22weeks;18 to go!

My blog got a new look recently and I hope you are enjoying the updates!  It took awhile to complete but I am glad with the result!  E has figured out how to flip her little self all the way around and most of the time it does not feel to good!  But that's alright, anything for our baby girl!

I get to pick up Michael on Monday for two whole weeks!  I am so excited!! I hope he is good and ready to put up with these mood swings....Haha...sorry in advance babe! ;)

Update:

How far along? 22 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: I have no idea....probably 10 pounds
Maternity clothes? I've been wearing my regular jeans with a belly band...cool invention
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Waking up during the night sucks...lol
Best moment this week: Eating skittles and watching her go CRAZY in my tummy ;)
Have you told family and friends: Yup
Miss Anything? My husband not being here to experience this with me

Movement: Yes! Morning, noon & night!
Food cravings: It always seems to be salad and junk food
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really
Have you started to show yet: oh yes!
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Have been happy recently, gaining energy back.
Looking forward to: Christmas and Maternity Pictures!

 

My hubby gets to take my picture next week! Yay!

 

XOXO

21weeks;19 to go! & Moving plans.

Baby E is growing everyday and will soon will weigh a whole pound!  I am feeling good and enjoying being pregnant and feeling her move in my belly, She sure is a wiggle worm!  Baby shower/House shower dates have been set and I am looking forward to getting her room ready and decorated :) For those of you you know Michael and I and talk to us on a regular basis or have talked to us recently, I am sure you have learned that we will be making the move to Florida in February.  Michael's MOS is EOD and his training is in VA for 10 weeks, and then in FL for 27 weeks.  During the time we are in Florida baby E will be born.  We do realize that family will not be around all the time and that it will make it more difficult for us, we are NOT in any means trying to make it more difficult for us.  We have prayed about it, talked about it and we do feel like this is the right decision for our family at this time in our lives.  We know that being in the military does not give us the option to chose where we will live, or when we will be able to go home to see family.  We knew this going in and are willing and able to live this lifestyle.  Thank you for your support during this time! Now for baby E! :)

How far along? 21 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: gained 7lbs since my first appt!
Maternity clothes? yes....jeans mostly (as you can see from the picture!) I have gotten a few shirts!
Stretch marks? None present!
Sleep: Is good! Loving my new mattress!
Best moment this week: Feeling her move is great!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? My husband not being here to experience this with me and energy drinks lol!

Movement: Yes! Morning, noon & night!
Food cravings: nothing!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Shrimp
Have you started to show yet: oh yes!
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Spending two weeks with my sweet husband and our maternity pictures with EmilieCarol! ;)

 

Love and baby kicks,

20 Weeks; 20 to go!

I know I am a few weeks behind but better late than never right?.... :) I spent the start of week 18 with Michael in VA and most of week 19 in Wilkesboro with Michael's family for Thanksgiving! Today I am actually 21 weeks pregnant but I will do that picture and post later today! :) As for now...here's week 20!

 

How far along? 20 Weeks 5days
Total weight gain/loss: gained 7lbs since my first appt!
Maternity clothes? yes....jeans mostly!
Stretch marks? I am applying the cocoa butter religiously!
Sleep:  Alright! We're getting there!
Best moment this week: Seeing her at the anatomy scan :) She's so cute!!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? My husband not being here to experience this with me :(

Movement: Yes! Morning, noon & night!
Food cravings: Strawberry jelly and milk!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Shrimp
Have you started to show yet: Yes and other people are noticing...not sure if I like it or not...
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Spending two weeks with my sweet husband! ;)

 

On Wednesday the 28th, I had my anatomy scan and everything looked great! She was a little stubborn to show us her face and once the tech got the picture, she turned right back around! Haha....sound like her daddy much? ;) I don't really have any room to talk lol!

Here are some pictures from our scan!

 

Her sweet face!

 

Her feet were side by side! So cute ;)

 

 

And showing us she is definitely a GIRL! :)

 

 

until next update,

17 weeks;23 to go!

Another week has gone by and my belly is growing which means baby is growing!  In the past couple of weeks I have felt flutters and baby E's strong kicks! I'm not going crazy and this is definitely not gas ;)  Here is this weeks picture! Hard to believe I'll be 18 weeks or 4 1/2 months next Monday! Until then....Loves! :)

How far along? 17 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I will find out tomorrow! ;)
Maternity clothes? I have bought a few but haven't gone to them yet! Maybe tomorrow!
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep:  Eh, alright!
Best moment this week: Feeling my daughter kick my hand!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? My husband not being here to experience this with me :(

Movement: Yes! She is a wiggle worm!
Food cravings: Junk food and soup
Anything making you queasy or sick: Shrimp
Have you started to show yet: yup!
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but tired!
Looking forward to: Picking up my husband this week and hearing her heartbeat tomorrow!

