Saying Bye to this blog!

It's been fun, it's been real...but you can now catch me over at www.hottmessmommie.com

September Wish List & A fun Swap!!

Per the usual.. today's nap time has been spent pinning. In my defense though, I did clean the kitchen in its' entirety this morning while Ollie played in his high chair with his new favorite toys; Spatulas. Easy kid. I love it. 

Here's a few of my favorite things.. things that I probably need to own. Just sayin. 

via Bourbon&Boots

 Johnny Cash.. what a smart man. At $42 bones..I do believe my neck needs to see this little love in the near future.

via Rachel Roy

People Love You bangle by Rachel Roy.
What a sweet little reminder to look down at !
 

via Tory Burch

 The Robinson Satchel by Tory Burch. No words needed. Lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve

 How cute is this?! I could probably make it myself, but then again I've got a weird thing with the smell of burlap (puke) so maybe I shouldn't.. hmmmmmm... 




You can find this little cutie @ ModernRusticGirl's Etsy shop.

EVIL EYE EVIL EYE EVIL EYE. I love them all but I'm gonna go with the tan one being my favorite. Oh etsy..you did it again.

via BeMeJewellery

via The Mitten State

Errrr Duh. 

We Remember

Never Forget This Day..

Summer Recap

Hi friends! I've been so MIA from my blog for months, it's sad..but I'd like to think I'm just leaving some mystery to your imaginations..no? neglect? okay, I can live with that.

Needless to say the summer has been crazy busy and fun! To start where I last left off...

We took a family vacation to NYC to spend Father's day with our friends Sarah & Bob and their 3 children. We did a bunch of touristy things (Statue of Liberty, CRAZY subway rides, 9/11 Memorial, Girls night out @ Serendipity) and a lot of hanging out and just enjoying good conversation over great coffee. I can't say I was a huge fan of the city itself (which probably is attributed to my high anxiety postpartum and the insane amount of people flinging towards me with zero care that I had an infant strapped to my chest) but there were so many magical places to explore and I have a feeling if I would have visited back in my single days I would have lived there.

July was mainly spent focusing on Oliver, which is my favorite way to spend my time :) Lots of playing, walks around the neighborhood and his new favorite thing..TV. I said I'd never be THAT mother but hey when a 30 minute tv show about colorful and hilarious bubble guppies ensures that mama is awake the entire day (aka coffee and breakfast) I'm down. Oliver and I spent most of July in Missouri while Tom had a month long training TDY in Richmond. Grammie and Grampie and Aunt Gigi were all very very busy during our stay but we still loved seeing them and I know they loved seeing us, even at 3 am when I would stumble into the kitchen to make Ollie a bottle.... right Erica? :) Only one pic from this trip, my iphone took a tumble down the stairs one night..OOPS! Wish we lived closer, we really miss you guys! Missing my friend Terra too...

August.. I'm not even sure where to start with this one. Oliver turning 6 months, Tom super busy with work..and as for me.. August was the month where I finally found myself again. Being pregnant and having a baby all while settling into a new home in a new state, with a relatively new marriage is rough on anyone. Throw in a bad case of post partum depression and clinical anxiety and you have the last year of my life. Don't get me wrong, sister loves her sweatpants and yoga pants but I was NEVER the girl who went out of the house looking like a hot mess. This past month, reason basically unknown.. I've finally started getting back to the old me. Makeup, hair, giving two shits about how I look has really been important to me. I missed it, and I am SO thankful to have that back. My "star" has finally peeked out from behind it's dark cloud!

Enough about me..

Oliver is almost 7 months old. SEVEN. How does that even happen? They, whoever THEY are..weren't lying when they say time flies when you have a baby. It's been the most sleepless..coffee filled..BEST time of my life and I am so grateful to God that he chose me to be this little boy's mama. You truly don't know love until you have a child, does this mean I want more? Ask me in about 5 years. HA! 

My sweet boy is topping the charts for growth at a whopping 32 inches, 20 lbs. Tall and skinny.. just like his Aunt G! He's crawling, says mama/dada/baba and is working on the word bubble. Thanks bubble guppies ;) He also is pulling up, standing up and grabbing onto anything that gives him a better view of his surroundings and even tried to take a step on his own last week. I'm in trouble my friends.

