It's a...

Three

Dear Connor,

I can hardly believe that today you, my sweet, funny boy, turn three.  It seems like just yesterday that you were born (You can read all about his birth story here, which I wrote last year to commemorate your 2nd birthday.), three weeks early in Louisville, not in Somerset as planned.  Even then you wanted us to know that you would turn our world upside down in the most fantastic way.

newborn Connor

one day old

One year flew by fast enough, and then we were celebrating your first birthday.  You were walking like crazy by then, and you had the chubbiest, most kissable cheeks in the world.  This was an extra special day, because we got to celebrate with all the people who loved you, including Nanny Wilma.  She loved you so much, and it was the last birthday of yours that she got to witness.

one year old 

Connor and Nanny

cupcake face on his first birthday

Then, seemingly just as quickly, you were turning two.  This party was even more fun to plan, because by then you were OBSESSED with Yo Gabba Gabba (sad to say, you no longer have any interest in it...Mommy actually liked the music on Gabba, and it a little more tolerable than most kids' shows you make me watch now.).  :)  It was easy to decide on a Gabba theme, and Jared even dressed up as DJ Lance for you, which you loved.

And now here we are: another year has passed.  You have grown and changed so much.  You still have kissable chubby cheeks, but now you can not only walk, but you can run, kick a soccer ball with ease, and even hit a ball off a tee.

You speak in complete sentences (constantly) and know nearly every dinosaur you see by name, even names that I have trouble remembering and pronouncing.

Your favorite show is Dinosaur Train, and you still sleep with Muno, giraffe (which Daddy bought for you when you were one day old), and your Gabba blanket every night.

You are hilarious, even when you don't mean to be.  You are already developing a bit of a country accent, much to my chagrin, but I have to admit that it is pretty cute when you make the word "bed" into three syllables.  :)

You love life, you love being outside with your daddy and snuggling on the yellow chair with mommy, milk in hand (your favorite drink), and you love strawberries and raspberries.

You are a constant reminder to us that God is good, and we are so grateful for you.

I love you, Bug, and happy 3rd birthday!

Love,
Mommy

*These four photos were all taken by Candice Robertson.

18 Weeks

How far along?  18 weeks, 2 days

How big is baby?   8 ounces (according to our ultrasound today)

Total weight gain/loss:  +1 lb. this month;  +4 lbs. total

Maternity clothes?  Maternity tops are too big, but regular tops are getting snug.  I can wear my regular jeans, as long as they stretch, but I'll be exclusively maternity before too long, I think.

Stretch marks:  Just the stretch marks I already had from Connor and weight gain/loss over the years.

Sleep:  I definitely wake up at least once in the night to use the restroom; I have a hard time falling back asleep.

Best moment this week:  Our ultrasound yesterday...everything looks like it is developing right on track and baby is healthy and active, which is a huge answer to prayer and the most important thing to us.

Movement:  Nothing significant yet.

Food cravings:  Giovanni's cheese bread, Grippo's barbecue chips, STILL Hawaiian shaved ice

Food Aversions:  Food in general is looking much better to me, so I don't have many aversions at this point, which may be cause for concern in the weight gain department.  :)

Gender:   Baby Davidson did cooperate today and we do know the gender...but we are saving the news for Connor's 3rd birthday party on Saturday, so I'll definitely do a post all about it on Saturday after all the festivities.  :)

Labor Signs:  None.

Symptoms:  Nausea (if I get too hungry), exhaustion (or maybe this is just from the start of school), some trouble sleeping, and terrible skin.

Belly Button in or out? In 

What I miss:  Sleeping through the night, clothes fitting, and clear skin

What I am looking forward to:  Starting room preparations and looking into finding a double stroller!  :)

Upcoming appointments/events:  The big gender reveal, which will happen at Connor's birthday party on Saturday!  :)  Our next doctor visit is on October 25th.

Weekly Wisdom:  Rest when possible, which I have been trying to do.

18 weeks

Lately

I used to be so good about posting weekly all the photos I had taken from the week, on Fridays usually, but in the last few months I have gotten out of the habit, and since I often forget to post pictures to Facebook as well, I have found myself taking less and less pictures.  I even stopped doing my weekly "photo a day" posts in the craziness of life and school starting back (and then feeling terrible at the beginning of this pregnancy), and I miss taking and sharing photos.

This is why I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I've taken recently, as well as just a little bit of what's on my mind.  Therefore, this post will be fairly scattered, but centered around some of our September happenings and photos.

During Labor Day weekend, I worked a Chrysalis retreat, and Jason, Connor, and several members of Jason's family spent the weekend relaxing in Gatlinburg.