 

XOXO

 

 

weeks 15&16!

Hello All! :)

 

I have been very busy for the past couple of weeks and have not caught up with my weekly chalkboard because of being so caught up in seeing my amazing husband ;) I don't think you guys mind right? Let's hope not lol! The past two weeks have went by so quickly and I have been so blessed in so many ways!  I was unable to take Michael to Ft.Lee Friday the 26th like we had planned because of something completely ridiculous but in the long run God was watching out for us and I will get to see him on Thursday! He could then get a four day pass in which we would get to spend together in VA :)  I am hoping that he will get a pass but we won't know until we arrive in VA.  I am just so excited to see him again!  I will be driving to Ft. Lee to see him for Thanksgiving and then he will be home for two weeks at Christmas! This girl is VERY happy that I get a two whole weeks with my husband who is my favorite person and it's my favorite time of the year, what about that? ;D

These pictures are from family day and graduation :)

 

Graduation Day & Our First Family Photo!

My husband and soldier looking handsome in his blues ;)

Baby Bump:15w3d

 

Family Day!

 

First Kiss After 10 weeks!

 

 

In other news we have found out that baby sons is a GIRL!!! We are so excited to buy pink and Michael is already wrapped around her little finger :)  We have picked a name but have decided to tell only close friends and family.  Right now you can call her baby E! :) 

 

Our Sweet Angel!

She has her hands up near her face like her daddy sleeps ;)

 

Hello little lady!

 

 

 

Hopefully I can get back on track with the chalkboard!  I guess we will see ;)

 

Love you All!

Kelsey & Baby E ;D

 

 

14 weeks,26 to go!

Another week has passed and I am feeling more and more blessed as time goes on that God has given me a healthy baby and pregnancy thus far.  I pray that he will continue to keep my child and myself healthy, I also pray that he will keep Michael healthy as well as he finishes his last week in basic training and his upcoming AIT training :)

Check out this bump ! ;)

 

How far along? 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +2lbs from the first appt, technically down 3lbs
Maternity clothes? About to give in! ;)
Stretch marks? Thankfully no
Sleep:  Sleeping like a baby ;)
Best moment this week: Noticing my belly grow ;)
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Sushi!

Movement: Not yet!
Food cravings: Pickles & strawberry jelly...not together lol!
Anything making you queasy or sick: brushing my teeth, not eating soon enough, gross things haha!
Have you started to show yet: yes :)
Gender prediction: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Energized :)
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender and seeing my wonderful husband!

Here's to a wonderful week but a busy one! :)

13 weeks;27 to go!

Saturday I turned 21! Another year older! Yay! I spent the day with my awesome mom shopping and hanging out! It was a great birthday! Well winter has decided to make an early appearance this year and come a few weeks into fall! Not cool winter!  It is so cold! I love fall because of the warm yet cold weather, I can wear jeans but a short sleeve shirt.  Maybe it'll come back, but I'm not holding my breath!  Yesterday I had the chance to go to church for the first time in a few months and I realized what I had already knew before...That I need to go.  More than that though, I want to go.  I pray on a daily basis about different things going on in my life, my husbands, life, and the world, but church is just so calming and it is helping to make a good start to a great week.  Here's to going to church and getting closer to God as well as another great year of living! :)

How far along? 13 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I will find out Wednesday...haha
Maternity clothes? Not busting them out just yet ;)
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep:  It's getting better!
Best moment this week: Not quite here yet, but hearing bean's heartbeat again :)
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Being able to enjoy my 21st birthday :/

Movement: Not yet!
Food cravings: Tomatoes and Pickles...totally serious!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just waking up haha
Have you started to show yet: Little bump there!
Gender prediction: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Energized and happy!
Looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat again and seeing bean's Dad/my amazing hubby in two weeks!

 

PS: I took the picture on the other side so I could see how long my hair has gotten. Michael is going to be shocked! ;)

 

Until next week!

 

Welcome Back October! -12 weeks, 28 to go!

