Missouri Baby shower.

This blog is a little late but after arriving home from Missouri and heading straight back to work like a crazy lady all while finishing up some nursery projects,  completing this blog just got pushed behind. 

Traveling home mid June was so amazing. It was definately a different type of travel being 7 months pregnant but it was fun. After a long 5 hour flight, many pee breaks and trying to get ahead on my latest read, "baby wise" I landed in St. Louis where I was greeted by my sister Alicia. We then headed to pick up my dad and spend time with the my grandpa bob and aunt kimball. Lots of fun turned into a late night of chatting and belly rubs by auntie Alicia and an early morning riser for this momma with a two hour time difference.  We visited with my dad while taking him into work the  next morning. 

Now off to Dixon to see the rest of the family and meet my new furry nephew, vice. 

Feeling a bit tired I had to prepare for my first baby shower in Springfield, Mo with all of my beautiful Details Salon girls. The friendships I have kept with these girls are so amazing. Working with them the beginning stages of my career and building these bonds is one of the most special parts of my career and the fact that I have moved all over and our friendships have only gotten stronger since I've been gone.  It's  always great to get back together, sit back and chat about our fun times. With Springfield being 2 hours from my hometown it was so nice of them to throw a shower for me there. 

Thanks to my nail tech bestie, Vicki for making this shower a true success and unforgettable fun night. It wasn't  just a traditional baby shower.... It was a shower of doing things we love, the way we had spent many nights when I lived there, creating projects for all the soon to be babies or just having a girls night in crafting! Showering baby k with lots of love and lots of crafting activities for everyone to participate in making items for her nursery. We had an amazing buffet of food as well. 

3 Crafting Stations: 

Free flowing polkadot baby Mobil. 

Hair bow fabric holder 

A scrap booked dahlia 

They all were amazing and we almost got them all completed. It was fun making these items while catching up on life and baby talk. The beautiful cupcakes were to DIE for! 

The evening was a true success and I couldn't had asked for anything better. Love all my girls! 

Hostess and momma to be. And my second mom. The one who is always there for guidance and support when I need it the most. 

Mandi Jean and I. Our wonderful receptionist. Plus I've know this little one since nearly birth. Got her her first big girl job at Details when she moved to Springfield to attend MSU. 

Too many things to say about, Candace. My work pal, my right hand girl, the one that was always up for a good time or bad, the most craziest memories are shared with this beauty. 

My beauty Leah, who couldn't be more excited for baby k. From staying up all night listening to country music, or being super spontaneous we always had something to do. She was my room mate unexpectantly for about 6 months and boy was that fun! Love her to the moon and back. 

  

Val and I have always been great stylist friends and now excited we are due only a few days apart. So excited for our little misses to meet and become just the best of friends like Val and I. They will grow up to be pen pals without a choice. :-) 

The girls. 

My favorite. My mom and sister! 

The bunch showcasing our beautiful crafted items. 

So much fun then to a late night traveling back home to Dixon. The following day turned out to be very nice so Alicia and I decided to catch up on some sister time, sunshine, girl talk, baby kicks and relaxation by the pool. I also got my Mexican fix at el jimadors and if any if you know me this is the BEST Mexican ever and it was just what I need. Yeah pretty sure I ate there 3 times in 7 days. But it was worth it baby k thought so too! We also spent a day floating down the river. Some may say I'm crazy but it's my happy point in life. I can't imagine a summer not on the river. It was fun I enjoyed the day with my sisters besties and my mom, I was super sad none of my girlfriends were able to attend. :( but it turned out to be a very fun day rather a bit different not having the ability to drink a beer but it was fun.  No need for alcohol to have fun! 

Later during the week we had a cousins day where we helped Alicia with a few last minute details ofthe  baby shower she would be throwing for me. It was a fun filled day of crafts that the girls really enjoyed.  Reminded me of when I was a child and my mom had a craft day with us. And these are one of the many things I look forward to as a mother, A crafting day with my daughter. 

And of course some hair time fun! 

