Enjoying

Since my brother moved in, Nate and I have been sneaking off almost every night after the kids are in bed for a nice long walk. We talk about our day, unwind and enjoy the fresh air. Or at least I do. My husband holds my hand, listens and generally walks with me because he knows how much I love it. One night we went to Target to return a few things, and Nate picked out a going home from the hospital outfit for the baby that is SO cute. Our night ended with Starbucks...all while the kids were peacefully sleeping at home. It's a great perk of having someone live with us!

I've been cuddling with my kids a lot more this week. The knowledge that baby could come at any second makes me very sentimental that their time alone with me is coming to an end and our hearts are opening up a spot for our new little family member. I'm hoping that they adjust well, like Brookie did when Joe Joe was born and for now I'm just enjoying every minute I can with them.

On Friday night I got a much needed haircut and thought it would be fun if I took Brooklynne back the next day to get one too. She wouldn't let herself show her excitement to the hairdresser too much, keeping her normal air of shyness about her. But Mommy knew how excited she was and how special it was for her to get her first "professional" haircut by someone other than friends or family.

I really love how it turned out and so does she. It's much easier to take care of now, too!

 I'm enjoying my husband, enjoying my kids, enjoying my God and all he's taught me this year. Go enjoy someone today, whether it's friends, family or just some time alone with God. Drink up every second with them--you won't regret it!

A Day in the Life: Week 8

This was our last full week with "only" 2 children...Lord willing by Friday, we will have 3! Despite the aches, pains and little annoyances of being full term I am trying to enjoy every single day with our family of 4 before a tiny little person changes it all. :)

Monday, February 20th: Nate had off for Presidents Day and we started out the day at our favorite breakfast place

Tuesday, February 21st: A sweet friend came over and scrubbed my bathrooms for me...and brought roses from her garden to boot! What a blessing!

Wednesday, February 22nd: Seeing them play and read together as best friends just melts my heart

Thursday, February 23rd: The weather has been amazing--in the 70's and even high 80's one day. We've been walking a lot and this sunset was just gorgeous! 

Friday, February 24th: Cuddling with my babies after they woke up from their naps

Saturday, February 25th: 38.5 weeks preggo!

Sunday, February 26th: I was sick with a stomach bug (or baby bug, who knows) all day and had to stay home from church, but got this cute little picture on my phone before the night was over. :)

Happy Monday! Enjoy your week!

Tacos, Jumping and Family Time

This week started out great, because it was Presidents day and Nate had off from work. We started out the morning by going to breakfast at our favorite little hometown restaurant.

These kids can DOWN some breakfast tacos--any taco, really. I have to expect this when they are little Texans, I guess. :)

After breakfast we went to a jumpy place to use Groupons I had purchased a while ago. I love these places--the kids can't escape, everything is kid proof and they can just run and play for hours and never get sick of it!

As you can see, he was out of his mind excited. :) It was so nice to have a family day together before the baby comes!

My sweet Brookie has been waking me up before me almost every morning and this is what I get to see when I first open my eyes. I've been so exhausted in the morning but seeing this precious little face makes it all worth it. :)

It's been warm this week--mid 70's-mid 80's, so we've been going to the park and taking walks. Brooklynne was so brave and climbed up the rock wall for the first time! (in her self-dressed-outfit to boot!) 

I turned 38 weeks pregnant and am feeling more ready than ever to have this little guy! My induction was moved to Friday, March 2nd for a few different reasons, so I have at the most, 1 week from today. I'm hoping it's sooner, though! In the meantime, I'm still exercising and trying to keep my body in shape for the big day, doing extra cleaning (with the amazing help of friends who came over this week!) and trying to prepare as much as possible to drop what I'm doing at any moment and head to the hospital. :)

I got these Vera Wang sandals for super cheap a few weeks ago and the weather was warm enough to wear them this week--they are so comfy and cute :)

We celebrated Nate's birthday with his family, and here everyone was watching a car chase and quite enthralled..I love the looks on the kids faces!

