25 Weeks & Counting

25 weeks (6th month) was spent a lot like 24 weeks...riding in the car! Only this time, we were coming home from vacation!  The ride back was much easier on my back than the ride there! No pain! Must be the seats in Brian's new-to-him car. :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size: We are the size of an eggplant this week! Weird!
When you look at the ticker on the top of the blog, it doesn't look like there's that much to go...which totally stresses me out! She's basically 2 juice boxes stacked tall!

What's Baby been up to?: Baby could weight up to 1 1/2 pounds and sized between 9-12 inches! Baby is learning right-side up now! Baby's vocal cords are functioning now and her lungs are taking practice breaths. Baby's nostrils are also starting to open this week.

Movement: She's moving, rolling, flipping, almost feels like running! ha! We can see her through my belly now and it's so amazing! I can feel her rolling up and down my right side mostly and then she give a little punch out when she's done! ha!

Aversions & Cravings: Well, on vacay, we had our fair share of Rolo McFlurry's!! :) I haven't really craved anything and haven't had any aversions...so that's been great!

Weight & Clothes: Although I ate like a cow this week and didn't really watch my fruits and veggies too much...I actually didn't gain as much as I had thought! I only gained 2 lbs, so I'm up 17 lbs. Is that a lot or OK? I'm not sure... We go back to the doctor this coming week, so hopefully we will get to know how much little Harper weighs and see if I'm on the right track!  I also got my wedding rings sized up from 4 1/4 to a 5... :)  My back has been starting to ache more after walking around...but I think that is to be expected since she is sitting SO low!  As far as clothes, I definitely have a very big growing belly! You can't really see how much it sticks out with clothes on, but without clothes it is so amazing...and a little weird! I can wear some normal tops and dresses since flowy is kind of in, but I'm also wearing maternity a lot, too! I am thankful for flip-flops as well since, as Brian described, my feet are getting puffy! EWW!

Sleep: Same old thing :)

What I'm Starting to Miss: I'm really starting to miss a big fountain Coke from McDonald's!  I haven't had any type of carbonated drink (including coffee!) since I found out I was pregnant. I know, I know, I am allowed to have a certain small amount each day without it hurting, but I am just trying not to.  But it is getting hard on these hot summer days! ;)  I have cheated a few times and taken a 'shot' of my Dad's coke once and a 'shot' of my sister's Mt. Dew. shot=one swig

New Symptoms: This week I've experienced some new preggo things... bloody nose, my own personal summers, and...the dreaded...NOSE EXPLOSION. Ok, not really, but my nose is starting to get bigger and I just about want to cry about it. :(

What's on the To-Do List this week: I'm hoping to find a nursery chair this week and FINALLY get the room painted since we've had the paint since May! :)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the BEST DAD AROUND! 

Father's Day this year: Kelli, Dad, Me

Without getting too mushy-gushy, I'll tell you I had and still have the best dad ever.  He's always been there to laugh with, play with, and have his serious life talks with me. :)  I couldn't imagine having a better one!

{check out the Dad-to-Be's silly gift here}

Also, Happy 34th Anniversary to my Mom & Dad today! What a great example of marriage for Brian & I to see!

Happy Daddy-to-Be Day!

Although little Harper isn't here yet...Brian has already started becoming a great dad! So today I gave him a silly little gift, a super cute burp cloth, and a card from Harper. :)

golf burp cloth in pink and green!

6 beers of different kinds...let me tell you how weird I felt in that store buying those! Thanks Jordan for going with me! ha!

Got the bucket from the $2 bin at Target and added the letters and side stuff with my Cricut.

I can only pray Brian will be half as wonderful of a Dad to our little girl as my Dad was to me!
{he might need some daddy-daughter pointers, Dad! haha}

24 Weeks!

A little late! :) We turned 24 weeks last Saturday (June 11th)! :)

{I know these get boring, but I want to remember each week!}

We spent our 24th week anniversary in the car to HHI! The car ride was actually better than I had anticipated, with only a few more stops than usual to pee and back aching for only about the last 3 hours! I was pretty happy! :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

24 weeks + 1 day

The size of the baby:  We are still a papaya! Baby could be as long as 11.5 inches! We go to the doctor next week. 

