Labor Day Weekend!

We had such a wonderful 3 days off from work! I wish every work week could end with 3 days off!! :)

On Friday, we went to Amanda's for a Birthday Cookout! It was fun but blazing outside, so we ended up sitting in the nice A/C!! They had yummy food and a great dessert her Mom made. Yum! :)

yes, i'm huge while i have skinny friends. not.fair.

Saturday we had planned to go to the Bluegrass Festival in Louisville since we were already headed that way for Saturday night, but alas, the 104 degree temps made the decision to not go for us. :( I was sad we couldn't but Brian was very understanding that there was just no way my new-normal swollen feet could not handle the heat, plus we both had our allergies working up, so we ended up working on things around the house and in the baby's room in the morning.  We did go up a little early to Louisville to walk around the mall and of course Harper got 3 outfits from The Children's Place for the Spring! :) Brian even picked one entire outfit out himself. He was so proud! {boot cut jeans and a little purple plaid/stripe shirt}

we also stopped by b's new work so he could show me his first office! :) so proud of you!

Saturday night we met up with Mandy & Brian and Jamie & Adam at the Cheesecake Factory about a hour and a half away!! I was so excited for this! Mandy and I had actually been trying to plan this since last March! The whole college group was invited but most people had other plans. :)  We had such a good time with the other couples! The food and the cheesecake were delicious!! I was so sad I didn't get a picture from the night! :( It was Brian's first time there and he loved it! So hopefully it won't be so long until the next time we make it there!

{I had the Reese's Fudge Peanut Butter Carmel Cheesecake and B had the Cookie Dough Cheesecake}

On Sunday after church and lunch, Brian went to play golf before the storms hit and I just hung out at home working on sub plans and watching movies. :) We were so lazy on Sunday and it was so nice!!

Monday we slept in for a long time for us! yay! Then we met our friends Allison, Yancey, and their daughter Nola for lunch at a new-ish place, Copper River.  Brian then indulged me in some Labor Day shopping sales at Gymboree and Carter's. :) Harper only got a few things...he was not in the least bit impressed with Carter's.  Do you have a store you like to buy from a lot? I loved a lot of things in Gymboree!  I seem to like a lot of Mudpie, Little English, and Anavini. 

I've also decided to try my hand at making hair bows.  I went to Hobby Lobby and got a few roles of ribbon and some clips.  But, I've been searching online for a free tutorial and can't seem to find the kind I want.  I like the big 'boutique' bows that have lots of layers.  Anyone know of a good site to go to? I just want to try it and see if I can make anything decent before spending even more on bows...they are expensive!! $12-$14 a pair?!?

We had a great weekend, but alas, I've finally decided that after this weekend, I am not going to make ahead-of-time plans...or at least I'm going to try not to. :) It will be really hard for us because we love having things to look forward to through the week, but I am getting so worn out from work that I am going to try really hard not to over-do it! I hope my friends will understand!! We may just be last-minute kind of people for the next few weeks!

Hope your weekend was fabulous and that you enjoy your 4 day work week!!

36 Weeks and 1 Day!

Wow! We're moving right along!

Pregnancy Highlights:
Size: Watermelon! Whoa! She could weigh around 6.5 lbs! I sure hope I get another U/S before it's time just to know what I'm in for. :)

What's Going On: Luckily, according to the What to Expect app., since we are technically into week 37, I am considered full-term and it would be ok if Harper came any day now! So, since baby is considered full term, she's close to being able to breathe on her own once out.  She's currently practicing inhaling and exhaling, sucking on her thumb {I wish I could see this!!}, and swinging from one side to another in my belly! Which I can see kind of and feel!

Weight: +1

How am I feeling: I've got lots of not-so-fun things going on...but I'm a tough girl and it's only a bit longer! Pregnancy is really tough in any stage; and as much as you try to understand, I've come to realize others just don't because everyone is different.  So, today, I don't feel the need to list any of it! I am just glad things are going well still!

