Moments of the Week | Purple and Gold

This kid.  My whole heart right there.  

My best friend from high school sent us this purple and gold sweater set for CT.  My second grade teacher knit it.  I love it and he snuggled right in for a nap Sunday.

The flu is taking over North Carolina and it makes me just nervous enough that I think CT and I are going to become homebodies again for a while.  It's just not worth the risk.

I received my diploma from UNCG in the mail - great feeling of accomplishment there.  I am officially a Master of Education.

I've opened my Lulu's Mimi shop back up after taking a brief hiatus to adjust to motherhood.  Since reopening, I've filled several orders and I'm really excited for some new items I would like to add to my inventory.  I don't think I will be able to do any craft fairs for a while because I can't commit to a set sewing schedule - I'm sewing while CT is napping and that is allowing me to fill orders.

It snowed!  Snow in NC means hubby goes in late to work and hangs with us a little longer in the morning.  Wednesday he made restaurant style omelets and coffee.  Perfect morning.

Linking up with Katie and Lauren

It's Already Friday

Fridays are coming too fast!  I only have so many to be home with my baby boy and the quicker they come the quicker my time is going.  Yikes.  I think I need to start mentally preparing myself already.

1. Saturday my in-laws came to the house and watched CT while hubby and I went to a movie.  I shed a few tears, but it's good for me to get out and it was great for hubby and I to go on a day date.  We hit up a matinee so that we would be gone in the middle of the day and wouldn't miss too much.  By the way, fantastic movie!  Just ignore the language, nudity, and drugs - but great, great story.

2.Tuesday was my birthday and as I laid back to count my blessings, I just couldn't believe how lucky I am.  Hubby and CT got me a 90 minute massage and I think I'm going to save it for right before I go back to work.  I have to count my boys twice when I count my blessings.

3. My dad's best friend, Tom, came to visit us this week.  He is like another honorary grandfather to CT.  It was so nice to see him and have him meet my child.

4.  CT is starting to really fill out his newborn outfits and it won't be long before he is too long for them!  I can't wait to see what he weighs at our next appointment.  Since he was a preemie, we've been working hard to gain weight.  I put him in this outfit for my birthday because it's my favorite.  :)

5.  During tummy time, CT is consistently rolling from tummy to back!  I have to document it here.

It's Already Friday

Fridays are coming too fast!  I only have so many to be home with my baby boy and the quicker they come the quicker my time is going.  Yikes.  I think I need to start mentally preparing myself already.

1. Saturday my in-laws came to the house and watched CT while hubby and I went to a movie.  I shed a few tears, but it's good for me to get out and it was great for hubby and I to go on a day date.  We hit up a matinee so that we would be gone in the middle of the day and wouldn't miss too much.  By the way, fantastic movie!  Just ignore the language, nudity, and drugs - but great, great story.

2.Tuesday was my birthday and as I laid back to count my blessings, I just couldn't believe how lucky I am.  Hubby and CT got me a 90 minute massage and I think I'm going to save it for right before I go back to work.  I have to count my boys twice when I count my blessings.

3. My dad's best friend, Tom, came to visit us this week.  He is like another honorary grandfather to CT.  It was so nice to see him and have him meet my child.

4.  CT is starting to really fill out his newborn outfits and it won't be long before he is too long for them!  I can't wait to see what he weighs at our next appointment.  Since he was a preemie, we've been working hard to gain weight.  I put him in this outfit for my birthday because it's my favorite.  :)

5.  During tummy time, CT is consistently rolling from tummy to back!  I have to document it here.

High Five for 2014's First Friday!

Having this most special boy in my life it's really hard to pin point just 5 things to celebrate each week.  I will try my best to narrow it down.

1. Last Saturday my best friend and her husband came to visit and meet CT.  After they left, hubby said, "Go.  Get out.  Get a pedicure.  Go shopping.  Do something.  I'll be home with baby."  So I did.  I went shopping at Old Navy and got myself a few outfits that currently fit and make me feel good about myself.  I wasn't gone long, but it was nice to get out.

2. This face.  Seriously.  It's the best moment of every minute of every hour of every day of every week.  Can you blame me?

3. As I was taking down Christmas decor this week, it struck me after seeing these 2 ornaments so closely together on the tree...how much life has changed for the best in the last 3 weeks.  Wow.

4.  I attempted the Happy Wrap one day this week and CT loves it!  So excited.  I was really wanting to try baby wearing and the fact that I will have 2 free hands?!  Amazing.

