Mamma Nancy's Surprise Bachelorette Party!

Last weekend, my MIL (commonly known around these parts as "Mamma Nancy"), sister-in-law, and her family came to CO for a short visit and we had a wonderful time catching up with everyone, shopping, and showing off our new home.

Jackson LOVED spending time with his cousins--he and little Sara got along perfectly (he kept wanting to give her kisses and she loved holding "Baby")!

Nana's boy :)

One of the highlights of the weekend for me was getting to surprise Mamma Nanc with a little bachelorette party/girls evening! Nancy and her fiance are engaged and plan to be married by the end of this year so Britney (my SIL) and I wanted to make sure we got one last single lady shindig in before she tied the knot. 

Can you guess where we went/what you did?

If you answered strip club, you're wrong (though that would have been hilarious--I think Nancy was a little worried, ha!). 

We went and painted pottery at "Ceramics in the City" in LoDo!!

Our guest of honor getting her ID checked.

After we finished painting our masterpieces, we all signed the bottom of each others ceramics as a little keepsake to remember this special day. Congratulations to Mamma Nancy & Russell--we're so excited for you guys and love you very much!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Reuniting of the 3 Amigos!

Last weekend marked the long awaited reunion of The 3 Amigos!

..no, not Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, & Martin Short.. I mean Jackson and his cousins Benny and Sara!

Here's a look at our weekend:

Friday Night

• After (Brandon's) work, Brandon, Jax, & I went out for sushi--we found a Groupon for $15 off our order at Sushi Yume and figured we'd give it a try. The restaurant itself was really hip and hopping, but the food was awful (really mushy, not fresh). I felt really queasy the rest of the night and kept trying to throw up but wasn't able to.. yuck! Moral of the story: do your research before trying out a new sushi place. 
• Brandon's sister (Britney) and her family arrived from Kansas a little after 10pm!

Pre-sushi

My guys.. how did I ever get so lucky?!

Saturday

• Woke up and made cinnamon rolls with Benny.
• Headed to the Butterfly Pavilion with the gang--I took many a field trip to the Butterfly Pavilion when I was in elementary school so it was fun to go back and watch our niece and nephew enjoy it! 
• Home for naps and Casa Bonita pre-gaming (pre-gaming for Casa Bonita=watching the CB South Park episode).
• Headed to Casa Bonita (I've talked about Casa Bonita before but in case you've never heard of it, it's basically the Disney Land of all Mexican restaurants that is famous for it's godawful food, cliff divers, puppet shows, and arcade).
• Stood in line at Casa Bonita for over an hour (we went during "off hours," so the line wasn't as bad as it usually is), scrunched into a terrible section with no room for Jax's stroller or Sara's high chair, choked down the disgusting food so I could eat one of their surprisingly good sopapillas, found hair in sopapilla and teared up (I didn't realize there was a hair either until I took a bite and felt it in my mouth.. I ended up gagging it out into my cloth napkin..), walked around a bit, got incredibly stressed out by the insane crowd of people, and went home. Side note: if you ever go to Casa Bonita, be nice to your waitress--Casa Bonita seems like hell to work at and I saw so many people being rude to their servers. I've worked 3 different waitress jobs and it's hard, hard work so be kind and patient; having to wait 2 extra minutes for a Fancy Feast enchilada isn't going to hurt anyone. 
• Came home, kicked back, and watched Frozen (love that movie!!). 
• Bed.

Jax and Sara--I think they like each other!

Benny held Rosie (the tarantula)!

Our crew at Butterfly Pavilion.

My cheeky, sleeping prince; completely unaware of his surroundings.

Sunday

• Slept in and ate eggs and bacon for breakfast. 
• Walked to the park.
• Lunch at Goodtimes (their new Tuscan chicken sandwich is amazing--and under 500 calories!).
• Said goodbye to Britney, Joe, Benny, and Sara.
• Cleaned & tidied up a bit.
• Long nap with Jax. 
• Queso & chips for supper.
• Taken 2.
• Bed.

And that was our weekend. It was very fun (even with the stress of Casa Bonita) and we had such a nice visit with family! How was your weekend? Do you have a Casa Bonita horror story? Tell me about it!

