This Unfamiliar Road

Wow I feel like this pregnancy is just flying by! 13 weeks or less until Bean arrives...and we have not prepared at all!

27 Weeks:

What's New: I discovered that my anti-M antibody is, in fact, not getting stronger! Turns out, my regular OB and high risk OB were running 2 different blood tests. This is great news, and really puts my mind at ease!

What's Old: I. Can't. Breathe. Overall, I am feeling really good, but Bean has situated him/herself under my rib cage on the left, and it really presses on my lungs when I sit or lie down. Standing/walking are fine but getting comfortable sitting at work or home is nearly impossible.

Besides that, I feel absolutely wonderful!! Maybe it's because it's my second pregnancy or because I seem to stay busy, but I just don't feel pregnant most of the time :) That will all change in the next month I know

Baby: Size of Rutabaga! About 14 inches and over 2 pounds. Bean is practicing breathing now :)
          Gender: Not a clue. I was so wrong with Peyton that I have not 
                           even ventured a guess on this kiddo. Heart Rate 150


Belly: It's there, but not miserably huge...yet! I have actually had a few people comment on my small size given my gestation, which was NOT the case with Peyton!
       Cravings: Veggies! My recent fave: Hummus wrap with cucumber,
                            tomato & avocado. Yummmm




     

I had lots of fun planning Peyton's second birthday bash! Now that she's older and has {bountiful} opinions, I kept thinking of how much she would enjoy this day. Although I don't think she truly appreciated the party details, I know she loved the water activities, spending time with her friends & family, and the food!

{The Details}
Keeping the birthday girl in mind, I went with a Mickey Mouse themed party...because, what 2 year old doesn't love the clubhouse gang?









{The Fun}
The festivities took place at our home, but I knew I wasn't up for lots of toddlers running around inside! So, we brought the party outside where we provided lots of shade-garage, huge awning, trees, and umbrellas AND FANS! For our little guests, we set up the water table, an inflatable pool, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk. Everyone had lots of fun, and I was actually able to relax and enjoy visiting with folks!
...of course that meant I was a terrible photographer as usual :/







Thank you so much to our family and friends who came to help us celebrate our big girl!  We truly enjoyed spending time with everyone.

Leave it to Pinterest to get my mind going with ideas for Peyton's birthday party!


After seeing this picture, I knew I wanted to recreate it! I asked the advice of a crafty coworker on how to go about completing this project, and was surprised at how EASY it was! Honestly, I am not the craftiest person. I have good intentions, but I usually can't carry out my ideas...either from lack of patience or talent!

I loved this project: Simple, CHEAP, and made a big impact :)


~Fold your accordion-folded paper in half


~Fan it out, then attach the ends using staples

~This made a semi-circle, so repeat the process for the other half, then attach the two!

Today my Mom is celebrating her birthday! It's a milestone birthday...let's call it 30 ;)

My Mom is an amazing woman, and I wanted to give her a little love on the blog-Five on Friday style!






{ONE} She is adventurous.
My Mom has many interests and isn't afraid to try something new! Almost every time we talk, I hear all about the new project she's working on. If this lady opened an Etsy store, it would contain a hodge-podge of well crafted items! Some of my fondest vacation memories are of my Mom and I exploring areas of Mexico that are off the beaten path, asking for directions in our limited Spanish & sign language!


 {TWO} She's passionate.
These hobbies and projects are never partly researched or completed! My Mom has such passion for almost everything she does. From dog ownership & breeding to finding the best kitchen floor cleaner, you can guarantee she has researched it fully...and created an Excel spreadsheet about it :)


{THREE} She's a giver.
She gives so much of her time and energy, never asking for anything in return. I often have to remind her to make time for herself and to do something for HER! She puts others' needs way ahead of hers, and doesn't think twice about doing something that could make someone else happy.


{FOUR} She's a loving Nonna.
It was so amazing to see my Mom become a grandmother. I wasn't sure how she would handle that life-changing milestone, but it was love at first sight for her! (She is also an excellent Nonna to her Mud puppies!)


{FIVE} She's a cool Mom.
I never knew how important that would be until I became a mother! It's so easy to lose your identity in parenthood, and get caught up in doing "what's best". My Mom has always balanced the discipline side with a fun-loving, adventurous and cool aspect of parenting :)



Have a wonderful birthday, Mom! You deserve a great day!!

This has likely been the longest week ever! Truthfully, we've had some stress this week, but I am trying to remain optimistic. Why is it that everything happens at once?!





{ONE} Change is a comin'
We have really been struggling with my work situation after Bean is born. I would love to be at home a little more often-to spend time with my kiddo(s!) plus save on child care. Some new positions have opened up at work that can allow me to do just that :)
I will take a hit to my paycheck big time, but it's the sacrifices we make for our kids, right? We aren't 100% sure yet, but...change is a comin' in some way!


{TWO} Party Time!
Among many other things that have been happening this week, I have been diligently working on Peyton's birthday party...it's tomorrow y'all!!
Here's a sneak peek at my favorite craft for the party, and I promise a full recap with details afterwards.


{THREE} Home Refinance?
Did I mention we have a whole lot going on right now? We are also in the beginning stages of refinancing our home...hoping to pull out some equity to pay off student loans...bleh!
Not the most fun, but we are hoping it will be a solution, so it make me happy :)

{FOUR} Celebrate Dad.
I plan to make Father's Day super special for Ben...by doing absolutely nothing (at his request!). It's been go, go, go and we are all looking forward to hanging out by the pool and grilling burgers. Husband is the best, so he deserves it! ;)


{FIVE} Family Visits.
We are expecting some family visits this summer and I am oh. so. excited. It really stinks to live so far away from family & friends, so I cherish every moment spent with them.
 First up: Aunt Audra!!! 11 more days and counting :)


Happy Friday, friends. Enjoy your weekend!

Link up

Well...I have a 2 year old. It's official. She's opinionated, sassy, and oh so much fun!
Her birthday was on a Thursday, so I scheduled the day off work to make it extra special for her!

We filled her room with balloons after she went to sleep, and boy was she excited to wake up to them! She immediately remembered "It's Happy Birthday Peyton!"



I let her decide what she wanted to do that morning, and she chose donuts and the park!
Per usual, Peyton chose her outfit for the day, and insisted upon a Princess dress and sneakers.


Eating: P is still an excellent eater, and quite often eats more than I do! She loves the usual kid food, but also enjoys hummus, salad, smoothies, and pickles :)


Sleeping: My kiddo is still a great sleeper-from about 8:00pm-7:30am and usually takes a 2 hour nap. If she doesn't actually sleep, she just spends quiet time in her bed...something that I am SO grateful for!



Skills: I have to brag on my child for a moment...her vocabulary is quite extensive...which also means she talks non-stop! Peyton consistently speaks in 5-6 word sentences and it's rarely a problem for her to communicate her wants and needs. I'm hoping this will make age 2 a little easier for us!


After Daddy got home from work, we enjoyed a delish dinner at Ted's Montana Grill then took a short walk to get a birthday cookie!

What a fun day packed with special things for my TWO year old!



To top it off, we made the switch forward-facing! (I think Ben was more excited about this than Peyton)


Oh sweet Peyton Caroline,
It's hard to believe another year has passed! The past 2 years have been the most challenging, fun, and blessed years of our lives. You continue to amaze us each day with new things you say and how quickly you learn. Do you ever forget anything? Not so far... :)
We hope you are always this curious, feisty, smart, and lovable. We love you sweet girl!
Mommy &  Daddy