14 weeks

Today marks 14 weeks for our little babe and this pregnancy. That means we are officially entering the second tri-mester and let me tell you... I can tell! My nausea has mostly disapated. I can do more things after work than sit on the couch. I am doing laundry again, which my husband really appreciates and cooking!

It is very surreal to know that a baby is growing inside of me and that it is actually the size of something substantial now like a a fist.... not just a kumquat, whatever that is! I laid awake the other night while Drew slept next to me freaking out that a living thing was growing inside of me. What are we going to do with this thing once it gets here! Holy Cow! And then I fell asleep!

I got my hair done for the first time since April last night. You always feel so much better when you get your hair done! I had been waiting till the end of my first trimester to re-color my hair.

I am doing the ole rubberband on my pants technique to give myself a little more time before biting the bullet and purchasing maternity pants. Mom did get me a few shirts last week from Target's line. She was more excited than I was. My skirts that I wear to work that zip on the side are no longer zipable! I wear them with long tops and leave that zipper wide open!

A movie night where noone watched the movie

The past week had been funny. Just full of randomness. Tired days. Confusion. Just Funny!

Last night Drew and I went over to Mom and Nana's after work. I picked up Rosas' Taco Tuesday for dinner, although only two people actually ordered tacos. Nana was sent home from the hospital to recover. She was taken off her coumadin medicine which keeps her blood thinned to prevent blood clots. Basically the Dr.'s advice was if we keep her on coumadin she could bleed out, if we take her off she could have a stroke. Apparently a stroke was decided to be the lesser of two evils. Since coming home Aunt Tammy and Kelsey have been taking care of Mom and Nana nonstop so last night was a good time for them to take a little break.

Anyway I picked up Argo to watch after dinner. Great movie! Wonderful story! Nana had wanted to see it and I thought last night was the perfect time. Well it wasn't two minutes into that I remembered how much cursing there is in the movie specifically the F bomb used constantly! I cringed each time it was said. I couldn't look over her direction for fear I would get called out for liking a movie with such foul language. Suprisingly nothing was said and we rolled right on by the first couple of scenes. Eventually I looked over at Nana and saw she had already fallen asleep.

Mom was sitting on the opposite couch making exgagerated head movements toward Nana to make sure I realized she was alseep. Yes, I get it! I half-way considered just turning off the movie and us heading home but was honestly too tired to get up to do even that. So there we sat, Nana sleeping, Mom not paying attention at all, Drew zoning in and out between words with friends games, and me.



Fun Family Night!! These times we will remember forever!

We went to the Circus

So last weekend the Circus came to town... my first response when Drew asked me if I wanted to go was.... ummmm No way! Gross Carney people! NO!

Then I realized there would be elephants there! We don't have elephants at our zoo here and when I tried to see them at the New Orleans zoo I only saw their rears as they were headed for their houses. So here will be real live elephants in Amarillo who do tricks!! COUNT ME IN!

We went on Saturday night with Aunt Tammy, Kelsey, Rhonda and Kiddo's and Mom.

 

 

 

 

We arrived early to see the "pre show meet and greet" which pretty much consisted of camels behind bars in cages 10 feet away and clowns teaching kids tricks. I was all pumped and ready to either touch an elephant or possibly go for a ride on one, don't ask me where I got the idea I would have the opportunity to do this but I was fully convinced in my mind!)

Nevertheless after a very dissappointing 30 min. of waiting they finally brought out the elephant to which I ran down to the stage like a 5 year old. I just wanted to be close. But I was stuck behind super tall people and could barely see as it's foot was painted and stomped on a piece of paper for a one of a kind artwork to be auctioned off later.  I definitely didn't win!

We enjoyed the circus for the most part. Cute camels that reminded me of Cooper, fun Stunts in the motorcycle cage and high wire walking. Cute dogs jumping around. It was cheesy and not the incredible circus' of the past but a fun family night!

Finally they brought out the elephants for their tricks... two this time! They were huge and adorable. They sat on stools, did circles, and held on to one another with their tusks. LOVE!