28 Week Bumpdate (and quotes from my nephew)

28 weeks?! How is that even possible! The days and weeks are seriously flying by (which is crazy to me because the first few months were kinda rough and dragged by at a snails pace)!

We really need to start buckling down and working on Jr's (what I started calling Baby yesterday) room. We have been so incredibly blessed by wonderful family and friends who have given us such generous gifts (including a crib, baby bath, Magic Bullet system, heirloom rocking chair, sweet little blue fleece blankets, Ergo carrier, constant prayers, and much more) so we haven't had to buy a whole lot yet but I need to make my list and make sure everything is bought/organized before our sweet little bundle of joy arrives!

I can't wait!

How far along: 27 weeks, 4 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 7 pounds (I think I am finally catching up with the whole "gain a pound a week" norm!).

Maternity clothes: Still no--my little pencil skirt miraculously still zips and all of my dresses still fit so I'm sticking with my normal wardrobe (when I'm home, I live in yoga pants and sweatshirts).

Stretch marks: I'm about to tell a story so if you just want the straight answer, please skip to the last sentence. I woke up the other morning with a bunch of red lines all over my stomach ("this is it.." I thought to myself) and quickly came to terms with having stretch marks. However, when I came home from work that day and started to change clothes (yoga pants time!), I noticed they were all gone. Whhhhaaaaaatt (I think what happened is that I had imprints from my blanket all over my stomach when I woke up that morning)?! So no.. no stretch marks.

Sleep: Gone are the days of getting a full nights rest. If it isn't my acid reflux keeping me up, it's the cat.. or having to potty.. or not being able to get comfortable. Oh well--I figure this is good training for when the babe arrives!

Best moment last week: Seeing both sides of the family! My parents were up here Thursday and Friday to help my brother move into his new place and then we visited Brandon's mom, sister, and family on Saturday--it was a very good week!

Really quickly, I have to share a story about our adorable nephew, Benny. He always likes playing with/looking through my phone whenever we come visit and he immediately noticed my iPhone lock screen (one of our ultrasound pictures)--so, like any four-year-old, he began asking questions.

Benny and Aunt Annie last Halloween.

Sara (Benny's little sister) "helping" clean at Nana's house! Love her little nose scrunched smile!

My favorite Benny/baby questions were:
"Is the baby going to be a boy or a lady?"
"How does the baby come out? Through your bellybutton?" (To which I quickly responded "yes!")
(with a confused/disgusted face) "Why is the baby gray? Is he going to be like that when he gets here?"

After answering his questions, I told Benny that his baby cousin is going to love him so much and that he will have to teach the baby how to ride a bike, play with Lego's ("The baby can't have Lego's! He will eat them!"--smart kid! Aunt Annie wasn't thinking :), and sing his ABC's. Benny got a big grin on his face after that and went back to playing on my phone.

Movement: Oooh yeah! He danced while I did chores and jammed out to Fiona Apple this weekend (he also moved around and squirmed a lot during yesterdays Broncos game.. I think that he and his Grandpa Wernsman will get along just fine)! 

Food cravings/aversions: Spicy (of course) and ice cream!

Gender: Boy babe. 

Labor signs: No, but I do have constant Braxton Hicks contractions (which aren't painful at all but are a bit of an inconvenience when I have a full bladder and am nowhere near a restroom).

Belly button - in or out? Innie

What I miss: Our families.. I'm looking forward to visiting Brandon's family again in a couple of weeks (his dad and step-mom will be in town, too!) and then mine in CO the weekend after.

What I am looking forward to: My dear friends Jen and Erin are planning a really small and intimate get together/baby shower/reunion at the end of the month with a few of our closest childhood and high school friends--I am so excited to see everyone!! I have the greatest friends ever!

Mediocre Tilapia, Snakes and a Birthday.

Okay, the title of this makes my weekend sound lame but it was actually really fun!

Friday
On Friday night, my sweet friend Lindsey (who is also Abby's sister-in-law) called me from Wichita to inform me that she was coming to town and that she was bringing me Chipotle.

