baby kicks.

{21 weeks}

Sweater: Forever 21, Necklace: Steinmart, Shorts: Old Navy, Shoes: Urban Original

At exactly 20 weeks pregnant I felt the baby kick. And he hasn't stopped since.

It pretty much feels exactly how I've always imagined it feeling.

Like a little (and sometimes big) flutter in your lower belly.

Always when I'm trying to fall asleep.

Or wear pants that are too tight.

And especially when I'm eating.

Feeling him move is making me really fall in love. 

I've loved him all along, but it's different now because he's actually a part of my daily life. It's a he. And he is Greyer.

Not just a mango floating around inside of me (although now he's the size of a banana).

I just can't wait to hear this little boy giggle, and babble, and cry, and toot : ) 

My favorite thing ever is spooning on the couch with Ian's hand on my uterus (never thought any of my "favorite things ever" would include my uterus... It must be a mom thing). Our bodies jolt every time we feel Greyer kick and we say things like "did you feel that one?" "was that him?!" and "oh my gosh what's he doing in there??"
That's our idea of a great time these days.

CopyCats Week 7!

I found this blog called Tres Chic Mama and it is seriously the best source of pregnancy street style pictures I've found. So obviously this month's inspiration comes from there: 

(via)

Dress: f21, Necklace: BCF

I seriously look like a tent whenever I wear something loose these days, but loose is just comfy and when I'm not looking in the mirror I actually feel less huge.

If you are participating today (the link-up will be open through the next few days if you're late) please include this button in your post by copying and pasting this code in your html:

Let's see your looks!

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my sister came to visit.

{20.5 weeks}

Bracelets: don't remember, Dress: f21, Shoes: JC Penny

My sister-lady came up last minute on Tuesday night because we missed each other.

She spent all day Wednesday ripping wallpaper out of our baby room with us and then she got me some decaf coffee. I insisted on paying but she was like "No, I'll just get it. You let me stay here and everything." Then she asked if she should empty the dishwasher since she already scrubbed the dirty dishes.... That girl! She was such a pleasant house guest. 

My family is always doing stuff like that whenever they come stay with us. Last time my parents were here my dad went to Home Depot early in the morning to get us some bark dust, a drill, some wood stain, some work gloves, and a bunch of other things. We asked to see the receipt so that we could pay them back and he was like "Well, why don't you just give me $50 and we'll call it even." That didn't even cover half of all that he bought us! He'd spent all day drilling holes and installing our knobs in the kitchen and then he bought and cooked us salmon for dinner. 

HOW IS THIS CALLED EVEN??

And do I need to remind you of the last time my in-laws were here? Ian and his dad spent ten hours ripping up the overgrown bushes in our front yard while my mother-in-law took me to the mall and totally spoiled me with "maternity clothes" even though I was like six weeks pregnant and didn't need a thing! 

Not gonna lie, sometimes family overwhelms me. But every time I start to stress or get annoyed with how involved family can be, I remind myself of how blessed I am to have a family that cares about me and what I do. They love me and I love them. 

the time i crashed a uhaul.

Denim Jacket: Old Navy thrifted, Lace blouse: F21, Jeans: Kate Jeans thrifted, Shoes: Urban Original, Purse: Vintage D&B

When Ian and I moved from our two bedroom apartment to our one bedroom apartment (within the same complex) we rented a Uhaul. Might seem pathetic since we literally drove across the parking lot to get to our new place, but it kept things easy and it was only $40.

When we went to pick up the truck, Ian realized that he left his wallet back home and so I was gonna have to be the Uhaul driver back to the apartment...

I absolutely HATE driving any vehicle that isn't mine because it just makes me nervous. Like everything else in life...

But so anyway, we did the inspection where we write down all the knicks on the truck so that we aren't blamed for them when we bring it back and then we finally drive off.

I know I'm referring to this Uhaul as a "truck" but don't picture a little pickup. Picture one of those huge moving semi-trucks that companies deliver furniture in.

Since Ian knew I was nervous, he drove his unlicensed self right behind me the whole time. 

We made it safely back to the apartments and I went to park it so that he could do the whole reverse-up-the-driveway-for-easy-loading thing that I'm not good at. 

The only problem is that I ever so confidently pulled into a covered parking spot... And like slow motion, rammed the top of the truck on the roof of the parking spot.

Ian was still behind me watching this whole matter take place. And I just looked out the window like "eek... did that just happen???"

I tried blaming it on him for not honking at me when he realized what I was doing, but the truth is, I should have realized what I was doing... Hahaha!

Luckily the edges of the Uhaul are protected by metal so there was no damage done.

Unless you count a bruised ego on my part.

CopyCat reminder!

Hi everyone! Just a reminder that CopyCat Friday is coming up in a few days so star taking your pictures now! I can't wait to see what you come up with : ) 

baby wants.

I have yet to purchase anything for Greyer (our upcoming baby boy), but I've been eyeing a lot of things! 

I've found that baby boys are hard to shop for... there isn't much out there that is just plain. They all have bright colors and weird sayings on them. No offense. 

