whew I survived.

It's Friday. And that means that I survived my first week back to the hospital. I won't lie and say it was easy because it definitely wasn't. I probably shed more tears on Monday alone than Everly did all week! The week flew by though and I have some great people to be working with that made the week easy on me too. I am able to go pump 3 times a day and some of the specialists are recent new moms (within the past 2 years at least) so they understand the importance of breastfeeding, pumping, and keeping up your supply so they are always reminding me to go take a break and pump. Then that gives me time to flip through my phone looking at pictures of Everly and time to just take a little rest. It is exhausting jumping back into things after being gone for so long! But thankfully I've had a lot of support from Jordan and my parents this week...I never would have survived without them and their encouragement, love, and support! My mom had to practically kick me out the door on Monday because I was stalling so much but now I'm ready to leave each day because the sooner I start my day, that means the sooner I can get home each night. Eight weeks flew by when I was home with Everly so I can't imagine how quickly these next three weeks are going to go and then I will officially be done! All that's left then is the certification exam...which I'm not even going to think about right now because that's not until the spring. I'm just thankful to have the opportunity for this internship and the chance to finish it after having Everly! Now onto the good part of the week....it's Friday! And my whole family is going to be in town this weekend for the Iowa game so I can't wait to see them, relax, enjoy some homecooking (I missed my dad's good cooking so much when they were living in Texas!), and love on Everly every chance I get! Happy weekend everybody! Hope you enjoy it by doing something that you love!

our Hawkeye Family

It's Game Day for the Hawks! So that means one thing... we are all bleeding Black and Gold! Everly looks good in Hawk gear! She's the cutest little Iowa fan that I know and love!

happy to be a Hawkeye! 

touchdown Iowa!

love our Hawkeye family

starting her early and teaching her all about football

snuggling with both my girls...
I don't know who is more tired: Everly or Paisley?!

Paisley's thinking, "this whole baby thing is exhausting..."

what this weekend was supposed to look like...

Everly isn't even a week old yet and already there's been several times where Jordan and I have said, "oh shoot, we aren't going to be able to this/go to that because the baby is here now!" And this weekend is one of those times. Tomorrow is our good friends Ryan and Alyson's wedding in Chicago! Jordan is a groomsmen so we were going to be heading there today for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner then enjoy all the wedding festivities tomorrow. Since I'm living in the NICU currently with our baby, the plans have changed! And I know this will be the first of many times that our plans change because of Everly...and I'm totally okay with that. Thankfully our friends are awesome and totally understand and they were even planning on Jordan not making it to the wedding at all and were just going to rearrange some things with the bridal party. I know he is bummed to be leaving me and Everly all weekend but I'm glad at least he can be there to stand up by his close friend and be part of their special day. In the meantime, Everly and I will continue to hang out with my mom, doing some crafting, and watch some chick flicks! Happy wedding weekend Ryan and Alyson! I hope you have a beautiful day and I can't wait to see pictures!

a baby shower filled with love!

Daddy & Mama to be!

the cutest little Baby block cake!

sisters!

"my baby is having a baby!"
love you Mom

Yesterday we had our first baby shower for Peanut and it was a huge success in so many different ways! Jordan and I feel blown away at the amount of family and friends that we had show up to come celebrate the arrival of our baby and took the time out of their day to see us and spoil our baby. Peanut got A LOT of really nice, useful, and awesome things that I can't wait to get organized and use! I'm so thankful especially that my parents were able to be here for the shower and also that both my sister and brother drove from Wisconsin to spend the weekend with us and be part of the shower. It was also a fun weekend back home in Webster City seeing old friends and catching up with all of our old neighbors. Some things just never change and being back home is one of them - the good ol' days and it's great being around people where you can pick right up where you left off from the last time! Now that we are finally back home for the weekend, I can't wait to go through everything from the shower again later this week to get it all unpacked, play with it, and daydream about when Peanut is here to use it. I can't wait to meet our baby and now the shower made it seem so real and so close to the day we get to meet this baby!

