Lately

Lately, I've been putting my feet up and relaxing. God (and now the entire blogland) knows that I needed that. I've been fully enjoying the taste of hot mint chocolate, the view of the mountains, and the entire fall atmosphere.

Also, lately, I've been thinking even more than usual about my little spunky bundle of joy (didn't even know that was possible, but she's on my mind 24/7). She should arrive anywhere from 4 to 7 weeks (please Lord let it not be any longer) and forever change our life.

Lately, I've been feeling crafty and decided to make those little things that I know would look even better once a sweet little girl will (have no choice but) model them.

Lately, life's been pretty great!

Happy, happy, Friday!

33 week miracle... and something scary

I was sooo excited to see all the leaves changing colors!

It's SO beautiful here, even though it's super cold!

Maternity clothes: yes please! I need to buy some more for this really cold weather I’ve moved to.

Best moment this week: Knowing that she is still growing inside me, and didn’t decide to come out through all this chaos. Also getting a date for our house closing, and for making it to Idaho safely.

Foods: Don’t really have an issue here.

Movement: Lots. She is such a spunky little thing! I can see her moving her body parts all around my BIG belly.

Gender: Little bundle of sugar and spice.

Labor signs: Just plenty of BH, pelvic pressure, and lower abdominal pain. The usual.

Belly Button in or out: Out like I never though it would get!

What I miss: Lets start with SLEEP!!! Holy cow this week has been absolutely horrible as far as sleep goes. I can not lay on one side for even 15 minutes before having to switch. I do this all.night.long!!! I haven’t had a full night of sleep in about 9 days. Also, my feet have been swelling, a LOT, which is not a very pleasant or comfortable feeling at all. Overall, I really feel like pregnancy has shown it’s true colors this week.

How I feel: Beside miserable from the above mentioned statements, I also feel truly blessed to have everything come together nicely. I’m also so glad that we’ll finally be able to move into our new home in just about one week. I’m so excited to start decorating the nursery and the entire home!

Milestones: Moving and flying to a new and different state at 33 weeks! Craziness I tell ya!

I can't believe that I'm actually doing this, but I thought that since it's Halloween this week, I should post a scary, very ugly picture... of my feet. This was right after my flight on Monday. Usually they're about half that size! No worries (mom) they are back to their normal selves now : - )

Weekend recap: last week in TX

All I can start with is "Holy crap, am I glad it's Monday!" This past week has been K-RAZY to say the least! Do you know how much I hate packing, cleaning everything, and moving?!??!!! A LOT! Do you know how much I hate moving while being 8 months pregnant???!!?!!? As much as the Jews hated the Nazis! That's a whole lot of hate on my part people!

Thank God for my amazing SIL who helped me out SOOO much, otherwise I think Christmas would have come and gone and I still would have been trying to move out of that house. Oh, and on top of it all, this week has been absolutely horrible as far as sleep goes. This little girl is definitely getting bigger, and there is absolutely no comfortable position for me to sleep in. Um, and did I mention that also this week my feet decided to swell up? My toes look like munchkin sausages! Ok, I'm done complaining. I promise! I just really needed a little venting! Venting is good for the heart and my sanity...

So on I go with my weekend recap, yes? Saturday night Brandon and I went to one of my (ex) coworkers wedding. It was so great seeing all those people once again before I leave.

This guy kept on coming closer and closer to me while we were at the wedding,

and I was thinking, "Who is this child molester creepy looking dude coming towards me?!" just to realize that it was one of my team leaders! I thought I was going to pee on myself from laughing so hard when I realized who it was. He's been saying for weeks that he'll wear a fake mustache to the wedding, but none of us took him seriously. I guess he showed us...

Brandon and I enjoying some great food and good company...

Some of "my girls." They will be so missed!

The gorgeous bride and I. Her dress was beautiful and so was the entire wedding.

One last picture before we took off. I am so glad to have those memories of the "three" of us even though I was feeling quite whale-ish at this point. Haha

Sunday we finished packing and cleaning everything. This entire week has been a really long and strenuous workout. My entire body is killing me today but I'm so glad we're done and that we have at least one week until we unpack our stuff in the other home!

It's hard to believe our entire house is in this moving trailer.

So this afternoon I say goodbye to the beautiful state of Texas that has been so good to us this past year, and fly out all by my lonely self to Idaho. Please pray that I don't have this child somewhere in a plane, will ya? See you in our new state!

32 week miracle

I think I can actually feel myself growing nowadays!

This belly is insano!

How far along: 32 weeks!

Maternity clothes: yes, almost all of them.