Here are a few fun things I've been wanting though:

clock

bow tie bib

dino bib

gray button hoodie

beanie

navy sweater

converse

blanket

wooden animal

I've also learned that once people know you're pregnant they just start buying your baby stuff! Haha! Why is that? No one did that when I was getting married...

When you go to a wedding shower, the bride pretty much only receives gifts that she registered for, but at a baby shower people take it upon themselves to pick out what they want your baby to have instead of looking at your registry (I know I've done that...). Hahaha!

Babies must just be more fun to shop for than silverware and sheets and spatulas!

before i threw up...

Yesterday Ian and I went for a helicopter ride with our friend Keith! I was really nervous to go but Ian really wanted to so I forced myself to join. It ended up being really fun even though I don't like heights and was really tired.

Gosh, I'm so high maintenance. 

We had the option of flying over the city or the country and we decided to look at all the beautiful farms and vineyards since it was such a beautiful day.

I was feeling nauseas pretty much the whole time because we were hitting some "thermals" (i.e. turbulence) but I tried to ignore it and enjoy all the beautiful sites! When we were coming in for landing the fumes were just too much... I jumped out of the chopper and ran behind the barn and threw up the pizza I had eaten for lunch. 

Not gonna lie... it felt good! 

Naturally, we stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way home to get some sugars in me. Happy mama and happy baby.

Even though I got sick, I had a really fun time! 

Plus, the reward at the end was totally worth it ; )

a permanent dinner guest.

When we moved in, we had this little number hanging out with us at every meal:

I quickly took off those mini lampshades which left a plainer looking chandelier that I planned to spray paint. Then our friends Chris and Becca gave us their old chandelier but we never got around to spraying or hanging that one either because I had something else in mind.

I've been eyeing the Orbit Chandelier from Z Gallerie for about a year now.

Z Gallerie is one of those stores that I always walk through but rarely ever buy anything from. They have some of the most beautiful and unique items in there, but I feel like I could DIY many of them with a thrifted purchase and a can of spray paint.

But there was no chance I'd be thrifting this light! 

The original price of $299 is pretty hefty compared to what I normally like to spend on household items, but we figured we'd just put this under our minimal list of "splurges". 

I was about to head to Z Gallerie when I just thought I'd check on Craigslist just in case. 

Sure enough, this shiny little baby was looking for a new home for the price of $250.

I of course negotiated the price down to $200 and thought that was a steal ($100 off!) 

Normally I hate the hassle of coordinating a Craigslist purchase, but this one was worth it to me and the seller was by far the most normal person we have ever bought anything from on Craigslist! 

See how she glows in the night...

Oh, and here's me!

There's probably about 15-20 bulbs on this thing and they're all half-masked like this to keep it from being too bright:

And here is the shot of the room...

We plan to get a little medallion like this to fancify and blend where the fixture meets the ceiling.

And maybe one day we'll do away with the popcorn ceilings too.

Oh, and did I mention how pretty she looks from outside?! Especially when it's dark...

Do I even need to explain that we are no where near having the dining room of our dreams? There is soooooo much we still need to do in there like paint, get new chairs, hang new wall decor, etc.

But I do have the chandelier of my dreams! 

you probably don't know this about me.

Necklace: BCF, Blouse: Thrifted, Jeans: f21, Shoes: f21, Clutch: H&M

 You probably don't know this about me, but I'm actually extremely shy and awkward in social settings.

I don't think I've always been this way, but over the last couple years I've really piped down.

{You can read more about my journey to overcome this awkwardness here.}

And because of it, I miss out on things.

I'd rather stay home than go to a party, a wedding, or [dare I say it?] CHURCH.

The me you know and see here on Frills is still the real me, but it's the me that feels mostly safe. 

Hiding behind my computer screen.

Pecking my dreams away on these keys.

Assuming you will accept me.

And maybe even like me.

This premeditated, proof-read, edited version of me.

The cyber-Sarah.

In real life, I've pretty much mastered how to appear confident. 

But inside, I'm all jumbly and worried I'm going to say something stupid or--even worse--say nothing at all. 

Awkward silence...

Sometimes it's insecurity, but it's mostly just me trying to find the perfect combination of silly me and serious me. As a pastor's wife, I'm not exactly sure what the peoples want, so I end up keeping to myself. 

These are my jumbled, honest thoughts.

I have a feeling there will be more on this later : )

just this.

Necklace: Thrifted, Blouse: f21, Jeans: f21, Shoes: Old Navy (old).

We're back from vacation and we had a great time! If I ever upload my pictures from that I will be sure to share, but in the meantime enjoy these pictures.

Note: These were taken a few weeks ago. I no longer fit into those jeans. And I need a makeup lesson on how to wear bright lips with minimal (but still some) eye makeup.

off to palm springs!

That picture was taken last time we were in Palm Springs (christmas 2010).

I'll still be attempting to squeeze into that little bikini since it's one of my faves and shopping for swimsuits isn't exactly a good time right about now...

We're headed out tomorrow morning and can't wait to be in the sun! 

It's 51 and cloudy here in Portland, so we welcome the change since it is May already.

I won't be posting regularly, and when I do it'll prob be more pictures just like the one above (poolside), but if you want to follow along our travel journeys via instagram search for me: sarahcnelson.