Sunday, July 7, 2013

My 2 Weeks in Instagram


I am afraid to say this but...
I have turned into one of "those" Mom's.
You know, the ones that overload their Instagram feed with pictures of their baby.
I admit it... and I am unashamed about it too.
I now completely understand why other mom's do it.
So if you follow me on Instagram, I apologize ahead of time.
My days seem to be filled with Tessa's sweet little face
and it's hard not to take pictures of her every minute of the day.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Meet Tessa Anne


Tessa Anne Hanson
Born June 20th 2013 at 9:54am
6lbs 4oz
 
She surprised Micah and I by arriving 3 weeks early.
And when I say surprised, I mean SURPRISED!
I woke up at 4:30 am to my water breaking
(without having any prior contractions or signs that I was going to go into labor).
And at 9:54am she was born.

Even though I have nothing to compare this birth to,
I feel extremely blessed to have had a quick and easy labor.
EXTREMELY BLESSED.
Everyone (midwife, family, and friends) kept telling me to expect to go past my due date
and that first time moms usually had longer labors.
But with me, it was a different story.
By the time we arrived at the hospital (at 5am)
I was already dilated 4cm (without having painful contractions)...
and by 6:30am I was dilated to 6cm (which was when I began to feel the contractions).
And from then until Tessa was born it felt like it happened so quickly
that I didn't have time to really think of anything
(I didn't even have time to think about the option of an epidural!)...
she had a one track mind and it was to come out!
At around 9:15am I hit the "transition" phase of labor
and with maybe 4 contractions I was fully dilated and ready to start pushing.
(Crazy how your body tells you that your ready to push.
I didn't need anyone to tell me, my body just kinda took over
and started pushing automatically).
And with maybe 20 minutes of pushing, Tessa was born.

Micah was amazing during the whole process.
He stood right next to the midwife during the whole birth
and watched out little girl enter the world.
Him and my midwife kept telling me (while I was pushing)
that they could get a mirror for me to watch what was happening.
Of course my response was:
"Are you crazy! I'm trying to stay in "the zone" right now.
The last thing I want to see is what is happening 'down there'". 
That is when Micah says to the midwife:
"This is how she is stubborn".
Micah is lucky, because if I wasn't trying to concentrate on getting a baby out of me,
he would have been kicked in the face.

And now she is here.
Our little miracle baby girl is finally home and in our arms.
I don't think Micah and I ever really thought this day would happen.
We tried to keep hope up for years, all while trying to keep our hope in an open hand.
But God truly knew the desires of our heart.
He had a plan, a perfect plan, in mind for us...
and now his perfect blue eyed plan is sleeping on my lap.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Trish & Co.

If you know me at all, then you know how much I love to entertain people at my home.
Dinner parties, BBQ's, Girl's Nights...
pretty much anything that gets friends together to have a good time, I love!
And even though I haven't been able to entertain much recently
(and I am sure after Baby Girl gets here, I wont be throwing many parties for awhile)
I can't help but be envious of these gorgeous serving boards by trish & co.!
Aren't they just amazing.



Monday, June 17, 2013

Robedellarobi


Oh my obsession with cute baby clothes
has just grown and grown and grown.
Just look at that bonnet!!!
I am dying over this collection
created by robedellarobi.



I guess that is a normal thing when your expecting,
to be obsessed with all things baby.

Now that I am almost 37 weeks (only 3 more days!)
and almost officially "full term",
I have begun the "washing" process of all the cute baby clothes
that I have been given or have collected throughout the past few months.
But I'm wondering...
Should I wash just the "newborn" size?
Or should I wash the newborn AND the 0-3month size?
All you mama's out there, I would love your advice.

Friday, June 14, 2013

36 Week Update


Is that a basket ball under my shirt?
Nope, it's just my growing belly!

I can't even believe that I'm 36 weeks pregnant.
Last night, as I was trying to go to sleep,
I began to cry out of happiness at the goodness of God
and the miracle baby that he has given Micah and I.
Just to think that at this exact moment last year we were believing
that we would never be able to biologically have children.
And now, in less than a week, I'll be considered full term in my pregnancy.
God knew, of course.

How Far Along:
  36 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
Baby Girl is the size of a melon and weighs about 5-6lbs.

Maternity Clothes:
I bought a few tank tops at Target.
I normally wear a small and then a few months ago I needed to bump it up to a medium.
Well, today, I had to purchase a few in the large size.

Weight gain:
It fluctuates now between a 31 pound gain and a 33 pound gain
(depending on what I ate for dinner).

