From Saturday to Today, Our Week {10.23.2013}

This past weekend, Erik's mom and I attended Katy Market Day as vendors. She sells custom handmade crosses, gift baskets, and stunning wreaths. Her business name is 2 Basket Cases (check them out on Facebook and be sure to order your custom handmade crosses, wreaths, and gift baskets for the upcoming holidays). I sell baby bows, custom baby bibs, burp cloths, and blankets. I have also recently started selling rompers, lace leggings, diaper covers, and so much more (you can visit my shop here)! We were supposed to stay and work our booths until 5pm, but it was so windy and there just weren't very many people, so we ran over to JCPenneys to buy Erik's birthday presents. His parents got him two new pairs of jeans, a really nice blue shirt, and new tennis shoes {which he really needed}. Later on that evening, we headed out to Texas Roadhouse {our go-to spot for birthday dinners}. We met with Erik's parents, and our best friends Will and Amanda. It was a really busy day, but it was so fun. Sunday, we enjoyed a late morning and decided to relax around the house until the Texans game. We always watch the game at Erik's parents house. It was such a beautiful day and being able to spend time with his parents is such a blessing. Monday, Erik had work and then had to go to school. Tuesday was Erik's 22nd birthday. We celebrated by surprising him with a delicious steak dinner which also included chopped up and fried potatoes, deviled eggs {mine and Erik's favorite side dish}, and FHA cookies {which to my surprise, I loved them!!! and I am not the dessert type}. He was so surprised because he thought that we were just going to his parents house to drop off keys, not to mention, he got to eat a huge steak and we went home and he was completely stuffed.

Every morning, I try to get up with Erik and help get his stuff ready for work that day. Typically, I try to go back to sleep so that I can get some rest, but this morning I decided to just stay up and do laundry. We had soooo much laundry left over from our previous apartment when our old washer and dryer broke. When we bought our new washer and dryer, we thought we would be able to get all the laundry done before moving, but that didn't work. I have managed to get all but one and a half laundry baskets completed. I have a really good feeling that I will be able to have all the laundry done today, which would be such a relief.

I'm looking forward to this weekend. Erik has to attend school on Saturday for a few hours to make up for taking off on my birthday, but afterwards we get to attend a wedding for a friend that Erik and I have known since elementary. I am hoping that Sunday we can visit Dewberry Farm, a huge outdoor place with a pumpkin patch and sooo much more. I am praying we can take pumpkin patch pictures because they are my absolute favorite. I also want to take Christmas pictures. I want to make it a habit to take yearly photos. I think it will be especially important when we have kids.

Hoping to post pictures from this weekend of the wedding and pumpkin patch.

My laundry today....that's not even half of it!!!

Brooks just couldn't help but give daddy kisses for his birthday.

Daddy finally came home! Time to celebrate his 22nd birthday!

Chief was waiting for daddy to get home so we could celebrate his birthday!

Brooks was also waiting for daddy to arrive so we could celebrate!

So I've been brunette for quite some time but recently decided I was ready for a change and went ahead and dyed my hair back to blonde!!! 

Brooks decided she wanted to model one of the bows I made...doesn't she look darling??

Here is the side of our booth from Saturday. The tutus and outfits you see are sold by 2 Basket Cases.

This is the front of our booth from Saturday. The wreaths you see were handmade by Erik's mom....order your custom wreath and cross NOW!!!

Here are a few of the bows I have made. If you would like to order bows, they are just $1.50 each. I make them completely custom from ribbon colors, bow style, and I can also embroider them. Visit my website (link above) to order NOW!

Here is a photo of some of the bows laid out, you can also see the custom blanket (can be any color or fabric, and we can embroider), and the bib and burp cloth (again, these can be completely customized and embroidered...ORDER NOW!)

Here is a picture of me and my sweet husband at dinner on Saturday before everyone arrived. My hair looks brunette, but it really is blonde.

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Megan 

Pre-Pregnancy to Delivery Ideas {10.21.2013}

I wanted to share with you a few things I like and want to do once we conceive again!