That about sums up our week so far. Hope yours is going great. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

A Day in the Life: Week 7

Posting a little late, but better late than never. I did a lot of phone pictures this week. :) 

Monday, February 12th: Daddy and Brooklynne teach Joe how to play Frisbee golf on the PS3 :)

Tuesday, Febraury 14th: Making Valentines Day cookies for Brookie's class party the next evening.

Wednesday, February 15th: Brookie climbed in my bed to cuddle with me in the morning talking so sweet--a precious memory for sure!

Thursday, Febraury 16th: Celebrating Nate's birthday one day late--we had a huge dinner followed by key lime pie (his favorite) and then they all decided they needed Blue Bell. :)

Friday, February 17th: Playing "horsey" with daddy

Saturday, February 18th: Washing and folding tiny newborn clothes=SO fun :)

Sunday, February 19th: The kids hugging and squeezing daddy before bed--I love how their faces are all candid and matching :)

Ten Days

In 10 days I'll be a mommy of 3. I already feel like a mommy of 3, because who can forget the enormous belly sticking out, but in 10 days my arms and heart will be filled with three precious children.

 My first labor was 6 hours, and my second an hour and a half. We live 40 minutes from the hospital, and that's without traffic. At most any given time here, you could sit in horrible traffic for a few hours--morning or evening rush hours last for 3-4 hours and accidents that back up the highway for miles are very common. That's just how it is here and there is no way around it.
 Because of this, my Dr., husband and I have decided that it would be best to be induced so that I do not risk having a baby in the car. My cervix is very favorable at this point (don't you love my medically advanced terms?) and has been since 36 weeks, so Lord willing my body will go right into active labor. Thankfully, they will break my water and not start with pitocin so I have the chance to go into labor on my own. This was done with Brooklynne and within a half hour I had started strong contractions.

 I've never actually experienced the long hours of the first stages of labor. Mine goes on over weeks and when I do actually go into labor, it's fast and furious right away. Because of this, I don't feel that my recoveries are the best (maybe the babies come too fast?) but I am prepared this time with no ministries or photo shoots for close to 2 months and, most important, my Mom being here for 3 weeks when the baby is born. This will be a huge help in letting me not only rest and recover, but just enjoy my baby without feeling the pressure and rush to get back into our very busy lifestyle.
 I cannot tell you how excited I am to have this time to cuddle with my new baby, spend time with my 2 older ones as well as they adjust to having a new little one in the house, as well as spend time with my Mom! Newborns grow SO fast and I don't want to miss that precious tiny stage.

 Because I've gone through labor before and I know what to expect, I am starting to get a little nervous about the whole process. I've done 2 completely natural, and really loved that I did it that way, but always had the option of pain meds in case I wanted it. This time, my platelets are very low so an epidural is pretty much out of the question. I know I can do it without it but not having the option makes it a little scarier. I am so thankful for youtube and the hundreds of videos that have helped refresh my memory of breathing techniques and helpful "counter pressure" that my husband can give me. Of course the fact that we've been hysterically laughing while we are trying to practice doesn't help-HA!-but I just hope we can remember what to do when the time comes! :)

 Anyway, this has turned into somewhat of a ramble, but I just wanted to give you all an update. Unless I go into labor on my own before February 28th, I will have my little boy in my arms sometime that day. I could not be more thrilled! Thanks for those who have offered to pray for me, and I'll do my best to keep you all posted when the time comes!

Couple's Retreat Weekend

Quality time is my #1 love language--so a weekend away with my husband makes me feel like our marriage went from "good" to "great". We had a fabulous 2 1/2 days together, focusing on each other like we haven't in a very, very long time. Nate's been working long hours and for a while so was I, along with trying to keep up with the house, meals, laundry and another important thing: the kids. So yeah. Time with each other wasn't really happening and it was frustrating to both of us. I hate the feeling that "life" has taken over and you have no control over where it is leading you. Thankfully, pulling back the reins and telling life "woooahhhh" over the weekend completely changed our outlook and we are more in love than ever.

