Friday Funnies - 5.31.13

Whoop whoop, another weekend is here upon us! And it's the last Friday of May...how is this year just flying by like crazy fast?! Jordan and I have a suuuuuper busy June with something going on EVERY weekend so it will be jam packed but we are definitely looking forward to all of it! We have weddings, baby showers, baptisms, going to see WICKED, and he has a guy's weekend in Chicago while I have a girls weekend with my mom and sister! Ahh I can't wait for all of these fun activities and to see so much of both of our families and friends. It's going to be amazing and I'm so excited! Unfortunately, I have to start off the month of June by working this weekend, blahh! But at least it's my only weekend for work so I guess I can't complain too much... and we are watching Safe Haven tonight for activity so I'm pretty excited to see that (and most likely cry my eyes out) with the other teenage girl patients! Here's to a fun (even though it's work-filled!) weekend and I hope you all have a great kick off to summer break!

image via Pinterest
I would always choose the ice cream over a bikini bod!
I wonder if I'll still say that after the baby is here...

How Girls Fall Asleep...

Great, now I'm going to have a nightmare about the human centipede!

20 Weeks

20 weeks update: 20 WEEKS! Umm, halfway already?! Seriously, that is just crazy talk and does not seem possible! Wow! 20 weeks down and now 20 weeks (plus or minus a few days!) to go! Our last appointment and ultrasound couldn't have went any better so here is what we were told. Peanut is measuring perfectly and right on track, there were no abnormalities of any kind found, and the placenta is anterior which means on the front so that is why I have been feeling little movement so far and if I do, it will mostly be on my sides. Our midwife said we had an ultrasound "to dream for" and one that is "textbook perfect." She also said, "you are the healthiest mom/baby pair that I have seen all week and probably will see..." Whoo hoo! So that made me feel extra great! I have only gained 8 pounds total so far and my blood pressure is still running low which isn't a concern of my midwife since it was low at my first appointment and she said they would rather see it low than going high. It was so awesome getting to see Peanut on the ultrasound screen but SO HARD to not look when the technician went "down there" to get all of the measurements that she needed. I told Jordan that if he hadn't been there with me, then I definitely would have looked at the screen because the suspense of not knowing is starting to kill me......but thinking ahead when Peanut does arrive and I hear Jordan say, "it's a boy!" or "it's a girl!" gets me all kinds of excited and emotional. I am still feeling really great and my face has finally decided to start clearing up. Some nights I still end up sleeping on my stomach so I'm not entirely toooo uncomfortable sleeping like that but I do like to have a pillow between my legs or under my one side to avoid laying completely flat. Other than that, we had a great report from our doctor and go back in 4 weeks. I can't believe how fast this has went.....we have so much to do still and I feel like so little time if the next 20 weeks go by as fast as the first 20 weeks did!

Peanut's perfect profile!
I think we even got a little smile too... :)

left hand waving at Mama and Daddy!

right foot...so that's what I feel kicking and poking me every now and then!

A Memorial Day Weekend To Remember

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Jordan and I are back home from our weekend long adventure in Lansing at the Red Barn Resort! And like always, it didn't disappoint. Even though it was rainy for the majority of the weekend, we still got one perfect night for a bon fire and playing bags! Then we spent a lot of time playing cards, chatting, and just soaking up each other's company and loving every minute of it! It's rare that my Dad ever gets a weekend away with just us kids so while it would have been fun to have my mom there too, it was great to have some bonding time with just him.....and I'm sure he loved being harassed by his kids all weekend too! Even Paisley got to enjoy the fresh outdoors and spend some time off leash just running around, rolling in God knows what, and just enjoying being a dog. Good thing she was treated for ticks/fleas before we left because otherwise I'm sure she would be infested with them now! Ah and I can't forget about all of the good home cooking that we were all spoiled with all weekend from my grandma! I don't know how she does it, but she makes THE BEST bacon and eggs. Seriously, they are so sooo good and to die for (probably because of all the grease, ha!) but they are delicious and worth waking up for because no one wants to miss breakfast when Grandma is doing the cooking! We finished off the weekend with the annual trip up to the top of Mount Hosmer to show the kids the view and get some pics of it all. It's hard to believe that I have been going to good ol' Lansing and the Red Barn Resort since I was in diapers....such a special place for our family and it has so many memories! I hope we get the chance to return next summer with our own little Peanut to keep the tradition going! Now it's back to reality but at least it is only a 4-day work week! Hope you all had a fun and special Memorial day weekend!

