A Little Peek Inside Andie's Nursery

Several sweet ladies have reached out to me wanting to see a peek inside the nursery.

We have the basics... the crib, dresser, and book shelf... but we don't have much decor and we are still waiting for our rocking chair to arrive.  Thinking about how to decorate it all is a bit overwhelming, so I am just taking my time... and TL loves to add his own touches :)

Here's a little peek of what we have so far:

Her little hair bows in the jar :)

 The curtains... one of my favorite parts of the room!

I know... it's not much!  I will take better pictures (not cell phone ones) and do an entire post on where I found everything after we get a better idea of what we're doing!

I wish a few of you girls lived close to me to help me with your decorating skills!

We already love this little girl so much... it's hard to believe we're already in the 3rd trimester and that she's going to be here in less than 100 days.

Hope you're having a great week!

Girls {& guys) Weekend in LA

On the same weekend my sweet girlfriends threw us a surprise baby shower... we also did some restaurant tasting and LA exploring with our guys.

On Friday night when we arrived, we went to Cooks County... which according to Los Angeles Magazine is a hot restaurant.  The food was really good... but the company was even better!  Don't we look like we're headed to prom?

Saturday (after the shower) we all headed back to Adrianna's house for some bocce ball & flip cup.  The girls had a slight leg up on the competition because I was drinking water.  Adrianna made a delicious dinner and we played dominos and board games until late into the night.

Sunday morning before heading home, we ate at a restaurant in Manhattan Beach called Four Daughters... they had delicious french toast!

I love spending time with these girls and am so fortunate to have them in my life!!

Baby Lesh: 26 Weeks

How i'm feeling: good... really love being pregnant & haven't had too much discomfort... yet. :)  A little self conscious, but what pregnant woman isn't?

How far along: 26 weeks and one day

Size of the baby: estimated at 14 inches and 1.7 pounds

Total Weight Gain: about 10-11 pounds

Maternity Clothes:  AG Jeans from Pea in a Pod, they were my splurge several weeks ago, but I love 'em.  Still wearing regular shirts and work out clothes.

Gender: a GIRL... Andie! #andielesh

Movement: oh my goodness, tons!  This girl loves having dance parities in my belly.  I can't get enough of it.  She did hit my ribs for the first time yesterday - but I love feeling this girl wiggle around!

Sleep: I am getting plenty... but still up quite often through the night and an early riser!

What I miss: this week... running.  I miss being able to go for long runs with my music.  But soon enough it'll be back in my life.

Cravings: fruit & veggies.  and thanks to my cousin, Greyson, whole foods gelato.  (yum!)

Symptoms: just some slight discomfort in the mornings and evenings.  But truly, nothing major!

Best moments this week:

+ going shopping with my sister, Kel, for items for the registry.  my sister is a pro and helped immensely.

+ before TL left for work he kissed my belly and said "bye Andie"... our text message convos about her are priceless.

+ all of the fun goodies Andie's grandmas are picking out for her.  she is one lucky little lady.

+ having a few strangers stop me about being pregnant

+ visiting my girlfriends in LA and the incredible surprise shower they threw for us!

Looking forward to:

+ a few more nursery items set to arrive in the next couple weeks (one on Thursday)

+ our "babymoon" adventure... and just getting away.  my mind will love a refreshing break and I could really use some quality time with my guy.

+ the baby shower my sisters are working so hard on planning (it's a ways off, but still!)... I am so grateful for them and can't wait to spend an afternoon with people who mean so much to me!

We are getting so close to the 3rd trimester... it's so hard to believe!  Less than 100 days :)

Women Connect: Gratitude

Linking up with From Mrs. to Mama for her Women Connect series... I wanted to write many thoughts I have been having lately, but am having trouble putting them all into words.  I thought I would share some quotes to help, too.

Gratitude has been a big theme in my life lately.  I know I write often about all the things I am thankful for... and I probably come across as having a "too good" life.  I choose to write about the things that make me happy, thankful, etc.  It doesn't mean I don't have a dark sky occasionally, it just means that I choose to focus this little diary of mine on the things in my life that I love.

Gratitude is something I try to focus on every. single. day. If I am feeling down or blue - which I do - I have learned that communicating that with TL is what makes me feel better.  He is so good at helping lift my spirits when they are low and knowing what to say to put a smile on my face.  My close girlfriends do the same... along with many people in my life.  They've made me realize the importance of words - no matter how small, and how they can make someone's day.  If you're feeling something positive for someone - let them know, always!