This is turning into a novel and that's not exactly what I intended it to be but one last thing. Last weekend the world lost a great great man and my heart hasn't stopped aching for his family and any single person he has known.. If you follow me on facebook you've probably seen my posts and status updates regarding this tragic loss.. Please pray for his family and friends. Blaine was laid to rest today and I know it in my heart he's not RESTING at all :) I am so blessed to have known you, even if you kicked my ass at guitar hero and made me cry over you a few times (ha ha) and I can't wait to see you again Blaine.

Please view the memorial video below.. All proceeds will go to the Blaine Whitworth Memorial Scholarship. You can not only see but truly feel the impact Blaine had on the lives of many.. 

                                                "A heart so big God couldn't let it live"

                                                                Rest in peace my friend..

-S

I'm Still Here..

Don't have much time to catch up, but I'll sum up our lives in a few sentences.

Oliver is long.
Oliver has grown out of 5 sizes of clothing since birth, 4 diaper sizes (NB-Size 3).
Tom works a lot.
Sleep is actually among us (thank you sweet boy).
Anyone looking to adopt 2 sweet doggies?
We are ready to move back into the city.
Traveling to NYC Father's Day weekend won't make ^  any better.
Oliver's FIRST TOOTH made it's appearance yesterday :) Early teething= kind of fun..mostly not.
I need more Starbucks.
I hate summer and the heat.

anddddd of course a sweet pic to keep you hanging till next time (which probably will be in a month..or 6 knowing me)...

Afternoon nap with Sophie :)

Introducing Mr. Oliver Stone

It's been quite the past month and a half (almost two months..oops) here in Sarah land. I left off here on the blog taking a break to enjoy the last few weeks of being US before becoming mommy and daddy. I don't have time at the moment for a full fledged birth story but I'll run down the basics.

Around the 6th of February I started having pretty regular contractions. We're not talking Braxton Hicks (although those were much more fun) but we're talking the full on..real..you're about to have a baby contractions. Anddd they hurt. BADLY.

After multiple trips to L&D (at this time I was fully effaced but eternally stuck at 1cm) I hit a huge brick wall I like to call OVER IT. Yep. I was over it. Over the pain, over the false alarms, over the nurses in L&D giving me that look of "her again" each time my Dr. sent me in to be monitored and most of all over NOT having my baby yet going through all the pain for no apparent reason. As you can imagine it was a very trying and stressful week. I needed to decompress. So I did, we did. Stayed off of Facebook because let's face it..as pregnant as I was at that time people heckling me and constantly asking questions was the LEAST desirable thing life could have offered me. We enjoyed walks..movie nights..dinner dates and of course the hysterical tactics to attempt to "induce" labor even though I had been in non-progressing labor for what felt like YEARS. Anyhoo.

Fast forward 10 days.

We spent the day as we normally would, me at home sulking over Lifetime movies and Ellen, and Tom at work. That evening I decided I wanted to test out the jumping jack theory. Yes, I did jumping jacks..military style. Tom had to teach me how because frankly I can't remember ever doing them before in my life. That was a sight to see I'm sure. Believe it or not..the belly and extra 60 pounds actually made me MORE balanced. I knocked those puppies out of the park. We did about 50. Tom nearly died, but that is neither here nor there. After the jumping jacks I had a few contractions that were related more to my front than my back like the one's I'd previously been having so I decided to take it a step FURTHER. I crawled. Like a dog. Everywhere I went the rest of the night. Let me tell you..if you decide to attempt this pregnant or not pregnant for whatever reason, I suggest staying OFF hardwood floors..or investing in a good set of knee pads. LOVELY.

All of that sounds insane, and it was ..but it worked. 2:30 ish that next morning I woke up to KILLER contractions. We headed into L&D and were hooked up to be monitored. Basically notta was happening..typical. BUT my blood pressure just so happened to skyrocket..sooooo...INDUCTION it was :)

After 48 hours of pitocin (which wasn't as evil as people make it out to be).... I gave birth to the most beautiful little boy in the world. 7 pounds 2 ounces and 21.75 inches of the besttttt thing that could have EVER happened to me and to us.

