6 month pics...

Sorry, late posting this photo...

Here is our little man at 20 weeks. I am sorry, I am 5 weeks late on this one... but better late than never! He looks amazing, doesn't he?

Baby Updates and Coupon News...

Where the heck has June and July gone? I mean seriously!

Ryan and I have been very busy with our "Master To-Do" list lately. This list is 4 pages long of everything I could think of that we needed to do before our little boy arrives. My goal is for us to have it all done by the end of August, so we can concentrate on the baby shower, birthing classes, and football season! Go Bucks!

We are about half way done, but before you think "oh, that's good!" Let me just say that we haven't even STARTED the baby's room yet! YIKES! We hope to start that within the next 2 weeks. If you haven't heard, our nursery bedding is the Giggling Turtles from Gap (see below):
Could it be any cuter? We loved the navy and green colors - super preppy! Love it! My sisters have decided to go with this theme for the baby shower too. This turtle pillow shown last is the main decoration for the shower. And being the graphic designer that I am, you should see the invitations I designed. This little guy makes his debut on those too! Adorable.

Last night I decided to take all the baby stuff we already have out of the nursery since we will be doing work in there soon. I went through and organized it all, taking the tags off of clearance clothes I have already purchased, and just taking count of what I have already bought. Ryan about died when he saw all the clothes and Johnson and Johnson's I have bought. But he (being a typical guy), does not realize that the clothes were sized from NB to 12 months purchased ALL from the clearance racks, and the Johnson and Johnson's I pick up on sale and ALWAYS with a 1.00 off coupon- so I get bottles of lotion and baby wash for between .99-1.99 each! So I am actually saving us HUGE money.

Speaking of saving money, I must announce that I am now a CVS SHOPPING FREAK! I used to think CVS was a rip off since everything was so expensive, but then I recently discovered this blog: www.moneysavingmom.com If you haven't even visited, it's a MUST! Here I have learned about the art of CVSing and using Extra Care Bucks to get things for FREE or very little out of pocket. Check out this when you have time! It tells you all about how CVSing works. It takes a little math... but SOOOO worth it. I did my first trip to CVS this week and spent 9.96 out of pocket and got 6.96 back in bucks, which means that I really only have paid 2 bucks + tax for about 7 items! Love it! You gotta try it!

Besides this art of CVSing, I have become a huge coupon FREAK! I have also learned that places like Target and CVS will accept a store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon FOR the same item. Of course, whenever I try it the person checking me out says I can't do that, until I told them that I have spoken to their customer service reps and they said that Target WILL accept both coupons for one item. Example: Johnson and Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash was 2.99. I had a Target coupon for $1 off and a Johnson's Manufacturer Coupon for $1 off. The guy said he could only accept one and I explained to him about their customer service and he didn't know consumers could do that. He didn't say a word after that and went ahead and let me use both, getting it for .99 cents. If you have any trouble with this, call the manager. I also found their coupon policy online that I will keep in my purse for such occasions.

More baby news...

I am going on 25 weeks tomorrow. Two more weeks and I will headed into my third trimester! Oh my goodness! Time is flying! I have my glucose test tomorrow, which I am PRAYING for a good test. My sister has had gestational diabetes with both her pregnancies and I really don't want to have to go through that too. It's not serious, it's very common... but I am asking God that since I was so sick for 7 weeks with morning sickness, that maybe we can do a trade and I wouldn't have gestational diabetes. But, if I do- I do. It's His Will, whatever that may be. So if you could, please say a prayer for me, that tomorrow goes well.

On a more exciting note, this little boy has quit the power! He kicks me so hard now that I can completely see my stomach move. And even more exciting, I could feel either a foot or a hand brush up again my stomach, so much to the point I could feel the structure of it with my hand. It was amazing and I almost cried. :)

I plan on blogging alot more from now on... so stay tuned as my time gets shorter to when this little boy joins us here on earth!

This ones' for Amy...

I ran into a dear friend of mine who I haven't seen in a long time. We stay connected via blogs and facebook, but it's always nice to see a friend in person! Well, she called me out on not posting in a while... so Amy, this one's for you! :) It was so good to see you today!