Weekly Appt.'s: We've been going to our OB appts weekly now.  I enjoy being able to hear the heartbeat each week, but some of the tests they are doing are not fun - very uncomfortable! haha! My doctor and I have been going back and forth about being induced the last week before my due date.  I very much do not want to do this, but he kind of does.  I just really want him to be my doctor when the time comes, and he can't exactly guarantee me this - which I knew going in. But, I am just really hoping he is! Every week I remind him how I need him to be with me since he's so calm and I'm so not!

Nursery Update: So the nursery has been completely finished for about a week.  This means even her closet is finished, the pictures are up, etc.  There's just one thing that isn't in yet - her changing pad cover.  I have another one, but the one that matches the bedding still isn't in (it was on back order).  So I was really wanting to wait and share the nursery once it was COMPLETELY finished and nothing left to add...so, I think I'll wait a few more days and then if it's not in I will show! I know my out-of-town family is really wanting to see it!!!

We are getting SO anxious to meet our sweet little girl!!!! My family has all placed their bets on when she will arrive...can't wait to see who wins!! {I hope it's not my sister...she said 3 days late!!}

Friday Confessional

Thought I'd try something new! :)

I confess... I waste a lot of time on blogger reading about people I don't know. But I like it. :)

I confess... I wish everyone would stop telling me to 'put my feet up and relax now while you can'. Because I can't. I have too much to do. But alas, here I am reading blogger while the other screen is working on sub plans!

I confess... I ate an entire half-gallon of that strawberry cheesecake ice cream I was telling you about out of the bucket, and then ate dinner.

I confess... I am slightly happy I don't have to teach division to my students this year, instead my long-term sub will. :) {sorry Amy}

I confess... I had a dream last night about my baby coming and the only thing I was concerned about was if her bow on her head was big enough for hospital pictures.

I confess... I am so overwhelming happy I get to lay in bed in the morning the next 3 days and not rush and that I might even have enough time to shower...and shave my legs! haha

I confess... when I speak about baby I use the term "my baby" and it gets on hubby's nerves. Sorry honey. I don't mean anything by that.

I confess... I secretly liked it that my OB told my husband that I looked pretty good for being as far as I am so that hubby would know it could be worse. ;)

I confess... I haven't cleaned my house in over a month. Gross. Need. Cleaning. Person. Now.

Ha! This was fun! Thanks Dandelion Wishes!

REDS!

{whoops, just saw I never posted this back in May!!}

We enjoyed a Reds Baseball game with our friends, Nick and Jordan, the other night! It was super fun and we had seriously The.Best.Seats.Ever.  We were on the front row right beside the Reds dugout and right behind first base!

I told Brian I was worse than bringing a child to a game ~ I couldn't stop eating! And you know food and drinks there are like a billion dollars! Whoops. :) Nachos, ice cream, frozen icies, popcorn, sprite...

warm-up

these were our seats! Jordan, Nick, B, Me (& Harper @ 22 wks)

next to us: Reds dugout

Sorry I am a sweaty mess but J looks good! It was 95 degrees out!

B & Nick

pitcher!

Thanks Nick & Jordan! We had a great time!!

Thankful Thursday Linky

OK, We're back!! :)

*Please join me for Thankful Thursday! Rules are simple: use the picture below and link up my blog name! Can't wait to read your posts!

I'm thankful for strawberry cheesecake ice cream!

I'm thankful for my washer & dryer! ha! Because although I hate doing laundry, I'm glad I have clothes to do so with!

I'm thankful for making it to 35 weeks and 5 days pregnant with baby Harper!

I'm thankful for having a 3-day weekend coming up! Woo Hoo!

I'm thankful for my friend, Amanda, who has a birthday today! Happy Birthday! :)

I'm thankful for the constant sunshine! It's nice to see sun when you come home from work!

What are you thankful for?!

Baby Bottle Must-Haves

Ok, so my sis found this awesome product...and then it made me remember my co-worker, Kathleen, found these, too! Well, I think some similar!

These little sippy cup and bottle labels are so cute! They are a must have for taking to the sitter's, day cares, or the church nursery!

Here's a few websites that sell basically the same products and they all seem to run around $12.95.

My Precious Kid

Little Piddles

These labels are ok...they say they are dishwasher safe, but I'd be a little leary of this...
Name Bubbles

And of course, when little H gets older, she will be using one of these custom made just for her likeness~
The Craft Store
I imagine like a pink and green polka dot one with her name and maybe a cut-out of a giraffe or something!

