Today, instead of a recipe I’m sharing a tour of our little, light filled apartment…with a bit of a surprise at the end. It’s a temporary space while we figure out where to find our footing in this beautiful Northwest city. Be warned, there are a lot of pictures.
By now, you may have noticed the clues as to what the surprise in the title is…Sean and I are having a bebe!! I have been SO EXCITED to share this with you all. I could seriously burst. Our babe is due in late July and he’s a boy! We were totally convinced we were having a girl–simply because everyone we are close to have girls and it was just on the brain. We, along with our friends and family, are so excited to welcome a baby boy into this clan of girls. This week I’m officially halfway through my pregnancy at 20 weeks, the baby is looking great and is super active in his cozy space. His kicks and stretches are getting stronger, we even saw him hiccup (and pee! which totally happens in there, apparently. HA!) during our last ultrasound, and he’s a healthy little guy. We truly could not be more excited.
A little background, I’ve always wanted to be a mother. As a couple, we’ve always wanted children to be a part of our future, it’s one of the things that we knew from the start and that fueled our attraction for each other. We also wanted to finish school, get married, and live a bit of married life before we began this journey. Also, honestly, I harbored a lot of fear that it might never happen for us. With good reason, that I won’t get into right now, I didn’t trust my body and its ability to conceive and carry a baby. So, we put it off for several years. Sean was ready years ago, but my fears kept things on hold a little longer. Then, a few months before I turned 29, I got the fever and I couldn’t shake it. It kept me up at night and I could feel that proverbial clock ticking. I made an appointment, consulted with an obgyn who guided us on maximizing our fertility, and 5 months of temperature taking, calendar tracking, and lots of tears and stress later I was pregnant. It was such a relief that even when the first trimester symptoms of extreme fatigue and nausea hit, I welcomed them…even in the midst of the holiday season eat-fest.
So, basically, this is a dream come true and I have been absolutely BURSTING to share this with you guys. I mean, it’s a BFD to me, and so are all of you.
Just a little note: I know that while it may have been stressful and fearful to embark on this journey for us, I know a lot of couples have it much, much harder than we did. And some even have it easier. I’m not trying to compare or in any way diminish the experience of others, I just want to share this joyful time with all of you.
Yay! Congrats, girl! I’m so over the moon excited for you and Sean. I can’t wait to meet the little gentleman.
AND I love your home. It’s so bright and lovely! I love those pups, that dotty rug, that purse (obvz), and every little thing.
So yay! Congrats! I heart you guys! <3 <3 <3 <3
Thanks, friend! and thanks for listening to all my baby ramblings these last months! You’ve been the best!
Congratulations! What wonderful news (and what a lovely home to bring your little boy back to in a couple of months!)
Thank you so much, Kathryn!!
Congratulations! Oh how exciting for you and daddy-to-be! Wishing you all the very best as you prepare for your little guy to make his grand entrance to your family!
Thank you, Robbie!!
Holy smokes, congratulations Cindy!!! I am so happy for you and your husband. And a baby boy, ah!! Take it easy, will ya? And beautiful apartment! That living room window is so gloriously big (unlike the narrow little slots you get out here in the east, haha).
I am obsessed with that window!
and, Thank you so much Linda! We could not be more excited! and I will definitely take it easy…any excuse to take a guilt-free nap!
Yay, Cindy! I’ve been thinking about you a lot and hoping you’re loving your new home. It is so bright and cheery! So excited for you two. You guys will be such great parents 🙂
Thank you so much, Nicole! and we are loving it here…if you ever visit the PNW, definitely let me know 🙂
Yayyyyy! Huge, huge congrats to you both! As soon as I spotted the sonogram photo on your fridge I had a feeling that was a clue 🙂
I thought it might be a giveaway 🙂 Thanks so much Maggie!!
AAAAHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! Little BEBESS! So exciting and huuuge congrats. Also the light from the window? daaang.
Thanks, Billllay!!!!
CONGRATS!!!! What exciting news! I am so happy for you two. You are going to make GREAT parents. xoxoxo And a BOY!!! Oh BOY!!!
THANK YOU, Tracy!! We had a moment of goofy-joy after we found out he’s a boy, then we both realized…OMG, he’s gonna be a maniac! Ha!
That is TOTALLY a BFD and I’m so happy for you! Big, big congratulations my friend! Can’t wait to see you do the momma thang.
Also, lovely little home! Gosh, everything is so NEAT.
