This Unfamiliar Road

Here's five things I am loving right now: Pregnancy Edition!

Where has this month gone? Once again, I blinked and time flew by. It has a way of doing that, doesn't it?

We've filled our days with lots of fun things!

Things I'm loving this week!

ONE. Family Visitors.
My Aunt is coming to town today and I'm super excited to spend a few days with her! It's been way too long since our last visit.
{I've been working on her Guest Basket too!}

TWO. The Great Closet Switch.
I couldn't wait to switch out Peyton's clothes to her summer wardrobe, so I took the plunge this week! I think these warmer temps are here to stay, but I put aside a few sweaters just in case ;)
My fave:

Via Gymboree

THREE. Maternity Wear.
Speaking of wardrobe changes, I have been perusing for some maternity wear for this summer. P was born at the beginning of June, so I only needed a few summer items. This time, I will be pregnant all summer long...and I'm seeing lots of maxi dresses & skirts in my future!


FOUR. Garage Sales.
I love garage sales and I'm not afraid to admit it. I love participating so I can get a little cash for things taking up space in my home. And I love buying from them...because people own too much stuff! And they sell barely used items for CHEAP. I'm at a point in my life that I'm not going to buy super expensive things just to have kiddos ruin them :)


FIVE. Homemade Taco Seasoning.
I have been making my own taco seasoning for a while now, and I love it! I made a fresh batch tonight and it's super easy-with no 'extra' preservatives. Here is the recipe I use!


Have a wonderful weekend, friends! I'm excited to be off work

Link Up

Now that I'm settling in to the 2nd trimester, I thought it would be a good time to begin documenting this pregnancy a little more!


What's New: The nickname! I have been brainstorming nicknames for a while (i.e. Junebug) and finally settled on 'Bean'. This baby is super active already-like a little jumping bean! I'm relieved to stop calling him/her 'baby' or 'new baby'.

What's Old: Evening Nausea. I know things could be so. much. worse. in this department, but I'm ready to feel better in the evenings. I'm hoping I will find relief in the coming weeks...or perhaps this is my body telling me to go to bed!

Baby: Size of a Navel Orange. Limbs and joints are moving!
          Gender: We aren't finding out!!!

Belly: People are not lying to you when they say your belly shows way sooner with the 2nd baby. My goodness...this belly is out of control already.
       Craving: Tomato Soup

No belly pic this week...I'm just not ready!

We love having overnight guests here! I always strive to be a great hostess: meal planning, fresh towels & sheets, and spare toiletry items. Typically, I stash the 'little extras' in the drawer in the guest bathroom, but I am loving the idea of a guest basket!

My Aunt is coming in town this weekend and I am excited to practice my guest basket assembly on her :)
She is the most low-maintenance person ever so this should be easy!

Here are some things I plan to include:

Another wonderful visit with wonderful friends! Although I wish Jordan & Ashley lived closer, I do love Chattanooga for its proximity to us :)

We had a great time watching the tots play, enjoyed a picnic, and got lots of snuggles in with baby Wells!

I am venturing out a little today to brag on the hubby. It's not his birthday; we aren't celebrating an anniversary. This is "just because". Because it's been a rough month for me (first trimester woes) and I have been relying on him more than ever!

So here are 5 things I love about my husband:

ONE. He has the patience of a Saint.
I have always known that Ben was a patient person, but it became more evident to me when he became a Father. He takes things in stride and rarely loses his temper. I rely on him a lot to handle things I become frustrated with easily.


TWO. He provides for our family.
Although we both have careers outside of the home, Ben's job occupies 5 days of his week. But he doesn't stop there. He stays busy on his evenings and weekends completing his to-do list. I can't imagine how hard it must be to balance all-day responsibilities of work (and promotions) then come home to manage a house!

THREE. He helps out around the house.
I know this may seem silly, but what a huge difference it makes for me! He cooks, he cleans, he fixes things. He even stuffs cloth diapers :)


FOUR. He is a cutie.
For that 1% (Ok, maybe 5%) of the time when he's annoying me, being good looking really helps!
We recently celebrated our 11-year "dating" anniversary (and by 'celebrated' I mean sent each other a text). I think back to those simpler times when I thought I could not love him anymore. But y'all...it just gets better and better!

FIVE. He is an amazing Father.
I don't just mean that he plays with Peyton and loves her. That's a given. For us, parenthood is a partnership. We make decisions together, and we discipline in the same way. When I have to work on weekends, I love that I don't have to explain P's schedule, or her likes & dislikes, what she can eat, etc. He knows her as well as I do.


Until next week!

Link up!