{Top Ten Tuesday} My Favorite Things About Pregnancy

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There is no doubt about it, there are many things about pregnancy that just suck. Between all the yucky symptoms and all the random aches and pains, it can be a very difficult nine months. On the other hand, there is something magical about it as well. Since this is my last pregnancy, I am trying to enjoy every moment of it, as hard as that is at times. Here are some of my favorite things about being pregnant. 

1. If you're having a bad day, you don't have to worry about someone asking if your time of the month is coming. 

2. For some reason, I seem to be more outgoing when I'm pregnant. I like this about myself. 

3. Not sure why, but people seem to be nicer to you while you are pregnant. 

4. The anticipation and wonder: What will this baby be like? Look like? WHO will they be? It's nice to have something happy to think about and look forward to. 

5. Knowing that you're going to get some time "off" soon is enough to get you through some bad days at work. 

6. Big bellies, while uncomfortable, are totally cute!

7. Nine months of period freedom. Enough said. 

8. You don't need an excuse to have a mood swing, eat a lot, be fat/gain weight, or anything else. Pregnancy explains it all. 

9. Feeling the baby move around in your belly

10. It is an amazing feeling knowing there is this little life inside of you. This little person who some day you are going to love with all of your being, who you don't even know yet, who is counting on you for everything right now. It's an indescribable feeling and honor to be their sole caretaker and life-giver so far. 

{Top Ten Tuesday} Cake Ideas for Jordan's Construction Themed Birthday

Jordan's second birthday -- and party -- is quickly approaching and I still haven't decided 100% what I'm going to do for his cake. He's having a construction themed birthday and there are so many great construction themed cakes I've found on pinterest. I have a feeling his cake will be a combination of a few of these!

*I take no credit for these cakes, I did not make any of them! These are ideas I found on pinterest*

Source: fredellicious.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: dawnypoo.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: sweetsomethins.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: catchmyparty.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: google.com.au via Emily on Pinterest

Source: savearecipe.blogspot.ca via Emily on Pinterest

Source: apartystyle.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: birthday-party-ideas-101.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: catchmyparty.com via Emily on Pinterest

{Top Ten Tuesday} Moments From June 2012

I can't believe that we're already in July. What happened to this year? It's already half over!! Here are my top ten favorite moments from June 2012.

{one} Taking the boys to the duck pond to feed the ducks. I especially loved watching Jordan yell "Quack Quack" at the ducks and how they both loved to throw the bread into the water. The ducks were very scared this time but we still had a good time. 

{two} Jordan likes playing this new game where he makes different faces and you mimic him. It's hilarious and so much fun!

{three} Taking the boys to Binder Park Zoo. They both enjoyed looking at all the animals. Jordan had the same dumb-founded look on his face the entire day {hilarious!} But the highlight of the trip for all of us was feeding the giraffes. It's such a fun and neat experience, even for people who aren't giraffe-obsessed like me! 

{four} Celebrating Father's Day. I interviewed Jacob with questions about Matt and his answers were great. He actually knew the answers to some things {like Matt's real name and his age} But after asking him a few questions he'd always say "I don't want to talk about it" and I'd have to sneak questions at him. It was great fun! 

{five} Celebrating Combo Day with my dad. I made a pinterest-inspired {what else!} golf cake that turned out cute. 

{six} Pool days! Any day we get to spend playing at the pool is always a good time. The boys just love the water. 

{seven} We put the boys in a full sized bed together. It was a nightmare at first but it has turned out to be okay. I'm still not convinced we'll keep this set-up because they do like to bug each other at night. But it's the most adorable thing to see them snuggled up together at night. 

{eight} Jacob was accepted into preschool for the fall. This makes me both proud and upset. How can my baby be old enough to go to preschool already!?! He's going to have a blast though!

{nine} Our anniversary! We survived another year without killing each other and celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. We celebrated by enjoying a delicious kid-free meal at Pietro's. And Matt won the Mr. Wonderful contest hosted by My Little Life! He deserved it!!!! 

{ten} Roasting marshmallows with the boys in the backyard. Jordan was not interested and just ate graham crackers all night. Jacob wanted to eat s'mores until he died! I cut him off after I think four. After that, the boys chased fireflies in the backyard. It was the epitome of a perfect summer evening! 

{Top Ten Tuesday} The Hunger Games

{This post contains Hunger Games spoilers. Do not read if you do not want to know about the book yet}

My favorite parts of and quotes from The Hunger Games

{one} "She has no idea. The effect she can have."

{two} It's excellent shooting. I turn to the Gamemakers. A few are nodding approval, but the majority of them are fixated on a roast pig that has just arrived at their banquet table.

Suddenly I am furious, that with my life on the line, they don't even have the decency to pay attention to me. That I'm being upstaged by a dead pig. My heart starts to pound, I can feel my face burning. Without thinking, I pull an arrow from my quiver and send it straight at the Gamemakers' table. I hear shouts of alarm as people stumble back. The arrow skewers the apple in the pig's mouth and pints it to the wall behind it. Everyone stares at me in disbelief.

"Thank you for your consideration," I say. Then I give a slight bow and walk straight toward the exit without being dismissed.

{three} I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.

{four} When I fully awaken, I'm momentarily comforted. I try to hold on to the peaceful feeling of the dream, but it quickly slips away, leaving me sadder and lonelier than ever.

{five} Both of us can live. Before I can stop myself, I call out Peeta's name. 

