Weekly Surf:

Inspiration for maternity photos
LOVE these fun cookie pop ideas
I need ideas for decorating the nursery
Ways to help baby "spin" & not become breech 
Perfect card for the expectant mother in your life
I want this print
Homemade Oreos.....YUM!
This is how a breech baby is born at home {caution, nudity} 
Gorgeous images of motherhood that melt my heart
I'm dreading converting the office into a nursery. This conversion is gorgeous though.

Very sweet Cesarean birth first moments 

Love this mom's cry face after baby is born

{I love how involved Conrad gets to be in our weekly visits with my midwife. 

He gets to help find his "Brister's" (brother OR sister's) heartbeat.}

It makes my heart very happy.

{I'm 29 weeks this week! Twenty-Nine-Weeks!? How can it be?! Eeekkk! It's almost over. Baby is measuring perfectly, although baby "brister" is laying sideways right now, so I've been encouraged to use the birthing ball to bounce, not lounge in chairs, not lay on my back, walk more & do my pelvic rocks so we can possibly get that baby to go head down before the big day! It's getting harder to find tank tops that cover my growing belly & I'm at the stage now where I'm wearing my husbands Tee shirts to bed to stay comfortable. Grow baby grow!}

Happy Wednesday!

Weekly Surf:

In Mama's arms....these images are so sweet!
I'm not the only "crazy" woman choosing it...
Yup, I'm baby obsessed and I LOVE this room!
How to make your own crib sheets
Inspiration for my next DIY project for Conrad's room
Love this super girlie-vintage fabric project to decorate a nursery
Is this fabric too girlie?? I'm considering it for baby #2's crib bedding along with this fabric
Super cute for baby (whether it's a boy or girl)
My favorite song at the moment
Thoughts on a better way to do things after birth
Obsessed with these gorgeous grey & white stripes
I "love" this headboard

Things that make me terribly happy: 
My toddler crosses his eyes cross when he drinks his juice

Little rubber critters that I can whip out of my purse when little boys
get impatient while waiting for their pancakes

My son's long eye lashes, that first hot sip of decaf coffee & pink lipstick! 

My husbands handsome smile & how my little man dips his pancakes with such precision 

 Leaving my wet laundry to be hung later, after I'm done reading stories with him in his choo-choo tent!

{Have a happy weekend!}

Weekly Surf: Photography Edition

I thought we'd take a tiny break from birth stories today

and enjoy some pretty pictures!

Gorgeous hospital birth photos that got me all teary eyed

SUCH a super cute way to document your pregnancy (I'd love one of these)

I am in love with these photos of this couple, in love

He is the most creative photographer Dad I've seen yet

Lovers on the beach

I could spend hours on this photogs website

I am in love with this image

Love the lighting in these shots

Such a beautiful lil' lady, photographed in her beautiful girlie-girl room

Can't wait to see Dustin hold his squishy baby

These adorable carnival maternity photos remind me of our fun day at the carnival as well

wow, these bright, whimsical new born photos make my heart skip a beat

Hoping to take some shots like these this summer on the beach

Beautiful-timeless engagement photos

Don't you just feel SO inspired

after seeing those beautiful images?

This photo above is one I shot during my mission trip to Thailand while peering through some trees

at a group of pre-schoolers during morning prayer at the Christian village we served at.

(I promise it wasn't as creepy as it sounds.)

Today at my woman's bible study the question was asked, "What makes you feel closest to God?" and I immediately thought, "When I run and when I photograph people." (Of course through spending time with Him in the word, I feel close to Him, but you can do lots of other things to feel close to God. I had a friend who would go and fly a kite by himself and spend time with God that way.) I have had moments while running when I knew that it was only by surrendering to Him and leaning on Him for strength that I was able to keep going. I've had moments where I've gotten shots that made my heart melt and explode, and I knew that it wasn't my "super awesome artistic ability," It was God. These two things totally changed my life. Having had such intimate moments with the Lord through these two loves that he's fashioned in me have been absolutely revolutionary to my understanding of who He is, and how I can worship Him through them.

