Bump Update: 27 Weeks

How far along? 27 Weeks! We have less than three more months until we meet our little boy!!

Total weight gain/loss: I'm guessing about 13-14 pounds. I'm supposed to be gaining about one pound per week and I think I'm doing just fine on that!

Maternity clothes? Slim pickins these days ladies! I'm getting really creative. Still the same as last week though, a few regular pants! Never thought I would make it this far with them.

Stretch marks? Nope. I will not be surprised though if I do get them.

Sleep: What a long week it was. I slept pretty good I was so tired.

Best moment this week: Christmas with my husband and the families!! I also love, love buying Christmas presents, even if it can be stressful at times. It gives me great joy.

Miss Anything? Not worrying about foods that are unsafe to eat. Examples: beef tenderloin on Christmas Eve being cooked well done? Eggs cooked all the way? Is that cheese pasteurized?

Movement: He is getting stronger and stronger by the day. I feel I already have an idea about his personality...does that seem strange?

Food cravings: I loved some sushi on Thursday night- nothing raw, don't worry! Pancakes and waffles for breakfast this past weekend...yum! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn...it came back with a vengeance!

Have you started to show yet: Yes, I think everyone can tell now.

Gender: Loving our baby boy so much!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? It's still in...

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Doing a little baby shopping: we need a mattress and a glider. Having a week off from work. Celebrating a New Year, which will be the year we welcome baby boy into our family!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!
 I will recap with some photos of our Christmas Vacation soon.

xoxo.

Christmas 'round the house

Before Christmas is over, I wanted to share a few more scenes from our home. I went a little lighter this year due to obvious reasons, but I have enjoyed the simplicity at the same time.

Starting off with my paperwhites on the coffee table, I enjoyed these the most.

We also got a new pillow this year. Reminds me of Dixie.

One of my Fenton pieces filled with silver bulbs...

The paperwhites needed a thick ribbon to hold them up. This red and white was my favorite this year!

I'm a sucker for a needlepoint pillow- classic. The motto for the season...

Since I'm not enjoying cocktails this year, I didn't need to set up a bar for Christmas. Instead, I made use of our cute coffee mugs! Ready for serving coffee and tea each morning. The Advent calendar on the fridge was made by my Mom- it's in the perfect place this year.

We store the extra ornaments in a candy dish and add an ornament on the tree each day.

My Mom also finds us the small ornaments for the tree- this was the one for 2012 from Hallmark.

I also made a pom pom garland for the window...

You also saw the other pom pom garland I made on my weekly chalkboard.

My other Christmas related posts can be seen here:

Forcing Paperwhites for Christmas

Aqua Inspired Christmas

Our Christmas Mantel 2012

Festive Pinterest Christmas Ideas

Fun Outdoor Lights

Gift Giving + Our Christmas Card

Mom's Ranch Christmas Crackers
Time to Stock Up

I will most likely be popping in sometime next week, but plan to enjoy as much time as possible with family over Christmas, and afterwards for a little much needed vacation!

Wishing you all a Very, Merry Christmas!

XOXO!

Time to Stock Up

I've had my eye out for stockings for next year. Now is the best time to buy them of course! These are a few of my favorites. Should I do a mix of a few that coordinate {leaving room for additions in the future!} or pick one stocking to go with? Obviously I couldn't go the pink sequin bow route if I just go with one style.

Multi Flower Stocking

Deer Stocking

Pink Sequin Bow Stocking

Red Sequin Bow Stocking

Red Ribbon Velvet Stocking

Lace Appliqued Stocking

Cream Red Stripe Fair Isle Stocking

Did you update your stockings this year? And where might I find them?

Almost time to stuff those stockings- my favorite!!!

xo.

Mom's Ranch Oyster Crackers

One snack my Mom always has on hand for Christmas is her tasty Ranch Oyster Crackers. These are the perfect snack to set out for happy hour or between big meals. There always seems to be a bowl at some point sitting on the counter for kitchen visitors. 

Warning: they are highly addictive and it's hard to stop once you start!

RANCH OYSTER CRACKERS

Ingredients:

1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Mix- Original

1/2 teaspoon dill weed

3/4 cup salad oil

5 cups plain oyster crackers (11 oz)

Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Combine ranch mix with dill weed and oil. Pour over crackers, stir to coat. Place in warm oven (250 degrees) for 15-20 minutes. Stir gently halfway through baking.

