Steph in Style

Every time I spend time with my sister over the last few years I learn a little something new.  She usually has something new she is totally in to, whether a recipe, a workout, or a style trend.  She is always on the cutting edge, but in her own way and she makes it look effortless. 

She is incredibly creative, has an amazing eye for style in home decor and clothing.  She is fearless when it comes to trying new things on all fronts.  She wears ornate jewelry and low cut tops, she wears headbands and heels, her hair always looks a little "undone" and she applies mascara like it is the last time she'll ever get to use it.  She is kind of like a vacation from my life.  Her idea of an early night on a "school night" is 9:30.  If she feels like winding down after work that can mean a 8 mile run at 7pm, mine was completed about 14 hours earlier.  She doesn't take things too seriously, but she is amazing at her job, and she is the ultimate romantic. 

Since I have been back from NYC I am inspired to take the extra 6 minutes in the morning to curl my hair because it will make me feel more girlie all day.  I am inspired to listen to music on the way to work and explore Spotify which has her hooked.  I spent about $200 on Etsy yesterday picking out a few things for the nursery because they were original and unique and totally "me."  Her apartment is totally "her", it is like shopping at Anthropologie, the harder you look the more amazing details and treasures you will find. 

Sissy, you are pretty cool.  Don't ever stop being this Steph.  In just 3 days you totally inspired me, I have a feeling you have that impact on a lot of people. Love you. 

I don't want to forget...

...how sweet it was to look over at Brian's cell phone a few days after our ultrasound to see the baby's picture as his screensaver.  He doesn't say too much.  I know he is excited, but sometimes it is the little things that show more than what he will say.  It brings tears to my eyes just to think of him with his new little buddy.

Weekend Before Last

The weekend before I went to NY we had a little barbecue at our house to celebrate our good friend Sam's birthday.  We grilled up some hamburgers, enjoyed a salad from the garden, and most everyone else washed all that down with some cold beer.  Viola was so excited to spend an evening at the Lanter's that she had a little accident on the deck about 5 minutes after they arrived.  As a result, despite Papa running home to get some clean, dry panties and dress, she was happily naked or in pull-ups for most of the night.  

It looks like a little chaos here, but Viola had all of my old "My Little Ponies" out on a blanket and Jacqui stepped away for a second, leaving sweet 8 week old Hugo to hang with us ladies for a few minutes.  

Ice Cream Sandwiches

On Saturday I did my usual walk around the Farmer's Market, but added a stroll through the park blocks to capture the beautiful roses in bloom.  They were really amazing on this sunny morning!

On Saturday afternoon we celebrated some friends daughter's one year old birthday.  Of course it was a Mexican theme and yes, there was a mariachi band. I mean, obviously. 

Finally we rounded out the weekend with a great Father's day breakfast with my parents.  Didn't my Dad look cute.  He had a little pink shirt on and he looked so summery.  I am very lucky to be a product of such a great Dad.  I will always admire what an sweet and generous Dad he is to his little girls, what an amazing husband he is to my Mom, and what a downright special person he is.  It will be fun next year to celebrate Father's day with a new Dad and not-so-new Dad too.  Love you Dad!

NYC or bust

Heading to the heat wave in NYC on a red-eye flight tonight for 3 days of bonding with Sissy. Can't wait.  Somewhat thinking a red-eye wasn't the best idea, but it will all be worth it! More from NYC when I get back next week!  

Halfway

We are officially in the second half of pregnancy.  We had our 20 week ultrasound this morning and everything looked great!  We are not finding out Boy or Girl so we shut our eyes at a few points. 

Baby Stats:

Measuring at 21 weeks

Weighs about 14 oz

Heart rate at 144 today

Cute as a button nose

All curled up with it's feet by its head making it tough for the technician to get some of the measurements. 

Everything just where it is supposed to be. 

Mama Stats:

Weight- on track

Blood pressure - super

Appetite - of course

Nothing else to complain of except a sore ankle and new pain in my upper back- can you get a cramp sleeping?