It was very worth it to finally get to see my favorite animal a little more close and personal!

Counting Thursdays

Currently I feel as though I am measuring my weeks based on Thursdays. It is the start to a new week for me because every Thursday marks another week of growth for our little bug.

Yesterday on the start to our 13th week we visited the Dr.

Everything looks right on schedule. Our OB tried to used the doppler to find our bugs' heartbeat and after several minutes with no luck she brought in the sono machine. I had my heart in my throat at this point. As soon as the sono was on little one popped up on the screen flipping around and moving up a storm. All was well!

Each day I am amazed at the blessing that is growing inside of me and what this life means to not only Drew and I but our families.  My Mom is beside herself and extremely protective already of her newest grandchild, no jumping, no quick movements, no spazzing out, quiet voices!

Drew and I are excited to learn each week the new developments in our baby. Eye lids closing, beginning to pee, full circulatory system. We were especially excited when our little bug lost it's tail!

I am working on tappering off my listening to a very loud Jay-Z in the car because I am sure that is not what I want my baby to be hearing when he/she does begin hearing noises from the outside world.

With each week we are treading into new territory. Next week marks the end of the first trimester and by 17-20 weeks hopefully we can find out the gender of this little bug!

On my recent visit to Abilene I got to spend some time with a very special lady, Whitney's Grandmother Polly Hilbert or as she is more commmanly known... Mimi. I have known Polly since before Whitney and I were even friends. She was the lady you definitely wanted to be in good graces with at church and I somehow was. Love this woman!



Mimi came in from bed after the dog woke her up to entertain us all.

 



Polly is 93 now, the age Grandy would be, and has some memory problems but is as spunky as ever. We were discussing the fact that I was pregnant and she wanted to know what I was having... "I don't know yet Mimi it is still too soon." Well that was not good enough for her. She proceeded to ask me how many girls were in my family, "Well we have  alot of girls in our family." OK she said then how many boys, " Oh well not as many boys." She said well then I think it is a boy. Not the most scientific fact gathering but since she and Nana are the two that have now predicted it is going to be a boy then I think there is something to it! Polly then said, " well lets name it!" Ohh ok well what should I name this boy? Nevermind needing Drew's imput or approval. Polly sat back for a long while obviously thinking very hard about her answer. "Abraham Lincoln! That is the name, the greatest man in history who saved so many people and was an honest man. Abraham Lincoln should be his name!"

Who can argue with a statement like that, I haven't broken the news to Drew that if it is a boy he will be called Abraham Lincoln quite yet!

Prayers for Nana

The past two weeks have been a little exhausting.

I have been fighting a cold for a week and a half now and let me tell you when you are pregnant this is not fun. After suffering through for a day on the couch and a sleepless night I decided I needed to visit a real Dr. and not just webmd. Waste! He basically told me that I can't really take anything and that I will get over it.

While I was suffering it out in bed we got a call from Mom that Nana was on her way to the hospital in an ambulance. She had taken a nap in her recliner and when she put her foot down an immense pain shot up her leg and into her knee. After being unable to get up she was taken to the ER. They released her with little information other than visit an orthopedic, no visible fracture, and meds for pain. At her orthopedic appointment he wanted her to start physical therapy, and wasn't sure if something had torn but was confident it would heal itself. After a rough couple of days at home and a few falls Nana's Dr. said she needs to be in the hospital for monitoring and recuperation. She was admitted on Monday and is hoping to be released today if her blood levels are maintained.

I have stayed the past two nights with Mom after Aunt Tammy and Kelsey spent several nights with Mom and Nana at home. It is in these moments and times of uncertainty, struggles, and needing to be surrounded and uplifted that I am all the more thankful for family. To have each other's backs. To have close relationships, to be so close to each other is all the more important.

Mom is a creature of habit and not having Nana home with her was a little upsetting at first. By the end of the days I am exhausted from fighting my cold and growing pregnancy and I am so thankful for a Husband who steps in and loves Mom as his own. He comforts her, listens to her, goes out of his way to make her feel welcome and included. She seems to be more at peace when in his presence and for that I am thankful.

