Five on Friday!

The first week back from the holidays always seems to be the longest week of the year.  But we made it through! Time to celebrate (or take a nap on the couch)!!Today I want to share with you my favorite blogs and the must-reads for 2016. For all those new to blog land, welcome! I hope my Five on Friday post helps you when looking for blogs to read!

one | Olive & Tate

With a new look for 2016, Olive & Tate has got to be one of the most up and coming (in my opinion) blogs this year! I absolutely love her sarcastic humor and honest mothering tips into life with her little guy.  She blogs all things home reno, baby boy, mom uniform and "keep it real" posts.  Definitely one of my go-to blogs for a while now.  Joining the boy mom club I know she will be a great resource!

two | Carolina Charm 

Carolina Charm is such an inspiring, real life blog from Christina who blogs about anything from life with two little babes, her breast cancer prevention story and everything in between.  She does an amazing job at making readers feel at home and has lots of great DIY's and recipes.  Following along from her pregnancies also give me good resources as I have been getting closer to my due date.  

three | Cheers Y'all 

One of my all time faves! Elise has been so sweet to me since we have became blog friends and I know that if we met in real life we would hit it off instantly! Cheers Y'all started as a way for her and her hubby to keep in touch with family across the pond.  Now it's turned into much more of lifestyle for her as they added their first baby girl last year.  She also has an amazing sister, Hope, who is right around the same week of pregnancy as I am.  I cannot say enough amazing things about Elise and Hope and I know y'all will love both of their blogs!


four | Home Sweet Ruby 
I love being able to search around Cait's blog to find all things boy baby and what the next year is going to look like in the Brown house.  From baby toys to how to survive going back to work, this blog is crucial for all those expecting moms and looking for a realistic approach to mommyhood!


five | Young House Love 

I absolutely love looking at home inspiration from Young house Love.  I know this blog is a little more mainstream then the other four, but I really love what they do to their spaces - although sometimes it's a little unrealistic to think I can pull off some of their renos!

And there you have it! Be sure to link up with the lovely ladies for 5 on Friday!

Harrison Cole

If you have been reading since the beginning of the pregnancy, you know that at 16 weeks, we found out we were having a sweet baby girl.  From the beginning of the pregnancy, and really for a long time prior to getting pregnant, I knew if we were having a girl I wanted to name her Brynlee Rose.  The way I spell my name is so different and always a good conversation starter, so I wanted my daughter to have the same experience.  Rose was my mom's maiden middle name so that was an easy choice as well.

Well, when we found out we were having a boy at 20 weeks, I was so nervous I wasn't going to find a name that I thought would be good for our son.  Literally, the first thing that went through my head when the ultrasound tech told us it was a boy was "what in the world are we going to name him!" We were back to square one in my mind.  

We had a few names on the list, but when we went to Reno in November, I had in my mind that by the time we returned from the trip, we would have decided on a name.  I wanted to call him something.  Not just baby boy, or baby Brown, but to give him an identity. 

It wasn't until our trip home that we finally settled on a name. Harrison Cole Brown. 

Here's the story to how Harrison got his name...

D.J. has always gotten on my from the beginning of our relationship about the lack of my classic movie exposure.  On the flight home from Reno, he asked me if I wanted to watch Day of Thunder (with Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Robert Duvall).  I said no at first, but figured what the heck am I going to do for the next 3 hours - might as well watch this movie.  It wasn't until halfway through the movie that I realized the two main characters names were Harry and Cole.  It was right then that I knew we had to go with Harrison Cole.  At this point, we had narrowed it down to Harrison, but still deciding on middle names.  Days of Thunder just sealed the deal for Cole! 

After the change from girl to boy, we tried to keep the name a secret.  Lots of people had given their input on the name prior to us announcing it and honestly, I just wanted everyone to know.  To accept the name we have chosen for him, to start calling him by name, to start embracing it if they don't like it, whatever.  I just couldn't keep it a secret till March.  I am so glad we shared his name early and everyone has embraced the name! We know this is the perfect name for our little dude and cannot wait till he makes his arrival! 

Baby Brown: Week 26, 27 & 28

Sorry for the delay in the bumpdates - the holidays got the best of me! Here's an update on the past few weeks and the start of the third trimester!!! 

How far along: 28 weeks 3 days

Due date: March 27, 2016

Baby Size: sweet coconut!

Weight gain: oh sweet scale, how I love you.  However, the number keeps rising, and I keep stretching, but I guess this child of mine in there is worth it.  Who knows.  I think I'm around the 20+ park. EEK!

