Monday, January 31, 2022

January 31st, 2022

Happy 27th Birthday to me! :)


This morning Mike & I got breakfast at our favorite spot: The Southern Cafe. Later we met up with my family & did an escape room! 


We then got dinner and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory before heading back to my parents' house for cake & presents. Overall it was a lovely day spent with my favorite people!

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

January 26th, 2022


For Mom's birthday today we went to Puttshack! I won, naturally. 😉

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

January 25th, 2022


I think we found a new favorite spot: Chop'd in Plainfield. 🍽

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

January 18th, 2022

Introducing: Avery Alina Donelson 🍼


Our sweet, beautiful Avery Alina was taken from us far too soon.

We were devastated to learn last Tuesday morning that our little princess had most likely passed the night before due to umbilical cord prolapse. It’s very rare, and it has no real cause or any type of prevention, which is why our scan just days before on Friday looked perfect.

I’ve tried again and again to find the right words to say, but every time I try to type a sentence I either can’t seem to put a coherent thought together, or I can’t bring myself to finish it, or it just feels wrong somehow. So needless to say, there’s so, so much more to say, so much more that I just can’t right now.

All I know is that I love our daughter so much. I loved her from the very moment I saw that positive digital test. And I will love her until the end of forever. And I miss her—so, so much. It’s not fair, that she had to leave that day with wings instead of in our arms. But we will continue to carry her with us every single day, always and forever, in our hearts. She will always be our blessing, our angel, our little girl. She is so missed and so loved by so many.

Our angel’s middle name is special, because it comes from the amazing nurse who was there for us throughout the entire process—from the news to the delivery to the recovery. We are forever grateful for her compassion and warmth, for her genuine smile, for her patience and care. Without her we surely would not have been able to get through that day as we did. We could think of no name more suitable for our precious girl than hers.

There’s been an overflowing amount of love showered over us already, and we cannot begin to express how grateful we are for all of you. If our replies are delayed, brief, or not given at all, please know that we truly are so very thankful for every word, for every gesture, for every single bit of love. It’s just a lot right now. But despite what we say or don’t say, please know that we appreciate everything.

A huge piece of our hearts has wings now. God has her in His hands, and we have her in our hearts. And we’ll hold her in our hearts until we can hold her in heaven. Through her we have learned that there are some that bring a light so great to this world that even after they have gone, the light remains.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

January 12th, 2022


Tonight we grabbed dinner at Mojo's with my family in celebration of Mike's birthday yesterday! :)

January 12th, 2022

Baby Update!!


Our induction is officially scheduled for Tuesday 1/18 at 9AM!

During my ob visit + NST I found out I’m already 2cm dilated and 80% effaced! 😲 My doctor literally said, “With you being 36w2d and this being your first baby, I doubt you’ll be dilated at all”—and then was immediately shocked and impressed that I was already progressing!

My blood pressure, heart rate, and urine sample all were great/healthy, and then baby girl once again passed the NST with flying colors! When my doctor came to check on me after the first ten minutes he was once again just amazed at how active she was being! “Is she seriously always this active??” Yes, Dr Martin, oh definitely yes. 😂

What I was surprised to find out was that I was having mini contractions during the NST! When the nurse was checking the readings she asked if I had felt anything, to which I sheepishly said no. She thought that was funny. By the end of the visit I was once again given my “healthy in all regards” diagnosis and had my induction scheduled on the books at the hospital. I have to get a COVID test three days before the induction, so I’ll be doing that on Saturday. Otherwise, it’s officially go time!! Baby will be here in SIX days!! 😱😍

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

January 11th, 2022

Happy 27th Birthday to my amazing husband!! :) It's been crazy busy lately prepping for baby girl, but we still managed to sneak out tonight after work and grab a yummy bite to eat at Sovereign in DT Plainfield!

Saturday, January 8, 2022

January 8th, 2022

“Can’t repeat the past?…Why, of course you can!” —Jay Gatsby

Today was our Great Gatsby/Roaring 20’s Baby Shower, and it was so absolutely perfect in every single way! 🖤💛 So thankful for all the details—especially all the delicious food & desserts! 😋


We’ve truly been gifted with the world’s best family & friends! 🥰 A huge thank you to everyone that came out and/or sent something for Baby Donelson! Our little girl is so beyond blessed that she is going to have all of you in her life!! 😍