Hello Baby || Week 21-22

Dear Keegan,

It has been almost been two weeks since we found out that our firstborn is going to be a boy.  I love being able to call you by name it just makes your arrival seem that much more close.

Well, Mommy was wrong...I was really quite sure you were going to be a girl.  Of course I am thrilled to know you are our first son, and Dad was so very happy as he was hoping for that to be the case.

We are now half way through the pregnancy and every so often I feel a sudden little flutter in my lower abdomen and it makes me smile, knowing that that is you.  Daddy cannot wait til he can feel you moving around too.

When we watched you on the ultrasound screen you were quite the active little guy.  The technician didn't even need to show us where anything was, it was all so clear.  We could see your little heart beating, and see your perfect little spine.  I loved watching your feet pump as if you were trying to swim right out! :)  You did not want to cooperate and decided to stay curled up for quite some time; I was worried that we were not going to be able to tell gender...

The first thing we bought for you was a tiny pair of tennis shoes that we used in our gender announcement/Christmas card.  It was so fun for you Daddy and I to look at all the little boy shoes and pick out your first pair.  I am looking forward to putting them on your teeny tiny feet this summer.

I love you so much, my little man.

Love,
Mommy

PS We still love apples, much to the dismay of your father who thinks I crunch too loudly...;) Other favorite foods include clementines, cheese pizza, and popsicles.

{waiting at the Doctors...}

{Your first picture} :)

Merry Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

There are so many things that we love about Christmas and the holiday season, 

and one of them is spending a day in Chicago.

We took the train up the Saturday after Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time!

{Love this guy more than ever!}

We also enjoy putting up our Christmas tree together 

and are looking forward to next year when we have a baby to "help" us... :)

{Isn't it the  most beautiful tree in the world?}

And the winner is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lauren, I will be contacting you via email for your address to send your choice of earrings or ring!  

Thank you all for participating, and if you would like to place an order through my shop please use code HOLIDAYSAVE for 20% off your entire purchase plus free shipping!

Merry Christmas!

Giveaway!!

Who doesn't love pretty things?

Better yet, who doesn't love FREE pretty things? :)

Like this Emerald Green Alyssa Ring

Or these Burgundy Chrysanthemum Stud Earrings

Wouldn't they be the perfect accessory for your office party next week, or the Christmas program your child is in, or the concert you and your husband plan on attending?

Or maybe,  the perfect someone you haven't found a gift for...

JN Lifestyle is offering the choice of stud earrings or an adjustable ring to one lucky winner...

Simply enter the drawing below before the clock strikes midnight on Saturday:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And if you can't wait to find out if you won, feel free to use the code: HOLIDAYSAVE for 20% off your entire order.   Want to browse the shop?  Simply click here.

 What are you waiting for?  

Start shopping... :)

{Winner will be announced Tuesday, December 10th}

Hello Baby || Week 17

Dear Baby,

My oh my, how you are growing and making Mommy grow too... :)  You are now the size of my palm and weigh in at 5 ounces, about the size of a turnip!  I remember when we first found out we were expecting that you were just the size of a tiny poppy seed!

We have our third appointment tomorrow; never in my life have I been so excited to go to the Doctor.  Yet, Daddy and I look forward to these visits and are looking even more so to our next one in which we will find out if you are a boy or girl.  Mommy has a feeling that you are a girl, but of course that means nothing and I would be equally thrilled with a little boy.

This last week we celebrated Thanksgiving; one of my absolute favorite holidays.  I couldn't help but be even more grateful that God has given you to us.  Throughout the day, I kept thinking that next Thanksgiving you will be half a year old!!  Crazy - but oh so exciting!  We cannot wait to welcome you into the world.  Every time Daddy and I see little babies, we get more anxious to see you.  I find myself looking at him and saying, I want one.  To which he replies, Soon, very soon...


Love,
Mommy

PS We love apples and eat 1-2 a day.  We also enjoy cheese and crackers and oddly enough any thing sour.  Perhaps you take after your Aunt Brooke who likes to drink straight lemon juice... ;)

{Thanksgiving '13}

Hello Baby || Week 13

Dear Baby,

We are now entering into the second trimester, which makes us 1/3 of the way done and even closer to getting to meet you.  Last night, I dreamt that I was holding you in my arms.  You were so beautiful and were smiling in your sleep.  I kept looking at you thinking, You are  mine.  When I awoke, my arms ached to hold you and I couldn't go back to sleep, instead I lay there smiling and thinking about you.