Maternity Clothes: no turning back now.  Thank the heavens for sweatpants and a husband who wears a 2XL

Stretch Marks: none that I can see, but the belly is getting pretty darn big and I can't see lots of areas on my body right now, so who knows.  I have noticed a faint "pregnancy line" on the beach ball!

Sleep: terrible.  Getting into the bed is difficult. Getting comfortable is impossible.  Staying asleep is out of the questions and falling asleep takes an extra 30 minutes.  That could be because I have been off my work schedule. Don't imagine sleeping getting better for the next 18+ years, so thats that. 

Gender: BOY!!!

Name: ANNOUNCING THE NAME THIS WEEK! Be sure to check back and see what that little H and C stand for <3

Movement: constantly and I love it.  Sometimes his movements catch me off guard, so I make a reaction, but most of the time it's a nice reminder that the sweet boy is growing big and strong in there to one day (in the next three months) make his arrival to this big and crazy world we live in.  His movements are more of rolling and stretching rather than kick and jabs right now.  I swear he gets the hiccups almost every day and I can always feel when he has them! Movement is strongest at nights, but I have started to keep track of how much I feel him throughout the day. 

Best moment this week: Finished painting the dresser and moved it into the nursery.  Just waiting to find the right knobs for the final touch.  We also had our 28 week appointment this morning and everything looks great! Measuring right on track! And potentially having a daycare plan....but not all locked in yet, so no more details on that till later! Also during the past few weeks I knocked out the glucose test, and passed with flying colors (WOOHOO!)!

Looking forward to: baby boy's shower in couple weeks! He is already so loved and we cannot be more thankful for the family that we have! 

Husband is: a rockstar for pulling off the dresser reno without any complaints! He also has been taking Stryker on walks with the stroller, so he gets used to it and I cannot begin to say how awesome that will be to be able to walk the dog and the babe at the same time! 

Food cravings: eh... nothing that I've noticed. However I am starting to get to the point where I am hungry, but my stomach can only handle so much at one time.  I think I need to start eating smaller meals more often.

Anything making you queasy or sick: blah...same as it's been all pregnancy long.

Labor Signs: nope, and I'm curious to see what Braxton Hicks feel like.  Moms out there - any tips as we approach the delivery??

Missing Most: see symptoms.  

Symptoms: not being able to bend over and tie shoes is getting pretty hard.  Sleeping and getting comfortable is pretty much impossible. Stuff nose.  Twisting and bending is getting to be pretty hilarious if you ask my sister or husband.  Weird innie/outie combo of a belly button.  Bladder seems to be his favorite resting position throughout the day which in turns makes for frequent trips to the bathroom. Getting in and out of the bed/cough is pretty exhausting.  I would love to see myself do it, I'm sure its a sight to be seen. But you know, nothing that isn't worth it!! 

Nursery: Coming along nicely! Can't wait till it's complete to show you all

Belly Button in or out? innine/outie combo of sorts.

Wedding rings on or off? on, and haven't noticed any swelling.

Mood: feeling good! It's crazy how fast time is flying by, the third trimester is quickly approaching!

Workouts: slowly but surely getting some workouts done.  Nothing exciting to report on :) 

2015's Top Christmas Gifts

Santa was extra thoughtful this year and I received lots of great gifts.  To cap off the holiday season, I wanted to share my top five gifts that I received this Christmas! 

one - Christmas Dishes

These were a nice surprise when I opened the huge, heavy box from my Nana.  I was planning on catching some Christmas dishes after the 25th on sale, but these were just the style I was looking for. I can't wait to break them out next year and embrace the spirit!

two - Car Interior Detailing

A few weeks ago, D.J. spilled some food on his seats of his car.  Luckily, the company he works for paid for a full interior cleaning of his car.  I WAS SO JEALOUS!!! I had no idea that he would get this for me for Christmas, but it could not have come at a better time! I plan on getting my car detailed right before baby boy makes his arrival!

three - Erin Condren Planner

This is always a staple present under the tree at my parents house.  I have gotten an Erin Condren planner for the past four years now and was almost turned off last year due to the interchangeable covers.  However, I read some reviews and hopefully the covers have stepped their game up this year.  I also changed from the vertical view to the horizontal view and am loving the change already.  

four - Neckalces

Both D.J. and my sister got me tow of the most beautiful necklaces.  I had been eyeing this beautiful Kendra Scott necklace for a while now and D.J. pulled the trigger at Nordstroms and surprised me big time!

