Today's Thoughts(aka rambling)

**Waring, this post is a lot of rambling, and doesn't really have a point to anyone besides myself. :)

So the past few weeks my mind has been consumed with questions of what I am going to do with my life. I feel like most people that are 6 months pregnant are looking for ways to quit their jobs and be able to raise their kids. For me, it is the opposite (and please hear me out before you judge. Or judge, it doesn't matter because it won't change my feelings). I am young. My husband in turning 29 in a week and a half and I just turned 23. I flew through college (3 1/2 years) and was in my last semester when we got married. He had a terrific job which allowed me to stay part-time at Healthpoint and then I quit there about 6 months ago to work with my mom at Cape Starter (our family business). Recently, which most of you know if you have read my blog at all, that Pete quit his job at AT&T and is doing his dream job of full-time house flipping and running our rental property. I love that we are in a place in our lives that he can do that. I probably say at least 3 times a week how grateful I am that he doesn't work at AT&T anymore. It was fine for a few years, but our life is so much easier and enjoyable without that job (new budget or not, ha!). But because he quit, I am looking for some type of work with benefits. At first I thought it would be no big deal, I would find something part-time where I can still work with my mom and pick up a few weddings each year. That would be the perfect dream for me-I still get to work with family and pursue my passion of wedding coordinating. But, the more and more that I have looked for part-time jobs around this area it just stresses me out. I want to like what I do and like the people I work with. I want it to be a positive environment that I look forward to going to everyday( or every other). Let me tell you, there just isn't much out there. Which has made me think a lot if I want to go find a full time job in event planning or something along those lines, that way I know that I will enjoy what I do. I am not saying it will not be stressful at times, and hard to leave my baby girl, the flexibility and personal enjoyment of working with my mom everyday, but I would like what I do. I have said since the beginning that I do not want to be a full-time SAHM, but I never thought I would work full-time either. I guess all that to say that parts of me wish I had a little more time to work in a busy, full-time environment before we had kids. Or, that I would have done it while Pete was working at AT&T and I was fresh out of college. But as I type it I know parts of me don't mean it. Kids are my passion, and I have longed for a child and a large family for as long as I can remember. I just want to raise and love on as many kids as I possibly can. I want that. Pete wants that. So, I know I would be discouraged working full-time.
Do you think I am crazy yet?!
I am sure some of this rambling is my prego brain, but most of it is real, but tomorrow I could read this and think that I am a moron for ever thinking about giving up the opportunities I have now. I just want to do something I enjoy and love, and I am nervous that I am going to let myself just take whatever job I get offered first because it has benefits. Is it bad to say one of my part-time "dream jobs" is a barista at Starbucks? I just hate how people judge your lifestyle by where you work. I am not usually one to care about what others think of me as long as I am happy. I don't know why I let this one affect me so much? I need to let it go because, if I could work part-time at Starbucks, work with my mom, and pick up a few weddings a year, I would seriously be over the moon happy. I guess I just rambled my way into making a decision. I knew I just needed to write it out, and know that this is what makes me happy and is what is best for my family, so other peoples opinions do not matter. Whew.

If you made it to the end of this, congrats! I promise I will get around to posting about NYC and the wedding I was in this past weekend. I just haven't had the energy.

xoxo,
Erin

It's OK Thursday

Hello! I am linking up with Neely for "It's OK Thursday!!"

  It's OK..... -That I am wishing away summer because I love fall so much! -That I wanted to write my post about NYC today, but I am too lazy -That I ate pizza rolls for lunch and they were delicious -That I am over the moon excited that we are having a little girl in November. I can barely contain myself sometimes!! -That I could listen to country music from the second I wake up until I go to bed and it will never get old to me. -That I really am starting to miss diet coke, like bad y'all. -That I just started getting the motivation to workout, mainly because I am starting to really freak about giving birth and know it will be easier on me if I am in shape.   That is all I can think of now!! I have a full weekend again this weekend!! One of my very best childhood friends is getting married!!! It all starts this afternoon with a pre-wedding workout and the lingerie shower/party tonight!  

xoxo,

Erin

23 Weeks 1 Day

*For some reason Blogger jumbles up all my sentance's after I post them and I do not know how to fix it!! They all look normal in my draft, but when I preview it or post it, it is all messed up, so I am sorry about it!*

How far along? 23 Weeks 1 Day

Size of the baby? 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound! Her sense of movement is well developed by now, and she can feel me move and dance.

