18 Weeks

How far along? 18 weeks

Total weight gain: 10-12 pounds, just depends when I weigh myself. 
Maternity clothes? No, I can still fit in my jeans but unable to button them. I have purchased a few maternity tops but haven't really worn them much. 
Stretch marks? none! :)
Sleep: Sleeping like a baby. In the past few days I have been experiencing stretching sensations in my lower abdomen which has become uncomfortable at night.
Best moment this week: knowing I am almost halfway there!! And starting to actually "show" rather than just feel chubby.
Miss Anything? so many things... Seafood, working out, caffeine without restrictions, etc. etc. 
Movement: Not yet!! I can't wait to feel those first few movements. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
Food cravings: Sweets and Fruit...lots and lots of fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Chicken
Gender: Still think BOY- Dan swears its a girl. Find out July 2nd!!!! :)
Labor Signs: None.
Symptoms: lower abdomen aches and stretching.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & EXCITED to say the least!
Looking forward to: JULY 2nd to find out if little baby D is a he or she! And July 4th this next week! :) :)

Almost to the 1/2 way mark!! 

We scheduled our gender reveal also--- JULY 2nd!!!

This really makes me happy because we find out right before we leave for our annual 4th of July vacation to Charlivoix, Petoskey, Boyne. SUPER EXCITED to purchase a little "up north" outfit for our little bebe. :)

From my favorite place on earth!

Dan has been hard at work painting the room we declared as the nursery. It's the room right across from ours so we figured it was much more practical than the one at the end of the hall. 

I helped...a little. Don't worry windows were open and face mask was on. My mom and I thought it would be a good idea to do board and batten in the nursery. That project should start June 28th- I can't wait to see the final outcome!

This is just an example of the board and batten. I think it brightens up the room so much.

My mom and I had a little girls shopping trip Saturday afternoon and headed up to birchrun. LOVE THAT PLACE!

Of course we stopped at our favorite place of all time. POTTERY BARN! I found this little Mobile thing for $20. I have no idea what the "theme" of the nursery will be yet but it was just so unique and cute. Plus you can't even find these mobiles for $20 on Etsy- I bought it.

Before I reveal our next purchase- I just wanted to say how extremely thankful I am for my parents. They are such an example to me and are so giving and self-less. We have had our ups and downs (especially during those wonderful teenage years) but I think in the end we have come out stronger and I can't imagine my life without them. 

After I told my parents Dan and I were having a baby they wanted to buy our bedroom furniture for the baby. WHAT!!!?? What a huge expense!! THANK YOU! I am so so so grateful for such loving parents. :)

My mom has GREAT taste- So as we were at Pottery Barn they had cribs for sale, we browsed, and they had the color I was looking for "simply white."

We bought Baby D's Crib!!!

Here it is in all it's glory in our Office. :) :)

Can't wait to set it up!!

You are probably wondering what it looks like: Ta Da!

Introducing the Larkin Crib from Pottery Barn Kids:

We have also been prepping the exterior of our house to paint. A couple weekends ago we power washed the outside of the house and cleaned out gutters. 

Dan hard at work. I supervised- obviously. I can't wait to get rid of the puke green exterior. Barf!

My dream color scheme. We should be starting project "Paint Our Gross House" in the next 2-3 weeks. Thank goodness for my brother who will help and guide us. I think we would be lost. 

We're going to be parents!!!

Well....secret is out, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!! 

I am still in disbelief but so very excited!! I have always wanted a family of my own and be a mother- for me this is a dream come true. :)

I couldn't believe it- I took A LOT of pregnancy tests. 

1st one I took- I swear I saw the start of the second line. Hubby didn't believe me, he thought I was crazy.

Later that night, I took another- Line visible but faint.

Next morning- no denying it now. I'm PREGNANT! :)

First appt at 8 weeks- my first ultrasound. Baby D is there! :)

8-9 weeks pregnant. Nothing. But ecstatic none the less!

13 weeks pregnant. Starting to look chubby.

We are so very excited, I am so happy to share this journey with my family and friends. I can't wait to be a mother, what a blessing this is. I am so incredibly thankful. I have never seen Dan so excited to be a father. Words can't express how we feel right now. 

Here's to a happy and healthy pregnancy. 

Can't wait to meet Little Baby D!

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Winter Happenings

Slow motion here at the Drwencke's. After the Holiday's things really slowed down and have become boring and gray. Just waiting out the rest of the winter and REALLY looking forward to Spring.

My Mom, Ashley, and I all took a day trip to IKEA in Canton. What a FUN store. SoOOOOoo much to look at. I'm not a huge fan of modern decor but I was quite surprised how much a liked everything.

