• Coffee Dates

    Let’s Have Coffee | Vol. 12

    September 13, 2017

    If we were having coffee, I would ask you how you’ve been. Coffee dates are most certainly for catching up with friends and having real heart to hearts. Tommy and I have started going on more coffee dates and they have been wonderful.

    If we were having coffee, I’d ask how you are liking the seasons changing. I’d share that just recently (within the past few years) have really started to appreciate the fall. There’s just something about how the coolness in the air gives me so much motivation. But I would have to admit that this year I’m not feeling it quite as much as I have the past few years and I think that’s because I am so preoccupied with the HUGE life change that is coming our way this winter.

    If we were having coffee, I would admit (like I have multiple other times on the blog) that I am just loving preparing for our precious baby boy. I’m loving putting together his nursery and baby registry. There’s nothing quite as fun as dreaming about what our lives are going to look like once he joins our family. I honestly still can’t believe it’s all really happening!

    If we were having coffee, I might bring up the recent hurricanes or I might not. If you’re a long time follower of this blog you know I normally stay far away from mentioning current events. Honestly I just don’t feel like I ever have the right words to say so I tend to distance myself from the topics. I’m not sure if that’s really a good thing but sometimes the world just feels so overwhelming and I feel so small and insignificant to do anything. Anyone else feel this way too?

    If we were having coffee, I’d let you know that life finally seems to have settled down for a bit. This year has been quite a whirlwind! We moved out of our first apartment in May and into my mom’s house for a couple of months while waiting for our new apartment to be ready. While living there we found out we we’re pregnant and I feel like I haven’t quite been able to get my footing. I’m someone who really loves to have routine and know what’s coming so this year has really caught me waaaay off guard. It’s been good for me but I’m also happy that I’m starting to feel a bit more settled in our new apartment and into pregnancy for at least the next few months. 😉

    If we were having coffee, I’d ask how I could pray for you. I’d really love to know how I could so please either leave a comment or click on the contact form above and let me know what’s going on in your life. I know that no matter what we are going through, it’s always super nice to know others are praying for us so let me be that friend for you. 🙂

    Every second Monday of every month (or whatever day I can manage during that week) I link up with Erin from erinsalmonwrites.com and we chat over coffee (or tea if that’s your thing). Come join us! We’d love to have you!

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  • Baby,  Pregnancy

    Baby Zin: 22 Week Bumpdate

    September 11, 2017

    The weeks are seriously just flying by! Here is my 22 week bumpdate. 🙂

    Size of the Baby: A Spaghetti Squash! – about 11 inches and almost one pound!

    Total Weight Gain: Around 9-11 pounds. I had a doctor’s appointment this week and they weighed me at 112, which is a 9 pound increase but when I weighed myself at home the same day I was at 114.

    Gender: A sweet baby boy!

    Symptoms: I had really bad hip pain last weekend, which scared the heck out of me. I thought if it hurt so bad already, there was no way I could handle it getting worse and worse until baby is here. Thankfully though I must have just slept funny or something because it went away within the next few days.

    I also got scared and some anxiety because I kind of convinced myself at one point that the pain could be from a kidney infection. I had just read about people getting them while pregnant on the baby boards on one of my apps but thankfully it definitely wasn’t a kidney infection.

    That was really it for symptoms this week though. It was a pretty easy week!

    Stretch Marks: Nope!

    Exercise: I finally did a prenatal YouTube workout like I have been wanting to. It felt really good to get my body moving. I unfortunately only did one and am hoping to do more this week.

    Maternity Clothes: I bought my first pair of maternity jeans! I definitely needed new pants because all I’m wearing are leggings because that’s all that fit me. But I really needed a pair of pants for church and when I go out to nicer places.

    Unfortunately though I thought the jeans I bought fit well in the store but then realized they actually are slightly too short and a little too baggy so I’m going to return them and try to find another pair.

    Cravings: I had been craving disco fries, which if you aren’t from New Jersey you might not know what they are so let me explain really quickly. Disco fries are french fries with brown gravy and melted mozzarella cheese on them and they are typically sold at diners. They are seriously amazing.

    So anyway, I had been craving them for quite a while and had a really strong craving for them on Saturday night so I called one of the diners around where I live that is open 24/7 and ordered Disco Fries to go haha. Tommy was so awesome and picked them up for me!

    Nursery: We got about 99% of the shiplap done and even painted! We might need one more coat of paint but it looks so, so good. I just love it! Don’t mind the tape on the walls, we are obviously still working on it!

    Tommy is: still so excited about being a dad. He’s also trying to soak up the last little bit of time with just the two of us.

    Looking forward to: being able to buy the crib and dresser and see the nursery come together even more!

    Best Moments: Hearing the baby’s heart beat at our check-up! That obviously never gets old!

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  • Baby,  Pregnancy

    Baby Zin: 21 Week Bumpdate

    September 5, 2017

    There honestly isn’t too much to say about this week, but I still want to document it of course. 🙂

    Size of the Baby: An Endive (?) – about 10.5 inches and 12.7 ounces!

    Total Weight Gain: 9 pounds

    Gender: A baby boy! See our gender reveal here.

