Over the Moon...

SWL and I are so very happy to announce that the "nugget" can now be called a HE! Friday's appointment went so great. Pretty much as soon as I hit the table for the ultrasound the nurse let us know we were expecting a Baby Boy! All of the measurements looked great and we are actually measuring 3 days ahead. This early in the game though, I'm not sure that means a whole lot...we'll see. My due date is still December 16th. We were told our little man is a very active baby, this I already knew but it was fun to hear it confirmed and know for sure all those bumps and flutters really are our baby!

SWL and I had planned to do our first shopping for our baby after this appointment, so of course we headed to Target to find some cuteness. A few outfits, a baby book and a toy quickly filled our basket. It is amazing all the things you can buy for a baby...

SWL and I (really more just me) decided early on that the one thing we were going to keep a secret until the baby arrived was the name. I should have known it would never happen. My husband is a very...whats the word, determined individual when it comes to getting his way reasoning with you. After a great effort on my part to withstand his persistence, I finally decided to leave it up to fate. I told him we could rock, paper, scissors for the decision on whether we would share the name early or old out until the baby's arrival. If SWL won, we could spill the beans - if I won, we would keep it near and dear to our hearts until the big day. After an intense match of rock, paper, scissors (best 2 out of 3) in the middle of a baby isle in Target...I lost. So, without further ado...here a few snapshots of our little man ~*Oliver William*~! :-)

~It's a BOY!~

~His face~

~Profile shot~

~His little foot!~

~His little hand!~

Thanks for reading and sharing in our excitement. I can't wait to share my nursery projects as they come along and I start making progress. First up - think buttons! :-)

Until next time...

Well...hello again...

*This ones for you KF, hope you are enjoying your morning tea and really hoping you got that bagel you were talking about!! ;-)*

Hi, how are ya? It's been a while (again) but technically I didn't break my promise of not waiting as long as the time before this to post. So, it's all good. I've been turning my computer on every night for the past week or so with the hopes of spewing some greatness on here for everyone, but then I ended up choosing sleep. Sorry, I really like sleep. But since I really like all you guys too, here is a taste of what has been going on in my world!!!

Really the one thing that I have been dying to post on here, the one thing that pretty much consumes most, if not all of my thoughts these days......we're EXPECTING A BABY!!! The word has been on the street for a while now and I am sure some of you have heard, but for those that didn't know, yea!! We are beyond excited and ready for this new chapter in our lives. The babe, the *nugget*, is due on December 16th, Christmas baby!

First ultrasound, 8 wks 5 days

Tomorrow morning, we are heading to the doctor bright and early. It's the BIG appointment where we get to find out whether "it" is a boy or girl since I'm 20 weeks!!! I can't believe I am already half way through my pregnancy, I feel like we just found out we are going to be parents. It is definitely true what they say, life never goes so fast as it does once you start having babies. I feel like we still have a ton to do to prepare and get ready for baby "L" to arrive. All the while, we are still wrapping our minds around the fact that we are going to be a "Mommy" and a "Daddy"! So far this is one of the most, if not the most, amazing experiences I've ever gone through. I know it will only continue to amaze me, ahhh.

Other than being completely wrapped up in the reality of becoming a Mom, summer has been happening. Beaching with the family, hitting the pool when I can, trying to survive the 100+ degree weather, spending time with friends and trying to not to let it all pass by too quickly. (Which, ummm why in the world is August right around the corner? Like, next week around the corner?!?!)

I have lots of fun projects in mind, especially when it comes to getting the nursery ready. And I just found the pedal to my sewing machine (MIA for about 2 1/2 months) so the projects around these parts have been rather slow...actually non-existent. But stay posted, I've been busy checking out Pinterest and who wouldn't have lots of ideas after looking at that site?

Anyway, it's lights out for me. Check back, I'm planning on updating with the results of tomorrow's appointment!!!! Thanks for hanging in there with me! <3

 

Until next time...

Wow....

It's been quite a bit since I've even thought about posting. Mostly because my world has been a little bit of here, there, and everywhere. But I want to let you know I am still out here....still kickin' it. I've had a very full Spring/early Summer so far and am ready for things to start slowing down. *Sort of* Although it is already mid-June and I couldn't tell you where half of that time has gone. I have lots of exciting news to share on projects, fan appreciation giveaways over at a pal's site, and changes to come in the "L" household!