Friday Funnies - 8.2.13

The first Friday funny of August, what whaaaat?! And it's our 1st wedding anniversary weekend! Other than celebrating our big one year, we don't really have anything else planned besides sleeping in and relaxing! We are getting settled in at Jordan's parents as minimal as possible because I don't want to have to repack/reorganize things when we get ready to move into our own place! But it's definitely no fun living out of a suitcase and having all of our stuff spread out in lots of boxes....but hey, I'll take that over being homeless! Looks like the month of August is going to fly by with my internship still going on, Jordan starts teaching full-time and coaching, our baby shower, and Iowa football starting! Bring on all of the fun times with lots of family and friends! Happy August everyone and enjoy the weekend!

And I am sad to announce that even though this is the first Friday Funny of August, it is also going to be the last....wahhh! Turns out between the internship, setting up our new home, and preparing for Peanut's arrival, turns out I don't have that much extra time to be spending dinking around on the internet! BUT! Rest assured, if I do find things that I still find really funny and entertaining, then I will be posting that because who doesn't enjoy a good laugh from time to time?! Maybe once Peanut arrives and we get in a good routine, I will be able to post Friday Funnies again consistently... until then, keep laughing and loving!

image via Google"Do I?" I bet she is asking herself, "Do I party too hard?"

Love Stinks

Especially if you live with someone who farts into the fan every night!

and we're out.

After three days of packing, moving, loading and unloading, then cleaning like crazy, we are officially completely out of our first condo. It was kind of bittersweet driving away for the last time... lots of memories, firsts, and good times were had there that's for sure! It is the place where Jordan and I got engaged, where we brought Paisley home to, and where we lived for our first year of marriage! A big chapter of our lives has now closed and I am anxiously awaiting to see where we end up next and how our adventure will continue... We might be living out of suitcases and boxes in the basement of Jordan's parents house for now but I know things will all work out how they're supposed to!

cloth diapering 101

This morning Jordan and I took a break from packing and moving to go to our first of three baby classes.... and it was Cloth Diapering 101!! We are also registered for a childbirth and preparation class along with a breastfeeding class in a couple of weeks. I know at first Jordan was pretty leary about this whole cloth diapering idea and didn't think he needed to come to the class with me because I could just relay all of the information to him while he still packed and loaded stuff up. However, I knew that just wasn't going to work or convince him that we could do this whole cloth diapering thing. Anyway, the class itself was pretty small with only about 8-9 other people. The lady who taught it was a past and current cloth diaper-er herself and the owner of the store we were at. She definitely knew her stuff and I loved hearing about her experiences, tips and tricks, and how it can be done by "newbies like us." We saw all sorts of diapers, inserts, covers, wipes, and the whole shebang. I can already see why it is easy to get sucked into the world of cloth and to be buying new cute diapers with specific designs/patterns/colors because they're all SO CUTE!!! As soon as the class was over, Jordan said, "we need to buy one of those wet/dry bags. Let's go pick out one with a cool design and pattern on it..." and since we got a $5.00 store credit for attending the class, we bought our first PlanetWise wet/dry bag that has bold and bright stripes of colors and it is super fun. I can't wait to use it! When we were driving home, Jordan said, "well, I definitely wasn't expecting to leave that class feeling like this but I am pretty pumped that we are going to be using cloth diapers for Peanut. I didn't think I'd be excited about diapers and getting to change them but this class made it seem a lot easier and realistic to do than I was thinking it would be. And I'm not gonna lie, saving the kind of money we'll save by using cloth is going to be pretty nice. Now we have to get Peanut a couple of Christmas print dipes!!" Yep, my husband is pretty awesome. I am so happy that he is on board with me now about going the cloth route! Can't wait to have a little fluffy butt baby in my arms! Now back to more packing, moving, and cleaning...almost done, wheeee!

