Happy Pregnant New Year!

Happy New Year!

Well, I'm trying anyway to be happy. I really wanted Baby Boy to make an appearance in 2012, but he's obviously not cooperating. I'm also a tad bit (read: extremely) jealous that Grace and Liana have already had their babies. Those lucky quick-gestating mamas. But, you should probably head over and congratulate them anyway ;). Then come back and tell me my time will come soon. PLEASE.

I know you are all dying to know What I Wore on New Years Eve, and thanks to Katie's linkup I've got the perfect outfit to share. Prepare to be inspired.

This outfit has SEXY written all over it. 

Shirt - Motherhood Maternity

Pants - Men's size L flannels from Target

(perfect for the ever-increasing waist)

Shoes - moccasins from Kohls

Hair - rocking a stylish post-nap, unwashed ponytail

39 weeks. Still cooking.

The greatest gestator of all time.

So instead of celebrating New Years Eve with a glass of champagne, I'll be chugging some sparkling cider while continuing to coax this baby out with words of encouragement. Yeah, something like that. It's been a very blessed 2012 for the E family - from finding a new nest to call home, learning about our bundle of joy, getting my ulcerative colitis under control with new medication, and so much more.

The best, however, is yet to come. 2013 - prepare yourself!

Celebrating Advent

I'm joining Katie at NFP and Me for her Christmas Decor Link-Up! Join me as I document my first attempt at truly celebrating the Advent season in all its glory, Catholic convert style!

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Brian and I spent the first two years of our married life in a tiny 500sq ft apartment - and while we were happy to have a little home of our own, it wasn't until we moved into our townhome that we realized how little our apartment really had been! As we began to put up our decor around the new house, it struck me how bare everything looked, even though our apartment had been decorated from wall to wall! The amount of space was a little intimidating.

Slowly but surely we've been adding onto our home here and there with little touches, and it's been a great treat to buy seasonal decor for the first time. I managed to decorate a little for Halloween and for Thanksgiving. But, as the Christmas season rolled around, I knew that I wanted to take it a step further. While we did have Christmas decorations set up in our apartment, we could only fit a very small 4ft tree and some stockings. And getting the tree to fit was quite a struggle! I feel so blessed this year to have an opportunity to make my house homey and warm for the holidays.

Things are feeling very merry around here in the townhome, let me show you:

Our tree, just to the right of the entrance, in the corner of the dining room. The tree skirt was a new addition this year! We've been accumulating ornaments since before we got married, though we only add one or two a year. Plenty of room for more!

And I adore our Christmas tree topper - it's an angel that softly changes color. 

I was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, and decided to try the ornaments hanging from the dining room light. Trying new things is easy now that we live near Dollar Tree - I think it turned out pretty cute.

You can also see our advent wreath and our seasonal candle holders in the center of the table. The only thing that's missing is a Christmas tablecloth!

Our first Advent wreath! It took us quite awhile to find one - we tried so many different stores, but I guess that's just not the sort of thing most department stores carry in stock. We did manage to find Advent candles at Jo-Ann's, but our wreath was purchased at a Catholic gift store 40 minutes north of us. I also added a Christ candle in the center.

I also updated our hurricane candles. They're filled with mini pine cones and apple cinnamon candles, tied with a snowflake ribbon.

The most wonderful part of decorating this year was putting up my nativity set for the first time. This set has been in our family for such a long time, I'm not quite sure how old it is. It belonged to my great-grandmother and I grew up playing with it every Christmas season. If I remember correctly, not only is it handmade, but it was crafted by my great-grandmother's brother (though maybe that's just a family rumor). My Aunt had it for many years after Grandma Marge passed, and then she passed it down to me after I got married.

This is the first year we had room to set it out. I was very close to my great-grandma, and it makes me so happy to see it in use again. She babysat me for the first two years of my life, and I spent the night at her apartment every weekend as a kid. She was the only other practicing Catholic in my family, and I look up to her to this day, ten years after she passed. RIP Grandma Marge!

Here are some other decorations around our home:

Jingle bells on our front door.

Holy Family statue we got this year.

Decorations on the stairwell. The wooden angel is a gift from my MIL. The cinnamon scented pine cones are delicious. And there's a picture my favorite little man in the corner!

Stockings hanging on the bar. Two for us, two for kitties, one for baby.

Christmas card display. Still more arriving - I love it!

Some of our favorite ornaments:

Husband got me me this Willow Tree angel last Christmas, as a promise we would start our family. Can't believe our baby is almost here!

Our first ornament after we got married.

The first ornament we got together. Disneyland memories. 

One of my favs - Jim Shore nativity star. 

Football Santa - you know you jealous!

