Morgan's 1st Birthday Bash

Wow - I don't think I have written a post in over a year!  We have obviously been having fun with our bundle of joy!  We celebrated Morgan's 1st Birthday last weekend....we had the party at my brothers house and the weather could not have been more beautiful!  It's hard to believe that my little munchkin is already a year old.  I feel like it was just yesterday that we were anticipating her arrival and now she is learning to walk.  Time flies by and every one tries to warn you, but you just don't get it until it actually happens!(or at least I didn't!)  Here are a few photos from the most fun day ever.  I had so much help from my awesome sister-in-laws...I think they could open their own shop and I am not even kidding!  They are both so talented!  My mom made the cake and my sister-in-law Alison decorated it. My mom also made Morgan's "1"sie....anyways, I could go on but it really was the best day!  Can't wait to see what the next year holds for us!

The invite - done by our friend Adam...he is so talented!

The tissue paper "1" hung on the front door.  This was made by sister-in-law Lindsey.  I loved it!!

The food table turned out great...our theme was owls and the colors were pink and aqua!!!

I made the cake pops and was impressed that they actually turned out cute!

The fab cake made by my sister-in-law Alison......SO cute!!!  The polka dot on the table is a wrapping paper runner....thanks Pinterest!!

I made a month by month banner and my dad had her picture blown up at Wolf camera.  The picture on the mantel only costs about $18!  So inexpensive and such a great added detail.

I found a highchair on Craigslist and sprayed painted it hot pink.  Then we cut out a "1" on the cricut and taped it on there.  I love the way this turned out and it will be passed down to my girlfriends when their little girls turn 1!! 

Owl cookie favors done by a bakery by my house.  I drew up the sketch and gave them a tulip cookie cutter.  Turned out better than I could have done and they were so good!

Cupcake toppers made from the cricut and then the cupcake holders were made from a doile.  We spray painted the doile aqua and then cut the edge of it out....then wrapped them around the cupcake. Love it!

Lindsey made the banner....it was SO cute!!!

This is a better picture of the wrapping paper table runner....inexpensive and cute!!

The whole reason for the party!  We had such a fun day and I am sure Morgan will remember every detail! ;-)  At least she has pictures!

Pinterest played a big part in this party - what did we do before Pinterest?!?!

Hopefully it won't be a year before I update again!

xoxo
KT

36 weeks and counting.....

So, I have made it to my last month.  I can't believe I only have 4 weeks(or less) to house this little munchkin! Being pregnant has been one of my most absolute favorite things.  Fortunately, I have had a wonderful pregnancy. There has been no morning sickness, no heartburn, nothing!  My biggest complaint is my leg cramps in the middle of the night....which isn't that bad(well, most of the time at least). I ugess it isn't that fun to be awoken with the feeling of your legs muscles curling up into a little ball. ;-)

We had our 36 week appointment on Tuesday.  My midwfie wanted to do an ultrasound to confirm this little lady was heading south.  Kevin and I were both excited that we got to see her one last time before her big debut. The last time we saw her was at 20 weeks and she was so tiny! So, the second she popped up on the screen she let us know that she was head down(YAY - big sigh of relief!).  After she measured her head, tummy, and femur, the u/s tech informed us that she was measuring 7lbs. 4oz.----wow!!  Oh, and she also informed us that she can gain up to a half a pound a week until delivery.  So, you are telling me that she has the potential to be over 9 lbs.?!?!?!?  *Gulp* I guess if my mom did it 3 times I can do it, right???  HA!  She also switched the u/s over to 3D for a second and we got to see her face. Oh my goodness I dont think I have seen anything sweeter. She has the fattest cheeks and the sweetest plumpest lips....just like her mama.  There is no denying that there is some Carlson in her!  It was pretty surreal to see her and made us just want to meet her that much sooner!!! 

