Five on Friday!

I'm back with Five on Friday! I love this link up, but I really should get back to blogging things of substance. This will have to do for now!

1. Girl's Night

A few Saturdays ago, some of my girlfriends came over for an appetizer/ craft night. We hadn't all been together in a long time and it ended up being the most laid back, wonderful night! Tyler had been gone for 4 days at that point and I desperately needed some time with adults. We had Greek dip, smores dip, baked brie, buffalo chicken dip, macarons and mini pies (both from Trader Joe's) and wine (water and sparkling apple cider for me!). 

After we ate, we made these DIY glitter mugs. If I can offer any advice, here it is. Use a larger sized glitter (fine glitter didn't work so well) and spray the adhesive very lightly inside your mug. A little bit goes a long way. 

I loved the way my mug turned out and I know I'll use it for many years to come!

2. Fabric Softener

I don't know about y'all, but I'm very product loyal. Once I find a particular brand or scent of something that I love, I tend to stick to it. I was at Target a few weeks ago and needed to grab my fabric softener. I've used Snuggle Exhilarations Lavender and Sandalwood liquid fabric softener for probably three years now. I love it the way it smells... basically, what I'd imagine heaven to smell like. So you'd imagine my panic when I realized that Target no longer sells it. I might have raised my voice a little bit, who knows. I bought the Target brand fabric softener, but make no mistake, I was not happy about it. 

Then last week, I ran to Walmart to grab a few staples we were out of and decided to check and see if they had my beloved fabric softener. I'd thought about it quite a few times and had even checked on Amazon for it, but they'd marked it up and ain't nobody got time for that.

Lo and behold, I FOUND IT. Praise the Lord! My life is so hard and also, you should try this. It's my favorite, in case you hadn't noticed. 

3. Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety

I'm currently reading this book by Elyse Fitzpatrick about working through your anxiety and fear with Christ. I'm loving this book! I'm noticing that as I apply strategies that she talks about and put on the truth of who Christ is and learn things about his character, I'm learning how to manage some intense fear that I deal with on a daily basis. I would recommend this book to any woman. Truly, anything by Ms. Fitzpatrick would come highly recommended. This was a quote at the beginning of the first chapter. When the first thing you read in a book steps squarely on your toes (in a good way), I think it's a positive sign that it's going to be something you need... just speaking from loads of experience here.

4. Soup Friday!

Soup Friday starts tonight for the Haneys with the return of cooler temperatures and Shark Tank! I sent Tyler my soup Pinterest board and he picked Creamy White Bean Stew for supper tonight. I'm so excited to cook a big pot of soup and snuggle up for the first night of one of our favorite fall traditions! 

image via

5. Sugar and spice and everything nice

With the impending arrival of baby sister, I've started accumulating some sweet little girl things-- a fun addition to our house full of all things boy! Sweet Nina sent sister some headbands in a package of things I'd purchased from her and Griffin found one the other night. He wouldn't rest until I let him "wear baby sis-ser's headband!" I wasn't about to tell him no, especially with all that beautiful hair. His dad was less than pleased by this picture, but it made me laugh and laugh! And would you all just join me in hoping that Griffin's sister is blessed with hair like him? I guess we'll see in about 18 weeks!

Five on Friday!

I'm linking up with Darci, Natasha, and the girls again for Five on Friday!

1. Preschool!

I can't believe it, but my big boy starts preschool bright and early on Monday! He's going twice a week for 2.5 hours. It's the perfect set-up for us both! It gives me a few months to get stuff done and go to appointments on my own and then it will give me a few months of some alone time with baby sister. Tyler and I attended his orientation this week and we both feel so much peace about his class and his sweet teachers. I just can't believe that he's old enough to be going to preschool! Time really does fly when you're having fun... and disciplining a toddler. Here he is doing his first "homework assignment" which was an About Me paper. When I asked him some questions to be sure I knew what he liked, the favorite food portion went something like this:

Me: Griffin, what do you like to eat?

Griffin: Food! And paper.

Okay then.

We went to meet the teacher yesterday morning and he had the best time! When we left he asked to "go to school more", so I'm hoping that means I won't be prying him off my leg on Monday. He decorated his homework with some stickers and was very proud of how it turned out!

My sweet, big boy. Where does the time go??

2. Sparkling Grapefruit Izze

Obviously, I haven't been indulging in any summer cocktails this year. While it's totally worth it, I do miss having a glass of wine while I cook dinner. I discovered these sparkling grapefruit Izze beverages and they are delicious! I love citrus and so they're perfect for me to sip on any time of the day. I've tried some other flavors and the grapefruit is definitely my favorite so far. It's a perfect "mocktail" for me! 

