Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's Friday, gals - let's do this!

1) I confess that I'm only mildly obsessed with this little bauble of the week. Sigh...I think I need a second, third and fourth job just so I can purchase all these fun things I stumble upon. But seriously, on top of a gray, chunky knit sweater or cute LBD for the holidays? I think yes.

Crystal Cluster Necklace - currently on SALE for $34. You know, if you're like me and feel better about buying accessories if they're 'on sale'. 

2) I confess that I want to throw a party in celebration of the end of the stinking political ads. November 4 has come and gone and I, for one, am relieved. Don't get me wrong, I'm a proud voter, but good grief. If I had to sit through one more 30-second commercial featuring another mudslinging windbag, my head might have exploded. I think no matter where our political views land, we can all come together to celebrate this.

3) I confess that people from Wisconsin might be the friendliest I've ever met. (That also might be the most random confession I've ever confessed.) You see, our subdivision is apparently a popular choice for transplanted Wisconsinites. (Wisconsinians?) (Peoples of Wisconsin?) Anywhoodle, our neighbors across the street are from Wisconsin, as well as the family that just moved into the new house next door.

And I'm telling you, I LOVE THEM. Seriously. The mom next door offered to keep Caroline while I worked on the nursery and the ones across the street brought us the most amazing bratwurst the weekend we moved in. Anyway, just felt like I needed to commend the state of Wisconsin for producing such nice people.

4) I confess that I just cannot get on board with the word preggers, as in "one who is with child". It irks me, but I have no idea why. Like, when I hear someone say, "hey, preggers", it makes me cringe a little. (I had this exact conversation with a fellow expectant momma just this week!) Doesn't offend me at all, I just can't bring myself to say it.

It's kind of like the words moist or custard. I just can't. (Example: My mom-in-law makes a fabulous dessert called Custard Pie and I cannot bring myself to call it that, simply because it contains the word custard. My husband gets the biggest kick out of this.)

Do you have any words or terminology that bother you like that?

Okay, your turn. And....GO.

   

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Indulging Our Creative Whims: What Makes You Tick?

Can we all collectively rejoice that this week is nearing the end? Whew! It's been a doozie around here. I've always been the kinda gal that liked to be busy and keep her plate full. Lately, however, I feel like my plate is spilling over the sides! But, I really do think I'd be bored if I lived any other way.

As odd as it may sound, being diligent about posting on this blog really does bring order and calm to the crazier days. There's something cathartic and soothing, about just writing for fun at the end of a long day, whether I spend it working, (as in "doing work for my real 8-5 job"), or chasing Caroline, (also "work", just a different flavor.) I may not get a chance to post every single day, but I do try hard to put a few coherent thoughts on here the majority of the time.

I'll be honest; I've done some major weighing of options lately about whether to continue to try to blog after baby #2 arrives. Part of me thinks, knows it might be easier to hang it all up for a year and take a break. But every time I start making a list of reasons it'd be easier to go on a hiatus, (from which I'm scared I might never return), I came up with one gigantic reason not to stop: I love it.

It's important to me; it's something I've pledged to keep doing when Ainsley arrives. I realize I'm not changing lives or altering the course of the universe on here, but I do enjoy the creativity it brings to my life. I adore the friendships and relationships I've built - am building - just through this little online platform. It has given me an abundance of neat opportunities and helped me make connections with folks I never would have met otherwise.

Sure, it'll be more challenging and posts may be will be more scarce at first, but I have a wonderfully supportive husband who has always encouraged me to do this. (Little known fact: every Sunday afternoon from 2:00-4:00, he takes Caroline and does the grocery shopping for the week while I write or take blog photos.)

(Ladies, here's your unsolicited advice: if you choose to enter a committed relationship, get married or have children, make sure the other person supports the things YOU love, too. Trust me, we are better in relationships when we make time to cultivate our individual hobbies - whatever they may be. It isn't selfish; it's essential to making sure the most creative parts of ourselves stay alive.)

I feel like women tend to be the first to put aside the things we enjoy doing because we're pulled in so many directions. Thankfully, this hasn't been my experience. And I'm grateful for a spouse that encourages my hobbies, just as I do his. With that said, I'd love to hear about you.

What hobbies keep you sane? Do you put aside time specifically each day or week for it? Did you keep up with it when/if you settled down, took on a larger role at work or started a family? Tell me your answers in the comments if you feel like sharing. 

34 Week Bumpdate: {Baby GIRL Sisti #2}

No denying that side shot, baby! We're nearly fully cooked!

It's been a sweet forever since I've done one of these. 

Weeks: 34 on Thursday. WOAH.

Official Due Date: December 17 is still the official due date, but we have set her birthday (a.k.a. C-section day) at 39 weeks and some days ; )

Trimester: Third and final, folks.

Gender: GIRL! (Woohoooooo!!)

Name: Ainsley Catherine (or Ainsley Cate, as we've been calling her)

Baby's Size: At today's appt., she weighed 4.6 lbs. - woah, baby. I'm measuring right on track bump-wise, weight-wise, everything-wise...except "getting crap done before baby arrives-wise". So much left to do...so very, very little time.

Cravings: Everything and nothing. I'll crave something, eat it and then promptly have searing heartburn. It's a vicious cycle, but it hasn't stopped me from indulging in my favorite things as of late: apples with caramel dip, Eggo waffles, bananas, Hershey Kisses, Honey Nut Cheerios and my mom-in-law's homemade applesauce. Strangest list of foods ever; I do realize this.