    Symptoms: Every once in a while I have trouble taking a deep breath. It doesn’t last long and I’m pretty sure it’s a normal pregnancy thing but it’s a bit frustrating. I also had a few nights where my nose would get super stuffy and it would be harder to breathe when laying down. I used my Essential Oil diffuser and that helped A LOT.

    I also had one day where I had this intense hip pain out of nowhere. It passed pretty quickly and hasn’t come back so I’m not worried but it was intense.

    Sleep: Oh how I miss my regular sleep. I cannot get used to sleeping on my side for anything. I usually wake up on my back in the morning and have to flip back over on my side. My body is just not comfortable that way.

    Stretch Marks: None yet!

    Cravings: To be honest with you I haven’t really had any lately, or at least not any strong ones.

    Exercise: I did take a couple walks this week but that was really it. I felt like my body really needed some rest this week so I didn’t push it.

    Tommy is: working really hard this week. excited to finish the nursery shiplap (which we should be doing this weekend!)

    Looking forward to: finishing the shiplap and paint in the nursery!

    Best Moments: My mom’s friend at work gave us a little gift of baby clothes! It was so sweet! I’ll include a picture below of what she got us.

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  • Baby,  Life

    What’s Up Wednesday: August 2017

    August 30, 2017

    I am starting to find my groove with blogging again and I’m looooving it! Ever since taking the pressure off of myself to have “certain types” of posts, I feel a lot more joy when it comes to writing. Even if this blog only ever becomes a fun place to document our lives and share with my few blogging friends, that’s fine by me! Today I’m here to share about our month for What’s Up Wednesday!

    What We’ve Been Eating This Month

    I’ve been really bad about taking pictures lately so I don’t have any pictures of any of the meals, but we’ve been eating so much healthier this past month. Ever since leaving my first trimester behind, I have had so much more energy to meal plan and cook. It took a little while for the motivation and routine to come back and feel more normal but I’m so glad it has.

    We’ve been eating homemade sauce and meatballs in the crockpot. Oh my gosh. It is to die for! My brother planted a garden this year and has been growing so many tomatoes so I used these to make sauce a couple of weeks ago and let me tell you, that was a great idea! 😉 I’m planning to do the same again today.

    We’ve also been having a lot of meat lately because I’m trying to make sure that I’m eating enough protein now that I’m pregnant. I’m not the biggest fan of meat, but I’ve made it more of a priority and it feels good to be making good choices for Baby Zin.

     

    What I’m Reminiscing About

    I don’t know what it is about the seasons changing but when they do it always reminds me of years prior. Just this morning I was reminiscing about mine and Tommy’s dating years in the fall. We go apple picking each year and last year was such a sweet date. I cannot wait to go again this year!

     

    What I’m Loving

    I definitely included this in another blog post but she’s too cute not to include again. I’m loving living with our puppy Noelle. She is such a well-behaved dog and is so lovey. It’s so fun to share a dog with Tommy.

    I don’t have a picture for this one, but I’m also loving feeling sweet baby kicks! I’ve been feeling little movements for a little over a week and it’s been so much fun! It makes everything so much more real. I cannot wait to meet our little guy.

     

    What We’ve Been Up To

    I included this picture in my last bumpdate, but we have been working on the nursery! I’m beyond excited to see how it all turns out. I’m still trying to picture exactly how I want it but I know I want it to be bright and airy. I want to somehow incorporate animals because I think that will be adorable for a little boy. Plus Tommy loves animals so I thought that would make it extra special.

     

    I want to do something like this with animal prints on the wall. Isn’t it so cute?!

     

    What I’m Dreading

    Nothing! I love when that’s the answer to this question. 😉

     

    What I’m Working On

    Follow my shop’s Instagram here for updates!

    I feel like this will forever be included in on this answer haha! I’ve been working on my Etsy shop like usual. I’m hoping to devote more time to it before baby is here and really get the ball rolling!

     

    Shared first on my personal Instagram!

    I also worked a lot on our baby book this month! This has been such a sweet time for me. I love the idea of having this to look back on throughout the years. I got it from Promptly Journals and it goes from pregnancy all the way to age eighteen. At first I wasn’t sure about having it be for that long but now I love it. It makes me so excited to document the baby even more with pictures once he’s here!

     

    What I’m Watching/Reading

    Tommy and I are re-watching How I Met Your Mother because we just love the show so much. I’m also re-reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets very, very slowly. I haven’t been in the mood to read much so it’s taking me a while. I just love those books though and am planning to re-read them all.

     

    What I’m Listening To

    Not too much as usual. I listened to a couple of episodes of Risen Motherhood and cannot wait to continue. I’ve heard so many good things about this podcast. I can’t wait until I relate even more once Baby Zin is here.

     

    What I’m Wearing

    Anything that will fit, haha! I literally have about 5 nice shirts that fit right now. I’m planning to buy maternity jeans very soon now that it’s starting to cool down. I’m definitely going to put off buying maternity shirts until it’s necessary though.

     

    What I’m Doing This Weekend

    Tommy and I haven’t even talked about plans for this weekend even though it’s Labor Day. Maybe we’ll end up going up to the lake? Maybe we’ll end up continuing to work on the baby’s room? I’m not really sure at this point, haha.

