September? Where did summer go?

My parent's backyard over the 4th of July Holiday.

Summer flew by this year!  Or was it just that I was too preoccupied to notice?
Avery has kept every day interesting.  From squeals to giggles, this little girl has enough energy to make every day feel like a party. 

I jokingly mentioned to my husband that I needed a full time job to afford all the clothes I want to buy. And he said something very refreshing and eye opening. He made a comment saying that I do have a full time job, I just don't get paid money for working.  But I get paid with smiles, laughs,& priceless moments that are a gift just for me from Avery. Moments that can never be reproduced or shared, moments that shape my soul.
I have never felt more like myself than I do now being a mother. I have come into a whole new freedom that I could never have any other way.

We weren't planning to get pregnant and have a baby while going to college.  That's not the ideal financial situation, no money coming in and a LOT of money going out.  However, God had better plans.  I honestly don't think I would have survived living the same way for yet another two years, just waiting until we could start a family.  And now that we have Avery I almost wish we would have started a family sooner. The joy and freedom and life that I've discovered is like nothing else and I sure wouldn't mind having started sooner.  But God's timing IS perfect!  And it is fascinating to me how God has provided every single one of our needs (and MANY wants) seamlessly along the journey.  I have no fear of financial dismay or material insufficiency.  Not because I am stupid, unaware of reality, or careless, but because I have faith.  I trust God and have confidence without any doubts that He loves us and knows how to take care of us. He has blessed us in so many ways all of these years.  And I feel so honored that He has blessed us with a beautiful and happy baby girl.  She is perfect in every way and it brings a smile to the very core of my being when I see those little big eyes look at my face and light up. 

And there she is, her little grunts in the baby monitor.  That little voice that fills my heart with happiness anytime I hear it. Yes, I want her to sleep, but her voice is an astounding comfort that my little world is ok and normal.  I was created to be her mother, and hopefully a mother to maybe a brother or sister of hers. 

Thanks for reading to this point. I adore how every person is so different.  And how different people make up unique families.  And the unique solutions to each family's issues.  When did we start thinking that different is wrong and not just, well, different?  

The more I read about parents and babies the more I realize you need to find your parenting style and family style and commit to it. There's no uniform solution for any kind of issue with any person in any area of your life.  I wonder where the idea started that there should be one thing that always should work for everyone. 

Hmmm... that certainly doesn't make sense to me.  I really didn't intent on sharing jumbled thoughts tonight. 
But thanks for reading and you are welcome to continue the conversation.  Yes, I have conversations with myself in my head.  Who doesn't?  

Day Sixteen

Friday, February 8th.

Confession:

I never got dressed today.   

Today I was working in the house cleaning and getting things ready for my parents to come, 

and I honestly did not have time to get dressed. 

I gotta say though, I really enjoyed my sweatshirt and pj pants today.

But you do get a special treat:

Behold, my beautiful snowman. 

=)

16 Weeks

Week 16: Baby C is now the size of an Avacado

New Milestones:

His scalp pattern has started to develop! (Even though he hasn't started growing hair yet)

He is starting to grow toenails!

His heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood a day!

 

Coming Soon:

In the next few weeks, he will double his weight!

I will soon be able to feel the baby move!

 

        I am still very thankful that I feel normal. I didn't realize just how much I took it for granted before. Feeling normal is actually quite pleasant. My appetite is almost normal. The only strange thing is that I don't have much of a sweet tooth right now. Which is very abnormal. Don't get me wrong, I still have a sweet tooth, but it's just not as big as normal. I suppose that is a very good thing anyways.

       I still don't really look pregnant. People are asking me if I am showing. I can tell that I am, but apparently it's not very obvious. I still look like I am just not sucking in my gut. I am sure that I will be sick of being huge by month 8 anyways, so I guess no rush little one.

 

Akward moment:

 ( have had a few of these actually.) My personal space bubble has been broken a few times when some very kind hearted and good intentioned women rubbed my belly. Remember that I am not really showing. So it's really like they are just rubbing my belly, not a baby bump. I am SO uncomfortable with this. I hope I think of a kind way of asking people not to.

Because I really don't like it.

 

Missing Anything? Lunch meat.

For some reason, any sort of food involving lunch meat sounds really great. For example, pickles wrapped in ham with cream cheese! Good ol' fashion sandwiches, lunch meat on salads and in eggs. I usually don't want lunch meat that much, but lately I have wanted these particular things.

 

Currently craving: Creamy Mac-n-Cheese with Tuna.

