Weeks 11 & 13

I had my 16 week appointment today and am trying my best to catch up on this little blog while I have an hour to spare! I took a half day from school and Em is napping at her sitter. Even though I'd love to get the little lady early.. we'd have Godzilla on our hands for the rest of the night if I woke her from her nap. Girl loves (and NEEDS) her naps! ;)

I haven't been doing my best taking belly bump pictures, but I promised myself I would do a better job than when I was pregnant with Em. I took a lot of bump pictures with Emersyn, but not in an organized way - so it's hard to tell dates/how I was feeling/etc! And this mama brain forgets things pretty easily these days. :) I'll have a 16 week bump update later this week, but for now here are weeks 11 & 13... and 14! Xoxo.

I'm not in maternity pants yet - but they are getting tighter by the day! I'm trying to hold off until Maxi Skirt Season.. but we will see. :) Xoxo.

Go Bobcats! {14 weeks}

Oh, Baby, Baby!

Well it's official! We are pregnant! Baby Lee is set to Arrive on August 16, 2015.. but if you ask my opinion - I think he/she is going to come in early August. I know the U.S. technicians are the experts but I am pretty positive I am a bit farther along than they think.. or maybe that's just my growing belly talking! ;)

We are so excited and blessed.

Before this pregnancy we got pregnant in September, and lost the baby in late October. Baby stopped growing at 5 weeks and I started bleeding around 8. It was a roller coaster of emotions and something that I don't wish upon anyone - although I know I am not alone at all. We didn't tell many people, but the people that we did tell had story after story (most of them personal stories) of similar experiences. It really was comforting... and the small group of people that knew were so comforting and sweet. 

Anyway - fast forward to December - and I was concerned that my period hadn't shown up yet.. and then I started feeling a little sick.. and I just had a feeling - so I took a test.. and Voila! Honestly - it was exactly what I had hoped for but I didn't want to get my hopes too high because I didn't want to be disappointed. 

We had an appointment the day after Christmas to confirm that I was indeed pregnant and to "date" the pregnancy. Babe had a strong heartbeat and was measuring 6 weeks 5 days at that time.

We had another appointment at 11 weeks and 5 days.. and we got another Ultrasound where we could see baby and his/her tiny legs kicking. The doctors have been so sweet. They know I've been through a miscarriage so when they couldn't find the heartbeat right away, they immediately went for the U.S. which was a relief.

I am hopeful. I am praying every day.. and I do think this little baby is the rainbow at the end of a storm. We are so thankful. Here is how we announced to our family and friends!

Sweet little life.

Ahh! I feel like this is a new theme where I say, "It's been way too long since I last posted".. but it really has. Sweet Em is growing so fast and I already know that I'm going to miss things she's done/said because I haven't been blogging. It's so hard to remember every tiny memory.. but I wish I could hold on to them all and look back on them one day, because already she is growing into new phases and out of the old. She's going to be 3 in April - I've stopped counting the months - which probably means she is officially a big girl!

Our Christmas 2014 Picture 

 She is so much fun. Right now her favorite color is pink and she loves anything Peppa Pig. She loves waffles in the morning, coloring with markers after school, wearing tutu's with every outfit, watching a "show" once it's dark outside, and watching the "stars" with her nightlight while we cuddle together in her bed. We have to read her at least 5 bed time stories or it is impossible to leave her room. She talks to herself and her animals for at least 30 minutes before she falls asleep at night and I love laying nearby and listening to her imagination. She also asks if we'll make up stories for her at night and in every story she wants Minnie Mouse, Papa Rick, Nana, Emersyn, and  a Grumpy Monster that turns happy. Ha! I don't know where she comes up with it all but I love it.

In the fall we went to Athens (Go Bobcats) to visit my college-town with great friends. 

Her favorite trick is asking us if we have something on our shirt and then touching our nose and saying, "Oh there it is". :)

It's so much fun having conversations with toddlers and seeing how their little minds work. Today she told my nieces that they were all invited to her birthday party. She said she is going to be 3 and have play-doh and a unicorn cake. (Her birthday isn't until April). Ha! :) I guess I better start planning!

Halloween 2014 - Next year... she is already requesting to be a unicorn. :) 

We moved into our house over Christmas time and she loves her big girl bed and big girl room. But - she definitely misses her Mimi and Papa. For a year and a half we lived with them while trying to find a house to buy in a tiny town. We finally found one, but it needed a TON of work - so that's what we've been doing since July. Finally on Christmas we moved in, and it has been amazing! We still have a lot of work to do.. but it's been so nice to have our own home again. Em keeps asking when Mimi and Papa are going to come stay with us in "their" room.

Acting like a turkey at Thanksgiving

Time is flying, but I'm so thankful. We are one blessed little family and I'm really excited for all that's in store for us in 2015!

Dan and I are still getting settled in this tiny town in Ohio. We miss the beach a lot and for the past 5 years in SC I never thought about going on vacation because we lived in a vacation town. Now in freezing Ohio, I think about warm vacations often! :) It's funny how things change. It's so nice being near family and friends though. I don't think we could trade that! Our new school is nice and we are both so lucky to work in the same school (him in the high school, me in first grade). We really couldn't ask for better careers! Like I said, we're really excited about 2015. :) Xoxo.

Christmas 2014

Cali - You were good to us.

I can't believe that the last time I posted we were celebrating Emersyn's 2nd Birthday! The cold weather finally left Ohio in May and Summer has been so sweet. We still have some of it left, but I already know I am not going to want it to end. We have been sleeping in, playing outside, spending weekends at the lake, taking vacations, going on wagon rides, and most importantly to Emersyn... eating a lot of popsicles. :) If it were up to her, she would have a popsicle for every meal.

