I Survived August! Hello September!

I couldn't be happier to see the calendar page turn and have August finally behind me. However, I shouldn't complain too much because August did end on a high note with this nice long holiday weekend. This weekend has been so packed with many wonderful things which included...

A visit from my cousin Carla and her boyfriend Derek. She came all the way from Michigan just so she could alter my bridesmaid dress for next weekend, but then was able to make a weekend out of it visiting with us and enjoying some time in Chicago.



Also, Labor Day weekend means that our neighborhood is a very busy spot with Frankfort Fest going on. We love our neighborhood because we are in the heart of the action of fun things like this fest so we try to take advantage of them. This year we actually broke out our wallets a little bit and bought a few things...

We picked up some food stuff (honey and dip mixes), a new cutting board, a cute wall decoration for our baby's room, and even a Christmas gift.

Another important event that happen this weekend was Anna's wedding rehearsal!

We met at the country club where both the wedding and reception is going to be at.

 



Of course like any rehearsal it included practicing walking in...

 



Giving the bride away...



The bridal party and ceremony line up...



And then celebrating with the happy couple!

Overall I really couldn't have asked for a better way to end August- there was family, friends, food, and fun!

Now that it's September, I felt like it would be a great way to start off the "fall" with a little baking.

I love me some banana bread! Its a true fall favorite, and adding some chocolate chip is just a no brainer when your pregnant.

 

I'm excited to cut into this baby and enjoy it with a big glass of milk. Yumm...

 

 

Also, being that it's now September- it's time to get really serious about this baby and making sure we are ready for his arrival. So the plan is for the hubby and I to spend some time working on our baby registry today and hopefully get it pretty close to being finished- wish us luck!





3rd Trimester- It's getting REAL!

Happy Hump Day Everyone! We made it through 1/2 of this week, but to me this is week at will never end. Being that it's the first week of school might be playing a big roll in why this week is just not ending fast enough, but I digress...

I'm officially into my 3rd trimester of this pregnancy and this whole "We are having a baby." is getting very REAL. Being that it's been over a month since I talked about my "Baby Bucket List"- I figure it would be a good time to check in to see how I'm doing when it comes to getting stuff done.

For Me:

1. Use our movie gift cards: NOPE. However, there hasn't been anything out that I even wanted to see. I'm not just going to waste a gift card on a movie I don't want to see.

2. Visit with my Michigan family: NOPE -not since I made this list. However, my cousin Carla is coming to visit with me this weekend and help alter my bridesmaid dress.

3. Go to a baseball game: Nope and I'm really not sure this will get done, but it's not going to break my heart if it doesn't happen.

4. Use up my gift certificates for massages: Again- NOPE. However, I'm already planning to take some extra vacation days in the next two months from work so this will happen!

5. Go to  Wisconsin with our friends: YES!! And we had a great time! The only thing is peeing in the woods at night is no fun because you end up with mosquito bites in places you really don't want them!

6. Anna's wedding stuff:
Bachelorette Party-Yes!



Wedding Rehearsal- No, but that's this weekend!
The Wedding- No, but we only go 10 days to go!

For Baby:



1. Create a baby registry: YES!! We aren't done yet but we got the one at Target at least started!

2. Get nursery ready: Nope. However we know the "theme"- stars & moon. I'm basing my ideas off this room I really like I found Pinterest.

3. Get the air ducts in our house cleaned out: Nope. Sam did look into a bit but isn't sure if it's really something worth spending our money on- so we'll see if this ends up off the list all together.

4. Get our carpet and couches cleaned: Again- no. However, I'm going to try to hold off on this one until closer to when the baby comes because they will just get dirty again.

5. NEW to the list- Figure out how many of "my people" should be invited to the baby shower so invites can be order. This will need to happen pretty quickly because it's important to give people enough time to plan to come.

Well- wish me luck on getting these listed knocked out before this lil man decides it's time to show his face to the world.

Being Sick and Pregnant - SUCKS!

