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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thankful

It's time once again, for my yearly cheesy post on everything I'm so so thankful for! 
{to see last year's click here}

Of course this little peanut is number one on my list! 

I'm so thankful to be pregnant with a healthy little girl! Last year at this time I felt like EVERYONE was prego and I wanted to be in the club so bad (correction: it feels like even more people are pregnant NOW)! Well, here I am, a year later, super prego and anticipating the arrival of our little lady!

My husband.

I just know he is going to be a great dad, and I can't wait to experience this:


My family. 


They are just pretty amazing. 
{Side note: I need to take more pics with my family!}

My friends. 




They are pretty amazing, too. Just saying. 
{Also...I need to take more pics with my friends! I guess we are too busy drinking wine having fun?!}

My job. 

I don't think this made the list last year! Ok, it actually did, but I was just being nice. This year, I really do love my new school and working with motivated teachers and appreciative administrators! And my super sweet students definitely help, too!

Vacations. 


Trav and I were lucky enough to go to Italy this summer, and even though I was 9-10 weeks pregnant, we still had such an amazing time! 

Technology. 

It is so helpful for keeping in touch with family and friends who don't live in Charlotte...
and also great for googling all of those crazy pregnancy symptoms! ;)

My treadmill

I love not having to go to the gym and fight over exercise equipment. I also love not losing my machine whenever I have to get off to pee! 

Trashy television. 

It makes me feel more normal. {Especially Carlton. She is such an odd bird...I still don't know how I feel about her. Thoughts?}

Online shopping.

No but seriously. SUCH a time and money saver!

Maternity clothes.

Whoever decided that pregnant women should still dress cute and not frumpy is seriously my hero. I only wish I had invented maternity jeans. Or maternity leggings. I'd be set for life.

Hope you and your favorite people have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Bumpdate {30 weeks}

Holy moly. 75% done?! That sh*t crayyyy.


Size of baby: A cucumber…I feel like that’s smaller than last week’s acorn squash, but I guess The Bump’s measurements are going off length this week…she’s between 15.2-16.7 inches and 2.5-3.8 pounds!
Weight gain: Up another 1-2 pounds. 25 pounds gained total. It is what it is. 
Maternity clothes: Some one asked me today if my jeans were my regular jeans and I almost laughed! I haven’t seen those for a looooong time!
Gender: A GIRL!
Movement: Yep! Her movements are still pretty jab-like and I can see them through my shirt (haha, so crazy), but now sometimes it almost feels more like she’s rolling around in there.
Cravings: I have been wanting salt and vinegar chips a lot lately! Other than that, same old stuff.
Symptoms: Feeling a little nauseous at times, but haven’t had to take anymore zofran (thank God). Still having some Braxton Hicks contractions and heartburn, but nothing too awful. The most annoying thing this week has been the amount of times I need to go to the bathroom! It’s so annoying to find someone to watch my class while I go pee 39853 times a day!
Workouts: I walked 15 miles this week…on an incline!  
Sleep: I have lost all ability to sleep in on weekends…I am up by 8 AM. I also cannot go to bed before 11 PM if my life depended on it! Once I fall asleep though, I’m good (other than, of course, getting up to pee)!
What I miss: Running! Yes, already. It’s going to be a long few months….
Best moment this week: My baby shower!
Looking forward to: Thanksgiving! We are hosting this year for mine AND Travis’ families and I am so excited for everyone to get together, eat some yummy food, and of course, go Black Friday shopping!! 

Friday, November 22, 2013

Five on Friday!


Is it me, or has this week been the longest ever?!?!

1. On Tuesday, the internet stopped working on my phone (that I've had since February, 2011...I know, I know). I went to reset it on my computer....backed everything up on iTunes or whatever, and then once it was restored, it would not load what I had backed up BACK onto my phone! So I lost my 1600 pictures, all contacts, apps, EVERYTHING. I was hysterical!!! My husband told me I just needed to bite the bullet and get a new phone...so on Wednesday, I did! I am now the proud owner of a new iPhone 5s. 

And the best part? When I synced it up with my computer, everything I had saved to iTunes (1600 pictures, contacts, apps) went right onto my new phone!! Yay!!!! But if you texted me at all Tuesday or Wednesday, I may have missed it-sorry! 

2. Please enjoy my living room right now.


It's called procrastinating/being overwhelmed. There's more there than it appears...I just consolidated boxes and bags after my shower. Now I do not know how/where/when to organize all of this fabulous baby stuff! Any one want to come over and help?! 

3. I'm obsessed with this sweater I just got last week from Old Navy. 

It's not maternity (!!!!) so I can wear it now AND after baby! Plus, I got 35% off for using my Gap card, so it was less than $30! Score!!

4. Last Saturday, when it went to go cheer on Kathryn as she was running her half marathon, I cried. Hello, pregnancy hormones. I'm pretty sure I'm the only loser who would cry cheering at a marathon. I remember last year, I was crying from running that stupid marathon. And now, I'm crying because I'm not. Go figure. 

5. How sweet/talented is one of my students?!


 Granted, I don't think a minion is the absolute hardest thing to draw ever, but I was still impressed! 


And there you have it, the most random 5 on Friday post ever written. Have a good weekend! 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

My Baby Shower

I am so blessed to have the world's most incredible party planner as one of my best friends. You may remember the bridal shower that Kathryn threw for me in March of 2012. Well, I can tell you that she once again outdid herself for Baby Ferg's shower this past Sunday! 

First let me say that this chica ran a half marathon the day before my shower (yes 13.1 miles)!! 


Cut to 24 hours later....I wouldn't have been able to move, but this girl is a trooper! Slash insane, but that's why I love her!!

So here's the deets on my baby shower...

Let's start with the invitations:
{picture stolen from Tiny Prints website}

I loved the owl theme she chose, since that was my sorority mascot in college and I've loved owls ever since! 

Starting at the door, she left no corner undecorated. 
We played the "Don't Say Baby!" game, which was super cute. Also note the owl name tags.
And yes, that's my chalkboard! That thing really gets around. 

She also had a station where people could write notes to Travis and I when we are changing diapers late at night.


Here is the main family room, where I opened all of my the baby's presents! (There were more gifts later, I promise...I just took these pics before guests had arrived!)


And yes, that's an owl diaper cake in the upper right...here's a close up:


Moving onto the kitchen, where she made a sh*t ton of pasta (yay!!) and even named the wines (which I sadly couldn't drink but still a fun detail)! 

{"Hoot if you're cute Pinot Grigio"?! Who thinks of this stuff?!}

The water bottle labels say "This party's a hoot!" How cute is that?!


Here is the main dessert table! I love the manzanita branches! 


She even reused some decor from my gender reveal and made these cute bookmarks, too!


And here are some owl-shaped cake pops that she made from scratch! And then placed them in boxes with moss. 
Kathryn told me she had a dream about putting the cake pops in boxes with moss...because that's totally normal. Kathryn, I'm sorry my shower took over your subconscious!!

Of course we had cupcakes. Duh.


But I'm not done yet....this girl turned her whole dining/living room into a craft area! There were bibs to decorate....


...and letters to paint for an alphabet wall in the nursery!! They turned out super cute...I have some very artistic and creative friends! I will post pics once we hang them up! 


Last but not least, a super cute party favor (kettle corn) by the door as guests left. 


And what would a shower blog post be without some awkward pics of me opening presents?!


Baby Ferg got so many amazing things...and most were off my registries, too! I was so excited!! I was expecting A TON of clothes, but I was presently surprised!!! We are so lucky to have such great family and friends! :) 

{fun anecdote: these bloomers and bib actually belonged to MY HUSBAND when he was a baby! His mom also gave me the blanket that they brought him home from the hospital in! It was so sweet...and I def almost started crying!}


Thank you Kathryn, for having another amazing shower for me! Can't wait to repay you when it's your turn!!! :)

Friday, November 15, 2013

Bumpdate {29 weeks}

I am actually on time with posting this because Kathryn needs my chalkboard for Baby Ferg's shower on Sunday! Yay!!!

Please excuse the worst chalkboard design of all time...it's getting hard to write on with this big bump in the way!