What's baby been up to?: Baby's skin is becoming more opaque as the fat starts to pack on. And, thanks to the formation of small capillaries, her newly thick skin is taking on a fresh pink glow.

Movement: Harper is getting pretty predictable on when she moves now.  She mostly starts around 8 or 8:30 at night and moves around until about 8:30 in the morning! Then, she move on and off through out the day depending on how I'm sitting or if I've eaten a bigger meal! I love feeling her and Brian does, too! We spend a lot of nights with our hands on my belly or just watching her kick through my belly! Wow, we sound so boring now, but it is so fun! :)

Weight: Well, I've started to pack on more than just a pound a week... I've gained 15 lbs so far! whoa! I'm in to most maternity clothes and still shoving myself into a few summer dresses and bigger tops.

Cravings & Aversions: Well, I headed to a Mexican restaurant this past week and I made it sans getting sick! I didn't have meat (cheese quesadilla), but I still made it! I'm still just craving desserts! :) Not one in particular.

Sleep: Well, I don't. I haven't been sleeping well and I feel so bad for keeping Brian up all night every night, too. :(  I'm using lots of pillows behind my back, in between my legs, and up under my belly, but nothing seems to help.  I still have to switch sides every hour because of my numbing pains and of course pee all night, so that doesn't help either. HOWEVER, I am so lucky to be having this right now when it is summer for me and I don't have to go in to a daily job! So, the sleep thing is just one of those pregnancy deals as was my horrible sickness the first 4-16 weeks, and look, I got through it! :)

Thanks for reading!

For the Golf Lover in your family...

In with the New, Rearange with the Old

So the other weekend we decided to work on changing the Craft Room/Office and Guest Bedroom all into one room to make room for Harper! It was a little bit of a challenge, but we were actually able to make it work out better than expected!

Against our first thought, we decided to move the guest room into the smaller of the 2 bedrooms and try to keep some of my craft stuff in there as well.  Good thing since baby's need a lot of stuff!

So, here's the new look! I loved how each room looked on it's own and especially how the guest bedroom was always put together and clean {because there was hardly anyone in there}, but  I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and that we were able to keep the desk with my cricut and ribbons/etc. on it, the queen size bed, Brian's trophy case, and the bookshelf with our memory stuff on it!

{the pictures turned out fuzzy...not sure why!}

what you see when you walk into the room
nephews pictures & our undergraduate degrees on top of desk

bed on the opposite wall

still need to get curtains...love that the TV was moved to this room to watch while I craft
do you spy the M&M's from telling our friends we were pregnant?! they are in the voting jar from the baby reveal party

another view of my desk area ~ I'm so happy with it!
underneath the desk is another basket with paper/vinyl and the trashcan that matches, tucking away the chords

wedding stuff, college stuff, and more craft supplies and notecards
do you spy the Coach Cal signed basketball I got Brian for his wedding gift?!

This was also a great time to go through tons of stuff and throw away! I pitched a lot of grad-school stuff I didn't need, old scrapbooking things I won't ever use, and just plain junk! It's pretty sad that closet got junked up in just a little over a year! Wow!

New Stuff!

First off, don't you just love my new design! Tenille from Templates by Tenille installed this great pre-made design! She also has a lot of free templates and blog backgrounds as well as custom designs.  She was quick and easy to work with! Go check her out HERE. :)
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Also, I'm starting to work on some NEW items for my store! :) Although I won't have anything totally ready for another week or two...here's a little preview of what's in store!  I'll have new plates and trays, serving dishes, tailgating dishes, and lots more! I'll also be able to use more designs with people, dogs, holidays, seasons, accessories, and more! Lots of new colors will be available for the vinyl, too!

Hope you visit soon & thanks for following! :)

Visit Soon! :)

Pizza Casserole

So you all know we love pizza... So I'm always trying to find new pizza recipes!

I found this Pizza Casserole at Oxford Impressions ~ it was so easy and good!

