Lent......

Hmmmmm.....what to give up......

Well, I already gave up:

alcohol

sushi

most seafood

deli meat

caffeine

running

waterskiing

snowskiing

bicycling

rollercoasters

jumping on trampolines

sleeping on my back

acne medications

ibuprofen

unpasteurized cheese

hot dogs

tuna fish

jacuzzis

raw eggs (that includes cookie dough...sigh)

(so maybe I am exaggerating since I don't normally do ALL of these things...but you get the point!)

I'm not sure what else this gal can give up......I would say shopping, but then neither myself or baby would have anything to wear. And at the rate my body is changing, I will spare the world from not having pants to wear.

Last year, Brent and I gave up TV in the bedroom...and we are still practicing this. I admit the season snuck up on me this year and I really didn't put much thought into it until yesterday when I realized today was Ash Wednesday. A dear friend and I talked about it today at lunch, and she came up with a brilliant idea:

Instead of giving up something, why not commit to doing something? 

We were both talking about family and how we loved spending time together, and she mentioned committing to eating dinner together, at the table, without the distraction of TV, every night.  I know there will be some nights when this isn't logistically possible (like this weekend, since Brent is snow skiing in Wyoming!), but what a fantastic way to reflect on the season.  God has blessed me with an amazing husband, and I truly feel honored to be able to cook dinner for him when he comes home from work.  I love making that contribution to our family, and I love the times when we do sit at the table and enjoy a meal and conversation.  Often times, we get wrapped up eating on the couch watching mindless TV shows.  And while that's fun sometimes, it doesn't give us a chance to connect about our days. 

So, I think for this Lent season, we will commit to eating together and reflecting on our lives and the significance of Easter.  What a blessing these next 40 days will be!  Amen!

Nursery crisis solved

I had been having a really hard time deciding on a "theme" for the nursery.  I knew I wanted something as unique and original as little Emma will surely be. We had looked at all the baby superstores, but nothing really jumped at me...plus, you can spend a fortune on baby bedding. I'd much rather spend that money on trips and memories as a family, not her fancy crib or bedskirt.  It was really weighing on me because I felt we couldn't really register for things until we nailed down some colors.  I stumbled upon this website one day, and found love....www.babybedding.com lets you design your own custom nursery bedding.  It's hours of fun picking fabrics and seeing them on the virtual nursery.  I still think some of them items are a bit expensive, but we have finally chosen some pieces that we love, and can take us into another baby (if it happens to be a boy, and if i survive having the first child!)
My friend, Courtney, actually chose the same main fabric for her bedding, and I didn't realize I had liked it so much until I came across it again!  And thank you, Davis, for letting me borrow your changing pad cover in the fabric to get a better idea of the colors!
Here is my virtual design...of course I will not be splurging on the crib skirt or comforter...but you get the gist of the theme and colors. Most likely, I will do a plain white crib skirt, and add color in sheets and curtains.

http://www.babybedding.com/designer?stateid=fc3adadd-f400-40bb-a758-0e73f47ec34b

and here are the fabrics I am choosing...

Yellow Nursery Rhyme toile....this will be on one side of the crib bumper..and there is a much less expensive baby blanket that can be made with this fabric on one side, and white minky on the other.  I love all the colors!

Red and tan stripe...this will be on the other side of the bumper...and I may do a coordinating sheet.  I love the whimsy it adds and it really brightens the yellow toile.

I may do a sheet in this as well....

This gingham will be the piping and ties on the bumper. It is called robin's egg blue and taupe. 

Pinning.....

I finally joined Pinterest......and I must say with a smile, I am not as addicted as I thought!  I do love "pinning" great ideas, crafts, and recipes.  But I now have more inspiration to actually try out some of these things. I got really into the children's craft ideas the other night.  I cannot wait to paint little Emma's feet and do fun paintings for holidays..and of course frame them with immense pride!

It's also really cool to connect with people I have not seen or talked to in years.  I love that we can see what we all have in common - and it's fun to be able to share what I have found on the internet with them.  I love when someone else "repins" my pins....it makes me feel useful (for a split second!) 

Some things I recently pinned for Baby's room....

Love this....it's super cheap on etsy, and it can be customized with colors to match your room.  I know I can pick out a great frame at Homegoods as well... Here is the link on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89982503/8-x-10-nursery-print-baby-art-children

Also loving this one....another etsy find. Click here for her store..http://www.etsy.com/listing/90415683/11x14-love-the-lord-print

My favorite..cannot wait to order this:) http://www.etsy.com/listing/89338632/custom-birth-announcement-8x10-printable

These are all great reminders of God's promises to us.  I need them daily, and I pray our family continues to grow and strengthen in His Love as we go from 2 to 3.....
Happy Pinning, everyone!