it was a tad rainy and foggy at the top of Mount Hosmer

Dad and the trifecta of the Cross kids

3 generations....love my Dad and Grandma!
(4 generations if you count Peanut!)

and as always, these two in matching sweatshirts...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Paisley!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Paisley!

You are the sweetest and craziest pup ever!

You bring laughter to our lives every day and we can't imagine a life without you now.

You make the best little spoon and you are always down to cuddle.

I hope you and Peanut get along and that you enjoy your new playmate! 

But don't worry, I'll always find time for cuddling with you 

and we will still spoil you like crazy!

not so happy about her birthday hat...
but it's a once a year tradition!

all birthday celebrated out

Friday Funnies - 5.24.13

Yessssssss it is Friday!!! This week has been awesome and I'm definitely happy it's Friday! Our appointment/ultrasound on Wednesday went great and everything looked perfect! I will have a more thorough update next Wednesday but Peanut looks healthy and is growing like crazy! So happy to have gotten some new pictures from the ultrasound and to hear how healthy we both are! Anyway, I only worked a half-day today and just got home from the vet a little while ago with Paisley. It was time for her to get updated on all of her shots, new heartworm meds, new flea/tick meds, and some ear infection meds....needless to say, that vet bill wasn't pretty but I'm glad Paisley is healthy and all up to date and now good for a year! Now I am all packed for the weekend and anxiously awaiting for Jordan to get home because we are going to hit the road and drive to Lansing for the weekend to spend 3 days at one of my most favorite places ever, The Red Barn Resort! I can't wait for a grungy, relaxing, fun-filled weekend with my family and lots of card games and bags tournaments. It's supposed to rain but no amount of rain can bring down our fun level! I'm just so excited to see my dad (love you mom and wish you could be there too!) and both my sibs along with my niece and nephew and lots of extended family. How I ever got so lucky to have such an awesome family, well I'll never know, but I'm definitely thankful for all of them that's for sure! Hope the week wasn't too terrible for any of you and that you all have a wonderful Memorial weekend and enjoy the extra day off to relax or recover! We are off to the blackhole for cell phone service and I for one can't wait to be cut off from technology and everyone for the weekend to thoroughly enjoy our quality time with each other! Happy Memorial Day!

image via Google
I love a good play on words...and a good weekend of being outdoorsy.

Redneck Camping Guide:

because these tips will save your life while camping!

19 weeks

19 weeks update: eeek! We have our big ultrasound and appointment later this afternoon and I can't wait! Of course, I'm still nervous because why wouldn't I be a nervous paranoid mess?! And no thanks to the crazy dreams I've been having lately because those don't help anything... but I'm sure everything will be fine and that I'm worrying about nothing! I'm still feeling great and I think I would forget I'm pregnant some days if it weren't for some of my clothes fitting a bit snug... As long as I eat something every 2-4 hours, I avoid all nausea and light-headedness so things are good! I think I am feeling more movement but it's hard to know for sure it is or not since I have nothing to compare it too.... it's either Peanut moving around or some serious gas/digestion going on! Can't wait for the appointment and to see our little Peanut on the ultrasound! 

the garage sale find of the year!

my beautiful (and in mint condition)
genuine leather crossbody purse! 

This is why I love garage sales: I got this beauty for $0.25 and after getting home I saw there was an original tag/product card on the inside so I looked it up... Turns out the brand, Hobo International, has bags that usually retail at $200-$400! Ahhh! I am soooo happy about getting this deal of the year and it is such a great find! I never get this lucky at garage sales and I'm convinced the lady received it as a gift at some point and didn't like it so she tossed it into her garage sale pile. It's such a fun yellowy-limey color that is perfect for the spring/summer which is why I originally snagged it on the first place! Check out their website to see some other gorgeous purses, wallets, totes, and accessories! Or of course, you could just hope to find one of these beauties at a garage sale like I did! I also picked some another pile of cute gender neutral baby clothes for Peanut - lots of sleep sacs, fuzzy sleepers, and some Hawkeye and Cubs apparel. This baby is going to be very well dressed (and on such a small budget!) and I love it...looking at the clothes I have piling up makes me so excited for Peanut's arrival!

