pinnable me: halloween

Time for another link up with Paw Prints & Pastry Bags! This Friday I have Halloween on my mind. I've been itching to get the decorations out of the attic. The hubs said I had to wait until October to put up any decor so guess what we're doing this weekend!

Of course we already have plenty, but I can't help myself. I want more!

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And because I just couldn't resist...

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Q's first Halloween costume! (for next year of course)

bump & baby update: 33 weeks

Another week has come and gone. As much as I'd like it to, time is not slowing down as requested. I'm starting to hit the frantic stage a bit as thoughts of Q arriving early enter my mind. The to-do list before he gets here is still quite long and there are some major items that need to get done, like, oh I don't know, sew his crib bedding.

Lord knows I'm the princess of procrastination, but with a deadline that isn't set in stone I'm taking a big risk. This Saturday my mom is hosting a shower for me and the bestie is coming to visit. I won't be able to do a million projects but I'm sure I can convince Shannon to help me organize all the baby things after the shower.

Here's the 33 week bump picture. While I still show no signs of stretch marks (thank goodness) my skin feels so tight I think it may pop like a rubber band. I've been marinating in lotion pretty frequently, but it seems the only real relief is to squeeze my belly so the skin isn't stretched. I'm sure this makes for an interesting picture as I sit at my desk at work poking and prodding my own stomach.

Q is still moving and shaking around, although I've notice the frequency is dying down a little. I suspect our little bean is quickly running out of wiggle room as he is packing on the pounds. Today's check up went well. His heart beat was at 166 and my belly is measuring at 32 weeks (a week behind). The hubs decided this could be a good thing because it hopefully means no 10 pound baby that I have to push out (I was 10 lbs 2 oz).

No new pregnancy ailments yet, unless you count the dreaded waddle. My back still bothers me, but I haven't started swelling and sleep is only interrupted by bathroom breaks.

Seven weeks to go!

an apple a day

I love this time of the year. Yes the cooler weather, fall colors, and clothing options are glorious, but I love the fact that one of my absolute favorite candies is back on the shelves.

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There is just something so addictive about caramel apple lollipops. I could eat a dozen a day if given the opportunity. It might have something to do with my love of apples, another reason why I love this time of year.

My grandfather used to have an apple orchard on his farm. I have so many memories of going down to the backyard to pick an apple off the tree. We'd get out a clean cloth to shine up the apple before biting in.

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Grandpa would have the best apple cider made from his apples and we'd drink it by the gallon. The stuff you can buy in a grocery store around here is not bad, but definitely nothing fantastic like what I grew up on.

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Every year he sends us a box of honeycrisp apples. They are by far my favorite type. Their sweetness and crunch are just perfect. I hope I get a box this year!

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And who can resist a real caramel apple? It's the whole reason I go to the fair. This year I might be skipping all of the rides and attractions and instead just zipping in to grab myself one of these beauties.

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maternity pictures

Yesterday, the hubs and I had our maternity photo session with Erica. I went to high school with Erica and we had many art classes together. I've always known how talented she is, but recently have fallen in love with her style of photography. She works with Tomme Hilton and as soon as I became pregnant I knew I wanted her to be the one to take our pictures.

We went out to our old rental house to take the pictures. The open fields, old barns, and classic tractors provided for the perfect setting. Erica posted a few pictures on facebook today and it makes me even more excited to see the rest!

pinnable me: go tigers!

Time for another link up with Paw Prints & Pastry Bags!

This football season has been very odd for us since we only plan on going to one game. With me being prego this season, the early games are just too hot and the later games are just too close to my due date. Luckily homecoming falls right in the middle on October 8th so that is the game we plan on attending.

I love love love tailgating on Clemson's campus. Most go all out with decorations, food, satellite tvs, couches, and games. While we aren't that into it (yet), but I am starting to plan my menu.

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With a full belly I'll be ready to cheer on my tigers!

bump & baby update: 32 weeks

When I searched back through my posts to see when I last put up a bump picture, I had no idea it had been 4 weeks. I can't say it enough, time is going by way too quickly! I had a doctor's appointment last Wednesday. I seem to be having quite the uneventful pregnancy and I'm completely ok with that. I'm measuring right on target, my blood pressure is fine, my weight gain is normal, and Q's heartbeat is strong and consistent. 

29 weeks

30 weeks 

31 weeks

32 weeks

I felt like I was growing before but holy cow! Look at the difference between 31 and 32 weeks. I can only imagine how popped out I'll be at the very end. 

Even though he's losing more and more room in my belly, Q's activity has seemed to increase tenfold. He gets the hiccups at least once a day and I can now see the rolling ripples across my stomach as he shifts from one side to the other. I'm still not the biggest fan of all the gut punches but I've gotten used to it. 

One morning I hadn't felt him move yet and panic began to set in. I was downing orange juice and eating chocolate at 11am to try and get him to wiggle around for me. Luckily right as I sent the freak out text to the hubs, Q gave me a kick. I remind myself to take nothing for granted. Even an uncomfortable moment is a good thing.

I heart lists

I'm a list maker, always have been and always will be. I love making lists because it helps me stay organized, keeps me from forgetting things, and feels so gratifying when I can cross things off.

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While I love a written list on actual paper, sometimes that's just not practical for me. I hate when lists get crumpled or torn from being carried around for long periods of time. That's where the lovely app on my phone, ColorNote, comes in. It's a pretty simple app that lets you create lists and notes. My favorite part is when you complete a task on your list is crosses it off instead of just removing the item. Brilliant.

