30 Week Bumpdate

30 Weeks?!?!?!  When did that happen?  Our little lady is now the size of a head of lettuce.  Romaine or iceberg?  Good question...I have no clue!

(I've decided to ditch the categories since it is starting to get repetitive.  Instead I will just ramble on about my ailments.)

As you can tell, I am back to bump pics in the bathroom.  Sorry this one is washed out, but I was so not  having a "re-do".  Which brings me to my next point...I am TIRED!  I don't know if it is that I am still recouperating after our NY trip, or that I am really just hitting the point where it will be total exhaustion from here on out.  Surely, it is a combination of the two.  It just seems like I am extra achey...and no matter how much I rest it's not helping.  Maybe part of the problem is that I need to get up and around more?  Let's start that....tomorrow maybe.  I have a bad case of "NOtivation", so my goal this next week is conquering it.  I'll let you know how that goes.  Stay tuned!  

I am up 26 pounds total.  It cracks me up how some people say "you're all belly"...then there are the others who ask me things like "twins"?  How does that make any sense, and who has the nerve to ask someone if they are having twins?!?!  
Since I'm back to sleeping in my own bed, I've been sleeping well...just waking up super early like always.  It has been a little bit more difficult to fall asleep because that is when she is most active.  All last week I was feeling her inching closer and closer to my ribs.  The WHOLE ride home she was taking my breath away with some major kicks!  At one point we had to stop and walk around...she eventually shifted a bit.  I'm convinced this girl doesn't sleep.  The other night Stephen had his hand on my belly, she kicked SO hard that we both jumped.  

This morning I had a doctor's appointment.  Everything looked good from the anatomy scan, and my belly is measuring right where it should be (good to know).  I have three more "every 2 week appointments"...and then I am really in the home stretch with "once-a-weekers"!  It's all getting very real! I was just reading a few of my previous bumpdates, and it is crazy to see how much she has grown.

Whoa...I guess in 10 more weeks A LOT can change, huh!?!

Happy "Bump" Day!!!!

Red, White & CASH Giveaway

Happy 4th of July!! 

I have teamed up with Marquis from Simply Clarke and 20 other bloggers to bring you a $350 Red, White & CASH giveaway. Thats right, we are celebrating the 4th by giving away some PayPal Cash to one lucky winner.

I hope that you have a great 4th of July! Be sure to check out all the amazing ladies below that made this possible. 

1. Simply Clarke  //  2. Pink Heels Pink Truck  //  3. Never The Same Spice Twice  //  4. Shades of Color Art  //  5. Pursuit of Pink  //  6. Glam Hungry Mom  //  7. Living In Another Language  //  8. A Girl Smitten  //  9. When In Doubt Just Add Glitter  //  10. Fueled & Aflame  //  11. Pearls & Curls  //  12. A Complete Waste of Makeup  //  13. Toby's Tails  //  14. Dancin' With A Dolly //  15. To The Sea  //  16. Carolina Fireflies  //  17. Southern Beauty Guide  //  18. All That Glitters  //  19. Felicitous Fruition  //  20. Everyday Thoughts  //  21.   Je Ne Sais Quoi Jules  //  22. Pretty Little Inspirations

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My First Cara Box Reveal

Finally!  I participated in my first Cara Box Exchange (hosted by Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals).  Receiving presents in the mail, is the most fun...don't you think?!?  This month the theme was "take me to the fair", and let me tell you it was not an easy one.  At all!  I guess I don't have any basis for comparison...but I think I picked a tricky month to participate.  Regardless, it was a very fun experience, and I met some lovely ladies throughout the process!

My June Cara Box from Jennifer arrived while I was in New York, so naturally when I received it I tore it open immediately!  Check out all of this cute stuff...

Jennifer e-mailed me to warn me about the random contents of the box that was on its way.  I don't know what she was talking about though, I think it was all perfectly fitting!  My absolute favorite item was the hot dog slicer!  As soon as I spotted it, I screamed "how did she know"?!?  Not too long ago, a friend on Instagram posted one of these, I took a screenshot, sent it to the hubs...and he immediately responded "No".  Maybe I didn't "need" one of these, but I definitely wanted one!  Now, it is all mine...it was meant to be!  Ha!  Needless to say, I am psyched about this!  Baby Girl will be rocking that corn dog onesie, and I'm sure she will enjoy her book.  The watermelon napkins, and taffy are perfect because I have been slightly watermelon obsessed this summer.  My hot pink nails are chipping, and I will be using my "lemonade" polish next.  The cotton candy was also perfect (and delicious).  Jennifer wrote me the sweetest note wishing me luck as I journey into motherhood!