I think we finally have everything we need for this little chick.  Lord knows she doesn't need anymore clothes.  I think she has a more stylish wardrobe than me!  We are ready to meet her but our house isn't!  We finally finished the renovation of our master bath and started on the hall bath.  It really needs to be done before her arrival(and I am hoping she doesnt decide to come before it is done!!)  I have been a little stressed over that but I have faith it will be done.....it's so close.

This week she is the size of a watermelon and my belly definitely shows it. I know I did say earlier that I love being pregnant but I will also love to get back into my normal clothes!  I can only make these clothes look cute for so long :-)

Hopefully my next post will be after our angel has arrived!!!

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

Much love,
KT

33 Weeks!!!!

Well, only 7 more weeks to go(give or take) and our little angel will be here!!  The doctor says that everything looks great and we are right on track.  Have I mentioned her name?  If not, we shall name her Morgan Taylor....it was one we actually agreed on!  She is taking my middle name.  I love the name Morgan and I hope it suits her well. Her nursery is all done and the only thing we are waiting on is HER!!

Here is a pic of my not so little belly!!  Not much else to update on....hopefully my next update will be a pic of Miss Morgan :-)

For now I will catch some zzzzzzz's until I no longer have that choice ;-)
~KT

Shower the People You Love with.....

GIFTS! Well, maybe that isn't how the song goes, but we sure did get showered with so many gifts from the ones we love. Last Saturday, the 15th, my sweet sister-in-law Lindsey, had our first shower for Kevin and I, and the bambino.  I was so excited to see everyone because this shower was with Kevin's dads side of the family who we don't get to see often. By the time it was time for gifts I was so overwhelmed.  We got so much GREAT stuff for this little girl. She got clothes, her bassinet, pak n plays, stroller, and so much more! I think with just that shower we filled her room....and I have 3 more to go!  To have the amount of love and support that Kevin and I do is truly amazing - we could not ask for a better family or for better friends!!!

Other than showers we are just moving right along.  I had my 28 week appointment this morning. It was nice and fast.  The midwife measured my growing belly and we got to hear her heartbeat - then I was out of there!  She said everything looked good and I will see her in another 4 weeks.

We got the paint for the baby's room and hopefully I will have that painted in the next week or so.  If work didn't get in the way I could get so much more done! ;-)  All of the furniture is in the room, walls just have to be painted!  Kevin is putting down the quarter round today!  It will finally look like a complete room!!

Not a very exciting entry but had to blog before the month was over.  I can't believe how time is just flying by.  Our little bundle will be here before we know it!  Whew...nerves are starting to set in!!!!

Much love-
KT

So much to be thankful for.....

I wanted to write an entry that wasn't sad but expressed how many things in this life that I am thankful for.  For example, I spent the afternoon with my parents today.  We shopped, ate, and then went to the movies.  How many kids, I mean adults, can say that they love to hang out with their parents??  Another example, Kevin has been without a job for almost 5 months now.  When he first lost his job, I didn't know how we would survive, how we could pay our mortgage, or how we would pay all of our bills. By the grace of God, we haven't missed one bill, paid our mortgage every month, and can even enjoy ourselves(like go to the movies!!!). I could go on and on with examples but you get the point.

A year ago, on Christmas day, our world would change forever. We woke up on Christmas morning not knowing how our world was going to change. I was about 5 weeks pregnant and just so thankful for all the many blessings in my life.  We went to the movies that afternoon(we like to go to the movies ;-) and by the time we got home, I knew something was not right.  We then went to the hospital to learn that I had a miscarriage. So many things raced through my mind as we(me, Kevin, and my parents) sat there and cried. I am one that needs to know answers and of course, I wanted answers right then and there. It's funny, God doesn't work that way.  He plants answers for you in your everyday life. I'll never forget the nurse that was in my room that night.  She had asked if this was my first pregnancy and I told her it was.  She then went on to tell me that she miscarried twins and another single pregnancy. She got teary(which I thought nurses never did - they are the tough ones, right!?!?!?) and simply said, "It will be ok." That was easy for her to say but she was so right, everything was going to be ok.  Even though it wasn't for awhile, everything was going to be ok.

