Baby's initials

 top: target (non maternity)  leggings: old navy  boots: just fab   initial necklace: c/o stella & dot  

leaf necklace: charming charlie

My sister and one of my best friends threw me a baby sprinkle last weekend and this is what I wore. Except that I ended up putting on jeans right before I left.  Probably unnecessary.  I just bought this top at Target.  It was $27 which is more than I usually spend on a shirt but I loved it.  Plus it is non-maternity and I know I'll wear it plenty after baby.  

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Christine, who sells Stella and Dot pieces.  I've seen and heard plenty about the company, but have never owned anything from them.  I was super excited when she said she'd like me to review something from her site.  I immediately looked at the personalized pieces.  I don't usually spend much on jewelry (the leaf necklace I'm wearing was $6), unless it's personalized or meaningful.  I can't tell you how many things I bought with an A on it or with Addilyn's birthday on it after she was born.  And I love them.  They are small, easy to wear with everything and they make me really happy.  

And this necklace is exactly that.  Small, pretty, goes with anything and meaningful.  I may have cried when I got it in the mall because it not only has an A on it, but an I, which is our baby boy's first initial.  Naming a baby is a ton of pressure and I still can't tell you I'm 100% sure until I see his sweet face, but we love the name and can't imagine changing it at this point.  (I know it's annoying when people are hush, hush on their baby's names but I figure we're close enough to him being here I'll wait, except for the I!)  I've worn it almost everyday since I got it and I love that it has both my baby's initials on it.  

If you've never heard of Stella and Dot, they have tons of jewelry pieces.  Statement necklaces, bracelets, watches and lots of other personalized jewelry.  I loved this disc necklace too and it would've been my next choice!  The necklace I got would be an awesome present to tell your husband to buy you for Valentine's or perfect for Mother's Day.  Their pieces ship super fast and come packaged so cutely!

Christine was so sweet to work with and she is generously giving away one of the necklaces that I picked.  The giveaway will be on instagram tomorrow morning so make sure to enter!  And feel free to check out more of her pieces here. Thank you so much Christine!  This is definitely my new favorite piece of jewelry and I know I will wear it all the time! 

How I really feel about pregnancy

There's been a few times my sister has told me that her friends have made comments to her about how much I must love being pregnant and always look happy, and effortless.  (They live in Vermont so this is solely based on social media.)  Those girls are super sweet and very wrong.  Everyone knows that social media is just a glimpse and I don't think anyone is surprised to find out there are many not so pretty moments that don't get shared.  Like an hour after I had this conversation with my sister I was standing over the toilet in the bathroom, half dressed, dry heaving with my nose pouring out blood.  Pretty miserable and extremely unglamorous.  
I like to think that I do a decent job on my blog sharing not just nice moments but the hard moments as well, but when it comes to pregnancy I struggle with this area.  After going through our struggles to get pregnant and knowing how hard it was for me to see others talk about being pregnant, especially in a negative light, I put a lot of thought into what I write when it comes to this area.  
I don't shy away from sharing belly updates or outfits or letters to our future baby, because I want to be able to document this part of his life and know that even though others are struggling, this baby is celebrated and I get to do that, and should so without feeling bad.  
But I struggle to know the balance of sharing the hard things about being pregnant or even being a mom, and sharing how grateful I am that I get these blessings.  I remember when I was longing to be a mom reading someone's post complaining about morning sickness or how they couldn't eat certain things and feeling so envious and almost mad.  How much I would love to take on those symptoms if it meant I could have a baby.  I don't want to ever come across as ungrateful, even though this has been a harder pregnancy for me.  
But I also want to be real.  And if I'm being honest I do not enjoy being pregnant this time around.  I feel like I have tons of symptoms I didn't have with Addilyn and overall feel uncomfortable and not like myself the majority of the time.  I feel overly ready to not be pregnant any more.  I have constant nose bleeds, acid reflux, heartburn, terribly unpleasant things going on down there that make walking, peeing and sitting uncomfortable.  I've gained more weight than I did with Addilyn, and I have a hard time loving my pregnant body.    But none of those things make me wish I wasn't pregnant.  All of those symptoms are worth this sweet baby boy and I am so so grateful that I get to carry this baby and that God's answered our prayers for another child.  
So in an effort to keep it real on here, being pregnant is at the top of my list of biggest blessings I've been given and I am so so thankful.  But it is also one of the harder things I've done and I am ready for this baby to be here. 

Chugging right along

Moving right along with less than six weeks to go!  And I am ready.  Not a whole lot new to report than last update.  Boring?  Sorry!! 
I had my 34 week doctor appointment and it was a super quick one. Pee in a cup, weight and measurement and listen to baby's heartbeat.  Everything is good and I'll be back at 36 weeks for weekly check ups.  I made the next four weekly appointments up until my due date which is crazy to think about.  I'm pretty sure he is head down by my guess of his movements but I'll feel better once we find out at my next appointment.  Addilyn was head down at 36 weeks, but he couldn't tell with a check at 37 weeks.  An ultrasound showed she was head down but not low and she still wasn't when I went into labor.  Hoping this little guy is already low and staying there! 
Baby boy's room is just about all ready.  We got our chair this week, I just about finished his mobile and I have a few more clothes and things to organize and then we are set!  I need to pack my hospital bag and buy just a few things like pacifiers and a sound machine, but that is it.  
He moves all the time.  You can see my stomach shaking from the outside and there are times when it's almost disturbing how much shaking and craziness seems to be going on in there.  I can not even wait to see what he looks like and hold him! 

Looking forward to . . . .

sweater: c/o shein   necklace: noonday   tee: old navy  boots: dsw 
Wearing this necklace.  I won a giftcard to noonday for registering for my local If Gathering and I love the necklace I picked.  If you haven't heard of noonday you should check them out!  Such an awesome company.  Also, super excited for the If Gathering in February.  I went last year and it was wonderful, and can't wait for it again this year.   Getting our maternity pictures back.  We had our pictures taken on Saturday and I can not wait to see them! We got a sneak peak and I love it!  It also makes me super excited for little man's newborn pictures too.  

Wearing non-maternity clothes.  The idea of having something that isn't suckioned tight to my belly sounds glorious.  I am well aware I will need loose, flowy tops for quite awhile which is good because those are two words that I'd like for most of my clothing, pregnant or not.  I love these options and have the first two on their way to me now:

one // two three // four
Watching the bachelor tonight. Definitely makes a Monday so much better. 
Hope you have a great start to your week!

Bible Journaling

I have always been a fan of journaling in general and go through phases where I love doodling and writing out verses.  I'd use that time to pray, meditate on the verse and just be quiet before the Lord. But lately I had been lacking in discipline and motivation and really missed that time with God and the desire to be in His word.  I got a journaling Bible for my birthday and some fun art supplies for Christmas and I am loving them.  I look forward to quiet time while Addilyn naps to use it, and have even had some successful times while she's awake.  
Here's the journaling Bible that I have: Crossway Journaling Bible.  I love it. The margins are really wide and there are light lines on all of them that make writing easier.  
I know there are a TON of art supplies and things out there and I want to try more. But these are the ones I have: Sharpie Fine Point black pens.  (I want them in color too!) Crayola Twistables colored pencils.  I love these! Crayola Paint Brush pens  These are super bright and fun! 
My sister also got me a fun book with lots of help for ideas for journaling, doodling and lettering that I am using and loving too! 
Addilyn got some fun stamps and markers for Christmas and there's been many mornings I've taken them out and we both sit at the counter.  Given it usually lasts ten minutes, but that's a lot of time for a toddler and still great time in the word.  I journal in my Bible and she colors and we often practice her Bible verse for that week too.  I play worship music, and the times it's been successful we've had a great way to start our morning.  I think having realistic expectations for this part is important, and there have been plenty of times I've attempted "quiet time" for us and it's lasted two minutes or not even at all, and I need to be okay with that and try again another day!  I love that she is seeing me with my Bible open, regardless if it's short.  This is something I want to keep working on for myself and for her.  
I love finding photos on instagram or pinterest and using those for ideas.  So let me know if there is anyone you follow that share their journaling.  I think it's easy to go through phases where we struggle to be motivated to be in the word and it's great to find something that makes it exciting and motivating.  I know come March my days and routines will take some time to figure out and fit this in, but for now this has been great!

