Letters to You Vol 2.

Hi hunny sprout.

Well two things I’ve learned about you this last week. 1. You don’t like sweets-especially ice cream. 2. You don’t like salmon.But that’s ok because you know what? We’ve been eating a lot of other really yummy things… like pancakes! I keep replaying your darling video over and over and over. Last night I was supposed to clean the floors but instead found myself sitting in your room with Paisley looking at all the toys and clothes we already have for you. That was so much better than cleaning floors. Your dad is off work now for the summer and today was a beautiful 70 degree day here. He is training for his first big race in July. It’s a 10 mile run. So he is busy eating right and working out for that. He did bring me a veggie sub and ate lunch with me today though. He is the best. I love when I get to see your dad in the middle of the day. Tomorrow night we leave for Arizona. Technically this will be your first airplane ride. It will be a long flight but worth it because we get to see Grandma and Grandpa along with all of our other dear friends once we land. Tomorrow will be the start of week 11 and you will be the size of a lime!

Your dad and I have been talking about all the amazing friends you are going to have while you grow up. You will get to know Kailee Schriml, Baby girls Short and Prosek and little boy Rylan Schriml! And those friends are just the ones that will be your same age in the same year. It doesn’t even count all the amazing older friends you will have to look up to and hang out with along with the ones that will be younger than you! Oh sprout. You will learn at a very early age that we have the absolute best family and friends in this world. Nothing compares. I love you baby. Love, Mommy

Due Date: Dec. 17th

Today, I went in for my first doctors appointment! I decided on an office that has an OB and a Midwife. They have been a team for about 13 years. I only met the midwife today and she was the best. So wonderful. We did the usual paperwork and tests and then tried to hear the heartbeat! I have been looking forward to hearing my sweet baby for weeks. It was a little disappointing when we couldn't hear anything :(. We tried for a while with no luck. My midwife told us the ultrasound room might be available and if so, we could head back there and take a look. I just prayed we could. She came back and sure enough it was free! We headed back there and almost instantly saw baby sprout!!! Baby's little heartbeat was fluttering away and even moving around. It was incredible to see baby moving and how steady and strong sprout's heartbeat is! My heart completely melted and my life changed all over again. Each day, each new phase, my life changes a little more- in the most amazing way. My darling sprout. Sigh. I keep dreaming of my baby's heartbeat fluttering away. So teeny. So tiny. So perfect.

I know it's hard to see anything in this video.. but I just had to upload it.

Oh. and I didn't gain 10lbs- only 5.

Desk

I was so thrilled when Julie gave me this desk and I couldn't wait to get started on re-painting it! It's finally done and I think the results are great!!

Before:

After:
So what was done?
First: Sanding! As you see below I was anxious to start so I began with the chair by hand. I quickly wised up and borrowed my brothers electric sander. Much quicker:)
Next we painted the desk and chair using an interior white color.
I got the new handles at Home Depot and the yellow fabric at JoAnns.
Using the existing chair cushion, I simply placed the new fabric over and stapled on bottom!
Wa La! If you are thinking of starting a re-furbish project on a piece of furniture here are my tips before you begin.
1. Prep Work. I know it's not fun, but the sanding and pre-painting prep work is key! Sure, it's way more fun to skip ahead and start painting but you will be disappointed when the paint doesn't go on right or you have spots here and there. So take the time and sand. Do a good job!! Your finished product will look so much better and you will be so thankful you took the extra time to do it right!
2. Double Your Time. Have an idea how long your project will take you? Double it! It will inevitably take longer than expected. Just be prepared to put in more time than you think. Don't get discouraged. Don't get frustrated and DON'T leave a project half done.
3. Imperfections Required. If you don't like imperfections you might as well never do a project like this and stick to buying only new furniture. There will be imperfections. There will be little quirks that happen. Embrace them!
4. Give Credit where Credit is due. I would like to take full credit for my desk and I've often tried. But kevin is quick to remind me he played a huge roll in the finished product. SO Thank you Kevy for helping me sand, paint and screw in handles!! and thank you Paul for letting me borrow your electric sander!
5. Pat yourself on the back. When you start and complete a project go ahead and give yourself props and admire your work! You deserve it! Like me, I'll post another picture just so you can all admire my darling desk with me...
Oh you might also notice that the background wall color has changed in our den. Yes that's right. We painted over the green with this blueish/grey color: pencil point. Love it.