*I've gotten several emails, texts & comments from woman who are enjoying the birth stories and I'm so so glad you are. Each story is unique from the next, which makes them fun to read. I'm learning a lot from each story, so thank you to the woman who have submitted their story. There are many more to read in the next few weeks! Feel free to comment and share your thoughts, questions, concerns, & fears.... finding the answers to your birth questions is unbelievably liberating. I'm sure the ladies would also love to hear from you also!

Weekly Surf + An Outfit:

First off, the out pour of comments, prayer requests & emails about the last post have been so amazing to read. I have been burdened for you & will continue to pray knowing that God is faithful to meet every need that we come to Him with. Do not hesitate to email me if you need an extra word of encouragement. It has blessed me greatly AND built my faith to hear your stories and pray for you.

Weekly Surf:

My inspiration for the walls in the baby's room

DIY ruffle table runner

Such an inspiring, beautiful story

Good quotes always put me in a good mood

I want to have a tee-pee date on the beach too!

I love this lovely love accessory

Can't believe it's almost our 5th anniversary, time flies when you're in love

Loving this wedding dress

I'm loving these colors. A girl would love this nursery too right?

I am IN LOVE with this photo

I found some awesome photo props

Wanting this for my bed

Skirt lust

A gorgeous office re-do

I Love the message in this video

This looks beyond delicious

Uber cute for nursery

Getting excited to have TWO

Love how she dresses her cute pregnancy bump

A pretty picture
Can't wait to fry up some stuffed cream cheese jalapenos

What I'm wearing: Skirt: thrifted, Scarf & jeans: buffalo exchange, Vintage jacket: thrifted.

*The main reason that I love posting my thrift store finds is mostly because I want to encourage others {who are as broke as me!} that you can find decent stuff at a really reasonable price. I love this shirt because it has elastic under the bust and it expands. AND, I only paid 4$ for it! Score.

What I'm eating: Spinach smoothie consisting of 2 handfuls of raw spinach, 1 banana, 1 orange, a handful of frozen mango, a handful of frozen pineapple & a splash of carrot juice. I have one every morning. They are SO good. I drink it with love knowing that those good vitamins are going to the

 lil' babe.

I've been binge snacking on jalapenos like it's no body's bid'ness lately.

Dustin made me some iced decaf coffee & two beautiful hot dogs this weekend

with sauteed Jalapenos & onions.

I literally had a love affair with the both of them...so good.

{Have a happy Tuesday Friends.}

Weekly Surf:

I got my usual call from Dustin as he drove home from work Friday night. He asked what we were having for dinner. I said I was really busy and couldn't get around to making anything-maybe we'd go grab some fast food! He sounded all too enthused to be having fast food! He sighed and hung up the phone in utter disappointment. He was hoping for a hot meal....sad day.

Upon arriving home, he was instructed to tie a scarf around his head to cover his eyes because we were "going camping". I let him in and told him that sadly, we would not be eating fast food after all, but that I had a "camping date" planned for us.....*Please pardon that blank look on my face. I think I was thinking, "Dustin, hurry up and take the picture! I'm starving!"

One Spider man sheet, two baby blankets, and a few strands of lights later, we were enjoying a smorgasbord of deliciousness under our tent with Radio head playing in the background and our toddler's toys scattered on the rug in the living room beneath our feet.

{This is romance.}

....OR this is being broke and making the best of it?!

Sometimes we forget to enjoy the romance and find it amongst the bustle of everyday responsibilities & the hardships of being a young couple with little to spend on fancy dates.

Weekly Surf:

This made me laugh so hard I cried this week

What inspired me to surprise Dustin with a tent date

Such a cute idea to document a baby's growth as the months go by

This shirt is just adorable

This would be a great addition to my plate wall (take note Dustin. V-day is almost here!)

Loving this room

This might be a decent movie

More tent lovin' giving me inspiration for my next engagement shoot

Did you happen to see these lovely hair pieces?

Something pretty & pink or something pretty & green (I'll take both please!)

Might just hang these instead of a mobile for the baby's room

I've been searching for a crib like this one to paint for the nursery

I love the idea of stripes on a ceiling

The yummy treat I made this week

What lovely accessories these & these would be

This week's home inspiration: black, white, yellow & turquoise

Something that caught my attention & captured my heart this week

Just in case you ever need a cupcake recipe

This song had been on repeat around the house this week (It gets real good. Wait for it.)

I want this for all of Dustin's books he's got piled up next to his side of the bed

Lusting over these shorts and this sexy studded sweater {I'd wear them together with thigh high boots.}

Can't wait for my favorite MTV show to come back on next week

I've gotten a few emails recently about my plate wall & how they were hung + more plates added
Me, showing off my very first cake, not from a box! (recipe above.) Banana cake is the best cake in the whole wide world. Dustin helped with a lot of it so I could take breaks in between measuring and mixing to make myself a grilled cheese sandwich and rest.... I sat and watched for the most part. It was hard work.

{Have a great Vampire Thursday!!!}

P.S. Thank you friends, for praying for me this week. I'm starting to snap out of it. (these damn hormones are making me C-R-A-Z-Y!)I'm so thankful for such loving people in my life who intercede with prayer on my behalf when I'm too weak to pray.
It made SUCH a difference. Thank you.

Weekly Surf:

I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I had trouble falling asleep last night knowing that I was only one sleep away from the new returning episodes of Vampire Diaries tonight! AND I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that It was the first thing I thought of when I woke up this morning....I got myself a special soda and a special snack to munch on while I watch tonight. I'm kind of too excited about it.

I went over to my Mom's this week to raid her closet because It won't be long before I no longer fit into her size 0 jeans.... I already can barely button them. Sad day. I love Mom's yellow cords and pretty sweaters. She's got such great style. Her sense of style is bright just like her personality.

 (Love ya Mom!)

Conrad had a breakfast/play date with his buddy Logan this week. They ate one doughnut each, and I ate my portion.... The doughnuts in the bottom left corner. Yep, those were mine. ALL mine!

Weekly Surf:

I love these very first "Hideously cute" photos of newborns

I covet her style

A super cute way to decorate a kitchen

Can't wait to wear this again

Oooohhhhh. Prettty!

Would you do this if given the opportunity? I SO would.

I adore these

Amazing before and after
I'm kind of obsessed with this adorable jacket (I love the back.)

Loving this Gorgeous headboard DIY project

I want them all & these too while you're at it

Wouldn't this be such a lovely set?

**Thank you all for your kind, encouraging words about my last post. I appreciate the love. 

I promise to keep the complaining to a minimum for the rest of this pregnancy! 

{

 

h

 {Happy Thursday!}

Weekly Surf:

I've decided that my favorite toddler moment this week had to of been when I asked him for a kiss at the park and he had Doritos cheese on his lips and orange cream Slurpee breath. My heart melted. He is SO big! It made me smile watching him lick the cheese off of his chips. No one had to teach him to lick the cheese off, he just knew that Doritos are best when you get to lick them clean and then lick your orange fingers afterwards.

He knows that Doritos-cheesy kisses make his pregnant Mamma's heart burst with joy.

Ugh, I'm so in love.

Weekly Surf:

THIS is hil-arious
Here's a look at what I've been working on this week

Wouldn't this be such a unique wedding set?

Something to buy a few sizes too big for when I start to get big

DIY cute owl pin cushions

A vintage nursery & a girls nursery done right

If only I could get my husband to wear one of these (maybe not plaid though)

This girls got style

Loving this homes soothing color

Good tips to keep God at the forefront of our minds

I think I'm obsessed with Stella McCartney

Would really like a pair of lace up boots

She melted my heart with her adorable french accent

A picnic in the water is such a sweet idea

Just beautiful (don't click if nudity offends you.)