Friday Funnies - 5.17.13

Finals week is officially over and that means that I am done with school, whoo hoo!!! This weekend is going to be one that's filled with celebrations, good times with friends, and a few goodbyes. I feel like I've been avoiding it all week but now I know the time has finally come and it's time to say goodbye to a few of my close friends as they move to start their internships. It's such an exciting time and I know they'll all have awesome summers, I will definitely miss them! That's why we are going to be doing plenty of celebrating tonight and tomorrow.... of course, as much celebrating as I can do at 5 months pregnant! It's a relief to be done with school and I'm so thankful for having such a supportive husband, family, and friends who all constantly encouraged me and motivated me as I made my way through each class. I'd be nothing without these awesome people in my life today! Here's to a fun weekend of celebrating and looking forward to the future! Happy Graduation to all the graduates and enjoy this weekend!

image via Pinterest
ah the combination that equals success....

I got it, Mom!

one of this mother's proudest moments I bet

18 Weeks

18 weeks update: definitely feeling pretty good still for the most part! I have noticed lately that when I sneeze, I get a quick jab or pain along my sides and have been told that's from the round ligament pain and that my muscles and hips/abdomen are stretching and preparing for extra growth and labor already. I've still been trying to eat as healthy as possible and get out on a daily walk when it's nice enough for that. Otherwise, I've been doing some yoga and making sure I always take the stairs up and down at the hospital when I'm working and avoid the elevator at all costs. I'm only up 6.5 pounds so far and am still wearing all of my regular clothes....but I can tell some of my pants are getting pretty snug. Thank god for low riding pants otherwise they would all need to be retired by now I'm sure! I also have started to adjust to sleeping on my side and have found that having a pillow between my legs and up by my hips helps keep me comfortable too! My face seems to want to be breaking out again which is frustrating too....where is this pregnancy glow that everyone always talks about?!! 

In other news, I had a successful week doing some thrifting and garage saleing last week and scored quite a few awesome things! Lots of gender neutral sleepers, onesies, other cute outfits, and some books...Tons of items still had tags on them and were brand new too! Extra bonus! I have a list of garage sales that I'm going to be hitting up this weekend and I'm hoping to find some good deals again so I can start to get Peanut stocked up on some essentials while saving a lot of money!

the start to Peanut's closet and library...
all of this for a mere $15!!!
the baby bathrobe and winter bundle up outfit are so cute it hurts....

good news is the best news!

In the past 24 hours I have found out that I will be seeing my parents a whole lot sooner than I thought I would be!!! My dad is flying up next weekend and then two weekends after that, my mom is flying up to visit for the weekend! Ahh I can't wait! A weekend at the Red Barn Resort with my family is the best....nothing like being away from the world and everyday life while enjoying some homecooked food, bon fires, bags, and lots of laughs! And then when my mom comes to visit, it's going to be a Girl's Weekend! So excited for some shopping, mani/pedi's, and going to a baby shower! Our summer calendar is filling up fast but if it means lots of quality time spent with family, it doesn't bother me one bit! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the incredible and amazing Moms that I am lucky to have in my life! You all inspire, encourage, support, and love me endlessly. Whether it's by blood or not, you've all helped shape me into the person I am today. Thanks for being such awesome role models and I hope to be the kind of mom to my own children like you've all shown me! This day is for all of you special and amazing women out there - The mom's whose babies are grown, mamas whose babies are little, or even brand new! The women who are anxious and excited moms-to-be and for those mom's whose babies are angels in heaven. I can't forget to include those who wish they were moms and to the mom's whose own mamas are in heaven. No matter your age, you always need your mom!

