My Man is 29!

I cannot believe Rob turns 29 today! I forget we are four years apart and 29 seems so far away to me. However, today is about Rob and how AMAZING he is!

Rob is the type of person that can make friends with anyone and talk about anything. He is always the one with the biggest smile and the most animated hand gestures. He loves flying only slightly more than SEC football, and he is ALL about his family. Rob is so patient and steady, he balances me out completely. He is the best husband I could ask for and I'm incredibly grateful for him. I also think he is the most handsome man I've ever seen.

Happy Birthday Babe!

The Skinny on Baby Gear

Baby gear... oh baby gear. Lately, I've started biting the bullet and purchasing some of the bigger items on our list. Holy Cow is it stressful. First of all you are spending chunks of money on products you can't even use yet and just praying that it works for you and your baby.

I've researched products constantly for the past few months as I've built up our baby registry and want list. I can say that Amazon reviews have been my saving grace and the only reason I haven't totally given up.

Here are a few items we've purchased and my thoughts pre-baby, I will be sure to do a follow up post-baby.

1) Bugaboo Bee Stroller -- I've wanted this since I saw it on a few blogs and in person. It's pretty pricey, but is a great investment. I see myself using this for all our kids and I love that you can change the canopy colors inexpensively. I'm hoping it's as easy to fold up as it promises.

2) Keekaroo High Chair -- I know we are a ways off from needing a high chair, but we found this one 60% off at a local store and had to swipe it. It was very easy to put together, we were even missing a piece and the company sent us a replacement no questions asked. The high chair adjusts as the baby grows which I like and it also doesn't look cheap. I also like that the tray attachment came with a plastic cover for easy clean up after meals.

3) BabyHome Dream Cot -- I'm pretty sure I thought Elise Joy was a genius when I saw this on her blog. I hadn't even thought about the early months of round the clock feedings and not wanting to have the baby in his crib. I knew this was going to be a big chunk of our budget, but I liked that it could fold up and travel easily to the grandparents house. I actually found this 80% off last week in the color we wanted and swiped it up. It was too easy to put together and I'm in love with it so far.

4) Bumbo Seat -- These seem to be a right of passage for babies these days. My sweet neighbor passed hers down to us to use. They aren't really plastic, more like a very sturdy plush foam. I'm interested to see at what month baby boy can actually sit up in this or if he even likes it.

5) Medula Breast Pump -- I've been told I can't live without this by almost every mom I know. I'm wishing our Tricare health insurance covered it, but they cover 99% of everything else, so I can't complain. I'm hoping to either grab one on sale or craigslist and just buy new attachments and hoses. I can't really review much more of this one until post baby.

6) Bumgenius Cloth Diapers -- Another Elise Joy recommended product. I knew I wanted to cloth diaper, especially since I will be at home and not going to work anytime soon after the baby's arrival. I feel like I've researched cloth diapers till my eyes burned and these seem to be the best ones for us. I'm interested to see how they work out and I do plan to use newborn disposable diapers the first few weeks.

7) Britax Chaperone Carseat -- Britax seems to be the carseat to buy if you are into safety, which Rob and I are. I loved the cow print and bought it before we knew the gender. I feel like this pattern can go either way. It's kinda heavy and I feel like my biceps are going to be benefitting from me carting around little bit. It was extremely easy to install into our car, however, we still need to have it looked at to make sure I did it correctly.

Other gear I haven't decided on yet, suggestions welcome // bottles, baby swing, bugaboo stroller accessories, crib mattress,

Taking Stock.

I saw this on The Daybook and wanted to play along. I love her blog and her adorable son.

