15 Weeks!

How Far Along: 15 weeks!

Size of Baby: Avocado {4 to 5 in, 3 to 5 oz.} according to What To Expect.

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much exclusively wearing maternity pants/shorts, but mixing regular & maternity shirts.

Gender: We find out next month!

Movement: Nothing yet.

Sleep: I'm able to sleep through the night, but find myself waking up once around 3:30am and then again {for good, usually} by 5:30am or 6am.

What I miss: My energy.  We took a walk last night because it was beautiful out & I was feeling pretty good, but once we got back home, I felt like I had hit a wall and could barely keep my eyes open.

Cravings: Lunch meat, but trying not to think about it.

Other crazy symptoms: Just tired & hungry all the time.

Best Moment this week: Feeling like I can tell I'm pregnant & not just gaining unnecessary weight :)

#4

While Sam & I have been walking side-by-side for the only 4 years now, it is still hard to remember what life before him felt like.  Last year I said that it felt like we had just said "I do!", but this year it feels like our wedding day was a lifetime ago.  I trust that we have many of years ahead of us, but I think this year will be one to remember!

Happy Anniversary Sam!

{Related posts: wedding day details, #1, #2, & #3}

#photoadayjune Week 4

Well, it's that time again...  Another month {almost} completed. Another week of pregnancy under my belt.  And another set of prompts saved in my phone for the upcoming month.  Will I continue???  I guess you have to stay turned to see :)

+ Day 18 - something you don't know about me {I bought our baby's bedding before I got pregnant}
+ Day 19 - imperfect {scarred right pointer finger}
+ Day 20 - a fave photo I've taken {tiny Indian orphans + Ian}

+ Day 21 - where I slept
+ Day 22 - from a high angle {my in-law's stairs}
+ Day 23 - movement {fast as lightning}
+ Day 24 - on my mind {laundry... and lots of it}



If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Blog Inspiration

This week's Life Well Lived question had me thinking about where I turn to find my inspiration when it comes to style, fashion & living life well.  Easy answer - blogs!  For years I have turned to blogs for both inspiration, reviews and recommendations for all lifestyle questions and topics that I've come across.

The following blogs are a few of my current favorites:

DIY --- Since buying our house a few years ago, I've been fascinated with DIY & general home upkeep.  I've turned to Young House Love, Bower Power, and IHeart Organizing for all my home fix-it & organization tips.

STYLE --- I used to follow a lot more fashion blogs, but as my style has changed, so has my blog list.  The few who have made the cut through the years have been Lindsay at Hello Hue, Sidewalk Ready, and Kendi Everyday.

TRAVEL --- We don't get the chance to travel much, but over the years, I've really enjoyed reading Camels & Chocolate and day dreaming about the chance to travel the world.  Maybe one day...

MOMMY-HOOD --- As a mom-to-be now, I've enjoyed reading about the experiences of others, such as Rhi at Rhi In Pink, Kate at Elefantitas Alegres, Megan at In This Wonderful Life, and AP at I Love You More Than Carrots.


What are some of your favorite blogs?

Head over to the BlogHer LWL page and check out some more suggestions and then enter to win an iPod Touch.

Leap List Update

So remember the Leap List I wrote about almost 5 months ago?  Yeah, the one that I said I wanted to "hopefully" complete before starting a family... Well, our family is officially growing, but I'm not ready to give up on my list quite yet.  In fact, I have a few updates to post about.

Here is the original list {with updates}:


1. Update 'Grable Tales' blog design.
--- It's been since August 2010 since the look was last updated, so I think it's time. {done!}

2. Change my passport to show my married name.
--- I've been married for almost 4 years and haven't had a reason to, but now it's on my list. {done!}


* This one seemed more daunting than some of the other things, which is probably why I dragged my feet & waited almost 4 years to do it, but with an impending international flight, I was forced to cross this one off my list.  And you know what?  It wasn't that bad!  All I had to do was collect all the correct forms + paperwork and send it off to Pennsylvania and 4-6 weeks later, this little guy {shown below} was in my hands!  Feels good to have this last part of the name change completed & now I can anywhere I want!

3. Get a massage.
--- Never had a professional massage and would love at least one in my lifetime. {done!}

4. Run a 5k.
--- This one is scary to put out because I'm not a big runner, but I do think it might be fun. {my SIL said she would like to run one too, so it's still in conversation...}

5. Take a real vacation with my husband.
--- We never took a honeymoon and all our other vacations have been to visit family or friends, so I think we deserve a trip just our own.

6. Install new flooring in our house.
--- Our house came with a lot of carpet and we're ready for a change. {in process --- only the stairs to go!}

7. Write at least one handwritten note each month.
--- In the age of emails & texts, handwritten notes just feel more special.  And who doesn't love getting mail! {in process --- since February, I've written & sent at least one card/note a month, but still think I can do more...}

8. Make a quilt.
--- I have a sewing machine & enjoy the art of sewing, so why not! {maybe for the new baby?!?}

9. Have professional family pictures taken.
--- I love being able to see our life at a particular time in our life through someone else's lens.

