31 weeks & Thoughts on Turning the Big 3-0

Helloooo third trimester! How did you get here so fast? It's amazing how quickly time flies when you have a little wild thing to chase after each day. This pregnancy has been a pretty smooth ride and I am pretty surprised with how good I am still feeling this far along. I'm getting nervous though… a happy, healthy nervous. It's hard to imagine our family of three as a family of four, but I am more than excited to meet this little bundle of joy. Over the last few weeks, we have been getting little man's nursery all fixed up so it's a ready to go come November. It's been fun to create a new space within our home. Alec knows that the little room to his left is his "baby brudder's" room and we often sit on the floor together and re-read all the stories I once read to him back in his early stages of life. I think Al is going to make one heck of a big bro. I am really looking forward to seeing my two littles together.

Life is has been hectic lately. We have been road tripping to the beach these past few weekends and most of the time during the week, we have been playing catch-up… trying to run quick errands and get our home back in order. I am looking forward to Autumn. Praying hard that life slows down a touch so we can soak up these last moments together as three. I am also turning thirty this week. I thought I'd be a bit stressed about this upcoming milestone, but in fact, I am actually feeling more than ready. Bring it on thirty, I embrace you.

When I look back over the last ten years, I am more than content with how my twenties panned out. I graduated nursing school, started a rewarding career, married my best friend, and welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world. It's been a roller coaster ride for sure, but each and every moment was perfect, because it led me to this life. And my life is pretty darn great these days. And what's most exciting is that I think these next ten years are going to be even more fulfilling.

R&R

Dear Ocean,

Thank you for making us feel tiny, humble, inspired, and salty…

all at once.

If you follow me on insta you probably already know that we were away all last week. We spent a full seven days at the Jersey shore, Avalon to be exact, and it was every bit as glorious as I'd hoped it would be. We were fortunate enough to have some seriously beautiful weather, and so therefore, we hit the beach just about every single day. Alec was such a little water bug and it made me so full of joy to see his love for the ocean. Watching him play and run on the beach with his cousins reminded me so much of my own childhood summers. 

Our trip was full of adventure. Lots of morning beach play, outdoor showers, afternoon siestas, and evening ice cream dates. We spent a day in Cape May, checking out all the historic sites. We even made not one, but two, trips to the county zoo. (Which was actually amazing, and FREE. Can't beat that.) We visited Morey's Pier one evening, in Wildwood, and Alec was in awe of all the rides and bustling activity. We beach hopped over to Sea Isle City for a day in the sun with family and friends. Our time away was nothing short of amazing and filled with some much needed R&R. I feel so grateful  to have had this time together with my boys. So many wonderful memories were made that I will cherish for years to come.  

Anyways, get ready for picture overload. And these are just a few of the many photos I captured on the big cam while we were away. 

 Thanks for visiting! I hope your summer has gotten off to a great start as well. Hooray for sunshine and time spent by the sea.

Here and Now

It's hard to believe that in less than two weeks (12 days exactly but who's counting) we will be heading in for our little one's anatomy scan. I am overwhelmed with both excitement and angst when I think about this upcoming day. April 12th, 2013 we found out that Alec was a little boy, but at that same appointment, the doctor also discovered his heart defect. A beautiful moment overshadowed by devastating news. Possibly the best and worst moments of my life within a few short minutes of one another. I am incredibly anxious to know the sex of our new little bundle but I am even more anxious to know that they are forming properly within the womb. Although, to us, our Alec is absolutely perfect in every way, I hate knowing that he has had and will continue to deal with more than any child should. I pray every night that he will remain strong and continue to thrive as he has. I pray that our unborn child doesn't face the same struggles that he has faced. I thank God every day for the good fortune that we have been blessed with thus far. June 15th can't possibly come soon enough. 

I am currently 17 weeks pregnant. I am feeling strong and better than I have in months. This summer has gotten off to a fantastic start, and I can already tell it is going to be one for the books. We have hit the beach almost every weekend since mid-May and Alec has loved every second. The weather has been perfect, with exception of this week, and I couldn't be more grateful for all the time we've been able to spend outdoors. We've been soaking up long weekends together as a little family of three, knowing that the dynamic will drastically change come fall. I am hoping for many more 'feel-good' days and lots of summer adventures to come. 

