Maternity Pictures Sneak Peak

Yesterday afternoon the husband and I got to take our maternity photos!
Our awesome photographer (Christy Bode Photography) put a sneak peak up on Facebook and I couldn't be happier!
I can't wait to see the rest! It sprinkled the whole time and started coming down even harder at the end - but I think the pictures will turn out fantastic!

I'm linking up with the Anderson's today!

31 Weeks!

I can't believe it has already been 31 weeks.   The first 12 seemed like it took FOREVER and now it seems like just yesterday we were stressing and praying for a healthy baby.  I know the last ten will probably be the hardest physically - so far I have been feeling great (except a bit of back and hip pain).

I have seen people doing the weekly pregnancy survey - but it would stay the same most weeks! I have had no cravings at all... which is crazy! I have had a very normal pregnancy which I am VERY blessed for.

Baby Girl -

You are growing so big!

I cannot wait to see you.  I cannot wait to hold you.  I feel you moving inside me all the time and I just wonder what you'll be like.  Will you be blonde or will you come out with dark hair? Will you have dark eyes like your dad or light eyes like me?  Will you snuggle with me and let me rock you?  Will you know me instantly?  When will you first smile at me?  What will your first laugh sound like?  Will you have chubby cheeks?

You have so many people that already love you! You are so lucky and we are so blessed!

Love you always,
Mama

Shiny (seems like new) Ring!

Since having this diamond ring on my finger for the last couple years I have found a new pet peeve.

When my diamond gets dull and dirty!

Seriously.  It really bugs me.  So what do I do - nothing. 
Bring it in every 6 months to get cleaned and checked and live with it.

So being my resourceful self that I think I am. 
I hopped on Google and found some options (after over 3 years of dealing with this!)

I found some advice and IT WORKED! My ring looks shiny and new again!

 (sorry for the bad cell phone pics and that I don't have a 'before' pic)


What was said to do: get a little bowl of warm water and put a little liquid dish soap in there.  Let you ring soak for a few minutes then take a soft bristled tooth brush to it.  I found this worked best for the pointy part of the diamond  - the part that sits closest to my finger (bet you didn't know I was an expert at knowing what things are called!) and Viola! Clean!

Even my husband noticed - and he doesn't notice ANYTHING!

Memorial Day

Salute to all of the heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving this great country  
and helping spread freedom around the world.

Letter to 16 Year Old Me

Dear 16 Year Old Holly -

I am not sure what I can tell you that you don't already (think) you know.  You are the second oldest but the oldest in the house right now.

Stop and take it all in.  There is so much going on right now and you don't have the best memory - so take as many pictures as you can.  And write who is in them on the back - you forget names easily.

Don't waste your money trying to fit in with the cool crowd.  Abercrombie & Fitch just isn't you.  Stick with those plaid pants you wear all the time.  They are awesome.  People will still like you for you - not for what you wear.

Spend as much time with your friends.  When you go to college everyone's lives get a little busier.  Talk to them as much as possible.  Visit them.  They will always stay your friends - your best friends.

Enjoy all the sports you play and the people you play them with.  You will look back on those days and wish that you were still playing (and wish you had that much energy).

Spend more time with your family.  Once you move away it doesn't come as often as you would like.

Don't worry too much about boys.  Boys will come.  You will meet plenty of boys in college.  The second boy you date is the one you will marry.  He is perfect.

Speaking of husbands, you will start a family and instantly know in your heart that that is what you were put on this earth to do.

Trust yourself.  You know yourself best.

I'm Blank Because...

I’m weird because…
I make little squeaky noises when I sleep.
I could eat cereal for every meal.
I don't like wearing shoes.
I prefer to NOT cuddle when I sleep.
I can’t sleep with a top sheet.
I don't like cats - but love kittens.
I don’t eat the crust of pizza.
I always have my water bottle within arms reach.
I take hot hot showers - even when it is warm out.
I eat ketchup on slices of cheese.
I really hate shopping (unless I am at Target).
I love showering but hate doing my hair.
I make random noises when I don't like something.
I can watch movies over and over again without getting sick of them.
I do a happy dance when I get a package in the mail.
I am horrible at accents - I only have one and use it for everything.

