Fall in Iowa

I absolutely love this season here. It’s so beautiful! The colors of the leaves on the trees and as they fall, the ripe corn fields, and the brisk warm wind. I’m loving every minute of it. 

A couple weekends ago we took our neighbor Curtis out for a senior photo session. The weather was perfect.We'll be posting the photos on the Domani Photography blog and Facebook page.

My little feather head even came along. She had so much fun being daddy's assistant! I just couldn't resist her cuteness so I snapped a few shots of her as well. 

 Bryer turned 8 months old on October 4th! I can't believe how fast she is growing. I'm trying so hard to savor every moment of her baby stages. She loves to interact with those around her. She babbles a lot and squeals with laughter. Every time she hears music she dances and every time I sing to her she sings too. She loves to play peek-a-boo and is starting to wave. We're still co-sleeping a lot but she's getting much better at sleeping by herself in her crib for half of the night and nap time. She is also doing well eating solids and still breastfeeding. I just got a baby bullet food maker and I love it! I've been making her fresh fruits and veggies. Her favorites are pairs, avocado, sweet potato, and squash.<3

a short update on life

So I haven't blogged in well...forever. Let's catch up. :) My pregnancy came to an end back in February and we welcomed Miss Bryer Michelle into the world. <3 She was born February 4, 2011, 7 lbs 8 oz., 20 1/2 in. long and SO beautiful. We had an amazing bonding experience right away.

 We all adjusted well when we brought her home. It was like she had been with us all along. She was one happy and alert newborn for the most part and was a natural at nursing and unfortunately, co-sleeping...

 

At 5 weeks old we got around to  doing her very first photo shoot.

 She continues to grow and evolve. Each new day she does something new. I can't believe how fast she changes. She is 7 months old and sitting, crawling, pulling up, singing, and dancing. I love her so much!

 I am loving being a mom and enjoying every minute with her!

We have officially lived in Estherville Iowa for a little over a year now! Just eight more months and CJ will have his wind degree and I should have my AA transfer degree. With CJ and I both being in school full time life has been a bit crazy! I don't have much time for anything else except being a mom and a student, but a fall photo shoot with Bryer is definitely in my list of things to do. 

Life has been good to me lately. I love my family and am very blessed! I hope everyone is wonderful and having a happy fall season so far. I hope that all my friends and loved ones or whoever is reading this are making the most out of life and remembering what is most important, no matter how hard it is to keep your head up when life gets you down. There is always positive things to look for and something to be thankful for each day that you live. Smile, take a walk alone, feel the breeze, observe something beautiful, laugh out loud, call up an old friend, spend time with someone you love, think about your most happiest memory. Surround yourself with people and things that uplift you, and spend your time doing something meaningful, something you love. Make every moment count.

God Bless :)

The art of cooking

So recently I became very interested in cooking. I love experimenting and trying new things, and of course watching cooking shows for tips and techniques. It's becoming a new hobby of mine. The other night I prepared a delicious meal that is quick and easy, yet fun to make. Seasoned chicken herbed with oregano and parsley with rice and steamed broccoli and carrots.

It's a girl!

After a long time of waiting and wondering, I had my second ultrasound yesterday to find out the gender of our precious baby. I really didn't have an idea what it would be but CJ has always felt like it was a girl and to my surprise...it was! I was absolutely ecstatic. I'm so excited to be having a baby girl! I've always wanted a girl but I would have been completely happy with a boy too. I just want a healthy baby, that's all I care about. The name we decided on is Brier Michelle, after me.

I love watching my baby during the ultrasounds. When I see her on the screen I melt. It conforms that it's real. Sometimes I can't believe I'm having a baby. Pregnancy truly is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced, and I know motherhood will be the same way. I've grown spiritually and emotionally. It's a feeling I never knew until now.

Baby Brier, 28 weeks

We're going to have a baby!

Baby at 17 weeks

Back in June I found out I was pregnant! Such a wonderful surprise. I'm completely ready for this and I can't wait to be a mom. I know I will absolutely love it. I've been wanting this for quite some time. I am now 26 weeks. I know I haven't blogged in a while but sometimes I feel like i'm just talking to myself- I don't know who even reads this, but I'm going to try to do better on updating my life. There's a lot going on right now; it's a very exciting time for CJ and I. We went for an ultrasound at 17 weeks hoping to find out what we're having but it was too early to tell. We go back for another ultrasound on thursday to find out and I can't wait! It will be nice knowing who is in there- Briar or Jett. Then I can really start preparing. I'm due february 5 so i'm going to have a winter baby!

In august we moved from Kansas to Iowa for CJ to attend school for wind turbine technology. We're really liking it here so far, minus the cold winter weather ahead of us. I am also in school this semester, working on my AA degree for elementary education. I'm taking children's literature, developmental psychology, sociology, and music appreciation. This is my last semester to really be able to concentrate on school so i'm really enjoying it and it's going so well. CJ is a member of the wind club and is president of the photography club that he just started here at Iowa Lakes, which i am a member of. We also joined TRIO and recently had the opportunity to take a trip to Iowa State University where CJ was able to explore educational and career options.

We've met some wonderful people here. For Halloween we had our friend Brian over and we had a blast handing out candy. Prada really enjoyed watching for trick or treaters.

I've actually had a pretty easy pregnancy so far. At the beginning I was tired a lot and lossed my appitite but I didn't get morning sickness. My second trimester was amazing! I felt better than I have ever felt before, physically and emotionally. But I can definitely feel that slipping away as my third trimester approaches. I'm more tired and feel less energetic and i'm becoming increasingly uncomfortable with my growing belly and body changes. But every time I feel my baby's movement I know it's all worth it. I've already become insanely attached to this child. I will miss being pregnant and feeling my baby's movement but I can't wait until I am finally able to hold my baby in my arms.