So, a year later, I sit here on the couch feeling this little monkey kick me in all sorts of places. We have been blessed beyond measure and can't wait to meet our sweet angel. This year the meaning of being thankful takes on a whole new level.  Not only are we welcoming a baby, but my brother and sister-in-law are having a baby in 8 weeks!!  What a miracle that our family is growing by 2 in just 2 months!  We are excited beyond belief!  I can't wait to be an AUNT!!!

I hope that all of you have the merriest Christmas! Gotta get back to my wrapping and baking!!

Many blessings this Christmas season!

Much love~
KT

What's that you say???

....a 36" inseam like her mama???  We went to the doctor on Monday and had our 20 week ultrasound. The ultrasound tech was checking every little thing on her to make sure she is perfect(I wanted to tell her it wasn't necessary...we already know she is perfect!!)  But I let her do her job and she came across her legs.  The only thing on the screen was her femur, her knee, and then her tibia. The ultrasound tech said, "She is going to have some long legs!" Poor girl is going to have the hardest time finding pants....just like me!  Maybe I need to open a pants store for tall women that doesn't charge $100 for a pair of pants.

Anyhoo, we saw her brain, and blood running into the umbilical cord(this was so cool!), her little heart beating, her nose and mouth(to make sure she didn't have a cleft palate), and so much more. Everytime I see her on that little screen it is so surreal to me.  There is actually a little person growing inside of me....WILD! But, I wouldn't change it for the world.  Every little kick and somersault just puts a smile on my face.

That was our last ultrasound until we actually see her in person. It was a little bittersweet when it was over but that just means she will be here so soon!  We are so excited and cannot wait for our little bundle to be here. Kevin is going to a daddy boot camp with my brother in Jan....I wish the wives were invited!  But, I think that will be so good for them.  Then shortley after we will go for our birthing classes.  Everything is just coming together so perfectly.  We feel so blessed and thankful to God for this special gift!!

Here is her latest picture....is that not the cutest profile you have ever seen?!??!

Much love~
KT

It's official!!!

There is a little princess growing inside this belly :-)

Last Wednesday, the 3rd, we scheduled a 3D ultrasound in order to find out what this little munchkin was.  We just couldn't wait until 20 weeks!  Or at least my mom and I couldn't wait!  Our appointment wasn't until 8:30PM so we had to wait allllllll day.  Probably the longest most anticipated day of my life.  I invited my parents, my grandmother, and Kevin's parents to join in the reveal. Some may think that is a little extensive but I say, "Hey, the more the merrier!" We met for dinner and then headed to the ultrasound office afterwards.

We walk into this little building with a waiting room, bathroom, ultrasound room, and an office.  It was the bare minimum to say the least but they were only there for one thing. Since we got there 30 minutes early(thanks to me), we had to wait and wait, and listen to my dad come up with some very interesting baby names. I am surprised our laughter didn't get us kicked out - we have fun no matter where we are! It was finally our turn and they walk us into the room with a 120" screen on the wall, the seating area, and the examining table.  So, I hop up on the table and at this point I am beyond ready to see my little monkey. She starts the ultrasound and there pops up the head, squirmy feet and arms, little toes.....it was amazing to see.

Kevin and I have heard the HB a few times but had only seen little mac on the screen at 8 weeks(and that just looks like a blob).  So, to see an actual baby with arms, legs, and feet moving all around was such a surreal thing to see.  I couldn't get rid of that smile across my face!  Little miss thing was moving around so much that it took a little longer to find out what she was.  But, when we did there were some happy & loud people in that room!  I just knew it was a boy so when they said girl I was so shocked!  I think Kevin and I both were.  It was a moment that we will never forget.

So, since we found out that it was a girl my mom and I have been SHOPPING!!! :-) Well, more my mom than me ;-)  It so much fun to buy PINK and the clothes are just so cute!

Here is a pic of our little girl....she was waving at us the whole time. She is so friendly at such a young age ;-)

Isn't she the cutest?!?!?