Well, I kept to my word - sort of. I've taken only 3 belly photos of my own...but did manage to get a few extra nice ones in with my friend Toni. She is a gem.

5 more weeks!

Day 14

Hey dad! I'm having so much fun in Indiana!

I've watched Dora's Christmas with Meems...

looked at the Christmas lights with Manda...

and I even colored you a picture!

Miss you so much & can't wait to see you in just 5 more days!

Love,

Emery

Love Expanding.

Thirty weeks along.
Ten more to go.
Fastest pregnancy I've ever experienced. Hah.

Baby #2 tends to get the short end of the stick - I was told.
You take millions of photos of the first baby,
and you find yourself having a lot less interest in preparing the second time around.
(I'd like to think you just have a lot less ENERGY rather than interest -- hello, I have a 14 month old!)

So far, these people are dead on!
With Emery, I spent 9 months thinking about all things baby every.single.day.
Her nursery was complete, belly shots were taken each week starting at 13,
a [pricey] custom baby book for milestones was purchased,
maternity photos were taken, and I was swimming in pinks & purples
all before I was even 7 months along.

This time around? I have taken maybe three belly shots,
booked a scaled-down version of maternity photos for next month,
and that's about it.

I suppose I feel like I'm really slacking because we're already set in a lot of areas
- thanks be to having another little girl.
 Clothes [loads of them], blankets, rattles/toys, baby gear - all handed down from Emery.

I don't want to be one of those parents who let the little things go with a second baby
(even though it's clearly headed in that direction)
So for the next 10 weeks, but goal is to try a little harder.

We're excited for you, baby #2. I promise!!!

Weekend Family Vaca Whirlwind.

Matt & I have been wanting to take a road trip for quite some time. I've been dying to get out of this heat & experience a little fall weather. So we packed up what seemed to be our entire home (thanks be to having a one year old) and took a quick Thursday-to-Sunday trip to Georgia. So glad we were able to visit some special people & spend some time catching up. Also? Emery still holds the title for the best travel buddy. I would honestly choose vacationing with her over many, many people :)

Our first stop was visiting Matt's sister - who now resides in Atlanta. While we were there, we took Emery to the aquarium.

Emery LOVED these huge fish tank walls.

And she made some friends.

We found a Beluga sign!

She really wanted to get in that water.

The next day we visited one of my favorite couples - the Lowry's. They showed us around Athens & we  got to see a little bit of why everyone loves that city & UGA.

We got our fix of fall weather and leaves. That is for sure :)

Emery has no idea what to do in leaves.

Last, we visited one more couple - the Hambricks - whom we've known for years. (I should have taken more photos of all these people!!) Such a sweet few days filled with lots of love and catching up. I'm slowly but surely talking Matt into residing somewhere with a more distinct change in seasons. I'll get back to you on it...

Love These Signs.. & You Will Too!

There are a few people in my life that I admire SO much, I wish everyone could know them, too. Name somebody? Tara Lowry. She's a friend that I love everything about and look up to in so many ways: the way she takes care of her family and household, her hair and style, her sweet southern accent, THE WAY SHE DECORATES HER HOME, her love for Jesus...I could go on. One of my favorite things about her is her craftiness and ability to make beautiful things on a budget.

Last year, when we moved into our new home...her and her husband gave us a SWEET sign as a house warming gift. Coolest part? They made it themselves! Don't you love it??

Since then, they've been selling these signs. Tara has different ones throughout her home (family rules, cities, etc) and I covet them all!

This week on Tara's blog - found here - she's giving away one of these amazing signs. You should head over there and not only enter to win one...but read up on just how wonderful of a wife, mother, and talent she really is. And tell her I sent you!

We had been in our new home for a year and I just couldn't get a grasp on how I wanted to decorate. Unfortunately, I love change a loooot and landing on home decor that could satisfy me for longer than 6 months proved to be very difficult. I'm sure my poor husband cringed every time he heard me begin a conversation with "You know...I was thinking about the house..." Constantly, I was adding new projects or do-overs that he'd already completed (if not more than once).

The main room I wanted to start with was our family room. It is the most used room in the house (as it shares one large space with the kitchen) and after talking to Matt, we decided to budget for one room at a time, taking our time, so that it would turn out exactly how we (I) wanted & keep us (me) content for a little bit very long time.

After repainting the whole thing (yep...second paint job in one year *so embarrassed*) we focused on the 1987 recessed walls we had above each room. Here are the very first photos taken before we even purchased the house.

*** You can see how those sweet sellers decided to decorate those "what is even the purpose???" spaces. At least they tried? ***

 A lot of people I asked suggested some plants. Well...I loathe plants.  So! I sought the advice of my great and talented friend, Loi and she came up with a brilliant plan. "What if you put windows up there?" Gotta be honest, I wasn't sure. But after I ran the idea by Matt, he was way too excited. Soo...windows it was! And ironically...THE NEXT WEEK he came across some old antique windows behind his warehouse at work. Very awesome, weathered, FREE windows.

So we cleaned them up..

and after taking a long time figuring out how to hang them sturdy enough to set my heart at ease (I kept having dreams they were going to come crashing down on Emery) we did it! 

My husband is the man! Photos don't do the spaces OR the room justice. It adds so much! Huge thanks to everyone who gave input. My crazy little LETS CHANGE SOMETHING EVERY DAY heart is so happy :)

Did I mention the entire thing only cost $15?!?! 

Decorating for the Season.

This is my favorite time of year. Always has been. Granted, Florida doesn't contribute very much to the "autumn season".. but you have to make the most of it, right? We've been in our house for almost a year and a half. This is our second Thanksgiving/Christmas here. But last year, I was adjusting to a newborn and had no time [or energy] to even think about decorating a home. It was hard enough finding the time to eat. This year, however, my husband is in trouble.

My first project was our fireplace mantle. After thrift store shopping and loading up on coupons to Joann Fabrics and Michaels, I finally finished it. I got a lot of the ideas from my Pottery Barn catalog (could have dropped $300 on this little project if I had it my way) and tried my best to replicate it on a budget. From the pumpkins to the frame to the candles to the leaves...I spent under $50 for the whole thing. I am very pleased.

Thank You.

Really quick - my husband is so great. I show him an idea that I like & he makes it happen. Thanks again to Pinterest, I knew the exact "thank you" card I wanted to send out for Emery's birthday before she even had her party. After we got some photos back from her day, we chose one, and my husband worked his magic. Here it is:

inside reads: "& her birthday gift from you."

Apple Orchard

The week following Emery's birthday, we flew back to Indiana with my family and spent time with them for a week. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect visit. The weather had just started to give into the fall season and it was a nice break from the 90 degree Orlando heat. Light sweaters, scarves, and boots - my favorite trio! While we were there, we took Emery to the Apple Orchard. In my 19 years of living there, I had no idea this place existed just 40 minutes away. We want to make this a yearly trip now! Here are some photos from our day: