With This Ring

Last weekend we celebrated our 6th anniversary! I can hardly believe that we've been married for six whole years. It seems like just yesterday we were in the thick of wedding planning and going on our honeymoon. We went downtown on Friday night and stayed at the Sheraton which was really nice.

We had the best meal at Jack Stack BBQ which included a spinach salad, "the Arkansas topper" and two special anniversary desserts. I had a brownie with ice cream and Chris had his favorite, bread pudding.

On Saturday we slept in and then walked down to Panera Bread for some breakfast. Chris splurged and had a really delicious souffle.

Then we came back to the hotel and got ready to go to see the KC Symphony. They were doing their special Family Christmas performance in the brand new Kaufman Center. The music was so beautiful and we both enjoyed just being together in a beautiful place.

 Then, on Sunday morning, we had our monthly Pancake Breakfast for the residents at our apartments. Bear just couldn't make any more pancakes...he needed to take a nap.

It was a truly wonderful weekend spent together doing things that we love. I am so excited for what next year will bring for us and how our family will grow and change.

Our Christmas Card

Earlier last week we decided to bundle up in our coats, scarves and hats and head out to the park to try and take a picture for our Christmas card. I had seen a few ideas on pinterest so I had an idea of what I wanted but had no idea if we could actually make it happen. Sometimes, Bear isn't all that cooperative with the camera. Plus, we just went out with the tripod to try and take it ourselves. (Our friend had offered to take some pictures for us later in the week but I was feeling impatient and ready to get it done)

Well, low and behold we actually got a few good pictures! We also had some really funny outtakes. So without further adeiu...Merry Christmas from the Branigans!

Bumpdate

How far along: 17 Weeks. Baby is the size of a turnip this week!
Sleep: It's going ok...I am still waking up lots for the bathroom and now I keep waking up on my back. I have to force myself to turn over to my side. I'm hoping to get a preggo pillow this weekend!
Missing anything: Turkey Sandwiches, Diet Dr. Pepper, and my Friday Starbucks Latte
Food Cravings: Things that are SOUR and CITRUS. I am loving orange juice and sonic cherry limeades with extra lime.
Food Aversions: Still not really feeling anything fishy or balsamic dressing.
Symptoms: Still feeling pretty good! I haven't been nauseated in awhile which is nice : )
Have you started to show yet: More and more everyday!
Happy or Moody: This weekend is our anniversary so I went to buy a card for Christopher. I was standing in the card isle at Walmart crying because all the cards I read were just so sweet.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender on Dec. 20th and then our Reveal Party with our families on the 21st.

Bumpdate

How far along: 16 Weeks

Sleep: It's going ok...I am waking up at least 3 times to go to the little girls room.  

Missing anything: Turkey Sandwiches, Diet Dr. Pepper, and my Friday Starbucks Latte

Food Cravings: Chickfila sometimes : ) 

Food Aversions: Chris bought this Asian Sesame Ginger Balsamic salad dressing that I would usually like but couldn't stand it when he put it on his salad! I am also not really feeling any fish for dinner...we used to have salmon at least once a week. 

Symptoms: Not really any now! The first trimester was pretty rough...just lots of nausea all throughout the day. 

Have you started to show yet: Umm yea. 

Happy or Moody: I would say happy most of the time...Chris might disagree a little : ) 

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender on Dec. 20th and then our Reveal Party with our families on the 21st. 

What to Expect...

Because we are EXPECTING : ) Well this post is a little late...but better late than never! Chris and I found out on Sunday morning Sept. 9th that in just a few short months we would be parents. I hadn't been feeling all that well and kind of had a feeling but wasn't for sure. The weekend before I kept telling Chris that I just felt "seasick". We even went to Orange Leaf one night for frozen yogurt and I couldn't finish mine. That NEVER happens.

Well on Sunday morning we finally decided to take the test. To our surprise it was positive : )

Chris was actually preaching at a church in Blue Springs that morning so off we went! Luckily we didn't know anyone there so we didn't have to worry about spilling our guts.

Later that day I did end up telling my mom and dad over the phone. The next week we were able to mail a book home to Chris's parents and tell them over skype. Over the next few weeks we kept our news to just our families while we waited for the right timing.

On Oct. 19th we went for our first appointment to the doctor. She had a little trouble finding the heartbeat with the doppler so she asked us to come back in on Monday morning for a sonogram. The doctor said that was very normal because we weren't very far along. We didn't feel worried and felt the Lord's peace about the situation. On Monday we went in bright and early and got to see our little one for the first time. What an amazing experience. I think that's when it finally sunk in and felt a little more "real".

Now that I am  in the 2nd Trimester I am feeling really good! I definitely had morning sickness during those early weeks but a little toast and ginger ale seemed to help. I was also so completely exhausted during those early weeks and feel that I am finally getting my energy back. 

We feel completely blessed with our little miracle and daily see God's provision in our lives. Baby Branigan is expected to arrive somewhere around May 19th. 

Here is the video we put on facebook to "tell the world"  : ) 

 

Expanding our Horizons...

A few weeks ago our good friends, The Letts, invited us to go out to dinner with them. Well of course we took them up on it right away...and then they told us we were going to a Thai restaurant. I was more than a little hesitant because I'm not really all that adventurous with my food choices. We pretty much stick to chicken, beef, and a limited variety of fish at our house : ) Well we decided to go and it ended up being DELICIOUS! Chris and I both had pad thai and Chris was able to try some curry too. I truly cannot wait to go eat there again. As always...a wonderful night with our wonderful friends!

Traditions

I love traditions. One of my favorite times of the year is the Fourth of July holiday. It means coming home, the Arlington Parade, Concert in the Garden, patriotic music, BBQ, family, friends and so much more. This year we headed home on Saturday and stayed for 10 days. It was such a nice time to reconnect with friends and spend lots of quality time with both of our families.

On Monday night we went to the Botanic Gardens for the concert and fireworks...it was amazing as usual. We packed a picnic and enjoyed yummy food and good company! 

 On Wednesday morning Chris woke up bright and early to get us some good spots for the Arlington Parade. I am so glad that my husband loves the parade as much as I do : ) We had wonderful seats and were able to enjoy the parade with my family. This is one of my favorite traditions...I can remember coming to this parade since I was little with my Dad and brother. Such good memories!

 One highlight of the parade was seeing our high school mascot...Little Arlie! So cute! Kick'em Colts!

 Chris's mom worked very hard on the float for their church. It turned out really well!

 Gary couldn't decide if he wanted to be the photographer or the driver : )

 After the parade we enjoyed lunch with both of our families at another favorite...Spring Creek! YUM!!

 Logan loves his Uncle Chris!

 Someone ate a little too much BBQ and decided to take a little cat nap.

 On Sunday we were able to participate in Logan's dedication! It was a really special time for our family : )

 After Logan's dedication, Chris preached the sermon! It was one of his best ever and I felt so proud of him. My family was able to come and so did Liz, Kevin and London!

 Logan was so happy after church while we were eating Mexican food...I mean, who isn't happy when you have a giant bowl of chips and salsa in front of you??

We were so thrilled to be able to spend so much time at home. It's hard to say good bye...but we know that good bye's aren't forever!