Sleep:
My hips, legs, and back get super achy when I lay on one side for two long.
So I'm constantly tossing back and forth all night.
But I haven't had any bouts of insomnia yet
(I hear they are more frequent in the last stages of pregnancy).

Best Moment of the Week:
My Maternity Photo Shoot!
 
Movement:
She's still moving around in there.
Luckily she is positioned with her head down
(please stay that way Baby Girl!)
so I feel her kicking her little feet toward the top of my belly and under my ribs.

Food Cravings:
Still no cravings.
But I have been drinking TONS of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea in preparation for birth.
I'll make a few cups at a time and put it in the fridge
so that I can have refreshing iced tea all day long.

Gender:
Baby Girl.

Belly Button in or out:
It's half-way out.
But you can definitely see it poking out now through my clothing.

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:
I'm officially back to the "no eggs" diet again.

What I miss:
Easily getting out of bed or off the sofa...
Actually, I miss easily getting up from any sitting or laying position that I might be in.

What I am looking forward to:
I have been really curious lately as to what size my Midwives will predict
Baby Girl to be when she is born.
I really just want to know if all the cute newborn outfits will fit her!

Nursery:
All that is left to be done is the installment of a clothing rod in the closet.
I keep the door open to the nursery all the time
and I am constantly just walking in there and staring at everything. 
I will even sit in the rocker glider chair and just daydream or read.

Ways to Relax:
Almost done with Gone With The Wind.
Only 300 pages to go!
By far one of the biggest books I have ever read...
but sooooo worth it!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Love Where You Live


Today I am doing something that I haven't done in a while...
I'm linkin up with other blogs!

My good friend Mackenzie has been telling me
about The Influence Network for such a long time now
and today she linked up with their "Love Where You Live" post.
I loved reading her post (and the posts of many of the ladies who also linked up)
so much that I thought to myself...
"I have some energy today so I might as well have some fun and link up too!"

I hope you enjoy a little look into where I live,
which by the way...
I love.


I am originally from California but moved to NW Montana in 2004
to work with the Missions Organization YWAM.
Growing up, I never imagined that I would move outside of California.
I was a Cali girl at heart and always envisioned myself living in a big city
and somewhere closer to the beach.
But God had other plans.
In the summer of 2003 I undoubtedly felt God calling me to Missions,
and specifically YWAM Montana.
It was such a strong call that from the moment I set off in my car for the long 22 hour drive north, 
I knew that Montana would be my new home.


 
 
 So, I moved from the literal year-round sunny weather of California,
to Montana, where winter rules 7 months out of the year.
But the reward for winter is that we have the most spectacular summer months.
And we live about a mile away from the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi!


After almost 10 years of living in Montana I have grown to love it so much.
I love the small town that we live in (there's not even a stop light in the small little lake town!).
I love how we are considered "locals" when the tourist season comes around...
and the "locals" know who the tourists are. :)
I love that the people working at the grocery store (yep, there is only one),
the restaurants, the post office, and the bank,
all know me by name and chat with me about my pregnancy.
We feel so blessed to live in a comfortable home
with a decent sized backyard where Silas (and our chickens) can run around
and we can grow our summer garden.

And the Winter months are not so bad after all...


 



Monday, June 10, 2013

Summer Gardening - Maternity Photo Shoot


Micah and I were beyond blessed this week
to have two dear friends come stay with us for the weekend.

It was wonderful to catch up after a few years of not seeing them,
visit a few of our favorite summer restaurants,
and have a spontaneous maternity photo shoot!

Our friend Ean Perkins is such a gifted photographer.
So when he suggested doing a photo shoot
(which I had not even considered beforehand having maternity pictures),
I did not hesitate to say yes!

I am so amazed at how they turned out
and I am absolutely positive that we will be framing one for Baby Girl's room. 

Which one should we choose to frame??
 





Friday, June 7, 2013

35 Week Update


Wait!
What happened to weeks 32, 33, and 34?
Well, pregnancy brain happened...
I literally kept forgetting.
Each night I would think to myself:
"Tomorrow I must take a picture and blog!"
Then the following day I would completely forget... all day.
But hey... I remembered today!

So here's my 35 week update...

How Far Along:
  35 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
Baby Girl is around the size of a coconut...
apx 17-18 inches long and weighing in around 5lbs!

Maternity Clothes:
I haven't bought anything new recently,
but I did buy a super comfy skirt that my midwives recommended
is the perfect skirt to wear during labor.
Luckily I'm not required to wear the hospital gown if I don't want to.

