maternity.

 A few weeks ago, Erica and I loaded up my car with some outfits and a few ideas in mind. I knew I wanted my maternity pictures at Jeremy's house, since that is where we will be living, but I also wanted some in different places. Just unsure as to where. So, we (Meredith included) got in the car on a drizzling Sunday in about 45 degree weather and decided to "tough" it out. I was determined to get these done before 35+ weeks pregnant!

With three girls on a mission, an awesome photographer, a mobile wardrobe, and our creativity... here is what we accomplished in an hour:

 

 Those were at stops on the way to Pomaria. This old church is across the street from Jeremy's dad's church. It made a beautiful background.

 These were all done in Jeremy's field. He has such a beautiful place. I cannot wait to see Keaton's newborns in the same spot. :)

The "enchanted forest" found on the way to our house.

And the last set was at his house. His cedar trees. He found it crazy we even wanted pictures there, but look how wonderful they turned out. We had to REALLY con Jeremy to join in on all this fun. And yes, those were the ONLY two pictures we could really get him to participate in. He's beginning to understand our obsession with photos and the craziness we will do just to get a good picture. I think he secretly likes it. (:

31 weeks & thank you's

So, as I sit and continue to rummage through all the things I still have yet to post, I think I'll make a second post... since this girl still has not calmed down enough to let me rest. Ha.

A few weeks ago, Erica took a couple pictures of me to design thank you cards for my upcoming showers. I said I would share as soon as I had them, so, here they are!!! :)

I know the picture does not do it justice, but it is absolutely adorable. So, for now, you'll have to wait and get one in the mail to get the full appeal.

And for now, here's our 31 week picture:

This belly sure is growing. I've started having Braxton Hicks contractions pretty regularly since Saturday. I've been trying to take it easy, but when you're adding on to a house, preparing for a baby, and trying to do normal daily things, it's just hard to sit down with my feet up. Plus, I'm such a "busy body" that I can't just sit. Oh well... I guess I better enjoy the "relaxing" while I still can. :)

Showered with LOVE.

Well, this post is taking place at about 4:30 in the morning. Baby girl is kicking all around and will NOT sit still, which will not allow me to sleep. I've also come down with cold number 2 in the past 2 months and I cannot breathe through my nose. So, I decided to get up, blog, reply to emails, and finish my thank you cards from this past shower. Which has all now been completed but this post. So, here goes:

This past Saturday was our first shower and can I say, it was a HUGE success!! Brandy, Erica (my sisters), Megan, Teresa, Caroline, Lauren, and Meredith all went in together to shower Miss. Keaton with love. It was a beautiful day full of wonderful friends and family. Here are some pictures from the party.

 This was the welcome sign as you walked into the house. We also had her pink wooden initials hanging from the door with burlap. Precious.

 Erica plastered my maternity session all over the house (which will come on the blog soon). They also rolled up wash clothes like swirly suckers and stuck it in her orange owl vase. Yet again, precious.

 Erica had a brilliant idea to have Jeremy cut some of his cedar tree stumps and use it as bases to hold the food. It turned out so cute!

Teresa made a "height board" for us to mark how tall Keaton grows throughout the years. We have already thought of a perfect place for it in the "new addition" and I cannot wait to start marking away. Well, not too fast. I don't want to wish our years away. :)

Overall, everything was fabulous. I hate we did not get more pictures to show it off, but we do have the memories. :)

todays adventures and random rants

At our last appointment with the OB, I got to chug down the oh-so-wonderful sugar drink for the glucose test. My appointment was at 3:15 pm and I thought I would be okay to eat like I normally do (which is what they tell you to do). I rolled up in there, pricked my finger and FAILED.

So, today... I am hanging out in the Quest Diagnostics office for the next 3-4 hours taking my second glucose test. You are supposed to fast for 12-8 hours before hand and I cannot eat between them taking my blood, but I am already STARVING. To keep my mind off it, I brought plenty to keep me occupied in between them drawing my blood. Report cards. Yipeeee.

I've also been fighting a sinus infection for the last 2 weeks, so this afternoon... I get to go to my regular doctor to {hopefully} get some medicine to make it go away. Doctors. Doctors and more Doctors...

I'm a little excited about today because Jeremy and I are taking time to pick out all my bathroom stuff. The toilet, shower, tub, sink, etc. I can't wait to see it all put together!! Still crossing my fingers the addition will be done before Miss. Keaton arrives. We will see...



This past Sunday Erica took my picture to make some thank you cards for my upcoming showers. Here's my 29 week photos:

I cannot wait to show you what the cards are going to look like. They are awesome!!! As always. :)

Thanks Billingsley Desgins!

When Erica was pregnant, we took twin pictures of her growing belly and mine staying the same. We would hold a sign that said "____ weeks and ____ week Aunt". This time, we get to show my growing bump, Erica slimming down, and Joanie's growing little personality. Here is our twin 29 week picture:

Hopefully we will remember to do more over the next couple of weeks!! :)

We have WALLS

Today was the best SURPRISE in a while... we got WALLS. Well, not full walls, but the beginnings to walls!!!! And if you knew the process we've been taking... these are HUGE steps into getting this product finished!

 I woke up this morning disappointed as I listened to the rain on the roof, thinking, another day down with no work done. BUT thankfully, the sun came out and Jeremy's boys worked hard to get this done:

 It will have another entry way with closet, small room/office with closet, and our master suite! Yes, I just said closet in every part of this addition. If you saw the storage now... we currently have ONE, yes, ONE closet. No pantry. No linen closet. No coat closet. None of that. So, I'm trying to make it up in every way possible! :)

 Here is the entry to our bedroom! Eventually it will have beautiful french doors to lead the way into our master suite that will overlook his barn and fields! Ah. :)

I love productive days like today. I'm hoping for many more.

build me up

We have wood!!! Crossing our fingers they will begin to frame it up this week... :) So far, the weather has begun to cooperate and it looks to be sunny days in the forecast. Yay!

 Yesterday, I was surprised with a package and it had this beauty inside:

My Uncle Eddie's sister (Linda) made this for Keaton. It is so pretty and I couldn't wait to share. Thanks Linda and Roland! We can't wait to bundle her up in it when she arrives. And I'm sure Erica will love it just as much because it will most likely be used for a photo prop! Ha.

27 weeks

Well, this week begins our 27th week and we couldn't be more excited. Not much has changed. She still moves so much and watching Jeremy's face when he sees her move, is priceless. It's amazing how this whole process works and still baffles my mind that I have a little one growing inside me. I can't wait to see her beautiful little face.

Next week, I get the joys of the glucose test. Can't wait. Syke.

Here's the 27 week (bare) belly:

Please do NOT judge the belly button. Getting it pierced when I was 15... WORST decision I ever made.

And here's the 27 week (clothed) belly:

 So, Last week, the builders started with the foundation to our master bedroom and this week they are supposed to begin framing. Whahoo. Here's a little sneak peek of what's begun:

And once it's finished, we our room will have big windows to overlook this beautiful place:

It's crazy to see it all coming together. Our only trouble... RAIN. Since we planned to start, it's been raining non-stop. Hopefully this week will bring sunny weather and LOTS of construction. We will see. :)