Thanks, lady!!
and this is the smallest space I’ve lived in, so I’ve also been the most organized I have ever been, ha!
congrats on this amazing new journey! I’ve been catching your sweet stuff since first spotting you in Artful Blogging… and then found your pal Megan. Thanks for your inspiration and crazy blessings to bebe.
Thank you, Phoebe!
GIRRRRLLLL!!! I am so happy and excited for you I could scream. I wanna hug you so hard! Congrats. Ugh. So happy.
And your apartment… yeaaahhhh I’m moving in, hope that’s cool.
EEEK! Thank you! It’s SO, SO exciting!
and, it’ll be cozy, but we could make it work…I mean, we’d definitely eat well 😉
CINDY!!!!!!!! A BEBE.. and a BOYYYYY!!!! OMG!! Congratulations my darling dear. I understand that fear and those “things” all too well. I’m so so happy for you..
YES! Thank you so much, Erika! It is a comfort to know that other people have shared the same fears and frustrations. XO
Congrats! And I love your apartment. I could just sit and stare out that window all day. *dreamysigh*
I wanted girl so badly. Our street is just girls and everyone who was pregnant was having girls. Part of the reason I didn’t want to find out the sex is because I was afraid to have a boy. But we had a boy and never knew I much I could love this little guy.
Thank you!
My husband is from a family of 4 boys and I have a brother, so we thought we’d break the cycle for sure. But, really, we just wanted a healthy babe 🙂
EEKKKKK! Cograts!!!! A baby boy, how very exciting! Many blessing to you, your hubby and little bun in the oven!!
Thank you, Nicole!!
OMG congrats! That is such special and happy news! I look forward to more baby updates 🙂 The apartment is so cute, too, by the way. I love your style. Congrats again!
THANK YOU!!
Oh, hooray! Such amazing news! Congratulations!!
Thank you, Eileen!
Bawling with happiness. I know that feelings well about postponing it because something inside you says it might not happen BUT it HAS dear Cindy and i am so very happy for you and Sean. A child changes everything but i assure you in the best of ways. Everyday he will grow, you will grow mama!
A bOY!!!
Thank you so much, Nadia! I am tearing up just reading this comment. I recall once discussing these fears with you before and you should know that your words are such a comfort to me. Again, thank you! I also could not be happier for you and little Poet. Such a wonderful, exciting thing to become a mother.
I’m super jealous of your apartment! It’s so lovely!! And congrats on the baby boy!!
thank you, Christine!!
Holy crap!! Congratulations to you and Sean! It’s been a long time since we first became friends and I’m so excited for you both. Ps, your home is lovely too 🙂
Thanks, Danielle! I will definitely pass along the congrats to Sean, as well 🙂
Oh my goodness, Cindy! Congratulations! I am so very happy for you and Sean! And your home is beautiful! Love all of that gorgeous light. xo
Thank you, Amanda! XO!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I just had my first little guy in December!!!! It is so amazing! And tiring. And stressful. But sooooo worth it. Nobody ever tells you all the crap you have to try or go through to make a baby on the right day at the right time! Don’t let anybody tell you girls clothes are more fun, my bank account begs to differ! You are so in the sweet spot of the pregnancy! Enjoy every moment. BTW Your home is stunning!!!
I believe it! My bff had her first in December as well, and she has been super real with me about EVERYTHING…it’s both scary and refreshing, ha! I already have a little stock of super cute boy things…and since I have little girls to buy things for in my life already, I welcome the change 🙂
Congrats! Super exciting news.
thank you, Sarah!!
oooohhh how exciting!!! CONGRATULATIONS Cindy & Sean !!!!
We are so happy for you both 🙂
Hope to meet that angel of yours(Gary’s great nephew)when he arrives. Oregon is closer the Michigan!…lol
Thank you Betty and Uncle Gary, too! We are very happy 🙂 and yes, Oregon is MUCH closer than Michigan and we still visit Reno often as well..even closer!
Congratulations!!!! As someone who’s a huge fan of your food and feels like I know you through it, this is wonderful!!
Unrelated though, where are your sheets from? They’re adorable.
Thank you, Jane!! I truly appreciate it 🙂
and the sheets are from Target, we also have them in a coral/orange scheme.
CONGRATS!!! What amazing news and so excited for you! 🙂
And I love your apt!
