36 weeks.

We'll get to the big 3-6 in a minute...

Right now I'd like to focus on 27.

Happy 27th Birthday to my husband, my best friend, the love of my life, father of my daughter, the taker out of the trash, the snorer, the jokester, the best man in the whole wide world! I'm so glad you're mine.

photo cred: Through Her Looking-Glass Photography

I won't get all mushy here, I have a card for him with all that kind of stuff.

TODAY IS ROB'S GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!
27 on the 27th.


This weekend we spent a lot of time eating out and about. Per Rob's request, we took a day trip over to Charlottesville and went to a couple of our favorite restaurants, and explored a few more wineries and breweries.

First we went to The Shebeen Pub & Braii. It's THE COOLEST South African Pub. The place is just brilliant. The food is amazing. So different. So tasty. So well done!
I couldn't have the Key Lime Pie Martini like I did last time (which is to die for) but I'm already planning a trip back in the fall to enjoy that!

Lord have mercy this food is AMAZE!

Then we went off to Starr Hill brewery just outside the city. Rob wanted to check it out and do a tasting. The outside of the building was... shady. Inside, the place was hoppin' and Rob really enjoyed the beer. I really enjoyed the water. It's always good to support your local brewers! It's really cool to see local guys doing what they love. You should check one out near you!

Starr Hill Brewery

Next we headed out to Blenheim Vineyards. We've been out on the VA wine trails before but somehow missed this gem the past couple times. This particular winery is owned by Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band, a Charlottesville, Virginia native. The place was GORGEOUS. It had an amazing view of the vineyards and mountains in the distance. Rob did a wine tasting here, too and said the wine was some of the best, ever. Next time we're in the area I'm packing a picnic and posting up here for the day. I did not want to leave!

this ham loves to model

On our way back into Charlottesville city center, we stumbled upon Trump Vineyards.. a mere half mile from Blenheim. We just wanted to stop in and see the property since Rob had already done a tasting of their wines at the Fork n Cork a few weeks ago. Boy, were we glad we stopped! The place was very quaint, very clean. and had a stunning view of the mountains. I was expecting it to be some big, overdone, estate but was pleasantly surprised at how well done everything was. Nice, but understated. Just a beautiful setting & good Virginia wine, or so I hear -_-

    

gorgeous view!

Dinner was served at The Virginian. Our second favorite Cville restaurant after Shebeen. The food is just SO good. If you're in the area and want to stop in, it's practically right across the street from the Rotunda on UVA campus. Order the stumble down mac n cheese. Thank me later.

crab cake sammie & fried chicken. welcome to the south.

Wow, it looks like all we did was eat & drink. ACCURATE.

minus the drinking, for me, obviously.

Overall, the birthday boy had a great weekend complete with German Chocolate Cake and, since it just so happens to be Memorial Day, the day off!

He is used to sharing his birthday with the holiday and always makes an effort to take time and pray for those who this day is all about. Thank you, Armed Forces your families for all your sacrifices. Thank you especially, to those in our own families who have served and sacrificed! We are so grateful.

God Bless You.

onto baby things...

36 and I am tired.

And ready for this little girl to be here already!

The full moon did not induce labor as I was hoping, but I have been having plenty of Braxton Hicks.

Twice-weekly NSTs are still going great. We had a 36 week growth ultrasound and finally got some 4D imaging. Biggest surprise? This little girl looks like her DADDY! She still has a few more weeks to cook so hopefully there's a little time for my genes to kick in ;) JOKING.

**green eyes green eyes green eyes**

She weighs in at an estimated 6.5 pound already and has some pretty chubby cheeks!

our sweet girl at 36 weeks.

She always kicks when Rob is close to me, like she can feel his presence or something. Whenever he puts his hand on my belly she starts to kick, almost like she's saying 'hi'. It is the weirdest, sweetest thing. Rob loves it, of course. He can't wait to meet his little girl. He even calls her his 'princess' ... so I guess that makes me the Queen ;)

Cravings: Chocolate.

Lots of it. hence, the German Chocolate Cake for "Rob's birthday" ;)

Misses: Wine

Can a girl get a glass of Pinot, please?

xox

   Riley

35 weeks.

thirty-five! eek! getting so close!

