Spring Fever

Well I thought spring was right around the corner but that warmer weather just hasn't shown up. I think we are going to go right into summer and spring is going to skip over us here in Iowa.

Oh well. We have Spring Fever on Grand Ave.

It started with our bathroom remodel I know  I have been bad about posting pictures from it but I finally have the finished product pictures uploaded.  I was out of town for the week when it was done so I wasn't able to take before pictures but let me explain what it looked like. . .. 1970's COMPLETELY. We knew when we bought this house that was going to be our first big project to tackle. After the wedding it was on our brains!!!!!! Everything was retro and had to be completely removed down to the studs but we are over the moon happy with the end result:

The floor, the remodeler thought of this design for the tile and I love it!

Now on to the outside of the house:
The flower boxes are out, this weekend I plan to buy all the flowers to fill them next week. We planted a few new rose bushes and some azalea bushes. The hostas from last year have started to come through and are looking good. Joey has cleared out the garden we are planning on having:
-Potatoes
-Tomatoes
-Green pepper
-Broccoli
and a few other things.I plan to try canning at the end of the season so I want to add a few other things as well.

This year I am trying something new miniature lime, lemon, and orange trees. They have been planted for a few weeks and I have my poppy to thank for his help and expert gardening advice on that. The first sign of fruit I will post a picture.

Can you tell we are ready for summer???? We sure are! Have a great mother's day weekend and well catch up Monday bright and early.

Baby H Update

Good Morning Blogland,

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!

Did you enjoy the sun yesterday, I thought it was wonderful. I am really hoping that the warm weather that is on the way for this weekend comes. Joe, my mom and I are doing a 5k this weekend (i am walking) and I would love if it was warm. Do you have any big plans for the weekend??

Well I thought it was time that I post a bump photo and an update on Baby H. Enjoy!

I am now 16 weeks I cant believe how fast it is going. I had a doctor's appointment this Monday and the baby's heartbeat was 140 and the baby is located much higher than it was last month. The doctor also stated that in a week or two I should start feeling movement from the baby. (WOW!!!!!!!)

Baby H this week:The baby is weighing anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces and a length of 4 to 5 inches and is growing fast. Muscles are getting stronger especially the back muscles, enabling your little one to straighten out even more. Your baby to be is looking more and more adorable with a face that has eyes complete with eyebrows and eyelashes and ears in the right spots. Your baby is becoming more sensitive to touch as well. He or she will squirm if you poke your bell- though you wont feel him squirm just yet.

Clothing: I am mainly wearing leggings with larger shirts and flowy dresses. My jeans don't fit anymore but i did buy a belly band which allows you to wear your jeans with it but haven't tried it yet. Yoga pants and capris are my favorite!!!!!

How I'm Feeling: Overall I am feeling a ton better than the first trimester. Recently I have started having headaches which I guess is common with the hormones I on the other hand think it is my body screaming for a diet coke-JOKING! I still get sick a couple of times a week but once that is over I am ready to go!!!

Cravings: This baby is still not a breakfast person, it is the one meal I would pass on if I could. However later in the day this baby loves fresh veggies and fresh fruits For the past couple of weeks I cut up a bunch of veggies and keep them in the fridge and strawberries and watermelon are my favorite meal of the day. Last night I had raspberries and they were delicious Joey thought I was going to turn into a raspberry.

Sleeping: Sleep is pretty much the same. I wake up about three times to visit the bathroom and recently have started to have more difficulty getting comfortable. I think this week I am going to buy a body pillow since I have been reading that makes sleeping easier.

Names: We have a pretty set list for both boys and girls. I wont be posting these names since we don't know what we are having and who doesn't love a surprise-right? I cant narrow it down to one boy name and one girl name I think I will know once we are holding our precious miracle.

Nursery: We have started looking at furniture and bedding and are aiming to start the transformation of the room in July. The baby market needs more gender neutral bedding, there isn't much to choose from.
And Now for the photo:

Good-Bye To 7 INCHES!!!

Good Morning Bloggers,

Hope you had a great weekend! We had a great weekend at home with some family time included. The weather was nice as as well although I think it could be a smidge warmer. Saturday we did some shopping for plants and stuff around the house and then headed to the new  Fast and Furious movie. IF you want to spoil the MR in your life take him to this- they will love it, you on the other hand will probably be creating to do lists in your mind throughout the entire thing but hey aren't relationships all about give and take????