Weight gain:
I'm now over the 30lb weight gain marker...
my total gain is now 31 pounds.

Sleep:
Sleep oh sleep, when will you return to me?

Best Moment of the Week:
My mom came to visit me this past week.
It was so wonderful to have her here,
give me advice and go shopping for baby girl with me. 
Such a blessing.


Movement:
  She's been having the hiccups a lot this week.
Crazy feeling to have a continual jolt in your belly for a long period of time.

Food Cravings:
I feel like I've been blessed by not really having
any "crazy cravings" during my pregnancy.
But watermelon has been sounding great this week.
To bad I have yet to find a super delicious one.

Gender:
Baby Girl.

Belly Button in or out:
It's half-way out.
My midwives said that they doubt it will pop out
anymore than it already has...
which is good because depending on the top I wear
you can't really tell through my clothing.

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:
I don't like the flavor of eggs again.

What I miss:
Walking without...
1. Being tired after walking 5 minutes (basically to the lower YWAM campus and back).
2. Having a few Braxton Hicks contractions which makes me walk SUPER SLOWLY. 
3. Being able to breath. 
4. Wanting to come home and immediately take a nap.

What I am looking forward to:
Being able to hold my little girl.
I'm so ready!

Nursery:
The nursery is pretty much done!!!
We just have a few small things to add and fix,
then I'll show you pictures!

Ways to Relax:
I've been reading a ton of pregnancy/birthing/parenting books
to make myself feel more prepared.
Is it working and do I feel more prepared?... I have no idea. :/
But to relax I have been reading the massive classic novel Gone with the Wind.
It's one of those types of books that you are nervous when you first start
but within just a few pages you can't put it down.
Which is good, since the book is about 1300 pages!!!!

Monday, May 13, 2013

31 Week Update


How Far Along:
  31 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
Baby is the size of a Pineapple.

Maternity Clothes:
I am slowly growing out of my early pregnancy tops,
but luckily I still have a few great late pregnancy tops
with some growing room still in them.

Weight gain:
I may have had a growth spurt this week...
or lets just say that Baby Girl had a growth spurt. :)
I'm now up a total of 29 lbs.

Sleep:
Can you tell by my eyes in this picture?
I'm pretty much tired all the time.
Sleep is pretty off and on all night,
which causes me to take tons of naps during the day.
Like today for example,
I'm kinda embarrassed to say how long my nap was.

Best Moment of the Week:
Celebrating my very first Mother's Day!
Micah took me to breakfast at one of our favorite local restaurants
and then we went to buy me a huge hanging flower basket as my Mother's Day gift!
I think we're going to make that a yearly tradition.

Movement:
  She is still moving like crazy
and since she is getting so much bigger,
I can definitely see those movements very clearly.

Food Cravings:
I have been craving sweet desserts after dinner
(which may or may not be the reason for the weight gain).

Gender:
Baby Girl.

Belly Button in or out:
It's so close to being an outie!
I'm giving it another week or two before it pops.

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:
Not really, but I have been getting a bit sick to my stomach a certain times of the day again.
Nothing too bad and no throwing up, just not pleasant.

What I miss:
Being able to sleep on my back.
That will be a glorious day... or I should say, night.

What I am looking forward to:
My Mom is coming to visit in 2 weeks.
I'm so excited!

Nursery:
No new progress this week.
But I have slowly started washing clothing and bedding
so that its all ready for when Baby Girl arrives.

Ways to Relax:
My friend Annie and I went to see The Great Gatsby this week (so good btw!)
and immediately after seeing it I had to start reading the book again.

Monday, May 6, 2013

30 Week Update


How Far Along:
  30 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
Baby is the size of a cucumber.

Maternity Clothes:
Nothing new this week.
I did buy this tank top that I'm wearing a few weeks ago
and it's finally warm enough to wear it!

Weight gain:
Gained a pound this week, so now I'm up 26lbs.

Sleep:
Still not much of a change,
but I have been having some crazy dreams.

Best Moment of the Week:
I have two highlights from this week...
1. We had a few BBQ's with friends over the weekend.
It is seriously the best time of the year when we start to eat outside again.
2. I was able to sit outside and begin to weed my flower garden.
I say "begin to weed" because it literally took me 3 days
to weed what normally would have taken me a few hours...
but hey, it was fun to get outside!

Movement:
 She's been super active lately,
probably because she is bigger and I can feel her more now.
Recently she has begun to shift her weight
(or maybe she is just pressing really hard)
to one side of my belly,
which makes my tummy look super uneven.