Oliver Stone Centeno

 

My sweet little boy is almost 6 weeks old already..weighs in at 10 pounds 2 oz as of his one month birthday, and is a whopping 24 inches long! 

Hopefully, between nap times and diaper changes I'll find a way to come back here and write about our lives and how Oliver is growing and thriving :)

 

oh and ps.. sorry for any name confusion..butttt when you know you know ;) definitely an Oliver through and through! 

Thanks for all the love and support!!!

-S

How I Spent My Week

I definitely enjoyed my "time off" relaxing with Tom and the puppies. We didn't really do much of anything beyond a crazy day of house cleaning, work on the playroom and lots of puppy snuggling! Just how I like to spend my time :)  Among those lovely things I found out I have severe anemia, which is common in pregnancy, and am now taking a lovely iron supplement daily in addition to my prenatal vitamin. I had my 36 (almost 37..in two days) week doctor's appointment and little man is measuring almost 39 WEEKS! Holy COW! I may be giving birth to a linebacker here folks. We shall see. This was based off of my fundal height (top of the uterus) which they measure at each appointment. He's definitely jumped the scale I do believe and that probably explains why I feel like I do. Constant pressure, constant pain..and a heck of a lot of stretch marks :) On the plus side though, and this was a huge shocker to me as I've been eating like a frat boy, I finally LOOKED at the scale yesterday at the doctor's office. I've been closing my eyes each weigh in as I don't want to fixate on the number itsself, but she said it out loud yesterday so I had no choice but to know/look. I HAVEN'T GAINED A SINGLE POUND IN 4 WEEKS!!!! How cool/ strange is that?! I was thrilled! And then immediately wanted ice cream hahha :)

Anyways. I don't have much to say (our taxes STILL aren't done..oopsie) so I will leave you with some pictures from the past week ! Oh and btw..where did winter go? It's BEAUTIFUL here in central VA today!

THIS my friends is my favorite :) Up in the playroom (yes I realize my child won't USE the playroom on his own for years, but we still wanted a place to keep all the baby/kid toys and paraphernalia) Tom painted whiteboard paint and then framed out with some trim which he handpainted AND hand stenciled. He is so crafty sometimes I don't even know what to do with him. Those are crabs (EOD Insignia). He printed off a picture of a crab online, cut it out with his exacto knife, and painted them in ! Homemade stencil! He then hand drew the eyes, shell separation and added a red back to each crab. He is pretty awesome. Our son is a lucky little dude! And so am I :)

Tom adding a scoreboard he made from whiteboard paint and trim, for his dart board in the game room!

Loving on her wittle brother :)

YAY! One of our Christmas presents from my parents. They never used this pool table so dad drove it up to us here in VA from MO during the holiday! WE LOVE IT ! And Tom is GOOD.

36 and some change. Measuring 39 weeks. he's low..and he's large. And there's my stretch marks in all their glory.

Black hurrr, don't currrr. Finally back to my "normal" hair. Never let me go blonde again. Just not do-able with a baby.

Taking a bit of a break!

With baby time being JUST around the corner (induction date is literally 22 days away..and my "hunch" for when little man is going to come on his own is less than 10), I've decided to take a tinyyy break this week from the blog world. I've got to pack our hospital bags (STILL..hello procrastination), spend a little one on one with the pupps and Tom and file our dreaded taxes. Yuck.

BUT I will soon be back hopefully next week with some progress..cross your fingers..and good news from the doc! Little dude better stay put until the 1st because mama's got a hair appointment. You hear that in there peanut?

-S

Saxton's Nursery Reveal :)

It is FINALLY complete :) After many months, inspiration boards, hours spent on etsy..pinterest..and other websites for ideas and products..and longggggggg hours of actually executing it all..it is finally done :) 

I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do! It was so much fun and I can't wait to spend hours upon hours in there with our little man. For any questions on where we got what items, please feel free to ask! Some things were DIY, but most were purchased and with the help of all of my creative minded friends (thank you Nicole, Danielle, Amber and Laura for all your opinions and to my Momma for making the curtains) the styling is exactly what I had envisioned! 

Enjoy !

It's all ready for you little boy!!! Whenever you are....