Time is seeming to fly by lately and I am not complaining at all!  I have been looking forward to October for a while now and it is finally here! This month has already scheduled out to be a very busy one, and one of the first things is me turning 21 on Saturday the 6th! Saturday is also Michael and I's anniversary! This month I get to hear baby Sons heartbeat again (:D), go to the dentist (yay...!), and finally see my husband for the first time in 10 weeks!  :)  Welcome Back October, It is SO nice to see you!

How far along? 12 Weeks (3 Months!)
Total weight gain/loss: -3lbs
Maternity clothes? I have a few, but still rocking my normal clothes
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep:  Very nice since I purchased a body pillow!
Best moment this week: Getting to hear the heartbeat and keeping food down!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? and my husband :(
Movement: No
Food cravings: Steak, Salad, Salsa, and Chocolate
Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of cologne and perfume, Heinz 57, and wings.
Have you started to show yet: I heard there was something in there, maybe that explains it ;)
Gender prediction: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy sometimes emotional but I heard that's normal ;)
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender, turning 21, hearing babies heartbeat again and seeing my hubalub in 22 days!

Letters of Love,

Before August getting mail was nothing exciting because it always meant a bill or some junk, but now that my wonderful husband has been in basic training for 42 days these letters are the only way of communication that we have.  I have talked to him once on the phone for 15 minutes and that was a week ago.  I hate not being able to call him or text him to come over, I hate not being able to see his handsome face walk through my door or going to the mall and seeing him while he's at work, and I hate not having him here when I need someone to talk to or a hug.  I hate it now especially because he hasn't been able to go through these exciting parts of my pregnancy.  I went to my first prenatal appointment alone, I got to hear the heartbeat alone.  The next appointment I have I will get to hear the heartbeat again, and this time I would like to not be alone.  I turn 21 in 11 days and Michael won't be here to go to dinner or a movie with us and I won't be able to get a phone call from him until the 20th or 21st. Then finally after 70 days I will be able to see him on the 24th.  I wrote to him this morning and told him that I wished it was the 24th at 8:59am so in the next minute I could see him marching down the road and then when he was dismissed I could run to him and give him the biggest hug ever.  I had a dream last night that he was here and then I woke up.  I was disappointed.  But why should I be? He hasn't been here in 42 days and I won't get to see him for another 29.  I will drive him to AIT and spend a few days with him there and we will also get a few days at Thanksgiving as well as two weeks at Christmas.  I cannot wait for those!  At Thanksgiving I will be 20 weeks along and we will get to find out BOY or GIRL! I am so excited and I am hoping that Michael will be here if not then around Christmas my Dr. said that we would do a ultrasound so he can see him or her for the first time :) I am more than ready for these next three months to be here!!

I hate the feeling that I am being over dramatic because he is only in basic training,  I have two close friends whose husbands are deployed and I know that we are all hurting in some way.  Everyone has their own way of expressing their pain and I guess in some way blogging about it is mine. 

with more letters and 29 days to go,

11 Weeks, 29 To Go!

How far along? 11 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5lbs Lost
Maternity clothes? I have a few, but only wear one pair of jeans when I want to ;)
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep:  Ok
Best moment this week: Getting to hear the heartbeat!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Sushi and my husband :(
Movement: No
Food cravings: Lemonade & cheesecake!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Fruit...
Have you started to show yet: Just a little bit!
Gender prediction: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy sometimes emotional but I heard thats normal ;)
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender & getting to see my husband in 30 days!

Updates!

Hello All! :)

Boy, do I have a lot of updates for you! Number one may be the change of the blog title...I am no longer a Miss, Michael and I got married on the 6th of August a week before he left for basic training, so now I am a Mrs :)  I honestly couldn't be happier to be his wife,his best friend and one of his biggest supporters :) Last time I wrote was right after he left and we had 66 more days to go, and as of today we have 30! Yay!! I love him so much and I know marrying him when I did was the right timing for us.  As for other news we are currently 11 weeks <b>pregnant</b>! Suprise! :) It was a HUGE shock but we have realized that God has blessed us in the biggest possible way and for that we couldn't be happier. 
Yes we are young, we know this please <b>please</b> stop acting like we don't.
It's going to be so hard on you...I know this too. 
He could miss important milestones...The Miltary is a lifestyle, I knew this marrying him.
I realize that this could sound ugly and don't get me wrong I'm definitely not trying to be that way, but seriously do you think we need the negative comments? Would you want them if you were in our postion?
Please check back for more updates :)