Go to her blog for step-by-step directions and pictures, or you can read my variation recipe below!
BTW: this was the FIRST meal since I got pregnant I got through cooking that had me prepare meat ~ hamburger meat even! Hubby was very excited and proud! :) YAY! I think that was the last big staple I couldn't get through! {I ate Mexican with Allison & Nola this week, too!}

Pizza Casserole
What you need:1/2 lb. Laura's lean meat hamburger meat
shredded mozzarella cheese
shredded cheddar cheese
lasagna noodles
garlic salt
Prego
salt & pepper
pepperoni slices
How to make:1. Boil lasagna noodles and drain.  2. Place in a greased dish, covering the bottom and over-lapping. 3.  Add cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese lightly over the noodles.  3. Brown and drain hamburger meat. 4. Mix in Prego sauce with the meat with salt and pepper and garlic salt. (I did enough so it covered the meat without it looking soupy) 5.  Add a little Prego sauce over noodles and cheese, covering lightly.  6. Add cheddar cheese, covering surface.  7. Spread meat and sauce. 8. Add mozzarella cheese, covering surface. 9. Add pepperoni slices over top, sprinkle both cheeses on top, lightly.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Let me know if you try it!

Summer Is Here!!

Although this week has been laced with working still...it's still summer and that means no 6:45-3 job! woo hoo!
{sorry to those of you who aren't teachers...maybe you can pat yourselves on the back because although I get a summer, you make more than me. HAHA}

It's been a really fun first week!
I've had time to:
* actually clean my home and do loads and loads of laundry
*get up without an alarm {even though it's still around 5, haha}
*go to bed later without freaking out I won't be ready for tomorrow
*play with my nephews
*go on lunch dates and eat/talk for longer than 20 minutes
*run errands or shop during the day

I love being home! I also think it's so funny this will be my last summer at home by myself! :) I'll have a little friend next year! Brian keeps saying to everything we do, "we won't be going out to eat like this next year" or "we'll have a timed schedule for things soon"... so we are relishing in our last summer as just a family of 2!!

Here are a few phone pics I snagged while at the pool with my sister:

OK, I kid, I kid. This picture was taken last year about the same time...

Colby enjoying some snacks with Auntie MaeMae

fun in the sun!

Cameron loved the pool too, I just didn't get a picture with him!

MMMMMmmmmm Goodness!

Have you heard of the new McFlurry at McDonald's? I've been dying to try...and what a better way to end a 97 degree hot day watching my husband play in a golf tournament than to reward myself and my oh-so-wonderful-friend, Sara, for going with me?!

ONE OF THESE!!!!!

The new Rolo McFlurry. It's the bomb.
Big chunks of frozen Rolo's with caramel dripping from the spoonfuls of cold vanilla ice cream. YUM.

{PS- thanks for following!! I've chosen my design and just waiting for it to get put up!!! Yay!}

Swivel, Glider, Rocker?

I'm not sure which type of chair is the best to get for the nursery.  I'm going on purely looks. ha!

I don't like the look of a rocker or a large wooden glider...so I think I'm liking the swivel chair, sans ottoman. 

But my thought is...Do you actually use the chair a lot? Do I feed the baby in her room and rock her to sleep there? Who knows ~ I've got a lot to learn! :)

I do know that I LOVE this chair.  I must find a dealer soon, and then, as I am finding out very quickly, see how pricey it is! Baby stuff is expensive!! ha!



via

 Where did you find the best deals on nursery room chairs?

Only 5 Away! :)

So...I'm only 5 followers away from getting a pre-made custom design blog! :)  I made a deal with Hubby that if I got to 90 followers I could get a custom design! But, me being the cheapo that I am, I decided to go with a pre-made design because...well...some of those are crazy priced {like $50-$100!!, I've got a baby on the way people!}.  So, I found a really cute site where pre-made designs are only $20!! :)

If you're reading, and you haven't clicked on the Follower's button to the right and signed up to follow, please do! :)
If I'm not following your blog, leave me a comment with your blog address so I can follow you, too!

There are also some great sites out there for free design backgrounds that I love using! Which ones are your favorites?!

23 weeks!

Saturday marked 23 weeks and Harper was up and at 'em early celebrating! :) 
It also marks us into the 6th Month of Pregnancy!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
Size: Baby is the size of a papaya! I didn't know what that looked like! ha! She's also around 8 inches long and over a pound in weight! {no wonder I felt really big the last few days!}

What's Baby Up To?: Baby is moving all over the place! She may even begin to have hiccups! Baby's skin is a bit saggy, hanging loosely from her little body. 