It's hump day and I've been sitting on my hump all day because I'm home sick. Being it's the week before the start of the fall semester- this probably the worst week of the year for me to be sick but at this point I just had to give in, stay home, and try to get better. Being that Sam gave me this awesome cold, here is my 26 weeks "bump" picture because it's seemed to be the most fitting-

Yesterday I actually had another doctors appointment. It was the appointment that they check to make sure that I have don't have gestational diabetes. I drank a the "orange drink" (it's like a little thicker McD's Orange High-C) and then I had to wait an hour to have them draw my blood. The baby loved the extra sugar from the drink because he's was having a party in there.

Also while at the appointment I asked about what I can do about this cold. The answer "Yeah- nothing really." Well, isn't that great. So I've done everything I can (that I'm allowed to) to kick this cold out of me, but I can't get better soon enough.

If had give any advice to any other pregnant ladies out there dealing with a crappy cold here's what I suggest-

1. OJ needs to become you favorite drink. I like to mix my OJs- 1/2 regular & 1/2 fun flavor of OJ (Strawberry, Banana, Orange is my favorite).

2. Invest in good tissues. I normally just have cheap tissues around the house, but being it's "back to school" time- the good tissues were on sale. I'm so glad I picked up a new box with lotion because it's saving my poor nose.

3. Sometimes sticking your head in a hot shower helps knock the junk loose.

4. Pet snuggles can make you feel a little better because they are just so cute!

5. Rest, rest & more rest. This is the hardest one for me but I'm trying.

Well, I think it's time for my afternoon "cat nap". Shamrock is already ahead of me on this one!

Bump Updated- Under 100 Days To Go!

Happy Monday Everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was pretty uneventful. We are starting to prepare the house for this baby boy who is due in less than 100 day- well 99 days to be exact! This weekend's project included pulling all the stuff out of our cabinets, pantry, and buffet to better organize our stuff because there wasn't any place for the baby stuff to go- bottles, sippy cups, kid plates, etc.  I'm glad we did this project but it caused a big mess in the process.

 



It was a good project for both Sam and I to work on together because it was project that involved having good communication skills. We both got to express want we wanted to happen and then we got it done together as a team. Many times house projects seem to be either a "Sam project" or a "Stacy project" but this was very much a team effort which was nice change of pace. Plus, now we got a lot room in all the cabinets- see!



I know it's been a while since I actually did the "bump" picture update so I figured I needed to share what been going on over the last 6 weeks. So here you go!

 

20 weeks- It's a Boy!- Happy 4th of July!

 

21 weeks- Bedtime = Baby Party Time!

 

22 weeks- Starting to plan the nursery.

 



23 weeks- Dad got kicked. (Well he finally felt a kick.)

 



24 weeks- Started baby registry. (Started but not close to being finished.) 

 

25 weeks- 100 Days to go!

 

I feel like the bump hasn't changed too much over the last few weeks. However, I've noticed the bump will be out there a lot more at night than during the morning/day. For that reason, I finally broke down and wore one of my maternity dress for the first time when I went out for Anna's party last weekend. I think in the next week or so, I will need to go through all my clothes and figure out what I can still wear for a while longer (so basically my clothes I was wearing before I lost the weight) and what needs to be put away until after this baby is born (so anything I bought after Christmas last year). Sounds like I got another weekend project to me!  

 

Have a great week everyone!

Maybe.. Just maybe... August won't completely suck!

Hi Everyone. Welcome to August. My most dreaded month of the year. If you work at a school, college, or university you probably fully understand why August is worst month of the year for me.

I remember as a student, I loved August because it was "back to school" time! "Back to school" meant I got new clothes, new school supplies, and I was excited because I would get to see my school friends again. There was always an excitement about August that I loved. However, those days are gone.

Now, August is the month where students are trying to come back to school last minute because "Hey- why not?", my phone and email is blowing up with 1,000 different questions/ issues, there are more meetings and events that I need to attend then I have time for, and my bosses are constantly on us about the enrollment numbers and getting more people into courses. Because of all of that, August is the month I normally find myself taking after work shots of whatever booze I have in the house, but not this year (I wonder why?).

 

However, I'm trying (trying being the key word) to look at all the positive things that I got going on in August in hopes to make this month suck a little less. So far the month started off on a strong note, with my friend Anna's bachelorette last weekend!



Good times were had which included a pole dancing class, a lot of tasty food, and a late night of dancing with a moose!

