PPB & Barbaloney

Buying a diaper bag is like buying a new purse. Seriously, if your anything like me, buying a new purse is just the best thing!! Since I will absolutely not be be carrying around a diaper bag, purse and baby for the next yearish. The diaper bag I chose, is key. It has to be darling. About three years ago when we first decided we'd try for a baby I began my diaper bag search and of course found the most fabulous diaper bag EVER.

Yes. It's Burberry. and Yes. It's fabulous. I mean who doesn't want a Burberry purse let alone a Burberry diaper bag!! GASP! love it. Have to have it! Similar to my little chihuahua having a false sense of confidence in attacking big dogs, I also emerged into a very false sense of reality that THIS bag would be mine once those lines were positive. SO. Back track 5 months ago when those two little pink lines changed my life, I couldn't wait to get my diaper bag! I spotted the exact one I wanted. Book marked it and daydreamed of carrying my sweet baby and my darling Burberry db. I excitingly told Kevin- "I found the diaper bag I want and it's SOO great!" he simply replied "how much is it?" I said, "well.. you have to understand it's like an investment. I mean, I'll be carrying it for at least a year plus I'll use it for each child after our first.." Again, a simple reply "how much?" I quietly answered "$1000 plus dollars". He didn't even say anything. He simply LAUGHED. 'but hunny, it's Burberry I HAVE to have it!" I cried. Still laughing, he looked at me and said "Babe, There will be absolutely NO barbaloney diaper bags in our house". SHOT DOWN. Ok. Back to reality. I started my search again. This time staying in my true reality. Then I found them. PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM. SO cute and affordable! Well, in comparison to the first db I chose. If you haven't already checked out PPB I would strongly suggest doing so. They have the most darling bags. The patterns! Ah. Love them. Have to have one! Even if you aren't searching for a db- the bags! oh the bags! They are fabulous! So now my search of the perfect patterned PPB backpack has begun. I HAVE decided on a backpack instead of some of the other darling totes considering I'll want and need both hands to care for baby. Here are the two that I just adore right now:

Aren't they just adorable?! Love them. Can't wait to finally chose the right db and hit order! Happy Shopping Ladies.

Surprise! (image heavy)

We've been planning a surprise party for Seth for quite sometime and like most parties it wasn't until 6 or so weeks ago that we actually starting PLANNING Seth's surprise party. A guest list was made, invitations were created, food was decided on and details were coming together very nicely. Since Seth is gone on his actual birthday we chose a date that was sooner than later and one that would fall in the weeks that Steve and Char, my folks and George, Tammy and Jason would be here. With 'Many Hands Make Light Work' as our motto, we all pitched in and had responsibilities to ensure a successful surprise party. There were only FOUR close calls with someone actually saying to Seth the day of the party "Happy Birthday, I'm sorry I can't make the party" and still Seth had no idea! He was genuinely surprise when he drove down his street and saw Happy Birthday signs draped from his boats and people huddled in his shop. It was a fantastic evening full of fun, laughs, poker, delicious foods and great company. Way to go crew.

don't worry- those aren't our drinks.

Happy Birthday Seth!

A Son.

What an amazing day. Thursday night Kev and I picked my parents up from the airport and with much anticipation woke up early on Friday morning for my ultrasound appointment. I had butterflies in my stomach for days. I just couldn't wait! I of course, started the day off right with a breakfast of champions: Once at the Doctor's Office, anticipation only increased by a thousand as we all eagerly waited...

The minute we started the ultrasound my little baby quickly moved from one spot to the other. My doctor couldn't believe it- Did you feel that, she said?! Unfortunately, No. but that's ok, in a few weeks I'll start feeling him. I was in awe as she moved over to each little part of my babies precious little body. So healthy. So strong. Then the money shot!! It's a boy!! Immediate tears. My mom said she had tears, I didn't glance away from that screen. I didn't want to miss anything!

We got the cutest pictures of him waving at us, his darling face and incredibly perfect spine. Sigh.. I am in la la land. It was incredible.

After we were done I finally looked up at Kevin and just couldn't stop smiling. We are having a son! We hugged, laughed.. and on cloud 9 took our pictures and headed home. Oh what an amazing feeling.

Seeing my baby boy in such detail. He is the cutest boy. I fell in love with him all over again. Later that night Shellea had planned a dinner party at my house so we could share our news with everyone at once. She made cupcakes that my mom and I filled with blue frosting before hand and the minute everyone walked in I think we had cupcakes in our hands. ONE. TWO. THREE...!!!! everyone bit in and screams, hollers and hugs as blue frosting filled our mouths. A boy! It was perfect. Thank you Shellea for planning such an awesome night for us.