Cute Boys :)

Currently, Harper is the only girl-to-be amongst my college friends. So it seems as though she will rightfully get her pick on these cute boys, right?! haha!

Danielle's son, Colton. She's expecting another sweet boy at the end of November!

Amanda's son, Trenton

Shannon's sweet boys, Tanner & Grady

Aren't they precious?!

Weekend Wrap-Up!

We had such a fun weekend!! We've been so overwhelmingly busy the past couple of Saturdays that we were excited about having a somewhat low-key weekend!

On Friday we went to an Engagement Party for our friend's Jen and Geoff! Jen is my friend from college, so it was SO MUCH FUN to get to be with all the girls and their guys again! It felt like forever since we all had gotten together! Jen lives in Charleston, SC now, so her wedding will be there in May. So excited for a road trip with all our friends!!  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures from the night! Can you believe that?! But here is one I stole from FB of the happy couple.

It was a blast to be with everyone! We had a great time!

Saturday was my day to really get some errands ran for the hospital bag!! I needed to get a few of those 'uncomfortable' purchases to bring along with me or have ready for when I return home.  It was a successful shopping trip! haha!  The hospital bag is now officially packed! I have a few things to wash for Harper, so her bad isn't finished just yet. :) I did a lot of researching for the bag, so I hope I don't forget any essentials!

I also went to a fairly new store called Baby Bundles.  They were having their 1 year anniversary sale so I stopped by to get some deals for baby H. Oh man did I get some deals! This store has some seriously adorable (but majorly pricey) outfits for boys and girls! They have Persnickety, Janie & Jack, Smocked Clothing, Bailey Boys, and much, much more.  I got little H some really cute large bows {!!!!}, a cute apple outfit for next year {apple orchard fun perhaps?!}, and an adorable UK smocked dress! I cannot wait to see her in it for football and basketball seasons this year! Mom got her a cute pink and green owl smocked dress for 12 months as well.  My favorite thing is seeing smocked clothing on little ones and thankfully my Mom thinks the same thing as she's gotten baby a lot of smocked outfits from Little English!!

how adorable are the little UK cheerleaders?!

Another very cool thing I purchased is this PadaLily car seat handle cover.  I think this looks like such a great idea! The handle is not very padded, so I bought this little thing to help from getting my arms bruised!! They had lots of colors ~ but I loved this pink and green paisley one!

Oh, and I WON a free photography session and one large hard photo from a very nice photography studio {Holifield's} for just putting my name in a jar!! I never win! I was so excited!! :)

Brian and I also hung a few things on the baby room and washed lots of clothes and swaddlers.  Then we went to the pool for a while and had a fun night in of pizza and renting a movie! 

Sunday after church we went to eat and then I spent some time with the nephews while Brian spruced up our front yard. :) AND, Sunday night we ate Mexican and I ate tacos for the FIRST TIME since I realized I was pregnant!! Probably 8 months! Man-oh-man did they taste delicious!!! It was awesome! haha!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well and have a wonderful work week ahead!

Touch-A-Truck Outing!

I was so excited to get to go to Touch-A-Truck with Kelli and my nephews! I realize I was probably third choice {haha} as Eric was working and Mom & Dad were at a Reds game, but I didn't care!  The event was outside and required lots of walking, but I rarely get to do things with just them, so I went!

Colby was super excited as he loves all things trucks right now.  And of course Cameron was the best little baby ever, as always, just riding along in the stroller for seriously 2 hours without getting out! The lines were long and Kelli would ask Colby if he was OK with waiting and he always was! Not one complaint came from him.  It was seriously crazy! When Kelli told Colby it was time to leave he just replied with an "ok" and off we went.  I really hope our little baby is as easy going as these 2 boys!

Here are a few cute phone pics from the day:

Kelli and Colby

sweet baby Cameron

Mommy & Colby

Thanks again for inviting me! :)

Month 9 {35 weeks down!}

Hello 9 Months!

