It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

Thanksgiving?

:) Just kidding.

Christmas! It's almost Christmas people!!!

The first year Kellen and I got married I made SURE to send Christmas cards. I accidentally was a big slacker on my thank yous for my wedding and was feeling slightly guilty when it came to December....whoops!

Not only that, but who doesn't LOVE receiving Christmas snail mail! Opening your mailbox to find a hand written card is probably one of the best joys in life (in my opinion!).

Shutterfly has some great options for Christmas cards. I actually LOVE the shutterfly site and have ordered several books for Kellen and I, and last year I pretty much did all my Christmas presents through this site.

This year Shutterfly has some beautiful selections for Christmas card products. One thing I love is the ability to use lots of fun photos on ONE card, like these:


So adorable!

Last year for Christmas I made Kellen's family a calender collage with pictures of all his brother and sisters (he has a lot!). His parents absolutely loved it! Shutterfly's picture wall calenders are a great place to display all of those pictures you maybe didn't know what to do with!


I am secretly already checking out Shutterfly's kid's birthday party invitations- they are just too cute to resist. I know Haden isn't even born yet....but how can I resist browsing at invitations that look like this!


So there you have it on my personal review of Shutterfly. I am a big fan....and you can be too! :)

*Please Note that I am receiving 50 free photo cards for this post, but all opinions are mine*

Inside My Head

So I had this random idea the other day that I would write down thoughts that came inside my head to share with you all on my blog. No requirements whatsoever. Some of them are really strange and random, some questions, some opinions, some negative, some happy. It's actually been quite fun and I think I might make it a regular addition to my  blog. So here we go with random thoughts from Nicole...round 1!

1. Why is eating out with a group of women always so awkward? 

So maybe these women look like they are having a blast. And realistically it usually is fun getting together with a bunch of girlfriends and having a nice meal. But I definitely think there are really awkward elements too. First of all, why is it that whenever the waiter brings the bread basket, it's always extremely awkward to see who takes the first piece? I could be totally and completely starving and wanting bread, but it always seems like once it is delivered it is customary to torture yourself for a good 5 minutes before indulging. Apparently this conveys a sense of healthiness and self control? Secondly, why do women mostly order salads when they are out with other women? It's like, if they are with their spouse or something, they of course get the hamburger and fries- but since they are with other women again- you must seem in "control" of your eating? Thirdly, does anyone else tend to watch how much the other person is eating? You certainly don't want to clean your plate if the other person in only going to eat half. 

Ok, so maybe these are just things I think about in my OWN head- but still- the patterns to which I see these things happen when women eat together astonish me! For once I want to see a large group of women dive into the free bread basket, order their weight in spaghetti or french fries, clean their plates, and finish off with dessert. OK, I know I am the ultimate bad healthy food blogger for condoning this behavior...but it's the freedom of self conscious thoughts I am aiming at here, people!

2. Why are on the label recipes always best? 

Again, maybe this is only my experience. But honestly, it seems like EVERY time I use a label recipe it works out perfectly. Not to mention it is so, so simple. Why is it so hard to find simple recipes online and in recipe books? Sometimes I just want PLAIN OL' chocolate chip cookies- not something fancy shmancy! 

3. Why do old people like to talk about their symptoms?

Have you ever had an experience where you are out in public, sitting near an old couple, and they are discussing their bodily functions or current health symptoms? Well, I have. And I find it rather amusing because, well, most of the time they are kind of gross, and they talk rather loudly (as to hear the other person). Most of the time it is a wife yelling loudly to a husband that doesn't say much. I start to wonder what he is thinking- is he embarrassed that his wife is discussing this topic and such a loud noise level in public? My guess is probably not. By that age, I don't think people really get embarrassed much. Or maybe he is just can't really hear her at all and he's imagining what she's saying? Either way, it really makes me giggle. 

