Halfway there

21weeks and counting...

For those of you not used to tracking your life by weeks, I'm almost 6 months pregnant !

I feel I am finally at the point in pregnancy where I can enjoy it.
I have not been feeling as sick the past couple weeks, and am very grateful for that!
I finally look pregnant, and not just like I've packed on a couple extra pounds for winter.

I am loving life.

Don't let that fool you though, I still have heartburn..
I still toss and turn every night and get little sleep..
There are plenty of foods I still shy away from because I know the outcome of eating them..

Pregnancy is not picture perfect like most moms make it out to be.
On their behalf I do believe whole heartedly that once that little babe is laid in your arms
after birth, all this discomfort is washed away from your memory and no longer seems "that bad".

I can not believe we are passed the half way mark. This is how we have been keep track of baby ing. Each week I change out the weeks and what size fruit she is ! I am 21 weeks and 3 days exactly. I have 18 weeks and 4 days left until Miss Hadley's due date.
Yes I said HADLEY! If you do not follow me on instagram or facebook, be sure to do so! I announced the name of our little one a few weeks back! I'm always keeping up with those two social media sites more than my blogs, so stay in the loop!

From the very beginning, before we even knew it was a girl Hadley was at the top of our list.
When I was still a stylist at Kenneth's, I was doing hair for a wedding party. I had just finished a couple bridesmaids and the bride when this sweet little girl hops in my chair.
She said "Hi my name is Haddy, what's yours?" with the biggest smile on my face, I replied "I'm Molly, nice to meet you Haddy." I turned to her mom and told her that was such a cute name, and she informed me "Well her name is Hadley but we all call her Haddy". From that moment on I always knew that name was going on my "list" for children names someday!

We had a harder time picking out boys names. That list seemed forever long, so it was nice to see pink when we cut into our cake, so there was no guessing.. we knew it was Hadley.

Renee is my middle name, and we wanted to keep it in the family, so we are passing it down to her.
Levi has his fathers middle name, and will pass it on one day if we have a son, so we figured it was fair to give our daughter mine.

Many things are happening here at the Ingram home to prepare for her.
Her nursery is coming together. We have most of the big things done, such as crib bought and put together. We had an old dresser we just painted to match the crib. We painted the walls as soon as we found out we were pregnant. They are a neutral creamy stonewashed color. There are these great valance boxes in all the rooms of our home above the windows that came with our home, we painted them coral to begin the theme for Hadley's nursery.

We are doing pops of grey, coral & gold...and glitter you can't forget the glitter!

There are two closet's in the room, we took the doors off of both, and are going to hang curtains instead. I like the openness of it, and how you can utilize more space. We are going to paint the inside of the closet's coral as well, for an extra pop of color. One of them is going to be turned into a reading/toy nook for now.. and someday we will transform it into a built in desk area for her to do her homework.

All we really need is a chair for me to nurse in, and some more decor for the walls & it will be complete. Her name that is sitting in the window seal will be hung above her crib eventually. 

Her closet and dresser is already full of clothes that have been bought by myself, friends and family or majority of it donated from aunts and uncles. I love walking by her room and seeing all the little clothes and shoes. As if I wasn't excited enough already..

With the holidays quickly upon us I know the rest of this journey is going to fly by! I am so anxious for her arrival, but am trying to cherish these few months I have left carrying her.

Daddy is getting rather excited to! It has been so fun to watch him over the last 21 weeks.. the closer it gets, the more sentimental I believe he becomes. I can't wait until he is able to feel her move. I have noticed her little nudges and jabs for the past 3 weeks now, and it is so amazing! I feel as if I love her so much already, I can't imagine what it is going to feel like when she's born.


& so the journey continues..

Maternity style

Maternity Style- 101

I am no pro at this, seeing how this is my first pregnancy! However I have really enjoyed dressing my bump & can't wait to keep it up for the next few months! 

I figured this post would be appreciated since the majority of my friends and facebook feed is consumed by mommy to be's all due around the same time as me! 

I have been fortunate enough that most of my clothes still fit going into my 19th weeks. I have only purchased a couple new tops and a few pair of pants. Leggins are my favorite! 

Who knew maternity clothes were so comfy!!! 

Some of my usual beauty habbits have taken a back seat to my new daily beauty routine. Such a false lashes! I used to wear them daily, but just can't seem to find the energy to apply them every single day anymore. 

I recently have cut my hair off, which makes it easier for my to style each day as well! I'm learning the more simple I make life, the less stress I put on myself and my body. Even just by avoiding the little things. 

Below are some of my favorite outfits I have put together since being pregnant.  

Each week I take photos to track my bump, this was in my first trimester! 