Currently the longest list in my phone is my project list. It's a little ridiculous. Let's take a look:

• 2010 scrapbook album (currently in June/July)
• 2011 scrapbook album (obviously haven't even started)
• sew master bathroom curtain (I was hoping to have enough fabric left over from covering the headboard, but sadly I didn't so the window is still bare)
• monogram guest bathroom towels
• paint Christmas village (that's been on my project list for the past two Christmases)
• sew Clemson bubble for Q
• sew protective cover for our Coca-Cola table (it's currently on the back porch covered in a tarp)
• sew craft room curtains
• sew crib bedding
• embroidered my dad's carhart jacket with his company logo (have to do this before it gets cold out)
• refinish dining room chairs
• sew dresses (I have fabric and patterns for about 4 or 5)
• finish sewing fleece vest (I had almost finished it for last fall then needed a different zipper and...well it's still sitting there)
• sew jackets (again I have fabric and patterns for 2 different jackets)
• hem curtain for linen closet (I was about to do this the other weekend until I realized my spring rod wasn't the right size)
• recover couch (we've had the fabric for over a year)
• sew rocking chair cushions
• paint wooden SCALES letters
• sew skirts (have fabric and patterns for 2 or 3)
• embroider T on burp clothes
• finish sewing truck seats (technically this is the hubs project, but I'm sure I'll end up helping him complete it)

Some of the items won't be done anytime soon, like all of the clothing I want to make, but others I would love to accomplish before Q gets here. Any guesses on how much I'll get done?

teeny tiny wonderfulness

I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself for making it this far in my pregnancy without going hog wild on buying things for my sweet boy. It's been hard! There are just so many adorable 

things that I can't wait to wrap him up in. 

Like I said in the previous post, I did a little shopping at the Carter's outlet this past Friday. How can you pass up 1) outlet prices, 2) a 50% off sale, and 3) an additional 20% off coupon? Answer - you can't {or at least I couldn't}! Here are some of the things I scooped up:

microfleece sleep bag

long sleeve bodysuits

striped button-up

sleeper gowns

snap-front sleep & play

The prices at the outlet were even better than the prices they have online. Of course there was plenty more that I would have loved to bring home with me, but I tried to show a little restraint. I plan on embroidering his name on the bodysuits and possibly the gowns as well to make them a little more personal. Can't wait to see a little boy wearing all this cuteness.

Shannon's Birthday Weekend

This weekend I made the trip to Atlanta to visit my best friend Shannon for her birthday. Technically her birthday isn't until the 25th but she'll be in Charleston that weekend (lucky duck) so we celebrated early.

I left after work on Friday and we met in Commerce at the Tanger Outlets for a little shopping. I have been working some overtime these past couple of weeks and I told the hubs I wanted to use the extra money to buy myself a fancy purse from the Coach outlet. I also wanted to go to the Carter's outlet for some baby clothing cuteness. While I didn't find a single purse I just had to have at Coach, I did find plenty I just had to have at Carter's. I'll do a separate post on all the new goodies for Q later.

After Carter's we headed to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Along with some delicious southern comfort food I also received unsolicited free baby advice from the cashier including:

• take the paci away at 6 months and
• (as I was looking at the cute baby clothes) don't buy anything because my mother and mother-in-law will buy everything for at least the first year

Um, thanks? PS - Pretty sure that's not how you go about trying to sell things in the general store.

Even though it was nearly 11 o'clock when we got back to Shannon's apartment I made her open her birthday gift right away. She kept making the goofiest smile faces ha!

Rachel Ray mixing bowls in eggplant! Her kitchen colors are eggplant, orange, and lime green and she just happened to mention to me how much she likes Rachel Ray cookware so I took full advantage of the sale Kohl's was having.

Saturday we stayed in bed until 9:30 and then stayed in our jammies until almost 11. I love being able to do that! We finally got dressed when another friend, Travis, showed up. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Clemson beat Auburn, woohoo! I don't want to get cocky, but it sure was nice to watch the Tigers win.

That night a handful of us went to Two Urban Licks for dinner. The company was great, the food was good, the atmosphere was interesting, and the bathrooms were downright creepy haha. If you ever have the chance to go the watermelon salad is fantastic, but proceed with caution when using the restroom. 

Sunday, we decided to go paint pottery. Shannon and I had been previously and had so much fun, but it had been years. She picked a pumpkin and I picked a container. I wanted to something circus themed for Q's room, but I couldn't find anything I liked. 

not sure what I'll put in it, but once fired the colors will match his room haha!

we ended our visit with cupcakes from Gimme Some Suga - not the best in the world, but not horrible either

While it's always sad to leave the bestie, I get to see her again in two weeks for another baby shower! Hooray!

murtle the turtle

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These days the best way to describe how I'm feeling is like that of a turtle. Not one of those cute little things you see swimming in a pond or lake, but more like one of those huge 100-year-old ones that are at the zoo and you wonder if they are even still alive because they haven't moved in the last two hours.

I move a little slower, I waddle back and forth, and heaven forbid you put me flat on my back. I'd be stuck like that for days. I'd much rather be a crime fighting, butt-kicking turtle if you ask me.

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Of course it'll all be worth it in the end to have my own little turtle.