DIY EASY wooden headboard

Chris has tons of wonderful qualities, but being handy is not near the top of his list.  So if we can accomplish this, then I'm convinced that just about anyone can do it!  We are keeping our guest bed in the baby's room but I wanted it to match the rest of his room and am loving how it's turned out. I don't know why we didn't make a headboard sooner!  It really was so easy and cost under $30.  I looked up some tutorials on pinterest but none of them seemed super simple.  And I mean super, super simple like we needed.  

I thought it really can't be that hard, but I've been wrong about projects before.  But it really was! It doesn't really warrant a tutorial, and I don't have any pictures but figured it was worth a post to say how easy and cheap it was.  

We went to Home Depot and bought 2 1 x 4's that were 53 inches (the length from the floor to the top of the headboard) for the back of the headboard and then 8 1 x4's that were 56 inches, which is the width of our bed.  We also go small screws that could go through the back and not poke through, and stain for the wood.  That's it! I think it was $27. 

Here's an incredibly unnecessary drawing in case you can't picture that.  

Chris did all the work, which took less than an hour.  We made sure when we were picking out the wood that they all laid flat and lined up next to each other.  We had them cut at Home Depot, which was free and then we didn't have to worry about it at home.  He lined them all up, laid the two boards long ways down the back and drilled them in.  Stained it and then used two screws to secure it to the wall, where there were studs.  

I absolutely love how it turned it!  I found the little acorns at Hobby Lobby after Thanksgiving and thought I'd use them for a mobile but decided not to, so I made a little garland for it.  I searched forever for a comforter/quilt and this was exactly what I was looking for.  It's reversible and the perfect colors for this room.  I got it on Overstock for $55. The deer pillow I made!

I can't wait to take pictures and show off the rest of his room! It's become my favorite it our house.

