What's Up Wednesday {August 2016}

How is it the last Wednesday of August already?  This summer has definitely been packed full of family and friends and memories I will cherish forever. My little family has some fun things planned for the next month, so let's dive right in and give you a sneak peek into what lies ahead. Thanks to Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for hosting this fun link up!  

Every month, we answer these same questions...

Along with the questions above, the hosts provide a bonus question each month. This month's bonus question is, What is your favorite summer to fall transitional piece in your closet?

1. What we're eating this week...

Left over Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin from Sunday's dinner, salads for lunches, egg salad sandwiches, and anything with rotisserie chicken. Exciting stuff!

2. What I'm reminiscing about...

This sweet, sweet baby of mine. On September 13th, you may find me in the corner bawling my mama eyes out as our baby turns 1. As exhausting as the newborn days were, I miss those endless snuggles. And the fact that babies can't move, because we now find ourselves with a man on a mission every waking second. Though I'll forever miss being able to hold Micah in my forearm, I'm so looking forward to shaping him into a man of God for many years to come.

3. What I'm loving...
I've been planning Micah's 1st birthday party since July and am loving getting my creative juices flowing. I'm DIY'ing a lot of the decorations and can't wait to see everything come together in a few weeks. I plan on posting step by step instructions for some of the decorations, so be sure to check back in the coming weeks.

4. What we've been up to...
Camping with family, bike riding and long walks with new friends. We are gearing up for a lot of travel in September, so the slow pace of August was welcomed with open arms.

You better watch out because there's a new driver in our household!

The helmet looks enormous on his little noggin. He actually has a really big head, which makes my previous statement hilarious.

Headed out for a quick swim in the pool with my cousins.

5. What I'm dreading...
We will be flying to Minnesota on Friday to visit friends and I'm so anxious about flying with a (almost) 1 year old. I have things that will hopefully entertain him for the 2 hour flight, but I'm just so nervous that his ears will pop and then we will have a screaming baby the entire time. I'm giving it up to the Lord, and I know everything will be okay. Leave me any tips and tricks for flying with toddlers in the comments!

6. What I'm working on...
So, I have a confession for you all. I caved an bought an Adult Coloring Book. And, you know what? I find myself coloring, while listening to a TV show, almost every night before bed and it's so relaxing.

7. What I'm excited about... Visiting our friends in Minnesota! Here's the lowdown on how we met Khang and Johanna. Both husbands worked on the same client in Ohio and quickly bonded because they were both born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The following year, all 4 of us happened to be visiting Vietnam at the same time so we all met up so the girls could speak English. HA! Our son was born in September and their son was born in November, so Johanna and I have bonded over that. This will be the second time seeing one another in person and I'm excited to get to know them and finally meet their son!

8. What I'm watching...
Aside from the obvious Bachelor in Paradise, Real Housewives of (Anywhere), and Big Brother, I just started watching The Good Wife on Hulu last week after reading Shay's review and am hooked! Each episode leaves me wanting more and more.

9. What I'm listening to...
A Worship music CD from the Praise & Worship team at church. Playing music motivates me to get things done around the house....so, I should really play more music. Maybe my house would stay clean.    10. What I'm wearing...
A dress from Old Navy I snagged for $2 and a jean jacket!

11. What I'm doing this weekend...
Minnesota! Woot woot!

12. What I'm looking forward to next month... Celebrating Micah turning ONE with friends and family!

13. What else is new...

I just got these booties for fall at DSW for 60% off!
14. What is your favorite summer to fall transitional piece in your closet... I find myself wearing a jean jacket more often this time of year. It's 60 degrees when I leave for work in the morning but 80+ degrees after work, so the jacket provides just enough warmth and is fashionable. Win, win!
That's a sneak peek at what our past month has been filled with and what some of our plans are for September.
What was one thing you did in August to close out summer?

What's Up Wednesday: Babies on My Mind

Today is another What's Up Wednesday hosted by Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer. To see my very first WUW post, click here.  

Here are the questions:

Along with the questions above, the hosts provide a bonus question each month. This month's bonus question is, What's your favorite back to school tradition?

Feel free to play along in the comments section. Now, let's get started...

1. What we're eating this week...

I have had zero energy to make meals after a full day in the office, so it's been fend for yourself around the Dang household lately. There was one night I was feeling up to preparing a meal so I whipped up an old favorite - Mini Meatloaf.

2. What I'm reminiscing about...

A LOT! I'm so emotional these days. Ha! Our one year wedding anniversary was in July, my one year work anniversary was a couple weeks ago, and our little guy is due in 3.5 weeks. The Hubby and I are trying to soak up the last few days as a family of 2.
3. What I'm loving...
The nursery is finally starting to come together. The Hubby finished painting, clothes are hanging in the closet, and the crib and rocking chair have been assembled. Khanh complains every time I ask him to put something together or make a decision on what decorations he likes better, but he ends up doing it all with a smile on his face. This momma couldn't appreciate all the hard work he's doing to prepare for our little guy's arrival - even though he won't be using the nursery for a couple months. << The Hubby pointed that one out.

4. What we've been up to...
We had two weddings in one weekend at the beginning of August. It was definitely a fun-filled, exhausting weekend, but I actually appreciated they were on the same weekend since both weddings were on the other side of the state. That meant one less time we had to make the almost 6-hour round trip. The first wedding was on Friday afternoon, but the bridal party (Khanh was one of the groomsmen) had to be there Thursday afternoon for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. After witnessing my host-brother-in-law marry his long time girlfriend, the real party started - hor d'oeuvres, dinner, and cake. I may or may not have had one too many pieces of cake!

The Hubby, baby, and me. I wasn't carrying my phone with me, so this is the only picture of us at the first wedding.

The second wedding was at 11:00am on Saturday. After getting a few hours of sleep on Friday night, we had to wake up with the sun and drive another hour and a half to Lake Michigan for my brother's intimate beach ceremony. 

This is me with my oldest brother, Karl. I still can't believe that he's a married man!

Me, the Hubby, and my youngest brother, Boyd. Boyd is 14 and will be a high school freshman this year. Too bad you can't see through computer screens because you'd see my crying in the fetal position right now. I just love this kid!

Bonus picture: my brother waiting on his lovely bride.

We love both of these couples so much and were honored to be able to witness this special day in their lives. Other than the weddings, we have been taking childbirth education classes, touring the labor and delivery floor, and keeping up with chores around the house.
5. What I'm dreading...
I'm not really dreading anything these days, other than thinking about the pain that lie ahead. But, I know the prize at the end will be so worth it!

6. What I'm working on...
Preparing for labor, bringing another person into the world, and figuring out how to be the best mom I can be are at the top of my seemingly never ending to-do list.

7. What I'm excited about... My mom and stepdad are visiting this weekend to help finish the nursery and spend time with us before we are completely incoherent for a few months!

8. What I'm watching...
As I type this post, I am watching Big Brother 17. Guilty pleasure. #JohnnyMac!

9. What I'm listening to...
SiriusXM is always on in my Jeep. If you see me jamming out at a stoplight, just know that I'm having fun and don't care that you are blatantly judging me.

10. What I'm wearing...
Same ol' mix of maternity clothes. I counted the tops that currently fit me and came to a whopping 7. That's enough tops to rotate my wardrobe on a weekly basis. Side note for my coworkers: I only wear my shirts once before washing them. Ha!

11. What I'm doing this weekend...
Our weekend will be jam-packed with family time. Like I said above, my mom and stepdad will be visiting to help around the house. The four of us plan on visiting my grandparents for dinner on Saturday. Did I mention that they live on an island? Well, they do and I love it there!

12. What I'm looking forward to next month...
Next month is our little guy's due date!!!   13. What else is new...
As you have probably guessed by now, my mind is all baby everything right now. I'm not complaining though!

14. What's your favorite back to school tradition? I don't remember having any back to school traditions other than shopping for school clothes and supplies with my mom. My mom is such a hard worker and I am forever grateful for everything she has done for me and my brother. Love, love, love her!