5.  Yesterday we attempted some tummy time with CT for the first time.  I was pleasantly surprised to find he didn't hate it (i.e. he didn't scream the entire time he was on his tummy) and he rolled over from his belly to his back several times!  That is something most 2 month olds can do - he is 3 weeks old.  My little over-achiever.

I hope your week was as good as mine!  Linking up with Lauren for H54F.

24 Weeks

How Far Along: Last Saturday marked 24 weeks

Size of Baby: 1.7 pounds  Holy cow!

Weight Gain: 18 lbs

Stretch Marks: Nope!

Maternity Clothes:  Twice last week I wore entire outfits that didn't consist of a single piece of maternity clothing (including the one in this picture) - I have to admit, I was proud of myself.  Other than that, I'm loving my maternity clothes.  Particularly this dress from PinkBlush Maternity; click here to win a $25 credit to their shop!

Gender:  Sweet baby boy!

Movement:  I feel him more and more.  Especially when I just get done eating or while I'm exercising.

Sleep: This week has been a good week for sleep.  I think the cooler weather helps. 

Missing:  Sweating.  I know it sounds funny to those who hate exercising, but I'm really missing lifting weights, doing squats, and holding planks.  I'm still doing quite a bit of cardio each day, but I am missing my strength training.  I know some people strength train throughout pregnancy, but I'm just not comfortable doing that.  I don't feel like I was as advanced before getting pregnant as I should have been to keep up with it.

Loving:    Fall.  My supportive husband; the other day he took care of dinner/dishes while I tended to some housework I had let slip due to my grad school work.  

Craving:   Apples.  Now that they are in season, I'm itching to go picking!

Feeling: Fantastic.  I'm starting to have some back pain once in a while, but I think that is just from doing too much.  I need to learn to listen to my body and when I'm sore I can't push myself to run 3 miles.  It's okay to take it easy; I can stop considering myself lazy if I work all day and walk the dogs 2 miles without going for a run.

Looking Forward: This weekend we are going to an ECU football game.  It's the first and probably only one we will attend this season so I'm really excited.  I think I might whip up a special scarf just for the occasion.    Also, hubby emailed me (after a minor freakout in the bed at 9:00 one night) that we should have a nursery work day in a few weeks!  I'm SO looking forward to that.

Best Moment(s):   I've been stressed about getting the nursery done with all the other things I have going on in my life and hubby emailed me the other day to say that October 12th was wholly reserved for nursery work.  That simple email lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders.

That face...it was mine after I walked into the bank and paid off my car.

#likeaboss

Stopped to capture my bump's shadow while out on a run this week.

Total miles: 35

A happy customer sent me a picture of her using my first ever carseat canopy!

She had contacted me asking if I could make one; I just love it when people ask me to step outside my comfort zone and make something I've never made before.  I realize new potential!

I'm currently selling these with mink for $30 and without mink for $25. 

(Mink is fleece and very warm for those colder months)

I have completed every. single. homework and reading assignment for the month of September.

Boom!

H54F

6 months!

How Far Along: Last Saturday marked 23 weeks; according to What to Expect When You're Expecting 6 months is weeks 23-27 so here we are!

Size of Baby: > 1 pound, 11 inches, large mango

Weight Gain: 16 lbs

Stretch Marks: Nope!

Maternity Clothes:  My favorites are cotton shirts and knit skirts/dresses.

Gender:  Sweet baby boy!

Movement:  Sunday night I couldn't fall asleep.  I couldn't figure it out because I was so tired, but now I know why...  Had I been sleeping I would have missed feeling my baby boy kick from the outside for the first time.  I was so excited I woke up my husband! 

Sleep: Sleep comes and goes in spurts.  Mostly going at this point. 

Missing:  I have to admit with the feeling of fall moving in, I'd really like a pumpkin ale or some of the new caramel apple ale from Blue Moon.  But, if I'm being honest, I'd rather have a healthy baby boy than another beer in my whole entire life.  Easy choice.

Loving:    Consignment sales!  Why don't they have these for adults?  Or maybe they do and I just didn't know about them until I got pregnant.  Seriously, I spent $37 (well, my MIL did) at the consignment sale we went to Tuesday and came home with 2 bags full of clothes/toys!  We're talking Baby Gap loafers for $3 and Osh Kosh overalls for $5.  Awesome!

Craving:   Crunchy stuff.  Is that weird?  I think it's weird.

Feeling: Great!  Fall is so refreshing to me.  I just love everything about it; the air, the leaves, the colors...

