29 weeks and a lazy weekend!

I can't believe I'm already starting my 29th week!! In some respects it seems like yesterday we found out we were expecting and in others it definately feels like 29 weeks! :)  Harper has been moving around ALOT and it's one of my favorite parts of the day. I have my next OB appt tomorrow morning and am looking forward to hearing her heartbeat.  Chad and I are going to schedule a 3D/4D ultrasound in November (which we roll into this week) and I can't wait! We didn't have one with any of the boys and i'm looking forward to seeing her facial features up close. 

I'm really thankful this weekend has been a lazy one! I even managed to take another nap this afternoon after watching my Bears win!! Talk about high blood pressure in the last minute though...oh my goodness. I took the boys to church this morning since Chad wasn't feeling so hot. They had a costume party there and had a really good time!  The funniest part about it is that we bought a big bag of candy to donate yesterday while at Target, and while I remembered to take the receipt and coupon out of the Target bag before giving to Noah to take in to his class I failed to remove the bag of panty liners I bought...YIKES!! When we got home from church Noah pulls out the Target bag from his candy bag and gives it to me and I can't figure out why he is giving me trash. And then I open it.. Needless to say I laughed my head off and got about ten shades of red. It definately made for a funny story. 

After church we came home and had lunch and Chad was feeling good enough to go with us to pick out pumpkins. We weren't up to driving to my favorite orchard but there is a farm not far from us that has a simliar set up and tons of pumpkins to choose from. The boys both picked out a big one and played on their playground area while Chad and I watched and chatted. We were planning on carving them but decided to wait until Tuesday after school.

I did try a new rice and cilantro lime chicken recipe tonight for dinner which was delish! Which brings me to now and I'm sitting on my favorite couch relaxing while I have more rice cooking for tomorrow's chicken fried rice recipe (the recipe says that day old rice is best to use) and then I am going to read to the boys and enjoy catching up on a show or two before Monday gets here. I'm so not ready for the work week but will just take it one day at a time! :) Ky has practice #2 tomorrow and I can't wait to see how it goes. Blessings!

Basketball practice, a baby shower, and fellowship!

Getting ready for practice

Enjoying a water break!!

This week has been wonderful! On Monday Kylan had his first basketball practice. Chad and I were a little nervous because he has a condition with his legs that causes him to run slower than his peers but he is a trooper and was so excited all weekend about his impending practice! Chad and I talked all day Monday and prayed that Ky would have a good time, have a great coach, and have kids on his team that were kind.  I know it sounds crazy but I just feel so protective of my little man and the thought of on of his teammates making fun of him due to his condition or even him feeling out of place makes me want to break down in tears. But God is good and Ky's first practice was a success! His coach and asst coach were fantastic! There are 10 other kids on his team and they all got along really well. They worked hard and he was exhausted by the end of the hour but he was so excited he kept telling us how much he loved the game and couldn't wait for his next practice. My heart felt so much better and I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of this season goes for him.

Harper's first Uggs!



Our first shower!

On Wednesday my friends from my office in Chicago through Chad and I a baby shower. It was precious and beyond anything we expected.  Chad's office in Chicago is about 25 minutes from mine and his business partners and boss drove up to my office for a combined shower. My friends thought of everything! One of their family owns an amazing bakery and made this cake that was out of this world! It was better than many wedding cakes I've had. It had three layers, the bottom being chocolate with Bavarian cream, the middle white with raspberry filling, and the top a marble with chocolate mousse. Did I mention it was amazing!! :) I even went back for seconds and didn't think twice about it. I'm pretty sure I will order Harper's first birthday cake from here.  I've been at corporate for a little over three years and during that time have made a couple of really good friends who I often call my posse. :)  We laugh all the time and have made some fantastic memories whether it be while traveling together, going out for a quick lunch, talking after work on our long commutes home, or just sharing stories about life. And I'm truly thankful for them. Just seeing the kindness and effort they all put into coming and showering us with love was so humbling for Chad and I.  We left our office that day just thankful for the people that God has put in our lives on an every day basis at the office. We are blessed.

One of the things that I have prayed for over the past year is that God would bring couples into our lives that have children that we can fellowship with.  Chad and I both have amazing friends here at home and have one couple that we do things with almost on a weekly basis who has a son C that is three and we love him to pieces. Outside of that we don't have any friends close by with kids.  And I miss having that. Over the course of the last year one of my very good friends who I've known for 11 years started to date one of Chad's previous co workers who he had become friends with. And L has two kids from his first marriage who are 3 and 6. And so it's just worked out that we really enjoy doing things together as couples and as families. Our kids get a long great and we just have a relaxed time together.  Yesterday we invited them over for dinner and had a wonderful time!  We started upstairs and enjoyed dinner and laughs and then the kids and the men headed downstairs to the playroom and media room to hang out. Nat and I stayed upstairs in our family room and enjoyed talking and spent some time in Harper's room going through her things. :)  They stayed until 9ish and we enjoyed my famous brownies and vanilla bean ice cream before they headed home. And when they left we smiled and talked about the funny things the kids did and our night.  And it was good....really good to have friends come to our home, relax, and make memories.  I can't wait until we do it again and am thankful for answered prayers.

Today has been really relaxing! I slept awful last night! So much so that I stayed in bed until a little after nine this morning reading and just didn't want to move. We got up had a lite breakfast and then headed out to run a couple of errands and meet Chad's parents and sister for lunch to celebrate Chad and his sister's birthday. They are three years and three days apart.  It was a nice lunch and we caught up a bit and then afterwards headed to Target to pick up some candy for the boy's costume party at church this weekend. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling to great by the time we got to Target and took a three hour nap once we got home. Afterwards I enjoyed reading some more while the boys played a game with Chad downstairs and have overall just enjoyed doing a whole lot of nothing today.  I think tonight we are going to chill and watch some movies after the boys go to bed. And tomorrow do a couple of fun things!

28 weeks, Psalm 139, Revelations, and Hilltops

It's hard to believe that I've entered my third trimester and based on my induction date only have 79 days to go.When I think of the things I did 79 ago I know the time is going to fly. At the same time it seems so far away!  She is getting bigger and I'm starting to feel the slightest bit uncomfortable when attempting to fall asleep at night and feel like I'm a couple weeks shy of the waddle. A friend of mine had her baby girl this past week and just seeing pictures of her daughter brought tears to my eyes knowing that I will be doing the same thing not too far from now.

Yesterday we celebrated Noah's 8th birthday with his friends at Chuck E Cheese. He was so adorable all week getting excited to spend time with his friends. Friday night over dinner he walked through his agenda from Friday night to Saturday morning up to his party which started at 9:30am.  He ran into bed Friday night telling me he was so excited to go to bed so he could get up and go to his party. I was so thankful that 5 of his friends came and we had the whole place to ourselves which was great. I will be the first to admit that Chuck E Cheese is one of my least favorite places only because it's normal chaos and tons of kids running all over. Thankfully because we had his party early we were on the only people there up to ten minutes before leaving. It was perfect and Noah was thrilled! I was able to talk with all of the parents and get to know them a little better which was nice. Noah has been in the same class for 3 of the children since Kindergarten and it's been neat to watch their friendships develop over the last few years.

This morning I got up and went to the grocery store around 5:20 which is actually a little late for my "normal" grocery run. I love to go very early when there is no one there and take my time getting groceries for my two week menu.  As I drove this morning I was filled with emotion as I drove up and down the large hill that I go across almost every day. For whatever reason this morning as I drove up it memories came flooding back to when Carmen was here right after Mason died and I drove across town to the wrong Walgreens. We traveled over the hill and listened to the CD that was made for his funeral and talked.  This morning I thought of that memory and then moved to thinking about how Carmen will be coming in 77 days to be here for Harper's birth. I am so incredibly thankful for our friendship. As Christine says in Grey's Ananotomy she is "my person". Carm and I have been best friends since we were 15. She has always been there and she's the one person in my life aside from Chad that I don't have to explain things to because she's been there with me through almost everything as I have with her.  It's so incredible because her mom is going to fly from Texas to Georgia to stay with her husband and help with their two kids as her husband is in the military and has quite a hectic work schedule. She will be here for 11 days and as I shared with her this morning I can't wait for the memories we are going to make while she is here.  It's so fitting because not only is she my best friend, Chad and I asked her to be Harper's godmother so we are thrilled that she can be here for her birth.  I feel so incredibly blessed and look forward to watching her relationship with Harper grow as my relationship with her daughter Avery has grown over the years.

After unpacking the groceries and enjoying a breakfast sandwhich Chad made we got cleaned up and headed to church.  I LOVE our church home.  I struggle with finding the right words to even begin to explain our pastor.  His sermons are profound and God breathed.  This morning he started by reading Psalm 139 1-4: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.  And as he shared this verse I just felt covered with peace.  I know that God know that days of my life and those of my children and I find great comfort in knowing He has complete control.  I know that as He keeps me safe he does my children and He knows my steps before I've even taken them. I would be lying if I said that I am always at peace and never questions His plan for my life, or that I handle the craziness that is often thrown at me well, but I know in the depth of my heart that His plan is perfect and that it's not my job to understand it.  It's my job to trust Him and honor him admist the "unknown" that we often face.  After worship He moved into Revelations as his latest series is taking us through the last book in the Bible.  His wisdom and knowledge of the books has made understanding it seem so simple.  I've had the wonderful opportunity to participate in several studies on the book of Revelations over the years but have enjoyed the freshness this series brings to such an amazing book in the Bible.

As quickly as Friday came so does Monday sneak up on us tomorrow.  This week will bring Chad's 33rd birthday! We have a couple of things planned to celebrate another year of his life and I'm excited for our one on one date Thursday evening.  He is taking Friday off and doing a fun activity with the boys and then we are having friends over for dinner Friday evening which will be alot of fun.  I can't imagine being married to anyone else and am so thankful that God brought him into my life a little over nine years ago. It's hard to believe we've been together almost a 1/3 of my life!! Well I must finish getting ready for the week but can't wait to share pics of Ky's first practice.

Almost Friday!

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday! Normally a day will fly by here and there, but lately the weeks are flying by!!! I'm not complaining because every week that goes by is a week longer that Harper is snug as a bug and one week closer until I get to hold her in my arms. Words can't begin to describe how excited I am to have her here. On the way to school this morning I was talking to the boys about Christmas and how shortly after Christmas Harper would be here. Somehow we went from there to them asking me how old they would be when Harper was 6,7,8 etc. I almost started crying just thinking about my boys being teenagers and would like to stay in denial just a little longer that they will ever get older.  I am excited to see them with Harper and know that they will be wonderful big brothers to her. 

Ky found out who his basketball coach is today and is so excited to start practice next week.  I'm really hoping he enjoys the team he is on, learns alot, and has a blast! Noah starts tennis in a couple of weeks and can't wait.  We were hoping to get them back into swim and the club they take lessons as but i'm not sure that two sports per boy and a newborn will work out well so we are going to see how November goes and decide in December. 

One of our favorite things to do together as a family before the boys go to bed is watch the show Chopped or Cupcake Wars. I DVR them during the week and love to breeze through the commericals. I'm really excited because I found a few neat cupcake shops up north and showed the boys my top two picks. I think we might just take a trip up there this weekend and try a couple, but we'll see.  If not this weekend next weekend for sure!

Noah is celebrating his birthday with his friends from school on Saturday. His actual birthday is in September but we wanted him to get to know the students in his class and invite new friends if he made some. He's so excited that 6 of them are coming!  Now I just have to finish my mom majic and put together the goody bags and make his cake.

Aside from his birthday party our weekend is going to be pretty low key. My sister is going to take them to her friend's son's Halloween party. He's three and a little young for the boys but they are having a pumpkin painting station, bob for apples, and a few other things that I know the boys will love.  On Sunday their surrogate aunt is going to make home made pizzas with them for lunch and they will get to spend some time at her house which they will absolutely enjoy. I haven't told them yet in case something comes up for her but I know it will be a fun filled weekend for them. And while they are going to their events Chad and I will have some down time and get the boys Christmas shopping done!! I'm so exicted because i'm so close to having my Christmas shopping list complete. I'm doing one last walk through of my Christmas tote of gifts and hoping to get everything that is left this weekend. Fingers crossed. :)

27 weeks, chocolate temptation and keurig love!

This week has been alot calmer and Miss Harper is getting bigger! One of my favorite times of the day is at night before I go to bed. While I lay down and try and catch a show that has been DVRd Miss Harper loves to have a boxing max in my tummy and I love every minute of it! This morning while watching a show with Chad he got to feel her move again and we saw my stomach move as she moved. I just love this part of pregnancy. I think about her listening to our voices and pray constantly for our baby girl who is continuing to grow.  I can't wait to meet her and have not added a counter on my phone counting down the days until my induction and the days until my best friend, Carmen, who godmother, will be here. She's not here yet but loved by so many. I still can't figure out how to fix these pictures so they are ride side up but here's a few from this coffee filled weekend!



Chocolate Temptations!



My sweet friend Jodi!



Saturday morning I got up early and picked up my friend Jodi. We headed to a small town near by that has an amazing coffee shop called Chocolate Temptations! It is amazing. They make their truffles and chocolates there and have a selection of coffee that makes any coffee lover's head spin. I picked up a few flavors for Christmas gifts and even brought home a few truffles to share. I know this is going to sound ridiculous but I am so thrilled to love coffee again. I told Chad a few weeks back that I was getting nervous that I would never be able to drink a cup again, but thankfully my love for coffee is back and I couldn't be happier.  I ordered 6 boxes of K-cups this week and they delivered yesterday!!!  I am now good to go through maternity leave. I made sure to order my favorite fall and winter flavors. A business partner of mine told me about a new seasonal flavor by Green Mountain called Pumpkin Spice Latte...and I LOVE PUMPKIN. When I placed my order on Keurig's website they were out as was Green Mountain. Thankfully I found boxes left on amazon and ordered a couple. After trying it this morning i'm wondering if i have enough:) Some other flavors I bought are Timothy's Pumpkin Latter, Cinnamon Pastry, Carmel Vanilla, and Crazy Carmel.  And I stocked up on more bottles of Williams and Sonomona's pumpkin latter syrup to go with, which I'm grateful for because when I went to pick up more pumpkin creamer at the grocery store today they were all OUT!!! I was so sad. So at some point this week I am sure I will go to every grocery store in town in search of a few bottles but my latte syrup will hold me over as the taste is fantastic!



Keurig Love!



Today I slept in! For me that means 8:30 but it was great....and we even laid in bed watching tv for a bit while the boys watched their shows downstairs. After a slow start we got up had brunch and headed into town to pick up my youngest sister and take her to get a laptop. She was so excited! While I kept the boys busy looking at Ipads and they tried out games Chad looked through everything and did on the spot research. He is so great with my family and patient. He found one that will work great for Jessi with all of her honors classes...and she even gets some perks for the social aspects of life. After that we went to a newer yogurt place where you can sample every flavor and then pick flavors and toppings. We went to a place simliar in GA this summer and I saw a Menchies when I was in Madison a few weeks a go...while this place is different it was a huge hit and a fun afternoon activity.  After coming home I started on dinner...and am making a flatbread lasagna with salad, green beans, and crescents.  While going out seemed much more appealing...knowing we have my menu of meals at home made more sense.  As Chad and I reviewed all of the necesities we still need to get for Harper this weekend we are doing our best to stay on budget every month. Have I mentioned how excited I am to meet her! :) 

