On a Roll

So I blogged A LOT A LOT today. Please make it worth my time and scroll down and look at all of them. And leave comments! :) I love hearing from you. I have been holding out because I hate blogging all at once like this...but I cant help it anymore. Im bored and not feeling very well so here it is all at once! Enjoy:) (and just ignore my grumpy tone)

Baby Bump

Here it is!! My 15 week Baby Bump!!! Please tell me I look fat I am sick of the comments "oh my gosh that is totally nothing!" For me this is something and I want it to be recognized! haha Although it is a little pointy which is kinda ugly. (i just noticed, oh well) I will say that I fluctuate a lot with my belly size. Sometimes I am bigger than this, and other times there is nothing. This tummy is on a full blatter and a full stomach- so it is one of my larger times.

So wow Nichole you sure have posted a lot today-what happened to the post where you decided you were not going to sit around and be lazy anymore? Well let me tell ya. Today I went to the gym today, blah blah yay for me. I didn't feel good but I went anyway thinking that I would feel better and be more energized when I got home like I had on Monday. WRONG! What is wrong with me? I got home more tired and as soon as I walked in the door I threw up! (at least it was not at the gym, but still!) I have thrown up more in the 2nd trimester than in the 1st. What is going on? I definitely have good days and I am trying not to complain, I am still thrilled to be pregnant it's just not only are my emotions moody my body is moody.

here are some of my questions or just thoughts of late.

-The littlest smells throw me off. Does that get better?

-When will I be able to feel the baby move?

-If I was going to get stretch marks would I already start seeing them? Where are they usually and does body butter really help?

- My back already hurts, is that possible? What exercise's should I do?

- For once in my life I am grateful I have small boobs, I don't know how people do it, i want to chop these things off and they are still not very big!?!

- I am so emotional! My latest thing is thinking about Erik dying. I cry probably every other day about that. That would be sad.

-I swear I am losing my mind! It took me and my friend almost 10 minutes to find my car in the mall parking lot the other day. I forgot where I had parked. This NEVER happens to me.

- 2nd trimester=more energy=lie!

-hallmark commercials should be illegal...and restaurant commercials-the first make me cry the second make me gag. (I don't need a close up of your fresh grilled shrimp)

-The psycho cravings have gone down. For a while there Erik and I had never gotten so much take out in our lives!

-I don't sleep as well at night, I can't shut off my brain! Not sure if this is related to pregnancy but it stinks.

-Oh what? It's almost Christmas and I haven't even started thinking about what gifts I need to get?

- What's up with me muting the t.v. during commercials all the time now. extra noise really bugs me these days. And I am really sensitive to loud nosies. Weird?!

- I think I might hibernate this winter. I have no idea what I will do once the weather is cold and I can't go outside to play with the moms around here.

- Is it normal to do a moderate walk on an incline treadmill and feel SO winded afterwards? I feel so stupid! I just want to wear a shirt that say's "hey lay off, Im pregnant!" Or is it just me?

-I just ate 6 rolls while doing all these posts- I LOVE breads right now!

-We find out the gender Dec. 11th!!! Yay that's less than a month away. I am so excited!

That's all for now. I am sorry if I sound like a winer, i kinda am. I'm working on it. I just wish I felt totally better. But I think I am slowly learning that people don't really tell you how dramatic being pregnant is. Even if you don't look pregnant it is so wearing on your body. So many things are changing. I hear myself saying and feeling things I only used to hear older women say! It's crazy! I am pretty sure my body will never be the same. But I know it will be all worth it when I finally get to hold my precious, beautiful baby in my arms in 5 1/2 short months. (uggh that sounds forever!)

Endorsment time

http://daniellehonephotography.squarespace.com/

My new friend here in Virginia is just starting to launch her photography business which means great prices for AMAZING quality. She took me out to find some good spots around Richmond and shot these great pictures of me. If you are anywhere in the area I would HIGHLY recommend having Danielle take your family pictures. She is very professional and a fantastic photographer.

jennmatthews.etsy.com
My Friend Jenn Matthews is amazing. She has taught me and helped me with every sewing project I have ever done. She does such a great job. And she is just starting her own Etsy. She mainly just sells cheap patterns so you can make these adorable projects yourselves. Which is a really awesome way to steal her cute ideas and still make them perfectly! (I know i need a pattern!)

But also, right now she is trying something out with this "give thanks" banner (perfect for thanksgiving time) not only can you choose to just buy the pattern you also have 2 other options. You can buy the finished product or you can buy the kit where she sends you everything you need and you assemble it together. All at reasonable prices.

These are a few of her other patterns available online. You can make a birthday banner or these cute baby bibs.

Check it out and look for new products soon!

billiebrand.etsy.com

This next etsy shop sells baby hair bows...and I know what you are thinking, not more of those! But seriously this is my cousins stuff and they are the cutest most unique hair bows I have ever seen. They are so adorable and Hillary really does a good job and has been doing this for a few years now. Here are just a few of her awesome products:

Check it out and spread the word!

Feeling Crafty

I feel like I have done a lot of crafts lately. But they have all been done at classes or something because I have no motivation right now to do any on my own. lol. So these first 2 were done at my mother in law's ward (which is my old home ward) in Northern Va. It was an enrichment activity and I think they both turned out darling.

I have signed up for a few classes with some girls in my ward through the county's recreation center. First was wreath making. Which let's just say was interesting. It was not very well guided it was kind of a free for all and the selection was a little below par. My wreath looked like a grandma wreath when it was done but Erik really liked it for some reason and was "so proud of me" so he hung it on our door. haha. It was really fun to go with all these girls and just look at each other during it silently saying "what the heck am I supposed to come up with?" Some turned out really cute though-we got creative!