35 weeks 1 day

35 weeks 1 day

Pregnancy Highlights:

size: large cantaloupe (possibly 6 lbs!)

weight: +2
*Yesterday (Saturday) I was 35 weeks pregnant with 35 days to go! I thought that was neat. :)

what's baby doing: Pretty much all the things inside are matured as they can be to this point and will be able to work once out in the real world! Her bones are more like cartilage to it will be able to come out. :)

what's up with me: I'm doing a waddle! But there is an actual reason for that - who knew! It's because of my connective tissue in my body is beginning to soften and loosen so I can get this baby out! :) Also, because she 'burrowing' down low and making it hard to walk. 

symptoms: arthritis in hands and feet, major swelling after being at work, some pressure on lower back and abdomen, acne

In light of it though, I actually still feel really well and I seriously feel happy still about being pregnant ~ I'm just ready to meet our girl!

Baby Update @ 34.5 weeks

So I'm now into my weekly appointments! I feel like that marks the start of the end!

I went to the doctor on my own but I met up with Amanda's cousin, Crystal, so it wasn't so bad sitting in the waiting room for hours {literally!}. :)

I know I've said it before, but my OB is so cooky and I love him! I've been seeing him for many, many years, but I really do love him as my 'baby doc' now.  He's so laid back and calm about everything which helps me stay like that, too!

Today I was measured and measured perfectly! He also was able to feel around and that head I kept swearing I was rubbing on...well it's her booty! hahaha! But that means...she's head down!! YAY! I never felt the movement, which he said is sometimes painful, so I wasn't sure if she had turned or not!

I also go to hear her heartbeat and talk about my birth plan.  I was a little upset Brian wasn't there with me while we worked out some details of the plan...but oh well.  I also told my doctor that after these 9 months of waiting on him for up to 3 hours when he had unexpected deliveries he at least owed me to deliver my baby! haha! But seriously, I pleaded with him that I think I need his calm and cooky attitude to help me not freak out! Which of course his reply was, "well, you'll have drugs. you won't stress. and I will be there unless I'm drunk. and I don't drink. so I guess I'll be there." Just take my word for it, it was funny. :)

So, he also said I've had a pretty much textbook pregnancy. That's pretty amazing and one HUGE thing I am thankful for. So even though I missed my own linky party, that's my Thankful Thursday this week!

Looks like we'll be having a baby in about 5 weeks or so!!!!

Thankful Thursday #fail

Whoops! I had been doing so well! haha! I completely forgot to do an early post and get it automated to come out today! So my sweet friends who link up every week - I'm sorry!

Please do go visit Katie at The Happenings of the Hermann's for her wonderful Thankful Thursday Post!

I promise to do much better next week! Thursdays are getting to be my busy days at work and my weekly appointments after school!

A Daddy's Girl & A Mommy's Guilt

I am pretty sure little H is already a Daddy's girl. :)

Every night for the past week, as soon as B gets home and starts talking, H begins her tumble routine! She moves and wiggles and punches so much! It's hilarious!  Meanwhile, I talk all day long and she never moves! haha :)

I can't wait to see Brian as a Dad.  I think he's going to be so awesome and know just what to do. She will be one lucky little girl!

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I've heard of Mommy Guilt; but have you also heard of Pregnancy Guilt or am I making this up?
I feel like I possibly had this in the beginning when I was super sick and now I think it's definitely coming back!

I hate having to say 'no' to lots of stuff, especially including stuff with my friends. In the beginning when I was so sick, I tried to trudge through it and go to as much as I could because I was afraid no one would understand and would be upset I wasn't going out with them, coming to stuff, etc. Now, it's back! I feel like weekly appointments and being tired from work are taking over my life and my weekends become overly packed and honestly, I just can't be on the go as much seeing as though I'm almost 9 months preggo! But that still doesn't stop me from feeling guilty or trying to fit it all in. We are busy people and usually we love being busy and having lots planned.  I'm afraid my friends {at least the ones who haven't been pregnant yet or the ones who had pretty good pregnancies} won't understand or will think I'm making it up. Crazy, right? I mean, when I type it, it sounds crazy and it sounds like I care a little too much; but it's really the way I feel!

Has anyone else felt like this?

