26 weeks.

I am starting to get to the point where exhaustion has taken over any other priority in life. I really can't believe I have less than 14 weeks left of being pregnant… it is exciting and sad all at the same time!

26 weeks

How far along: 26 weeks 

Total weight gain: 7 lbs (ish)

Baby is the size of a: Eggplant

Maternity clothes: Yes, and those maternity leggings I bought are amazing… they are so comfortable!

Stretch marks: Not yet, but I am starting to really feel my skin stretch!

Sleep: Pretty darn good actually. I have been so stuffy and I bought a Neti Pot in the last week and it has made sleeping much easier!

Best moment of this week: Putting up the curtains, moving Luke's rocker into baby LC's room (I will explain that in a bit), and seeing the room almost entirely finished!

Movement: Between More wiggly by the day!

Food cravings: It changes daily… this week I have really wanted chocolate, Qdoba, and water!

Anything making you queasy or sick: I sucked it up and cleaned the fridge and threw almost everything out - so there is really nothing but milk and yogurt in there right now - and it doesn't smell like any food, which is AMAZING! Sorry kids, you get freezer food or noodles this week! 

Aches or pains: My hips and back have been feeling it - I also have been shoveling the massive amounts of snow we have gotten this week, just to try and help and keep up on it while Berto is at work, and it hurts my pelvis a little bit! 

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: Not a lot! I can tell that when the boys stress me out or I am in a bad mood, I have more Braxton Hicks, so I really just need to relax more! 

Belly button in or out: In - ish and starting to get the bruise that I had with Luke, which I seriously hope does not turn into something more!

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: Nothing really stood out this week! 

So, we decided against getting the Pottery Barn chair that I wanted oh-so-badly. Although a light fabric would look much better in baby LC's room, it is just not economical to spend $1000 on a new chair that will only get used for a few years. Instead, we are going to put aside some of that money to buy a nice video monitor since our old one used wifi, and with the recent news about hackers looking at us (and the kids) we are going to retire that one. I also want to spend that money to get a new bumper pad from Pottery Barn Kids…. Luke and Aiden needed the bumper because of how much they move around, and without it (when it would get pee or puke on it and it needed to be washed) they would wake multiple times because of getting a limb stuck or bumping their head into it. 

So, we also decided that we will get Luke a new fun chair for his big boy room! His room looks so big and empty without his chair in it - but he is so happy laying in bed with Aiden and reading there with his big brother! Plus, kill two birds with one stone, right?

Speaking of big boy rooms, there are SO many things that Luke loves, and I know he would be happy with any room, because he really is such a care-free kid, but I want something amazing for him. Aiden's room is so perfect for him in every way, and I want the same thing for Luke. He is still happily sleeping in his crib (thank god) and I am not rushing that transition at all, but as soon as he is ready, I want some sort of idea of where to go! Planes, animals, or dinosaurs? He loves them all! 

I also ordered these cuties this week….

Also, I am not sure if I ever shared the mood board I created for the new nursery…. some things have changed since I created it, but I have kept the same general theme…

This weekend I am doing some painting projects in the kitchen and in the front walk way! I can't wait to share how they turn out and why I did them! Snowy cooped up me = paint some stuff! 

25 weeks.

I am so happy to be getting further along, see her grow, and as of now be content knowing she is growing and my placenta is doing what it is supposed to do!

25 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks 

Total weight gain: 7 lbs (ish)

Baby is the size of a: Turnip 

Maternity clothes: Yes, and I finally caved and bought some maternity leggings so my leggings wouldn't be squeezing my belly! 

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Decent

Best moment of this week: Working on the curtains… I love when DIY projects come out better than expected and look like they cost much more than they do! 

Movement: Between 10:30 - 11:30 pm every night she is so wiggly - ut-oh! 

Food cravings: Water!

Anything making you queasy or sick: The fridge… as usual. 