2.5

Dear Addilyn Jane, 
I can't believe you are two and half.  Sometimes I look at your tiny little self and I feel like you are still my baby.  Then other times I look at you and you look so grown up.  It's hard to imagine that you've been ours for two and half years, yet I can't imagine our life without you.  
You are so so funny.  I remember when you were little wondering if you would be funny or say funny things and you sure are.  You say things that make me laugh daily, and I love writing down them down so I won't forget.  
You have the best memory.  You can tell us what street you live on and what streets your grandma's live on.  You know your doctor's name and mamas too, the month of your birthday and lots of other random things.  You know three Bible verses now and we are working on a new one every week or so.  It's crazy to me what your little mind can soak up and hold on to.  You rarely forget our plans for the day in the morning, as I always tell you the night before.  You know Aaliyah comes on Thursdays and how to spell your name.  We could work on your counting some more and you usually say "1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9!"  You know the words to a few Frozen songs and we listen to them in the car all the time.  Your little voice is too cute!
We go to gymnastics most Fridays and you love it.  You are very coordinated and do a great job.  You especially love the trampolines!  
You're growing but are still a little peanut.  Your legs are so short that you still fit into most of your leggings and pants from last Winter, which is nice for me!  You wear 2T tops and size 6 shoes and weigh 25 pounds.  
Your new thing when we get to a place where you're unsure about or around people you don't feel super comfortable with is to turn around, hug me and say "I love you mama." You don't like to go do things alone, and still have a hard time when I leave you.  Sunday school has been better, but many weeks you still cry when we drop you off.  When we pick you up you are usually super happy and tell us about what you did.  Bible study is still a struggle and I think it's because there are way more kids and noise and less structure.  You get overwhelmed easily with big groups (just like your mama). It's taken work for me to stick it out in these situations but it's important to me that you know I will come back and that it's okay to be away from me for a little while.  I like the idea of sending you to preschool next Fall but the thought of it gets me quite some anxiety, so we'll see!
You are pretty clever when it comes to being disobedient.  You're like this sly little instigator that already knows how to push people's buttons.  Like around your niece you'll go up behind her and barely tap her on the shoulder while giving me this mischievous grin, just hoping that she'll turn around and hit you or pull your hair.  Apparently I used to do this to your uncle when I was little, so I guess that's what I get!  Or when I'm making you say you're sorry to someone you will purposely say their name a little off, as if to offend them.  Or add an extra sound at the end like "Sorry mama boo boop."  I don't even know what that means but the way you say it is like you're just trying to one up me.  It's hard not to laugh sometimes when I'm trying to discipline you.  
Most days you take a really good nap that lasts about 2 hours, sometimes 2 1/2.  I am SO thankful for this!  You go to bed around 7:30/8 and it often takes you a half hour to go to sleep and many nights we go in there at least once.  You wake up anywhere between 6 and 7, but not all too often until 7.  
You still love your pacifier and your little lamb.  We do our best to try to keep it to your crib and the car but I'm not fighting it as I'm not ready to go through that with a new baby coming.  I think this summer we'll be working on that!   I can't wait to see you become a big sister.  You are so sweet when you talk to or about your baby brother and it makes me so happy.  You love rubbing my belly and resting your head on it and tell him you love him at least five times a day.  I think you're going to be such a proud, loving big sister. I know there will be lots of things that will be hard about having another baby in our house and I do worry how you'll do, but I know you will love him so much! 
I can't express how much I love you.  The other day you weren't feeling well and I got you up from your nap and you asked to lay in mama's bed with me.  We laid down and you feel back to sleep right away.  I stared at your sleeping face for almost an hour.  I just felt so lucky to be your mom. Thanking God over and over for the blessing that you are to me.  I love you so much and think you are the best thing in the world.  Happy 1/2 birthday sweet girl! 
Love, 
your mama

A night away

poncho: c/o shein

Last weekend Chris and I got to go away overnight and it was great.  Things lately have been super busy with Chris at work and weekends have been filled with busy plans, so it was wonderful to have 24 hours of uninterrupted time together.  We went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin which is a little town about 45 minutes away from us.  We've stayed in the same hotel multiple times and we love it. There's a little fireplace and a huge whirlpool bathtub.  I took two baths while we were there and I even more so want a bathtub like that now!  

Clearly food dominates with picture taking.  We went to a cute little sushi restaurant, where we got to sit on the second floor right by the window.  Thanks to a super early dinner we were the only ones there for awhile.  It was snowing pretty hard and so pretty to watch.  Chris walked to Coldstone later that night and brought back delicious ice cream, and then we had a nice breakfast the next morning. It was so great to have so many long, nice meals with just the two of us.

I know it will be awhile until we get away together again, so we fully appreciated the time we had last weekend.  Sometimes it's hard to not feel stressed about how everything is going to change soon and wonder when we'll get some kid free time again.  But when I look back at the last two and half years with Addilyn they have gone so fast, and I'm sure I'll feel the same way looking back when we go away overnight for the first time after this baby is born.

And huge thank you to my sister in law, Aunt Lo for sleeping at our house! Addilyn was so excited to spend time with her and it's no wonder.  They went to McDonald's play place in the morning, a jumpy trampoline place in the afternoon, and played in the snow the next morning.  Addilyn will probably spend some good time with Lauren when this baby is born and it certainly puts my mind at ease knowing they have such a good time together!