     

    What I’m Looking Forward To

    Well this ones easy… being closer to meeting our sweet babe! I can’t wait to continue to plan and get ready for him.

    What’s new with you? I’d love to hear! Come link up with us!

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  • Baby,  Pregnancy

    Baby Zin: 20 Week Bumpdate

    August 28, 2017

    Can you believe I’m halfway to actually having a baby in my arms?! I sure can’t! Some days it feels like time is speeding by and other days I feel like it’s going to take forever to meet our little baby. Let’s see how this week went. I don’t think there’s a whole lot to say about this week after having such an exciting week last week.

    Size of the Baby: A banana! – about 6.5 inches and 10 ounces. At our ultrasound this week the technician told us he actually weighs 12 oz!

    Total Weight Gain: Around 7-8 pounds. I go back to the doctor next week so I’ll know for sure then.

    Gender: A handsome baby boy! Check out our gender reveal here if you missed it. 🙂

    Symptoms: Symptoms have been very mild the past few months and I’m so thankful. My biggest complaint though would be sleeping (and honestly it’s not even really that bad). As I think I’ve mentioned before, I’m having trouble sleeping on my side. My shoulders get really achy and I find myself waking up on my back.

    I also think I might have developed a slight dairy intolerance possibly? My stomach bothers me sometimes if I eat a lot of dairy, which has never happened before. I really hope this doesn’t means that Baby Zin is also intolerant to dairy because I definitely plan to breastfeed and I eat a lot of dairy so that will be hard to cut that out if I have to.

    Movement: I felt him move a lot a couple of days this week. I usually can feel him when I stop moving at night just before I go to sleep. It’s the coolest thing ever.

    Missing: Nothing this week! It’s been such an exciting week, I haven’t even had time to miss anything.

    Nursery: We started working on the nursery this week! Now that we know we’re having a boy we’re able to actually make some real plans. We started shiplapping one of the walls and it looks so good! I seriously love it. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.

    Exercise: I haven’t been sticking to a very “specific” workout program this pregnancy. I did take a walk one day this week. I have been staying very active lately though. Like I just mentioned, we are working on the nursery so I have been on my feet moving around a lot during the day.

    Tommy is: having a lot of fun working on the baby’s room.

    Looking Forward To: Finishing up the paint/shiplap this week and seeing how it all comes out!

    Best Moments: Finding out the gender of sweet baby Zin of course!

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  • Baby,  Pregnancy

    Baby Zin: 19 Week Bumpdate

    August 24, 2017

    Hey friends, I’m a little a lot late this week for the bumpdate but that’s because it’s been such an exciting week! If you missed it, we announced the gender of sweet baby Zin yesterday. You can check that out here. Let’s recap week 19 shall we? This was probably the most exciting week yet!

    Size of the Baby: Mango – about 6 inches and 8.5 oz!

    Total Weight Gain: I think about 7 pounds.

    Gender: (I’m going to include this in even though we didn’t find out until 20 weeks.) A sweet baby BOY! I’m so excited! I believe we already have a name picked out too. As soon as we found out he was a boy I instantly didn’t like the names we had originally picked out for him. (We were debating between three.) We almost instantly decided right after I said that though that we really loved a new name. I’m still figuring out if I want to announce it before he is born, which to be honest I probably will. I am terrible at, and hate keeping secrets, but we need to confirm 100% if that’s the name we want before announcing obviously.

    Symptoms: A little bit of belly issues. I had a few days where I was very emotional thinking about how everything is changing and is going to completely change once baby is born. It passed pretty quickly but I did have a bit of a breakdown thinking about it. I also felt the skin on my belly stretching a lot this week, which was a bit uncomfortable.

    Movement: We finally felt him move you guys! I knew it was him too! I say we because I could feel it from the outside and had Tommy feel as well! We were laying down to go to sleep the night before I turned 20 weeks and I kept feeling little poking feelings around my belly button. I had a feeling it was the baby and it just kept happening and then we could even feel it from the outside! It was the coolest thing ever!

    Sleep: I sometimes wake up on my back and have to flip back over onto my side because my shoulders/arms/hands fall asleep from laying on them 🙄.

    Missing: I actually really had a day where I was missing my regular body a lot. I try not to dwell on this too much because I’m just so thankful to be pregnant. I think the skin stretching had something to do with it. It scared me a bit about how much my body has already and will change even more.

    Exercise: I walked A LOT this week. At the beginning of it we were still in Wildwood so I was walking about 3 miles there. Then we came home and I took the dog for a walk a couple of days and even did pregnancy yoga one night before bed.

    Tommy is: excited to know we are having a little boy!

    Looking Forward To: Working on the nursery! Now that we know it’s a boy we can really start planning and I am beyond excited. We are planning to shiplap one of the walls in his room this week. We are also going to try to buy paint as well.

    Best Moments: Same as last week 😉, relaxing on the beach with my husband.

    This week was a really great week (even though I kind of combined week 19 + 20 a bit because of the gender), but I am still planning on doing a full update on Monday for week 20 so check back for that!

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