Pregnancy: I'm sure you've seen it just as much as I have, but I love the idea of the using the chalkboard to announce week-by-week pregnancy news: announcing how big the baby weekly or what cravings are taking place. I think it is such a unique way to share with friends and family, and one day (after the baby is born and a little older), you can print the pictures and make a scrapbook, {Definitely a cute gift for childs graduation to College or maybe when he/she gets married-I just love it!}

Staying Fit: I also want to take prenatal yoga classes, I don't know how well this will work out, but I really want to try my hardest to stay fit during pregnancy. I want to eat right, exercise at least three times a week, and I definitely want to take nightly walks {just because -hehe}.

Registry: I cannot wait to do a baby registry!!! I have so many ideas and just walking through baby stores makes the rush even stronger. I just love the idea of searching for baby stuff.

Baby Showers: I would love a baby shower! I also really want to do a a Gender Reveal party but Erik and I also like the idea of sharing that with just the two of us and the. Telling the family together... I guess we will just have to wait and see. I am also really interested in having a "Sip and See." It's a southern thing, but basically you have a little get together after the baby arrives so family members can bring gifts and see the baby. I think it's great especially since some of Erik's family members live out of the state.

The nursery: Erik and I have gone back and forth on this. It just really depends on our taste at the time as well as what we are having.  As far as decor goes, I lllooovvveee stripes and heron but again it just depends. Erik wants to do quotes on the walls and I really love that idea as well. Especially since most of the quotes are from children's books. I also llooovvveee the multi-layer bookshelves that hang on the wall, they just look handy and pretty. The rocking chair I love is a beige/cream color with a brown wood frame and outline {it's so cute! and it comes with an ottoman...score!}.

Delivery: I have had this question about five-billion times from just about any and everyone I meet. They all want to know what type of delivery I want and where. Let's start with the where part since that basically leads to the type part. Ok so, I really love the idea of a birthing center and here's why: it's peaceful, initmate, like-home, quiet, and not so "robotic" like being at a hospital. However, I like hospitals because if there is something that goes wrong, I don't have to worry too much like I would if we were at a birthing center and something went wrong. My hospital choice is Women's Hospital of Texas because that is the hospital where my husband was born and my doctor (who delivered my husband at that hospital) is affiliated. If I choose a birthing center, there is a birthing center right up the road called a Katy Birthing Center and it looks like a very sweet and comforting place. Now, the type of delivery. I would like to deliver naturally with meds (hehe).  No c-section please!!!

To Breast or Not To Breast: I'm pretty sure I will breastfeed for the first six months if I can. If not, I have absolutely no problem using formula. After six months, I feel that it would be the best time to switch the baby to formula and move on. I don't want it to become an everyday thing, and I certainly dont want my baby getting to used to it.

Thanks for reading, and God Bless

So Much To Do, Such Little Time {10.14.2013}

So this past weekend was a very, very busy weekend for Erik and I. Let's start with the fact that our electricity went out at 4 am Saturday morning when we had to be up at 7 am. It was so frustrating!!! Erik and I are hot natured so as soon as the electricity kicked off...BOOM...we were WIDE awake. We decided to just try and sleep through it but 30 minutes later our alarms were screaming at us. We got up, got ready, and headed to E's parents house. We jumped in their car and sped off to the BBVA Compass stadium for the University of Houston vs. Memphis football game. It was HOT!!! {That's really an understatement, it was MISERABLY HOT!!!} But we still had a fun time. During halftime, we were able to go down on the field and let the Cougars run through us. That was such a fun moment for the family, we've never done anything like that before! Afterwards, we hoped in the car and drove over to Harwin. Harwin is a place where they sell things at wholesale prices. It's kind of a scary area, but it's so fun! After we left Harwin, we were dropped off at E's parents house and off we went to the Katy Rice Harvest Festival. It was fun but it was a little rainy and so humid. We walked around and checked out the 300 and something vendors. Before leaving we had to get me a Turkey Leg but it was nothing like the Ren Fest Turkey Legs! Speaking of Ren Fest, we can't go until the Halloween weekend because E's mom and I are going to be participating in the Katy Market Day this upcoming weekend so we won't be able to attend Ren Fest this weekend. {Back to this weekend...} So after spending a good hour or so at the Katy Rice Harvest Fest, we went home, kicked back, and relaxed until we were just too tired. Sunday was a lazy day in our house! We didn't get up until 11:30 am!!! {I know, I was shocked myself!!!!} We jumped up, got dressed, and ran out to E's parents house for the Texans game {which was soooo embarrassing to watch but it's E's team so I can't complain}. Sunday night was spent resting and getting E ready for work this morning. Coming up soon is E's 22nd birthday! Last year I threw him a surprise party so I think this year I will try to do something a little more calm. He's not really one to want a party, he just likes spending time with close family and friends. I'm trying to plan something I know he will enjoy, so we will see what I come up. Now, I have to get back to making bows for our craft show this weekend. Looking forward to posting pictures. If you have a baby girl, or two, check out www.squareup.com/market/bayou-baby for baby accessories and bows galore! 

