Our Christmas weekend started north-bound on the interstate before the sun came up yesterday morning and ended south-bound on the interstate in the dark this evening about an hour ago.  After 10 hours in the car, and not enough sleep, we are all (Andrew, Franklin and I) exhausted.

Happy, but tired.

So glad we could spend Christmas with both of our families - both sets of parents, all siblings, all spouses, all nieces and nephews.  

Our time with everyone was short, but worth it.  

A year from now our little one will have joined the crew and will already be six months old at Christmas.  

I can't even fathom.

We are so blessed.

My bed awaits...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Well, let's be honest.

I've been thinking about this baby's room long before our baby was even a baby-in-the-making.

And knowing that the gender would be kept secret until the peanut's debut, obviously I had to think of something that would work for a girl or a boy.  I already had some ideas in mind, but also have been scouring Pinterest in secret, but completely missing the point of Pinterest - saving things I like to my own personal file on my desktop so as not to give anything away before we announced our news.
I should eventually pin everything I saved...

Until then, I whipped up a mood board for Baby M's room (formerly known as the office.)

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

About two and a half months ago, we traveled to Springfield, Missouri for family photos.  You can imagine how excited Andrew was for this trip.  Franklin, on the other hand, was psyched.  

But, not as much as me.

I'm embarrassed to say how long it had been since Andrew and I had our photos professionally done.  Really embarrassed.  Needless to say, I no longer feel like a hypocrite and am so, so happy with our photos from Katie Day.

The best part was that we got to include both our babies.  Baby Franklin and baby-on-the-way.

I wanted to share some of my favorites since our Christmas cards have been sent.

And, doesn't Franklin just look like the happiest dog in the world?  He doesn't know what's coming.

Okay, so those are most of my favorites, not some.

And, I love, love, love them.

But, not as much as the photo shoot we had this morning.

We had the gender reveal sonogram today without the reveal.  They can show you so much!  The normal black and white picture you're used to at all different angles - feet, hands, spine, profile, etc.

But, they also do 3D versions at the doctor's office now.  And live video.  For free.  Andrew was a happy man.

It was so amazing seeing that little peanut flail around.  He or she would not move her hands away from his/her face.  And, it was so incredible seeing Andrew's reaction too.  I forget how different this experience is for him right now since he isn't able to feel anything yet.  

In his words, "things just got real."

Goodnight little baby, sleep tight.

It's HEEERRREEE!

It's not jumping out at people all the time, but friends are starting to notice, and an Asian lady at Forever 21 on Friday asked me if I was pregnant when I went and asked for a fitting room.  And I didn't even think I looked pregnant in Friday's work outfit.  I wasn't even wearing the belly band.  

But, if a stranger is questioning my mid-section it must be true.  

And, in leggings and a fitted top....well, there's no hiding it.  

But, the best part of this bump is the growing little wee one inside.  

 The wee one I am finally feeling move as of Wednesday night.

It. Is. The. Most Wonderful. Feeling.

Hearing the heart beat for the first time was incredible, but feeling our little boy or girl move was much more impactful for me.  I was home alone addressing our Christmas cards (coming to a mailbox near you!) and watching The Family Stone and knew what was happening the instant I felt it.  

I don't want ever to forget that.  

The little one just saying hi.  

Almost halfway there, and I can say hi back.

Yesterday was a first.

I initiated my belly band.

I haven't had to consider slipping it on yet, but the jeans I wore yesterday must hit the muffin top differently than the others.  So much so, that with the band, I have a little bump. 

Those on bump watch (I'm sure you are keeping tabs on me just like Beyonce and Kourtney K), feast your eyes on this:

It's like an illusion.  If I suck in, it disappears.

But who really wants to suck in a growing belly?  And after I eat, it's impossible.  So maybe I push it out a bit so it looks rounder and not so muffiny.  I'm still waiting on it to make it's official appearance, mainly because I'm back to no band and normal clothes today. 

One of these days?

I mean there has been weight gain so I need something to justify that.  Until then, the word is still out whether the baby is in my belly or Andrew's as he reported when we went to the gym earlier that he has also gained weight.  So bump, please show up soon. 

I don't want Andrew to end up on the cover of Us Weekly.



Oh my gosh.  Telling people you are pregnant is so much fun!

Thank you all so, so much for your fun comments and support.

My fave responses so far.

Was this planned?

Have you told Franklin?

Is the baby in your belly or Andrew's?  

(Surprisingly, only one of those comments was from our four-year-old niece.  You guess which one.)

So, here goes:

I am 16 weeks along (plus one day today)!  We found out right at about four weeks and decided to wait to tell our families at Thanksgiving as we thought there was a good chance they'd be down in Wichita again.  That was such a hard secret to keep for 10+ weeks.  There were so many moments I almost slipped.  My mom was suspicious, but I think everyone else was very caught off guard.  Andrew thanked them for coming and said maybe they should come back to see us in May.  When we have our first baby!  I'm due May 19th - so excited to have a little one that time of year.

I have not been sick AT ALL.  Sorry to all the preggos that are miserable and puke all the time.  I don't know how you do it.  There have been maybe 5-ish days or so where I've woken up and felt kind of icky, but just needed to eat and then was fine five minutes later.  

We have heard the heart beat twice.  So amazing.  We actually have a sono scheduled in two and a half weeks when we will NOT find out what we are having.  I know - people keep telling me we are crazy, but I just think it will be the best surprise of our lives to wait.  I know exactly how I want to decorate the baby's room.  I have been thinking about it FOREVER.  Mood board to come?

I'll admit, I haven't been great about taking pics each week, but I did get Andrew to take one today.  I've gained weight, but no bump yet.  Just a muffin top.  And, I decided I don't like this angle so these pictures aren't much fun yet until the babe makes more of appearance.  Boo.

