Did you hear our big news? If not, you can read about it here. I am still a little bit in disbelief. I’m not sure why. I guess with Hampton, we tried really hard for over 9 months (and 3 rounds of clomid). With this one, it just happened. No planning. Just poof. Hello two pink lines and a very definite “pregnant.” Other than a little sickness here and there, I haven’t felt a bit pregnant. No cravings, nothing yet. This has been so different than our first pregnancy. Maybe because I’m so busy with Hamp? Anyway, I am definitely ready to feel our little angel move and find out the gender! We are still about 4 weeks away from that, but I am so looking forward to it! Can you imagine Hampton as a big brother? I just can’t yet, but he is.

Enough rambling. I will definitely start bump dates soon! I just don’t have a whole lot to report yet, other than excitement! 🙂

Link up all of your mama posts below!

First off, Happy Halloween!!! aka My favorite holiday! That is exactly why I wanted to save this special post for today…

So I guess it’s time to fill all of you in on why I took a spontaneous and if I’m honest, unplanned blogging break over the last couple of weeks. A lot has been going on in the Cantrell world. Hampton turned one and I have been very busy with his party planning. Also, we got an offer on our house! We were so excited and were making plans to move/pack, etc. when they rescinded their offer. Womp womp womp. Yeah, I know.

These aren’t the only reasons that I have been away. I’ve also been pretty sick during my 10th – 13th week of pregnancy. You read that right! We are expecting baby can #2 May 8th!! While this was a HUGE surprise to us, we are getting really excited. It has taken about this long to convince myself that I really am pregnant. Other than the sickness, I haven’t felt a bit pregnant. I’ve still been able to run and workout and I haven’t gained any weight so far. This has been very different than my pregnancy with Hampton. I had gained about 4 pounds at this point with him and was already in maternity pants because my uterus was tilted forward. Too much? Sorry. Anyways… we are pretty excited and I can’t believe I’m already starting my 2nd trimester. I have a feeling these next 6 months will fly by. We are being very prayerful that our house will sell before baby gets here.

So, that’s basically why I haven’t been around a whole lot. I’m hoping to start feeling better in the next couple of weeks so that I will be able to devote more time to my blog. I have missed it so much, but sometimes, I need to focus on being present in my life and enjoy it.. I will catch everyone up and start bump dates soon!

I can’t believe this day is here. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. So much has happened in this year. Hampton smiled, yawned, grasped my finger, laughed, rolled over, sat up, crawled, took his first steps, ate solids, ate his first bite of sugar, played with Pippa, took many walks with mommy, fell in love with Thomas the Train, learned to take naps (because he wasn’t as a newborn) and to sleep through the night. He has had so many firsts.

This little boy was an angel sent to us. I’m convinced of that. Sure, he’s not perfect, but he has brought us so much joy, happiness and I’m a little embarrassed to say, pride. He has taught me a great deal of patience and how to live on little to no sleep. He has taught me how to love unconditionally and to forgive quickly. He has brought me to my knees in prayer many times and for that I am thankful because my relationship with God has grown so much this year. He makes me laugh and smile every day. I still can’t believe God chose me to be this little boy’s mommy. I am so blessed. Happy birthday to the sweetest little boy in the world. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments this year. We can’t wait to watch you grow and mature through the rest of your years. We love you more than words can say.

Hi mamas! We are officially 5 days from Hampton’s first birthday party (insert panicked scream here). I got so much done over the weekend, but of course my mind is racing and I keep remembering different things I wanted to do but don’t have time for now. Then there is all of the last minute details that must get done this week. I am trying to keep the food very simple so that I’m not super stressed over it, but I have seen so many cutesy “Halloween bark” or “Scarecrow mix” (thank you, Pinterest) that I would also love to make if I have time. Who knows how this will end up! haha On the plus side, all decorations are up and look fantastic! That’s something, right? Here’s to hoping that this party turns out perfect for my little man!

Emotionally, I have definitely broken down twice this week. Hampton has started walking all over the place. He has been taking steps for a while but now he walks across the entire room before he falls. Saturday he walked across the room and looked up at me like he was so excited and proud of himself. Of course I lost it. My baby is growing up and it happened in the blink of an eye. This first year flew by faster than I was prepared for.

Did you miss my post about the pumpkin patch and Hampton’s first zoo trip?

Link up below!

Today is a very exciting day! A Mommy App has officially released and is ready for all of you lovely mommas to download!