Oh and I just have to say, I can't wait to head out to the pumpkin patch this weekend. I just really love pumpkin patch pictures!!! Hope to post some of those this weekend. And did I mention how absolutely excited I am for Christmas?? Oh, it is my favorite time of year!!! I'm already planning gifts and stocking stuffers. I even started buying a few things. I bought two ornaments, one for each of our little fur-babies, and I even bought one for our SweetPea in Heaven, to remind us of our first baby that we lost. We try to buy one ornament each year to symbolize what happened that year and I just knew that I would want to buy something for our first ultrasound picture. (See photos below for ornaments).

Thanks for reading and God Bless 

Megan 

Fall is here and so much has happened...where to being!? {10.04.2013}

SINCE OUR LAST POST

Erik and I have been very busy! We moved into our new apartment August 30th. It went smoothly and the new apartment is great! Erik started school and so far, things have been ok. My 21st birthday came and flew by, it was great and so much fun! Dinner with close family and friends is the best! Erik's 22nd birthday is right around the corner, got to start thinking of things he would love to do. Every year I try to do something fun for my hubs to remind him how much he is loved. My best friend, who is expecting a girl, is only days away from having her baby and I can't even begin to tell you how excited we are to meet that sweet little peanut. Hope to post pictures of that sweet peanut soon!

A SAD DISCOVERY THAT HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

We found out on Sunday, September 29th that we were 9 weeks pregnant. Unfortunately, at our first ultrasound and prenatal visit, the doctor informed us that the baby passed away at 8weeks5days old. It was very difficult yesterday after receiving the news, but we are trying to keep our heads up and be hopeful that we will get pregnant quickly and with a health little bean. Today, as I was walking the dogs back into the house, a butterfly flew in front of me and I immediately had this overwhelming feeling that it was our little Sweetpea angel and it made me smile. A quote that has been helping me through, which I hope will help others going through this, is "An angel in the book of life, wrote down my baby'a name, then whispered as she closed the book, "to beautiful for earth."" That has been such an inspirational quote for me. 

WHATS COMING NEXT

I'm hoping that the hubs doesn't have to work tomorrow so we can make a visit to the pumpkin patch. I'd really love to get a pumpkin or two! Then, Ren Fest starts next Saturday and I'm hoping we can go but hubs might have to work...boo!!! I am looking forward to more posts now that I have time, so here's to blogging again!

Thank you for reading and much love,

Megan

The Big 100 {08.16.2013}

THIS IS MY 100^TH POST! 

Wow, doesn't feel like it (since I’m never on anymore-sorry). It’s a great time to be posting! We just entered the beginning of the Fall months and I am seriously ready! I’m looking forward to Ren Fest, the pumpkins and decorations, I’m also looking forward to Halloween. The best part about Fall is Thanksgiving!!!( I love turkey!)

Life has been keeping us pretty busy these past few weeks. We have been working hard and getting ready for the move to Katy. We haven’t really packed much so this weekend and next we will be busting butt to get everything packed and ready to go. Our set move-in date is Aug. 28. We are more than excited! We hope to have everything unpacked and organized by Sunday. So you better believe we will be posting pictures!!! As for the rest of life, we have really just been busy. Erik starts school on the 26^th for his job and I know he is looking forward to it. I’m hoping to start school again around Dec. or Jan. but still no set date on that. As far as everything else goes, we are doing great! It’s been a tough year, but I feel everything is getting better and we are constantly looking up. We have God to thank for that! Look for an update around the 31^st or 1^st of September.

Thanks for reading and God Bless!