You only have to listen for about 10 seconds to get the point.. but if you want to keep playing it, be my guest!

Omg, it was seriously the best food night of my life. I took it to bed (I'm pregnant--don't worry about it), watched Dateline and chowed down. Mmm SO good! Thank you Lindsey :D After Chipotle and Chris Hansen, I took a shower and called it a night. 

Saturday

I worked a little bit on Saturday morning and then headed to the park for my honorary nephews 2nd birthday party! The kids had a great time playing on the playground and bouncy house and the adults enjoyed sitting in the shade visiting. It was a fun party--I can't believe that "Baby" Ben is already two!!

Brandon's sister ended up having to work on Sunday and asked if we'd be able to come out and watch the kids. Umm, of course!! We decided to just make a weekend thing out of it and headed out there Saturday night so we could go to dinner. Guess where we went?!

Yep, Red Lobster! I feel like the RL always gets a bad rap but I love it (I grew up going there)! However, I wasn't at all impressed with the tilapia.. it was very bland and rubbery. Next time, I'll definitely order my usual crab legs and shrimp scampi.

Sunday

Brandon's sister, Britney, brought the kids over a little before 11 on Sunday morning. We played, ate PB&Js, napped for 3 hours (Sara), watched movies, played some more, patiently waited for Sara to wake up (we told Benny that we had a surprise for him when she woke up.. he was so excited and waited very patiently!), ate some yogurt, heard Sara finally wake up, changed Sara's diapers, notified Benny that we were going to the zoo, smelled something coming from Sara's direction, changed Sara again, walked around the zoo (we saw snakes--Benny's favorite!), ate ice cream (Benny) and then came home and watched the beginning of Ratatouille. Whew! What a busy (and fun) day!

Brandon and Benny are seriously twins--if Baby is a boy, I have a feeling I know what he's going to look like :)

I feel like I'm still recovering a little bit from all of our weekend excitement (we walked A LOT and I'm definitely feeling it) so I'm still pretty tired and sore today. This weekend, I'm heading for Colorado to visit my family and my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Rolf! Can't wait!!

How was your weekend?

"The Lorax" Made Me Cry, Big Pants and Feta Cheese

I'm just going to warn you now that this post has no real theme or flow to it.. it's just a tired woman's random thoughts all thrown together.

1.) After doing a lot of homework and research regarding soft cheeses and pregnancy, I decided that it would be okay to add a little pasteurized Feta cheese to my hamburger last night. I'm so glad I did.. it was delicious! Feta makes everything betta!

I enjoyed my burger with a side of pasteurized cottage cheese and a few Doritos.. yum!

2.) My sweet MIL, Mamma Nancy, bought some maternity jeans and tops for me. Since I haven't gained any weight yet, I'm still able to wear my normal jeans/slacks/shorts, but I know the maternity gear will really come in handy this fall! Thanks Nancy!!

"Modeling" for my husband.

3.) Speaking of Mamma Nancy, she came to visit us for the day on Sunday.. and she brought our sweet little niece and nephew! We had a great time eating lunch and watching the kids play at McDonalds (or "MakinDonalds" as Benny calls it), gabbing and shopping. I just love my family!

Benny and Sara playing at Uncle Brandon and Aunt Annie's.

4.) Brandon was gone all day Saturday so I babysat my honorary nephew, Ben, while his parents went to a wedding. We had such a fun time playing with Bitsy's toys, rearranging all the magnets on the refrigerator and watching "The Lorax." He turns two on Saturday (he's growing up wayyyy too fast) and Brandon and I are looking forward to celebrating with him and his family!

I started crying during "The Lorax" and I couldn't help but feel silly (I'm sure Ben was wondering why his parents would leave him with such a crazy lady)--but I guess that's what crazy pregnancy hormones will do to ya! If you've seen the movie, I lost it at the part where the last tree was cut down and all the little forest creatures walked off sad.. they had no home!!

