Thankful Thursday: Puppy Love!

Sooo much to be thankful for, today and every day. 

A hubby who STILL works for Best Buy Corporate in a job he loves. Feeling blessed that he wasn't part of the lay offs this time around. 

A church that pushes me to grow in ways I would never be able to on my own. 

The Small Group that comes along side me as we grow. Love these friends! 

The ability to decorate a cute nursery for our baby boy...final touches were added yesterday! 

A cuddly cute puppy that I get to be just a puppy mama to until Baby Christian comes. Love this little guy! Never thought I would be a small dog person, but can't imagine not having him!

Such a character! 

What are you thankful for this week? 

Stay tuned for a surprise reveal coming soon, a giveaway, and a 'guest post' tomorrow!

28 Week Bumpdate!

28 Weeks, 2 Days 

Belly is definitely starting to get bigger! 

Explaining to Baxter that there is a "baby in there." I saw this done by someone else with a bigger dog who was also more interested in resting his paws on Mama's belly...but I think it stil turned out cute! 

Size of Baby::: About 14.8 inches long and 2.25 pounds. He is approximately the size of a chinese cabbage. 

Symptoms::: Starting to have some swelling in my feet and ankles from water retention. Um...a big ole belly???

Cravings::: I really don't have cravings. Unless you count dream cravings. I have had dreams about craving cake and cookie dough and they were very vivid. I could almost taste the chocolate chips in the cookie dough and the frosting on the cake! And the craving was satisfied :) Calorie free! 

Something I Miss::: Clear skin, being thinner, and wearing my wedding ring on my finger...

Stretch Marks::: Nope :) And hoping it stays that way.

Wedding Ring::: Off :( It has slowly been feeling tight but lately it has been getting stuck on which makes me nervous...so it is now on a chain around my neck. Sad day. I feel naked without it. 

Milestones:::

• Baby has likely developed a regular sleep schedule in 20-30 minute intervals
• Third Trimester has arrived! 
• Baby may now be able to distinguish between mommy and daddy's voice
• Kicks are becoming more blunt and forceful...lots of movement! So fun. 
• I was noticed for my belly by a stranger! While we were in Chicago, hubby and I grabbed dinner at Chili's before heading to the airport. We asked for a table for two and when the waitress seated us she said so "just the 3 of you today?" :) I officially look pregnant to others and not just fat!
• Daddy put together the cradle for our room for baby to sleep in when he is first home! 

Setting out all the pieces. Bax is helping too :) 

Reading the directions. Good job love!

It's coming together...

Starting to look like a cradle. 

It's done! 

Looks great in our room. 

For now it will stay at the foot of the bed, but once baby is here we will pull it up next to my side or Jim's side of the bed. It also rocks so that will be nice! We may also consider moving the mobile to the cradle until baby is in his full size crib in his own room. 

THANK YOU 

Grandma Karen, Grandpa Denny, Aunt Jen, Uncle Dan, and Cousin Sarah! 

Looking Forward to:::

• Baby Class this Saturday! See previous post about this. 
• Baby Shower in 24 days! 
• Seeing Christian in his oh so cute "Going Home Outfit"! 

Cute little onesie- size Newborn...we will make it work (See below for a close up and info on where we found this).

A little hat. 

Newborn size pants (striped).

0-3 months size pants and long sleeve top in case its chilly (Monkey). 

Found this cutie on Etsy! Its a Carter's onesie that has been embroidered and a soft mesh backing was added inside so it won't be scratchy on baby's skin. 

2 Months, 3 Weeks, and 3 Days...

OR 

83 Days...

OR 

12 Weeks

TO GO!!!! 

Can't wait to meet you Christian! 

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Belated Monday Madness

Since we spent our "Monday" in Chicago, my week is off to a late start. Monday Madness is on Tuesday this week!

{The Weather} ::: Right now we have sunshine and slightly blue skies! 34 degrees but feels only like 27 degrees. Not quite the 41 degrees we had in Chicago yesterday, but still pretty nice! And it looks like the week ahead is forecasting upper 20s to low 30s all week. And sun! I'll take it! Now, to get out for my walks with Baxman this week!

{Weekly Menu} ::: It seems we never eat from my "weekly menu" choices. This means that we probably end up doing a quick pasta dish or a pizza sometimes, or even eating out. This week, it is my goal to actually cook from my menu list! Although, we do have plans to eat out tonight and on Saturday.

• Stir Fry 
• Broccoli Soup 
• Spaghetti
• Breakfast for dinner! - Pancakes, eggs, bacon
• Chicken Spiedis - if you are from the New York area, you probably know what these are. If not, check back later for a recipe! 

{My To-Do List} ::: My to-do list this week is a little low key since we were gone for most of the weekend and didn't get back until late last night. I also didn't do so well at accomplishing everything last week...so some catching up is in order.

1. Patch holes and paint the bathroom 
2. Finish copying recipes onto recipe cards
3. Finish photo project...the photos came and I ran out of photo book space. 

And of course the weekly chores: 

• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Couponing
• Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Goals} ::: 

1. Walk 2-3 times this week 
2. Go to the gym 2 times this week 
3. Follow my 40 days in the Word Devotional every day

{Weekly Words of Wisdom} ::: 
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." ~Psalm 119:18

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! 

                                                            

Weekend Recap

As I shared in this post last week, hubby and I headed to Chicago over the weekend and just got back late last night.

It was a sad trip but yet such a blessing. Jim and I were able to spend some time with my mom and grandma. Jim also got to meet some of my extended family which he had yet to meet and my grandma even got to see cousins that she hadn't seen in MANY years! We were in Illinois for my Great Aunt Donna's memorial service on Sunday. It was a very beautiful celebration of her life. I wish that I could have known her more as it has been probably almost at least 12 years since I last saw her.

We decided we better take advantage of the photo opportunity. Here is my grandma and her brother, Bob with 3 of their cousins whom they hadn't seen in quite some time! 

Of course we also got a full Bollenbach Family photo. There was a bit of a glare from the sun on the left which we were unable to escape. Hubby and I are the last 2 in the front row on the right :) We were rocking the matching outfits. 

We even matched with our coats on! 

We got to Bolingbrook, IL Saturday night and spent some time with my mom and grandma catching up at our hotel. Then on Sunday we headed to a church in Naperville which was similar to the church we attend in Minnesota, Hosanna! Then we grabbed some quick lunch before heading to the memorial service. After the service we grabbed a late lunch/snack with family and caught up some more. Then we ran some errands and headed to dinner. 

Monday was our last day in Illinois and we made our way to downtown Chicago. On the way, though, we made a stop in Joliet, Illinois at the prison. If any of you are fans of Prison Break, this is where the show was filmed! Along with The Blues Brothers movie. If you haven't followed Prison Break, check out the youtube clip below, but be careful, you may become hooked! Jim has seen all the seasons but I have only seen the first episode of season 1. And I know I'm going to be addicted. It was crazy to be at a real prison (that is no longer open) but was also where a show we watch was filmed! Unfortunately, they don't give tours, so we were only able to see the outside. 

After the prison, we made our way to another movie set location...does this house look familiar? 

If you guessed the house from Home Alone where the McAllister's lived, you are right! How crazy cool is this!?! If you notice, there is a sign in the lower left hand corner by a tree. This sign states that it's private property so no knocking on the door, etc. People live there there! It was recently on the market for over 1 million dollars and was previously listed for approximately 2.4 million dollars. I wonder if Kevin was home? :) 

Finally, before heading to dinner and making our way to the airport to head home, we made the trek into downtown Chicago for one last even more memorable experience....

Here are some pictures from the drive. Not much busier than downtown Minneapolis, but I was still glad to be the passenger and not the driver! Check out those blue skies, too! It was 41 degrees and we had the windows rolled down! Okay, maybe not down down as in all the way down...But the sunroof was open and the windows were cracked. We were loving the fresh air! 

Now where was our last stop? Check back later this week to find out! It involves Baby Foote! Any guesses?