Friday Funnies - 7.26.13

It's the last Friday of July...umm when and how did that happen?! Seriously. What is happening to this summer and why is time flying by?! How are we a week away from our 1 year wedding anniversary already and about 11ish weeks away from Peanut's due date???? Time is moving too fast and it's terrifying!!! This weekend will be anything but relaxing or enjoyable for us unfortunately because it is moving weekend. So that means long days, lots of cleaning, and lots of last minute packing and organizing of our stuff. Ughhh woof. And since we don't have a place of our own, we are moving in with two roommates aka Jordan's parents. Yep, that's happening! While I'm definitely thankful that they are this close by and are able to help us out so we aren't homeless, I definitely hate not having a place of our own to get organized and set up with our stuff. We are hoping this isn't a long-term thing (actually, I refuse to let that happen...) and it would be ideal if this was a 2-4 week thing so then we have late August and early September to be organizing our new place and setting up Peanut's room. I just want a place of our own to call home and a place for us to bring Peanut home to! I know everything will work out eventually and we will make the most of our current living situation but I can't stay it's been stress-free leading up to this point. But hey, we could always be homeless so like I said, I'm thankful Jordan's parents have cleared out their basement for us and essentially set-up our own apartment downstairs! Since our weekend will be spent sweating, cleaning, packing, and moving, I hope you all find time to do some relaxing and laughing for us! Enjoy the last weekend of July and make it a good one!

image via Pinterest
and this is how people lose a mattress on the side of the road...

drive, drive, drive!
worry about yourself!

Friday Funnies - 7.19.13

It's Friday already, say whaaaat?!! I know I say it a lot but this week has flown by.... is that just how it is when you're pregnant that time seems to fly by or is that how it is when you're busy all week working or doing whatever it is that you enjoy doing?! Either way, I'm not complaining if it means the week goes by fast rather than crawling by! And this weekend is shaping up to be another one spent at home doing some packing/moving and then relaxing with Jordan and Paisley! We are still on the hunt for a new place but at least we have a Plan B which consists of moving our stuff to Jordan's parents temporarily and staying there until we find a permanent place. I'm definitely thankful we have this option so we aren't homeless and have to stay in a hotel with our stuff in a U-Haul but I also really like to have my own space! And I want to start getting a room set up for Peanut sooner than later so I'm hopeful that we will find a place to call home in the next couple of weeks or maybe even days! Anyway, hope everyone survived the work week and that you get to enjoy the weekend and summer weather! 

image via Pinterest
and every wife has this look when she is driving and her husband is sitting shotgun!

Sad Cat Diary

"Two rubs exactly. A third one and I will bite the shit out of them..."

cheer up kitties, it's the weekend!

the family fun weekend has come and gone

...And just like that, the whirlwind of the weekend is over already. It always goes by way too fast! We had a good time visiting with my parents on Friday night before the madness set in on Saturday with everyone there but it was a lot of fun having us all together because it's so rare when it does happen! On Saturday, my mom and I went to a huge baby expo where we got signed up for tons of freebies and each brought home a goody bag full of freebies, coupons, samples, and other fun stuff for Peanut! Then Saturday night we all hung out, had some pizza, and enjoyed playing cards with each other! Of course, it wouldn't be a Cross family weekend without lots of jokes and laughing with each other! Sunday we spent some time packing and moving a lot of our stuff out to the garage and organizing our place since we have to move out at the end of the month. I'm definitely thankful for the help that we had because I'm not able to lift much and Jordan would have been stuck with moving a ton of things out to our garage! I just wish the weekends didn't go by so fast because we don't get enough time spent with each other! Thanks fam for an awesome and entertaining weekend as always - can't wait until we are all together again!

Friday Funnies - 7.12.13

So sooo happy it's Friday! That means another week down of the internship....and this weekend my whole family will be here visiting! My niece and nephew have spent the past 3 weeks in Texas with my parents so they're all driving up and will be here tonight! Then tomorrow, my brother, sister-in-law, and sister are coming to stay for the rest of the weekend with us too... it's going to be a full house but I can't wait! It's rare when we're all together so it should be a great weekend full of lots of laughs and good times with each other! This week has flown by but has definitely left me feeling exhausted...mainly because I'm still trying to adjust to getting up so early and going strong the whole day through at work! I just gotta keep telling myself that it will be worth it because I know it will be! Knowing we have a fun family filled weekend coming up definitely helped make the week go by though which is always nice! Hope you enjoy your weekend and don't forget to laugh a little and relax!

image via Pinterest
walking to school can also be exchanged for walking to work....
either way we all feel the same about it on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons!