Sorry we are a little behind on blogs these past few weeks... life is crazy right now!

We are busy busy busy getting ready for Rowan and trying to be outside as much as possible enjoying the beautiful Virginia spring weather!

so long, midwest! 

I hope all the mamas out there had a great Mother's Day! I celebrated my first Mother's Day, too! Even though I haven't given birth..yet... I was not going to say 'no' to a nice brunch and well wishes from friends and family. I spent the whole day thinking of my own mommy and wishing her a happy day in Heaven <3

mom & me 1991

We also worked a little the nursery; It's really starting to come along nicely. We're doing the best we can to make it our/her own in our little apartment :) I just love sitting in her room among her things and trying to imagine how different it will be when she is finally here! Here's a sneak peek or two:

daddy loves rfw

mommy loves rfw .. & maxi dresses!

this is def NOT Rob giving me a foot massage... ;)!
unaware that I am capturing this moment with my sweet sweet man <3

In other baby-related news, we have our meet and greet with our pediatrician next week and some more OB appointments coming up... including our 36 week ultrasound! Maybe we will finally get our 4D picture!? Weight gain still at bay at 21 pounds gained.. which reminds me: is anyone willing to lend me their insanity/p90x dvds? Please? :) I have Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred but I like to mix things up a bit.

 I have been going into the OB office twice a week for NSTs. I guess that is normal High Risk Pregnancy protocol. We've been very blessed to continue to get GREAT news this far. She is doing beautifully- as am I. It is remarkable how smoothly everything has gone throughout the pregnancy - I sure hope I'm able to say the same about labor & delivery!

Thank You to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts & prayers!

Cravings: nothing specific

but I'm still constantly hungry ... :)

Misses: SMC

I cannot believe it's been a whole year since my fellow 2012 SMC Belles and I graduated from undergrad! 

What a crazy, busy, wondeful, world-turned-upside-down year it has been! All the posts from the 2013 smick chicks made me so nostalgic. Cheers to the good ole days and congratulations to all the new alumnae!

xox 

    Riley

34 weeks.

Do you hear that? Those are wedding bells.

Congratulations to these two love birds on getting HITCHED last weekend!

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Williams

photo by: Heather Kessler Photography

GORGEOUS couple, right?!

I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures! Rob and I were unable to make it to our friends' beautiful, romantic, perfect, Wisconsin wedding on account of our unborn daughter and timing with the pregnancy :(  Alyssa and Ben were so graceful and understanding. My heart was in pieces for missing out on it (worst bridesmaid EVER). But I did get these messages from the bride t-minus 30 minutes before her wedding:

the bride loves me! my last texts from Alyssa Perez

I also got the "I'm getting in the car to go to the church and get married!" phone call. My puffy pregnant eyes swelled with big tears. We had been playing phone tag for weeks and were both so busy, I wasn't going to call on the wedding day because I knew she would be SO busy, but sent plenty of texts to make sure she knew I was thinking of her (and had some help from a bridal party member sending me pictures throughout the getting ready stages - thanks Mary!) ; in the midst of her big day she called me for the last time as Alyssa Perez. 

What a woman. What a stunning bride. 

Hope you're having an AMAZING time in Jamaica, love <3 ;)

In other news, we had our weekly OB appointment this week. Everything looks good, still, unbelievably. Kidney function is great, baby is healthy, and we couldn't be more blessed.

Yesterday I received my very first Mother's Day gifts from my sweet, sweet, Mother-in-law.

Mother's Day? Me?

Mother's Day is not an easy "holiday" for me. With the passing of my own mother still a fresh 4 years ago it's an annual sobering reminder of the loss me, Katie, & Molly have suffered.  The day isn't all bad; It is also an opportunity to reflect on the good times we shared and celebrate the time we were able to spend with her.The wound won't ever fully heal, and we miss her every day, but we are blessed with so many maternal companions in Mother Mary,  our grandmothers, our stepmother, my mother-in-law, and so many mothers of friends who have occasionally taken us under their wings.

As I embark on my own mother-daughter relationship, I am so grateful to have the support of these women in the physical absence of my mom. I know the love my mom showed me while growing up is ingrained in my heart and I will be able to share that same love with Rowan. That gives me so much peace.

