Week 23

How far along: 23 Weeks -- I skipped last weeks update . . .  whoops! 

Food Comparison: Large Mango

Gender: Boy!! 

Weight gain: +12 lbs 

Maternity clothes: A few pieces. I'm mostly wearing regular clothing and belting almost everything!

Stretch marks: No - still slathering up with my belly butter!

Belly button in or out: Half way in half way out. I give it 2 weeks and I'll have a full blown outie. I did finally decide to take the belly button ring out. 

Sleep: So so.

Best moment last week: Announcing our name . . . Christian couldn't hold it in anymore. Kingston Christopher! 

And really deep cleaning our apartment. I'm talking 

e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! 

Worst moment last week: The work week was the slowest. Friday couldn't come soon enough. 

Miss anything: Sleeping through the night and not seeing my veins. Everywhere I look on my body - my veins are bright and extremely visible. It grosses me out! 

Movement: So many. Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant till he gives me a nice little jab. 

Cravings: Chicken & a biscuit crackers and dill pickle chips.  

Queasy or sick: Some movements make my stomach drop - like we've just driven over a steep hill. It's weird. But really I'm feeling great. 

Looking forward to: Aynslee Lou's 1st birthday this weekend.

Prayer Request: This week I will pray for Kingston's future friends. I pray that he finds good Christian friends that are nothing but positive influences. The world is scary these days - and who our children hang out with can really impact their lives. Thankfully I have great Godly/Christian friends with kiddo's - so they will be forced to like each other and hang out!

Five Fabulous 'Fumes

As much of a hassle being a girl is sometimes - I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The one thing I love most about being a girl is smelling good! 

Lotion. 

Shampoo.

Deodorant. 

Perfume.

Nothing beats someone who smells good! 

My favorites in no particular order:

1 // Lucky You - Lucky Brand

2 // Abercrombie 8 - Abercrombie & Fitch

3 // Viva la Juicy - Juicy Couture 

4 // Love Spell - Victoria's Secret

5 // Acqua di Gioia - Georgio Armani 

What are your go to scents? 

St. Patrick's Day - Baby Style

If Baby K was here - I'd imagine he'd be dressed in something like this today! 

1 // Iron on Tie

2 // Booties 

3 // Pacifier Clip

4 // Vest

We can all use any excuse to dress up! 

Week 21

How far along: 21 Weeks

Food Comparison: Banana

Gender: Boy!! 

Weight gain: +10 lbs 

Maternity clothes: I own a few pieces but haven't really worn any of them yet. 

I was able to wear jeans to church yesterday and I remember why I stopped wearing them 2 months ago - not comfy! 

Stretch marks: No - still slathering up with my belly butter!

Belly button in or out: In with belly button ring. The transition process has sure started though. It is slowly becoming an outie.

Sleep: Brutal but I was able to get in a 3 hour nap yesterday to make up for some of it. 

Best moment last week: Putting together Baby K's crib!! Things are really coming together in the nursery. Plus I've been stalking our tracking numbers and we have the remaining big items being delivered this week! 

 Angel Line Mary 3 in 1 Crib

(PS - check out Crafting A Fairytale on Etsy - I'd love to make a quilt for you)

all via 

Worst moment last week: Having to make 2 trips to Ace Hardware during out fix it projects. 

Miss anything: Margaritas and (non baby related) going down south for Spring Break trips with a banging body

Movement: Yes! They are getting stronger as the weeks go on. I love it! 

CT said yesterday 'there will come a day soon when you will want him not to move because it won't feel good.' That might be true but until then - I can't get enough.

Cravings: Ice cream sandwiches and bomb pops. 

I have a feeling I'll be enjoying many of these all summer long. 

Queasy or sick: Some movements make my stomach drop - like we've just driven over a steep hill. It's weird. 

Looking forward to: Getting all of our goodies in the mail this week. 

Prayer Request: Last week I read a blog post about raising a teen who doesn't date too young. It was extremely eye opening and something I hope CT and I can instill in our children. So this week I'm going to start praying for Baby K's future spouse.

Hopefully it's never to early to start.  

Operation Project Nursery: Closet Makeover

Yesterday evening I spent 30 minutes with a roll of wrapping paper, some scissors, and a can of spray adhesive and came out with my favorite nursery project yet - a wrapping papered closet! 