Wrong length

dress: c/o shein   scarf: world market   boots: justfab   vest: target
Normally I feel like this  length dress is far from flattering on me because of my short legs, but I guess that all goes out the window when you have a big belly.  Comfort wins and this dress is so comfy! I'm hoping with cute sandals I'll be able to wear it in the summer, although I keep forgetting how much nursing runs your wardrobe, which I'm not looking forward to!  I mean this dress is big enough, he could just fit under there, right? ;)
We don't have many plans this weekend, which I'm super excited about.  Chris has been really busy with work and Addilyn has been sick the last few days so I'm hoping for some solo time this weekend.  Like a trip to Target and some time to figure out what we'll all wear for our maternity pictures next weekend! I also plan on eating cheese fries at least once.  
Hope you have a great weekend!

31 and 32 weeks

I feel like I just wrote a pregnancy update, but that was already two weeks ago.  I guess that's a good thing because I feel like 7 more weeks sounds really long (as I'm 33 weeks today), but they are going pretty quickly.  Not a whole lot has changed since last update.  My sister was just over and told me that she was a little jealous because when I was pregnant with Addilyn at the end I didn't even seem or look that uncomfortable.  But that this time around I do.  And she is right.  Between my crotch issues and just feeling exhausted and tired, I'm ready for this baby to be here!  Of course I want to wait until he is good and ready and really don't want to go into labor now, but as the time gets closer and closer I just want it to be here.  I feel anxious about the details of this labor, of Addilyn's transition to another baby and our family's transition to a family of four.  I'm just ready to get it all started!!  And I can't even wait to hold him and see what he looks like.  
The weather here has been crazy cold and the idea of bundling Addilyn up, getting us in the car and out to errands or even someone's house seems hard.  Yet being stuck at home is not appealing to me either!  I know we'll be stuck at home come March for a little while, so I want to keep doing things, but also take advantage of times Addilyn is happy watching a show or playing.  Can I just say how thankful I am that Addi will sit next to me and watch tv?  And I rarely feeling guilty about it either.  I see it as an answer to prayer and a chance for me to rest. :)  Right??  
Minus a rocking chair and mobile baby boy's room is ready to go and I love it so much.  It's just what I pictured and I LOVE it!  I'm excited to share pictures.  
Baby boy we can't wait to meet you and I am so ready!!

this year

In 2013 I choose the word surrender. I worked on surrendering my fears, worries and plans for our future.  This is something that I think I'll always need to work on but have definitely seen growth since this year. 
In 2014 I chose the word rest.  I wanted to rest in God's presence, to rest in the knowledge of God's protection over our family, and to stop being anxious.  Again, something that I will always struggle with, but growth here too. 
Last year I didn't really pick a specific word but wanted to head into the year as a mighty warrior.  To work on being brave as a mom, as an individual and ready for whatever God had in store for me.  I've seen growth in my confidence and choices as a mom, growth in letting God be in control and have tried to be an example to Addilyn of doing things that aren't always easy.  
I have been thinking a lot about a word or focus for this year.  Obviously our biggest change this year will be baby number 2.  We've also had some changes with Chris work that are still not necessarily a routine or "normal" which I know will take some adjusting.  It's interesting because we clearly know what adding a baby is like, but adding a second baby is going to be a totally different thing.  This baby may be completely different than Addilyn, I'll have different needs with two kids as oppose to one, and things are definitely going to change a lot.  Change is hard for me.  When expectations aren't met I struggle.  I love knowing what to expect and what my role will look like, and even what others around me will be as well.  
I want to let go of all those things.  To go into this year knowing that right now my job is to be a mom to Addilyn and this sweet baby boy.  To be a wife to Chris, to continue to be a friend, a Christ follower, housekeeper, blogger, runner, and the list goes on.  BUT to know that each of those things is going to look different for awhile.  While I don't struggle a ton saying no to things, I struggle with what others may think or how their priorities are different and comparing mine to them.  I want to do the best that I can in all those areas and remember that there is grace upon grace and all I can do is my best.  
I want to know when I'll get back in shape and when I'll lose this baby weight.  I'd love to know what this baby will be like and how Addilyn will transition to being a big sister.  I wish I could know when Chris and I would get date nights again or when we'd save enough money to think about moving.  But what I really want is to be okay not knowing the timeline of any of those things.  To work towards those goals, but be patient in the process.  
I don't want to wish away moments (except maybe the nights filled with zero sleep) but to be present, take things day by day and let whatever happens this year happen.  I'm far from a laid back person, and while I'm learning to accept that is part of who I am and there are good qualities that come with that, I'd love to sway a little towards the other side of that spectrum.  
I want to be more content with feeling lonely.  I struggle with that now and I know with a newborn I'm sure I'll have even more of those feelings.  I want to take more comfort in God and be content with being home and not needing to feel pursued in multiple friendships.  
I never want to lose sight of all God has given us and how good He is.  When times are hard and when times are great.  To make him my priority and to thirst for His word and His presence.  
So here's to a new year.  To letting things happen as they do, and opening my hands to His plan and doing the best I can with what's in store. 

