Ellie’s Birth Story

Ellie’s Birth Story

For the last year or so, I've been sharing my pregnancy with all of you.  Our sweet Ellie was born on Thanksgiving (ohmygoodness, how has it been two months already?!).  I'm finally starting to come out of the postpartum blur and re-join the modern world - so without further adieu... My contractions began on the evening of Sunday, November 20, 2016 (39 weeks, 4 days).  The inconsistent contractions continued through Wednesday, November 23 (40 weeks), varying from 5 to 30 minutes apart.  I stayed home from work Monday through Wednesday, convinced that I…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update – 2nd Trimester Wrap Up

Pregnancy Journal Update – 2nd Trimester Wrap Up

Okay, so I wrote this at the end of the 2nd trimester, but might have forgotten to post it right then {pregnancy brain, anyone?!}.   2nd Trimester Starting Weight: 118ish lbs. 2nd Trimester Ending Weight: 132 lbs. My weight definitely reflected my growing belly this trimester! Between my 20 and 24 week appointments, I gained 8 lbs. The doctor said this was healthy since I had lost weight during the first trimester, but it’s still a bit of a shock to have a big jump like that. Highs & Lows {aka Happies &…Read more …
DIY Fabric & Ribbon Garland Backdrop

DIY Fabric & Ribbon Garland Backdrop

You know how projects on Pinterest look great until you actually try them and realize that it's not realistic to make a project look pin-worthy?  Think again!  This project was legitimately easy to do and didn't take any sewing skills whatsoever.  The most difficult part was choosing the fabric {not even sort of kidding here}. Materials: -Grosgrain Ribbon {I used 3" wide ribbon in silver, light pink and hot pink.} -Fabric -Paracord -Scissors -Rotary cutter tool -Cutting mat -Yard stick -Lighter -8 foot long 1"x2" board {for hanging} -Spray paint {optional - for 1"x2"…Read more …
Baby Name Reveal!

Baby Name Reveal!

I am now 32 weeks pregnant.  We were elated to find out we were pregnant earlier this year, then found out baby was a GIRL back at about 16 weeks.  It took quite a while for us to decide on a name.  Our ideas included everything from traditional to more modern to totally unique names.  That being said, we found the name that we believe fits our baby girl perfectly... and the meaning is very special to us.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyB7O5-P1PI   Thank you for sharing in our joy once again.  We're so excited…Read more …
DIY Baby Shower Invitations

DIY Baby Shower Invitations

My mom and I are both pretty crafty, so when she offered to host our baby shower I knew we would be in for some fun projects!  One of the simplest projects we've done has been the baby shower invitations.  They were completely frugal and fit our theme perfectly.  I might have a slight obsession with elephants, hence the elephant theme for both the nursery and the baby shower. Supplies: -Card stock paper -Envelopes -Printer -Silhouette Cameo machine -Cricut cutting mat Instructions: Design invitations.  I used the Silhouette design software to make the…Read more …
DIY Satin Ribbon Garland Tutorial

DIY Satin Ribbon Garland Tutorial

One of my favorite baby shower decorations to make has been our DIY satin ribbon garland banner.  It is so classy looking, was super easy to make and can be re-used after the baby shower is over.  This would be perfect for a wedding, bridal shower, birthday party, baby shower, kids' bedroom decor... pretty much anywhere you want to bring a pretty pop of color without breaking the bank. Materials: -Double faced satin ribbon {I used 2.25" wide in light pink, rosewood and pewter.} -Paracord -Scissors -Lighter -3M Hooks {for hanging} Instructions: Figure…Read more …
Pregnancy Update: Gender Reveal

Pregnancy Update: Gender Reveal

My husband and I {okay, mostly me} wanted to splurge since this is our first baby and do an early gender reveal ultrasound!  We went to an elective ultrasound business at 16 weeks to find out the gender of our baby - and we invited our family to join us.  You may have caught on to our baby gender already by me dropping it throughout previous posts, but I just finished editing the ultrasound video. Without further adieu... we are so excited to welcome a baby.... {scroll down for spoiler!} ... ... ...…Read more …
How to Get Your FREE Amazon Baby Registry Welcome Box

How to Get Your FREE Amazon Baby Registry Welcome Box

As y'all may know, I'm a big fan of deals and free stuff.  This has merged with my obsession... er, love? of all things Amazon.  I've gotten some neat goodies since getting pregnant and one of my favorites has been the Amazon baby registry welcome box!  If you're pregnant and have an Amazon Prime membership, you're going to want to get in on this! Make an Amazon Baby Registry. Click here to start your baby registry.  You need to go through their "Jumpstart" tutorial and add at least one thing from each category…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 21 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 21 Weeks

Date: 7/19/16 *2nd trimester* 21 weeks I know I’ve said it before, but the weeks really are just flying right by! I am feeling great {a few aches and pains, but overall I really love being pregnant}. At my last OB visit, the doctor advised we celebrate at 24 weeks because the baby reaches viability that week {when chances of survival outside the womb are greater than 50%}. I’m looking forward to that day, but feeling thankful for every day. I do a double take often when I walk by the mirror –…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 18 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 18 Weeks