 

Mom on the left- Ashley on the right- Browsing the fun that is IKEA. :)

 

My Few IKEA purchases of the day:

 

Picture frames

 

 More picture frames...

 

Faux plant...$3! Can't beat that!

 

And the whole reason I went----- DRAPES! Seriously, good quality-linen drapes or $24 bucks. Love a good deal!

 

Speaking of good deals- We recently purchased a new suit for Dan. He really needed one- He was measured at Men's Warehouse, we ordered online (came with coat and *2 pairs of pants), and had the suit coat tailored, all for less than $300! And it is a GOOD quality suit. Check out MRMAC.com.

 

 

 

Recently, I have become very aware that I may have started too many home projects. Which, in return has left our house very incomplete. What can I say...I get too excited but also get burnt out on every project which leads me to another before I finish. PRIME EXAMPLE: KITCHEN

 

I started painting our kitchen cabinets in September....it's almost the end of February people. So I have really cracked down and now have almost 75% of the kitchen done! YAHOO!

 

ALMOST DONE PAINTING!!

 

VALENTINES DAY...is for lovers.

 

I love holidays that celebrate love. What a wonderful day just to remind someone that they mean the world to you. :) *hopeless romantic*

 

No pictures....But Dan and I celebrated the day after at our favorite restaurant Outback Steakhouse. Dan raves about their Steak and rave about their sweet potatoes....mmmm.

 

I also received a nice surprise!

A valentine from a cute goldendoodle named Apollo. ;)

One of the residents that I work with is his owner....awwwww. haha.

 

 

 

High Five!

 

1.)  I made it to the gym x4 times this week and have been running 1-1.5 mile every time at a 8 min pace. Not breaking records or anything but happy to be back running.  :D

 

2.) Dan has some news that hopefully we can share soon! But- good things happened for him this week. Go Hubby!

 

3.) We officially upgraded to high speed Internet. I have been operating at dinosaur speed for too long.

 

4.) Finally started to work on the house again...Winter has really put the brake on house projects. Something about it being cold and gray just really wipes you out.

 

5.) Grocery shopping was done before 9pm Friday night. WOOOHOO!

 

 

Christmas at the Drwencke's

Christmas 2012

  

Christmas this year was way fun. Always nice to spend time with family. Family time is the best! We were able to spend Christmas Eve with the Malone's and Christmas day with Drwencke's/Malone's.

 

Picture overload!

Switched out my current pillowcases for holiday ones. Thanks Mom & of course Pottery Barn~!

 

Playing games christmas eve!

 

 

Minnie trying to be a present too! 

 

Christmas morning with the Drwencke's! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve we sat around our tree at home and read from the Bible about the birth of Jesus. It really was amazing and brought a wonderful feeling to Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve back home- just the (2) of us.  :)

 
One of Dan's favorite gifts!

 

 He was pretty excited about his picture of Ford Field too.

 

 Driving around with starbucks and looking at christmas lights!

 

We didn't get any pictures Christmas day with the Malone's but we always go see a movie in the afternoon and come back to the house and play more games. This years chosen movie....*drum roll please*

 

The Hobbit!

 

 

House & Other Updates...

 Finally----Installed new entryway lights. Out with the old brass 70's lights and in with the new!

 

Please ignore the painter's tape and half painted walls, heck, please look past the whole upstairs! It is still under construction...

But I bought two runners for the upstairs hallway in Chevron print. I absolutely love them and the pictures really don't do them justice.

 

 My friend Amanda cut my hair for me and I, again, box dyed my hair to a darker color.



 

Until next time...

 

-The Drwencke's

 

Fall Happenings

Fall in Michigan has been beautiful! Perfect warm days and cool nights.

We had some family photos taken this year at Friendship park. They turned out so good thanks to Audra! She did awesome! http://www.audraephotography.com/

 

House Happenings...

 We refinished our hardwood floors upstairs this fall. WHAT A PROJECT! Never again, we will hire out next time. I think they turned out okay... 

(sorry guys, unable to rotate for some reason)

 

We slept for 5 days in our living room- thank goodness that is over!

 

We joined a gym! Finally- Anytime Fitness in Clarkston. Love that it is 24/7 and Love that I can workout with the hubs. Though, we don't really workout together, but its nice to go together. Getting my butt in tip-top shape before we have a baby. (not pregnant...yet :)

First fire in the new house. So wonderful to have a gas fireplace. Can't wait to have it on more often. 

More House Happenings...

I painted the 1/2 bath on the main floor and added a accent wall. 

Pretty much...having been watching A LOT of football.

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Excited to finally kick-off this Holiday Season!