Making: a tiny human, 24 weeks 2 days // 6 months in
Cooking: banana bread muffins from our neglected bananas
Drinking: Milo's sweet tea, the kind with Splenda
Reading: Two Minute Drill to Manhood by John Croyle; how to raise a son, it's so darn good. 
Wanting: new french doors to the side porch and a new wood paneled front door...sigh
Looking: forward to Thanksgiving with both sides of our family!
Playing: with the pup dogs at the dog park
Wasting: away our weekends, we are seriously so lazy, but I kinda don't care because Rob's home and here. That won't be the case in a few weeks. 
Sewing: a little cross stitch of Italy for the nursery
Wishing: for an unlimited clothes budget for our little one, the new j. crew baby makes my wallet hurt thinking about it.
Enjoying: football season with Rob 
Waiting: to close on our 1st house, 18 more days.
Liking: the crispness in the air every morning and evening. I want to bottle it up. 
Wondering: what color hair our little boy will have
Loving: the man I get to claim as my husband, he just rocks. 
Hoping: for closure and peace as my grandfather gets closer to leaving us.
Marveling: at the fact that Rob pointed out a falling meteor during the football game this Saturday. IT WAS MAGICAL.
Needing: some kind of backyard guru to come build a deck and landscape our backyard, ya that would be great. 
Smelling: freshly washed sheets
Wearing: my favorite pajama pants and praying they fit me throughout this pregnancy
Following: my gut
Noticing: the leaves have already started to fall
Knowing: that I only have 4.5 months till Rob deploys and praying for guidance every day.
Thinking: about when I can run again, actually run, not jog. I miss sprinting. 
Feeling: restless and tired at the same time
Bookmarking: baby toys and baby clothes, it's a problem
Opening: some of the sweetest Mom-tobe cards from friends
Giggling: every night before bed 

Baby Boy Faves // Toy Edition

I know it's probably WAY too soon for me to be even entertaining the idea of toys for our little guy, but I can't help it. I'm addicted to searching for toys that are 'pretty' and not too cheesy looking. Think no plastic, no lights or electronic sounds. I dislike cheap toys, the ones that you know are going to break about a month into the game. I want to invest in ones that can get passed down to his little brother or sister, and hold up over time.

Enter companies like HABA,

Baby Update // Single Umbilical Artery

Today's post is something we've kept to ourselves as a family, until now, because the worrying is over. At our gender ultrasound 5 weeks ago we were told that the baby's umbilical cord only contained one artery instead of the normal two. No one really told us what this meant, which left google to fill in the blanks. I WAS TERRIFIED. Everything I was reading told me that SUA could lead to heart defects, kidney abnormalities and pre-term labor.

We were scheduled for a level two ultrasound the following week. There they verified that the original ultrasound was correct about the one artery, but they couldn't see any growth issues at all. They couldn't rule out any heart issues because baby boy wasn't far enough along, and so began the longest four weeks of our lives.

Rob and I prayed a lot for baby boy and we prepared ourselves for either result. Every day babies aren't born exactly like we want them to be, but we have the technology and medicine to get them back on track. I knew deep down that we could handle this either way.

This morning at 8:30 am, our four week wait came to an end. We found out that baby boy's heart is as perfect as it could be and he is measuring exactly on target. I've never been so relieved and happy. I always thought motherhood started the day you brought a baby into the world, but I'm learning that it starts much sooner than that. My mom's always told me that being a mom is like having a piece of your heart that walks around outside your body; I'm beginning to understand what that means. Parenthood is not for the weak and I know that as we begin this journey that there will be many more things to worry about and fear. But for today, I'm rubbing my tummy and shedding a few happy tears that this one is over.

An Ode to 24

Twenty-four. What an amazing, fantastic, emotional, life changing year. It seems almost like blur, most good things do that. I have to say it's been the best year of my life. I feel like a really became an adult this year, I started making decisions on my own without worrying about others would think. I broke out of my own expectations and I know I'm much happier now.

- I quit my high-paying government job down on the gulf, I had lived in a hotel for over a year. I couldn't make a life for myself being in perpetual limbo.

- Rob asked me to marry him. I said 'Yes!' 

- Indie & Chic really took off till the beginning of 2013. It was such a learning experience and I made a lot of decisions about where I wanted the business to go. 

- I discovered Peach-Pear La Croix.

- Was finally reunited permanently with my dog Parker, and gained Rob's dog Molly!

- Moved all my possessions out of my mom's basement and into a house we began renting. Possibly the most liberating feeling to finally be able to plant my roots for the first time since High School. 

- Getting married in Pisa, Italy with our families. 

- Spending the most romantic week in Italy with my HUSBAND!