Aches or pains: Getting harder by the week and I can feel the waddle coming! My pregnancy with Aiden was so easy and I never had to go up and down stairs… I have come to a conclusion that the stairs makes a big difference!

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: Not too much this week...

Belly button in or out: In - ish

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: I had an amazing dream that I was in Cancun with the family and my best friend and her family… I woke up kind of bummed it was not real. 

Cabo 2014

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy other than seeing my little Aido sick… he is a trooper though! If I could get him to sit still so he was not coughing up a lung, that would be WONDERFUL! 

And if you follow me on Instagram, you saw this project…

I loveeeee the way it turned out! So pretty and such nice quality for much less than the Land of Nod version…. you can purchase these here.

I also put up a curtain on the small window in her room, and will work on the larger panels this weekend during our snow storm! 

It needs to be straightened out, but I love the way it looks! We are getting closer and closer to finishing this room and I cannot wait! We originally were going to purchase a new rocker but I think the one in Luke's room will match in here really well…. So we might just get a new and fun chair for his big boy room when we convert it instead of a rocker! Plus, his rocker is AMAZINGLY comfortable! 

I think that is it for this week! 

Pinterest Challenge: Matchbox Car rack

We have serious problems with toy organization in our house. If you have ever seen the play area in our basement, you already know this. I am always looking for fun and unique ways to organize our toys. When Aiden was using Pinterest he came across this project and asked if we could do it for his room - it seemed simple enough so we went for it one week when my husband was out of town.

Supplies:

• Two cans of spray paint (paint and primer) 
• 2 packages shoe racks from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
• Drop cloth
• L Brackets with two holes on each side (6)
• Screws and Molly's to hang the racks

First, you have to lay your drop cloth and spray paint these racks. You can throw all of the extra wood pieces away, just keep the rack part.

After letting them dry, stack them two wide and use L brackets to screw them together. Drill pilot holes so the wood does not split, then use a screw driver. 

Lastly, attach the three separate pieces to the wall using a molly and screw. We attached them close together so it looks like there is one solid piece. 

So far it has kept the cars organized and clean! 

Aiden's Pre-K Valentine's

I love these cute little Valentine's! I wish I could take creative credit for them, but I found the idea on Pinterest and didn't really change anything, other than the paint containers. Maybe when I am not pregnant, I will be more ambitious! If you are looking for the original post and labels, you can find that here! I got the paint at the local dollar store!

Happy Valentine's Day weekend! 

24 weeks.

24 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks 

Total weight gain: 7 lbs

Baby is the size of a: Cantaloupe 

Maternity clothes: Yes, but this week I also fit into non-maternity pants, with them buttoned! I guess that is a plus for a high belly! 

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Better this week

Best moment of this week: I ordered something cute from Etsy, and Luke helped me a little with this project (see sneak peak photo below) and the Etsy order should be in within the next week or two and I cannot wait to share what I have in mind! I also bought an awesome diaper bag that I have been eyeing for awhile! 

Movement: I can feel her get stronger weekly! 

Food cravings: Bagels

Anything making you queasy or sick: The fridge… again.

Aches or pains: Back pain is starting up, which I expected. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: Lots and lots of Braxton Hicks. 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: Nothing stands out

Happy or moody most of the time: This week I have been much happier. I had a rough week last week, but I have some great friends which let me vent to them! 

Luke helping me with my project, he is so precise and detailed when putting these tape squares on the wall…. I love that about him! 

The cutest skirt! When you ask Luke who it is for, his response "Harlow," who is his cousin! 

And I seriously think I found the curtains I want…. but they are SO pricey, and I want them a little more custom, so I think I am going to buy some, and alter them to what I would like…

Serena and Lily

I would love room darkening curtains, but they are so heavy and collect so much dust. What we have in our room is light panels, and then we have room darkening panels we hang on the inside of our blinds that are able to be taken down if we want! I think I will do this is baby LC's room too! 

