WHAT'S IN A NAME

When you were little, did you ever wish you had a different name? I went through a stage when I thought the name "Megan" was soooo boring.  I would even ask my Mom why she never thought of giving me a much cooler name like, "Stacey." My love for the name Stacey stemmed from the Barbie's friend doll, and my absolute love/obsession with the Babysitters Club Book Series. I always wanted to be the character Stacey from this series. Luckily, I came to love my name and stopped giving my poor Mom grief about it. 

Thinking of a name for your child is a big decision. I had been thinking of names for my future children ever since I was a little girl. When Casey and I were engaged, I presented my favorite options to him. He thought I was crazy :) He told me he would not commit to any child's name until I was pregnant with them. I thought this was lame, but it didn't stop me from throwing some ideas out every once in awhile :)

Last summer over dinner, I told Casey that I was really starting to love the name, "Emma." I knew that I would most likely get the response, "Lets get pregnant first," which I did.  About two months later (and before we were pregnant), he brought up a potential child's name at dinner.  I almost fell out of my chair since he has always been so resistant to this type of conversation, and now he was actually bringing it up and had a name! I could not wait to hear what it was going to be. To my surprise, he said, "I am not sure where it came from, but today at work, I just started thinking I really like the name, 'Emma' for a girl." At first I thought he was joking. Was he just trying to tease me since I brought this name up two months ago? I just stared at him, and said, "Are you serious?" He stared blankly back at me not understanding my response, and said, "..Yes." I reminded him that I brought this name up two months ago, but he had no recollection of it! I guess he just blocked those "kid name" conversations out of his memory. 

After we laughed about the whole thing, we realized that we had each come to this name separately, but together. It was pretty much destiny, if you ask me. We both love that the name, "Emma" is timeless, classy, elegant, and sweet. 

"Grace" is another name I have always loved, and is actually the name of my Goddaughter/niece. I thought it would make a perfect middle name. Emma Grace had such a nice ring to it. When we found out we were pregnant, we committed to it being the name of our baby if it was a girl. Baby O was a girl, and our little bundle of joy now has a name. Sweet Emma Grace, we love you!

Happy Thursday! Thanks for reading! XO

GENDER REVEAL

A few days before Casey and I left to go to Louisiana for Christmas, we had the big Doctor's appointment where we found out our baby's gender. One of the most frequently asked questions when you are pregnant is, "Do you think it is a girl or a boy?" Casey and I would go back and forth about what we thought our baby's gender might be, but we definitely leaned more towards our baby being a boy. 

In the sea of people we knew having babies, all of them were having boys. We figured something was in the water, and we would be having a boy too. We obviously would have been excited either way, but I know we both mentally went into the appointment expecting the Doctor to tell us we were having a boy. I did, however, have one dream about our baby before the reveal and in it our baby was a girl.

When the time finally arrived, we anxiously waited as the Doctor moved our baby around so he could find out. Once he knew, he asked us if we wanted him to just tell us or write it down. We quickly replied, "Just tell us!" Then he said, "You are having.....a GIRL!" We both instantly were a little surprised and so excited! 

After the appointment, we stood in the parking lot and just kept looking at each other and saying, "We are having a girl." I instantly wanted to go shopping and buy all the adorable little girl clothes I had been seeing and admiring. I started dreaming of her nursery and what she would look like. Casey was kind of being quiet, so I thought maybe he was disappointed we were not having a boy. I asked him what was wrong. 

My sweet baby girl if you ever read this blog one day, know this what your Daddy had to say, "Nothing is wrong at all! I am just thinking of the adventures I am going to take her on, the Daddy daughter dates, making sure she knows she is beautiful, walking her down the aisle..." My heart officially melted in that moment.

Baby girl, your already have your Daddy wrapped around your finger.

Cannot wait to meet her! Thanks for reading! XO

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

I have never been a believer of love at first sight. I think there can be infatuation at first sight, or attraction at first sight, but to me, love is something you can only obtain by truly getting to know someone. I believe you must invest in that person and come to see their greatest gifts and biggest weaknesses. True love is when you still make the choice to love all parts of them despite their imperfections. I stand by this stance when it comes to dating and relationships, but once I saw my precious baby for the first time, I officially became a believer of love at first sight. True genuine love came pouring out of my heart as I watched my baby move and wiggle for the first time. 

As crazy as it may sound, even though I took a pregnancy test that told me that I was pregnant and had bad morning sickness, there was a part of me that still doubted it was all real. I could not wrap my head around the idea that there was a living baby growing inside of me. Even as my Doctor put the jelly on my stomach, I wondered if a baby would show up on the screen. As soon as our baby made its first appearance, chills went through my body. Our baby was real.

Baby O was only 9 weeks old at our first ultrasound, and yet, our baby was so full of life. We didn't get to hear the heartbeat yet, but we could see it. It was beautiful and breathtaking. It was crazy to see Baby O's perfect little arms and legs already formed. All Casey and I could talk about after was how anyone could deny that was a baby. We have always been pro-life, but experiencing and seeing firsthand our little miracle made it all the more convicting. 

The fact that Casey and I will have a baby in 3 months, blows my mind! To be able to play any part in God's creation, and bring a life into this world is a surreal feeling. Being pregnant, I see more than ever, His perfect design and plan. God is so good. 

Happy Ash Wednesday! Thanks for reading! XO

P.S. Make sure to get to Mass today and get your ashes! :)

WHAT I WORE SUNDAY

| Dress: H&M | Necklace: H&M | Shoes: Target | Purse: Kate Spade |

This is an extra special "What I Wore Sunday" because the lovely ladies of Fine Linen and Purple blog allowed me to host this week. Make sure to check out their blog, and see some other ladies' stylish looks for your Sunday wardrobe inspiration. 

Over the weekend my husband and I were busy taking on "Project Nursery" for our little bundle of joy. I am definitely in nesting mode as I clean and organize everything in sight. Attending Mass on Sunday was a good break away from the project, and allowed us to really focus our hearts on our Lenten preparation, which starts this Wednesday! I am so thankful for Lent; it makes me reflect on my faith walk and see where I have become complacent and what needs improvement. Lent is humbling, but it is just what my soul needs.

What are you guys giving up/doing extra for Lent?

Thanks for reading! XO

THE MODERN MODESTY PROJECT

The Saturday after Valentine's Day, I had the awesome opportunity to take part in a styled photoshoot and fundraiser for my friend, Elissa Voss. I first met Elissa about a year ago, after Casey and I spoke at a Theology on Tap in Old Town San Diego. She approached me after and shared part of her story with me. This girl is the real deal! She has a beautiful heart, and her fervor to seek the Lord in all she does is such an inspiration.

God has called Elissa to do missionary work over her Spring Break in Honduras with Focus Missions. In her fundraising efforts, she created an event sharing her talent of photography while spreading the message of Modesty. When I received the Facebook invite, I was so excited. Photography and modest fashion are some of my favorite things, and to top it off, all proceeds went to supporting a missionary spreading God's love. 

Above are some sneak peak pictures Casey captured on his phone of the event. I cannot wait to receive the pictures Elissa took, and to share them with all of you. 

If you live in the San Diego area and are looking for a photographer, 

check out Elissa's photography website:
Elissa Anne Photography

If you would like to support her mission efforts, 

please visit her donation page: 
Elissa's Donation Page

Donating even $5 or $10 will really help. I have no doubt that God is going to use Elissa for great things, and I know from my own experience with mission work, that it is a priceless investment for the soul. 

Happy Monday! Thanks for reading! XO