What's new?

Well right now my June has been SOLID BOOKED with stuff every weekend. This past weekend we had a garage sale. We mainly did it to just get rid of junk and clean out before the lil' one comes. We did pretty well on cleaning stuff out. Most of the BIG stuff went, including a broken stainless steel mini fridge that someone gladly took off our hands for .25! LOL I'm telling you, we had the best pricing in town! So it went good, but of course, very tiring. My parents took what was left up to their house to see what they can sell of it next week at their garage sale.

I have also been busting out photos for my remaining wedding and two engagement shoots I did in May. I am more than half way through the wedding ones, I need to have those done before July 4th... so everynight I try to edit around 20-30 while i watch the news....

I am also hosting my cousin's bridal shower on Sunday. I have been running around Columbus to get everything set and ready for that huge event. There were around 69 invited and ONLY 3 PEOPLE RSVPED that they can't come. YES! I know, usually 1/3 won't show, but you still must be prepared that they all come... how embarrasing it would be to not have enough plates or food! My mom is doing alot of the food, I am taking care of the rest. It should be a great time! I am very much looking forward to throwing this for her. She deserves a great shower!

I became an Aunt again on June 11th. Ryan's sister had her third, Olivia Marie...she is so cute. We are going down over 4th of July weekend to visit... so that should be a great time.

My sister is due in 4 weeks with her second... we don't know what it is, so I am very excited about that! I am guessing it's another boy! :) But we'll see.

My July isn't too bad. I want to start working on the nursery soon, stripping wall paper, painting, ordering new window treatments... So that should be fun!

Well, that's really all I know! Have a great week!

Latest Updates...

Hello!

Yes, its been a while! I am sorry for my laziness for not getting posts up lately. I have been super busy with my photography business. But I know mostly everyone is wanting to hear about this little person growing inside of me. So here are some latest news items on that topic.

I am currently 18 weeks along- 4 months. The baby is now the size of a sweet potato. Whew! Between weeks 6 and 13 was a doozie for me. I was sick as a dog ALL-DAY-LONG. I wanted to die. Really, I did. It was like having the flu 24/7. I never wish that upon anyone. I just kept telling myself it will be worth it, and it will be. I am finally feeling great again and getting to enjoy life. I think part of the time I didn't post because I just felt to sick to write anything! Seriously! It was bad.

We had our 17 week check up last week and had an ultrasound. :) And found out IT'S A BOY! Yes! There's a pee-pee! I saw it on the screen. The Dr. confirmed and we are so excited! This ultrasound was by far the best so far we had. We saw his toes and fingers and I have pictures of them too! You can count all 10 toes in the one picture. Too precious!

Continuing on the subject that I will be living in a house of all pee-pees... we are very VERY excited to be having a little boy because Ryan is the last Nusbaum in his family. His grandfather has been super excited ever since he heard the news. I know that it means alot to him, so we sure hope he stick's around to see his little Nusbaum grandson born.

Ryan said he had a inkling that it was a boy. I thought for the first 15 weeks it was a girl for sure, but then lately I had a change in my mind and I thought that maybe it is a boy! And sure enough it was! That day we had our dr. appointment, we were sitting in the waiting room and a woman came in and sat down beside me with a new born little boy. He was georgous. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I just smiled and starred at him. I believe it was the moment that I really thought I could have one of these, one of these little precious angel son's sent down from above. And sure enough, not a half hour later, I found out I was! Amazing!

We have decided to keep the baby's name a secret. We have it narrowed down to around 5 names we like right now. The middle name will be DALE, since that is Ryan's Grandfathers, fathers and his middle name. Some names are very traditional, some are more modern. We'll see I guess.

