Abel Christopher | 1 month

ONE

My Darling Son,

 It is truly hard to believe you are already a month old already, though at the same time it's hard to believe that it's only been such a short amount of time. I feel so blessed to be able to take the time to soak up so many moments with you. I love having you curled up on my chest, soaking in your baby smell and memorizing every small detail of you. I hate moving after you have fallen asleep on me. I don't know how mama's get anything done.

To be honest the first couple of weeks with you were hard. Adjusting to motherhood was very overwhelming. I had emotions that I was completely unprepared for and it left me a little more scared than I wanted to be. Nursing has been such a challenge that had me feeling insufficient as a mother. I was crying just as much as you were. Now I feel like we are kind of-sort of getting the hang of it. Kind of. My momma meltdowns have officially slowed down at least. I find myself constantly wishing I knew what you were thinking to make our rough days a little smoother.

You have gained 2 pounds though and weigh a whole 9 pounds and have grown an inch and a half. You are finally fitting into your 0-3 month clothing which I'm super excited about. I was warned that you were going to be a big baby so I skipped on buying a lot of newborn clothes turns out you weren't as big as they thought. Your hair is starting to lighten up and has a slight curl to it after a bath. You have changed so much already.

When you are on your changing table you become startled and throw your little fists up in the air and do this horrible whimper with the most heartbreaking unhappy face that makes me feel like a horrible person for changing your diaper. Bath time is pretty much the same. You positively hate it and I really hope that changes in the near future. You absolutely love being outside though.It always amazes me when we settle you into your car seat fussing and as soon as we are out the door you instantly stop. You are already so curious, it's such a wonder to watch you look around and try to take everything in. You also love music. Anytime I start playing music your eyes get huge and you listen so intently. 

My heart aches with so much love for you my darling boy. You are perfect, more than I could have ever imagined. I love you so much baby boy and I'm so excited about all the adventures we will have together.

Thank you for making me a mama. 

Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee

My darling boy,

I carried you inside me for 38 weeks. You grew from this little peanut into our rock and roller that constantly had the hiccups and loved kicking my ribs. I unceasingly worried about you, prayed for you and dreamed of what you would look like. Its hard to believe you are finally here. 

 Holding you in my arms is the greatest joy I have ever known.  I love kissing your wrinkled little forehead when you look up at me and having your long little fingers wrap around mine. Your feet with your sweet little toes are my favorite, I can't get enough of you. When I look at you I see this little person that we created. You are all ours and we are all yours. 

You are our greatest adventure. 

Welcome to our family, Abel Christopher.

Photos taken by Deirdre Lewis from Pictures of Prose 

xoxo,

Pregnancy Update: 38 weeks

It's hard to believe that our sweet little baby will be here tonight/tomorrow. Unfortunately my blood pressure has gone crazy again and since Baby B is measuring big anyways my Doctor has decided to induce me. I have to say that I am so ready though. I really didn't sleep last night but not because of nerves but more for excitement. It honestly doesn't feel real yet. I keep thinking this will be last time we will have a night together just the two of us. This is the last time I will get ready in the bathroom without a little one to worry about in the other room. A lot of lasts but I am so looking forward to our two becoming three.

eating: fruit! that is nothing new for this pregnancy though. lately I have been on a watermelon kick. 

drinking: chocolate milk. can't get enough.

avoiding: going outside in this ridiculous hot heat. Texas is far too hot. after baby is born we will be on a whirlwind of moving to Maryland and hopefully making a stop in Iowa to show off our sweet boy. I am SO excited to be out of Texas. 

wearing: mostly maternity wear now. I'm running into the slight problem of outgrowing my maternity clothes actually and pretty much wearing maxi skirts and t-shirts. I have also swiped my husband's pj pants. I am plenty ready to wear all my regular clothes again and having all my shoes.

feeling: woah, crazy hormones. there have been tears, lots and lots of tears. enough said.

buying: last minute things needed for the baby and the house. we have been stocking up on groceries and toilet paper so we won't have to venture out too far after baby is here. 

sleeping: everyone keeps telling us to catch up on our sleep now before baby gets here but honestly sleeping hasn't been going that great anyway.  my night time routine consists of sleep, rollover, pee, sleep, rollover, pee. Every time I try to roll over I feel like a beached whale. I'm hoping to squeeze in a nap today before heading to the hospital today.

loving: the idea of finally having a cute little baby to snuggle with. after 9 months of carrying our little peanut it's hard to believe it's time for him to be here. 

getting used to: all the baby items crowding our house. so much baby. we are hoping to find a bigger place in Maryland. In fact house shopping plus a new baby has us pretty excited.