Haha I hope Sara doesn't mind this one- I just love this picture! It describes what we were all thinking..kill me! What is going on here? haha (no it really was fun though!)
Thanks girls for a fun, eventful night! The 2nd class was memory boards. I ended up being the only one that really staying the whole time to make mine, the other girls were busy that day. But I am glad I stayed or I would never have finished it. I really like the fabric I got and thought this board turned out really cute.

Our next class is tomorrow night called "holiday centerpieces" It's with the same lady who did the wreaths so I think we are all holding our breath to see how that one turns out! haha. But it should be fun!

Oh also-

Erik and I are taking a Guitar class together through the county as well. It has been really fun. Erik is really into it (he practices every night) I am enjoying it too. It is just really fun to do something together.

Fun stuff

When I went out to Utah in October my cousin Lauren got married. She looked absolutely beautiful! I was glad I got to be there with her to share that special day. UVA!!! Shortly after returning from Utah I went to the stunningly beautiful campus of UVA in Charlottesville to visit some friends from High School and enjoy the fall weather. It was a GREAT trip!
Me in front of the Rotunda- Im standing right outside my friend Denise's bedroom. Sweet huh? She is smart and involved so she gets to live right on the lawn in this really old room that is really cool. People like Katie Couric lived in these elite rooms. (i know I have cool friends!)
I am not sure about what is behind me (sorry girls) but it's beautiful and so are my friends Lori and Denise!
There is a fantastic apple orchard in Charlottesville called Carter Mountain. Denise, me and Emily went up there to pick our own apples. They were delicious and the view was awesome! And the apple cider doughnuts are AMAZING!

Wow kind of a model-e pose- haha. But look at that HUGE juicy apple!?! yumm Last but not least I had dinner with a dear friend of mine Caroline. We were in Show Choir together and I love her! It was so good to catch up with her and all my friends. I can't wait to go down again soon! Thanks girls for a great time! :)

Oh Yeah!

So I have to write a quick post...I am so proud of myself. (drum roll please)

Today was the first time in 10 weeks that I went to the GYM!!!! (finally!)

Yay! Thanks to tons of encouragement from Erik and my mother I finally got off my lazy bum and have actually done things today. I have lived on the couch for the past 2 months and I can't take it anymore. My mom told me my great grandma always used to say: "You feel lousy if you lay around and you feel lousy if you are moving around, so might as well get something done while your feeling lousy."

This is soo true and is going to be my new mantra. I feel even worse after lying around because then I feel guilty for not cleaning my house or making dinner and being a terrible wife. So at the very least this eliminates the guilt. I am also learning that it doesn't matter If I don't get to the gym until noon...as long as I go.

I am so grateful today for the following:

-good friends who invite me to the park

- great weather!

-Steve Miller band-such good crusin with the windows down music

- Einstein Bagels

- Golden Delicious Apples

- my confidence to get over not feeling stupid just walking on a treadmill!

- And this music video/song

(click above) It helps that I LOVE this country song..and this little boy is ADORABLE! :) Enjoy!

So I hope I can keep this up this week and keep busy doing things and working out and just being happy! Wish me LUCK!

great this post is getting long and now no one is going to read it. But I have to share one more thing that made me laugh. Yesterday we web-cam'd with my family (which can get a little loud and crazy.) But during it Noah(14) went downstairs to change the battery in his fire alarm and it made it go off, as well as the others in the basement. So my mom goes to help him and Isaac (6) comes out of his room screaming "FIRE! FIRE!" My mom tries to explain and he doesn't believe her he says: "No I feel hot!!" He starts Bawling! Screaming: "I want to go outside, let me out!" and my mom is trying not to laugh and trying to calm him down while also trying to get the alarms to stop! hahaahah! It was HILARIOUS! Quite the circus. At least we know he is very concerned about fire safety.

I need to do a "real" post soon...I think I have a little tummy now! ;)

Halloween Weekend

12 weeks. I just went to the doctor today and so far I have only gained 3 pounds..so i guess I am not bigger..but i feel like I have a pooch.
My Nephew Jacob the football player. so cute!
Me with the pretty fairies! On Halloween we went up to spend the night with Erik's Family. We took the kids treak or treating and enjoyed some yummy festive food. Lisa sure know's how to throw a party! It was really fun. We wore our costume too, but my camera died after this pic. So Sad.
Our little baby pumpkin!
Our carved pumpkins on our porch!
random-a month ago we planted some bulbs and fixed up a little garden area in our front yard. I think these are tulips..and they are already coming up?!? Kinda strange. We have had some pretty warm weather. Not sure what to do about this. lol. But it is exciting.
Us trying to make the faces of our pumpkins. (blurry picture)
We have so many leaves in our backyard..it's soo pretty!
Our dorky pumpkins. Every year I have always used a pattern from a book and carved a beautiful, intricate pumpkin. But this year we thought we would just do old fashioned jack-o-lanterns and make it up ourselves.

Hope everyone had a Happy and Fun Halloween!!!

p.s. we heard the heartbeat today-it was wonderful. I loved it. And I think Erik is really freaking out now, because the baby kept moving everywhere, dodging the doppler, the doctor was like this little thing wont hold still!! Quote by Erik "I don't think I can handle another one of you Nichole!" haha. Looks like we got a wild one on our hands. And can I just say I LOVE my doctor. She is the best. OK that's all for now. We are happy to know our little bun is still cooking in the oven! ;)