The Ending of Our First Summer Together,

Technically Summer isn't over yet, not until the 22 of September anyways, but in some aspect my Summer ended a week ago. For those of you who know me well, I've never been a fan of Summer. I'm not a beach person, I would rather spend all day in the middle of the lake, particularly lake Keowee ;) This Summer however, Michael and I spent a few days in Charleston with Nana and Aunt Sam who are very near and dear to our hearts. The moment I met Nana, I knew that she would be the best advice I could ever hope for when it comes to being an Army wife. And before I met Sam in person, we had talked over the phone and it was like we knew each other before meeting face to face. I thank God everyday for allowing me the chance to have already met my soul mate and his wonderful family. I don't know how I could get through anything without them. I know that they will always be there as well as his other family in every part of our lives that we go through.

The last time I saw Michael was 6 days ago, I talked to him for barely 10 seconds on Friday when he told me he was at basic. I was hoping that I would get a call today....but not yet :( It feels so weird that he's not here right now watching the show we always do on Sunday's, but what I hate the most is not hearing his voice every night before I go to sleep. We've been together for 182 days and out of that there has only been 8 days that we haven't seen each other. 6 of those being while he has been gone. Only 66 more days until I get to see his handsome face and I am more than ready.

Stay tuned for other posts!

With Love and Other Feelings,

A First,

so this isn't the DIY minky blanket tutorial that I promised but it is coming! I just wanted to share something about my day!


Tonight I had the honor of taking photos of a two week old and a Soldier. After working two years at Picture People, I have never had the pleasure of doing this kind of session before and now I believe that God knew what I had been thinking and worring about and he decided to calm my fears a little.
There have been times when thinking about Michael and our future that the fears seem to push the good things aside. I don't like thinking about him not being here with me during important holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas or when we decide to start a family and he misses the birth of our children. I know that we can do this and honestly I am more than ready. I am already so proud of him and I know that he is protecting not only his family and I but part of the world too. He has made me a stronger person and I know that in this journey there will be hardships but when I think about being married to my best friend and getting the days and special times that I do get with him, it makes everything worth it.


with love and a month to go,

The Beginning and The End;

I am exhausted,there is no doubt about it! I have been working everyday since Saturday, and my next day off is Sunday. Oh how I love Sundays ;)
Two more days, ten more hours, two more nights closing, and I'm done. No more taking pictures in a studio, no more screaming babies or crying toddlers, no more answering questions or making appointments. This place has been all I have known for the past two and a half years. As I type this I start getting teary eyed, not because I'm not ready to leave but because of the memories I've had, the kids I have seen pass through every Christmas or on their birthday's, the people that ask for me when they make an appointment, and getting hugs and Thank Yous. I need to take this step, it's time for me to move on. Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I have to stop taking pictures, it just means that this stage in my life is over. This girl is on to bigger and better things!

My new job is a more grown up job (that comes with a nice pay raise if I may add ;)!
Something that I already enjoy doing, and I know I will enjoy it until something else comes along. That something else that I have no idea what it is or where it is, but why I have this job now I will treasure it!

In other news my first week as a vegetarian/nothing but water to drink is coming to an end. If I must say I feel a change! I have had no caffeine or meat, but they have been replaced with headaches :( Hopefully this will go away but if not what else do they make Aleve for ;)

Stay tuned for my next DIY minky blanket blog! Super adorable and super easy!


with love and a healthier me,

That's Who I Am,

Hello again!

I was thinking about blogging and some of the topics that I haven't covered thus far. One big thing is all about me! I know I've explained about my life but not the things that make me tick everyday. :)

These things only a few people very close to me know, so therefore I hope you feel as if you know me a little bit better after reading this!

*I was born and raised in Asheville/Candler, North Carolina,I have lived here for almost 21 years!
*I hate wearing shoes, when I have to it's my rainbows.
*I am very creative, I love making anything and everything myself.
*I am a Vera Bradley ADDICT. This is no joke!
*I'm a sucker for anything monogrammed.
*I love flowers...sometimes ;)
*Simple would be the best word to describe me.
*Jeans and a shirt is my outfit of choice all the time(unless it's 100 degrees outside or i'm working...)
*The lake is my favorite place in the whole wide world!
*I can go through a book in a few hours (I get that from my mom ;))
*I sleep with at least three pillows under my head.
*My favorite food is Thai&Chinese, but i'll eat pretty much anything!