Now for baby k's family and closest friends and family shower in Dixon.... These are my peeps I've spent my entire life with... There isn't a thing about me they don't know. It was super fun to spend my afternoon with all of them but I will say the day went by way too fast! 

Homemade cake made my my bestie. 

Thanks to my beautiful amazing sister, Alicia for putting so much time, effort and I'm sure hours on Pinterest with all the amazing decor and games and for traveling all the way from Georgia just to throw this shower and spend time with me. It was absolutely beautiful and makes me get all teary eyed thinking about what all she did for me. And a huge thanks to her right hand girls my mom, Cathy for helping Alicia gather all the items. My cousin but more like a big sister, Shannon for allowing us to take over her home and my best friend rachelle for helping out and traveling all the way from Colorado just to be a part of this special day.  So many details were placed in the home to make it perfect. 

We had a headband station where each person crafted together a beautiful headband for baby k. 

A diaper station: 

We chatted, hung out ate some amazing food and punch that I didn't wanna share! A trivia game was played my little cousin sure did keep track of everything I was saying as little Courtney was a winner. As well as my cousin Amanda from Indiana. Then off to the yard for the funniest game of all. The relay race! Everyone should play this at a shower it was so funny so cute and probably even more fun to just watch. There were 3 teams of 4 people, 

Player #1 drink an entire baby bottle filled with water. 

Player #2 eat a jar of baby food (we thought they were good flavored but I guess not so) 

Player #3 a diaper is lined with siran wrap, you must eat all the chocolate pudding out of the diaper. 

Player #4 place a balloon under your shirt. With a golf ball between your legs hop down the yard and drop ball in jar. 

Team to complete first is the winner! Such a fun game! 

I recieved many amazing gifts, gift cards to bring home to purchase the items we need! I by far have the  most amazing family and friends a girl couple ask for and I am truely blessed with all god has given me.

: Best Friends :

: Cousins: Amanda and her boys traveled all the way from Indiana just to attend our baby shower. So happy I got to see them! 

:Bestest: these ladies know it all! Ups and downs ins and outs of life. We have known each other our entire life! Some since before Kindergarden. I am truely blessed I have such a great but also, known as rare friendship with these ladies. So excited to be the next one to have a baby! 

Carrie and I share so many memories together. This girl is one of thr most amazing mommas I know and can't wait to recieve some of her guidance during the next chapter of my life. Hopefully I become half the mother she is. 

 Now to just meet this little girls with one shower left here in Washington we will be all ready for baby k. 

One last important stop before I was airport bound to visit with my buddy Brad. I know he would've been just so proud of where it am in life. And just so excited to meet this little girl. I know he is with me all the time. I just miss him here on earth. Someday we will reunite again. It was nice having a little visit with him. 

As you've read thru this blog post you can see how busy and exhausting but fun my visit to Missouri was. Now I'm back and just preparing the nursery for our little miss to arrive. Be on the lookout for nursery picture, lots of  DIY projects coming soon. 

Xoxo 

Jessica 

24 weeks.

Making progress in this pregnancy. Baby k still doesn't officially have a name but getting closer to narrowing it down. Derek has gotten past the stages of "cinnamon or Jessie." Thank goodness! I on the other hand have been coming up with lots of possibilities. Getting the baby nursery together. Which I haven't made much progress but got lots of ideas. Got a paint theme picked out now just gotta find a weekend to tackle! Bedding will be order this week and hopefully ill narrow down the furniture soon. 

In the meantime our little miss is just getting bigger weighing in around 1.5 lbs. last dr apt went well. She's really active especially after I've workout and at night when I'm laying around resting.  It's such a magical feeling feeling her wiggle around inside there. A few days ago I believe I felt her flip or turn and get stuck. It nearly freaked me out to feel and see one side of my belly sticking out and the other side just normal. It's happened a few times so I guess she's just getting busy in there. I'm enjoying it though finally talked Derek into feeling her move. He felt a little baby kick. I'm sure bigger ones will come soon. I broke down and bought a Boppy body pillow. Makes life more comfortable during sleep. Oh yeah and how could I forget we registered! Yes babies r us. Wowzo! I knew I wasn't looking forward to that for a reason. So overwhelming. I'm still narrowing things down and figuring out what brands and products I need and don't need. But almost there. In one month I'll be traveling home for my baby shower. Man am I so excited! Not sure if I'm more excited for the shower or seeing my family and friends! Well this momma is a little tired so I'm heading off to bed. Goodnight all! 

