Granny H.

My Granny H. lost her battle with bone cancer this evening.

Along with many other things, I will always remember how funny my Granny was, she always made me laugh and always had a smile on her face.  When I was little my mom would take us to visit her and I would look forward to playing at the park in her subdivision and having "ice cream soup".  She got me my first real cabbage patch kid and told me once, "kissing gets rid of the hiccups".  She always had King Vitamin cereal at her house and I still love that cereal to this day, just because it reminds me of her.  She was a wonderful story teller and I remember looking through photo albums with her and listening to stories about my mom and all of her brothers.  I could go on and on about this strong and amazing woman. I feel lucky to have had her in my life.

Rest in peace Granny, I love you, you will be missed ♥

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

~ David Harkins

24 Weeks

How far along: 24 weeks today - 112 days to go! Sometimes I wake up in the morning and feel like this has all been a dream.  Steve and I are always playing the "remember when" game.  Remember when we were just starting injections?  Remember when we went for the retrieval? Remember when we got our BFP? I can't say it enough, I'm so thankful every day.

What baby is up to: Baby girl is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. She's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree".

She is still rolling around, kicking, and punching like a champ! I can tell she is getting stronger in there and it makes me so happy!

What we've been up to: Not a whole lot- we've been taking it easy since our trip to PA.  We did go to a consignment baby store last night and found a changing table that works perfectly in baby girl's room!  It was super inexpensive and we just couldn't pass it up!  Then we went to BRU and found a glider on sale for 75% off- another awesome deal!!

This weekend we have a lot of yard work and weeding to do in our flower beds (ugh, not fun) they have definitely been neglected.

Other than that we are just going to have a relaxing holiday weekend.

What we're looking forward to:  Our OB appointment next week, getting more done around the house and in baby girl's room, meeting my new niece (hopefully soon!!), and having another baby shower at the end of July ♥

Belly pic:

Feeling blessed

We had such a great time in PA visiting family and friends!

Friday we had our first baby shower at a local country club.  I cannot thank my mother in law (Jeanne) and family friend (Michelle) enough for planning our shower, everything was beautiful!  We had a delicious dinner and opened our gifts with about 35 family and friends.  Being surrounded by people who care that much about you is a great feeling.  Thanks again to everyone who came out!

our cake- yum!

one of the beautiful tables

so cute!!

Saturday I got to meet Danielle from Journey Through IF and I have gained a life long friend.  I can't say enough good things about her and her husband- amazing, amazing people.  We had a great lunch and the conversation could have gone on for hours!  She even had the sweetest onesie made for our baby girl...it literally brought tears to my eyes.  Danielle, thank you so much- there are no words for how much this meant to me.

Danielle & I

Steve and I also went to a couples shower for Steve's best friend from childhood.  He is getting married in October and we couldn't be happier for him & his sweet fiance!  It was so nice to catch up with friends that we don't get to see that often.

Now here I am on my couch, watching a movie, catching up on blogs & relaxing.  Life is Good!

23 Weeks

How far along: 23 weeks today!  119 days to go!

What baby is up to: Baby girl is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

I'm pretty sure she has had hiccups a couple of times this week, it feels like little jumps in the same spot over and over- I love it!  There have also been a few times that my belly has been lopsided when she gets curled up in a strange spot :)

What we've been up to: This week we put her crib together (awesomeness), celebrated Father's Day, and we have seen (not just felt) her kick!

My feet and ankles are swollen and after a long day of sitting at my desk my tail bone is beyond painful.  I'm going back to my acupuncturist next week to see what she can do.

If anyone has any ideas for swollen feet I would be so grateful!!

What we're looking forward to:  A 3 day weekend full of family and friends ♥

weekend happenings

This past weekend we had a ton of fun stuff going on. 

Friday we went and picked up our crib and put it together.  It was exciting and I was so happy, but my "infertile mind" turned on about half way through the process and I blurted out to Steve,  "What are we going to do with this if something bad happens?"  I felt bad as soon as I said it, but I couldn't help it.  I needed some reassurance that everything is going to turn out ok.  Of course Steve had the right thing to say (as always) and I felt better.  



don't mind the mess!

of course Sadie had to help!

all put together!

Saturday we went to Warrior Dash.  If you have never heard of it- I highly suggest you go here and watch the video on the front page. The best way I can describe it is a 3.25 mile race through the woods with obstacles to get through.  This was my sister's second year running it and Steve decided he wanted to try it out.  It was so much fun to watch everyone competing and having a good time.  I couldn't believe how many people participated- I am so doing it next year! 

before the race

after the race

Sunday of course was father's day so we went out to my dad's farm and had a cookout with the family.  We had a nice visit and there was tons of great food to eat!

Not a lot happening this week.  I'm patiently waiting for the end of work on Thursday so we can start our 3 day weekend in PA.  We have a lot planned and I'm looking forward to all of it!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy father's day to my dad, Mark, the toughest guy I know. 

Thinking back on my childhood there are a lot of things you taught me that have stuck with me to this day...  check your oil, get up early, get your chores done, don't do anything half ass, and last but not least...always have good music playing. In all seriousness dad, you are the hardest working man I have ever met.  Farming takes so many talents and sacrifices and I am in awe of everything you do.  You always provided the things we needed and even the things we wanted but didn't necessarily need.  Thank you for everything dad, and happy father's day!

And of course, happy father's day to my wonderful husband. 


Future daddy on transfer day


I know our baby girl may not be here yet, but I still consider you a father. You are already providing for her and working hard to create a wonderful home to bring her into.  We have been through a lot to get to where we are and I couldn't ask for a better partner in all of this.  I've said it before and I will say it again, you are going to be an amazing dad and we are lucky to have you!

Steve's father's day present :)

Whether you are a father already, waiting to be a father, or are a father at heart... happy father's day to all the great men out there!!

Advice for my 20 year old self...

I saw this idea on lovely Mag's page this morning and I thought, what advice would I give my younger self if I could?  It's strange to think back on the silly/crazy/stupid things I did in college and the things I thought were so important at that time in my life.  I know college is the time you grow, learn things about yourself, meet new people, and create your own life but I wonder how my life would look now if I had done things differently....or maybe, everything happens for a reason.

Advice I would give my 20 year old self:

1.  Never take your mom for granted. Life is short and you will miss her very much one day, sooner than you think. Soak up all her wisdom, learn her recipes, talk about her life before you, and ask her advice about being a mother. 

2.  Thank your dad for everything he has done for you.  You will soon learn that not everyone has a dad as great as you do.

3.  Listen to your sister's advice, she's "been there, done that", she knows what she's talking about, and she only wants what is best for you.

4.  Have more confidence and self-respect.  If a guy doesn't call you back, it is not the end of the world.  If he calls you at 2am, don't answer the phone.

5.  You don't always have to do what your friends do, sometimes it's ok to say no.  If they are true friends, they won't care. And you will meet some really fantastic, true friends who will be in your life for a long time.

6.  Trust your instinct.  Always.

7.  Although it may seem like there are no good guys left, you will find one and you won't be expecting it.  He is amazing.

8.  One of your biggest problems is you care too much what people think about you.  Remember this quote:  When you become immobilized by what anybody else thinks of you, what you're saying is: "Your opinion of me is more important than my own opinion of myself." Wayne Dyer

9.  You will struggle with whether or not to move home, don't worry.... everything happens for a reason.

10.  Live life, be happy, you'll be fine.

What advice would you give your 20 year old self??