4. Wearing leggings does not give you an excuse to wear an unusually short skirt/dress. 

While I DO appreciate the fact that you are wearing leggings underneath your skirt in general, (seriously, thank you!), I still hate to inform you that it's really just not that appropriate to think that leggings equals an excuse to wear a mini that shows off your tush. I personally don't really want to see something that is so skin tight I can see the shape of your bottom, unless perhaps it is a bathing suit. So please, choose an appropriate length for your skirts and dresses, even if you do decided to cover up with leggings. Thank you.

5. I really like coming home to a clean house after a trip somewhere. (No this is not my house, but it's adorable!) I bet I couldn't find many of you that would disagree with me on this one. Coming home to a clean home just feels so...welcoming. Unfortunately, this means that on top of packing and other "trip" preparations, you must also bust your butt cleaning it before you go. But oh, it's so worth it when you finally return!

Well, that's it for now of the first round of getting inside my head. Stay tuned for more next week (or whenever I gather enough random thoughts!). 

Mini Trip

Currently I am watching About a Boy. I guess I've never really seen this movie which is weird cause I totally dig Hugh Grant- despite his naughty British Boy reputation. My favorite movie is Notting Hill and ever since then I can't seem to bring myself to hate him. Anyway, this movie is hilarious. I love it.

So apparently my poem about scrambled eggs was really only amusing to me at 12:30 at night last night (except for Laura, thanks! haha). It's funny how anything after 11pm becomes instantly more funny in my mind. It's also really funny when I am around my mom at this time of night because it seems to be a trait I have inherited- acting a bit loopy past 11pm. 

As far as time with my momma, I will get plenty of that the next few days as we head off to a town in Washington called Leavenworth. All you out of staters will be jealous when I explain that this little town is Bavarian themed, settled in the mountains, completely picturesque and all things Christmas. 

During spring, summer, and fall, Leavenworth looks like this:

But come Winter, Leavenworth transforms into a magical Christmas town:

How completely adorable is that?!? I am so excited! 

Depending on $$, I hope to check out a little toy music box shop and see if I can find one for my little guy's room. We will see!

Scrambled Eggs.

Scrambled Eggs
Written by me
Inspired by Shel Silverstein
Brought on by pregnancy cravings

Oh scrambled eggs, dear scrambled eggs
Why must you torture me so?
The thoughts of you keep filling my head
I can't seem to let them go.

Sure, you're healthy and you're good
To this I can't deny.
But when I get a craving for you so late
It makes me want to cry.

And so my tummy rumbles as I lay here in my bed
Listening to snoring with egg thoughts in my head.
Scrambled, deviled, hard or soft,
I could eat them either way.
But alas...I must wait to eat them on a brand new day :(

22 weeks!

I can't believe I'm past my halfway point. I completely skipped my halfway celebration altogether when the ultrasound tech told me I was actually measuring one week ahead when I thought I was 19w5days- bumping me past halfway. It's crazy to think I only have 18 weeks left with this little booger living inside of me.

Lately, I feel huge. I know I've got a long way to go- and that actually really, really scares me. I can't believe that  I am going to get MUCH bigger than this! At times I feel happy that I'm finally showing and feeling pregnant, and  at other times I feel depressed that I am gaining all my weight back and still feeling uncontrollably hungry. 

I'm being honest right now with you all: I'm scared. I'm scared of gaining all the weight back and not being able to lose it. I'm scared of developing some kind of preventable pregnancy disease because I couldn't reign in my cravings. I'm scared that I will feel depressed again because I will feel like I am not in control of myself. 

It's funny how each stage of life brings new and hard struggles.

OK, moving on to a lighter and more fun subject...

How far along: 22 weeks!

Total Weight Gained: I'm going to say I'm pleading the 5th on this one. For sanity sake. 

Maternity Clothes: Still my one pair of pants. I had a lot of empire waist shirts already and so I haven't really had to buy anything.

Stretch Marks: No, but I just got some palmers body butter and body oil and have been rubbing it on vigorously. If there is ANY chance of preventing it (which I've heard isn't likely) I WILL!

Sleep: No more sleeping straight on the belly. Still sleeping on my side with one leg propped up, slightly on my stomach. For some reason this just is the most comfortable. I almost feel like its cradling baby.

