Summer Planning

The weather is finally getting a little warmer, although I feel like summer weather is still far away.  

 Usually I am looking forward to laying out, getting a tan and doing lots of relaxing during the summers. 

It is wonderful!

But I think it's safe to say I won't be spending time in a bikini this summer. 

However meeting my sweet baby girl will be FAR better!

But one of you lucky readers, will get to plan a little summer bikini vacation with a Victoria Secret and Travelocity giftcard to use!  Enter below!

Spring is finally here. You know what that means...summer is just around the corner. Sunshine, bikinis and the beach. At least that's what I think of. To help you kick off the warm weather season, some blogger friends and I would like to give you a head start on planning for your next beach getaway and new bikini. To be honest, I'm kinda jealous that  I can't enter.  Don't forget to check these lovely ladies' blogs. They are fab!

21 Amazing Bloggers 1 Winner: $300 Travelocity Hotel Gift Card + $100 Victoria's Secret Gift Card 1 Mandatory Entry + lots of bonus entries
There is just one mandatory entry and that is to leave a comment below telling me "where you would go on your beach vacay". The rest are bonus entries and totally up to you!

Dreaming of Dimples | So Shay | This Won't Hurt A Bit

Saturated Canary | Glitter and Gloss | KV's Confessions

Jessica Who? | Gentri Lee | Her Late Night Cravings

For Lauren & Lauren | Meg O. on the Go | Hey, Hollywood

The Life of Bon | Ramblings of a Southern Belle | The Sunshine Diary

Lipgloss and Crayons | House of Rose | the Anna Delores blog

The Vanilla Tulip | Choose to be Happy | The Vintage Modern Wife

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 Good luck! 

*Note: Victoria's Secret gift card is only valid in US. Winning entry will be verified.

Five on Friday

sweater: kohls    jeans: H&M maternity  shoes: target

1.  The back of this sweater is way more exciting than the front.  So while I am not a fan of the backside pictures, I feel like I had no choice.  2.  I usually stick to pretty easy recipes, especially when it comes to desserts.  Which is why I loved this one because it starts with a brownie mix and ends with cookie dough that I can eat.  Which beat out the recipe I wanted to make last week.   Cookie Dough Brownie Bites 3.  While this recipe is probably still easy to most, to me it is more work then the majority of recipes I make, but I'm sure it's worth it!  I am participating in Jess' Easter recipe swap and this is the recipe I received from Jasmine.  I failed at making it this week but plan on trying it this weekend!  Chocolate Guinness Cake

4.  The other day my sister texted me a picture of my cute niece with a high pony tail and said that my three year old nephew said "She looks like a pine cone or a bad guy.  Either way it's not good." 
I don't think he could be any cuter or funnier.  I am missing him a lot!
5. I want to make one of these lamps for our baby room.  I know there are many other things I should be organizing and cleaning at my house, but all I want to do it make things for her room!  

(floral lamp    polka dot lamp)

Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

Say what?

skirt: old navy clearance ($5)   sweater: old navy clearance ($5)   scarf: discovery ($7)

I know I've written quite a few times before about how different Chris and I are.  Especially when it comes to his natural happy face or how he is always doing "funny" things and thinks I should be more amused at him.  Remember when I made it my goal to laugh at him more often? 
Well I think I'm failing. 
But sometimes the things he says I just am not quite sure where they come from. 
Like the other day when we were driving in the car he just says, 
"What would you do if I told you I was a robot and opened my wrist to show you my battery?"
What? 
He then proceeded to talk about it for the next 5 minutes at least and wanted to know if I'd still love him if he wasn't human, along with other questions that he seriously wanted me to consider.  
I got incredibly lucky with an amazing husband, but I can't help to find him a little weird at times. 

Truths and Thoughts

shirt: old navy   dress: forever 21   flats: kohls
The other day Chris was talking about how he was wishing he could call his grandpa and tell him about his new business and our baby.  This last year and half we lost all four of our grandpas.  It's sad for me to think about how we didn't get to tell them we're pregnant and our daughter won't met her great grandpas. I also feel sad that my grandpa isn't here to pray for my baby daily, like he prayed for us to get pregnant.  

In the last week or so more people in my life have found my blog.  And my first response to that is to feel embarrassed and self conscious.   It was over a year before anyone besides my family and a few friends knew I had a blog.  And I'm thankful for that.  It was so nice to not second guess what I wrote or worry about what others may think.  I think this was especially true when it came to posting details about our infertility journey.  Writing things for people you don't see is much easier.  With that being said, I should probably get over it and not worry what others may think but that's easier said than done! 

I've had a hard time with the weight I've gained during this pregnancy and all the changes my body is going through.  Before getting pregnant I worked out every day and with being on bed rest for the most of the first trimester and then not being able to work out the same, it's been hard to feel like I have no control over what is happening with my body.  I'm afraid of gaining too much weight and fear not being able to get back in shape.  And then all these feelings make me feel selfish and ungrateful that I am pregnant and able to carry this baby. 

I always thought Chris would be an amazing dad.  When we first starting trying to get pregnant he was really excited, but I think the waiting we did and what we went through to get pregnant has made him more excited and more ready to be a dad.  The other day he told me that throughout the day he thinks about meeting our daughter and can't wait to hold her.  He asks me every time I'm laying down if she's moving and wants to feel her.  He prayers for her every night and it's so clear that he is already in love with our baby. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be the best dad and I'm so thankful for him.  


Linking up to: pleated poppy   shanna said so   style sessions

Not an Expert

top: loft      jeggings: walmart    wedges: target    scarf: ? 

This picture is from about two weeks ago, that I never shared.  Crazy how fast this belly is growing!

About two years ago I started making and selling things on etsy, at craft fairs and for personal orders.  I thought it would be wonderful to be successful in this, as it was a hobby that I enjoyed and thought could make me some money too.  

While I did make a little money, it never really want far.  I haven't worked too hard and put much time into growing that hobby, as I would now rather fill my time with projects for my baby and gifts for other people.  Like this onsie and bow tie I made for a friend's baby. 

I do still have a few things taking up space in my craft room that I'd love to sell, like these sock monkeys: 

(Let me know if you'd like one!  I'm selling them for $20 - free shipping).  

Someday after our baby comes I'd LOVE to start making and selling things again.  At this point the help of someone who is an expert at how to make your small business a success would be a huge help. 

That is where Kim Flynn comes in.  While I am far from an expert, she on the other hand specializes in helping woman grow their own businesses. 

Kim is an international speaker, trainer and business consultant specifically for women. She has developed a strategy to systematize and automate small businesses and is really passionate about sharing what she has learned with other women (and a few brave men) to empower them to be successful in their own businesses.

Kim’s clients have been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the OWN network, TLC, and other major media outlets. She is a total rockstar and now she wants to share her expertise with you all.

Instead of doing a random drawing to select one lucky winner, Kim Flynn is giving away a free training for every single one of you! She is doing a content-intense webinar for women this week and she offers SERIOUS training about structuring and organizing your business so you can uplevel it quickly. This will be helpful if you already have an established business, if you’re just starting out, or even if you’re still dreaming about one day having your own business.

You can register here with this special link for For Lauren and Lauren readers:

Free Training for For Lauren and Lauren Readers

You will learn:

• The top 3 mistakes women make in business
• How to systematize the 5 parts of a business
• Step-by-step how to design a marketing plan that works

You will leave the call with tools and training you can immediately implement into your business THAT DAY!

You should definitely take advantage of this free service that I am sure will be beneficial! Just click on the link above to get started!