Hurry up, little love! Your daddy and I can't wait to meet you <3

Happy (early) Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! 

Cravings: Taco Bell

I love T Bell. We rarely eat fast food. Like, never. But we've made a few stops there the past few days.

BAD, I know. I'll stop. I'm just so hungry.... 

Misses: Chick Beer

Yeah, Labatt, Ultra, Miller 64, you get me..

xox

    Riley

33 weeks.

20 pounds. 20! 

With 5-6 weeks to go. 5-6 weeks of more intense cravings and an insane appetite. And I just started gaining weight at like 23 weeks! This is not looking good for beach season, folks. Alas, c'est la vie.

Nothing new at this week's OB appointment. I had my first NST where they track the baby's heartbeat for 20 minutes; everything looked good! Praise God! STILL no 4D picture :/ Last week the office was STILL waiting for the part replacement for the machine for that to work. It's in now - but we're not due for another ultrasound til about 36 weeks. HOWEVER, we did get THIS shot of her little nose & lips! You can kind of see some chubby cheeks here, too :) 

I have been working on the nursery, little by little. Still looking for a small dresser to get a little extra storage for all her cute clothes! Once we find that, we can finalize furniture arrangements and  finally hang wall art. With the white walls, we want to decorate as much as we can without over-doing it.

Rob had an old cork board from his childhood room and I had some doilies left over from our wedding. I also had some prints I'd been been saving to do some sort of gallery wall. But in the spirit of not "over doing it" and "using what we have" I decided to stud the board with some of the prints to do one of my favorite things - make a collage! 

Collage I made for the nursery!

Cravings: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Yes, same ole peanut butter. Under normal circumstances, I think pretzels are the world's lamest snack. But covered in dreamy milk chocolate they are divine. Just like most anything covered in chocolate, I suppose.

Misses: Not Feeling Like A Whale

I mean, I've always been a little chubby, but this is just outta control! I can't wait for JM's 30 Day Shred when this is all over.

xox

    Riley

Stork & Cork

Ok ok, it's actually the Fork & Cork. But being 8 months pregnant at a wine affair - we dubbed it Stork & Cork. Clever, no?! I was Rob's built-in designated driver while he got to sample wines from the great state of VA. It was cool, still, even though I couldn't participate in the tastings themselves.  They had 16 wineries from all over Virginia plus boutiques, restaurant tents, and all that jazz. We tend to stick to the wineries in the Charlottesville area, so it was neat to see more of the state represented at the event.  I can't wait for next year so I can try my fair share of Virginia wines.

cheers -_-

xox

   Riley

April Pinspiration

I am a self-proclaimed Pinterest addict. 

Like many girls, I find all kinds of great style and design ideas, recipes, craft/DIY ideas, articles, book suggestions, party ideas, organizational tips, exercises, gift ideas, words of wisdom, etc.

I often browse through my own pin boards to get inspired and work on something that had sparked my interest: a new recipe, a mantra for the week, a simple craft, a neat design, or just something that makes me smile. 

I have decided to share some of my favorite pins of the month in a monthly Top 10 list. 

Here's hoping you get a little inspired, too :)

Here are my Top 10 April Pins:

Audrey. The Woman. The Legend.

I cannot get enough. She is so much more than the trendy, college, Breakfast at Tiffany's poster.

More than the impeccable style icon.

A real lady & role model of class.

 These represent me: where I'm at right now in life, style, &  perspective.

1. Paris: The memories I hold so dear to my heart. This beautiful walkway and building remind me of my special time in the city & that any place can be a palace - even a little apartment in Virginia - if you can appreciate the beauty and blessings in your own life. ( It also helps if you're in love <3)  Doing what we can, where we are, with what we have to the best of our abilities has been such a journey. We are proud of our little life.

2. Audrey. At it again. Maybe I'm watching Roman Holiday & My Fair Lady too much. I just love this quote. I couldn't agree more. I have always valued a great sense of humor. Luckily, laughs are frequent in our home as we figure out marriage and prepare for our baby. Blessed to have married my very best friend. 

3. I am just in love with this Jen Aniston look right now. I dig the long, dirty blonde locks and subtle tan. I love the bare neck and sweetheart neckline with the statement earrings. Simple. Sexy. Style. It also serves as post-baby work out inspiration!  