My sister knew that I wanted a neckace with the babe's initial on it, and she came through big time with this Baublebar monogrammed "H" necklace! 

five -  Watering System

Now this present I think is for me just as much as is it for my mom! Our "big" present under the tree and mom and dads was a watering system for all my plants! Think sprinkler system, but on a smaller scale.  This way I just have to set a timer and all my plants will be watered! I can't think of a bigger time saver - especially with an infant!! I also got some cash in an envelope to use when I go buy my plants in the spring!

Oh hey, 2016!

What an amazing holiday break! This year I decided to take off the three days between Christmas and New Years that we were in the office and I cannot begin to explain how needed that was.  I was able to accomplish so many things, relax, enjoy family time and embrace life as a family of two (plus the pup).

We rang in 2016 pretty low key with some of our best friends.  I think NYE is the most overrated holiday ever - yes, even more so than Valentine's Day! We played games, watched football and had a delicious dinner. Looking back at the camera and phone, we realized we didn't even take a single picture.  But being able to be with friends and the hubs was all I could have asked for.

Looking at what 2016 has it store brings a lot of different emotions for me.  The unknown territory of parenting and the start of another baseball season are enough to put this pregnant mama into a tizzy, but if baseball has taught my anything, it's to be flexible and go with the flow.  I cannot wait to see what 2016 will bring, but I can predict it will be anything but a fastball straight down the middle!

Christmas Day 2015

Knowing that this would be our last Christmas kidless, we wanted to make sure we saw as many family members possible in one day!

We started the day off around 7 a.m. at our house.  I've always said that we will wake up on Christmas morning in our own bed and with a baby on the way, this is more important to me than ever! Stryker got his annual big chew bone and toys along with some fresh tennis balls.

He was pretty satisfied.

We all know that I am not the best wrapper in the world, so this is the best he got this year!

We went back and forth opening presents from each other.  D.J. did good this year.  Some Bath and Body Works, Victoria Secret, TOMS, and most excitingly a full interior detail of my car! Perfect timing before baby Brown makes his arrival in March!

D.J. got lots of jackets - sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts - you name it, he got it! He got a Lifeproof phone case, a football, Redskins flag and more!

 Around 8 a.m. or so, we drove over to my parents and opened up all the presents Santa brought us there! Nana, Uncle David and Anne were all there to watch us open gifts this year too. Julie's big present was a Kate Spade watch. Bobby got money for a ski trip, D.J. got a ticket to Carrie Underwood with me, and I got Christmas dishes and a watering system for my plants!

Before we drove up to the Brown's for the weekend, we made a quick stop at my cousins down the street to see their awesome trampoline.  They were having a BLAST! Notice what everyone is wearing - looks like summer time! 75 on Christmas was such a treat, but we are all ready for the colder weather!

We got on the road to D.J.'s house around 12:30 p.m. and had a great weekend up there.  Saturday was the annual holiday party at their house.  We ate lots of food, watched the Redskins clinch a playoff spot, did some after Christmas shopping in Fredericksburg and relaxed on Sunday before heading home.

I am so glad I decided to take the three days of work off this week.  I was not ready for the holidays to be over and needed to spend some time doing nothing and preparing for baby's arrival! Lots to do before March!!

Hope you all have a great New Years and ring in 2016 with the ones you love!

Our Christmas Eve Celebration

With this Christmas being our last without the babe, I was just a little more into the holidays and wanting to be around family.  Everything will change soon, and being able to share special moments with all the ones we love most was even more meaningful this year!

We always go to church on Christmas Eve.  Mass starts at 4 p.m. but it really just starts when the church is full, which was around 3:30 p.m. this year.  We were back at the house around 5, took some family photos (thanks to self timer) and waited around before heading to my aunts for dinner!

Gotta love this guy.

The girls wanted to take a picture since the boys were not in the photo mood.

Before heading to my aunts, we exchanged gifts from the siblings.  It's always a tradition that we exchange gifts the night before Christmas with each other.   My sister got me the most beautiful necklace with the baby's initial on it and my brother knows me well - gift certificate to the manicure place I love!

Christmas Eve dinner at my aunts house is always a big event.  This year we had over 25 people for dinner. My aunt does an amazing job cooking for everyone - turkey, ham, casseroles, desserts - the whole works!

 

After dinner, we celebrated my brothers 24th birthday a few days late and ended up leaving there around 9 p.m. to read Christmas books to my cousins next door.

I was in bed around 11 p.m. and the presents were all wrapped and ready under the tree!