How I'm Feeling: Pregnant. Very pregnant. But, very pregnant doesn't equate to very awful. No, friends, I'm feeling pretty good, actually.  I mean, I still have a decent amount of energy, and other than heartburn and insomnia, feel like I could do this for another six weeks or so. 

I'm getting to the point where it hurts to bend over and tie shoes or unload the dryer, but it's par for the course when you have a baby jammed up into your ribcage. 

Still doing lots of interval walking every day with Caroline in her stroller, though the jogging has come to a halt. Caroline weighs 19 pounds now, so I figure between me hauling all THREE of us, I'm getting a pretty good workout. I have felt so much better this go around and I really think exercise is the reason.

I always rolled my eyes at women who constantly sang the praises of working out while pregnant, but y'all, it's true. If you're expecting or plan to be soon, I'd encourage you to get a little exercise every day. It has helped tremendously with nausea, fatigue, late-term shortness of breath, cramping, everything.

Okay. There. My soap box for the day.

Movement: All the time. She's a mover, a shaker and a...chocolate cake baker. Autumn leaf raker. Big risk-taker. Wannabe Quaker. (Quaker? Yeah, sorry. Dr. Seuss, I am not.)

Momma thoughts: 

Miss Ains gave us a little scare at Tuesday's appointment, (we go to appointments twice weekly since I'm considered high-risk.) Her heart rate dipped during the non-stress test, which scared the nurse practitioner who was on call in the clinic. So, up to Labor & Delivery we went. Luckily, my OB was the on-call doc in the hospital and after a some monitoring, I was sent home. (After four hours of sitting in L&D with a dead iPhone and a non-working TV, they deemed it was likely a hiccup of the monitor itself, not our baby, that made it look like there was a problem.) 

Normally, I'd have been happy as a clam for the required downtime, but poor Stephen was having to chase Caroline around the hospital room, the monitors were constantly abuzz and there was a crazy labor going on next door, which stressed me out beyond belief. I cannot bear seeing/hearing people in pain, which is why I could never, ever work in healthcare. (Seriously, that poor woman. She was ten kinds of hurting and it made me hurt just hearing her. I did find out when I was discharged that she finally got an epidural and was feeling much better. And yes, I asked.) 

Anywho, not my ideal way to spend the day, but at least we know little baby Ainsley was fine.

I am willing time to slow down. At this point with Caroline, I was begging time to speed up, but this time around I know how precious the last weeks of being pregnant truly are. To feel your little one inside you - there's nothing like it. (But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready to burn these stinkin' maternity pants. Two years of pregnancy in a row will make you appreciate the little things in life... like trousers that button and zip.)

So, I'm enjoying the bump, the sleepless nights, the precious movement in my tummy, the maternity pants, the way my shadow looks when I catch a glimpse from the side - all of it. I'm okay if the days just creep by this time. 

Also, I could use the extra time to finish the nursery and um, do some Christmas shopping. (Hey, just being honest.)

Until sometime soon-ish --

Blush & Leather

My current favorite color for fall is blush. I love that it's a little unexpected for the cold weather seasons and, well, it just looks good on everyone - no matter the skin tone or hair color.

My friends from Wallis -- I introduced you ladies to them in this post last month -- asked if I wanted to feature a coat for this month's look and naturally, I jumped at the chance. So. Many. Amazing. Coats. (See them all here!)

Pale Pink Collarless Coat (size small) c/o Wallis // East Village Sweater (size small) via Riffraff // necklace (old) similar here (for less than $30!) and here (free shipping!) // Coated Panel Leggings (size medium) in black (non-maternity, but totally work for expectant mommas) // Black Patent Pointed Side Zip Booties (U.S. size 7.5, UK size 5) c/o Wallis

To balance out the softness of the blush color and silky fabric of the coat, I went with something edgy for the bottoms: leather. Love these from Forever 21.

Now, shoes. I can't say enough about these booties, also from Wallis. I've worn them nearly every day since I got them and they're so comfortable. Doesn't hurt that they have just enough heel to give some extra height ; )

..........................................

Have you added any blush to your fall rotation yet?

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hello, ladies! And Happiest of Halloweens to you all!

A few ghoulish confessions for your day today:

1) I confess that...I'm obsessed with Pandora's fun little Halloween song mixes! If you have a Pandora account, (and you totally should), check out the Hipster Halloween mix...so fun!

2) I confess that...One of my very favorite Halloween movies? Um, that'd be Disney Channel's made-for-TV classic, Halloweentown. Yes. That's right. Okay, so not exactly the most intense of Halloween movies, but hey - I enjoy it ; )

3) I confess that...y'all better get ready to see a few thousand photos of my kid dressed up as Red Riding Hood on Monday! We won't be able to take her trick-or-treating tonight, (we are heading to Central AR for my great grandma's funeral, which is early tomorrow morning), but we will be taking her to a fun Halloween event on Saturday where she'll get to show off her outfit! I plan on taking LOTS of photos.

Above, a tiny preview : ) Ari (our big German Shepherd) is going to be her "Big, Not-So-Bad Wolf" and actually has a costume himself. Can't wait to see the two of them in full get-up on Saturday.

Okay girls, short and sweet! We are trying to get on the road at noon sharp, so I'm going to start getting us packed. Y'all have a fun and safe Halloween weekend!

   

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