing just fine in there, even when I can't always feel her.

This was the inspriration for Marissa's middle name.  Irises are one of my favorite flowers and they have the sweetest smell and most delicate blooms. 

I go in about 3 weeks to have my gestational diabetes blood work done. Hopefully there will be no problems there! Our next appointment is June 1st and I will be 28 weeks and a day along. We will be having our last sonogram (providing everything is going well) to check my placenta. At our 20 week ultrasound the sonographer discovered that I have a low lying placenta. They want to make sure that it has moved up and out of the way of the cervix. They said about 99% of the time it is not a concern, but they want to double check just to make sure! My mom and Danny will be coming to see the sonogram. My mom has never seen one in person before (she didn’t have any when she had my brother and I) so she is excited to get to experience that and to get to see Marissa for the first time.


My friend Mickey had her baby last Wednesday, April 28th. I went and saw him in the hospital on Thursday and Danny and I went to visit them at home on Saturday. He is just so stinkin’ cute! I hope that Marissa and Hunter will have play dates in the future. It just amazes me at how little babies are. Even though Hunter was a whopping 8 pounds 9 ounces (I think that’s how much he weighed) he is still so tiny and delicate!



More updates on the nursery to come soon. I still haven’t had any wild cravings or outrageous pregnancy symptoms. I’ve been blessed with such an easy pregnancy and I’ve loved just about every minute of it. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing that I’m growing a person inside of me.