This app is so adorable. It is perfect for all mothers. Here are a list of the features included:

– A mommy quiz to test your knowledge on all things mommy related.
– A section devoted to your pregnancy. This will help you keep track week by week.
– A section called “my kids” where you can keep track of your children of all ages. Add in milestones and other exciting achievements!
– Stress Relief feature
– Kids section where they can play games.
– Featured Blogs, Shops and Instagrams!
– App is available for iPhone and will be available for Android soon.

Download for iPhone

Check out A Mommy App on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

A lot has happened in the last 3 years of our marriage. We have been through a lot of good times and bad times, but I am so thankful for both of them because they made us so much stronger. We have a wonderful little boy who we can’t imagine life without. We have a beautiful home filled with lots of love and laughter.

Ryan,

You are my best friend and my rock. You are the one person I can tell anything and everything to and know you won’t betray me. You make me laugh. You make me smile. You make me mad to tears when you leave the toilet seat up or wash Hampton’s bottle with the same sponge that you just sprayed Clorox on. You put up with my extreme childish ways of always wanting to go to the pumpkin patch or look at Christmas lights and you don’t ever say a word when I overdo it on the decorations for Halloween and Christmas. I love the way you offer to cook for me when I’ve had a bad/long day. I love the way you are always serving others. I love the way you forgive people who have wronged you, even when they have done it time and time again. You are so strong. You are a wonderful leader and example of Christ to me and our son. You are always encouraging me and helping me stay positive even when I slip into my old ways of being negative Nancy. You help me see things and people in a different light. You have made me a better person. God seriously blessed me with the best husband and friend I could have ever hoped for. I’m not always easy to put up with, but thank you for loving me through it all. Happy Anniversary! Here’s to 100 more years of happily ever after!

I love you,

-Logan

What a weekend! Seriously, this was one for the books! Thursday night, we went to a local benefit dinner and heard Ben Carson speak. I have been in love with his story since seeing Gifted Hands last year with Ryan. I was pregnant with Hampton at the time and his story touched me so deeply. I couldn’t get over that it was real. It was so neat to have the opportunity to hear him speak in person.

Saturday, we went to the pumpkin patch with my family. Hampton picked out his very own pumpkin and it was so sweet and special. I’ve always had a thing for the pumpkin patch, so taking Hampton for the first time was a dream come true. We rode the cow tractor and played in a box filled with corn. He slid down the big slide with his daddy and cackled the whole time. My child is a little dare devil. We had so much fun and it was such a blessing getting to spend so much time with my family and sister in particular. I have missed her so much these last few weeks.

Hello, 


Pumpkin Patches


Halloween


Hocus Pocus


Sweet Treats


3rd Anniversary


Ryan’s Birthday


Hampton’s 1st Birthday


PSL


Orange


Yellow


Red


Falling Leaves


Cooler Weather


Bobbing for Apples


Fall Festivals


Trick – or – Treaters


Scarecrows


Carving Pumpkins


Hay bells


October 

Hi mamas! I hope you will hop around with Leslyn and I today! Link up your mama posts from the last week and visit a few other blogs! Who doesn’t love to swoon over cute little babies?

This past week has been very eventful, and this week is no exception. I got so many birthday projects and planning done including ordering Hamp’s cake and making his birthday banner! We are getting really excited about his party. Less than three weeks away!

This week we have ball games, and dinners to attend as well as plans to take Hampton to the zoo for the first time and the pumpkin patch! I am hoping to get some cute pictures of him to use at his party. Speaking of pictures, we had his “one year” pictures done this past week! They turned out so beautiful and I can’t wait to share them with you!

Here are a few things you may have missed from last week:

Need a few fun ideas for the fall season? Check out my Fall Bucket List!

Can’t seem to manage to keep the house clean? Check out my Simple Cleaning Schedule!

Need a good fall treat this season? Check out this delicious candy! While you’re at it, enter their sweepstakes here! #sp

Link up all of your mama posts below!

Because we are trying to sell our house, it is important to keep it as clean as possible. We have people ask to look at our house all the time. They randomly knock on our door or schedule appointments 20 minutes before coming to view our home, and so rather than putting myself in a position to panic, I try to stick to this cleaning schedule to ensure that our house is mostly clean all of the time.

Every day


Pick up toys and living spaces every night before bed.

Monday


Laundry

Tuesday

Floors (Sweep, Vacuum, Mop)

Clean off Counters and Surfaces in Kitchen and Bathrooms

Wednesday

Dust

Clean Window Seals

Thursday

Bathrooms/Kitchen

Friday

Floors (Sweep, Mop, Vacuum)

Clean out Fridge

Saturday

Catch up day

De-clutter closets and cabinets if they need it.

Clean the baby toys

Sunday is rest day!

Do you have any housekeeping tips? What would you add to my list?