Dear Me, Circa 2009

 Today I'm trying to do a little self-help sesh after a minor breakdown in front of the mirror last night. After taking my 35 week photo, I posted it on Facebook. There should be a warning on your Facebook app that says "Do not scroll through old photos of your pre-pregnant self. Self inflicted pain may follow!" 

Ay yi yi was it a rude awakening. 

Pregnancy isn't beautiful for everyone. I truly wish I could be one of the "lucky" ones who wakes up on d-day with zero stretch marks, and maybe 20 pounds gained but I am far from that. My stomach feels and looks like it's been attacked by a jungle creature with talons, my face is nearly unrecognizable to myself anymore due to the swelling and extra fluid/weight I'm carrying around, and my small waist is no longer able to be found. Wow. I sound pretty superficial and shallow, maybe I am or maybe I'm finally realizing just how good I once had it. I always thought of myself as the "chubby" girl in the room. I've got a love for food and eating, and bread has and always probably will be my vice. I don't love the gym, or working out..and would rather burn calories by running errands during the day or running around the mall shopping vs. running on a treadmill. I used to seriously think I was hideous, overweight and disgusting. I would never wear swimsuits and if I did I made sure it was to a place like the lake or a pool party where 99% of the people would be just drunk enough not to notice the cellulite on the backs of my legs. Sad isn't it? Wake up call old me..you were skinny. Yes. Skinny. May not have been 100 pounds or as skinny as your roommates BUT you were healthy, beautiful..and had an awesome body. 

So. That brings me to today. I woke up and after spending 5 minutes hoisting myself out of bed and looking in the mirror I decided I'd take some time to write myself a letter. I realize this letter will never make it back to the good ol' days (where the heck is time travel, its 2012?!) but the me of today needs to read it. Maybe this will serve as some motivation for post-baby or maybe it will serve me best at this moment to be able to look back and reflect on how things used to be..and be grateful, since I wasn't back then.

*I will preface this letter by saying I am trying my hardest to embrace the "beauty" of pregnancy. My baby boy is an amazing blessing, and this self image issue that I'm dealing with is only part of the process of getting him here. It is worth it but sometimes..you just need to cry it out a little. Pass no judgement. I am willing to bet each and every one of you reading this has dealt with body image issues at least once in your life. Maybe you should write yourself a letter as well :)*

 1/19/2012

Dear Me,                                                                                                                              

As I sit here now, on the brink of being 9 months pregnant with your first child (how weird is that to say?), I thought it'd be appropriate to write you a letter. I wish I could literally send this back through time so you can appreciate who you, and how you feel while you are reading this. Pregnancy does absolutely amazing and terrifying things to your body and I wish I could slap your mouth each time you spew a "I'm so fat" or any other comment related to how hideous you think your body is. Every single thing you find wrong with yourself.. all an illusion. I know this sounds insane, and it is, but please know that you are beautiful. You may not be a size zero, or be six foot like your supermodel sister..but you've got it SO good my dear. If you could see the stretch marks on your stomach NOW, the size of your butt, the number on the scale and most definitely the feeling of your thighs rubbing together..I promise you you'd feel like Heidi Klum. Image isn't everything, but being healthy in your body..and in your mind..is. This pregnancy has been a huge struggle for me deep down. Each day when I get up and see a new tiger stripe on my belly, boobs, thighs and virtually anywhere that skin is (yes..everywhere) I feel like the most hideous thing in the world. It is all MORE than worth it to be bringing a life and child into the world and into your soon to be family, but it is a daily struggle. Body image issues are something I thought I dealt with in the past, but in reality it was never bad at all. This letter may make zero sense to anyone who hasn't been here before, where I stand (sit) today, but it makes sense to me..and if I could send this back a few years to you I hope you'd understand as well. You look amazing.. you feel amazing..and the person we are today here in 2012 is SO anxious to get back to the 2009 Sarah (body wise anyways). Never take it for granted!

Love, 

Me

TAG, I'm it :) and You're NEXT! !

It's going around in bloggy town. Are you it?

I've been tagged by Hannah, make sure you check her out, she is one of my dear friends and her little Miss J is too cute for words!

So here are 'The Rules'...