For now, I just wanted to let you all know I am still here, I am still breathing, and I do still love you. :o)

Until next time (which I *promise* will not be as long as last time, promise)....

Another year.

I'm officially another year older today.

25.

As of today, I am embarking on my 26th year.

That sounds odd to me.

Most say "30" is the "big" one...I feel it today.

That weird feeling.

The, "Ehh", shoulder shrug feeling.

At 25, I feel like I've seen so much.

Yet, there are still boo coos to see, boo coos to do.

I am grateful.

For my health.

My ticker is still ticking, even though there was a slight bump in the road.

My husband, you chose me.

My family, you love me because you have to and you can't really get rid of me.

My friends, you love me even though you can get rid of me.

I have a home.

I have a job.

I have peace of mind.

I am grateful.
I am blessed.
Thanks for all the birthday love...and it's only 9 o'clock in the morning!

Thanks to everyone who has helped keep my 25th year interesting.

Thanks to everyone who I know will make another year amazing!

Until next time...



Hap Hap Happy Birthday to my Love!

Three decades.

Treinta anos.

3 x 10.....

30.

30 years.

I can't believe it.

Would never guess it.

But my Love is celebrating his 30th birthday today!

The BIG 30....here's to you SWL.

You're my man.

The Man.

Amazing.

XOXO

Hope your day is perfect!

Happy Birthday my Darling!

Love,

I'm ready, I'm ready, IIIIII'mmmm ready...

...for warmer days! This week is spoiling me already. The slightest hint that Spring is really just around the corner and possibly ready to settle in has me dying for flip flop weather, shorts and tank tops, weekends spent outside in the sun, and the beach...oh, the beach. I love the beach. I wish I were on the beach now, toes in the warm sand, shades on, and book in hand. Lazy and loving it. Ahhh....(imagine the part in a show where the screen starts to get squiggly and the picture fades into a new and better location...for me it's a white beach, sparkling ocean, and warm breezes....)

(mmm...shall we say here?)

(or here?...yes, please!)

This year, my family is on top of the vacation game. My sister-in-law, AY (no, her name is not Ay...those are her initials. Although, if that were her name I imagine there would be a lot of pirate references...."Ayyyyyyy, matey!") um....anyway, she did an awesome job of making everyone come to a decision and nail down a place for our summer beach getaway. This year we are trying something a little different and heading to Holden Beach. I am excited for the switch up of scenery from the usual Myrtle Beach. Not that I don't love Myrtle....but it seems everyone and their brother does as well. Sometimes it's nice to be one of only a few on the beach...actually, it's nice all the time. Myrtle used to be a lot more like that, but it has become quite the hot spot over the past few years. And since we are a big group, therefore requiring a good amount of space, it only made since to try something new for a change. Have any of you ever been to Holden?? Any tips on places to eat, go, see??

Our beach trip is still a ways off though and I'm afraid the second I let myself believe that this slight warmth is here to stay it will pack itself up and head right back out the door it walked it beautiful self in. So, for now, I won't be fooled. Just know that I love you warm weather and can't wait to spend as much of my time as possible enjoying you when you are here for good.

Until next time....

Oh Saturday...

Ugh, have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to be swirling around your brain and nothing seems to stick? That's me today. I have projects to get done, cleaning that could stand to happen, exercising, laundry, this, that and the other.... But all I can muster up the energy to do is sit on the couch and stare at the television, then computer, then television, then...you get the point. I did play a round of Qwirkle (current favorite game, FYI) with the hubs though, that counts for something, right?

Maybe it's the grey, rainy day. Maybe its the chilly weather. Maybe I just needed to take it easy for a day. Whatever it is, that is definitely what I am doing, taking it easy. Hanging at home with the hubs and the pup. And even though I could be checking things off a list that is probably lost somewhere in all the mess, I'm enjoying myself too much doing nothing to get up and put forth any effort. Hmph. :0)

I hope this weekend has brought some of the same relaxation to you and yours. Here's to Saturday. Ahhh, how I love you.

Until next time...

Well, would you look at that...

It actually snowed this time. I'd like to send a big high five out to all the weather people who got it right this time. *High five* Just playing, seriously, I know the best you can do with predicting the weather is give an educated guess....so whatevs. But it is a little discouraging when you think a wave of snow is coming your way, time after time after time, and it doesn't show. So, I convinced myself that if I didn't think about the snow, didn't watch the weather, and acted like it was all just a bad joke maybe, just maybe it would come. And it did, woohoo!!! I good bit too! Here's to the first real snow of the winter.