{six} Most of what I judge to be his body is actually under a layer of mud and plants. His face and arms are so artfully disguised as to be invisible. I kneel beside him. "I guess all those hours decorating cakes paid off."

Peeta smiles. "Yes, frosting. The final defense of the dying."

{seven} "Remember, we're madly in love, so it's all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it."

{eight} And while I was talking, the idea of actually losing Peeta hit me again and I realized how much I don't want him to die. And it's not about the sponsors. And it's not about what will happen back home. And it's not just that I don't want to be alone. It's him. I do not want to lose the boy with the bread. 

{nine} "You don't have much competition anywhere."

{ten} "I noticed just about every girl, but none of them made a lasting impression but you" 

{Top Ten Tuesday} Pinterest Projects I'm DYING To Make

My mom always decorated nicely for holidays when I was growing up. Even simple holidays were a big deal for us. So holidays have remained a big deal for me. I try to decorate as well, though I don't have as much of an eye for it as she does. So needless to say, many of my "MUST DO" projects from pinterest are holiday themed. Here are a few that I think will be making appearances around my house soon -- I hope!! And I'll be sure to update with pictures of them when they are completed :-)

• Fourth of July Wreath {some variation of this}

Source: naptimecrafting.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Family Initial Sign

Source: delightfullynoted.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Mitten Snowman

Source: thenshemade.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Easter Garden

Source: abidingwithlove.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Easter Egg  Garland {I wanted so badly to make this this year but I felt too guilty taking all those paint samples! I'll have to stock up a little at a time to make it for next year}

Source: modernparentsmessykids.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Halloween Boo Sign {I am absolutely positively making this!!! I think I'll start soon!}

Source: thenshemade.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Un-Paper Towels {I have wanted to make these for awhile. Adorable REUSABLE "paper" towels. Time to green up the kitchen!}

Source: etsy.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Quiet Book {I want to make one of these so bad. But they are a lot of work. And my kids probably wouldn't care much about it anymore}

Source: fortytworoads.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Embroidery Hoop Turkey

Source: gwennypenny.com via Emily on Pinterest

• Valentine's Heart Tree {Came very close to making this last year but couldn't find a tree I liked}

Source: griffithsrated.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

{Top Ten Tuesday} Things I Find Myself Saying {now that I'm a mother}

These are all things I've actually caught myself saying {now that I'm a mother} that I never thought I'd have said before. 

1. "Please don't vacuum your brother"

2. "Don't lick your shoe"

3. "Don't lick your brother."

4. "Don't lick the dog"

5. "We don't eat dog food/paper/rocks/shoes/toilet paper"

6. "Don't wipe your boogers on your brother"

7. "Do you want me to lock you in your toy room?" (sounds like real punishment, doesn't it?)

8. "Please don't touch my boobie"

9. "Do you want to ride on a hippopotamus?"

10. "There's a monster in there and he's going to get you!" 

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{Top Ten Tuesday} Favorite Boys' Names

A couple weeks ago I wrote about my favorite girls names. Now it's time for my favorite boys names. If we have another baby and it's another boy, he'll probably be named one of the following...  {in alphabetical order}

1. Alex

2. Andrew

3. Austin

4. Caleb

5. Carter

6. Isaiah

7. Joseph

8. Joshua

9. Michael (Mikey)

10. Quillan

{I bolded my favorite favorites}

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{Top Ten Tuesday} Valentine's Day Ideas

I know I said last week that I would be featuring my favorite baby boy's names this week but since it's Valentine's Day I decided to post-pone and do a Valentine's Day related post instead. The boys names will be coming next week! That gives me a little while longer to think of ten names, too!!

Ten Valentine's Day Ideas, inspired by {of course} Pinterest. {Some of my favorite ideas I can't post because I'm going to be using them next year!!}

Source: thepeanutpaintshop.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I made one of these for our family. I love it.

Source: thecraftmonkey.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

The inspiration behind this years Valentine's we sent out. {What? You knew I wasn't that creative on my own!!}

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Emily on Pinterest

Conversation Heart Cookies

Source: familyfun.go.com via Emily on Pinterest

Ipod Valentine. Super cute!

Source: griffithsrated.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I am absolutely in love with this. I had every intention of making one and then... you know... didn't. Maybe next year!

Source: lovelifefamilyandthensome.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'd love to do this for the kids next year

Source: mudpiestudio.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Our Valentine's Day breakfast :-)

Source: shabbynest.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Adorable.

Source: kidsfunreviewed.com via Emily on Pinterest

I love creative things like this. I wish I was clever enough to think of them myself!


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{Top Ten Tuesday} Favorite Girls' Names

If we ever have a little girl, these are my {top ten} favorite names. Stick around next week for my favorite boys' names! {Although right now I'm having trouble with boys names and can only think of 6!}

In alphabetical order...

1. Abigail

2. Allison

3. Alyssa

4. Elizabeth

5. Gabriella

6. Hannah

7. Isabelle/Isabella

8. Kaitlyn

9. Madeline

10. Nicole

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{Top Ten Tuesday} Funniest Finds on Pinterest

I absolutely love Pinterest. I could look at the humor section all day every day. Here are a few of my favorite finds.

Source: piccsy.com via Emily on Pinterest

I literally LOL'd when I saw this. And every time I see it.

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: sippycupmom.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: justcapshunz.icanhascheezburger.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

I need this sign for my house.

Source: Uploaded by user via Emily on Pinterest

awesome.

Source: Uploaded by user via Emily on Pinterest

Source: imgur.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: evilmilk.com via Emily on Pinterest

Thank goodness for the umbrella.


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