35 Weeks

Just about a month to go!  We are getting so excited...and a bit nervous...to meet our little girl.  The bouncy seat, swing, and playpen are put together.  Her room is almost ready.  The blankets, towels, and clothes are clean.  Today we are going to work on getting her car seat and strollers ready to go.  Sunday is our hospital tour and birthing class.  **Andrew is taking one for the team and missing football**  Next I need to start packing our bags.

She is getting big!!!

One Year

It is hard to believe it has been a year!  We have had such an incredible year full of more blessing than I could ever imagine.  Andrew worked the morning of our anniversary but was able to be home from the evening.  I woke up to a huge banner hanging from our stairway wishing me a Happy Anniversary with a sweet note and a paper crane.  **Yes my husband is very talented at origami.  Just ask him to make you a shirt dollar.**

That evening we opened the beautiful memory box Andrew and my dad created as my wedding gift and added our yearly note and celebrated with a drink.  Andrew drank a Stella and I had sparkling cider!

We were going to go to dinner that evening but couldn't decide on anything so we stayed home and ordered food and Andrew got to watch his Packers play.  While it was a disappointing game we enjoyed the time together.  

33 weeks

My incredible friends threw me the most beautiful shower just before my 33rd week began.  More on the shower later but here is the bump!

33 weeks

Grandma lovin' on Stella

Daddy, Mommy, and Sweet Stella

We had such an incredible weekend.  Andrew's parents, two aunts, his uncle, and Mike & Jill came into town to celebrate our sweet girl and spend time with us.  It was such an incredible gift to have them here.  We put Marty to work hanging up pictures and helping with other projects around the house.  Peggy, Jill, and I spent a lot of time getting things ready for Stella.  

**I can't wait to show you more pictures and details from the shower!  It was truly such an incredible feeling to have such wonderful people gathered to celebrate our little girl.**

Born to Run

My parents have been raving about this place called Born to Run.  It is a doggy daycare type place a mile away from our home.  It is a super old home on an acre of land.  They have dogs come there and run and play all day (they do have nap time...hilarious to me).  My mom has said whenever Ike goes he comes home and is the **best dog ever** (too exhausted to be bad) for days after.  We decided that we needed to introduce Clay to this place.  With the baby coming we figured it would be a really good outlet for him and since we are going out of town for almost a week at Christmas time thought this would be the best place to leave him so he can stay active.

In order to leave your dog there you have to do an interview.  Yes a dog interview.  We had to take him there one afternoon and he was introduced to the staff and was given the opportunity to run and play with the dogs staying there.  We were so about how he would act **he can be a little crazy** so Andrew took him for a run early in the morning and then we didn't let me him sleep before we went.

Clay so excited to go to Born to Run

After Clay met the staff he was taken to the back yard to get used to the area.  They then introduced the dogs one at a time to see how he would react.  Apparently he used up ALL his energy in the first part of his doggie interview.  About an hour later we were taken on a tour of the facility and then got to see the dogs playing.  When we went to the "viewing area" we watched Clay slowly trot over to the corner with his tongue almost touching the ground and lay down all by himself!  You never want to be the parents of the kid who sits in the corner all by himself while the rest of the kids play and have fun together.  We were THOSE parents.  Our kid was in the corner by himself!  They finally went and got him and let him cool off in the kiddie pool and he made a few more friends.  They told us he was a good dog and was invited back so we got to book him for his Christmas stay...thank goodness.

After getting home Clay was the **best dog ever**!  He had no energy to do anything but just lay around.  I think I am now officially a fan of Born to Run!

How many months...?

31 weeks*ish*

I am due November 5th so I have been saying I am 7 months pregnant.  We then ran into a girl while shopping for shoes for Stella **Andrew was the one who picked her shoes and insisted we buy them...it is NOT just me** that is due exactly two months after me and she said she was 5 1/2 months pregnant.  I looked at Andrew and said "Hey I am 7 1/2 months pregnant!"  At this point every 1/2 counts.  Then we went to a dive in movie (PS so much fun...thank you Tenkley's) and Martina who has the exact same due date and I do said we are 8 months pregnant.  So I went from being 7 months to 8 months pregnant in a matter of 3 days!  I was so confused.  At our appointment this week we decided to as the PA to find out the truth.  She said once I reach 32 weeks I am technically considered 8 months pregnant.  I had no idea!

That is just a really long story to explain that this little girl will be here before we know it!  Hopefully we will get to meet her in 5 to 8 more weeks (Stella if you are listening to your mommy I would pick about 6 weeks from now pretty please!).  

People at work are just finally starting to realize I am pregnant (thank you pharmacy lab coat) and I am told all the time I look so small for 32 weeks.  Let me tell you I am no longer feeling any kind of small. She is worth it...I love my baby belly.  Keep growing strong and healthy...just maybe not TOO big.  Love you little girl!

The Royal Palms

I am pretty sure The Royal Palms is my version of heaven!  I absolutely LOVE this place.  When Andrew and I were planning for the wedding I wanted the location I got ready at to be just perfect!  We visited The Royal Palms and I knew the moment I stepped through the front door there wouldn't be a better place.  I was able to stay in one of the most incredible suites with my "girls" and my mom the night before the wedding and we spent the day relaxing and getting ready there.  This is also where Andrew and I went after our wedding.  When it was time to decide where to go for our "babymoon" I knew exactly where I wanted to go!

The Royal Palms has an incredible view of Camelback Mountain and has the most serene atmosphere and gorgeous landscape.  Since Andrew has become very interested with the landscape of our new home he took pictures of the plants/flowers at every turn so we can attempt to recreate the beautiful atmosphere.  

We checked in on Thursday and I went straight to the spa!  After the spa we spent some time at the pool then had an incredible dinner at T. Cooks.  I am not the biggest foodie...let's be honest my diet consists of protein shakes and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches... but Andrew was able to get some of his favorite fish stuff.  We took this opportunity to get a little fancy and just enjoy each others company.

We spent the rest of our stay relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  It was such a wonderful get away!

I was also the super annoying pregnant lady/wife and made Andrew take some pictures of Stella and myself at some of the same places I had some of my bridal pictures taken.  It is fun to see how much has changed in a year!

**Oh how I wish I had someone to do my hair and makeup for me everyday**

Arizona Weddings

My incredible wedding photographer had posted on her blog that a number of her clients pictures had been published in the Arizona Weddings magazine.  A few weeks later she sent a copy of this edition to Andrew and myself.  We were so surprised to see not only one but TWO of our photographs in the magazine.

Love these peeps!

It is so fun to see these pictures again.  Brings back so many good memories!  After I saw the pictures in the magazine I looked at the website and realized our pictures were featured throughout the "galleries" portion.  This is a huge compliment as we worked so hard to create a beautiful day and used some incredible vendors.  

Thank you Kimberly Jarman, Jan Dekker, Christopher Diamonds, and the sweet ladies at Uptown Bridal for making our day so beautiful.  **Seriously if  you know of anyone getting married these are some of the absolute best people to work with!**