Mother's Day Photos: Kaitlyn & Harlow

This little lady, you guys, is an absolute doll.  She loves being outside, bath time, and getting her diaper changed.  She loves biting her mommy's nose and knuckles with her gummy little mouth.  And at two months, she already knows how to pose for the camera--her expressions are so stinkin' wonderful!

Her pretty momma, though, might just be my favorite part of these photos.  I haven't known Kaitlyn for a terribly long time, but I was blessed to befriend her at the beginning of her pregnancy, and I've had the privilege of watching her bloom into motherhood so beautifully. She handled Harlow so naturally from the moment she brought her into world, and I'm pretty dang inspired by the way she takes on each new step with confidence and grace.

Happy first Mother's Day, Kait & Harlow!

Aren't they lovely?

-J

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Sons and daughters, Mother's day is in 2 weeks! 

If you are anything like me, these types of days sneak up on you and you might not have enough time to complete those perfect DIY projects you planned to do. I think I am the worst person at giving uncompleted gifts and I want to change that! Here are some pretty things I found as gifts for the best day of the year, Mother's day!

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Love you momma!

-N

16 Weeks Bumpdate

My bump started to round out a little this week.  It's still low, but my growing belly is finally starting to make me believe I'm pregnant.  It's so crazy to watch your body change without having any control over it!  

I've been in Tulsa all weekend for a couple of photoshoots, so I haven't had the chance to drive Daniel crazy with the fact that we've been married for SIX MONTHS as of yesterday! So I suppose I'll annoy him on here by saying what a dream it is to be his wife.  He has worked so hard the past six months to balance his new job, his new marriage, his new house, and the news of his unexpected quick jump into fatherhood.  Daniel really is the best person I know, and I'm so happy to be standing beside him for all the crazy months and years to come.

16 WEEKS:

Baby Size: Beefsteak tomato! Babe can see light now.

Gender: Three weeks until we find out!

Weight Gain: One pound. Movin' on up.

Symptoms: Sweet cravings. Feeling great!

Exercise: I can see my belly when I look down at my feet while running, which is new and weird. But I'm still doing the same stuff!

Cravings: All the sweet things.  Ice cream all day every day.

Have the best week, friends!

-J

Bedroom Before & Inspiration

Daniel is busy painting our bedroom while I'm in Tulsa for the weekend, and I'm so excited to see the progress!  He's already torn up the carpet and plans to install new floors after the fresh paint job.  We've been putting in extra hours on the new place this week, and moving in soon will feel that much sweeter because of it.

Here's what our bedroom looked like before Daniel tore up the carpet:

And here are a few ideas I'm swooning over:

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I can't wait to fall asleep here!

-J

A Pond of a Backyard

Apparently we have some draining issues going on in our backyard. I didn't include a pic but to give you an idea of what we have going on---this morning when I went to let the dogs out (30 minutes before my alarm went off, boo) two ducks bathing in a large pond of a puddle in my backyard almost lost their lives. Good thing Gunny and Roxy aren't professional duck dogs even though they think they are. 

So I'm getting some estimates for some sort of draining system tomorrow but today the dogs stayed inside more than out.

Gunny is pretty camera shy but I'm training Roxy young to get used to the camera in her face---hey, I know I'm a crazy dog lady but they are my only models. 

-N

Cure Your Wednesday Workout Blues

I don't know about you, but if I didn't work out most days of the week, I don't think I'd have the energy to get much of anything done.  I think this is becoming even more true with the extra exhaustion I've been experiencing with this pregnancy (I'm beginning to think the hours after 10 p.m. just don't exist anymore...I haven't seen them in months).  But even before I was growing a little person, I relied heavily on endorphins to keep me motivated throughout the day.

I'm a pretty routine-oriented person, on a broad scale.  I like to get up and work out at the same time every morning and for pretty much the same amount of time.  However, I do like to keep things fresh and fun in that amount of time, so I enjoy a nice change of pace or a new way to get my adrenaline going every so often.  I'm sure many of you know what I mean--you just ran that same route or did that same leg routine at the gym yesterday, and the day before, and the day before.  Today it sounds pretty stinking boring.

For the most part, changing it up used to mean building on my workout to push myself--adding more sprints, more hills, working on more complicated yoga positions and lifts, trying to really push my heart rate and muscles.  I'm not allowed to do that during pregnancy because I have someone much more important to consider, and getting my heart rate up too high or getting too hot can be really dangerous for the babe.  But I am allowed to maintain what I was already doing (with modifications for my growing belly) and try new things of the same or less intensity. 