I’m a bad friend because…
I find it really easy to lose touch with far away friends.
I am terrible at returning phone calls.
I can't make a decision to save my life.
I always say what I’m thinking.


I’m a good friend because…
I want to see those I love succeed.
I love and cherish friendship.
I am a great listener.
I can always make you smile.
I’m not afraid to get silly and slap happy.
I always say what I’m thinking.

I’m sad because…
I wish all my family lived closer.
I don't get to see my niece and nephew as much as I would like.
I don't know how I am going to come back to work after my maternity leave but will have to.
I need to figure out what my 'plan' is - but have no idea where to start.

I’m happy because…
In just 10 short weeks I will meet my beautiful daughter.
I just got to see my family and friends.
It is finally summer - which means lake time and fishing!
I get to see my awesome husband turn into an even more amazing dad!

I’m excited for…
The smell of fresh cut grass.
Fishing.
Playing card games on the boat.
More outdoor baseball games.
Two baby showers coming up in a few weeks.
Baby Girl!
Growing into the mother I always felt I was and should be.

Post inspired by Little Miss Momma!

South Dakota Weekend

I had a fantastic trip back home!
I got to see me awesome niece and nephew, my family and my friends!

 We took a couple hikes through Spearfish Canyon - which was beautiful!

We also got to see my adorable nephew Teagan and amazing niece Lilliana! They were so much fun! 

I love getting to see them - I wish they lived closer.

I also got to see my beautiful friend Becky marry her best friend! Their wedding was so awesome and I am so happy that I got to be apart of it! I also got to see one of my other good friends - she just got engaged! It is amazing to think of how much we have all grown up....we are so blessed!

We had a great weekend - although the nine hour drive wasn't my most favorite part!

Happy Weekend!

On the road....

Today we are heading to South Dakota for one of my best friends weddings that I am in!
Spearfish Canyon here we come! 
(Along with the 10 hour drive - which will probably be longer being my pregnant bladder isn't so good!)

Cheers to a weekend with friends, family and fun!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

Awkward...
* How much my legs hurt when the grass hit them while weed whipping the yard, but not wanting to stop and go inside and change out of my shorts and flip flops!
* The nurse at the doctor's office last week telling me I am 34 weeks pregnant, which would be fine except that I am only 29 weeks pregnant.  Then debating with her as to who was correct.... I won :)
* Noticing that some of my shirts are way too short in the front....figuring this out, of course, at Target.
No wonder I was getting some weird looks.

Awesome!
* Getting to see my awesome family and friends soon!
* Being in my gorgeous friends wedding this weekend - and wearing a bridesmaid dress that doesn't look totally foolish on me.
* One of my other best friends getting engaged! So excited for them!
* Getting our first baby gifts in the mail! I love how cute baby things are! Makes me super excited for my upcoming baby showers in June!
* Finding this: Frost by Numbers: How to Make Frosting Colors shows you how to make beautiful colored frosting using a basic box of food coloring! So looking at this next time I make cupcakes!

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day? Whaaat!

So apparently yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day.
NOBODY TOLD ME!

This is something that I would have loved to know about! I LOVE cookies - especially chocolate chip!

Now all I want are cookies :)

Did you know about this famous cookie day?

Why I love getting mail....Baby Gifts!

We received our first baby gift by mail today!
What a fun surprise! So far everything that gets mailed to us is stuff that I have purchased online.  I was a little perplexed when I saw a package at our door...especially when I hadn't ordered anything in a while.
So I grab the box and look at the return address and it is from one of our friends!

Check out the awesome stuff she got us! Sophie the Giraffe and an awesome Boppy!

Baby girl will love it! We have the best friends!

Happy Mother's Day

Hope everyone had a FANTASTIC Mother's Day!
I know I did! Husband surprised me with some beautiful  flowers, we spent the weekend at the cabin and MIL got me the sweetest card and Willow Tree figurine (Home).