I paired a pair of my regular black leggings, with a white tee from Victoria secrets, P!NK line! I belted a gray cardigan I got from the Lauren Conrad line @ kohls and finished my look with my go-to black Charlotte Russe boots. That is my favorite place to get cheap stylish boots each season! It's actually what I ask my hubby for each year for my birthday, since around fall they have but a pair, get a pair for $10! How can someone pass that deal up?? 

This is a little red dress I wore last Christmas that I belted to show off my bump! I threw on a black & gold scarf from Forever 21 & wore my black Charoltte Russe boots again. 

This was my last attempt to wear regular clothes. I actually took this pic while mom and I were shopping for my first maternity pieces, this was the first week of my 2nd trimester. I was having one of those "nothing fits me" days! My mother laughed historically when I walked out of the house in this! She swore I wouldn't be caught dead wearing something so quickly thrown together when I was younger. I told her "it must be a mom thing" 

I paired a regular pair of cropped leggings  from the Lauren Conrad line at kohl's with a red and white patterned swim suit cover up I got a Walmart during the summer, I finished the look with some old ankle boots I have had for years. They are so old I don't even remember where I got them! 

This was taken that same day, in the dressing room of Macy's! I'm wearing pea in the pod's brand maternity leggins, that are full coverage and have the stretchy elastic band that cover my entire stomach. The top is Jessica Simpsons line from motherhood. It's by far my favorite maternity purchase so far! The leggins are so comfy, and the top is too cute! My favorite part is the lace detailing on the shoulders. 

 Later that week I work this dress I got that same day, it is also Jessica Simpson from motherhood! It is hard to see in the photo but it is, stripped like that top but is navy blue and black! It ties in the back! I paired it with those same leggins, and some western looking calf height boots from DSW. 

Last weekend my husband and I made a trip to the outlet malls to do some shopping for his new job & the baby.  I found a motherhood store down there and snagged a couple more pairs of full coverage leggings, one in black, and then the ones in brown- pictured here. 

I'm wearing a regular white fitted tank, you know the ones with the built in bras. & I threw on this old blazer I had from kohls that I bought many moons ago but it's a light tan, and the cuffed sleeves are coral. If you know me well, and see me often then you have probably seen me in these tan cowboy boots I got from Charrtte Russe last season. I wear them almost everyday. The soles are falling apart and I will probably cry the day I can no longer wear them! 

I have found I feel more confident when I'm in clothes that are a little more fitted, not flowy. So that you can clearly see I am pregnant and not just packing on the pounds. 

Going into the fall & winter months I know layering is going to be my signature. 

Adding a belt I have found always helps dress up any outfit and separate your stomach from your chest, to again show off that baby bump!

Hope this helps & gives you many mommy to be's ideas!! 

Xo-

Molly. 

Lures or Lace: Gender Reveal Party!

What will baby "Ing" be!?

Boy or girl? 

Will daddy & I need 

fishing lures or lots of lace? 

Keep reading to find out...

Thanks to Pinterest, even before I was pregnant I was planning the perfect gender reveal party! 

If you know me well, then you know I am obsessed with hosting party's. I love everything about them from decorating details, to the menu & fun! 

Since the whole idea behind a Gender Reveal party was to find out the sex of your baby, I knew the fun part was already taken care of! 

When we were officially pregnant I searched and searched for the perfect theme for us! I came across the "lures or lace" idea! I knew it was meant to be!

For those of you that know my husband, know he would quit his day job in a heart beat to move out west and become a fishing guide if life let him! I spend most of my weekends off with him at Cabelas, Dicks Sporting Goods, and now thanks to Easton Town Center, Field & Stream picking out the perfect lure! 

And I am all for things burlap and lace! So that was a no brainer! 

We wanted to keep the guest list small and intimate so we just invited immediate family members and a select group of friends to share the moment with us! 

The morning of the party my parents met us at Ultrasona, a place in Columbus where you can go to find out the sex of the baby a few weeks before your doctor will actually tell you. 

The impatient libra's that my husband and I are, couldn't wait!

My mom went into the room with us! It was so peaceful and quiet. I got to lay on this huge comfy bed while they lounged on a huge leather sectional that could fit about 20 people! 

We got to see all sorts of angles of the baby on a big screen tv while the tech took measurements and pointed body parts out to us. 

Once it came time to find out the gender, they turned the big screen off & called my mom over to the monitor. We didn't want to find out until later that night at our party with everyone else!

They quickly discovered what baby Ing was, gave my mom some ultra sound pics with the sex on it, and she quickly made her escape to the car where my step dad was waiting for the news! 

