Lilly.....or Linus??

Someone's taken a liking to the beach towel that I put by the back door to dry snowy dog paws.  She loves to drag this thing around the house.  It's too cute!!  In other news....we've woken up to a coyote just beyond our back fence the last two mornings.  I don't think the coyote would do anything to our dogs (they're pretty big...and we have a fence)....but it still makes me a little nervous.  Animal Control basically laughed at me when I called to report a coyote in our subdivision....saying that they are natural animals in this area.

Venting....

Indecision is killing me with the baby's nursery.  I had ordered bedding, bought a rug and then decided that when I saw them in person they didn't quite match, and I didn't know if I liked the whole scheme anymore.  Soooo I sent back the bedding, returned the rug and we were back to square one (minus $16 in shipping to return the bedding - hate that).  We then bought new bedding from PBK that is white and navy, but totally doesn't match my hand-me-down upholstered gliding armchair (from my sister), which is green and white gingham.  Soooo now I either have to figure out how to make a slipcover, or find a nicely priced one at Ikea or Target or something along those lines.  Have any of you ever made or bought a slipcover?  Any advice here?  It looks like it would cost like $400 - 500 to have it recovered professionally, which is basically the price of a new chair - so that doesn't make sense.  We are like 12 weeks out from the due date, and I'm waffling over whether or not to paint the room, what to do with this armchair, wall decor, etc. etc.  Can't someone just make these decisions for me?  I think I just need to jump in with both feet and stick to a plan.

Happy 2011!!

Our New Year's Eve was fairly uneventful.  In fact, we actually celebrated December 30 by going out to dinner at a really nice steakhouse in town (Annie Gunn's).  They truly have the best steak around.  Last night we watched movies, ate leftovers, and relaxed together on the couch.  Big fun with the preggo lady :)  haha!

2010....year in review

What a year it's been!  2009 was a historic year for SB and me as we got married, moved half-way across the country, he started a new job and we bought our first house together.  We were ready for a calmer, less eventful 2010....and for the most part, it was just that!  SB and I continued to settle into St. Louis, decorate the house and work on the yard, we tried new restaurants, developed new friendships here, traveled to see our families and friends (and hosted a few here too), and just enjoyed our times together.

Highlights of 2010:

• Our little yellow lab Lilly was born February 25, 2010, and we welcomed her home on April 10!
• We traveled to Captiva Island, FL for a fun vacation with my family the first week of April
• SB and I ran in a number of local road races in preparation for our half-marathon.  I PR'd with a 24:48 5k time!  He (of course) ran ridiculously fast with sub-20 5k times.
• SB and I ran the Madison, WI half-marathon over Memorial Day weekend
• We traveled to Athens, GA for the 4th of July to spend it with SB's family
• SB and I traveled to NYC for the US Open. 
• We learned in early August that we're pregnant!!!  On November 16 we learned that we're having a healthy baby boy!! 
• We hosted SB's brother's family at our house for the first time in November, and then traveled to Madison, WI to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.
• Poor SB had his tonsils removed.  I'm not sure if he'll be able to eat popsicles or pudding ever again after that brutal month of recovery.
• I traveled back to DC three times for work
• Traveled to Chicago three times in four weeks (it was fun!)
• The Rams are 7-8, with a crucial playoff-qualifying game this coming Sunday in Seattle.  Alas, I don't think I could have ever predicted such a successful season after they went 1-15 last year.

In looking ahead to 2011, I know that it will be a life-changing year.  In some (most?) ways, it's hard to know exactly what a new child will bring....but we are so excited to welcome our little baby boy in early April.  We have a beach vacation planned with my whole family to celebrate my dad's big bday, and I have a feeling that we'll work in some trips to Georgia and who knows where else right now. Life is good, and I hope that we'll all be able to enjoy a very happy, healthy, prosperous 2011!!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas morning in the snow!

Pregnancy Update: 26 Weeks and counting....

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 26 Weeks
Size of Baby: He is the size of an eggplant!

Maternity Clothes: Still a mix of pregnancy and non-pregnancy, and have added in a few of SB's shirts.

Gender: It's a BOY!!

Movement: YES!! He is an active little guy.  Lots of movement!  It is really fun to feel, and have that connection to the baby.

What I Miss: Running.  I have been doing the elliptical at the gym, but I miss really running and exerting myself. (I know it's all for a wonderful, amazing reason - but I still miss it)

Cravings: Lots of sweets during Christmas week.  (too many probably....)

Symptons: I am definitely getting bigger.  I can see the weight gain in my face.  I'm trying to eat healthfully.....but it's not easy!

Best Moment This Week: Sharing Christmas with SB and the dogs.  I love that it snowed on Christmas Eve to give us a beautiful white Christmas!!

 

First pregnant Christmas pic!

 

Luke 2:9-14
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

{image source}

Snow message

Our neighbor left us a hilarious early Christmas present!!  We've seen about 2" of snow this morning, which really makes this Wisconsin girl happy!  There's nothing like a white Christmas :)   SB is working right now, but hopefully will be home early today.  Tonight we'll be going to our first Christmas Eve service at our local church here.  Looking forward to it!!

Instant Inspiration

I love this quote from the ever-so classy Audrey Hepburn in this month's Shape magazine:

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;

for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;

and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

Baby Nurseries: Preppy Navy and Green

Our inspiration....

The pic below shows the actual bedding that we decided to go with.  I am hoping to add in the rug below, with some navy curtains, and a few fun accessories.  I'm not sure what we'll do with the walls yet though (they're currently a taupe-y color....so they may stay - or we may paint them a really, really light blue).  We still have a full bed in the room -- so we have to move that out to start visualizing!  I'd loooove to add in that blue and white striped pendant light from a nursery above -- so we shall see on that one.  My sister gave me some hand-me-downs.....including their crib, changing table, and a cute green/white armchair/glider.  As a whole, it's still a major work in progress -- so I'll try to post updates as we pull things together!