house progress...?

i love looking at my refrigerator and seeing those photos.  soon (thursday) we will have a new place to hang them.

a little peek at the house progress....new appliances weren't in the plan for this year, but michael found a great deal and my stove suddenly decided that only one burner would work.  michael was taking out the stove to get ready for the new one and the (ugly, old) tile cracked.... so that means we're now getting new countertops, too.  we don't have the budget for a natural stone and if we had time/money to paint all the cabinets white i so would.  then we could get butcher block counters, but the time and money is not there.  so, we're still trying to figure out what to put in.  any great ideas??

our house is craaazy right now.

did you notice the floor in the dining room?  michael and my dad will lay the new floor this weekend.  oh, and the dead plant. haha. we've had that thing since we got married and i think i watered it once a month (tops) and it just now died. and don't worry, i don't usually have the curtains like that...michael put them up there as he ripped up the old floor. :)

i'm glad i married a handy-man.

17 weeks & lots of words.

i had a check-up yesterday and got to hear that sweet (fast... 156 beats per minute) heartbeat again.  my doctor and i had a great little chat about natural birth.  guys, i'm not big... in fact, i'm small: pre-baby weight was just right at 100 lbs and i'm right under 5 ft tall.  my husband and i "discussed" having the baby at home... but it was more like my husband telling me it worried him too much that something could happen to me or the baby.  i had watched "the business of being born" a few times and it kind of put me off on hospitals and we don't have a birthing center in springfield. but, i found a doctor that i heard through the grapevine (skyler) was all for natural birth plans.  i absolutely love my OB so far.  he's a little eccentric and a little on the older side, but he's delivered over 14,000 babies and has a very low c-section rate.  he is so supportive and positive that if baby cooperates then i can do this. he gave me lots of pointers on how to prepare myself for an all *natural birth, but he said one of the best things i can do seek out advice from other moms that have had a natural birth.  so, that's what i'm doing.  i love reading birth stories and hearing different women's "strategies" so if you have yours on your blog leave a link in the comments... if you have any advice leave me a comment or email me at lesleykgordon@gmail.com... or let me know what your favorite books/websites for information are... or let me know how you're preparing if you have a baby on the way.  i'd love to hear your experiences.

in other news: i can longer button my jeans.  i had to use the old hair-tie trick yesterday.  hurry up spring... i want to wear dresses all. the. time without leggings and boots.

*all natural meaning med-free. :)

blog love (a day early)

hello friends!  i don't think i like sticking to one day to "feature" something.  i'm more of a whenever-i-feel-like-it kind of blogger.  so, it'll be like a surprise when i'm going to share a blog i love. ok?  ok.

skyler at merry happy.

this week i've decided to share another "real life friend" with you...  miss skyler watson and she blogs at merry happy! we met through our husbands.  they were in a band together so skyler and i had lots of bonding time sitting at the merch table and giggling at some of the girls that seemed to be in loooove with our boys.  we made a trip to nashville to watch the band in a battle of the bands deal.  we dreamed about marrying these boys and we both did!  she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. both of the boys quit the band and we all lived in the same building downtown springfield our first year of marriage.  ladies, this girl has it made as far as her husband being cool with whatever she wants to do as far as decor goes.  we once found a $5 coffee table perfect for the size of their vintage sofa and it's now a pale pink. she's thrifty (a coupon queen), crafty, dresses adorable all. the. time. and has such a fun personality.  she's only 21, but i find myself looking up to her all the time for advice on things and such (i'm 24, in case you were wondering).  so, go look at skyler's blog.  she newly started blogging at this one, but she's been blogging for years.  you can bet she'll be sharing some things she's made and some DIY's.

previous blog feature:
anna.

a spring to-do list.

source

my mind is going in circles thinking of all the things we want to get done around here before baby comes this summer.  we bought our house almost a year ago and decided to hold off on a lot of big projects.  we painted pretty much every room a different color and painted ALL the trim, doors, fireplace white.  we changed the hardware in the kitchen and all the bathrooms.  my dad and michael put new tile in the kitchen, laundry room and half bath.  we did some yard work because it seemed like the previous owners let it get a little out of hand.  we love our home, but it just doesn't feel quite like us just yet.