Food Cravings:
Nothing new this week,
but still loving my Iced Vanilla Lattes and Root Beer
(not mixed together... that would be gross).

Gender:
Baby Girl.

Belly Button in or out:
In... but it is on it's way out!

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:
Nope (except the egg thing still).

What I miss:
Being able to sit outside for a short amount of time
without getting ridiculously sunburnt!
What is it with being pregnant and my skin being more sensitive... geesh.

What I am looking forward to:
Finally being able to celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday!
I never thought this day would come for me.

Nursery:
A few more amazing gifts came in the mail this week from friends and family!
Thank you all so much!

Ways to Relax:
So, even though I only have apx 50 pages left in Les Miserables,
I decided to put that book down for a second and focus on reading a birthing book.
and it has been amazing!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

My Week in Instagram






I had a bit of a pause in my Instagram postings a few weeks ago,
then this week, I feel like I practically photo bombed the site everyday. :)
There was just so many fun baby items to share with you,
a few garden prep photos...
and of course, Silas.

Have a great weekend!



Friday, May 3, 2013

Animal Kingdom


I've been slowly collecting cute little outfits for Baby Girl.
Scouring the racks of Target, department stores, and even a few consignment stores
that are absolute hidden gems here in NW Montana,
all to find great deals on the cutest little things.
I even brows the web sometimes in hopes to finding great sales...
which leads me to this post!
I am completely in love with these
animal inspired outfits created by Seed Heritage.
 Foxes, bunnies, fish, racoons, owls, deer, squirrls... even Sophie the Giraffe
(which I already bought Baby Girl a Sophie teether on amazon the other day!).



Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Samoa Cookie Cake

 

I think we can all agree that when Girl Scout Cookie season comes around
we all do a little happy dance.
Except, anyone else notice that it's a bit hard to find them?
Maybe it's just me and where I live,
but I never get them knocking on my door
or setting up tables outside of grocery stores.
Therefore, I guess I'll have to try and
recreate one of my favorite cookies... but into a cake!

Well, that's exactly what I did yesterday and it turned out to be AMAZING!
Beware, this cake takes pretty much all day to make, but it is so worth it... trust me.


Samoa Cookie Cake 
via: BetsyLife

For the Brown Sugar Batter:
1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup of dark brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup whole milk
 
 For the Chocolate Batter:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup + 2 T all-purpose flour
1/2 cup + 2 T cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup boiling water
 
For the Frosting:
1 can of sweetened condensed milk **Or substitute canned dulce de leche
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
2 T vanilla extract
2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup toasted coconut
 
For the Topping:
1 1/2 cups toasted coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
 
 
Instructions:
1. First thing you'll want to do is make the dulce de leche out of the sweetened condensed milk. There are two ways you can do this. The first way to make dulce de leche is to submerge the can of sweetened condensed milk (unopened) into a pot of boiling and let boil continually for 4 hours (you'll need to keep adding water to make sure the can stays submerged. The second way is to place the whole, unopened can of condensed milk in your crock pot and submerge in at least 3 inches of water, then cook on medium for 10 hours or on high for 7.
 
2. Once you have done either method in making the dulce de leche, let it completely cool.
 
3. While the dulce de leche is cooling, make the brown sugar batter. 
 
4. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
 
5. Add eggs, one a a time, beating well after each addition.
 
6. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
 
7. Alternate adding the flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, one at a time, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Set batter aside.
 
8. In a separate bowl, make the chocolate batter. 
 
9. Cream sugar and oil together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
 
10. Beat in egg, vanilla, and milk.
 
11. In a medium bowl mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
 
12. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture until well combined.
 
13. Carefully stir in boiling water.

14. Grease and flour a bundt pan well and begin to pour the batter in. To get the marble effect of this cake, pour some of the brown sugar batter into the pan, then top it with some of the chocolate batter.
Alternate until both batter bowls are empty.
 
15. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick come out clean when inserted into the center of the cake. 

16. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool entirely.

17. While cake is cooling you can make the frosting. 
 
18. First step in making the frosting is to toast the coconut (toast both the frosting coconut and the topping coconut together to save time). Spread coconut on a baking sheet and toast in the oven on the "broil" setting until desired color is reached (this literally only take about a minute). Set aside to completely cool.

19. Beat cooled dulce de leche, butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla and salt for 3 minutes. So that it's nice a fluffy. 

20. Add in 1 cup toasted coconut.
 
21. Chill for 1 hour.
 
22. Frost the cake with dulce de leche frosting.
 
23. Top the cake with the remaining toasted coconut.

24. Melt chocolate chips on the stove top, stirring frequently.
 
25. Drizzle melted chocolate onto the top of the cake, but beware not to drizzle too much or else it will melt the frosting.
 