Maternity Wear: Summer Edition

The first and second trimesters can be a little tough when it comes to your wardrobe. I, for one, have been struggling to put ensembles together that I feel comfortable in. My body is in a bit of a transition stage currently. My little bump is beginning to become noticeable, but to a complete stranger, I am sure there is a bit of confusion. "Is that chick chubby or knocked up?…Hmmm". So my goal is to avoid that little scenario and just keep my growing belly under wraps for a bit longer (Or until I just plain can't hide it anymore). Anyway, below are a few of my go-to summer picks. As you can probably tell, I am all about lightweight materials and a comfortable fit. Flowy dresses have been a lifesaver and thank the heavens that kimonos are back in style. Funky accessories have allowed me to jazz up a few of my basic pieces. Versatility is key. Although I can't wear some of the classics I adore, like high-waisted denim, I am having a lot of fun playing around with different ways to dress my growing bump.

RVCA Sucker Punch Dress/ F21 Embroidered Gauze Dress/ LOFT Lou and Grey Catalina Dress

Yoga Slingshot Flips/ UO Panama Hat/ RayBan Clubmaster Classic/ 

Maternity Side-Panel Denim/ ON Maternity Legging/ F21 Kimono

My Make-up Bag: Spring Edition

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

My makeup bag drastically changes from season to season. In the warmer months, I tend to avoid powders. I opt for a more natural glow. I first like to apply a simple anti-aging serum to a freshly washed face. I prefer Lancome, it's smooth and light and it doesn't cause break-outs. I then spread a BB cream evenly across my face. I prefer Maybelline's Dream Pure BB Cream. For starters, it's inexpensive. It contains 2% salicylic acid so it clears acne while still concealing imperfections and reducing redness. This product gets an A+ in my book.  I recently discovered Becca's shimmering skin perfecter in Opal. It's nice to add a touch to my moisturizer to use all over or it can be used as a highlighter on your brow and cheek bones. It really helps you to achieve that natural glow. Next, I add a dab of Benetint's Lollitint to my cheeks and lips to liven up my complexion and give my skin that barely-there flush. For me, a waterproof mascara is a must in the summer. With frequent trips to the beach or pool, I am bound to get splashed my toddler… so a mascara that stays in one place is absolutely necessary. As I get older, I am trying to be more cautious about sun exposure. I opt for CeraVe Sunscreen for my face. It protects without breaking me out, which is a miracle. In fact, it's truly the only face lotion I have ever used that didn't irritate my skin or clog pores. Their sunscreen is a must. I also love any spf lip balm by Sun Bum. The coconut is topnotch. 

Enjoy the warmth that is coming your way! Happy Spring folks!

Plans

Kiel and I had been talking of plans to visit Florida as a family for quite some time. After all, our last trip down south was pretty incredible, view here. We thought that we could possibly get cardiac clearance from Alec's cardiologist at his last appointment in January, but unfortunately, we thought wrong. Very wrong. No clearance to fly with our little bug and lots of talk of procedures and surgeries instead. The docs offered us some guidance, in regards to family planning, and the ultimate decision that was made was to hold off on any future kiddos until we are through the thick of it. With all that being said, we are focusing on the positive and taking this next year or so to focus on other things instead.

We've decided to do some traveling in the year ahead, some as a family, some as a couple, and some on our own. Although we can't go too far, we are planning many road trips as a family. We always manage to visit the Delaware Beaches at least a handful of times in the summer and I'd love to throw a possible camping trip into the mix. Kiel and I have both wanted to take short, little getaways of our own, but their haven't been too many opportunities to do so with all that's been going on. Plus, until now, we just didn't feel ready to leave our little guys for more than one or two nights. I would love, love, love to get out to California to visit my college bestie. And Kiel has been wanting to take a boys trip down south to enjoy the sunshine and hit a few rounds of gold with his buddies. Hopefully, this year we can stammer up the courage to make these plans actually come to fruition.

As far as a couple getaway goes, I've been doing my research and I keep going back to the same place over and over. It's a long shot, but I've been dying to get out to the West Coast, Oregon specifically. If we can make it work financially and if we can convince my parents to watch Alec while we're gone, I would love to spend three days in the city (Portland specifically) and three days on the coast (Cannon Beach has seemed most appealing). I've read so many amazing things about both locations and airbnb offers quite a few affordable, aesthetically pleasing accommodations.