Date: 6/28/16 *2nd trimester* 18 weeks Weight: 120 lbs. We are almost half way! This week has been fun and easy. The second trimester bliss is real. I have a big enough belly to enjoy it, but a small enough belly that I can still physically function! It seems like I’ll have times where it feels like my body is just really full/doesn’t have enough room, then a few days later I’ll notice I’ve gotten bigger. That happened again this week. I’m sure eventually I won’t have the relief of not feeling full/huge…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 17 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 17 Weeks

Date: 6/21/16 *2nd trimester* 17 weeks Weight: 120 lbs. I definitely felt baby movement this week! Last Tuesday (16 weeks 6 days) I thought I felt movement but wasn’t sure… I’m now feeling light movement every day. It’s not strong enough for anyone to feel from the outside yet, but it is a neat sensation! Uncle Colton, Yaya and I got the crib put together this weekend! Even though it won’t be needed for months still, it is fun and exciting to get things ready. My energy level has been close to pre-pregnancy…Read more …
Pregnancy Announcement to our Families

Pregnancy Announcement to our Families

As you may know, we were married and trying to get pregnant for close to two years before we finally got that big fat positive test.  Our families have been anxiously {and not-so-patiently... ahem, mom} waiting to celebrate our pregnancy.  You can tell how excited they were with our announcement in the pregnancy announcement video below!  We found out we were pregnant right before Easter, so we used Easter eggs to announce that we were "EGGspecting". We are so blessed to be welcoming this baby into our family!  Our due date is Thanksgiving…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 16 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 16 Weeks

Date: 6/14/16 *2nd trimester* 16 weeks Weight: 119 lbs. {roughly the same as pre-pregnancy} We found out the gender of our baby this week! Up until now, we’ve been using he and she interchangeably {baby most certainly does not want to be called “it”}. I am so excited to know the gender of the baby! We’ve sworn the few family members that know to secrecy until we tell the whole family… so no gender reveals here yet! Hopefully I can keep from slipping for a few weeks. They did say the baby looks…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update – 1st Trimester Wrap Up

Pregnancy Journal Update – 1st Trimester Wrap Up

This trimester flew by! I can’t believe we’re a third of the way done! I’ve struggled some with attitude {I know this is shocking you, mom}. Between the physical sickness and hormones, there are days of moodiness. I try to combat this with gratitude {don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I succeed all the time… just ask my poor husband}. I make it a goal to start each day by taking a moment to thank God for allowing me to carry this child today. I don’t know what the future will hold…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 15 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 15 Weeks

This update is almost a week late being posted... sorry for the delay!  With all of the Vacation Bible School madness going on, I haven't had a moment to breathe.  VBS was a success, so I'm now catching up! Date: 6/7/16 *2nd trimester* 15 weeks I am finally feeling that second trimester boost of energy! I’ve stayed up several nights past 10pm {crazy, I know, right?!}. This week is Vacation Bible School at church. I’m so thankful for the extra energy – I don’t know how I would have done this during the first…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 14 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 14 Weeks

This update is a few weeks late being posted... sorry for the delay!  With all of the Vacation Bible School madness going on, I haven't had a moment to breathe.  VBS was a success, so I'm now catching up! Date: 5/31/16 *2nd trimester* 14 weeks Am I glowing yet?! The second trimester perks haven’t kicked in a ton. I’m still taking nausea medicine and fighting the urge to puke {only occasionally, thankfully}. Our church’s Vacation Bible School is next week, so I’m spending most of my free time focused on that! I did…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 13 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 13 Weeks

Date: 5/24/16 *1st trimester* 13 weeks, 6 days I can’t believe this is the LAST day and last journal entry of my first trimester! It has flown right by! I’m still pretty tired and nauseous a lot of the time, but that “glow” is supposed to kick in anytime now, right?! Mom and I went to a community yard sale last weekend and got a ton of adorable baby clothes! Now we just have to wait for the gender reveal to find out what we need to get rid of and what we…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 12 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 12 Weeks

  Date: 5/17/16 *1st trimester* 12 weeks, 6 days Weight: 116 lbs. {This is a couple of pounds from where I started out. However, I’m consistently getting physically bigger and the doctor said it’s completely normal to gain and lose for the first several months.} I can’t believe the first trimester is almost finished! Some people say the second trimester starts at 13 weeks, but most things I’ve seen say 14 weeks. Only one more week of first trimester. My mom and I went to the Dorel factory sale this week, where we…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 11 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 11 Weeks

Date: 5/10/16 *1st trimester* 11 weeks We’re at the end of 11 weeks already – WHAAAT?! This week has flown by. I celebrated my first Mother’s Day as a pregnant mama… which I only half felt like I was really deserving Mother’s Day since the baby isn’t here yet… whatever, though, we’re celebrating! I also celebrated my birthday with extended family and got to rock my favorite new mama bear tank top from Little Bit’s Love!  We have our first ultrasound later this week so I am really looking forward to getting to…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 10 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 10 Weeks

Date: 5/3/16 *1st trimester* 10 weeks {double digits - woop woop!} SYMPTOMS: a little sciatica/nerve pain, headaches, fatigue, nausea (& a little vomiting) BABY IS THE SIZE OF A prune {or a cottonball}. Last time I was at the OBGYN {2ish weeks ago}, they suggested popsicles and frozen items to stay hydrated if water makes you nauseous. After my bout of vomiting from drinking water a few days before the appointment, I appreciated the suggestions! The first few weeks of this pregnancy I was drinking 80-100 ounces of water per day. I’m lucky…Read more …