Also, at the end of month I have my cousin coming in from Michigan to alter my bridesmaid dress and spending the weekend visiting Chicago.

(She also did my wedding dress. She does great work!)

 



Additionally, I have Anna's wedding rehearsal!

Finally, I also got some really exciting news from one of my close friends. I can't really share too many details yet because it's not "Facebook" official, but I'm very excited for this new chapter they are starting in their life!

Well August, 6 days down & 25 more to go. Wish me luck everyone!

Living for the Weekend on Hump Day!

Happy Hump Day Everyone! We've made it half way through the week! Also being that it's Wednesday, I figure if I'm going to get a weekend recap in- I need to do it now before another weekend gets here.

This last weekend, Sam and I went up to Wisconsin with some of our friends for a weekend gateway. This trip is a yearly things for our friends, but it's just the second year Sam and I got to go. What I love about this trip is that it's cheap and we get to hang out with great people! Our friend Lindsay, her dad lives off a river in Wisconsin so we get to camp right on his property- so it's at no cost to us and there are no other campers to deal with!

 

We had up there on Friday so we could really enjoy the whole weekend. We started with some group food shopping, setting up tents, making dinner, and just hanging out for the evening- over all it's just a chill day/ night.

 

 

Saturday was "Float Trip Day!".  We got up in the morning ate some food, got in our swim suits, and then headed out for an afternoon on the river!

 

 

Like every year, we enjoyed just spending a number of hours floating the river, hanging out, and of course drinking (except for me- but I survived).

 

 

After the float, some of the boys got in some fighting practice. This went on for about hour, so everyone got in some free entertainment.

 



 

Sunday- We decided that our group would make a final field trip to a local brewery- New Glarus Brewery- before everyone parted ways.

 



 



This place was really cool. This is a Germany style building and had beautiful grounds to walk around on.

 

(Don't mind the squinty eyes- that is what happens when you face the sun without sunglasses)

 

 

All in all is was another great trip with great friends marked down for our history books (or blog in my case)! 







Baby Bucket List

I been meaning to write this post for 2 months, but I guess it's better late than never! Being that we just have under 4 months until our lives are changed forever, there are a number of things I hope to do. Some of the things are for me because I know there won't be much time for that once this little man arrives, and some of the things are what I want to get done for him (and some are for both). Also, being that this list is being made later than I wanted, some of things I have already done or have planed. So lets get down to the list...

For Me:

1. Use up our movie gift cards (which are still from Christmas). I was told that once the baby comes trips to the movies just aren't going to happen, so you better enjoy them while you can.

2. Visit with my Michigan family. Now, I can check this one off this list because I have already made three trips since I found out I was pregnant. However, I would love to get in one more trip if I'm able to find the time.

3. Go to a baseball game. This one is also done, but again it might be fun to go to at least one more before the end of the session.

4. Use up my gift certificates for the two massages I already have. I've kind of been waiting until I have felt like I "really needed" one. However, the bigger I get the more aches I have, so I don't think it will be an issue making sure they get used.

5. Go to  Wisconsin with our friends. This is the plan for this upcoming weekend so hopefully we'll have some nice weather and I don't get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

6. Enjoy & celebrate with my friend Anna with all the wedding plans that are coming up, including her bachelorette party, wedding rehearsal, and (oh course) the wedding!

7. Go into Chicago, visit Joe's new place, and make it a mini weekend vacation of it! There isn't anything I really want to do, but it would just be fun to spend a weekend in the city.

 

For Baby:

1. Create a baby registry. I think my plan is to register at Target and somewhere else (Buy Buy Baby, or Babies-R-Us).

2. Get nursery ready. Now there is many things that go into this one project which includes painting the room,  picking out & buying furniture, and just getting the room organized/ set up so it's ready when he comes home.

3. Get the air ducts in our house cleaned out. Now this is kind of for both. I've been wanting to get that done since we bought the house, but now with a baby on the way it's something I really want to make sure get completed so we have as clean of air in our house as possibly.

4. Get our carpet and couches (both sets) cleaned. Again this is really a "both" category, but it's something that needs to get done more because the baby is coming.

I know there are probably more things I'll come up with to add to the list, but for now it's a start!