Week 9

Sprout is now the size of a green olive! Way to go sprout!

Although my ‘sick’ days are mild compared to most I’m constantly nauseous and feel like I have to eat every two hours to keep from throwing up. A totally different routine than I’m used to. I’m also insanely exhausted. Kevin keeps telling me to ‘just rest’ and also assures me I look amazing and not like I’ve gained ANY weight. I feel like I’ve gained about 10!! (the truth will be revealed on Monday at my Dr.’s appointment). I don’t even consider wearing anything too form fitting as I KNOW people will think to themselves “that girl just needs to do sit-ups and she’d have a decent body’. On Saturday while the tanning gal was spray tanning my almost nude body I couldn't’t help but tell her I wasn’t really this fat, I am pregnant. She thought I looked great and said I was skinner than she was and she’s not pregnant. Sweet tanning girl. It’d be nice if I had a top that said “I’m not fat, I’m pregnant”. But I don’t, So I opt for my flowy tops and button my jeans day after day even though, yoga pants are much more appealing.

The thought of chicken makes me dry heave. Which is disappointing because honestly, what does a healthy dinner look like if chicken isn’t involved? Somehow I’ve managed to eat healthy regardless. For the last four weeks though, I've craved a McDonald's burger and fries. Every single time I pass those darn golden arches my mouth starts watering. I held off as long as I could but finally gave in on Monday night. The outcome? Amazingness. I literally felt like a million bucks. The best I’d felt in days. I couldn’t believe it- my little sprout likes McDonald's! Ha. oh well. We won’t make it a habit.

I force myself to continue working out at bootcamp class and that makes me feel good. What makes me feel the best though is wandering into sprouts room and day dreaming of my precious baby.

Happy Wednesday.

Colds.

Let me tell you how the last week has looked in the Hilton House:
Kevin sick with disgusting cough.

Laura tired and cannot even think about cleaning an inch of the house

Laura sick with cold

Kevin sick with disgusting cough and bad ear ache

Kevin and Laura sleeping alot.

Yes. Kevin and I both have bad bad colds. so dumb.

I'm 8 weeks pregnant and have been craving McDonald's now for a straight week. Maybe it has something to do with the cold? Well, I have yet to indulge in my craving. Instead I had Kevin make burgers at home on Sunday of which I had one for lunch and one for dinner. I can openly admit I am genuinely disappointed when whatever meal I'm eating is over. sigh.

This is a funny picture for three reasons.

1. Kevin is in the downward dog position- which IS funny.

2. APPARENTLY the face I'm giving in the picture Kevin see's quite often... It's a just woke up from a nap/what are you doing look..i guess..


3. Literally 3 seconds after this picture was taken, Paisley got yelled out for sticking her nose in our clean clothes.

Happy Mother's Day

Thank you Mom for being such an amazing example for me.

A few things you've taught me over the years:

1. Your relationship with the Lord is the most important part of who you are.

2. The two best snacks in the world are sliced cheese&raisins and potato chips dipped in sour cream.

3. As long as you're moving forward, it doesn't matter how fast your going.

4. Always, always exercise. Especially after you turn 50.

5. You can't eat chocolate without drinking a diet coke.. and visa versa.

6. 'Drink Water' is the cure all for any cold, flu or any pain like symptom.

6. Be proactive in your child's life.

That is a very small list of the zillons of things I've learned from my mom. The, most important thing I've learned from my Mom- that she is the best mom in the entire world.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

...and Happy Mother's Day to all of my dear friends!

Weekend Browsing

While tidying our house on Sunday night I discovered this in the midst of kevin's 'reading' material:

How darling.

I spent the entire week snuggled up to my hubby and savouring every second of it. And, because of that there is zero weekend browsing for me to share!

SO. My recommendation for 'weekend browsing' - browse your way to relaxation...

Paisley has a head start.

Happy Friday!

Family BBQ

Just a few photos from our family bbq.