Looking Forward: This weekend we are spending with some of our very best friends in Virginia Beach and I'm really excited to walk on the beach Saturday and do some thrifting while the boys play golf.  Then we will grill out Saturday night and head home Sunday.  

Best Moment(s):   Feeling baby boy from the outside was by far the best moment of the week.  I also loved going to a consignment sale with my mother in-law to purchase some cute clothes for our lil guy.  We had a doctor appoint Tuesday and it's always so wonderful to hear his heartbeat, nice and steady.

I decorated the house for fall.  It's my favorite.

We took the dogs for a hike at a new (to us) park nearby.

The trails were awesome and the weather was perfect.

I made a girlfriend a carseat canopy similar to this one.

I love the fabric she picked out (and I sell them for less than the ones I've seen online).

Also working on another diaper clutch for an upcoming baby shower!

Last, but definitely not least: I racked up some more miles for Manda's 30 in 30 challenge

for a total of 23 right now.  My goal is to get 50 this month.

H54F

Hope you had a good week!

18 weeks

How Far Along: Last Saturday marked 18 weeks

Size of Baby: Mango, 6 inches, 1/2 pound

Weight Gain: 10 pounds 

Stretch Marks: I'm going to say NO instead of "not yet" in hopes that I don't get any! :o)

Maternity Clothes:  Grateful for some cooler weather this week!  I'm almost to the point where I can wear some items that have been given to me by various companies and I'm really excited to be collaborating with For Two Fitness in the near future.

Gender:  We find out August 20th!!  So soon!

Movement:  Yes, baby loves yoga! 

Sleep: Trying so hard to stay on my left side, but I hate it. I'm contemplating investing in a pregnancy pillow or a body pillow.  Any advice?  

Missing:  Certain cheeses - hubby and I love a good cheese platter and glass of wine.  

Loving:  S'more poptarts - refusing to buy them anymore.  I ate a whole box in like 4 days.  Bad news.

Craving:  Nothing in particular, but still loving lemons and vinegar.  My girlfriend hands me her lemon as soon as our waters come out and I usually say lots of lemon so they bring me 3-4 slices for my water.

Feeling: Happy.  Motivated.  Relieved that we finally sold our dining room table, 2 end tables, and my Cricut machine to make room in what was my sewing room for the nursery.  Those were stressing me out.

Looking Forward: 4 days til we find out if we are team bow ties or hair bows!!  

Best Moment(s): Making some new baby items to sell at future craft fairs and having several people place orders and give me fabulous ideas for future projects.  I'm hoping to do a few fairs in the next few months.  

High Fives for Friday

1. I'm spending my day at Ikea right now with some of the best friends.  Be jealous.  This is just one of the items that will be coming home with me.  Momma needs space for her sewing materials!
   
2. Cooler weather and quite possibly a few signs of fall.  I'm not mad.
3. Purchasing the dresser from Craig's List that I had been lusting over for the nursery!  Can't wait to get the whole nursery together and share it with you all.  I already have a very clear vision.
4. Finding out that our county and UNCGreensboro are coming together to help us graduate in plenty of time so that we will all receive master's pay!  If you aren't sure what I'm talking about, click here to read about the frustrating new laws passed in our state regarding teacher pay and education in general.
5. Embracing these last days of summer as I prepare to go back to work on Monday.

Linked up with Lauren for H54F

5 Things I did this week

Summer is quickly ending.  Sad face.
I go back to school in just 18 short days so I'm trying to do as much FUN stuff as possible
before I'm back to the alarm clocks, schedules, lesson plans, and after school meetings.

Here are 5 fun things I did this week!

1.  Working out.  I do it for stress relief, exercise, enjoyment, you name it.  Running is my cure for ______________.  In fact, even throughout this pregnancy, I'm continuing to run.  The month of July was a great one for me; between running, hiking, and walking the dogs I completed 36 miles.  This week I tried a new workout: water aerobics.  I have done water aerobics before, but each instructor is so different so I was really excited.  Not to mention being in the water when you are pregnant is absolutely amazing!  I also did my prenatal yoga classes on Saturday morning and Wednesday evening.

2.  Dined out.  I ate out several times this week with friends.  It is always so nice to catch up.  One evening I met up with my friend, Hannah, who is expecting her first baby in October.  It was so fun to sit and talk baby talk.  We shared first trimester stories and nursery ideas.  Another day, I met up with 2 friends that I always have fun with for lunch and then....

