Boy. Girl.

Ohhhh this question. It comes up so often now, in conversation with people at the grocery store, with friends, with family and between Tyler and I. As we get really close to finding out what this little peanut of ours is, I find myself a little overwhelmed. And a lot excited.

For the longest time, if someone asked what I wanted to to have first I'd automatically answer "A girl!" because, well, I like girly things. And flowers in my hair. And dresses. And would love nothing more than to have a little lady to dress up and wear matching shoes with. Of course Tyler's answer every time was "A boy!" because, well, he loves football and wrestling and getting dirty. All things that having a little boy to do them with would just make life oh so perfect.

But now that we're here, only a few days away from finding out, I realize that Tyler more often than not refers to Baby as "she" and I more often than not am picturing little bow ties and have more ideas for a boy's nursery than a girl's. Not to mention how awesome it would be to see my favorite guy bond with a little boy and dress him head to toe in Cleveland Browns attire for Sunday football. Having a little Tyler running around would just about make my whole day. It's kinda funny how that happened.

I have absolutely no feelings about what I'm having. No prophetic dreams. And my bump is too small, my cravings too all over the place to make use of any of those old wives tales. All I know is, either way, we cannot wait! It's really crazy to think next week at this time, we'll know what this little gymnast in my belly is. I've been enjoying calling the baby "Baby" and daydreaming about names for either a boy or girl. I almost want to just wait to find out, but Tyler is pretty darn adamant about finding out now...he's having a hard time being patient, which is just adorable.

And those red moccasins, well I'm pretty sure they would look cute with a yellow dress or little blue jeans.

Ohhhh Baby!! We can't wait to meet you!

a few favorite things

//I went to the library with the kiddos I'm working with this summer and couldn't not pick up two books, despite the towering stack in my bedroom and living room and ya know...the ones in my amazon cart i've been meaning to get. i am just a big ole sucker for a library book.

//ROOT BEER FLOATS. oh man. i suppose we could call this a legit craving as i keep ordering them whenever they happen to be on the menu, or sometimes when they aren't i still want to ask if they could procure one for me. lucky for this mama, there is an ice cream stand right around the corner. actually my friend is on her way over at this very moment to accompany me on a walk to get one. yep.

//i broke out of my cooking rut (again, cravings will do that to you) and made this yummy coconut curry chicken business yesterday evening. there was plenty for leftovers which i love, as i love any dish that incorporates veggies and rice. perfection! it was quite good if i do say so myself.

//my comfy striped dress and sandals and oh yes, little baby kicks. they happen all the time now and it's really just my most favorite thing in the whole wide world at the moment. tyler is oh so very jealous that he can't feel them yet....but it doesn't stop him from trying!

xoxo. r.

virginia

Like I said in my previous post, I was in Blacksburg, Virginia last week for my friend Adrianne's wedding! I drove down there with the idea that I'd just help her with whatever she needed (she was having the wedding in her backyard and providing all of the food) or just follow her around on errands. Whatever. I was just happy to see her for more than a few hours!
I was happy to help but also happy we were able to have some down time too, to de-stress from the wedding chaos and relax with some of her girlfriends. We spent Sunday afternoon near a river eating fancy cheeses (them) and drinking special mixed drinks (them). I had lemonade and regular cheese and crackers. :)
We also ate quite a few yummy meals and spent a few hours really late the night before the big day talking and working on her guest book finger print tree which we decided had to be watercolored. It was a special project I enjoyed helping her with!
I felt so honored to be a part of her big day, which for all intents and purposes was truly her and her fiance's to the last detail....to the bare feet and artichokes in the bouquet. It was so unique and personal, something I love to see in any wedding but most of all when it's a friend I love so dearly! I cannot explain the sheer happiness they both shared during the ceremony and throughout the evening. It was heart melting for sure.
I also got a chance to meet quite a few special people in their lives, get to know them and share the house with them over the time I was there. I love meeting new people and learning more about where they are from or what their life is like and it was really neat to see this side of my friend and her life in Blacksburg. I cannot wait to go back! And bring Tyler of course too! He was definitely missed.
I hope they have a beautiful summer traveling and wish them a lifetime of happiness!! Love you Adrianne! <3

weekends and weddings

Just a few bits of life around here lately....life is happy. :) 

I'm getting ready to leave for a few days to spend some quality time with my friend Adrianne before her wedding...I know it's going to be magical and can't wait to share photos when I get back. Let's just say their dessert happens to be yummy homemade ice cream from the local ice cream shop. I can't wait!! I very much wish my hubby could come along too! Baby and I are going to miss him so. <3 

Though I'm honestly not sure what he would be doing during all of our girl time and catching up. I am probably going to talk her ear off. And then persuade her fiance to move back here so we can live closer! :) 

Here's to a happy summer weekend!!! 

may.

Life lately has been so busy! So very very very very busy. Graduations and proms and weddings, oh my. Having almost every weekend planned before the summer begins really makes the days go by quite fast! 

We've hit exciting milestones as far as Baby goes, sixteen weeks and I've got an actual bump, not just an I ate a lot for lunch bump! Fun! Don't even get me started on those little baby flutters either. They are constantly happy little surprises that I'm starting to look forward to every day. Hello Baby! 

Trying to stay active but not over do it the last few weeks has been quite a challenge, so Tyler and I have made an effort to take a lot of small walks and spend as much quality time together as possible (did I mention almost every weekend is planned this summer? I did? Ok.) I've been craving the gelato I had in Italy and have been doing my best to fix that with gelato from the local grocery store. Nope, not the same. I usually end up eating a little while working on the painting I've started for the baby's room and or while I'm reading. It's the best little snack when I need something sweet. Last Sunday we helped my father in law home from the hospital and then spent the rest of the day relaxing my sore feet from the wedding the night before and talking about all of the things that needed done around the house. While we sat on the couch. It was great! 

I've also been scouring garage sales looking for fun baby onesies and little sweaters and sleepers and maybe even a cute little bathing suit or two. :) As well as wooden toys and puzzles, which are my most favorite second only to a good book. Of which I've found plenty as well....you can never have too many books! I also stumbled upon this adorable teeny vintage chair that has turquoise legs. LOVE. And only two dollars. Oh my, how I love garage sale season! There is a huge sale this weekend in a town near me and I cannot wait to go. I'm a sucker every summer for a good garage sale and this summer is even more fun since I have so many things to look out for! 

Slowly but surely Baby's nursery will be ready to paint and re-floor too, which will be a tremendous accomplishment once it's all done. My mom came over to help me clear out a closet and organize the insane amount of scrapping/crafting supplies I own. It's ridiculous. I still haven't figured out the best solution, other than clear storage boxes, so that will do for now. I am so excited to start decorating and finding a home for all those garage sale finds. Seriously. So excited. I'm crossing off the days until we find out if we're having a boy or girl to really settle on anything, but it's fun to think about colors and what I want to hang on the walls!  

This past weekend was my very first wedding shoot of the summer! My sweet friend Annie planned the prettiest wedding (hello, those are her cupcakes. deeeeelish.) and having friends and my sister there too made it all the more fun! Not to mention my dear sweet friend who came to take photos with me....she was a lifesaver during all my bathroom trips and snack breaks. I am really excited to do more weddings with her this summer, she's awesome. In like a takes charge and takes amazing photos all at the same time kind of way. :) 

Anyway. May and the beginning of June have been fun. I can already tell this is going to be a great summer! What about you?!! :) :) 

the good. the funny. the awesome

This pregnancy so far has been quite an adventure! Because all of this is entirely new to me, there have been a lot of unexpected surprises and ohmygoshes about the size of my growing belly....among other things. ;) 

So far. It's pretty awesome. 

The good stuff: 

Baby heartbeats. Oh my. 

Tyler referring to me in the plural. As in "Are you guys ready to go?" and finally catching on that he doesn't mean me and my dog. 

Maxi dresses. They have multiplied in my closet in the last few weeks and will most likely continue to do so until November. They are a pregnant woman's dream come true. 

Walking into Dunkin Donuts for a donut on National Donut Day last week and telling Tyler in my super secret spy voice that my pants were neither zipped nor buttoned! So proud he was! Off I went to get a Be-Band shortly after....that thing. It. Is. Amazing. 

Getting whistled and honked at by a car full of teenage boys while walking my pregnant butt to get ice cream the other night. Yep. Still got it. :) 

Knowing Baby can hear now....so I've got someone to listen to me ramble all day. 

Buying baby clothes (gender neutral which of course means stripes) with Tyler. Oh how special that is!

FOOD! Ohhhh I snack all the time! On healthy stuff. But sometimes on a cookie or ice cream cone. All I crave are sweets and it's pretty great. Since I loved those already.  

The hard stuff:

Having to pee. All. The. Freaking. Time. And then of course the nearest bathroom is miles and miles away. And there are stairs involved. ((Saturday night's graduation ceremony, two hours and four trips thankyouverymuch))

My belly itches. It's weird. But I splurged on this and all is well. For now. 

BABY NAMES. They are so HARD. We've finally got a few good ones we agree on. But still. Difficult. 

Mood swings. Within a matter of minutes. Poor Tyler! It's only happened a few times but man. I would've run for the hills.

Crazy dreams. I mean CRAZY. I can't even tell you. Sometimes sleeping is incredibly mentally exhausting. 

And honestly those aren't even all that bad. More just funny if anything! Like I said....quite the adventure!!! 

xoxo, R. 

little projects

All of this time at home has left me with a lot of opportunities to think about redecorating. Especially all of the spaces visible from my favorite spot on the couch.
Yesterday I completely cleared off an entire wall of instagram photos that I had in our dining room. I've decided that is going to be some kind of spontaneous art wall. Where the art and prints are going to come from, I'm not sure yet, but that is the plan! I think it'll look great. Ya know. Once I figure it out.

Today when I got home I dug this frame out because I was feeling a bit sorry for that stack of instagram photos I wasn't using anymore. They looked so sad. I picked out a few of my favorites and hodge-podged together this frame of sorts for above our dresser. I still think I might paint it. And then I think maybe I won't.
I also opted to use my meat tenderizer to hammer in the small nails on the sides for the string until Tyler couldn't take it anymore and got up and found me a hammer. I still don't see the difference, even after the five minute lecture about "having the right tool for the job". Geezepeetes.

I feel so accomplished after projects like these! Literally ten minutes (not counting the lecture). Success!
Now all I need is a pretty flower for my empty vase....

xoxo, R.