And a big huge shout out to my own loving, wonderful, and amazing Mom. You are 

the most caring, selfless, giving, understanding, and compassionate Mom that God could have ever gifted me with. I don't know how I ever got so lucky to have you as my mom, but I am so blessed. You have taught me the importance of honesty and hard work but that it's okay to relax at times. Because of you, I have learned compassion, empathy, patience, respect for others, and to always be a giving individual. I can only hope to be this kind of mother to my own children, and I know I am lucky because I have had the best example ever by watching you. I love you, Mom, forever and always!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

"To the Greatest MOM the world will ever see!"
my first Mother's Day card from Jordan... he's so thoughtful! :)

Happy Birthday, Mr. E!

Happy birthday to my best friend and better half, Jordan! You are an amazing husband, a wonderful teacher, and you will be an incredible daddy! You fill my life with love and laughter, and there's no one I would rather have by my side everyday! You make me a better person and I know I can always lean on you as my biggest fan and supporter. I would be lost without you in my life! I love you so much and you are simply the best. Here's to a lifetime of birthday celebrations and fun adventures together!

I can't wait to spend the day spoiling you and enjoying some golf together! You're so patient and make the best personal coach ever. Hope you have the happiest of birthdays and I'm excited we will have Peanut here with us next year to celebrate with you on your special day!

Friday Funnies - 5.10.13

Is it just me or did this week fly by? Maybe it's just me but wow, I can't believe it is already Friday! Next week is finals week and next week means that a lot of my close friends will be graduating and leaving Iowa City so they can start their internships. I am so sad to see them go but so excited for their adventures they will have this summer! Like I said earlier, this weekend will be one full of celebrations because Jordan's birthday is Saturday and Sunday is Mother's Day! I hope the weather stays nice and sunny like it's supposed to so that we can thoroughly enjoy the weekend! I'm going to some garage sales and off to do some thrifting before Mr. E gets home and we settle in for the night with dinner and a movie! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! 

image via Pinterest
how (almost) every college student feels during the week leading up to finals
and trying to study for them....

one of the greatest impression reels you will ever watch....

like the 4th of July in Alaska!

17 Weeks

17 weeks update: I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting a real baby bump! But I am definitely thankful that I can still in all of my normal clothes and haven't had to resort to wearing maternity pants.... I just don't know if I will ever fit into them enough or the right way! The ones I have seen and tried on have the elastic band at the top which I knew they would but then they also have wayyyyyy too much room in the butt and thighs for me! Unless I'm just that unaware that everything is going to exponentially expand and grow?! I know my boobs and belly certainly are but wow! If my butt and thighs go up 3-4 sizes, that will definitely be something else! I have seen some really cute maternity skinny jeans at The Gap but I'm having a hard time justifying spending $40-60 on just one pair when wearing them is going to be for such a limited time! ugh! Good thing the summer weather is around the corner because I definitely have a ton of flowy and bump-friendly dresses! Besides that, I have still been feeling pretty great! I have been craving veggies still and now tons of fresh fruit...I have eaten two whole pineapples in the past 8 days! Anything cold and fresh tastes so good and refreshing plus the added health benefits of having these cravings aren't that bad either! It's also garage sale season, whoop whoop! So I'm already on the hunt to start a stockpile of baby clothes, toys, and other baby goods...I love me some good deals and garage sale finds! Jordan and I are celebrating his birthday on Saturday, the big 25, and then Mother's Day on Sunday so I'm happy the week is half over and we have a fun weekend of special celebrations coming up! 

Teacher Appreciation Day!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to all of my teacher friends and especially to my favorite teacher of them all, Mr. Easton! You are all incredible, do amazing work, and are making a difference in the lives of so many kids... I would gladly leave my own kids in your care and in your classroom because I know they would be well taken care of! Sometimes teachers get overlooked and their work goes unappreciated and unnoticed so today is for all of you teacher's - enjoy it and keep being the awesome and inspiring people that you all are!

9 months...3/4 of a year already!