5.) Bitsy's new favorite toy is a piece of ribbon that Brandon cut off a gift bag; she just loves that thing! She'll carry it around the house with her, leave it on our pillows during the night and continuously gnaw on it like its a piece of steak. We had to retire her first "string" because it was so tore up but we cut her off a new, pink one. I don't think she's noticed a difference!

Bitsy and her "string."

6.) To the person who found my blog by searching "nude gal weekend": I'm guessing you were a little surprised and disappointed when your search lead you to my page. Umm.. sorry?

If you haven't made them yet, my Better Than 'Better Than Sex Cake' Brownies are to die for.

7.) Finally, on a more serious note, I'm toning it down tomorrow to talk about an important topic: bullying. This is a post that I have been hesitant to write for quite some time now but I'm ready to talk and tell my story. I hope you'll join me.

Mother's Day Weekend Recap!

Sooo.. I'm getting this post written and posted later than usual because this weekend was very busy (and a lot of fun)!

Saturday was definitely the busiest day that I've had in a long time. I was up for work by 5:30 (too early!), covered the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (so inspiring!!), attended Abby girls graduation (YAY Abby!), feasted on delicious brats and cake at Abby's graduation party (yum!), drove to Mamma Nancy's and played with our niece and nephew (awe!). Whew! Very busy!

Terrible pic--but congrats Miss Abby!!

Baby Benjamin at the graduation party--way too cute!

Then on Sunday we slept in (Hallelujah!), played with our niece and nephew some more (double awe), visited with family (lots to talk about :D), shopped around the mall (my fave), took Mamma Nancy out for dinner (Italian food), drove back home, got the silent treatment from Bitsy, took a final and crashed!

Benny being as sweet as ever.

My guys: Benny and Uncle Brandon.

Eating graham crackers and watching "Ice Age."

My parents spent the day in Denver with their best friends--how cute are my mom and Auntie?!

Nana and Baby Sara at dinner.

Brandon, Mamma Nancy and Sara waiting for the rest of our group!

We had such a lovely weekend and I hope that yours was too! 

Happy belated Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, friends, sisters, female role models, godmothers and mother figures out there! Thanks for all you do!

Easter Recap

As you probably already know, this has been a very busy week.

Last Tuesday was my birthday, we began moving to our new house on Thursday, I worked everyday and had a massive amount of homework to do. Blah, blah and blah.

Since it was such a busy and hectic week, it was nice to be able to kick back with family this weekend.

On Friday evening, my wonderful MIL (you probably know her as Mamma Nancy) brought down a washing machine for our new place. She and I watched the KU game (worst game ever) and went to dinner once Brandon got off work.

Our new sectional is Mamma Nancy approved!

Then on Saturday, I woke up with a jacked up back (from moving heavy boxes that I knew I shouldn't have attempted moving) so we laid low and ran a few errands while we waited for my fam bam to arrive. Once they got here, Mamma Nanc had to go back home for work so we just kinda kicked back and did nothing until it was time for church.

Such a beautiful service.. God is so good!

My mom and I were the first two awake on Sunday morning so I made some artisan wheat flat bread and we sat around visiting, eating and sipping on coffee. It was the perfect morning! Then Nancy, Britney (Brandon's sister) and her family arrived for Easter dinner. I'll let the pictures show the rest of the day. 

My dining table centerpieces

The Easter Bunny stopped by and left a candy trail and baskets for Benny and Sara!

Following the candy trail.

Our sweet nephew and his goodies from the Easter Bunny.

Our perfect baby niece, Sara.

The Easter Bunny even hid Easter eggs in our backyard (we're going to try to get some grass out here..)!

My lovely mamma and me toasting another successful Easter.

After we got back from the park down the street, Uncle Brandon gave Benny a piggyback ride around the house!

It was truly a blessed day and I hope that yours was too!

P.S. I went to Wal-Mart today to pick up a few trashcans for around the house and "accidentally" stumbled upon the Easter section.. LOTS of good deals. I picked up a bunch of fun baking goodies, a sign for the gallery wall and a few things for the Easter Bunny (I gotta help a friend out!). Check it out!

All of this for only $10!

 P.P.S. I have a fun announcement to make tomorrow! Be sure to stop by at 8am (CST)!