I've been meaning to get this link-up done earlier, but we keep making little changes throughout the home, and I end up taking more pictures! But I guess that's the fun of decorating. I hope you enjoyed this little tour of our home - I'm sure I'll have far less time for decorating (or cleaning) when our first baby makes his arrival. Just two more weeks!

Thanks again Katie for hosting! I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

What I Wore Sunday

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus, without really planning it. I've got lots of posts written in my brain. That counts right?

Cat photo bomb.

 Sweater dress from Ross

Black leggings from Motherhood Maternity

Black buckle boots from Ross

Pink/black jewelry from ???

Close up of the absolute only pink thing I own. Had it since high school.

Brian gave me this ornament last Christmas. It's a mother angel holding a baby - it has tons of special meaning for us. Also, 37 weeks. FULL TERM! 

My heart is still heavy from the events in Newtown on Friday. Brian and I have gone through a lot of emotions in the past three days - sorrow, despair, anger...just writing this is difficult. I have nowhere else to turn but to God. And so we pray.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Feast of St. Nick!

What I Wore Sunday, with Outtakes

Happy Catholic New Year everyone! Hope you all had a fun and festive beginning to your Advent season.

So far the decorating in our house has consisted of buying a $5 poinsettia at Home Depot and putting up gel window clings from the $1 spot at Target. We may or may not still have our pumpkins out...we classy. A real Christmas tree is on the to-do-list, but it has been raining for about 4 days now in Southern CA, so we haven't yet ventured out for that. 

The problem with going to 5:30pm Mass on Sunday, is the lighting is just not great for photo taking upon our return. Here's the fabulousness:

Burgundy knit hat from Target

Non-maternity Shirt from Kohls (it has ruching at the sides!)

Purple maternity corduroys from Target

Brown boots from Kohls
Purple rosequartz necklace, a gift from my surrogate German MIL

A la Dweej, here are some of my outtakes:

"Stand over there. Now turn to the side. Big smile."
Also, 35 Weeks

"Do something exciting." "Like WHAT!?"

"How 'bout I hold this plant?" "That looks stupid."

"Okay, we're done here."

My husband has turned into a paparazzi nazi. Join me next week as I attempt to conjure another outfit to stuff my belly into! Also, check out the other lovely ladies (and a gentleman!) over at Fine Linen and Purple. 

7 Quick Takes

So here's my best guess as to what has happened in the Big E household in the past week and half...

- 1 -

We enjoyed a lovely day trip to Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande, CA to eat way too much Thanksgiving food with my godparents family, friends and my Dad. 

Prego camper & hubs

Not so wild wildlife. They like carrots. 

Best. Dog. Ever.

Usually we accompany Dad in the RV for 3 days of waking up way too early thanks to his 5:30am coffee grinding habits, but this year we skipped out since my pregnant belly wanted to sleep in it's own bed. So we just showed up for some quality campfire time and, of course, the grub. Very blessed to have such a wonderful extended family!

- 2 -

Insurance, Y u no cover birth centers!?

I finally got my butt in gear and read about 100 pages of a childbirth book. I'm seriously so lax in the prepared department. We signed up last minute for a Childbirth class at the Hospital as well, and went to the Breastfeeding class on Monday night. The booby class was much better than I expected (i.e., only marginally corny) and was really informative, so I'm going into this Childbirth course with high expectations. 

There seems to be no gray area with me. I either want to know everything there is to know about giving birth, or I want to go the "ignorance is bliss" route. So please, random women of America, stop sharing your birth horror stories with me. 

- 3 -

We got our maternity photos, and I think they came out beautiful (or as beautiful as one can make a puffy pregnant woman). FYI - we did not splurge on these, they actually came as a part of our wedding photography package. If you live in the SoCal/Orange County area, I highly recommend Gamboa Photography.

We plan on using the images in our Christmas card this year. Double bonus, two birds with one stone, and all that jazz.

- 4 -

34 weeks - OB says baby is head down. Good boy!

7 things I've noticed since entering the third trimester:

1. Everything is sore. 

2. I can no longer spell or do math.

3. It's hard to eat with feet in your ribs.

4. Clipping your toenails becomes an extreme sport.

5. Pants are not your friend.

6. Heartburn sucks.

7. 2nd trimester energy = completely gone.

- 5 -

 I'd like to take this moment (because I have nothing else of interest to say this week) to introduce you to an important member of the family. This here is Juicy Mama. Despite what you think you're seeing, she (he?) is not a koi fish, but a goldfish. Not only is she a goldfish, she is a goldfish we won AT A CARNIVAL SIX YEARS AGO. 

She is the behemoth of her kind, and an absolute terror. Before she reached size ginormous she shared a tank with two fancy-tailed golfish (Doogan and Leroy - I'm obviously very traditional when it comes fish names) who she slowly but surely tortured to death. She's been flying solo for the past three years now - just the way she likes it. 