{You can check out what all i've accomplished in the nursery so far (here) and to learn a little background on the space we are working with.}

This closet originally housed all of my seasonal decor, our Christmas tree, luggage, and cleaning supplies. Because it housed so much junk, the walls were nasty and super scuffed. I knew I didn't want to spend time painting it so I had to come up with a different solution. 

Heather at Southern State of Mind used moustache wrapping paper to line a  dresser and I knew I could use the same concept to line the walls in our little man's closet. 

Before:

During:

After:

This project was totally meant to be when I headed to Hobby Lobby and was able to snag the last roll of this super cute black and white mustache wrapping paper. Plus with my 40% coupon it came out to only costing me about $2.99.

I started out by measuring the sections of the closet with a tape measure and then using the oh so handy grid on the back of the paper to cut straight lines.  

When it came to actually hanging the wrapping paper up - I started off thinking double sided sticky tape would do the trick. . . . not so much. Luckily, I had some left over Elmer's Spray Adhesive which is seriously the best invention ever and easily did the trick. We live in an apartment so I knew I didn't want something permanent. This was the perfect solution -  it's not permanent but it's definitely sticking! 

I love it so much that I want to leave the closet door open 24/7. 

You can't beat a project that turns out this well - especially when it only took 30 mins of my time and cost $2.99. 

What can you spruce up in your house with wrapping paper?

Linking up with Craftberry Bush and Artsy Fartsy Mama and Serenity Now and The Stitchin Mommy and Angels HomeStead and Word It Wednesday

Week 20 -- Half Way Baked!

How far along: 20 Weeks

Food Comparison: Small Cantaloupe

Gender: Boy!! We are so in love with him already. 

His little hand is always by his face and look at those lips - I can't wait to smooch all over them! 

Weight gain: +10 lbs 

Maternity clothes: I own a few pieces but haven't really worn any of them yet. 

Anytime out of work though I'm constantly in leggings. 

Stretch marks: No - still slathering up with my belly butter!

Belly button in or out: In with belly button ring. 

Sleep: Brutal. 

Best moment last week: Finishing another project for Baby K's nursery. 

A puff quilt. Mint white and gray! So difficult but so cute and comfy. 

(More to come on this grueling process)

Worst moment last week: I can't think of one - they must have all been good!

Miss anything: Not having a stuffy nose 24/7.   

Movement: Yes, it's my favorite parts of the day. 

Cravings: Dill pickle chips. Yumm!

Queasy or sick: Nope! 

Looking forward to: Getting so much done in the nursery since I have all this energy.

Prayer Request: Today during our anatomy scan - we were able to see how active Baby K already is. I pray that he will remain active - active in school, active in sports, active in his church, active in life. You only get one life so I hope he lives it! 

Friday Favorites: Elf Cosmetics

Let me start this post by reminding you all that I am no expert on beauty. 

I don't spend a lot of money on makeup. 

I don't spend a lot of time on my makeup.

I don't wear a lot of makeup. 

But I DO have some favorite $3 makeup beauties from Elf Cosmetics.  

1 // Blush - Twinkle Pink

2 // Cream Eyeliner - Black

3 // Lip Exfoliator 

4 // Translucent Matifying Powder 

I assume there are some duds in the Elf line of cosmetics but fortunately I haven't come across any.

My absolute most favorite products of theirs are the cream eyeliner and translucent matifying powder. I use them daily and can't get enough! These are the first makeup products besides mascara that I've bought more than once. That's when you know you've got a keeper.

The blush does the job for $3 and I've learned that a little goes a long way. 

And with this pregnancy and my super chapped/dry lips - I'm going to get a lot of use out of this exfoliator. I have tried the skinny girl lip exfoliator and this Elf exfoliater doesn't leave that nasty oily film all over my lips and lower face. 

Do you have any Elf products that you use in your daily routine? 

Linking up with Style Elixir

Operation Project Nursery

I was able to get SO much done this weekend in Baby K's nursery, and as I sit here sore all over writing this post - I am so glad I started this process when I am only 19 weeks. I can't imagine how limiting things are going to get in the next few weeks, but thankfully this weekend I was able to take full advantage of all the extra energy I have.