Body Double

sweater: c/o shein   leggings: costco   boots & scarf: dsw
I was watching Keeping up with the Kardashians yesterday and found out when Kim was pregnant she had a body double that would come to her house.  She'd put on a fake baby belly and try on her clothes, then take pictures in them because Kim was too tired to try them all on.  
Now the ridiculous thing about that isn't that she was too tired to try on all her clothes.  The other day I wanted to try on some clothes to figure out what to wear for our maternity pictures coming up, and gave up after one pair of pants, a pair of boots and two shirts.  It was seriously hard work and I was tired.  
I'm sure that job pays good money which I can't do, but if any wants to come over with a fake belly and try some clothes on for me I'll pay you with fruit snacks and cheese fries.
Also I realize I am wearing leggings as pants.  If I would've had a body double to try it on first that wouldn't have happened.    

Working out when pregnant

Not pregnant I am very disciplined when it comes to working out, most weeks working out at least five times a week.  When I'm pregnant that's a different story and I have done the best I could do, but with each month what I can handle has totally varied.  The first trimester and a month or so more I felt incredibly sick.  For most of the day, and as much willpower as I do have normally I could not work out.  I walked a few times a week if that, but that was it.  I think when you're pregnant so much is listening to what your body needs and while I've heard people who are nauseous or sick say they felt better when they worked out, I never did.  
Thankfully I had a pretty decent two months (if that) where I felt better.  I wasn't huge and uncomfortable yet, and thanks to medicine I wasn't throwing up and nauseous all day.  Before getting pregnant I'd alternate between running and workout videos.  I had done 21 day fix extreme from Beachbody for two sets of 21 days, and after that would alternate those videos with others to switch it up.  I LOVED the workout videos.  They were challenging, only 30 minutes and varied day to day so I was never bored or tired of them.  I can't wait to do these again this Spring!
I was really excited to hear that Beachbody has maternity workout videos, using their on demand feature and was so happy when someone contacted me about getting to try them out!  Autumn Calabrese is the one that leads the videos, and after doing 21 Day Fix Extreme I really loved her and felt the same way with these videos.  There are three videos, one for each trimester.  I didn't try these until I was at the beginning of my second trimester so I started there.  I loved the video because it was a mix of strength training and small bits of cardio.  
I am definitely a more anxious pregnant person and do worry about which exercises are safe and not, so it's nice to have a video that is specific for pregnant woman.  I didn't have to worry about what I should or shouldn't be doing, and watching a pregnant person do the exercises too was nice.  When I entered the third trimester I was excited to try that video.  This one was mostly strength exercises, holding certain positions and more rest in between which is definitely needed!  I also found a prenatal yoga video through Beachbody on demand that I have done a few times and enjoyed too.  
My working out has been halted a bit, as I shared some unpleasant symptoms during my last update that make doing anything physical pretty uncomfortable and painful, so sadly my working out is few and far between these days.  Which is hard for me, but I know this is just a season and I can only do what I can do.  
I can not wait to get back to my normal workouts once this baby is here!  I have looked through lots of the videos on demand and want to do them so badly!  It's awesome that using the on demand feature you can have access to all of the videos, rather than purchasing them on their own.  I only own the 21 Day Fix Extreme, but have wanted to try the others, especially Insanity and Turbo Fire. I'm pretty sure I'll be paying for the On Demand come April.  You get access to over 400 workout videos!  Plus you can get your first 30 days for free, and then it's only $2.99 a week and you can cancel anytime.  I think it will be quite a while before I'm back at a gym and honestly this is way more appealing to me.  Cheaper, lots of options and I know so many people who have used these workouts to get into great shape.  Definitely a good motivator for after baby! 