1. You must post the rules. (and then break or create your own)

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post. ( I am choosing to NOT do this too!)

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven (or a couple)new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag eleven (or a couple) a few other people and link them on your post.

5. Let them know you've tagged them! 

 

 

My Questions from Hannah :

1. If you could have any job in the world what would it be?  
    Oh my my. That's a tough one. As much as I LOVE my "job" as housewife and soon to be stay at home mommy, I'd love to work in the PR field or be a lobbyist. Ya know..use my degree I paid a pretty penny to NOT finish haha ;)
    
2. Why did you start your personal blog?
     My blog was started to fill in family and friends near and far of our travels, life and adventures as first time parents! I also LOVE to follow lifestyles and DIY/home interiors blogs and hope to eventually bring more of these elements into my own blog for you to enjoy!
3. What is your biggest goal in life?
    My biggest goal in life is simply to be happy. I know many many people in this world who live their lives just going through the motions and I do not want to live mine like that. There are terrible days, we all have them, but the amazing days really make those worth it. Like I always say, "life isn't always swingsets and rainbows".
    
4. What is your biggest pet peeve?
    I love being able to rat out my husband ;) My biggest pet peeves are : The x-box. This thing causes most of our "fights" if you can even qualify them as that. It's his get-a-way from "real life" sort of like blogging is mine, but I'd love for a day where I could sit on the couch and not listen to him killing 12 year old boys in a war game all day! Anddd one more, also husband related (haha), I hate when he puts dishes in the sink and then fills them up to soak. For an example,  he's a  huge ramen noodle  fan (gross right?) and when he's done eating..he'll put the bowl into the sink and fill it up with water. Good idea in theory, but when I go to put it in the dishwasher (FOR HIM cough cough) I have to dump out the cold icky noodly smelling water and it makes me want to hurl. The end.
    
5. If you could invent anything in the world what would it be? Why?
    OOOO GOOD question. I'd invent a massive looped- handle that you can attach (without damaging the ceiling) above your bed so VERY pregnant women like myself can grab hold and hoist themselves out for the 10-12 bathroom trips we make in the middle of the night. Seriously, I sometimes have to wake up Tom to help me roll over. It's pathetic yet comical.
    
6. What do you like the most about yourself?
    My ability to be totally frustrated with things one moment, and laugh them off (usually to the point of delirious crying/snorting/peeing my pants) the next. I take things so seriously which is both good and bad, but usually have the ability to shake it off quickly.
    
7. What is your biggest weakness?
    CHOCOLATE.
    
8. If you were given 1 million dollars today, what would you do with it?
   Oh the things I could do with a wad that large. I'd start off by paying off our bills (mortgage, the credit card that we have to keep "good credit" etc), then I'd take all of our family on a massive vacation to somewhere luxurious. Oh and I'd probably buy a bunch of beautiful designer products and then hire a personal chef. Yep. I'll take that mill' at any time now :)

OKAY! Now.. It's my turn to TAG :)

I'm tagging these lovely ladies (and Jake) :

1.) Meredith & Jake @ Reilly and Copper

2.) Nicole @ This Little Momma

3.) Tara @ BabySova Blog

4.) Heather @ Motherhood, Makeup and Mashed Potatoes

5.) Leila @ My Barbarian Table

6.) Erin @ The Pike Family Blog

 

 

My Questions for y'all... 

1. If tomorrow were your last day on this earth, what would you eat, say, do and enjoy one last time..and with who?

2. What's your favorite blog to read this very second? (And no you don't get bonus points for saying mine!)

3. What's on your DVR recording list for this evening? 

4. What are your resolutions/goals for 2012?

5. What's your stance on pancakes ;) ?

6. Do you enjoy where you're life is right now? If not, what would you change and why?

7. What are you asking for/ getting your significant other for Valentine's day? Do you have big plans? 

8. When do you think my sweet baby boy will make his grand entrance? Date and weight guesses anyone?

Pregnant Pitty Party. Guest list, Me.

Expires on my Due Date! Which really is closer to the 16th now.

Today is one of those days. I've got my induction date (roundabout anyways) from the doctors and now I literally sit here and dwell on the time. The nursery is complete. The house, a waste to deep clean now with a messy husband and two furry dogs. Shopping, out of the question. Decorating and organizing the house, also..primarily done. So now I just sit. This place is miserable as it is in the middle of NO where. The weather isn't nice enough to go outside and walk without being bundled like a snowman, and my only friend here who I hang out with is also feeling the pregnant misery. I feel like a whale and LORD HAVE MERCY if I go through my Facebook pictures from oh..9 months ago I'm liable to cry myself into next week. Pregnancy changes your body in ways NO one ever likes to tell you upfront. All those people who can get by with "the glow" are full of shit. Oh and the "glow" is really SWEAT from hauling my fat rear end up and down the stairs all day. Yes.. one flight. I'm a mess.

Don't mind me..just chillin on the beach.

SO long story short. I'm bored. Annoyed with time going by so slow and feel like I can't enjoy the rest of my "alone" time because of my stinky mood. I know I know, those of you reading this who have been there done that are thinking..you'll miss this. I'm sure I will. What I won't miss? Not being able to eat a full meal without wanting to die of suffocation immediately after, getting up a million times during my "sleep" (HA) to pee 10 times because my child is using my bladder as a punching bag, not being able to walk up the stairs or heaven forbid even get out of BED in the mornings because my bones (in a not so special place) feel as if they could crumble and POOF into a dustball at any time.. and definitely MOST definitely won't miss the false labor/practice labor/NOT REAL LABOR contractions that decide to hit me in the back and stomach on an hourly basis.

Thank you for letting me vent. 

NOW. Onto brighter things.

(excuse the bi-polar feel of this post, this is my world folks..ain't always swingsets and rainbows)

Wanted to share with y'all a fun little blog my wedding planner Meredith and her husband Jake have started called Reilly and Copper! Mer (or LA MER as I like to call her) lives in Franklin, TN, near Nashville, and is as I said an event planner! Jake owns his own landscaping company called Elements of Eden, and the two little cuties have two fur babies Reilly and Copper. 

Jake, Meredith and Reilly (Copper is a new installation to the Zeller Fam)

They started this blog, which focuses on both lifestyle, DIY, various projects around their home and yard and the chronicles of their adorable doggies here recently. I'd love for you to go check them out and see all the fun things they do together :) I have to hand it to Meredith..if Tom were home all day everyday with me I'd probably be in jail..and there would DEFINITELY be one less x-box in the world ;)

Today Mer&Jake have put up one of their "Spark Boards" which is an inspiration board they create before doing any home projects and re-decorating to "Spark" some creative flow :) Catchy huh? 

Today at R&C they're showing off their most recent Spark Board for their living room re-do. The transformation is ABSOLUTELY amazing from when Meredith first lived in their home alone..to what it is today! Totally chic, elegant and very well put together.

You can see it here!!!

Anyhoo, head over and check them out..let them know that I sent you and subscribe to their feed!!! AWESOME stuff ;)

Reilly and Copper

For All My Stay At Home Mommy Friends :)

How Much is a Homemaker Worth?

PinAddict: Going Pinning Crazy !!

Here's a few things I've pinned recently! 

Sureeeee it doesn't LOOK like a lot, but then again I can't spend 10 hours on the blog today posting the oodle's of gems I find on a daily hourly basis! 

Enjoy ;)

Via Lemon Squeezy

Free Printable for those TERRIBLE parkers! I know we've got tons of "I suck at parking" offenders up here in the 'Gin! Definitely printing these asap.

Via Makeup Geek

 

 

MOROCCAN OIL! I loveeee this stuff. This whole "pregnant funk" I've been in the past oh..9 months has my hair looking scary. Note to self : Must order SOON!

Via The Little Giggler

YES. I will do this. I'm shocked my own Momma didn't/hasn't used this on my sister and I at all. Mom? Dad AND Erica (and all of your "adopted" children) should see this..at least once a week :)

DVF Chevron dress Via Atlantic-Pacific

Hello Lovely. I can't wait to wear real/cute/adorable/tight/SIZE ANYTHING BUT WHALE clothing. 

Dear Baby, Please weigh 10 pounds and take all of your 35 other "lb" friends with you on your way out? 

Love, Mom.