Trim the Tree

Trimming the tree may just be my favorite part of the whole decorating process! We always have a live tree for the "main" tree...picking it out is half the fun! This year I wanted the "main" tree to have a more whimsical theme. A lot of my decorations are a bit formal and not the most fitting for little ones, so what to do with them? Put a {3rd} tree in our bedroom, of course! That tree is still rather bare, though, therefore not blog worthy.

Dining Room Tree-browns, golds, and greens

Our Main Tree-reds, greens, and lots of fun!

We tried something new with a lighted present as a topper, and I must say I love it!

Ta Da! I plan to enjoy this view as much as possible for the next month:)

*Deck the Halls*

My obsession love for Christmas is no secret. Christmas music, movies, and decorations all make their appearance well before Thanksgiving. I just can't help myself! I still feel the "Christmas Spirit" I felt as a child & find so much joy and comfort in all the traditions. My excitement has only grown with the impending arrival of Baby Girl! Oh the plans I have! 

This is our first Christmas in our new home, and let me just say, this house is a Christmas lover's dream. The decorating possibilities are endless. Not one but TWO fireplaces, open stair rails, and lots of columns serve as a blank canvas for garland, lights, and ornaments galore. My collection is far from complete, but I certainly have a solid start!

Next up: Christmas trees # 1, #2, and #3...'Tis the Season:)

25 Weeks!

We are moving right along! I get more and more excited by the day!

Nursery Update:

 I painted the walls "Bubble Bath"-a light lavender & Aunt Liza is going to stencil a Damask design in a darker shade of lavender on to an accent wall to create an ombre effect. My MIL took us antiquing to find a vintage dresser & we stumbled upon just the right piece! It's currently sitting at Grandma L's house awaiting its Chalk Paint makeover....pics to come later:) We spent hours registering at Buy Buy Baby-quite an overwhelming process for 1st time parents, even with my extensive research and detailed list! We also picked out a crib {the most expensive one in the store, of course}. I'm going to take a brief hiatus from my Nursery purchasing to ensure there are some Christmas presents under the tree, but next on the list.....FABRIC! My favorite.

Progress:

I continue to get fatter by the day & am feeling lots of movement from baby girl. I came down with a terrible, could not breath at all cold last weekend. Pregnancy is not the time for a weanie like me to get sick. I depend on medicine to cure even the slightest ailment. A few sleepless nights and miserable days later, though, I was on the mend. I haven't experienced many cravings lately. I'm still enjoying my runs, although 5 miles has turned into 3. I'm convinced that anybody who claims to "like" being pregnant is a big fat liar, but I know it will all be worth it:)

My Best Friend's Wedding!

My dearest friend of nearly 20 years tied the knot last weekend in a beautiful ceremony right on the marsh in Murrell's Inlet. It was a beautiful, laughter-filled weekend with great friends. Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Cain!

22 weeks down, 18ish to go!

I'm actually 22 weeks & 3 days pregnant now! 

And let me just say I look every bit of 22 weeks pregnant. I haven't exactly had the "embrace your new pounds" kind of attitude, and I certainly don't feel the "glow"everyone speaks of. After multiple meltdowns following attempts to squeeze my 5-month-pregnant self into my regular clothes, I decided it was probably time to go shopping. My husband was generous enough to hand over his debit card {although he probably should have specified a limit ahead of time}, and I came home with these new additions.

I've yet to buy anything "maternity", just bigger sized shirts and belly bands for my pants. On a more positive note, I've been feeling pretty good aside from some minor back pain! I can make it through the day teaching and summon the energy to workout 3-4 times a week. We have decided on a name {secret, of course!} and I am totally consumed with ideas for Baby Girl's nursery. I have a feeling my perfectionism and attention to detail are about to reach new heights!

Soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Cain!

There's nothing I love more than entertaining, especially this time of year and especially for one of my very best friends who's just a few short weeks away from tying the knot! We hosted a Couple's Shower last weekend complete with an array of seasonal beers, Hudson's BBQ, Hot Apple Cider, and plenty of other fall-themed goodies. 

We can't wait to celebrate with this amazing couple:)

{Birthday Boy}

Happy Birthday to the 4-legged love of my life!

I can not believe it's been 5 years since that 10 lb fur ball became part of our family. He'll always be my 1st "baby" :) 

 Love is not a strong enough word for how I feel about this sweet boy! XO

Gender Reveal

For 12 long weeks we anticipated this day! I can honestly say I hadn't the slightest inclination of what the sex was & I would have been thrilled either way. My husband, on the other hand, had a one track "Boy" mind. After about 15 minutes, baby finally decided to cooperate and the Sonographer spelled out g-i-r-l on the screen!! Hooray! As Lee was drowning his sorrorws adjusting to the news, visions of tutus, ballet recitals, and pink filled my head. We had a small Gender Reveal celebration planned for our families that evening.

Baby girl is the 1st Grandchild on BOTH sides, so I have no doubt she will be spoiled rotten:) Although Lee hadn't imagined a girl first, he couldn't be more excited, and I can.not.wait to see him in action with this little girl:)

Loving Fall

Fall is my absolute favorite season. I simply love the cooling temperatures, falling leaves, apple lessons in my classroom, endless pumpkin recipes, and, of course, football. This past weekend I traveled to the upstate to see my beloved Tigers stomp the Yellow Jackets.

Words can't express how much I miss this place! I'm already preparing for my future Clemson Grad, {because of course she'll attend my Alma Matter}so I happily got started on baby girl's football wardrobe!

I was glad my hubby got to enjoy the Gamecocks without my _ _ _ _ talking & bad attitude, too. The secret to a happy, house-divided marriage is to go your separate ways come Saturdays!:)