This week should be busy and I am going back to my office in Chicago for the first time in months. My business partner is driving with me which is a blessing because I am anxious about the drive and being so far from home. But I know that Harper is doing well and the day will fly by.  I think i'll just feel better once i'm down there and back.  We signed Ky up for basketball and anticipate hearing from his coach this week to find out when his practices and games will be. And I found a tennis league for Noah's age and need to sign him up this week. They don't start the next session until November 10th, but he is thrilled! I really hope he enjoys it.  He has been talking about tennis and volleyball ever since the Olympics and I think it is too cute.  I want to get the boys both back into swimming but think I will wait until December after they get a month and half of these sports under their belt.  I'm thankful that Chad only has to go to Chicago once this week. The past two weeks he has been there every days minus two and the long hours with this project he has been working on took a toll on him and me...lol

26 weeks, unglued, and misc pics

This week has been a full one on all accounts! Fall is here and I'm enojying every minute of it. It's my favorite season and I love the crisp air, changing of the leaves, everything pumpkin, and wearing hooded sweatshirts. I love it! Last Sunday we took the boys to our favorite apple orchard and had a wonderful afternoon...they have a fantastic play area for the kids outside and an amazing store full of all types of canned goods, dip mixes, crafts, apple cider donuts, fudge....and much more. They also have a little resteraunt downstairs that serves warm apple cider donuts, applie pie, apple wedges and more. Yum x's ten.

Chillin on the tractor

Mr. Turkey

This is how I feel at 6.5 months pregnant :)

This is what happens when the boys hijack my camera

Apple cider goodness!

Love this boy!

As the week progressed I started to feel off..i don't even know how to describe it other than just not feeeling like my normal self..and then on Thursday I started having contractions. First they were in my back and then moved to my front. Now that being said I've had braxton hicks before, but these weren't them...and they were five minutes apart. Ugh. Chad was in Chicago and after 30 minutes of them continuing I called him and asked if he could head home. I really dislike asking him to leave work and make the two hour drive but I also get nervous that if something happens I would like him to be here. I called my dr right away and of course she was out that afternoon. The nurse told me to lay down and start counting them and come in if they continued throughout the hour. Well call it stubborn or prideful but I didn't go to L&D. The contractions continued for five hours but as the time progressed they got further and further apart. By 9:00 pm they stopped but I was exhausted. I called my dr the next morning and went in to be checked. Thankfully I haven't dialated and my FNN test came back negative another praise! I did test positive for a bacteria infection which explains why i was feeling off and will treat that with an antibiotic for the next week. So needless to say I was wiped on Friday and thankful to be at home resting. I was a little disappointed because I had planned to go to Chicago on Saturday to work on my Christmas shopping but decided it would be better if I stayed close to home. So I called my girlfriend D who lives in Madison and decided to head up to see her on Saturday and have my cloth diaper consult with her:) and then do some shopping up there. And it was a fantastic impromtu day out with her. I got to her place at 8:30 and she showed me her set up again, this time with me taking notes and then we headed to one of our favorite coffee shops, followed by the cloth diaper store for more consulting :), then the mall and barnes and nobles. The awesome thing was I was able to get the baskets for Harper's closet, do some Christmas shopping, get my cloth diaper consult down three weeks in advance, and was home by 2:00. It was a great end to a long week! I forgot to mention that I also stopped by my favorite Christian bookstore and picked up a couple of books and Christmas items and two books that have been on my wish list for some time. I read about Lysa Terkeurst's book Unglued a while back but haven't had the opportunity to pick it up and made sure to do so yesterday. I started reading it this morning and haven't been able to put it down. Wow talk about meeting me right where I am at this season in my life. I think I've highlighted a handful of sentences on almost every page and am in awe at all that God is speaking to me about through her via these pages. So much to take in but so excited to be molded and stretched.  And before the new week starts i'll leave you with a few more pics from the last week.

And before the new week starts i'll leave you with a few more pics from the last week.



At church after an amazing service!





I found these shoes this weekend and found the perfect dress in Harper's closet to match!





Harper's closet is 90% complete! I found these baskets at Pottery Barn and just have to determine the organization structure below her second row of clothes.