Xoxo 

Jess

The journey of pregnancy

I confess. I confess. I have had a major addiction to candy this pregnancy. And honestly there hasn't been much I could do about it. It drives me crazy I hate it but stil place it in my mouth. I've been known to throw a whole bowl full away. Yes you heard that like 3 bags of candy. Out of a site out of mind. It worked for a day or so then I needed gas so I bought more and then my mother in law bought me a Easter basket full. So of course I ate all of it. She must know my favorites cause it was Devine! So now that I'm pretty much candy free. Aka I threw it all away again today. I got this brilliant idea for replacing  my candy with power protein balls I use to make all the time. But haven't made them in forever. Yep they are pretty much life changing and healthy so hopefully this is my new replacement. And I must share with you the recipe. Enjoy! 

Peanut butter protein balls. 

1 c oats 

1/4 c protein powder (I used chocolate peanut butter) 

1/8 c shredded coconut flakes 

1/4 c creamy peanut butter 

1/4 c honey 

Mix dry ingredients together then mix in wet I stir with my hands and then roll into balls. Place in fridge for about 30 mins and nomnomnom! 

One more tip during the growth of baby k:

While I was out visiting Rachelle in Colorado we headed out for a shopping day for baby k. While browsing thru one of the baby boutiques I came across this stretch mark/ belly oil salve something about it and the feeling of it I loved but it was 4 oz and I was flying with my carry on and didn't want it tossed. So when arriving back home to Washington, I got on amazon and found this magical jewel. With fabulous reviews I decided to order and it has been the best product I've found for belly stretching/ itching/ discomfort. Since using this I have had none of the above. Rarely do I used my Burt's bees stretch mark cream besides fresh out of the shower. I layer this on all times of day and my skin looks flawlessly amazing. Just hoping it stays that way. I just had to share as I have so much "Motherlove" for this product. And it does go a long way. So when you know someone in need of stretch mark cream. This is the magical product for you! 

21 weeks.

Time really is just flying by and its so hard to believe that we are now half way thru our pregnancy and this little GIRL will be here in no time!

Symptoms at 21 weeks: 

-swollen feet 

-always hungry 

-belly is itching a lot. :( stretch mark cream is still my BFF 

-candy is often a huge part of my day. 

-raspberry lemonade is my fav! 

-clothing is getting tighter.

21 weeks is a special time for me as during this time of this week I was out visiting my best friend Rachelle in Colorado.  We had such a great time too much fun to not blog about and I'm pretty sure I haven't had a post just yet on this amazing lady in my life.

Friendship.

Let me just give you a little back ground on our friendship. Rachelle and I have known each other since kindergarten yes, that's right KINDERGARTEN! Years and years later our friendship has ever lasted this life. We have been thru our ups and downs, we have laughed, we have cried. We have hated each other severely and loved each other dearly. From cruising town in Dixon chasing boys, to having too many to drink at a Saint Anthony party. Moving on past those days to me living in Springfield and Rachelle coming to visit every few weeks, downtown Springfield was our theme and Icon nightclub was our hot spot.  Or you could catch us in Dixon floating down the Gasconade reminiscing about old times. She was my maiden of honor at my wedding and enjoyed celebrating the love Derek and I have for one another. Once we moved to North Carolina and Washington every year Rachelle came and visited while me coming home twice a year we always visited then as well. Well Rachelle has moved on into the army world and now lives in Colorado it was time for our annual gathering and I decided verses her coming here why not me go there?  After all I haven't been to see her there and I have never been to Colorado lots of planning took place and I was Colorado bound.

Visiting Colorado.