Food Cravings? I still am really enjoying soup, but i have found myself wanting sweet things this week also! I have resisted the temptation more than I have given in, just an FYI! :)


What I miss: a good margarita, I was at a friends wedding this weekend and that was the first
time I have missed alcohol. Terrible to say, but it is the truth!

Stretch Marks? Still only 3! I am putting lotion on like its my job!


Maternity Clothes? I have gotten a few more things from different friends, they are so sweet to let me borrow so I do not have to buy anymore! Although, I did get new undies and bras this week and that made me feel like a new woman! ha, so comfortable not being so tight everywhere!!

Gender? It's a GIRL!!

Weight Gain:  Still up 20 I am assuming, I go to the doctor next Thursday.

Sleep? I am getting more tired during the day than I have in the past month or so, but nothing too exhausting. I have been getting terrible legs cramps, so that's no fun.

Best Moment of the Week: I would have to say the kicks again! They are so strong! I was in NYC with some of my best friends over the weekend. They all got the chance to feel her kick, it was fun to share with them!

Symptoms: Leg cramps and I have been so thirsty. I can't get enough water!!

Movement? We have a very active little girl on our hands! She kicks up a storm, espically at night! I can lay on the couch and feel her kicking for 30 minutes straight! In the past week I has gotten so much stronger that you can see it from the outside. I am ready for her to kick during the day though, my mother is dying to feel it! :)

Names and Nurserys

I have always thought that when I have a little girl, her nursery is going to be super girly and pink all over the place. So when I first got pregnant and naturally started thinking about the room, I just had two totally different plans depending on the sex. I thought I had it all figured out. But, then I found the rocker that I knew I wanted, no matter boy or girl, and that changed everything.

Once we got that, I still thought that I would make it super girly with tulle and ruffles everywhere. Now that I know it's a girl, I pulled everything back up for the girls room and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. That's just not me. I am not a super girly person, never have been never will be. Let's be honest, I have my hair up every single day of my life and am mad when I can't wear a sports bra. Therefore, I thought I can't make a nursery for my baby girl like looks like she is raised by a girly diva, Bc we are far from that. And her room will be just as far, but I could not be more excited about the plan!!!! I am currently looking for old barn wood to make with her (undecided) name on it. It will look similar to this, only with her monogram painted in pink(see, it's not all tom boy) and without that decorative vine.

Then we are using the crib me and my siblings used when we were kids. (side note: I understand some people are going to freak about this. My dad is bolting it up to where it will be up to standards. I looked into it).

I couldn't find a better picture, but this is the exact crib...

Then the dresser is Pete's step dads first dresser that he ever had as a kid and they aren't using it and I fell in love with it! I am so thankful that he is willing to let baby girl have that. :) My MIL is painting the base ivory, but leaving the drawers the original wood just re staining them so they look fresh.

The dresser looks similar to this, but has more detail on the drawers

I am a little worried though, Bc all the furniture is pretty large and the room is defiantly on the smaller side. It is going to be cramped, but i think once we get it all in there and play around with it, we will find a way that works. That is as far as we have gotten right now, but I am excited to start getting it all set up!

Now for the name. We just can't decide. We had a boys name nailed down, but not a girls. We narrowed it down to 2 girl choices before we found out the sex, and haven't really discussed it since then. I think we are both just thinking about it for a while and getting other peoples opinions (I know, horrible idea ;)) The decision is between Eleanor(Nora) Mae Ressler or Zetta Mae Ressler. Zetta Mae is my great grandmothers name. I originally said I wanted my daughters name to be Eleanor and Pete and I both loved it. But, there are so many little girls right now with names that begin with El and that stresses me out. One of my best friends is named Erin and I just don't want that confusion for my child and the people she will hangout with. Plus, I loveee Eleanor, but hate the thought that people are going to try to call her Ellie. (I know that is dumb, but you have to think about these things!!) So IF people try to shorten it, which they will, I want her to be called Nora. I love that also but don't like that her name is Eleanor yet she goes by Nora. Grr, I don't know why I let it bother me so much, but I do. That is the total reason we have not made a decision yet. I just don't want her to have to correct people her whole life. Which Pete doesn't feel this way, and he thinks it is no big deal. I guess I should just trust him on that because he has done it his whole life, so he would know more than me. (Charles Peter Ressler) :) soooooo that is where we are at on those two subjects. Sorry for the long post, I typed it while I was on the plane to New York, so I really let my feelings out. Haha!

Now let's get this party started! I will be back on Monday unless I get super bored while I am here, then I might post a few times. ;)

xoxo,

Erin

22 Weeks!

Sorry for the terrible lighting..I will use a real camera one of these days..

