Insta-May

Here is how my month of May went according to my Instagram!

(and maybe a couple extras)

Added this to my collection thanks to my good friend Talia!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

Took Domer to the park with some friends!

Stool to Baby's rocking chair got painted.

Happy Mother's Day!
I even got a little present!

Cristina and I rescued this birdie.

Mmmmm donuts =]

Ate more candy...

Baby Z's room got painted!
And though you can't tell in the picture, carpets
cleaned too!

Took the time to map out my yard sale route!

My yard sale haul!

Checked some things off my list!
Got my flower bed planted, blinds and curtains hung,
and the chair painted!

Happy Memorial Day!
MEMORIAL DAY POST HERE

Annnnd I added another project to my list.
I can't wait to fix this up for Baby Z. My Grandpa sat
in this chair! 

Gave Domer some kissies

{Belly}

POST HERE

POST HERE

POST HERE

I also started THIS blogging challenge, and I really do plan on finishing it! Soon! Feel free to accept the challenge and do it on your own blogs! Or at the least write the answers in a journal for future kids to read someday! (That's what I wish I would have done kinda.)

Thanks for reading!

Memorial Day 2013

I love Memorial Day because it is a Monday which means I get it off with Michael which RARELY happens! 

That's 3 days in a row we had off together!
I was so excited to just spend it with him probably doing nothing.

Well...he forgot it was a holiday and I would have the day off and he made other plans.

I was soooo bummed! But it worked out ok because it meant I could go to my grandma's with my mom and sister.

It was so nice we took sandwiches and went to Salem Pond which is one of my favorite places on earth.

And I made it back in time to spend the evening with Michael!

Here are a few pictures from that day!

My mom got a new bike for Mother's Day and she LOVES
it! She rode around the pond a couple of times.

Isn't it just gorgeous?! I love this place!

We also stopped to see my Grandpa.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day! Full of remembering loved ones, family and the outdoors!

HAPPY "BUMP" DAY!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

I'll be posting pics from my 3 day weekend soon!

Thanks to all of those that read my QUESTIONS FOR MOMS blog post! And to those that took the time to answer, THANK YOU!!! All of the responses I got were awesome and a BIG help! 

My mind is much more at ease now!

Ok time for this week's update!

I thought I would do it a little differently this week and show you the bumps all together so you can see how she's grown!

To me it looks like between 21 and 22 weeks she just popped! Then I think she gets bigger in every picture!

Anyways, here are the pictures of her I promised! {FINALLY!}

There's that pout!

And her cheeks are so chubby all of a sudden!

Ok now onto that list of mine...

-hang blinds and curtains

-get a crib (Michael's mom said she'd buy that like a month ago)

-fix up the dresser

-convert entertainment center to a wardrobe

-finish rocking chair

-make all crib bedding

-make pom-pom things to hang above crib

And guess what?!

Blinds and curtains are hung!

Rocking chair is painted so now I just have the
cushions to complete!

So I guess I could cross a couple of those things off my list! 

Woo-hoo!

In other news, I went yard sale-ing on Saturday and got quite a few awesome things!

I got a plain white crib bumper for $3.00 that my mom and I will cover to look super cute.

I got some bibs, I realized I didn't have a single bib!

I got a boppy pillow for only $5! These things go for $30-$40 people!

And check that swing out! That is the exact swing I put on my registry and it costs $69.87. Guess, just GUESS how much I spent on this one? If you guess $20.00 you guessed waaay too high! I got it for only $5.00!!! 

I'm all about saving money if you couldn't tell!

I also got a lot of cute outfits and headbands for her and a couple of maternity shirts and pants for me. I think all together for the whole day I spent like $30.00 I kid you not!

Yard sale-ing is the way. to. go!

(By the way {HERE} is a link to my registry. I believe the shower will be the first part of July so stay tuned for that if you'd like to come!)

As for me, I have been feeling great!

I get a little bit of heart burn here and there.

I am starting to feel tired again but it's still not as bad as the first trimester.

I have been emotional lately. I could cry at almost anything.

Sometimes I am glad Michael works nights so I can cry over nothing and not be embarrassed. On the other hand, I don't need to be embarrassed in front of him, he would just comfort me and it sucks not having that when I need it.

Our next appointment is on the 11th of June which is our anniversary!

Which reminds me, I need your opinions. I don't know if you remember but last year on our anniversary I posted this picture to show that we are going to take one like it every year.

My question is: Since we will be at the Dr. on our anniversary should I take the picture there maybe with ultrasound pictures in it? Or should I wait until we go on our anniversary date and take it then. We'll probably just do a nice dinner or somethin. 

What do you all think?? I would really like to know!

Ok that was quite the hefty update thanks for hangin in there!

I'll do another one next week!

Daily Challenge - DAY TWENTY-THREE - Favorite Holiday

DAY TWENTY-THREE

What is Your Favorite Holiday and Why?

CHRISTMAS!

Family. Traditions. Treats. Presents. Music. Meaning. Decorations. Crafts. Lights.

There are so many reasons to love Christmas! I love it so much and I can't wait until this Christmas, our fist with a child! Though she'll only be 4 months old, I can't wait! Then as she gets older and is into the countdown and Santa and presents! Oh I just can't wait!

Daily Challenge - DAY TWENTY-TWO - Future

DAY TWENTY-TWO

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years, 10 Years and 15 Years?

{5 YEARS}

Well in five years I will have a 5 year old! That is weird to think about! She'll be going to school and getting to the age where she is learning a lot. I hope at that time I will also have another little one. Maybe a 3 or 4 year old. We'd like to have them pretty close. And hopefully it is a boy. I hope to have one of each and be done. I will still be working at my job and I'm sure Michael will still be at his. Our car will be paid off so that will be nice, I can't wait! Not much else will change. We plan on staying in this house forever and in this town forever. We are so happy here and this is our home.

{10 YEARS}

In ten years...wow that is a long time to look forward to. I again, will have a 10 year old so what is that like 5th grade? She'll be the age Michael and I were when we met! Scary... We will still be at our jobs and still be in our lovely house. Hopefully we have done a lot to the house by then. Like made the backyard so fun for our kids. A trampoline maybe? I'm also hoping if we do have a boy that he will be in sports and our daughter will be in gymnastics or dance or something. They will be at the age that I hope will be so fun! They'll be active and hopefully at an age where they are still ok with spending time with their parents. Let's hope!

{15 YEARS}

The scariest thought about 15 years from now is that we will have a 15 year old daughter. She'll be at the age where she is liking boys and I know her dad will not like that at all! She'll also be at the age where she is going to want to be more independent. She'll be learning to drive and she'll probably be "too cool" to hang out with her parents. I hope at this time that we can have a bond like me and my mom. Hopefully she will confide in me and tell me about the boys she likes and about school. She'll also be getting ready to go to high school! Weird... As for us, we'll still be working and hopefully be doing more to our house. A paved driveway maybe. Maybe even some upgrades to our kitchen and things like that. That's a long ways away but I know when I get there I will look back and think, "Where did the time go?!" 

Daily Challenge - DAY TWENTY-ONE - Relationship With Parents

DAY TWENTY-ONE

Describe Your Relationship With Your Parents

{MOM}

I still consider my mom my best friend. Growing up I could tell her anything and everything. It got a little different when I moved out, but it's back to normal now where I feel like I could ask her anything at all. I trust her advice on everything and she is always the first one I call when I have a question on a recipe, directions, or anything else. I'm sure she'll be getting even more calls once I become a mom and have a million questions.

{DAD}

I feel like I am the most like my dad. We could sit in a room together and not say a word but it doesn't feel awkward, it just feels like we're spending time together in that way. I remember growing up and playing catch with him and we wouldn't really talk while we did but that was some of the best time spent with him. We are both quiet like that and don't really need to say a lot. But he is the one I go to when I have questions on financials, home repair, or outdoor activity. Even if he doesn't know an answer right away, he'll take the time to find one. Just recently I got stung by a bee and didn't know what to put on it and I called my dad. He didn't know right away but called me back within minutes with an answer.

Both of my parents are people I trust and would turn to first for any questions. I hope that one day my kids will do the same with me. 

Daily Challenge - DAY TWENTY - Childhood Memories

DAY TWENTY

Describe 3 Specific Moments From Your Childhood

{1} That one time when we went to Disneyland.

I don't remember a lot of specifics about the trip but I remember the trip itself. I remember my mom making us wear matching shirts every day, maybe so we didn't get lost, I don't know but at the time I didn't really mind. I remember loving Splash Mountain. I remember my sister getting lost. She was looking at toys and claims we left her but really she just didn't come along when she was supposed to. Anyways, I remember my mom grabbing her and hugging her when we found her and I'm pretty sure she was crying. Then we lost my dad. He's a wanderer. I remember meeting a lot of princesses and getting a lot of autographs from them.

{2} Kindergarten.

For some reason I remember a lot of things about Kindergarten. Maybe it was the teacher that made it so memorable, I don't know. For example, on St. Patrick's Day the custodian came in with a garbage bag that was moving and he said he caught a leprechaun! It shook and shook like it was trying to get out and when he opened the bag only glitter came out. I still to this day don't know how he did it. 

I also remember my teacher singing songs on her guitar at the front of the class. I remember field trips. One time we went to my dad's work (he cut meat at Macy's at the time) and I remember going to watch him work. It was cold in that room, I remember that.

{3} That one time when we moved.

I was only 7 going on 8 when we moved. But I can remember it being difficult even at that age. I had a best friend that lived right next door that I was sad to leave. I remember on my last day of first grade my teacher separated the class into groups of who their teacher would be the next year and I was the only one left sitting on the floor when she got done and I remember that feeling so awkward. To this day I wonder what my life would have been like if we wouldn't have moved. Though I'm incredibly glad we did!

QUESTIONS FOR MOMS

I know I still have just over 2 months until Baby Z gets here, but I have a million things that I need to do and a million questions that I would like answered to ease my mind before it's time.

 

I would like to have has much ready and be as prepared as possible so I can spend the last few weeks just relaxing!

 

So here are my questions, all moms please leave a comment for your answers or message me on facebook or somethin.

Thanks!

 

{1} What would you make sure I pack in my hospital bag?

I have read a million lists on what to pack and so I have a pretty good idea of the things I'll really need and things I'll make sure to pack. But do you have any items you wish you would have had or are really glad you did have?

 

{2} What item or items would you make sure I put on my registry?

My registry is pretty much complete. Is there anything you wish you would have added to yours or wish you would have gotten before your little one arrived? In addition, what things can wait for a little bit until after she comes?

 

{3} What should I do to prep my body for delivery?

I have heard about oils and massaging, what did you do that worked or didn't work? Same goes for breast milk. Is there anything I can do to help bring in milk? What did you do that worked or didn't work?

 

{4} Where is the best place to get nursing bras?

What should I look for when shopping for nursing bras? What size would I go by? Any advice on this is helpful.

 

{5} What do I need to make sure is ready in the nursery?

I know I want to get it basically all set up and have it ready, is there anything you forgot to make sure was in there and accessible?

 

{6} Did baby sleep in your room at first, and for how long?

I have been told time and time again that you should have baby sleep in your room with you so that you are close when he/she wakes up needing to be fed. I have a cradle that my mom is giving me to put her in at first but you've seen our room, there is no space basically. Her cradle will be in the closet area probably. Which will be fine because she'll be close, however, her rocking chair where I plan on doing all my feedings will be in her room and not in mine. And I don't want to sit on the edge of my bed and feed her, I want to be comfortable. What would you recommend? How long did you keep your baby in the room with you? When did you let them sleep in there room and in their crib? ANY advice on this matter will sure help because this is the one I am struggling with the most.

 

{7} What is your advice for hospital stay?

I have already had someone tell me that they don't feed the dad just the mom, so to order ahead of time 2 meals so that we can eat together. Any other tips I should be aware of?

*I'll be delivering at the Brigham City Hospital*

 

{8} How long should I wait to take her on walks?

I am lucky enough to be giving birth in August which means I don't have to keep her all bundled up inside for fear of getting sick. But how long should I keep her inside? I know I'll be cooped up for a couple of weeks and going on walks would be lovely, if that's ok to do with a newborn?

 

{9} Who did you have in the delivery room?

I have thought a lot about this one and am just wondering what everyone else did. Did you have your mom? Did you have his mom? Did you have only your husband? Why and why not on all of these?

 

{10} What is your best advice for this new mom?

As you can tell, I'm a first time mom and have a lot on my mind all of the time. I have a lot of questions, and have found a lot of answers in my mom, pinterest, or my doctor. But is there any advice you can offer mom to mom?

 

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and answer my probably silly questions!



HAPPY "BUMP" DAY!

Oh another week has come and gone and I think I've grown even more. 

You all feel/felt that when being pregnant right?!

Ok good, so I'm normal!?

Anyways, many people have recommended skirts and dresses for maternity wear. 

They are comfortable, and help me keep cool in this ever-getting-hotter weather.

So, today's outfit features a skirt!

28 WEEKS 6 DAYS

A few things:

Those shoes didn't last. I didn't even wear them to work. It's getting to the point where I have to sacrifice what looks cute with what feels comfortable.

Also, the jacket didn't last too long anyways. I maybe took it off mid-morning. It's getting to the point where I am getting hot quick. Already. And I still have all. summer. long.

Wish me luck!

Other than that things are still going really good. Not much to complain about! (Other than being hot and not being able to wear cute shoes.)

I do feel like I'm starting to get tired again. Which is no fun because I am also in the stage where I just want to get things done!

For example her room FINALLY got painted!

I just LOVE the color! I think it turned out super super cute!

Today I bought blinds and a curtain rod (I already had curtains) so hopefully I can get Michael to hang them tomorrow! =] 

He did however, clean the carpet! Yay!

People keep asking me what I have done. (All I have done is what is pictured above basically.) So every time people ask me I get totally anxious and freaked out that I'm not going to be ready. Like it makes me super emotional and Michael has to calm me down and  reassure me again and again that we will be ready.

One thing I am waiting for is my mom to be done with school because she is going to be helping me with A LOT. 

And she is done Friday! Yay!

So here is what else I have to do:

-hang blinds and curtains

-get a crib (Michael's mom said she'd buy that like a month ago)

-fix up the dresser

-convert entertainment center to a wardrobe

-finish rocking chair

-make all crib bedding

-make pom-pom things to hang above crib

entertainment center turned wardrobe
inspiration from pinterest

pom-poms above crib inspiration from pinterest

The progress I have made on the rocking chair so far
(I know, not much)

I will not only post belly pictures every week but hopefully a progress update on that little list!

Daily Challenge - DAY NINETEEN - Becoming A Parent

DAY NINETEEN

How Did You Feel The Moment You Became A Parent?

Technically I am not a parent yet. I think this question is referring to the moment your first child is born. And that hasn't quite happened yet.

But I can tell you how I felt the moment that test said positive.

So many emotions.

Disbelief was probably the first.

Then fear.

Then excitement.

I still feel all of these emotions from time to time.

I still can't believe I'm going to be a mom

I still am terrified of many things. The delivery, how she'll turn out, and what kind of mom I'll be.

At the same time, I get so excited thinking about her finally getting here. 

I can't wait to dress her up, take her to the park, hear her first words, see her first steps, and many many other fantastic things that come with parenthood. 

I just can't wait!

80 DAYS TO GO!!!

Daily Challenge - DAY EIGHTEEN - My Spouse Loves Me

DAY EIGHTEEN

What Do You Think Your Spouse Loves Most About You?

Where do I even begin?! Oh stop I'm kidding.

I have no idea how to answer that so I'm going to ask Michael this one of these days and get back to you.

What would be really great is if I could get him to just write what he loves most.

Doubt it.

Ha!

Daily Challenge - DAY SEVENTEEN - Talent Wish

DAY SEVENTEEN

What Do You Wish You Were Most Great At?