Best moment this week: Getting to see my little girl’s sweet face on the ultrasound this Monday. She is doing just great! And also, the trip to Ikea with my SIL! LOVE that store. I got to buy some great things which I shall share with you guys once I decorate my new home! So excited!

Foods: Everything, but especially sparkling wine!

Movement: If this is any sign of what she’ll be like once she’s born, I’m in a whole lot of trouble. This girl can move! Also, I swear that sometime she just grabs onto my ribs and forgets to let go.

Gender: It’s been reconfirmed on the ultrasound, she’s all momma’s girl!

Labor signs: Just BH, AND she is head down already! Yey!!!

Belly Button in or out: So totally OUT! It’s so weird that you can see it sometime through my clothes.

What I miss: You know, the usual: breathing, back pain, fitting in my clothes, and not feeling like I’m going into labor after each ½ a mile I walk. Oh, and add sleep! It’s been pretty crappy this week! I’ve been heaving a hard time falling and staying asleep.

How I feel: So excited to move on Monday! And so blessed to have a healthy little girl growing perfectly!

Milestones: I’m 8 months prego! Just 8 weeks left (or less maybe?)!!! Also, we found out that our Little Love is 4lbs already which is right on track. I just hope that for my sake, this girl does not get huge. Please God keep her around 6-7 lbs! Ok, Thanks!

PS: I'm up to my neck in boxes and still am not done packing. So since I'll be so very busy in the next few day, I'll see all of you lovelies on Monday! Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Driving myself crazy

Ok ladies, I've got a confession to make: I've been driving myself K-RAZY trying to decorate my new (not even closed on yet... therefore not even mine) house... in MY HEAD. I literarily am loosing sleep over this! I try to sleep at night, but all I do is see different paint colors and ways to decorate with things I don't even have yet. I have pretty much "decorated" every room in that house. Insane? Maybe a little... I have soo much work ahead of me including unpacking, getting the nursery ready, washing all of Little Love's clothes, etc, so would you say that I'm being completely (nutso?) unrealistic, thinking I'm going to have my whole entire home arranged and decorated by Christmas when my whole family will be there? Still, that won't stop me from trying!

Anyhow... here are a few inspirational ideas that get my heart rate going, make my eyes sparkle, and give me butterflies just thinking about it. Gosh, I can't stand all this excitement!

This look would be just perfect for my little breakfast nook, don't you agree?

I fell in love with this chandelier... I wouldn't mind the table either : - )

{both from p*tterybarn}

I want our guest bedroom to be cozy and bright so our guests can feel comfy when they come over

Any of those three would be great for my humble abode, and for my lovely visitors

{housebeaut*ful}

{p*tterybarn}

{BrynAlexandra}

Even though those two living rooms have different styles, I really love the elegance of the first one and the brightness of the other.

{housebeaut*ful}

Have a beautiful Monday!

Finishing another chapter of my life

This past Wednesday night I said "Good bye" to my very first nursing job and to the people that became like my second family. They were so sweet and had a little "go away" party/baby shower for me, with yummy food and LOTS of deserts! I feel so blessed to have worked side by side with them. While I worked on this floor, we've learned a lot, we got frustrated a lot, joked a lot, pulled pranks on each other a lot, got covered in any body fluid imaginable a LOT, and laughed a lot. And we did all those things together. So you see, this job deserves a whole post of its very own because I have to remember all those things later on.

Some of the presents we received. Both I, and our Little Love feel so loved!

When you work in a trauma one community hospital in a big city, you get to see oh so very much! I mean, a great majority of our patients are uninsured and are the cream of the crop of the county, including alcoholics, homeless, prostitutes, and many drug addicts. It makes if for a very challenging job at times to say the least, however it also brings a whole lot of great experiences. Since this was my first nursing job, it also came with a lot of very first experiences. It was here that:

• I had a real code for the first time and had to do chest compressions and push ACLS meds in order to save someone's life. Yes, I was scared half to death the very first time it happened.
• I had to tell someone for the first time that I was going to give them some rectal tylenol, who said "ok, no problem," only to find out after a really frantic minute of deep search, that there was a big problem, and that her rectum was sown shut. Needless to say, it was a huge surprise for both of us.
• I had to chase my confused/ uncooperative pt down the halls while the foley bag was dragging behind him and his open-in-the-back gown was flapping in the "wind" giving all of us a show we probably would've been ok never seeing (picture old saggy butt... or don't).
• While repositioning a patient, I ACCIDENTALLY disconnected a colostomy bag filled with bloody stool from it's drainage bag and spilled it all over my coworker's gown and shoes. Thank God she was wearing a gown! Can't say the same about her shoes... Once again, first time experience.
• The first time I cried while taking care of a brain dead 16 year old from a motor vehicle accident who was an orphan and had no one to come and visit him. Broke my heart.
• First time I had to take someone to the morgue (together with four other professional nurses) and wonder the basement halls with a dead body because we couldn't find it. Finally when we found the morgue, he was so big that he wouldn't fit on the tray so we had to do a bit of pressing and adjusting to get him in. Touching and adjusting a dead body so much was a bit creepy, I won't lie.
• For the first time in my life I splashed some pt's blood ALL OVER my face! That includes mouth, and eyes! Very bad rookie mistake... No worries, all my tests came back great : )
• For the first time in my life I had to read a Dr's orders saying "Massage pt's penis every ten minutes," for a pt with priapism that had already lasted for 3 days (that's a painful 3 day erection ya'll, for those of you who may not know the real term. TMI?). Needless to say, I clearly stated that unless his own hands are in casts or he is paralyzed from neck down I wasn't even going to consider the possibility of completing that order. His hands were fine (THANK GOD), and I put the man to work!

A few of my favorite nurses who I was able to share many of those

experiences with. I'll miss them soo much!!!

(The one to my left with glasses is the one I spilled the bloody poop on. Sorry P!)

Those are just a very few things I had to experience in the hospital, and looking back on it, I don't regret a thing. God has been so good and has protected me from soo much! As I close this chapter of my life, I am SO ready for the "mommy" one to begin! I will be going back to work in a whole different setting in about 7-8 months, however, I'll enjoy every single moment moving and bonding with my little girl until then.

31 week miracle...

Hello big belly!

Total weight gain: 17 pounds. I only have 8lbs left in my “pound bank” to spare until the end of this pregnancy in order to keep my weight gain goal of 25 total lbs.

Maternity clothes: Still wearing both, but lets be real, the non prego ones have to be pretty loose.

Best moment this week: This week has been such a huge, huge, HUGE blessing! I had so many “best moments!” We had our little “babymoon,” on Monday I was able to hear her sweet little heart beat again strongly in the 140s, AND our house in Idaho has finally been approved!!!!!! That was the thing that was stressing me out the most! Now I won’t have to worry about sleeping in a refrigerator box under a bridge, or having to use a laundry basket for a crib. God is wonderful!

Food: Once again, no problem here at all, but I’ve really been craving sushi! Yesterday I HAD to buy some vegi ones! Yumo!!!!

Movement: Lots and lots and lots! She is definitely reaching my ribs now, and finds it entertaining to hit me over and over again. I still love her to death!

Gender: Sweet little girl!

Labor signs: Just BH for now, which get pretty tight at times. Gosh, this labor thing freaks me out peeps!

Belly Button in or out: Outy!

What I miss: putting my shoes and socks on; being able to pick things off the floor without wondering if I’m going to get up afterwards; normal breathing, and sleeping comfortably.

How I feel: SO excited! Tonight is my last night of work, and we’re having a little “go away party.” I’m going to miss working with all those people, but I feel so ready to start the next chapter of my life, and get away from work for a while. We’re also moving in less than TWO WEEKS! And with that comes a new home and a new life! Bring it on!!!!

Milestones: Right now, her lungs are the only organs that are not fully developed, other than that she would be ready to meet us. However, I really don’t mind waiting until she’s fully cooked… I just would prefer that she doesn’t decide to be one of those 42 week overbaked ones (just for my sake). Only 9 weeks, or 22% left!!! Oh yeah!

Our little pre-baby getaway

Our mini "last-time-the-two-of-us-will-have-some-time-to-relax-before-life-gets-more-nuts" vacation in San Antonio was A-freaking-MAZING!!! Everything from the weather, to the scenery, to the food was just perfect. The only thing that could have made it more perfect is if we would have ended this getaway with a couple's massage. We walked SO MUCH that our feet felt like they were ready to fall off by the time we left on Sunday evening, so a nice foot massage would have been the cherry on top of this super yummy chocolate cake of a vacation. Maybe next time...

The river walk was just beautiful! It was so nice to just walk and enjoy the scenery as well as a really delicious meal by the river side.

We also found a chocolate factory on our walk, and needless to say, I behaved like, well, a pregnant lady in a chocolate store! I really didn't know what to do with myself in there surrounded by all that chocolate, fudge, and chocolate covered apples!!! But then I looked at their prices and had a little reality check... of course, not before leaving with a few yummy treats first.