Anyways you are probably wondering about the title of this blog post. Well on Friday I had a hair appointment and cut off seven inches of my hair. Yup you read that right I cut off 7 inches of my hair! For awhile I had been thinking about doing this for a change. I have had long hair for all of my life and I love it but recently I just wasn't loving it.  I wanted a change. When I told most people what I was thinking of doing they told me NO but when I got in the chair and talked with m favorite stylist we decided to go for it. I had brought in this picture of Jennifer Aniston's new haircut:

Mine ended up being a wee bit shorter. After we discussed the cut, my stylist put my hair into a ponytail and before I knew it was CUTTING, I said to him " are you doing it already?" and he said "YUP" At first I couldn't look when he put the ponytail in front of me, I said "COVER IT UP"  but after he was done styling it I feel in love with my new style!!!!!!

Another reason I loved doing this is because the 7 inches that were cut off are going to be donated to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is an organization that takes donated hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

So here are the conculsions that I have come to since the BIG CUT:
-if you can do something to help someone else, do it a little self sacrifice didnt hurt anybody
-Even though it is hard to picture myself with short hair I LOVE IT, dont be afraid to try something new!

Many have asked to post a picture as well. I do plan to this week with an actually bump photo as well. Stay Tuned!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's Play This Game Called: CATCH-UP

Good Morning Bloggers,

Hope you are doing well!  Is this gloomy weather getting you down? Are you wondering if the sun is ever going to shine? Well then we are in the same boat together!

I have lots to cover this morning. I have been meaning to blog but my camera is giving me problems which has prevented me from my regular posts since I cant upload photos. So today I plan to give you a BIG update today.

First Up-EASTER:
Last Friday we headed to Des Moines to be with Joey's dad and Tammy. We got settled and headed to a wonderful restaurant in Altoona called the Big Steer. Of course we were all craving meat but we held out and gobbled down some yummy fish. Saturday afternoon we headed to Albia. We hadn't been back to Nana's in some time so it was wonderful to see her and be at her house. The boys went golfing in the afternoon and Nana and I hung out and got dinner ready for that evening. It was a great night. The next morning though I was sick!!! You just don't know when it is going to hit you. Sunday when we got home we rented some movies and relaxed.

Baby H: Is doing great and tomorrow I will be 15 weeks. So here is an update of what is going on with the baby this week: " Your baby who measures 4 1/2 inches this week and weighs around 2 to 3 ounces is about the size of a navel orange. Looking more and more like the baby  you're picturing in your dreams his or her ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head to the front of the face. By now your baby has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb. But that's not all your baby can do now. He or she can breathe, suck and swallow all in preparation for the big debut and life outside of the womb. And though it's unlikely that you'll be feeling any movements from your little one this week, your baby is certainly getting a workout-kicking, flexing, and moving those arms and legs."

Turning 27: Well yesterday was the big day. I turned 27 really I am feeling great about it and cant wait for this upcoming year. I started my day off by getting the  best gift ever a card that said MOMMA and a card that said WIFEY my two favorite jobs!! Isn't Joe creative! He did a great job and they are very special to me. I had lunch with a great friend. When I got home I was surprised by a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a dear friend who I am missing very much! Last night we headed out for dinner and it was great to have a date night!  I received many calls and messages from family yesterday and I am so grateful for them all!!!!

Prayer Request: Well blogland I have a prayer request from all of you. A friend of mine had a baby over a year ago and lost him 2 weeks after he was born. It was very hard and sad and touched my heart because she showed such a great amount of faith during the situation. God blessed her to become pregnant very quickly after losing her son with twins. This past weekend she delivered the twins and lost one of them. Please keep them in your prayers. My heart is so heavy for them as they prepare to say goodbye to another baby and welcome one home. Life is truly a BLESSING!

Have a great day and more to come this week!

First Trimester. . . CHECK

Good Morning Bloggers,

Hope you are doing well and have some fun activities planned for your weekend! Since the cold weather is heading back this way the hubby and I are planning on having a movie night with a fire tonight.

Anyways, are you ready for a Baby H update????

Well Today I am 13 weeks!!!!!!!! which means good bye first trimester, hello second trimester. I cant believe it is already over it went very fast. Although I am looking forward to all the energy that I am supposed to get in the next few months.

I wanted to include a picture of the baby's development thus far, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? I was amazed! ( Hi  sweet baby-from your momma)

We heard the heartbeat last week and it was amazing Joe was able to go with me to the appointment and Baby H's heartbeat was 164 amazing!!!!!! The baby was much lower in my abdomen than I had thought..