I was very excited to be paired with this mamma of two adorable little boys!  Thanks again for all of this fun stuff!  XO

If you head over to You Gotta Have Hart, you can see the box that I put together for my partner Jamie (and her cute puppy Levi)!

Home Town Hop {The Golf Cart Edition}

Today, I'm linking up with Wannabe Green & From Here To There for the Home Town Hop!

The fact that I am just now getting around to participating in this just boggles my mind.    

It would probably be best if I start by sharing my current home town with you all.  I could probably write a book about this not so little town I ended up in!  Stephen and I moved down to Florida, found jobs...and stumbled upon this place when apartment hunting.  Not only was it perfect because it was equidistant from both of our jobs, EVERYTHING is here!

The Villages, Florida is an interesting town to say the least!

There are a number of things that make this place unique.  I am going to start with the most obvious...the golf carts!

I took this photo when I parked in front of Target!

I know what you're all probably thinking..."typical Florida, retirement community where the residents ride around on golf carts"....right?  Wrong!  This is not a small community.  It is a CITY!  I still can not wrap my mind around how big this place is.  It has grown so much in the four years since we have lived here...and is growing by the second.  

Some facts about The Villages:

-Population of The Villages is currently 87,000 and expected to grow to 112,000

-Covers 32 square miles

-There are over 50,000 golf carts

-Approx. 90 miles of golf cart paths

It's one of those things that you need to see for yourself.  We still find ourselves amazed that we even live here.  In actuality, we live JUST outside of The Villages (obviously we are not retired).  Everything we do is here though!  We are minutes away from a bunch of retail stores, and restaurants.  

The residents drive around primarily on their golf carts.  Since there are tons of shops, and restaurants - anywhere I go, I have to share the roads and parking spots with the carts  (it's a little funny to me).

This photo is from my trip to the grocery store yesterday

It's not surprising to see a golf cart ahead of you at the ATM, and also when going through drive thrus.

We often rent carts for the day since we do not have our own

Depending on the speed limit, there are separate roads for golf carts - there are tunnels and bridges too!

Driving through one of the town squares...so pretty!

The carts are decorated for EVERY holiday....not just Christmas!

I love looking at the old fashioned carts...too cute!

Cruising with my feet up

Leading the way, showing the family around!

The Villages are truly amazing!  We see something new every time we go out and about.  Lucky for us, when family comes to visit...there is plenty to see and do.  It is random how we ended up living here, but we sure do love it!

Ladybug Shower Recap

Back to reality!  We finally got home last night a little before 1 AM, but as usual I needed to partially unpack, and shower before getting into sleepy mode.  After being in the car for 15 hours, I was wired.  When I did finally settle down, it was fantastic sleeping in my own bed!  That really is one of the greatest feelings, isn't it?

Before recapping ANY other details from our NY trip, I've got to do an entire post dedicated to the baby shower!  EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT!  My Mom really outdid herself, and thought of all the details...I just have to share it with you all.  Brace yourself for a lot of pictures!

Let's start with the adorable ladybug invitations...

 The shower was at one of my favorite local restaurants.  The food is phenomenal, you literally can't go wrong here...EVER!  I ordered the eggplant parmesan...DELISH of course!

 As soon as I walked in the room, I obviously noticed the ladybug balloons.  I was about 99% certain there would be a ladybug theme.  The fact that Mom was able to order these red balloons with black dots was amazing!  Good find Mamma!

Here I am with the incredible lady herself!  Don't ask why we both wore blue, clearly I am having a girl...it just sort of worked out that way.  Still, I'd say we look fabulous!  Don't you think?

 My handsome hubby brought me to the shower.  We are posing in front of the (ladybug) wishing well.

Even more ladybug details...

 I LOVE these ladybug lollipops that my Mother-In-Law made for favors!

The entire time, I kept saying how I just couldn't get over how many presents I had there to open!  A LOT of people shipped their presents to my Aunt and Uncles house in South Florida.  (My apartment doesn't accept packages...it's a whole thing.)  We will be getting the rest of those (pretty much all of the bigger items) in a few weeks!

My Mom surprised me with a pink Coach diaper bag!  I think the expression on my face says it all!

When we left NY, hubs did the most incredible job packing out the car.  It was all very strategic.  In order for it all to fit, we ended up returning 2 larger boxes, that we will be repurchasing down here on Saturday.  Good plan, don't you think?  Voila...it fits!!!

 Now it is all home, and in the nursery...I can't WAIT to go through it all later!

This little peanut is just so lucky to have so many friends and family members who care so much about her!  Stephen and I are speechless, we can't get over all of this.  Saying we are blessed would be an understatement.  

Thank you Mom for planning such a wonderful shower, WE love you...all 3 of us!  XO