Sunday we went to Sea World, and even though we didn't go on any of the rides, we had an absolute wonderful time. I'm convinced October is just the perfect month to visit this place, too.

Their shows are INSANELY fantastic!!! I am not kidding ladies! Seriously, if you haven't been, grab your kids, your husbands, nieces, nephews, friends, and go!! If you have none of the previously mentioned human relations, borrow your neighbor's (or rent some from Craigs list... they seem to have everything there nowadays). Just take anyone and go! I promise you won't regret it.

I was just completely blown away by how intelligent dolphins and wales are. Their performances blow your mind away! So, so, so beautiful!

For the month of October, they also have all kinds of fall and especially Halloween decor allover the park. Brandon went nutso taking pictures of the scary decorations.

This "babymoon" was well worth the four hr trip to San Antonio! We've been so stressed about moving, our new house, and everything else in between that we were in a desperate need of a "detox" break. I'm already dreaming about our next vacations, but until that time comes, I need to replant my feet on the ground again, and get really serious about packing everything in this house. We are leaving in just two weeks! Here's to new adventures!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Counting my blessings

Life gets so hectic sometime, that I often concentrate and become stressed out about the things that are missing from it, instead of thanking God every day for what I do have... which really, is more than enough.

So today I'm counting my blessings. Today I'm saying "thank you!"

For an active and healthy baby girl who I get to meet in a couple of months,

and for her daddy who loves us very much..

For a great family that cares for us and would do anything to help us out

And last but not least, for the much, much, much needed mini VACATION that we're taking tomorrow!

Yes, that's right! We're going on a little weekend "Babymoon" to San Antonio and I am just bursting with excitement!

Have a lovely weekend ladies, and don't forget to count your blessings...

Last moments in Texas

It's hard to believe that in just three short weeks we'll be leaving the hot state of Texas and move to Boise, Idaho. I only have five days of work left. FIVE DAYS!!! It really is a bitter sweet feeling. Anyway, since we're leaving so soon, I'm just determined to go to as many places as our busy schedule allows us before we move.

The weather has been soo nice here lately, that I've just been wanting to walk everywhere, every night. So last night, after the hubby got off work, I was determined to go somewhere and spend some time together walking and enjoying the great weather and beautiful scenery this city has to offer. And off we went to the nearby free botanical garden.

We even stopped in the garden to smell the roses... quite literarily.

And the weather was crisp enough that I was actually really glad I brought my scarf along.

I'm so excited it's scarf season already!

Here is my little miracle at 30 weeks. Just TEN more weeks peoples, and I'll have a little squishy bundle of joy wrapped up in my arms! We were talking last night about how excited we are about taking her to pumpkin patches next fall around this time, and watching her have a blast. Oh, my heart be still.

I'm so thankful for nights like last night were we can just spend some worry free time together, and take peaceful walks in the nature, just the two of us, before our life becomes all hectic again. Nothing beats peaceful!

Making family traditions... one breakfast at a time

While growing up with my grandparents I've learned a lot about, well, everything. From big things like respect and love for others and confidence in myself, to small things like riding a bike, they made sure to plant a good, well rounded foundation that made me the person that I am today. I will never be able to repay them for all they've done for me, but I can at least try to, by being the person they have raised.

One thing they really made sure that I didn't miss on was the importance of family and family traditions. One of my favorite traditions was dancing with my grandpa every New Years Eve while waiting for the clock to strike 12am. Those sweet moments are forever imprinted in my mind, and because of that I have learned the value of making my own family traditions... which brings me to todays post.

I don't know how it all started, but every Sunday I make a big breakfast from scratch. The hubby and I love to just relax and eat our big meal until we literarily feel like our bellies are going to pop if we have one more bite... and than we have one more bite. It hurts to breathe at this point... but that's the good kind of pain people. Once we're done stuffing our faces, we plop ourselves on the couch and snuggle while we watch a favorite show or movie. In the winter time, we may feel the heat and enjoy the smell of burning wood from the nearby fireplace, but during this time of year, we take pleasure in sipping our hot apple cider while the house if filled with the aroma of a baking apple pie, pumpkin cheese cake, or just the sweet scent of fall from a burning candle. It's pure laziness and relaxation. It's pure perfection. It's one of my favorite family traditions.

This is this weeks breakfast... with pumpkin spiced pancakes

and apple cider in my favorite chipped mug. I wouldn't have it any other way :- )

I would love to still keep this tradition while my little girl honors us with her presence, and also make many more that she will sweetly remember throughout the years. I want that to be one of my gifts to her.

How about you? I would LOVE to know about your family traditions!