Thank you so much, Averie!!!
congrats! what wonderful news! that’s going to be one stylish baby boy! any pregnancy cravings so far? i’m always curious to know!
thank you! so far, it’s been a lot of fruit cravings–especially strawberries, I’ve probably eaten 10 pounds of them the last few weeks. There have been some sporadic pizza and burger cravings as well 🙂
Cindy, I’m so excited for you (and your hubs)!!!! Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Meghan!!!!
Congrats on your new addition! 🙂 How exciting!
Also, I love your place. It is so bright and happy and very much my style. Can I ask where you got the magnets that are personal pictures on your refrigerator? They are awesome!
— Melissa
Thank you!
The magnets are instagram magnets I ordered from Pickpack (http://getpicpack.com/) I would definitely recommend them.
I know I’ve already said this, but I am FULL TO BURSTING with excitement and happiness for you, you gorgeous person. I can feel it in my bones, that you guys are going to have such an amazing little family unit. And if you ever need a babysitter/moral support person/emergency brownie bringer, you know I’m just a plane ticket, a continent and an ocean away.
Thank you so much, Sarah!! and watch out…I may take you up on all of that :D:D:D
Congratulations, how exciting for you and your family. Your apartment looks great, you put so much love into it. Good luck and keep us posted.
Thank you, Gerlinde!!
OMG! Congratulations Cindy!! What a great news about your baby. And the new apartment is fabulous!! We’re also looking to move in the summer and my first requirement is awesome natural light.
Congrats again! I wish you much happiness to you and the hubby.
Natural light is a must!
Thank you, Ana!!
So much excitement!! Totally cute new apartment, new city… and a BABY! I’m so happy for you both – sending love and major congratulations from SF. 🙂
Thank you, Brittany!! I really appreciate it 🙂
Congratulations! That is wonderful news! Your apartment is super cute! How are you liking Portland? My parents and I are looking to make a move but aren’t quite sure where to go. How is the weather?
Thanks Laura! We love Portland…it’s a great city for food and really beautiful, too. The weather is generally rainy and cloudy, but there are really gorgeous sunny days. The temperatures are pretty moderate, not much freezing at all.
Ahhh!! So excited for you guys, congrats!! You a going to be an awesome mom!! 🙂
Love the new apartment! So cute and cozy!
Thanks, Tieghan!! 🙂
Congrats on the new one!! So exciting!
I have been following you for a minute and didn’t know you were in the NW! Hope you’re loving it!
Thank you so much! We are certainly loving it here.
Cindy, great big huge congratulations!! I am so happy for you and Sean! I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly and that you’re able to enjoy the last few months as a family of two! Your place is gorgeous, too. 🙂
thank you, Elizabeth!! we are trying to get in lots of dates and nights out on the weekend these next few months!
Oh my gosh, congratulations! I wish all the best for you and your family! I also have to ask…WHERE DID YOU GET THAT WHITE ROBOT PLANTER/POT??? I NEED IT IN MY LIFE!!!
Thank you! I got it from a Kinokuniya bookstore years ago.
Congratulations, I am so happy for you two!
P.S.:Your apartment is so cute.
Thank you, Melanie!!
hooray! i am over the moon for you and sean. sending my health, happiness, and love to you both! p.s. the lighting in your apartment is lovely. xo!
Thank you so much, Erin! I will send Sean your well wishes! xo
What a lovely post! And the title made me wonder…then I saw the scans on the fridge and thought…oooh, this is so EXCITING! A million congratulations from the UK, and I hope you have a healthy rest of the pregnancy, and a wonderful life together!
Thank you so much, Jessica!!
oh man! such sweet news. congratulations, cindy! but, also, how cute and light-filled and inhabited by adorable doggies is your home? <3
thanks, Autumn!!
Congrats!! 🙂
thank you 🙂
What wonderful news! I got pregnant at 29, too..I think I put it off as long as I could, and even then, it wasn’t 100% planned 😉 It’s a great adventure. Big hug from SF!
Thank you, Kasey! It’s funny how long I spent putting it off and then all of the sudden, I couldn’t wait any more!
That little striped bear is the best! So cute. Congrats on your news.
thank you!
Love the whimsical touches in your apt. But, more importantly, congratulations on the wee baby!
Thank you, Sofie!
Congrats, Cindy! I think my husband are like you and yours in that we both know we want kids, but he needs to finish his education, and we’d like to enjoy married life a bit together, but it just seems so scary! Sometimes I worry that I’ll never really feel “ready” even though I’ll want one. Sorry for going into that tangent! I’m really happy for you though and wish you the best!
Thank you! I felt the same way for a long time, it’s totally understandable!