Everyone loves to grab a handful!

We also have packaged these up in cute gift boxes as a nice change from sweet treats to give as small gifts for hostesses, family or friends. Use them as a snack or even add them to a salad or soup. Make a batch to keep on hand and I promise your family will thank you for it!

Thanks for letting me share this awesome recipe Mom :)

Enjoy!!!

Gift Giving + Our Christmas Card

I hate to say it but some of the best gift ideas can come at the last minute. I think I work well under pressure, and sometimes the gifts that aren't planned out months in advance can be the most fun! The good news is, these items below can still be rushed for Christmas delivery.

 I saw these personalized iphone cases on Tiny Prints and couldn't help but think of the gift giving possiblities. For a new Grandparent or even a new Mom, they would love to have some sweet reminders. For the sister that has everything, she might like a new case with her monogram or name. A personalized mug for the coffee lover is an often forgotten gift idea. When we were younger, we gave photo coffee mugs that you did yourself to my Dad for his coffee. He still has them. Proof of a great gift right there! There's plenty more options but these were a few of my favorites...

Ribbon Initial Case / Shimmering Chevron Case / Snapshot Case / 

Chalkboard Blossoms Mug / Multi Chevron Mug

I also played around with a photo that came off of our Christmas card,

 how fun are the diagonal stripes on this iphone case?!

I have been really happy with our Christmas cards from years past, so I went with Tiny Prints again this year for our card. I always seem to catch a good deal there too, with 20% off, free shipping etc. 

You can see our card from last year here, and from 2010 here.  

Here is our Christmas card from 2012!

It just seemed like the perfect fit for this year. We are cherishing every moment and looking forward to even more. I wish I could send each and every one of you a card, but this e-version will have to do!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 

xoxo.

Bump Update: 26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +12...tracking right along.

Maternity clothes? Same old, same old. I have 3 pairs of regular jeans and a few other pants I'm still wearing. How? I do not know. I will wear those as long as I can until I switch over to wearing maternity only.

Stretch marks? Not any so far.

Sleep: Better this week than last. Can't complain too much.

Best moment this week: I passed my glucose test and my anemia test! That made me feel great. I didn't spend too much time worrying about these though. I figured if I had a problem with either I would just have to adapt for the health of the baby and I. Hearing the baby's heartbeat never gets old either.

Miss Anything? Not much to speak of this week! Stephen mentioned he needs a good steak sometime soon. We haven't had that in quite a while now because I'm not fond of a steak cooked well done!

Movement: Yes, and I'm now at the point of doing kick counts as of our last doctor appointment.

Food cravings: I feasted on cookies this week! Get them out of my house!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Indigestion was slightly better this week, not sure why.

Have you started to show yet: Yes.

Gender: Boy!!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? It's still in. Poor little belly button.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)

Looking forward to: Christmas!! This is such a special time to be pregnant, I have really enjoyed the last few weeks.

Other moments from this week...

{Had a Christmas baking party with the girls}

{I know you cannot see the bump here, but I was proud of putting together this outfit. The skirt is Lilly from this fall and I was happy to wear it one more time!}

{Stephen and I picked up these overalls this weekend. I'm.in.love. They are a 12 month size, so we are estimating he will be wearing them some time next fall/winter. I have been really picky about what color his clothes are: I feel like babies should be in light colors, nothing too dark. These little layettes are an exception! Stephen insists the boy has some red in his closet}

Thanks for reading friends- I hope your weekend was wonderful.
xoxo.

Prayers

via

I don't have the right words to give the families that lost their loved ones on Friday, but I hope somehow, at some point, they will feel comfort from the rest of the nation and world. I am just in shock from this senseless tragedy. I cannot begin to imagine. I couldn't help but hold my little baby bump a little tighter all weekend long.

May God wrap his arms around all of you.

Thank You + Weekend Warrior

via

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for the awesome advice yesterday on maternity photos.  Y'all have me convinced: we should do the photos as long as we find it affordable, in a smaller scale way. Of course, we won't be displaying them on a huge canvas to greet everyone that walks in the door, but a few keepsake photos will be treasured. This topic even made it to our dinner topic discussion. I figure there have to be a few great photos that would come from a shoot so I'm willing to give it a go! Now that it's decided I will start to look into some local photographers and plan our photos. More to look forward to! 

