Blake's Room

Alrighty...I guess with Blake arriving in less than 2 weeks, we can now show off his little room. We have been working on it during this whole pregnancy. Some parts of it are still in the works. However, I think we are to the point now where we have everything ready for his arrival - the basics that is! :) Here is a peak at what Baby Blake will come home to.

We have a cloud theme...Ryan did an awesome job painting it! I was so excited!!!

Rika got us this quote to go on the wall...and it goes great with the cloud idea! Thanks Aunt Rika!!!

Ryan did the shelves too! And we have both of our sports teams represented now! :)

We still have the wall with changing table on it...and the other wall with the dresser. We still have a few more things we want to add for decor on these walls...such as sports flags and a frame wall! We will post those pictures later. Ok Blake, we are ready!!!! 

Certainly Uncertain

Hello 38 weeks! Our due date is exactly 2 weeks from today. You would think that this would be the easy part...I mean after 9 months of waiting, what is 2 more weeks?!?! Well, let me be the first to say that this last little bit has been the hardest for me.

Everything is certainly uncertain. Making sure that everyone is in the right place at the right time (myself included) is some what unnerving for a two week time span. Ryan's perspective on everything is so amazing. He sweetly reminds me that everything will work out.

Speaking of my amazing husband, we had our Friday Night Date yesterday. We took this opportunity to drive to Alexandria (about an hour away). This will probably be our last trip there for a little while. We did a little shopping, ate at Buffalo Wild Wings (my choice), and went to a movie - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (also my choice). Great movie!

On the hour long drive Ryan and I love to play music from our iPods and of course catch up on conversations. I asked him what he thought was going to be the biggest change once Baby Blake gets here. He said, "I think there is going to be a lot more smiles and laughs added to our little family." I thought that was the best answer ever! :) If you know us, then you know that we already have lots of smiles and laughs in the first place, but we know without a doubt that having Blake will add that many more! Yes, the next two weeks are making our plans very uncertain, BUT we are getting the biggest blessing in return. Can't wait to see you Blake!

Game Night

Ryan and I LOVE to have game nights... it happens when you live in a town where there is only a Walmart, gas stations, and fast food places. Anyway, back to the main point, we get together with friends as much as possible to play games like Monopoly, Clue, cards, and Settlers of Catan.



Recently Settlers of Catan has been played most often. Another couple introduced this game to us before Christmas. I had never even heard of it before!! It is basically like a monopoly-ish game in an economic way. Ok, I don't think I do game descriptions well, but you will just have to trust me that it is the most fun game!

We are all VERY competative people and this game keeps us all hanging on to the very end. You never know who could possibly win until the last little bit. Plus, this is the one game where things don't really get ugly. Monopoly on the other hand gets violent - game pieces are thrown! LOL.

At this moment in time only our friends own this board game. Sad. Hopefully we will be able to purchase this game in the near future because we want to play with our families when they come to visit. :) I can see a new family tradition in the making...

Waiting Game

Ryan and I are currently playing the waiting game with Baby Blake. We will be 37 weeks on Saturday and then its pretty much fair game from there - he could come at any point after that.

Our doctors visit today said that we were looking good. Blake is head down (check!) and he is fully developed (check again!) and I am measuring right where I need to be (can I get another check, please?!?) :) They also said that Baby Blake was weighing in at 6.3 lbs, which is a little smaller than normal, but nothing to worry about at this point. I was encouraged by the doctor to drink LOTS of water and really take it easy these last couple of weeks so that we can get ready for a healthy delivery.

During the ultrasound they showed Baby Blake's face. I can't tell you the feelings of seeing him at 36ish weeks. It was precious!!! He was asleep with his little hand snuggled up close. He even moved his little lips like he was trying to suck his thumb. I just wanted to bust out with tears of joy. It is amazing how much love we feel for him already. I am just so proud of him in a way that I can't explain. When he is ready to join us, we will be MORE than ready to have him here. We love our little Baby Blake.

PS- Don't let the cool, calm, and collected rant fool you. Deep down inside Ryan and I are also very nervous about the whole birthing and newborn process! I think thats a norm for all upcoming first time parents though. LOL. :)

Talents and Dreams

We have always been told to expand our given talents and chase our dreams! Even though we have a million things going on these days, Ryan and I are still trying to put forth the effort to achieve our life goals.

Ryan is continuing to work on his schooling. He is currently deciding on which class he wants to take next. I admire him so much for fitting this into his already busy work schedule. He is also taking charge and really stepping up as the new NCO in his company. I am so proud of him!!

Recently I am trying something new too. Since I am staying at home now, I am working with (more like wrestling with) my crafty side. I have decided that I want to seriously work on sharing, and possibly selling, some of my crafts. My close friend is giving me the dummy guide in how to get recognized and noticed with my crafts. She is super successful and I am putting my trust in her because I have no clue what I am doing. I currently feel super dumb, but I am sure I will get the hang of it! Ryan is being my biggest cheerleader and I love him so much for that!

I think that it is very important to constantly move forward with your talents, trades, and dreams. In today's time it is so easy to get caught in a routine where you stop growing as a person. Then before you know it you have wasted many good opportunities. Ryan and I try to avoid that as much as possible. We are always looking to stay active and try new things! We are learning so much about ourselves and each other because of it. Try it - find a new hobby or skill that you can do to break up your everyday routine! :)

35 Weeks

We are at 35 weeks now! I am not sure if time is going by quickly or slowly. Ryan and I are both extremely happy about Blake getting here, but I also think we are getting a little nervous too. We want everything to be ready and special for him when he decides to arrive.

Personally, I am getting to the uncomfortable stage of the pregnancy - with my back hurting and being tired. BUT I WILL NOT COMPLAIN! I have had such an easy pregnancy up to this point, so I feel that a little back pain is nothing to stress about.

We start having doctors appointments weekly now. Below is a picture of us all between 33-35 weeks. :) We love our little family!!! 

Bring on 2012

2011 has been an amazing year for Ryan and I, but I think that 2012 will be even better! This year we get to welcome Baby Blake into our lives! We are at 35 weeks and we are playing the waiting game with him. We are trying to scramble together and get everything ready for the moment when he decides to join us.

I have no doubt that this year will bring many adventures for our little family. As far as resolutions go, I think Ryan and I just hope to be the best parents for little Blake AND still continue to be the best for each other. I hope that we (and you too) take time to enjoy each day that is given to us. We have lots of changes coming up this year and we can't wait to share them!

PS- Just for record's sake... The rumor (by Mayan calendar and other 'prophesies') suggests that our world will come to an end on December 21, 2012. The new going joke in the family is that if this rumor is true, we are going to wait until December 22nd to do our Christmas shopping! Ha! :)