1-2-3-4-5

1. Blog Makeover

No, you didn't go to the wrong blog...I just gave mine a little make over!  Baby isn't here yet, but we are over half way there--so I thought it would be okay to officially make this a family blog :)

 

2. Highlights from our last summer trip to the lake with my family. 

 

Obviously, the biggest highlight was meeting my new nephew, Oliver! (We also had a big b-day party for Natalie and Stratton--love those two!)

Doesn't Matt look like such a natural in this picture?  (Foreshadowing...hehe)

 Or, do I like how this looks better?  I can't decide...maybe a little more realistic at this point ;)

 Princess Natalie...she is the best and such a helpful older sister!

 This is me hogging the baby more so that I could get in more practice before we had to leave.

 Comparing our "bumps."

 

3. Kicking!

Speaking of bumps...I felt the baby kick this past weekend.  She woke me up at 12:30 am with all of her kicking.  I woke up Matt to feel it too...one of the coolest feelings!  I feel her wiggling inside almost every evening now :)

 

4. Moving

Luckily, its going smoother than I anticipated.  Almost done and then we can begin the unpacking...

 

5. Beaconator

 

This poor little guy has been a little neglected lately.  We thought we almost lost him again when Matt said the other night, "Have you seen Beacon latley?"  We found him about five minutes later snug behind his food bin in the pantry (with the door closed...oops :/)  Hopefully this is no indication of what our parenting will be like!  The other big event in Beacon's life will be getting a "Lion's Cut" at the groomer today.  We thought this might be best for him since we don't do a great job of routinely brushing him.  Stay tuned for a look at his new "do!"

Baby GIRL

We are so excited to announce that we are having a little GIRL!!!  Isn't she cute?!

 We were totally shocked when we found out its a girl.  Matt asked the ultrasound tech, "Are you sure?" haha  Everyone was telling us it was going to be a boy!  After our appointment, we went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate and then did some shopping :)

 This little girl has already got Daddy wrapped around her finger ;)  I suggested that we buy a gun and start saving more money (I can't wait to have a little buddy to go shopping with and to get our nails done...hehe...in a few years ;)  We sure feel BLESSED to have a healthy baby girl on the way.

 

Here I am at 20 weeks. 

(Feels kinda weird posting pictures of my bump but I always want to see other peoples bumps, so here ya go ;)

 In other news...here are some cute pics from our double date with Brandon and Kacey to Downtown Disney.  We went to the "dine-in" theater and had dessert at Ghiradelli...yummy

 Cute couple :)

 

In other news....

I have a new nephew, Oliver Graham Kent! 

 

He is so handsome.  I can't wait to meet him this weekend!  Also looking forward to celebrating Natalie and Stratton's b-days!

 

 

 

Oh, and one more thing...we are moving! 

But only about 5 miles (hehe).  We have a few weeks to get our stuff together and move into a slightly bigger home that will be perfect for our family of three.  Thanking God for how he always provides for us in such abundant ways. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets pretend school doesn't start Monday and think about summer...

Well, its back to reality now that our hiatus up north is over.  Here is a brief recap of our adventures.  (I had to borrow some pictures from my sister because I barely took any.  I was having too much fun!!!)

This is Matt and Stratton paddle boarding on Lake Michigan.



 Sisters :)

 Matt and I volunteered to take the kiddos for a day.  We started the day at Panera, followed by a lot of coloring, nature walks, swimming at the beach, and naps!

 This picture is kinda cheesey and a little embarassing...but I had to document it.  My sister was so great to me, and helped me start my registry while I was home.  Boy, am I glad that she was there to help!  Thanks, sis!

 This on our way home from the airport.  We had to pick up Beacon from a friends house (thanks, Kurt and Courtney!)  haha

Our adventure continued as we drove east to see Matt's family.  We enjoyed many family dinners and time on the boat before everyone heads back to college (Topher is going to be a freshman at Wheaton and Kelsey will be graduating this year!)  Like I said, I don't have very many pictures because I was too busy relaxing and having fun ;)

 Bump Update- Here I am at 18 weeks, although I am almost 19 weeks as I write this!  We plan to find out the gender in less than 2 weeks!  I have had a feeling from the beginning that its a boy but I had a dream last night that its a girl...hmmm

And, for those of you who are interested...I have some funny preggo moments to share...

-I had meetings at school and orientation this week, and I have been extremely absent minded and exhausted.  Usually going back to school can make you a little scatter brained but this is to a whole new level.  I have to write EVERYTHING down when it comes to mind or else I WILL forget. 

-I was praying I would not make a fool of myself at orientation when the kids and parents visit the classroom (due to my half-brain problem).  Fortunately, there was only one mishap.  I just realized I accidently told a mom (english is not her first language) that school started an hour earlier than it really does....OOOPS...at least her kid will be on time! haha

Classy Craft

I was looking for a craft on pinterest that didn't look too crafty (AKA-like I made it myself).  I think I was pretty successful.

 Supplies: Old picture frame (I bought one because I didn't have any), paint, handles (Lowe's had exactly what I was looking for), fabric, and hot glue gun

 

 This is me being a dork trying not to inhale fumes from spray painting the frame white.  This step probably took me the longest because the frame needed many coats to cover up the gold finish.

 

 Side note-This is Matt "weeding."  I guess this is what happens when you neglect your patio in Florida. hah

 

Okay, back to work.  Next, I hot glued the fabric (which needed ironing-not so fun) to the backing that came with the frame. 

(Notice-I also hot glued some cork to the corners of the frame so that it wouldn't scratch the table and I also removed the saw-tooth hangers.)

Finally, I hot glued the glass onto the top of the frame (not like how you would usually put the glass in a frame) using a small dot in each corner so it wouldn't be obvious.  I also glued the handles instead of screwing them in because I didn't want to break the frame.

 I had fun playing around with how to "dress up" this new accessory on our coffee table.

This is definitely a project worth trying!