Autumn is coming

While it's still 90+ degrees in MI (and has been for like 4 weeks now, ugh!) my mind still starts dreaming of Autumn when August comes. I know Autumn doesn't officially start until late September, but it's my favorite time of year, BY FAR, so I can't help but think of it whenever possible.

Living in Texas was hard for Hubby and I because we are so used to having four seasons and in Houston, well, there's barely two seasons there, and fall is neither of those. So this year, we're very excited for fall!

Things I love about Autumn:

• the clothes. ohhhhh the clothes! The warm colors, the scarves, the boots, the coats, the hats, the gloves, skirts with tights or long leggings, etc........
• pumpkins. need I say more?
• the food: caramel apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin butter, hot chocolate, baked pumpkin seeds, and OMFG apple cider!
  
• The decor: the changing leaves, hay, corn stalks, scarecrows, cornucopias, carved pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, halloween themed anything
• Check out this cool wreath tutorial too: http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/2010/contributors/tutorial-autumn-yarn-wreath-diy-halloween-wreath/
• Fun stuff to do: haunted houses, hay rides, taking back roads to anywhere just to look at the leaves changing colors, clear nights looking at the stars while curled up in a blanket with your love because it's kinda chilly out, going to the apple orchard to pick apples instead of Meijer!
  
• Halloween: do I need to explain this one? costumes, candy, and Penny's first real time out trick-or-treating!?!?!?!
  
• My daughter's first birthday, October 7, 2011!
• My 27th birthday
• Thanksgiving
• Stimulated senses: blushed cheeks from the chill in the air, the smell of campfires and burning leaves, the crunch of leaves under your boots, being able to run around and jump in piles of leaves, hanging on tight to your kiddos while on hay rides, the first bite of pumpkin pie with whipped cream, the first crunch of a caramel apple inside your mouth, going on evening walks and breathing cool air into your lungs.
  

Autumn is so romantic to me, it's when Hubby and I started dating and consequently fell in love. It's when our beautiful daughter was brought into the world.

I seriously love fall so much.

Tell me friends,

What do you love about fall?

thoughts as of late

I'm not entirely sure why, but it's nights like tonight that make me want to cry. I guess it's just a lot of pent-up stress. eh, whatever.

No one wants to hear about bad things, so I'm going to write about the good in my life.

1. Penelope Mae

First off, look at how stinkin' cute this girl is. I mean really, I think Hubby and I did a pretty darn good job here. She's ridiculous and funny and smiley and wonderful. Easily the best part of my life (sorry Hubby!) She's begun crawling and pulling herself up to standing, but she has to be holding onto something still otherwise she'll tumble. But she's getting better at falling without hurting herself, but today she did smash her face into one of her toys and it left a mark next to her left eye, she was not pleased. But she's getting tougher, and learning that just because she fell that it doesn't mean she can't get right back up and do the same thing over.

She's also sprouting her first little tooth! I cannot believe she's going to have teeth. I mean, babies are adorable, but babies with teeth?! MY BABY WITH TEETH? yeesh, I can't even imagine how she could get cuter...oh wait, yes I can, blond curly pigtails, which are totally in her future. Along with getting teeth is the ugly process of teething itself, I think we had our first crappy encounter with how bad it hurts her the other night. Poor thing was so tired but just couldn't fall asleep and kept rubbing her mouth and crying. We ended up giving her some Tylenol and a cold washcloth to chew on and she perked up a bit, then we gave her a bottle and she was down for the count. Hopefully she doesn't have a lot of nights like that night where she just can't sleep because she's in so much pain from her teeth, it breaks my heart!

Also, the biggest most awesome thing that she's done lately is..................she said "Mama" as her first word! She looked right at me and said it, and ever since then she's called just about everything else Mama, even Daddy, but it's ok, because it's a word and she said it to me! My heart melted into a giant mommy puddle when she said it. I couldn't believe it. She's not even 8 months old yet for crap's sake! She's so darn smart.

2. Hubby
Check out this handsome guy. Yep, he's all mine ladies!


Hubs and I at the park a few weeks ago.

I decided to find some of my favorite pics of us and I about died when I found a couple of these. This is from the first few weeks we started dating, so probably in October/November of 2004, I cannot believe it was that long ago! Look at us, we're kids! And I remember the day he came home with that lip ring, rawr!
This was probably 2006 or so, at the University of Michigan campus. This was my favorite picture of us for the looooooongest time. I just love his eyes in it, you can see how pretty and green they are.

This was on our honeymoon, August 2009, at Mackinac Island, Michigan. We were on the boat on the way over to the island, yet another one of my favorites.
Amidst looking for cute shots of us, I stumbled upon this one, I miss my hair like this, wasn't it fun? This was on my 22nd birthday!
Hubby and I have spent some time lately reminiscing about our past, our almost 7 years together. It's amazing to see that and to say it out loud, we've been together for 7 YEARS! Well, in September it'll be 7 years, but that's not far off. I've spent nearly a quarter of my life with this man so far, and things are only getting better. It's been fun having these memorable conversations with Hubby because I think it reminds us of all the amazing times we've had together and it's really funny to listen to him tell me how he was feeling and what he was thinking during some of our most memorable times, like our first kiss, our first "date," etc... And another night we just drove around our hometown and showed each other different places that we spent time at growing up and what it meant to us and it's been cool because I feel like I've gotten the chance to really open up to him and to have him open up to me too, it makes these memories that much more memorable when you know how you and the other person felt while experiencing the same situation.