Many people have asked me if I am going back to work or staying home with him. My answer is I will be returning to work, and for a couple of reasons. One, we prefer to live not strapped for cash. Even though we could survive with one income, we have a house (and I say house, not mortgage, because alot goes into a house than just the mortgage), a new car, and we like to have a nice balance in the checkbook for a rainy day. I want to give him all that I can. Child care is expensive, that's no doubt, but it doesn't even justify my work and benefits. Two, I tell people that I worked too dang hard through school and college to just give it all up. And that is the truth. I love my work, I love my job at Ohio State... it's too good to just give up. And three, I also believe that the time away from him will help me to refocus as a parent and return home at the end of the day appreciating even more the time I then get to spend with him.

My body.... popping out! I am getting bigger and bigger, that's for sure. I feel like I am mostly belly, although I have gained weight a little bit everywhere else. But that is expected. I continue to eat healthy and work out when I can. I don't read the scale when I go for my appointments. Unless they say something is wrong, I am not worried about my weight. I plan on breastfeeding, so that should help too.

Kicking... YES! I started to feel kicks around 17 weeks. It's amazing. I usually feel it after I eat and in the evening when I lay down to watch tv. :) He is surely active, I can tell.

I think that is about it for now. I will try to post more often and hopefully soon get a picture up here. I hope everyone has a great week!

A little bundle of joy...

Yes! We are expecting! :)
We are due November 5th and truly thrilled! This is a picture of Baby Nusbaum at 9 Weeks! I am currently rolling into my 12th week and feeling alot better. I was really sick (I mean REALLY sick) from weeks 6-11, I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it. LOL I thought to myself, it's like having the bad flu 24/7.

But then, during week 9 when we had our first ultrasound, it all seemed worth it. To see this little person, heart beating away, moving around on its own- - - we fell into instant love of this little being. I said to my doctor, it's all worth it... the throwing up, the constant nausea- - - it's all worth it, with a big smile on my face. :)

We finally told our parents at Easter 2 weekends ago. I got two larger green plastic eggs and put an ultrasound photo in each of them (for each set of parents). My parents were in total shock and THRILLED, while Ryan's mom fell to her knees crying and his dad was very emotional as well, and THRILLED! It was mostly shock because we have not mentioned NOR hinted of any kind that we were trying for a baby. So SHOCK, EXCITEMENT & TEARS would pretty much sum up that experience! It was great!

We have our next ultrasounds at the end of April, and during this one, we will be able to hear the heartbeat! :) So excited for that. In the mean time, my sickness level has gone WAY down... barely any at all! I also have formed a small baby bump, which I will hopefully take a photo of this weekend to post. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

xox,
Erin

Raise your hand if you need a vacation...

I DO! I DO!

I tell ya, I am dying. I'm sitting here at work exhausted, raining outside, cold- I'm just done. You know when you have reached that point when you're like "Ok, I need a vacation."

I have officially reached that point.

I you can tell, I haven't been blogging much- again- tired. So just burnt out on everything I can't even get enough motivation to blog, nothing is inspiring me.

Lucky, there is a light at the end of the tunnel... about a 3 week long tunnel. I am slowly crawling my way there.

That light is Vegas.

At the beginning of May, my sisters and I are off to our annual sister's trip to Vegas. Honestly, that's about all I can think about. Sun shine, good food catered to me, relaxing by the pool, no schedule, no emailing or phone calls, no making dinner, no laundry, no cleaning, NOTHING! AHHHHH! I can barely stand it.

I need a vacation. I need THIS vacation.

Will I make it? Well, I'm still crawling. Vegas would be the only light right now that would keep me going.

Vegas.

Yo!

Hi everyone. I know... I am a terrible blogger. But I have been so busy at work and on top of that, not feeling well for about a week due to this cold... I just have shunned myself from the computer.

Nothing too new going on. I haven't been shopping in like 2 weeks. Last time I shopped was went a ran to Kohls' with a 15% off coupon and got a cute black graphic tee for like 10 bucks...
Cute, huh?

I have been happy to announce that we grilled out for the first time this past week! I love beer brats on the grill- they are my favorite summer time food! So we had those one night, and hamburgers this past weekend. YUM!

Then it snowed on Sunday- BOO! :(

Well, that's about all to report for now. Have a great week!

Our New Boat...

Isn't it pretty?!

The Hurt Noone Sees...