3. Fall, Fall, Fall!

As much as I'm painfully ready for fall to be here, the temps are still in the 80's during the day which makes it hard to feel like the leaves are getting ready to change. The mornings have been delightfully cool, but by lunchtime, it's sweltering. I popped into Bath and Body Works for some gifts this morning and came out with a few fall candles; I couldn't resist! My very favorite scent that I bought was an Autumn Day candle. I can't wait for the first cool day so I can bust it out! The Blueberry Pumpkin Patch and the Cider Donut candle are on my list for my next trip. Oh, and while I was there, a representative from the BBW home office asked me some questions about a new product line and then rewarded me with a gift card! Such a fun surprise! 

4. Popcorn Night

When Griffin and I find ourselves with a night alone, one thing we love to do is pop some popcorn in our Whirly Pop and watch a movie. Nine out of ten times, his choice is Finding Nemo, but last night we borrowed Ratatouille from the library. He didn't love it as much as I did, but we still had a good time snuggling and chowing down on popcorn! I know these are the moments I'll remember when he's 15 and wondering where my baby went. 

5. A deer for little sister 

If you know me well, you know that deer are my favorite animal. Not to KILL and EAT, but to gaze upon. I don't eat venison. Not now, not ever. Anyway, I stumbled upon this precious little outfit yesterday at the mall and I immediately texted my friends because I knew they'd love it as much as I did! Maybe I'll finally have someone who appreciates deer like I do! One can only hope. :)

Happy Friday, friends! 

It's A...

Last Wednesday, we had our anatomy scan appointment! They scheduled us at 19 weeks as opposed to 20 which is when we found out Griffin was a boy. 

Going into the appointment, I had a little bit of anxiety over whether we would find a healthy baby or not. I've had a lot of fear surrounding this pregnancy, but it's something I'm actively working on. I really need to do a separate post on that because I know I'm not alone.

I guess I am improving because my blood pressure has been way too high at all my appointments thus far until I hear the baby's heartbeat. I've had it taken at the beginning of every appointment (way high) then at the end (back to normal). However, this time, my BP was great at the beginning, so progress! Yay!

Our appointment was scheduled for 9:15 but there must have been something going on because we weren't called back to the ultrasound room until almost 10:00. Thankfully, Griffin entertained himself and everyone else in the waiting room. 

I was able to relax for the most part while we waited and tried to just soak up those last few minutes where the baby's gender was a mystery. I'm trying to do that as much as I can since I'm treating this as my last pregnancy... just in case. 

We got called back and let me tell you-- seeing our baby on the ultrasound screen will never, ever get old. It was the most wonderful moment seeing it's little profile. Our ultrasound tech knew we wanted to know the gender, so she got on it right away. 

First of all, she did ask Griffin what he thought the baby would be. He answered with, "Baby girl!" Honestly, he's said that since we knew we were pregnant. He's said boy a few times here and there, but his primary answer has been a girl. She told us that in her experience, toddlers are usually 95% right about their siblings. Crazy!

She started poking around and we got our answer very quickly. I think my heart skipped a few beats when she said...

"Well, big brother was right! You're having a baby GIRL!" 

It's a good thing I was laying down on the table because otherwise, I think I would've had to sit down. A girl! Our girl! I couldn't believe it! The anatomy scan progressed and it was clear we have a healthy, growing daughter! I could've sobbed and sobbed over how grateful I was. 

We got to see her beautiful little profile, her hands and fingers, her arms and legs, and her perfect little feet and toes. Everything looks great and she's measuring two days behind my due date at 9 ounces and 9 inches. And again, the TOES! Have you ever seen sweeter toes!? 

After the ultrasound, they showed us to our room for the follow up with my doctor and I had to go give my urine sample. I was so excited and distracted that I actually dropped the cup in the toilet after I had done what I needed to do. Awesome. That was a fun thing to go out and tell my nurse. She was very sweet and assured me that it happens to women more than you'd think. 

The doctor came in and talked to us about the scan and reaffirmed everything the tech had told us. We have a healthy baby GIRL! While we were waiting to see the doctor, I made the mistake of saying to Tyler, "Let the shopping begin!" All the color just drained from his face. Poor man. As you can see below, sister has already started to accumulate a few things for her wardrobe thanks to her mama and her grandmothers! Griffin actually picked out that little balloon shirt at Carter's. He picked it up, said "Ooh cute!" and handed it to me. SOLD. 

After we left the doctor, we called our parents and brothers and then started telling our friends. Everyone was so excited for us and it just made our excitement grow and grow. We are so thankful for our sweet sugar already!

Prior to knowing, of course a question I was often asked was what I thought the baby was and which did I prefer. 