It was the best Mother's day so far - I look forward to many more!

And since every mom deserves flowers on Mother's Day - I got you some!

28 Weeks!

Wow. 
28 weeks has gone by.  Only 12 weeks to go.  That is going to fly by.  Especially when during the summer, we are busy every weekend enjoying the beautiful MN weather by going to the lake as often as possible!

There are a lot of things happening right now.
Baby girl went to her first MN Twins baseball game the other day (pic taken right before we left).
She will be making her first trip to South Dakota this next week.  That is going to be an extremely long trip for someone who uses the bathroom as much as I do now.
We have our maternity pictures scheduled for the end of the month - so excited for those!
Baby shower is scheduled for the beginning of June :) 

Good news is my belly button is looking more weird every day. It has not popped out though - just flat and weird.

Baby's First Baseball Game!

We went to baby girl's first baseball game last night (Go Twins!). 
It was a gorgeous night for outdoor baseball.  We were a little worried because when we were driving to the game we drove through two pretty crazy rain storms.  Once we got to the game it was all clear skies though.

The best part of going to the games is figuring out which super healthy (haha) stadium food I am going to eat.  Dan always gets the same thing... some sort of bratwurst with everything on it.  I had seen some people walking around with a helmet full of nachos - so baby decided that is what we should have :)

 

Seriously, it was huge.  Good thing Dan tackled half of it for me! 

Don't worry...for dessert we both ate some very delicious warm mini doughnuts! SO GOOD!

Busy Weekend!

So this weekend was the From the Heart Half Marathon/5K.  The proceeds go to a couple families in the area that are facing cancer - a very good cause! A TON of people were there which is fantastic! Dan and his Dad ran the half marathon and Dan's Mom and I (and baby!) walked the 5K.  It was fun!

 We had quite a few people at our house all weekend - company is always fun!

ALSO - it makes me clean the house which is good.

The past couple days have been spent getting ready for baby's first Twins baseball game (tonight), getting together a list for the baby shower which will be in June, figuring out the best date to take maternity pictures, and getting ready for our trip back home!

Lots of things to do! 

This summer is already flying by - we will have a new addition to the family coming up very soon!

Happy Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! TGIF! Remember when TGIF meant awesome tv? I do. 
Now TGIF means the last day of work until Monday - equally as awesome!

Awkward & Awesome Thursday!

 
Awkward: 
* How weird my running shoes look with my work outfits. It has gotten to the point where my normal work shoes (normal black shoes with a slight heel) are just hurting my feet too much.  So comfy shoes it is!
* Going to hubby's softball games, sitting by myself and cheering in my head.  He is on a new team this year so I don't know anyone yet....
* Walking down the street the other day and getting whistled at my two guys.  They saw me from behind - so I assume they didn't see that I was pregnant.  As my husband informed me the other night - I would now be considered "damaged goods" by single guys.

Awesome:
* Getting our Travel System (Car Seat and Stroller) in the mail yesterday! On top of that - it was on sale at Target so we saved $70 - AWESOME!
* Getting ready to hang decorations in baby girls nursery! This makes me a little nervous - I am never really sure where exactly I want things to go...
* 5K this weekend (for me and MIL) Half Marathon (for Hubby and FIL).  Then off to SIL's place to help them build a swing set for the girls!
* Passing my glucose test last Thursday! Also - the drink wasn't bad at all.  I had fruit punch.  It was tasty.

Ok Baby....

Sooo.... I think baby girl has taken on Parkour
(a physical discipline which focuses on efficient movement around obstacles). 

Seriously! One of those obstacles is definitely my bladder - it feels like she is spinning circles in there!

It is crazy. One day she is pretty calm and I feel her every so often (then I get worried and push a little on my tummy until she kicks me back).  Then there are other days where all she does is move! So far this baby is a lot like her mom and dad.  Mom likes to relax sometimes - but Dad is always doing something!

May Inspiration

Happy May.