Our Gender Reveal Party! {Old Time Western BabyQ}

When planning our Gender Reveal party I knew I wanted for it to be three things: 1.) Adorable,  2.) Laid back and 3.) Outside. My Aunt just so happens to have a farm and a few years ago she built a Western Town on her property. Yes, you read that right and yes it's amazing. I knew it would be the perfect place to have a party so I ran with the old time western theme and loved it.

The oh so talented Erin designed our invitations and they definitely set the tone for our party.

 We had our guests pick a pink or blue bandana to show what they thought Baby Renner would be and I came up with a little rhyme that my sister in law added to an oversized chalkboard.

Then we got pictures with those who voted Baby Renner was a girl...

and those who voted Baby Renner was a boy...

Then it was time for the big reveal. I used a round paper lantern and turned it into what you see below using tissue paper, some double sided tape and my crafty sister in law. Don't even ask me how long it took to make, although it was totally worth every second.

 It's a...BOY!

Now my favorite part, the reactions from our friends and family.

Then out came the ultrasound pictures.

The rest of the night we ate delicious food (burgers, hot dogs, fruit and pasta salad were all on the menu) played games and then had smores over the bonfire. 

It truly was the best day and it was so fun to celebrate our little one.

Pictures by Kim from Bettina Photography

Pregnancy Files {The Bump Week 22}

Best moment this week: For my birthday I asked for baby stuff so I was extremely excited when my in laws got us our crib! It's so fun to start seeing our house fill up with baby items.

Food cravings: No real cravings right now...

Movement: Aiden hasn't been as active this week, but still squirms around at meal time and at night when I'm in bed. I still can't get over the awesomeness of feeling him move!

Symptoms: I'm already having some trouble sleeping. I literally sleep with 5 pillows tucked around me. Maybe it's time to invest in a good body pillow. Any suggestions?

Nursery: We bought paint for the nursery this week and cleaned out the nursery from top to bottom so it is ready for paint!

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
This week your Mama turned 29. When blowing out the candles on my cake this year I couldn't help but think about what my next birthday will be like with you here with me. It is so fun for me to think about!
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
Thank you for another year of life and for the life growing inside of me. I'm so amazed at every movement I feel from Aiden and I'm grateful for your provision throughout this whole incredible journey. Thank you for placing each little body part right where it needs to be. Help me continue to take time to just enjoy life's little moments and to trust you.
Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:18
"God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be"

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A very sweet birthday weekend

For my birthday this year we didn't do anything crazy to celebrate, but I had some amazing lunch and dinner dates and felt completely spoiled.

My husband took me to one of our favorite restaurants, Bella Luna. They are a family owned and operated Italian restaurant and the food is absolutely to die for. I got their famous lasagna and of course their Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Bread Pudding. Oh my goooossssssssh.

My Mom took me to another one of my favorite restaurants called Grand Finale. Again I ate a delicious meal and then got dessert and felt completely spoiled!

A few of my girlfriends wanted to spoil me too...so I let them! 

And last, my new coworkers also surprised me by decorating my desk with balloons, streamers and banners and buying me a cake. I was so surprised and it made me feel so loved only 2 weeks in to my job. I'd say this birthday was a success. I now need to lay off eating any rich foods for at least a week!

Summer Bucket List 2014

-Go back to Findlay Market

-Finish the Nursery

-Eat at Terry's Turf Club

-Date night at the Drive-in

-Go on a picnic

-Check out the Columbus Zoo

-Cheer on the Reds at a weeknight game

-Try a new donut recipe 
-Read a classic novel together
-Hike a new trail
-Make and sip on Dole Pineapple Whips by a body of water 

I absolutely love summertime and can't wait to start crossing some of these things off our list!

What's on your summer bucket list???

Pregnancy Files: {The Bump Week 21}

Best moment this week: This week I have felt Aiden move more than any other week and it is one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. The best moment by far this week was on Father's day. I had been trying for a few days to get Drew to feel Aiden kicking with no luck, but Sunday night we were sitting on the couch and he started kicking and Drew actually felt it. I love that Aiden gave us that gift especially for Drew on Father's day. The next 15 minutes we simply stared at my stomach in amazement. There is a human being inside of me...I just can't get over that.

Food cravings: Watermelon...mmmmmm.

Movement: I am starting to see movements on the outside of my belly. So surreal.

Symptoms: I have had the strangest and most realistic dreams this week.

Nursery: The furniture is stripped and stained thanks to my amazing husband who has persevered through learning the in's and out's of stripping old furniture. It has been quite the task, but we are so excited about how it turned out! Next up...painting the nursery!

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
I love being able to call you by your name. It has been so amazing and a little weird feeling you slosh around inside me. You tend to be most active in the evening...are you going to be a night owl? This week was Father's day and I got your Dad an outfit for you that says me+daddy=love. I am already looking forward to seeing the bond you two will share.
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
Thank you for Aiden. Thank you for his continued health. Thank you for the gift of Fathers. Thank you for the one you gave to me, and the one you have given to Aiden. I have loved watching Drew work so hard this week on things for the nursery and I thank you in advance for allowing him to be Aiden's Dad and my husband. Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:31
"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"

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My top 28

Birthday pancakes are happening today!

Today is my 29th birthday. I am now officially in the last year of my twenties. Ah! So I thought it'd be fun to look back on the past year and share my top 28 memories since my last birthday celebration. I remember Erin doing this a while back so she gets all the creativity points for this one. Here we go...
1. Drew and I enjoyed what would be our last summer "off" together as teachers and discovered the best recipe ever for homemade creamsicles
2. We celebrated 4 years of marriage at our favorite local winery (I won't be doing any wine tasting this year for my birthday!)

3. My girl Courtney and I enjoyed a night of cocktails and made Cake Batter Martinis to celebrate summer. These are to die for.

4. Double date night in revamped OTR with our good friends to try out a new restaurant
5. I did a makeover on my craft room stool involving pink and gold.
6. My Mom, Drew and I took a trip out to Colorado for a dear friend's wedding and we got to hike in the Rocky Mountains!

7. Had some lake time at Norris Lake with my family

8. I started my Hello/Goodbye link-up.
9. Drew and I attended my 10 year high school reunion.

10. Met up with an amazing group of Cincinnati bloggers for a blate night.
11. My friend Bekah and I got to meet American Authors at the Bosom Ball.
12. Drew and I came up with the perfect Halloween Costumes, Mary Poppins and Bert!

13. We rode rollercoasters and got spooked at Kings Island's Halloween Haunt.
14. I met Pioneer Woman for the 2nd time and yes I'm still obsessed with her.

15. We hosted another Tacky Sweater party and got our annual family picture with our cats in their bowties.

 

16. I surprised Drew for his 30th birthday with a trip to the Smoky Mountains .

17. I was reunited with my college girlfriends for a weekend of fun in Indiana.

18. Drew and I celebrated Valentine's Day at our favorite restaurant, Grand Finale.

19. We celebrated Easter with an adult Easter egg hunt on the family farm.

20. Announcing that our family was growing...baby makes 3!

21. Planning and revealing our pregnancy news to our families. (Drew's family & Mine)

22. We found an amazing small group to do life with after we started attending a new church.

23. My dear friend Bekah got married and I got to be a bridesmaid.

24. Throwing a Gender Reveal party and finding out we were going to have a BOY!

25. A throw back night at the symphony with Boyz II Men!

26. I started keeping track of my growing bump each week.
27. We picked out a name for our baby boy.

28. I got a brand new job!

This last year has been full of BIG changes. I can't wait to see what year 29 brings me!