Her favorite pastimes include binge eating, inhaling the rocks at the bottom of her tank and spitting them at the glass (she used to hurl them at the other fish), and making an obscene amount of noise splashing in the middle of the night.

We heart her.

- 6 -

Itty bitty baby socks. They melt even the coldest heart.

My cats are obviously very discriminatory with their love.

My mom (henceforth known as Grandma) came to visit on Tuesday night and stayed until Thursday morning. She is the laundry guru and I'm lucky to have someone volunteer to separate, wash, and hang up all the baby clothes while I nap.  And by all the baby clothes I mean about 78 outfits, 19 blankets, a bajillion baby socks, and other miscellaneous items. This child will never be naked. 

My Dad (henceforth known as Grandpa) is coming up bright and early on Sunday to paint the baby's room and the guest bedroom. I will, again, be sleeping.

Much love and thanks to my parentals! 

- 7 -

Hey, remember when I used to write about things that were important and intellectual? Yeah, me neither.

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Originally posted last week, but reposting again since there is an actual link up this time. Click the button to visit the other ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter! :)

{pretty}

Look who got all crafty and finally did this project off of Pinterest! I'm seriously so proud of myself. I actually got my butt in gear and completed something - and it really does look Pinterest worthy!

I made two (one on each side of my fall flowers). Here is the price breakdown and where I got the supplies from:

Vases from Joann's $6.99 x 2 = $13.98

Pumpkin Spice candle from Joann's $4.99 x 2 = $9.98

4ply jute/twine from Joann's = $3.99

Yellow corn kernels from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Small Red Beans from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Green Split Peas from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

20% Off Coupon at Joann's = -$5.59

TOTAL for 2 Seasonal DIY Decor = $29.50

Or $14.75 for each Seasonal Vase

It's amazing how something as simple as beans in a vase can brighten your dining room. I can't wait to do a variation of this for every season. 

{happy}

I generally stick to a lactose free diet as it is easier on my ulcerative colitis. I drink lactose free milk, have soy milk with my Starbucks drinks, avoid yogurt and all soft cheeses, etc. Of course, I let myself indulge every once in awhile.

12 pack at Walmart for $5? Yes please. Nothing makes this pregnant mama happy like a can of chocolate gold.

{funny}

 I succumbed to the pressure and bought that damn giraffe everyone harps on about.  Don't get me wrong, I love me some eco friendly baby toys (or really eco anything, since I'm generally pretty crunchy) but $20 for something my baby is going to suck on? We had a gift card to Babies R Us so I felt justified in splurging.

You should have heard the sales lady.

Me: "So do you have that giraffe thing-"

Sales Lady: "Oh, you mean Sophie? She has her own section right over here, and there's only one left! She's really popular."

I'm sorry...are we still talking about the giraffe teether?

Just look at her, with her big eyes and rosy cheeks...I know she's plotting something.

{real}

While taking a bubble bath the other night, there were strange rattling sounds coming from the ceiling. I texted my husband (because that's how we do things around here) and he came to investigate... 

By spring boarding off the tub rail and onto the bathroom counter. BECAUSE THAT'S SAFE. First I'm freaked out that some creature has gotten into the air ducts, and NOW I'm freaked out that he's going to slip and fall, kill himself, and I'll be a pregnant widow. With no one to help me out of the tub.

No small mammals or husbands were harmed in the making of this post. Turned out to just be windy outside.

- - -

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

What I Wore to Thanksgiving Dinner

Totally late to the party on this...hope it's fashionably late. We've already eaten all of the leftovers, and I'm currently suffering from Round 2 of the 'itis - you know, that feeling of being stuffed/tired. Zzzzz...

Trying instacollage. I'm embarrassed to admit how long this took. 

We have a family tradition of camping at Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande for Thanksgiving, and we've done it since I was kid. We do a full turkey dinner just like everyone else, but we do it outdoors in the company of nature. Like pilgrims yo. We go with my Godparents and whoever else happens to be joining. Oh, and it's camping in a trailer. Don't get all "that's not really camping" with me. 

Deer in the background. Rustic.

Where is my turkey?

Sweater dress: totally not maternity (like that's not obvious), but got it from some random online store two years ago for under $20

Belt: same from WIWS

Sweater cardigan: super soft delight from Motherhood Maternity, $35

Leggings: same from WIWS

Boots: love my pirate boots, cheapos from Ross

Necklace: semi-polished amber, a gift from my German surrogate mother-in-law

Thanks to Grace for hosting this link-up, and of course to Fine Linen and Purple for the inspiration! Y'all should join us there this Sunday!