We all went our separate way for the day, knowing not to talk to much or get to close in case my mom spilled the beans. 

Levi and I headed home to get the house ready for the party. While my parents went shopping!

Let the decorating begin...

I had a boy table full of things the old wives tales say you crave when your having a boy, which is mostly salty treats. 

I made a popcorn bar, where guest could make their own popcorn bags full of seasonings and snacks

My dear friend who has become our go to photographer captured so many precious details throughout the evening. This one being a favorite of mine... I made a banner of the ultrasound pictures from that morning to hang above the boy display... And this was our favorite photo of baby ing from that day! 

The girl craving table was outside, and it was stocked with cake pops and the main event, the cake which encased the gender of the baby! 

A friend and client of mine, actually made 2 cakes! My mom called her with the results, and she marked which one we needed to cut, but she made a boy & girl cake just incase! Inside each was pink or blue candies that would spill out once we cut into it!

I made this sign that welcomed guest as they came in the door, and my husband added his touch by putting all the lures on the top and the lace on the bottom!

We had a table set up where guest could vote for what they thought we were having, the results were mostly girl & only 3 boy guesses!

I also had a sign made that was of all the wives tales and according to them, I was having a girl 100% not one of them said boy! 

The anticipation was killing everyone! 

They kept begging me to cut the cake sooner. 

So once it finally came time, everyone gathered outside & I'll let this video do the rest of the explaining...

IT'S OBVIOUSLY A GIRL! 

I was a little excited to say the least. 

Don't mind the knife that falls toward my husbands foot, after I set it down. But how amazing is the look on his face in that photo. 

My friend Sarah, whom has been a best friend of mine since 5th grade is also pregnant and is due at the end of December this year. She is having a girl too ! So needless to say she was a little excited as well! We can't wait to raise our girls together and we hope they are BFF's just like us!

My mom, who had to keep the secret all day from me, was overwhelmed with joy when I finally heard the news. She knew how perfect a little girl would fit into our world and she is so excited that I get to have a daughter just like she did. 

This photo means more to me than I think our photograpaher even realizes as she captured all 3 of my parents & I in one shot.

 As I'm hugging my mom, standing next to my step dad & my father in the hat directing behind them. I am so blessed to have all three of them standing by me and supporting me with everything in life. They are more special to me than they know, because I no longer have any living grandparents, so as our daughter will not get to meet any of her great-grandparents on my side I know she will be so loved, blessed & SPOILED by these three grandparents!

As I mentioned before my mom went shopping as soon as she left our appointment and she knew what it was. So once things settled that evenin I had a present to open....

I mean what is cuter than this mini fur vest?

Oh wait, maybe this adorable rose outfit. 

& just because it wasn't a boy, doesn't mean daddy doesn't get his lure fix! 

How adorable is this little pink tackle box?

I can't even describe the joy I felt while embracing my husband once we knew it was LACE over lures. From the begginning he has said "It's a girl!" Not once has he thought it was a boy. As every man I'm sure longs for a son, he has been so excited and ready for his daddy's girl to get here!

Thanks for all the love and support already! We are so overwhelemed with joy. We sure have enjoyed spreading the news. 

As many of you have been asking, we do indeed have her name picked out. 

We are just keeping it to ourselves a little longer. 

----------------------------------------

Photo credits go to Justine of Justine Linn Photography & if you are local you better LOOK HER UP! You will not be disappointed.  She is so loving and good at what she does. She cares about her clients and it shows in her photos. 

Life in the first trimester

Before I jump into how things have been thus far..
I wanted to fill you in on Levi's reaction to finding out we were pregnant!

(If you haven't even read my reaction to find out yet, click here to read my previous post)


He got home from work late that night, walked in and just skipped all the excitement I had laid out on the table announcing to him! I had to remind him I had a surprise for him....

He walked over to the table.... skimmed right over the adorable onsie I made for him and picked up the preganncy test's. He cover his mouth and just kept repeating "omg, omg, omg, omg" with the biggest grin. He then began to ask if both said positive! I shook my head yes and squealed. It took him a moment to process but it was the cutest most guienue response I could have ever asked for.

___________________________________*______________________________________


I have actually looked forward to being pregnant and growing that baby bump for years now.
The moment my hubby and I said "I do" somewhere in the back of my mind baby mode kicked in.

But us both being Libra's allowed for lots of planning, and we both agreed in waiting to have kids for a few years. We wanted to enjoy those first few years alone and just enjoy each others company.

From the start we always said "We're on the 5 year plan!"
My mother always replied with.."I hope that doesn't work out for you!"
As an only child, my parents have been anxiously waiting the last 3 years for grandchildren.
Looks like my mom got that wish, as we are two years shy of our "plan"

If I have learned anything about becoming parents, it's that you are never REALLY ready.
There is no set time, no way to prepare completely.