I also feel like I'm already getting nervous about having Mommy Guilt; or maybe Friend Guilt? Believe me, I realize how crazy I am. My friend Mary (team-teacher) always tells me I over-think or care way too much. And although I agree, I wish I knew how to change it! My friends love to plan things ahead to see one another at least once a month ~ but as I start thinking into Sept, Oct, Nov, etc. I'm getting so nervous.  Will I be able to attend around H's feedings? It's not even about leaving little H behind, I'm just worried about the whole feeding schedule if I hope to be consistent with BF.  I'm worried my friends will think I'm just overwhelmed with myself and not them; I'm worried that people won't understand the reasons why I can't make things; I'm worried that although I know our life will change, that my relationships with friends will change, too.

Does this mean my Mommy Guilt will be horrible in a few months once I go back to work?! Because I'm already dreading this too.  I have such a want to stay at home with my child but at this point in our lives it's just not feasible.  I truly and honestly {sorry if this upsets anyone} feel a jealousy with SAHM's. There are so many things I could see myself doing and helping with if I just had more time.  There are about 4 things I'd love to be more involved in with our church, but I have no idea how I'd make that work with the hours I work at school and then having a new baby that I will want to spend all my time with when I'm not at work. I hate feeling like that because I know being a teacher, I get the best times off with my child, much better than jobs that you have to work year-round.  I also know that I am blessed to even have a job, I know.  But, I swore when I began my blog years ago I'd be honest, and so, I'm being honest.  My heart aches to know that I will have to go back to work and not stay home.  I truly do love my students and it's not them that makes me want to stay at home, but it's just the added stress that maybe, possibly, comes with where I am, but I am so nervous I won't be able to handle it.  I'm so nervous I will feel this "you aren't being as good of a mother as someone else because you aren't staying home" thing either.  So yes, friends, we are already praying about me going back to work when I haven't even taken my leave. :)

See, I told you a long time ago I was crazy. ;) Just reiterating it in this post...

Blah! So, now I'm going to scroll back up to the top of this post and look at my wonderful hubby with my little baby belly while he's rubbing my ENORMO feet because we couldn't say no to something that we wanted to do and it's 9:40 and I'm just finishing my post I started 2 days ago! :)

The Windy Corner Market

Hubby and I tried out this new-to-us spot the other night and it was SO good! If you live in the central KY area, it's a must!

The Windy Corner Market

The decor and feel of the restaurant  looked very similar to Wallace Station ~ they are owned by the same people!  The food was so, so good and there were so many different things we wanted to try, so we will be going back! Everything is made by KY Proud foods and they serve local meals that aren't done anywhere else!

jockey silks and racing memorabilia filled the walls

We did have to wait in line for about 10 minutes and then wait on our food, but the weather was great and there was plenty of seating inside and outside that it wasn't a big deal.  The drive out to the restaurant was great too; passing by horse farms and beautifully large homes along stone fences. 

I got the Kentucky Boy which was SO STINKING GOOD with potato salad...

Pulled pork in Black Jack Barbecue Sauce, crispy fried pickles, Bourbon Barrel beer cheese, shredded lettuce and special sauce

And Brian got the Fried Catfish Platter. He said it was the best catfish he'd ever had without being at the beach!

that yellow 'special sauce' was unbelievable!

We also shared the MOST delicious blueberry cheesecake! They had tons of different kinds that aren't on the menu.  It was seriously better than any I had ever tasted, even from the Cheesecake Factory.

This place is definitely worth the drive and we will be going back soon! It was such a perfect date night and one that we'd been hoping to get for a while now! :)

{katharine, we talked about how we will have to take you and Andy there when you visit next! :) }

34 Weeks and 1 Day!

34 weeks down!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size: Large Cantaloupe: possibly around 5.5 lbs and 19-22 inches long!

What's Happening: Baby's fat continues to accumulate (around 15 percent) and her brain power is getting better every day!  I'm not sure if she's turned or not...I feel something still in the same spot up in my right rib but I don't know if it's her head or foot! Sometimes it feels like each one! I do think she is long because I can feel her move on each end of my belly at once! She's starting 'stretching' out more and we can see major waves across my belly or a little elbow or hand jet out!