I try to remind myself every morning when I wake up that it's my  choice how I want to live my life today.  Life really is what we make of what we're dealt.  I realize I am very blessed, so that's easy for me to say, but I also choose to focus closely on these blessings.

Sorry this is a bit of a jumble... but I think this is what writing from the heart is all about.  Expressing ourselves, even when it doesn't make complete sense.

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Source: etsy.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Sunday Social: Valentine's Day

1. Best Valentines Day you’ve ever had: Valentine's 2008 - it was TL's and my first Valentine's Day and this guy went all out to impress... he's always romantic though.

2. Worst Valentines Day you’ve ever had: I can't think of one really horrible one... I've never been a huge Valentine's Day person... I just like having another reason to celebrate my love.

3. What did you do for Valentines this year? I had plans to take TL wine tasting and to pick up our wines at the wineries we are wine clubs, then to a restaurant we've never been to... but the poor guy got food poisoning, so we spent it on the couch after I got finished up with work... but it was still a great day, actually.  He did bring me flowers, too!

4. Best Valentines Idea if you’re single: girlfriends!!  even if you're not single... it's always important to recognize your girlfriends :)

5. Favorite Valentines Candy? anything... I love candy!

6. Favorite Valentines Memory from your childhood: my mom still sends us cards... and when we were little, she always gave us this little See's candy box on the morning of.  She and my dad are very thoughtful people. :)

Surprise Baby Shower in LA

I have some pretty incredible girlfriends.  We've been through a lot... meeting in college, and standing by each other's sides through the big life changes that happen after.  These girls are absolutely beautiful, inside and out, and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Last weekend, TL and I flew down to LA for a quick visit with the girls and all of our guys together.  There was no baby shower planned, and believe me, it was the last thing I was expecting... I was just so happy to see them and their sweet guys. 

They went above and beyond to make this a beautiful, intimate, and loving shower - and I can't wait to tell Andie (feels weird typing her name out) about the shower her aunties in LA threw her!  She is one lucky girl to already be loved so much.  I can't believe they pulled off surprising TL and I... we're not easy to surprise ;)

 gorgeous table setting in our private room

beautiful handmade with love by adrianna

 baby bingo by michelle

 I am so lucky to have them! {hailee, adrianna, me, casey, michelle}

 Della Terra restaurant in West Hollywood

Cupcakes from Sprinkles, and my breakfast (the food was amazing!)

Me and my love - so blessed!

I am obsessed with these candles Casey made... it says "shower tim, tracy, & andie with love"

They are so adorable, and it's the first time I saw our names together.  I definitely had to snag a few extra to decorate her nursery with.

TL and I were both moved to tears... I walked in and saw the "Baby Andie" on the wall - then the beautiful table decor, and some of the most amazing girls I know standing around the table.  My heart was filled with so much love.  Thank you Adrianna, Casey, Michelle, Hailee and all your guys for everything you did to make us feel so special!

{thank you to hailee and jacob for taking many of the pictures}

Baby Lesh: her name!!

Since TL and I met, we always talked about having kids & what we would name them... and of course, names of babies is something I have thought about for years.  

We've always thought we had a boy name and a girl name picked, but when we found out it was a girl something changed and she suddenly took on her own identity.  We picked a name neither one of us had thought much about in the past... and it stuck.  It's her name, and we both love it!

{handmade sign courtesy of my girlfriend Adrianna... we had a surprise baby shower this weekend in LA}

Andie

Not short for anything, just simply Andie.

We love it!

And her middle name is Jean {just like her mama and great grandma!}

Can't wait to share the pictures and details of our weekend in LA - it was a gorgeous weekend with some of my favorite people.  TL and I still can't believe they threw a surprise shower for us... it was so special!

We're 25 weeks along today - feeling great and extremely blessed by all of the amazing people who support and love us.  The excitement of her arrival is getting bigger and bigger every day.

I hope you had a great weekend... and stay safe to all of my friends/bloggers who are dealing with these massive storms!

J Crew & Starbucks Giveaway!

I love J Crew... and lately, I have been loving on the decaf soy lattes at Starbucks, so I was thrilled with Neely reached out to me and said she wanted to host a giveaway on my blog.

If you win, make sure you browse J Crew's adorable selection of swimsuits... I want so many of them (maybe next summer) ;)

$25 J Crew Gift Card

and

$25 Starbucks Gift Card

A little about Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup...