Size of baby: An acorn squash…she already weighs between 2.5-3.8 pounds! I feel like that’s so big!
Weight gain: Still holding strong at 143. (+23 pounds)      
Maternity clothes: Obvi. And my regular pants officially don’t fit. I have no clue how people can wear a belly band for their entire pregnancy.  
Gender: A GIRL! 
Movement: Yes she still moving around lots in there. Her favorite times are in the mornings, off and on between 7:30-10:00 and then at night between 9:00-11:00. She was going crazy the night Michigan State played Kentucky in basketball! Go Spartans! :)
Cravings: I am just waiting for the day when I absolutely have to have something and I send Travis out at midnight for it…unfortunately, I’m still craving the same old stuff. 
Symptoms: Still a little heartburn and Braxton Hicks contractions…but the big ones this week have been fatigue and (dare I say it?) morning sickness. NOOOOO!!! I had to take zofran last weekend and there have been a few times this past week where I had to stop and sit or lie down. I really hope it’s not coming back for good!! 
Workouts: Well I’m done running, but I am trying to walk 4 miles most days of the week! I did 18 miles this week…4 every day after school, except Thursday, I only did 2 miles because I got nauseous (see above—boo!). 
Sleep: Pretty good but it definitely takes me a while to get comfy! 
What I miss: Not being nauseous/worrying about if something I do will make me nauseous. 
Best moment this week: This is completely un-baby related, but I got observed this week and it went really well! My principal gave me great feedback today at my post-observation conference. I’m so glad it’s over…I hate getting observed! Teachers out there, I know you feel my pain. 
Looking forward to: Still looking forward to my baby shower Sunday! I know my girl Kathryn has some amazing things up her sleeve and I can’t wait to see my friends and family! 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Baby Ferg's Gender Reveal {2 months late}


Yes, I realize this took place almost 2 months ago. And many of you have probably seen all of these pics on my Facebook or on my photographers' website.

But for my own documenting purposes, I wanted to make sure I did a little write up here as well! So you're getting one. Sorry, I'm not sorry.

First things first, when I realized our gender reveal would be during football season, I decided that we had to have a football-themed party, since you know Travis is slightly obsessed with football. I enticed all of his friends to come by basically telling them they were coming over to watch football and drink beer. Ha!

I found these invitations on Tiny Prints, which fit perfectly with our "Team Pink vs. Team Blue" theme!


Caitlin, Travis' sister, and her roommate made the cake! Her roommate is a baker at the Ritz, and Caitlin is a chef, so they are professionals!! I basically sent them a few pics of what I had in mind and they exceeded my expectations! They were the only ones who knew Baby Ferg's gender before the party, and they did such a good job keeping the secret from all of us! I wouldn't have been able to do it!


I also made cupcakes...because hello...this is me we're talking about. I ordered the cupcake toppers, and food and water bottle labels from this seller on Etsy.



All of the food! We had burgers, hot dogs, chips and about 12 different salsas and dips!



Oh, and of course, we had to have those Hershey bars that have been circulating Pinterest!


Kathryn also made her yummy sangria, which unfortunately I could not drink. Something about you can't drink alcohol while you're prego? Ughhh.


Straws ordered off Etsy (between Etsy and Pinterest, how did people use to plan parties back in the day!?)

For decorations, I made the tissue paper balls that are shown above (trying to hide our hideous breakfast room light fixture), and then also made this tissue paper garland. That thing took forever to make!


I also used my handy dandy chalkboard to document my Old Wives' Tales...proof that those can't be trusted! Almost all of them said boy!


On either side of the chalkboard were two big posterboards for people to vote for their "team." I punched the cheerleaders and little boys running out at school using our die-cut machine (unfortunately, our school did not have a football player die-cut, so I had to make do with what we had). 



These were taken at the very beginning of the party, so I promise more people voted! Team Blue won for sure...everyone thought I was having a boy! 


I also made this banner using the die-cut machine at school, and put up some of Baby Ferg's ultrasound pics, at weeks 8, 12 and 20. My mom said she needed to look at "evidence" before casting her vote! And she still thought blue.  


In the family room, I hung the football and cheerleader outfits we had bought the previous weekend in Chapel Hill! We ended up returning the football player outfit and getting a UNC hairbow the next weekend. :)



Here's the big reveal!! We did it around 3:15 (our party started at 2)...I couldn't wait any longer!


I could NOT believe that cake was PINK inside!!!


Caitlin was sweet enough to frame the ultrasound picture we had delivered to her (in a sealed envelope so I didn't know)! I could NOT believe it was a girl (have I said that enough times yet?!), so I'm glad she brought photographic proof!



I should have really thought about buying new Sperry's for Trav and I prior to this party...oh well. 



Let me just say...having a profesh photog was clutch. It was great to not worry about taking pictures! And the video they took still makes me cry....you can watch it here!

So there you have it! All of the details for our little cheerleader's gender reveal! It was such a fun day, and I would definitely recommend having a gender reveal to any and every pregnant person!