In my heart of hearts, I was pretty confident it was a baby girl. With Griffin, I was 100% sure I was having a boy. In fact, I wouldn't have believed them if they'd said differently. With this baby, I was about 88% sure it was a girl. Tyler thought it was probably a girl, my mom said she thought it was probably a girl, and ALL my friends said girl. I don't think one of them said boy! This pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Griffy, but I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. 

In terms of preference, if you asked my husband and my closest friends, they would tell you exactly what I've said since the day we found out we were expecting-- it truly didn't matter what we were having as long as it was a healthy baby. I know that's so cliche, but after the road we walked this year, it just didn't. I've always said I would love a houseful of boys (five to be exact) but I've also always dreamed of having a little woman in the house to balance us out. We were excited about the prospect of a brother for Griffin but also excited about the prospect of him having a baby sister! We couldn't lose!

We are so completely over-the-moon excited for this angel girl to join our family in January! I can't believe I am going to be blessed with both a son and a daughter. Griffin is so excited and talks to his baby sister in my belly quite often. He also loves to tickle her which feels more like a rabid cat scratching at my stomach, but it's so sweet and he makes the most hilarious squealing sound while he does it, so I can't deny him. 

Thank you again for all your love surrounding this baby! We are beyond thankful to the Lord for giving us this grace. We know we don't deserve it and that He didn't have to give us this baby, but we are so grateful that that this baby is a part of His plan for our family! 

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."

John 1:16

15 Weeks

It's that time again!

Time for weekly pregnancy updates! Woo! I know you're thrilled.

When I told Tyler that he got to start taking these pictures again, you would've thought I told him that he was going to have to deliver this baby in January.

"WHAT?? NO!! Take mirror pictures! (Those would be selfies; he's not up on his social media lingo.) I can't do this again. Last time, you made me take about 50 pictures every time. It was HORRIBLE. It's been three years and I still haven't forgotten!"

Now to his credit, he's partially right. I did make him take a ton of pictures every week and usually, it was before I went to work in the morning and I was usually running late so I was a little more snippy than usual. But again, I feel like since I've done/am doing the hardest part of this baby thing, he can deal and take a few pictures every week. Am I right?

I did fear for our marriage a few times when I was pregnant with Griffin and 99% of that was due to these pictures. I would say I broke down in tears after about half of those photography "sessions". I was nothing if not a rational flower while pregnant the first time. So, pray for us. Hopefully this time around will be different and if not, we are taking donations for some good marriage counseling. I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

So, with that, here we go!

How Far Along: 15 weeks (I'm a week behind on my updates)

Size of Baby: Baby H2 is about 4 inches long, 2.5 oz, and is approximately the size of an apple.

Total Weight Gain: At my last appointment, I'd gained 4 ounces. I'm quite sure the scale will have increased quite a bit at my appointment today. At least my pants and pictures tell me so. I was so much smaller last time; it's actually astonishing how much bigger I am. 

Maternity Clothes: Not yet. I'm hoping to get through the rest of the summer without having to buy any maternity shorts and I think I'll be good with dresses and maxi skirts and a few select pairs of shorts.

Gender: Unknown. We will find out right around 20 weeks! I can't wait! 

Movement: I think I felt something as I was lying in bed on August 2, but it was only once, so I can't be sure. 

Sleep: I had a terrible time sleeping during my first trimester. I was so tired during the day and then I was wide awake at night. It's been a bit better lately. I find that if I do a lot during the day and don't lie down at all, I sleep better. ROCKET SCIENCE, I tell you. I never, ever sleep through the night, but I haven't slept through the night in years, so that's nothing new. 

What I Miss: Honestly, nothing at the moment. I'm so, so grateful to be pregnant that I haven't actively missed anything at this point. God has truly made beauty out of ashes for us with this pregnancy! 

Cravings: Dr. Pepper. I wake up thinking about it in the morning and I savor each sip. SO GOOD. I didn't drink caffeine during my first 13 weeks, but on the way home from my 13 week appointment, I made Tyler stop at McDonald's and pick up a DP. It was heavenly. 

Symptoms: I'm still throwing up. Usually, it's because I haven't eaten in a few hours, but sometimes, it just is because I have all day sickness when I'm pregnant. I know it won't be forever, so I really don't mind. I know I'm hungry if I'm nauseous. I haven't been as sick this pregnancy, but I've been sicker longer. 

Best Moment This Week: Every time we ask Griffin what we should name the baby, he responds with Baby Dr. Hofmann. Dr. Hofmann is one of my doctors and although we love him, I don't think we'll be naming the baby after him. 

That's it for this week. We're off to the doctor today and I'm so excited to hear that sweet little heartbeat again! 

We are Filled with Joy!

I haven't written much on the blog this summer. I thought I might try to explain, but I figured Griffin could do a much better job.

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Psalm 126:3

More details to come soon!