Weight: -2 lbs {i don't know what this is about!}

Sleep: HAHAHAHHAHA

Food: Hmm, I've not really craved anything...it's more like I don't feel like anything will taste good! So poor Brian has to suggest where or what we eat or cook because I cannot make a decision!

Symptoms: I'm back to peeing a ton! And the rest are still with me (arthritis in hands and feet, swelling feet and ankles, pain in hips, acne, etc.). 

Work: It's actually been ok with being back to work! I am so thankful I was able to have a 'relief' from work for a bit of my pregnancy! While I am on my feet ALL DAY LONG, I'm able to come home and prop them up and then my awesome husband offers to rub those crazy big things nightly, so I really can't complain! I've actually somehow had pretty good energy for the little bit of sleep I run on daily.  PTL! :) I've also got some great friends/co-workers at school who remind me that I cannot do it all! B's been great with helping to clean and cook again, and he sure makes a great lunch of PB&J each day for me!

Best Moment of the Week: The nursery is pretty much finished!! Woo Hoo! After all the chair drama, we got it in on Saturday and it really goes well with the green from the bedding ~ I think better than the first fabric I picked out! I'm waiting on *hopefully* getting 2 more things from the bedding company in before sharing; but it's said they will be in mid-September so I may not be able to wait that long! :)

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I am thinking that Harper won't ever forget her name... :) Look at all these sweet monogrammed burp cloth gifts she's accumulated!!

Thankful Thursday Linky

Hope you join in on the fun!

*The rules are very simple: be a follower of my blog, add my Thankful Thursday picture below on your post, and link my blog address in your post!

So I wasn't sure if I was going to do this this week, but I decided that it's been a hard week and I wanted to keep it all in perspective! So here's my Thankfuls for the week!

*I'm thankful for my Mom who will listen to me vent over things I cannot control {mostly at work} and not give me an opinions, just listen.

*I'm thankful for DVR so I can watch all my shows when I get home at night!

*I'm thankful for my husband!

*I'm thankful for the weekends!

*I'm thankful for air conditioning! {haha}
*I'm thankful for the energy that I've had during the days at work despite not sleeping!

*I'm thankful for great friends!

If you don't have a blog but want to play, leave a comment and tell us what you're thankful for today!
Can't wait to read your posts tonight!

Cricut Stuff :)

Here's a few things I've made lately with my Cricut! They are so easy and I think look pretty cute!

Plastic Wear: I liked using plastic rather than glass for purposes of taking food items to tailgates, picnics, child-friendly, etc.  You could do any combo of colors, initials, monograms, pictures, etc!

I used Loop Dee Loo Font cartridge for the letters and then a craft circle cut to make the polka dots.  The paper is vinyl.  I actually gave these as hostess gifts.

This is an iced beverage glass that I used Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge.  The above picture is of a softball girl {it's hard to tell, but that's a uniform I made in pink} and the second picture is the helmet and her initials.  This was a gift for a great and sweet girl I tutored this summer who was all about softball!  I have lots of these cups and I love using them!

This is my favorite thing I made I think! HAHA A personalized Purell dispenser! So, I guess because of my sister or maybe all my friends who have babies, I am very well aware that you need to use some type of Purell or wash your hands before ever touching a new baby! I remember going over to my sister's when Colby was born and it was a rule to go to the Purell first and then come see the baby! So, I thought to myself why not make this little 'new fixture' cute! I have an adorable horse and polka dot purell dispenser in my kitchen, so I got the idea from that! I just took a purell bottle and took off the label.  Then used the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge to make a baby carriage and then {of course} had to add a little personalization with the 'h' at the bottom.  I ended up using a green bottle and purple vinyl to match her room colors, although we'll keep it in the Family Room! :) I mean, you might as well keep-it-cute!

*If you don't have a Cricut and you like any of the things you see, you can always email me or visit my Craft Store! The Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge has seriously endless possibilities of pictures, scenes, etc! It's awesome!

*If you're visiting from facebook, thanks! I rarely post my blogs on FB anymore, so click on the Home button and read what you've missed! :) thanks for visiting!!