33 weeks and the Easter Beagle came Charlie Brown!

Wow! What a full week it's has been. Josh's birthday, a doctor's appointment, a Cecilia visit, some adventurin' with Steph and more nursery progress. Not to mention, it's EASTER.

This year Josh didn't want a cake for his birthday, he just wanted me to make him some brownies. I made his favorite: chocolate brownies with white chocolate chips inside (you must try it!), just don't run out of milk like we did. Still, they came out better than I could've dreamed.

At our 32 week checkup on Tuesday, Major Pam (she's our midwife, Maj. is her rank and since we're in centering we go by first names; hence Major Pam, just thought I'd clear that up) taught us how to feel for the baby's head. Totally cool. We also toured L&D, Josh even volunteered to be a "mommy-to-be" and Major Pam showed all the initial things they do when we first get there using Josh. Did I take pictures? You betcha!

Cecilia came for another visit. I always feel more prepared for the labor when Cecilia comes. I won't speak for Josh, but I learn more from Cecilia than I do from centering, it might be because I know I can ask or talk about anything and she always has a comforting way of answering. She gets me.

Stephanie and I traveled back to our favorite German store, this time Josh joined us. I don't know that Josh had as much fun as we did, but I know he'll want to return soon enough! We got some new place mats for our table, I'll post pictures soon.

As for our nursery, we found a used dresser online that matches our crib beautifully and it was a bargain. Can't beat that! All of our wall decor is either in or finished, just needs to be hung up! We also purchased our stroller and car seat (thanks mom and dad!), so really all that's left to do is wait for some fabric to come in so I can make a bed skirt and some curtains and we're finished!

April is going to be a busy month for us; this weekend is Easter, and every weekend until May we have a baby shower. I'm feeling blessed, just one shower was exciting to me, but 3? Thank you friends and family for making this possible for Josh and I especially since we're overseas, this is way more than I ever could've dreamed of.

I have always been obsessed with Easter, I love the colors, the festivities, dressing up special, watching "It's the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown," Easter supper, oh and the whole thing where this guy named Jesus rose from the dead, I don't know if you heard about it, but it was a pretty big deal. I can't wait to share this with Etcha next year!

Josh and I want to wish everyone a

Milestones and Nursery Ideas

Holy smokes, where did January go?! In years past, January always crept by since it’s my birthday month; this year, however, it seems to have slipped through my fingers!

It was so weird to ring in this New Year, the thought of entering the year that Etcha will be joining us makes it seem so much closer, and more real! This coming Friday will mark the age that I will be when I give birth-that’s just nuts! I’m happy to celebrate these milestones, however small they may be, why not?!

Josh and I have FINALLY decided on the baby’s room theme!!! It’s not that we’ve been arguing over it, I just keep changing my mind! Aww the joys of being a lady! Perhaps my statement was a little misleading-we’re not really going with a theme as much as we’re going with colors. Royal blue and lime green to be exact. It’s not that I dislike nursery themes; I just can’t to commit to one theme. I probably changed my mind 10 times before deciding it was probably best to just go with colors!

Really, I think it’s because of my ambition to sew and create a unique nursery that we’re shying away from a specific theme. One of the things I want to make are curtains for the baby’s room and if I choose a theme I might be limiting myself to only one fabric or design, and I like having different options, does that make sense?!

Now that we’ve chosen what we want to do for Etcha’s room, we can actually proceed in making these plans come to life! I can’t wait to see the finished product!

Snips and Snails...

Josh and I were convinced that we were having a girl, and at first I was shocked, but I am so happy that he is healthy and growing rapidly! I might also add, our child had no problem whatsoever showing his goods, but when it came to seeing his face he was being so stubborn; I think he takes after his dad! 

Now that we know we are having a precious boy, Josh and I will be working to get our son’s nursery in order and hopefully get a few items added to our registry! Can’t wait to start shopping for this kid!!!

Oh the possibilities!

Can you believe how many names there are in this world?! Too many to choose from! How are we supposed to whittle the list down from an infinite supply of names to just one that both of us agree on-yowza! 

I guess the first step is to find out what we’re having, that’ll at least make it 50% easier to decide! Luckily, Josh and I have a few names floating around to hopefully make our choice easier, only time will tell though!

How did you decide on your child’s name? Is it a family name? Something you’ve always wanted since you were little? Was it important to have an original name, or perhaps a more traditional name was a better choice for your bundle of joy?!

To think all this stress for the first name, maybe we'll just stick with Etcha! And don’t even get me started on the middle name dilemma!

What people don't tell you about pregnancy

With less than a week until Josh and I find out the sex of Etcha, I started thinking about before we got pregnant and how I thought this pregnancy would go, and the expectations that I had. So, I figured this was a perfect time to share what I wasn’t expecting while expecting!

I was so nervous about the possibility of morning sickness during pregnancy. I have so many friends that got pregnant before me who had a tough time with morning (noon, and night) sickness and it only seemed natural that I was supposed to get it too; I feel so fortunate to be able to say that I have had no issues (and I’m keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way).

Who knew that watching the Darth Vader Volkswagen commercial would cause such a large amount of water works?! I wouldn’t say that I’m crazy-emotional, but I’m a girl and random things will make me tear up. I wasn’t expecting however, to break down during a commercial I’ve not only seen a million and a half times, but a commercial I’ve never cried during either, weird.

I think I can speak for everyone that really knows me when I say that my pregnancy cravings have been a little lackluster. I enjoyed weird things before becoming pregnant; baby dill pickles dipped in chocolate pudding anyone?! It’s somewhat disappointing that I haven’t had cravings on the fun side. I do, however, enjoy macaroni and cheese, tater tots, grapes, and any fruit juice!

Have you ever been people watching (I know I can’t be the only one) and noticed a woman who suddenly stops and either hunches down or quickly, and awkwardly crosses her legs while still standing because she needed to cough or sneeze?! I get it now. I always thought it was so funny to see grown women act so strangely and never knew what they were doing, but its all clear. They were slightly peeing themselves. This is my karma for laughing at those women, because I too feel the need to take “the stance.” I share this only to warn those who are also pregnant, possibly thinking about becoming pregnant, or are near me when I cough, sneeze or laugh.

Anyway, there are probably more expectations or things I wish I knew before hand, but due to pregnancy brain, I’ve just plum forgot what they are!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Eve!

Good grief Charlie Brown can you believe we are a few days away from Christmas?! I'm so excited for our first German Christmas! The pickle is hidden and presents (that are here) are wrapped!

Josh has been home this whole week and I love it! We’ve been in our new house for about a month and its finally starting to look like a home! Boxes have been emptied, and belongings put away. There are still a few stragglers that we need to take care of, but the place is looking good!  

We are so excited to start getting things together for the baby’s room finally! Finding items that are gender neutral is almost impossible over here, so we haven’t made much progress. I am starting to fall in love with Eddie Bauer, because it’s a mostly gender neutral line, but oh so expensive. You win some; you lose some I guess. Thank goodness for Ramstein Yard Sales!

Speaking of the baby, we will be finding out what Etcha’s gender is on January 9^th! I want to know, don’t get me wrong; but I think I’m more excited to finally start the baby’s room with the gender specific color palate I have in mind!

Tomorrow, we are going to be baking our little hearts out! I will do my best to post recipes! I love this time of year!!! I hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas!!!