26. Enjoy!

Monday, April 29, 2013

29 Week Update


How Far Along:
  29 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
She now weighs almost 3lbs and is about 15 inches long.

Maternity Clothes:
Remember the fabric I mentioned I bought last week
to make a maternity maxi skirt...
well, it didn't turn out so well.
I would show you pictures but I am WAY to embarrassed.
I realized that I lack a few very important qualities
when it come to sewing clothing...
1. Paitence
2. The desire to follow a pattern.
 
 Weight gain:
Baby Girl must be growing a lot... because I am now up 25lbs!

Sleep:
No change there.

Best Moment of the Week:
My Baby Shower!!
I was incredibly blessed this Saturday from friends and family
who threw me my very first baby shower,
came to show their love and excitement,
and sent gifts to celebrate Baby Girl!

Movement:
 I swear she had the hiccups the other night.
That was a crazy feeling.

Food Cravings:
Still loving the Iced Vanilla Lattes,
but Root Beer has been pretty amazing lately as well.

Gender:
Baby Girl.

Belly Button in or out:
In

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:
Fried Eggs.
For about two months I was eating
a fried egg on toast with avocado a couple times a day, but now,
just the thought of eating that makes me a bit nauseous.

What I miss:
Micah has started prepping the garden for the summer
and watching him do that makes me realize
how much I am going to miss being able to
play around in my flower garden this year.
(But I will have something much more fun to do!!!)
 
What I am looking forward to:
We have our first birthing class this Wednesday.

Nursery:
I have been doing a ton of organizing since the baby shower.
Putting things away, finding spots for toys and clothes... it's been SO FUN!

Ways to Relax:
Thankfully the weather has warmed up and the sun decided to come out!
So I have been spending a ton of time relaxing on the lawn chairs outside,
watching Silas play and the chickens run around the yard.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Salt City Emporium




I've been realizing two major things recently...

1. Maternity clothes are overpriced.
2. Baby clothes are just as equally (if not more) overpriced.

But no matter how much I complain about these things,
especially baby clothes being way to expensive,
I just can't get over how cute they are!!!

Like these baby leggings from Salt City Emporium.
The cuteness scale on these are way off the charts.

Monday, April 22, 2013

28 Week Update


How Far Along:
  28 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
She is now the size of an Eggplant!

Maternity Clothes:
After having an incredibly uncomfortable day yesterday in my clothing,
I spent quite a bit of time at TJ Max and Target today
buying some MUCH NEEDED bigger clothing
that will hopefully stretch with me throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
I also bought some stretchy fabric at JoAnn's to make a Maxi Skirt...
because Maxi Skirts and my yoga pants are pretty much the only bottoms I can wear now.

Weight gain:
Yeah... I've gained a total of 21 pounds now.

Sleep:
There has definitely been a turn of events with sleep.
I'm feeling the weight of this baby much more this week,
which means my comfort level throughout the day has drastically decreased.
By 2pm everyday I longingly look at the clock and say to myself:
"Is it bedtime yet?"
All I want to do is put on my PJ's, curl up into bed, and sleep.
Because at least when I'm sleeping,
I'm not feeling the discomfort as much as when I am awake.

Best Moment of the Week:
Nothing too special this week...
Does sleep count?

Movement:
Yep, she's moving alright.
The other night it felt like baby girl decided to shift all of her weight
to one side of my belly and press really hard.
That was a crazy feeling.

Food Cravings:
Iced Decaf Vanilla Lattes are a bit like heaven right now.

Gender:
Baby Girl.

Belly Button in or out:
In

Wedding ring on or off:
  It still fits (even though it is off in this picture).

Anything making you queasy or sick:
Eggs are starting to be unappetizing again
(unless I scramble them with lots of seasoning).

What I miss:
I miss my belly not CONSTANTLY itching!

What I am looking forward to:
My baby shower!!!!
It's in 5 days.

Nursery:
Nothing new since last week.

Ways to Relax:
I am almost done with the book Les Miserables!
I am seriously going to be so proud of myself
when I finish that monster of a book.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Theo Boutique


I love finding online shops and boutiques
that inspire the party-planning side of my life.
I am a firm believer that it is the little details and extra effort
that turn an average party into a beautiful event.
And with places like Theo Boutique,
you can find the most beautiful additions that do just that.

Here are a few of my favorites from the site,
plus a tablescape that I am simply dying over.