CherJoy Blog - Page 71

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Looking back at the attendance at my baby shower, and all the other gifties sent to our home, I’m reminded of how blessed we are to know so many creative and giving people. We really have some great friends. Friends sometimes I feel we don’t even deserve! Our families have spoiled us completely, making sure we’re all prepared. And I must say that we most definitely are {I just have to give birth now. No big deal, right?!}. I took a lot of time over the holiday to write personal thank yous to everyone. Friends & family — thank you again for your support and love over the last 9 months. We couldn’t be more thankful. We appreciate every single little thing. My heart is bursting with gratitude for you. We love you more than you know.

{envelopes & ink: Palace Art Supply; cardstock: Envelopements}

{found my fox stamp here, and my thank you stamp here}

{this washi tape dispenser was the best gift ever. Thank you again, Diane!}

January 8, 2014 by cherjoy

Aptos

New Year’s day

On New Year’s Day, we decided to go for a long bike ride to enjoy the beautiful day. We also decided to make a resolution to spend more time at the beach! It’s less than a mile from our house and we just don’t get down to it enough. Heck, isn’t that why we moved here?! I foresee more beach walks in 2014 {with a stroller?!} and beach days once the temps heat up. I have so many surfer outfits for this baby boy – so we clearly have to spend more time at the beach! Wishing you all the best this year . . xoxoxo

January 7, 2014 by cherjoy

Friends

NYE

For New Year’s Eve I wanted to try out our new olloclip lens {thank you Grandpa Johannes!} to capture our night with friends. The pictures are pretty cool — a little trippy though. Our friends, Michelle & David, invited us over for dinner and game night. It was JUST what we wanted to do for NYE this year. Nothing major, and A LOT better than lying around at our place, watching ANOTHER Breaking Bad episode. Their house is out of an episode of Mad Men. Love all their vintage furniture and finds {like the bar cart below!}. And, their dog, Wally, too.

{they had all kinds of appetizers and cocktails prepared for us, so fun!}

{David came partially as himself, and partially as Ice Cube, lol! The guys were ready to party}

{dinner time – skirt steak and chicken tacos and home-made {and fat-free} sides. So delicious}

{games started quickly after dinner — DJ Hero & Mario Kart on the wii. Sure does work your forearms and fingers!}

{the boys decided to get into sport gear with David’s Pistons’ jerseys}

{baby boy!}

{dessert might have been my favorite part}

{did I mention Wally is a corgi? coolest.dog.ever.}

Michelle added something a little extra to our New Year’s Eve toast — 12 grapes of “luck” for every month to come in 2014. Supposedly it’s a Latin tradition. If you bite into a sour grape, that month will not be so good. Fortunately, all of our grapes were fresh and juicy — no sour months as far as we can tell! We shared our personal, professional and family resolutions and said goodbye to 2013. We’re so lucky to have these two in our lives. Good people – and so funny. Funny people are the best people to surround yourself with if you ask me ;)

Hope you all had fun reining in the New Year, and celebrated exactly how you wanted to. 2014 is going to bring a lot. I just hope we can handle it. Here we go!

January 6, 2014 by cherjoy

Cher Joy

Cher joy

Happy January, friends! I love reading all the resolutions posted in the blogosphere. Everyone’s is so different! Every new year is a fresh start – a fresh beginning at accomplishing more or perfecting what makes you the happiest. I wish that life would slow down sometimes, but at the same time, I’m ready to get into this next chapter of our lives = babyland. Things around here are staying busy with work, Doctor appointments and nursery projects. I’m thinking of a lot of friends right now and amping up for some fun gift ideas for you all. Only a couple more weeks of work for me, and then I’ll be nesting. It’s going to be so weird to not work. Let’s just hope I can disconnect, ha! I’m feeling a big rush of love and hope this morning. Love for life and hope for a manageable labor. Anyway, thought I’d share with you what brought me joy last week:

1. New Year’s Day with this guy. Love him so much it hurts.
2. Super Mario Bros. on the Wii!
3. My prenatal massage at Luma Yoga. AMAZING. I highly recommend to any mother-to-be!
4. Mornings at the beach house and online shopping for baby boy.

January 5, 2014 by cherjoy

Baby J, Pregnancy

Third trimester

Things are getting a little uncomfortable around here. I’m feeling super pregnant. I miss the days, when I was only tired. Because now it’s a challenge to even get out of bed, move from one side to the next in bed, go up stairs, or even just walk. There is some serious pain/pressure down there. Some of the tiredness is back but now I don’t feel as mobile, or flexible. Never thought I’d be waddling, but I am. No more kickboxing for me at this point. My body does not look or feel the same; I actually feel rather helpless with what’s happening to me. Somehow my skin has stretched enough to hold this little guy {which is still mind-boggling to me}. Those early months where I felt nothing now seems like years ago — because this baby is moving around. All the time. Especially when I lie down for bed at night, he decides to come alive. Which tickles the crap out of me! Looking back, though, I’ve been blessed with a very good pregnancy. It’s just now that my emotions are coming out with every ache and pain. Little glimpses of what birth will be like I’m sure. I just want to see our little boy. I hate surprises, and I feel like this whole pregnancy has been a total tease. Ultrasounds don’t show anything. The 3Ds are freakish. So, I have to wait to see him. I’m getting impatient. Well, until then, I’ll settle for his little bops and hiccups. On the bright side, here’s what’s been keeping me going this last trimester: