bliss list ~ march

Running - After I got the all clear from my doctor that I was off all restrictions, I slowly incorporated running back into my workout regimen. While I'm not back to my 8 1/2 minute mile for 40 minutes run I'm slowly building up as I am incorporating running with some brisk walking. It's a bit strange - I can tell it's harder to run and know that I can't run as fast or as long as I used to but it's great to pick the pace up a bit and sweat! I'm not sure how much longer my body will allow me to run but I'm going to give it a go for as long as it lets me. I've also started a Yoga/Pilates class one day a week, hoping I can gain a little flexibility. I'm really trying to ward off any unnecessary weight gain and help my body make a somewhat decent bounce-back after delivery...we will see!

via ben kimball

New Jeans - I made it to 20 weeks but right at the 20 week mark, I had to break down and wear maternity jeans. Previously, I had been holding everything up with the BeBand from Target. That thing worked wonders for several weeks but inevitable, as they should, my pants began to feel snugger. When I slipped on those elastic band wonders, one word came to mind - relief! I picked up a couple pairs of maternity jeans last weekend, one with a full panel and one with a hidden panel. The jeans with the full panel are still too big but the hidden panel jeans fit just right. I just might have to splurge for another pair in the name of comfort.

{via old navy}

Baby Clothes - They are so darn cute! And since we know we're having a girl we've received (and purchased) a few adorable onesies, pants, tops, and dresses. Looking at those little clothes hung up in her closet did make me melt a bit.

{via kohl's}

Green Grass - The last of the snow (it better be the last) has melted, we've had some spring showers and our grass is green.  A sure sign of spring!  Last year Hubby and I did a complete yard re-haul.  Weeds had taken over our once plush lawn so with many hours of labor a pounds of seed and fertilizer we took back control of our lawn and ended the fall season with the most beautiful grass I have ever seen!  I was a little nervous how it would fare the winter months but it's proven to revive quite well.  Hopefully with a little maintenance and upkeep we'll have a nice looking lawn throughout the spring and summer months.

via v.plessky

august * september * october * january * february

mantel makeover ~ part 2

In January (man, that was long ago!) while un-decking the halls after Christmas I realized the mantel was looking a little bare.  It took several weeks (the cold made is hard to go out!) but over time I was able to pick up a few items to help make the mantel a little more complete.

Here is a before picture of our mantel:

And here's how it's looking now:

The best part - my mantel makeover cost less than $30.  I already had the hurricane vase, frame, candle sticks, and candles.  I landed the mirror at Gordman's for $8.00 (amazing what a coupon and store credit can get you!), the brownish-gold vase for $14 at TJ Maxx, and the twigs from Michael's, buy one get one free.  Not too bad!

frugalista ~ part 1

There are two parts of Target's new campaign that I love. One, they're titling it "frugalitsa". What a great and chic word to use. It sounds so much better than cheap. I'm all for being a frugalitsa! Second, have you seen Target's new Liberty of London line? Such fun and cheery designs for all things - clothing, bedding, decorating, storage, even sporting (bicycles!). Each week I want to highlight something different on the Liberty of London line. Make sure to search for these fun items when you're at your local Target.

First item ~ bedding...

spring weeknight

One of my Christmas presents to Hubby was finally put to good use! After several months of waiting, we were finally able to enjoy a concert together - John Mayer per Hubby's liking (and he's grown on me a bit too).

I'd never been to KC's new Sprint Center so was anxious to see what the hype was about. I was a bit surprised by the size of the concourse areas - a QuickTrip in the center? Really? I saw that from the STEEP flight of escalators we had to take to our seats, all the way up in the nose bleed section. Man those escalators were scary! I know that a fear of heights is a complete mental issue but the higher we went, the more panicked I got. Plus I'm not a huge fan of escalators to begin with. When we finally reached the top and met an usher we were informed our seats had been upgraded. Jackpot! We exchanged our old tickets for our new ones and headed back down a level. Thank goodness there was an elevator nearby - don't know if I could have managed a trip down the escalator!

Finally situated in our new and better seats we set in for the concert. It was a good night; very relaxed, pleasant, and something out of the norm. Makes me want to go to concerts more often...and then I remember how much they cost. Yikes! But it was well worth it.

Upgrade!

John, in the flesh (or on the screen)

spring organizing

Saturday marked the first day of spring. If you live around me you may have been disappointed to see several inches of snow instead of blooming flowers. It's kind of hard to get into the springy mood with snow and sleet falling from the sky. Though Hubby and I were cooped up in our house most of the weekend, I still managed to do something sort of spring-like: spring cleaning. Now before you begin imagining me scrubbing the tile with a toothbrush I must admit that my spring cleaning was only limited to two closets but for me, this was a big accomplishment.

In preparation for Babe's arrival and Mitch's brother's upcoming stay with us, I wanted to make sure closets had been cleaned out, sorted, and organized. For nearly a year, the closet in Babe's room has been pretty organized. It consisted mainly of wrapping paper, gift bags, and bins of various paper and cards. Kind of my go-to place for gifts and notes and such. The other bedroom, the guest room's closet hadn't fared such a good fate. Over time, it has quickly become a dumping ground. A place for unwanted clothes, decorations, a storage place for suitcases, sheets, and towels. Quite a hodgepodge. My goal for this past weekend was quite simple; completely clean out Babe's closet and re-organize the guest closet.

Cleaning out Babe's closet was quite easy; there wasn't much in there. But the other closet...that was much more interesting. Luckily, we are blessed with a HUGE guest bedroom closet. It has several shelves for storage and many areas for hanging clothes. Quite ideal. The only problem I have discovered is the bigger the storage space, the more junk you keep and collect.