I arrived in Denver Colorado, Rachelle and Alex greeted me at the airport and we headed to their residence in Colorado springs, Co.  Many things were planned during my visit. The next morning I woke up to the aroma of freshly made buttermilk pancakes.....every pregnant girls craving and dream and then we were off to the Royal Gorge to take a train ride thru the Gorge along side the fast flowing river. It was a beautiful afternoon the skies were clear and the weather was warm.  This was my first time riding on a train and it was so fun breathtaking and beautiful.  It was amazing to me that the mountains in Colorado are beautiful although its very desserty and looks a little dry. Not what I had envisioned, I envisioned it being more like Washington green and bright all around but it was quite opposite of that. 

Later that afternoon they took me on a ride thru Garden of the Gods and that was something my eyes have never seen so pretty huge boulders overlooking the town and a backdrop of mountains. 

That evening we went to the Rabbit Hole which was an amazing hidden restaurant under ground mmmm. . so good. 

The next day was a lazy day we woke up hung around the house in our pj's and just enjoyed our friendship times telling old stories, looking back thru old pictures and reminiscing about old times. I think we could look at the same pictures over and over again, laugh until we cry and tell a new story every time.  Its so much fun. The best part is that we are still best friends and that all of our friends that shared those moments with us we are still just as great of friends today as we were back then. Later that afternoon Rachelle and I decided to get out of the house.  As we were driving around and she was showing me the area all the sudden it started to lightly snow. But we had a plan and were determined we were going to go to Helen Hunt Falls well little did we know the weather was going to tell us differently. As we made our way the snow began to really cover the roads and what seemed to be a good idea suddenly changed and we decided to not risk our lives and turn around as the roads were a little slick. 

We got back home told more stories, played beauty shop and just visited while Alex prepared us an amazing dinner I must say that man can cook! Holy cow I felt like I had dinner at an amazing gourmet restaurant. He sure did know how to make this pregnancy girls night by making homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream.  As our weekend quickly was flying by we did find time to go to a few baby boutiques and find some adorable new outfits for baby k . 

 Sadly to say my trip was over and I was back home. Sitting back just thinking of how much fun we had, the memories made and how we really did a lot in those few days I was there. this mamma is tired and now needing rest. But I couldn't not share with you how amazing this made the beginning of my week 21. One that I will not forget.

Gender Reveal Party

The anticipation of this day was out the roof.. The day I thought was never going to come and it was finally here the evening of our gender reveal party. 

It all started....

When Derek and I first found out we were expecting the first thing that popped into my mind was, we live here near his family and what better time than to have a gender reveal party and find out as a family what we will be having.  I ran the idea across Derek that I thought it would be fun to not find out at the Doctor appointment and to find out a few days later with the rest of the family and group of friends. Derek thought this was a very stupid idea but I gave him no other choice but to participate and that he would not be finding out at the appointment.

The Ultrasound:: Tuesday, March 8,2014:: Northwest Imaging

I had envisioned in my mind the fairytale ultrasound the story that I hear from most, my ultrasound tech was amazing super exciting full of energy and so happy for us. Detailed and precise on revealing the gender to you. Ours didn't turn out the way I had envisioned but that is quite alright our tech was older possibly needing to retire in the near future maybe we were even taking up part of her lunch break or maybe she was just hungry and I would say a little cranky.  She revealed all the body parts thankfully cause neither of could vision what these parts were. the veins, the bladder, the arteries, the list goes on and on and boy is that a list for them to go thru. I had asked her in the beginning to not reveal what the gender may be and thankfully she didn't. Her way about telling us she had found out the gender had us wondering if she really knew what she was talking about but a few questions and I felt like she knew what we were having. While still keeping it a secret.  All in all it was probably a good thing that she wasn't this chipper exciting tech because honestly it probably would've been easier for me to just found out then. We left the office knowing in this envelope was the reveal of our gender but keeping it sealed was hard but I had my heart set.

 

Preparation for the party.

Thankfully one of the stylist at our salon,  Tamera was nice enough to volunteer her time to fill our cupcakes with the icing color of the gender and promised to not say a peep. (I must say when I delivered her the envelope she was quite shocked it was still sealed) So Tuesday evening Derek and I prepared 40 Betty Crocker Vanilla cupcakes then delivered to the salon on Wednesday. Filled that afternoon and I brought them back home for the party the next day. Tamera sure did an amazing job at making sure there was no evidence of color. They looked beautiful but man was it hard for me to not peek in to one once Derek was off to work Thursday morning. 

