• Maternity Style
    Babies,  Family,  Motherhood,  Siblings,  Uncategorized

    What’s Up Baby Bump? 31 Week ‘Bumpdate’

    I’m the absolute worst at blogging regularly and even worse at “timed” personal posts or updates. Whoops. I have yet to do any sort of baby bump-date for this little bambino and since I do enjoy looking back at the updates I had with my first two pregnancies, I wanted to make it a point to jot some things down to remember with this little girl <3 

  • Babies,  Faith,  Family,  Motherhood,  Our Story,  Parenting,  Reflection

    Happy Heavenly Birthday + A Note to Grieving Mothers After a Miscarriage or Stillbirth

    Earlier this month was our sweet baby boy’s first birthday in heaven. I really can’t believe it’s already been a year… the shortest, yet longest year of my life, for many reasons. Though we never got to bring him home, have him wear all the “little brother” shirts we had gotten for him, or snuggle on the couch as a family, we will forever hold him in our hearts and we can smile knowing he is beyond happy in heaven. I’ll be totally honest, the weeks surrounding his birthday left me emotionally drained.

  • Babies,  Faith,  Family,  Motherhood,  Parenting,  Reflection

    Pregnancy After Loss // Expecting Our Rainbow Baby

    As I’m sitting here in complete awe, wonder, and insanely deep gratitude for the new life growing inside of me, I often reflect on the events that brought me here with my growing rainbow baby. After losing our son Michael last year, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions – many of which were so ugly and scary my heart literally aches when I think about it or imagine another mother in the same situation. Nevertheless, even with all the ugly, so much beauty and growth came from that time in my life.

  • Babies,  Family,  Motherhood

    Little Wildflower Turns TWO!

    We celebrated G turning two this past weekend and had so much fun! I am still in complete disbelief that I have a two year old. Her day was filled with lots of balloons, kisses, and cake 🙂 We loved being able to make her day extra special and spend time with so many of our amazing family and friends.

  • Babies,  Faith,  Family,  Marriage,  Motherhood,  Parenting,  Reflection

    When Hello Means Goodbye – Surviving a Stillbirth

    As I looked through my drafts of post ideas, I saw my “Baby Bumpdate” post sitting in the queue… as I stared at the title I realized something... when I was pregnant and my baby was alive and healthy, I had no problem happily posting "bump pics" and sweet little taglines on how much we loved him, how excited we were to meet him, how we couldn't wait for him to join our crazy family. He was real. He was my son. We dreamed of his future, how he was going to be my little buddy, how he was going to love cars and hockey just like his dad, and…

  • Babies,  Motherhood

    18 Week Bumpdate + Feeling Beautiful

    For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. – Audrey Hepburn Hard to believe I am almost halfway through my second pregnancy! Ha, I feel so old. The first 15-16 weeks with this little nugget were a little bit of a doozy but I am thankfully feeling much better. This go round has been a little harder on me than the first pregnancy.

  • Babies,  Family,  Motherhood

    Pregnancy Announcement

    One of the best things about having an oversized family is that no matter if its pizza on a Tuesday night, a bonfire on Friday, or Thanksgiving with the crew, any time spent together is always bound to be slightly chaotic but always a good time. The other awesome thing, is when you have any big announcement to make you instantly have a party! We decided to break the news of nugget #2 to my family on Thanksgiving. We were taking family pictures, as we attempt to do every year, and we thought it would be fun to tell everyone during pictures! I had quickly made a sign and the…

  • Babies,  Family,  Motherhood,  Parenting

    The Determination of a Child

    I’m sitting here on my kitchen floor, eating leftovers, watching my (almost) 8 month old daughter explore the new scenery. (I actually have found that the kitchen setup is wonderful, WAY less trouble for her to get into than in the living room, since all she can reach are closed cabinets and the pots, pans, and cups I lay out on the floor.) As I watch her, I can’t help but to think “man, I wish I had her determination!” She is a tough little cookie, and no matter how many times she bonks her head, face plants, or bites the dust, she just keeps on exploring… Pushing beyond her…

  • Babies,  DIY

    DIY: How to Make a Fluffy Tutu

    I grew up in a house full of boys which meant lots of sports, cars, and dirt. I was your biggest tomboy and didn’t wear a dress by my own choosing until I was like 15 (not kidding). I was a tough chick, I know my cars, i’m good at sports, and I have a passion for the outdoors… but I wince every time I look back at family albums. Backwards hats, grubby boy clothes… oh dear lord.. LOL.