Discovery #1 ~ How many bags does one person need? And we're not talking purses (although I have my fair share of those). I'm talking tote bags, duffel bags, free bags received at conferences. It was quite ridiculous. I donated several and kept a few for possible toy or storage totes. All stuffed together, put in a bin. Done.

Discovery #2 ~ We have a lot of sheets...and towels. When I do laundry, I to strip the bed, wash the sheets and replace. Same with towels although I kind of have a two set rotation. But I sure have several extra sets of both. Enter the lovely world of Rubbermaid. All sizes and lots of shelf room allowed me to pack up not so frequently used linens. Check.

Discovery #3 ~ Spare closets are where unwanted clothing goes to sit. Does Hubby really need hand-me-down suits that are two sizes two big? Do I really need to keep those pairs of jeans I know I won't fit into (especially now)? Do we really need to keep winter coats from high school and college that stand no chance of seeing a blustery day with us again? Donate, donate, donate.

Discovery #4 ~ If I didn't have so much closet and storage space, I wouldn't have so much stuff. Something to definitely think about!

A few snapshots of my successful day...

{Babe's closet in progress}

{plenty of room for more things!}

{getting organized}

{storing the maternity clothes...until I need them}

I love the feeling of having things sorted and organized.  I'm going to do my best to keep the closets from becoming a dumping ground.  I think the ticket is putting things back in their place and not adding to the pile!

disguised arrival

Instead of spring arriving and looking like this:

{Dragan* }

it arrived looking like this:

{proforged }

At least there was sun yesterday and most of it should be gone in a few days.  Still...not an expected start to a desperately needed spring!

season to shop

I have been a terrible blogger as a lately. I guess I'm in a slump - haven't found much inspiration and little worth writing for. Wow, my life must be presently boring! In my defense last week my work days were busy as were my nights, which didn't leave much time for the laptop. After a fun bachelorette party for my bride-to-be friend this past weekend I spent 3 much needed relaxing days back home with my mom and dad. I caught up on sleep, enjoyed some home cooked meals, and did some shopping with my mom and sister. I'm home now and am sad my spring break is quickly coming to a close.

One goal I had for my shopping ventures with my mom and sis was to find some maternity pants, specifically jeans.  I think I have a few more weeks that I can still squeeze into my regular jeans but I know the end is nearing.  I didn't have much luck, however.  I think maternity jeans are still a little too big that it was hard for me to justify buying them right then.  The tides quickly turned when I received my Gap Give and Get email this week for 30% my entire purchase at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic.  Now I'm quite pleased I didn't make any purchases for myself this past week as now I can enjoy the benefits of a 30% discount!  Hubby and I have a shopping date set for tonight and I'm hitting the maternity section in search of jeans (and maybe a few regular clothes in a bigger size...).  They may still be a little big but at 30% off, I think the time to buy is now!

A few things worth looking at Gap...

And at Old Navy...

I'm hoping I can report back with a success story!

signs of spring

Although the temps for the next few days look lower and there's a chance for a flurry or two (????) in the forecast for Friday, I am really trying to think spring and embrace the signs that spring is on its way.

{grant macdonald}

{pestawine}

{bitzcelt}

{dragan*}

{txhippichic}

stretching

I feel like one of these today...

but I still ate one of these right before lunch...

(don't worry, Mom, I don't do that every day)

hubby, me and babe ~ weeks 12-16

A lot of time has passed since my last babe update. 4 weeks to be exact. I would say a lot has transpired from week 12 to week 16.

Revelation # 1 - Morning/afternoon/night sickness has ceased. I still feel a headache coming on when I am getting hungry but that happened to me pre-pregnancy. It feels so good to be able to eat mostly everything again and to finally be able to cook again. I'm sure that pleases hubby.

Revelation #2 - I can still wear my own pants! I figured I would be able to for quite some time but am very happy that as I enter week 17, I'm still in my own jeans and dress pants.

Revelation #3 - The baby has grown - a lot. Our 16 week sonogram was evidence to that. The baby actually looked like a baby! And I can tell I'm starting to expand a bit. Look at the progress we've made in just 4 weeks:

And here’s a bump shot at 16 weeks. Very little bump.

Revelation #4 - I still love naps. Maybe my body is just helping me store up on rest but I can still nap with the best of them and if I'm up past 10:30, it is LATE.

Revelation #5 - Pregnancy weight gain is not fun. I didn't gain any weight between week 7 and 12 but did see the scale climb at my 16 week appointment. I know that is all good and needs to happen but it’s a little scary to see the scale tipping upwards.

So that’s the rundown on the past 4 weeks. Time is flying…I couldn’t believe it had been 4 weeks since I stopped to actually think of all that has happened in that amount of time. And time continues to tick on – think I gasped last week when the doctor said at my next appointment I would be halfway through my pregnancy. Guess I need to start reading some of those books!

decal decor

One of the first questions I was asked when people found out I was pregnant was "Have you thought about the nursery?" I never envisioned that I would do anything too extravagant for the nursery. Ideally, the room we're using as Babe's room will continue to be a baby's room even after Babe has outgrown it. Therefore, we don't want to invest a lot of time and money decorating something for a girl when our next babe might not be a girl. Most likely, we'll choose a gender neutral color and Hubby had a great idea of looking into wall decals.  They stick on the wall and are removable.  This way, we could do something a little more gender specific without having to worry about permanence.  Here are a few I found just on a quick general search.

{via here}

{via here}

Hubby has told me he has some ideas of his home and I'm excited to see them!