My favorite tree in the yard...and Riley with her face in the snow, usual.

Again, with her face in the snow. She has this thing about sniffing until she hits ground...yea, I love her.

My attempt at a snowman...kinda creepy, but a snowman just the same.

Bubbly bushes

Hope everyone enjoyed the fluffy white stuff as much as I did! p.s.- Tomorrow's Friday... :-D

Until next time...

Weekend Walks

I love a good walk with the pup, Riley. She knows when it's coming, she loves when it's happening, and she is beat when it's over. These days we've taken to power walking it up and down the streets of town. Even though it's a bit chilly out (like really super 8 degrees chilly), there's something about getting all bundled up and strolling around with the pup that warms me up in no time at all.

Hubs and the PupRiley Girl

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Congrats to all you Packers and Steelers fans out there, I was one of only a few sporting my Skin's gear...one day. Hope everyone has a great week too....Happy Monday!

Until next time...

After doing some reading, thinking, taking a 45 minute power walk to think it over some more and then feeling like I might have actually stumbled on the first piece to reaching my goal of being organized - I decided to write it down. Here it goes...

It starts with how you think, can you believe it? At least with me it does. My thoughts, how I view my organization (or lack there of) and my perception of others "organization". I throw quotations around the word organization here because of the following reason and this is exactly my first point. I find that often I compare my life to others and more times than not I allow myself to continually come out on the end of drawing the short stick. For example, it doesn't matter that the entire weekend I might've cleaned and straightened the house, planned the meals for the coming week, and washed the dog, come Monday if I see anyone that looks like they might be slightly more put together than I feel, I start comparing and losing. For all I know, the person(s) I am comparing myself to could have done nothing all weekend and be totally NOT put together and only look like the have it all figured out.

So this is my plan. My first step to "Organizing Me" is going to be changing the way I think and feel about the lists that I check off (completely or partially), the time that I spend relaxing, and how I stack myself up to those around me. Really, it isn't a competition...and it shouldn't feel like one! I do it to myself and its time to stop.

It's not necessarily about "coming out on top" when I compare, it's more about realizing that there are differences in everyone's life and accepting/appreciating what makes my own unique! I'm committed...I'm in need...and I'm ready! So for the rest of this week (and hopefully the rest of my life) I am going to make a conscious effort to change the way I think and look at my life compared to others.

Until next time...

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you are moving through the days, sun up - sun down, get up - go to sleep, everything is happening just as it should so you aren't really paying attention to what day it is? This week, that is me. Chugging along, making lists - checking them off, heading to work - filling in my timesheet and heading home.... I was just fine. Then the week decided to jump up and slap me right in the face as if I weren't paying enough attention to it. All day I've been thinking it was Friday...FRIDAY! Until, just now, while chatting with some friends I realized I still have half a day until I get to be excited about Friday! Hmmmph...total devastation.

I think this feeling really encompasses my entire Fall season thus far. I can't believe we are half way through the month of October, I can't believe Halloween is knocking at my door and I haven't even finished putting out all of out Fall/Halloween decorations (not to mention I haven't pulled together my costume yet?), I can't believe the family is already trying to make plans for Thanksgiving...and then Christmas?! I can't believe I have already started shopping for Christmas. Who does that? Now?

I feel like I have to plan ahead, but I want to slow down. When I take the time to sit and enjoy doing nothing, I feel guilty and 10 things come to mind that I could/should be doing. I have a planner in my purse, a ginormous planner stuck to the fridge, my blackberry calendar is full, there are post-its in every place imaginable as reminders for things I have to or might want to do...WHAT THE HECK? I've got all the supplies to be organized and yet I feel as if I am being swallowed by the "tools" that I have in place.

This is what I feel like now...

This is where I want to be...
Ahhh....doesn't that just make you feel good...

I need tips, real hard life tips for getting, being, and staying organized. We'll see where this goes...but over the next couple weeks (or months, it might take me the rest of the year to really get in a groove) I'm going to read up, listen up, and search out ways to live an organized life. I'll share what I find helpful and will be more than happy to take hints that might lead me in the direction I am so desperately seeking...so please, comment away!