22 weeks and 1 day!

How far along? 22 Weeks

Size of the baby? At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. 

Food Cravings? Soup, soup, and more soup!!!

What I miss: This is the first week I have felt like I have a belly that gets in the way of things, which has made this process seem more real, if that is possibly. The past month, I haven't even really felt pregnant, so it has been a nice change feeling the kicks, and having to bend over funny. So, I really don't miss anything at this point.. :)


Stretch Marks? Dun, dun, dun...I have 3. (on the under side of my boob for those who were wondering;)..)


Maternity Clothes? My collection of maternity clothes is getting bigger and bigger! At this point, I feel like I have enough dresses/skirts to last me the rest of the summer. Mainly because I wear shorts and a t-shirt, 5 of the 7 days of the week. :)

Gender? It's a GIRL!! We are beyond excited!! Pete told me a few days before we found out that he really wants a girl, and he got his wish! We couldn't feel more blessed.

Weight Gain:  Sensitive subject. I am gonna be completely honest here, no sense in lying. I am up 20 pounds! I am not sure how it has happened either. I am not over eating by any means and walk 5 miles at least a few times a week. I asked my doctor last week when I was there what she thought I should do and her only suggestion was not to gain more than 70 pounds! The thought of that seriously takes my breath away. Are you kidding me, 70 pounds?!?! I think I can handle that!

Sleep? Can't complain one bit! We have move into our house, and I just put the curtains up yesterday, so we have been waking up to some serious sun. I am not complaining about it though, it makes waking up a lot easier!!! I have been sleeping in quite a bit and since Pete has a little bit more of a flexible schedule, I let ;) him sleep in as long as he wants also. I just know in 4 short months that luxury will be a goner, and it is one of our favorites!!

Best Moment of the Week: Just watching baby girl kick like crazy, and Pete touching my belly more often. I think now that he can feel and see her kick and it is a definite baby bump now, he feels more involved and is loving every second! Watching him with Sloane and Wyatt this past week makes me feel so blessed to have married such a loving, caring, and patient man. He is going to be the BEST dad!

Symptoms: Like I said above, the past few weeks have been a breeze! I haven't been overly tired, overly hungry, or anything else I had been feeling the past 16 weeks. I will say, starting yesterday, that I am having to change my meal times and sizes. I find myself getting fuller faster and hungry more often. I need to start packing snacks so I am never without food! haha.Movement? We have a very active little girl on our hands! She kicks up a storm, espically at night! I can lay on the couch and feel her kicking for 30 minutes straight! In the past week I has gotten so much stronger that you can see it from the outside. Pete has enjoyed feeling it and seeing it as well.

California family comes to Missouri!

Last week, my dad's dad, step-mom, step-sister, and her three daughters all came to Missouri to hangout! The girls had never been to Missouri, and are all old enough now to have and time and meet everyone. They flew in on Saturday, stayed over the 4th and left on Thursday afternoon. They were staying at my parents house so it seemed like we stayed in the pool 95% of the time! My cousin also has a few horses and the girls were so excited to go see the horses, they even rode! We did go down to Lambert's one night so they could have that experience, and my cousin works at The Pilot House so we had lunch there before everyone left town on Thursday...delicious! On the 4th, my mom and dad got up early and ran a local 5K and then came home and made everyone biscuits and gravy. After breakfast, Pete and I went to the city park because a group of our friends played in the mud volleyball tournament. They ended up getting second place overall! WooHoo

After we watched a few games we decided to head back to my parent's and get in the pool, it was way to hot!! That afternoon, my dad had a big fish fry for everyone, and boy was it good. It has been a while since I have had fresh fried fish! :) Then we went to Pete's mom's house and watched the city fireworks before heading home and calling it a night! What a long day! Here a few pictures of everyone at different points in the week!

The whole gang!

Dad, Wyatt, Billy, Grandpa

Grandpa and my niece Sloane

The girls on the horse! 

All of my dads siblings and the grand kids/great grand kids

swimming

my view all week!..Not too shabby

My sister;s family!

Someone took a picture of Pete and I, but I have no clue where it is! O well. It was a wonderful week, and I am so thankful I work for my mom so that I had the free time to get to hangout with everyone and not miss anything!!

xoxo.

Erin

Sunday Social: TV

Today I am linking up with Neely and Ashley for Sunday Social! The category is TV, enjoy!