For those of you that have been around me quite a bit, you know that this isn't a strange pregnancy craving, I usually eat my Mac-n-cheese with Tuna.

 

Latest news:

At my last Dr.'s appointment everything was in good shape. I finally discovered that I am blood type A+. The baby's heartbeat was loud, strong and consistant again. So wonderful to hear that little sound. It blows my mind just trying to imagine a little person with the little heartbeat. Well, really, it's quite the heart beat, much faster than mine, and that's good. There is one little thing that will change my labor-plans just a smidge, but it's nothing too serious and everybody is going to be fine.

 

Silly Staci Highlight:

Even though I am not showing, my clothes are starting to get uncomfortable and so I have been on the hunt for maternity clothes. I dis-like wearing pants in general, so I decided that the only maternity pants that I HAVE to buy would be a pair of work pants and then some leggings. I decided that maxi dresses and skirts are going to be my normal wear during the big months. So, the other day, I had some extra time in town and I was in Walmart. I peaked around in the clothing section to find some maxi dresses on clearance from the summer. I ended up taking three with me for just, wait for it, $11! But that's not all, I stopped over at Goodwill next....... Long story short, there's only one place with maternity clothes within a two hour driving distance. Target in Marquette. Just so happens that Target sells their "left-overs" to Goodwill. And just so happens that there was a pair of work pants, tee, tank, and maxi dress never-worn-before-tag-still-on-it in my size!!! Thank you, Jesus! I also found some other fantastic things like an Old Navy knit cape that will serve as a blanket in disguise that is socially acceptable attire for public. YAY. I even found some other things that day at Salvation Army. I think that I am almost done shopping for my maternity wear thanks to Jesus and that one day of thrifting. It sure was fun!

 

Well, that's all! Thanks for sticking in there during this super long post.

 

*Love Life*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

googleimage

Happy Birthday 

to my wonderful mother, Peri!

I love you!

Happy Birth Day Owen!

 Owen John was born June 1st, 2012. 

This little guy has the best hair do goin on and the best family for him to come into. 

Congratulations to my big brother Kenney and his wife, Candace, 

and their two little ones, Isabella and Wyatt.

The whole family. And Candace, looking beautiful on the same day! Look at Wyatt's face!

Owen's awesome hair-do.

Bella all exited to go visit Baby Owen in the hospital.

Precious

Daddy just fixing Bella's pony-tail.

Goofy picture!

It's a Boy!

Gentleman

Grandpa and Grandson

Two wonderful guys!

Bella's face! What a goof ball!

Mr. Wyatt

Hospital Room Toss

Playing with some crazy new toys from Grandma

This. Melts. My. Heart.

He's adorable!

Love

The end.

She Wore Enough Color For One Day

|Maxi Skirt : Goodwill $5|

I can't help but think of a clown costume when I see this skirt.
Nonetheless, something about it makes me adore it.
{Shear, polka-dots, colorful. Nothing wrong with that.}
So, as to not feel like I was not performing in a circus, I kept everything else as simple as I could.
Black : Studs, Long sleeve Tee, Skinny belt, & Sandals.
Oh, did I mention it has pockets. Thumbs up.

Gotta keep yourself from getting too serious.

The end.

Adventures of Lilly

Sunshine
Pedicures
Puppy Kisses
Bows & Leopard Scarves
Riding with your face out the window...

All in all, a good day with mom & Lilly

The end.

 

DIY: From Purse to Belt

For so long I've looked at this little purse and thought, I wish that was a belt.

In fact, that is why I still have it. 

Well, I decided one day that it was going to happen. And it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. 

Most of the work was cutting. There was a very minimal amount of actual sewing. 

I mostly just had a blast with this because it's one of those things that I finally just did! Wahoo!

Angi's old purse from high school

First: I cut off the buckle

Second: I cut off the handle

Now we have a simple clutch. Fantastic!

This is the layout. But I need more material to hook the handle to the buckle.

So Third: I cut off the remaining detail from the front

Fourth: I trimmed the extra material and folded it over to create a loop. I also trimmed the corners to match up in the width.

Fifth: I sewed the loops together with jeans needles because it is a thick material.

Sixth: I hand stitched the ends together. Mostly because the machine couldn't handle this part.

I think this is my favorite part of the belt though. Quirky detail.

And here it is.

I was so exited about it, I wore it out that evening. hehe

And with the 'clutch'? Well, amazingly enough, the "belt loops" were still attached. Bringing back the fanny pack.     JUST KIDDING HAHA! This does crack me up though. 

I hope you enjoyed this! What do you think about the fanny pack?