Yesterday, your daddy and I heard your heart beat for the first time - it was so fast; swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...  I wish that I could hear it again and again.  Our God is such an awesome God.  He knew the exact amount of time it would take for you to develop, and it amazes me that at just 13 weeks your fingerprints are even developed!  It reminds me of the verses in Psalm -

For thou has possessed my reins; thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret,
and curiously wrought in the lowest places of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in they book
all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, 
when as yet there were none of them.

I love you with all of my being and cannot wait to meet you little one.

Love,
Mommy

PS Your favorite thing to eat for breakfast is cereal with almond milk and you enjoy sucking on jolly ranchers during church and long car rides.

a year full of happinesses...

It is so hard to believe that it has already been one year since my Mr. Wonderful swept me off my feet and made me his Mrs.

I will never forget that first moment I saw him standing on that bridge - so dapper and trying to contain his excitement.

I remember while getting my hair done that morning, my hair dresser - who had just been married a month prior - giving me some advice.

Throughout the day make sure you stop yourself, look around, listen, and breathe in your surroundings.  Your wedding day will go by in a blur and before you know it you will be walking back down the aisle a married woman!

 

So that is exactly what I did.  I enjoyed my wedding day to the fullest.  I looked around, I listened to each of the songs I had picked since I was a teenage girl, and I savored each moment throughout the day.

 

Before I knew it we were kissing and being introduced as Mr. & Mrs. Jack McDonnell!

It was beautiful and wonderfully perfect in every way and I wouldn't have changed one thing about that day.

But that was not the end of our story; it was only the beginning...

We honeymooned in Florida and had a wonderful time.

Before we knew it; it was time to head back home and get settled in as husband and wife.

I know we have been married a year now, but I still feel as though I am on the honeymoon and I still have stars in my eyes.

 

God has been so good to us.  We have been able to remodel a room together, photograph ten going on eleven weddings, go on our first vacation, and become expectant parents!

A year ago I didn't think it was possible to love another being any more than I did at that moment.

But I have discovered in the last year that the day I married Jack the love I had for him was just a fraction of what it is growing to be.

 

Dear Jack,

I never knew it was possible to be as happy as I am now.

 

I never knew that marriage could be so wonderful - that God would fulfill my every dream in you.

You are my better half - you know exactly what to say to make me feel better or when to just listen.

You are a wonderful husband and you make me want to be the best wife I can be with the Lord's help.

I am so excited to see what God has in store for us in the upcoming year.

 

I know that you are going to make an excellent daddy and I cannot wait to raise our baby with you.

 

Happy Anniversary my dear, I love you!

Forever and Always,

Your Nicole

Hello Baby || Week 11

Dear Baby,

From the first moment we found out we were expecting, I couldn't wait to meet you.  I wonder if you will have your daddy's twinkly eyes and curly hair, or if you will have my straight hair and big eyes.  I wonder if you will be a talker or an observer.  But most of all I just can't wait to hold you in my arms.  Right now you are the size of a lime and weigh approximately .3 pounds.  It is amazing how such a small being already takes up so  much space in my heart.  Some days it stops me right in my busy-ness and I can't help but smile and think, We are having a baby!

Daddy and I are praying that you will be healthy and strong, but most of all we want to raise you to love Jesus and serve Him with your life.  I will be honest...sometimes I get a little scared when I think that I am accountable for you...  That I will be training and responsible for such a special person.  However, your mommy has had a great example to learn from.  Reading parenting books has caused me to reflect on my own childhood and realize what wonderful grandparents you have. My dad and mom both took the preaching they heard and applied it in the home.  I never had to wonder why my parents did one thing at church and another thing at home.  I am only now starting to understand how much love they had for me.  Love enough to discipline and train, love enough to parent and not try to be my friend.  Because of their faithfulness, I have a wonderful relationship with them and I cannot wait for you to meet your grandparents.

I am still in awe of the fact that God has chosen to give us you and we cannot wait for your arrival in May!

Love,
Mommy

PS  Currently your favorite snacks are Welch's fruit snacks and apples. :)

Big News!

Exciting news for Nicole and I.

Check out the video clip below to share in our big announcement!

The love of a family...

...is life's greatest blessing.