3.  Fro-Yo.  I make no apologies for all the junk I put on there.  It was my indulgence for the day.

4.  I started reading this book after purchasing it at a consignment sale and it is hilarious.  If you ever want to be a mom, already are a mom, or just enjoy reading really funny books, pick this up.  The author is one of Chelsea Handler's best friends and I loved all her books - every single one.  Not to mention, I could read the back of a cereal box at the pool and enjoy myself.

5.  Went on a fun date night with my man to an Italian restaurant and The Comedy Zone.  Comedians crack me up.  Seriously, there is no way I could come up with one funny joke about my life the way they do.  The lady we heard the other night was hilarious!  It was our second time going and we will definitely return.

What fun stuff did you do this week?

H54F

Yay for another awesome week at home!  I'm so enjoying my time here and especially my time with family, friends, and the beauty that is the Adirondacks!

1. Seeing Travis Pastrana race the Global Rally Cross race was awesome!  I'd never been to a race like this and absolutely loved the jumps and obstacles.  Pastrana is one of my favorites because he is such a daredevil.  I follow him and his wife on Instagram.  (Her name is Lynz and she is pregnant, too!)

2.  Hiking with my best friend from high school.  Everyone always told us we would grow up, grow apart, and not be friends forever.  They were wrong!  I love this girl just as much as I did 10 years ago. We grew up, moved apart, and will be friends forever!

3.  Hanging with mom and just being silly together.  We photobombed ourselves with our Geico fans while waiting for the race to start because....why not?

4.  Running along the water.  Running at home isn't going to be the same.

5.  Being surprised by my brother at the race!  My dad, my brother, and a NASCAR rep worked together to hide this from my mom and me and I couldn't have been more surprised or happy.  I love a good surprise and this was above and beyond.  I didn't think I would get to see him while I was home because he lives pretty far away and had to work.  So glad I did.

Hope you had a great week!

H54F!

What a great week!  So many good things happening it was hard to pick just 5!  

1. Being home.  I am in upstate NY until July 23rd and although I miss my man and our pups, it is just the best pleasure in the world to be home.  I love this place.

2.  The beach with my parents and hubby.  We had a fabulous time sun bathing, boogie boarding, eating crab legs, and just being together.  

3.  Seeing alligators in the wild.  We were walking along the marsh one evening and saw several alligators just chilling in the water.  It was really cool to see them in their element and not in captivity.

4.  Catching up with a great friend.  I had forgotten I hadn't told her we were expecting since she isn't on Facebook so I sent her a text and she is simply the sweetest!

5.  Running in the North Country trumps running in NC any day.  The humidity is so much lower and the views are so much greater.  

How was your week?

H54F: Take 2

 What a fantastic week!!

I'm feeling good and this weekend I get to see my parents!

I met up with Molly last Thursday to attend the Kari Jobe worship concert at Cary Church of God.  I am obsessed with Kari Jobe and I adore Molly so it was a fantastic evening!

I am feeling well enough to start running again!

This has been a huge void for the past 3-4 weeks because I've had morning sickness. I was super excited when the doctor told me I'm good to run with some adaptations!

I've been taking prenatal yoga for the past 3 weeks and I absolutely love it.

I visited the zoo with some great girlfriends and their children.

If you live in NC and you've never been to the zoo, it is FABULOUS!

I only live about 30 minutes from it and I intend to get a family pass after baby comes.

Sweet friends popped in to visit the other evening and brought me a pregnancy calendar where I can document every step of my pregnancy.  I started filling it out that same night.  I love knowing that I won't forget anything because it will be documented!

How was your week?

H54F: Take 1

What a great week!  It was my first full week of summer vacation and I truly enjoyed every minute of it.  I'm already looking forward to the rest of summer.  So, I'm linking up with Lauren!!

• I tried a new yoga class last Saturday.  Let me just say I am now a self-proclaimed yogi.  I absolutely enjoyed learning a new fitness regimen and I learned so much about my body - can't wait to share more with you!
• I was cleaning out my sewing room and came across my baby book.  Look at this presh picture of my baby brother and me.  I adore him.
• I went to the beach for 2 days (and used my new monogrammed beach bag) and it was blissful.  Something about salty air, waves crashing, and sunshine...
• I celebrated a sweet friend's 30th birthday.  I adore her and had a blast eating amazing mac and cheese with her.
• I finally got back on my running schedule!  I've had a short hiatus, but I'm back!  I don't know who is more grateful: me or the dogs.  

P.S. I am doing something extremely exciting today and I can't wait to share it with you all next week!

How has your week been?!