Reflection....

I was sitting here rocking my baby girl, and thinking about the past 7 years. It has been a whirlwind of change, excitement, happiness, sadness, and new beginnings. It seems like a lifetime ago, but just 7 and a half years ago I was a teenage girl who had just started dating this guy. Now 7 years later we have been through so very much. We have moved 4 times including across the country. We have met so many friends, and said goodbye to some. We have mourned loss and rejoiced with new births, like our sweet little princess.

Never would I have guessed that 7 years ago this is where I would be. I never would have guessed I would have gone through so much in such a short period of time. As I sit thinking about the new year and years to come, I am overwhelmed. Where will the next years take us. What will they hold. The surprises and  change to come.  Where will we be in 7 more years, I'm not sure but I'm excited to find out what God has in store for us..

Happy New Year!

~Danni

1 year ago

1 year ago I was very pregnant.
1 year ago I was anticipating a beautiful baby girl.
1 year ago we were a family of 2.
1 year ago I was dreaming of being a mom.

This year I"m busy planning a birthday party.
This year I have a toddler running circles around me.
This year we are a family of 3.
This year I'm a mom =).

I can't believe it was 1 year ago that my life changed forever.

This little smile brings me more joy than I ever thought possible!

Sadie's Nursery

 I am way past due to post the nursery pictures. But better late then never. So here they are =).

Way over due for an update

Well my world has been turned upside down since the arrival of our little princess. She is amazing.
Whenever someone meets her they always say "she is such a happy baby". She has a full body smile lol. She is extremely active and already walking. She says mama, dada, and Yay! She loves to go outside . She loves dogs and gets so excited when she sees them. She loves people and starts babbling to strangers and flashing her grin.
She is definitely a handful. She is a nearly perfect baby except for sleep. She hates sleep. I think she thinks she is going to miss something fun. She is getting better but it has been a long exhausting road. When I was pregnant I read every book, blog, and article on babies sleeping. Maybe I some how knew this would be an issue. But all those authors never met my little one lol.
But we are working through it and I have tried to enjoy the late night snuggles, as they will be gone before I know it. It has been a harder road then I thought but my little girl is truly a joy. I love her more than I ever knew was possible.
I will leave you with a video of my little princess walking =)

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there. I know I have not been writing much lately. But I have been preoccupied with a special little princess. She is 7 almost 8 months already. She has grown so quickly. She is such a happy little girl and always on the move.

It's funny motherhood is not exactly how I pictured it. Nobody can really describe how hard it really can be. The lack of sleep, wondering if your doing it "the right way", and the 24/7 job that it is. But at the same time nobody can describe the joy that motherhood brings either. When you see your little one light up when you enter the room, the warmth and happiness you feel is like no other. When you see your child learn how to do something new and the pride on their face, it makes you glow with pride as well. It amazes me how something that can be so frustrating at times, can bring so much joy the next moment. So I have been focusing on all those moments. The moments that you want to take a mental picture of so you can remember when she is 16 and always out with her friends.

I have always wanted to be a mother. This past year my little girl made that a reality. The very first moment they laid her in my arms I was forever changed. It has been more difficult and more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. But then again many things we work hard for have the best rewards.

So happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there that have the hardest and most rewarding job in the world.

~ Danni

24!!

She has Arrived

Season of Change is Upon Us

My Favorite Thing about Pregnancy

I'm now 34 weeks. Only 6 weeks till the due date. It has started to go by really fast, and I'm hoping it continues through this crazy heat we have been having.
I have had a great couple of weeks. We had baby showers, and friends visit. It has been wonderful. Its so fun to see how much this little one is loved already and she isn't even here yet. I'm so thankful for my wonderful family and friends who have done so much for us in this new exciting time.

So I was thinking the other day that it is really easy to list the difficulties of pregnancy especially since I picked one of the hottest summers to be pregnant. But then there are so many great things about being pregnant. Focusing on them helps get through those extremely hot days, and swelling feet.

One perk for me is living healthier. At least for me it is so much easier to eat right, and exercise with the constant knowledge that its for someone else too. Of course feeling your baby move is amazing. Knowing that there is a little person growing and moving inside is indescribably wonderful. But my favorite thing through this pregnancy journey, has been watching my hubby fall in love all over again. The first time he felt her move, I will never forget his face, it was priceless. When she moves to his voice, or he sings to her it brings tears to my eyes. This in turn has made our love even deeper. It's amazing to think this little one is a part of me and a part of him. I can' t wait to meet her and watch him fall even more in love. I know that this baby girl will have him wrapped around her little finger in no time. That is by far my favorite thing so far through this pregnancy. I know its only going to get better when we meet this little one.

~Danni

To My Music Mann on our Anniversary,

I can't believe 4 years have flown by already. We have been through so much already, and I'm so excited for this next year and adventure we are about to embark on. It's funny you hear about so many pregnant women being frustrated or irritated with their husbands, but it has been the total opposite for me. I'm so thankful for you and all you do. I'm thankful for you refilling my water bottle a billion times, without me asking, so you make sure I have enough water. I'm thankful for you listening to me ramble on and on about baby stuff, what to register for, diapers, clothes, gear, the nursery, etc. I'm thankful for your strength, prayers, and hugs as we make so many decisions. I really do notice all the little things you do as well as the big ones. I can't wait to see you spoil our baby girl, just like you spoil me.
I'm so glad you are my husband, its been an amazing 4 years. Its funny, I have had people ask me how you won my heart. I just have to smile and think, if only they knew how amazing the man I'm married truly is. If only they knew all that is inside him. His many gifts, talents, his ambition, dreams, humor, and great strength. I feel so incredible blessed that you let me see more of that than anyone else has ever seen. I'm also so excited to see it emerge so the world can see too what an amazing man I married.
I love you so very much, and want you to know that 4 years ago today, was the best decision I ever made.
I love you!
Love,
Danni

The One with What I have Been Up too Lately

So I haven't posted in a long time. I have meant to, but been very busy lately.
So what have I been up to?

  well getting bigger and bigger every day lol, 

      and getting a nursery ready

We have a lot of projects we want to do in this room. We will see how many we get to, but I will be sure to post pictures as we finish up projects. The hubby is excited to make this room adorable for his baby girl =)

And I have been working working working. It has been busy summer so far. I can't believe I'm 7  months along already. The time has flown by. Only 12 weeks, left and lots more to do. I'm so excited about this fall. Fall happens to be my favorite season, and I am going to get the best gift of all this fall. I can't wait!
But that is what I have been up to lately.