Portland seems like an incredible place to visit. Tons of amazing local coffee roasters and gourmet donut shops (two of my favorite things). Great vintage shopping and curbside food trucks galore. Eclectic bars, a buzzing music scene, and plenty of flea markets. I have so much on my to-do list, I don't really know if three days is enough! I expect our time in the city to be busy and tiring, which is okay by me. But I do feel as though we deserve some time to relax, as well... that's when we head to the coast. Only an hour and a half drive from the city, Cannon Beach seems like the most ideal spot to spend a couple lazy days together. The pictures I've seen are just breath-taking. The weather is a bit cool, which would probably be a nice break for us come August on the East coast. Our mornings could be spent hiking through Ecola State Park or cruising on bikes along the coastline. Evenings could be spent at home, cooking meals, drinking wine, and just spending quality time together, 1:1.

I really pray we can make this work, and if not this exactly, something along these lines. Do you have any suggestions overall? Places you've visited that you really enjoyed? Or semi-local family getaways that you'd recommend? All or any advice welcome! I think 2015 is going to be an adventurous year, and I look forward to each and every bit of it.

Snapshots

I have recently taken a little unplanned hiatus from this here blog. Time has been flying by and its feels as though there are just never enough hours in the day. Autumn is just around the bend, and although I am more than ready for mums, honeycrisp apples, and pumpkin beer, I am sad to see this Summer go. My little boy has grown so much over these last few months and we shared so many beautiful moments together over this past Summer. Here are just a few recent snapshots that sum up our life as of late.

Bath time has become part of our daily evening routine. My little man LOVES the water and could sit in this here tub until his little fingers and toes are wrinkled to bits.

We spent this past weekend at the beach with family. It was super fun to close out the Summer with one last beach trip. We hit the boardwalk, road the carousel, and plopped our booties right in the sand. 

We got some professional family photos taken last week and I am so excited to see how they turned out. Also, we are celebrating Alec's First Birthday this weekend. Lots to come on the blog this September so be sure to check us out!

Dinner and Drinks

The weather has been absolutely amazing these past few days. Come dinner time, each night, it hits about 75 degrees and our screened-in porch feels just about perfect. We've been dining outdoors at sunset and it seems that our little outdoor space has become my very favorite feature of our new home.

I do my best at cooking, but I will openly admit that I am no Rachel Ray. The entrees I make are rather predictable and usually somewhat bland. Fortunately, Pinterest has been a real game changer for Kiel and I. My 'Good Eats" board has been a go-to as of late, and tonight I put together a little dish called Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas, courtesy of Kevin & Amanda. Four ingredient dinners are right up my alley and this one actually turned out really well. If your into Mexican, I would highly recommend giving it a go.

In addition to our yummy meal, we made a couple home-made margaritas. 

1 - 2 shots    tequila

           1 shot    Triple Sec

        1/3 cup    club soda

     2/3 cup    Fresca

                                1/2     fresh-squeezed lime

             Pour over crushed ice

With a little one who hits the hay around 7:30, and a husband who doesn't get home from work until after 6pm… a date night out can be a bit challenging sometimes. With that being said, we try and keep things fresh and fun by bringing date night to Belmont Street every now and again. These cool summer nights have made for the perfect setting so we have been taking advantage as much as possible.

Our Summer Vacation

Family vacation was incredible. It was the first time the four of us (Oliver included) have spent more than three consecutive days together since Alec's arrival. We packed as much fun as we could into each and everyday without forgetting to slow down and relax a bit too. We had some fantastic weather and spent many of our days lounging under a canopy in the sand until nearly dinner time. Kiel and I both got some real opportunities to relax, both on our own and together. My parents were a great help with Alec, especially in the mornings, and both Kiel and I got more sleep than we had in months. Friday night couldn't have been a more awesome close to our week. Kiel and my Dad played some live music at our local beach bar and the crowd was plentiful, buzzed, and happy. It was a really fun night that couldn't have turned out any better. 

Alec absolutely loved vacation. He ate the sand, spent time with cousins and friends, took a few dips in the sea...but best of all he FINALLY learned how to crawl. Needless to say, he is getting pretty darn quick, pretty darn fast... so Kiel and I left early this morning to make sure we could finish up baby proofing once we got home! Life is good and although I am very sad for vacation to come to a close, I am definitely ready to be in the comforts of my own home and to sleep in my own big comfy bed.