Best Moment of the Week: Well technically it was last week, but the ultrasound was amazing. It honestly was such a beautiful moment for us. Other than that, just keeping motivated and finishing projects for his room like crazy. 

Movement: Yes, especially when I'm hungry (strange!) or at night. Can't wait until he's big enough that EVERYONE can feel them if they want to (grandma keeps missing him). 

Food Cravings: Nothing specific. Just pretty much everything and anything!

Gender: All Boy :)

Belly Button: Definitely getting shallower. Gross thought: maybe God decided this is the one time in our lives we can TRULY clean our belly buttons??

What I miss: sledding! What in the world? I didn't think about this until it snowed this week! How cruel!

What I'm looking forward to: My first baby shower in my hometown- should be happening sometime in January. Oh and also getting Christmas gifts for Haden. We are requesting no gifts for us this year but how can we deny gifts for our little boy?!? :)

Milestones: He is all boy! So happy to have found out. :)

Fireplaces, Hot CoCo, and Crafts!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Man there are SO many things I have to be thankful for this year. Of course my little baby Haden, and my wonderful hubby. I am thankful for a beautiful home and work for Kellen- even when work for me is a bit rocky right now. I am so thankful that God continues to bless us. I really don't deserve what He's given me- but I try to remember to thank Him for this perfect life :0). 

So, after I wrote on Monday about our first snowfall, pretty much all hell broke loose in our part of town. I took off to do a couple hours of work that day and then at 3pm, went to head home. What usually takes me 15 minutes to get home took me a total of 5 hours. I actually had to pull over midway and go see my best friend's parents for a toilet and some dinner. Thank god for their hospitality. I then headed out again at 9pm. It was really, really scary, because I had less than 1/4 of a tank of gas and the traffic was ridiculous. I was probably only ten miles from home but still scared that I would run out of gas and be stranded! Luckily, (and by God's grace) I made it home and slept in a very cold house with no power. But I really can't complain as in the morning Kellen and I left for my family's house in Tacoma- and all my poor neighbors have been stuck without power for a couple of days- some even don't have it now!

  

The morning after we woke up with no power, we decided to make the best of things and cook breakfast in our backyard. Take that mother nature! You are defeated!!

YUM :)

After heading down to Tacoma on Tuesday, we've pretty much just been chilling out at my grandparents since then. Not really heading out much except for a trip to Michael's where my mom and I picked up some crafts- including materials to make my baby shower invitations for my baby shower that my grandma is putting on in January.

Yes, I know it probably not "customary" for the mom of the baby to really help plan in any way, but I love doing that kind of stuff and so my mom and I took on the project together. I'm really glad we did- they turned out adorable.

 Every one of them is a little different- which I love. 

In other news, I have gotten sick. Nothing to big, but it is a sore throat/cold and being pregnant while sick is NOT fun. Basically this means I got virtually no sleep the night before last and then scowered the internet for safe drugs to take while pregnant. No nyquil for me!

Needless to say, I am feeling a bit better today. Thank goodness!

Well- I am off to my 3rd of 4 Thanksgivings this year (1 Canadian, 1 Friends, 2 Family). Should be delicious!

Snow!

It's funny how here in Western Washington everyone flips out over snow, myself included. It seems to come (almost) every year, for a couple days. I think the concept of snow is a lot more fun if you are kid than if you are an adult. It's only fun if you are an adult and happen to have no real responsibilities set for that day- and therefore don't have to drive anywhere. Let me just tell you, driving in the snow is not something a Western Washingtonian knows how to do AT ALL. It's scary to see so many people in the ditch and in accidents because people just won't slow down! 

A peek out our window in the morning to discover a winter wonderland:

This is the first time we've ever gotten snow at our house. Last year it didn't snow at all and we moved in the April before that winter. It's kind of fun to finally see what our little cedar house looks like in the snow!

This weather is going to give me a great excuse to bundle up and stay indoors and work on projects for Haden's room. I've gotten SO much done in the last couple of weeks- I think because it's just becoming so real to me now so I feel very motivated! 

 Let it snow! :)