This may seem ridiculous but I am seriously already thinking about what to be for Halloween. What can a 17 week pregnant girl be cute as? I know some of you are thinking "Juno" but our neighbors who were pregnant two years ago were that I would like to be a little more original. But let's face it... if you guys don't come up with something then we're heading over to their house to borrow their costumes! Here are some photos of Halloween's past. It's a pretty big deal in our neighborhood. We have around 500 trick-or-treaters and a huge block party that is so fun! Help!

Barbie and Ken in college. The only appropriate costume I ever had unfortunately. Yes, I was one of those girls...

Danny and Sandra Dee from Grease! Fake ciggies!

nurse and her patient

The chefs rockin' our Cal Poly SLO pride! 

So friends what should I be?! I need some serious help! Obviously I would like to incorporate the baby bump into it. Thoughts? What are you going to be? Do you dress up?

On August 27th Matt's college roommate Joey got married at Clos La Chance winery south of San Jose. The location was stunning and if I could get married all over again I would definitely choose this place! The view was so gorgeous overlooking the winery and rolling hills. The food was tasty and I'm sure if I drank the wine it would have been delicious! Their wedding was elegant and classic... totally right up my alley.

ceremony site...gorg!

 table decor

programs that turned into fans...total DIY!

the beautiful bride jen

perfection

they're married!

i love hydrangeas and this was too cute

my handsome boo and 8 week me :)

the reception

Don't mind the lovely iphone pics. Who forgets to bring a camera to the wedding?! Oh, me. But it is better than nothing.

PS I love all the comments and responses I have been getting on Motherhood Mondays! It makes me so happy and feel so loved!

While we were spreading the good news of being pregnant M and I videoed many of our friends and family. It is really fun to see their reactions and to be able to remember them forever. Unfortunately some of our videos either didn't record or were bad quality but I think you will enjoy the moments we were able to capture. The song was naturally picked out by me. :)

 

10 weeks and 3 days! already looking like I'm farther along than that!

How far along? 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 1.5 lbs

Maternity clothes? not yet, just rocking the Bella Band on some pants that were tight before the baby!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Sleeping great, minus waking up to pee every night two or three times!
Best moment this week: seeing people who found out via facebook and hearing all their good wishes
Miss Anything? sushi

Movement: no, baby B is the size of a prune!
Food cravings: carbs always sound good.
Anything making you queasy or sick: meat and cooked veggies, but no actual sickness
Have you started to show yet: a little bump depending on what i wear
Gender prediction: i want a girl so bad i know it's gonna be a boy
Labor Signs: No (I will freak when I finally say yes to this question.. so nervous!!)
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! but i cry at stupid stuff that i never would have before! the 9/11 recaps killed me
Looking forward to: finding out the sex, feeling the baby move, and looking prego, not fat.

Yesterday Matt took me to Babies R Us to buy me a snoogle. He apparently had been reading up on them on various blogs and heard fabulous things about them and that they aid in sleep. He told me pregnant women swear by them (and they better for $70!) I thought it was the sweetest gesture ever since Matt enjoys saving money a lot more than spending it. It was my first gift! I'll have to let you know how I'm sleeping with it and if I recommend it.

PS I will never forget the look of fear and dollar signs flashing on his eyes when we walked into Babies R Us. Hilarious.

I really don't want to do a giveaway because I want what I'm giving away! But alas I must. Remember the fashion show I was in? Well the girl who was throwing the show "paid" us with jewelry. Some things she created and others were found elsewhere. This bangle was given to me as a token of appreciation and I haven't worn it because I knew it would be great for my first giveaway (waaaaa!). It is a beautiful cuff with floral designs etched into it and would look great pushed up on the forearm.

mandatory:

follow Nat Your Average Girl via GFC or blog loving

visit Briana Rene Designs and comment on your favorite piece of jewelry (or clothing!)

extra ways to enter: {leave a separate comment for each}

follow Nat Your Average Girl on Twitter

like Nat Your Average Girl on Facebook

Good luck ladies! this giveaway is open to domestic readers only.
a winner will be announced on friday, september 16.

xo,

Natalie

Thank you so much for all the sweet wishes yesterday. :) It was so fun to share my excitement with you! I had a record amount of people come to my blog...I should get pregnant more often! ;)

Anyway, I am still not over publicizing my brother's wedding so here's to another post! Today I decided to show off their venue, Windfall Farms, in Paso Robles wine country. Their wedding was in a beautiful barn and my brother learned what constitutes "shabby chic" very quickly.