When I was younger and for a really long time, I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up. I could picture these amazingly gorgeous gowns and I could even kind of draw them onto paper. Kind of. Anyways, what I wish I was most great at is actually constructing them. I wish I could just make a few cuts and sews and voila! A gown that is red carpet ready! But the sad truth is I am just not very good at sewing. I was making a pair of pajama pants once and I got measurements from the person's mom (because it was a surprise) and when I did the cuts I used the inseam measurement from top of waist to bottom of pants. That's not an inseam. Inseam is the measurement of the inside of your legs... Yeah totally goofed those up! Therefore, I don't sew unless it's a straight line and I have my mom right by my side helping me out.

Daily Challenge - DAY SIXTEEN - Accomplishments

DAY SIXTEEN

What Are Your 2 Greatest Accomplishments?

This is tough. I'm sure when Baby Z is born, I'll consider her my greatest accomplishment. But as of right now, I don't really know.

Cheer was a big accomplishment for me. I was so shy until I joined cheer. I grew to love it and to really open up. I had a lot of friends that remain friends to this day and accomplished a lot personally as far as my skills. Those were some of the best years ever.

Jr. Year was especially great =]

Graduating high school is a huge accomplishment for everyone right?! I worked really pretty hard to get good grades and graduate. Of course I could have worked harder but hey, it's high school. It's hard to really focus on school when there are so many other fun things you can focus on!

Then I would also have to say that completing my ABO and finding a full time job has been a big accomplishment. There was a time I thought I'd be stuck at ShopKo forever. But now I work in an office that I enjoy and I get good hours and I don't plan on leaving any time soon!

Sorry co-workers!

What have you all accomplished?!

Daily Challenge - DAY FIFTEEN - Fallin' In Love

DAY FIFTEEN

Describe How You Fell In Love

Michael and I have known each other since 5th grade. We were in the same class (Mr. Wankier at the old Perry elementary school) and I had the biggest crush on him. Let's just say he had a crush on me too. I would go play basketball with the boys at break time and he would always pick me for his team even though I know I wasn't all that good. Ahhh true love. Anyways, after 5th grade, he was moving away. I cried. I must have known then that the love of my life was moving away and I may never see him again. Ha! 

Fast forward to 8th or 9th grade...I honestly don't remember! Anyways, I'm just walkin down the hall one morning and there he was! I was shocked! And thrilled! I was so excited he was back! We had a class together and we started talking. Sometimes we would even hang out in the mornings. I don't mean me and him alone I mean his friends and my friends. To my disappointment, he was so mean to me! (He claims now that it was because he liked me!) I kid you not there was one day we had all been hangin out outside before school and it had been raining so our shoes were wet and squeaky when we came inside. Well he though it'd be so funny to kick my foot while I was walking. Well there I went feet straight up in the air landing right on my back. And what did he do? Laugh and walk away. Yeah, let's just say I didn't have a crush on him so much after that. But 9th grade year Peach Days we hung out. He even decided he really liked me and wanted to ask me out.

*SIDE STORY* I found out later that it was his friend Lundy that wanted to ask me out and it was Michael's job to ask me out for him. Well the more Michael talked to me the more he decided he wanted to ask me out for himself so that's what he did. 

Back to the real story, I thought he was joking and besides that, I wasn't his biggest fan at the time either, so I said no. (Mostly because I thought he was joking! I thought it was such a mean joke.) Well we remained friends and would talk here and there. I dated other people, he dated other people, and I got really busy with cheer. Sometimes I look back on those years as years with Michael lost. But then I remind myself that we needed to go through all of that. I really focused on cheer and it became a passion. I went to every dance my junior year with a different boy every time. I just had a great time and I'm sure he did too. 

One day my junior year I was in the gym practicing stunts for an upcoming pep rally. I was doing a partner stunt with Strat and well, I fell. Hard. On the gym floor. And guess who's gym class just happened to be going on at that time? Yup. Michael's. Oh I was embarrassed. But I got right back up and we tried a different stunt. Obviously that one wasn't going to work. Later that day I was walking to class. I remember being the only one in the hallway for some reason. (I don't know if it is because I had a special moment with Michael so I blocked everyone else out, or I was actually just late and the last one in the hall...) But anyways, Michael was also walking to class the same direction as me. He caught up to me and said he had seen me fall and wondered if I was ok. I remember him saying, "That looked like it hurt." That's about it and I do remember at the time just kind of giving him a quick, "Yeah, it did but I'm fine" kind of answer and hurrying to class. But looking back on it, that was so sweet of him to ask if I was ok. Heck, he could have been running late to class but he took the time to ask. What a sweetie.

