Welcome Baby Ellie!

Our hearts are overflowing with love and gratitude for the precious gift of our daughter, 

Elizabeth Grace

 "Ellie"

October 24, 2015

at 12:43pm

7lbs 12oz

19 inches long

We are so thankful for all the thoughts, prayers, and love poured out by so many during this exciting time!  Everyone is healthy and we praise God for His faithfulness and graciousness for this wonderful blessing.  Will check back in soon with more pics and the birth story!

Friday Five

1. It's Party Time

This has been the season of parties!  We have been keeping ourselves quite busy with attending 4 birthday/Halloween parties, all in just one week!  From a Mickey Mouse 2nd birthday party, a Sophia the First 5th birthday party, a Halloween costume party, and a Gender Reveal, we are pretty pooped!  
And Andrew's new favorite word is officially "pawty!"  It's been a lot of fun and has definitely kept me distracted during these last days of pregnancy!  

2. Fall Baking 

Our neighbors recently spent the day picking apples at our local orchard and were so generous to bring us over a bag full of them!  We have been enjoying them as snacks almost every day, but I also wanted to do a little baking with them.  John found this Apple Crisp recipe, and we gave it a shot!  It was amazing!  Definitely try it out if you grab some apples this fall - you won't be disappointed.  The crumb topping is just "wow."  And don't forget your vanilla ice cream - a mandatory accompaniment. 

3. Baby Prep

Our bags are packed and we're ready to go!  (I'll be posting my hospital bag essentials in the next couple of days!)  First of all...my 39 week appointment was this week and everything look great!  Progressing a little, but not much.   I think she'll stay put at least for another week.  
Would you just look at what this wild man is up to during our selfie? ;)  Trouble, I tell ya.

I knew I wanted to do special "sibling" bags for Andrew and Ellie at the hospital, so I put together those this week.  They will "give" them to each other upon meeting, and I think it's a great way to start off on a positive, sharing, and thoughtful note, especially for Andrew. 

(Andrew is getting a coloring book, crayons, a favorite snack, and this music book.  Ellie is getting a lovey blanket, a WubbaNub, and a cute princess book.)  

 

I also wanted to do something for my labor and delivery nurses.  With Andrew, I absolutely LOVED my nurses and was so thankful for all they did for our family.  I wanted to thank them in a tangible and fun way, so I put together 6 little bags of goodies to bring this time around. 

Contents include:  

Three mini candy bars, hand sanitizer, tissues, Tic Tacs, and a little note from Ellie :)

4. Showered with Love

This past weekend, my mom's group threw me the most wonderful baby shower/dinner!  These girls have completely amazed me with their love, support, and encouragement over the past 1 1/2 years here in Princeton.  I am so lucky to have found them!  The dinner was delicious, the decor was perfect, and the goodies were so sweet!  Thank you girls! 

(this seersucker bathing suit from Jessica was just too swoon-worthy not to post!)

5. Trader Joe's Treats

I made a quick run up to TJ's this week and picked up a few pumpkin-y treats that I just had to share with y'all!  They are definitely stocked when it comes to fall flavors and I need to make another trip to try out some more things!  
(Any recommendations for seasonal goodies?)

This pumpkin bread was amazing and so easy - I added chocolate chips, because, well....do I have to have an excuse?  Everything's better with chocolate. 

Here Andrew is enjoying the Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes.  We are not a "gluten-free" house, but I tried these last year, and they are soooooo delicious!  I buy four boxes at a time.  And they are great to make a batch of and freeze for easy toddler breakfasts :)  

That's my 5! 

Happy Friday, loves! 

(linking up with April!)

Fall Fashion Essentials

This is the season that I get most excited about fashion - the boots, scarves, cozy layers, and cardigans - I love it all!  These are some staples that have carried me through each Fall season, and that I think every gal needs in their closet!

PLAID SCARF  //  GRAY MITTENS  //  COZY CARDIGAN    
MOTO JACKET  //  FLOPPY HAT  //  HUNTER BOOTS  
CASUAL BOOTS  //  FAUX FUR VEST  // 
DRAPED CARDIGAN //  DISTRESSED JEANS  


What are your fall fashion essentials??
Anything on your wish list??

Baby #2 - Weeks 35-37

How far along? 35 weeks

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a coconut.

Total weight gain/loss: Around 35 lbs.

Maternity clothes? It's cooling off here so mostly Liz Lange maternity jeans and leggings.

Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. 

Sleep: Sleeping really good, considering.  Some heartburn, but not bad!  Thank you Pepcid!

Best moment this week: Celebrating John's birthday, and a special visit from my NC and NJ family. 

Miss Anything? I loved baked brie this time of year!  Missing that! 
Movement: She is becoming less active - she's running out of room! But lots of hiccups :)  

Food cravings: Pumpkin donuts. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Yep.

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, but my stomach pain is gone.  

Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? Off, I don't think they'll be going back on until after the baby is born!
Mood? Excited!  Feeling good physically, after a couple rough weeks.
Looking forward to: Pumpkin picking and more birthday celebrations this weekend!

How far along? 36 weeks

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a watermelon.

Total weight gain/loss: Around 36 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Basically living in maternity jeans and my leggings.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Really good!   Not really waking up at all, except to roll over. 