It hit me hard yesterday that I am flat out exhausted. I'm ducking out for the weekend to accomplish a little, rest more, and enjoy some pleasures of the season! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends!! xoxo.

Maternity Photos: Do or Don't?

I need some help. Are maternity photos a do or a don't? 

Of course, I've seen a lot of maternity shoots that have been amazing and so sweet, which makes me want to do it as well. However, I guess my feelings are on the fence because of how I will feel after seeing them! As in, am I going to look at them and feel like a cow? Or will I look at them and think fondly about this amazing time in our lives? Will I wish I had done them if I don't? If you did them, are you happy that you did? Do you display them in your house? I also don't want to spend a ton of money on them when we are already spending a lot on baby prep. Newborn photos are a must. Are maternity photos a necessity? I think I would love to look back on the last photos of us as a family of two.

via

 So, anyone with experience in this category, please send along your advice. And anyone that isn't in this category...would you do maternity photos? I'm thinking the best time will be January {before the swollen hugeness sets in for real} and if I'm doing them, they will be outdoors which could be tricky.

And no bare belly shots.

Would love your advice!!

xoxo.

Fun with Lights!

The husband did a little outdoor decorating this weekend, stringing lights all across our screened in porch. Apparently we went all Griswold last year because we had boxes, and boxes and boxes of lights that we could not remember what they were used for.

 It was another mild weekend and we actually sat outside after dark and got to enjoy our newly lit porch! I was pleasantly surprised he strung the lights across the potting bench and ended the strand in the glass jar below. Isn't he clever!

I added the pine cones and candles and we had ourselves a brand new vignette. 

PS- I made those candlesticks last year by spray painting a glass candlestick and then gluing it to a vase- all from the Dollar Store. I never used them for much before but I'm thinking they found a new home outdoors. 

I told you we had a ton of extra lights. My sweet victim.

I give you, Christmas in the South! Enjoying the porch at night when it is 65 degrees outside.

I also want to say thank you to everyone who reads and leaves the nicest comments on my weekly bump updates! Each and every one make my day. It can be tough being pregnant and hearing your sweet comments make my week so much better! I genuinely appreciate your interest in this time in our lives as well. So thank you!

Have a great Wednesday y'all! xo.

Bump Update: 25 Weeks

ps- We weren't sure if it was "a cauliflower" but my patience these days isn't what it used to be. 
Sorry if I am offending anyone with my English, haha.

How far along? 25 weeks! I have milestones etched in my head and 25 weeks is one of them!

Total weight gain/loss: I think I'm about +11-12

Maternity clothes? Still a little bit of everything. I think some items like the TB sweater pictured above will be worn for the entire pregnancy. {Highly recommend it, especially nice for its length!} Lots of things are no longer looking good on the baby bump. I'm hoping I can mix and match basics, and dress things up with accessories and jewels to get me through! I don't want to invest a lot in clothing I will only be wearing for three more months.

Stretch marks? No but I had a minor freak out moment picturing the worst. Can someone tell me at what point you usually get them?

Sleep: It's been OK. A little back and hip pain from lying on my side. I was sick all week and some nights were just not fun.

Best moment this week: Shopping for the baby boy...and getting to spend the weekend at home with my husband.

Miss Anything? Picking out an outfit easily. 

Movement: A ton!

Food cravings: Hmm...nothing to crazy this week! I always enjoy a sweet bite or two {usually chocolate} and have been eating lots of apples still.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Indigestion.

Have you started to show yet: Yes.

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? It's still in!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mentally happy and physically exhausted from being sick. I stayed home from work most of the week and recovered pretty quickly from a cold. Still getting better...but rest is key!!

Looking forward to: Working on the nursery more! We've chipped away at a few more things to get going...

Moments from this week...

{My mom sent me this of my new niece. How darling! She is just over a week old now}

 {Hubby loving. We had a mini spontaneous photo shoot before his office Christmas party. It has taken me getting pregnant to appreciate the wonders of the blazer. I'm insanely in love with this one by Ella Moss}

{Dixie is just like her Mom, she loves Lilly Pulitzer. I found her on the bed Saturday morning nestled down on my new vest I got for my birthday}

Thanks for reading y'all!
xoxo.