 'Cause I Love You
By: Johnny Cash & June Carter

I'll sweep out your chimney 
yes and, I will bring you flowers

yes and, I will do for you

Most anything you want me to

If we live in a cottage

You will feel like it's a castle

By the royal way you're treated

And attention shown to you

I'll be there beside you

If you need a cryin shoulder

Yes, and I'll be there to listen

When you need to talk to me

When you wake up in the darkness

I will put my arms around you

And hold you till the mornin sun 

Comes shinin' through the trees

I'll be right beside you

No matter where you travel

I'll be there to cheer you

Till the sun comes shinin through

If we're ever parted 

I will keep the tie that binds us
And I'll never let it break'Cause I love you 

I will bring you honey

From the bee tree in the meadow

And the first time there's a rainbow

I'll bring you a pot of gold

I'll take all your troubles

And I'll throw 'em in the river

Then I'll bundle down beside you

And I'll keep you from the cold

I'll be right beside you

No matter where you travel

I'll be there to cheer you

Till the sun comes shinin through

If we're ever parted 

I will keep the tie that binds us

And I'll never let it break

'Cause I love you

Happy 9 month wedding anniversary, Mr. E!
You are incredible, supportive, and you make me a better person each day.
I vow to always give you my best and to be your best friend.
All my love, KE

Friday Funnies - 5.3.13

So apparently living in Iowa means that April showers brings MAY SNOW AND RAIN STORMS!!! Whatever pissed off Mother Nature, I wish she would get over it and bring on the Spring weather all ready! Just a few days ago it was the high 80's and now the past two days, I have been wearing my winter coat! I can't handle all of these abrupt changes in the weather! Today since it was so rainy and gloomy out, it made for the perfect napping weather...so after working my half-day of four hours at the hospital, I came home to lounge with Jordan, snuggle with Paisley and get a nap in. Which then lasted for four hours but it was fantastic! That's my kind of perfect 8-hour work day! The rest of the weekend looks like it's supposed to be gloomy and rainy so that should help be motivation to study and get to work on my last few projects for the school year. So happy to almost be done for the semester...for good! Can't wait for all the fun festivities we have planned coming up this summer so I just want the nice weather that goes along with it all! Have a good weekend and make the most of it!

image via Google
This is the battle between Jordan and Paisley....every night.
And it makes me laugh so hard....every night.

Need work on your car? Call this guy!

shift it shift in forward! shift it shift it in reverse!

Double-Sided Headbands

Tonight I whipped up three of these double-sided headbands and they were SUPER easy to make and a quick project! I had plenty of scrap fabric left over from covering the rocking chair cushions and making a dress last year so that's what I used for all three headbands since two of them are going to my girlfriends to have! I followed this tutorial and free template from Happy Together Creates Blog and she gives step-by-step directions along with pictures! She also has several other fun projects, ideas, and tutorials so be sure to check out her website! I made all three headbands in about an hour and a half...it was just a matter of getting my assembly line in order which including tracing, cutting out the fabric, and pinning...then sewing it all together! You'll only need some scraps of fabric, some elastic and an hour (or less depending on how many you're going to make) of free time for this quick and easy craft! I love headbands and am ready for some summer up-dos now with this fun print headband!

16 Weeks

16 weeks update: I THINK and I am pretty sure that I felt some movement this week! It was really quick and felt more like little flutters....as soon as I noticed it, they would be gone! I've heard that's what movement feels like early on so I have a feeling that it was Peanut squirming around....definitely looking forward to feeling actual movement and being certain about what it was! I'm sure I'll eat those words when it's near the end of the 3rd trimester and I'm getting kicked in the ribs, lungs, bladder, back and wherever else there is room! I'm still rocking all of my normal clothes and pants which is surprising because last week they were feeling pretty snug and now this week they're all fitting normal again. So I think some of the bloat is going away and it's turning into more of an actual bump! No nausea of any sort and only a few headaches here and there! The only cravings I have are still the same like fresh veggies and fresh fruit especially pineapple and apples... either that, or I still want whatever I see other people eating!

And I'm so happy that today is May Day! I remember making May Day baskets with my mom while I was growing up and I would hand them out to everyone at school and then all of the neighbor kids when I got home from school that afternoon. I can't wait to have that same tradition with our little Peanut because it was always so fun filling the cups up with good treats and sneaking a few for myself every now and then!