This first trimester has kicked my you know what!
I thought pregnancy would be all butterflies, and baby talk. Full of yummy foods, and cute maternity clothes. Little did I know it would consist of all day "morning sickness", exhaustion like I've never felt, and no bump at all! Just bloating :)

Whoever decided to name the nausea attacks "morning sickness" was seriously mistaken. I know every woman and every pregnancy is different. So as my first, I am already looking forward to my second hoping this portion is smoother. I have tried all the tricks in the books from saltine crackers, ginger, preggie pops, eating small frequent meals like a toddler, and natural remedies. Nothing seemed to be doing the trick. I decided to seek help from my doctor who prescribed me two medications, the second after the first wasn't working for 3 weeks. I have been on the second medication for a couple days now and it has helped the most so far of everything I have tried, but
I still can't go a day without barring my face in the toilet.

My husband always jokes with the doctor and family whenever someone asks how tired I am. He rants about how I was a "napper" before pregnancy so you can only imagine me now! I have to admit, he is kinda right. But you will never catch me complain about this symptom. I am taking advantage of all this sleep, while I still can!!

As it is still too early to determined the gender of the baby, every day is a guessing game.
I have done the Chinese gender calculator, compared my symptoms to all the old wives tales, tied my wedding bands to a string and dangled them over my belly, and gone over possible baby names a million times!
We are planning on doing a gender reveal party next month with our immediate family and close friends! So stay tuned if you are just as anxious as we are!

I am coming to the end of my first trimester and am looking forward to see what the second brings! Praying that bump I've always dreamt of rocking! Through the good and the bad, I am so blessed to be able to be carrying a child. I know so many woman can't...and my heart truly breaks for them.
Everyone should be able to experience this journey...

The Day I Discovered You

SUNDAY JULY 6TH, 2014

Wow.
What a whirl wind this whole day has been.
Started out like an ordinary Sunday.
The hubby and I woke up, got ready, made our way to church with our usual stop at starbucks.
I Normally get a Venti iced black tea and occasionally banana nut bread.
This morning I was feeling extra hungry and went for a bagel with cream cheese and my tea!

Church was amazing, as always.
We have found a home in a new church in New Albany, Ohio
where we lived shortly after married life. We look forward to our Sundays.

Afterwards we stopped by a store at Easton so the hubby could exchange something.
I waited in the car and just played on my phone. I was starting to feel a little nauseous.
But this didn't seem out of the norm for me, as I get car sick easily.

Headed home, and had a great talk about planning a family and parenting beliefs.
I was 11 days late, and didn't think much of this either, as I am always irregular.

(yeah look at me missing all the sings)

But we decided I should probably call the gyno in AM to see about our options since we
were officially trying to get pregnant. The hubby told me to take a test today, since that would be the first thing they are going to ask!

As he left for work, I Kissed him goodbye and headed to the grocery store.

Got everything on our list and the pregnancy test!
Remember thinking to myself as it was scanned at the register
"aw I will have to think of something cute to do tonight to surprise Levi when he gets home
to tell him were PREGNANT!" quickly shaking that thought away and laughing at myself saying.."I'm not pregnant"

Got home, took the test and laid it flat like instructions say.
I have taken test's before due to scares and usually look right away.
But this time, I turned it over and walked into the kitchen to unload grocery's.

I got distracted by telling a friend I was waiting on test results. We got caught up in the moment and excitement and I forgot to check the test for a little while. I went back to it finally, and it was clear as can be ...... PLUS SIGNSSS FOR DAYS!

I quickly call the friend back and started crying!
She squealed and said she was on her knees praying the entire time!

I jumped for joy, and cried some more, and then said "crap I have to call my mom"

My mom answered the phone and I said " you are going to be a grandma!" she couldn't even form sentences, as she was eager to be a grandma!

She barley said much more before saying "Pee on another one, I'm coming over" and hanging up without even saying goodbye!

We cried, and hugged! Once the excitment had died down a little, we headed to the store to buy some things to make that "surprise" I had initially thought about so that once the hubby got home from work I could shower him with the good news.

......Its now 10:30 pm, he is on his way home, and I am sitting here very impatiently lol.

I have already began pinning my life away! & according to all the apps in the world and usual estimating procedures, I am almost 6 weeks pregnant and "Baby Ing" is the size of an Appleseed!

I can't describe the emotions I am feeling.
I can promise you this has not even sunk in yet!

So enjoy this photo of How Levi will find out, while I keep processing all this excitement!