28 year old Dallas, TX Lifestyle Blogger.

I work in Social Media and Freelance Writing and really enjoy a good latte. I can usually be found scrolling the latest news and updates on my iPad, working out (Bar Method or Running), spending time with loved ones, scouring pinterest for the latest trends(that I will never be able to pull off). I have an addiction to online shopping and relaxing with the latest reality TV obsession and a glass of wine.

I co-host two weekly link ups here at the blog: Its OK Thursday and The Sunday Social.

I am a pretty honest and open gal and I try to not take things too seriously.

I think the inventor of Peanut Butter cups is a genius.

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy the blog.

PS. I have two major ad spot discounts going on right now! My stats, subscribers and social media followers have nearly doubled in the last few months and there are big huge major things happening with A Complete Waste of Makeup so I would love to have you….  Use code Valentine for 40% off any ad.  If you have ever purchased an ad no matter when you did use code RENEW2013 for 60% off!

This giveaway starts NOW and ends February 13th at Midnight!!

Good luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Baby Lesh: 24 Weeks

How i'm feeling: Good... a little bit of anxiety & nerves, glad the we have a doc app tomorrow to help ease all of that.

How far along: 24 weeks

Size of the baby: About the size of an ear of corn (12 inches and a little over a pound)

Total Weight Gain/loss: not sure, doc app tomorrow

Maternity Clothes:  rockin' my comfy jeans - just wore a maternity shirt (pictured) for the first time today.  My regular shirts are still fitting pretty well, so I am saving the shirts I have for when I am bigger.

Gender: a GIRL!

Movement: yes... tons of it.  She's very active!  You can actually see her moving from the outside.  It's truly amazing and one of the coolest things I have ever felt.

Sleep: Still hit or miss.  Not getting much of it the last few nights, but still getting plenty overall.

What I miss: Taking hot baths, sushi, red wine and guinness... but all worth it. (this probably won't change)  - I definitely missed sitting in the hot tub while we were in snowy Colorado.

Cravings: just fruit.  It always sounds good.

Symptoms: Been dealing with cramping lately, scares me, but I keep telling myself it's normal.  Still a little emotional too!  Learning to not let the little things upset me.

Best moment this week: getting the curtains hung in the nursery, the crib and dresser delivered, and having more and more people feel her move.  Every week new things are happening and it's very exciting.

Looking forward to: each day and week that comes.  I love this little baby girl so much and with every passing week my worries fade a little about getting through with a healthy pregnancy.  I definitely don't take anything for granted.  We are feeling so blessed - and I enjoy seeing the little outfits our families find & hearing from other new mamas about all of the exciting milestones ahead.

February Goals

Woo... February already, can't believe it.  My new years resolution was to stick with doing my daily and monthly goals.  My work goals are a living document changing daily... but these are different...

My goals for January were:

1. 5 miles a week - check!  I made this happen... walking, jogging, and elliptical.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly proud of myself.

2. Eat Healthy... I think I did a pretty good job at this.  I explored Steel cut oatmeal and definitely got my servings of fruit in each day.  Could have made better choices while in CO, but hey, we were on vacation. :)

3. Take care of my skin... I moisturized everyday except one.  I've noticed a big difference in my skin and it's feeling better.

4. Clean & Organize my closet... the cleaning happened, but the organization still needs to get done.

5. Try 2 new recipes.  Check! {Minestrone Soup in a Crockpot & Bean and Turkey Chili}

February Goals:

1. 5 miles a week (or at least 3 workouts)

2. Try 2 new recipes... I loved this one last month.

3. Moisturize every day growing belly and face most importantly.

4. Do something special with/for TL for our last Valentine's Day with just the 2 of us.

5. Take Maximus & Zeus for at least 5 walks during the month.  Doesn't sound hard, but I have to start small.

6. Eat at least 3 pieces of whole fruit a day and eat healthy!

I am so excited to hit the 6 months pregnant mark in February.  And keep the ball rolling with our baby girl's nursery... can't wait to share her name soon.

I get to pick my guy up tonight from the airport after his extended stay with the boys in Colorado... can't wait to squeeze him!  I've missed him so dang much.

PS.  I finally gave in and got Vine.  I have been holding back, but seeing my friend Hailee's posts of her little girl made me realize I need to join so I could see those :)  My username is the same as on twitter and instagram: TracyZLesh.  Lets connect!