The gang in Gatlinburg, just before eating at The Pancake Pantry...my most jealous moment of their trip.

Homecoming Week is always one of my favorites...this year for costume day we decided to create our own Tetris pieces.  :)

Some of my fabulous sophomores on their "color wars" day.

One of my favorite activities this year was a classroom "quilt" that we created.  Each student created a square that represented them.

Best 1st period ever = best homecoming door ever (We did win the door decorating contest for 10-12th grades.)

We took Connor to Salem (which just happens to be the closest playground to our house and my elementary school) to play a couple of weeks ago, ,and this tree is just how I remembered it as a child.  We were constantly tripping over its roots.  Playing there with Connor, though much has changed, brought back many fond memories of my childhood.

Jason knew I was craving sweets one night, so he got me some chocolate pie from The Country Cafe...perfect dessert.

Jason and I had a rare date night last Tuesday, so we spent it at Guthrie's, our first visit in over two years.

my favorite tomato basil soup from Guthrie's

Jason's yummy fish and scallops

my ravioli

silly boy

Connor decided to repurpose his pjs into a more fashion-forward look. 

Connor wanted to wear Mommy's makeup...so this is where he placed the eyeshadow.

getting ready for some sweet boy's 3rd birthday party

Fall is here and the mums have been planted.

Soccer is Connor's new favorite pasttime.

The sun setting outside our home is one of my favorite sights.

Lastly, this song has been on repeat in my mind and on my heart for the last few weeks.  We just recently began singing it at our church, but my sister's church has been doing it for quite some time, and I have just rediscovered how much I love it.  I hope you do, too.

Have a blessed week, friends!

Favorite Handmade Shops

It has been a very long time, too long, since I've done any fashion or clothing-related posts, and it's most likely been because I haven't done much shopping (except for a few maternity pieces) as of late.  Jason and I have really been focusing on cutting down on our "blow" money and wasted money in general (Hence the fact that I am SO proud that I have only gotten lunch from the cafeteria one time this year, and instead have brought leftovers or a sandwich from home.), so I haven't paid as much attention to fashion and trends for the late summer and fall as I normally would.

However, even if I can't buy anything, it's still fun to peruse and get ideas for how to style the items I already have, and I am also eager to begin holiday shopping, so I'm looking for fun things for family and friends.

Some of my favorite items, many of which I have never actually bought but only looked at, have come from Etsy, or from suggestions from other bloggers as to the handmade shops they love.  So I thought I'd put together a sampling of handmade stores/items that I love.

Blogger Lee La La had a giveaway for a bracelet from Rustik Chic (Yes, it is purposely misspelled.), and I fell in love with their upcycled bracelets, many of which are made from reused leather belts, lace, and vintage buttons.  I think they would make a great statement piece for a simple jeans and t-shirt.

One of my favorite handmade shops is run by Lindsey, otherwise known as The Pleated Poppy.  I first ordered my Kindle cover from her (which I LOVE), and then later ordered a messenger bag to use as Connor's diaper bag, and I only adored her work even more.  The bag is gorgeous, washable, and comfortable to carry, and can be worn across my body or just over the shoulder, and the strap is long enough to go over the handles of the big stroller with ease.  Check out all of her adorable items, including the bloom belts and her ruffle scarves!

I LOVE this one!  It would be perfect with Laker gear for a red, white, and blue day, or just with a white tee and jeans.  Swoon!

I am a sucker for cute hair accessories, even though I don't wear them as adorably as most people I see and wish to emulate, but of all the hair accessories in the handmade world, my favorite are hands-down from Whippy Cake.  The designer has the best hair, the cutest style, and seems like one of those bloggers you would love to meet, and her designs are exquisite.  She even makes headbands for babies!  :)

I have never ordered anything from her, but Lisa Leonard's jewelry line is beautiful and meaningful, and I have seen lots of other ladies wear her pieces beautifully.  Her pieces seem to be ones that would never go out of style, and something that could be dressed up or down.


These are just a few of my favorite handmade and Etsy shops.  I wish I had more time to spend to compile more, but laundry is calling my name.  What are some of your favorites?  I love to find new places to peruse while wasting time online.  :)

Friday Night Lights

Last Friday, while Jason was out of town working the men's Emmaus walk, Connor and I invited Linds to come along with us to my school's homecoming football game.  While football is not my sport of choice, I do enjoy supporting our students, seeing all the girls in the homecoming court, and watching Connor soak up everything.

We had a blast...and the Lakers won!  :)

Thanks for going with us, Linds!