Where Have We Been All This Time {08.05.2013}

Alright, I’ll admit it!! We have been gone way too long and I completely apologize for our absence. We have good reasons though! Recently the Richards’ household has been in full swing!!! Erik’s work schedule has been so crazy, working some nights then all day then back to nights then regular…it’s been a mad house with his schedule alone! We were supposed to move out July 31^st but then extended our lease one month until the end of August to give us more time to find a place and pack up. I have also been super busy dealing with family issues and we are looking to go to New Orleans this weekend to finalize some personal things. Other than all that, we just couldn't find time to write. But we are back!!! So I thought I would just kick it off with some fun pictures. Chief joined me for work last Friday and we hung sparkly stars in our office so now every time you come in, it looks like prom took over. We are super excited that Fall is here. We can’t wait to decorate and pick pumpkins and just do all that Fall-tastic Fun stuff. My best friend is due late Oct. early Nov. so we are counting down the days until then. I need to post the photos I took of her for her baby shower and maternity pictures. They look fabulous!!! I will try to get them up for y’all soon. We are also counting down the days until Ren Fest. Check out last year’s Ren Fest Here!!! So just a whole lot of fun stuff going on! Oh, I will also be attempting to make my own Deco Mesh Wreath…. We’ll see how this turns out. That’s all I have but I promise to update more frequently now that things are somewhat settling down. Thanks for sticking with us!!!

Chief on the way to work!

He is such a great driver! hehe

Oh sorry, mom is bothering him while he is trying to fall asleep. 

Ok good! He finally fell asleep! 

Moved and sleeping again! 

Moved again and just relaxing!

Our office!!! That's my desk!

God Bless

Already Planning! {06.27.2013}

Ok so last year, if you were here in Oct., Erik and I ventured off to the Texas Renaissance Festival. It was filled with lots of good fun!! {Click Here to read about the Tex Ren Fest}So this year, we are only months, like only 4 months away from opening day and {you better believe} I've already started planning our trip. I think Erik and I decided to make the Ren Fest our annual "couple" trip. So last night I was in bed just reading and planning and today I have been counting down the days until Ren Fest. If you've never been to a Ren Fest, you might want to look and see when one is coming around you because they are GREAT!!! Aside from planning for Tex Ren Fest, we are also only days away from moving! I just can't believe it! We still have settled on a place yet, hopefully we will find the one we love that fits our price range. So here's to the search continuing....

God Bless

Oh You Know, Just Doing Things {06.25.2013}

Things have been pretty crazy around our neck of the woods.  We have t-minus 32 days until we move into our new apartment or should I say townhouse! We couldn’t be more excited. The only thing is, we are going from a one bedroom, less than 800 sq. ft. apartment to a three bedroom, more than 1000 sq. ft. townhouse…looks like we are going to have to do some shopping!!! We haven’t started packing quite yet, I think we are waiting until the beginning of July so we can finish collecting boxes and doing other little duties around the house that need to get done before we take on the HUGE challenge of packing. Aside from that, work has been busy and that’s just the way I like it. Erik has been busting tail as well working 12 hour days, 6 days a week! We are steadily getting this summer over with and looking forward to another wonderful Fall! {I know right? I’m already thinking about Fall!!! I can’t help it, Fall is the BEST!!!} Also, I have started a group for young mommies in the Katy and Cypress areas and it’s great because it’s not just for current mommies, it’s for mommies who are trying to have babies and mommies who are pregnant. We are a small group right now but hopefully, over time, we will grow and it will be wonderful because there aren’t too many groups for mommies between the ages of 20 and 25. I am really looking forward to spending time with the mommies as well as getting a baby fix {until I can get pregnant}. Also, I am in the process of becoming the Special Events Chairman at the KHS (Katy Heritage Society). I absolutely love planning events and really anything that requires planning has my name all over it! I am looking forward to planning events like 4^th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and more! I am meeting with the Head of the society this Saturday to discuss what previous Chairmen have done and how the whole thing works. I figured if I spend my free time volunteering, then maybe it will take my mind off of babies until my miracle comes. Not much else going on. My best friends baby shower is next weekend, July 13 which gives me ZERO time left! Crazy how fast time is flying and I can’t wait to see her reaction to the beautiful decorations as well as the tons of baby girl clothes Erik and I have for her. I know she is going to have a blast dressing up baby Alli when she arrives. Oh, I almost forgot to mention how excited I am that Erik and I are thinking about taking a quick trip down to South Padre Island. Not sure when yet, but I am hoping it is before summers end {not that I have a “banging” beach bod} but I would just love a quick getaway from normal, everyday life. {It’s nice to do that every once in a while} Well that’s all I’ve got for now, but I will be updating more as the weeks go by.

