On my wish list & gift list

It's on, girls: the race to Christmas. I hate to call it that, but it's the truth! If you started shopping before Thanksgiving, good for you! I usually have about half of my shopping done by now but have been a little distracted by baby stuff to get too much done. But, I do have an idea of what I'm buying for those on my list, especially the ladies (is it just me, or is shopping for men the hardest thing EVER?).

This year, as I do most years, I plan to gift a lot of monogrammed items. Truly, this is the best way to say "I really thought about you and what I was going to buy you because monogramming isn't instantaneous." Amiright? Buying monogrammed gifts definitely requires a little foresight; you can't swing by the mall en route to the Christmas party and pick up a last-minute monogrammed gift. And it's special, because it's basically one-of-a-kind.

As I've done the last two years, I plan to purchase several Christmas gifts from Marley Lilly. ML has the best selection ANYWHERE of monogrammables, has a pretty quick turnaround time, has a low threshold for free shipping ($50!), and almost always offers a free gift with purchase. And they are HQ'd right here in the Palmetto State, and it feels good to support a local business!

Here is my top list of things I'm wanting from Santa...and that I will probably gift to others!

ONE. Monogrammed Tassel Keychain
Let's start with the basics: a lovely monogrammed disk with your choice of 22 color combos between the tassel and disk. I LOVE my orange one because, hello, Go Gators! This gift is perfect for basically anyone - teachers, co-workers or boss, babysitter, mom, friend, MIL, December graduate, etc. The real beauty of gifting a keychain is that it's ONE SIZE FITS ALL! That takes the awkward out of the situation. And right now it's $12.99 so you can buy one for all of the above.

TWO. Monogrammed Herringbone Vest
I've been wanting this black-and-white vest for 2 years and I just need to buy it already! But Marley Lilly complicated life when they added the tan option. Which to get?? Either way, this vest is classic, goes with anything, and can be worn to the office or on the trail. Also, this is currently on sale for $39.99, the cheapest I've seen it ($30 off!).

THREE. Monogrammed Scoop Sweatshirt Tunic
This thing looks crazy comfy. If I paired this with maternity leggings, I doubt I'd ever wear anything else (sounds like danger ahead to me). I love that this is long enough to cover your behind when wearing leggings, and looks cute with flats, Bean boots, wellies or sandals. This is a great gift for anyone who likes to be comfortable. $39.99.

FOUR. Monogrammed Printed Pullover
I love the orange and navy pattern on this pullover (close enough to Gator colors!). My mom could use a new gameday top or two, so this would be perfect for her! $69.99

FIVE. Monogrammed Baby Bloomers
Now that we have finally decided on a name for baby girl (will reveal soon!), I want to monogram EVERYTHING. To me, nothing is sweeter than little monogrammed bloomers! Love the seersucker fabric - so classicly Southern - and love that they're only $19.99.

Hopefully this list will give you some ideas as you finish up (you overachiever, you) or, eh, just start your Christmas shopping. Happy shopping!

xo
KH


Marley Lilly provided a product sample for this post, but the opinions are mine...and I really love ML!

Showered with love!

I still can't believe I had a baby shower...for a sweet baby girl, no less...but that's exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon! My cousin Heather, best friends Lesley and Lindsey, and cousin's wife Megan hosted the most beautiful, Lilly Pulitzer-themed shower for me and our baby girl in my hometown in Florida. And I got to see so many friends and family members on top of it all. It was perfect!

One excited mama-to-be before the shower! 

The decor was gorgeous, especially those flowers!

The guests signed the mat around the Lilly-themed invite, which will go in the nursery.

Shower hostesses and my cousin's daughter

Me and my mommy!

This darling garland Lesley made of Lilly fabric will go in baby's nursery!

Lilly-esque cake! And the top layer was gluten free = perfection. 

High school friends!

Three generations (four if you count baby!)

We got a LOT of cute loot! 

So many people who love us. Delicious shower goodies (including GF cake) and punch. Too many adorable pink things. Old friends, family who drove hours to be there, and multiple generations in one room. It was the perfect day! We are feeling so, so, so blessed in every way. 

Next up: get this stuff home to South Carolina! :)

xo

KH

Five on Friday: almost Turkey Day!

What a week! I am tired, y'all.


ONE.
Baby gifts are starting to arrive! We've had several gifts arrive this week, since my shower is this weekend in Florida. The nursery and baby girl's closets are filling up fast!

TWO.
Speaking of the nursery: thanks to the helping hands of my mom, stepdad and brother, we were able to knock out the nursery paint over the weekend! And Alex and my stepdad Dave built her this awesome closet. So excited to fill those rods with sweet little outfits.

THREE.
Each year as part of my job, my team plans a huge fundraiser with an even huger budget. For the last 2 years, I have been the lead project manager for the event and while it's super fun, it's super stressful. The event was held this past week and it went so great - like the best yet (that I've been there for). My brother was still in town, so he got to see me "in action" and it was special to have both him and the hubs there for support!

FOUR.
My mom and I picked out the glider over the weekend for the nursery - her gift to baby girl! We chose a glider/recliner combo (Alex is very excited about the recliner feature), plus an ottoman because I thought that would be easier with a sleeping babe in my arms. This is the style, but not the color. Can't wait to get it in about 5 weeks!