Here are some pictures from our trip to California. Emersyn absolutely loved California and still asks when we can go back. I love when she says the word "California" so we tend to talk about the west coast quite often. :) She loved the "giant sand box", the water that chased us(waves), and of course her cousins.

We spent a week in San Diego on the beach. Our hotel overlooked the ocean - which was pretty amazing. We went to the zoo, the aircraft carrier, and out to eat at a lot of fun restaurants. Tourists for sure. :) We also spent a few days in Lego Land. Afterwards we drove to Yosemite for another 5 days. Yosemite National Park was amazing, but I'll leave that for the another post.

The best part about it all was spending time with family that we absolutely love, but do not get to see nearly enough. Be prepared for picture overload. I couldn't help it. Xo.

Em and Judah's favorite game.. burying their feet and asking us "Where did it go?" :)

Playing with her big cousin. Look at that belly. :) 

San Diego Zoo with her Cousins!

Family Picture on the Aircraft Carrier.

Sneaking away for a night out after Em went to bed. :) 

Em LOVED kicking her legs in the pool. 

We celebrated Father's Day on the beach. :)

Em's favorite part of LEGO LAND with Aunt Gretchen... the sprinklers. :)

Spending time with Baby Adalyn and Uncle Dave. 

So. Much. Fun.

Time is going so fast. I don't have any other way to say it - but I want it to stop.. and I also can't wait to see what comes next. It's a constant tug and pull.

{I love this crazy, tragic - sometimes almost magic - awful, beautiful life.}

Em is TWO!

On Em's REAL Birthday {This past Wednesday} I took a half day in Kindergarten and picked her up early from daycare. She was kind of grumpy - so I was worried about the rest of the day. When we got home, she napped, and woke up a new little lady!

My sweet two year old.

We opened presents {She got a tiny bike, books, a DORA, and her very own Ariel Doll}, ate cake, and around 5:30 we left for Sesame Street Live!

Em has never really watched Sesame Street on T.V but she absolutely loves little videos on YouTube with Ernie and Elmo. She knows some of the characters just because we love hearing her say them.. {The name Rosita sounds amazing when a little two year old says it!}

I wasn't sure how she'd do.. but when the lights went down and the spotlights turned on with all of the characters, Em was in awe. I actually started crying a little because I've never seen her so surprised/happy about something... and it was just an emotional day because she turned TWO. Ugh.

Anyway, She couldn't stop giggling/dancing and every time Ernie or Elmo would leave the stage she would ask, "Where Elmo Go Mama?"

The best part of the night - We were on an isle and a few characters walked by to highfive the little ones. Em saw Rosita and was so excited and Rosita patted her on the head. It's 2 days later {which is a lot in toddler world} and she's still talking about Rosita. Highlight of her life. :) Haha.

The past two years have been so sweet with Emersyn. I feel blessed every day.. but on her birthday, I felt emotional! It snuck right up on me at Sesame Street Live and I realize how much our lives have changed for the better and how excited I am for all of the memories to come.

Em's Easter Egg Birthday Party

Well. She's Two. My little baby girl is pretty much on her way to Kindergarten. We had so much fun celebrating Em's Birthday! On Easter Weekend, we had an Egg Hunt/Pancake Birthday Party with Em's Cousins. She loved telling everyone that she was two all day long.. and when we served her Pancakes with a candle - she was so excited!

Wait.. I'm TWO?

It was a perfect and chilly April Day. I love that we took so many pictures to capture these moments when they are still so tiny. It will be so much fun for all of her cousins to grow up together and look back one day to see these.

Whole 30

Hey Friends,


I've taken the plunge on a new way of living{at least for the next 30 days} - It's called The Whole 30 and I am documenting it here. If you've never heard of it you should check out whole30.com. It's absolutely NOT a diet. It's more about becoming educated with what you put into your body and why. I'm sold already just from the first few chapters of the book It Starts With Food by Dallis and Melissa Hartwig. I just haven't been feeling right lately. My energy has been zapped. I feel sluggish.. and I'm not sleeping that well at night. I'm also pretty out of shape with the {post-mama not running enough} trap.
When we lived in South Carolina - with our own home, own schedule, etc. I ate pretty healthy (don't get me wrong I still enjoyed kettle chips, baked goodies, and drinking soda every now and then) but all in all I was pretty healthy. Fast forward to this year living with my parents (No..we still haven't found a home. Ugh.) and things have been a mess. I'm not sure why. I'd like to blame the colder weather and my body being tricked into thinking it needs to store food for the winter.. Haha but now that it's spring - I'm still doing the same thing! No more hibernation excuses.

I teach Kindergarten and I was finding myself exhausted by 1:00. So exhausted that I'd run immediately to get a Diet Dr. Pepper after the kids went to their specials area at 2:00. Then I'd feel good for a little bit but be kind of irritable. I'd get home from school and eat a ridiculous amount of junk because I was so hungry.. and then eat a not so healthy dinner.. go to bed.. not sleep well.. and wake up and do the whole thing over.

With the whole30 you eliminate dairy, most grains, legumes and processed sugar from your diet. I might be saying it wrong so if I am I apologize! You focus on what you can eat - and focus on REAL and NATURAL foods. No. More. Oreos. At least for 30 days. Then it's up to you with how you move forward. According to the authors - I'll never think about food the same way again. Does that mean I won't have an Oreo(or 5) every now and then after this Whole30 thing is over? Maybe.. but Maybe not. It does mean I'll at least be educated on what that Oreo does(and doesn't) do for my body.

*Update* The first three days were pretty easy for me.. and looking back at this - I was forming some pretty bad habits so I'm happy that I'm sticking with it {Day 14 now}. I'm not positive that I'll choose to do this for 30 days - but so far it has been eye opening and in the future I really do think I'll be more intentional with what I put in my body.