BUMP - 34 weeks

Olivia is moving all around and giving me a run for my money. I feel uncomfortable a lot of the time, but know it could be much worse. It's crazy to think that if I went into labor at this point they would just let her enter the world. Don't do it, baby girl! Keep growing! See you in 6 weeks :)

Thankful

We had a great time for Thanksgiving, with so much to be thankful for. Our house was filled with Jeff's parents, my parents, Scott and Cade. The food was amazing and the company was even better. PLUS we brought out the Christmas tree and decorations, which always makes me happy! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too :)

Pasty spicing up the turkey

Cade taking on grandpa in chess

and taking on the 2nd grandpa!

Jeff and Patsy working on the turkey

Can't leave uncle Scott out of the chess games

These adorable penguins my mom made out of olives, cream cheese and carrots!

bye bye penguin

probably having a very intense discussion about what ornaments to hang ;)

deck the halls!

Cade hanging his penguin ornament

father and son match!

beautiful!

the annual shot of Clarence under the tree

stocking hung by the chimney with care, and Clarence in his box :)

I hope both mom's have many more pictures to send me. I can't believe I don't have any pictures of the whole family or the pretty table. It was an awesome day. Oh, and I think I only have 2 more Christmas presents to buy!!! Christmas magic :)

BUMP - 33 weeks

7 weeks to go! And so much to do!

The size of a cantelope!

No more guessing-it's a...

...LAMP! Isn't it amazing? I'm telling you, my hubby can do some pretty fabulous things :)

 

 

Cade and Scott checking it out

Jeff inspecting it thoroughly

looking good!

It looks gorgeous in our living room!

Christmassy Crafting

Many years ago I went through my grandma's old buttons and decided to create a garland for the Christmas tree. It is so pretty! So a week or so ago I went to an antique mall and bought more buttons in hopes to maybe sell or give more garland! Here are some photos of different ways the pretty buttons can be displayed. I have a listing on Etsy.com, but if you know anyone who might like to buy a strand, let me know :) I'm so excited about Christmas!!! Only one week until I get to decorate the house. YAY!

Guess

Clarence thinks he's a baby!

???

???

The hard worker in his awesome work overalls. He is very pleased to be getting his picture taken, as always :)

Jeff's been working on a new project. Can you guess what it's going to be? I'll tell you one thing, it's going to be awesome!

BUMP - 32 weeks

Wishes for Olivia

One of the coolest things at my shower was receiving a page from each guest (and people who couldn't make it!) with their wishes for Olivia written down. I couldn't even read them at the shower or I was sure to bawl. It was such a sweet morning last week when I settled in with a cup of coffee and read them all. Thank you so much to all my friends and family who love me and Olivia and want such precious things for her. I'm planning on putting them in a little book and reading them aloud to her and telling her all about each of you. Until then I thought it would be neat to compile them here.

I HOPE THAT YOU: enjoy life; enjoy every minute; live a long, healthy and happy life; understand how loved you are; find the love of Jesus; experience joy every day; sleep (it's much easier on mommy!); see the good in every person; enjoy every moment with your mom and dad; reach for the stars; care for others; have great lifelong friends.

I HOPE YOU AREN'T AFRAID: to try new things; to dig in!; to take risks in life; to be yourself; to dream big dreams; of anything; of Santa Claus ;); to always give it your all; to follow your dreams;

I HOPE YOU LOVE: whole heartedly; to love others and yourself; life; your family deeply; and enjoy life; to laugh and dance and dream and sing; Luke! Then your mama and Kimberly can be relatives!; adventure; biting arms when you get teeth (only you, Auntie Lu!); yourself; to read; easily.

I HOPE YOU GET: all you wish for; a lifelong friend; what you strive for; to see the world; all you can from life; to realize your dreams; your mama's eyes; your mommy's contagious laugh; excited when mama does things; lots of needed sleep; the best education possible; to be a daddy's girl; your mother's smile; long lashes ;)

I HOPE YOU LAUGH: often and every day; as much as possible; a lot; at yourself; all the time; at your sweet silly kitties; like no one's looking.

I HOPE YOU NEVER FORGET: how much you are loved; what is important in life; what a gift you are to your mom and dad; to not take life too seriously; the awkward years don't last; God's love.

I HOPE YOU IGNORE; negativity; what people think of you; those who criticize you; negative comments; negative thoughts; boys! until you are 16!; those who say you can't; mean people; Auntie Lu's crazy hair :); bad advice; silly girls; other girls' opinions.

I HOPE YOU BECOME: who you want to be; confident and strong; a compassionate person; who God created you to be; the young lady of your dreams; whatever you want to be; president-we need a good one; creative, passionate and kind; whatever your heart desires; as lovable as your mom; a happy, strong and loved woman; well-rounded and fabulous; a caring friend; a strong woman.

I HOPE YOU RESPECT: everyone; your parents rules; the planet; your parents; others; the beliefs and values of others; yourself; life; all people and their differences; all living things.

I HOPE YOU GROW: smarter and wiser every day; to reach your potential; into a self-confident and loving young woman; in God's grace; up to be compassionate, up happy and healthy; to make your mama proud; slowly so you can wear all those cute baby-girl clothes!; beautiful like your mom; to be much shorter than Auntie Lu (kidding!); not too fast-enjoy life; up to be strong; up to love; up to be kind and generous.

Love, Katie, Brynn, Ashely, Erin, Auntie Lu, Jo and Everly Ivy, Carly, Kimberly, Grandma Smalberger, Great Grandma Garretson, Kim, Gramma Schurz, Aunt Fteph, Aunt Ann, Angie and Nicole

Showered with love!

I had a beautiful shower last weekend. Some of my dear college friends (Sarah, Tiff, Steph and Grace) and my sweet mom put together the perfect celebration of Olivia! There was unbelievable food (quiche, pumpkin bars, fruit, parfaits, pumpkin coffee, a gorgeous chocolate cake and so much more!), precious decorations and wonderful friends from all walks of life. Even the games were fun. I felt so loved and I feel like Olivia is already so loved. I can't begin to tell you all the wonderful gifts she received, from clothes to diaper bags to swings to pacifiers. Am-may-zing! Here are a few pictures of the day. Thank you so much to everyone who came and gave so generously AND to such sweet girls who gave and weren't able to come!!! I hope everyone's generosity will be repaid a million times over!

One of many adorable outfits! But most importantly, look at my beautiful mom!

Look at these shoes that my friend Brynn made!

And these bibs my grandma made!

This is a blanket my grandma and mom made long before I was even married :)

Tiff made this awesome car seat cover. Aren't the colors and patterns perfect?!

These lanterns were part of the decorations for the shower and now they are above Livvy's dresser.

Look at the crib bedding! It's just perfect for her nursery. I wish it were on our bed, but I have a feeling Jeff might not agree. ;)

More sweet lanterns

My cousin Misty MADE this! A diaper cake with cute decoration, ribbons, soaps and the little giraffe. It must have taken her forever. It's awesome!

Misty is also letting us use this swing. Tiff's son John got to try it out :)

Steph posing by the drink bar

Look at how cool the cake is!

The brunch spread-delicious!

My grandma holding John