Happy New Years

WOW - it's New Years Eve! HOLY MOLY!!  2012 has been such an exciting year - actually, one of my favorite years EVER ha-ha (oh the drama in my voice).  I am not even joking though.  This post is just to sum up our year and put some resolutions into the universe for 2013...

SOO my goal for 2012 was "normalcy" (last years post) which we were successful in creating.... Here are some highlights of '12 - honestly there are a MILLION pictures to chose from (and part of my 2013 goals are to get better at posting more frequently) but here are a few (in no order):




Zoey testing out Harper's pacifiers :)




Kevin helping me do favors for Megan's baby shower




9 month pregnant with Harper




Zoey and I napping :)




Kevin representing MAC MILLER (*video link below)



my two favorite people in the whole world :) XXOO

Our fur-baby :)



The destruction Zoey causes



Thanksgiving dogs being good for a treat (there were two other dogs too just not in the picture)

Zoey walks on water hehe



I turned 30!!



Zoey gives Kevin a hug



I get special parking!!! This is when we registered!!!



4.5 monthsish preggo!!!



Zoey and I playing in the yard!



Kevin and Bryan getting the nursery ready!



Hard at work building our crib!

I think that I succeeded in having a year of normalcy.... well besides having our world completely rocked by the love we have for Zoey - or the fact that we are pregnant for more than half the year hehehe :) but that seems normal?? LOL .... we had fun. Thank you God for such a wonderful life.

2013

Dear 2013, WE LOVE YOU!  Because you will bring us our our very first child - Harper.....

Some goals:
- Have a natural un-medicated childbirth
- Nurse for at least 10 months
- Be a great mom and make good decisions (with Kev of course) for Harper
- Be a great bridesmaid for Daniella
- Run the Cleveland half marathon and the Akron half
- Blog more frequently and take MORE pictures :)

OOO the video I mentioned before, this is hysterical and we watched this video 2012 times no joke.... if you feel so compelled check out the Tosh.O version too "The Baddest"

Chocolate Eclair Dessert

On Wednesday, Kevin and I each had a holiday potluck at work.  being so pregnant I decided I needed to stay simple with whatever I prepared for us to bring. The recipe I chose was a classic in the Simonelli household growing up 'chocolate eclair' omg YES, this is the best, easiest dessert EVER.  I made two in less then 40 minutes and that's only because I am slow, honestly you can make one faster and I urge you all to try and let me know your speed haha!

Ok so here is what you need for one (just double for two DUH)

- 2 small boxes of instant vanilla pudding

- 2.5. cups of milk

- whip cream

- graham crackers

- chocolate frosting

Yummmmmmmm

Layer a 9/13 inch pan with graham crackers

Mix the milk and pudding mixes until smooth

Fold in the whip cream

Put in pan on top of layered graham's 

Layer another row of grahams

Melt frosting and spread evenly on top

Refrigerate overnight 

XOXO

33 Weeks

I cannot believe we are here.... 33 weeks!!! Just a couple more to go!! We can't wait to meet our precious girl.... We want everything to be just perfect for her.

Dear Harper,

You are loved.  Your dad and I talk about you all the time.  I know you won't ever remember this but sometimes daddy sings to you in my belly (silly songs of course)!  It's really special.  Also, your big sister Zoey always sits by you in my belly and listens to you move.  I actually think she knew you were there before we did.  She is very In tune haha :).  I hope you love your new room, we worked really hard to get it ready for you.  I wish for you to be strong and happy.  I wish for you to be smart and funny.  Beautiful and humble.  Independent and loving.  I want you to always be honest.  I promise, I will always be honest with you.  I cannot wait to hold you! XO.  In the meantime keep kicking away, I will miss it :)

Love, Mama

Favor Idea

For every event, a nice favor is always a must!! 

Check out this easy DIY favor idea for perhaps, a bridal shower!! :)

Foot Soak:

- Epsom salt
- Essential oil of your choice

Mix a few drops of oil into the salts and stir until evenly coated

Face Scrub:

- Granulated sugar (one cup)
- Brown Sugar (1/2 cup)
- Coffee Grinds (tablespoon)
- Almond oil (or any oil of your choice) - use until you get desired consistency
- Essential oil of your choice - drop until you get desired smell

Mix everything together :)

XOXO

27 Weeks

What a GREAT week it’s been.  Harper has been moving like crazy and has had the hiccups (that I can identify) twice!!    

This weekend was Halloween, we got to sit in our driveway and hand out tons of candy to the little ones in our neighborhood.  It was truly one of my favorite memories in the house thus far. First, we had dinner with some neighbors and it was so fun!! Then, we set up our little bistro with candy (that we bought WAY too much of) in the driveway…. :)  Most of the costumes were SOOOOO cute.  Our favorite was a little dinosaur (it was handmade and ADORBS) the little boy (around 4 or 5) kept tripping on his tail and it was so awesome!  He had a little sister roughly 3 who was a strawberry!!! We LOVED it!! :)  Then we went over to our other neighbor’s house for some beers and campfire!

I feel just great, although it’s getting more difficult to sleep…. My tum just feels heavy..... Also, I am not a fan of sleeping on my side just in general.  What I am finding helps is if I sleep on my right side with the body pillow behind me and between my legs…. I know it seems awkward (and don’t be fooled, it is) but it works…..  Lastly, showering at night seems to help just get me tired and put me in a “sleep-state of mind”…

We are on the 3 month (or 12 week) countdown – starting Wednesday…. CRAZY…. 86 days until Harper's due date….

As soon as I get my camera I will post pictures from my shower that my mother in law and sister in laws threw me.  It was sooooo beautiful and such a blast!!

AHH!! XOXO

Fall Mantel

Wanted to show off our first ever FALL MANTEL!!!!!!  We wanted to keep it as simple as possible so we could use it though Thanksgiving.  I think next Halloween, we may have a different mantel for Halloween and thanksgiving because DUH, its more fun for kids - but this year, we wanted to give it a go anyways!

Wednesday, I am going to make a fall wreath for the front of our house! WOOT WOOT!

We are in week 25 of the pregnancy!!  It's been sooooo wonderful - Kevin felt Harper move for the FIRST TIME EVER last night, his face lit up, it was so fun!  He started singing a goofy song to her and that's when she kicked - it was the first time I had ever seen my belly move as well (even though I have been feeling her for a while now)!

Our nursery is painted WOOO HOOOO and the crib is up!! (although we are waiting to set up the bedding)!

Here is Kevin and I hanging our "Harper" sign (courtesy of my sister in law Megan) :)

More to come on the nursery - I will update pictures as we get them :)

XOXO

For the Love of Fall

I love fall.  Need I say more? It's the BEST season ever - I am inspired in the fall.  I want to cook/clean/walk/decorate the house/bake/go to the park/read a good book.... I could go on and on and on..... Also, another thing I LOVE (this one is kind of random) - cloudy, cool days.... Today is one of those days and I love it.  It's slightly airy and pretty, almost like a storm is about to roll in.... chilly enough that I want a blanket and snuggle time.... This picture doesn't give it justice - but this is what it looks like out right now:

XOXO