Through My Eyes: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Baby Gabe is here!

My little sister Lacey had her baby boy this morning! Gabriel Ross was born at 8:40 and is 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and 21 inches long! She only gained 18 pounds throughout her pregnancy so shes probably already back down to her pre-pregnancy weight (and yes, I am very jealous of that). So, yay! We are very excited.

The new parents!

Happy birthday Gabe!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

ticker

I dont know if you guys have noticed but theres a little ticker at the bottom of the page that has how many weeks I am and how many days there are left of my pregnancy. If you ever forget, head on down there!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Montana

Last weekend we went up to Montana to visit Justin's dad. It was SO nice to actually have to wear a jacket to leave the house. It was really nice weather, around 35-40 degrees while we were there. I really love cold weather (clearly I live in the wrong state) so I was definitely in my element. It goes without saying that Avah absolutely loved the snow and spent every moment she could outside in it. Justin's dad lives about 20 minutes away from town and there is no cell service so it was soo relaxing. Here are some photos from the weekend:

Avah all ready to play! Justin's dad has two dogs and they did not like the pink at all!

Avah's snowman!

Justin plowing some snow and moving some firewood.

The house (still pretty far from the street)

A picture of my 6 1/2 month pregnant belly! Pretty soon I'll get off my ass and actually take a picture standing up. Haha!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

2010 in photos (minus Oct-Dec)

My nephews, Dylan and Devan with Avah (dont ask me whats all over her face)

Avah's first day of soccer!

Avah and her grandma in the summer

Me and Justin straight from the pool during the summer

Avah and Justin hiking (from a July camping trip)

My mom and a rocker dude out for her birthday

Me and Justin out on the town for my mom's birthday

Me and Jill out for my moms birthday

Me and Justin in Hannigan Meadow for my birthday

Avah's first day of school

Avah and my sister, Mitra, getting all prettied up for my sister Ericka's wedding

Me and Justin at Ericka's wedding (I was a bridesmaid)

Justin and the beautiful bride (in her going away outfit)

Monday, January 10, 2011

New Years Resolutions

People either love them or they hate them. I am usually one of those people that hate them, but I am going to embrace it this year and see how it goes. If anything, they will serve as a reminder for the things I WANT to do, but for some reason haven't.

1.) Take more pictures. I used to take pictures when it wasn't cool to take pictures. People thought I was weird for trucking around my SLR around everywhere I went. Then my camera broke and mommyhood happened so I had no money to replace it. All of the pictures I have of Avah as a baby are on my mom's now non-working computer. I probably have 3. It makes me terribly, terribly sad. I know they arent lost forever since we can restore the hard drive, but there still isnt that many since I didnt own a camera. I just do not want to look back on all of these years and have no photos to show for it.

2.) This is VERY cliche, but I want to lose weight and get in shape. Ive already gained 25 pounds in this pregnancy (eeek!). I am not too concerned with losing the weight since I hate being this big (even though its for a reason) but I want to actually get in shape while I'm at it. I am trying to prepare now so I set myself up for success.

3.) Do more "Mommy and Me" activities with Avah. We dont do a whole lot together besides going to the park and that kind of thing. We used to do more but I've been so busy lately with school, work, and just general upkeep of the house that its hard. It needs to be closer to the top of the priority list. Pretty soon shes going to be a tween and wont want anything to do with me. Things like arts and crafts, cooking, baking, board games, etc are gonna happen more around the house.

4.) Schedule evening activities better so there is more time to relax and read to Avah at night. I have a tendency of looking at the clock and realizing we have 30 minutes to bathe, brush teeth, get dressed, and do homework. If you know Avah then you know that it takes her 30 minutes just to get dressed. Shes the slowest person ever. If she doesnt get in bed on time shes a complete monster the next day (we've tried adjusting her bed times on several occasions because its really early, but she needs a ton of sleep). Anyway, evening routines need to be more relaxing and loving instead of crazy and rushed.

5.) Be more loving with my husband. Part of this has to do with being pregnant and feeling like a house. No one that doesnt already know thinks I'm pregnant. I definitely have a belly, but apparently it looks like a large gut instead of a 6 1/2 month pregnant belly. I shouldnt let people's opinions bother me so much, but instead of feeling beautiful and pregnant I just feel fat. Its hard to explain. But moving on, because of that I am less touchy feely with Justin because I feel not so attractive. Little actions go a lot way, like hand holding while I'm on the couch reading, etc.

6.) Blog more! I dont see my friends a whole lot for various reasons, but in my opinion, blogging helps us all stay more connected. I also like the fact that I can come back and read through this at any point in my life and remember. I love those kinds of memories.

7.) Make a few photo books on Snapfish. We made a photo book for our wedding of Justin and I as kids (growing up) and then a few as adults. We used it as our guestbook. I love it! I want a photobook of Avah's first year (I need those pictures from my mom!) and also do one for the new baby as well. I also want to do "year" books as well. I should start on 2010!

8.) Save more money. We had a good chunk of money saved up but we spent it on our wedding and honeymoon. I want to build our savings account again, and ASAP! I also need to watch my spending. I tend to spend a little here a little there and it really, really adds up. I also want to start couponing more than I do. I know its totally nerdy, but I get a kick out of seeing the "Savings, 50%" on my receipt. Its totally awesome because thats money we could be saving for something fun instead!

9.) Sew more. I really enjoy it.

10.) Finish projects soon after I start them. I have a tendency of dragging things out and that needs to stop. It drives both me and Justin crazy!

Ok thats it. If you havent already you should post your resolutions! I love reading other peoples.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Wedding Photos

Sorry (to the 5 people that read this) about taking so long with these! Heres a little glimse of one of the best days of my life...

I spent sooo much time trying to figure out how I wanted the stupid escort cards to look. I thought of doing a board, having them printed, etc etc etc. In the end, no one actually followed them and the seating arrangement was a total mess. They looked pretty though!

My dad and little brother stained and nailed the table numbers together. I loved them so much. Because those two did them they had SO much character. There was even two sixes for a while due to the nine being nailed in upside down but I guess someone fixed them. I was going to leave them that way, haha!

Pretty water.

The cake. I didnt spend a whole lot of time envisioning this. The base that it came on was wrong but I didnt notice until about a month later after looking at pictures. I guess it wasnt that important! All in all, I thought it turned out very nicely.