This whole thing with Rhianna and Chris Brown is just awful. But it hits close to home.

I have been there, I was a victim of emotional abuse. Its' all very familiar although I have reached a "forgive" state in my life. Christ has helped me with that along with a couple of very dear dear friends. I was emotionally abused during my high school years. No one would believe me. He was such a "nice guy", so "quiet" and was "everyone's friend". People, open your eyes. No one would help me, no one wanted to see it. Everyone thought that I was the problem. No one could see it. Some still wouldn't believe me if I told them all the things that happened. But it happened. And I am not afraid to speak out. It was abuse. Never again.

I was stalked, threatened, and mentally abused. He would drive past my house to check up on me, he would get mad at me when I went out with friends, he forbid me to talk to any other guy, he would get mad that I wore spandex shorts while playing volleyball, he would be fine around his friends but would look all mad around me- like I made him upset. He didn't ever want me to wear nice clothes, he wanted me to always wear a sports bra because I had bigger boobs, he would talk to all sorts of girls, but when I sat in class next to a boy - he would get SOOO mad at me. He would tell me he loved me and wanted to marry me, but never showed that around his friends. He would say "I HOPE I CAN TRUST YOU" about 1000 times a day. This person knows who he is. I have forgave him since he was not right in the head and will not ever let this happen to another person close to me EVER.

No one could see it. No one would help me. Again, they all though I was the problem. I was not depressed. I was the reason HE was always mad. HA! Whatever!

I want to become an advocate for teenage abuse. I want to write a book to tell my story and to help other young girls to get out. I used to be afraid to talk about it, but not anymore. I used to be afraid to write about it, but not anymore. God saved me. He gave to me two best friends that are far greater than any pain I went through. One I married and he saved me too. My husband was sent from God to help heal me and to know what true love is. He is amazing. He is my angel on earth.

If I ever have a daughter, I swear on my life she will never go through what I went through. I promise you that. If I ever have a son, I will be sure he treats women with all due respect.

I can't go back and change the past, but I can take what I have been through and learned and help others. If you know anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or need help, I am always here to talk.

This is from the Oprah website:

Warning Signs of Teen Dating Abuse

An alarming number of teenage girls are being controlled or abused by their boyfriends by the time they graduate from high school. As a parent, you must know the signs of abuse in order to stop it. Dr. Jill Murray's warning signs can help you prevent your daughter from being a victim.

The Warning Signs:

• Isolation: Does your daughter have fewer friends than she did before meeting her boyfriend? This speaks to the isolation that an abusive boy imposes on a girlfriend. He might isolate her first from her friends, then from her outside activities and then her family. She can then become emotionally dependent on him, and find it difficult to leave.
• Emotional Changes: In the early infatuation stage of any relationship girls are often happy. Once the boy becomes abusive, she begins feeling sad and desperate. She may cry more or want to be alone.
• Constant Communication: Does your daughter's boyfriend constantly call or text her, and she must call him back immediately? He might ask her where she is, what she's doing, who she's with, what time she'll be back and how many other boys she has spoken to.
• Jealousy Issues: You might notice the boyfriend's jealousy. If your daughter looks at or speaks casually with another boy, does he get upset? Did he tell her that he loved her early in the relationship? This is his "hook." Your daughter might find this romantic, but it could be another red flag for jealousy and issues with control.
• The Boyfriend's Background: If your daughter's boyfriend comes from a tragic home life, it could mean trouble. He might not be far behind in his parent's footsteps if they use drugs or are abusive to him or each other.
• The Need to Impress: When he gives her "advice" about her choice in friends, hairstyle, clothes or makeup, notice if she's following his every word. Your daughter is likely in complete denial and may be in fear of what he will do to her if she doesn't change.
• Making Excuses for Him: Your daughter might stick-up for her boyfriend, defending his words and actions. Don't let her denial force you to ignore your gut! He may have convinced her that she's too sensitive when he calls her names or told her he's "only kidding."

Most importantly, if you keep the line of communication open with her, you'll be able to notice more signs. For more information, call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 866-331-9474 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE.

I was healed. I want to be able to help heal others.