30 weeks!

30 weeks! 3/4 finished! 75% done! 7th month!

I took this picture yesterday (officially 30w3d) after my doctor appointment. 81 degrees felt AMAZING! Too bad it looks like the rest of the week will be filled with rain and cold weather.

30 weeks has been interesting. I am starting to feel the pregnancy symptoms that are common for 3rd trimester. Probably the most painful is my sore back. I haven't been to the chiropractor since I started seeing the high-risk doctor because I've been nervous. I don't want anything to pop into place that causes some new type of movement/change in my cervix. I have been sleeping very well up until this past week. I am getting up a few times to go to the bathroom and then toss and turn after that. Turning, rolling over, and getting out of bed/off of the couch is getting harder. Braxton Hicks contractions have also started recently. They aren't painful but I really don't like them. Really don't like them.

Luckily, I am off ALL week for spring break. I am looking forward to relaxing and prepping myself for April. We have SO much to look forward to during our last month as a family of 2. I am currently trying to find an outfit or two for my maternity pictures. We are just waiting for the right day with great weather. I'm getting really big so we would like to take the pictures in the next week or so.

Nursery progress is moving. Mike has painted the walls and assembled the crib and dresser. The chair I wanted it now out of stock so I'm starting over on that one. I'm also on the search for some cute decor items to put on shelves in the nursery. Any help and suggestions on where to look?

This piggy bank is adorable but I wish it came in other colors.

I'm loving this little book holder but not the $124 pricetag.   I also adore this picture frame, but it is out of stock (and $40...shakes head).

Dwell Studio has such cute things! I just can't bring myself to spend so much money on little knickknacks for the baby's room. I'm not particularly crafty so I won't be taking on too many DIY projects.

Where did you find your cute decor items?

I'm going to go and spend sometime with my little birthday girl! Our puppy-love is 2 years old today. Words really do not express how much we love our little lady. I cannot wait to see her with our son...I know she is going to be a wonderful big sister. AND...I cannot wait to give THIS AWESOME TOY to her tonight. She's going to love it!

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

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Baby Mia pictures

This past weekend, Mike found an email from over a year ago before we got Mia. )By blogging the pictures, I know that I won't lose them!) She was so cute and it really amazes me how she looks so much the same. Here is Mia at about 5 weeks old...
I think Mia looks just like her mama, Dixie...Here is big papa, Traveler...Lately, I've been thinking a lot about getting Mia another little sister. I would love to adopt from St. Louis Boxer Rescue. We will just need to be patient for the right dog at the right time. We aren't ready yet but it is definitely something we are talking about. Until then, I just keep searching the internet for boxers that are up for adoption.

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One Year Ago....

I became a mama to this beautiful puppy. (This picture was in the car on the way home from Arkansas.) Looking back at the pictures of that weekend just make me smile. She has grown so much and is such a good girl. We love her more than I could have ever imagined. I can't believe my little girl was so small.LOVE YOU MIA!

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Happy birthday, Mia Pup!

Happy birthday, my first child...my beautiful, boxer baby. Mommy and Daddy love you so much and can't imagine our lives without you. You have had your fair share of bad days and adventures but we are so proud of how you have grown up. You will always be our first puppy and our first love. We look forward to celebrating many more.

Photos courtesy of my man

Mia celebrated her first birthday yesterday and was spoiled rotten. Watching Mia open presents might be my favorite thing in the world. She really knows what she is doing! She got a bunch of new toys and even got a few treats from Four Muddy Paws. Lucky puppy! Happy birthday, Miss Mia! WE LOVE YOU!

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Bad Mia

We really WANT to give the little girl more freedom so she isn't in her crate all day. Today was her trial period. Only 3 1/2 hours and what does she do? THIS....Awesome...too bad you can't help by smile when you see her. What a brat!

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My Mia!

I haven't posted about my little baby lately. Miss Mia is just so cute...still loving this sweet girl. Mike posted some on his blog so I stole them for your viewing pleasure!I love her hair cowlic in the pictures above :) Such a beautiful, white necklace...
Look at those big, brown, puppy dog eyes...Isn't she just the cutest?!? She has an adorable personality to match, too!!! Maybe I am just a bit biased...

I am actually really glad that Mike posted these pictures because you can see a little something, something that has shown up on Mia's lip this week. Check it out...What is that red stuff? It is hard, feels like a scab, was black last week and is red this week. The other side is just normal. I thought maybe her "jowl skin" was growing or something. Mike looked it up and everything said that it is a dog's version of chapped lips? Do you pups have this?

***UPDATE*** As of 10 pm, we noticed that this red jowl is getting bigger. We also noticed blood on our comforter :( I guess we need to call the vet.

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Family Pictures!

Last Sunday, we met Lynsey at Lafayette Park for some family pictures. We were rained out the week before and we were so lucky that we were able to squeeze these pictures into our busy schedule. Lynsey is such a sweet person and she and Mike were able to talk photography together. I am sure we will hang out with Lynsey again in the future! Thanks Lynsey for spending time with us and our crazy puppy (she really was being CRAZY that day)! Here are some of my favorites...Hope everyone has a great day!

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Love my babies...

Taking a nap. So cute!

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20 weeks!

Mia is 20 weeks old now. When people ask how old she is, I just say 5 months now. She is over 25 pounds now...we aren't exactly sure how much because we just upped her food intake (she was getting a little too skinny).

I can't believe she was this small only 3 months ago...Now, check out my big girl!She is hard for me to pick up now and that makes me sad :( But she is getting better and better to snuggle with. I wish she would stay this size but she is only half of her size (or maybe less than half). I am so sad that I am going to be leaving her in less than a week to go back to work. It was such a blessing to be able to be home with her for the summer but I feel like I am leaving my child. I guess this will be how it is when I have real kids.

I am going to leave you with a video of Mia and my hair appliances. She HATES them! It is such a struggle for me to get brush, blow dry, and straighten my hair if Mike isn't home. For some reason, the brush, blow dryer, and Chi make her go bananas. Check it out...

***I am sure a few of you might be thinking, "OK idiot, she won't bark if you don't put the things in her face." But she does. The moment the brush touches my hair or I flip the switch on the blow dryer, she goes nuts! So funny!

Have a great weekend!

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The Man of Many Talents

My husband. So talented. Inspiring. Amazing.

Being married to a creative person is awesome. However, at times, I find myself getting jealous and envious. Even last night, as were are getting ready to go to bed, I asked, "What am I good at? What can I do?" My sweet husband goes on to tell me that I am smart, good at resolving issues and problems, and very practical. Personally, I don't think those talents are as cool as his.

We all know that he does calligraphy.

He designed out beautiful wedding invitations, rehearsal dinner invitations, escort cards, programs, table numbers and menus, pre-wedding BBQ invitations, and save the date postcards.

He also re-did our entire kitchen.

He is extremely talented at making logos for companies (which I am super excited to talk about his current client more in the next couple of weeks)!

Why am I bragging on my husband? I just am amazed by how much talent he has and how easily he can do so many things. Recently, his talent in photography and Photoshop have been especially exciting! Miss Mia was his recent muse.I need to take a photography class.

Finally, a blog reader and Stlwed friend, Karen, asked me if Mike could help her with an anniversary present. She has an idea in mind and asked if he could re-create a wedding picture for her. Here is the original wedding picture...and the finished product...Behind and through the image are the words to a special song, which is I'll Be, by Edwin McCain (I LOVE THAT SONG!). What a cool concept and modern idea! I can't tell if she got it wrapped as a canvas or just a blown up picture but it looks great in their home! So cool!Nice work, hunny! You are such a talented man. Word to you single ladies out there...marry a graphic designer :)

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Mia is 16 weeks old!

Remember Mia at 8 weeks?And 12 weeks?Now my baby is 16 weeks!!!What is Mia up to, now-a-days?

She is very good at doing her tricks (although she can't do any of them at puppy class). She can sit...laydown...shake...and roll over...She loves to play with her toys...sleep in the sun...and cuddle in bed in the morning...
We are off to puppy class again tonight. Hopefully she will be better tonight than she was last week!

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Can't. Stop.

Taking picture of Mia with my iPhone. Seriously, on walks, while she naps, randomly throughout the day. I just love this little girl...Guess who starts puppy class tonight?!?!

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Mia is 12 weeks old!

Time flies, huh? We got Mia just before she was 8 weeks old. Yesterday, was her 12 week old "birthday". I thought that I would take pictures on the same couch to show her growth but can't get her in the same position so it might not work.

Here she is at 8 weeks:And again at 12 weeks:She wouldn't put her head up! Does she look bigger to you? Are you getting sick of Mia pictures yet?

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