And I'll certainly need some new workout clothes for extra motivation, right?  I'll take these cute pants and this top from lolewoman.com.  I miss all my work out clothes!  Thankfully my cute tennis shoes still fit, right?  Not like they are easy to see anymore!

Addi Says What

Everybody lime up!!  (She says this often and I can't bring myself to tell her it is line.)
Addi what's your Christmas wish? "It's allllll about mama!!!!"
I love you mama. And I love Lena and I love Travis.   "What about Annie?" No.  Babies are not my love.  Grown ups are my love.  I'm not good at loving babies.  Just grown ups. 
We went to see Santa and she asked him for a baby doll.  On the way home she said so disappointedly, "but he didn't give me a baby doll!!!"
Randomly in the car "I have a tiny head.  A really tiny head."
She sat on Chris' lap and said, "daddy.  I'm sitting on your privacy."
We were playing on the bed and I pushed Addi over like we had been doing the last five minutes and she stopped and look appalled and said "Don't push people.  People do not like to be pushed."

You know what? I'm going to name my baby brother Addi when he grows up to be a big girl!
We were trying to tell Addi which hand was her left and which was her right and we asked her to raise her right hand and she said, "I've got nothing for you guys."
Addi and I were playing with these flash cards and she said "Okay listen up.  These are the rules. You pick them up and then throw them down."  So I picked some up and threw then down and she said, "No, no no.  These are very special to my life."  

Exactly what I want to hear

flannel and leggings: old navy   tank top: walmart  
A few weeks ago I was getting ready for bed and changing in the bathroom.  Chris walked in and I was putting lotion all over my stomach, and was only in my underwear.  
His response?  "Oooh.  I think we're going to have a big boy on our hands." 
Thank you Chris.  That is exactly what a naked pregnant woman wants to hear. 
Edit:  Thank you to a friend you sent me this picture from years ago when we were high school youth leaders of Chris and his "I can stick out my belly farther than you" trick. 

At least I'm making a "big boy" in my belly.  ;)  
Love you Chris. 

A look back . . . . . .

I just spent some time looking back on my post like this from last year.  It is so fun for me to look at what last year looked like and then to look through this year month by month.  This makes me want to keep writing my blog.  I love being able to see our year in review and get excited to continue to document our lives from the good things, the hard things, the shallow things like outfit pictures and the fun things like projects I've done.  This has been a great year overall and I am so thankful for all the ways God has blessed us.  Here's a look at our 2015 . . . . 

In January I wrote about feeling more confident in my role as a mom, something I'm still learning but as time goes on feeling like this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now and was made to be a mom.  I made Addilyn a cool workshop sensory board that I will now have to figure a way to change the name so our baby boy can use it down the line too!  I wrote about being brave and some goals for the new year. 

In February I shared my favorite place in the house to decorate, which ironically I changed and looks very different now.  I shared a new favorite outfit, and wrote about my goal for teaching Addilyn to be herself, needing to hear those words and apply it myself.  I turned my grandpa's old suitcase into an end table and it is probably my best project I've ever done.  

In March we celebrated Easter and Addilyn went to her first big Easter egg hunt which was hysterical.  I wrote out my breastfeeding journey, which came with lots of emotions.  Addilyn got a pair of yoga pants and tennis shoes and it was just about the cutest thing I'd seen.  I made a little coffee bar in our dining room and that became my new favorite place in our house.  