Fast forward to the summer after Jr. year, before our Sr. year. I randomly get a text one day from Michael. Just askin how I was blah blah. If I remember right, he sent it late one night and I didn't read it till the next morning. And for some reason, I sent him a text back. So began our summer texting romance. We would just text all day every day. Constantly. One of the first things we talked about was who each other liked. I didn't like anyone at the time and was just cheerin and workin. But I remember his reply specifically. He said, "Well you know I've always thought you were cute." I seriously wish I still had some of those texts sometimes. I just pulled the, "Aw shucks you're too sweet" card. I wasn't really interested at the time. But the more we talked the more I got to like him. Then one day he asked me if I had any tattoos. I was like, "What the crap?! I'm only 17! Why the heck would he even ask me that?!" Well turns out it's because he had one. When I first saw it and saw that it was a cross, I thought, "Well this is never going to last." I couldn't date someone with a tattoo, not to mention one of a cross. My parents would flip!

But, I didn't let that tattoo stop me from getting to know him. Turns out we had a lot in common and there was a lot I liked about him! So when he asked me to hang out on Peach Days I said, sure! I was hanging out with a friend then met up with him and his brother Tony. So I split from my friends and hung out with him. I met his parents that very day...

Oh can I just mention that that morning he said he would wave to me as I passed in the parade. So I made sure I was on the right side of the truck when I knew we'd be passing him. I expected he'd just give a little shy wave or even just nod. But nope, he waved both arms like he was stranded on an island and saw a helicopter! It was so cute to me! Not many guys would do that.

Ok back to hanging out at Peach Days... After we went to his house I had told him all I wanted to do that Peach Days was ride the ferris wheel with him, so he took me on. It was so fun! We held hands and I think that's the moment I fell in love. He just treated me so good without being afraid to be himself. And I just loved that about him. 

We took things pretty slow from there. We didn't kiss till like 4 months after that Peach Days and we didn't say I Love You till a couple months after that. I'm glad we took it slow though. It really gave us a chance to get to know each other without the pressure of that kind of stuff. We just had fun together and we still do! 

I know this is kind of a long version of a short story of when I knew he was the one, but I love telling it! 

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Go tell your significant other that you love them and think back on how you fell for them!

HAPPY "BUMP" DAY!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Only a couple more days till the weekend and I CANNOT wait!

It's been a long week already...I have started painting baby Z's room, went to my sister's band concert, visited with a friend, oh and got a new nephew today! 

 Isn't he the cutest?!

Meet Conner!

Ok now back to me! lol ;)

This week I didn't pick an outfit from Pinterest.

This week I just wanted to talk about gouchos.

Yup gouchos. Best pant/capri things ever and they should NOT be out of style. 

They should be very much in style.

Being pregnant, there are not a lot of things that are comfortable right now but these ARE.

I have like 5 different colors and I love to wear them.

Flowy like a skirt, the length of capris, and this girl is obsessed!

So this week's outfit features gouchos.

27 WEEKS 5 DAYS

You can't even tell that they are actually pants but they are and they're great. If you are pregnant (or not!) then you should give these a try.

And maybe there is a fashion expert out there that can tell me why these are not in style. Because I think they're cute! However, I'm no fashion expert...

Though I should be!

Last Thursday we went to the Dr! I kind of love going just because I get to see her and see how she is doing.

She weighs a whopping 2 pounds 4 ounces!

I will post pictures soon but we're in trouble because she was already pouting! Like bottom lip clear out and I'm sure if we could see her eyes, they'd be puppy doggin'. No joke. We're in for it!

Pictures will be posted soon though!

And not that many of you probably care but stay tuned for Day 15 of the challenge!