ellie's nursery part 1

I finally have a little sneak peak into Ellie's nursery for you guys! My sister took these pictures with a fisheye lens so you could see the whole room from every angle. I still have some details to do so I will do another post with them and tell you where I got things. As you can see, on the large dresser under the mirrors I don't have my changing pad set up yet, and I still have yet to fill the scale with diapers and creams instead of a that cutie owl...ect. So anyways, I hope you enjoy what you see! I am excited to do a post with all the details and stuff so I will try to get on that asap :) Her nursery is my favorite place to be in the house :) I cant wait to rock her on the rocking chair and read to her...

baby weekend

This past weekend was crazy busy! My whole family came into town to have a baby shower for me on sunday July 12th at my house. It was a PACKED, hardly everyone fit but it was so nice to be so close with everyone :) My sister also took pictures of my nursery, I will post them later this week :)

My mom made most all of the delicious food except for the cupcakes by Sarah Williams, and some other items from Amelies.

 

moms jalapeno quiche was my FAV

Laura (preggo sister in law), me, and sherah (preggo sister)

we had to completely rearrange our house to fit everyone

I got so many wonderful gifts!

some of my lovely mama friends!

allie and cora :)

my lovely sister, friends, and long time roommates

Jess keeping these girls happy with bracelets

sweet ava

I cant believe we didn't get a picture of my mom and my sister selena! They did so much to help with the shower and they also came all the way from pa just to be with me. Love you guys :)

my mama and sister selena :)

I am still here!

Hey guys, I am so overdue for posting - you'd think I'd have a lot to post about (and I do) but I haven't gotten around to sharing my thoughts or daily activities....

I am 32 weeks pregnant! Woohooh! Today I am choosing to stay grateful, There are lots of aches and pains I could choose to complain about but there are more things to be thankful for and focusing on those things makes life so much more enjoyable and beautiful!!! One main example: my healthy baby girl! Everytime I think about holding her I cry...I cannot wait to meet her and love on her!!

I feel like I have SO MUCH to do in 8 weeks - mainly a lot of reading to do. 1 of the books I am currently reading:



I am so thankful for Josh, he has had a special little grace for me these last couple months and for that I love him even more than usual! When I wake up in the middle of the night and I cant sleep and I am moaning and groaning and wiggling around, he rubs my back and asks me if I am ok and if I want him to rub my back till I fall asleep - WHAT A SWEETHEART! I just love my husband to pieces.

I will leave you guys with a few pictures from the maternity photo shoot my sister did when we were at the beach a couple weeks ago.

oh hey third trimester

I am so overdue for an update - Ive been wanting to show off both my vintage and newly purchased treasures in my nursery but it's not finished yet so you'll have to wait. 

SO - I AM 29 WEEKS PREGNANT -- YAY!

We had an ultrasound on Monday to make sure my placenta was moved up (it was low at 18 wks) and thankfully it was! Everything was excellent. She was weighing in at approximately 2 lbs and 11 ounces, (give or take a few because they have no way of being sure :)  my fluid was good, she was developing perfectly and everything was just great and it was all music to my ears! I was measuring in at 30 weeks (I've been a week ahead every time which is normal) but I keep telling myself any time before Sept 12th! I am due Sept 2nd but I'd rather think I'll be late than early - otherwise I'll feel miserable waiting! Although, I cannot wait to hold her these days. I am feeling a little anxious to see her! I started to cry the other night because I was just wanting to hold her so bad....then again, I also cried because the laundry basket didn't match the nursery anymore and I didn't want it in the room if it didn't match (kind of insane, Josh sent me to bed immediately). It is still sitting the in hallway....

Here she is, she looks a lot like her daddy but I can definitely see some of me in there.

My mom came this weekend and we had SO much fun looking for vintage keep sakes and other nursery things. She brought this with her for Elloise, this will be her "coming home" outfit!!!

In other news, I have been enjoying my baby bump. I can't imagine being bigger though - even though I know I will.... 29 weeks and counting -- so excited about my baby!!

grandparents

Today I have been thinking about my Grandparents. My moms parents both passed away when I was pretty young. I have few memories of them that I cherish (mainly of my grandma). I remember little things like taking naps with a hand sewn blue pillow with floral patch work. I slept with that pillow up until a year or so ago. I swear it still smelled like her every time I held it. I lost it during the move from my old house to Josh and I's house. Apparently it still makes me cry thinking about it......*tears*
I remember one time after she had a stroke mom and I were at the house for some reason and I was sitting on the couch holding that pillow sucking my thumb (I think I was 5) and she said to me, " you know sheila, you can have that pillow now." I remember feeling like it was important as I sat there looking at her in a wheel chair (I had never seen her in one before).  I was so happy to have that pillow. Awhile after that I remember going to her funeral and not really understanding anything. Needless to say, I loved my grandma Lehman and she was a wonderful woman and grandmother.

grandma with my sister, brother, and cousins

grandma and pappy with my aunt and uncle

My grandma and pappy Strite (dads parents) are still around and loving life :) They have been married for over 50 years! Grandma has been catering for the last 30 years and she is an amazing cook. Every time I visit home I go see her and she always makes me something delicious! She has cooked my pappy a hot breakfast every single morning since the day they have been married (unless they are apart which is almost never). She has a true servants heart and I love her and pappy so much. I am so thankful for them and everything they have been to me.  They are wonderful grandparents and great grandparents. I can't wait for them to hold Ellie for the first time.

Grandma in her teen years. Everyone says I look like her!

gram and pap with me at wesley's rehearsal dinner

grandma and will

gram and pap with ashria :)

at Josh and I's wedding

These next 3 pictures have a little story behind them. When I was in 7th grade I hand sewed a pillow and I asked my grandma to stuff it for me. Over time we had forgotten about it and it got put away and we both forgot it even existed. I never thought about it in my life since that year I had given it to her. At my bridal shower she sent down a gift for me with my mom. I figured it would be some cooking stuff...ect.

As soon as I opened it I recognized the pillow and was flooded with so many emotions!! I couldn't believe it! She had stuffed the pillow for me. It is so special to me. Expecially since I lost my grandma lehman's pillow!

I love my grandparents so much, they are so precious to me and important in my life and my heritage.

happy mothers day

I cannot believe I am a mother...well, a half mother - - I'm about to seriously be a real life mother... I have looked forward to being a mom my entire life. I never knew the emotions that came along with motherhood. I am already beginning to feel the change happen in my heart, emotions and spirit.  Being a mother is such a blessing and a burden at the same time. Not a negative burden, but a healthy burden. Once a mother - always a mother....then a grandmother....mother mother mother......my name will soon switch from sheila to mom. I will be responding to MOM - woah!
I am so excited to begin this next phase of  my life. I get so overwhelmed by the love I feel in my heart towards my unborn daughter. I cannot even imagine how I will feel when she is in my arms....the thought of her literally brings tears to my eyes. I love her so much already....

speaking of moms and motherhood.......

I love my mom so much!

I couldn't have asked for a better mother. Thanks for all you have taught me and for loving me no matter what. I love you, you have helped make me who I am. You have always supported me and encouraged me to be greater.

 

I love you mom, I look forward to many more adventures together 

Elloise, I love you...you've changed my heart already. I can't wait to begin our journey together as mother and daughter. you are already the sunshine in my life. I love you with all my heart.