Sad Dog Diary

"it poops delicious candy into a box of pee flavored sprinkles" 

cheer up pups...it's the weekend!

Happy 4th of July (weekend)!

Happy 4th of July!

These are a few of my favorite things.... a day spent with Jordan, a delicious strawberry smoothie with a funnel cake, an awesome fireworks show, and the beauty of the flag waving on a sunny day! We had a great weekend that consisted of all of these things along with a trip to the farmer's market, a picnic/grill out at Jordan's parents with their friends and neighbors, and some family time on Sunday. It was a quality low key weekend and just what I needed before starting my internship this week!

Friday Funnies - 7.5.13

Happy Friday everyone and Happy 4th of July weekend!!! Looks like there's going to be some gorgeous summer weather (well, here at least!) so hopefully you all can get out and enjoy it! I have always loved the 4th of July and the atmosphere of it - the fireworks, grilling out, sunny days, and time with family and friends! Plus, who doesn't love to celebrate America's freedom?! Have fun celebrating and be safe... USA #1, love it or leave it!!!

image via Google
so many American activities...so little time

AmeriStanzi

USA #! If you don't love it, leave it!

Friday Funnies - 6.28.13

And just like that, it's the last Friday of June....the madness of this month is coming to a close and it looks like the first few weeks/weekends of July are going to be just as busy as well! But that's how we like things and seem to live - flying by the seat of our pants! After having such an exciting week with the job and internship offer, I am definitely looking forward to having a low key quiet night in tonight with just Jordan! We love our family and friends but this will be the first night where we are home alone without having to go somewhere or meet up with someone or have to do anything.... besides relax, lounge, and enjoy each other's company! Since it's mid-summer, I figured we could use a little baseball humor for the weekend since baseball season is now in full swing and the Cubs are back on the struggle bus. Like always. So the only thing to do about that is find some humor, laugh it off, and remind ourselves that "there's always next year!" (and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that....) Hope you all have a great weekend whether it's spent relaxing and doing nothing or entertaining some guests or traveling... it's summer so live it up and enjoy it!

image via Pinterest
I hate when the coach tells you do something and then this happens...

Ho Hey...Harry Caray!

This song just got 100x times better because of this... hot dogs!

Friday Funnies - 6.21.13

Well it's finally Friday and we have another fun-filled and busy weekend ahead of us! My good friend Leah will be here in a little bit so I'm really excited to get to see her and hang out because it has been far too long since we've been together! And then tomorrow I have a bridal shower for my friend Alyson who is engaged to Jordan's really close friend who he grew up with, Ryan! We are really looking forward to their wedding in September even though I will be 8ish months pregnant...it will still be a great time! And on Sunday, Jordan and I are Godparent's to Lucie and she is getting baptized! Whewww lots of action and lots of family time plus seeing some old friends...should be a great time all around and I'm ready for it! Thankfully I haven't been feeling too exhausted lately and am still able to enjoy all of these get togethers with everyone! Hopefully you all enjoy your weekend and make time for some relaxing and lounging!

                                     image via Tumblr

it's the weekend and you got that right...there's no rules!!!

what about infinity times infinity?!!

I can't wait until my own kid sasses me like that...oh wait, yes I can.

a Wicked recap

outside by the official Wicked semi!

spoiled by my sister...love you!

ahhh it's almost show time!
Jordan was embarrassed that I made him stand here for the picture..

"no photography allowed"
I think the guy meant during the show so I snuck this pic of the stage!

WICKED was absolutely incredible!!!! From the very beginning opening scene all the way through to the closing scene and final moments! I was in awe the whole time and even found myself tearing up from time to time because I was just that happy to be there and so impressed by everything and loved the whole story line along with every single song. I would highly, highly recommend this show to anyone if you ever have a chance to go see it....then definitely, buy tickets when they become available and go see it!!! You will not regret it at all! The show was both mesmerizing and amazing all at the same time... I still have all of the songs stuck in my head!