Short update but I have a big To Do list plus a nap calling my name. Wish us luck!

xoxo, 

Pregnancy Update: 27 weeks

Well hello third trimester :)

eating: I have discovered chocolate banana shakes at Which Which and my friends, I am in love. Seriously, it's amazing and Baby B can't get enough of them either. ;)

drinking: Still drinkings lots and lots of water. Water and some more water and milk every now and then. I would kill for a big ol cup of strong black coffee and I am having dreams about chugging 2 liters of Mt. Dew, not really but it does sound like a pretty amazing dream doesn't it?

avoiding: Dropping things as much as possible. It's getting a little bit harder getting down there and getting back up. 

wearing: Still a healthy mix of maternity clothes and my normal wardrobe. I recently bought a pair of maternity boyfriend jeans from Old Navy and they are the most comfortable pair of jeans I have ever owned. Legit.

feeling: The past couple of weeks has been an emotional roller coaster. My blood pressure has been running high so my Doctor ran a bunch of extra tests. They've ruled it as just high blood pressure and she just wants to see me more often to make sure it doesn't develop into anything else. She is also discussing moving my due date up because of the whole blood pressure thing. Le Sigh. I have lots of thoughts on that I am saving for another time. After doing my glucose test (which I passed!) They also discovered that I'm anemic as well. Pregnancy, man... it does all sorts of fun stuff to your body.

buying: So it's well known I have a clothing addiction and apparently that doesn't stop with clothes just for me. Our little Baby B is going to be one sharped dressed little man. 

sleeping: I'm still having the crazy weird dreams every night and sleeping okay and by okay I mean waking up every few hours to switch sides because my hips hurt like crazy when I stay on one side too long and hello I just discovered those awesome leg cramps during pregnancy. Oh my gosh. I thought I was dying. I've only woken up during a dead sleep once from them and I hope it doesn't become a habit. 

loving: All his moving! He has been so active lately. He is all about kicking and nudging and taking up room in my ribs. He is one little party animal. He LOVES hanging out on my right side and he is a morning person like his mama. I can't get over sitting around and feeling all his little moving and grooving. It puts a big ol smile on my face and I know I will miss it but for now I am soaking up every single little kick. 

getting used to: If my Doctor delivers me in the beginning of June like she wants to we are only two months away from Baby B being here. For a lack of a better term I'm over here pooping my pants thinking of all the stuff I still need to get done. I mean I know I will never feel prepared but I'm really feeling unprepared. Next weekend Aaron works so I am devoting the weekend to Baby B and kicking butt on getting my sewing projects done and doing a little bit more work on his nursery. 

Here's a little sneak peak on what I'm working on...

I plan on posting a full post after I am finished with his quilt and the amazing tutorials I found that guided me through making my first one. I'll also post all the other projects I'm working on as well. I discovered Sew Kate Sew, a amazing sewing blog while browsing Pinterest and I can't wait to start working on some of the things she has posted on her blog. Make sure to check it out!

This weekend we are heading to Corpus Christi for a little time away from San Angelo. I am so excited to get out of this town. It's going to be amazing and I will have lots of photos to share. :)

Have an amazing weekend ladies & gents! 

xoxo, 

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

lately

Source for photo: Unknown.

I don't know about anyone else but I have always disliked Sundays. Sundays are the day before going back to the school/work week. Sundays are dreary and usually full of last minute to dos before the work week or last minute homework plans. I usually spend the whole day moping around that Monday is just around the corner (& don't even get me started on Mondays). Well this year I choose to change Sundays. I choose to enjoy my Sundays and spend them relaxing and spending time with family & having adventures. I choose to make my Sundays happy, as they should be. Mondays... that's a whole different battle.


Making: Plans to make things. I promise a ton of diy blog post soon!

Cooking: Tomato soup & grilled cheese. It's a constant struggle to work protein into my diet.

Drinking: Water & milk. What I really want to drink? A big ol' cup of strong black coffee and a yummy margarita.

Reading: Jodi Picoult's Leaving Time. So far I have to say it's my favorite of hers and that's saying something because I own every single one of her books. Have you read anything from her? Cause you probably should.

Wanting: My first paycheck, which won't happen for another 2 weeks. I want to buy lots & lots of fabric so I can start sewing cute baby things.

Looking: For inner peace. My anxiety has been drowning me lately.

Playing: Sims 4 when I get the chance, which hasn't been often lately.

Wasting: Time sitting around and binge watching Netflix on this dreary Sunday.

Sewing: Hems! Shorty problems.

Wishing: For endless amounts of money to buy all the cute baby items I have been finding.

Enjoying: My pregnancy. I love feeling every kick and dance party that our little one does.

Waiting: For Aaron to get off work. He switched up jobs and now has to work every other weekend. It's a drag.

Liking: The idea of making my own quilt for our little one instead of dropping too much money on one that someone else made.

Loving: The idea of making plans to travel back home in a couple of months!

Hoping: For a happy, healthy baby boy.