Our Pastor carefully chose the special speakers and they were such a blessing to us! Brother Green and Brother Fellure both preached excellent messages during the sessions that were a huge help!

The games this year were hilarious. A few of the guys were asked to propose to their wives again, but the wives didn't know what was going on. Some were funny...

...others were creative...

...and others were downright hilarious! :)

We played the kissing game again...the wife puts on as much lipstick as she can and kisses her husband all over the face and neck. Whoever has the most kisses on their face at the end of 1 minute proceeds to the next round for more games. I planted 37 smooches on my man and we made it to the next round, but lost after my big belly got in the way of another kissing game. ;)

The resort is gorgeous with a large gift/coffee/pastry shop. They serve Starbucks coffee so it was a very popular place for the couples to gather after the meetings. :) 

On Saturday, we took a long walk (even though it was freezing) around the gorgeous grounds. 

I shot hoops with my hubby for a while...lets just say I need more practice! But it was fun to do something with him that I know he enjoys, even if I am awful at it! :) (And running after a ball at 9 months pregnant is a site for sore eyes, I can assure you!)

Relaxing, unwinding, in love...doesn't get much better. This man is honestly the most godly, hardworking, patient man I know--and I know him better than I know any other guy, so I think it's safe to say that! I am SO lucky!

36.5 weeks :)

You knew I couldn't blog a post without at least one picture of food, right?! This BLT with goat cheese and arugula with sweet potato fries on the side was amazing. It was my third and fourth meals of the day. ;)

There is nothing like looking into your husband's eyes, holding his hand and just talking. Talking for however long you want without a care in the world, focusing on each other and just, literally, looking at him. Sometimes we get so busy I feel like I don't even get to glance at the man I married! Not this weekend. 

Sneaking peeks of my guy. He still makes my heart skip a beat.

When this wonderful weekend came to a close, we realized that we hadn't talked at all about the kids (!!) but we were starting to miss them and, of course, had to bring them little treats home. Brookie got sour watermelon candy and Joe got chocolate's in the shape of soccer, football and volley balls. They both loved them, and we were so happy to see them again! :)

Every time we do something like this we wonder why we don't do it more often, but in a way I think that the less you do it, the more special it becomes. We were so frantic for some time together that we truly cherished every single moment. I don't know when we'll be able to do it again, but for now I'm still basking in the glow of being more in love than ever before. :)

A Day in the Life: Week 6

Is it possible that we are already into the 6th week of 2012? Keeping track of it in pictures is helping me grasp how fast time is truly flying. I just hope that I'm using my time wisely, and focusing on what is important in life: my God, my husband and my sweet babies.

Monday, February 6th: Woke up feeling really under the weather, which is how this whole week has been. Thankful for chamomile tea, afternoon naps and kleenex! :)

Tuesday, February 7th: An early Valentines Day present from my hubby. Even at 9 months pregnant, he knows how to make me feel like Cinderella. 

Wednesday, Febraury 8th: Little cutie all ready for church in her clubs shirt

Thursday, February 9th: My little cookie helpers. We made chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips...yummy!

Friday, February 10th: After our first session at our annual couple's retreat. Can you tell I am SO happy to be spending a few days away with my man?! (I'll be doing a blog post about the weekend soon!)

Saturday, February 11th: The resort was beautiful and had an awesome restaurant where we shared a lovely dinner and sat and talked for about an hour and a half. Divine!

Sunday, February 12th: Before we left the resort in the morning, we picked out candy to bring home to the kids. No matter how amazing it is to be away, we just can't get those kiddos out of the back of our minds. :)

 It was an amazing week--especially the weekend away. I feel revived and refreshed and SO happy. :) Have a great week!