I'm so happy to say operation project nursery is in full swing! 

Last year as soon as we found out we were pregnant, my mind immediately began dreaming up the perfect nursery for our soon to be babe. 

Let me start out by giving you some details on our current living arrangement: 

Currently, we rent a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom apartment from family. Our apartment is extremely unique and it has quite the unusual layout. When we moved in 4 years ago we transformed one of the bedrooms into our living room. In our bedroom there are two closets but they are small - so of course I claimed both of them. This made CT get the two larger closets (which are jam packed) located in our now living room. With our first tax return as a married couple we splurged on a nice oversized couch and love seat for our living room.

Needless to say we had lots of decisions to make when it came to where we were going to put our nursery. If ever, it was time to get creative!

Option 1: Move and no longer pay $350 a month for rent.

Option 2: Sell our nice living room furniture and transform the original second bedroom into a nursery. This means CT gets rid of one of his closets so the baby can have one. This would also mean he would have to go into the baby's room to get dressed. 

Option 3: Transform our current dining room, the room that you walk directly into from outside our apartment, into the nursery. That would mean having to move the dining room table and buffet into the craft/hobby room. That would also mean we would need to sell the desk, book cases, and oversized chair currently in the craft/hobby room. This would also mean that I would have to reorganize and store all of my craft stuff in the buffet. 

In the end - option 3 won out. 

CT didn't want to give up the couches or a closet, so we will make things work! 

Surprisingly, I am super happy with our decision and everything is coming together perfect. 

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Let's start with the small details: 

Paint the walls!

Paint // Lowe's // Valspar - Muted Ebony

 Paint the accessories to ensure everything is matching! 

Mirror // Gift from my dad which he found antiquing.

Lamp // TJMaxx 

Curtains // purchased for our wedding (CT thinks they are too girly so these probably won't stay)

Paint Color // Lowe's // Pantone Universe - Bay

More details:

Rug // Rugs Usa 

Mint Throw // TJMaxx 

Laundry Basket // TJMaxx 

Car Bookends // Nebraska Furniture Mart 

Add some furniture:

3 piece dresser/changing table // Home Decorators 

(it was a gift from my parents and I absolutely LOVE it! 

I am so happy with everything so far. 

It's modern. 

It's elegant. 

It's eclectic. 

It's us! 

I already walk by this room only 1/4th complete and get so excited for our little man to arrive! Soon and very soon!! 

Linking up with: Roots & Blossom and Artsy Fartsy Mama and Craftberry Bush and Serenity Now

Week 19

How far along: 19 Weeks

Food Comparison: Heirloom Tomato

Gender: Boy!!  I am loving everything about getting ready to have a boy. 

Weight gain: +8 lbs . . . yikes. I don't know if this is on schedule of if I need to slow down.

Maternity clothes: A dress, a few shirts, and I'm living in leggings!

 I'm trying to wear all things stretchy that are already in my closet. 

Stretch marks: No - still slathering up with my belly butter!

Belly button in or out: In with belly button ring. 

Sleep: I miss it. Side note for the next time I'm pregnant - I need to make sure I have a king sized bed. The dog, my belly, the husband, and my body pillow make for a tight fit. 

Best moment last week: Beginning to set up Baby K's nursery!  

Worst moment last week: Unrelated to pregnancy - but I found out one of my favorite TV shows: Single Ladies is being cancelled after this season. 

Ya, their acting sucked - but I loved the story lines!

Miss anything: Margaritas.   

Movement: Yes, daily! And CT was able to feel him yesterday. It was such a special moment.

Cravings: Beef ramen noodles still (I might have had it every day for lunch last week) 

& grande non fat no whip decaf white chocolate mocha from Starbucks.

Queasy or sick: Nope! 

Looking forward to: The mail man to come today - I have some cloth diapers and a diaper bag on the way and our anatomy scan next Monday! 

Prayer Request: This week I just pray for the overall health of Baby K. With the anatomy scan a few weeks away -- I pray all of his organs are functioning properly, I pray that he has 10 fingers and 10 toes, I pray that he has eyes that can see and ears that can hear. I pray that he is perfectly healthy so that his challenges in life aren't physical ones.