10. Learn to play the piano.
--- One of my best friends is an awesome piano player, so I'm hoping some of her skills may rub off on me.




With almost half of my Leap List either done or in process, I'm feeling pretty good.  Of course, I won't complete all of these items before we meet the newest member of our family in December, but I'm going to keep plugging along & knocking as many out as I can.




Do you have a Leap List?  If so, how is it going? 

14 weeks!

How Far Along: 14 weeks!

Size of Baby: Navel orange {4.5 in, 2 to 3 oz.} according to What To Expect.

Maternity Clothes: I never really thought my clothes were tight, just fitted, so now that I'm pregnant, I feel like my closet shrank by 80%.  So I purchased a pair of jeans + a couple pairs of shorts off eBay this month and I have a handful of tees that I picked up at Target and the Gap that have been keeping me much more comfortable.

Gender: We find out later next month!

Movement: Still early.

Sleep: No change from before, except maybe my dreams are a little more crazy :)

What I miss: Eating whatever I want...

Cravings: Bagels + cream cheese and {nitrate-free} hot dogs.

Other crazy symptoms: Utterly exhausted after doing the simplest tasks.

Best Moment this week: Entering my 2nd trimester and easing some of my fears!

#photoadayjune Week 3

To be honest... this week was tough when it came to my #photoadayjune.  I mean, I've had some weeks where the pictures were hard to take, but it felt like this week took the cake --- I didn't know what to take pictures of {to follow the prompt}or I just forgot about the pictures until the end of the day.  I'm hoping this week will be a little better or this may be the end of the #photoaday...  I'll keep those who care updated if any decisions are made :)

+ Day 11 - door {the entrance of our home}
+ Day 12 - from a low angle {bookcases from where I sit on the floor}
+ Day 13 - art {Sam's photographs}

+ Day 14 - time {to leave work}
+ Day 15 - yellow {school bus, as my supervisor is taking a turn driving one herself}
+ Day 16 - out & about {proof}
+ Day 17 - in my bag {the necessities}


If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Father's Day

To my father & father-in-law --- Thank you for all that you've taught us on how to be parents to our future child!

And to my husband --- I can't wait to see you hold our baby and be the best man they'll ever know!

Happy Father's day to all the fathers & fathers-to-be out there!

The Details

So after last week's announcement, I figured I would fill you in on some of the details...

Our due date is December 19th.  Yes, a possible Christmas baby!  Which currently puts me at just over 13 weeks {goodbye 1st trimester, hello 2nd!}.

I would say I'm feeling better than most in my same position.  Luckily, I haven't had any morning sickness to speak of, but I have been fighting off fatigue like it's my full time job.  Slowly my energy level has been rising, but most days I go home and feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks.

We've known about this little baby inside of me since the middle of April {back when I was around 4 weeks}.  Unfortunately I don't have a big story of how I found out & told Sam because we were together when I took the test, but it has been fun sharing the news with family + friends and watching their reaction!

We've had a couple appointments, but at our appointment last week, we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time & everything suddenly felt real!  Like it all wasn't just in my head :)

Words can't express how excited we are to meet this little baby in about 6 months, but until then we'll keep preparing for their arrival!

#photoadayjune Week 2

This week was a big one for us!  {If you missed it, we announced we'll be welcoming a new addition to our family in December!}  We're really excited & can hardly think of anything besides the little one currently residing inside of me :)

+ Day 4 - close-up {Lily}
+ Day 5 - sign {here}
+ Day 6 - hat {my favorite, a gift from my BIL}

+ Day 7 - drink {tonight's choices}
+ Day 8 - 6 o'clock {grocery shopping}
+ Day 9 - my view today {kicking my feet up after garage sale-ing  & hosting a Stella & Dot party}
+ Day 10 - best bit of my weekend {iPhoning with my mom & brother}




If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Until December...

I posted this picture on Facebook last night and thought it deserved it's own post on the blog too...

Linnea {our sweet niece}didn't take the news so well at first, 

but she is slowly coming around to the idea of being a cousin come December. 

That's right, Sam & I are expecting!

#photoadayjune Week 1

Is it really June already?  I truly believe time moves so much faster when you're an adult then when you were a kid.  I mean, when I was in school, this time of year seemed to drag on as we waited for the school year to end and now the weeks are flying by thanks to busy schedules and commitments.  Will we ever feel life slow down again?

+ Day 1 - morning {view}
+ Day 2 - empty
+ Day 3 - on my plate {old school Kraft Macaroni & Cheese}


If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!