Something that encouraged me this week

Baking delicious pies always reminds me of my love affair with Ned and Chuck

I love seeing people take something old & making it new again

{Have a great weekend friends}

***I plan to lay around this weekend and do a whole lot of baby cookin'. I feel so tired lately, like PAINFULLY tired, like I WANT TO CRY tired. How do woman of many children do it? I have shamefully allowed my son to watch copious amounts of Sponge Bob this week because I've been so utterly useless as a mother-playmate. This first trimester has kicked my butt like you wouldn't believe. I've woken up each morning with the same prayer that I'd be given supernatural energy-I can't imagine what I'd be like had I not prayed. My poor son's brain is turning into mush I'm afraid. Someone tell me I'm not the only horrible mom whose done this.

Weekly Surf + Our Weekend in Photos:

Weekly Surf:

Dreaming of someday having a kitchen with floors like these

Can't wait to get a tattoo just like this when #2 is born (I am so obsessed with this tattoo.)

Remembering when Conrad was this teeny & the weird things I craved last time I was pregnant

I'll be making a few of these for the hubs w/ sweet things written inside for v-day (reminds me of our wedding)

I LOVE her hair color & I wish I could pull off her hair cut

I love a gal who can put together a killer-thrift store outfit

Makes me want a tea cup collection

This put a smile on my face

Will be making this, this weekend

I adore her style

What I found while lurking craigslist this week (maybe the chairs are a tinge too gaudy?)

One of D's dreams is to someday own a restaurant & one of mine is to someday own a thrift shop

Kind of obsessed with this home at the moment

I want

Conrad would appreciate these

I want these for my kitchen table

Cute idea for a nursery

How to tie a yarn bun

Blinged out gold chairs are a must have

Last Weekend In Photos:

When you have a kid, you get to be a kid again!

It's awesome. Dustin doesn't always get to do all of the fun stuff we get to do throughout the week,so this weekend I wanted to take him to the in-door play gym to watch Conrad in action. Conrad is really getting to be such a fun age. It's been so fun to watch him experience new things and go deeper into his imagination. I love watching him explore and see all of the "boy" in him come out.

Where's Mommy?

There she is!

We went on a little afternoon lunch date Saturday to one of my favorite Italian food places. It's been a while since we went out and sat at a restaurant and spent time talking and laughing. I feel like it's so vital for our relationship to get away together and talk about other things besides our son. I really cherish these moments.It kind of scares me that when the next one comes, these moments might be harder to come by....so we're enjoying them now.

{Have a fantastic weekend friends.}

Weekly Surf:

Today I wore: Black skinny jeans: Express, button up tunic: Victoria Secret,

Leather jacket that mom got me x-mas my junior year of h.s.: AE, Blue Scarf: H&M

Weekly Surf:

What I've been working on this week

Wouldn't the colors in this duvet make the best neutral baby bedding?

This would go great in a kid's room

Can't wait to be able to fill out cute sweaters like this one

Obsessed with this backyard wedding. (The grooms reaction to the bride walking down the aisle is so sweet.)

Maternity hosiery is SO weird to me

Gaining a lot of fresh perspective from this blog lately

Is it a bookshelf? OR Is it a frame?

What was Christmas like around the world?

I'm stealing this idea for my next dinner party

Drooling over these colorful couches

Another reason to love Jack White

Some helpful Pregnancy tips for all the "ovens" out there

A wreath to hang on your door all year long

Bright mugs always put me in a cheery mood

How do discipline your baby lol

Such sweet engagement photos

I want this outfit please

A great Give-a-way to enter

In other news, I'm seriously considering strawberry blond/red.

Kind of like Amy Adams. Thoughts?

{Have a Happy weekend Lovelies.}