Best moment this week: Finally bought my double stroller!  (City Select Double)     

Miss Anything? I'd really like to make some festive fall cocktails right about now.
Movement: She is active in the evening, but not as much as before.  

Food cravings: Pumpkin anything and everything. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. 

Have you started to show yet: Yep.

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks on the daily!

Belly Button in or out? In, but very shallow!
Wedding rings on or off? Off, I don't think they'll be going back on until after the baby is born!
Mood? Feeling so excited to meet the baby - a little anxious about Andrew's adjustment!
Looking forward to: Pumpkin Day at church this weekend, getting my hair cut/highlighted, and starting to pack my hospital bag.  

How far along?  37 weeks

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a winter melon.

Total weight gain/loss: Around 37 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yep - especially these jeans, and these.  

Stretch marks? I think I may have a few popping up :(

Sleep: Sleeping really good this week.  Thanks to my pregnancy pillow and Pepcid. 

Best moment this week: Getting my hair done (thank you Olivia!), packing our hospital bags, and picking out some hospital day gifts for Andrew and baby Ellie.       

Miss Anything? I really miss exercising and having lots of energy.
Movement: She is definitely quieter, because she is so big!  Still feel her daily hiccups. 

Food cravings: Sweeeeeeeeets.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. 

Have you started to show yet: Yep.

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks.  I also got checked at the OB this week - I'm 1cm and 30% effaced, so progress is starting! 

Belly Button in or out? In, barely. 
Wedding rings on or off? Off - I'm starting to swell in my hands and feet this week. 
Mood? Very excited for baby girl - but nervous for Andrew.  I think we just started a new separation anxiety phase - not good timing!  
Looking forward to: Lots of fun activities and parties this week - basically keeping busy which is what I need!

And here's a "cheese" pic from big bro Andrew, just for kicks!  

Thoughts for Thursday

Today I'm linking up with Natalie and Annie, for "Thoughts for Thursday"!  I love this post, because it's just so easy to write about random things on my mind!  :)

So without further adieu, 

1. Boot Envy

I saw these boots on Instagram this week, and I think I'm in love!  (And how darn cute is this pic?!) I found out that they were Uggs, and I immediately put them on my Christmas wish list.  I definitely have been known to rock some classic Uggs in my day (sometimes comfort beats style), but I thought these were really cute!  And more "grown up".  What do y'all think?

Blayre Ugg Boots

2.  Personalized Bar Necklace

A dear family friend of ours recently sent me a sweet card in the mail along with a generous gift card as a baby gift.  She wanted me to use it for something for myself, to remind me of our new addition to the family.  I decided on a personalized bar necklace (I've loved them for awhile), and I can't wait to get mine in the mail.  I ended up getting both "Andrew" and "Ellie" (have I mentioned baby girl's name yet?  It's Ellie!) on the necklace, because I thought that would be extra sweet.  

I chose the one with the 2 names and the heart in the middle - It's the 13th one from the top. 

3. Fire "Cuck" Tour

We took Andrew on a tour of the local fire station this week, and he was in heaven.  All he wanted to do was sit in the fire truck seat and explore the "cuck".  It was really fun for him - I hate that I'm not going to be able to as many new and interesting activities with him once the baby arrives, so I'm trying to do as much as I can now! 

4. Fall Weather

It's here!  And it's glorious.  I absolutely love the weather in the Northeast this time of year.  Something I never got to experience growing up in the south.  These cooler temperatures are just so pleasant and we have been having outdoor adventures and walks almost on the daily.

And of course it's time to start drinking my favorite fall drinks!  

1. Iced Chai Tea Lattes

2. Iced Coffee with 1 pump Vanilla, 1 pump Pumpkin. 

5. Fall Food and Fun 

Speaking of cooler temperatures, it's finally acceptable to start making my favorite soup recipes for dinner!  John actually made this Beef and Vegetable soup this weekend and it is absolutely delicious, the picture really doesn't do it justice!  (How do you photograph soup!?)

  

Homemade Vegetable Soup

Combine:

3 qts. boiling water

uncooked lean soup meat/ stew meat cubed- any amount usually 1 pkg. ( I trim the fat off)

2 pkgs. dried onion soup mix

Let boil 25-30 min and then add:

1 lb. can tomato sauce

1 lb. can diced tomatoes

1 canned corn 

1 1/2 t. marjoram leaves

1 1/2 t. basil leaves

1 1/2 t. pepper

1t. garlic powder

1T. salt

2 bay leaves

1 1/2t. parsley flakes

Let this cook 15 minutes. Then add:

1 large bag frozen mixed vegetables

1 box frozen cut okra

Let all this cook covered for 2-2 1/2 hours. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top to serve.

Serves 10.

We had Pumpkin Day at Church on Sunday and Andrew had so much fun picking out a pumpkin to "paint".  We didn't actually let him paint (is that terrible of us?), but he was perfectly content putting the clean brushes on the pumpkin!  Afterward, we played at the park, and enjoyed another beautiful fall day. 

Check out lots more "Thoughts for Thursday" with Nat and Annie. 

Hope y'all are having a wonderful week!

I'm headed out to my 37 week OB appointment now!  YAY!