Favorite TV show of the past:

I have a few that I just can't choose between: Sex and the City, Saved by the Bell, Will and Grace, The OC, One Tree Hill, 7th heaven, ER, Brothers and Sisters, but One Tree Hill is my all time fav. I was so sad(seriously, I cried)this year when they had their series finale. Don't worry though, I have all the seasons on DVD! ;)

Favorite TV show currently:

How I met your mother, Big Bang Theory, Bachelorette/Bachelor/Bachelor Pad, anything on HGTV
(except, Holmes on Homes..yuck.), The Middle, 2 Broke Girls, Duck Dynasty ;), Modern Family, Big Brother, Biggest Loser.

Which Reality Show would you NEVER do?

Dancing with the Stars! I am so stage fright and can not dance to save my life.

Which Reality Show would you LOVE to do?

You know the "easy" ones...Deal or No Deal(I know this is more of a game show, but o well), Not sure of the exact name but 4 Weddings, I think. To win a honeymoon and judge other weddings, that would be fun.

TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?

This Question and the next one I feel like I shouldn't answer. If you know me at all, you know I do not know actors/actress'. As bad as I want to, it is just not in the cards for me. I did not grow up watching a lot of tv as a kid, and my family never really paid any attention to celebrities. So, as an adult, I just do not know people. Therefore, I am going to leave these two blank, sorry bout it.

TV character you'd want to date?

Happy Sunday.

xoxo,

Erin

What's been going on!

Well, a lot has happened in the past month of our lives!

• Both of Pete's sisters were here most of the month of June. It was a blast having them around all the time and it was sad to see them go! His sister Ashley, moved to Australia(!) and his other sister went to Wyoming to write another book of hikes with her husband before she heads back to New Mexico.(Such a fun life!!) 
• The boys that lived in our rental house have moved out, so Pete is trying to get that house cleaned up and move in ready so we can get another group of renters before the school year starts!
• Speaking of Pete, he quit his job! This was a big decision for us and we discussed it a lot before we decided to make such a life change. We are super thankful that he has such a great job for the past few years financially, but it was just an emotional and mentally draining job with long, hard hours. I did not want us to have schedule we had with that job, when we have the baby. Pete would miss out on so much of our child's life, and neither one of us wanted that. I have said that I will get another job with insurance/benefits in order for our schedule to become more flexible. Plus, when the baby comes I have always wanted to work part-time. I think it is good for a child be to around other kids even when they are small. I also, selfishly, need social interaction and conversation that is not all about kids. I don't want that to sound like I am not going to love my child or raise my child myself, but a few days a week, it is healthy for both of us to be apart. Pete has not worked there for a few weeks now, and our life is already so much more enjoyable. You don't realize how draining a job is, until you aren't there anymore. He can come to all my family functions now, we can go to dinner with friends, etc. Don't get me wrong, financially, this is a HUGE change for us, but totally worth it.
• I booked another wedding! I am so thankful that I have got the opportunity to pursue my passion without having a full-blown business. It is a lot of work, but so fun!
• I suck at taking pictures, that's all there is to it. I feel like I can't and don't blog about what is going on because I don't have any pictures and words are boringggggg. I am going to New York next week and I am determined to be better about this!!
• I do have a few pictures of my belly though! Plus, we found out that we are having a baby girl!! We found out at our ultrasound on a Thursday and then we had the tech write it down in an envelope and I took it to the lady who made a cupcake with the middle filled with the special color and cookies for the party! We did not find out until Saturday, when we had a gender reveal party..with no pictures(gah)

This is 20 weeks..



                                                     
                                             This is 21 weeks! Hard to tell in the black shirt, sorry!










My unfinished kitchen!! AH

                                            These are the only pictures I have of the party, and my sister is who took them! I am determined to be better! Why have a big party if I never even document it?!!

• On the topic of pregnancy, we obviously had our ultrasound and it all went well! Everything is growing right on track. Baby girl is kicking like crazy!! It is strong enough now, that Pete can feel it and if you are patient enough, you can see it on the outside. Quite amazing!!! Something that is not amazing is that I found a stretch mark. GRR, I am so angry! Although it is my fault, because I give swim lessons 2x a week and don't put lotion on after. My skin is visibly dry, so I knew it was bound to happen. I am going to be better about it from here on out!
• Last but not least, we moved into our house!!! We still do not have a kitchen, because we are missing one of the bottom cabinets, but I am being very patient! It has only been 12 weeks, I don't know why I am getting an attitude about it.;) But, my dear husband keeps telling me that having an attitude and letting it effect me isn't going to resolve the problem, so I am staying calm! Thank goodness I have him around, my life is way less stressful..because he treats me like a 5 year old..kidding!

If you made it this long, congrats, I promise to be better!!

xoxo,

Erin