~Danni

The one with the question of a Boy or Girl

So when you get pregnant you are asked tons of questions.
Do you think its a boy or girl?
Well I at first thought its a boy, basically because I always thought I would have a boy first. Then I began to think that it could be a girl. So basically I don't know, but what I do know is that I'm so excited about this little one. This baby is part of me and part of my hubby, and whether a boy or girl,  I couldn't be more excited to meet him or her.
Then you get; Do you want a boy or girl?
Well to answer that simply I want both. I want a little boy who wants to do things "just like daddy" He brings dandelions to me from playing outside. A little boy wrestling with daddy, and showing us his muscles.  His pockets are full of rocks, dirt, bugs, and lots of other things when he comes inside.
I want a little girl who is my "little helper". She will have her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Have tea parties, well and probably play football too (she will be mine haha). Her little curls bouncing, and of course the little adorable clothes!  I want both. So either way we will be thrilled. There are so many wonderful things about having a little boy or a little girl. What are some of you favorite things of having little boys or girls?

The one with 16 and 24

Well I am 16 weeks today. Only 24 more weeks to go.  I can finally eat food, and am so thankful. The past couple weeks have been pretty rough, but I we got through it, and I feel lots better. I'm so excited to welcome this little bundle in September. When we went for our ultrasound and saw this little one  move around on the screen, it all started to become a little more real. If this ultrasound is any indication, this is a very active baby =). I will leave you with this picture of our little one to arrive sometime around September 20th!

The One with the best picture ever!

There are no words to describe how excited we are! I'm due sometime end of September, and I can't wait!


~Danni

p.s sorry I haven't blogged in awhile I have been busy puking and sleeping hahaha

The One with a Holiday Recap

The One with the View from here

The One with Dreams to Reality

The one with where I stop worrying

The One with Autumn Lovin

So no, I'm still here, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth lol. Summer is always such a busy time, it seemed like I blinked and it was gone. But Autumn is here. It is my absolute favorite season. I love the leaves changing and the trees looking like they are on fire. I love all the colors, and the cool crisp fall air. I love apple picking, cider, doughnuts, and the smell of apple pie baking in the oven. I love a cup of hot tea next to the fireplace. I love raking the leaves and jumping in them  the little ones jumping in them. (okay so maybe I jump in them too ). I love the time with family. Autumn reminds me that change comes whether you want it to or not. The times will change, people change, situations change, it happens, its life. But Autumn helps me remember to stop and see the beauty in the change. That before you know it the next season will be here so enjoy every moment. Enjoy your life, no everything isn't perfect, it probably won't ever be perfect so enjoy all that you have to be thankful for today. There is so very much. So I'm going to go enjoy it.

~Danni

The One with Our Wedding

So 3 years ago today, I got married to my best friend. It feels like yesterday, time sure does fly. Well I thought I would take this time to tell you about our wedding. My parents threw us an amazing wedding. I'm so thankful to all our family and friends who made the day as amazing as it was. It truly was a fairytale, sometimes I still can't believe how wonderful it was.
 The night before our wedding, we had the rehearsal in my parents backyard on their pond. It was a great time because we had so many family and friends around that we hadn't seen in a very long time. We then went to a local restaurant and had dinner. It was surreal, and I remember thinking that I couldnt' believe the day had finally come.
I got ready that morning at my parents house with the girls. I remember getting into my dress and I suddenly felt so excited to be getting married. I couldn't wait to get there.

We had our wedding on the beautiful beach on the shores of Lake Michigan. I remember driving up in our limo and seeing the beach, the arch, the flowers, and people and it was breathtaking.

As we got ready to make our way down the aisle I couldn't contain my excitement.

 As I took those steps with my dad, barefoot in the sand, toward my groom, I saw his eyes well up and a tear go down his cheek. I will never forget that moment.

Looking into my grooms eyes we said our vows, I meant them with every fiber of my being, and I still do. There is something powerful about saying those vows in front of your family and friends.

 When Pastor John asked for the rings, We turned to the best man who dropped the ring box in the sand, they all pulled out colorful shovels and started digging in the sand for it.

 I started laughing hysterically, it was quite a site.

Well when we finally got the rings, and said the vows we were husband and wife. You know its funny I knew he was the one, before we even started dating, and finally it had become official.

We then took tons of pictures which was actually so much fun! That whole day was a party with our best friends, it was so fun.

Then we headed to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. If you have never been there, it is absolutely stunning 5 star hotel. I absolutely felt like a princess in every way. The food was outstanding, and we got to visit with our closets friends and family. We spent the night dancing away and it was wonderful.

That day truly was the happiest day of my life.

We have spent 3 wonderful years together, and I couldn't be happier. Its amazing how God can put two people together, and they can become one. Families merge, and somehow you can't imagine it any other way. I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband. We had a fairytale wedding and I felt like a princess. He has treated me like a princess every day for 3 years and counting =)
Happy Anniversary my Music Mann!


~Danni

                                                                                       ( photos by Modern Photographics)