EATING: Breakfast is still the hardest meal of the day for me to get down and to keep down. I am hoping that now I am entering a new part of the pregnancy journey this might pass. Recently dinner meals don't seam to want to stay down either, what can I say this baby likes to keep his momma in the bathroom.

CRAVINGS: No real cravings till this week. Mandarin oranges and PEAS! I know kind of strange but I have to eat both of these things everyday. Joey hates peas so I am trying to eat those at lunch so he doesn't have to stomach them.

CLOTHES: This past week I really started to round out, I have been wearing leggings and loser tops recently and have started filling my closet with dresses for the summertime. I am dreading the maternity swimsuit thing, but i guess I am going to have to embrace it.

FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: I love baths and showers, Joey is really looking forward to the water bill this month. Another activity I love is SLEEPING!! Don't I sound like alot of fun! Joe's favorite activity so far in this pregnancy is searching for names!!!!

Well there is a brief update on how things are going. We thank God everyday that we are getting this opportunity. Coming soon some pics of the bump!

How We Told Our Families

Hello Everyone,

Well it has been far to long!!!

Are you enjoying this beautiful weather????? We have had a wonderful Sunday. The windows open, the sun shining and spending the whole day together!!! I am so grateful for days like this I appreciate my husband, my home, and life so much in the simplicity of it all. I hope you all had wonderful weekends with you loved ones.

Now on to the good stuff. We have been asked by several people how did you share the news with your family of the baby???? We would of loved to of been able to see everyone and tell them in person but that was impossible. So we were able to tell some family in person and contacted others by email/phone.

Joey called his Dad and Tammy to share the news. It was wonderful. They were beyond thrilled and we talked for a long time about all the good times to come with our expanding family. They have already started to get their house ready for the baby with supplies so they are ready for babysitting!!!! They call often and check in and love to hear about the doctors appointments.

Joey was able to call his Mom who lives in Des Moines and share the news with her. Nana spent the winter in Florida so he called her as well and she was excited!!! She has is excited as her great grandchildren expand and has checked up on me through all the morning sickness. Joey's brother Mikey is going to be a great uncle and is pulling for a little boy so he can spoil him with shoes from Footlocker

Joey sent out an email to his extended family. He is such a great writer!!! They all sent their well wishes and followed up with lovely phone calls and cards. Thank you Haluska's!!!! We Love you.

The weekend that we told the majority of the people we happened to be going to Geneseo. My grammie had a treatment that week and wasn't feeling the best so this joyous news couldn't of come at a better time.

Prior to going to Geneseo that weekend I decided to make a little surprise for them all.

The onesies said " I can't wait to meet you (GG and Poppy or CoCo or She-She's) Love Baby Haluska. One the back said " ETA October 2011.

Grammie and Poppy were thrilled. If you cant tell from the above picture grammie and I shed some very happy tears. My mom was thrilled as well and has decided to go with the name CoCo. The following week I was heading up to spend time with the she-she's so I made one for them as well.

It was so much fun sharing the news and Joe and I both feel so blessed with our families love and unconditional support.

The first trimester is coming to an end for me and I am really hoping this surge of energy that everyone keeps telling me will arrive hurries up and gets here.

Have a great Monday!

PLAYING CATCH-UP

Hello Blogland,

Well time has crept by and I haven't blogged!!

I am bad!!! I feel bad!!! I am out of it with my blogging!!!! BOOOOOO!!!!!!


This past month I have had one constant theme in my life and that has been "PLAYING CATCH-UP"

Morning sickness, being tired and colds have sidelined me from MY LIFE. The house has looked like a tornado has blown through and hasn't left, I don't think I have cooked a decent meal for a month except when we had our Zanoni get together, and I barely stay awake till 8 each night. What can  I say I am a ball of fun.

The LIGHT has started to appear at the end of the tunnel. I am so grateful. With my first trimester coming to a close I am excited to see what the next will bring. Many have told me that I am going to get a large amount of ENERGY which I am will be waiting for because there are so many projects that I want to tackle.

Joe has been an great nurse to me and I am so very thankful. Besides being nurse he is thoroughly enjoying his new job and studying hard for the Professional Engineering Exam he heads to Ames Thursday night to take it so please send your added thoughts and prayers his way.


So this week I vow to be a better blogger. I am committed to blogging about How we told our famalies about baby Haluska and the completion of our bathroom remodel.

Have a great Monday!!!