Things I’m Loving Friday
- A Precious Baby on the Way
I have been itching to share this news with you guys for months! My sister and her husband are expecting a baby at the end of September!!! (Their due date is September 25.) I know many of you have been reading this blog for years and followed Leslie and Ross’ relationship from their dating days and their engagement to their wedding and I am so thrilled to be able to share their excitement with all of you today. (For the new readers, Ross is Ryan’s best friend from college and a little spark began between Leslie and Ross at our wedding!) I cannot tell you how unbelievably happy our family and Ross’ family are about this little bundle of joy. To say this baby is already so loved and so deeply cherished is a huge understatement.
Leslie and Ross are going to be surprised by the sex of their baby which is incredibly exciting and I cannot wait to snuggle my new niece or nephew in a few short months! The family baby sprinkle I alluded to in Wednesday’s blog post is happening at my Aunt Laurie’s house in Raleigh this weekend but it’s really more of a baby shower for Leslie with a little sprinkling for our baby mixed in as well. I am so excited to celebrate Leslie and Ross’ little one and see my sister’s little baby bump again in person!
- Birthday Fun + My First SNS Manicure
Today is my birthday! Chase and I joined my mom and Aunt Laurie in Raleigh yesterday and my sister arrives in town late this morning so I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate my 33rd birthday with some of my favorite women and Chase! As an early birthday gift, my mom sent me off for a pre-baby shower manicure earlier this week which was such a treat. My friend Laura recently raved about her first SNS nail experience at a local salon and I was instantly intrigued.
SNS is a powder-based manicure that gives nails a similar look to gel and is supposed to last a full two weeks without any chipping or peeling. I haven’t done a ton of research into SNS but like the fact that no UV light was needed to set the nails. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I LOVE the result of my manicure and have high hopes it will last me for a while!
While we’re on the topic of birthday fun, I must also give a shout out to my wonderful girlfriends who surprised me with a homemade cake and the sweetest gifts during a play date with our little ones on Wednesday afternoon. They’re the absolute best and I’m so grateful for such a great group of kind, supportive and thoughtful friends in my life.
- 32-Week Ultrasound
A huge highlight from this week took place when I had my final ultrasound at a maternal and fetal medicine specialist yesterday morning. (I was referred to a specialist during this pregnancy due to our previous losses and some placental issues I had during my pregnancy with Chase.) It was absolutely amazing to see our little one on the screen and see such detailed facial features, tiny toes and arms.
I’m still measuring ahead and our baby is estimated to be 4 pounds and 12 ounces already which blows my mind. That’s less than a pound away from what Chase weighed when he was born! No wonder I feel bigger this time around! It’s crazy for me to think we’ll very likely be meeting our little one in 50ish days. Yay!
- The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie
I finished reading a rather interesting book this week and figured it deserved a shout out on the blog this morning mainly because it was a page-turner without being too suspenseful or freaky… and by that I mean I’d recommend it for someone looking for an intriguing book without the undercurrent of danger/suspense/murder that often keeps me up way too late at night!
The Good Liar takes place one year after a horrific explosion occurs in Chicago, forever altering the lives of three women. While the three women managed to survive, as the one-year anniversary of the explosion approaches, secrets are unveiled that connect the women together and could, once again, turn their lives upside down.
This soap was an impulse buy at Whole Foods a while ago and it’s quickly become a personal favorite. Good Soap smells fantastic and moisturizes my skin in a way that leaves it feeling soft and smooth. The soap is ethically made with unrefined shea butter and virgin coconut oil and enhanced with aromatic plant extracts and I’ve tried three varieties – lavender, coconut and almond milk – and loved all three. The best part? 100 percent of proceeds support communities and families around the world. (You may read more about their impact here.) Good Soap is often on sale at Whole Foods (3 bars for $6) so I’ve been scooping up a few bars here and there and loving them!
- Friday Flashbacks
Healthy Meals to Make For Others (Crowd-pleasing recipes to make when you want to show someone you care.)
Cardio Killer HIIT Workout (A bodyweight only workout you can do anywhere that will seriously spike your heart rate!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Happy Birthday! And congrats to Leslie! Such an exciting time for your family.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday ? and congrats to Leslie and Ross! So exciting
I cannot rave about SNS more!! Love it sooooo much.
Wow!! So many things to celebrate! First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And I’ve been reading your blog since before YOU were engaged, so I’ve followed Leslie and Ross’s story since the beginning, and a HUGE congrats to them too! You guys will be raising babies at the same time! That’s so cool. Those cousins will be TIGHT!
Anyhow, what an amazing way to celebrate your birthday weekend. With your favorite people in the world, with such joyful news for both of you. You’re battin’ 1000 right now! I’m very happy for you. I hope the next year brings you many more joys, good health, great food, and lots to look forward to! Mazel tov!
Btw, if you ever see that cross picture of Leslie and Ross floating around on Pinterest, I feel partly responsible! I pinned it the day you posted it because I loved that altar, and that pin was then one of my most re-pinned pins! Repinned 100s and 100s of times over (I lost count when they changed the way they notify you of your repins.)
Anyhow, Happy birthday again, and I know you’ll have a spectacular weekend!
Happy Birthday!??? I love your blog!!
Happy Birthday and Congrats to your sister! That book is next on my list!
so exciting for leslie + ross! i’ve followed your blog for a while and knew the 4 of you were close but had no idea ryan and ross were best friends! i met my boyfriend — also named ross — at my friend’s wedding, who is married to his brother! i love stories like that <3
Happy Birthday!! Congratulations to Leslie and Ross! Being an Aunt of 9 myself I can honestly say it is one of the best jobs there is:) So exciting for Chase and the new baby to be getting a new cousin! Enjoy the baby shower/sprinkle this weekend:)
What I’m personally loving this weekend is the nice weather has finally arrived, so the garden is starting to bloom and I can start getting my patio furniture out to enjoy the sunshine more:)
Happy Birthday! That’s so exciting about your sister! My son was born on n September 25! That was his due date and he was right on time!
Happy birthday to YOU!!! Have fun celebrating! And big congrats to Leslie + Ross!! So exciting!
Happy birthday Julie!!! So exciting that you and your sister are pregnant at the same time!!! Your little ones will be so close as they grow up!
First, happy birthday!
Second, I was just thinking about your sister last night. (Does that sound weird? Sorry!) I’ve followed your blog for a long time. I made your Deliciously Easy Chicken last night and randomly wondered how your sister was doing. I’m so so thrilled for her and her new little family. And? I am due 3 days later ?
Yay! That is so exciting! Huge congrats to you!! <3 And thanks for reading my blog for so long!
this might be your best TILF yet! happy happy birthday!!! lots of virtual hugs and have the best time this weekend with your lovely ladies <3 and huge congratulations to your sister and ross! this is so super exciting! as a long time reader, all of these blessings right now make me so happy for you guys 🙂
Happy birthday and congrats to your sister! How exciting! I’m so happy for you guys! 🙂 <3
Those pictures of Ross crying STILL make me tear up!
Happy Birthday!
You are without a doubt the sweetest person I know!!!
I reviewed and loved the advance reading copy of The Good Liar — https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2263121226
Have a happy weekend — love from all of us!
janet