Happy Valentine's...

Brent and I are not the type to go ALL OUT for holidays.  Truth be told, we would not be doing anything tonight if a co-worker had not generously given us front row seats to Les Miserables in Raleigh (with a up close park pass for this preggo who hates walking far in heels).  It's not that I don't like gifts, we just never really bought into the whole Hallmark crusade for each special day.  And I totally am fine with that.  (and I'm totally fine with the couples that do go all out...at least someone is getting flowers and chocolates!)

We had some well deserved "family" time this past Sunday after church.  Brent and I really relish these days, since for years one, or both of us, worked weekend days.  After church, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts, then fueled up for the week at Harris Teeter.  I love tag-teaming the grocery store.  We then spent the rest of the day cleaning, organizing, and getting ready for the week ahead.  We finally had some time before our small group meeting to sit down and relax....and look who decided to join us........

Of course, it would have been better with sweet Daisy on the couch with us, and we still miss her every day.  But it was awesome - all  5 of us....me, Brent, Sunny, Swerve, and Baby Emma:)  I can't believe next year this time we will be watching her crawl around. As I sit here typing, she is moving around...letting me know she will be here before I know it.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.  Here's hoping you feel tremendous Love today, and everyday!

Bump-date

I have good intentions about taking bump pictures, only because I know I will want to look back and see them later. But my daily habit as soon as I get home is to change into my comfy clothes - and thank me now...you don't want a picture of me in those. It is crazy to see my body change, and for awhile I stressed about it. But honestly, there isn't a dang thing I can do to change it, and this miracle inside me makes any weight gain and body shape change well worth it. I knew pregnancy and motherhood would teach me some lessons I needed to learn....about letting go of control and giving up of self. I have my emotionally "bad" days, but honestly I have nothing to complain about otherwise. I am actually enjoying this. (I cannot believe I just said that, and MEANT it.) So here are a few recent shots. Maybe this week I can get Brent to take a picture....the self portraits via mirror aren't that great:)

20 weeks...this was before the anatomy ultrasound":)

I love how Sunfower (my cat) seems to be mimicking me in the background...is she posing as well?!

21 weeks...taken this past Sunday

IT starts......

Brent and I had been reluctant to buy anything for the baby until we knew the sex. Honestly, we were also a bit overwhelmed at everything too....well, maybe a lot overwhelmed. There is so much to think about, and our two trips to Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby were spent looking at the big items (crib, stroller, etc). But I am quickly learning that there are so many little things this gal will need and I am thankful to have some good friends who already have kids to help me pick out what's important and not. (I will be enlisting your help soon!!)

Prior to knowing the sex, I obviously was not willing to commit to any visible items for Baby Talley.  But a whole week had gone by and I still had not one thing for baby girl. Everyone (including Brent and myself) thought I would go crazy buying pink and dresses as soon as I found out it was a girl. I proved them wrong....until yesterday. I didn't do the splurge that was anticipated but baby Emma now has a few things in her closet. Now, don't pay attention to the fact that several of the pieces are not even her size. We can blame that on poor planning, or just really excited about a good deal. My parents also surprised us and brought over a few bins of dresses and toys that I had growing up.  Many of them were bought by my grandparents, so they have even more special meaning to our family.  I am a sucker for cute smocked dresses...so I wasted no time hanging up some of these frocks, even if she won't be wearing them for a year or so:)  So......It's not much, but it's a start....and I have no doubts this baby girl will have PLENTY to wear as soon as she enters this world!

All of Baby Emma's closet...all for 3 months and beyond!!

Don't mind the wrinkles, I will wash everything before June:)

Who doesn't love strawberries?!!?

Yodeling, anyone? 

Little sweater dress for next winter

Brent almost killed me when I pulled this out of the bag....yes, I am still a tarheel...but I did spend 2 wonderful years getting my Master's degree from the school down the street:) And I can't help myself when it comes to seersucker....and matching bloomers.

This beauty is corduroy and so darling.  I think Emma will love wearing it for Christmas 2014:)

Makin work days worth it...

In this economy, it is very easy to get down on your job....if you even have one.  I am so very thankful for my job, and more so for the people I work with.  I love working with college students - sure, they can be a bit immature and drama-filled at times (who's not, right?!), but they are so fresh and full of character. 

I also love my co-workers. I honestly couldn't ask for a better group of people to spend my days with.  I absolutely love working with this group, and couldn't be more thankful to have them as my friends!

Christmas 2011 - our tacky sweater party! From left to right: Brittany, Michelle, Sheri, Dawn, Shannon, myself, Lara Lee; Jerry and Aaron pimping in the front:)  Not pictured but loved dearly: Kathleen and Barbara (some would argue they are the smart ones not to be documented in such a photo!)