halloween

Hey guys, I found the perfect Halloween costume for this year!

via

Yeah right, with my giant belly, I should probably stick to something like this....

via

Landon and I could go together! :)

What are you dressing up as this year?

Thoughts about Birth...

via

This baby is growing so fast now...I can feel so much movement and it's hard to imagine that in about a month, I'll be holding our baby in my arms.

Lately, I've been hearing a lot of comments about birth and pregnancy...just from here and there.  I'm amazed at all the negative comments people make, about the pain, the process, all that has to be dealt with being pregnant.  I don't understand how a lot of women can be so negative and begrudging of pregnancy and childbirth when it is such an amazing gift and one of the most wondrous miracles in our world.  Yes, I understand that childbirth is going to be painful...trust me, I've heard this over and over and over.  And I'm tired of hearing it.  I'm tired of hearing about all the horrible things that could happen to my body during labor, and all the downsides.  I'm done listening to things like that.

Landon and I have talked many times, and we've  chosen to take a positive approach to this pregnancy, labor, and delivery.  I've been reading from sites like Marvelous Kiddo and A Cup of Jo about beautiful birth stories, and the joys of being a mother.  I also read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth because it was filled with amazing story after story of the miracle of birth.  Not every women I've read about has had a perfect birth experience.  A lot of them dealt with hard pain and circumstances they couldn't control.  But the attitudes they had and demonstrated are so encouraging to me.  My body is designed to carry and grow a baby, and to deliver that baby into this world.  This whole pregnancy thing is normal and natural, and I'm embracing every moment.

This birth is going to be one of the best things in my life, and I can't wait to meet our baby!  I'm trusting that everything is going to be ok, no matter what happens.  We're striving for a natural birth, but if something happens we can't control, I'm not going to lose it.  Landon will be there, family will be thinking of us, and we'll have a wonderful birth team of our midwives and nurses.  I'm preparing to mentally embrace the pain that will come, because I know it's natural and normal.  I'm getting ready to think about all the wonderful things that are going to happen during the birth as our baby enters this world and into our arms.

My aunt, who's throwing a baby shower for me this weekend, has asked me a couple of times how I feel about this pregnancy.  I've been able to tell her that for the most part, things have been good and I can't really complain.  She said she loves hearing that, and that she and her husband LOVE seeing pregnant women who are happy, and not bitter and complaining at the "lot" they've been thrown.  She said a happy pregnant woman is one of the most beautiful things because she has been given such an amazing gift.

I'm holding onto every positive thought I hear, and I'm throwing out all the negative ones.  Those just won't  fly with me.  I wish women would more often share the wonderful thoughts they have on birth with those of us who are going through this for the first time.  I'm so thankful for the friends and family that have done just that with me.  It means more than they know.

our weekend...

We just stayed in town this weekend...it was so nice to spend some real one on one time with Landon.  I know these last few weekends are going to fly by, and I'm trying to savor them.

After we saw the morning showing of 50/50, which was one of the best movies I've seen in quite awhile, we ate lunch at Panera (score!), then headed home for a perfect midwest afternoon...real cider, college football, and lounging.  Yes, we know how to relax around here. :)

I also got to finish up a little sewing project I attempted for our new baby.  Here are the instructions I found.  It was so easy...if I could do it, anyone could!

Today, I'm going to finish up a project I'm doing for my boss.  I get to edit this amazing and gorgeous Indian wedding they did.
This job is so wonderful!

Real cider from the orchard where we got ours for our wedding!

This is where I want to be on a Saturday afternoon...

Tommy Rees, our amazing QB!

finished!

We are looking forward to a quiet weekend with lots of relaxation and free time.  I am dying for a real cappuccino...I just don't like decaf and it makes me sad to not have any of the good stuff.
Ahhh, only about 5 more weeks to go then I'm getting a giant cappuccino and drinking a few woodchucks.

Have a great weekend!

Renaissance Faire

We had a wonderful 2nd wedding anniversary this past weekend.  Stayed a hotel nearby, got some deep dish *amazing* pizza, and then checked out a local renaissance faire.  It was such a relaxing and laid back time with Landon...can't believe it was the last one without a kiddo running around!  Time flies, but we are SO excited to grow into a family!  Here's to many more amazing years together.  Love you babe.

tea time.

via

Do you love tea?  I love a warm cup of steaming, smooth tea to calm me down and relax.  We all need a little more relaxation in our lives.
I've loved drinking Tazo Refresh tea lately.

Tonight I'm making lemon chicken, brown rice, and fresh kale for supper.  I've been so hungry lately, and I'm trying to fill up with good things rather than sweets...very difficult sometimes.  Secretly, I can't wait until I'll be breastfeeding because my friends have told me you burn a lot of calories, and you're ravenously hungry all the time.
I love food a lot.

Have a wonderful Monday evening!

Fall and love....

First off, today is a happy day!  Landon and I are celebrating two whole years of marriage!  Wow, I can't believe it, and I'm so so so happy.  We are still wildly in love with each other and our relationship grows deeper every day.  We celebrated a bit early over the weekend, so I'll post those pics later.  Tonight, I'm just making a a homemade dinner and something pumpkin for dessert I think.  We'll probably build a fire and enjoy a quiet evening just the two of us.  It's fun to look back on the best day of my life, here's a post I did last year.

We love Fall around here, and I'm loving the crisp days and bright sun.  I love decorating for Fall, so here's a peek at how we like to make our home a bit warmer with some Fall decor...