P.S. - We have officially ended our blogger updating so... Welcome to our NEW and IMPROVED blog!! Enjoy :)

Thank you for following and God Bless

Flying By... {06.17.2013}

So not too much going on around the Richards' House. We've been busy working and getting ready for our move which will be the end of July. We have a few boxes, but we need to get more...like ALOT more!!! School has been put on hold due to the move and I was missing a few things that I was supposed to turn in in early June but I didn't get a chance. My best friends' baby shower is coming up fast, July 13! Hard to believe she is already more than halfway through her pregnancy! Baby Alli will be here in November and I can't wait to meet her. Father's Day came and flew by. We got my father-in-law a Thomas Kincaid card, but this weekend will be the real fun! We are going to Ruth Chris' on Sunday! I can't wait!!! I took some pictures of the dogs over the weekend, just an update and the photos were adorable!!! They are just too darn cute. So here are some of their pictures...enjoy!

Have a wonderful evening and God Bless

1/2 a Year Gone Like That!! {06.03.2013}

Wow! 6 months into the year and only 6 more to go! Can you believe it? I know I can’t!!!

So this weekend was fun and full. Friday I had to work late or “normal hours.” Usually we have the option of getting off early at 3 p.m. but we have a running schedule for certain people to stay late on Fridays and this was my Friday. After work I went home and relaxed. It was so nice to get to just be. Saturday we woke up and ran some errands, Taco Cabana to eat, Bank of America, and Shopping. When we got home, we unloaded groceries and started laundry. Our best friends called us at about 4 p.m. to go over and swim and we did!! Not for long though, some of their family showed up with little kids and we got dressed and left. We then went to grab a bite at Clay’s and came up with this idea to go on a road trip before summers end. So we started brainstorming some places and decided that on June 22 we are taking a trip up to the Frio River. Not sure if we are staying the night or just going for the day, but either way it’s going to be so fun! We left Clay’s and headed to our Amanda and Will’s house with them so Amanda and I could finish our “road trip” plans while the boys bought a game for us to play. The game they choose was Battle of the Sexes and we won – just kidding the boys won {unfair!!} We then decided to use the game in our own way and make a charades type game. It was fun! After all the fun ended, we headed home at about midnight and called it a night at 4 a.m. The next day (Sunday) we spent at home, cleaning and doing laundry. While sitting around over the weekend, I decided I wanted to go back to college to get my AAS in Graphic Design Specialization. I have to take four semesters of classwork and then I will be a graduate in May 2015! And just as an added goal {as if getting a degree to get more money it’s a “push” enough…) Erik and I have plans to save our money and take nice “graduation vacation” in June 2015! Want to know where we are going…..MAUI HAWAII!!!! I am beyond excited but the only way we are going is if I get my degree! So happy learning! We even decided that {since we are waiting to have a baby} we are turning our second bedroom at the new place into an office/study area with a “his and hers” side so that he can have his own personal desk area and I can have mine. In the center of the room, we are going to put a table with two chairs so that we can hook up the computer to the TV mounted on the wall. It’s going to be amazing! And I think that will really help motivate us. Oh, I can’t wait. Also, I snapped some pictures of the fur-babies for you to enjoy!

Here are the three desk styles we have to choose from...

Desk style 1

Desk style 2

Desk style 3

Pictures of our fur-babies...

Our baby girl Brooks Harlow Richards

Bad Boy Blitz Toulouse Richards.

Chief was not interested in being photographed - LOL

Delicious foods from Sunday...

Delicious fruit salad I made includes: strawberries, cantaloupe, melon (can't remember the name), and whip cream mixed in

Delicious baked chicken and rice dinner. Takes 10 minutes to make and is the best thing I've ever tasted!

Graduation trip to Maui, Hawaii... 

Hyatt Regency Maui full view of Hotel

King bedroom with beach view

Lazy river style resort pool with swim up bar in rock cave - speechless!

God Bless