so, here's my spring to-do list:

finish hanging things on the walls.

new wood floors in dining room and living room.

paint the guest bathroom and master bathroom.

tile the guest bathroom and master bathroom.

make a new patio area in the backyard.

keep up with the side flower garden better than last year.

go to ikea (make a trip to dallas to see brother).

move the guest room into the office to make room for baby.

paint the nursery and begin decorating.

sew myself a dress.

spend lots of time outside.

have lots of bbq's.

go on lots of walks with michael and millie.

bake some pies.

get it all done before summer so we can relax before baby comes. ;)

i've been collecting home inspiration on my tumblr and i adore everything in this home tour.

think we're crazy?

my weekend.

family time is seriously the best!  it didn't last long enough, but we got some to spend some much needed time together.  i used my phone to capture the fun because to be honest... i feel kind of silly taking my big nikon into places with me.  someday i'll get over that. my husband and i had a very relaxing day today after church. i kind of love lazy Sundays.

my husband is pretty cute and baby is growing.  i promise my nephew isn't flippin the camera off (although he didn't want his picture taken). i have the prettiest niece. we spent time at lowe's (be prepared for some before's and after's around the house this spring!!!) i think millie is going to need a friend someday.  my nephew was in LOVE with that dog...until it bit his ear and then he HATED it.  my sister is beautiful.  i love my family. missed you, coy! (my little brother reads my blog... cute, right?)

friday blog love. (friend edition)

i'm going to start sharing some of my favorite blogs to follow on fridays... a #ff (like twitter) if you will.  i'll just share one or two a week.  it'll be fun for me to find new blogs to read and maybe help you find some, too!  if you'd like me to feature your blog just email me at lesleykgordon@gmail.com :)

anna 
at these threads of mine.

the first blog is one of my favorite people.  she's a lovely redhead and i've talked about her from time to time since my blogging days started.  she was my roommate for a year and a bridesmaid in my wedding.  she's also taking photos of my pregnancy process! anna blogs at these threads of mine (it's fairly new) and she mostly shares little crafty projects she works on, photography, fashion, thrifting and fun times with her boy.  they're adorable. he has his own etsy for biking bags, called commute.  

top baby blog & 16 weeks.

well, i told myself i wasn't going to sign up for this site and then i kept hearing ladies say how many other mamas they've met through it so i decided to try it out.  i won't be bugging you for votes... but, there's a little link over there to the right and you can click on it whenever you'd like.  :) thanks so much!

16 weeks.  i have energy!  i think this pregnancy has had the BEST timing (in my opinion) and here's why...

i found out right after thanksgiving... so those extra lbs from eating too much turkey i thought of as baby love.  also, i wasn't to the point (yet) of not having an appetite so i ate lots of food! if i would have known what was coming i probably would have ate even more.

we got to share the news with family and friends around christmas-time.  pretty magical and it was so sweet to be loved on by the ones we love most.  baby even got some presents!

i didn't miss out on sunshine and outdoors because of feeling nauseous.  all that yucky business happened in the dead of winter when it was nice to be bundled in front of the cozy fireplace and watching movies with my honey.

i recently got my "burst of energy" ... just in time for some lovely spring weather (and spring cleaning!!)

i plan on LIVING in sundresses and sandals this spring and summer.  i don't have to worry about layers or trying to button/zip coats over the belly.

*i'm trying to stay positive here.  i mean yes, my christmas was spent in a bathroom and yes, i became somewhat of a bear in hibernation during the winter months and yes, summer will be HOT and i'll probably complain a time or two.  but, i'm happy and beyond thrilled to welcome this baby in the summertime.

what a week.

we've had quite the week.  my poor husband broke out in a 102.6 temp on monday and was miserable.  he had to work because his boss is in hawaii so they were short-handed a little.  he's such a good man.  but, tuesday he was feeling even worse so he went to urgent care.... strep.  i've been sanitizing all week and even stayed on the couch one night.  he's been on antibiotics so he's feeling much, much better.  

it's a good thing because we're having some little visitors this weekend...