In April, Addilyn and I got matching tees and I wanted to keep dressing us alike all the time.  This month held National Infertility week and I wrote a post about our story.  I had a super fun girls' day with my sister and one of my best friends.  I wrote a post about our desire for baby number 2 and waiting for direction in what we should do.   

In May I nursed Addilyn for the last time on Mother's Day and shared my feelings about it.  Chris and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary with a night away, which was the first time we had left Addilyn overnight.  I wrote about ways that I was working on being brave, and Addilyn and I made some flower pots and planted some herbs and flowers which we did manage to keep alive for a long time.  I started writing my Addi says what posts filled with funny things Addilyn has said, which have become my favorite posts. 

In June I wrote about our favorite things to do as a stay at home mom and ways we keep busy.  I had a night away with my sister, sister in law and mom and we had a great time!  Way overdue I wrote about the time with my blogging friend turned best friend came to visit with her daughter.  At the end of the month we went to Florida with Chris' family and I wrote about our trip to Disney World, which is where Addilyn fell in love with Cinderella which she has yet to go a day without saying "I'm Cinderella" at least five times, sometimes fifty.  We also found out on this trip that I was pregnant, but waited until we got home to tell our families after I went to the doctor.  

In July I wrote about the rest of our trip to Florida, including time at the ocean.  Addilyn turned two years old and we celebrated with friends and donuts at the park, and then had an small ice cream party with our families.  I found the comfiest and cutest pairs of pants and wanted to wear them all summer long.  We told our families that we were pregnant with baby number two, which I shared on my blog next month.  I felt nauseous and sick pretty much right away this time around, but was so so thankful and shocked that we got pregnant on our own.  

In August, I shared an embarrassing story about a failed grocery shopping trip, and wrote about our family trip this summer with my side of the family.  I got to announce that we were expecting baby number two and it was just so much fun to feel everyone's excitement for this baby.  I shared a little bit about baby number two and started with weekly updates at week 13.  Chris also started a new job this month, with a new office and lots of exciting things, but also with lots of work and some stress too!

In September I attempted going to MOPS and the childcare did not go well, and I wrote about trying to be brave and wondering if we should stick it out.  We went apple picking or as Addilyn would call it, "apple pie picking."  I started my obsession with buying clothes from Pink Blush and shared a few favorite outfits.  I wrote about how Addilyn at 26 months had become my favorite age so far, and wrote my first letter to our baby. 

In October, we went away for the weekend to a place we've been the previous three years and I wrote about how much our lives have changed each year we've been there.  We found out we were having a baby BOY and shared the exciting news with our families.   My belly kept on growing and I very quickly moved to 99% leggings.  

In November I turned 31 and celebrated with a dinner followed by a trip to Aldi with Chris, then got to sleep in the next morning thanks to Addilyn sleeping over at her grandma's.  Best birthday present ever!  I wrote about our halloween and to no surprise Addilyn's costume choice being Cinderella.  I shared about our trip to the pumpkin patch and about another girls' day with my sisters, mom and aunt.  I wrote another Addi says what post and she just keeps getting funnier and funnier.  

In December, I hosted a favorite things party and it was so much fun!  I shared my maternity staples for this pregnancy which includes leggings, tunics and all things loose and comfortable.  I continue to work on finding joy in the messier moments of motherhood, and knowing that in the midst of hard times there are small moments of joy to hold on to.  We had the best Christmas and I feel like holidays just keep getting better and better.  I ended the year with a pregnancy post with only 10 more weeks left to go!
This year has been wonderful.  It's been fun and surprising.  It's been full of lots of throw up and tiredness, but so so exciting as we wait for our baby boy in March.  God has blessed us so much this year and we couldn't be more thankful.  We know a big year is coming ahead and we are excited to see our family grow and what the year ahead has in store!