Marveling: Over the idea that our baby will be here before we know it.

Needing: A baby moon with my hubby. Both our schedules changing this past week has thrown me for a loop. I hate our time together being dwindled.

Smelling: A clean house and my green tea candle.

Wearing: Yoga pants and a hoodie. It's cold in Texas today (and I'm running out of pants that fit).

Following: My heart.

Noticing: The lovely swelling of my feet.

Knowing: That I kicked butt today on my to do list makes me feel amazing! Go me!

Thinking: Of all my family and friends that I am missing back home.

Feeling: Blessed. Always blessed for this life that I am so gracious to live.

Opening: My monthly package of mail from my parents. Usually full of junk and bills but I signed up for some parenting magazines and I'm excited to read them.

Giggling: My husband will forever always be able to make me laugh when I am in the worst mood. He's pretty amazing like that.

Enjoy your work week lovelies.

XOXO,

Spring Fever

I know I'm not alone in this when I say that I am having some serious spring fever. Which to me is a little crazy considering in Texas we have barely had a winter.  Living in Texas has been a big change seasonal for me. Fall comes later here, the leaves don't change and cold weather does not stick around very long. It's February and it was 80 degrees here a couple of days ago and it smelled like spring! Back home right now it's a whopping 7 degrees and it's still programmed in me to be craving spring even though its supposed to be 70 degrees here all week. Crazy right?

I went through Target the other day and they had just pulled out all their spring items and I pretty much wanted to shove everything in my cart and walk out spending way too much money, however for my husband's sanity and our bank account I did not. Instead I made a list below of all the pretty things I'm lusting over.

Converse shoes: Zappos // Boyfriend Jeans: H&M // Essie Ballet Slippers: Target // PJ top: Target // PJ bottoms: Target // Cognac flats: Target // Purse: Target // Scarf: H&M // Maternity shirt: H&M

xoxo,

Review: Stitch Fix

I have spent too much time, more time than I would actually like to share, on Instagram. Seriously, if Aaron and I didn't live states away from family I would probably get rid of my Facebook and just stick to Instagram. I love waking up and scrolling through my news feed to check out all the new happenings in my little Instagram world. I follow everything from small town boutiques, cute little families that inspire me to Instagram's of products that I love. I love it because unlike my Facebook it is always full of positive vibes and inspiration.

It is because of Instagram and all the awesome blogs that I follow that I found out about Stitch Fix. What is that you say? Well Stitch Fix is this awesome super easy thing where you sign up and can have a personal stylist send you a box full of goodies to shop from. I know, it's amazing. To sign up all you have to do is check out their site out and fill out a profile to let your stylist know more about what you like and what you would love to see inside your box. What I really really love is that I can link my Pinterest to my profile so when I am digging new styles I can pin it to my Stitch Fix board and my stylist can check it out when she is working on my box. You will receive 5 items in your box and you can take up to 3 days to try everything on and figure out what you love and what you don't love and want to send back to them. After picking out your favs you just drop everything else into a handy prepaid postage bag and send it back to them. It's $20.00 a box and you can choose how often you are sent a box. It's that simple, folks. Also that $20.00 that you spent gets applied to anything you keep in your box. There is no subscription so if you decide you don't want a box one month you can skip it!

I choose to only get a box every other month because some of their stuff is a little pricey and I didn't want to be tempted to drop big bucks every month. Something else that I really enjoyed? They happily sent me maternity clothes! Check out my stitch fix below!

I loved this bracelet. I liked how it gave you the look of multiple bracelets without having them be all loose. This was nice for me because bracelets are always too big for my tiny wrists and I could bend this one to fit it better.

 As soon as I opened my box and saw the blouse on the left I was ecstatic about the color. I have been drawn to the bright cobalt blue and the light material was perfect for spring. This shirt is maternity and fit nice and loose with plenty of room to grow. The only downfall was the price was a little out of my league. I really didn't like the shirt on the right at all, from the print to the fit I was over it. It has a band on the bottom which I tend to stay away from as well.

My next two items was this cross over maternity shirt and black cardigan. I instantly discarded the cardigan because I already have ton of black ones and didn't really need to add another to my wardrobe. The striped shirt I loved though. I found it to be very flattering for my baby bump because it scrunchy on the bottom and I LOVED that it was only in the front to flatter my bump. The reason I mostly hate shirts that have bands/scrunchy on the bottom is because I find as the day goes on I am fighting to constantly pull them down but with it just being in the front I don't have this problem. 

After discussing it over with my husband who is my go to for making final fashion decisions I decided to keep the black and white shirt. It has plenty of room for my growing bump as well as being comfy and fashionable and I can see myself wearing this after pregnancy even if it is a maternity shirt. 

ALSO if you do decide you want to give it a try make sure you click this so I can get a referral! Thanks ya'll!

xoxo,