What's Up Wednesday: Roommates and Vacation

I've been following Shay over at Mix and Match Family for a while now and I love how open and real she is about her faith and her family. She lives in Texas now, but we used to be neighbors up here in the good ol' Mitten State. Sort of. Just ignore the fact that I was probably in high school and her husband was a Detroit Lion. This Mama definitely inspires me to be the best mama to our little guy. Shay has taught me that there will be rough parenting days, but to turn my focus to God and find the good in every situation.  On the last Wednesday of each month, Shay co-hosts a link party along with Mel and Sheaffer.  

 

Here are the questions:

 

Along with the questions above, the hosts provide a bonus question each month. This month's bonus question is, What are you doing for the 4th of July?

 

Feel free to play along in the comments section. Now, let's get started...

 

1. What we're eating this week...

I bought a honey glazed bone-in half ham for 50% off last week, so I cooked that baby on Monday night. We had friends over for dinner and then I cut up the leftovers and tossed them in the freezer. This was a super inexpensive way to get meat for multiple meals for our little family and not have to labor over the oven each time. So, I am being creative this week and finding ways to use the leftover ham.

 

2. What I'm reminiscing about...

I've been thinking about my college girlfriends a lot lately. I miss staying up late into the night chatting away. I miss waking up to their bad hair days. I miss making dinner together. I miss going out on the town together. I miss decorating our little apartment for Christmas. I just miss knowing they will be home when I walk through the door.  
3. What I'm loving...
Our house is finally starting to feel like a home.  The living room is almost done. It's my favorite room in the house right now.

4. What we've been up to...
We have been doing a lot lately. The past few weekends we have been driving to the other side of the state for bridal showers, hospital visits, and other things. When we are home, we are busy doing house and yard work. It's been raining non-stop and we are just sick and tired of cutting the grass - which could be done every 3 days. But, being busy every weekend is a reminder that we are blessed to have a roof over our heads and a family that loves us.

5. What I'm dreading...
I have 50ish work days left before maternity leave. These will quite possibly be the longest days of my life. Ever.

6. What I'm working on...
I'm currently working on finishing designing my blog. I never got it looking exactly how I wanted so it's time I start working on it again. I do all the HTML and CSS coding myself so it takes quite a while, but the end results re so worth my time.

7. What I'm excited about... Going to Cancun next week and spending a few days alone with the hubby. Hopefully this will be my view for 4 straight days. Take that back. Hopefully my view includes a hot Vietnamese guy, too!  

8. What I'm watching...
The only show I'm currently following is The Bachelorette. Though this season is definitely losing my attention rather quickly. I don't like watching one girl hook up with each guy she's dating. Show a little self-respect, Kaitlyn. When you're done reading my What's up Wednesday post, head over to Sheaffer's blog (a co-host) to check out her Bachelorette recap. She is seriously hilarious!

9. What I'm listening to...
America's got Talent is on in the background. I just like to have the T.V. on for some background noise, I don't really watch the show.  

10. What I'm wearing...
Currently sitting on the couch in pre-maternity running shorts and an old college t-shirt. Both of which are getting tighter by the day. And oh-so unflattering. But who am I trying to impress?

11. What I'm doing this weekend...
Saturday will finally be a day at home with no plans on the agenda. Then on Sunday, we are driving to my hometown for another baby shower. I can't wait to see my family and celebrate our little guy with everyone. The Hubster gets to hangout with my grandpa during the baby shower so my grandma can attend without any worries. Though my grandpa has already said that he'll get to do what he wants since Khanh sleeps all the time. Hmmm. We shall see.

12. What I'm looking forward to next month...
Our first anniversary is the end of July and I absolutely cannot wait. We will be going to my family reunion the day before our anniversary, so we don't have big plans. I wouldn't mind going to a nice dinner and talking for hours about our first year of marriage and our hopes and dreams for the next 70 years together. I just love and appreciate my husband so very much.  

13. What else is new...
I got these sunglasses from Target to take to Cancun next week. I know, my life is so exciting.

14. What I'm doing for the 4th of July...
The Hubby and I will be relaxing on the beach in Mexico. Book in hand. Sunscreen lathered on. Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri in hand.