The note cards said "you know you're in love when..." and "best advice on marriage is..." Then you put it in the barn!

unique rustic tables were adorned with powder blue runners. i just love the twinkly lights too!

The barn was behind the guests and in front of them were horses running in pastures and wine country! Guests sat on hay bales covered with white linens

real horse stalls lined the reception area with beautiful brick floors

mason jars held candles and floral arrangements. Guests took home peat pots with seeds for planting

DIY bride and groom signs were secured on mini white picket fences. the cake was so darling especially the wooden cake toppers they found on etsy. they were hand painted to look just like the bride and groom! hopefully I get a close up of that later. :)

Lots of DIY wedding ideas in this post...use them up! On a different note work has been INSANE for me lately. I am teaching the after school program till four everyday and then I have to stay after that and get ready for my own class the next day. I've been getting to work at 7:15 and getting home at 5:30. That is too much work! Not to mention taking things home to grade etc. So, with that said I was hoping you would give me some slack on my lack of originality lately. Thanks :)

PS all photos courtesy of Peter Dawson 

It's true! We're having our first baby! I have been DYING to tell you but wanted to wait till my first doctor's appointment to share the good news! I am 9 and a 1/2 weeks pregnant and feeling great. No morning sickness, no cravings (aversions to meat sometimes), and one pound gained. :) Baby B (for Bushman) is a little over an inch long and growing quickly!

 

This is the most recent shot I have. We need to get on the 9 week photo.

Matt and I were SO excited when we first found out. The first time we tried we were successful which is probably for Matt's sake since I would have been a nightmare to be around if we weren't. I can be impatient. :) The week I was supposed to start my cycle I thought I wasn't pregnant because the symptoms are the same! I was crampy, tender chested, etc. The beginning of the week I took some pregnancy tests with no luck but as the week progressed there was a faint line next to the other one and I started to get excited. Finally I bought a digital test that read YES! I picture texted Matt at work asking him if he thought it might be for real and he wasn't sure. In hindsight I would have done something more creative but when you're home alone you just can't hold it in! Next time. :) 

 yes!

I told my family by making them cinibuns with little pendants in them that said "Guess who has a bun in the oven?" Along with that I tried to video everyone's reaction on our flip camera. Matt is still editing it for your enjoyment. Seeing everyone's reaction was so much fun and I can't wait to share the video. 

love the iphone pic

Seeing our baby for the first time was so emotional. I totally cried tears of joy when I saw our one inch wonder! Watching the heart beat and hearing it was absolutely incredible. My mom and Matt were in awe and I think they were misty eyed too! The doctor showed us the arms, legs, spine, and brain (it had two parts already! like a real brain!). She also pointed out the "yolk sack" (kinda gross) that the baby was eating from and the umbilical cord along with its home (the placenta). I just can't get over what a miracle this little baby is. God is so cool! 

With all that said I think "Maternity Mondays" will be in full swing now. I can't help myself...I'm in love! 

PS I kinda lied when I told you we were "trying to have a baby" because we already were. Forgive me?

It's official...my brother is MARRIED! It was such a joyful day and God was truly glorified. Everything went smoothly and I can't wait to show you more photos. I hope you like weddings because this upcoming month will be all about theirs! I just can't help it. I am so proud of my brother and his wife They looked so gorgeous/handsome and I can't get enough of their photos. I definitely cried more at their wedding than my own. Seeing my brother get emotional during his vows that he wrote for Tiffany did me in. Ok, let's be honest I was crying when she walked down the aisle but the ceremony was so beautiful. And their first kiss was so pure I just about died. Swooning! 

first glance

the rings

their 10th? kiss

breathtaking

c'mon boots!

These are a few of my favorites from photographer Peter Dawson (can you believe that was his FIRST wedding?) Visit here for more photos.

PS did I ever mention that Tiffany was Cinderella in real life? Seriously. She played the character at Disneyland for two years. She found her prince charming. :)