4. Precious baby girl! And ruffles! As I prepare for impending motherhood, the excitement continues to climb at the anticipation of finally meeting her!  I imagine her with such grace and innocence - a true dream come true. I am not naive of the inescapable years of dirty diapers and sleep deprivation, I just want to make sure to get the most out of those special moments that pass so quickly.

These represent my style and design inspirations this month. 

1. Sigh. Champagne. I miss you. I miss you making me feel sophisticated. But I really love the neutrals and lace with gold & bright pastel accents. 

2. Love the simple, feminine, fresh look of this living room. Love exposed brick. Love the crisp, white, trim. Love the soft pinks and purples. Love the stack of Cupcakes & Cashmere on the table. Got mine in the mail a few weeks ago and adore her. Anyways, I am keeping this look in mind as we work on Rowan's nursery.

3. Flowers. I never thought I'd have faux flowers in my home, but, alas. Luckily, I've been able to find some quality silk flowers to make our home a little spring-y. Hydrangeas are shaping up to be a favorite of mine: reasonable cost, full bodied, soft & elegant. 

4. Anchors. I really like the symbolism of the anchor. & of course, I love my little ship chick at ND.

I would put an anchor on everything if I could.

This applies to all months, years, days, & hours.

"Am I ready?"

"Are we ready?"

"What if..?"

Trust.

xox

    Riley

32 weeks.

That's EIGHT full months of pregnancy. EIGHT. 

She'll be here before we know it! We still have so much to do in so little time! 

• work on the nursery
• take a birthing class
• figure out the car seat
• meet with pediatrician 
• get a quality camera (to capture those moments that pass too quickly!)

etc., etc.

Luckily, we have had PLENTY of help preparing for our little one. All our families and friends have shared in our excitement and given us all kinds of clothes, diapers, medicines, bath items, gift cards, nursery furniture, music, toys, books, good advice, guidance, and so so SO much more.

In fact, my co-workers and friends in Virginia SURPRISED me with an adorable baby shower this weekend. I really was not expecting it at all - I showed up in my sweatpants -_- Eileen had asked if Rob and I would come babysit the kids for an hour or so while she and her husband ran to do some errands. I was all ready to go when Rob said:

"Um, I want to take you some place after we're done watching the kids... could you put on some real clothes?"

Quite A little perturbed, I replied: 

"This is all I fit into, I'm going to get spit up on anyways, and I don't need to hear it from you that I cannot zip up my jeans, okay?"

Ouch. Sorry, Love. 

It turns out, he was just looking out for me - and I should have listened. I was prettttty embarrassed being the guest of honor at the party in stretch pants and a t-shirt. Oops! It didn't ruin the time though, the ladies were glad I was comfortable and we had a great time. I cannot believe Rob knew about it and didn't spill the beans/I didn't find out. Rowan was, of course, spoiled again - and so was I. We are so blessed. 

Thank you, ladies!

so cute!

beautiful set up

The second highlight of the week was my successful trip to TJ Maxx! I found all these things for under $20! That basket included! I am so excited for those fresh herbs to start growing! They look so cute on our window sill - will post pictures when there's something to see :)

Maxxinista 

We have our weekly OB appointment tomorrow - including our 32 week ultrasound with the possibility of a 4D picture! We are SO excited. Praying we continue to get good news and a sneak peak at what she looks like.

It's incredible how much she has developed at this point. If she were born right now, although premature, she would most likely do very well! 

You can read up on babies at 32 weeks here, if you feel like it :)

Cravings: Cheese & Chocolate Cake & Citrus

Not together, though.

It's that time of year again: warmer weather = lemon & lime flavored treats!

( key lime bars <3 )

Yeah, remember when I made that "nightmare" chocolate cake from scratch... buttermilk, double layered, ganache frosted, etc... It's all gone :) Now I'm looking for a good brownie recipe...

Misses: Wine

The Blacksburg Fork and Cork is this weekend and I SO BADLY want to participate! Wineries from all over Virginia (Including Trump) come and you can do tastings and eat yummy appetizers and have all sorts of fun. Not Sober Sally over here- but I'll go for the food :)

xox

   Riley

P.S. my girl is already gearing up for football season! :)