That's pretty much all I can think of for right now!
This week is my last week at Picture People and I work everyday but Saturday because it is my first full day (8a-12am) shift! I'm so excited!
I have also decided to go vegetarin for a month, or longer starting today! 07.08.12!

but anyways thanks for reading!


with love&facts about me,

trips, jobs & plans, Oh My!

Hello there!!

It's been awhile since my last post, but a lot has gone on!

-Michael and I had a wonderful photographer/new friend take our engagement photos!
-We took a trip to Charleston with Michael's Aunt Sam & Nana!
-I obtained a new job (which I start tomorrow ;))

And the biggest news being that we decided on a different plan for our wedding.

This "different plan" came along while we were on our Charleston trip. We both knew that having money for our future is more important than having money for our wedding that will only last a day. I'm not the kind of girl who exaggerates things out, so I knew that a big wedding isn't something that I am in dire need of. Marrying my best friend is the most important thing to me. Our plans now included our very immediate family, a lake house, and some vows. We believe we can still have our wedding and everything that goes along with it just in a smaller scale.


Engagement Photos!

My Fave! ;)













These AMAZING photos were taken by Miss EmilieCarol of EmilieCarol Photography!
If anyone is looking for someone who will take all of there ideas and make them come true then look no further than her! She is so friendly and easy to get along with, I am so blessed to have her shooting our wedding next year! Thanks again Emilie! You're the best!


Charleston Trip!

Michael and I spent three wonderful days with his Aunt and Nana in Charleston! We visited Middleton Place, Yorktown, Market Street, The beach, a yummy cupcake place, and of course Tanger outlets ;) It's always good to have a mini vacation with your soon to be family!

Middleton Place:










Cupcakes!:





Yorktown:





Such a GREAT trip! Can't wait to go back!!



New Job!

Well I had an interview on Wednesday and tomorrow I have a trial run to see how I like it and what all the job requires. That's all I'll say for now ;)

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more!


With love and a lot of new things,

Faith and Fear,

Recently I have been thinking about writing what I was feeling, especially about Michael being in the Army and on becoming an Army wife. So here it goes!

When I first met Michael I already knew he was leaving in August for basic training, I had read it on his FaceBook page before our first date. I guess I was just waiting on him to bring it up before I did, and since then it has been on my mind non-stop. I believe God knows that I am strong enough to be an Army wife and that is why he put Michael in my path. But I am scared, I'm terrified, nervous, happy, and excited all at the same time. In 70 days Michael will leave for S.C to start his basic training for the Army, he will train for 9 weeks and 4 days and then Graduate! (I cannot wait to see him then! :)) After spending a week with his family and friends, he will leave for AIT which will last 9 months, 3 weeks and 4 days. Our wedding has been planned for July 2013 and then we are moving to wherever the Army sends us! But what happens if he gets deployed as soon as we get married? What if i'm left alone for a year? These are the kind of questions that I won't know the answer to until the beginning of July...next year! Every big detail of our wedding has already been taking care of because I want him here for all of it. We have picked our date, our venue, DJ, photographer, and food that we want. We have also worked on projects together so we have something else that he has been a part of.
I am ready to start this journey together, I know that God has our lives in his hands and will only give us what we can handle. I pray that we will be able to have the wedding of our dreams and that we will be able to be stationed somewhere together and not apart.

with faith and a sprinkle of fear,

DIY banner!

Ever since Michael and I got engaged, I have been on a DIY non-stop kick!
I love crafting and was blessed with creativity running through my veins!
I want our wedding to be different but with a good twist and I know that by doing a lot of it myself it will but a different spin on it.

The first idea that came to me was by the cute name and date banners that I have seen through browsing pinterest. Then I thought, how easy would that be? Time consuming but very easy!

Below is the finished project(cute? right?!)

I will list the steps it took to complete this project and the materials I used:



Supplies needed:
-Yard or less of canvas (you can find it at any fabric store, I purchased mine for $4)
-Paint
-Sewing machine (if you have one)
-Stencils (also easy to find at a craft store)

Directions:

1. Trace a pendant shape onto a piece of paper



2. Cut the pendant shapes out of canvas (I cut six for the mr & mrs)



3. Place stencils and then paint them onto canvas



4. Sew around the pendant (optional)



5. Fold top of pendant down and sew



6. Thread through ribbon, a dowel rod, or anything of your choosing!




Voila! You're finished!

The paint dries very fast on the canvas which is a plus!


This was my first DIY blog post, I hope you enjoyed it!

Love&DIY,