So a while back I started searching for good cardio that allowed me to stop to check my heart rate regularly, but still challenged my muscles.  I found a couple of channels on Youtube that have really helped keep my workouts exciting, and since each video is the length of a song, I'm able to take a sip of water and not get overheated before pressing play on the next one. :)

So for all of you ladies who are a little bored by your exercise routine or don't have time to make it to the gym today, here are a few of my current favorite videos.  Also, if you haven't made your husband laugh in a while, try to time it where you're doing these when he walks in from work.  Then make him try it and see who gets the last laugh :)

"Dark Horse" by Dance Fitness with Jessica

 

"Happy" by Dance Fitness with Jessica

"Royals" by Mallory HotMess

"Booty Wurk" by Mallory HotMess

Happy sweating!

-J

Pad Thai from Home

Jordan introduced me to Thai food 2 years ago and almost every time I visit her we go and get Pad Thai from the best Thai place in Fayetteville. It wasn't until I started researching clean eating and new recipes that I was interested in trying to make my own Thai food.

I took a chance on this Pad Thai dinner starter and I am super glad I did! There were some microwavable versions but there is something about putting my dinner in the microwave to cook that doesn't sound very healthy or appetizing.

The starter came with the rice noodles and sauce packet. I added some thinly sliced chicken and fried up an egg to spread in. Next time I want to add some sprouts and other veggies.

The best part was Kyle loved it, it took about 20 minutes to whip up, and the whole meal cost about $5 total for the starter, chicken, and egg!

I know I'm always looking for convenient, healthy, and budget friendly so I had to share!

 P.S. This is gluten and dairy free!

-N

Easter & 15 Weeks Bumpdate

Our first married Easter was so lovely.  We spent the morning in the church preschool with a bunch of very well-dressed two year olds, went to the last service of the day, and then ran back to the rent house to grab the crockpot full of roast and veggies and brought it over to the new house for our first meal there.  My dad and brother drove over from Tulsa and ate with us, and I can't think of a better way to spend the holiday afternoon than with my three favorite men.

I love my family.

This Easter included a few more very exciting visitors--my first baby flutters! I thought I felt a little movement Saturday night while I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep--it was different than any other tummy grumblings I've ever felt--and it happened again yesterday! I choose to believe it's our healthy babe making himself or herself known on a day we were already focused on celebrating life, which is a really sweet thought :)

15 WEEKS:

Baby Size: Orange! 

Gender: We don't know but we are so excited to find out!

Weight Gain: Back to my original weight, so I've gained back what I lost in the first tri and am sure I'll be on the uphill climb from here.  My midwife wants me to gain 6 to 7 pounds in the next month.

Symptoms: Cravings, acne. Occasional cramps when my belly is growing.  Feeling pretty great, overall and super thankful for a laid back pregnancy so far!

Exercise: Same routine, but our midwife said I probably don't really need to be doing a lot of running after the next week or two. So we'll see! Also, I've modified my ab workouts to be mostly plank-based, not so much twisting.  

Cravings: Fruit snacks and a hot fudge sundae. Also, Diet Coke? Which I never really liked even when I drank pop years ago. And last night I sat up in bed and said I wanted a toaster strudel. So weird.

I'm overwhelmed by how excited I am to be this little one's mommy!

-J

Easter Weekend

I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter with loved ones! I also hope you have experienced overwhelming joy while celebrating the day our Savior rose from the grave and completed the promise and hope our God has given us through Christ.

I always love church service on Easter Sunday. There are usually a few new faces throughout the pews but what better day to be in the church! The message is always pointing toward the hope we received the day Jesus stood before Mary three days after he took upon himself every sin from every human past, present, future and died a perfect, sinless man.

Today while I listened, I kept thinking about how Jesus never once sinned, never once hurt anyone, only loved, healed, taught and served us and then when he was wrongfully sentenced to death, he did not run away or fight back, he suffered a gruesome death on the cross.

Thank goodness he rose from the grave because like our pastor preached today, I can not imagine this world if sin, violence, and hatred prevailed. The minute Jesus stepped from the tomb, he conquered sin and gave us hope for the future.

Ahhh---when I think about it I feel so refreshed! It also helped today and this weekend was so beautiful!

Saturday I started on the front landscaping project (owning a home really makes you care about landscaping) and then we went over to my parent's house to celebrate my little brother's 20th birthday---I can't believe he is that old!

Today was spent with my mom's side of the family along with a lot of delicious food. We are pretty family oriented, as you might have noticed, so getting together is always a great time.

Before

 A LOT of effort later---

I only hope I keep this refreshed feeling going throughout this week and build on it!

-N