Pregnancy Round 2 {13 & 14 Weeks}

Week 13 was so normal and simple I almost have nothing to write about.  We had a prenatal with our midwife, the same one who caught our first baby, and all was well.  Her team {with her in the room} checked my heart rate and left the baby alone since we opted out of doppler or ultrasound equipment unless medically necessary.  We should be able to hear the heart beat again {we heard it at 8 weeks with doppler just to make sure all was well} with fetal scope at our next appointment probably around 18 weeks.
I worked out with my mom on Wednesday.  Nothing major, but it's nice to get "alone" time to work up a sweat and stretch.  I wish I could go more often, but evenings and weekends are my only Husband time, and it's hard to pass that up just for a quick workout.  But I do plan on increasing my weekly work outs to at least twice a week now that I'm feeling better along with my Sunday morning yoga.

Week 14 was super busy with party planning and life in general.  I planted some pumpkins in our backyard garden.  I missed my weekly workout because of poor timing and a headache, but otherwise a generally great week.  Thank goodness the morning sickness seems to be gone and I can function like an actual person again.  We've been trying to take weekly walks without much success but it's on our list.  I guess that's all for now.  I can't complain, I'd rather have two dull happy weeks than 2 dramatic ones, each deserving their own post.

I'll update you again at 16 weeks.

Thanks for following along!
Jenn

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Sonja's Second Birthday! {Russian Themed}

If you've been following along you've seen all my recent posts on D.I.Y. project for this birthday, and while I can't take credit for EVERYTHING at the party MOST of it was D.I.Y. by myself or someone I know and or love.  So, here's her party in photos!

Starting off with a little D.I.Y. prep. work...

We used a discarded piece of wood to create a photo booth.

I spent well over $200 on organic food for our guests.

I got these adorable cupcake liners from Sur la Table on sale a while back.

Emily had a frosting explosion while making Sonja's Cupcakes.

I outsourced a cake to Treehouse Bakery {a local vegan bakery with the best cakes!}

Husband testing out the photo booth.

The decorations and set up...

left: photo booth, right: Russian banner which says her name in the Russian spelling.

Entrance.

a D.I.Y. coloring book station for the kids, to make their own {it didn't get as much use as I would have like though}

The take home bags had stickers and homemade crayons to go with the coloring books.

The castle we made from old boxes and scrap fabric, covered in unwanted contact paper for the kids to paint.  Supposed to resemble St. Basil's Cathedral.

Dessert Table.

Drinks for the Adults. {it was Russian themed you guys! don't judge}

Homemade Lemonade {left; ginger lemonade, middle; lavender lemonade, right; rosemary lemonade} by my soon to be brother in law; Matt.

Washi Tape Labels!

Paint and Bubbles for the littles! {total cost under $20}

The patio areas.

Homemade Nesting dolls for the kids to take home.

made from scrap fabric and stuffed by yours truly.

The Party...

Moments before guests arrived, snacking with her Aunt Gretchen.

Painting the Castle!

Even the older kids got into it!

The Food...

Homemade Potato Pancakes.

Russian onion salad.

Fried eggplant in a tomato sauce.

The Photo Booth...

Sonja and Grandma.

Stephanie and Tommy.

Aunt Emmy and Tio Rene, and no that's not a birthmark on her shoulder, she told her aunt Emily she wanted a Tattoo for her birthday, so I found her some at the craft store for 50 cents.

Learning how to play guitar.

But, yes, that is green paint in her hair, good thing I bought tempra paint - it washed right out.

Opening her presents.

The Instagram posts from guests...

The After Party...

It took me a few days but I finished that cake!

Oh and incase you wanted links or inspiration for a Russian party of your own here's my Pinterest Board.

And that was her party!  Today is her actual birthday and I still get all sentimental when I think that this time two years ago I was in transition! and pushing! and this year, I'm feeling a new baby kicking.  I can't help but wonder what next year will be like with a new little and a three year old big sister.  I'm very thankful and excited for the future on this second anniversary of my birthing day.

-Jenn

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Food Club Meeting No. 4

For this month's {September} meeting we headed to Cibo a local Pizzeria here in Phoenix.  It's hidden in a neighborhood in the downtown area and is quite adorable.  Here's how the "meeting" went:

First they sat us under this adorable tree.

Then we read the menu. 

Then we ordered...

Bruschetta.

Omero Salad.

Pear Salad.

Then we had dessert.

Complementary Crepe for the Birthday Girl.

Favorite Appetizer: I Loved my Pear Salad.

Favorite Entree: I think the Salad was my favorite part, but all of their pizzas looked and smelled amazing {I tried two of the three pictured above, and they were both great!}.

Favorite Drink: I had water but they did have a great wine selection!

1-10 Service {0 worst, 10 best}: 9.5

Cost {$  $$  $$$  $$$$!}: $$ I ordered like 4 things and It was about $20, our total for everything pictured above and sodas was $89 before tip.

Mistakes {corrections?}: No mistakes.  AND they gave us a free crepe for Brittany's birthday!

Reservations? Not necessary for our small group this month, so I'm not sure.  I do know they have a great space for rehearsal dinners.  So private events are perfect for this location!

Would we eat there again? Yes!

We're still undecided for next month's restaurant, but Stephanie wants Sushi, so keep an eye out!

-Jennifer

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