BOY OR GIRL.

Prior to the party at our first initial appointment when we found out we were expecting we had our first ultrasound to see the tiny baby swimming around in there. Dr. Song told Derek and I if she had make the decision she would be almost positive it was a boy. I was so excited came home talked to my wonderful friends and goggled online like crazy about ultrasounds at such a early point in determining the sex.  It came to me that at that point it was still unclear and too early to determine. Well that's all Derek needed to hear was BOY and he was convinced, me on the other hand at first I kinda though boy but then just really felt it was a girl. That's all I could think was we were having a girl. It was fun hearing all my clients and coworkers, friends and family make there guesses but deep down for some reason my heart said girl. So much that the week before I had to convince myself it may be a boy. and I was ok with that, my only wish is healthy and happy gender didn't matter. well the reveal party is here.

 

Party.. 3..2....1....

We got the webcam all set up for my closest friends back home and family members to have a conference call to find out what this little baby k is.  Everyone was excited and arrived at the party sporting what their guess for gender would be BLUE or PINK. the anticipation was out the roof and honestly I didn't think the time was ever going to arrive. We had a slight delay and during this time I thought I was going to go crazy. Everyone gathered around grabbed their cupcakes and 3...2...1.... its A GIRL!!! 

Pink filled cupcakes flooded my house we were all super excited Derek was a little shocked but was so so happy. Finally the day was here and now we are happy to announce we cant wait for this little girl to get here... LET THE SHOPPING BEGIN!!!

Babies!

It's funny how pregnancies can be sometimes a surprise, come at a time when least expected but happen at the perfect moment and time. 

At the time I first initially found out I was pregnant one of my dearest friends from Springfield, Missouri found out at the same time, Valerie Lemmon. Little did we know neither of us planned the pregnancy let alone planned it to happen at the same time. What a joy it is to experience this amazingness hundreds of miles apart, as we are able to  go thru the stages of our pregnancy together only a couple weeks apart. So be ready to bombarded with photos of the two of us, and photos of our babies as they become the best of friends and pen pals for life from afar. How at times like these I wish I still lived in Missouri..... Here we are: 

My due date: August 26, 2014 

Val's due date: September 4,2014 

Now next on the list is who is having what?!?

Second trimester.

Wheeeewww!! So glad that first trimester is finally behind us. Much more thankful it doesn't last forever! 

Entering into the second trimester has been much better. My nausea has finally been kicked to the curb and my foodcravings  aren't as severe (minus always wanting candy have I ever told you my love for Easter candy well you can times that by a million cause I've been in heaven) sleep has still been my best friends but getting motivated has been a lot easier. Crossfit has gotten a lot better minus it's hard to wrap by head around the fact that I'm pregnant and have to take it a little easily. But am reminded this on a daily basis. Thankfully I'm not looking fluffy and like I've gained weight I now have a little baby bump.  

Hello second trimester! I'm going to forever be in love with you! No signs of feeling the baby move around in there just yet. But oh boy oh boy! I can't wait. Well I'm kinda nervous but it will be a fun experience feeling this little k in there. I haven't began to buy any maternity clothes quite yet so far everything is just getting a little more fitted. But when the time comes I'll be heading to that section to shop. Hoping I can just buy bigger cause maternity clothes aren't too fashionable. :( I'm not trying to pull off the soccer mom look quite yet.... Possibly ever. A few more weeks and we find out the gender and man are we anxious,excited and just can't wait for that day. Neither of us really have any sort of preference for some reason my heart is pointing to a girl (possibly cause that's the majority of my family) but what joy would it be to have a little boy dressed in bow ties and suspenders everyday! Ahhh I just can't wait to find out set up our nursery and SHOP!!! Just buying diapers at this point isn't really fun anymore. Stay posted on our baby reveal party coming very soon!! 

Happy Sunday my friends! 

Xoxo 

Jessica