10/6/16 10/6/16

We're Expecting! Gamer Pregnancy Announcement

Three weeks ago I shared this photograph on Instagram and Facebook, and earlier this week I thought I should make it "blog official". My husband and I decided our pregnancy announcement should focus on a favorite pastime of our two sons which is playing video games.

For our gamer pregnancy announcement I ordered the shirts off of Amazon and designed the graphic myself. I used iron-on transfers which worked great, but after a few washes they're pretty much done, I honestly wish I had one of those vinyl machines like a Cricut instead... but the shirts served they're purpose and I think the announcement turned out super cute!We've wrapped our brains around the fact that our third baby is on it's way.

My husband and I had talked about trying for a third for years but never really decided. God certainly did for us!

My boys are excited and I am savoring this pregnancy in ways I don't think I did with my last two. This pregnancy has been uniquely different because I've basically had all day "morning sickness" every day for the last 6 weeks or so. Otherwise I feel great and this last week the nausea is tapering off. I'm hoping this is a sign it will eventually dissipate. I appreciate the nausea and dry heaving I really do, because I know it's a sign everything is working. Being of "advanced maternal age" (I'm over 35) I was really concerned this go round so having this "sign" that all is well though exhausting and not ideal has been very comforting.

I'm presently twelve weeks and feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many cool new products are out there from baby carriers, to bottles, and strollers.The making of the nursery will be put on hold because we'll be moving back to the States either before or after this baby comes which has taken a ton of the prepping for baby pressure off.

Though moving from a foreign country (Italy) back to America will be a big enough challenge for me either significantly pregnant or with a newborn. It's going to be fun to share this journey here. I hope you'll join me.

7/10/16 7/10/16

Highline 179 Bridge - The Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge in the World

A few days ago I shared our day at the sight of the Highline 179 Bridge and Ehrenberg Ruins. We spent so much time walking up the mountain's path enjoying nature and a story (or four) told by me to our boys about fairies and then at the actual sight of one of the ruins there; we didn't make it across the bridge.Our second day at the sight was no less exciting and terrifying - holy cow the bridge is high and long.We spent a lot less time walking up the path which is sprinkled with signs which tell of local folklore. As you can guess I totally enjoyed that aspect of our hike. However, on our second day we didn't stop to read each sign, or even muse at how green everything was, because we were a family on a mission.That mission - was to CROSS THAT BRIDGE!I can't say I was exactly thrilled with our mission - I wasn't even sure I was going to choose to accept it when I started out... but I was a willing participant none the less.I mentioned the wood carvings on my last post... say hello to Gandalf.Once up the path we decided to head straight to the other ruins located on the side of one of the entrances to the bridge.We hung out there, and let the kids run around before we decided to make the crossing.The bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. I'm not a fan of being up so high, like above the trees, an over big highway high - with nothing but some metal and wires keeping me in air. Nope, not a fan, not one little bit.It was awfully pretty though.One of my hands was on the banister at all times.... like that would've saved me in the event that sucker fell. I'm hilarious!My youngest son Evan was nervous at first, but by the middle of our wobbly walk he was fine - as for the other two, they loved it... Adrenaline junkies the lot of them.I made it. Fear conquered!The bridge crosses between two mountains.You can either cross the bridge and go back the way you came, or follow another longer route down. We opted for the longer - less traveled route, and it took us another couple of hours to get back to our car.Overall it was a great day filled with adventure.If you've not yet read about our first day, please check out this link:http://www.nicoleolea.com/highline-179-bridge-ehrenberg-day-1ruins-reutte-austria/ SaveSaveSaveSaveSave

7/8/16 7/8/16

Highline 179 Bridge & Ehrenberg Ruins, Reutte, Austria - Day 1

Over the Independence Day weekend, we took a drive to the Bavarian region of Germany. Once there we did some exploring and came across the Highline 179 Bridge. Or rather we drove beneath it and my husband was was like, "I've got to cross that bridge!" I snickered and was like, "Yeah right, I'm not going UP there." However, my husband has this great way of getting me to do things that are out of my comfort zone, so the next day we found ourselves at the little town where the bridge is located.This is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. No joke-they've got the people from the Guinness Book of World Records backing them up. Highline 179 Bridge and the Ehrenberg (i.e. castle) Ruins are located near Reutte, Austria on the Bavarian-Austrian Border.This is the view of the bridge from a parking area. Up the road we're on is a little village area with a restaurant, gift shop, museum and playground. You can also purchase your tickets for the bridge there.My son Michael and I are actually on the path. There is a big grassy meadow where wild flowers were blooming. My boys played for a bit while my husband purchased our tickets. The playground is made of wood with really cool carvings which included a water feature.The walk up to the bridge is a decent hike up the side of the mountain. It's mostly gravel, that makes for easy walking, but it's not completely smooth, so take care if you are bothered by steep walks or uneven surfaces.

My boys enjoyed exploring nature just off the path while I told them tales of faerie...

... And pointing out their dens....

Once we reached the top of the gravel walkway we rested for a few minutes on a shaded bench under a wooded area; where my husband was struck with the notion to hike up the Ehrenberg Ruins. I was not amused because, for one, I'd already mentally prepared myself to cross that darn bridge, and two, I was wearing cute pants and my Chucks that day. I was so not dressed at all for hiking up a mountain. After a whole lot of complaining by me, my husband (as I mentioned before) convinced me to (exit my comfort zone and) hike up. I'm so glad he did. It was absolutely gorgeous.

This is the view of the ruins from a lookout tower located on the mountain.

We hung out for a few hours at the ruins. Exploring them, and sitting and taking in the gorgeous panoramic views of the landscape.Rose vines grew on the sides of the ruins. They smelled so delicious!Evan is always climbing on something, this happens to be the tower I mentioned earlier.There was a tunnel that led from the castle ruins to a watch point which was used for security protection at the time it was designed. We really enjoyed exploring the ruins (there are actually two) and I'll show the rest of our exploration of the ruins and the bridge crossing which ended up being our second day there because by the time we got to the bridge we realized it was quite late, and it would soon be closing so we decided to come back the following day.You can read about our second day at the following link: Highline 179 Bridge & Ehrenberg Ruins, Reutte, Austria - Day 2http://www.nicoleolea.com/12918-2highline-179-bridge/ SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

5/26/16 5/26/16

How to Get Started with Square Foot Gardening

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

5/26/16 5/26/16

How to Save 3.5 Hours A Week with Real Plans

5/26/16 5/26/16

9 Tips to Help Balance Hormones Naturally

5/26/16 5/26/16

Get the Facts: The Benefits of Cholesterol