It is like everything in the world washes away when we are in that room watching our baby.  I never thought I could love someone I never met so much.  All I want to do is whatever it takes to keep this sweet little baby happy and healthy.  Seeing Peanut move all around on the screen and seeing Brian hear the heartbeat for the first time, those are moments I don't want to ever forget.  I hope Peanut knows how much we love him/her.  I can't wait to smother those little feet in kisses.  

By the way, I'm guessing our little Peanut is brown eyed boy who wants to snuggle with his Mom and be just like his Dad. 

Sweet baby face

A little arm and hand

A little foot

20 week tummy

Project Home: Building a Garden

I was excited to get a yard when we moved into our house almost 2 years ago, but I had no idea how interested I would become in gardening.  I love afternoons spent in the yard through the Spring and Summer.  By the time Fall and Winter roll around I am ready to take a rest from the maintenance and just wait to see what pops up next Spring. 

I have probably planted over 100 plants in our yard since we moved in.  I have dug up about 1/2 as many.  This is the first year that I really feel like we are starting to have a garden take shape.  Our neighbors down the street have a beautiful garden and I walk by with envy, knowing it has probably taken 20 years to establish.  I hope I can still figure out how to spend those long days in the yard with a little one, it has become one of my most favorite hobbies. 

I'm so glad I decided to capture a few shots from my iPhone before the transformation took place.  The photos below, give you an idea of the progress we have made.  

What I don't have here is our vegetable garden in a raised bed Brian built, or our outdoor decor that makes our yard perfect for warm Summer nights. 

The war against the slugs and the weeds never ends, but it just takes a couple beautiful blooms to make it all worth it. 

These shots are of the backyard, you can see the improvement on the fence and all the plantings.

These shots are still in the backyard: before the after.

These shots are of the little bed by the deck.  It was super ugly, but not anymore.

These shots are of the front slope and probably the most remarkable of the transformations.  We are due for another load of bark dust this year. I really think you need it every year.  I don't think it had been updated for many years.  It was so gray and sad.

These are of the front porch. First I dug out all the ugly stuff that was growing there, then I planted little shrubs, that aren't so little anymore!

Pregnancy Hazard

Well this is new.  I actually sprained my ankle at work.  Not because I was doing a workout, or because I was testing out some new shoes or workout pants.  Nope, I sprained my ankle at work because I was sitting at my desk with my legs crossed, my lower leg fell asleep and I still insisted on trying to walk to kitchen to get my snack from the fridge.  

When I told Brian he said he knew it had to do with food. Thanks a lot.  

Now I have a swollen right ankle, thankfully you can't even really tell from these pictures. You can see the lump on the second one forming on the right side of my foot.  Such an idiot, it isn't even a good story and now I am limping around. Brian is worried about me, he thinks I should be wearing a helmet all the time and some padding on my tummy. 

19 weeks

I saw this idea on Pinterest and we finally got around to ordering a chalkboard to record the weekly belly progress.  I think I will wear a cuter outfit next week and maybe do my hair too. 

We decided the Hydrangea would be a nice background because it will change while I do.  

We definitely have a growing baby in there.  

Weekend

On Monday morning I never can really describe what we do all weekend.  They are always jam packed and kind of feel like a blur, but I know I enjoy every minute.  This weekend was no exception.  Friday night was an easy dinner at the bar at Amalfi's, just up from our house.  We had some crazy thunderstorms that night too. 

Saturday we were up early. I ran the "baby loop" which I now have to find places to hide and pee every five seconds on...gross, but true!  Then off to the farmer's market for my burrito among other goodies.  Brian and I met over on Belmont at Dick's kitchen for lunch and then I stopped for a cupcake. Oops.  I then looked to brighten up our dining room with some flowers from the market and also some pretty pink roses straight from our yard!

Saturday we watched the basketball game and tried a couple of new recipes on the grill.  We made shrimp and wings in foil, had some salad and bread for a nice summery dinner. 

Sunday was a bonding morning with my Mama.  A long walk and a trip to Williams-Sonoma to get me a new mixer, since the one I had for the last 2 years didn't quite work right.  They replaced it, no questions asked and the chocolate chip cookies that I made yesterday were as delicious as ever as a result.  The afternoon was spent in the yard and getting ready for the week.  It's Monday morning and I am already anticipating the fun times this weekend will bring.