It's good to be in love.
<3

15 weeks

Sorry it's been awhile since I've updated! I feel like I blinked and that last two weeks have just gone by!

So last week we had our monthly appointment with the midwife, Janet. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time, and Hubby took a video of it. Here's the video! The goofy noise is me laughing and making the doppler go crazy!


We also made the date for our gender anatomy ultrasound, May 19th! I cannot wait to find out what we're having!

Today, Hubby and I went to a park near our house to take my 15 week photo and we saw a ladybug on our car. I think it's a sign that we're having a girl since I want to do her room in a Ladybug theme. So we'll see!!

Here are my 15 week photos:
Me and Hubby

Just me, the forest nymph. haha!



OK OK, enough of that, now it's time for more Things that I Love!

First, this baby pop art is SO awesome.


This baby bib is too cute, and it's gender neutral which is a plus. :)


This headband is beautiful! I love the dark blue/teal flower and how adorable it looks on this little girl!


This hat for a little boy is so darn cute. I know I could probably make it but I also just love this picture, look at his blue eyes!


I really think the whole Mama Bird idea is really beautiful. This necklace is gorgeous and I think once I have a few babies I just might make one like this.


So Mother's Day is coming up. I hate that I won't be in MI to give the women in my life who are momma's the hugs and love they deserve. Also, I'm curious, were any of you preggo during Mother's Day? Should we celebrate it? Should we not? I have no idea...

I hope all is well! Me and baby are doing great and will continue to do so! :-)

All the love I have,
M.

chapter 9

Things I am currently in Love with

• Dove Milk Chocolate: I'm generally not much of a chocolate fan. But when I want it, I WANTNEEDMUSTHAVE it. Dove Milk Chocolate is rich and creamy and it really does feel like how it looks in the commercials, like a giant velvety wave of chocolate. It's amazing! It makes my day every time I eat some.

• YouTube: Lately I've been immersed in youtube. It's a never-ending collection of laughs. I truly love going to my homepage and seeing new videos from the channels I'm subscribed to. Most specifically, I've been watching a lot of the Shaytards. They are this amazingly normal family who all have hilarious senses of humor. They are extremely entertaining and they find fun in everything they do. It's inspiring. It's how I hope my family is once we have a few babies!

• Fine Point Pens: Ok, I've always had a pen fetish. And by fetish, I don't mean anything sexual. I'm just talking about the enjoyment I get when I use a smooth writing fine point pen that doesn't leak or anything. I have a problem. It's kind of serious, but I'm not giving this addiction up, ever.

• Deep Burgandy hair dye: Ah yes, I've gone back to almost black. It's a deeeeeeeep purplyred color that I think looks great on me. I feel like myself and I think my blue eyes POP! Besides, I think being a blonde girl with tattoos that I kind of looked a bit white trash. Not gonna lie.... So I think this is more, me.

• Writing letters by hand, and also, receiving hand written letters and cards from friends/family: There's nothing more personal than writing/receiving letters. It's showing those you love that you took the time to write them a personal note, not an email! When you check your mail and you see cards and letter from your family/friends, it's a great feeling. You feel like you're remembered. You're cared about. You are loved.

• Painting: This whole painting endeavour that I began a few months ago has saved my sanity. I really enjoy making things, unique things, for people. I enjoy seeing my work on other people's walls and know that they actually like it. People PAY me to paint for them. Holy crap that's such a dream come true. I love it.

• Rupert, my puggle: He's one of the best parts of my life. Every day he's happy to see me. He's my own personal heater when we sleep. He has the softest ears known to man, and he loves giving kisses, and I love gettting them. He lays in the sun and makes funny "gobble gobble" noises when he talks. He'll put his chin and stare at you until you give him what he wants. He's a great dog and our lives wouldn't be complete without him. He's our babydog!

• My Bookstore Job: Ok, so I haven't started it yet. But I know that I'm going to LOVE this job. Not only will it be fantastic to get back to work, but a BOOKSTORE!!?? Are you kidding? For an English major, booksnob/geek, this is perfect. Plus, I'll get to work with my hubby. It's a dream!

• Becoming a teacher: So we're here in TX because we're doing a teaching program. The more we have our classes and the more I do our online training, the more impatient I'm becoming. I want to be a teacher now. I'm so ready. I'm ready to start changing lives. I'm ready to get 12 year olds to love reading and writing. I'm ready to laugh with 7th graders and I'm ready for the headaches they'll cause me.

• Red Wing Hockey: I love Red Wing Hockey because it makes my hubby happy. It makes him feel like he's still got a part of home with him. If he's happy, then I'm happy. I can't wait until we have a couch and a tv so we can watch it together. I liked those nights in MI when we could curl up on the couch with Rupert and a couple beers and watch some Red Wing Hockey. If he's happy, then I'm happy.

• Cable television shows that are available online: This has been a life saver for me. The boredom I've endured since we got to TX has been exponentially decreased due to the shows I love that are available to watch online. Without my computer, I'd be at a total loss.

There's so much more. I'll write another post later.