Weight: I've gained a total of 12 lbs so far! I have to be honest; it's starting to really freak me out every time I get on the scale! I just never thought I'd see these weights! :)  I'm trying my best to eat healthy snacks and take advantage of all the fresh fruit ~ but this girl wants sweets!!!  What to Expect also says baby is about to start packing on the pounds, which means I will too! Yikes! I already feel like I am slightly huffing and puffing walking around and going up and down our stairs!

Sleeping: Ok, so the sleeping thing is no fun...for everyone! The tossing and turning from hour to hour due to my legs and arms falling asleep and the pains in my hips cause Brian to not get any sleep either.  Thankfully, he hasn't said a word about it even though I know it's rough for him. :) I am also thankful that after Monday, summer begins for me. It will be so nice to get to have a 'break' from work while pregnant! However, I won't be taking too much of a break; between long-term sub plans and nursery I'll have plenty to do!

Cravings & Aversions: Still no Mexican. :(  Still not cooking any meat of any kind. :( Just drives me to getting sick! {which thankfully did not happen this week!}  I have been craving Coffee-flavored ice cream! Brian went to get me some the other night at 9:00 and handed me a spoon and the gallon.  I ate half of it in one sitting. whoops.

Best Moment of the Week: Laying on the couch every night with Brian holding my belly, feeling Harper move! I swear she kicks when she hears him talk to her! :)

Bittersweet Ending

Usually, today, I am on top of the world. I feel free, excited, and just down right giddy!

As a teacher, the last day of school means so much.  It means you have another year under your belt (6 for me!), you've *hopefully* made an everlasting impression on at least a few kids, you've grown as a person and teacher; and now your job rewards you with some much-needed time off and fun in the sun. 

As much as I'm looking forward to laying by the pool, having lunch dates like a real person (not eating in 20 minutes!), and this year ~ working on Harper's nursery, I have this bittersweet taste in my mouth.

This year started out with a lot of potential.  I began this year as Mrs. Burton instead of Miss Giles.  It was quite exciting and a little hard for everyone to get used to!  I had a wonderful class filled with great students and of course a few challenging ones that always become the ones that tug at your heart in the end.  My team had changes as well.  We added a new teacher to our mix and knew that my team-member, Andrea, would be with us for her last year as she's getting married this summer and moving. 

Kathleen, Mary, Me, Andrea: Open House Night

Throughout the year, as I always do, I truly leaned on my teammates as well as our wonderful group of friends.  I work with some pretty amazing teachers, but there's a small group of us who haven't just been 'work friends' ~ which we intend to keep it that way...  The Fall semester was challenging with lots of changes, which isn't uncommon with a school it seems.  The 2nd semester was in itself a whole new ballgame for me.  I knew things were different, and could finally put my finger on it when I realized I had been pregnant the entire time! This made it very hard for me to handle the sickness I was having, the exhaustion, and just emotional pull, all while trying to be the best teacher I could be during the day.  But alas, my friends and teammates helped me through it.  My class was so excited and sweet about the news and I'll always remember that as being one of the best memories from this year.

And although I will really miss this class, I am used to moving on to the next year and meeting new, wonderful students. The true Bittersweet End comes with some of my friends at my school.  It seems that a group of 3 of us who hardly knew one another become very close.  Then we grew to a group of 5 friends, and then 8 friends over the course of 6 years.  But little by little the group has decreased.  This year, the group will no longer be a group as there may only be one or two of us left.  With that thought, it has brought me to tears more than once over the past couple of weeks ~ especially this week.  Not everyone has such close friends they work with; but I had that chance, and it has been amazing.

 I'm realizing now how I should have been more grateful for it while I had it. 

We've been through break-ups, engagements, births, weddings, Spring Breaks, break-downs, loneliness, cancer, dating, happy hours, laughter, tears, and more with one another.  So when I'm getting upset about the convinience of these friendships, I realize how important these people mean to me and how I will have to work very hard to keep these.
I'm just praying hard that next school year won't be as hard as I'm anticipating and that my worries will quickly leave me.

warning: picture memory overload and soooo could have uploaded more! {I couldn't find the camping trip pics!}

 

So, with my Bittersweet Ending...here's Goodbye to another school year and Hello to Summertime.