The rest of the weekend was just as awesome as well... we stayed up late both nights playing cards, exchanging lots of stories, and plenty of laughs. Saturday night we actually stayed up until the sun came up. I mean, until it was "daybreak" as we kept calling it. When we realized it was 5am, we quickly wrapped up our card game and called it a night or morning? We all slept in late on Sunday, because that's how all Lazy Sunday's should start, and then had breakfast together before hitting the road back home to Iowa. The weekend went by way too fast but it was one for the record books that's for sure. Jordan and I were both spoiled with the awesome tickets for Wicked and all of the good food and good company for the weekend... I have the best sister ever! Can't wait until we are all together again in a few weeks! Thanks for the laughs and filling our lives with love, you're the best!

Friday Funnies - 6.14.13

We are getting ready to hit the road to leave for Milwaukee for the weekend and I can't wait! We are going up to my sister's place for a weekend of fun that will include a lot of laughs, lounging, and we are going to see WICKED!!! Ahhh I'm sooo excited! I love a great weekend spent with my sister but a weekend together with a show?! Perfect! Jordan is the only one out of us who has already seen Wicked but he is just as excited to see it again... I somehow already have the entire soundtrack memorized and I've never even seen the show so I definitely can't wait for some of the songs to make a little more sense! June is really shaping up to be a great month and I'm so lucky to have gotten so much time with my family and our friends. Here's to another amazing weekend - hope you all enjoy the weekend as well!

image via Pinterest
now why didn't I think of this when I gave Paisley her summer buzz?!!

this kid is flying around on a broom like Harry Potter...

whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo!!! 

it seriously gets funnier the more you watch it.....

weekends go too fast. way too fast...

Our girl's weekend officially came to an end when I had to drop my mom off at the airport today around noon. Man, why do the weekends always have to fly by especially the ones that are spent with family?! All of us girls had an awesome weekend though that's for sure! And I know Jordan had a blast in Chicago with all of his guy friends so it was a win-win for the both of us. Us girls did a lot of shopping, pampering ourselves with manis/pedis, and then did some baby stuff for Peanut! And it wouldn't of been a girls weekend without a chick flick movie marathon, popcorn, and plenty of snack food for the night! It was so fun hanging out, relaxing, and enjoying time spent with each other filled with lots of girl talk, plenty of laughs, and tons of love. I wish I could have more weekends like that with my mom, my sister and her girlfriend but I will take the time together that we can get! 

We also spent Sunday at my cousin's baby shower which was a lot of fun and really special. She is 10 weeks ahead of me so it was fun sharing stories of how we have been feeling and seeing what I have to look forward to (or dread!) as my pregnancy progresses with Peanut. She is expecting a little girl so she got lots of cute little girl outfits and fun stuff for the little princess...I can't wait to meet her when she arrives! It was great sitting around with my aunts and cousins talking about life, babies, and anything in between. I'm definitely lucky to have the support system I have no only with my immediate family but also my extended family...there's some awesome women in my life!

I was totally bummed to have to drop my mom off at the airport today and was avoiding having to say good-bye...good-byes are the worst and they never get easy. But knowing I will see my mom and dad in a few weeks when they drive back up to Iowa in July made it a little better that's for sure! I can't wait to see them already and am counting down the days until we're all reunited for another fun weekend! 

cousins and 2nd generation cousins on the way!

the mamas-to-be!

mom and her girls all in purple...
unplanned but pretty funny once we realized we all coordinated!

Aunt Mary and her girls

Friday Funnies - 6.7.13

It's Friday and it's girls weekend for me and guys weekend for Jordan! And today is also a special Friday because it's my parents 33rd wedding anniversary! Wow!! Way to rock, Mom and Dad! Hope you have a wonderful anniversary and 33 more years of wedded bliss - you two are my biggest supporters and have always encouraged me and loved me in all that I do. Thanks for being so awesome and the best parents a girl could ask for! Hope you all enjoy the weekend - around here it's supposed to be rainy and gloomy but that won't stop our fun! Since it's my parents wedding anniversary and my mom is spending the weekend with us, today's Friday Funnies is dedicated to moms and the job of being a parent. Enjoy!

image via Pinterest
how is it that Mom's always know where everything is?!

The Mom Song

this is genius...and I better get this memorized for when I am telling my kids all of this same stuff!

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!