 (and some bigger ones too!)  my family is coming!  i've been looking forward to it... i can't believe i've gone since new years without seeing them and they only live a little over an hour away.  i blame it on the snow, but guess what?!  it's BEAUTIFUL in missouri today and is supposed to be in the 60's the next few days.

how's your week been?

hey valentine:

i love you.

friday senses. spring is near.

spring is near... 

                             

seeing:  lots of white... the snow is slowly melting away because i see sunshine!

hearing:  the sound of our little space heater. every. night. &
jon foreman's pandora station.

smelling:  my dog needs a bath.

tasting:  i've really been wanting a soft pretzel with cheese and an icee.  

(i might have to make a trip to target today.)

feeling:  more energy and loved.

reading:  i need some recommendations on baby/birth books to read.  

any that you feel are must reads?

loving: next week's weather forecast. (50's and 60's)

anticipating:  SPRING.

making: lists of what needs to be done this spring.

wishing:  i didn't have to work all weekend...
so i could spend time with husband and see my family.

idea from sheena.
photo from my backyard....last spring.

15 weeks ♥

hello dears!  i spent the afternoon with my lovely friend, anna at the house we used to share.  there were five of us when i lived there and i will always love visiting that little, old house.  we ate mexican food, took pictures and talked more about all our plans coming up.  she's the best.  seriously, she takes my picture and she made that adorable heart shirt.  she's crafty.  check out her blog to see more pictures of the belly and some cuuute stuff.

15 w e e k s. ♥
we heard baby's heart beat last week and we'll find out boy/girl on march 23rd.  i've got a pretty long list of girl names going, but boy names are tough for me.  i'm feeling good... like really good.  i'm finally to the point where i want to get out and do rather than stay in and .... sleep.  this spring and summer i've already decided i'm going to live in dresses.  only one pair of my jeans still fit (comfortably) and they are my beloved american eagle stretch jeans.  i can't wait to feel baby move and kick.  we're already head-over-heels for our little one.  ok, baby bump pictures:

nursery inspiration & a special arrival.

sometimes i go into our little empty guest room and think of all the possibilities to get ready for baby.  there's a giant closest (i mean giant) so i've already decided we'll take the door off and put up a pretty or handsome curtain for easy access into a magical play area for when baby turns toddler because it would be such a waste of space if we just put clothes in there.  i've been collecting some ideas and some of them can be found on my tumblr.  did you know i have tumblr?  it's just a place for me to collect pretty photos.  here are a few of my favorites.  i like the softer tones... sweet and simple.

1, 2, 3, 4

oh and remember the friend i had lunch with that was so cute and almost ready to pop? (probably not, but anyways.....) well, she had her little baby girl.  meet eisley... i'm sure she'll be making an appearance here every now and then because we already have lots of outings planned for this spring.

precious.

more snow.

some of the snow from last weeks "blizzard" melted, but then we got more today. millie was about to go crazy being stuck indoors and for some reason she wouldn't run around outside by herself... so i decided to go out with her. and, yes... i did go out in my sweats that are covered in millie hair.  she's hilarious in the snow.  she loves to eat it.  i saw some little signs of spring trying to show up.  i have big plans for this spring and most of them include being outside.  we're going to be making a new little patio area off the deck for the grill.  so, who wants to come over for a bbq?

i'll be taking some 15 week baby bump pictures tomorrow with the lovely miss anna. so, i'll share soon.  i'm also going to "model" for our wedding photographer and his photography class tomorrow in the freezing cold... it should be fun!

oh, and if you live somewhere that is sunny and 75 degrees... don't tell me. ;)

oh hey, snow.

we've had a snow week here in missouri.    i was going to go out and take pictures of the snow, but it's cold.  maybe tomorrow...

i'm a little over 14 weeks along now and this week i've felt like my belly has popped out way more.  i feel WAY better and people are starting to ask if i'm pregnant... i kind of want to say "no" just to see their reaction. but, that would be mean and i'd never deny this little baby growing in me. ;)  we got to hear the sweet sound of the little heart beat yesterday.  baby's heart was beating at 148, loud and strong.

today i stayed cozy inside in comfy clothes and took pictures on photo booth. (a little step up from the phone...right??)

 *please excuse the messy side table and the dog nose smudges on the window.  i should have cleaned instead of being lazy today. ;)