FIVE.
We are en route to FLORIDA today for a lot of fun stuff: baby shower this weekend, babymoon next week, lots of family time and my favorite holiday! I am so looking forward to turning off my work email for the next 8 days and to R E L A X. Bring on the sunshine!

xo
KH

Linking up with

 April, Christina, Natasha and Darci! 

29 Weeks

How far along: 29 weeks

Baby Size: the baby is the size of an small cabbage (17 inches, 2.9 lbs)

Weight gain: up .8 pounds from last week; up about 7.5 pounds overall

Maternity clothes: yessss

Stretch marks: not yet!

Sleep: still having rib pain at times when I'm laying down. Also had a lot going on this week with work, so I was restless with work anxiety. 

Best moment this week: seeing the nursery painted! It feels like it's really happening now. 

Looking forward to: by baby shower in my hometown on Sunday, and our babymoon in Palm Beach next week!

What I miss: chardonnay

Movement: yes, yes, yes!

Food cravings: sweets (still!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: nope

Symptoms: back is starting to hurt more and more

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: so happy now that a long and stressful work week is behind me! And excited to be home with family and show off the bump at Thanksgiving next week. 

Nursery: it's painted and the crib and dresser are in it! 

Prayer for Baby: Sweet baby girl: I pray for you everyday and that you are growing stronger and packing on those pounds! I pray for your sweet little foot and your abdomen and that you will be born healthy. As each day passes, I can "see" you getting bigger and know that you will be a fighter. We love you SO incredibly much and haven't even laid eyes on you yet! Amen

27 Weeks | 28 Weeks

27 WEEKS

How far along: 27 weeks

Baby Size: the baby is the size of a very long cucumber (15 inches - since she's now measured head to toe; 2.2 lbs)

Weight gain: up 1.5 pounds from last week, up about 5.5 pounds overall

Maternity clothes: they're the best!

Stretch marks: not yet...

Sleep: ehhhh...I sleep well about every third night

Best moment this week: getting to see my family in Gainesville over the weekend - the first time with the baby bump!

Looking forward to: the crib delivery this week!

What I miss: a glass of wine after work would be nice

Movement: all the time

Food cravings: sweets

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really, just get full really quickly

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: nope

Symptoms: rib pain, heartburn, not sleeping great, back is starting to hurt

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: feeling happy about baby, but stressed about work! 

Nursery: just the dresser but the crib is coming soon

28 WEEKS

How far along: 28 weeks - we are officially in the THIRD TRIMESTER! (so, that escalated quickly!)

Baby Size: the baby is the size of an head of cauliflower (17 inches, 2.5 lbs)

Weight gain: up 1.2 pounds from last week, up nearly 7 pounds overall

Maternity clothes: yep

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: waking up with sharp pain in my ribs at times - not fun!

Best moment this week: seeing baby girl again at our ultrasound. And my mom came, too - so she got to see her grandbaby for the first time! 

Looking forward to: making progress in the nursery this weekend!

What I miss: beer - even GF beer 

Movement: yes, yes, yes!

Food cravings: cookies and baked goods

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: nope

Symptoms: ribs hurt, back hurts

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: stressed from work but looking forward to that ending after next week when some big projects are wrapped up!

Nursery: in progress, finally! We moved the guest bedroom furniture out this week and are getting ready to paint this weekend. It's coming together!

Prayer for Baby: Dear baby girl, you are prayed for every day by us and by so many others! You are already so very loved. I know in my heart that you are going to be just fine - and probably a handful! Every move you make reminds me of the blessing you are. I pray for your health and well-being in the womb before you get ready to make your grand entrance in 12 weeks or less. We love you! Amen

Chomp chomp: a day at The Swamp

Living in South Carolina the last 6 years, I've only had a few opportunities I make it to a home football game in Gainesville to cheer on the Gators. This past weekend was one of them, and for a very special reason: my grandfather was the honorary captain for the homecoming game against Vandy!

Baby's first trip to The Swamp!!!

It was the 30th anniversary of the Florida Dairy Farmers sponsoring Gator Athletics - the longest running sponsor - so the athletic department made a big to-do and honored the organization, including my 91-year-old Grandpa (who is still "dairying") and my Dad, who is currently serving on the board. I couldn't miss this so it was well worth the 6 hour drive from Columbia to Gainesville!

Grandpa on the field for the coin toss

My dad and the rest of the board were honored during the first quarter (that's them in the corner of the field)

It was SUCH a fun day in one of my favorite places in the world! I got to see the majority of my cousins and their kids, my aunts and uncles, dad and stepmom, brother and of course, my Grandpa. I even got to sit in the box with my Grandpa for most of the game, which was special :)

And of course, no trip to Gainesvegas would be complete without a stay at my bestie's house! I got to hang with Lesley and her husband Chris and kiddos, and we had a blast. Catching up in person is so much better than FaceTime or the phone!

A special treat was seeing my college roommate Grace on Sunday morning for breakfast! I haven't seen this girl in at least 5 years and she made a special trip from Orlando to Gainesville to see me. It's even more fun because she is also pregnant and our babies are due just 5 days apart! It's a race to see who will deliver first! 

My old roomie! And our babies got to "meet" for the first time :)

Just like old times in Gainesville!

Sadly, all fun weekends come to an end and I had to make the long trip home Sunday afternoon. Lucky for me, my brother rode back up with me to give this pregnant lady a break from driving!

Such a fun weekend of celebrations, family and old friendships!

xo
KH