Oh, and this is the diaper bag I robbed bought from Babies R Us! When I first went in I asked if they would allow me to use an expired coupon, and they said yes. When I found the diaper bag I wanted, they had them placed on a new shelf and the price was listed at $49.99, when online it is listed at $64.99. When it rang up at the full price, I told them the price below the bags were $15 less…. so they allowed the $49.99 price to stay, plus I had a 20% off coupon, so I got the whole bag for only $41 dollars! Score!

Skip Hop

I also did a Pottery Barn Kids registry even though I am not planning on having a shower. I will add a post about what I love from there, and the reason I do it is because I will get a 10% discount on everything on my registry once my "event" is over! 

Okay, sorry for the novel, if you got through this, good for you! 

Winter front porch

It has been awhile since I have posted any 'home' related posts. Last weekend I went to a little antique shop and bought some cotton for the front porch and I love how it has tied everything together out there. I thought I would share with you our front porch that is "decorated" for the winter!

Sources:

Chairs: craigslist

Flower pots: IKEA

Pillows: Home Depot

Small table: Kohls

Lantern: TJ Maxx

Cotton: local antique shop

Front door numbers: Etsy

Wreath: homemade (supplies from Hobby Lobby)

Crock: estate sale

23 weeks.

Life got away from me and I didn't have time to do my 22 week post, so I thought I would combine them! I did, however, have time to at least take my 22 week bump picture!

22 weeks

23 weeks

How far along: 23 weeks 

Total weight gain: +5 (officially, probably more)

Baby is the size of a: Papaya

Maternity clothes: Yes

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: So, so. My dog has been licking herself and dreaming almost every night this week and I am ready to take her smelly behind straight to the pound!

Best moment of this week: The weather was pretty great, so being able to get outside and get some Vitamin D was REALLY nice! Plus, playing outside tires the boys out!

Movement: A little more every week.

Food cravings: Chai tea from Starbucks, bagels, peanut butter

Anything making you queasy or sick: my dogs breath

Aches or pains: My sciatica is starting to get to me, which usually happens every pregnancy (at least in my case)… so it was expected. Emotional "pain," some people just are not good people to keep in your life, and I like to call these people Borderline Personality Disorder people… because, well, they act like it!  

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: No. But a lot of braxton hicks in the last two weeks. I think that is because the weather has been nicer and I have been out and about much more, so I need to remember to up my water intake! 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: I had a good dream last night, but then as I type this I cannot, for the life of me, remember what it was! 

Happy or moody most of the time: This week pretty moody. I despise organized religion (and the crazy people that try to instill their values on others), and I should know better to put anything on Facebook about it, because heaven forbid anyone can shut up about their own values (post it on your own page, if you so desire)… hating group text messages (going to throw my phone into a wall), and my dog waking me up a lot - so being tired above all! Also, I went to a park in Highlands Ranch and my boys each brought a ball. Well, some crazy bee-yatch let her child take Luke's ball (we usually allow sharing on the playground), and then she left with it! 

Looking forward to: Buying a new mirror to go above our bed, because the one that was there was moved into the nursery because it was just too perfect not to be in there.  I also still need to get curtains I like and I am trying to decide on one other piece of decor on a small wall in her room! 

I love girly things for cute little vignettes! I can't wait to put a cute black and white picture of our baby in this frame! 

DIY Watercolor Pictures

This post is kind of like beating a dead a horse in blog land, but I really need to share my love for this amazingness of an app! If you follow my Facebook page for this blog, you may have seen my cover photo and that it is a watercolor picture.

If you have not downloaded this app, it is called Waterlogue (iPhone and iPad only) you NEED to! I am so excited for my grass to get green, my flowers to be planted, and bushes to bloom so I can take one of our house and get it printed out!

Here are some photos I stole from my parents Facebook pages and "watercolored" for them!

Marquette, Michigan

Breckenridge, Colorado

Marco Island, Florida

Marquette, Michigan

Somewhere in this country?

I hope you all can use this app as much as I do! I am so excited to print some pictures off and get them hung around our house to add some color!