- Knowing that nannying full time was not my passion, but being an adult and sticking with my obligations. 

- Falling into married life so easily and wondering when it gets to the tough part.

- Celebrating our marriage with a huge crowd of friends and family. Dancing until they made us leave and driving myself home in my wedding dress. BEST. RECEPTION. EVER. 

- Discovering that in fact I am a good cook and being able to try new dishes. 

- Diving back into running and signing up for a half-marathon with Rob.

- SURPRISE! Finding out we were going to be parents about four months into marriage!

- We survived through the hardest summer of both our lives. 

- My car of 9 years was totaled and I really miss 'her'.

- In January we will have a little boy in our arms and I just don't think it could get any better than that. 

- And all of the little things that make life full : Taylor Swift dance parties, long walks in the neighborhood, pancake Saturdays, date nights, painting parties, IKEA trips and spending a whole year beside my very best friend. 

25, you have a lot to bring to the table, but somehow I know it's only going to get better!

Indie & Chic Sale // 50% off all inventory

I LOVE SALES. I usually don't buy things unless the item is on sale. Indie & Chic hasn't had one all year and I thought 'let's do this!'

I'm offering 50% off all purchases made in the shop, ends when product runs out! Stock up on Christmas, birthday and love gifts. A lot of these items will not be coming back once they are sold out. Use code : SUMMERSALE at checkout!

Free shipping will be offered to those who instagram/blog/tweet about the sale. You will need to e-mail me the link, samantha@indieandchic.com

Baby Boy Favs // August Edition

If you haven't heard the exciting news, Rob and I found out Monday we are having a little boy! Deep down I knew it, but as a first time preggo I was nervous to say it out loud in fear of being wrong. We are over the moon excited for this little one!

I've already been collecting a few gender neutral items, but now the fun begins. Boy stuff is a challenge and I'm up for it. Here are some things I've been eyeing.

Solly Baby Wrap // My SIL told me about this company the week after we announced, I pre-ordered the Natural & Grey Stripe edition and I love it. It's so easy to use, yes I've practiced. (so thank you Amelia!)

Little Hip Squeaks // I actually found this company through Pinterest! I was drawn towards the anchor blanket and any of the baby hats. I don't mind paying a little more for homegrown companies.

Hello Apparel Onsie // Neon typography one a onsie... done. I love this company and I will continue to support them. I hope they come out with some long sleeve onsies so I don't have to wait as long for little man to wear them.

Restoration Hardware Giraffe // I adore stuffed animals. When I saw this collection I knew we had to get either the giraffe or elephant!

Hanna Anderson Bodysuit // I actually bought the blue and green before we knew the gender. I thought they could go either way on a newborn. It's been hard to find cute long sleeve outfits and I scored these at 50% off.

Aden+Anais Crib Sheet // Honestly anything by this brand is pure gold. I think I may buy all their crib sheet designs and change them out as often as the baby's outfit. Oh and their muslin swaddle blankets are amazing!

And that's what I've been drooling over lately for little baby e. Any other items I should know about? I will do a toy post and book post later. Still haven't picked out our nursery furniture yet, I'm too picky!

19 weeks

What's going on at 19 weeks:

- I've stopped craving sweets and candy... I don't know how to feel about this.
- My belly is looking more and more pregnant and less like I've let myself go. This makes me happy.
- I'm so happy to be done with race training and I'm getting into a new workout rhythm
- I've started to feel the little one moving, not kicks or anything, just flutters. I can't wait to feel a kick.
- The nesting part has begun, I've been cleaning and organizing every inch of our house. It feels so good to be productive again.
- I have a hard time grasping that I'm almost 4.5 months along, but still not really half way, I'm going to have a huge belly at the end of this.
- My weight gain has been non-existent this past month, which is good because I feel like I gained more than normal the first trimester. So far I'm up 13lbs, my goal is 30.
- Rob and I have been cooking again and it feels so good to be eating healthy foods and smaller portions, we got off track with all the hospital foods and meals. I can feel a difference in my energy and moods.
- So happy to know that baby e is a boy! We cannot wait to meet him!

Our Little Baby Is A...

We are beyond excited for little one to arrive and now I can start clothes shopping for little one.