We are praying that Nana is able to fully recover at home soon and get back to some normalcy. She is such a pillar in our family especially life involving Mom. Her sacrifices and love can be matched by no other.

 

Nana is one of the only ladies I know who can wear a hat so fashionably here in the US. I gave her this one as a Thank You for all her contributions for the wedding. She looks incredible!

Abilene Bound

Isn't it funny how sometimes going back to the place you tried to get away from for so long can be one of the most comforting places?!

I went back to Abilene this past weekend to meet up with Whitney and Laura Beth but really to meet Adilyn, Whitney's daughter!

Besties, true friends are hard to find!

Drew was supposed to work so it was planned to be just a girls weekend. A few nights in a hotel,  a little relaxation by the pool, eating old highschool/college fast food favorites, visiting with old friends.

 Enjoying some much needed time in the sun and water after a long and hot summer.

My all time favorite burrito from La Popular, simply potatoes and cheese but it's worth dreaming of.

A little reunion amongst old friends and meeting Ms. Hattie Jo for the first time.

 

 



It was a wonderful weekend! I had a cold that I was fighting but laughter was really the best medicine for it. Catching up with true friends who love you whole heartedly and have been there for your journey is a heart warming feeling.

We had the chance to meet up with a friend who held rank of best friend from 3rd grade - sometime in high school. I got to see her precious daughters, hold her 15 month old and get even more excited about my expanding family. It was great time of healing for the soul and rejuvination.

Thank you Whitney and LB for the wonderful weekend!

93

This Handsome man would have turned 93 today... I cannot believe it! I miss him more and more each day and with each momentous occasion in my life.

He has truly shaped the person I am today and I am ever grateful for all of his teachings.


Never Forget!

Eeek...

Well I had a first this weekend... we had a mouse in the house. YUCK!!!

After coming home Friday night to a little creature, to big to be a bug, to small to be a cat, run from under OUR BED I went after it to see what in the world it was. I caught it just with my eyes just as it's tail was whipping around the corner into our guest room also known as my closet. I of course started shrieking and Drew came running in thinking it was something with the baby.... No dear just a small little mouse!

He took Buster, our pitbull, into the room and shut the door while Cooper and I hung out on the bed in my room feet safely off the floor. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that I did live in Africa for 5 weeks where seeing a mouse was much better than seeing a snake! Nevertheless in my comfortable, clean, home a mouse might of well has been a snake in that moment.

After banging around on furniture for a while trying to scare it out Drew and Buster came out defeated. I barely slept at as I was afraid of mice running over me. The next morning Drew left early to go pick up a stove he had gotten from work, he gets the hook up on all sorts of appliances up there. We had noticed an unpleasant smell coming from our stove the days prior. We both thought it might have been a dead varment but decided to right it off as a stinky old stove.

As he is moving out the stove, and I am laying on the couch feet safely covered and off the ground, he finds a smashed dead mouse in between the stove drawer and the wall....ICK!!! Disgusted I covered my face and nose as he moved the stove out by himself, I really used the "Honey I am not supposed to lift more than 20 lbs. while pregnant" rule in my favor!

Horrified now thinking there must be a den of them somewhere. My sweet husband worked tirelessly to secure any entrance points into the house. Laid out traps everywhere with a taunting snack of peanut butter for the mice. Meanwhile I set to washing every pot and pan that was in the stove, and hot water washing any item that was on the floor and may have been touched by a mouse.

I was sure when we went to do a Bridal session that evening that we would come home to find our furry friend trapped.... not the luck! I really believe Drew was beginning to doubt that I had even seen one the night before. Then while eating our takeout Olive Garden and watching the Bourne Identity, SNAP!, we both stared at one another as he quickly and tenatively got up to check all the traps. There it was, smashed in the trap in the pantry area. I had to fanatically tell my husband I did NOT want to witness this horror as he was trying to bring the dead mouse into the living room.

All that to say this weekend we had mice, hopefully now we have gotten them all, hopefully I will never have to deal with it again... not likely!