Of course Franklin is in this one.  I'm pretty sure he knows.  He has been sooo clingy.

So, that's the scoop.  According to babycenter.com, the little one will double in size in the next few weeks so bring on the belly!

Every couple has a story.  

Ours starts in elementary school when a shy girl and and ornery boy were placed on the same maroon soccer team.  

The girl hated soccer - too much running.  The boy loved soccer - and scored all the goals (so he says).

Later in middle school, they would pass each other in the halls, crush on each others friends, see each other in different homeroom classes.

In high school, the girl had become less shy, the boy had long replaced soccer with basketball (and of course still scored many, many points).  They had the same group of friends, and the school wasn't big, yet the same thing happened as it did in middle school.  

They would pass each other in the halls, exchange pleasantries and go separate ways.

Until one summer, when the girl noticed the boy differently.  

There were many nights of flirting, and talking and more flirting.

And a muddy road rescue when the girl got her dad's car stuck up to the doors trying to find the boy's farm house.

And there were many dates to dances, two graduations from Hiawatha High, football games, DU and Pi Phi date parties, walks to class, and finally two graduations from K-State.

After a year and a half of long-distance dating between Manhattan and Dallas, the boy and girl got  married on September 13th, 2008.

And they moved to Wichita, and bought a house and got a dog.

And three years later, the girl gave the boy a card on the night of their anniversary that originally said this:

Our is an amazing love story...

 with the happiest ever after.

Happy anniversary to the one I love.

But then she added this:

Andrew, I love you more every year that we are married.  This next year will be especially significant when you become a father in nine months!  Thanks for always making me the happiest girl in the world.  I love you.  Happy third anniversary.

Love,

Ali

Well, I survived my first day of work.  It was fine.

The rest of my life?  Shambles.

I decided to leave Franklin outside since when I watched the weather half-awake this morning I swore they said it would rain tonight/tomorrow.

It rained all day.

Like a monsoon.

I was so sad about my poor pup.  I just kept picturing him plastered to the back door crying because no one was home to let him in.

When I finally got home today, he was barking and wet.  

He is staying inside tomorrow.  And probably everyday forever and ever.

Today is my last day at the only job I've ever known since graduating.

The end is bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter.

Because of the friends I've made, the experiences I've had, all that I've learned, for how much I've grown.

And for what's to come.

I can't wait to start my new journey at the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas.

For new friends, new experiences and to make a positive difference every day.

Thank you to each of you for all of your support and kind words during this transition period.

Change is good.

 +

Never mind the gaping wholes and weird crust overlaps.  It tasted AMAZING.

Especially topped with caramel vanilla ice cream.

That's pretty much fall on a plate.

Unfortunately, since Andrew was back in Hiawatha helping with harvest I didn't have anyone to share this treat with and may or may not have eaten two pieces the night I baked it while the apple filling was still warm.  

Worth it.

I haven't felt very bloggy lately.

I just haven't been doing anything super creative around our house over the last several weeks.  First it was buying the Tahoe, and now football season has started so my weekends are overrun with trips to Manhattan or Andrew sitting in his man chair glued to the TV for hours watching NFL teams I don't care about.  (Which is all of them.)

We haven't been total bums.  Andrew fixed our poor water pressure issue on the second sink in the guest bedroom, as well as a non-working cold water faucet in the guest bathroom shower.  He is still keeping his name Handy Andy.

Sometimes though, creativity just finds you instead of the other way around.

Feast your eyes on one of my Ikea purchases from our trip to Colorado:

Pretty, pretty.

Remember, where we started?  

No duvet, just a plain white down comforter that I was pushing my luck with since Franklin sometimes sneaks into the guest room to snooze.

I went to Ikea looking for a white duvet and then got there and just couldn't do it.  

I knew I could add some texture with a white duvet, but it would still look pretty blah.

Actually, Andrew found this one, and I loved it.  He is not only handy, but sometimes has good taste.

Love it.

BUT.

After I put on the duvet, and especially as I was looking at these pictures, I couldn't help but feel disappointed by the wall above the headboard.  I love a good fake cranberry wreath as much as the next person, but 1) it isn't proportional and 2) I was afraid the navy and white from the duvet would make the red berries too Americana.  I'm just not into themey rooms at this point.

So, as fate would have it, my neighbor across the street decided he liked his house without shutters.  And threw his away in the neighborhood dumpster down by the pool.  And Andrew and I took Frank for a walk many weeks ago and saw them.  And, I just knew if I thought hard enough I could figure out something cute and clever to do with them.  So we took our fair share.  

(Okay, all 12 of them - sorry - you dumpster dive too late, you lose.)

And then piled them up in the garage, until one weekend, I cleaned them, primed them and then gave them two thin coats of creamy white spray paint.  

And then two weeks later, we hung them where the berries used to be.

Much better.

I love the extra pop of white(ish) they bring against the deep blue walls and the extra charm and coziness.  I still don't think I'm done yet though.

I want to craft a burlap pendant banner to hang across the span of all four shutters.  In fact, I was going to have a crafternoon this weekend, but then I couldn't decide what I wanted to spell out.  

All I could come up with was M•O•O•R•E - or - something cheesy like S•W•E•E•T•D•R•E•A•M•S.  LAME-O.

So, if anyone has any good ideas, spill 'em.

I will return the favor.  Like I have eight more shutters that need a home.  Some are this size and some are longer.  I think it would be baller to make a entryway table out of the longer shutters.

I don't have room for one, but just saying.

--

P.S. I have zero patience for putting on duvets and can't figure out how to get them even and straight on the edges.  I give up.