Nine Months.

Nine months, say what?! Alec is nine months old and before I know it we are going to be celebrating his first birthday. This past month has been especially great. Alec has discovered so many things that he can do and it's both amazing and hilarious to watch him grow into this incredible little human. He says "Dada" pretty much all day long. "Mama" is reserved for when he's sad or when he wants more food. Other than our names, Alec can clearly say the words  "dog" and "hey"... there is a lot of 'hey dawwwg' being said around our house.  He is obsessed with our dog, Oliver. Just the sight of him entering a room makes Alec's eyes light up with joy. It really is adorable. Alec's little tuft of strawberry blonde hair is getting thicker with each day and he has developed this intense little side part that makes him look like such a young gentleman (just like his Dad). He just started clapping along to songs and waving hello and goodbye. He has recently become a bit shy... leaning his little head into my shoulder when someone new walks into the room or says hello. After about five minutes or so, he warms right up and is more than willing to make a new friend. He is pivoting around in a circle and rolling all over the floor, but still not officially on the move as of yet. Ten months is the month though.. I can see it happening any day now. Nine months has been a good one and I just can't wait to see what ten months brings. 

As for his heart, check-ups have been going well. Alec has weathered his first cold and recovered quite quickly. His color is great and his oxygen levels are holding strong. We are so proud of our brave boy and we are so very grateful that Alec is thriving. God is good.

Heat Wave

We are in the midst of a serious heat wave in Delaware and I am struggling. My preggo body just cannot adjust. Every time I walk out the door, an immediate sweatbath consumes me and I feel like I can hardly breathe. 98 degrees in not okay, give me 85 any day! 

32 Weeks

Our little guy is officially thirty two weeks today. He is most likely measuring over four pounds and is approximately seventeen inches in length. He is moving all around in there... making his presence known constantly. It's really hard to believe that we only have eight weeks left to prepare for our little man's arrival. I am starting to get super anxious for my shower... because if you know me at all you'd know that I can't wait to get everything perfectly organized. We registered at Buy Buy Baby and Pottery Barn Kids... and boy was that an overwhelming experience. Thank God I brought my mommy mentor, Jen, along for the ride or I would have never made it out of there. 

Most of my downtime these days has been dedicated to our boy.. lots of doctor appointments and endless phone calls to our insurance company. I just ordered a bunch of prints from society6.com to hang in the nursery. Things are really starting to come together. We've selected a pediatrician and scheduled ourselves for infant CPR and a car seat safety check. Overall, I am feeling as prepared as I can at this point in time, but I will admit that reality is starting to set in... these are our last few moments as just man, woman, and pup. Our family dynamic is going to very different here soon. As much as that panics me, it more excites me. I have wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember and I absolutely cannot wait to meet our special little boy.

xoxo -L

Bits of our weekend

Kiel and I spent the weekend at the beach with family. It was so nice to relax and enjoy some downtime after the crazy work week we both had. Kiel and I raced down to the beach on Friday morning and spent the afternoon with his family in Fenwick Island. It was so nice to catch up with everyone on his side of the fam. Saturday we woke up slow... sipping coffee (only 1 cup for me!) and then took pup on a nice long walk along the bay. We spent the entire afternoon on the beach with my family. Kiel really took advantage of the opportunity to play some beach games with our nieces and nephews. Sunday was beyond refreshing. Just the two of us headed to the drive-on beach. It's a whole different dynamic when it's just us... lots of reading under the umbrella and discussions about our little one on the way. Overall, the weekend was as absolute success. I hope yours was as well!

Happy Holiday Weekend!

I have to work the holiday... BUT all that really means is that I'll be raking in some sweet time and a half, and my next paycheck is gonna be super satisfying. I will be heading down south first thing this morning. I have high hopes for this weekend... hopefully, the afternoon thunderstorms will subside and we can actually feel like we live in Delaware instead of Florida. The flash flood warnings are getting a little out of hand. I can't wait for bbq's, fireworks, and beach bonfires. (Let's be honest here... I am most excited about shoving my pregnant face with chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallow... mmm mmm.) Happy Fourth of July weekend everyone!