The minute I found out I was pregnant I had this feeling it was a boy and secretly I wanted it to be so bad. A Son. sigh.. again, I'm in la la land. Kevin and I have gone through names for the last several months and we have a handful we like but only about three we can both agree we love. The list so far? Mason. Isaac and Micah.

I've also spent countless hours finding bedding and decor and one of the biggest projects we're hoping to start while my parents here is the baby's room. I'm excited to take a trip to Anchorage and buy a few items, paint the room and order bedding :)! eek. It's really happening!

Thank you to everyone for all the special texts/emails and calls. We are beyond thrilled to be welcoming a son this December. xoxo.

It's a...

Boy!!

We are so thrilled and excited to announce we're having a boy! Kev and I have been on cloud 9 since we found out. Our little baby sprout is a HE. It's so perfect! He is incredibly healthy and looks amazing. I have more pictures to share later tonight. We've had a jammed packed weekend so also look for tons of pictures and updates coming soon.

Thanks for all the wonderful texts/emails and calls over the weekend. I couldn't be happier that I'm having a little boy! eek!!!!

Old Wives Tales

Monday morning I said a quiet little prayer that went something like this "Lord please have this week go by in supersonic speed and please please have baby sprout cooperate on Friday. Thank you" And here it is Thursday morning! In a few short hours I will be picking my parents up from the airport and come 8am tomorrow I'll be in an ultrasound room finding out if we'll be buying pink or blue clothes. Oh my gosh. I can not wait! Butterflies in my stomach. In preparation for my appointment I thought it would be fun to see what a few of the old wives tales say about baby gender...

1. Craving sweet foods or sour/salty foods?

Sweet: Girl
Sour/Salty: Boy

Boy!

2. Is the heartbeat high or low?

High: Girl
Low: Boy

Girl!


3. Which side do you lay on while resting?

Left: Boy
Right: Girl

Boy!

4. During the pregnancy, have you been clumsy or graceful?

Clumsy: Boy
Graceful: Girl

Boy!
(although kev would say.. clumsy since pregnancy or just all the time?)


5. Has Husband (Kevin ) put on weight during the pregnancy?

Yes: Girl
No: Boy

Boy!

6. Skin breaking out like crazy?

Yes: Girl
No: Boy

Girl!


So that's 4 for Boy and 2 for Girl. We'll see tomorrow just how accurate these little tales are. :) Happy Thursday Everyone!

Change and Cherish

Just the other night while lounging on the couch I looked over at my hubby and with tears filling my eyes thought to myself "It will never be just me and him again". Before you have a chance to stop and dissect that phrase let me remind you that I am head over heels, beyond ecstatic, totally in love with my sweet baby on the way. But that night I realized something. Something very simple yet very true. Life is changing.

Yes. It's changing in the most amazing, incredible way but IT IS C H A N G I N G.

I've been dreaming of becoming a mother for quite some time. I've read and talked with tons of mommas about the 'ins and outs' of being a mother and trust me I have absolutely NO pre conceived ideas on what it will really be like post birth. I am not naive to the idea that I may go days without showering, the laundry may take weeks to put away, the dishes may not get done etc etc etc.. In all honesty- I fully expect these ideas to turn into my reality. And that's ok, because when you have a precious baby the laundry really can wait, right?

Since the eve of my sobfest I've made a point to note the little things in my day to day life. The little things that will inevitably change in just a few short months.

Last Sunday morning I fixed Kev and I breakfast in bed and we spent all morning watching tv and drifting in and out of sleep until well past 11am. We savoured every moment of it.

When the clock only reads 9pm and I'm utterly exhausted I just head upstairs, snuggle in and go to sleep. I know, come December sleep will become nearly obsolete- like for the next 18 years obsolete. And actually even after that. I told Kevin last night.. "after the 18ish years are over and the kids are grown and gone we'll be up all night praying for them so we'll still not be getting any sleep. So, let's sleep now." We laughed about it, then hit the pillow. It was 9:50pm.

There are a dozen other little things I'm cherishing each day that before I never gave a second thought too. Extra minutes in the shower. Going out to dinner whenever. QUIET. The list goes on.. but during my sobfest and in the weeks since, the one thing I can't help but smile about is knowing that all these little things will never compare to holding my sweet baby. These little things will turn into cherishing the sweet smell of my babies skin, the sound of giggles, the sleepless nights comforting my baby and in a few short months these too will change.

My life is changing. In the most amazing, incredible way and I simply can not wait.

It's time for Exclamation Marks

It's time to break it down.

Last week, my dear friend Courtney welcomed her handsome son Rylan!!

Then. Darling Lady Tricia said hello to her precious baby girl Ellie!!

next up? One of my dearest friends Ashley! Any day now she will kiss her little girl, Kailee. Praying for you Ash! You'll do great!

THEN. We'll all patiently wait for Fall to arrive so we can say hello to Whitney's darling girl!! (name yet to be announced!)

THEN, Fall will turn into Winter and it's my turn to welcome our sweet baby!!

We'll say goodbye to 2011 and say hello to 2012 AND Sara's addition!!

That is six precious babies in the span of 12 months. It's so exciting to be sharing this incredible adventure with some of my oldest and dearest friends. I love you all so much! How fun that all our babies are going to be best friends-- just like us :)

An Alaska "Beach Day"

The Nelson clan has been here since June 29th and we are having such a blast hanging out with them! What an incredible family! We've had fish fry's, girl nights, lunches, dinners, fishing (of course!), beach days and tons more! Last Saturday we had all the 'kids' over for pizza then a big time bon fire on the beach. Oh I loved it! It makes my heart melt to see Kevin with Ryder.. so cute and such a reminder of what an amazing father Kevin will be. Here are a few pictures from our fun night on the beach.. all taken from my phone. Picture quality isn't quite as good as I'd hope for...

Bella Band 101

As an expectant mother of 17 weeks, I can now say I am an expert in all things motherhood.

HA! Just kidding. Far from it. But, one thing I am, as an expectant mother of 17 weeks, is far enough along not to be fitting in any of my pants. If you're anything like me, at 12 weeks you could not fit into an pre-pregnancy pants without feeling extremely constricted. Even my 'fat day' pants weren't comfortable- pants I was sure would suffice well into my second trimester. Although I've only gained 6 lbs (so far) and I'm not exactly 'showing' the entire 6 lbs has been gained in precisely the right places to make buttoning pants next to impossible. The other next to impossible task? Finding cute maternity pants. I live in a small town so stores are limited but while visiting AZ I gave in and bought a pair of way too big maternity pants and a bella band. The bella band has been a life saver because the way too big maternity pants make me feel so frumpy it's not even funny. If you aren't sure about the bella band and how it will work- don't worry about it. Just buy one. They do the trick. They save you from buying pants that make you feel frumpy and no one knows your pants aren't buttoned- just that you are wearing a long cami. However I will give you one bit of advice. If you can't button your pants and are wearing the bella band be sure your zipper stays put. Many of my pant zippers won't stay up unless the button is latched, something I've only recently found out. Today, I met Kev at the river to pick up my wallet and I'm just walking around, laughing, waving to all the fisherman- having a grand ol' time when finally I notice my entire zipper- DOWN. oh shoot. So, just be sure that your zipper will stay put if you don't have the button done and if it's not going to stay put- pack the pants away for now. The bella band will not save you from the unnecessary embarrassment of having your zipper down in public. Zip with caution ladies.

4th of July Recap...

We spent 4th of July weekend camping in Homer and like always, it was a blast! I didn't take too many pictures..but here are a couple.

I'm showing off my 'bump' :)

Letters To You Vol. 3

Hi Sproutarooni,

Well, I don't have a ton to write about today but I've been thinking about you every second today! I printed off the top 500 boy names and top 500 girl names to try and get some more ideas- names can be tough! It's so fun though. Your dad is hilarious to talk about names with. I'll say a name and then he instantly says an actor or athlete with the same name.. like it's some sort of game! Haha. I started working out again and it feels good. It's nice to get a good sweat in. I take it easy though, I don't want you getting too hot! Paisley has found her way sleeping on our bed snuggled in between your dad and me. It's pretty darling but she'll be back to reality once you are here since that is your spot! I bet once you are older sleeping in your own bed, she will be your permanent snuggle buddy! She shared your Dad's pillow last night! oh deary. Well hunny I have to get going. I love you so much. I can't wait to see your picture in a few weeks. Sorry about all the chocolate cake I ate last night. I know you don't really like sweets because I never feel great after I eat it, but it tastes so good!
Love you baby. Love Mommy